Using a resource-based theoretical lens we clarify familiness by identifying the dimensions of this unique family business resource in multigenerational family firms. Using data from four in-depth case studies, we provide evidence that familiness is comprised of human resources (reputation and experience), organisational resources (decision-making and learning), and process resources (relationships and networks). Furthermore, we demonstrate how these resource dimensions are paradoxical in nature in that each influences the family firm in both positive and negative ways. These dimensions and their nature (positive/negative) thus not only help clarify a firm's familiness but also move the construct from a conceptual notion into a more operationalised form.April, 2010

BackgroundDespite the centrality of health personnel to the health of the population, the planning, production and management of human resources for health remains underdeveloped in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In addition to the general shortage of health workers, there are significant inequalities in the distribution of health workers within LMICs. This is especially true for countries like Fiji, which face major challenges in distributing its health workforce across many inhabited islands.MethodsIn this study, we describe and measure health worker distributional inequalities in Fiji, using data from the 2007 Population Census, and Ministry of Health records of crude death rates and health workforce personnel. We adopt methods from the economics literature including the Lorenz Curve/Gini Coefficient and Theil Index to measure the extent and drivers of inequality in the distribution of health workers at the sub-national level in Fiji for three categories of health workers: doctors, nurses, and all health workers (doctors, nurses, dentists and health support staff). Population size and crude death rates are used as proxies for health care needs.ResultsThere are greater inequalities in the densities of health workers at the provincial level, compared to the divisional level in Fiji – six of the 15 provinces fall short of the recommended threshold of 2.3 health workers per 1,000 people. The estimated decile ratios, Gini co-efficient and Thiel index point to inequalities at the provincial level in Fiji, mainly with respect to the distribution of doctors; however these inequalities are relatively small.ConclusionWhile populations with lower mortality tend to have a slightly greater share of health workers, the overall distribution of health workers on the basis of need is more equitable in Fiji than for many other LMICs. The overall shortage of health workers could be addressed by creating new cadres of health workers; employing increasing numbers of foreign doctors, including specialists; and increasing funding for health worker training, as already demonstrated by the Fiji government. Close monitoring of the equitable distribution of additional health workers in the future is critical.

BackgroundThe capacity to demand and use research is critical for governments if they are to develop policies that are informed by evidence. Existing tools designed to assess how government officials use evidence in decision-making have significant limitations for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); they are rarely tested in LMICs and focus only on individual capacity. This paper introduces an instrument that was developed to assess Ministry of Health (MoH) capacity to demand and use research evidence for decision-making, which was tested for reliability and validity in eight LMICs (Bangladesh, Fiji, India, Lebanon, Moldova, Pakistan, South Africa, Zambia).MethodsInstrument development was based on a new conceptual framework that addresses individual, organisational and systems capacities, and items were drawn from existing instruments and a literature review. After initial item development and pre-testing to address face validity and item phrasing, the instrument was reduced to 54 items for further validation and item reduction. In-country study teams interviewed a systematic sample of 203 MoH officials. Exploratory factor analysis was used in addition to standard reliability and validity measures to further assess the items.ResultsThirty items divided between two factors representing organisational and individual capacity constructs were identified. South Africa and Zambia demonstrated the highest level of organisational capacity to use research, whereas Pakistan and Bangladesh were the lowest two. In contrast, individual capacity was highest in Pakistan, followed by South Africa, whereas Bangladesh and Lebanon were the lowest.ConclusionThe framework and related instrument represent a new opportunity for MoHs to identify ways to understand and improve capacities to incorporate research evidence in decision-making, as well as to provide a basis for tracking change.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12961-017-0227-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Abstract:We examine entrepreneurship in multigenerational family firms. Specifically, we employ theoretical lenses drawn from both entrepreneurship (entrepreneurial orientation) and strategy (resource-based view) to develop an integrated model of transgenerational entrepreneurship. Following a review of the literature in these fields we develop propositions that articulate connections between a family firm's unique bundle of resources (familiness), its entrepreneurial orientation (EO), and the achievement of its non-financial performance objectives (NFPO).In this way the paper not only contributes to the debate concerning the link between family background and entrepreneurial behaviour but also helps clarify the broad construct familiness in terms of the nature of resources within the unique bundle.

Abstract-Population aging presents substantial and unique challenges and opportunities to Pacific Island countries. The countries in this region currently have young populations, but the population is rapidly changing. With some of the highest rates of obesity and diabetes in the world, an aging population will-unless urgent action is taken-put additional pressure on all aspects of the health system: leadership and governance; health financing; health workforce, service delivery; drugs and equipment; and information systems. Pacific Island economies face a particular challenge in terms of health financing: government already finances and provides the majority of health services, but most countries have limited fiscal space to expand and deepen health services for growing and aging populations. Most countries cannot rely on a demographic dividend to finance and strengthen their health systems. Increased efficiency, particularly through better targeted primary and secondary prevention of noncommunicable diseases, is a particularly strategic and feasible investment in the Pacific, improving the health and well-being of those who will age and strengthening the effectiveness, efficiency, and affordability of the broader health system.