bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why markets make mistakes
Authors: Birdseye Weil Henry
Published: October 2010

Purpose

Many models of markets are based on assumptions of rationality, transparency, efficiency, and homogeneity in various combinations. This paper aims to explain why markets routinely and repeatedly make “mistakes” that are inconsistent with these simplifying assumptions.

Design/methodology/approach

System dynamics models are used to show how misestimating demand growth, allowing financial discipline to lapse, unrealistic business planning, and misperception of technology trajectories can produce disastrously wrong business decisions. Examples are drawn from airlines, telecommunications, IT, aerospace, energy, and media.

Findings

The undesirable outcomes can include vicious cycles of investment and profitability, market bubbles, accelerated commoditization, excessive investment in dead‐end technologies, giving up on a product that becomes a huge success, waiting too long to reinvent legacy companies, and changes in market leadership. Differentiating transient phenomena from the longer term trends, movement away from vertically integrated business models, and effective use of early warning signs avoid these mistakes, or at least limit the damage that they cause.

Practical implications

Decision makers tend to rely on simple mental models which have serious limitations. They become increasingly deficient as problems grow more complex, as the environment changes more rapidly, and as the number of decision makers increases. The amplification and tipping dynamics typical of highly coupled systems, for example, bandwagon, network, and lemming effects, are not anticipated. Behavioural factors that play critical roles in the evolution of markets often are misunderstood or ignored.

Originality/value

The paper illuminates the effects of bounded rationality, imperfect information, and fragmentation of decision making on the behavior of markets. Models which assume, at least implicitly, that decision makers understand the structure of the market and how it produces the dynamics which can be observed or might potentially occur can be dangerous simplifications and seriously misleading.
Modeling drivers of organizational change
Authors: Milling Peter M. , Zimmermann Nicole S.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

It is the purpose of this paper to analyze drivers of organizational change as well as their inhibitors with a particular focus on the influence of management and the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The question will be addressed with the help of the case study of the New York Stock Exchange's (NYSE) move towards electronic trading. A system dynamical analysis of underlying forces and feedback will help elucidate the strength of mechanisms that drive or impede change.

Findings

The stepwise analysis of the model in accordance with different model boundaries reveals that neither the environment nor endogenous pressures from stakeholders and management alone are able to replicate the reference behavior; all three model elements are necessary to simulate the process of the NYSE's radical move. Additionally, with only minor changes in the underlying assumptions, the model is able to show the contrasting behaviors predicted by different streams of literature.

Research limitations/implications

The paper's contribution is limited by the number of but one exemplary case it provides.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to one of the most prominent topics in the organizational change literature and adds a valuable example of representative drivers of change. It opens the black box of organizational change by its focus on the relationship of structure and behavior as well as on the process of change.
Merger dynamics
Authors: Miczka Switbert , Größler Andreas
Published: October 2010

Purpose

Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have drawn the attention of researchers for several decades. Many studies have investigated the factors apparently influencing the success of an M&A deal, leading to an extensive, yet extremely fragmented body of knowledge. Although the logical quest for integration has been expressed by several authors, in most cases investigations focus only on details of M&As. The aim of this paper is to offer a different way of synthesis that allows testing well‐established theories of post‐merger integration processes.

Design/methodology/approach

With the help of a literature‐based system dynamics (SD) model, the paper opens up a new perspective on the organizational processes occurring during post‐merger integration. Particular emphasis is put on the investigation of capability transfer, the change of corporate culture, and the employees' perception of the integration process.

Findings

The model‐based analysis delivers explanations for the contradicting results of many empirical studies, based on the structural integration of a broad body of knowledge and the analysis of simulation runs. The paper suggests that SD models may be used as a means to achieve a more consistent conceptual integration than usual “theoretical frameworks” can provide.

Research limitations/implications

Since the model is primarily based on theoretical ideas, an empirical validation of results seems most critical. Additionally, the linkage to organizational performance measures may need additional modelling effort.

Practical implications

The paper demonstrates the various interrelationships between organizational capabilities, culture, and employee commitment of two merging companies.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the few that strives for an integrated perspective on post‐merger phenomena.
Models of organizational cybernetics for diagnosis and design
Authors: Pérez Ríos José
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a framework, based on Beer's viable system model (VSM) that enables managers of public and private organizations to cope with the complexities faced by their organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on concepts from organizational cybernetics (OC) an heuristic is elaborated for the design or diagnosis of any organization, from the point of view of its viability.

Findings

An outline of the process that enables managers to diagnose or design the organization they manage is formalized in a structured sequence which, starting with the clarification of an organization's identity, purpose and boundaries, guides the whole process of structure creation and the detailed diagnosis of all its structural components from the point of view of its viability. A taxonomy of frequent pathologies that affect organizations is also presented.

Practical implications

This kind of framework can guide managers to apply the cybernetic concepts for higher organizational performance, thereby overcoming the oft‐bemoaned difficulties in applying these concepts in practice.

Originality/value

The paper tries to fill the gap between the conceptual deep theoretical works in OC by Stafford Beer and other researchers, and the need of managers for a structured process that can guide their application. The framework presented tries to provide that kind of guide. It integrates different components within a single framework, which covers the creation of the general structure, the diagnosis of each particular organization within it, the evaluation of the degree of coherence between organizational levels, and a taxonomy of organizational pathologies to facilitate such a structuring. Another contribution is the introduction of the VSMod software, created precisely to facilitate the implementation of the VSM.
Brain‐supporting environments for decision making in complex systems
Authors: Hetzler Sebastian
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to address the issue of modeling and model‐based management from a psycho‐ and sociological perspective, showing that the requisite decision‐making models are a necessary but not sufficient condition for taking the right decisions. To overcome this lack of a physical space, a “brain‐supporting environment” is proposed to support group decision making in complex situations.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the interdisciplinary character of management problems, findings from different fields are used to derive requirements for complex problem solving.

Findings

Procedural, structural and technological measures are proposed to debias individual and group decision making. Finally, a “brain‐supporting environment” is sketched in which humans, as well as humans and machines, interact in order to arrive at better decisions.

Practical implications

The paper points out ways that today's technologies can be used to enhance the ability to manage complexity and to prepare the management of organizations for the challenges of the twenty‐first century.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the management of complex systems by integrating findings from different scientific disciplines in a comprehensive approach to support decision making.
Using a system dynamics approach for identifying and removing management model inadequacy
Authors: Ambroz Kristjan , Derencin Alda
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how system dynamics (SD) modeling can help in cases where the management models used by an organization are not adequate for the task at hand.

Design/methodology/approach

Two specific cases of management model inadequacy are discussed in this paper – namely management model obsolescence and management model inappropriateness. Each of the two cases is being demonstrated with the use of a specific practical case study. SD simulation models have been constructed based on a more comprehensive view than the ones used at the outset in order to come up with more robust and reliable management models, which were appropriate to the situations at hand. The cases conducted were exploratory in the tradition of action research and the findings are preliminary.

Findings

The inadequacy of prior management models was demonstrated by the superior results obtained – as derived from the SD models – if more appropriate management models, leading to new value potentials, were used.

Practical implications

The use of complete systems models prevented the organizational obstacles hindering the assessment of management models used for their adequacy. The paper is addressed primarily to the academic research community; however, the findings are of interest to practitioners as well.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the research on management models, and the use of SD in organizations more generally.
Dynamic cost benefit analysis for mental health reform
Authors: Wolstenholme Eric , Monk David , Todd David
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the application of system dynamics to enhance traditional cost benefit analysis (CBA) in planning a significant expansion of therapy capacity for mental health treatment in the UK. The aim of the initiative is to benefit the health of individuals, reduce costs to society and the exchequer and increase employment.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper describes a conventional CBA and comments on its merits and limitations. The development and use of a system dynamics model of the situation is then described, together with how this complements and supports the conventional analysis and its outcome.

Findings

By focussing analysis on the dynamics of people flows over time, simulation is shown to assist understanding of the issue and its potential benefits. The numbers of patients expected to benefit is shown to depend on the treatment capacity, on the sources of people presenting, the number and type of treatment channels and their parameters, the success of treatment, the provision for patients moving between treatment channels, the dynamics of the labour market and employment opportunities.

Originality/value

The paper is totally original and has provided decision support to a large investment on which implementation has begun. The overall methodological conclusion is that dynamic factors are often left out of CBA because they cause too much complexity for decision makers, whereas system dynamics allows these factors to be included without masking the clarity of the case. The paper suggests that CBA and system dynamics are very complementary.
Model‐based management in start‐ups
Authors: Michal Wasilewski Stefan
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The paper's aim is to share honest insights into how one management team used model‐based management to establish new businesses and products.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper shows the approach used for each business, why its area of operations may have changed the preceding processes but the functional form remained the same then eventually finding expression in the viable system model (VSM).

Findings

The paper finds that regardless of proper innovation and profitability, without a holistic approach to capital management the dominant logic of the market place will: subsume good start‐up businesses believing that established ones will go on forever; risk‐pricing in the capital markets will continue the boom/bust tradition; system boundaries must be carefully chosen thereby implementing appropriate controls at each recursive level; and avoid moral hazard emerging through ill‐considered rules that allow people to “game the system”.

Practical implications

This paper informs regulators and business managers of the advantages of a functional management model based upon the protection of core capital.

Originality/value

The paper validates the principles of systems management of the VSM and sensitivity model in a modern idiom and suggests methods for the better control of insurance and capital markets institutions.
Model‐based lawmaking and the curious case of the Colombian criminal justice system
Authors: Olaya Camilo
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the significance and necessity of adequate management tools to face dynamic complexity. In particular, the paper shows the importance of model‐based support for designing public systems defined through laws. This is illustrated by means of an example: the new reform of the Colombian criminal justice system.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review of model‐based reasoning and justice systems. Illustration with a case study: reform of the Colombian criminal process.

Findings

Human reasoning can be characterized as a model‐based activity, which in turn can be improved by constructing and using diverse models. The support of dynamic models for designing law‐defined public systems represents an open field of research. Specific relevance and conceptualization for criminal justice systems are developed.

Originality/value

To introduce the significance of the contribution of computer simulation modeling for supporting system design and lawmaking processes.
Adaptability to fair value accounting in an emerging economy
Authors: Peng Songlan , Bewley Kathryn
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to assess the feasibility and desirability of a major emerging economy adopting and implementing fair value accounting (FVA), as codified in the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), by studying China's recent experience.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines the extent of FVA adoption in China's new accounting standards (“2007GAAP”), reasons for differences from the International Accounting Standard Board's IFRS, and how 2007GAAP has been implemented in practice. Data are obtained from content analyses of IFRS and 2007GAAP FVA requirements, critical assessments of standard setters' official statements, and analyses of empirical evidence from official reports, media, and academic research.

Findings

The authors find a high degree of adoption of IFRS FVA standards in China's 2007GAAP for financial instruments, but many differences for non‐financial long‐term asset investments. Standard setters justify this divergence by fundamental characteristics of the Chinese environment. The resulting differences from IFRS in the 2007GAAP FVA standards, and in their implementation, challenge official claims of “substantial convergence” between 2007GAAP and IFRS. Hence, the benefits desired by Chinese regulators from adopting FVA and international accounting convergence to IFRS may not be realized.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are derived from aggregated data in government reports. These findings can be extended in future research by examining specific implementation outcomes in company financial statements.

Originality/value

The paper contributes a timely critical examination of a major emerging economy's convergence with the controversial FVA requirements, which supports the IFRS's standing as a high quality set of accounting standards. The findings provide new insights into factors that can impede international accounting convergence in emerging economies.
Using Foucault to make strategy
Authors: McKinlay Alan , Carter Chris , Pezet Eric , Clegg Stewart
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The premise of the paper is that Foucault's concept of governmentality has important but unacknowledged implications for understanding strategy. Highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the governmentality approach, the paper seeks to suggest how governmentality can be used to conceptualise strategy. More generally, the paper seeks to contribute to the body of research on governmentality articulated by authors such as Peter Miller, Ted O'Leary and Nikolas Rose.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reprises the argument that accounting is constitutive of social relations. It proceeds to discuss Peter Miller, Ted O'Leary and Nikolas Rose's seminal contributions to the conceptual development of governmentality. In outlining their work, the paper highlights the significance accorded to the emergence of standard costing and scientific management and its subsequent role in developing both the strategies and structures of managerial capitalism. The paper examines how this, in turn, was pivotal to the emergence of strategy as an important means through which organisations began to understand and conceive of themselves. The paper rehearses the standard criticisms made of governmentality within the accounting literature, before arguing that the concept emerges intact from the critique levelled against it. Proceeding to summarise Foucault's radical conception of power, the paper notes the elusiveness of Foucault's relationship with strategy. Elaborating on the nature of governmentality, the paper employs the concept to re‐examine the managerial revolution. The objective is to explore its implications for understanding strategy.

Findings

The paper builds on the innovative work published in accounting on governmentality to construct an account of the emergence of the managerial revolution. This yields important insights on strategy. In particular, the paper challenges Chandler, arguing that the birth of strategy is best seen as apost‐hocrationalisation produced by the emergence of systematic management and standard costing. The paper explores how governmentality might be developed to study strategy. The overarching message of the paper is that there is a need to rethink strategy as a language and social practice. Strategy, therefore, must be understood as much as a cultural and political project than as an economic one.

Originality/value

The paper highlights how strategy can be regarded as a cultural and political phenomenon. This opens up the possibility of accounts of strategy that are firmly grounded within studies of organisations, politics and society. Dispensing with neo‐economic notions of strategy, the paper advocates writing Foucault into strategic management.
Extending the application of stakeholder influence strategies to environmental disclosures
Authors: Elijido‐Ten Evangeline , Kloot Louise , Clarkson Peter
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to provide insights into stakeholder expectations regarding the types of disclosures a firm should make, and if dissatisfied with the disclosure policy, whether it will use different intervention strategies in an attempt to induce the desired disclosure outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

An inductive qualitative framework is used in the study. In‐depth interviews, triangulated against relevant web site and media releases, are used to identify the salient stakeholders and the major environmental issues in Malaysia. Then an experimental approach is used based on role‐playing whereby experienced participants are introduced to hypothetical vignettes that relate to environmental issues identified.

Findings

The results indicate that the preferred form of disclosure is for the firms to “defend” the reasons behind the environmental event and/or explain what has been done to rectify the situation. With relatively few exceptions, the preferred strategies chosen by various participants align well with the influence strategies identified by Frooman. The findings confirm that although Frooman's model is useful in predicting stakeholder influence strategies, its effectiveness is tempered by the level of significance placed on the event by the stakeholders.

Research limitations/implications

Although based on a small sample, the results suggest that stakeholder theory has much to offer in terms of understanding management/stakeholder behaviour and corporate environmental disclosures.

Originality/value

The paper extends the application of stakeholder influence strategies in the “environmental reporting” domain. Likewise, it attempts to address the scarcity of literature taking the view of a wide array of stakeholders and how they choose to influence the firm. Finally, it confirms that stakeholder theory can be extended to aid the understanding of events in non‐western developing economies such as Malaysia.
Office window
Authors: Baker Max
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This poem aims to portray an individual's experience of office life.

Design/methodology/approach

A short poem is presented.

Finding

Power relations disperse slowly in the glass prisms of modern offices and recreate mirages of a person's superiors in their imagination.

Research limitations/implications

This poem may resonate with any individual who longs for success in their organisation.

Originality/value

The poem tries to capture a sense of the ambiguous and desperate relationship with those an individual works for and longs to be recognised by.
Adopting a service logic in manufacturing
Authors: Grönroos Christian , Helle Pekka
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a framework for measuring mutually created value in business relationships in the manufacturing sector, which also enables suppliers and customers to share this value between themselves.

Design/methodology/approach

The starting point is that manufacturing firms adopt a service perspective or logic for their entire business. The framework created includes a conceptual foundation for understanding the process of mutual value creation as well as theoretical basis and metrics for calculating mutually created value, joint productivity gains (JPGs) and value sharing. The framework for mutual value creation is created conceptually. The theoretical basis for the metrics used for the calculations and the development of the metrics are empirically grounded in a longitudinal case study.

Findings

By matching supplier and customer practices and thereby aligning corresponding processes, resources and competencies, suppliers can support their customers' business more effectively and thus enable the customers and also themselves to create incremental value which can be shared between the business partners. It is showed that the metrics for calculating JPGs and for sharing these gains in the form of additional value for the business partners, through a price mechanism, can be created and used.

Practical implications

Findings of the paper suggest an alternative way of creating value which is geared towards the demands of a service logic applied in business relationships. Productivity can be created jointly and not separately by the supplier and the customer, and an incremental value in the form of a JPG calculated and shared. To be able to do this, the business partners must have access to accounting data, and the customer and the supplier must be willing to open up their books and engage in mutual practice matching. This demands that a service logic is adopted for the entire manufacturing business, not separately for industrial service activities only, which is the traditional approach to studying service in manufacturing.

Originality/value

Traditionally, value is viewed as an outcome, not as a process of mutual value creation, the outcome of which can be calculated. Productivity as a joint concept and jointly created productivity gains enable firms to share the gains created through mutual value creation. In the literature so far, productivity and value creation have not been studied as mutual concepts. In addition, approaching the entire manufacturing business from a service logic point of view is also novel.
Exploitation or exploration in service business development?
Authors: Fischer Thomas , Gebauer Heiko , Gregory Mike , Ren Guangjie , Fleisch Elgar
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The paper aims to explore how dynamic capabilities of sensing, seizing and reconfiguring shape the way in which service business is developed in a broad range of capital goods industries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper takes an interpretative multiple‐case study approach. It seeks to develop primary organizing themes around the key dynamic capabilities and support them with research propositions.

Findings

The findings suggest that companies either exploit or explore the opportunities when it comes to service business development. Moreover, dynamic capabilities differ between the two approaches and predict which way a company chooses.

Research limitations/implications

Research limitations are mainly due to the nature of qualitative research. The dynamic capabilities identified here are by no means exhaustive; rather, they indicate directions for future research.

Practical implications

The research findings provide guidance to managers as to how the strategic shift towards services is influenced by dynamic capabilities.

Originality/value

Despite difficulties associated with service business development, the literature remains relatively silent on dynamic capabilities. However, dynamic capabilities are essential to the strategic shift towards service business.
Comparing provider‐customer constellations of visibility‐based service
Authors: Holmström Jan , Brax Saara , Ala‐Risku Timo
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a representation scheme that helps original equipment manufacturers and their customers choose between different constellations of visibility‐based service.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses conceptual modeling and analysis of visibility‐based service infusion using demand‐supply chain representations.

Findings

In the context of service infusion, increased visibility refers to the improved tracking, retention, and sharing of evidence on which service requirements are based. A representation model of three distinct provider‐customer constellations is conceptualize that reflects specific types of visibility: collaborative service supply chain management: condition‐based maintenance as a service: and visibility‐based asset management. The representation is a useful tool for comparing manufacturers' optional service strategies from the perspective of the demand‐supply chain view. The constellations vary in terms of the type of visibility provided by the customer, the provider's use of this visibility, and the potential benefits and costs of transitioning between constellations.

Research limitations/implications

The demand‐supply chain representations of visibility‐based service infusion are based on conceptual modeling and a literature review. Empirical research is needed to validate the use of the proposed representation for purposes of making comparative choices, and for exploring other purposes in decision making beyond that of comparative choice.

Practical implications

A tool for customers considering the benefits of visibility‐based services, comparative representation of constellations can help providers formulate better strategies for introducing visibility‐based services in a customer relationship.

Originality/value

The study combines supply chain theory with the service infusion literature in a novel way to produce a framework for comparative representation and decision making in visibility‐based service infusion.
The relevance of service in European manufacturing industries
Authors: Lay Gunter , Copani Giacomo , Jäger Angela , Biege Sabine
Published: October 2010

Purpose

Case study findings increasingly indicate that the implementation of service‐based business concepts is becoming a global business trend. The purpose of this paper is to analyze a broad European survey to understand the extent to which service infusion has already deeply affected manufacturing industries and the factors influencing service infusion.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 3,376 companies participating in the European Manufacturing Survey were included in an evaluation of service offerings and service sales. Multivariate data analyzes were used to develop statistically relevant conclusions regarding service infusion and the factors influencing it.

Findings

Whereas, the vast majority of companies surveyed offer services, the turnover generated by services was still low, and the adopted service strategies did not seem fully developed. The most significant determinant of service sales was the breadth of services offered. Other relevant explanatory factors included the characteristics of the type of products sold, whereas the position in the supply chain did not seem to affect service infusion.

Research limitations/implications

Using large‐scale survey data, this analysis provides a representative picture of service infusion in manufacturing industries and related causal relationships. Further qualitative research should develop interpretations of the relationships found in our quantitative analysis; as such, subsequent quantitative analyzes are necessary.

Originality/value

As most previous studies on service infusion are based on case study reports, the value of this paper comes from its use of a broad empirical database. Thus, the paper supports, confirms, and generalizes previous qualitative findings.
Numerical simulation of channel segregates during alloy solidification using TVD schemes
Authors: Rady Mohamed , Arquis Eric , Gobin Dominique , Goyeau Benoît
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to tackle the problem of thermo‐solutal convection and macrosegregation during ingot solidification of metal alloys. Complex flow structures associated with the development of channels segregate and sharp gradients in the solutal field call for the implementation of accurate methods for numerical modeling of alloy solidification. In particular, the solute transport equation is convection dominated and requires special non‐oscillarity type high‐order schemes to handle the regions of channels segregates.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, a time‐splitting approach has been adopted to separately handle solute advection and diffusion. This splitting technique allows the application of accurate total variation dimensioning (TVD) schemes for solution of solute advection. Applications of second‐order Lax‐Wendroff TVD SUPERBEE and fifth‐order weighted essentially non‐oscillatory (WENO) schemes are described in the present article. Classical numerical solution of solute transport using hybrid and central‐difference schemes are also employed for the purpose of comparisons. Numerical simulations for solidification of Pb‐18%Sn in a two‐dimensional rectangular cavity have been carried out using different numerical schemes.

Findings

Numerical results show the difficulty of obtaining grid‐independent solutions with respect to local details in the region of channels. Grid convergence patterns and numerical uncertainty are found to be dependent on the applied scheme. In general, the first‐order hybrid scheme is diffusive and under predicts the formation of channels. The second‐order central‐difference scheme brings about oscillations with possible non‐physical extremes of solute composition in the region of channel segregates due to sharp gradients in the solutal field. The results obtained using TVD and WENO schemes contain no oscillations and show an excellent capture of channels formation and resolution of the interface between solute‐rich and depleted bands. Different stages of channels formation are followed by analyzing thermo‐solutal convection and macrosegregation at different times during solidification.

Research limitations/implications

Accurate prediction of local variation in the solutal and flow fields in the channels regions requires grid refinement up to scales in the order of microscopic dendrite arm spacing. This imposes limitations in terms of large computational time and applicability of available macroscopic models based on classical volume‐averaging techniques.

Practical implications

The present study is very useful for numerical simulation of macrosegregation during ingot casting of metal alloys.

Originality/value

The paper provides the methodology and application of TVD schemes to predict channel segregates during columnar solidification of metal alloys. It also demonstrates the limitations of classical schemes for simulation of alloy solidification.
Heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop reduction due to mixed convection between two vertical parallel plates
Authors: Mokheimer Esmail M.A. , Sami S. , Yilbas B.S.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper's aim is to examine flow and heat transfer through vertical channels between parallel plates, which is of prime importance in the design of cooling systems for electronic equipment such as that of finned cold plates in general, plate‐and‐frame heat exchangers, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical and analytical solutions are presented to investigate the heat transfer enhancement and the pressure drop reduction due to buoyancy effects (for buoyancy‐aided flow) for the developing laminar mixed convection in vertical channel between parallel plates in the vicinity of the critical values of the buoyancy parameter (Gr/Re)crt that are obtained analytically. The numerical solutions are presented for a wide range of the buoyancy parameters Gr/Re that cover both of buoyancy‐opposed and buoyancy‐aided flow situations under each of the isothermal boundary conditions under investigation.

Findings

Buoyancy parameters greater than the critical values result in building‐up the pressure downstream of the entrance such that the vertical channel might act as a thermal diffuser with possible incipient flow reversal. Locations at which the pressure gradient vanishes and the locations at which the pressure‐buildup starts have been numerically obtained and presented for all the investigated cases.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the laminar flow situation.

Practical implications

The results clearly show that for buoyancy‐aided flow, the increase of the buoyancy parameter enhances the heat transfer and reduces the pressure drop across the vertical channel. These findings are very useful for cooling channel or chimney designs.

Originality/value

The study is original and presents new findings, since none of the previous studies reported the conditions for which pressure buildup might take place due to mixed convection in vertical channels between parallel plates.
Homotopy perturbation method for numerical solutions of coupled Burgers equations with time‐ and space‐fractional derivatives
Authors: Yıldırım Ahmet , Kelleci Alev
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper aims to directly extend the homotopy perturbation method to study the coupled Burgers equations with time‐ and space‐fractional derivatives.

Design/methodology/approach

The realistic numerical solutions were obtained in a form of rapidly convergent series with easily computable components.

Findings

The figures show the effectiveness and good accuracy of the proposed method.

Originality/value

The paper obtains realistic numerical solutions in a form of rapidly convergent series with easily computable components. It shows the effectiveness and good accuracy of the proposed method.
Properties of steady‐state solutions for a simulated solid rocket motor
Authors: Shusser Michael
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper's aim is to propose a quasi‐steady numerical model of a solid rocket motor that includes the coupling of motor chamber gas dynamics with the composite solid propellant combustion.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper considers a model problem of steady‐state burning of a pure monopropellant coupled with a quasi‐steady gas dynamic model of the combustion chamber. In order to simulate the time evolution as the propellant burns back with time, the flow‐field in the chamber, the burning rate and the linear response function parameters are calculated for three port diameters of a simple cylindrical geometry.

Findings

It is shown that the pressure‐coupled linear response function remains approximately constant along the propellant surface but can change very strongly as the chamber pressure rises due to increase in the burn surface.

Research limitations/implications

Only simplified motor geometry is considered but more realistic geometries can also be analyzed using a similar approach.

Originality/value

This study is the first step in building a comprehensive fully coupled model for numerical simulation of the internal flow‐fields of solid rocket motors. In addition, it demonstrates how to use the steady‐state results to calculate linearized pressure‐coupled response of the propellant.
Chemical reaction and viscous dissipation effects on Darcy‐Forchheimer mixed convection in a fluid saturated porous media
Authors: Mahdy A. , Chamkha A.J.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to study the flow of mixed convection and mass transfer of a steady laminar boundary layer about an isothermal vertical flat plate embedded in a non‐Darcian porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction and viscous dissipation effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing partial differential equations are converted into ordinary differential equations by similarity transformation, which are solved numerically by employing the fourth‐order Runge‐Kutta integration scheme with Newton‐Raphson shooting technique.

Findings

It was found that the local Nusselt number was predicted to decrease as either of the chemical reaction parameter or the Eckert number increased. On the other hand, the local Sherwood number was predicted to increase as a result of increasing either of the chemical reaction parameter or the Eckert number. Also, in the absence of viscous dissipation, both the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers increased as the mixed convection increased.

Originality/value

The paper illustrates chemical reaction and viscous dissipation effects on Darcy‐Forchheimer mixed convection in a fluid saturated porous media.
Parametric analysis of entropy generation due to laminar developing mixed convection between differentially heated isothermal vertical parallel plates
Authors: Mokheimer Esmail M.A.
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The aim of this article is to present the results of a parametric analysis of the entropy generation due to mixed convection in the entry‐developing region between two differentially heated isothermal vertical plates.

Design/methodology/approach

The entropy generation was estimated via a numerical solution of the mass, momentum and energy conservation equations governing the flow and heat transfer in the vertical channel between the two parallel plates. The resultant temperature and velocity profiles were used to estimate the entropy generation and other heat transfer parameters over a wide range of the operating parameters. The investigated parameters include the buoyancy parameter (Gr/Re), Eckert number (Ec), Reynolds number (Re), Prandtl number (Pr) and the ratio of the dimensionless temperature of the two plates (θT).

Findings

The optimum values of the buoyancy parameter (Gr/Re) optimum at which the entropy generation assumes its minimum for the problem under consideration have been obtained numerically and presented over a wide range of the other operating parameters. The effect of the other operating parameters on the entropy generation is presented and discussed as well.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this investigation are limited to the geometry of vertical channel parallel plates under isothermal boundary conditions. However, the concept of minimization of entropy generation via controlling the buoyancy parameter is applicable for any other geometry under any other thermal boundary conditions.

Practical implications

The results presented in this paper can be used for optimum designs of heat transfer equipment based on the principle of entropy generation minimization with particular focus on the optimum design of plate and frame heat exchanger and the optimization of electronic packages and stacked packaging of laminar‐convection‐cooled printed circuits.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the entropy generation minimization via controlling the operating parameters and clearly identifies the optimum buoyancy parameter (Gr/Re) at which entropy generation assumes its minimum under different operating conditions.
Exploring the supply of pirate software for mobile devices
Authors: Goode Sigi
Published: October 2010

Purpose

Software piracy is an ongoing problem for software producers. At the same time, mobile devices such as personal digital assistants and smart phones are increasing in popularity. This paper seeks to examine the supply of pirate software for mobile devices, against a backdrop of conventional desktop piracy theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a novel data set of pirate software releases, the paper reviews 18,000 entries from a pirate software database to examine the type and origin of this software.

Findings

The paper finds that more popular platforms are not necessarily subject to greater levels of software piracy. For mobile devices, productivity software was more popular than game software. Many piracy groups were involved, but only four groups were responsible for over half of all releases. Some popular devices, such as the Blackberry and Apple iPhone, showed little to no piracy levels.

Research limitations/implications

As with empirical research into any criminal or deviant behaviour, there may be intention to deceive. The findings regarding device popularity and availability of pirate software have implications for demand‐side research.

Practical implications

The findings provide insights for business managers and information security professionals in the telecommunications and mobile applications industries.

Originality/value

Prior research work has focused on software for desktop computers. This study contributes by being some of the first published work on piracy for mobile devices. The work is also original in that most prior research has focused on the demand for pirate software. This paper provides insight into the supply of this software.
Information security governance in Saudi organizations: an empirical study
Authors: Abu‐Musa Ahmad
Published: October 2010

Purpose

This paper seeks to empirically examine the existence and implementation of information security governance (ISG) in Saudi organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical survey, using a self‐administered questionnaire, is conducted to explore and evaluate the current status and the main features of ISG in the Saudi environment. The questionnaire is developed based on ISG guidelines for boards of directors and executive management issued by the Information Technology (IT) Governance Institute and other related materials available in the literature. A total of 167 valid questionnaires are collected and processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 16.

Findings

The results of the study reveal that although the majority of Saudi organizations recognize the importance of ISG as an integrant factor for the success of IT and corporate governance, most of them have no clear information security strategies or written information security policy statements. The majority of Saudi organizations have no disaster recovery plans to deal with information security incidents and emergencies; information security roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined and communicated. The results also show that alignment between ISG and the organization's overall business strategy is relatively poor and not adequately implemented. The results also show that risk assessment procedures are not adequately and effectively implemented, ISG is not a regular item in the board's agenda, and there are no properly functioning ISG processes or performance‐measuring systems in the majority of Saudi organizations. Accordingly, appropriate actions should be taken to improve implementing and measuring the ISG performance in Saudi organizations.

Originality/value

From a practical standpoint, managers and practitioners alike stand to gain from the findings of this study. The results of the paper enable them to better understand and evaluate ISG and to champion IT development for business success in Saudi organizations.
A survey of intrusion detection and prevention systems
Authors: Patel Ahmed , Qassim Qais , Wills Christopher
Published: October 2010

Purpose

The problem of protecting information and data flows has existed from the very first day of information exchange. Various approaches have been devised to protect and transfer such information securely. However, as technology and communications advance and information management systems become more and more powerful and distributed, the problem has taken on new and more complex dimensions and has become a major challenge. The widespread use of wired and wireless communication networks, internet, web applications and computing has increased the gravity of the problem. Organizations are totally dependent on reliable, secure and fault‐tolerant systems, communications, applications and information bases. Unfortunately, serious security and privacy breaches still occur every day, creating an absolute necessity to provide secure and safe information security systems through the use of firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (ID/PSs), encryption, authentication and other hardware and software solutions. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This survey presents an up‐to‐date comprehensive state of the art overview of ID/PSs based on risk analysis, a description of what ID/PSs are, the functions they serve, its two primary types and different methods of ID that may employ.

Findings

As security incidents are increasing and are more aggressive, ID/PSs have also become increasingly necessary, they compliment the arsenal of security measures, working in conjunction with other information security tools such as malware filters and firewalls. Because of a growing number of intrusion events and also because the internet and local networks together with user applications have become so ubiquitous, the need arises to use sophisticated advanced techniques from autonomic computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence and data mining to make intelligent/smart ID/PSs.

Originality/value

This paper perceives the requirements of developing a new detection mechanism to detect known and unknown threats, based on intelligent techniques such as machine learning and autonomic computing.