Effect of Strategic Orientation on Performance of Star-Rated Hotels in Ghana

The study used the resource dependency theory to determine the strategic orientation that star-rated hotels in Ghana should adopt to realize both financial and non- financial performance. Out of a population of 680 star-rated hotel managers, a sample of 248 were chosen, using the stratified random sampling technique. Self- administered questionnaires were used to solicit the views of managers of the selected star-rated hotels. In all, a total of 178 responses were retrieved and analysed, using descriptive and partial least squares in structural equation modeling. Findings of the study indicate that none of the strategic orientation types influenced financial performance. However, aggressiveness, analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness were found to rather influence non-financial performance of star-rated hotels. The study, therefore, confirms the resource dependency theory and concludes that when star-rated hotels tend to be aggressive, analytic, futuristic and risky, it influences non-financial performance. The study, therefore, recommends that managers of star-rated hotels use analytic, defensiveness, futuristic and riskiness strategic orientation to enhance non-financial performance

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care