bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining “peer‐to‐peer” (P2P) systems as consumer‐to‐consumer (C2C) exchange
Authors: Plouffe Christopher R.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The exchange of goods between individual consumers being facilitated by the internet and “peer‐to‐peer” (P2P) systems is severely altering the business landscape. In broader terms, P2P exchanges are a form of what has occasionally been labeled “consumer‐to‐consumer” (C2C) exchange. What little work there is in business research which has examined both C2C and P2P exchange has to‐date been largely anecdotal or conceptual. This paper aims to address these shortcomings

Design/methodology/approach

A model of antecedents germane to the P2P phenomenon is formulated and empirically tested which includes the consumer's satisfaction with, extent of usage of, and future behavioral intentions toward P2P exchanges as the focal endogenous constructs of interest.

Findings

The model is tested with perceptual and archival data from a survey of consumers active in one prevalent form of P2P exchange (i.e. the “swapping” of pirated music). The model explains significant variance in all three focal endogenous constructs.

Research limitations/implications

The primary limitations include the study's exploratory nature and not being able to incorporate all potentially salient constructs and variables germane to the P2P phenomenon within the context of the study reported here. Additionally, and from a sampling perspective, a more heterogeneous sample may benefit future research.

Practical implications

The key insight emerging from the work is that the wide prevalence of P2P exchanges occurring globally between consumers has more to do with unexplored aspects of the phenomenon (such as its convenience; the “connectedness” it makes consumers feel to others) and seemingly much less to do with traditional marketing mix variables.

Originality/value

While much has been written in the practitioner ranks and popular press about the problem of P2P exchanges, this work represents one of the first empirical studies of the antecedent drivers of the phenomenon. As is articulated in the paper's concluding sections, from a more embracing frame of reference, P2P systems and “consumer‐to‐consumer” exchanges are not the dire threats many marketing managers believe them to be. Challenges remain, however, for marketers to determine how to best harness these powerful new systems.
Exploring children's understanding of television advertising – beyond the advertiser's perspective
Authors: Lawlor Margaret‐Anne , Prothero Andrea
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The aim of this article is to explore children's understanding of television advertising intent.

Design/methodology/approach

A different perspective on advertising intent is offered in this paper, as evidenced in an interpretive study of Irish children, aged between seven and nine years. A qualitative approach was employed, involving a series of focus group discussions and in‐depth interviews with 52 children.

Findings

The findings indicate that the participating children view advertising as serving interests including, but not limited to, the advertiser. The existence of other interested parties is suggested by the children, namely the agendas of viewers and television channels. The authors assert that these children view advertising as being larger and more complex than the advertiser's perspective, which has been the traditional focus in the extant research.

Originality/value

Adopting an advertising literacy perspective, the authors seek to explore children's “reading” and understanding of advertising. Advertising literacy is an approach to understanding advertising that has not received substantial attention in the child‐advertising literature. The literature to date has tended to focus on the following question – do children understand the persuasive intent of advertising? This question is suggestive of a “yes/no” answer. In contrast, the authors view the concept of understanding as being more complex and multi‐faceted, and accordingly, seek to develop this concept by way of a classification that suggests four different levels of understanding that children may exhibit towards advertising
Global web site standardization in the new EU member states
Authors: Okazaki Shintaro , Skapa Radoslav
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine American multinational corporations' (MNC's) web site standardization in Poland and the Czech Republic. The theoretical framework was adopted from global marketing strategy (GMS) theory, which focuses on three primary strategies: strategy to create a uniform brand image; strategy to appeal to cross‐border segments; and strategy to express culturally bound meaning. To this end, MNCs are posited to pursue the standardization of corporate visual components and web site functions, and the localization of textual information.

Design/methodology/approach

Using web site content analysis techniques, the similarity between the home (US) and host (Polish or Czech) sites is evaluated, and the existence of web site functions in each site is coded. As a secondary reference point, German sites are also examined. Two native coders per country are employed, and the reliability scores are deemed to be satisfactory. Multivariate analyses, including a multiple discriminant analysis and a multiple correspondence analysis, were applied to test the principal thesis of the study.

Findings

The findings suggest that American MNCs tend to apply a high level of visual components in Polish and Czech sites. However, the level of standardization in textual messages is notably low. Specifically, it appears that the textual information in Polish sites is highly localized – despite their uniform visuals, in the same manner as German sites. In addition, MNCs use web site functions in Polish sites to a similar extent to their home US sites, but to a much lesser extent in Czech sites.

Originality/value

The findings of this study make an important contribution to the literature, electronic commerce research in this region is extremely scarce. In addition, the theoretical framework, based on GMS theory, appears to be a useful stepping‐stone in this area. Along with recent findings in international advertising standardization, this study also provides unique evidence that European integration affects firms' marketing standardization strategy, not only offline, but also in the online marketing environment.
Broadening even more the internal marketing concept
Authors: Ferreira Vasconcelos Anselmo
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Based on the reasoning that work means more than just material rewards, the purpose of this paper is to propose the broadening of internal marketing concept (IMC) role through incorporation of happiness in the workplace (HWP) construct.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual approach is outlined.

Findings

This paper provides a theoretical foundation and conceptual framework – based on internal marketing (IM) variables – explaining how goals related to HWP could be achieved.

Practical implications

Given that happiness in life is a goal that everyone pursues, and HWP is one of its dimensions, it is suggested that firms could employ it as a strategy to maintain and motivate their best assets (i.e. their employees). It also suggests that work is far beyond a simple exchange process between employers and employees. Thus, given the nature and meaning of work for human beings, it should be treated as a channel whereby people could improve their self‐esteem and could fulfill themselves through their tasks on the job and feel happy.

Originality/value

Regarding IMC managerial approach and features, it is sustained that it could more aptly address the issue of HWP. To some degree, the desire of HWP brings about the need of changing the current management mindset that puts people on a secondary role.
The implementation of a market orientation
Authors: van Raaij Erik M. , Stoelhorst J.W.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the market orientation literature from a managerial perspective and to discuss and integrate the implementation lessons that can be drawn from it.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts with a review of the managerial implications of the market orientation literature. It then provides an overview of nine implementation approaches. It draws on an integrative model of marketing orientation to organize the implementation lessons from the literature into an actionable approach to implementing a market orientation.

Findings

The paper finds that the literature offers a rich, yet fragmented, picture of what market orientation is, and how it can be improved.

Research limitations/implications

The paper identifies a conceptual gap in the literature between market orientation and customer value generation and offers a model to bridge this gap that can serve as a guide for future theory development and empirical research.

Practical implications

The paper identifies four design enablers and three development enablers that can guide managerial action to improve market orientation and offers practitioners a structured way to go about the implementation of a market orientation.

Originality/value

Despite significant advances in the development of market orientation theory, there is still a void in the literature with respect to the implementation of a market orientation. This paper is the first to review the market orientation literature from a managerial perspective, to provide an overview of the implementation approaches published to date, and to integrate the managerial implications of the market orientation literature.
Market orientation and internationalisation in small software firms
Authors: Ruokonen Mika , Nummela Niina , Puumalainen Kaisu , Saarenketo Sami
Published: October 2008

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the role of market orientation in the internationalisation of small software firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The study combines qualitative case studies with quantitative data from the firms in question.

Findings

Market orientation in the internationalisation of knowledge‐intensive small firms consists of three elements: customer orientation, competitor orientation and value‐network coordination. Achieving a successful balance between these elements will considerably smoothen the internationalisation process.

Practical implications

The results of this study suggest that small companies should consider their market‐oriented behaviour in line with their value network. The role of market orientation may also vary according to market‐pull or technology‐push conditions.

Originality/value

This study is among the first empirical contributions to combine the internationalisation and market‐orientation approaches in studying SMEs. It also contributes to achieving a better understanding of the market‐orientation concept from the perspective of small high‐technology firms.
Customer‐employee relationship
Authors: Jamal Ahmad , Adelowore Adegboyega
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Many have applied the concept of congruence or fit in the context of person‐organization, person‐environment and person‐person relationships and interactions. However, despite the significance of customer‐employee interactions and relations in a services context, no research has investigated the effects of congruence between a customer's self‐concept and employee‐image on important relational outcomes such as relationship satisfaction, loyalty to employees and satisfaction towards service provider. The paper aims to fill this gap in the literature and to investigate the effects of self‐employee congruence on customer satisfaction via the mediating effects of personal interaction, relationship satisfaction and loyalty to employees. The paper also seeks to investigate the links among personal interaction, relationship satisfaction and loyalty towards employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a causal modelling approach and proposes a conceptual model after an extensive review of the literature related to consumer behaviour, organizational behaviour, relationship marketing and services marketing. The paper is based on a sample of 203 customers of bank users in Nigeria who completed a self‐administered questionnaire. The paper uses confirmatory factor analysis and SEM to analyse and confirm the conceptual model proposed in this research.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that self‐employee congruence is an important antecedent of personal interaction, relationship satisfaction and loyalty to employees each of which is in turn positively linked to customer satisfaction towards the service provider.

Research limitations/implications

The paper discusses implications for service marketers and for retail banking sector and highlights the significance of self‐employee congruence for service design and delivery, advertising strategies and suggests future research directions.

Originality/value

The paper is first of its kind to discuss the effects of perceived similarities between customers and employees on some important relational constructs such as personal interaction, relationship satisfaction, loyalty towards employees and towards customer satisfaction.
Employees' affective commitment to change
Authors: Shum Philip , Bove Liliana , Auh Seigyoung
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Although organizational change is inevitable with customer relationship management (CRM) implementation, very little is known about how this change affect employees, and how their actions in turn influence the success of CRM projects. The purpose of this study is to address this void in the current CRM literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an exploratory approach, 13 in‐depth interviews were conducted with bank managers and staff of three banks to provide preliminary support for the conceptual framework.

Findings

The three banks approached their CRM projects with very different results. Two banks achieved less success from their CRM implementation as a result of too little focus being placed on managing CRM‐induced change and people. Only one bank focused a large part of its CRM budget on change management and the organizational factors critical to the implementation. Results demonstrate a possible correlation between employees' commitment to the CRM initiative and the positive outcomes of a bank's performance.

Research limitations/implications

This paper lays down the foundation for more thorough studies on employees' affective commitment to change in the CRM context. Empirical research will be needed to verify the conceptual model presented.

Practical implications

The importance of identifying and securing employees' affective commitment to CRM‐induced change to ensure the successful roll out of a CRM implementation is highlighted.

Originality/value

Initial evidence is gained of the importance of employee commitment to CRM induced change for successful CRM implementation. A total of six organizational drivers are identified which assist in gaining employee commitment to CRM induced change.
Market knowledge diffusion and business performance
Authors: Hughes Paul , Morgan Robert E. , Kouropalatis Yiannis
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Drawing on the burgeoning proactive market orientation literature and its role within the organizational learning‐performance thesis, the aim of this aricle is to investigate further this nomological network.

Design/methodology/approach

The article adopts a market knowledge diffusion approach to examine the effect of organizational learning (a second‐order construct composed of knowledge acquisition, information distribution, information interpretation, and organizational memory) on both (reactive) market orientation and strategic proactiveness. Thereafter, it identifies both the pattern of direct relationships between these constructs and business performance and those moderated by strategic market planning capabilities. Using data generated from European high technology SBUs, the article uses structural equation modelling to test these relationships.

Findings

It is found that organizational learning does significantly effect both proactive market orientation and strategic proactiveness. However, there is no direct effect of strategic proactiveness on business performance, but rather this relationship is mediated by market orientation. It is also found that strategic market planning capabilities moderate the market orientation‐business performance relationship.

Originality/value

This study acknowledges the paradox that results from the potential conflict between two important elements of strategy: commitment and flexibility. The article contributes and expands on the existing research by adopting the strategic ambidexterity perspective, effectively considering the co‐existence of commitment and flexibility and the associated positive performance implications.
Scholars who stare at goats
Authors: Bradshaw Alan , Brown Stephen
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Collaboration is the norm in marketing and consumer research, yet the dynamics of academic cooperation are poorly understood. The aim of this paper is to probe the sociology of collaboration within marketing scholarship by means of a detailed case study of the seminal consumer odyssey.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a history of the consumer odyssey based on a range of secondary sources.

Findings

The consumer odyssey, one of many collaborate circles in marketing thought, was a seminal moment in the development of marketing research.

Practical implications

This paper encourages reflection on the dynamics of collaboration and the collegial character of marketing scholarship. Also, the paper has implications for institutional policy, for example the RAE, which measures research as an individual endeavour.

Originality/value

This paper presents a rare reflection on the social dynamics of marketing scholarship. Although it focuses on the interpretive research tradition within consumer research, its findings are relevant to every marketing academic, regardless of their philosophical bent, empirical concern or methodological preference.
Mapping the context and practice of training, development and HRD in European call centres
Authors: Garavan Thomas N. , Wilson John P. , Cross Christine , Carbery Ronan , Sieben Inga , de Grip Andries , Strandberg Christer , Gubbins Claire , Shanahan Valerie , Hogan Carole , McCracken Martin , Heaton Norma
Published: October 2008

Purpose

Utilising data from 18 in‐depth case studies, this study seeks to explore training, development and human resource development (HRD) practices in European call centres. It aims to argue that the complexity and diversity of training, development and HRD practices is best understood by studying the multilayered contexts within which call centres operate. Call centres operate as open systems and training, development and HRD practices are influenced by environmental, strategic, organisational and temporal conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilised a range of research methods, including in‐depth interviews with multiple stakeholders, documentary analysis and observation. The study was conducted over a two‐year period.

Findings

The results indicate that normative models of HRD are not particularly valuable and that training, development and HRD in call centres is emergent and highly complex.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the first studies to investigate training and development and HRD practices and systems in European call centres.
A new grey decision dynamic model based on cybernetics knowledge for complex system optimization analyzing and its practical application
Authors: Bai Xiaoping , Wang Hongming
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek an approach to study decision making and optimization analyzing of enterprises with multi‐factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a new grey decision dynamic model was set up; it integrates with modified GM model, the transfer function and response characteristic of cybernetics, and other knowledge. The building steps of this integrated model and its application method in a certain enterprise were presented.

Findings

Until recently, there have been many references studying grey decision or grey relational analysis of factors, but it was found that dynamic affecting of multi‐factors for enterprise production and their affecting levels were not studied synthetically in these references, and by this new dynamic model, these useful conclusions can be gotten.

Research limitations/implications

The built time response equation and dynamic model in this paper can be only used for whole regularity analysis and not suited to daily one‐to‐one analyzing; otherwise the error of the reductive values must be tested.

Practical implications

This new grey decision dynamic model can be used widely in decision making and optimization analyzing of enterprises with multi‐factors. Practical applying results show that the proposed method can instruct effectively actual production.

Originality/value

This paper offers a new grey decision dynamic model that can be used in decision making and optimization analyzing of enterprises with multi‐factors. By applying this new dynamic model in practice, some useful conclusions are drawn; some dynamic factors affecting production capacity of enterprises and their affecting levels can be found.
Construction and analysis of contract feasible set under quantity‐discount contract
Authors: Cao Wujun , He Peiying , Wang Jinfeng
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to look at how, in order to fit the practical environment, the scopes of the order‐quantity of a quantity discount contract are enlarged.

Design/methodology/approach

The contract feasible set (CFS) is discussed to extend the order quantity from a single point to an interval.

Findings

The application of the CFS can enlarge the scope of the contracts of the supply chain. The CFS can be used in the practice.

Research limitations/implications

The CFS of the quantity‐discount contract only is discussed. The other contracts do not be involved.

Practical implications

A very useful advice for construction the parameters of the contracts.

Originality/value

The concept of the CFS is defined. The new approach that extend the parameters of the contracts from a single point to an interval is provided.
Research on the inventory scheduling model based on agent‐oriented Petri net in supply chain
Authors: Chen Dejun , Zhou Zude , Hu Rui
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create the inventory scheduling model for supply chain system.

Design/methodology/approach

Aiming at the problems of analysis and modeling of multi‐agent system, an agent‐oriented Petri net (AOPN) model is proposed by introducing the characteristics of agent based on Petri net, and formalization definition of AOPN is presented. Combined with the inventory scheduling in supply chain system, inventory scheduling model based on AOPN is constructed. On the basis of the inventory scheduling model, its program model is designed. Then the reachability of the inventory scheduling model is analyzed and its soundness is verified.

Findings

The AOPN model and inventory scheduling model based on AOPN in supply chain system are found.

Research limitations/implications

The reasonable basic function design of various agents are main limitations.

Practical implications

A very useful tool of analysis for the modeling of inventory scheduling in supply chain system.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new modeling method of inventory scheduling in supply chain system. This paper is aimed at researchers and engineers.
Modeling of RBAC‐based access control of virtual enterprise
Authors: Chen Dejun , Zhou Zude , Ma Yingzhe , Pham D.T.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a model of role‐based access control (RBAC) based access control for virtual enterprise (VE).

Design/methodology/approach

An access control model for security and management of VE is presented by integrating generic structure of VE and applying the principles of RBAC. In addition, the application of the model to a supply chain‐oriented VE illustrates that a general access control scheme can ensure the running of VE.

Findings

A theory base of access control for the realization of the VE is found.

Originality/value

The paper presents a very useful new model of access control for VE. This paper is aimed at researchers and engineers.
Research on the grey relational evaluation method of core competencies of virtual enterprise members
Authors: Chen Dejun , Zhou Zude , Pham D.T.
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to create a model of role‐based access control (RBAC) for virtual enterprise (VE).

Design/methodology/approach

An access control model for security and management of VE is presented by integrating generic structure of VE and applying the principles of RBAC. In addition, the application of the model to a supply chain oriented VE illustrates that a general access control scheme can ensure the running of VE.

Findings

A theory base of access control for the realization of the VE is found.

Originality/value

The paper provides a very useful new model of access control for VE. This paper is aimed at researchers and engineers.
A class of strong deviation theorems for continuous random variables sequence
Authors: Chen Wenbo
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to obtain some strong deviation theorems for arbitrary continuous random variable sequences under suitable restrict Chung‐Teicher type conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The crucial part of the proof is to construct a.s. convergence super‐martingale by means of the notion of limit logarithmic likelihood ratio of random variable sequences and then applying the martingale convergence theorem.

Findings

The upper and lower bounds of the deviations from the sums of arbitrary continuous random sequence to their marginals are obtained.

Research limitations/implications

The rigorous bounds are the main limitations which are difficult to obtain.

Practical implications

A useful method to study the property of dependent random sequence.

Originality/value

The paper presents the new approach of proof strong limit theorems.
An improved limited and variable precision rough set model for rule acquisition based on pansystems methodology
Authors: Wu Chen , Wang Lijuan
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to acquire doubly variable precision‐based knowledge rules from incomplete decision tables (IDTs) in the framework of pansystems methodology. It suggests a new variable precision limited tolerance – a special pansystems relation – rough set model with precision inclusion and a reduct procedure in which it overcomes the non‐monotony in forming tolerance classes when reducing an attribute from attribute set.

Design/methodology/approach

Through introducing variable precision and limited tolerance relation in IDT, it constructs symmetric binary relation, dissimilar to non‐symmetric relation proposed by others, and then forms tolerance classes. It proposes a new reduction procedure with absolute value calculation to avoid tolerance classes being non‐monotone. Using variable inclusion, it obtains lower and upper approximations with noises.

Findings

Tolerance classes are not monotone with the reduction of attribute from attribute set in the proposed variable precision and limited tolerance relation, but it remains symmetry. Proposed reduction procedure with absolute value calculation is a new approach in adjudging whether a reduct equals to the original whole attribute set within a error range or not.

Practical implications

Using variable precision and limited rough set model with variable inclusion to mine deep knowledge from IDT is a paradise in knowledge discovery in dealing with non‐determinative and vague problems.

Originality/value

The formation of symmetric tolerance relation is natural. The reduction procedure with absolute value calculation is new and not similar to those existed in literatures.
Some limit theorems of runs to the continuous‐valued sequence
Authors: Aihua Fan , Zhongzhi Wang , Fangqing Ding
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to give some limit theorems on ε‐neighborhood and ε‐increasing runs of continuous‐valued dependent random sequence. In the main result no assumptions are made concerning the random variables. As corollary a result on independent case is obtained.

Design/methodology/approach

The crucial part of the proof is to construct a non‐negative supper‐martingale depending on a parameter by using the moment generating function, and then applying the Doob's martingale convergence theorem.

Findings

The upper and lower bounds of the deviations from the sums of arbitrary continuous‐valued random variables from the reference distributions are obtained.

Research limitations/implications

The computation of asymptotic log‐likelihood ratio h(P|Q) is the main limitations, and it is difficult to obtain the rigorous bounds of the deviations.

Practical implications

A useful method to study the property for runs of dependent random sequence.

Originality/value

The new approach of study strong limit behavior for dependent random sequence.
Design, modeling and simulation of a novel directional MAC protocol for ad hoc networks
Authors: Jun Fan , Zhitang Li , Wei Nie
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on alleviating the problems of both hidden and exposed terminal, which remain unsolved in many directional MAC protocols.

Design/methodology/approach

GPS is used to calibrate synchronization among the nodes, and directional antennas are used. In the protocol, different antenna mode and transmit power are used. The assertion signal and omni‐directional RTS are transmitted in omni‐directional mode, while directional CTS, directional RTS, DATA and ACK are transmitted in directional mode. With properly designed RTS‐CTS handshake, the protocol can make full use of spatial reuse of directional communication and enhance parallelism in data transmission.

Findings

The preliminary simulation results indicate that the protocol works well and achieves considerably high performance in both sparse and dense ad hoc networks.

Research limitations/implications

The line of sight environment is the main limitation that the MAC protocol will be applied.

Practical implications

The protocol is a very useful solution for employing directional antennas for ad hoc networks.

Originality/value

The MAC protocol can effectively alleviate the directional hidden and exposed terminal problems as well as node deafness. It can greatly improve throughput and achieve low‐medium access delay, making it suitable for ad hoc networks.
Construction of evaluation index system of national energy security based on CAS theory and PSR model
Authors: Shuqiong Fang , Baoan Yang , Yin Yu
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a new mentality of constructing the evaluation index system on national energy security, in favor of analyzing its influencing factors and coupling relations thoroughly.

Design/methodology/approach

The complex adaptive system (CAS) theory has provided one kind analysis method on modeling and simulation for question of the social economic system, which based on the adaptive agent and mutual interaction. In view of this, the authors' expect to use this kind of new research paradigm for reference, and construct the evaluation index systems on national energy security using the integration of CAS theory and pressure‐state‐response (PSR) conceptual model.

Findings

Constructs a set of compound index system of “six parallel layers, gradually converge, six layers three dimensions three degrees.”

Research limitations/implications

The evaluation index system on national energy security is in the discussion stage at present, and the comparatively systematic or accepted index system has not been established. So the further study on influencing factors and measurement indicator system based on multi‐dimension of national energy security, is the emphasis of the continued further research.

Practical implications

Constructing the evaluation index system on national energy security integrating PSR conceptual model from the perspective CAS.

Originality/value

Divides the carrier of energy security problem's happening into three energy domains (non‐renewable energy), and introduces the theory and method of CAS to construct the agent layer to carry on the multi‐agent gambling analysis. Simultaneously separately analyses the coal security, the petroleum security as well as the natural gas security using the concept framework of PSR.
Theoretical analysis on coordinated development of urban transport system
Authors: Jian‐zhi Gao , Yao Zhao , He‐ling Ma , Yuan‐Xia Sun
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expound the concept of the coordinated development of the transport system, and provide a quantitative method to support decision making in urban transportation development planning.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze the organic composition of urban transport system, research the meaning and mechanism of coordinated development of transport system. On the basis of researching relations of transport and external systems and its subsystems, to research quantitative theoretical model of the coordinated development and assessment of the transport system.

Findings

Establishing models needs to analyze the coordination among the various indices of subsystem, calculate the overall coordination between indices of the subsystem and all the indices of other subsystems, then inspect the coordinated development among subsystems.

Research limitations/implications

How to design the indexes of the subsystem of urban transport system is the main limitation.

Practical implications

Offering theoretical foundation for coordinated development of urban transport system.

Originality/value

Putting forward quantitative theoretical model on coordinated development of urban transport system, which lays a foundation for further study.
Studies on traffic effects of high‐speed ring road in city center
Authors: Zhiyuan Ge , Gao Ping
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To establish a stimulating traffic model of ring road systems and study the traffic effects of ring road in the center of a large city, including the influence in vehicle's travel time and distance.

Design/methodology/approach

Different from the ring road systems in the west, Beijing and other big cities in China build ring roads in city center. However, it seems that those systems do not work because the traffic problem still exists when the number of cars in the city increased quickly in past five years. According to the real geographic topology network structure around Er Huan road in Beijing city center, a simplified simulated traffic model was built. Then, two indices of traffic effects, average travel time and path length were studied by comparing the two models with or without ring road.

Findings

According to the simulation, although a high‐speed ring road shortens the travel time, it isolates the nature road network system and increases travel distance in the city center. Furthermore, it is uneconomic building a ring road to relieve traffic jams.

Research limitations/implications

Only Er Huan road in Beijing traffic system was simulated in the model. A more complicated ring road system needs to be developed.

Practical implications

A useful model for optimizing traffic system with ring roads, and providing a support for doubting the strategy of developing ring road in city center district in many cities of China.

Originality/value

This is a new way by establishing the simulation model to analyze the scheme of ring road traffic systems. Furthermore, advice for current situation are concluded and it is useful for optimizing current traffic system.
Possibility and evidence theory‐based design optimization: an overview
Authors: He Li‐Ping , Qu Fu‐Zheng
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To survey the approaches to design optimization based on possibility theory and evidence theory comparatively, as well as their prominent characteristics mainly for epistemic uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

Owing to uncertainties encountered in engineering design problems and limitations of the conventional probabilistic approach in handling the impreciseness of data or knowledge, the possibility‐based design optimization (PBDO), evidence‐based design optimization (EBDO) and their integrated approaches are investigated from the viewpoints of computational development and performance improvement. After that, this paper discusses the fusion technologies and an example of integrated approach in reliability to reveal the qualitative value and efficiency.

Findings

It is recognized that more conservative results are obtained with both PBDO and EBDO, which may be appropriate for design against catastrophic failure compared with the probability‐based design. Furthermore, the EBDO design may be less conservative compared with the PBDO design.

Research limitations/implications

How to perfect already‐existing integration approaches in a more generally analytical framework is still an active domain of research.

Practical implications

The paper is a holistic reference for design engineers and industry managers.

Originality/value

The paper is focused on decomposition strategies and fusion technologies, especially addressing epistemic uncertainty for large‐scale and complex systems when statistical data are scarce or incomplete.
Compensation analysis with additive DEA model
Authors: He Ping , Hua Zhongsheng
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To develop a method of compensation analysis based on the additive data envelopment analysis model.

Design/methodology/approach

It is a common assumption in current target setting literature that outputs of decision making units (DMUs) are generated simultaneously. In practice, outputs of DMUs may be generated consecutively, and targets of posterior outputs may need to be adjusted to keep a DMU efficient when the anterior output cannot reach the previously set output target. The proposed method determines a compensation rate among consecutive outputs, which is applied to keep a DMU efficient when the decrease of an anterior output exceeds its stability region. This compensation analysis is also extended to consecutive inputs.

Findings

Sufficient and necessary conditions for preserving efficiency upon output compensation are presented.

Research limitations/implications

The compensation analysis when multiple anterior outputs decrease from their previously set targets is the main limitation, and needs further investigation.

Practical implications

The paper is a useful method for decision maker to set target consecutively.

Originality/value

The paper defines a new target setting (adjusting) problem, in which targets of posterior outputs may need to be adjusted to keep a DMU efficient if an anterior output of the DMU decreases from its previously set target. Theoretical analyses of the compensation analysis are provided.
Research on internal credit ratings for listed companies
Authors: He Xubiao , Gong Pu , Xie Chunxun
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to simulate internal credit ratings based on stock market data and gain the credit information about listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the concept of default distance, default probability of listed companies is obtained from stock's price process based on generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroscedastic‐M model with the generalized error distribution, then credit ratings based on the default probability is built. Moreover, the model's validity is proved using the statistical tests and nonparametric receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve method.

Findings

Application of the proposed methodology on data from Chinese stock market illustrates that default probability model can identify the credit risk of listed companies effectively using the statistical tests and nonparametric ROC curve method. The results from simulating credit ratings based on default probability are positive correlated with the corresponding results from Xinhua Far East China Ratings.

Originality/value

The internal credit ratings‐based default probability can reflect the change of credit quality for listed companies according to market information. For listed companies, especially which possibly suffer from accounting manipulations, the ratings will help investors and supervisors gain their credit information in time.
Six‐stage design framework
Authors: Hou Yuemin , Ji Linhong
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The aim is to map function into structure step‐by‐step.

Design/methodology/approach

Using bio‐inspired approach to investigate generic principle governing the formation of systems or artifacts by analogy with embryogenesis and using matrices and graphs to formalize design information.

Findings

A six‐stage design framework is proposed and represented as six models: the function model which interprets design requirements, the surrogate model which transforms the subjective intention into the objective property, the property model which illustrates basic constituents of property, the specification model which specifies abstract properties by concrete property values or equations, the feature model which transforms properties into the feature of topology and materials of the structure, and the parameter model which parameterizes the detail description of structure. The transformations between stages are achieved mainly by means of induction, duality, decision making and nonlinear programming.

Research limitations/implications

Bio‐inspired approach provides mechanisms to map function into structure.

Practical implications

A normative framework for engineering design and system design.

Originality/value

The framework distinguishes itself by biological approach, developmental process simulating to the development of embryo, induction and duality strategies to map stages, as well as mathematical representation.
Automated management and evaluation system for community health service
Authors: Hu HongPu , Liang WanNian , Guo Aimin , An XueMei , Zhou Ping , Wang JunLI , Lin Yi
Published: October 2008

Purpose

The aim is to focus on an automated management and evaluation system to control the operation of community health service (CHS) efficiently.

Design/methodology/approach

On the basis of analyzing existing health laws, regulations, CHS work situation, the authors established the execution method and supervision norm of management for CHS. They used Delphi expert consultation activity and analytic hierarchy process to construct weight coefficient allocation list and synthesize evaluation models: GI=∑I=1NCiPi. The authors synthesized computer technology to design corresponding software, and then completed the spot usage.

Findings

The automated management and evaluation system for CHS has been completed. The system possesses automated management function, automated evaluation function, searching function, the functions of supervision and statistics analysis as well as the feedback. Automated management includes guide and filling‐in, checking‐up, modifying and saving, converging, submitting, examining and approving, receiving, saving to file and issuing formation, etc. Automated evaluation can rank automatically synthesized index or any selected single criterion index in the order of either high to low or low to high. The feedback function is able to be used to convey timely the state of execution, and to offer the bases for further adjustment.

Research limitations/implications

The automated evaluation makes the difficult evaluation work of daily supervision simple and maneuverable.

Practical implications

The systemization and automation of CHS management can control effectively practical operation of CHS.

Originality/value

The study is the first to establish an automated compliance management and evaluation system for Chinese CHS.
Constructing automated installation application system of community health service based on FoxPro8.0
Authors: Hu HongPu , Liang WanNian , Wang YaDong , An XueMei , Zhou Ping , Li JunHong , Sang LiLi , Lin Yi
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To present the mechanism, on which the first module was successfully designed – the automated installation application system, in the grand automated management and evaluation for community health service (CHS) sector of China.

Design/methodology/approach

The automated installation application system is constructed on the platform of Visual FoxPro8.0. The construction consists of five steps. The first is to establish the “item.” The function of “the item” is to trace all procedures, forms, menus, and various databases, such as tabulated data, summary data, and other types of data. The second is to establish the customer log‐in module. This module needs to contain a roll book of authorized customers. The third is to construct the subsystem management interface. This interface includes: entering installation the application, modifying and saving and transferring out the information, searching, printing blank form and statement. The fourth is to establish a roll book of all forms and the database of all the forms. The fifth is to establish the main procedure, connecting all the modules in the working order.

Findings

The main advantage of the system is that it is helpful for the characteristics of speedy information importation, clear and straight to the point, as well as the secure and accurate data transfer.

Originality/value

Automated management and evaluation for CHS heavily depends on the initial activation and this initiation is started using the system of installation application.
Multi‐objective chaotic optimization algorithm and its application in optimal water resources deployment
Authors: Xianfeng Huang , Dongguo Shao , Wenquan Gu
Published: October 2008

Purpose

To solve the water resources deployment problem which is a multi‐objective nonlinear problem with the characteristic of space‐time variability, involving many factors, such as economy, society, ecology, environment and projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Coupling the characteristic of multi‐objective with chaotic optimization, a multi‐objective chaotic optimization algorithm (MCOA) is proposed for optimal water resources deployment. The algorithm magnifies the chaotic series generated by logistic mapping to the feasible region, and seeks the best results by iterative comparison which can avoid the difficulties that objective functions and the constraints should be continuous and differentiable. MCOA is a global optimization method and has high efficiency.

Findings

The proposed algorithm is applied to the optimal deployment of water resources in a certain river basin. The rationality of results is verified by the entropy change theory. The results indicate that the optimal water resources deployment can be realized using the proposed algorithm in a more rational way.

Research limitations/implications

The numbers and the bounds of variables are the main limitations which the algorithm will be applied.

Practical implications

A very useful optimization algorithm for optimal water resources deployment.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the new optimization algorithm for optimal water resources deployment due to the MCOA.