International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Narcissism and perceived stress among Italian hospital nurses during COVID-19: The moderator role of age.  
  by Simona Leonelli, Emanuele Primavera 
  Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the reorganisation and creation of new hospitals, shocking healthcare workers’ routines. This study investigates nurses’ stress perception in COVID-19 time and how some antecedents (i.e., narcissism and age) impact it. The paper focuses on two facets of narcissism, i.e., Leadership/Authority and Entitlement/Exploitativeness. We recruited 281 nurses who completed an online survey investigating their stress perception levels and personalities. Data are analysed using hierarchical linear modelling and simple slope analyses. Results show that Leadership/Authority negatively influences stress perception, while Entitlement/Exploitativeness positively influences it. Furthermore, nurses’ age moderates the above relationships. The study contributes to narcissism, stress and nursing literature, showing some positive facets of narcissism that might be useful for reducing stress perception and facilitating human relationships in the work environment, both in emergency and non-emergency contexts.
  Keywords: perceived stress; narcissism; Leadership/Authority; Entitlement; Exploitativeness; age; COVID-19.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2022.10053609
   
  
• Using WeChat to solve the three-Long and one-short dilemma: insights from a paradigmatic case  
  by Huang Yingfeng, Bráulio Alturas, Gonçalo Paiva Dias, Jiang Hong 
  Abstract: In this article, a case-based research, aims to find to what extent social media applications such as WeChat can contribute to solving the dilemma of the three-long and one-short (long waiting time for registration and payment, long waiting time for getting medicine, long waiting time for treatment and short time of diagnosis) dilemma in Chinese large public hospitals. To achieve this objective, the case of implementation of WeChat plus outpatient medical services in the Guangzhou Twelfth Peoples Hospital was studied using a SERVQUAL multiphase inventory measurement. It is concluded that social media-based platforms can effectively contribute to alleviating the three-long part of the dilemma, but solving the one-short will need a more holistic approach. It can be seen that the construction of WeChat + outpatient service platform has improved the patients medical experience, increased the satisfaction of patients and the medical staff, and promoted employees awareness of active service.
  Keywords: hospital information systems; total quality management; e-government; social media; WeChat; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2023.10058438
   
  
• Uncovering health partnership issues: the role of technology in public-private partnerships  
  by Nilmini Wickramasinghe, Rima Gibbings 
  Abstract: Covid-19, a global pandemic that has affected the world from 2020 to 2022 has had many impacts and far-reaching implications. As we look back at the progression of the pandemic and examine its impacts, one thing that is apparent is that there have been many inefficiencies in the numerous methods used to handle the pandemic. This paper suggests that better co-ordination and collaboration between public and private sectors are key enablers in contending with the pandemic and proffers public-private partnerships as a vehicle to enable such collaborations. These public-private partnerships are facilitated by technology, which plays an integral role in connecting all stakeholders, sharing and disseminating information, and supporting communication. This was done by performing a scoping review to answer the research questions: “What are the characteristics of value-adding public-private partnerships (PPP)?” and “What is the critical role of IS/IT in supporting these PPP characteristics?”
  Keywords: public-private partnerships; value-adding; environmentally aware and inclusive; response preparedness; funding alignment.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2023.10058750
   
  
• Do individual safety behaviour and felt safety responsibility promote safety performance? A case from a hospital from an offshore island region in Taiwan  
  by Hun Mei Sung, Kuo Cheng Chung, Yu Chin Yen, Pi-Yu Su 
  Abstract: The spread of COVID-19 across the globe has resulted in a worldwide pandemic, coupled with the unequal distribution and scarcity of medical resources, the entirety of the global healthcare system is in a state of distress. Healthcare workers not only need to address the health of citizens and assist in their recovery but must also ensure their safety against this highly complex and infectious disease. To do so, high organisational reliability is crucial. This study examines the effects of safety compliance behaviour on safety performance from the basis of individual safety behaviour and felt safety responsibility. The characteristics of an organization as a whole were examined from the Individual safety behaviour, Felt safety responsibility, Unsafe behaviour, and Safety compliance behaviour to determine the subsequent effects on overall safety performance. The data were analysed using Smart PLS and SPSS software, while the snowball sampling method was used for the sampling of 241 samples. The results of this study showed that: Individual safety behaviour can directly reduce employees’ unsafe behaviour and improve safety compliance behaviour.
  Keywords: individual safety behaviour; felt safety responsibility; unsafe behaviour; safety compliance behaviour; safety performance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJHTM.2023.10059057