The Role of IT in Organizational Networks, Individual Networks, and in Bridging These Two Levels

In this paper, we seek to understand the role of technology at the nexus between the two network levels: as outcome of the decision process at the organizational level and as object of use and performance at the individual level. We aim to capture the role of IT in bridging the individual practices in the context of the larger network system [22]. To do so, we draw on a longitudinal case study of the development and diffusion of a software for the operation and management of nursing homes

Transnational Law’s Legitimacy Challenge for International Courts

Transnational law raises important but complex questions, not least with respect to our understanding of legitimacy. This chapter reflects on how the development of transnational law may affect the legitimacy of international courts, such as the European Court of Human Rights (ECrtHR). It does so through the adoption of an organizational sociology model of legitimacy, which is able to address some—though not all—of the new challenges raised by the characteristics of transnational law. It becomes clear that as international law is used as a vehicle for the development of transnational legal norms, international courts are increasingly used to legitimize such norms. While this can strengthen the position of international courts through continued and increased relevance in transnational processes, it can also weaken their legitimacy if such developments alienate the respective courts from their original constituencies

Satisfaction with the Outpatient Encounter: A Comparison of patients' and Physicians' Views

OBJECTIVE: To compare patients' and physicians' visit-specific satisfaction in an internal medicine outpatient setting, and to explain their respective views. DESIGN: patients' and physicians' background characteristics were assessed prior to outpatient encounters. Immediately after the encounter, both patients and physicians completed a questionnaire assessing satisfaction with the visit. SETTING: The outpatient division of an academic teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty residents and specialists in general internal medicine, rheumatology, and gastroenterology, and 330 patients having a follow-up appointment with one of these physicians. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: patients' and physicians' visit-specific satisfaction was assessed using 5 Visual Analogue Scales (0 to 100). patients' overall satisfaction was higher than physicians' satisfaction (mean 81 vs. 66), and correlation of patients' and physicians' overall satisfaction with the specific visit was medium sized (r= .28, P < .001). patients' satisfaction ratings were associated with their previsit self-efficacy in communicating with their physician (P < .001) and with visiting a female physician (P < .01). Physicians' satisfaction was associated with patients' higher educational level (P < .05), primary language being Dutch (P < .001), better mental health (P < .05), and preference for receiving less than full information (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In an outpatient setting, patients' visit-specific satisfaction ratings were substantially higher than, and only moderately associated with, physicians' ratings of the same visit. The dissimilar predictors explaining patients' and physicians' satisfaction suggest that patients and physicians form their opinion about a consultation in different ways. Hence, when evaluating outpatient encounters, physicians' satisfaction has additional value to patients' satisfaction in establishing quality of care