Planning and Managing of Diagnostic Imaging Technologies in Healthcare: The Introduction of Managed Equipment Service (MES) for the System’s Sustainability

The lack of resources has driven healthcare management studies to recognise Private and Public Partnerships (PPP) as the solution in managing efficiency, effectiveness and profitability of technological innovation. Recent researchers have identified the buying model called Managed Equipment Service (MES), in which purchaser and seller share the risks of technology’s management and use, as an optimal problem-solving method. The aim of this research is to analyse the potential economic-financial and organizational benefits of MES introduction in healthcare, in particular for the acquisition of the diagnostic imaging technologies. The research applies the case study method. We have examined a representative Italian Local Health Authority for its dimensions, managerial characteristics and case-mix offered but, especially, for its high health standards. In the study we have involved the strategic figure of radiographer in diagnostic imaging. The data has been elaborated through statistical analysis to observe the correlations. Evidence demonstrates that MES costs are lower than all the other planning and purchasing methods analysed (between 11% - 239%). When correlations between age of facilities and effectiveness of provided services is strong, MES grants the maintenance of a lower average age of technologies and a more efficient use of resources and significant margins of profitability. The emerging model of PPP is a possible solution to the current issues surrounding economic and financial sustainability of healthcare systems, considered the fewer resources and the technological progress. MES in healthcare appears to be a highly efficient way of managing innovation, in particular for diagnostic imaging technologies. Keywords: Public Private Partnership (PPP), Managed Equipment Service (MES), middle-high technologies, diagnostic imaging

Dalla contabilità finanziaria ai risultati economico-patrimoniali nei musei pubblici: una proposta metodologica / From financial accounting to financial results in pubblic museums: a methodological framework

Secondo il New Public Management, tutti i settori della pubblica amministrazione devono essere in grado di misurare le loro performance secondo una visione multi-dimensionale. I musei pubblici – statali, civici, universitari, ecc. – sono spesso una parte di una pubblica amministrazione, perciò i loro dati contabili e di bilancio sono “confusi” con quelli dell’ente proprietario. Questo produce un doppio effetto negativo. Da un lato, è arduo quantificare esattamente le risorse pubbliche trasferite al museo e, dall’altro, è impossibile misurare direttamente le attività e le performance economiche, patrimoniali e finanziarie. La ricerca, di natura esplorativa, propone una metodologia per ovviare ad entrambi questi inconvenienti. Il metodo di ricerca è prevalentemente deduttivo. L’articolo, dopo un’analisi delle principali teorie e tecniche di misurazionedelle performance e la costruzione diun modello teorico, termina con un’analisi critica del modello. According to New Public Management’s principles, all sectors of public administrationmust check their annual performance from multiple perspectives. Public museums – state, municipal, or university museums to give just a few examples – are often part of the administrative and accounting data and are therefore often mixed up with the museum’s owner. The result is doubly negative. On the one hand, it is extremely difficult to quantify the public resources transferred to the museum. On the other hand, it is impossible to keep track of its annual economic, financial and assets performance. The research is exploratory and suggests a methodology attempting to solve both problems. The research method is mainly deductive. The paper begins with an analysis of the mainstream theories and techniques for performance measurement, then it proposes a theoretical model and finally a critical analysis of that model

Local Authorities’ Policies for Disseminating Gender Equality. Evidence from Italy

This paper aims to analyze the role of Italian local authorities in disseminating gender equality by using the gender mainstreaming approach. Previous researches in gender were concentrated on legal aspect linked to labor or to violence against women. Moreover, other studies examined the effects of EU funds on local gender policies. However, no research results are provided about methodologies, timing and responsibilities set up by local administrations. The research focuses on a population consisting of local authorities representing the principal regional towns and analyzes the Italian local authorities’ commitment in gender mainstreaming. The result of the analysis is that the local authorities are demonstrating more commitment with policies linked to employment issues. Moreover, Italian municipalities show a signifi cant commitment to spreading GM policies, not only dedicated to women but also to a more inclusive concept of ‘gender’. However, we argue that policies for gender equality are not target-driven: local authorities widespread a wide range of gender policies without defi ning an adequate tool. Policy makers need to refl ect about the possibility to develop a clear frame concerning strategies, resources, measuring and impact indicators in order to issue real ‘gender effective policies’.</p

Quality Disclosure in Sustainability Reporting: Evidence From Universities

Attention towards sustainability reporting is very high with reference to higher education. The paper aims to assess the maturity level of sus-tainability reporting and to measure its quality by evaluating the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) indicators currently disclosed. The research was carried out using the inductive method. We de-limited the study to universities and we evaluated the quality of sustainability reporting by analyzing the indicators disclosed in 2012 reports accord-ing to GRI guidelines. The research gives an overview of sustainability reporting in universities by evaluating the quality level of their disclosure. The results confrm previous research by high-lighting the necessity to improve sustainability reporting. Moreover, the results show there are differences between universities that are con-nected to the peculiarities of each country. They also enable us to draw up an initial classifcation of universities. The paper provides one of the frst in-depth studies of sustainability reporting quality for universities included in the GRI database