Background: In healthcare, research is essential for improving disease diagnosis and treatment, patient outcomes, and resource management, while fostering evidence-based practice. However, conducting research in this sector can be challenging, and healthcare workers may face various obstacles while engaging in research activities. Therefore, understanding healthcare workers’ attitudes toward research participation is essential for overcoming barriers and increasing research engagement. In this study, these aspects are examined through the analysis of survey data from a tertiary healthcare institution in Saudi Arabia. Method: Data obtained via a survey conducted between April and November 2022 among the healthcare workers and employees at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate statistics. Results: The study sample comprised 713 respondents, 61.71% of whom were female, 58.06% were 26–41 years old, and 72.93% had not undertaken any research as employees or affiliates. A significant association was noted between age group and time constraints (p = 0.004) and lack of opportunity for research (p = 0.00), which were among the identified barriers to research participation. A significant association was also found between gender and barriers to pursuing research (p = 0.012). When the 193 (27.07%) participants who conducted research were asked about the challenges they encountered during this process, gender was significantly associated with difficulties in allocating time for conducting research (p = 0.042) and challenges in accessing journals and references (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The study findings highlight the importance of addressing the barriers and challenges in promoting positive attitudes toward research participation among healthcare workers considering their gender and age. In this manner, healthcare institutions can adopt an environment conducive for professional research engagement.
The economic viability of a photovoltaic (PV) installation depends on regulations regarding administrative, technical and economic conditions associated with self-consumption and the sale of surplus production. Royal Decree (RD) 244/2019 is the Spanish legislation of reference for this case study, in which we analyse and compare PV installation offers by key suppliers. The proposals are not optimal in RD 244/2019 terms and appear not to fully contemplate power generation losses and seem to shift a representative percentage of consumption to the production period. In our case study of a residential dwelling, the best option corresponds to a 5 kWp installation with surplus sale to the market, with a payback period of 18 years and CO2 emission reductions of 1026 kg/year. Demand-side management offers a potential improvement of 6%–21.8%. Based on the increase in electricity prices since 2020, the best option offers savings of up to €1507.74 and amortization in 4.24 years. Considering costs and savings, sale to the market could be considered as the only feasible regulatory mechanism for managing surpluses, accompanied by measures to facilitate administrative procedures and guarantees for end users.
Management and efficiency have a fundamental impact on the performance of public hospitals, as well as on their philanthropic mission. Various studies have shown that the financial weaknesses of these entities affect the planning, setting of goals and objectives, monitoring, evaluation and feedback necessary to improve health systems and guarantee accessibility as an inalienable right. This study aims to analyze the management and efficiency of third-level and/or high-complexity hospitals in Colombia, through a statistical model that uses financial analysis and key performance indicators (KPIs) such as ROA, ROE and EBITDA. A non-experimental cross-sectional design is used, with an analytical-synthetic, documentary, exploratory and descriptive approach. The results show financial deficiencies in the hospitals evaluated; hence it is recommended to make adjustments in the operating cycle to increase efficiency rates. In addition, the use of the KPIs ROA and ROE under adjusted models is suggested for a more precise analysis of the financial ratios, since these adequately explain the variability of each indicator and are appropriate to evaluate hospital management and efficiency, but not in EBITDA ratio, hence the latter is not recommended to evaluate hospital efficiency reliably. This study provides relevant information for public health policy makers, hospital managers and researchers, in order to promote the efficiency and improvement of health services.
The article examines the modern vectors of implementation of measures to achieve results in the field of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both at the level of national priorities and at the level of Central Asian countries. The purpose of this study is a multidimensional analysis of actions that make it possible to develop solutions to stabilize the environmental situation in Central Asian countries based on global international trends. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the integrated use of thematic modeling methods, as well as sociological surveys used to improve the efficiency of business processes in the field of environmental protection. The methodological basis for conducting a comparative assessment of the impact of environmental policy instruments used on regional development is the concept of sustainable development. In conclusion, conclusions are drawn about the need to develop effective mechanisms for the implementation of environmental policy in the studied countries.
Investors and company managements often rely on traditional performance evaluation indicators, such as return on equity, return on assets, and other financial ratios, to explain changes in a company’s market value added (MVA). However, the effectiveness of these traditional measures in explaining market value fluctuations remains uncertain. This research aims to investigate the impact of various profitability measures, namely return on equity, gross profit margin, operating profit margin, and return on assets, on explaining changes in the MVA of pharmaceutical and chemical companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. To achieve the study’s objectives, we analyzed the published financial statements of a sample consisting of 14 industrial companies out of a total of 53 companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange during the period from 2008 to 2022. Relevant financial indicators were extracted from these statements to serve the purposes of the study. Correlation coefficients were employed to measure the extent to which the independent variables (profitability measures) could interpret changes in the dependent variable (MVA). One of the most significant findings of the study is that three dimensions of profitability measures have a statistically significant impact on explaining changes in the MVA of pharmaceutical and chemical companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange, albeit to varying degrees. This suggests that traditional profitability measures still play a crucial role in influencing market perceptions of a company’s value, despite the potential limitations of these measures in capturing the full scope of a company’s performance and potential.
The convergence of multifaceted global challenges encompassing the rise of populism, Brexit, the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine has catalyzed a profound reassessment of international trade policies. This article critically examines the intricate linkages between these challenges and their profound implications for the contemporary international trading system. Traditionally, globalization debates in the 1990s underscored the social and environmental dimensions of trade, yet the current landscape reveals an undeniable entwining of societal implications with trade policies. This article delves into the interconnectedness of these global challenges with trade, evaluating how each phenomenon influences and reshapes policy discourse. In particular, the rise of populism and its attendant protectionist sentiments have engendered a reevaluation of trade relationships and multilateral agreements. The seismic geopolitical event of Brexit has disrupted regional trade dynamics, signaling a paradigm shift in established trade blocs. Simultaneously, the imperatives of addressing the escalating climate crisis have spotlighted the necessity for trade policies to align with environmental sustainability goals. The COVID-19 pandemic, acting as a disruptor on a global scale, has accentuated vulnerabilities within supply chains, emphasizing the need for resilience and adaptability in trade frameworks. Additionally, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has introduced geopolitical tensions that further complicate the trade-policy landscape. By critically evaluating these intersecting challenges, this article delineates the evolving nature of trade policies and their inextricable relationship with societal and geopolitical realities. It underscores the imperative for a holistic approach in policy formulation that integrates social, environmental, and geopolitical considerations, acknowledging the integral role of trade policies in addressing contemporary global challenges.
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