28 research outputs found
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Electronic performance measurement systems: feasibility of electronic performance measurement systems: a case study
This thesis explores the possibility of using digital technologies to improve and redefine the performance management process of employees within organisations. A review of the literature indicates that performance processes are not working; a key finding in the literature is the difficulty in collecting the right evidence in order to have the relevant conversation between manager and employee: that is, having access to enough data in order to run the performance measurement.
A case study is used to explore two different perspectives: a technical one, looking for accuracy in the performance appraisal, and a social one, for acceptance of the results among the different stakeholders.
The main findings of the research are as follows:
• Technically, it is possible to gather data about how employees perform at work and develop an algorithm that predicts individual performance, that is: know-how compared with the job profile; behaviours compared with the company values; and output compared with the budget or business plan.
• The use of technology to support performance measurement – which is very limited currently – is likely to increase dramatically. With predictive models, performance can be measured, and data be collected at any time.
• Like any other new technology, the success of an electronic performance appraisal system depends on the determinants of adoption. These, being complex depend largely upon the different stakeholders, CEO (or eventually the Board), line managers and employees. Each has different interests, perceptions, wills and fears.
• In the case study analysed, all stakeholders accepted the concept idea intellectually, an electronic system capable of capturing information and predicting performance at an individual level. However a common fear among line managers is that they will lose control over even basic decisions (i.e. promotion, salary review or bonuses for the consultants). This implies a significant loss of managerial power.
• The performance process in most organisations has four different stages: planning, assessment, recognition and career planning. These are usually framed into the budget cycle.
• The introduction of technology opens up a new perspective. The measurement phase can be run by the system, in its entirely virtually, and be run at any time. Managers could run performance appraisals and interviews at any time over the year, probably interviewing staff focused on specific issues more; likewise employees may receive feedback more often; the process is disconnected from the recognition phase. The discussion between line manager and employee looks forward rather than backward and focuses on action plans.
The research gives practitioners the opportunity to rethink the performance management process, and shows that it is possible to reframe it thanks to technology. As a case study, however, there are still many limitations when generalizing the process
SÃndrome de Austrian: Una rara manifestación de la enfermedad neumocócica invasiva. Presentación de un caso y revisión bibliográfica
El sÃndrome de Austrian es una patologÃa producida por la infección diseminada de Streptococcus pneumoniae y caracterizada por la trÃada de neumonÃa, endocarditis y meningitis Tiene una incidencia estimada de 0,9-7,8 casos por diez millones de habitantes y año y una mortalidad del 32%. El consumo de alcohol, como principal factor de riesgo, aparece solamente en cuatro de cada diez pacientes. Un 14% no presentan factores de riesgo. Dos de cada tres enfermos son varones y ocurre en la época media de la vida. Asienta sobre válvula nativa, lesionándose la aorta en la mitad de los afectados. Presentan regurgitación severa dos de cada tres pacientes. El tratamiento antimicrobiano apropiado y la cirugÃa temprana de la endocarditis disminuyen la mortalidad. Es posible que la epidemiologÃa del sÃndrome de Austrian esté cambiando por la introducción de la vacuna antineumocócica conjugada 13-valente en el calendario infantil.
The Austrian syndrome is a pathology caused by disseminated Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and characterized for the triad of pneumonia, endocarditis and meningitis. It has an estimated incidence of 0.9-7.8 cases per ten millions people each year, and a mortality of 32%. Alcohol abuse, as the main risk factor, appears only in four out of ten patients. Moreover, 14% of patientes do not have any risk factor. Two out of three patients are males and it occurs in the middle aged of life. It is more frequently on native valve, aortic valve is injured in the half of the cases. Severe regurgitation occurs in two per three patients. Appropriate antimicrobial treatment and early endocarditis surgery decrease mortality. It is possible that Austrian syndrome epidemiology is changing by the introduction of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine in the children´s calendar
Mycoplasma genitalium: An Emerging Cause of Sexually Transmitted Disease in Women
Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen implicated in urethritis in men and several inflammatory reproductive tract syndromes in women including cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and infertility. This comprehensive review critically examines epidemiologic studies of M. genitalium infections in women with the goal of assessing the associations with reproductive tract disease and enhancing awareness of this emerging pathogen. Over 27,000 women from 48 published reports have been screened for M. genitalium urogenital infection in high- or low-risk populations worldwide with an overall prevalence of 7.3% and 2.0%, respectively. M. genitalium was present in the general population at rates between those of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Considering more than 20 studies of lower tract inflammation, M. genitalium has been positively associated with urethritis, vaginal discharge, and microscopic signs of cervicitis and/or mucopurulent cervical discharge in seven of 14 studies. A consistent case definition of cervicitis is lacking and will be required for comprehensive understanding of these associations. Importantly, evidence for M. genitalium PID and infertility are quite convincing and indicate that a significant proportion of upper tract inflammation may be attributed to this elusive pathogen. Collectively, M. genitalium is highly prevalent in high- and low-risk populations, and should be considered an etiologic agent of select reproductive tract disease syndromes in women
Conferencia III: El portafolio, un mediador en las paradojas de la evalución de los estudiantes.
Análisis de la aplicación de la herramienta e-portafolio como método de evaluación del rendimiento del alumnado