The Impact of Privatisation on the Forms of Employment: The Example of the Poviat Hospital

Purpose: The aim of the article was to show the impact of privatisation on the forms of employment of medical staff on the example of the poviat hospital. The proper functioning of any organisation, including a healthcare entity, requires having and maintaining the staff capable of guaranteeing the implementation of its objectives. Design/methodology/approach: The article uses the following research methods: a literature review, the method of economic analysis, qualitative and quantitative analyses and the method of deduction in the inference phase. Findings: The results of the research are the basis for the conclusions supporting the validity of introducing the possibility of concluding subcontracts with medical staff, which allows entities to flexibly organise work in the situation of a shortage of physicians. Research limitations/implications: This is associated with certain financial implications, but at the same time it is more efficient in terms of using the existing human resources and it gives greater opportunities to provide a higher quality of medical services to more patients. Originality/value: The privatisation process in the Polish healthcare sector seems to have been necessary and it has shown that it is worth undertaking such measures, if for no other reason than to improve patients’ treatment standards. The results of the research carried out in this field show that transforming hospitals into private institutions is a good move.

‘That was a good move’—Some remarks on the (ir)relevance of ‘narratives of secularism’ in everyday politics in Bangladesh

This article explores the complex role of political ideologies in everyday politics and for urban middle-class Bangladeshis’ evaluation of political parties. Drawing on long-term ethnographic research and, more specifically, conversations and contentions around the removal of ‘Lady Justice’ from the front of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in 2017, I show that although the Awami League continues to be considered a ‘secular party’, many people do not believe that the Awami League is implementing secular policy and criticise it for what they perceive as ‘hypocrisy’. I argue that this seemingly paradoxical situation can be explained by a political structure that is marked by high factionalism and party competition. Data from research among politicians and the left-leaning, so-called ‘culturally-minded’ milieu in Sylhet, shows that certain segments of the educated middle class acknowledge the pragmatic realities of politics and do not expect the Awami League to act ‘progressively’. Nonetheless, they continue to position the party’s ‘progressive’ and ‘secular’ ideological basis as a primary reason for supporting the party. The article thus contributes to a deeper understanding of contemporary popular and elite practices and perceptions of party politics, democracy, and what might be labelled the ‘party-state effect’.

MALAY LANGUAGE USE IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING OF GENERAL SUBJECT IN PRIVATE HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS

Mata Pelajaran Umum (MPU) or Genaral Subject was introduced at Private Higher Learning Institutions to replace Mata Pelajaran Wajib (MPW). There are several subjects that must be handled in Malay as directed by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia such as Tamadun Islam dan Tamadun Asia, Hubungan Etnik, dan bahasa Kebangsaan A. The focus of this study is given on the use of Malay language in the teaching and learning of the MPU. The purpose of this study is to examine the use and understanding of students in the learning of MPU. Questionnaire was conducted and distributed through google form to 366 students from different backgrounds. The findings showed that there was significant correlation between respondents' perceptions towards MPU and the use of Malay language in the teaching and learning of MPU subjects. Thus, students can understand the teaching and learning of MPU in Malay. The findings of this study can serve as a good move to IPTS to help restore the glory of the Malay language in the country by offering a program through the process of teaching and learning in Malay language.

Why do we build the wall?

I discuss the notion of bodies proposed by Villalobos and Razeto-Barry. I consider it a good move in a direction away from overly formal aspects of autopoietic theory, but in need of refinement. I suggest that because organismic boundaries are dialectical processes and not immanent walls, some autopoietic bodies can extend by incorporating parts of their environment as in the case of insects that use trapped air bubbles to breathe underwater.