ANTICIPATING THE MNEMONIC SHIFT: ORGANIZATIONAL REMEMBERING AND FORGETTING IN 2001

Following a review of prior work, the paper presents a model of organizational memory. Relying on structuration theory for its development, the model overcomes some of the problematic dualisms of conventional approaches (i.e., subjecUobject, social/technical, abstract/concrete). According to the model, co-memory (for collective memory) consists of rules and resources that recursively mediate both interactivity and structure in organizations. The model provides the basis for a taxonomy of existing and projected IT-based co-memory systems. Four classes of co-memory systems are described: transactional, managerial, strategic, and team. An analysis of driving trends concerning people, structure, and technology is used to project four scenarios for organizations in 2001: bureaucracy, factory, affiliation, and infocracy. Co-memory systems that can be expected in each scenario are discussed. Predictions indicate that a mnemonic s

MEETTING IN TIME: RECORDING THE WORKGROUP CONVERSATION

This work investigates the concept of organizational memory within the context of face-to-face meetings. We begin by exploring the theoretical and practical implications of both organizational memory in general, and meeting memory in particular. We propose that meeting memory can be constructed from temporally-structured speech-acts. This proposal is investigated through a case study of an existing meeting memory leading to the development of a meeting memory prototype system. The paper extends current research in the application of speech-act theory to collaborative work in two directions: 1) the support of face-to-face meetings and 2) the recording of group memory

Internal Controls For The Revenue Cycle: A Checklist For The Consumer Products Industry

In today’s difficult economic climate, business managers must carefully consider all aspects of business operations to minimize waste and increase efficiency.  The revenue cycle continues to be the primary area of fraud and abuse requiring strong, comprehensive internal controls (AICPA 2002).  Internal controls in the revenue arena are now more important than ever. The current paper provides a control review checklist for the revenue cycle that will aid managers and independent auditors in the consumer products industry. The checklist is applicable for firms at various levels of the distribution channel and can be used as a general benchmark to perform preliminary evaluations of a company’s internal control system. Auditors can compare their company’s control objectives with the objectives that are presented. During preliminary investigations of the company’s internal control system, auditors should review whether important control objectives have been omitted and whether the omission incurs or heightens risk. The control review checklist can also be used by CFOs or Controllers in the Consumer Products industry in reviewing whether their company’s internal control systems are adequate.  The checklist provides CFOs or Controllers internal controls that external, independent auditors consider to be important

The Effect of Information Technology Investments on Intermediate Performance of Firms

Ourprojectisdesignedtoinvestigatetheimpactsof informationtechnology(IT)investmentson“intermediate”performance variables as opposed to aggregate fm level measures (such as market s h m and profitability). Given the reported potential of IT to streamline administrative processes in organizations, our first objective is to contrast the impacts of IT investments on labor and administrativeproductivity. Further, we observe that none of the empirical studies to date have examined the relationship between IT investments and the utilization of a firm’s resources such as inventory and assets. Resource utilizationmevicsarereferredtoasactivityratios. Giventheincreasingattentiontotheprocessreengineeringphenomenon, it appears that the link between key activity measures and IT investments needs to be investigated. Hence, the second objective of our study is to assess the impact of IT investments on activity ratios

Is penicillin allergy de-labelling about to find its place in UK antimicrobial stewardship strategy?

Penicillin allergy records are common, often incorrect, limit antibiotic treatment options and associated with patient and health system harm. The large numbers of patients with penicillin allergy records and the paucity of allergists have led researchers to explore non-allergist delivered assessment of penicillin allergy records and removal of those inconsistent with allergy (called de-labelling). A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature concludes non-allergist delivery of penicillin allergy de-labelling to be safe and effective. Several countries outside Europe have endorsed non-allergist de-labelling and produced national guidelines and toolkits for de-labelling, but until recently the UK lacked such guidance. In September 2022 the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) produced their guidelines endorsing non-allergist delivered penicillin allergy de-labelling. These BSACI guidelines, coupled with the ongoing NIHR funded penicillin allergy de-labelling studies, will enable this important patient safety and antimicrobial stewardship intervention to become standard of care for NHS patients

Non-allergist healthcare workers views on delivering a penicillin allergy de-labelling inpatient pathway: identifying the barriers and enablers

Background Non-allergist delivered PADL is supported by UK and World Health Organization guidelines but is not yet routine in UK hospitals. Understanding the views of healthcare workers (HCWs) on managing patients with penA records and exploring perspectives on delivering a PADL inpatient pathway are required to inform the development of non-allergist delivered PADL pathways. Objective To explore the perspectives of non-allergist HCWs working in medical specialties on managing patients with penA records, and to explore the enablers and barriers to embedding PADL as a standard of care for inpatients. Methods Semi-structured interviews with doctors, nurses, pharmacists and medicines optimization pharmacy technicians working in a district general hospital in the UK. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results The PADL pathway was considered a shared responsibility of the multidisciplinary team, which needed to be structured and supported by a framework. PADL aligns with HCW roles but time to deliver PADL was a barrier. Training for HCWs on the benefits of PADL and delivering PADL for those patients where a penicillin might be beneficial during the current episode of care would both motivate HCWs to deliver PADL. Discussion and conclusion The PADL pathway was acceptable to HCWs and aligned with their roles and current healthcare processes but their capacity to deliver PADL in a time pressured environment was a significant barrier

The effectiveness of interventions that support penicillin allergy assessment and de-labelling of adult and paediatric patients by non-allergy specialists: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Penicillin allergy records are often incorrect and may result in harm. We aimed to systematically review the effectiveness and safety of non-allergist healthcare worker delivery of penicillin allergy de-labelling (PADL). METHODS: We searched EMBASE/ MEDLINE/ CINAHL (Ovid), PsycInfo, Web of Science and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception to 21/01/22, and unpublished studies and the grey literature. The proportion of penicillin allergic patients de-labelled and harmed was calculated using random effects models. FINDINGS: Overall, 5019 patients were de-labelled. Using allergy history alone, 14% (95% CI, 9.0-21%) of 4350 assessed patients were de-labelled without reported harm. Direct drug provocation testing resulted in de-labelling 27%; (95% CI, 18-37%) of 4207 assessed patients. Of 1373 tested, 98% were de-labelled (95% CI, 97-99%), harm, none serious, was reported in 1% (95% CI, 0-2%). Using skin testing followed by drug provocation testing de-labelled 41% (95% CI, 24-59%) of 2890 assessed patients. Of 1294 tested patients 95.0% (95% CI, 90%-99%) were de-labelled, reported harm was low.(0%; (95% CI 0%-1%). INTERPRETATION: PADL by non-allergists is efficacious and safe. The proportion of assessed patients who can be de-labelled increases with complexity of testing method, but substantial numbers can be de-labelled without skin testing. FUNDING: Source of funding: NIHR300542. Funder had no further role in the study

The Effects of Using a Tablet PC on Teaching and Learning Processes

This study compares the use of a Tablet PC in teaching with the use of an earlier generation of presentation technologies (e.g. overhead projectors, blackboards, PowerPointTM) that are an integral part of a traditional classroom learning environment. Presentation technologies are used to facilitate instruction and learning by performing three major pedagogical functions: (1) demonstrating the process of problem solving; (2) providing visual aids; and (3) keeping a record of instructional content. Among the most recently introduced presentation technologies is the Tablet PC. Tablet PC use appears to support the three functions described above to a greater extent than traditional approaches. Moreover, the Tablet PC approach appears to accommodate multiple learning styles and facilitates a higher level of interactive learning if properly used. Tips for effective use of Tablet PCs in the classroom are discussed

Experiences of an inpatient penicillin allergy de-labelling pathway: capturing the patient voice

Background Non-allergist-delivered penicillin allergy de-labelling (PADL) is supported by UK and other national guidelines but is not yet routine practice in UK hospitals. Those who have undergone PADL report high rates of acceptance, but it is unknown why some continue to avoid penicillin, and why some decline testing. Objectives To explore the experiences of patients recently approached for penicillin allergy (penA) assessment and de-label by non-allergists in a UK hospital to determine the barriers and enablers to patient acceptance of PADL. Methods Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with patients who were penA assessed and de-labelled during an inpatient stay between November 2022 and January 2023. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Nineteen patients were interviewed. Patients were largely unaware of the negative impact of penA on their healthcare. Patients had differing views on challenging their penA status while they were acutely unwell, some agreeing that it is the right time to test and others not. Patients declined testing because they felt they were at higher potential risk because they were older or had multiple comorbidities. Some patients who declined testing felt they would have been persuaded if they had received a better explanation of the risks and benefits of PADL. Conclusions Patients who were successfully de-labelled were positive about the experience. Those who declined testing did so for a variety of reasons including frailty/comorbidities or a fear of testing whilst unwell. Patients highlighted the importance of good communication about the personalized risks and benefits of testing