The introductory chapter consists of four sections. In Sect. 1. 1 we reveal the c- rent situation in hospitals that is faced by the management. We address the general issue of personnel scheduling in the service industry in Sect. 1. 2. Then we motivate our research by considering physicians as the scheduling object. In particular, we show the complex nature of physician scheduling in a hospital environment. The focus of the research is presented in Sect. 1. 3. Finally, we conclude the chapter by illustrating the outline of the thesis. 1. 1 General Economic Situation in Hospitals The mounting pressure in the health care industry to reduce costs is forcing hos- tals and related facilities to take a closer look at their staf?ng policies (see [111]). A primary dif?culty in reducing personnel costs, the major component of the budget, is the variability in demand and the need to assign staff to ?xed shifts. Furthermore, government run facilities, especially those in the European Union, are seeing their budgets cut in terms of real dollars despite an aging and more acutely ill patient population (e. g. , see [96]). It has been reported that up to a third of the hospitals in Germanyplan a reductionin staff (see [91]). The schedulingprocess is furtherc- plicated by the generally recognized importance of taking individual preferences intoaccount. Moreattractiveschedulespromotejobsatisfaction,increaseproduct- ity,and reduceturnover(cf. [2]). However,withoutimprovedschedulingprocedures that better match supplyto demand,the level of care that theynow providewill soon become unsustainable. 1.

The future is here. How is your organization responding? Amid the turbulence of a global pandemic, worldwide social justice movements, and accelerated digital transformation, one thing is clear—work will no longer be the same. Employees now expect a flexible, inclusive workplace and a deeper connection to their employer. Organizations must commit to doing good for their people and communities. What should you and your company be doing to adapt? The Future of Work: The Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review will provide you with today's most essential thinking about creating a work-from-anywhere organization, harnessing AI as part of your team, creating an inclusive culture, and building a purpose-driven organization. Business is changing. Will you adapt or be left behind? Get up to speed and deepen your understanding of the topics that are shaping your company's future with the Insights You Need from Harvard Business Review series. Featuring HBR's smartest thinking on fast-moving issues—blockchain, cybersecurity, AI, and more—each book provides the foundational introduction and practical case studies your organization needs to compete today and collects the best research, interviews, and analysis to get it ready for tomorrow. You can't afford to ignore how these issues will transform the landscape of business and society. The Insights You Need series will help you grasp these critical ideas—and prepare you and your company for the future.

Publishes in-depth articles on labor subjects, current labor statistics, information about current labor contracts, and book reviews.

Whilst the maritime container business has been studied in depth, the impact on shippers and how shippers deal with the given challenges has not been fully examined. Container Logistics bridges this gap and looks at the maritime business from a customer's perspective. The book examines the challenges, solutions and the latest developments in the container industry as well as the interaction between the different actors involved, such as freight forwarders, supply chain managers and shippers. Current hot topics from the supply chain and the maritime business perspective are included. From the supply chain perspective, Container Logistics covers areas such as the purchase of transportation services from ocean carriers and transport management, to effective and efficient logistics execution. From the maritime business perspective, the book covers topics such as intermodal freight optimisation and hinterland transportation, and terminal and port optimisation. With the inclusion of clear examples of best practice and bona fide case studies, as well as invaluable contributions from an international team of experts, Container Logistics is an essential guide for supply chain managers and shippers, as well as academics and industry professionals working in the maritime business. Online supporting resources include images from the book and chapter summaries.

This book is a compilation of some of the best papers presented at the 15th International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Industrial Management in 2021. The Conference was promoted by ADINGOR (Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Ingeniería de Organización), organized by the University of Burgos, and it took place online on July 8 and 9, 2021. The book highlights some of the latest research advances and cutting-edge analyses of real-world case studies on industrial engineering and industrial management from a wide range of international contexts. It also identifies business applications and the latest findings and innovations in operations management and decision sciences. Industry 4.0: The Power of Data will help academic researchers and practitioners in industrial engineering and industrial management to keep abreast of state-of-the-art developments in these subjects.

Services are key activities in the globalization of the economy and also underlie the quality of life of local residents. The advanced work presented in this book was selected from the proceedings of the First International Conference on Serviceology (ICServ2013), held October 16–18, 2013 in Tokyo. This book provides a useful overall guide to the state of the art in theory and practice of services for researchers in various fields, including engineering, marketing, economics, and others. This work also facilitates the scientific systematization of services and promotes technological developments for solutions of industrial issues.

Are you ready to break into the towing industry and build a thriving business? Tow Power is your comprehensive guide to navigating the complexities of starting, managing, and growing a successful towing business from the ground up. This book is packed with actionable insights, practical advice, and industry secrets that will set you on the path to success. Whether you're a seasoned professional looking to expand your knowledge or a newcomer eager to start your own towing company, Tow Power covers everything you need to know, including: Crafting a Winning Business Plan: Step-by-step guidance on creating a plan that sets the foundation for your success. Navigating Legal and Regulatory Requirements: Understand the licenses, permits, and insurance you need to operate legally and safely. Purchasing the Right Equipment: Learn how to invest wisely in tow trucks and other essential equipment. Marketing Your Services: Proven strategies to attract customers and build a strong brand in a competitive market. Managing Operations and Finances: Tips on streamlining daily operations, managing cash flow, and ensuring profitability. Overcoming Challenges: Real-world solutions to common obstacles faced by towing business owners. With Tow Power, you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge to launch your towing business, overcome challenges, and drive your way to long-term success. If you’re serious about starting a towing business that stands out in the market, this is the guide you’ve been waiting for.

Project managers spend significant amount of time to make their projects hugely successful. They have to manage several aspects of a project in order to get there. They also have to manage several conflicts on their way to success. How do they ensure higher margins, maximizing delivery efficiencies, yet keeping people cost lower? How do they control the scope, yet maintain higher CSAT rating? How do they execute a major change with minimal impact of downtime? How do they manage to get high CSAT rating in an industry, with ever-changing technology and high attrition? What are the initiatives that a PM can drive to keep the business consistent with clients and make them return for the services? The book covers every phase of project management from kickoff to closure, explaining realistic scenarios working with clients on a day-to-day basis. It aims at coaching all the first time PMs, aspiring PMs and practicing PMs on the intricacies of managing application support and maintenance projects.