The Balanced Scorecard in a pharmaceutical company

JEL Classification: M40 - Accounting and Auditing - Accounting ; I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - Health ProductionThe Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach to performance measurement is gaining, over the last decades, an increased popularity due its strategic use of key non-financial measures along with the more traditional financial metrics. This dissertation outlines the process of development, implementation, usage and later on abandon, of the BSC in a Portuguese subsidiary of a leading international pharmaceutical company. In order to support my findings I review in the existing literature on the BSC concept and highline the characteristics of this concept analyzing the reasons of its popularity. In addition this dissertation postulates the likely impact of such a performance measurement system on the organizational behavior and provides a framework on how the BSC implementation can effectively help an organization in clarifying its mission and strategy into new goals. Finally, this dissertation outlines the organizational challenges and potential pitfalls associated to the BSC implementation.Ao longo da últimas décadas, o Balanced Scorecard (BSC) tem ganho uma acrescida popularidade graças ao uso de indicadores estratégico não financeiros em conjugação com indicadores tradicionais de natureza mais quantitativa. Esta dissertação descreve todo um processo de desenvolvimento, implementação, uso e, mais tarde abandono, do BSC na subsidiária portuguesa de uma grande companhia farmacêutica. Para sustentar as conclusões deste trabalho é efectuada uma extensiva revisão da literatura sobre o BSC, identificando as suas principais características e analisando os motivos da sua popularidade. Complementarmente esta dissertação avalia o impacto da implementação do BSC numa organização, no sentido de compreender se este sistema de controlo de gestão tem a efectiva capacidade de clarificar os objectivos e a missão estratégica nessa mesma organização. Por fim, esta dissertação sublinha os desafios e barreiras inerentes à implementação do BSC

Knowledge Management Systems: Issues, Challenges, and Benefits

The knowledge-based theory of the firm suggests that knowledge is the organizational asset that enables sustainable competitive advantage in hyper-competitive environments. The emphasis on knowledge in today\u27s organizations is based on the assumption that barriers to the transfer and replication of knowledge endow it with strategic importance. Many organizations are developing information systems designed specifically to facilitate the sharing and integration of knowledge. Such systems are referred to as Knowledge Management System (KMS). Because KMS are just beginning to appear in organizations, little research and field data exists to guide the development and implementation of such systems or to guide expectations of the potential benefits of such systems. This study provides an analysis of current practices and outcomes of KMS and the nature of KMS as they are evolving in fifty organizations. The findings suggest that interest in KMS across a variety of industries is very high, the technological foundations are varied, and the major concerns revolve around achieving the correct amount and type of accurate knowledge and garnering support for contributing to the KMS. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research are drawn from the study findings

INSPIRAL: investigating portals for information resources and learning. Final project report

INSPIRAL's aims were to identify and analyse, from the perspective of the UK HE learner, the nontechnical, institutional and end-user issues with regard to linking VLEs and digital libraries, and to make recommendations for JISC strategic planning and investment. INSPIRAL's objectives -To identify key stakeholders with regard to the linkage of VLEs, MLEs and digital libraries -To identify key stakeholder forum points and dissemination routes -To identify the relevant issues, according to the stakeholders and to previous research, pertaining to the interaction (both possible and potential) between VLEs/MLEs and digital libraries -To critically analyse identified issues, based on stakeholder experience and practice; output of previous and current projects; and prior and current research -To report back to JISC and to the stakeholder communities, with results situated firmly within the context of JISC's strategic aims and objectives

The balanced scorecard in a pharmaceutical company: a case study

The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach to performance measurement is gaining, over the last decades, an increased popularity due its strategic use of key non-financial measures along with the more traditional financial metrics. This paper outlines the process of development, implementation, usage and later on abandon, of the BSC in a Portuguese subsidiary of a leading international pharmaceutical company. In order to support our findings we review in the existing literature on the BSC concept and highline the characteristics of this concept analyzing the reasons of its popularity. In addition this paper postulates the likely impact of such a performance measurement system on the organizational behaviour and provides a framework on how the BSC implementation can effectively help an organization in clarifying its mission and strategy into new goals. Finally, this paper outlines the organizational challenges and potential pitfalls associated to the BSC implementation

Perthes Disease, Results of Conservative Management at Soba University Hospital

Background: Legg-Calve- Perthes’ Disease (LCPD) is an idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head. It affects children between four and 10 years. Male : female ratio of 4:1. The main aim of treatment is to get an acceptable containment of a spherical head with good range of motion. Ideal way of treatment remains controversial.Objectives: To study patterns of presentations and outcome of management of patients with LCPD treated at Soba University Hospital.Materials and Methods: Records of patients with LCPD who were treated at SobaUniversity Hospital between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. There were 43 patients (46 hips). Their patterns of presentation, follow up notes and imaging as well as clinical and radiological outcome were reviewed.Results: There were 43 patients 29 Males and 14 females (2:1) with 46 hips. Their ages ranged between 4 and 12 years (mean 7.7). 74.4% of patients were from low socioeconomic strata of the society. 9.3% of patients had family history and 58.1% had history of trauma. Painless limp was the presenting complaint in 88.4%. Herring lateral pillar classification was used; 43.5%) group A, 37.0% B, 13.0% B/C and 6.5% C. Thirty four hips (73.9%) had conservative treatment using Ischial Weight Bearing Calliper and physiotherapy in Lotus (Fagir) sitting Position and 12 hips (26.1%) had surgical treatment. Thirty one hips (67.4%) of those who were treated conservatively healed with Stulberg I or II, while 7 hips (58%) of those who underwent surgery with Stulberg I or II. Most of patients who presented at age less than 6 years healed with Stulberg I or II.Conclusion: LCPD affects children of low class. Prognosis is generally good when the age at onset less than 6 years. Herring’s lateral pillar classification is a reliable method of classification. Conservative treatment using Ischial Weight Bearing Calliper and physiotherapy in Lotus (Fagir) sitting Position has good outcome.Keywords: Perthes’ Disease, Conservative Management, Soba

Activity-promoting gaming systems in exercise and rehabilitation

Commercial activity-promoting gaming systems provide a potentially attractive means to facilitate exercise and rehabilitation. The Nintendo Wii, Sony EyeToy, Dance Dance Revolution, and Xbox Kinect are examples of gaming systems that use the movement of the player to control gameplay. Activity-promoting gaming systems can be used as a tool to increase activity levels in otherwise sedentary gamers and also be an effective tool to aid rehabilitation in clinical settings. Therefore, the aim of this current work is to review the growing area of activity-promoting gaming in the context of exercise, injury, and rehabilitation

From Kama Sutra to dot.com- The History, Myths and Management of Premature Ejaculation

As long as man has breathed, his quest for the perfect sexual experience seems to have eluded him. Often the experience has been brought to an abrupt end by the misery of premature ejaculation. This paper will look at the history of premature ejaculation, charting the importance of this event throughout the years and across cultures. It will look at all modern day therapies and will discuss the implications of introducing pharmocotherapy to a problem that has been traditionally treated by sex therapy

COSPO/CENDI Industry Day Conference

The conference's objective was to provide a forum where government information managers and industry information technology experts could have an open exchange and discuss their respective needs and compare them to the available, or soon to be available, solutions. Technical summaries and points of contact are provided for the following sessions: secure products, protocols, and encryption; information providers; electronic document management and publishing; information indexing, discovery, and retrieval (IIDR); automated language translators; IIDR - natural language capabilities; IIDR - advanced technologies; IIDR - distributed heterogeneous and large database support; and communications - speed, bandwidth, and wireless