This article investigates the staff outcomes that are influenced by physical environment features in a healthcare facility. Over the past few decades, research on the physical environment and its effects on hospital staff has advanced steadily. Focusing on the physical environment has become a research area with great potential because it is crucial to provide a favorable work environment for health professionals, which directly impacts the quality of care. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify research articles from two scientific databases and a healthcare journal. Articles that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria for relevant articles were included in this review. Relevant data were derived from the final shortlisted articles. The features identified in the articles were divided into three dimensions of the physical environment. The results demonstrate different outcomes for staff. This review shows the need to develop a comprehensive study involving the most important features of the three dimensions of the physical setting and its effects on staff. This study contributes invaluable insights for hospital administrators, architects, and designers by informing them about the critical factors shaping the healthcare workplace environment.

The exponential growth of the global population and rising life expectancy have placed increasing pressure on healthcare systems to deliver efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective services. In India, private hospitals play a crucial role in meeting these demands. However, they are increasingly challenged by high employee attrition rates, often linked to dissatisfaction with the physical work environment. Improving staff satisfaction has therefore become essential for enhancing organizational performance and retaining skilled personnel. This study aims to assess the impact of the physical environment on employee satisfaction in private Indian hospitals. A mixed-methods research approach was adopted. The qualitative phase involved a review of secondary data to conceptualize the research framework and identify key variables related to architectural, interior, and ambient design features. The quantitative phase involved survey-based data collection from employees across various private hospitals. For analysis, both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to explore relationships between variables. The results reveal statistically significant relationships between physical-environment features—specifically architectural layout, interior design elements, and ambient conditions—and employees’ attitudes. These attitudes were found to significantly influence overall workplace satisfaction. Furthermore, this study confirmed a strong link between the physical environment and employee satisfaction. These findings offer actionable insights for hospital administrators to improve the design of workspaces. Enhancing physical environments can elevate employee satisfaction, reduce attrition, and ultimately contribute to improved hospital performance. By empirically establishing the link between physical-environment features and staff satisfaction, this study provides a foundation for evidence-based design strategies in healthcare settings.

Background: This study explores how healthcare staff perceptions of their physical work environment influence their satisfaction. Methods: A qualitative research design involving semi-structured interviews was adopted. The study sample comprised ten healthcare staff, including both clinical and nonclinical employees, working in a healthcare facility. The participants represented a range of professional roles and work areas, allowing for diverse perspectives on the physical environment. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The interview transcripts were systematically coded, and recurring patterns and themes were identified through an iterative analytical process reflecting participants’ perceptions and experiences of the physical work environment. Results: The analysis revealed seven main themes: impact of spatial layout on workflow; need for relaxation and break spaces; connection to nature, furniture and comfort; influence of color on mood; ambient features and environmental control; and natural light and well-being. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical role of the healthcare physical environment in shaping employee satisfaction and offers practical recommendations for healthcare facility design, emphasizing the need for ergonomic workspaces, greenspaces, and safe workplaces. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how the physical environment can be optimized to support employees in healthcare settings.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has emerged as a pivotal force in the economic development trajectory of emerging economies, catalysing growth, technological transfer, and global integration. The World Investment Report of 2024 states that, as of 2023, 65.1% ($867.4 billion) of all global FDI inflow went to emerging economies, up from just 16.4% ($222.7 billion) in 2000. The existing literature on FDI determinants mostly used the multiple regression approach. We undertake a novel approach using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) coupled with MICMAC analysis. This qualitative methodology provides a holistic understanding of the hierarchical relationships and interdependencies among FDI drivers. A key finding of this study is that the three most significant factors influencing FDI in emerging economies are political stability, corruption, and the state of infrastructure. These factors significantly impact all other drivers in the system. The drivers were categorised into clusters using MICMAC based on their dependence and driving power.

Third-party administrators (TPAs), an important member of the managed care model in India, service health insurance claims and intermediate between health insurance companies, service providers and customers. Auditing TPA performance is not a prevalent industry practice because of a lack of regulation. This study explores the rationale behind the trend of insurance companies bringing TPA services in-house and investigates if the performance parameters for TPAs vary based on ownership. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to formulate the hierarchy of performance parameters for the TPA. Assessment of the efficiencies and quality of claims management between internal and external TPAs will enable insurance companies to make more informed decisions on managed healthcare models. Consequently, insurance premiums can be reduced, making health insurance a more viable option and could pave the way towards achieving the objective of universal health coverage. This study’s motivation stems from the possible impact that the performance evaluation of internal and external TPAs has on healthcare delivery, control and costs. The results show that both internal and external TPAs have their own efficiencies and advantages due to their operational models.