This study designed a big data analytics artefact for the prediction of outcome-based funding (OBF) in South African public universities. Universities in South Africa (SA) are subsidized based on... Show More

This study designed a big data analytics artefact for the prediction of outcome-based funding (OBF) in South African public universities. Universities in South Africa (SA) are subsidized based on their performance known as OBF that is measured depending on the outputs from teaching, research, and engagements. OBF metrics are well documented; however, public universities fail to achieve the targets for higher scores. These failures are attributed to poor decision-making resulting from limited analysis of the voluminous data generated. This study used design science methodology to develop a big data analytics artefact for prediction of OBF outcomes. The artefact was evaluated for prediction using machine learning training and tested with data collected from South African universities. Findings indicated that for better prediction using big data analytics, system characteristics, size, structure, top management support, market, infrastructure, and government regulations factors play a significant role.

This paper uses data envelopment analysis to explore how to evaluate physician and hospital clinical efficiency for coronary artery bypass surgery. First, the DEA models (measuring overall technical... Show More

This paper uses data envelopment analysis to explore how to evaluate physician and hospital clinical efficiency for coronary artery bypass surgery. First, the DEA models (measuring overall technical and scale efficiency partitioned by severity) identified many inefficient surgeons. Regardless of time period studied, relatively few surgeons were found to be on the best-practicing production frontier (DEA efficiency score = 1). The authors offer some evidence that clinical efficiency may be subject to investing in organizational capabilities that arise from operational strategies such as developing open heart surgery as a specialty, years of experience, training, and ultimately, acquiring a cadre of “efficient” surgeons. At a minimum, these findings support including some measures of “superior” organizational capabilities, strategic focus or product specialization, continuing education, and experience in future work.

The influx of international students has moved beyond the Global North towards the Global South in countries like China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong as they pursue strategies to become an... Show More

The influx of international students has moved beyond the Global North towards the Global South in countries like China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong as they pursue strategies to become an international education hub in Asia. This massive competition among higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide necessitates revisiting the existing image models to understand their heightened impacts on student satisfaction for both retaining existing students and attracting new ones. This study attempts to do so by gathering responses from 200 international postgraduate students from two renowned universities in Malaysia. The redefined HEI image model based on postgraduate international students shows that all of its three dimensions have a positive significant impact on students' satisfaction and decision-making. The outcomes of importance-performance map analysis (IPMA) have yielded the results of PLS-SEM both at the construct and indicator levels toward building more socially responsible HEIs as a service industry to boost student satisfaction in both regular and uncertain times.