Search

Background and Aim: To report the scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago to identify areas that need improvement. Methods: A cross‐sectional study of optometrists in Trinidad and Tobago was conducted using a validated self‐structured questionnaire. Data obtained was exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive analysis and Pearson χ2 were used to summarize the demographic data and determine associations, respectively. Result: A total of 63 optometrists participated in the study. Majority of them were females (69.8%, n = 44), Christians (65.1%), East Indians (47.6%), and 30 years and below (66.7%). Most (87%) of them utilized routine optometric equipment in their clinical practice including autorefractors, retinoscopes, direct ophthalmoscopes, lensometers, phoropters, slit lamp biomicroscopes, trial lens boxes, and visual acuity chart projectors. A few of them have noncontact tonometer (4.8%), Volk lenses (1.6%), and perform color vision tests (1.6%). Fewer (12.7%, n = 8) practitioners provided low‐vision services. The use of pharmaceutical agents was prevalent among the participants (55.6%). Additionally, the provision of contact lenses was the most frequently practiced service among the participants (85.7%, n = 54). A significant association was observed between the provision of low‐vision services and sex (p = 0.03). Conclusion: The scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago is in accordance with the basic guidelines set out by the World Council of Optometry but there is need to get more involved in the provision of low vision and other specialty services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation appointment orders provide enforceable scaffolding for conduct of family court parenting plan evaluations, and use of the evaluator's reports, feedback, file, and testimony. Unlike a contract, a stipulated or adjudicated appointment order is directly enforceable by the family court. It unambiguously positions the evaluator as the family court's appointee – answerable directly to the court and, in some jurisdictions, protected by quasi‐judicial immunity from damages claims. A well‐crafted appointment order governs the roles and expectations of the court, the evaluator, the parties, the lawyers, and the collateral witnesses. An appointment order mandates the legal duties, rights, powers, and responsibilities of the professionals, the parties, and the collateral witnesses. At minimum, an appointment order articulates the legal basis for the appointment, the purpose and scope of the evaluation, compensation of evaluator, and the duty of the parties to participate in the process. A written evaluation protocol or procedures statement discloses in advance the methods of investigation and assessment that the evaluator intends to use. Together, the appointment order and written protocol help the evaluator, lawyers, parents, and judge manage the complexity of the evaluation process. Key points for the family court community: Standardized, well‐crafted appointment orders and written protocols can provide:Reduced conflict over the conduct of the evaluation;Positions about terms not linked to beliefs about recommendations;Protection for the parties and the evaluator;Reduced risk that the report or testimony will not be admitted into evidence;Reduced risk of disciplinary complaints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To evaluate the scope of practice and role in cancer management for radiation oncologists in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore (ANZ). Methods: A 27‐question survey was emailed to all practicing radiation oncologists listed on the RANZCR database in mid‐2021. Results: There was a 54% response rate. Respondents reported managing symptoms associated with radiation therapy (96%), cancer‐related symptoms (86%), writing narcotic and analgesic prescriptions (76%), being involved in palliative care (57%), prescribing non‐cytotoxic systemic therapy (45%), and admitting patients (41%). Just over 20% wanted to expand their scope of practice, but for those who were unable to, insufficient time (35%), inter‐specialty political difficulties (14%), and lack of support from the organisation (12%) were the major reasons. Over half of respondents (56.4%) thought they provided an opinion on the overall role of cancer management. Just under 20% provided a radiation therapy opinion only and <1% provided radiation therapy at the request of the referring clinician. The remainder reported a combination of these. Over 80% of respondents thought their ideal role was to be involved in overall cancer management and 20% believed they should be providing an opinion on radiation therapy only. The ideal role matched the actual role in over 87% of respondents and most respondents thought radiation oncology training enabled an opinion on overall cancer management. Over 90% of respondents were satisfied with their current role in cancer management. Radiation oncologists felt they were perceived as independent clinicians and the large majority (87%) thought radiation oncologists should be part of a multidisciplinary team rather than leaders in cancer management. Conclusion: This study has revealed a broad but expected scope of practice for ANZ radiation oncologists with the large majority providing an opinion on overall cancer management or radiation therapy and their ideal role matching their actual role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some authors have suggested that, contrary to what is usually thought, 'actually' and similar expressions ('in fact', 'in reality', etc.) cannot effect a return to the actual world when used in a context generated by a different modal operator, and so are quite unlike the actuality operator of modal logic. I argue that they can induce such a return. The argument involves comparing them with other devices that can play a similar role, such as scope and mood, and examining the effect of 'actually' and the like in a range of different sentences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temporal resolution measurements of solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (F) and the Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) encode vegetation functioning. However, these signals are modulated by time‐dependent processes. We tested the applicability of the Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) for disentangling fast components (physiology‐driven) and slow components (controlled by structural and biochemical properties) from PRI, far‐red F (F760), and far‐red apparent fluorescence yield (Fy∗760). The proof of concept was developed on spectral and flux time series simulated with the Soil Canopy Observation of Photochemistry and Energy fluxes (SCOPE) model. This allowed the evaluation of SSA decomposition against variables that are independent of physiology or are modified by it. Slow SSA‐decomposed components of PRI and Fy∗760 showed high correlations with the reference variables (R2 = 0.97 and 0.96, respectively). Fast SSA‐decomposed components of PRI and Fy∗760 were better related to the physiological reference variables than the original signals during periods when leaf area index (LAI) was above 1 m2 m−2. The method was also successfully applied to predict light‐use efficiency (LUE) from the fast SSA‐decomposed components of PRI (R2 = 0.70) and Fy∗760 (R2 = 0.68) when discarding data modeled with LAI < 1 m2 m−2 and short‐wave radiation Rin < 250 W m−2. The method was then tested on data acquired in a Mediterranean grassland. In this case, the fast SSA‐decomposed component of apparent LUE∗ showed a stronger correlation with the fast SSA‐decomposed component of Fy∗760 (R2 = 0.42) than with original Fy∗760 (R2 = 0.01). SSA‐based approach is a promising tool for decoupling physiological information from measurements acquired with automated proximal sensing systems. Plain Language Summary: A fraction of the solar light, which is absorbed by leaves but is not used during photosynthesis, is released through heat or as chlorophyll fluorescence (F), a small emission of energy. Recently, it became possible to indirectly estimate the heat and F by measuring the solar light incoming and reflected from leaves using high‐resolution optical instruments. Heat release can be monitored with the Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI). While both PRI and F are theoretically linked to the processes associated with photosynthesis, there is a need to remove the disturbing effects from these signals. We tested whether the Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) method can identify at which temporal scale (e.g., seasonal, diurnal) physiological processes (i.e., photosynthesis) and vegetation biophysical changes (e.g., phenology) drive variability in PRI and F. We applied the method on artificial time series of PRI and F simulated with a model (Soil Canopy Observation of Photochemistry and Energy fluxes [SCOPE]) and found that SSA can successfully split these signals into several components recognized as slow (seasonally changing structure and pigments) and fast (physiological response to stress) processes. The method was also tested on time series collected in a Mediterranean grassland, yielding promising results in detecting physiologically driven changes in apparent fluorescence yield (F normalized by photosynthetically active radiation). Key Points: Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) allowed to separate slow and fast temporal dynamics in time series of the Photochemical Reflectance Index and apparent fluorescence yieldSSA successfully extracted the effect of de‐epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle on leaf absorptance in time series simulated with Soil Canopy Observation of Photochemistry and Energy fluxes modelSSA allows decoupling long‐term biophysical and rapid physiological changes in high temporal resolution spectral measurements [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new landscape in the financial sector, characterized by fierce competition and the entrance of new technological players, has forced banks to speed up their digital transformation. However, for banks, digitalization entails challenges that can hinder the potential benefits and compromise their survival. In this context, we argue that the reputation generated by corporate sustainability (RCS) may offset these digitalization drawbacks. In particular, we find that the combination of RCS and digitalization facilitates in transforming the organizational nature of banks by simultaneously narrowing their boundaries and expanding their scope. We empirically confirm our hypotheses by analyzing a panel of 110 multinational banks from developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Programmers are familiar with local variables, and in many cases, they can freely define the local variables they use. Thus, the properties of these variables are widely diverse, and this may cause variations in the quality of code. Although variables are named in accordance with coding conventions, the following matters have not received much attention from an empirical viewpoint: automatically deciding whether a local variable is "abnormal" and determining the harmful effect of an abnormal variable. This study focuses on the trends in the name, type, and scope of local variables, then proposes the use of the Mahalanobis distance to evaluate their abnormality. The empirical study entailed collecting local variables from eight open‐source software projects, and the paper reports the following findings: (a) the trend in the variation of the names of variables according to their type; (b) the majority of variables have short names with narrow scopes, where a name is often a word or an abbreviation thereof; (c) methods with an abnormal variable are approximately 1.4 times more likely to be fault prone than methods that contain only normal variables; (d) the proposed abnormality metric can be useful in a random forest‐based fault‐prone method analysis model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Staudinger cycloaddition reaction represents an efficient way to readily afford β‐lactams from ketenes and imines in an asynchronous [2+2] process. Herein, a computational evaluation of the scope of the Staudinger cycloaddition reactions was undertaken by using simplified molecular models. The results pointed out that the kinetics and thermodynamics of the reaction are independent of the substituents of the imine and are essentially determined by the steric and electronic nature of the substituents of the α‐position of the ketene, being the latter the one that exerts a more dominant effect on the global feasibility of the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose that differences in the scope of related diversification in firms can be accounted for by differences in their dynamic capabilities. In order to test this, we analyze 254 Norwegian small firm accountancy practices' possession of key dynamic capabilities including the heterogeneity of their human capital, their internal development routines, and their alliances with complementary service providers. We also analyze the influence of strategic choice, in terms of the positioning of the practice and its underlying strategic intent. While we observe no clear effects for these two latter factors, we find that dynamic capabilities have a distinct impact on the scope of services. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical research shows that larger businesses tend to survive longer than smaller companies. Little research, though, shows whether size confers survival advantages in addition to the survival benefits of baseline profitability. Moreover, no prior research attempts to disentangle the benefits of organizational capital that accrue from greater scale from those that arise from greater business scope. Thus, we lack a conceptual understanding of the underlying benefits of business size for long-term survival. We expect business scale and business scope to reflect organizational capital that offers survival benefits, where we conceptualize scale in terms of annual sales revenue and scope in terms of product line breadth and sub-sector participation within a related business context. We first argue that greater business scale and business scope each enhance long-term survival, independent of baseline profitability, owing to greater availability of financial resources, organizational routines, and external ties. We then argue that the benefits of scale are greatest for multi-product businesses, stemming from positive interactive effects of breadth and depth. We find support for these hypotheses with data from 618 firms that operated in the U.S. medical sector between 1978 and 1995. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the impact of market liberalization on the vertical scope of firms. Using the case of Argentina, it is shown how the opening of the economy can improve contracting abilities and heighten competition, increasing the ability and incentive of firms to outsource. Survey findings support the main hypothesis as well as the specific importance of reforms relating to inflation, import costs, and heightened demand standards in increasing the use of outsourcing. A case study of the steel producer Siderar, highlights that while firms may reduce their presence in peripheral activities, they may also increase their presence in core areas so as to increase their value proposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores in greater detail the nexus between party system change and democratic qualities. In doing so, we do not simply assess whether, how, and to what extent qualities of democracy in East Africa are affected by the instability of the patterns of interparty competition (fluidity of the party system); we also plan to show how the subcomponents of party system fluidity (frequency of change, scope of change, variety of change) influence the democratic qualities. By disaggregating fluidity in its constitutive elements and by testing how each of them affects the qualities of democracy, we find that while the frequency of change has a beneficial impact on the qualities of democracy, the other subcomponents of fluidity—namely, the “scope” and “variety” of system change—have a consistently negative effect on democratic quality. Related Articles: Nwokora, Zim, and Riccardo Pelizzo. 2015. “ The Political Consequences of Party System Change.” Politics & Policy 43 ( 4): 453‐ 473. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12124/full Pelizzo, Riccardo, and Zim Nwokora. 2016. “ Bridging the Divide: Measuring Party System Change and Classifying Party Systems.” Politics & Policy 44 ( 6): 1017‐ 1052. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12188/full Ikeanyibe, Okechukwu. 2014. “ Internal Party Democracy, Party Candidature, and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria's Fourth Republic.” Politics & Policy 42 ( 5): 769‐ 804. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/polp.12094/full Related Media: The East African. 2018. “Wachira Maina, Africa's Constitutional Democracies.” March 12. http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Africa-constitutional-democracies/2558-4338554-15s7ca3z/index.html BBC Africa. 2016. “Debate: Is Africa Reinventing Democracy?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJc2b47EiGE ISS Africa TV. 2016. “The Future of Democracy in Africa.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQiTtArtupE Babones, Salvatore. 2018. “Midnight in America with Riccardo Pelizzo.” February 16‐27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=advrSqmO96g&t=13s [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurately quantifying cropland gross primary production ( GPP) is of great importance to monitor cropland status and carbon budgets. Satellite-based light-use efficiency ( LUE) models and process-based terrestrial biosphere models ( TBMs) have been widely used to quantify cropland GPP at different scales in past decades. However, model estimates of GPP are still subject to large uncertainties, especially for croplands. More recently, space-borne solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence ( SIF) has shown the ability to monitor photosynthesis from space, providing new insights into actual photosynthesis monitoring. In this study, we examined the potential of SIF data to describe maize phenology and evaluated three GPP modeling approaches (space-borne SIF retrievals, a LUE-based vegetation photosynthesis model [ VPM], and a process-based soil canopy observation of photochemistry and energy flux [ SCOPE] model constrained by SIF) at a maize ( Zea mays L.) site in Mead, Nebraska, USA. The result shows that SIF captured the seasonal variations (particularly during the early and late growing season) of tower-derived GPP ( GPP_ EC) much better than did satellite-based vegetation indices (enhanced vegetation index [ EVI] and land surface water index [ LSWI]). Consequently, SIF was strongly correlated with GPP_ EC than were EVI and LSWI. Evaluation of GPP estimates against GPP_ EC during the growing season demonstrated that all three modeling approaches provided reasonable estimates of maize GPP, with Pearson's correlation coefficients ( r) of 0.97, 0.94, and 0.93 for the SCOPE, VPM, and SIF models, respectively. The SCOPE model provided the best simulation of maize GPP when SIF observations were incorporated through optimizing the key parameter of maximum carboxylation capacity ( Vcmax). Our results illustrate the potential of SIF data to offer an additional way to investigate the seasonality of photosynthetic activity, to constrain process-based models for improving GPP estimates, and to reasonably estimate GPP by integrating SIF and GPP_ EC data without dependency on climate inputs and satellite-based vegetation indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article engages one of the important gaps in the literature on party system effects: the consequences of party system change. We discuss how existing empirical approaches to party system change do not actually capture the changeability of patterns of party competition, which is the most direct understanding of the term 'party system.' We propose a measure that does exactly this: the index of fluidity. Applying this measure to countries in South East Asia, we show that party system change is associated with harmful effects, including lower foreign direct investment and deterioration of the rule of law. Related Articles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of a statement of purpose, scope, and objectives (PSO) is essential to ensure that process hazard analysis studies are focused and complete. A PSO statement defines what must be addressed but also constrains studies to appropriate content. PSO statements help to ensure studies are conducted effectively and efficiently. This article describes the content of a PSO statement and provides guidance on its preparation and use. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 84-88, 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthesis simulations by terrestrial biosphere models are usually based on the Farquhar's model, in which the maximum rate of carboxylation ( Vcmax) is a key control parameter of photosynthetic capacity. Even though Vcmax is known to vary substantially in space and time in response to environmental controls, it is typically parameterized in models with tabulated values associated to plant functional types. Remote sensing can be used to produce a spatially continuous and temporally resolved view on photosynthetic efficiency, but traditional vegetation observations based on spectral reflectance lack a direct link to plant photochemical processes. Alternatively, recent space-borne measurements of sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence ( SIF) can offer an observational constraint on photosynthesis simulations. Here, we show that top-of-canopy SIF measurements from space are sensitive to Vcmax at the ecosystem level, and present an approach to invert Vcmax from SIF data. We use the Soil-Canopy Observation of Photosynthesis and Energy ( SCOPE) balance model to derive empirical relationships between seasonal Vcmax and SIF which are used to solve the inverse problem. We evaluate our Vcmax estimation method at six agricultural flux tower sites in the midwestern US using spaced-based SIF retrievals. Our Vcmax estimates agree well with literature values for corn and soybean plants (average values of 37 and 101 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively) and show plausible seasonal patterns. The effect of the updated seasonally varying Vcmax parameterization on simulated gross primary productivity ( GPP) is tested by comparing to simulations with fixed Vcmax values. Validation against flux tower observations demonstrate that simulations of GPP and light use efficiency improve significantly when our time-resolved Vcmax estimates from SIF are used, with R2 for GPP comparisons increasing from 0.85 to 0.93, and for light use efficiency from 0.44 to 0.83. Our results support the use of space-based SIF data as a proxy for photosynthetic capacity and suggest the potential for global, time-resolved estimates of Vcmax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the field-dominating, multidimensional theory of burnout, burnout is viewed as a work-specific condition. As a consequence, the burnout syndrome cannot be investigated outside of the occupational domain. In the present paper, this restrictive view of burnout's scope is criticized and a rationale to decide between a work-specific and a generic approach to burnout is presented. First, the idea that a multidimensional conception of burnout implies a work-restricted scope is deconstructed. Second, it is shown that the burnout phenomenon cannot be confined to work because chronic, unresolvable stress - the putative cause of burnout - is not limited to work. In support of an integrative view of health, it is concluded that the field-dominating, multidimensional theory of burnout should abandon as groundless the idea that burnout is a specifically job-related phenomenon and define burnout as a multi-domain syndrome. The shift from a work-specific to a generic approach would allow both finer analysis and wider synthesis in research on chronic stress and burnout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In connection with the many national and international attempts to improve 'cooperation in construction', a working group of the ITA Austria has been formed and has developed a new 'Tender Model for Infrastructure Projects - VIP'. The mostly complete basic concept, which at the moment is being discussed and further developed together with representatives of employers, is the subject of this article. The VIP has the essential intention of moving away from the currently dominant 'cheapest bidder principle' or 'best bidder principle', in which quality criteria play no role or are of only minor importance. The VIP lays more emphasis on qualitative award criteria and intends the award of the contract to the bidder whose bid has the highest 'benefit to society'. Im Zusammenhang mit mehreren nationalen und internationalen Bestrebungen, die 'Kooperation im Bauwesen' zu verbessern, hat sich eine Arbeitsgruppe der ITA Austria formiert und ein neues 'Vergabemodell für Infrastrukturprojekte - VIP' entwickelt. Das weitgehend fertiggestellte Grundkonzept, welches zurzeit mit Vertretern von Auftraggebern abgestimmt und weiterentwickelt wird, ist Gegenstand dieses Beitrags. Das VIP verfolgt als wesentliches Ziel eine Abkehr vom derzeit dominanten 'Billigstbieterprinzip' bzw. 'Bestbieterprinzip', bei dem qualitative Kriterien keine oder nur eine untergeordnete Rolle spielen. Das VIP legt ein höheres Gewicht auf qualitative Zuschlagskriterien und strebt an, den Auftrag jenem Bieter zu erteilen, dessen Angebot den höchsten 'Nutzen für die Gesellschaft' hat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges facing analytical laboratories today are not unlike those faced in the past, although both the degree of complexity and the rate of change have increased. Challenges such as development and maintenance of expertise, maintenance and up-dating of equipment, and the introduction of new test methods have always been familiar themes for analytical laboratories, but international guidelines for laboratories involved in the import and export testing of food require management of such changes in a context which includes quality assurance, accreditation, and method validation considerations. Decisions as to when a change in a method requires re-validation of the method or on the design of a validation scheme for a complex multi-residue method require a well-considered strategy, based on a current knowledge of international guidance documents and regulatory requirements, as well the laboratory's quality system requirements. Validation demonstrates that a method is 'fit for purpose', so the requirement for validation should be assessed in terms of the intended use of a method and, in the case of change or modification of a method, whether that change or modification may affect a previously validated performance characteristic. In general, method validation involves method scope, calibration-related parameters, method precision, and recovery. Any method change which may affect method scope or any performance parameters will require re-validation. Some typical situations involving change in methods are discussed and a decision process proposed for selection of appropriate validation measures. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary theory is undergoing an intense period of discussion and reevaluation. This, contrary to the misleading claims of creationists and other pseudoscientists, is no harbinger of a crisis but rather the opposite: the field is expanding dramatically in terms of both empirical discoveries and new ideas. In this essay I briefly trace the conceptual history of evolutionary theory from Darwinism to neo-Darwinism, and from the Modern Synthesis to what I refer to as the Extended Synthesis, a more inclusive conceptual framework containing among others evo–devo, an expanded theory of heredity, elements of complexity theory, ideas about evolvability, and a reevaluation of levels of selection. I argue that evolutionary biology has never seen a paradigm shift, in the philosophical sense of the term, except when it moved from natural theology to empirical science in the middle of the 19th century. The Extended Synthesis, accordingly, is an expansion of the Modern Synthesis of the 1930s and 1940s, and one that—like its predecessor—will probably take decades to complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The questions at the heart of copyright – what is a work, and the extent of copyright protection – are considered. Arguments are presented firstly for an understanding of works oriented around expressive intent, and secondly for a statutory test of infringement that pays closer attention to issues of policy and the authorial acts that copyright rewards. The article revisits two central cases of modern English copyright law, Walter v Lane and Interlego v Tyco Industries, and suggests that their reasoning is problematic; Walter v Lane because the transcripts of Lord Rosebery's speeches were not books for copyright purposes, and Interlego because the technical specifications were part of the drawings, which were consequently new artistic works for copyright purposes. This is supported by contemporary authority – including paradoxically Sawkins v Hyperion Records, which recently affirmed the correctness of both cases – and has wider implications for our copyright regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Use theory and data to examine the scope of corporate strategies for multibusiness health care firms, also known as organized or integrated health care delivery systems. Data Sources. Data are from the 2000 HIMSS Analytics Annual Survey of integrated health care delivery systems (IHDS), which provides complete information on businesses owned by IHDS. Study Design. Scope defined as the breadth and type of businesses in which a firm chooses to compete is measured across seven separate business areas: (1) health plans, (2) ambulatory, (3) acute, (4) subacute, (5) home health, (6) other related nonpatient care businesses, and (7) external collaborations. Theories on strategy and organizational configurations along with measures of scope and a novel dataset were used to classify 796 firms into five mutually exclusive groups. The bases for classification were two competitive dimensions of scope: (1) breadth of businesses and (2) mix of existing core businesses versus new noncore businesses. Data Extraction Methods. Unit of analysis is the multibusiness health care firm. Sample consists of 796 firms, defined as nonprofit organizations that own two or more direct patient care businesses in two or more separate areas across the health care value chain. Firms were clustered into five mutually exclusive organizational configurations with unique scope characteristics revealing a new taxonomy of corporate strategies. Principal Findings. Analysis of the scope variables revealed five strategic types (along with the number of firms and distinguishing features of each strategy) defined as follows: (1) Core Service Provider (340 firms with the smallest scope providing core set of patient care services), (2) Mission Based (52 firms with the next smallest scope offering core set of services to underserved populations), (3) Contractor (266 firms with medium scope and contracting with physician groups), (4) Health Plan Focus (83 firms with large scope and providing health plans), and (5) Entrepreneur (55 firms with the largest scope offering both a core set of services and investing in a variety of new noncore business opportunities including many for-profit ventures). Significant differences in financial performance among the strategies were found when controlling for payer reimbursement conditions. Specifically, in an unfavorable condition with high Medicaid and low commercial insurance, the Mission Based strategy performs significantly worse while the Entrepreneur strategy performs surprisingly well, in comparison with the other strategies. Conclusions. Findings suggest: (a) scope can be used to classify a large number of multibusiness health care firms into a taxonomy representing a small group of distinct corporate strategies, which are recognizable by senior management in the health care industry, (b) no single strategy dominates in performance across different payer profiles, instead there appears to be complementarities or fit between strategy and payer profiles that determines which firms perform well and which do not under different conditions, and (c) senior management of nonprofit health care firms are cross-subsidizing unprofitable patient care through ownership of nonpatient care businesses including for-profit ventures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using a sample of US firms engaged in joint venture activity primarily in the 1990s, we test the hypothesis that joint venture activity is motivated by a desire for efficient risk sharing. We find that approximately ninety-six percent of our sample experiences a risk change in response to joint venture activity. A significant proportion of these experience a reduction in beta. No market price response is evident in conjunction with this reduction. In addition, the average parent firm experiences a significant increase in firm risk, which we attribute to taking on the risky joint venture. This increase in risk is particularly pronounced for firms engaged in international joint ventures and is accompanied by a positive market response. Investment stake, pre-venture firm profitability, size and private risk increasing characteristics appear to influence the wealth character of the joint venture. We interpret that there may be a positive market premium for international diversification effects and/or for the flexibility that the real option joint venture opportunity provides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Three forms of discontinuity in social structure produce linked analogous problems about aggregates or wholes: discontinuity in units, discontinuity in time, and discontinuity in variables. Problems of macrotheory, of comparative-historical theory, and of levels of theory are analytically equivalent. Discontinuity in processes between different units produces macro-micro problems when processes involving individuals are different from processes involving larger aggregates. Discontinuity in time refers to the fact that in most dynamic processes, time does not appear homogeneous - if a process occurs in a century, that is not necessarily any reason to suppose that 1/100th of the process occurs in a year. Discontinuity in variables refers to the fact that all variables cannot operate coherently in the same explanatory system. These three discontinuities each produce problems of generalization and scope-problems getting from particular observed relationships to the underlying conditions and determinants of those relationships. For example, temporal discontinuity leads to problems of periodization and of stages. These problems are most visible in comparative-historical theory and they can only be resolved by comparative-historical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an earlier paper, Cuzán presented a micropolitical model on the relationships between the legitimacy of government, the scope of government, and the level of coercion administered by government to implement its commands; the model was successfully applied to 1974 data from Ave Central American countries. This paper takes Cuzán's original model as its point of departure. It deals with the implementation of decisions in societal systems. It argues that the structure of Cuzán's construction is essentially the same as that of a two-dimensional production function of the type used in micro- and engineering economics. This permits the incorporation of expansion path analysis that is familiar to these disciplines into the political model. Longitudinal data for the same five Central American countries and an historical analysis of the Cuban revolution are used to evaluate the theory empirically, with encouraging results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]