METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN EFFICIENCY EVALUATION OF PUBLIC HOSPITALS

The specific characteristics of the public health care sector prevent the normal working of the market and the trend toward the efficient provision of services. The present study was carried out to offer the Audit Office of the Basque Country and Navarra an objective point of reference from which to measure the efficiency of clinical services. This study consists of an evaluation of the efficient production and utilization of the resources—intermediate services—that hospitals provide to medical staff for carrying out the diagnosis and treatment of patients, together with the efficient use of these intermediate services by the aforementioned medical staff.     

Business Environment Index for Developing Countries: The Case of Latin America

This article develops a new business environment index with indicators that are appropriate, broadly available for developing regions, and, most importantly, are not double-edged. We used the index to analyze the business environment in Latin America, and it suggests the main role of basic economic principles, institutional economics approach and historical context. We propose the identification of an interdisciplinary variable as well as interpretation of the index, based on 10 factors divided into three dimensions (economic, institutional, and social). The novelty is in the consideration of past values; it is neither based on popularity votes, and nor does it favor large economies.     

I Expected More from You: The Influence of Close Relationships and Perspective Taking on Negotiation Offers

Three experimental studies show that interpersonal relationships influence the expectations of negotiators at the negotiation table. That is, negotiators expect more generous negotiation offers from close others (Study 1), and when expectations are not met, negative emotions arise, resulting in negative economic and relational outcomes (Study 2). Finally, a boundary condition for the effect of interpersonal relationships on negotiation expectations is shown: perspective taking leads the parties to expect less from friends than from acquaintances (Study 3). The findings suggest that perspective taking helps negotiators reach agreement in relationships. The article concludes with implications for practice and future research directions.