bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resource Control and Visionary Leadership: Two Exercises
Authors: Lindsay Cindy P. , Enz Cathy A.
Published: March 2007

This article describes two experiential exercises in which participants engage in Tinkertoy assembly tasks as a means of generating a discussion of complex management issues. "Tinkertoy Power" explores issues of resource interdependence and ethics, and "Blind Leadership" focuses on the importance of leaders' communicating a vision to subordinates. Instructions and procedures for conducting the exercises are included.
Led Like Sheep: An Exercise for Linking Group Decision Making to Different Types of Tasks
Authors: Dodd-McCue Diane
Published: March 2007

"Led Like Sheep" demonstrates how group decision-making schemes relate to the type of task assigned. Participants, working in groups of 5 to 7 persons, are assigned several different tasks that represent varying degrees of demonstratability. On completion of these tasks, groups share their "right answers"—which often aren't—and share their observations of the group decision-making processes that led to these responses. "Led Like Sheep" never fails to emphasize the extent to which influence and persuasion lead groups to a group outcome.
Teaching with Television: Assessing the Potential of Distance Education
Authors: Delbecq Andre L. , Scates Debra C.
Published: March 2007

Management education within business schools has been slower than other educational sectors in adapting television as a delivery system for nonresidential students. This article reviews diverse literatures and reports interviews with business school leaders to uncover the advantages and challenges of television instruction. Special attention is given to comparative learning outcomes and the extent to which televised instruction can or should deviate from normal classroom methodology.
Teaching High-Commitment Management the High-Commitment Way
Authors: Lawrence Anne T.
Published: March 2007

High-commitment management practices—including the use of self-managed work teams, broad job descriptions, performance-based compensation, and high levels of employee participation in decision making—are becoming increasingly popular. How can business students best learn to manage effectively in the high-commitment workplace? Drawing on the management education literature and the author's teaching experiences, this article argues that high-commitment management can most effectively be taught the high-commitment way by modeling analogous practices in the classroom and then analyzing the group's own experience to illuminate the distinctive dynamics of participatory management.
Reflections on Teaching a Large Class
Authors: Miner Rick
Published: March 2007

An analysis of large and small class differences is used as a framework for planning for and teaching a large class. Using this conceptualization, the process of developing and offering an organizational behavior class to 141 students is discussed and analyzed. Specific suggestions are provided to improve teaching effectiveness by minimizing the psychological and physical distances inherent in such an environment, redistributing resources, and increasing the personalization of the course. Various tactics and strategies are presented and discussed. The results seem to indicate that the framework developed and suggestions provided are applicable to other pedagogies and courses.
Pioneering Experiences in Distance Learning: Lessons Learned
Authors: Berger Natalie S.
Published: March 2007

This article describes the lessons learned from teaching human resource management via Web-based instruction. Three areas of recommendation are addressed: (a) communication logistics, (b) knowledge sharing, and (c) the benefits of conducting a pilot program. Although the specific content for this course was human resource management, the same principles for creating a valuable learning experience are applicable to any content taught via the Internet.
Setting an Agenda for Clinical Nursing Research in Long-Term Care
Authors: Haight Barbara K. , Bahr Sister Rose Therese
Published: March 2007

Twenty nurse experts participated in a four-round Delphi study to identify topics requiring clinical nursing research in long-term care. The Delphi strategy elaborated 265 items grouped in seven categories, with 73 items under the category of clinical practice. After four rounds, participants ranked the top-rated 50 items overall in serial importance. Nineteen of the 50 items were clinical practice items. A weighted rank then identified the top 10 items requiring investigation. Of these 10, the item deemed most important was patient-centered outcomes, an item subsuming all clinical nursing research.
Hospital-Based Nursing Response to Perinatal Drug Exposure
Authors: Nardi Deena
Published: March 2007

This study examined hospital-based nursing interventions used for the problem of drug exposure in newborns and their mothers. Although there are few published reports of treatment services for this at-risk population, there is a consensus among health care providers on the need for treatment and the type of services that a treatment program should offer. A questionnaire measured use of assessment tools for newborn drug exposure and maternal drug use, patterns of referral, and use of aftercare and community treatment programs. The mean number of policies was 2.5, and the mean number of services offered was 1.042, consisting mostly of referral to community programs after discharge. Results can be used to develop quality assurance programs to address this issue and provide a more comprehensive response to the problem.
A Comparative Study of Patients with Chronic Pain in India and the United States
Authors: Kodiath Mary F. , Kodiath Alex
Published: March 2007

Pain is the most frequently reported symptom in the health care industry today. Chronic pain in the United States costs millions of dollars annually, and its financial impact is mounting. For individuals living in the United States, chronic pain affects nearly all normal activities and often leaves the person feeling helpless and hopeless. Literature supports the idea that chronic pain does not have the same debilitating effect in the Eastern cultures as it does in the Western cultures. Therefore, clients from both a Western and Eastern culture were studied. This qualitative research, based on grounded theory, sampled 20 persons from India and 20 from the United States. Focused, open-ended inter-views were used as the major manner of gathering data. Although the condition of chronic pain was the same for each culture, there were significant differences regarding the phenomenon of chronic pain. This research indicates the need for health professionals to assess, implement a plan of care for, and evaluate patients' suffering and need for improved quality of life rather than focusing only on the elimination of pain.
Body Image Measurement in Overweight Females
Authors: Popkess-Vawter Sue , Banks Nancy
Published: March 2007

This article details two studies of the reliability and validity of three instruments to measure body image and suggestions for their use in interventions for weight control programs. Weight control programs often fail because there is no attempt to modify clients' negative body images; hence clients may regain weight to match incorrect images. Short, easily administered instruments, such as the Nash Body Image Scale, the Body Image Photo Technique, and the Body Shape Questionnaire used in these studies, are needed to evaluate clients' progress in weight control programs. Subjects were 120 women who were either satisfied or dissatisfied with their body image and weight. All subjects completed body image measures at the outset of the study and 43 subjects completed measures again to determine trait stability of body image at 1 year. Cronbach's alpha estimates provided evidence of reliability, with internal consistency coefficients ranging from .83 to .96. Validity of the measures was supported by significant correlations with scores on the Physical subscale of the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (r = .60 to .63) as sell as by significant differences on the three measures between normal-weight and overweight groups (Nash: F = 28.03, p = .001; Photo: F = 11.58, p = .001). Body image was found to be stable over the 1-year period on the Nash Body Image Scale and the Body Image Photo Technique. These instruments can provide valuable information and potential intervention content for practitioners and researchers alike. The three body image instruments discussed were found to have sufficient reliability and validity to warrant their use in practice and research.
Complications of Enteral Nutrition in Hospitalized Patients with Artificial Airways
Authors: Medley Faye , Stechimiller Joyce , Field Audrey
Published: March 2007

This study investigated complications of enteral feeding in hospitalized patients with artificial airways. A prospective chart review, using a descriptive design. was used in this study of 51 inpatients in a large southeastern teaching hospital. A low (5.9%) incidence of pulmonary aspiration was found Diarrhea was also found to be an infrequent complication (2%). The most common complication in this sample was interruption in continuous tube feedings: 24 patients (47%) experienced such interruptions, resulting in potential underfeeding. Further investigation of the adequacy of nutrition of hospitalized tube-fed patients with artificial airways is necessary to determine clinical significance.
Messages of Psychiatric Patients who Attempted or Committed Suicide
Authors: Valente Sharon M.
Published: March 2007

The stigma attached to suicide, and a qualitative analysis of psychiatric patients' suicide messages that emerged from a study of psychological characteristics and communications of suicidal psychiatric patients, are described. In this retrospective study, the suicide messages from clinical records of 25 suicide completers and a matched cohort of suicide attempters from a Veterans Affairs Medical Center were analyzed. A qualitative method developed by Leenaars in 1992 was used to examine themes in suicide messages. Analysis indicated that clear suicidal messages are sent by most psychiatric patients, and that some useful distinctions exist between messages of completers and attempters. Suicide messages offer worthwhile indicators of suicide that assist clinicians in their therapeutic and preventive roles. The themes of the psychiatric patients' suicide messages included unbearable psychological pain, interpersonal relations, and aggression-rejection. The present study enhances clinicians' recognition of themes in suicide messages and improves the estimation of suicide risk among psychiatric patients.
Contraceptive Use among Female Adolescents
Authors: Hewell Sandra W. , Andrews Janet L.
Published: March 2007

Teenage pregnancy continues to be a problem in the United States despite the availability of reliable contraceptive methods. A pilot study was conducted to determine the use of reliable contraception by teenagers following an abortion or negative pregnancy test. The results indicated that 96.6% of the teenagers experiencing a therapeutic abortion and 49.6% of the teens having a negative pregnancy test reported choosing reliable contraception after the procedure or the test. At a subsequent clinic visit, however only 27.5% in the abortion group and 5.7% in the negative pregnancy test group reported use of reliable contraception. Further research is needed to identify factors involved in teenagers' use or nonuse of contraception.
The Effect of Xanthines on Fluid Balance
Authors: Martof Mary T. , Knox Dorothy K.
Published: March 2007

To determine whether drinks containing caffeine and theophylline cause more fluid loss than equivalent amounts of non-xanthine drinks, convenience sample of 30 adults between the ages of 57 and 81 was selected Subjects were picked for 2 groups: those who had developed tolerance to these xanthines and used them freely (the X Group) and those who habitually omitted drinks containing xanthines from their diets (the NO X Group). Both groups consumed approximately 2 liters of fluid daily for 5 days. When overall means were compared by analysis of variance, the two groups did not differ on serum osmolality for Day 5, change in serum osmolality (from Day 0 to Day 5), adjusted I/0 ratio, percent weight change from Day 0, or percent weight change from previous day. Analysis of the same variables on a daily basis indicated that the X group was better hydrated on Day 4.
The Effectiveness of Stock Option Plans
Authors: St-Onge Sylvie , Magnan Michel , Thorne Linda , Raymond Sophie
Published: March 2007

Despite Stock Option Plans' (SOPs) widespread use, evidence regarding their use and their effectiveness is relatively sparse and typically relies on an agency theory perspective that emphasizes the principal's interests in a market context. This study focuses on the agent as an individual who is involved in SOP management. Eighteen interviews with senior executives were conducted. Their responses indicate that SOPs are used to (a) initially align management's incentives, (b) attract and retain key personnel, and (c)facilitate the payment of high levels of executive compensation. SOPs are successful when they are paid to employees whose actions influence stock prices. Our analysis suggests that no single theory provides a comprehensive explanation of SOP management. A critical assessment of agency theory as the dominant paradigm in executive compensation research and practice is presented, and the need for an integrated theoretical perspective for understanding SOPs is discussed.
The Biological Clock Confronts Complex Organizations
Authors: Fondas Nanette
Published: March 2007

This article argues that women's ambivalence about their work in complex organizations can be understood by recognizing that (a) an effemination of feminism has occurred, (b) "masculine work" requires "masculine work habits," and (c) a work-family mystique has supplanted "the feminine mystique." Implications for feminism's third wave and feminist management research are discussed.
Varieties of Dialectic Change Processes
Authors: Nielsen Richard P.
Published: March 2007

Five types of dialectic change processes are compared in the context of a Cadburys case study. The strategic change literature has recognized one type of dialectic process that it inaccurately refers to as Hegelian. Different dialectic processes often can operate simultaneously. Managers can make some choices about which processes to cocreate or work with. Effective intervention, participation, and change can depend on which types of dialectic processes managers choose to work or cocreate with.
Analysis of Failure Properties and Strength of Structural Adhesive Joints with Damage Mechanics
Authors: Chow C.L. , Lu T.J.
Published: March 2007

The present paper deals with the strength and failure properties of adhe sive joints weakened by initial imperfections such as flaws or debonding of the interface. The problem is analyzed by applying the principles of the newly developed damage mechanics with suitable modifications made to accommodate the inherent physical and mechanical properties of structural adhesives. The reduction in effective load-carrying area due to damage accumulation is represented by a symmetric damage tensor of second rank that is related to the decrease of elastic modulus via a hypothesis of energy equiva lence. Damage evolution is assumed to be controlled by the dilatational part of total en ergy. The model is then implemented onto a finite element program by using the updated Lagrangian formulation. A butt adhesive joint weakened by a central crack in the adhesive is subsequently analyzed to demonstrate the potential capability of the damage model. Detailed stress and damage distributions in the near and far fields are given as functions of adherend/adhesive modulus ratio. The issue of fracture initiation angle and fracture load is also studied by applying two novel damage fracture criteria.
Tensorial Representation of the Effective Elastic Properties of the Damaged Material
Authors: Lubarda V.A. , Krajcinovic D.
Published: March 2007

New representations of the effective elastic stiffness and compliance ten sors are derived using an appropriate fourth order tensor basis. This paper considers some of the typical crack distributions associated with an initially isotropic matrix and propor tional loading. Resulting isotropic and transversely isotropic responses of the damaged material are described, neglecting direct interaction between adjacent cracks. Derived ten sor representations enable easy manipulations and are particularly convenient in obtaining explicit expressions for the inverse operators.
Mechanical Response of Semi-Brittle Ceramics Subjected to Tension-Compression State. Part I: Theoretical Modeling
Authors: Sadowski Tomasz
Published: March 2007

This article discusses the construction of constitutive equations for the quasi-static deformation process of semi-brittle materials from the onset to the state pre ceding final failure. The simple connection between mesomechanical and phenomenologi cal modelling of damage is possible. The generalization of the damage measurement idea by unloading modulus [31] allows one to follow the whole non-linear unloading process in the multi-axial state of stress, specifying all mechanisms contained in it.
Mechanisms Governing the Damage Resistance of Laminated Composites Subjected to Low-Velocity Impacts
Authors: Lesser Alan J. , Filippov Andrei G.
Published: March 2007

The damage resistance and damage tolerance of laminated composites sub jected to low-velocity impacts are two major factors limiting their applications in load bearing structures. A current industry measure of damage resistance and damage tolerance is performed through Compression After Impact (CAI) testing. Although these tests are considered to provide a realistic evaluation of a composite's performance, translation of their results to actual performance in a structure is questionable since the test results are a combined outcome of the composite material properties, the specimen geometry, and the associated boundary conditions. In this paper, we present the results of an experimental in vestigation whose aim is to elucidate the mechanisms governing the damage resistance of composite laminates subjected to low-velocity impacts. Generic damage characteristics are reviewed and it is shown that they result from two different events during the impact pro cess. First, the laminate experiences a local failure which resembles a Hertzian failure process. This occurs once the impact load reaches a critical threshold level and results in a collection of oriented matrix micro-cracks resembling that of a Hertzian Cone shape together with pairs of intra-ply radial cracks. Next, as the laminate continues to carry ad ditional load, subsequent delamination occurs between the plies with the size of the delaminated area increasing with increasing load. It is demonstrated through these studies that the impact force is a critical parameter in defining the extent of damage in the laminate during impact as opposed to the impact energy in itself. Also, methods are introduced to
Guidelines for Cross-Cultural Communication Effectiveness
Authors: Ruben Brent D.
Published: March 2007

Among cross-cultural trainers and researchers, considerable attention has been fo cused on problems individuals encounter in adapting to new cultures or subcul tures. For the many volunteers and professionals who live and work in a cross- cultural setting, the question of how to effectively transfer knowledge and skills to persons of different cultural backgrounds is an equally great concern.
Achieving Balance in a Consultation Setting
Authors: Etzion Dalia
Published: March 2007

This paper focuses on how clients' perceptions of consultants' motivation and behavior affect clients' reactions to consultation. Eighty psychology students formed forty role-playing dyads. Each dyad played two types of consultation: person-oriented and problem-oriented. An analysis of "clients"' post-consultation questionnaires showed that, in the problem-oriented situation, perception of typical person-oriented vari ables has the strongest effect on reaction and vice versa. Results suggested that clients demand a certain balance between personal sup port and understanding on the one hand, and expertise, guidance, and decisiveness on the other. When the situation is loaded with one element, clients' reactions are determined by the presence of the other element. This phenomenon is discussed in relation to similar findings, especially in the area of leadership.
Essentials for Successful Organization Development Efforts
Authors: Boss R. Wayne
Published: March 2007

This study indicates that the purpose of organization development (OD) is to improve an organization's effectiveness in making decisions and changes and in reaching the full potential of the personnel. It lists objec tives of OD and ten essentials for successful OD programs. It also defines the essentials and explains the ways they add to the effectiveness of OD.
Establishing Guidelines for Differential Processing of Structured Experiences Based on Self-Knowledge Stage Theory
Authors: Ziff Joel D.
Published: March 2007

To establish guidelines for differential processing of structured experi ences, predictions for types of processing questions appropriate to indi viduals at various stages of development were based on self-knowledge theory. Two instruments were administered to 111 participants to test the predictions: the Experience Recall Test, used to assess the level of stage development, and the Mirroring Questionnaire, used to determine suc cess in responding to stage-linked processing questions following a struc tured experience. Analysis of data revealed a significant positive relationship between the self-knowledge stage and success in responding to questions associated with the stage. The results suggest that self- knowledge theory can be used to specify guidelines for processing activi ties to make them more effective tools. Implications for other aspects of counseling and further research are discussed.
Getting Your Way: A Training Activity in Understanding Power and Influence
Authors: Goodstein Leonard D.
Published: March 2007

Managers, in particular, need to understand the dynamics of power and influence in their organizations, yet very few training designs or strategies are available that facilitate the process. The few approaches that are available tend to be abstract and conceptual rather than specific and behavioral. This article discusses an activity in which participants are asked to identify organizational situations in which they have tried to "get their way" with superiors, peers, or subordinates. Participants are then asked to write brief essays on (1) what they wanted, (2) what they did, (3) whether they experienced resistance from the other person, and (4) what further influence strategies they used. Participants, working in pairs, score each other's essays by using a form that includes an analysis of the tactics. Each dyad then discusses the relationship between the status of the person being in fluenced, the nature of the demand, and the tactics involved. Suggestions for using this design are provided.
Task Performance Information and Leader Participation Behavior: Effect on Leader-Subordinate Interaction, Frustration, and Future Productivity
Authors: Watson Warren , Michaelsen Larry
Published: March 2007

Attribution theory research has shown that leader attributions of subordinate prior performance information influence leader-subordi nate interaction and problem solving. However, the effect of perfor mance information attributions in combination with levels of leader participation behavior on leader-subordinate interaction has received little attention. Leaders were placed randomly into high or low subordinate performance conditions, and the extent of leader partic ipation behavior was measured after the discussion. Two role-play problems representing different work contexts were utilized. Results demonstrated some support for previous research regarding leader attributions of prior performance and substantial support for the effect of leader participation behavior on problem-solving effective ness. Influences of the organizational context are discussed.
Social Information Processing and Group-Induced Shifts in Responses to Task Design
Authors: Bateman Thomas S. , Griffin Ricky W. , Rubinstein David
Published: March 2007

A repeated-measures control group experiment, designed in the group polarization tradition, revealed significant shifts in individuals' task perceptions and attitudes after discussion with coworkers. A process incorporating converging perspectives on task design—whereby employees form initial reactions to tasks, process incoming social information, and adjust their perceptions accordingly—is suggested. Impli cations for managers and change agents are discussed.
Faculty Career Strategies Preferred by University Administrators and Faculty
Authors: Bierly Margaret M. , Lewis Kathryn E.
Published: March 2007

Research is needed in a variety of organizations to identify similarities between super visors and subordinates concerning characteristics and behaviors important for subor dinate career advancement. The present research examined the match between university administrator and faculty perceptions regarding the importance of job performance related, power/political, and neutral faculty career advancement strategies. As hypoth esized, no differences were found on job performance or neutral faculty characteristics and behaviors. Differences were found in nearly half of the power/political behaviors and characteristics. The results are discussed in light of functional and dysfunctional uses of political activity within organizations.
Adding to Contingent-Reward Behavior
Authors: Waldman David A. , Bass Bernard M. , Yammarino Francis J.
Published: March 2007

Contingent-reward behavior and charismatic leadership were examined in this study of 186 United States Navy officers. As expected, contingent-reward behavior was significantly related to multiple measures of leader effectiveness. Hierarchical regression was used to show how charisma added unique variance beyond that of contingent-reward behavior for understanding leader effectiveness. Conversely, contingent-reward behavior had no effect beyond that of charisma. Results were discussed in terms of the potential need for charismatic leadership at various management levels to ensure effectiveness.
Values, Motives, and Interventions of Organization Development Practitioners
Authors: Church Allan H. , Burke W. Warner , Van Eynde Donald F.
Published: March 2007

A mail survey was conducted to empirically measure respondents' perceptions of the values, motives, and interventions of today's organization development (OD) practitioners. The survey sample consisted of 1,500 names randomly selected from three different professional organizations. Overall, 416 practitioners (27.7%) returned the questionnaire. Data from each of the three content areas were analyzed through: (a) factor analyses to determine the underlying structure and to generate subscales, and (b) MANCOVAs to assess the degree of differences among various types of respondents (e.g., professional association membership, gender, internal vs. external status) across the respective summary scores. In terms of the values of OD, results indicated that practitioners perceive the field today to be focused more on business effectiveness and productivity issues than on the humanistic concerns and orientation of the past. Although respondents rated interest in social action and helping people as the most important motivators of OD work in the ideal, exercising personal power and reaping the rewards of the consulting relationship were considered to be the more dominant motivators for people in the field today. Regarding interventions, practitioners reported engaging primarily in activities aimed at long-term organizational change, action research methodologies, and management skills training.
Correlates and Consequences of Protege Mentoring in a Large Hospital
Authors: Koberg Christine S. , Boss R. Wayne , Chappell David , Ringer Richard C.
Published: March 2007

Using a statistical model, this study examined the correlates and outcomes of mentoring among a sample of 635 technically skilled, professional, and managerial hospital employees (men and women). Whereas individual as well as group and organizational characteristics influenced mentoring, group and orgnizational variables accounted for more variance in mentoring than did the individual variables. Mentoring increased with the protege's organizatoal rank, with leader approachability, and with group effectiveness; it decreased as the protégé's tenure in the organization increased. Men reported more mentoring than women, and non-White minority individuals reported higher levels of mentoring than did White individuals. Mentoring was also associated with increased job satisfaction and decreased work alienation.
Moving toward Participation and Involvement
Authors: Zamanou Sonia , R. Glaser Susan
Published: March 2007

This article describes a communication intervention program designed to change the culture of a governmental organization from hierarchical and authoritarian to participative and involved. This cultural shift is then measured through a triangulation approach. Specifically, questionnaires, interview data, and direct observation were combined to study the areas of cultural change. Subjects completed the Organizational Culture scale (OCS) before the intervention and a representative sample was interviewed. Then, the entire organization participated in an organizational development program. Two years later, subjects again completed the OCS and were interviewed. The postintervention results were statistically analyzed and compared to the preintervention data. Finally, subjects were directly observed in the workplace. These observations and the interview data placed the results of statistical analyses in context by specifying and clarifying perceptions of change. Results suggest that the organization changed significantly in the following dimensions: information flow, involvement, morale, and meetings. Specific implications for management practice are discussed.
An Exploratory Analysis of Employee Participation
Authors: Coye Ray W. , Belohlav James A.
Published: March 2007

In this study, the key factors in Edward Lawler's conceptualization of employee involvement are examined with respect to program c participative management efforts reported by Fortune 1000 firms. The results support the proposition that the degree of employee involvement existing within an organization is related to both the use of participative management programs and average participation within programs. In addition, the results support the contention that measurement issues continue to hinder efforts to clarify the definitional questions surrounding employee participation.
An Examination of the Individual's Decision to Participate in an Employee Involvement Program
Authors: Allen Robert E. , Lucero Margaret A. , Van Norman Kathleen L.
Published: March 2007

Because employee involvement (El) programs depend on employee self-selection, it is important to understand the individual's decision to participate. Using an expectancy theory perspective, this study demonstrates that volunteers evaluate the outcomes associated with El program participation more favorably than do nonvolunteers. Furthermore, individual difference variables (locus of control and growth needs) are related to the individual's appraisal of potential program outcomes. The findings also indicate that El program participation is more likely for individuals scoring high on the locus of control (i.e., internals) and growth needs measures.
Formal Peer Mentoring
Authors: Allen Tammy D. , Russell Joyce E.A. , Maetzke Sabine B.
Published: March 2007

This study investigated several factors related to protégés' satisfaction with a formal peer mentoring program. These included the extent to which mentoring behaviors met career-related needs and psychosocial needs and the amount of time spent with the mentor. In addition, demographic variables and satisfaction with the present and previous mentoring experience were examined for their relationship to protégés' willingness to mentor others in the future. Results indicated that the degree of career and psychosocial functions served by a mentor were strongly related to protégés' satisfaction with the mentoring relationship. Also, willingness to mentor others in the future was related to protégés' gender and to protégés' satisfaction with their current mentoring experiences. Implications and directions for future research are addressed.
The Effects of Peer Feedback on Team Member Behavior
Authors: Dominick Peter G. , Reilly Richard R. , Mcgourty Jack W.
Published: March 2007

We examined the effects of peer feedback on subsequent behavior using a four-dimensional model of team behavior. Participants (N= 75) were randomly assigned to teams, and teams were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: feedback, exposure, or control. In the feedback condition, participants rated themselves and each other using a 24-item behavioral observation scale after completing the first of two decison-making tasks. Before performing the second task, they received individualized feedback reports summarizing their self- and peer ratings. Those assigned to the exposure condition completed the behavioral observation scale after the first task but did not receive feedback. The second task was videotaped and rated by experts blind to experimental condition. Results showed significantly higher ratings for participants in the feedback and exposure conditions. The findings extend previous research on multisource feed-back by isolating exposure to key behaviors as an important variable in behavioral improvement.
Plasticity in Value Systems and its Role in Adaptive Behavior
Authors: Sporns Olaf , Almássy Nikolaus , Edelman Gerald M.
Published: March 2007

Adaptive behavior requires the sensing of salient behavioral consequences which can act to modulate changes in neural connections linking sensory and motor structures. In previous work, we proposed that salient sensory events trigger neuronal value systems capable of modulating synaptic plasticity. Here, we investigate the capacity of value systems to modulate their own responses in the context of various conditioning tasks. To this end, we implement a modifiable value system incorporating anatomical and physiological properties within Darwin V, a neuronal model embedded in a mobile real world device. While exploring an environment containing stimulus objects, Darwin V's visual maps develop object-related neuronal responses. Phasic responses of a value system initially triggered only by object-"taste" (innate value) modulate changes in connections between visual and motor neurons, thus linking specific visual responses to appropriate motor outputs. Over time, Darwin V is able behaviorally to discriminate between "striped" objects with positive value (appetitive behavior) and objects with "blobs" with negative value (aversive behavior) based on vision alone. In parallel with modification of visuo-motor connections, value-dependent modification also occurs in connections from visual sensory maps to the value system itself. As a result, visual activity patterns become able directly to trigger value signals (acquired value). If acquired value is disabled, transfer of the value signal to stimuli preceding innately salient events does not occur, and behavioral responses due to aversive conditioning are subject to rapid extinction. If an auditory signal reliably precedes the visual appearance of an aversive object, Darwin V could be conditioned first to reject the object based on vision (primary conditioning), and subsequently based on sound alone (secondary conditioning). We compare the functional characteristics of value-dependent learning to formal notions of reinforcement learning. We suggest that plasticity in sensory afferents to value systems may provide a neurobiological basis for mediating the changing effects of saliency on adaptive behavioral responses.
Learning Plans without a priori Knowledge
Authors: Sun Ron , Sessions Chad
Published: March 2007

This paper is concerned with the autonomous learning of plans in probabilistic domains with out a priori domain-specific knowledge. In contrast to existing reinforcement learning algorithms that generate only reactive plans, and existing probabilistic planning algorithms that require a sub stantial amount of a priori knowledge in order to plan, a two-stage bottom-up process is devised in which first reinforcement learning/dynamic programming is applied, without the use of a pri ori domain-specific knowledge, to acquire a reactive plan, and then explicit plans are extracted from the reactive plan. Several options for plan extraction are examined, each of which is based on a beam search that performs temporal projection in a restricted fashion, guided by the value functions resulting from reinforcement learning/dynamic programming. Some completeness and soundness results are given. Examples in several domains are discussed that together demonstrate the working of the proposed model.
Collective Robotics: From Social Insects to Robots
Authors: Kube C. Ronald , Hong Zhang
Published: March 2007

Achieving tasks with multiple robots will require a control system that is both simple and scalable as the number of robots increases. Collective behavior as demonstrated by social insects is a form of decentralized control that may prove useful in controlling multiple robots. Nature's several examples of collective behavior have motivated our approach to controlling a multiple robot system using a group behavior. Our mechanisms, used to invoke the group behavior, allow the system of robots to perform tasks without centralized control or explicit communication. We have constructed a system of five mobile robots capable of achieving simple collective tasks to verify the results obtained in simulation. The results suggest that decentralized control without explicit communication can be used to perform cooperative tasks requiring a collective behavior.
Walking: A Complex Behavior Controlled by Simple Networks
Authors: Cruse H. , Bartling Ch. , Dreifert M. , Schmitz J. , Brunn D.E. , Dean J. , Kindermann T.
Published: March 2007

Understanding how behavior is controlled requires that modeling be combined with behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroanatomical investigations. One problem in studying motor systems is that they have considerable autonomy; they are not driven solely by inputs. Choosing walking as the object of study is promising because it is a comparably simple and easy-to-elicit behavior, but it exhibits the special feature of most motor behavior—the interaction between central, autonomous components and peripheral, sensory influences. This article reviews the control of walking in stick insects, beginning with behavioral studies of single-leg control and the interleg coordinating mechanisms. These behavioral results are tested and supported by modeling the control system in an artificial neural network computer simulation and a six-legged robot. Supporting neurophysiological results also are considered. Together, the results indicate that the high flexibility and adaptability is based on a simple distributed control structure.
HQ-Learning
Authors: Wiering Marco , Schmidhuber Jürgen
Published: March 2007

HQ-learning is a hierarchical extension of Q(λ)-learning designed to solve certain types of partially observable Markov decision problems (POMDPs). HQ automatically decomposes POMDPs into sequences of simpler subtasks that can be solved by memoryless policies learnable by reactive subagents. HQ can solve partially observable mazes with more states than those used in most previous POMDP work.
Architecture of Product Family: Fundamentals and Methodology
Authors: Du Xuehong , Jiao Jianxin , Tseng Mitchell M.
Published: March 2007

The rationale of developing product families with respect to satisfying diverse customer needs with reasonable costs, i.e., mass customization, has been well recognized in both industry and academia. Earlier research often highlights isolated and successful empirical studies with limited attempt to explore the theoretical foundations surrounding this economically important class of engineering design problem. This paper investigates the fundamental issues underlying product family development. The concept of Architecture of Product Family (APF) is introduced as a conceptual structure and overall logical organization of generating a family of products. APF constructs, including common bases, differentiation enablers, and configuration mechanisms, are discussed from both sales and engineering perspectives. Also discussed are variety generation methods with regard to producing custom products based on the modular product architecture and configure-to-order product development. To support APF-based product family design, a Generic Product Structure (GPS) is proposed as the platform for tailoring products to individual customer needs and generating product variants. A case study of an industrial example is also presented to illustrate the feasibility and potential of the proposed methodology.
Concurrent Engineering: Enabling Traceability and Mutual Understanding
Authors: Pohl Klaus , Jacobs Stephan
Published: March 2007

Concurrent engineering requires the cooperation of people coming from different phases of the engineering process. Traceability between the different views (products), which exist in such cross-functional teams, is essential for enabling mutual understanding. Moreover, the different views must be related to each other and must be presented in a suitable way to support finding and resolving of inconsistencies, conflicts, and different opportunities. We have developed and implemented a concurrent engineering environment, called PRO-ART, which is based on four main ideas:

• record, use, and maintain the various products using formal product models;

• capture the relationships between the products detected during process performance;

• present the relations based on the ideas of the House of Quality (Co Decide);

• provide a computer based environment, which hides the formal models and automates the recording of products and their interrelations.

The recording and situated retrieval of the information is enabled by a deductive and object oriented repository.
Product Development in a Collaborative Design Environment
Authors: Roy U. , Bharadwaj B. , Kodkani S.S. , Cargian M.
Published: March 2007

This paper reports the development of a collaborative product development environment using multi-disciplinary analysis and de sign (MAD) technology and the information infrastructure of the WWW/Internet. The proposed product development environment provides a two level hierarchical setup for product development within the framework of a collaborative product development (CPD) system through the collocation of product designers (first level) and design services (second level). The prototype CPD system offers the following facilities for web based product development: (1) an environment for the visual presentation, interactive refinement and specification of product specifi cations on VRML based sharable CAD models on the web, (2) web integrated product design data management system for supporting CPD tasks, and (3) web based design and manufacturability analysis. The prototype CPD system has been implemented using a variety of com mercial packages such as I-DEAS and CastCHECK, and programming languages such as JAVA, C, PERL and FORTRAN77 and also en compasses a collection of web servers on different computing platforms such as SUN, DEC-Alpha and Windows NT workstations
Coordination in CE Systems: An Approach Based on the Management of Dependences between Activities
Authors: Lizotte Sylvain , Chaib-draa Brahim
Published: March 2007

Coordination is a crucial problem in CE systems and it is neither easy to obtain nor to maintain. Our work is an attempt to develop a general model for coordination which can be adapted for some situations in the context of CE. For this purpose, the coordination definition developed by Malone [25] has been adopted. Coordination is then defined as the process of managing dependencies between activities. In this context, a theoretical model is presented that allows one to determine how to model an agent's activities and how to detect dependen cies between those activities. In our model, major concepts are developed in terms of components of coordination, situations of coordina tion, coordination mechanisms and the coordination process. In this paper, we detail this model and then, we present an illustrative example and finally, we identify the current status and the future evolution of our approach.
Analysis of Concurrent Engineering Applications in the Information Quality Process
Authors: Ghahramani Bahador
Published: March 2007

This paper analyzes a concurrent engineering (CE) approach to the information quality process. The utility of the information quality process (IQP) is assessed. As part of this analysis, various scientific techniques, such as statistical quality control (SQC) and opera tions research are used to improve the quality of an information system process.
Design Automation with the Aids of Multiple Artificial Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Su Daizhong
Published: March 2007

In most cases, to design a product through the process of total design is a tedious task. In order to speed up the process and hence to reduce time to market, an intelligent integrated system (IIS) approach has been developed to integrate various stages in total de sign process, including conceptual design, detail design and manufacture. The integration is achieved by blending multiple artificial intelli gent (AI) techniques and CAD/CAE/CAM packages into a single environment. The Al techniques utilised in the approach include knowledge-based systems, artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms. The IIS has been applied in mechanical power transmission system design, which approves that the approach is a powerful tool for design automation. Wthin the IIS environment, the multiple Al tech niques coexist and complement each other, and thus their drawbacks are eliminated and their advantages are maximised.
Modelling Concurrent Engineering Projects Under Uncertainty
Authors: Kara S. , Kayis B. , Kaebernick H.
Published: March 2007

Concurrent Engineering (CE) is known for its ability to reduce product development time and cost, while it increases quality. CE achieves this by overlapping the activities and executing them in parallel. This requires careful planning and organisation prior to im plementing CE projects, otherwise it may cause delays in project completion and deterioration in project performance due to uncertain ties in the process. In this paper, a probabilistic mathematical model fitted to the precedence relations is proposed to estimate the project completion time under uncertainty while simulating the randomness in the process.
Applying Relapse Intervention Strategies to Habitual Health Problems in the Family
Authors: Carich Mark S. , Stone Mark H.
Published: March 2007

Relapse prevention (RP) has been a popular treatment approach to help clients maintain treatment gains. Although RP has not been extensively applied to families, it has been extensively applied to sex offenders and substance abusers. A variation of RP, the Relapse Prevention Model was developed by the authors to initially treat sex offenders and clients with habitual problematic patterns. Emphasis with the Relapse Prevention Model is on the following elements: identifying cycles and actively intervening by using specific coping skills. The theoretical basis is outlined. In this article, applications of the Relapse Prevention Model are discussed pertaining to habitual health problems within the family.