| 1. |
- Edvardsson, Ingi Runar, et al.
(författare)
-
Strategic outsourcing in SMEs
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1462-6004 .- 1758-7840. ; 27:1, s. 73-84
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose So far, there are very few empirical research studies available on the outsourcing pattern among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The purpose of this paper is to examine strategic outsourcing among Icelandic SME service firms, from 2009 to 2018. Design/methodology/approach The data presented in this paper cover responses from 802 small service firms, which were collected through telephone and online questionnaires. In order to have sufficient data on strategic outsourcing and to ensure a decent analysis, three surveys were combined. Findings The main finding of the present paper is that SMEs that have a developed strategy on outsourcing seem to perform better than those who do not have. The former are more likely to have achieved cost reduction, especially in housing and finance, and they use outsourcing to increase core businesses. They select vendor firms more on the bases of cost and services, rather than personal contacts. Also, these firms have improved service quality, by focusing on their core competences. Originality/value To the authors' knowledge, the present study is one of the few empirical studies that have examined outsourcing in SMEs from a strategic perspective. The findings are valuable for managerial practice and could be a base for outsourcing strategies in SMEs.
|
|
| 2. |
- Edvardsson, Ingi Runar, et al.
(författare)
-
The outsourcing practice among small knowledge-intensive service firms
- 2021
-
Ingår i: VINE. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 2059-5891. ; 51:1, s. 177-191
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This paper aims to present findings on outsourcing practices in small service firms in Iceland, where the prime focus is on knowledge-intensive service firms. Design/methodology/approach: To gain information on the scope and reason for outsourcing, telephone and online surveys were used. In total, 802 firms participated in the surveys, which were conducted in the period 2009-2018. Findings: The results show that knowledge-intensive firms outsource far more than other service firms and are also more likely to have an outsourcing strategy. The grounds for increased outsourcing are cost reduction and strategic reasons, such as a focus on core competency and the search for external knowledge. In comparison with other firms, knowledge-intensive firms are increasingly outsourcing cleaning, security services, canteen and transportation, IT processes, human resource management, training and consulting. Additionally, managers of these firms select suppliers more on the basis of cost and quality. They also realize more cost savings as a consequence of outsourcing. Outsourcing had a very limited effect on employment in the firms, while cost reduction was achieved in 48.3 per cent of the firms involved. Research limitations/implications: The findings are in line with the resource-based theory and, interestingly, this is not limited to knowledge-based firms, but to a large portion of service firms as well. Originality/value: This is the first in-depth study on outsourcing patterns in knowledge-intensive firms, which uses theoretical classification in empirical analysis.
|
|
| 3. |
- Jonsdottir, Sigridur Sia, et al.
(författare)
-
Pregnancy complications, sick leave and service needs of women who experience perinatal distress, weak social support and dissatisfaction in their partner relationships
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0283-9318 .- 1471-6712. ; 34:1, s. 167-180
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction Although perinatal distress is acknowledged as a burdening condition for pregnant women, its effects on pregnancy are not well known. This study was conducted to increase knowledge regarding the effects of distress on pregnancy-related problems. The study also assessed women's need for sick leave and increased prenatal care due to distress, and the effects of weak social support and dissatisfaction with their partner relationships. Methods In total, 2523 women were screened for perinatal distress three times during pregnancy in this quantitative cohort study. Structured psychiatric interviews were conducted following the screening, with 562 of the participants. Data from participants' pregnancy records were also analysed. The study was conducted in primary healthcare centres in Iceland after receiving approval from the Icelandic National Bioethical Committee. The main outcome measures were pregnancy problems, sick leave issued and prenatal service needs. Results Data from 503 women were analysed. The perinatal distress group (PDG) was significantly more likely than was the nondistressed group (NDG) to experience fatigue, vomiting and pelvic pain after controlling for background variables. Distressed women who reported weak family support experienced symptoms of nausea and heartburn. The PDG needed more frequent prenatal care than did the NDG and was issued sick leave for up to 42 days longer. Dissatisfaction in the partner relationship and with the division of household tasks and childcare was strongly associated with distress, the development of complications and the need for sick leave. Discussion Identification of perinatal distress by midwives and other healthcare professionals is important, since distress may be linked to women's complaints of fatigue, vomiting, pelvic pain and need for prolonged sick leave, and additional prenatal care services will be needed. Perceived dissatisfaction in the partner relationship and with the division of household tasks should also form part of clinical practice and assistance provided.
|
|
| 4. |
- Oddsson, Asmundur, et al.
(författare)
-
Deficit of homozygosity among 1.52 million individuals and genetic causes of recessive lethality
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 14:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genotypes causing pregnancy loss and perinatal mortality are depleted among living individuals and are therefore difficult to find. To explore genetic causes of recessive lethality, we searched for sequence variants with deficit of homozygosity among 1.52 million individuals from six European populations. In this study, we identified 25 genes harboring protein-altering sequence variants with a strong deficit of homozygosity (10% or less of predicted homozygotes). Sequence variants in 12 of the genes cause Mendelian disease under a recessive mode of inheritance, two under a dominant mode, but variants in the remaining 11 have not been reported to cause disease. Sequence variants with a strong deficit of homozygosity are over-represented among genes essential for growth of human cell lines and genes orthologous to mouse genes known to affect viability. The function of these genes gives insight into the genetics of intrauterine lethality. We also identified 1077 genes with homozygous predicted loss-of-function genotypes not previously described, bringing the total set of genes completely knocked out in humans to 4785.
|
|
