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- Integrating the data envelopment analysis and the balanced scorecard approaches for enhanced performance assessmentPublication . Amado, Carla; Santos, Sérgio Pereira dos; Marques, P.This article presents the development of a conceptual framework which aims to assess Decision Making Units (DMUs)from multiple perspectives. The proposed conceptual framework combines the Balanced Scorecard(BSC)method with the non-parametric technique known as Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) by using various interconnected models which try to encapsulate four perspectives of performance (financial, customers, internal processes,learning and growth). The practical relevance of the conceptual model has been tested by using it to assess the performance of DMUs in a multinational company which operates in two business areas.Various models were developed with the collaboration of the directors of the company in order to conceive an appropriate and consensual framework, which may provide useful information for the company.The application of the conceptual framework provides structured information regarding the performance of each DMU(from multiple perspectives)and ways to improve it.By integrating the BSC and the DEA approaches this research helps to identify where there is room for improving organisational performance and points out opportunities for reciprocal learning between DMUs.In doing so,this article provides a set of recommendations relating to the successful application of DEA and its integration with the BSC,in order to promote a continuous learning process and to bring about improvements in performance.
- Performance assessment in primary health care: a systematic review of the literature and a new research agendaPublication . Kalinichenko, Olena; Amado, Carla; Santos, Sérgio Pereira dosThe aim of this research is to carry out a systematic review of the studies devoted to the performance assessment of primary health care providers. Focusing on the peculiarities of performance evaluation in the public sector, we examine performance measurement categories, dimensions and techniques in order to provide a holistic picture of the main developments and opportunities in the referred domain and to identify future research directions.
- Challenges for performance assessment and improvement in primary health care: the case of the Portuguese health centresPublication . Amado, Carla; Santos, Sérgio Pereira dosPrimary care is currently at the heart of health service policy, both in Portugal and internationally. At the same time, interest in the measurement of efficiency of health care delivery has increased considerably. However, very few studies have focused specifically on performance assessment in primary health care provision. In this paper we aim to contribute to a discussion regarding appropriate ways to compare the performance of primary health care providers. Following a review of the literature, a conceptual framework for performance assessment of health centres is developed and tested using the Portuguese case. Our empirical analysis uses data from 2004 and 2005 for all the Portuguese health centres and compares the geographical equity of access to services, technical efficiency and quality of services across District Health Authorities. Data Envelopment Analysis is the technique used to measure technical efficiency. From our empirical analysis, we conclude that there is evidence of large variation in equity of access to services, in technical efficiency and quality of services across District Health Authorities. Our findings suggest that a better use of resources could lead to more and improved services. Whilst formative evaluation could contribute to this, the challenge is to engage health care professionals in the evaluation exercise.
- Labor inspectorates' efficiency and effectiveness assessment as a learning path to improve work-related accident preventionPublication . Santos, Antonio J. R.; Santos, Sérgio; Amado, Carla; Rebelo, Efigénio; Mendes, JúlioLabor inspectorates, by monitoring and enforcing labor legislation, giving information and technical advice to employers and employees, promoting awareness-raising campaigns and implementing occupational risk prevention policies, play a fundamental role in promoting safer and healthier working conditions and, ultimately, in reducing the number of work-related accidents. Even so, every year, hundreds of thousands of people die from accidents at work and around 2 million die from occupational diseases, highlighting that considerable room for improvement remains. The identification and sharing of best practices in labor inspection can be a useful first step in this direction. The main purpose of this research is to propose Data Envelopment Analysis as a suitable technique for assessing the performance of labor inspectorates and identifying best practices. The potential of the proposed methodology is tested by using it to assess the efficiency and the effectiveness of the 32 local branches of the Portuguese Authority for Working Conditions, a key player of the Portuguese system of occupational risk prevention, and by exploring its value in identifying best practices and possible paths for performance improvement.