bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Structured Tabu Search Approach for Scheduling in Parallel Computing Systems
Authors: Ferm Tore , Zomaya Albert Y.
Published: May 2010

Task allocation and scheduling are essential for achieving the high performance expected of parallel computing systems. However, there are serious issues pertaining to the efficient utilization of computational resources in such systems that need to be resolved, such as, achieving a balance between system throughput and execution time. Moreover, many scheduling techniques involve massive task graphs with complex precedence relations, processing costs, and inter-task communication costs. In general, there are two main issues that should be highlighted: problem representation and finding an efficient solution in a timely fashion. In the work proposed here, the authors have attempted to overcome the first problem by using a structured model which offers a systematic method for the representation of the scheduling problem. The model used can encode almost all of the parameters involved in a scheduling problem in a very systematic manner. To address the second problem, a Tabu Search algorithm is used to allocate tasks to processors in a reasonable amount of time. The use of Tabu Search has the advantage of obtaining solutions to more general instances of the scheduling problem in reasonable time spans. The efficiency of the proposed framework is demonstrated by using several case studies. A number of evaluation criteria will be used to optimize the schedules. Communication- and computation-intensive task graphs are analyzed, as are a number of different task graph shapes and sizes.
Communication Issues in Scalable Parallel Computing
Authors: Alves C.E.R. , Caceres E.N. , Dehne F. , Song S.W.
Published: May 2010

In this book chapter, the authors discuss some important communication issues to obtain a highly scalable computing system. They consider the CGM (Coarse-Grained Multicomputer) model, a realistic computing model to obtain scalable parallel algorithms. The communication cost is modeled by the number of communication rounds and the objective is to design algorithms that require the minimum number of communication rounds. They discuss some important issues and make considerations of practical importance, based on our previous experience in the design and implementation of parallel algorithms. The first issue is the amount of data transmitted in a communication round. For a practical implementation to be successful they should attempt to minimize this amount, even when it is already within the limit allowed by the CGM model. The second issue concerns the trade-off between the number of communication rounds which the CGM attempts to minimize and the overall communication time taken in the communication rounds. Sometimes a larger number of communication rounds may actually reduce the total amount of data transmitted in the communications rounds. These two issues have guided us to present efficient parallel algorithms for the string similarity problem, used as an illustration.
Single-Carrier Frequency Domain Equalization for Broadband Cooperative Communications
Authors: Yune Tae-Won , Seol Dae-Young , Kim Dongsik , Im Gi-Hong
Published: May 2010

Cooperative diversity is an effective technique to combat the fading phenomena in wireless communications without additional complexity of multiple antennas. Multiple terminals in the network form a virtual antenna array in a distributed fashion. Even though each of them is equipped with only one antenna, spatial diversity gain can be achieved through cooperation. In this chapter, we discuss relay-assisted single carrier transmissions extending conventional transmit diversity schemes. We focus on distributed space-frequency block coded single carrier transmission, in order to operate over fast fading channels. A pilot design technique is also discussed for channel estimation of this single carrier cooperative system, which shows better channel tracking performance than conventional block-type channel estimations. In addition, spectral efficient cooperative diversity protocols are presented, where the users access a relay simultaneously or transmit superposed data blocks. Interference from the other user is effectively removed by using an iterative detection technique.
Challenges and Solutions for Complex Business Process Management
Authors: Wang Minhong , Kumar Kuldeep
Published: May 2010

A business process displays complexity as a result of multiple interactions of its internal components and interaction between the process and its environment. To manage complexity and foster flexibility of business process management (BPM), we present the DCAR architecture for developing complex BPM systems, which includes decomposition of complex processes (D); coordination of interactive activities (C); awareness of dynamic environments (A); and resource selection and coordination (R). On the other hand, computing technologies, such as object-oriented programming, component-based development, agent-oriented computing, and service-oriented architecture have been applied in modeling and developing complex systems. However, there is considerable ambiguity involved in differentiating between these overlapping technologies and their use in developing BPM systems. No explicit linkage has been established between the requirement of complex BPM and the supporting technologies. In this study, we use the DCAR architecture as the foundation to identify the BPM requirements for employing technologies in developing BPM systems. Based on an examination of the both sides (BPM requirements and supporting technologies), we present a clear picture of business process complexity with a systemic approach for developing complex BPM systems by using appropriate computing technologies.
Dynamic and Context-Aware Process Adaptation
Authors: Adams Michael , ter Hofstede Arthur , Russell Nick , van der Aalst Wil
Published: May 2010

This chapter re-examines the principles that underpin business process technologies to derive a novel approach that moves beyond the traditional assembly-line metaphor. Using a set of principles derived from activity theory, a system has been implemented, using a service oriented architecture, that provides support for dynamic and extensible flexibility, evolution and exception handling in business processes, based on accepted ideas of how people actually perform their work tasks. The resulting system, called the worklet service, makes available all of the benefits offered by process aware information systems to a wider range of organisational environments.
Flexibility for Distributed Workflows
Authors: Reichert Manfred , Bauer Thomas , Dadam Peter
Published: May 2010

This chapter shows how flexibility can be realized for distributed workflows. The capability to dynamically adapt workflow instances during runtime (e.g., to add, delete or move activities) constitutes a fundamental challenge for any workflow management system (WfMS). While there has been significant research on ad-hoc workflow changes and on related correctness issues, there exists only little work on how to provide respective runtime flexibility in an enterprise-wide context as well. Here, scalability at the presence of high loads constitutes an essential requirement, often necessitating distributed (i.e., piecewise) control of a workflow instance by different workflow servers, which should be as independent from each other as possible. This chapter presents advanced concepts and techniques for enabling adhoc workflow changes in a distributed WfMS as well. Our focus is on minimizing the communication costs among workflow servers, while ensuring a correct execution behavior as well as correctness of ad-hoc workflow changes at any time.
Flow-based Adaptive Information Integration
Authors: Chiu Dickson K.W. , Trojer Thomas , Hu Hua , Hu Haiyang , Zhuang Yi , Hung Patrick
Published: May 2010

Assembling a coherent view of distributed heterogeneous information and their processing is challenging but important for inter-organizational business collaboration and service provision. However, traditional integration approaches do not consider dynamic and adaptive issues such as human intervention and exception handling. Therefore, we propose a Workflow-based Information Integration (WII) approach, which is particularly suitable in a loosely coupled Web services environment. Our implementation framework comprises five layers: semantic, application, workflow, service, and message. We focus on the workflow layer for providing adaptiveness from the aspects of various types of flows such as controlflows, data-flows, security-flows, exception-flows and semantic-flows by using the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL). We further extend this with our proposed data-integration, semantic-referencing, and exception-handling assertions in order to achieve dynamic and adaptive workflow-based information integration plans. We map information into SOAP messages and link the proposed exception-handling assertions in BPEL to SOAP-fault implementations. We also define semantic referencing in BPEL by using OWL Web Ontology Language. Lastly, we demonstrate the feasibility of our adaptive approach with an intelligence information integration case study at the application layer and examine some typical use cases of exception-handling with semantic support.
Addressing the Complexities of Global Process Harmonization
Authors: Fernandez Jude , Bhat Jyoti
Published: May 2010

Process harmonization is a complex initiative carried out by large companies seeking to standardize the process variants being executed by different business units across several countries or regions. Motivations for this exercise include cost pressures, mergers and acquisitions, customer satisfaction, need for agile and flexible processes, risk reduction in outsourcing processes etc. The complexity of this exercise is inherent as it involves multiple regions with special needs and characteristics, existing process and IT systems evolved over time, organizational dynamics around different business groups, etc. While a literature survey reveals quite a few cases of process harmonization, there are not many descriptions or research on the best approaches or methodologies to be used. In this chapter, we first define and examine the drivers of process harmonization. Subsequently, the challenges and constraints associated with such initiatives are identified, followed by some example cases. Further, we analyze a case study in detail to understand the practices followed. Based on these analyses, we propose a methodology to execute process harmonization initiatives.
Testing Complex and Dynamic Business Processes
Authors: Kunti Krishnendu , Majumdar Bijoy , Dias Terrence Bernard
Published: May 2010

In this chapter we deal with testing of business processes implemented using computer systems. We have discussed challenges associated with business process testing, identified aspects of business processes that need to be tested and capabilities that the testing tool(s) or environment should have in order to perform such testing. The chapter also discusses a commonly used software testing methodology in light business process testing for provisioning of structured mechanism for business process testing. One of the aspects of managing complex and dynamic business processes is making sure that the process delivers what is required of it at all times. Dynamics of the business may require frequent changes in the business process and whenever such changes takes place there is a need to test the process thoroughly to ascertain that the process is still working according to the requirements laid down for it. This becomes even more important if the business process is implemented using computer systems since over a period of time the computer software becomes more prone to error as it is updated frequently to accommodate the business changes hence the requirement for testing complex business processes.
Knowledge Flow Networks and Communities of Practice in Business Process Management
Authors: Khosla Rajiv , Chu Mei-Tai , Doi Shinichi , Yamada Keiji , Nishida Toyoaki
Published: May 2010

Business process management (BPM) is a common approach used in dynamic and complicated environment throughout the organizations’ operation. Knowledge Flow Networks (KFN) and Communities of Practice (CoPs), especially that resulting from innovation needs, is regarded as a BPM issue. It involves both personal and organizational aspects, and is an iteration of the transmission between explicit and tacit knowledge. We discuss business process management in the context of Knowledge Management (KM) and knowledge flow networks. KFN, unlike workflow, can often transcend organizational boundaries and are distinct and different than workflow models. In this chapter, we develop, implement, and analyze a CoPs Centered KFN model in a multinational organization. The CoPs Centered KFN model is underpinned in a CoPs model built around four organization performance evaluation dimensions and sixteen criteria. Many criteria and clusters need to be taken into consideration while establishing a CoPs model. For this purpose, fuzzy multi-criteria decision making and cluster analysis techniques for evaluation of the CoPs Centered KFN model are employed in this chapter. A Dynamic Knowledge Flow Activity Analysis Model is also defined as part of our ongoing and future work.
The Promise and Potential of Streaming Media Technology
Authors: Lassila Mindy Anneli
Published: May 2010

Information is a valuable commodity, but only if it is shared. Through diversified technologies, the dissemination of information has been made possible for a number of government organizations around the world, but for some, developing efficient and effective e-government systems poses a variety of unique challenges. Key demographic and economic variables, such as income, education, language, human resources and lack of appropriate products and robust regulatory frameworks for information and communication technologies (ICTs) drive the policy questions surrounding electronic commerce in government operations. These variables are important because they are the most likely to have a differential impact on the consequences of delivering new and progressive ICTs to various segments in developing countries. Described and discussed are the advantages and limitations of streaming media technology, a form of new ICT, and the comparative benefits it has in both developing and developed countries. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) serves as a point of reference, as for the role and impact ICT-specifically streaming media–can play-within a government sector. With limited resources,INAC, a Canadian federal government department, has improved access to information and enhanced communication by successfully executing streaming media technology in-house. The implementation of streaming media technology at INAC has resulted in a fundamental transformation in the nature of information and communication exchange within the organization.
Integration of Predated Notifications of Personal Actions for HR-Planning in ERP-Systems
Authors: Cissek Peter , Gomez Jorge Marx
Published: May 2010

This chapter intends to reveal the benefit of predated notifications of personal actions for HR-planning and discusses the interrelated demands on ERP-systems. If e-government is implemented, one has to think of rearranging the government’s HR-structure in order to adapt to the new circumstances, too. This means to take advantage of modern HR-methodology in order to become more efficient in HR-administration. One possible way in improving human resource management (HRM) is using predated notifications of personal actions for HR-planning. Human resource planning (HR-planning) is a component of strategic enterprise planning. It is fully integrated into the enterprise-wide planning process, because HR-planning is not only determined by other planning areas, but it also determines them vice versa. So the more precisely and comprehensively HR-planning is done, the more accurate derived key figures, which are used in other planning areas, can be. Governments usually deal with a huge amount of personnel, so HR is one of the main tasks in administration. Predated notifications of personal actions usually are known in present, but will be started in the future. In contrast to planning a personnel action the predated one will take place with the highest possible probability. An example for making the difference more clear may be an employee’s retirement. It does not stringently depend on the employee’s age, but rather on the person’s individual decision to retire. As a general rule, an employee’s intention to retire is already known about half a year before it takes place. If this information is used in the planning process, the company will have enough time to estimate the loss of knowledge or the cost-savings that will be caused by the employee’s withdrawal. In huge companies, HRM typically is supported by ERP-systems. The functionality offered by the software depends on the company’s needs and may range from a simple keeping of personnel data to a complex module called human capital management, which is used for payroll accounting, talent management, employee self services, and many more. If the decision-making body considers the company’s personnel as business critical, a lot of employee-related data is collected and analyzed, ranging from master data to planning key figures. This chapter will emphasize the importance of efficient HR-planning for governments in order to improve their business processes. It can be seen as one of the goals of e-government. It will be pointed out how HR-planning can be improved by using predated notifications of personal actions, so that HR-divisions in governments can use advanced HRplanning right on from the beginning when preparing themselves for e-government.
Collaborative Learning
Authors: Rahman Hakikur
Published: May 2010

Learning is considered as one of the potential tool to empower a community. Over the past three decades, technology mediated learning has been recognized as an alternate channel replacing/ supporting/ strengthening the traditional forms of education in various forms, especially with the advent of interactive and collaborative learning. Open and distance learning (ODL) emerges as a potential means of enhancing educational access. On the other hand, open educational resources (OER) emerge as a potential material of this new paradigm of knowledge acquisition process. However, the organizational learning at the peripheries and capacity development at the grass roots remain almost unattended, despite recognized global efforts under many bottom-up empowerment sequences. Social components at large within the transitional and developing economies remain outside the enclosure of universal access to information and thus access to knowledge has always been constricted to equitably compete with the global knowledge economy. Despite challenges in designing and implementing collaborative learning techniques and technologies, this chapter would like to emphasize on introducing collaborative learning at community level and improve the knowledge capacity at the grass roots for their empowerment. This chapter, further, investigates the relationship of collaborative learning towards improved e-governance. In the main thrust section, the chapter goes through various channels of collaborative learning, methods that could be adopted during the implementation, and technologies that could be availed during the dissemination phases of collaborative learning. Later on a few cases are being included, and before the conclusions, the chapter puts forward a few future research issues in the aspect of collaborative learning for empowerment of communities.
Knowledge Management for E-Government Applications and Services
Authors: Markellou Penelope , Markellos Konstantinos , Stergianeli Eirini , Zampou Eleni
Published: May 2010

The Web is revolutionizing the way citizens and businesses interact with government agencies and organizations. Nowadays, a wide spectrum of governmental services is available online in order to facilitate end-users and provide them with effective Web-based experiences. In this chapter, authors argue that the usage of knowledge management (KM) would greatly assist e-government applications and services. The basic aim is to point out the necessity of designing and implementing efficient KM e-government applications in order to improve public sector quality. In this framework, firstly it gives e-government and KM basic definitions. Then the chapter provides a review of literature and all these foundations upon which it is envisioned and then demonstrates the close relationship between the two issues. The chapter continues with the presentation of a characteristic KM conceptual model for e-government services. It examines the most interesting applications in the area, and finally demonstrates the barriers, the arising opportunities, and the key challenges regarding e-government and KM.
E-Participation
Authors: Demediuk Peter , Solli Rolf
Published: May 2010

Citizen participation in government decision making through online and other electronic technologies has been termed e-participation, and has the potential to facilitate better decisions, better citizens, and better government. The chapter examines the extent to which progressive e-participation practice interacts with local government decision making and contributes to the espoused benefits of citizen participation. The international case studies indicate that e-participation can inform the intelligence, design, and choice phases of decision making and transform the way future local government decisions are made by formalising new inclusive processes and building community capabilities and motivation. E-participation can positively contribute to community capabilities, political relevance, better problem identification, and more relevant solutions, but the initiatives studied were costly and resource intensive. These e-participation initiatives provide robust examples of utilizing progressive information communication technologies because of the novel ways in which technology is applied, and due to the significant affect on information flows and decision making.
E-Democracy
Authors: Christiansen Jo-An
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents a review and analysis of e-democracy conceptual models, terminology, methodologies, case studies, outcomes, future issues, and research opportunities. A critical assessment of credible research studies is provided to support a determination as to why and how information and communication technologies (ICT) can be utilized to expand the role of citizens in providing input to government representatives. The approach envisioned involves deliberation by citizens on issues of concern with subsequent dialogue between citizens, the government, and elected officials. The chapter addresses e-democracy in the context of governments seeking to utilize ICT to support a means of communication with citizens.
E-Business Perspectives through Social Networks
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh , Marques Elon
Published: May 2010

This chapter is focused on some of the current research being conducted in the field of social network theory. The importance of studying the social network concepts is attached to a better understanding of individuals and how and why people interact with each other, as well as how technology and the Internet can affect this interaction. The social network theory field has grown significantly in the last years, and the use of the Internet and advanced computing technology has contributed to new research in this growing area. The first aspect to be covered is the social network theory and some applications for social networks. Also virtual communities, as well as the control over communications tools through social networks will be discussed. Finally, the technology side of social networks will be presented, as mobile social networks, internet social networking systems and e-business correlation, social network software and future trends of social networks. The main objective of this research is to illustrate the correlation between electronic (e-) business (of which e-government is a subset) and social networking.
The Challenge of Bringing User and Development Communities Together
Authors: Koumpis Adamantios , Moumtzi Vasiliki
Published: May 2010

Work reported in this chapter relates with work carried out in the context of the European IST Project SemanticGov (www.semantic-gov.org). The project aims at implementing a set of advanced Semantic Web technologies for adoption in the European public sector to advance the level and expand the volume of e-government solutions in the EU. This research elaborates on the need to (re)position the idea of providing an advanced solution for an ideally functioning e-Gov island within a sea of noninteroperable e-Gov process frameworks, to become parts of open-ended ventures to allow the creation of collaborative networks for electronic governance.
Does the Technological Sophistication of a Firm Influence an Owner-Mangers Choice of Exit Mode
Authors: Ryan Geraldine , Power Bernadette
Published: May 2010

In a small firm, access to information is linked with strategic awareness, a growth orientated mindset, and better performance. The advent of communication technologies has significantly changed the amount of information available, how it is being accessed, and the cost of collecting and using this information. To exploit this resource, individuals, firms, and governments must be e-ready. In this chapter, the authors examined the technological sophistication of a sample of mature small and medium sized enterprises in Scotland and analysed whether there is a link between this, some other firm-specific factors, and an entrepreneur’s succession choice. The evidence suggests while firms located in urban and suburban areas have access to ICT and may benefit from e-government services targeted at assisting them through the transfer process, older more rural firms have limited access and will only benefit if government policy is directed towards providing ICT access and making them e-ready.
Toward a Roadmap to E-Government for a Better Governance
Authors: Kettani Driss , Moulin Bernard , El Mahdi Asmae
Published: May 2010

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a tremendous potential to improve the quality of people’s livelihood in general and especially in the developing countries. They can boost business, support education and health systems and also enhance the governance that is a major and vital factor in the development process. It is commonly agreed that e-Government systems enhance governance, but, unfortunately, there is a lack of empirical evidence to build upon this hypothesis, which, legitimately, creates reluctance among key decision makers, slows down the dissemination of technology as a decision support tool and as development enabler/infrastructure and contribute to the very dangerous phenomena known as the digital divide. In the context of Fez e-Government Project, that is being led in Morocco, in a close collaboration with the municipality of the Moroccan city of Fez, authors have developed a pilot e-Government system that facilitates citizens’ access to governmental information and services. From the outset of this 30 months project, the goal was to collect and analyze experimental data in order to see how the development/deployment of e-government systems impacted the governance process. This research has set up a methodology that emphasizes good governance at each step of an e-Government project and enables the researchers to continuously assess the outcomes of the resulting e-Gov system on governance. The ultimate goal is to reduce, as much as possible, the reluctance of politicians and decision makers and to contribute in the dissemination of technology for development purposes thru a scientific and proven methodology that systematically links e-Government outcomes to good governance attributes. In this chapter, authors present the main phases of this methodology and lessons learned during the e-Fez Project. This approach may benefit similar projects, especially in developing countries that are willing to create and deploy e-Government systems for the benefit of their citizens.
Determinants of E-Government Satisfaction
Authors: Ambali Abdul Raufu
Published: May 2010

E-procurement is an electronic purchasing or buying goods and services via electronic means. The government of Malaysia implements e-procurement systems in realizing the cost benefits therein. The government charges Commerce Dot Com Sdn Bhd to independent best practice of e-procurement that can meet the satisfaction of the business and nonbusiness citizens of the country. In the light of this, the chapter examines some determinants of users’ satisfaction and their relationships with e-procurement services. In order to bridge the gap between theory and practice, the study employs a quantitative survey analysis as its methodological approach. The findings of the research show a significant relationship between service quality, ease of access, knowledge, transparency, and security in e-procurement services as the key factors that determine the satisfactions of the service users.
Facilitating the Use of Intellectual Capital in a Matrix Multinational Organization
Authors: Thompson Alan M.
Published: May 2010

This chapter looks at the issues surrounding how to encourage the generation and manage the use of innovation within the organizational environment of being a flat, matrix-shaped, international services contractor. The influence of organizational structure on communication and trust is examined in comparison to traditional hierarchical-shaped organizations. The importance of organizational strategy, particularly in terms of how that strategy is communicated and how to manage when events disrupt that strategy, are looked at in detail. Organizational culture can rest on some more heavily than on others; how those responsible for sustaining and promoting a culture of innovation can be supported is the next layer analysis. Finally the skill sets required of managers are considered along with issues of motivation, influence and handling indirect sources of innovation. Illustrations of the issues and some solutions in action are taken from the company Production Services Network, (PSN) to build a bridge between academic theory and practical application.
Dynamic Capabilities in R&D-Networks
Authors: Juntunen Arla
Published: May 2010

This chapter addresses collaborative business networks at the level of industry/cluster networks, which is important and relevant from the strategic management perspective in several industries. Collaborative networks are seen to offer firms collective benefits beyond those of a single firm or market transaction. The author of this chapter aims to contribute to the development of theories of knowledge management, organizational learning and a resource-based view of the firm. The initial argument is that the characteristics of the task that organizations try to accomplish through forming a specific collaborative network influence the organization’s intellectual capital, the capabilities developed and required. This chapter is based on a longitudinal case study in the ICT-sector.
Intellectual Capital Measurements and Reporting
Authors: Cuganesan Suresh , Petty Richard
Published: May 2010

Multinational organizations operate across a variety of complex competitive environments. Achieving the right balance of global alignment and local flexibility is central to competitive success for these organizations. Viewed from an intellectual capital perspective, multinational organizations need to: design and execute appropriate structures and systems (structural capital); engage and align its international workforce (human capital); and, generate favourable relationships across the multitude of stakeholders it interacts with globally (relational capital). But in pursuing these goals, a number of issues and challenges are faced: How to make sense of intellectual capital investment decisions? How are they to communicate intellectual capital priorities throughout the multinational business? And, with what tools are they to measure and monitor investments and initiatives such that refinements and corrective action can be made? In dealing with these issues, intellectual capital measurement and reporting practices can help. This chapter presents the conceptual framework underpinning intellectual capital, discusses limitations with traditional financial reporting models, outlines the benefits of intellectual measurement, and reports and presents research on the perspective of finance professionals evaluating global companies.
A Knowledge Management Framework to Manage Intellectual Capital for Corporate Sustainability
Authors: Robinson Herbert
Published: May 2010

The significant development in knowledge management (KM) literature in recent years is a reflection of the growing interest to academics and practitioners/consultants involved in organisational change and business transformation. Knowledge is a major source of competitive advantage and knowledge assets/intellectual capital has to be managed effectively. The importance of implementing a knowledge management strategy to understand the relationship between physical and intellectual capital, to increase the market value of organisations and achieve corporate sustainability is examined. Using case studies of construction organisations and applying the STEPS knowledge management framework, it was found that there is a greater need for multinational organisations to implement KM. This is because they have knowledge that is diverse and geographically dispersed across a network of organisations. It is concluded that knowledge management has a catalytic role in developing intellectual capital to achieve corporate sustainability. The STEPS framework will enable multinational organisations to identify the reform, resource implications and the results of KM activities.
An Overview of International Intellectual Capital (IC) Models and Applicable Guidelines
Authors: Banegil Palacios Tomas M. , Galvan Ramon Sanguino
Published: May 2010

In line with the increasing importance of the intangible economy within the last few years, a higher number of models have been published. In this sense, the authors main original contribution when measuring Intellectual Capital is related to comparing and assessing the different existent Guidelines, unlike previous published papers.The purpose of this chapter is to present and compare some of the most recent and significant contributions from researchers to the field of the measurement and management of intangibles.
The Link Between Learning Capability and Business Performance in MNEs
Authors: Prieto Isabel M. , Revilla Elena
Published: May 2010

It is widely recognized that the development of learning capability is key to achieve a durable competitive advantage. This is especially true in the context of MNEs. When MNEs operate in disparate host countries, they enhance their knowledge bases, capabilities, and competitiveness through learning processes. The analysis of the relevance of learning capability to improve business performance and, thus, the organizational competence has been an important issue developed in literature. This chapter explains the link between learning capability and the improvement of business performance by comparing how the main dimensions of learning capability –knowledge resources and learning processesimpacts on performance, in terms of both non-financial and financial performance. It is argued that those MNEs with the highest levels in both their knowledge resources and learning processes obtain a superior performance.
Multinational Companies and Their Link to the Intellectual Capital of Territories
Authors: Sanchez Medina Agustin J.
Published: May 2010

Nowadays it seems to be widely accepted that a multinational company has many different environmental, economic or social impacts on a territory. Moreover, every region has the right to aim to achieve sustainable development. For those reasons, this work proposes a tool based on the territory’s intangible assets. This tool allows the management of the sustainable development of a region where a multinational company has located, paying special attention to the way that this type of company can influence the development of the region.
International New Ventures, Organizational Structure, and IC Management
Authors: Herremans Irene M. , Isaac Robert G.
Published: May 2010

Flare Solutions Limited is an entrepreneurial international new venture (INV). Of particular interest is the manner in which the firm developed a strategy by combining a special set of resources to provide knowledge products to markets in various countries. The firm realized early on that its knowledge, systems, and relationships were to be the keys to its success. With this in mind, the founding partners took steps to ensure that the firm’s structure and controls were conducive to management of its intellectual capital (IC). The chapter discusses the formation of the INV and the management of its IC in special ways to sustain its entrepreneurial activity. In part, this involved creating management processes consistent with its objective of creativity and innovation for the broad purpose of knowledge development. Consequently, the firm has been able to mobilize its IC to sustain its competitive edge in providing knowledge services.
An Application of Genetic Programming to Forecasting Foreign Exchange Rates
Authors: Buckley Muneer , Michalewicz Zbigniew , Zurbruegg Ralf
Published: May 2010

There is a great need for accurate predictions of foreign exchange rates. Many industries participate in foreign exchange scenarios with little idea where the exchange rate is moving, and what the optimum decision to make at any given time is. Although current economic models do exist for this purpose, improvements could be made in both their flexibility and adaptability. This provides much room for models that do not suffer from such constraints. This chapter proposes the use of a genetic program (GP) to predict future foreign exchange rates. The GP is an extension of the DyFor GP tailored for forecasting in dynamic environments. The GP is tested on the Australian / US (AUD/USD) exchange rate and compared against a basic economic model. The results show that the system has potential in forecasting long term values, and may do so better than established models. Further improvements are also suggested.
An Artificial Life-Based Vegetation Modelling Approach for Biodiversity Research
Authors: Ch’ng Eugene
Published: May 2010

The complexity of nature can only be solved by nature’s intrinsic problem-solving approach. Therefore, the computational modelling of nature requires careful observations of its underlying principles in order that these laws can be abstracted into formulas suitable for the algorithmic configuration. This chapter proposes a novel modelling approach for biodiversity informatics research. The approach is based on the emergence phenomenon for predicting vegetation distribution patterns in a multi-variable ecosystem where Artificial Life-based vegetation grow, compete, adapt, reproduce and conquer plots of landscape in order to survive their generation. The feasibility of the modelling approach presented in this chapter may provide a firm foundation not only for predicting vegetation distribution in a wide variety of landscapes, but could also be extended for studying biodiversity and the loss of animal species for sustainable management of resources.
Solving Complex Problems in Human Genetics using Nature-Inspired Algorithms Requires Strategies which Exploit Domain-Specific Knowledge
Authors: Greene Casey S. , Moore Jason H.
Published: May 2010

In human genetics the availability of chip-based technology facilitates the measurement of thousands of DNA sequence variations from across the human genome. The informatics challenge is to identify combinations of interacting DNA sequence variations that predict common diseases. The authors review three nature-inspired methods that have been developed and evaluated in this domain. The two approaches this chapter focuses on in detail are genetic programming (GP) and a complex-system inspired GP-like computational evolution system (CES). The authors also discuss a third nature-inspired approach known as ant colony optimization (ACO). The GP and ACO techniques are designed to select relevant attributes, while the CES addresses both the selection of relevant attributes and the modeling of disease risk. Specifically, they examine these methods in the context of epistasis or gene-gene interactions. For the work discussed here we focus solely on the situation where there is an epistatic effect but no detectable main effect. In this domain, early studies show that nature-inspired algorithms perform no better than a simple random search when classification accuracy is used as the fitness function. Thus, the challenge for applying these search algorithms to this problem is that when using classification accuracy there are no building blocks. The goal then is to use outside knowledge or pre-processing of the dataset to provide these building blocks in a manner that enables the population, in a nature-inspired framework, to discover an optimal model. The authors examine one pre-processing strategy for revealing building blocks in this domain and three different methods to exploit these building blocks as part of a knowledge-aware nature-inspired strategy. They also discuss potential sources of building blocks and modifications to the described methods which may improve our ability to solve complex problems in human genetics. Here it is argued that both the methods using expert knowledge and the sources of expert knowledge drawn upon will be critical to improving our ability to detect and characterize epistatic interactions in these large scale biomedical studies.
AGE-P
Authors: Salomon Ralf , Goldmann Stefan
Published: May 2010

Smart-appliance ensembles consist of intelligent devices that interact with each other and that are supposed to support their users in an autonomous, non-invasive way. Since both the number and the composition of the participating devices may spontaneously change at any time without any notice, traditional approaches, such as rule-based systems and evolutionary algorithms, are not appropriate mechanisms for their self-organization. Therefore, this chapter describes a new evolutionary framework, called appliancesgo- evolution platform (AGE-P) that accounts for the inherent system dynamics by distributing all data structures and all operations across all participating devices. This chapter illustrates the behavior of this framework by presenting several results obtained from simulations as well as real-world case studies.
Noble Ape's Cognitive Simulation
Authors: Barbalet Thomas S.
Published: May 2010

Inspired by observing bacterial growth in agar and by the transfer of information through simple agar simulations, the cognitive simulation of Noble Ape (originally developed in 1996) has defined itself as both a philosophical simulation tool and a processor metric. The Noble Ape cognitive simulation was originally developed based on diverse philosophical texts and in methodological objection to the neural network paradigm of artificial intelligence. This chapter explores the movement from biological observation to agar simulation through information transfer into a coherent cognitive simulation. The cognitive simulation had to be tuned to produce meaningful results. The cognitive simulation was adopted as processor metrics for tuning performance. This “brain cycles per second” metric was first used by Apple in 2003 and then Intel in 2005. Through this development, both the legacy of primitive agar information-transfer and the use of this as a cognitive simulation method raised novel computational and philosophical issues.
Genetic Programming for Robust Text Independent Speaker Verification
Authors: Day Peter , Nandi Asoke K.
Published: May 2010

Robust Automatic Speaker Verification has become increasingly desirable in recent years with the growing trend toward remote security verification procedures for telephone banking, bio-metric security measures and similar applications. While many approaches have been applied to this problem, Genetic Programming offers inherent feature selection and solutions that can be meaningfully analyzed, making it well suited for this task. This chapter introduces a Genetic Programming system to evolve programs capable of speaker verification and evaluates its performance with the publicly available TIMIT corpora. Also presented are the effects of a simulated telephone network on classification results which highlight the principal advantage, namely robustness to both additive and convolutive noise.
Combinational Circuit Design with Estimation of Distribution Algorithms
Authors: Valdez Peña Sergio Ivvan , Aguirre Arturo Hernández , Rionda Salvador Botello , Delgado Cyntia Araiza
Published: May 2010

The authors introduce new approaches for the combinational circuit design based on Estimation of Distribution Algorithms. In this paradigm, the structure and data dependencies embedded in the data (population of candidate circuits) are modeled by a conditional probability distribution function. The new population is simulated from the probability model thus inheriting the dependencies. The authors explain the procedure to build an approximation of the probability distribution through two approaches: polytrees and Bayesian networks. A set of circuit design experiments is performed and a comparison with evolutionary approaches is reported.
The Impact of Quality E-Feedback as an Element of Social Learning Theory Applied in the Context of E-Learning Communities of Practice
Authors: Gullett Evelyn
Published: May 2010

This chapter discusses the preliminary study of meaningful quality e-feedback as an element of social learning theory applied in the online learning environment, or a Web-based community of practice. This qualitative study compared the depth of e-feedback given by online facilitators on case study and discussion board assignments, how that feedback contributed to the learner’s social learning, development and growth, and how quality e-feedback influences the virtual social learning environment. This study identified seven criteria of feedback depth tied to social learning that serve online university communities of practice as a tool towards a base standard of e-feedback that encourages social learning and development of each learner.
Tackling Acceptability Issues in Communities of Practice by Providing a Lightweight Email-Based Interface to Social Software
Authors: Yu Chiu Man , Gillet Denis , El Helou Sandy , Salzmann Christophe
Published: May 2010

In the framework of the PALETTE European research project, the Swiss federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) is designing and experimenting with eLogbook, a Web-based collaborative environment designed for communities of practice. It enables users to manage joint activities, share related assets and get contextual awareness. In addition to the original Web-based access, an email-based eLogbook interface is developed. The purpose of this lightweight interface is twofold. First, it eases eLogbook access when using smart phones or PDA. Second, it eases eLogbook acceptance for community members hesitating to learn an additional Web environment. Thanks to the proposed interface, members of a community can benefit from the ease of use of an email client combined with the power of an activity and asset management system without burden. The Web-based eLogbook access can be kept for supporting further community evolutions, when participation becomes more regular and activities become more complex. This chapter presents the motivation, the design and the incentives of the emailbased eLogbook interface.