Original Article
Mohammad Hossein Pasandide; Mohammad Hossein Yarmohamadian; Masoud Ferdosi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 997-1006
Abstract
Introduction: Management is the most important factor in success and survival of organizations.Managers thus have decisive vital role in development of any organization. The purpose of this research was to assess the opinions and perceptions of executives and academic experts about Islamic management ...
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Introduction: Management is the most important factor in success and survival of organizations.Managers thus have decisive vital role in development of any organization. The purpose of this research was to assess the opinions and perceptions of executives and academic experts about Islamic management components.Methods: This study used qualitative content analysis to evaluate 14 academics who had experience or publications related to the topics of the research. To collect data, interviews were conducted to reach saturation. The main concepts of the interviews were then extracted.Results: The religious, Islamic government aims to restore peace, security, and social rights, not to intimidate people. The leader of an Islamic system should thus be committed to human dignity, values, regulations and divine laws. Islamic management appreciates evaluation, unity and harmony, tolerance, and consultation and communication with people. Mercy, compassion and kindness to the citizens are the prerequisites of an Islamic government.Conclusion: Islamic management is derived from the guidelines of Islam. The most important feature of this management method is to consider a holy goal for which no unacceptable measures should be performed.
Original Article
Amir Musarezaie; Tahereh Momeni Ghaleghasemi; Jahanghir Karimian; Amrolah Ebrahimi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1007-1016
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer is considered as the most common as well as most effectivemalignancy in adult female population. It leads to deep psychological and emotional problems such as depression. Although findings of numerous studies revealed a significant relation between spiritual well-being and ...
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Introduction: Breast cancer is considered as the most common as well as most effectivemalignancy in adult female population. It leads to deep psychological and emotional problems such as depression. Although findings of numerous studies revealed a significant relation between spiritual well-being and depression in cancer patients, some reasons such as paradoxical findings in foreign researches and absence of such a study in Iran encouraged us to design and perform a study to survey the relationship between spiritual well-being and depression in patients with breast cancer who referred to a cancer treatment center in Isfahan, Iran during 2011.Methods: In this analytic study, 223 hospitalized breast cancer patients were selected by simple random sampling. The DASS-42 Inventory and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale were applied to measure depression and spiritual well-being, respectively. Data was analyzed in SPSS18 using statistical methods including independent t-test, Spearman and Pearson's correlation coefficients.Results: A total number of 223 patients with mean age of 48.6 ± 1.07 years participated in this study. Mean scores of religious aspect and existential aspect of spiritual well-being were 52.25 ± 7.08 and 42.87 ± 9.31, respectively. Mean total score of spiritual well-being was 94.87 ± 14.99. Mean depression score was 12.24 ± 9.58. There was a statistically significant relationship between depression in patients with both existential (P = 0.001; r = -22) and religious (P = 0.001; r = -48) aspects of spiritual well-being. Depression and total score of spiritual well-being were also significantly associated (P < 0.001; r = -41). Conclusion: Our findings showed that patients with higher mean scores of spiritual well-being were less depressed. Therefore, in cases of refractory diseases such as cancer that affect the body, mind and spirit of patients, nurses could apply a holistic care approach with emphasis on spiritual approach to improve mental health and quality of life.
Original Article
Hassan Jafari; Mohammad Reza Maleki; Hossein Safari; Rahim Khodayari Zarnaq
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1017-1024
Abstract
Introduction: A new kind of leadership, called spiritual leadership, emphasizes on serving to others, general attitude toward work, personal development, and collaborative decision making. Spiritual leadership has been developed based on the philosophy of servant leadership and includes staff participation ...
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Introduction: A new kind of leadership, called spiritual leadership, emphasizes on serving to others, general attitude toward work, personal development, and collaborative decision making. Spiritual leadership has been developed based on the philosophy of servant leadership and includes staff participation and empowerment. This research aimed to survey the relationship between spiritual leadership and its seven dimensions on the quality of work life among the staff members of Hasheminejad Hospital, Tehran, Iran.Methods: This descriptive, applied research was carried out on 111 staff members ofHasheminejad Hospital in 2010. Data was collected by Fry's spiritual leadership survey and quality of work life questionnaire of Casio model. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and Spearman test in SPSS.Results: There were significant and positive correlations between spiritual leadership and its seven dimensions (vision, altruistic love, hope, meaning, membership, organizational commitment, and performance feedback) and quality of work life among the staff of Hasheminejad Hospital.Conclusion: Spiritual leadership provides supporting backgrounds for staff and helps them meet the organizational goals by pursuing their aims and needs through using their potentials.
Original Article
mohammad salarianzadeh; Mahdi Jafari Sirizi; Mohammad Hossein Yarmohammadian; Ali Maher
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1025-1038
Abstract
Introduction: In every organization, productivity is considerably related with organizational knowledge, experience, creativity, and skills. Therefore, an organization must develop training programs to extract and supply individual, occupational, and organizational needs. This case study described the ...
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Introduction: In every organization, productivity is considerably related with organizational knowledge, experience, creativity, and skills. Therefore, an organization must develop training programs to extract and supply individual, occupational, and organizational needs. This case study described the management performance promotion plan in the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME). The plan aimed to strengthen the knowledge, insight, and skills of managers for organizational missions.Methods: Competency-based training (CBT) was used to empower managers in the Iranian MOHME during 2002-2008. The program included 7 stages for which a professional training committee was formed and 7 education-research-consultation centers were established. All man-agers of MOHME were covered by the program. In every stage, both the findings of previous studies and implementation of new research were used. The training committee confirmed the validity of the primary and secondary information, the training method, and results in every stage by using scientific methods and tools.Results: The extracted needs, developed packages and implemented courses were in line with the objectives, strategies, problems, legal duties and organizational and occupational needs of the MOHME. Managers' performance assessment at 6-month and one-year intervals showed their per-formance was improved by 25%. Their performance was also 37% higher than untrained managers. Most managers did not initially possess adequate management knowledge, skills, and experience.Conclusion: In order to promote performance of managers, attention must be paid to organiza-tional missions and the required skills and knowledge. CBT is an appropriate model for improv- ing individual, professional, and organizational performance of managers and can be used in the Iranian MOHME.
Original Article
Azadeh Askari; Hamid Reza Oreyzi; Abolghasem Nouri
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1039-1050
Abstract
Introduction: Congruity of values in workplace has a determining effect on personal andorganizational outcomes. On the other hand, nurses provide invaluable services during the difficult times of sickness. The aim of this research was thus to investigate the relationship between personal and professional ...
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Introduction: Congruity of values in workplace has a determining effect on personal andorganizational outcomes. On the other hand, nurses provide invaluable services during the difficult times of sickness. The aim of this research was thus to investigate the relationship between personal and professional values among nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In a cross-sectional study, stratified sampling was used to select 103 nurses who were working in hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during 2010. Their values were investigated by valid and reliable Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) and the Nursing Professional Values Scale (Weis and Schank). The collected data was analyzed by SPSS16 .Results: Our findings revealed a significant relationship between personal and professional values (P < 0.05). In fact, nurses felt congruity in their important values such as inner harmony with security, loyalty with trust and security, or a world at peace with honesty. In addition, although some personal values like freedom, creativity, obedience, and amnesty were significantly different between men and women (P < 0.05), no significant differences in professional values were observed between the two sexes.Conclusion: Our results showed that a congruity between personal and professional values among nurses. It can be concluded that congruity between personal and professional values would lead to appropriate person-job and person-organization relations.
Original Article
Saeid Salehizadeh; Samaneh Tabandeh; Mehdi Abzari
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1051-1062
Abstract
Introduction: Knowledge management is an organizational activity in which all individuals at different levels need to be involved. This research tried to evaluate the effective parameters (organizational strategies, information technology, human resources management, and cross- organizational communication) ...
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Introduction: Knowledge management is an organizational activity in which all individuals at different levels need to be involved. This research tried to evaluate the effective parameters (organizational strategies, information technology, human resources management, and cross- organizational communication) on implementing knowledge management in private hospitals in the province of Isfahan, Iran.Methods: This descriptive, applied field survey included all managers and supervisors of three private hospitals, Sadi, Sina and Baharestan Hospitals, (142 people) in 2010. Based on Kerjcie and Morgan table, 104 were required for the study who were selected using stratified sampling.Data was collected by a researcher-made 35-item questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed through content and face validity and a Cronbach's alpha of 95%, respectively.Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics including independent-t, one sample-t, Tukey's, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and hotelling's T2 tests were used to analyze data in SPSS.Results: Among the factors affecting the implementation of knowledge management, only organizational strategies had effects higher than average. The effects of other factors on the system were below average.Conclusion: Organizational strategies affected the implementation of knowledge management in private hospitals of Isfahan more than the other three studied components. They can thus be helpful in implementing knowledge management.
Original Article
Razieh Montazeralfaraj; Mohammad Reza Maleki; Seyed Jamaledin Tabibi; Reza Najafbeigi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1063-1072
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays hospitals have to cope with global changes. They are thus forced to be equipped with learning and learning hospitals. This research was performed to design a model forestablishing learning organization in Iranian public hospitals.Methods: This qualitative, comparative, cross-sectional ...
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Introduction: Nowadays hospitals have to cope with global changes. They are thus forced to be equipped with learning and learning hospitals. This research was performed to design a model forestablishing learning organization in Iranian public hospitals.Methods: This qualitative, comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009-2010. First, available models of learning organization in general theoretical section, health-related experiments, and non-health-related experiments were collected and organized in comparative tables to form a basic model. Delphi technique was then used in 2 stages using 26 management and learning organization experts and hospital chiefs to validate the basic model and design a final model. A questionnaire was used to collect the viewpoints. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by authorities and a Cronbach's alpha of 94%, respectively.Results: In this research, two main aspects of individual and organizational excellence were identified for the establishment of learning organization. Individual excellence consists of three subclasses including personal excellence (with 5 components), mental excellence (with 4 components) and professional excellence (with 4 components) and precedes organizational excellence. In addition, organizational learning, shared visions, learning culture, technology, structure and leadership were determined as organizational aspects with 5, 3, 4, 2, 3, and 2 subclasses, respectively.Conclusion: Any attempt to transform Iranian public hospitals into learning organizations needs to be in line with individual and organizational excellence. Therefore, the staff should achieve individual, mental and professional excellence. On the other hand, hospital executives should create shared visions to establish organizational learning culture. They also need to change the structures and take advantage of modern technology to improve the quality and productivity ofclinical services. Hence, it is necessary a clear understanding of learning process is required to be created. All hospital efforts should be regulated on the basis of learning how to improve productivity.
Original Article
Mohammad Ali Nadi; Mohammad Yarmohammadian
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1073-1085
Abstract
Introduction: The concept of organizational learning capability (OLC) emphasizes theimportance of facilitating factors for organizational learning or the organizational propensity to learn. Consequently, measures of OLC have traditionally determined their dimensions or facilitating factors based on the ...
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Introduction: The concept of organizational learning capability (OLC) emphasizes theimportance of facilitating factors for organizational learning or the organizational propensity to learn. Consequently, measures of OLC have traditionally determined their dimensions or facilitating factors based on the literature. The purpose of this study was to validate and evaluate the factorial construction of OLC among the faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: This was an applied, psychometric, cross-sectional research during the educational year of 2010-2011. The study sample consisted of 220 randomly selected faculty members ofIsfahan University of Medical Sciences. Data was collected by the OLC scale developed by Chiva et al. in 2007. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 18 . Confirmatory factor analysis was also conducted in LISREL8.5 . Results: The model had an acceptable fitting for purpose based on GFI, AGFI, RMSEA, and CFI indices. All the estimated parameters had statistically significant effects on their related factors. The model enjoyed an appropriate level of reliability (total reliability = 0.93). The convergent validity between factors of the scale was confirmed by using correlation coefficients (0.41 to 0.75). In addition, table of norms (Z and T) provided crude and ranking scores.Conclusion: The confirmed measurement scale for organizational learning capability could be implemented as an audit tool. Thus, presidents, deans and managers of departments could unveil weak and strong organizational learning issues. Such a process would finally lead to improved performance of the university.
Original Article
Assadollah Shams; Mohammad Hossein Yarmohammadian; Akbar Hassanzadeh; Hadi Hayati Abbarik
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1086-1096
Abstract
Introduction: Due to the intense competition that has dominated the world economy, providing additional services to customers and quality improvement are not considered as added value but as necessary and inevitable. Therefore, higher education, and focusing on customers, particularly students, is the ...
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Introduction: Due to the intense competition that has dominated the world economy, providing additional services to customers and quality improvement are not considered as added value but as necessary and inevitable. Therefore, higher education, and focusing on customers, particularly students, is the main pillar of progress and comprehensive development of each country. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the scores of customer-oriented criteria according to the viewpoints of students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: This analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011. Research community included all students in 7 schools of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Sample size was calculated as 384 persons. Data collection tool was a self-made questionnaire evaluated the four criteria of customer-oriented (student-oriented) approach. It covered customer orientation of the university management, faculty, educational departments, and the educational process. All assessments were made based on a Likert scale. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were also evaluated. Finally, using SPSS, independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to analyze data.Results: Score of educational departments (53.45) was higher than the other criteria. Faculty (50.27) and educational processes (46.12) had the highest level of customer-orientation.However, management had minimal impact (40.56) on promoting customer-orientation. Gender and level of education were significantly associated with most customer-orientation criteria, i.e. women and master's course had the highest levels of customer-orientation criteria.Conclusion: Since gender is considered as a determining factor in medical and health-related services provision, customer-orientation can differ in various aspects between universities of medical sciences. In order to improve customer-orientation, attention needs to be paid to student-centered activities.
Original Article
Solmaz Salami; Raheleh Samouei
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1097-1103
Abstract
Introduction: Patient satisfaction has a key role in reducing side effects and patient complaints. It also increases the efficiency of treatment. This study was performed to investigate patient satisfaction from health services provided by educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In a descriptive ...
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Introduction: Patient satisfaction has a key role in reducing side effects and patient complaints. It also increases the efficiency of treatment. This study was performed to investigate patient satisfaction from health services provided by educational hospitals in Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In a descriptive study, 350 outpatients in educational hospitals of Isfahan were non-randomly evaluated in 2009. Data was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire with confirmed validity (predicted by content validity) and reliability (predicted by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.95. Data was analyzed using SPSS to calculate descriptive statistics such as mean, variance, and standard deviation.Results: Patient satisfaction was 91.6% form preclinical services, 89.2% from nursing services, 88.6% from the reception, 87.8% from medicinal services, 87.5% from the services unit, 86.5% form financial services, 86% from medical services, 78.4% from the provided comfort, and 74.2% from nutrition.Conclusion: Patients were more satisfied with the wards and centers that had direct relation with them and were continuously offering them services.
Original Article
Zohre Raisi; Farhad Salimian; Reza Najari; Amir Amirkhani
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1104-1111
Abstract
Introduction: One of the significant processes concerning human resources is the organizationalsocialization of the recruited people through which new members get acquainted with values, norms and behavioral models and adapt themselves with the organizational culture. The present study evaluated the ...
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Introduction: One of the significant processes concerning human resources is the organizationalsocialization of the recruited people through which new members get acquainted with values, norms and behavioral models and adapt themselves with the organizational culture. The present study evaluated the relationship between organizational socialization and commitment among nurses in Shariati Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: In 2010, a descriptive-correlational study was conducted to assess employed nurses (209 subjects) in Shariati Hospital. Due to the limited number of participants, the questionnaires were distributed among all subjects. However, 206 questionnaires were finally returned. In this research, Jones's standard socialization and Allen and Meyer's organizational commitment questionnaires were used. The 6 hypotheses of the research (significant relationships exist between collective, formal, sequential, fixed, serial and investiture socialization methods and organizational commitment among nurses in Shariati Hospital) were investigated by Pearson's correlation test and regression analysis. Furthermore, in order to complete the research results, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), independent t-test, and the least significant difference (LSD) test were used.Results: The correlation coefficient between socialization and commitment was calculated as 0.573 at P ≤ 0.05. Therefore, there was a significant relationship between socialization and organizational commitment. Regression analysis results revealed that socialization, and sequential and formal methods are more powerful predictors for organizational commitment.Conclusion: When appropriately fulfilled, organizational socialization can increaseorganizational commitment which is one of the major factors in the efficacy of organizations.
Original Article
Ali Attafar; Saeedeh Ketabi; Zahra Momeni Noorabadi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1112-1121
Abstract
Introduction: In the present knowledge-oriented era, potential capabilities of individuals need to be used and innovation and creativity should be created. Self-management is a set of strategies that an individual applies in order to improve and influence his behavior. It plays a significant role as ...
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Introduction: In the present knowledge-oriented era, potential capabilities of individuals need to be used and innovation and creativity should be created. Self-management is a set of strategies that an individual applies in order to improve and influence his behavior. It plays a significant role as a hidden capital in establishing a suitable environment for creating innovation. The purpose of this paper was to study the role of self-management strategies on innovation level of students of management in Isfahan University, Isfahan, Iran.Methods: This descriptive survey study used a verified researcher-made questionnaire with formal validity and reliability coefficient of 0.91 to collect data. The statistical population consisted of management students in Isfahan University during 2009-2010. The required number of participants was calculated as 196 students who were selected by simple random sampling method. Based on available literature, a model was designed to evaluate the role of self-management strategies on innovation level among the students of management. This model was then tested by LISREL software.Results: Self-management strategies, particularly behavioral strategies, had a significant effect on students' innovation level. In addition, students' internal focus, as a hidden variable, had a great effect on their innovation level. Moreover, level of education affected students' innovation level, i.e. PhD students were more innovative than other students due to the skills and experiences they acquired during their course of study. The amounts of fit indexes in the studied model showed the suitability of the model.Conclusion: Practical commitment to self-management system creates a different attitude toward ersonal values through a professional approach and self guidance and can thus facilitate creativity and innovation in students.
Original Article
Mohammad Hossein Yarmohamadian; Raheleh Samooie; Rahim Khodayari Zarnagh; Ali Ayoobian; Hossein Bagherian Mahmoodabadi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1122-1128
Abstract
Introduction: Agility means ability to respond and react quickly and successfully toenvironmental changes. Agility is an important factor for hospital effectiveness. Agility in ahospital indicates the hospital's responsiveness when faced with internal and external changes. Ifhospitals are designed to ...
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Introduction: Agility means ability to respond and react quickly and successfully toenvironmental changes. Agility is an important factor for hospital effectiveness. Agility in ahospital indicates the hospital's responsiveness when faced with internal and external changes. Ifhospitals are designed to be agile, they should have the ability to compete with other hospitalsand provide appropriate services to their patients. This study compared agility in public andprivate hospitals in Isfahan, Iran in 2009.Methods: This descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009. The studypopulation included the executives of administrative and financial sectors, health sector, andparaclinics, as well as supervisors in Khorshid, Chamran, Khanevadeh and Sina Hospitals. A totalnumber of 130 individuals (calculated according to Cochran formula) were selected from the fourmentioned hospitals. Data collection tool was the 42-item Likert-scale questionnaire of agility.The maximum and minimum scores of the questionnaire were 168 and zero, respectively. Thequestionnaire was valid and reliable based on the experts in the field and a Cronbach's alpha of0.96, respectively. Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods in SPSS16 .Results: Mean agility scores public and private hospitals were 103.7 and 113.9, respectively.Although a significant difference was observed between mean agility scores of selected hospitalsin Isfahan (P < 0.0001), public and private hospitals were not significantly different in terms ofagility (P > 0.05).Conclusion: Agility in both public and private hospitals was higher than moderate. In order toimprove agility in hospitals, using strategies and solutions such as flexible organizationalstructure, outsourcing of supplies and services, professional development of staff and preparationto face the environmental changes are required.
Maryam Ansasri; Hassan Ali Bakhtiar Nasrabadi; Nosrat Abbasi; Maryam Yaghoobbi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1129-1135
Abstract
Introduction: Philosophical thinking is an activity that focuses on the mind, sensitivity, understanding and links between them. Managers with philosophical thinking are able to make decisions for the entire organization. They make fewer errors and provide a balance between manpower and ...
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Introduction: Philosophical thinking is an activity that focuses on the mind, sensitivity, understanding and links between them. Managers with philosophical thinking are able to make decisions for the entire organization. They make fewer errors and provide a balance between manpower and organization maintenance. Such abilities can be influenced by demographic characteristics of the managers. The present paper aimed to examine the philosophical thinking of hospital managers as related with their demographic characteristics (type, management, gender). Methods: This comparative study was conducted in 2010 on all senior, nursing and office managers in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Simple random sampling was used to select 5 hospitals from 11 educational hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. All managers of the selected hospitals were evaluated using census sampling (n = 80). Data was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire of philosophical thinking which was designed according to the Smith's model. Independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses. Results: Our results showed the score of thinking in men and women to be respectively 74 and 71 out of 100. All three categories of managers scored almost the same in philosophical thinking. Moreover, ANOVA did not show a significant relation between philosophical thinking and academic degree (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Results of the present study suggested that scores of philosophical thinking of managers did not significantly relate with demographic characteristics. In fact, philosophical thinking is a skill which all people can possess.
Peyman Yarmohammadzadeh; Seyed Ali Siadat; Reza Hoveida; Hassan Ali Bakhtiar Nasrabadi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1136-1145
Abstract
Introduction: Moving toward progress in every country starts from universities. Intellectual capital is a very strong theory that all knowledge-based organizations can utilize to improve their efficacy and productivity. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the structural equation modeling ...
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Introduction: Moving toward progress in every country starts from universities. Intellectual capital is a very strong theory that all knowledge-based organizations can utilize to improve their efficacy and productivity. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the structural equation modeling of knowledge conversion process upon intellectual capital components in public universities of Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive, correlational study included 1472 faculty members of Isfahan public universities during the academic year of 2010-2011. The sample size was calculated as 205 individuals by stratified random sampling. In order to collect data, the 26-item standard knowledge conversion process questionnaire and a 35-item researcher-made questionnaire of intellectual capital components were used. Content and face validity of both questionnaires were confirmed by the experts. In order to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaires, Cronbach's alpha was calculated as 0.96 and 0.93, respectively. Statistical analyses of data were performed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and structural equation model using SPSS and Amos Graphic. Results: According to MANOVA, socialization and knowledge combination were not significantly related with any of the intellectual capital components. However, different stages of knowledge conversion and externalization had significant relations with all intellectual capital components. Based on the structural equation model, correlation coefficient of all stages of knowledge conversion on intellectual capital components were significant. Conclusion: Knowledge conversion can be useful in data extraction, management, transfer, and exchange among faculty members. It can also promote intellectual capital in universities
Hamed Tasdighi; Sayed Abloghasem Alavi; Abdolah Hadi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1146-1155
Abstract
Introduction: In today's world, survival of any organization depends on its competitiveness and suitable decisions against environmental changes. One of the effective methods in organizations is to use performance evaluation systems to determine weak points to be improved and strengths to be reinforced. ...
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Introduction: In today's world, survival of any organization depends on its competitiveness and suitable decisions against environmental changes. One of the effective methods in organizations is to use performance evaluation systems to determine weak points to be improved and strengths to be reinforced. Performance evaluation and management not only help organizations to increase competitiveness, but also play an important role in determination and implementation of strategies. This research tried to present a performance evaluation model for service organizations. Methods: This was an applied descriptive case study on the Medical Services Insurance Organization in the province of Isfahan, Iran, during 2009-2010. A questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed by the opinions of experts and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.71, respectively, was used to collect data. First, related books and articles were reviewed to determine index characteristics. Four University professors were then asked and the results were analyzed by TOPSIS technique to identify key properties in selecting indices. A questionnaire was then used to determine key performance indices. Afterwards, the indices were weighted using a different questionnaire. Finally, the collected information was ranked by numerical taxonomy technique. Results: The key performances indices were identified as cost management, income management, and customer satisfaction. The performance of organizations was evaluated and compared based on these indices. The results were presented in tables. Conclusion: To improve the performance of branches of Medical Services Insurance Organization in different towns, analysis and optimization of medical expenses, increasing income, and customer satisfaction have particular importance. These factors would definitely be vital in success of the Medical Services Insurance Organization as a whole.
Seyyed Jamaladdin Tabibi; Mohammad Reza Maleki; Jahanara Mamikhani
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1156-1168
Abstract
Introduction: In the new paradigm of adm inistrative and organizational relations in m edical schools, there are four m ain missions that m ight be defined and com pensated, integrated and aligned with university's mission. University objectives and missions should be rationed am ong teaching ...
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Introduction: In the new paradigm of adm inistrative and organizational relations in m edical schools, there are four m ain missions that m ight be defined and com pensated, integrated and aligned with university's mission. University objectives and missions should be rationed am ong teaching departments and faculty members. Each individual and department should be rewarded according to how much they share in m eeting the objectives. This article aimed to figure out the information architecture of the information system suitable for academic behavior management in School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran. Methods: This comparative, information modeling study used business system programming (BSP) to design information architecture. The implementation models in a variety of universities were studied in order to identify missions, obje ctives and values of m ission-based management (MBM) system. The objectives of IUMS for implementing the MBM from the viewpoints of the directing board of the School of Medicine and the IUMS were identified and prioritized using the nominal group technique (NGT) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM). These objectives were the inputs of the first phase of BSP. Other data and information necessary for other phases were gathered via interviews with staff and authorities of related departments, and observing the documents and processes. The final output of the system was the information architecture. Results: Nine information subsystems were detect ed in the information arch itecture. They included managing missions and objectives, planni ng educational activities, planning research activities, planning adm inistrative and social activities , planning health ca re activities, empowering the academic staff and heads of teach ing departments, performance evaluation and review and im provement, financial m anagement and m ission-based budgeting, and accounting and supplying the teaching department. Conclusion: Successful implementation of MBM depends on an integ rated information system supporting all subsystem s. This research revealed some subsystems which did not existed in current systems
Masoud Ferdosi; Alireza Jabbari; Mahmood Keyvanara; Zahra Agharahimi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1169-1178
Abstract
Introduction: Medical tourism is a complex subject for studying. The aim of this study was to do systematically review, describe, and analyze medical tourism articles from all over the world. Methods: In order to perform this systematic review, the databases of Institute for Scientific Information ...
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Introduction: Medical tourism is a complex subject for studying. The aim of this study was to do systematically review, describe, and analyze medical tourism articles from all over the world. Methods: In order to perform this systematic review, the databases of Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Science Direct, Emerald, Oxford, Magiran, and Scientific Information Database (SID) websites were searched in 2000-2011. The retrieved articles were collected and classified using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: Among the total 28 studied articles, 11 original articles, 3 case studies in Mexico, India, Hungary, Germany, and Iran, and 14 narrative reviews were found. The articles mainly focused on the definition of medical tourism, medical tourists' motivations and development factors, ethical issues in medical tourism, the impact of medical tourism on health system, and medical tourism marketing. Conclusion: Our findings indicated similar definition of medical tourism in all articles despite various motivations of medical tourists. Nevertheless, there are a wide range of interests and consequences in studies, as more studies of developing countries showed the benefits of medical tourism while more developed countries pointed out the consequences of medical tourism. Ultimately, the subject of medical tourism varied according to policies and programs in each country. Therefore, comprehensive and detailed research is required to clarify the issue within the country.
Maryam Amidi Mazaheri; Mojtaba Karbasi; Firoze Mostafavi Darani
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1179-1190
Abstract
Introduction: The education system is the most important tool for transferring values and norms to the young generation and for the development of the community. On the other hand, universities, as the basis of rationality in societies, are in charge of reconstruction and improvement of ...
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Introduction: The education system is the most important tool for transferring values and norms to the young generation and for the development of the community. On the other hand, universities, as the basis of rationality in societies, are in charge of reconstruction and improvement of the culture. The "Regulations of Faculty Members Promotion in Educational and Research Institutions", approved by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, has also considered cultural affairs in the first article. However, due to the abstract nature of the issues in the first article, this paper tried to identify the challenges of cultural activities in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted to better understand the problems and challenges of cultural activities in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during the second semester of 2011-2012. Purposeful sampling method was used and semi-structured interviews were performed with current or former Vice-Chancellery for Cultural and Students Affairs of different colleges of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The four themes extracted from analyzing the interview transcripts included problems associated with the nature of culture, problems associated with faculty members, problems associated with students, and organizational problems. Conclusion: The results of this study highlighted the necessity of long-term planning for cultural activities and active participation of faculty members. Creating a discursive environment through holding faculty members consultation meetings can be a good base for the active participation of faculty members in colleges and universities. Moreover, developing qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring social, educational and cultural activities in universities is an unavoidable.
Akbar Kolahdouzan; Roghayeh Mohammadibakhsh; Hojatollah Gharaee
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1191-1198
Abstract
Introduction: Survival of any organization requires administrative communication through correspondence and conversation. Since official correspondence is one of the organizational tasks, it is necessary to provide a set of uniform principles for correct writing of administrative letters ...
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Introduction: Survival of any organization requires administrative communication through correspondence and conversation. Since official correspondence is one of the organizational tasks, it is necessary to provide a set of uniform principles for correct writing of administrative letters and minutes. This article aimed to appropriately guide the administrative staff in writing minutes and letters. Methods: In a descriptive study, 410 administrative letters and 55 official minutes written during 2007-2010 in Hamadan and Isfahan Universities of Medical Sciences were selected by census sampling. The frameworks and writing rules of the letters and minutes were reviewed. Data was collected in tables whose validity was confirmed by relevant experts. Data was finally analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: The standards of logo designing and placement were not followed by any of the reviewed letters and minutes. Meeting agenda and attendees were missing in 43.63% and 45.45% of the minutes, respectively. Most errors occurred in writing "Hamzeh" (a Persian letter) (n = 228), application irregular plural forms (n = 148), and using correct forms of shortened Arabic words (n = 147). The commonest grammatical and punctuation mistakes were omitting verbs at the end of sentences (n = 90) and improper application of comma, respectively. The most frequent comprehension-related issue was using redundant words and long sentences (n = 90). Conclusion: Our findings indicated low organizational awareness of writing standards. Since, well-written administrative letters and minutes would facilitate information exchange, employees of different organizations need to participate in related training courses.
Mohammad Hossein Salarianzadeh; Farhad Sadr; Mohammad Reza Vaez Mahdavi; Ali Maher
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1199-1212
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, entrepreneurship stimulates economical development. It is the center of individual and organizational activities. Since the government in developing countries participates in all areas of cultural and socioeconomic affaires, especially in health services, it is very ...
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Background: Nowadays, entrepreneurship stimulates economical development. It is the center of individual and organizational activities. Since the government in developing countries participates in all areas of cultural and socioeconomic affaires, especially in health services, it is very important to change static organizations into dynamic ones. The aim of this study was to detect factors affecting organizational performance, especially entrepreneurship, in Iranian governmental health system. We also tried to suggest a model to develop entrepreneurial organization. Method: We used stratified random sampling method to select 43 governmental health systems in both regional and national levels. To collect data, a questionnaire, with a Cronbach's alpha of 97%, was filled out by high- and middle-ranked executives. Correlation test was applied in SPSS to analyze the data. Results: Overall, 80% of managers responded to the questionnaire. Many factors, including structural, behavioral, and circumstantial factors, were found to affect organizational entrepreneurship in Iranian governmental health system. Based on our results, the mean value of organizational entrepreneurship (3.08) was very low. Customer satisfaction however, scored a bit higher compared to other factors. The low values of other factors such as low income diversity, lack of privatization and research and development groups have led to low organizational entrepreneurship in these organizations. Conclusion: Governmental health system in Iran has not benefited from organizational entrepreneurship. Therefore, a special applicable model, such as the model proposed in this research, is required to develop entrepreneurship in these organizations.
مقاله مروری نقلی
Leila Mohammadinia; Maryam Yaghoobi; Akbar Kolahdouzan
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1213-1225
Abstract
Background: Everyone has experienced problems whose solution is beyond human power. Such a situation would definitely result in anxiety. This paper identified and classified solutions for anxiety suggested by Quran and hadith. Methods: This review study, valid websites, articles, theses, ...
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Background: Everyone has experienced problems whose solution is beyond human power. Such a situation would definitely result in anxiety. This paper identified and classified solutions for anxiety suggested by Quran and hadith. Methods: This review study, valid websites, articles, theses, religious books including Quran and Nahj al-Balagha, and Quran software programs containing issues related to anxiety and relaxation were evaluated. Results: Although modern scientific developments claim to control stresses in life, none of them has actually been effective. In fact, recent medical efforts failed to reduce psychiatric diseases. Quran is the best refuge for those with faith. Faith without doubt is the most effective treatment for anxiety. As Quran says: "Those who believe and have not confounded their belief with harm security belongs to them; and they are guided". Conclusion: The present study identified causes of and methods to prevent anxiety according to Quran. The results were described in detail in two groups of anxiety prevention and anxiety management.
Mohammad Hossein Yarmohammadian; Mohammad Hossein Yarmohammadian; Farideh Movahedi
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1226-1234
Abstract
Studies can be found in two groups of primary and secondary studies. Review articles are the most important secondary studies in which the researcher comprehensively surveys published articles in a specific field. However, the deep gap between scientific evidence is an undeniable fact ...
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Studies can be found in two groups of primary and secondary studies. Review articles are the most important secondary studies in which the researcher comprehensively surveys published articles in a specific field. However, the deep gap between scientific evidence is an undeniable fact that is probably caused by the large volume of publications. Reviewing such a wide variety of publications would definitely be time-consuming. Therefore, a high-quality review article related to a specific question would help improve quality of your research while reducing the amount of time spent. Review articles compress a large volume of information to a comprehensible format and thus facilitate the advancement of science. Using review article is necessary because of bombardment of information, weak studies, inconsistencies in the results of studies, loss of time and money, losing time and money, and research needs assessment. This review article tried to represent guidelines for types, content, and structure of writing standard review articles. According to the available literature, review articles do not have an organized structure and are non-uniform. Researchers are recommended to use an appropriate structure based on the field of their study.
Behzad Karami Matin; Seyed Mohammad Saeid Ahmadi; Hossein Babapour; Elahe Miri; Mohammad Aram Khalesi; Amin Karami Matin
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, Pages 1235-1242
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, many organizations such as hospitals have realized that utilization of quality management models and systems is the best way for them to compete, survive and develop. Therefore, 5S (sorting, straightening, systematic cleaning, standardizing, and sustaining) model ...
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Introduction: Nowadays, many organizations such as hospitals have realized that utilization of quality management models and systems is the best way for them to compete, survive and develop. Therefore, 5S (sorting, straightening, systematic cleaning, standardizing, and sustaining) model was implemented in three units of Imam Reza Hospital (Kermanshah, Iran) including medical records, nutrition, and surgery. The present study evaluated the effects of the model on various units offering hospital services. Methods: This quasi-experimental study included all the staff members of medical records, nutrition, and surgery wards (81 persons) in Imam Reza Hospital before and after an intervention in 2010. The pretest was conducted by standard 5S checklists and patients satisfaction measurement questionnaire whose validity and reliability were confirmed. The staff members were then educated, 5S model was implemented in the three mentioned units, and the required changes were applied during two months. Afterwards, the same tools were used again to perform the posttest. The results obtained before and after the implementation of 5S model were presented by descriptive tables and diagrams. They were analyzed by analytical statistics including paired-t and Wilcoxon tests in SPSS15. Results: Findings of this study showed establishing 5S model to be effective on performance and service quality improvement in the three mentioned units. In other words staff and patients satisfaction rates changed significantly after 5S model in all 3 units. The organizational 5S model (sorting, straightening, and systematic cleaning (S1-S3, respectively)) made desirable changes in the nutrition (S1: P < 0.001; S2: P < 0.001; and S3: P < 0.011), medical records (S1: P = 0.001; S2: P < 0.001; and S3: P = 0.009), and surgery (S1: P = 0.001; S2: P = 0.003; S3: P = 0.033) units. Conclusion: Overall, 5S model could improve service quality in the studied units. This finding supports the success of 5S model in industrial parts. Therefore, the model is suggested to be employed in all hospital parts and medical care provider units.
