SBI Intervention: An Old Problem- A New Perspective

This research effort attempted to determine if SB/ intervention would change the perception of business problems by not only the business owner but also the student consultants. This focus further to encompassed firms that could be classified in either Stage I or Stage II of development. Even though there were no changes in perception by student consultants, and mixed results of whether stage development affected perceptual differences, strong support was given to the proposition that owners, overall, did change their perception of existing problems after SBI intervention

Physical activity among South Asian women: a systematic, mixed-methods review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The objective of this systematic mixed-methods review is to assess what is currently known about the levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (ST) and to contextualize these behaviors among South Asian women with an immigrant background.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A systematic search of the literature was conducted using combinations of the key words PA, ST, South Asian, and immigrant. A mixed-methods approach was used to analyze and synthesize all evidence, both quantitative and qualitative. Twenty-six quantitative and twelve qualitative studies were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Studies quantifying PA and ST among South Asian women showed low levels of PA compared with South Asian men and with white European comparison populations. However making valid comparisons between studies was challenging due to a lack of standardized PA measurement. The majority of studies indicated that South Asian women did not meet recommended amounts of PA for health benefits. Few studies assessed ST. Themes emerging from qualitative studies included cultural and structural barriers to PA, faith and education as facilitators, and a lack of understanding of the recommended amounts of PA and its benefits among South Asian women.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Quantitative and qualitative evidence indicate that South Asian women do not perform the recommended level of PA for health benefits. Both types of studies suffer from limitations due to methods of data collection. More research should be dedicated to standardizing objective PA measurement and to understanding how to utilize the resources of the individuals and communities to increase PA levels and overall health of South Asian women.</p

Interrole Conflicts in the Hospitality Industry: The Role of Positive Affectivity as an Antidote

This study investigates the role of positive affectivity as a buffer against the detrimental effects of interrole conflicts on frontline hotel employees’ job performance and turnover intentions. Data collected from a sample of frontline hotel employees in Turkey serve as the study setting. Results and their implications are discussed, and directions for future research are offered

Gender-choice behavior linkages: an investigation in the hospitality industry

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate whether males and females differ on the emphases they place on core service and relational service in choosing a hotel. Design/Methodology – Data were gathered from the residents of a metro area in the United States. Three hundred and forty-one residents participated in the study. The Del statistic, an undertapped technique, was used. Findings – The results reveal that male and female guests are essentially the same in the importance they place on core and relational services in choosing a hotel. Originality of the research – Empirical research about the hotel choice behavior of female guests is scarce. Therefore, this study addresses this underresearched issue

SBI Intervention: An Old Problem- A New Perspective

This research effort attempted to determine if SB/ intervention would change the perception of business problems by not only the business owner but also the student consultants. This focus further to encompassed firms that could be classified in either Stage I or Stage II of development. Even though there were no changes in perception by student consultants, and mixed results of whether stage development affected perceptual differences, strong support was given to the proposition that owners, overall, did change their perception of existing problems after SBI  intervention

REFERQUAL: A pilot study of a new service quality assessment instrument in the GP Exercise Referral scheme setting

Background The development of an instrument accurately assessing service quality in the GP Exercise Referral Scheme (ERS) industry could potentially inform scheme organisers of the factors that affect adherence rates leading to the implementation of strategic interventions aimed at reducing client drop-out. Methods A modified version of the SERVQUAL instrument was designed for use in the ERS setting and subsequently piloted amongst 27 ERS clients. Results Test re-test correlations were calculated via Pearson's 'r' or Spearman's 'rho', depending on whether the variables were Normally Distributed, to show a significant (mean r = 0.957, SD = 0.02, p < 0.05; mean rho = 0.934, SD = 0.03, p < 0.05) relationship between all items within the questionnaire. In addition, satisfactory internal consistency was demonstrated via Cronbach's 'α'. Furthermore, clients responded favourably towards the usability, wording and applicability of the instrument's items. Conclusion REFERQUAL is considered to represent promise as a suitable tool for future evaluation of service quality within the ERS community. Future research should further assess the validity and reliability of this instrument through the use of a confirmatory factor analysis to scrutinise the proposed dimensional structure

Customer perceptions of quality of service in public transport: Evidence for bus transit in Scotland

This paper provides a detailed examination of a quality of service indicator utilised by the Scottish Government to assess the opinions of passengers towards bus transport. The quality of service indicator takes the form of an 11 item opinion scale which covers an array of service aspects. Factor analysis is employed to identify latent constructs which are present within this scale. Three latent constructs associated with attitudes towards perceived quality of bus service are identified, covering convenience, cabin environment and ease of use issues. These latent constructs are further explored through an appreciation of how attitudes towards perceived quality of bus service vary across socio-economic cohorts and the degree to which these attitudes can be of use in explaining variation in perceived satisfaction with the bus service. Results of the analysis suggest that attitudes regarding quality of bus service vary significantly across passenger groups, with females having a tendency to exhibit relatively negative opinions regarding the quality of the cabin environment with a similar finding observed in the case of passengers who are looking after the home and family. In addition, perceived convenience of the bus service appears to have a significant positive explanatory power over perceived satisfaction with the bus service, suggesting that improvements to service frequency, availability, reliability and stability will likely increase perceived satisfaction amongst existing passengers. At a more general level, this paper demonstrates the level of additional knowledge which can be attained through a more detailed analysis of existing transport policy data

Survey of patient satisfaction with the Breastfeeding Education and Support Services of The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Breastfeeding Education and Support Services (BESS) is a unit of The Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, staffed by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), providing day/short-stay and an outpatient clinic for mothers and infants with breastfeeding problems. It is important to measure women's experience of visiting the service as part of quality assurance. The aim of this project was to conduct an anonymous postal survey of clients' satisfaction with BESS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An anonymous survey was posted on 16 November 2005 and again on 31 January 2006, to all women who had attended BESS in September 2005.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The response rate was 60.5% (78/129). Eighty percent (62/78) of respondents attended day-stay, 33% (26/78) attended short-stay and 15% (12/78) attended the outpatient clinic. The percentage of women who responded "strongly agree" to the statement "Overall, I am satisfied with the services" was 49% (35/72) and 50% (6/12) for those who went to day/short-stay and the outpatient clinic respectively. Overall, 56% of all respondents responded that the quality of BESS was "better than expected". The most common breastfeeding problem reported was difficulty attaching the baby to the breast, followed by nipple damage, low milk supply and painful feeding.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>BESS seems to have provided a satisfactory service to most clients. Most respondents were clearly satisfied with the support given by the IBCLCs and have also responded that the staff were professional and knowledgeable in their field of work.</p