Efficiency in Delivering Obstetric Care-A Comparison of Public and Private Hospitals in Ernakulam District

Department of Applied Economics, Cochin University of Science and Technology

“A Study on Human Resource Management Practices in Private Hospitals in Kerala”

The healthcare sector in Kerala is witnessing a spiralling growth due to the healthy economic development and the serious outlook of individuals towards personal health. Private sector is thriving exuberantly well since there is a wide gap between demand and supply for healthcare due to the lack of government initiatives. The proliferation of these private hospitals have paved the way for many unhealthy practices like poor working conditions, low wages, excess workload and lack of retirement and welfare measures to the employees. This state of affairs demanded a serious investigation into the functioning of the private hospitals in Kerala, especially on the human resource management practices, as the success of every organisation depends on the satisfaction level of its employees, which, in turn, will benefit the consumer, i.e., the patients. Hence the present study was undertaken to find out the extent of human resource management practices in private hospitals in Kerala with a view to suggest appropriate remedial measures wherever required

Capital expenditure decision in private and public sector entreprises in India A comparative evaluation

This study is focussed on public and private sector The study is confined to industrial Public companies in the states of Kerala and Orissa along with companies in India. undertakings only. sector and private sector private sector companies in other states were studied. Even though the original plan of 190 companies as the sample size could not be accomplished, as the responses were very poor, but data could be collected frmn 6 public and 5 private sector companies in Kerala, 8 public and 8 private sector companies in Orissa along with 27 private sector companies in other states totalling to 54 companies. The number of years of data collected varies from 2 years to 6 years. Factors which are affecting capital expenditures and hence leading to the performance of private sector compared to public sector companies are studied. After the study and analysis, comparisons are made between public sector and private sector, and suitable recomendations are made so that public sector industries can also perform equally well as the private sector industries in India.

Cost accountancy and cost control in hospitals

It is a fact that there now exists a sound framework of accounting theory to ascertain the working results and the investment status of hospitals. Yet, there is no system of accounting in practice to conduct its activities with utmost efficiency. No attempts have hitherto been made for the continuous improvement in the servics rendered by hospitals. Personal investments in hospitals have made the interaction of business to some extent.Planning, decision making and control assume increasing importance as hospitals grow in size and complexity. Moreover, wise and effective utilisation of resources should be ensured. The importance of cost cannot be overlooked in this context. Cost is the most effective factor in the determination of the prices of hospital services rendered. The important managerial functions have to rely heavily on accurate and timely cost information. More people can be provided with services if no services cost more than what is a must to provide the necessary level of care. The price paid for high cost technology for a few is no technology at all for the many. Hence no pains must be spared in ascertaining, presenting, controlling and reducing costs. An effective system of Cost Accountancy and Cost Control is imperative for the survival of hospitals in the intensely competitive conditions of today. The valuable objective of "better patient care" can be attained only if the management can make use of the various tools and techniques to ascertain, control and reduce each item of cost in hospitals. Constant efforts must be made by the management to continuously improve their services and bring down costs and prices of all hospital services. Cost Accountancy has made its impresssive impact on almost all the spheres of human activities. It is high time a comprehensive Cost Accountancy and Cost Control system be implemented in hospitals. The problem under study thus is the designing of a sound and full-fledged Cost Accountancy and Cost Control system that suits the requirements of hospitals. It is for the first time in India during the evolution of Cost Accountancy that a comprehensive cost system is tried in hospitals.

Private and Co-operative Granite Quarries in Thrissur District - A Comparative Study

The study is confined to non-mechanised private and cooperative granite quarries in Thrissur district. There are 90 non -mechanised quarries in Thrissur district. Data were collected for the period from 1994-'95 to 1999-2000. 315* March of every year was considered as the closing date of the year. It envisages an analysis of various problems connected with quarrying operations, financial analysis, cost analysis, demand and supply position of quarry products and socio-economic background of workers. It also suggest some measures to improve the working conditions of granite quarrying.