Medical tourism: Development of competitive medical tourism facilities in Portugal

Medical tourism is an extremely growing industry that stimulates intense rivalry between different countries. Starting from 2008 Portugal has joined a list of destinations, which internationally promote medical services. However, due to the lack of reputation in healthcare, current activities do not result in generation of continuous patient flows. The aim of this study is to develop framework for establishment of medical tourism facilities which would be competitive and sustainable in the context of national strategy of Portugal. Four pillars of the frameworks are set as follows: quality as a main factor of attractiveness; stimulation of reputation through stakeholders’ cooperation; effective marketing activities and sustainability due to follow-up and post-operation services. The objective of the study is reached through qualitative method that implies semi-structured interviews with some key specialists of Portugal in medical tourism. The findings show that the lack of cooperation between stakeholders has one of the biggest impacts on the results of international performance. Additionally, insufficient dedication of private medical companies to internalization process, which is due to high internal demand, only intensifies the problem. Further study determines several factors of competitiveness of Portuguese medical providers, specifically linked to medical service quality. For that reason, during international promotion it is suggested focussing on specific medical area that would represent strength of Portuguese healthcare sector. One of such areas is rehabilitation that can be presented either as separated offer or in form of follow-up systems. In this instance, the study reviews the concept of shifting post-treatment services to hotel facilities under medical supervision.Turismo médico é uma indústria em crescendo exponencial que estimula uma intensa rivalidade. Desde de ano 2008 que Portugal aderiu à lista dos destinos que internacionalmente promovem serviços médicos. No entanto, devido à falta de reputação e associação do país com o sector de saúde, as atividades atuais não resultam na criaçao de um fluxo continuo de pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo é desenvolver um quadro para desenvolvimento de turismo médico. Os quatro pilares do quadro são definidos da seguinte forma: qualidade como principal fator de atratividade; estímulo à reputação através da cooperação das partes interessadas; atividades de marketing eficazes; e sustentabilidade devido aos serviços de follow-up e pós-operatórios. O principal objetivo do estudo é alcançado através do método qualitativo que se baseia em entrevistas semi-estruturadas com os principais especialistas Portugueses na área de turismo medico. As conclusões obtidas mostram que a falta de cooperação entre as principais partes interessadas resulta num dos impactos negativos mais relevantes para o desempenho internacional. Além disso, a insuficiente dedicação das empresas médicas privadas ao processo de internacionalização apenas intensifica o problema. Um estudo mais aprofundado identifica vários factores de competitividade dos prestadores de serviços médicos portugueses, especificamente ligados à qualidade do serviço médico. É por isso que, durante a promoção internacional, se sugere o foco numa área médica específica representativa da força do sector de saúde Português. Uma dessas áreas é a reabilitação, que pode ser apresentada como uma oferta separada ou sob forma de sistemas de acompanhamento. Neste contexto, o estudo revê o conceito de mudança de serviços de pós-tratamento para instalações hoteleiras, sob supervisão médica

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse

Strategies for sustainable socio-economic development and mechanisms their implementation in the global dimension

The authors of the book have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to effectively use modern approaches to developing and implementation strategies of sustainable socio-economic development in order to increase efficiency and competitiveness of economic entities. Basic research focuses on economic diagnostics of socio-economic potential and financial results of economic entities, transition period in the economy of individual countries and ensuring their competitiveness, assessment of educational processes and knowledge management. The research results have been implemented in the different models and strategies of supply and logistics management, development of non-profit organizations, competitiveness of tourism and transport, financing strategies for small and medium-sized enterprises, cross-border cooperation. The results of the study can be used in decision-making at the level the economic entities in different areas of activity and organizational-legal forms of ownership, ministries and departments that promote of development the economic entities on the basis of models and strategies for sustainable socio-economic development. The results can also be used by students and young scientists in modern concepts and mechanisms for management of sustainable socio-economic development of economic entities in the condition of global economic transformations and challenges

Choices: Caribbean Agriculture: Our way

Agriculture and food production should not be occupations of last resort. Showcasing many fascinating insights, this title features individuals, farm families and community groups in the Caribbean who have made a deliberate choice to enter, stay and focus on achieving success in this vibrant and rewarding sector. With stories that inform, educate and inspire, Choices provides accounts of innovations in aquaculture, hydroponics, permaculture, shade-house technology and organic farming

Internal report cluster 1: Urban freight innovations and solutions for sustainable deliveries (3/4)

Technical report about sustainable urban freight solutions, part 3 of

Strengthening Governance of Small-Scale Fisheries: An Initial Assessment of the Theory and Practice

Preferred citation for this report: Basurto, X., Virdin, J., Smith, H. and R. Juskus. 2017. Strengthening Governance of Small-Scale Fisheries: An Initial Assessment of Theory and Practice. Oak Foundation.Often hidden in national statistics, small-scale fisheries have been poorly measured at a global level, and in thepast often ignored in states' policy-making. Yet estimates suggest their aggregate global contribution tonutrition, food security and poverty eradication is massive. The most recent estimates available suggest thatsmall-scale fisheries account for over 90 percent of the world's commercial fishers, processors and otherpersons employed along the value chain, equivalent to over 108 million people. Roughly half areemployed in the ocean and the other half in inland fisheries—making small-scale fisheries far and awaythe ocean's largest employer (greater than oil and gas, shipping, tourism, etc.). This level of activitytranslates into a large portion of the global fish catch: an estimated 46 percent of the total, and 38 percentof the fish caught in the ocean. SSFs are also estimated to provide over half the animal protein intake inmany of the world's least developed countries, and over half of the fish for domestic consumption indeveloping countries more broadly. In sum, in many regions of the world SSFs provide both incomes tohelp reduce poverty and safety nets to help prevent it

Race empowerment and the Establishment of African-American owned banks in the South,1888 - 1910, 2009

This study examined the role of black-owned banks in facilitating economic emancipation for African Americans in the South from 1888 to 1910. The concept of a separate, but equal America legalized by the United States Supreme court in 1896, Plessy v. Ferguson provided the impetus for a separate economy in the South. As a result, commercial and savings banks emerged as institutions for the economic liberation of African Americans. A case study investigating the efforts of three banks in contributing to the economic development of the African-American community during this era was conducted. The study examined race and empowerment and the role of banks in accommodating thrift, wealth accumulation and investing human and financial capital. The findings determined that commercial and savings banks formed the cornerstone of economic liberation and emancipation for African Americans in the Jim Crow South from 1888 to 1910. It concludes that bank founders embodied a Black Nationalist ideology of self-determination, race pride and economic cooperation when creating these institutions

Albergo Diffuso: District Hospitality + Application to Chinatown

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