Management of human resources in foreign firms operating in India:the role of HR in country-specific headquarters

Multinational companies (MNCs) are known to establish country-specific headquarters (CSHQs) or centres to create and transfer knowledge in order to better co-ordinate and control their operations, and also to share knowledge between affiliates both within and outside the country. This paper highlights the role played by the human resource (HR) function in Indian CSHQs. The analysis is based on interview and survey data from senior HR specialists in 74 foreign firms operating CSHQs in India. The study identifies the range of services that the Indian CSHQs' HR function provides to the local business units of the MNC. A high level of freedom from the MNCs' corporate headquarters to both develop and implement HR policies and practices is found. The CSHQ is found to be instrumental in the creation and dissemination of HR-related learning. The study also identifies the problems faced by the HR function operating with a CSHQ and the actions necessary to overcome these issues.

Relatos de uma vivência interdisciplinar: educação, saúde e cidadania

This study addresses the interdisciplinary training in perspective for the Brazilian Health System (SUS) in view of graduation students in the areas of health of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte s (UFRN) former students of the course Health and Citizenship (SACI). Emphasizes also the importance of commitment to social policies, particularly with those focused on the area of health. This is a case study with a qualitative approach. There was the lifting of data through documental research, from 14 portfolios of learning, which are weekly records of students from the respective discipline, corresponding to 2005.2 to 2007.2 semesters. From the analysis undertaken, inferred that the methodology problematizing, used by the discipline, enables students to understand that learning is not restricted to the confined university walls. It shows the health from a complex and concrete social reality, allowing students to an interdisciplinary dialogue in search of the transformation of this reality. It means an opportunity to interact with the dynamics of society in their area of activities, developing a relationship of solidarity in the formation of the citizen. Moreover, it was clear the direction of experienced interdisciplinary and recognized by students of various professions that make up the discipline. Thus, the SACI in preparation for construction of SUS, helps to form a new professional, more committed to the promotion and with a collective work in health

Diretrizes regulatórias aplicáveis à cadeia dos produtos para saúde

A ciência e a tecnologia cada vez mais vêm proporcionando avanços em produtos inovadores. Particularmente na área da saúde nota-se eminente sinergismo entre os materiais utilizados, suas propriedades de biocompatibilidade, biofuncionalidade, processabilidade, esterilidade e a área de aplicabilidade no organismo humano. O setor farmacêutico por apresentar grande complexidade exige conhecimentos multidisciplinares, atualizados e em conformidade às tendências internacionais. A Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) tem sob sua responsabilidade extensa diversidade de bens, serviços e produtos, dentre eles estão os correlatos, que também compreende os produtos para saúde. Os produtos para saúde são classificados conforme o seu risco, no Brasil podendo apresentar até quatro classes, sendo as classes III e IV as que caracterizam maior risco. Para alguns produtos, devido seu risco sanitário, é compulsório a Certificação de Conformidade pelo Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia (INMETRO) previamente a concessão de seu registro sanitário pela ANVISA. Dentre as normas técnicas aplicáveis pelo INMETRO estão as normas da Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) e na sua ausência, as normas da International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Outros requisitos técnicos e regulatórios devem ser contemplados com o propósito de comprovação da segurança e eficácia dos produtos. Entretanto, as regulamentações sanitárias inerentes a essa categoria de produtos ainda se encontram incipientes no país. A desenvoltura do setor produtivo nesse segmento pode ser evidenciada pelo aumento de novas solicitações na ANVISA e de seu crescimento na balança comercial. No entanto, observa-se pouco estudo e entendimento do setor regulado e regulador referente à relação mútua entre ANVISA, INMETRO e ABNT e quanto à regulação sanitária aplicável para obtenção da anuência do produto ao consumo. Na conjuntura das demandas apontadas o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o processo regulatório aplicável à cadeia produtiva dos produtos para saúde com a finalidade de compreender a relação entre ANVISA, INMETRO e ABNT na garantia da qualidade, segurança e eficácia dos produtos. A metodologia aplicada neste trabalho foi à pesquisa qualitativa. Com o auxílio da pesquisa documental constatou-se que o processo regulatório brasileiro é complexo, específico e robusto e apresenta estrutura e exigências semelhantes dos Estados Unidos e União Europeia. A fiscalização pós-uso é uma tendência internacional e a ANVISA vem adotando com frequência com intuito de acompanhar a qualidade dos produtos comercializados. As três instituições apresentam competências definidas e regulamentadas, bem como mecanismos de inter-relação por meio de conselhos consultivos. O estudo de caso caracterizou que o perfil dos profissionais do setor regulado apresenta em grande percentual formação na área da saúde e nível de pós-graduação, porém o nível de conhecimento dos principais conceitos relativos aos produtos para saúde é parcial, reforçando a necessidade de incentivos de capacitação de recursos humanos em regulação em saúde.

Putting Adequate Financial and Human Resources in Healthcare for Effective Universal Health Coverage in Kenya: Lessons and Experiences from China

In recent years, most low and middle-income countries, have adopted different approaches to universal health coverage (UHC), to ensure equity and financial risk protection in accessing essential healthcare services. UHC-related policies and delivery strategies are largely based on existing healthcare systems, a result of gradual development (based on local factors and priorities). Most countries have emphasized on health financing, and human resources for health (HRH) reform policies, based on good practices of several healthcare plans to deliver UHC for their population.

Health financing and labor market frameworks were used, to understand health financing, HRH dynamics, and to analyze key health policies implemented over the past decade in Kenya’s effort to achieve UHC. Through the understanding, policy options are proposed to Kenya; analyzing, and generating lessons from health financing, and HRH reforms experiences in China. Data was collected using mixed methods approach, utilizing both quantitative (documents and literature review), and qualitative (in-depth interviews) data collection techniques.

The problems in Kenya are substantial: high levels of out-of-pocket health expenditure, slow progress in expanding health insurance among informal sector workers, inefficiencies in pulling of health are revenues, inadequate deployed HRH, maldistribution of HRH, and inadequate quality measures in training health worker. The government has identified the critical role of strengthening primary health care and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) in Kenya’s move towards UHC. Strengthening primary health care requires; re-defining the role of hospitals, and health insurance schemes, and training, deploying and retaining primary care professionals according to the health needs of the population; concepts not emphasized in Kenya’s healthcare reforms or programs design. Kenya’s top leadership commitment is urgently needed for tougher reforms implementation, and important lessons from China’s extensive health reforms in the past decade are beneficial. Key lessons from China include health insurance expansion through rigorous research, monitoring, and evaluation, substantially increasing government health expenditure, innovative primary healthcare strengthening, designing, and implementing health policy reforms that are responsive to the population, and regional approaches to strengthening HRH.

Human Resources Development for Sustainable Aquaculture in Bangladesh

The ennoblement of human resources has become a prime issue in the philosophy of sustainable aquaculture development in the new millennium.Being the planners, designers, conductors and philosophers of sustainable aquaculture, human beings always demand their further improvement at level best from their current positions to bring supreme success in the sector. As sustainable aquaculture is socio-economic –cum-environmental in concept, its operation and management requires constant interplay of various human knowledge for ensuring its smooth direction and for achieving its goal. So, the arrangement of different types and levels of training and education are the great need for the development of personnel involved in sustainable aquaculture route and also for growing awareness of environmental issues. The modus operandi of training and education has to be changed systematically to answer the calls of the needs of the new millennium. In the developing and developed countries where aquaculture plays a vital role in promoting production of aquatic organisms, alleviating of poverty, ensuring environmental compatibility, replenishing and improving the natural stocks, increasing socio-economic upliftment through integrated development approach, developing and managing the aquatic resources, maintaining gene banks and preserving the diversity of fish stocks, it has been already proved that Human resources development (HRD) is inevitable to bring sustainable aquaculture and plays a great role in the flourishment of the system . Different types and levels of training of personnel required for sustainable aquaculture in the new millennium are brought forward in the study. The importance of human resources development (HRD) through specialized training to the personnel is also depicted.

Challenges for nursing education in Angola: the perception of nurse leaders affiliated with professional education institutions

Background: Angola is one of the African countries with the highest morbidity and mortality rates and a devastating lack of human resources for health, including nursing. The World Health Organization stimulates and takes technical cooperation initiatives for human resource education and training in health and education, with a view to the development of countries in the region. The aim in this study was to identify how nurses affiliated with nursing education institutions perceive the challenges nursing education is facing in Angola. Methods: After consulting the National Directory of Human Resources in Angola, the nurse leaders affiliated with professional nursing education institutions in Angola were invited to participate in the study by email. Data were collected in February 2009 through the focus group technique. The group of participants was focused on the central question: what are the challenges faced for nursing education in your country? To register and understand the information, besides the use of a recorder, the reporters elaborated an interpretative report. Data were coded using content analysis. Results: Fourteen nurses participated in the meeting, most of whom were affiliated with technical nursing education institutions. It was verified that the nurse leaders at technical and higher nursing education institutions in Angola face many challenges, mainly related to the lack of infrastructure, absence of trained human resources, bureaucratic problems to regularize the schools and lack of material resources. On the opposite, the solutions they present are predominantly centered on the valuation of nursing professionals, which implies cultural and attitude changes. Conclusions: Public health education policies need to be established in Angola, including action guidelines that permit effective nursing activities. Professional education institutions need further regularizations and nurses need to be acknowledged as key elements for the qualitative enhancement of health services in the country.

Employment and the Social Economy. EU Funding Opportunities for Developing Human Resources

The paper examines the role of EU cohesion policy in the field of human resources development and improving conditions for employment. The main objective of the analysis is to present a comprehensive picture about funding opportunities in connection with financing the activities of organisations of the social economy. As a background, the study stresses that the success of the European integration process depends to a great extent on the strength of economic and social cohesion between EU member states and regions. In order to create conditions for sustainable and balanced growth with social inclusion, there is a need to enhance the competitiveness of less developed regions combating the difficulties of structural change, and to improve their development prospects. To achieve this aim, one of the most important fields is to improve human resources. The paper points out, that EU cohesion policy has a crucial role in reducing disparities. After a general introduction to the EU level regional policy funding, the study focuses on the activities supported by the European Social Fund (ESF). The next part of the study deals with the possible types of the social economy projects and problems of self-financing. The author emphasises that social innovation emerges where State and markets fail to deliver for society (theory of non-profit/third sector) but not just to fix or replace them. The author concludes that these projects require state subsidies (official grants) at the beginning, but at the same time they can generate income. In this respect they follow same economic goals as other market actors, however, the crucial difference is that their main goal is not to make high profits for the owners. In the last part, as a concrete case study, the paper concentrates on the priorities of the Hungarian development plan in relation to social renewal. The author explains the priorities and fields of interventions of the social renewal programme. Finally, the chapter deals with the recent changes in the Hungarian employment policy and related measures supported by the European Social Fund. The chapter concludes that several employment programmes, projects for the development of social economy and programmes assisting the spreading of voluntariness and the training of volunteers have been launched with the co-financing of ESF.

Gestão do trabalho e da educação na saúde: uma reconstrução histórica e política

O presente estudo busca avaliar se os processos gerenciais e a estrutura organizacional do setor de recursos humanos das secretarias estaduais e municipais refletem os investimentos técnicos, políticos e financeiros alocados pela área de gestão do trabalho e da educação, em nível nacional. Mais ainda, identificar avanços e retrocessos, nós críticos e os rumos para a consolidação da área. Parte do princípio de que os recursos humanos são um tema central na agenda de desenvolvimento das políticas públicas de saúde e constituem-se em um fator essencial e crítico para o alcance das metas propostas no planejamento e implementação de sistemas nacionais de saúde mais eficientes. No caso do Brasil, é fato que dirigentes de recursos humanos na área da saúde enfrentam problemas que se perpetuam desde a implantação do Sistema Único de Saúde. Nos anos recentes, o Ministério da Saúde, via Secretaria de Gestão do Trabalho e da Educação na Saúde, para além de estabelecer as diretrizes nacionais da política nesse campo, vem implementando estratégias indutoras para a execução e qualificação da gestão do trabalho e da educação em estados e municípios. Para realização dessa tese, além da revisão bibliográfica e documental, foram utilizados os dados primários do survey aplicado em pesquisa realizada pela Estação Observatório de Recursos Humanos em Saúde IMS/UERJ; grupo focal com responsáveis pelas estruturas de recursos humanos das secretarias de saúde dos estados e das capitais; entrevistas semi-estruturadas com atores envolvidos na condução da política nacional de recursos humanos e formadores de opinião. Foi também destacado o estudo de caso do estado do Rio de Janeiro pioneiro no modelo de estruturação da área no âmbito do SUS. Os resultados revelam que o esforço de implementação da política de recursos humanos pela esfera federal não tem sido capaz de redirecionar de forma mais permanente os processos de formação e trabalho nas outras instâncias do sistema de saúde, com vistas aos objetivos do sistema de saúde brasileiro. Embora sejam observadas mudanças pontuais, mantém-se o distanciamento discurso x práxis que condiciona uma baixa institucionalidade da área, tanto no campo da política, como da gestão.

Implantação da assistência humanizada ao parto em Juiz de Fora (1998-2001)

Trata-se de um estudo de natureza histórico-social do tempo presente. O objeto é a implantação do modelo humanizado de assistência ao parto em Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, no período de 1998 a 2001. Os objetivos do estudo são: descrever as circunstâncias de criação da Comissão Interinstitucional para Redução da Cesariana e Proteção ao Parto Normal; analisar as estratégias da Comissão Interinstitucional para Redução da Cesariana e Proteção ao Parto Normal e a implantação do modelo humanizado de assistência ao parto na cidade de Juiz de Fora; analisar os efeitos da participação das enfermeiras obstétricas no campo obstétrico. O estudo apoia-se nas noções teóricas de campo, habitus, poder simbólico, luta simbólica e capital do sociólogo Pierre Bourdieu. Na análise foi realizada a triangulação de dados, através da articulação da documentação oral e escrita à luz das noções teóricas. A criação da Comissão Interinstitucional para Redução da Cesariana e Proteção ao Parto Normal foi uma estratégia elaborada na esfera da gestão pública da cidade. Teve início no dia 26 de fevereiro de 1998 no Departamento de Programação e Acompanhamento SMS/JF. As estratégias utilizadas pela Comissão para implantar o modelo humanizado de assistência ao parto foram: a elaboração e a implantação de um Plano de Ação com ações de informações e sensibilização dos médicos e da população; formação de Recursos Humanos para implantar as práticas obstétricas humanizadas, com a criação do Curso de Especialização em Enfermagem Obstétrica; e a reconfiguração do campo obstétrico com o projeto de criação da Casa de Parto. Como efeitos da implantação do modelo humanizado de assistência ao parto foi evidenciado que, a partir de 2001, enfermeiras obstétricas, egressas do Curso de Especialização em Enfermagem Obstétrica/Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), começaram a ocupar espaços nas salas de partos de duas Maternidades da cidade, e em 2005, foi criada a Lei Municipal do Acompanhante.

As ações de controle da tuberculose na atenção primária à saúde: a visão do doente

Tuberculosis is a disease of great impact on the world context today. In Brazil, the disease management was directed to the Primary Health Care, due to the determination of the Ministry of Health to decentralize health actions for primary care. Thus, since the actions of diagnosis, treatment and control of the disease should happen in this context, however, there are still many barriers that may hinder the realization of these determinations. This study aims to analyze the development of tuberculosis control activities conducted in the services of primary health care from the patient's vision. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study. The population consists of 517 tuberculosis patients treated in units of Primary Health Care in the city of Natal-RN; the sample consists of 93 TB patients. The collect instrument is structured, based in The Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT), validated in Brazil and adapted to assess attention to TB in Brazil, with modifications. This instrument was divided into blocks: the first one describes the socio-demographic information of patients with TB and the second one describes the health services working in control, diagnosis and treatment of TB, and includes issues related to the dimensions of primary care: access, bond, services, coordination of care, guidance to the community and family focus. For quantitative analysis, were built indicators for each item of the instrument. The response patterns are followed according to the Likert scale, which was assigned a value between one and five meant that the degree of preference relation (or agreement) of the statements. Values between 1 and 3 were considered unsatisfactory for the indicator, between 3 and less than 4, regular, and between 4 and 5, satisfactory. The results indicate that 62.37% of patients are male, 27.96% aged 41 to 50 years old, and 34.41% unemployed, with low education and low family income. It was found that the reference hospital services are the front door to the patient (59.14%), and are also the local diagnosis of the disease (72.04%). On access, the conditions satisfactory found are: the number of times the patients need to pick up the health care issue, the marking and the facility to get a consultancy in the HS, assistance provided without harm to the individual's attendance labor and facilities related to the proximity between the residence and services; were considered unsatisfactory conditions related to travel to the HS, and on hours and days of operation of services. As for the cast of services were satisfactory and regular actions related to the request for examination to become viable in the first HS, the availability of pot to perform smear and medicines for the treatment, as well as consultations control and receiving information about the disease and the treatment performed; it is considered unsatisfactory the performance of the home care for patients with TB by the HS that acts as a front door, for implementation of the Directly Observed Treatment (DOT), home visits during treatment, the provision of transportation allowance to the patient and the existence of groups for TB patients. Regarding the coordination of care, resulted in regular the action of referring the patient to other HS to obtain examinations, and as unsatisfactory referral to obtain medications. The relationship bond between patient and health team were considered satisfactory in the majority or regular. As for the family and community focus, is satisfactory only the indicator relating to questions from professionals to the patient about the existence of respiratory symptoms in the family. It is considered that there is need for greater commitment from government entities to the incentives required to TB control, as well as the availability of necessary inputs and training of human resources working in the PHC in the ongoing quest to strengthen primary care, as a place of broader host needs to contact the user with the actions and health professionals. It is recommended the adoption of management mechanisms possible to expand the capacity of the health PHC, promoting the service delivery to the user and ensuring attention to population health.

Education and knowledge: basic pillars of changing production patterns with social equity

Includes bibliography

Diversity management: Challenges, benefits, and the role of human resource management in Brazilian organizations

Purpose The objective of this study was to analyze the major challenges and benefits of diversity management in Brazilian companies by assessing the role of human resources. Design/methodology/approach A total of 15 case studies were carried out on companies that operate in Brazil. Brazil is a country with considerable diversity and multiracial backgrounds. Findings It was found that diversity management in Brazilian companies is still an emerging issue, and the major challenges are related to discriminatory actions taken by coworkers. Among the 15 companies studied, only four had adopted a consistent set of diversity management and human resources practices. These four companies were the only companies to affirm that diversity management requires the strong support of top management and continuous organization to sustain efforts toward incorporating diversity. Originality/value Research studies on diversity management in Brazil are scarce. The findings of this study, however, can be useful to academic professionals and company directors in countries that exhibit similar characteristics to those of Brazil, or to those who are interested in learning more about Brazil. © 2011 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.

Building sustainable values in organizations with the support of human resource management: Evidence from one firm considered as the 'best place to work' in Brazil

Researchers and other professionals unanimously agree that companies should become more sustainable, but this will not happen without the support of human resource management. Paradoxically, there is a lack of information on the support human resource management offers to organizational sustainability applied to real cases. Therefore, this research presents a case study on this topic that was carried out in a leading Brazilian company, which is considered as a model and has been selected as 'the best place to work in the country'. The results provide practical examples of how this family company has been working to guarantee an increasingly sustainable performance with the support of human resources, highlighting the achievements and challenges the company has faced. One of the main results indicates that companies seeking to achieve sustainability need the assistance of the human resource field in order to design a communication system which bridges the gap between practices and sustainable values. © 2012 Management Centre for Human Values.

Projeto Sempre Sorrindo: 10 anos de atenção ao idoso institucionalizado

Introduction: To correctly attend the health needs of the elderly population, it is necessary to invest in training of human resources. Thus, it becomes indispensable to insert the geriatric dentistry content into graduation courses. Objective: To describe the experiences and the results obtained during 10 years of an university extension project focused on oral health care of institutionalized elderly. Methodology: This is a documental and descriptive work, which was analyzed the institutional process of ten years of the University Extension Program, “Always Smiling - Dental Care for the Elderly Institutionalized of Araçatuba, “ developed at the Araçatuba Dental School, FOA/ UNESP. It were collected quantitative and qualitative data, and these were classified and interpreted according to the technique of categorizing the content. Results: In ten years of implementation, the project “Always Smiling” involved undergraduate students, professors and post-graduate students, who together have developed practical activities such as health education, hygiene supervision, recreational and educational activities, epidemiological surveys of oral health conditions and consequently, dental care according to the need of the treatment. Conclusion: The project “Always Smiling” serves as a working model for elderly health care, because it acts involves many aspects, from the prevention of diseases, even to the training of elderly caregivers, benefiting the institutionalized elderly and health professionals.