Diffusion of Innovation: An Investigation of e-Procurement Assimilation in the Australian Public Sector

As part of a larger research project whose objective was to determine the antecedent condition for eProcurement assimilation, this paper assesses the diffusion of e-Procurement in the Australian public sector. With the help of an extensive literature review and pilot study, eProcurement diffusion attributes were identified, a research model was developed and hypotheses were formulated. Based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory, it is hypothesized that perceived benefits and compatibility impact positively whereas the perceived complexities negatively impact the transactional and strategic assimilation of e-Procurement. A nationwide web-based survey of Procurement/e-Procurement professionals in the Australian public sector is in the final stage of completion at the time of writing of this paper and analysis of the complete set of data will be presented in the camera-ready version of the paper

Huffman Coding as a Non-linear Dynamical System

In this paper, source coding or data compression is viewed as a measurement problem. Given a measurement device with fewer states than the observable of a stochastic source, how can one capture the essential information? We propose modeling stochastic sources as piecewise linear discrete chaotic dynamical systems known as Generalized Lur\"{o}th Series (GLS) which dates back to Georg Cantor's work in 1869. The Lyapunov exponent of GLS is equal to the Shannon's entropy of the source (up to a constant of proportionality). By successively approximating the source with GLS having fewer states (with the closest Lyapunov exponent), we derive a binary coding algorithm which exhibits minimum redundancy (the least average codeword length with integer codeword lengths). This turns out to be a re-discovery of Huffman coding, the popular lossless compression algorithm used in the JPEG international standard for still image compression.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Implementing e-procurement initiatives: impact of organisational learning across the public sector

This paper presents the results of a literature survey and proposes a model of organizational learning factors (OLFs) that are likely to impact the success of a technological innovation such as e-Procurement. Implementing e-Procurement initiatives requires the public sector agencies to have the organizational and management ability and flexibility to learn and share the lessons in regards to the new systems and technology and adjust themselves to new procurement practices and processes in a timely fashion. It is believed that this study will yield several insights and better understanding of the organizational learning factors that impact the level of user and supplier satisfaction leading to e-Procurement implementation success

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related to HIV Stigma and Discrimination Among Healthcare Workers in Oman

Objectives: Stigma and discrimination undermine the quality of life of people with HIV and their access to health services. This study aimed to assess HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional study took place between July and November 2016. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,400 government HCWs to determine HIV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices. Results: A total of 1,281 HCWs participated (response rate = 92%). Routine tasks, such as dressing wounds, drawing blood and touching clothes, were a cause of concern for 24–52% of HCWs. Only 69% correctly answered questions regarding the transmission of HIV via eating/drinking and mosquito bites. Compared to other HCWs, doctors had significantly higher knowledge (mean = 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19 to 0.73; P <0.001), attitude (mean = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.31 to 1.24; P = 0.001) and practice (mean = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.59 to 2.55; P <0.001) scores. Expatriates also scored significantly higher in knowledge (mean = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.93 to 1.23; P <0.001), attitude (mean = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.98 to 1.48; P <0.001) and practice (mean = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.34; P <0.001) compared to Omani nationals. Finally, those with >15 years’ work experience scored significantly higher on knowledge (mean = −0.60, 95% CI: −1.12 to −0.08; P = 0.025) and attitude (mean = −0.99, 95% CI: −1.87 to −0.10; P = 0.029) compared to those with less experience. Conclusion: The high rate of HIV-related stigma among HCWs in Oman should be rectified in order to achieve the 90-90-90 target set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.Keywords: HIV; Social Stigma; Social Discrimination; Knowledge; Attitude; Professional Practice; Healthcare Providers; Oman

Randomized factorial trial of esomeprazole and aspirin in Barrett’s oesophagus: the Aspirin and Esomeprazole Chemoprevention in Barrett’s metaplasia Trial (AspECT)

Background: Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OA) is the sixth commonest cause of cancer death worldwide and Barrett’s oesophagus (BO) is the most significant risk factor. We evaluated the efficacy of high-dose esomeprazole proton pump inhibitor acid suppression (PPI) and aspirin in improving outcome for BO patients in the largest such randomized controlled trial. Methods: Patients with ≥1cm BO in UK and Canadian hospitals were randomized 1:1:1:1 using a computer-generated schedule held in a central trials unit in a 2X2 factorial design to high-dose (40mg twice-daily) or low-dose (20mg once-daily) PPI, alone or with aspirin (UK: 300mg/day, Canada: 325mg/day), unblinded (reporting pathologists blinded). The primary composite endpoint was time to all-cause mortality, OA, or high-grade dysplasia, analysed using accelerated failure time modelling adjusted for minimization factors (age, BO length, intestinal metaplasia). Findings: Recruited patients (N=2557) were followed for 8·9 years (median; interquartile range 8·2–9·8), collecting 20,095 follow-up years and 99·9% of planned data. There were 313 primary events. High-dose PPI was superior to low-dose PPI (p=0·037, N=1265 (low dose), N=1270 (high dose), time ratio (TR)=1·27, 95%CI=1·01–1·58). Aspirin was not significantly better than no aspirin (p=0·068, N=1142 (no aspirin), N = 1138 (aspirin), TR=1·24, 95%CI=0·98–1·57). If patients using NSAIDs were censored at time of first use,aspirin was significantly better than no Aspirin (p=0·043, N=2,236, TR=1·29 95%CI=1·01– 1·66). Combining high-dose PPI with aspirin had the strongest effect compared with low dose PPI without aspirin (p=0·0068, TR=1·59, 95%CI=1·14–2·23). NNT for PPI and aspirin benefit is 34 and 43, respectively. Only 1·0% (28) of participants reported study-treatment related serious adverse events. Interpretation: High-dose PPI and aspirin chemoprevention therapy, especially in combination, significantly and safely improve outcome in BO patients

Role of public e-procurement technology to reduce corruption in government procurement

This paper explores the potential of public e-procurement technologies to reduce corruption in the public procurement process. It analyses the risk factors of corruption in the government procurement processes such as in project planning, product design and documentation, tender process, contract awards, and accounting and auditing. It assesses different cases of various developing countries and emerging economies with a specific focus on the potential of public e-procurement to transparency and accountability. The results indicate that anti-corruption capabilities of public e-procurement, particularly the automation and audit trail capabilities can potentially increase the transparency and accountability of the government procurement process

Electronic Procurement: Impact on Procurement Performance

Despite the benefits of electronic procurement, few initiatives worldwide have succeeded and performance implications of e-procurement are not well documented in the existing literature. This book attempts to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the stages of the e-procurement assimilation process, the antecedents that lead to the success of such a process, and finally, its procurement performance implications. The focus of this study is the process of e- procurement assimilation, rather than the intention to adopt e-procurement. As such, the research setting and methodology of the research are in line with the innovative concepts as offered in the theories of Information Technology assimilation. This study also uses literature from transaction cost theory, structurational theory of IT use, resource-based theory and other organizational theories to identify the e-procurement antecedents. This book greatly helps put the procurement and IT professionals in a better position to effectively formulate and implement appropriate strategies to cope with the challenges of managing the process of e-procurement assimilation.x, 203 hlm.; 22 cm

Assimilation of public procurement innovation: An empirical analysis in light of transaction cost theory

As part of large scale survey research, this study examines the notion of assimilation of public procurement innovation (e-procurement) and proposes a conceptual model that may facilitate a greater understanding of how organizations can effectively manage the process of e-procurement assimilation in the light of transaction cost theory. A pilot study with over 40 procurement professionals in the Australian public sector was conducted to refine the survey instrument, which was initially developed through an extensive literature review. A survey endorsed by various Australian public sector agencies revealed significant relationships between the transactional cost antecedents (independent variables) and the e-procurement assimilation. Structural Equation Modeling results suggest that while no support was found for the negative relationship between Perceived Increase in Transaction Costs and the e-procurement assimilation, only partial support was found for the assocation beween transaction uncertainties and e-procurement assimilation. The study also found that there was a positive association between transaction frequency and the dependent variable. The understanding of the key antecedents of e-procurement assimilation in the light of transaction cost theory will help put practioners in a better position to formulate and implement appropriate strategies to cope with the challenges of their e-procurement implementations