ESG: The Nexus of Sustainability & Cost of Capital? An empirical study of the relationship between ESG scores and WACC for European firms

This thesis examines the relationship between STOXX Europe 600 firms’ ESG scores and their weighted average cost of capital (WACC) across the 11 Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sectors. To investigate this relationship, we have collected ESG scores from Sustainalytics and Refinitiv on an aggregate level, as well as individual ESG pillar scores. The ESG scores have then been averaged to create a proxy ESG score to account for divergence between the two rating agencies. Data on market capitalization, debt to total capital, and GICS sector have been gathered from Bloomberg. We investigate the WACC-ESG score relationship through five hypotheses spanning from a general to more granular assessment. Our findings suggest that although there is a significant negative relationship between WACC and ESG scores on an aggregate level, this does not hold when delving into sector specific differences where only a few sectors show a significant relationship, and only with certain ESG pillars. This implies that we do not find convincing empirical evidence to support the causal conclusion that European firms can benefit from lower average costs of capital by improving their ESG scores without accounting for sector.nhhma

Employment among patients with multiple sclerosis - A population study

To investigate demographic and clinical factors associated with employment in MS.The study included 213 (89.9%) of all MS patients in Sogn and Fjordane County, Western Norway at December 31st 2010. The patients underwent clinical evaluation, structured interviews and completed self-reported questionnaires. Demographic and clinical factors were compared between patients being employed versus patients being unemployed and according to disease course of MS. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors independently associated with current employment.After a mean disease duration of almost 19 years, 45% of the population was currently full-time or part- time employed. Patients with relapsing -remitting MS (RRMS) had higher employment rate than patients with secondary (SPMS) and primary progressive (PPMS). Higher educated MS patients with lower age at onset, shorter disease duration, less severe disability and less fatigue were most likely to be employed.Nearly half of all MS patients were still employed after almost two decades of having MS. Lower age at onset, shorter disease duration, higher education, less fatigue and less disability were independently associated with current employment. These key clinical and demographic factors are important to understand the reasons to work ability in MS. The findings highlight the need for environmental adjustments at the workplace to accommodate individual 's needs in order to improve working ability among MS patients

The impact of pre-round meetings on quality of care: A qualitative study

Aim: This study's aim was to improve our understanding of the impact of pre-round meetings before ward rounds on hospital wards. Design: Qualitative study. Method: Focus group interviews were conducted with nurses and doctors. Results: Participants reported that pre-round meetings provide opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation and have a positive impact on the quality of treatment and care. These meetings offer a forum for health professionals to develop a shared understanding and to convey congruent information to the patient. However, there may be reasons for omitting the pre-round meetings before ward rounds on wards with acute admissions and high patient turnover. Continuity of those attending the meetings and attendance by consultants are needed for timely decision-making and hence, successful pre-round meetings. If health trusts establish systems promoting successful pre-round meetings, the quality of treatment received by patients has potential for improvement

The Impact of Pre-Round Meetings on the Clinical Learning of Nurses and Doctors on Hospital Wards: A Qualitative Study

Introduction The pre-round meeting is an interprofessional gathering conducted in conjunction with the ward round in many hospitals. Here, nurses, doctors and eventually allied health clinicians discuss clinical issues before attending to the patients. This study focused on the learning aspects of the pre-round meeting, and it is, to our knowledge, the first study to explore the impact of pre-round meetings on learning in a clinical setting. Objectives To improve our understanding of the impact pre-round meetings has on clinical learning among the nurses and doctors who attend them. Method A qualitative study. Focus group interviews were conducted. Participants comprised of 9 doctors and 13 nurses from two different hospitals in Norway. The participants represented both surgical and non-surgical departments Results This study showed that the pre-round meeting is an arena with a high learning potential. Learning takes place in the discussion that arises when different professions meet. Both nurses and doctors emphasized that the pre-round meeting is both a conscious learning arena and an arena where learning is a by-product. Several factors interfered with the utilization of its learning potential. Conclusion The pre-round meeting is an arena with high learning potential. However various factors can influence this potential. The study highlights the importance of being aware of the learning potential in the pre-round meeting, to achieve higher-level learning objectives. A collaborative environment, continuity, competence, and availability of the staff and structured pre-round meetings are essential elements for achieving higher-level learning objectives

Quality of care and job satisfaction in a Hospital Trust before and after The Coordination Reform in Norway

Aims: To study the impact of organizational changes on the quality of health services and on health professionals' job satisfaction in specialist health services. Design: A repeated cross-sectional study, including 5 years before (2007) and 5 years after (2017) the introduction of The Coordination Reform in Norway. Methods: Nurses and auxiliary nurses working in medical wards at three hospitals evaluated the quality of health services and various aspects of their working conditions, using questionnaires: Quality of Patient Care and the Job Satisfaction Scale. Results: In 2017, nurses and auxiliary nurses had longer work experience compared with 2007. Nurses and auxiliary nurses also worked full hours. There was no significant change over time in total Quality of Patient Care score or in any of the subscores. There was no significant change in total Job Satisfaction Scale score over time, but there was a significant decline in the sub-score for physical working conditions

Nursing Students’ Preferences for Learning Medical and Bioscience Subjects: A Qualitative Study

(1) Background: There are considerable challenges and concerns related to learning medical and bioscience subjects (MBS) in nursing education and integrating this knowledge into nursing. The aim of this study was to explore what learning methods nursing students prefer when studying MBS, and how this learning may be enhanced to facilitate the integration of these subjects into nursing. (2) Methods: Individual interviews with 10 nursing students. Transcripts from the interviews were analysed by systematic text condensation and the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies was completed. (3) Results: Students prefer varied and active learning methods in MBS. The participants in the study highlighted both organised tutorials in groups and working with fellow students outside of organised teaching. All participants used educational videos. Learning MBS by drawing was appreciated both during lectures and in student-initiated colloquia. Strategies that favour in-depth learning were appreciated, and it was found that lectures did not have to cover the entire curriculum. Teachers’ attitudes toward students also were seen to have a considerable impact on students’ motivation for learning. (4) Conclusion: Applying active learning methods and focusing on the most relevant topics in MBS appears to improve students’ ability to integrate this knowledge into nursing; teachers should also be aware of their role as a motivator

Multivariate analysis of factors associated with employment in MS^*.

<p>*n = 172.</p><p>**p value≤0.05 calculated from binary regression analysis.</p

Employment rates (full time and part time) in 2010 among the general population and MS-patients in Sogn og Fjordane County.

<p>Employment rates (full time and part time) in 2010 among the general population and MS-patients in Sogn og Fjordane County.</p