bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MONETARY POLICY AND HOUSING SECTOR DYNAMICS IN A LARGE-SCALE BAYESIAN VECTOR AUTOREGRESSIVE MODEL / PINIGŲ POLITIKA IR BŪSTO SEKTORIAUS DINAMIKA TAIKANT PLATAUS MASTO BAJESO VEKTORINĮ AUTOREGRESINĮ MODELĮ
Authors: Gupta Rangan , Jurgilas Marius , Kabundi Alain , Miller Stephen M.
Published: April 2012

Our paper considers the channel whereby monetary policy, a federal funds rate shock, affects the dynamics of the US housing sector. The analysis uses impulse response functions obtained from a large-scale Bayesian vector autoregressive model that incorporates 143 monthly macroeconomic variables over the period of 1986:01 to 2003:12, including 21 variables relating to the housing sector at the national and four Census regions. We find at the national level that housing starts, housing permits, and housing sales fall in response to the tightening of monetary policy. Housing sales react more quickly and sharply than starts and permits and exhibit more duration. Housing prices show the weakest response to the monetary policy shock. At the regional level, we conclude that the housing sector in the south drives the national findings in the sense that the response patterns in the South most closely match the response patterns in the nation as a whole. The West's responses differs the most from the other regions, especially for the impulse responses of housing starts and permits. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjama, kokiais kanalais pinigų politika (sukrėtimai dėl federalinių fondų palūkanų normos) veikia JAV būsto sektoriaus dinamiką. Analizei naudojamos reakcijos į impulsus funkcijos, gautos iš plataus masto Bajeso vektorinio autoregresinio modelio, kuris apima laikotarpį nuo 1986 m. sausio mėn. iki 2003 m. gruodžio mėn. ir 143 mėnesinius makroekonominius kintamuosius, įskaitant 21 su būsto sektoriumi susijusį kintamąjį nacionaliniu mastu pagal keturis statistinius regionus (angl. Census regions). Nustatyta, kad, nacionaliniu lygmeniu griežtėjat pinigų politikai, statoma mažiau naujų būstų, išduodama mažiau leidimų gyvenamajai statybai ir parduodama mažiau būstų. Prekybos būstais sektorius reaguoja sparčiau ir aštriau nei naujų statybų ir leidimų sektorius, o reakcija trunka ilgiau. Nustatyta, kad būstų kainos į pinigų politikos sukrėtimus reaguoja menkiausiai. Daroma išvada, kad regioniniu lygmeniu Pietų regiono būstų sektorius labiausiai prisideda prie nacionalinių išvadų tuo požiūriu, jog reakcijos pobūdis Pietuose panašiausias į bendrą nacionalinį reakcijos pobūdį. Vakarų reakcija nuo kitų regionų skiriasi labiausiai, ypač kalbant apie reakcijas į impulsus, susijusias su statomais būstais ir statybų leidimais.
MAINTENANCE STRATEGY SELECTION USING AHP AND COPRAS UNDER FUZZY ENVIRONMENT / PRIEŽIŪROS STRATEGIJOS PARINKIMAS TAIKANT AHP IR COPRAS METODUS NEAPIBRĖŽTOSE SITUACIJOSE
Authors: Fouladgar Mohammad Majid , Yazdani-Chamzini Abdolreza , Lashgari Ali , Zavadskas Edmundas Kazimieras , Turskis Zenonas
Published: April 2012

Asset management, as a systematic process of operating, maintaining, and upgrading physical assets, is an important element of decision-making in heavy equipment management and operation. Maintenance strategy selection plays a significant role in mining design. However, the nature of maintenance strategy selection is a complex multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) problem including both tangible and intangible parameters which are often in conflicting with each other. As well as when decision makers are uncertain in determining and defining the ratings and the weights of alternatives and criteria respectively, fuzzy theory provides an appropriate tool to handle the existing uncertainties. In this paper, a new fuzzy MCDM method based on the concepts of COPRAS (COmplex PRoportional ASsessment) and AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) was proposed to evaluate the feasible maintenance strategy. The linguistic terms are employed to assess the ratings and weights. Fuzzy AHP is utilized to calculate the weights of the evaluation criteria; then, the rankings of alternatives are computed based on fuzzy sets theory and COPRAS. A real world case study is presented to illustrate a potential application of the proposed model. Santrauka Turto valdymas, kaip sistemingas veiklos procesas materialiajam turtui palaikyti ir atnaujinti, yra svarbus sprendimų priėmimo sandas, reikalingas sunkiajai įrangai valdyti ir naudoti. Pasirinkti priežiūros strategiją yra ypač svarbu projektuojant kasybą. Tačiau techninės priežiūros strategijos parinkimo pobūdis yra sudėtingas daugiatikslio sprendimų priėmimo (MCDM) uždavinys, apimantis tiek materialius, tiek nematerialius aspektus, tarpusavyje dažnai prieštaraujančius. Kai sprendimų priėmėjui kyla neaiškumų nustatant ir apibrėžiant rodiklių vertes ir svorius, neraiškiųjų aibių teorija yra tinkama priemonė esamam neapibrėžtumui aprašyti. Straipsnyje pateikiamas naujas neraiškusis MCDM būdas, pagrįstas COPRAS (kompleksinio proporcingo projektų įvertinimo) ir AHP (analitinio hierarchijų proceso) metodais, tikslingoms nekilnojamojo turto palaikymo strategijoms įvertinti. Rodiklių vertės ir svoriai yra apibrėžti lingvistinėmis sąvokomis. Neraiškusis AHP taikomas vertinimo rodiklių svoriams apskaičiuoti. Paskui alternatyvų rangai nustatyti taikant neraiškiųjų aibių teoriją ir COPRAS metodą. Naujai pasiūlytas modelis pritaikytas realiam uždaviniui spręsti.
DATABASE MODELLING IN CARTOGRAPHY FOR THE “ATLAS OF ELECTION”
Authors: Dobesova Zdena
Published: April 2012

Today maps are prepared in Geographic Information Systems (GIS software) and based on data stored in a database. In the stage of the conceptual database design, the graphic editor of a database model is recommended. The structure of data is often under the influence of the cartographic requests. For example, new data may be added only for visualization purposes. All database structures for a base data and a cartographical data can be defined in a conceptual database model before creation of a physical database model. Database modelling is demonstrated in ArcGIS Diagrammer software in this article. Design of a cartographic database model for the book “Atlas of Election to the Olomouc Region Council” is used as an example. Moreover, steps of a model creation, detail structure and relationships in the model are also mentioned. The cartographical database model of the “Atlas of Election” illustrates cartographical influence to the database structure.
THE UNITED GEODETIC VERTICAL NETWORK OF LATVIA AND LITHUANIA
Authors: Aleksejenko Ivars , Sakne Janis , Kalinka Maris , Reiniks Martins , Kalantaite Ausra , Krikstaponis Boleslovas , Parseliunas Eimuntas Kazimieras , Petroskevicius Petras , Viskontas Povilas
Published: April 2012

A unified and continuous national vertical network is the back-bone for geodesy, cartography, civil engineering and global positioning. International institutions are working to reach homogenous and unified vertical datum all around the globe. Levelling evaluation on the border between Latvia and Lithuania is of particular interest. Connection between vertical networks is made in three places, so connecting lines construct the two first order levelling loops. A joined loop adjustment produces a good basis for analysis and evaluation of height connection between Latvia and Lithuania not only as neighbouring countries but also as parties to the EVRS.
Fragilité des États, indicateurs de gouvernance et risque de guerre civile
Authors: Fearon James D.
Published: April 2012

Résumé Dans cet article, l’auteur examine si de faibles valeurs des indicateurs de gouvernance tels que l’indice CPIA (Country Policy and Institutional Assessment), les Indicateurs de gouvernance mondiale (WGI), et l’indice International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) prédisent un risque élevé de violence civile les années suivantes. L’existence d’une relation bidimensionnelle ne serait pas surprenante, étant donné que les indicateurs de gouvernance sont significativement corrélés avec le revenu par tête et que la guerre civile est plus courante dans les pays pauvres. Les résultats montrent qu’un pays qui, une année, est jugé avoir une gouvernance plus mauvaise que celle attendue étant donné son niveau de revenu, court un risque plus important de déclenchement d’une guerre civile dans les cinq à dix années à venir.
Tendencias actuales en la investigación sobre corrosión de armaduras
Authors: Andrade Carmen
Published: April 2012

El fenómeno de la corrosión de armaduras en hormigón, en los últimos 20 años, ha pasado a ser un problema económico de primera magnitud por los costos que supone para algunos Gobiernos la reparación y el mantenimiento de muchas Obras Públicas.
En el presente artículo se hacen unas breves referencias a las causas más frecuentes que provocan esta corrosión y se dan algunas cifras ofrecidas por investigadores norteamericanos sobre los costos en reparación de puentes de hormigón armado. Finalmente, se comentan las líneas de investigación que, a juicio de los autores, son prioritarias en esta materia.
El IETcc y la ATEP
Authors: Arredondo F.
Published: April 2012

En este artículo se relata la historia de la Asociación Técnica Española del Pretensado (ATEP), durante sus casi cuarenta años de edad, y su estrecha vinculación con el Instituto Eduardo Torroja.
El vidrio en la arquitectura
Authors: De las Casas Gómez Manuel
Published: April 2012

En este artículo se hace una reflexión sobre la utilización del vidrio como material de construcción, exponiendo, a través de distintos edificios y realizaciones, como se potencian y aprovechan diversos aspectos físicos y estéticos del mismo.
En el pórtico del templo de Apolo
Authors: Fernández Alba Antonio
Published: April 2012

El presente artículo plantea conceptos interesantes en el dominio de la filosofía del arte, en especial del arte arquitectónico. A partir de la etimología, su autor propone considerar la Arquitectura como un recorrido o itinerario de iniciativas figuradas, y considera que la proyección en ese campo lleve implícita la facultad de imaginar formas que sobrepasan la realidad, m trabajo, denso en conceptos sutiles, estudia el modo de proyectar actual en el contexto de la Historia de la Arquitectura, considerado como arte y como técnica.
Una ojeada al panorama arquitectónico actual
Authors: Fisac Miguel
Published: April 2012

La gran personalidad y espíritu polémico del autor de este artículo se manifiestan en el enfoque y en el planteamiento que hace de la arquitectura, como protagonista cultural y como rectora de las restantes artes plásticas.
Analiza un proceso creador, sus resultados formales y su entronque con la sociedad actual, y teme que éste se halle al final decepcionante de una etapa utópica de la Humanidad.
Por último, plantea un interesante interrogante y esboza posibles soluciones.
Evaluación de estructuras de muros resistentes
Authors: Lewicki Bohdan
Published: April 2012

El autor del presente artículo, una de las máximas autoridades mundiales en el campo de la Ingeniería estructural, señala la importancia de la intuición como componente de la capacidad creadora del ingeniero y su necesidad en el proceso de evaluación de las estructuras.
En el artículo se dan también unas indicaciones referentes a principios generales sobre fiabilidad de las estructuras de muros resistentes.
40 años (1948-1988)
Authors: Mas Vicente
Published: April 2012

Se hace una descripción sucinta de lo que ha sido, de lo que es y de lo que expone INFORMES de la Construcción, a lo largo de sus cuarenta años de vida, en los campos de la Arquitectura y de la Ingeniería españolas y universales.
Recordamos algunos datos históricos y los nombres de muchas de las personas que más han colaborado en su redacción y su difusión, sin otra pretensión que la de ser de utilidad a los especialistas a quienes va dirigida.
Panorama actual de la construcción mixta
Authors: Martínez Calzón Julio
Published: April 2012

Se lleva a cabo una exposición de la actividad de la construcción mixta en los últimos años, señalando dentro de los temas teóricos y de diseño las diferentes alternativas seguidas en Europa Occidental, Estados Unidos y Japón, tomando como referencia básica los resultados de la Conferencia Internacional llevada a cabo sobre el tema en Henniker, New Hampshire, en junio de 1987.
Asimismo, se efectúa una exposición de los principales tipos estructurales de puentes mixtos diseñados muy recientemente y se aboga por una mayor coordinación en la investigación y normativa relativas a la construcción mixta, tomando en consideración los problemas específicos de la misma: complejidad constructiva; interacción muy variable con el pretensado en función de los valores reales del módulo de elasticidad del hormigón, abolladura de sistemas mixtos, etc., en orden a lograr un aprovechamiento total y seguro de las amplias posibilidades de los sistemas mixtos en el ámbito de las grandes construcciones.
Las revistas técnicas. 40 años de una publicación
Authors: Pérez Arroyo Salvador
Published: April 2012

Constituye el presente artículo un análisis de la trayectoria de la revista "Informes de la Construcción", a través del amplio panorama que constituyen los 40 años que se cumplen en estas fechas, desde su aparición en 1948. Su autor, que posee la colección completa, demuestra haber sido lector asiduo permitiéndole realizar una exhaustiva revisión comparada con las publicaciones análogas del Extranjero, y extraer en consecuencia oportunas conclusiones. Finalmente, aduce unos consejos que seguramente serán muy útiles para el futuro de nuestra revista.
Sistema CAD integrado para la edificación
Authors: Recuero Alfonso
Published: April 2012

El desarrollo de sistemas CAD para la construcción no debiera ser muy ambicioso en principio, ya que esto podría engendrar problemas económicos y una falta de entusiasmo en el caso de que los objetivos iniciales no puedan ser alcanzados.
La construcción de edificios cubre un amplio rango de actividades y de ramas profesionales. De hecho existe un cierto número de aplicaciones que cubren los principales sectores implicados de manera satisfactoria e independiente. Este es el caso por ejemplo de: la topografía, la geometría, la estructura, las instalaciones y la organización. El Instituto Eduardo Torroja, conjuntamente con otros centros de investigación y de oficinas técnicas de proyecto, trabaja actualmente en un proyecto de investigación, cuyas grandes líneas se detallan a continuación.
La integración de las diferentes aplicaciones existentes se hará de manera progresiva con el estudio detallado de las bases de datos correspondientes y su conexión con una o más bases generales de datos. Se prestará una atención especial a la interface usuario computador Se especializarán los sistemas gráficos 3-D para tener en cuenta las diferencias que existen entre las aplicaciones mecánicas y de la construcción. Se investigará para mejorar la aplicación las de la construcción. Se investigará para mejorar la aplicación de algunos algoritmos gráficos; Los modelos de análisis estructural a utilizar serán eficaces y suficientemente complejos. Algunos problemas específicos, tales como las uniones de soportes con forjados, deberán ser resueltos satisfactoriamente. La introducción de técnicas de inteligencia artificial para la toma de decisiones relativas a ciertos puntos específicos presentan igualmente un gran interés.
Una propuesta esquemática para el análisis de la autoconstrucción en Latinoamérica como fenómeno masivo y plural
Authors: Salas Julian , Salazar Guadalupe , Peña Magda
Published: April 2012

La importancia del fenómeno constructivo, conocido como autoconstrucción, es especialmente importante en Latinoamérica: por su volumen cuantitativo y por sus muy diversas modalidades y manifestaciones. Los autores proponen una serie de clasificaciones posibles de la autoconstrucción desde los siguientes puntos de vista: como proceso, como producto; marco tecnológico y marco sociopolítico.
En el trabajo se enuncian once casos-tipo de procesos de autoconstrucción, en muy diversos puntos de Latinoamérica, y se analizan según los criterios previamente establecidos. El resultado, representado en forma gráfica, muestra con nitidez las diferentes matizaciones que pueden establecerse en el contexto amplio del mismo fenómeno: la autoconstrucción.
Mobile Media: Towards a Definition and Taxonomy of Contents and Applications
Authors: Scolari Carlos Alberto , Aguado Juan Miguel , Feij Claudio
Published: April 2012

The paper is grounded in the idea that a theory of mobile media, like that of any other scientific discourse, must be built on solid conceptual and taxonomical bases. Within this context the paper brings together previous fragmented approaches to studying mobile media, analyses them, and develops a set of definitions and classifications of contents and applications in order to consolidate the construction of a robust mobile media theory. The paper finishes with a reflection on the ongoing mutations of this field and their implications, suggesting that scholars need to rethink the basic concepts behind their theories.
Lessons from an Educational Game Usability Evaluation
Authors: Perry Gabriela Trindade , Kulpa Ci Costa , Pinheiro Eluza , Eichler Marcelo Leandro
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we present the results of a usability evaluation for Xenubi, a cell phone game about the periodic table. We describe and discuss the issues that we faced during the evaluation, which took place in a state high school. These issues are related to conflicts between the data that were gathered through video recordings and through a questionnaire. We also point to the poor performance of the game mechanics during the evaluation. This result was unexpected because the game had an excellent performance in the pilot test. Possible causes for these differences are discussed.
Next Generation Networks
Authors: Kariyawasam Rohan
Published: April 2012

At present there is no one definition of the term ‘International Digital Divide’. It is often defined in different ways, but nevertheless, factors that influence its definition include access to telecommunication lines, the ratio of internet hosts to GDP, and the level of development of the human capital base. The lack of a clear definition will have knock-on effects in the loan documentation of aid agencies involved in infrastructure development and capacity building. However, a clear definition of the divide could help to focus and better target the necessary investment to help address the inequalities the divide attempts to capture, particularly with the rollout of NGNs. This paper attempts to (a) provide a brief overview on the rise and structure of the internet and evolution to Next Generation Networks, (b) set out basic indicators of the Digital Divide and clarify the significance of these linkages, and (c) to review various definitions of the Digital Divide available in current literature so as to arrive at one new overriding definition.
Negotiating Meaning
Authors: Gonçalves Fernando Abreu , Figueiredo José
Published: April 2012

Using an ANT approach based on Programs of Action the authors explore the description of innovation cases to discover internal referents that conveys their meaning. This paper revisits some old and well known histories like the application of ecography to obstetrics and gynaecology and the making and evolution of the computer mouse. Finally, the authors change from these localized cases of innovation to other histories on a more global frame, that is, the cases of two firms, one in the semi conductor industry, and the other in the mould for plastics industry. These descriptions are used as a way to research on the building of an ANT view for engineering innovations and wonder at the ability in which Actor-Network Theory (ANT) adapts and conciliates micro and macro worlds.
Theoretical Analysis of Strategic Implementation of Enterprise Architecture
Authors: Iyamu Tiko
Published: April 2012

In the past and present, organizations experience difficulty in managing information, technology, changing from system to system, implementing new technology, maintaining compatibility with existing technologies, and changing from one business process to another. It is thought that these challenges could be prohibitive to the organization, and in this regard, many organizations deploy Enterprise Architecture (EA) in an attempt to manage the situations. The deployment of EA does not go without its challenges from development to implementation. This study focuses on the implementation of EA by using two case studies. The case studies are theoretically analysed from the perspective of Actor-Network Theory (ANT) to gain better understanding of the socio-technical influence in the implementation of EA in the organisations. This was done by following the negotiation process that took place among the actors, both humans and non humans.
Desituating Context in Ubiquitous Computing
Authors: Jonsson Katrin , Holmström Jonny , Lyytinen Kalle , Nilsson Agneta
Published: April 2012

Context awareness forms a core concern in ubiquitous computing and goes hand in hand with today’s extensive use of sensor technologies. This paper focuses on the use of sensors as part of remote diagnostic systems (RDS) in industrial organizations. The study shows that the process of desituating context, that is, capturing context and transferring it to another context, is critical for the successful use of the technology. The processes of capturing and transferring context are explored in industrial maintenance work through interviews with suppliers and users of RDS. To successfully manage the desituation of context, industrial organizations must find strategies of creating and managing a center of calculation, a center where the captured contexts meet and merge. To enable the long-distance control of the equipment, all data must be compiled into one manageable view without losing the specifics of the local contexts. The data collection must be designed with this in mind. Moreover, to bridge the gap between the digital and the physical world created by the new way of organizing the maintenance work, a new kind of maintenance network must be formed, one in which local technicians’ practices are reconfigured and instituted.
Negotiating the Socio-Material in and about Information Systems
Authors: Cole Fletcher T. H.
Published: April 2012

Recent moves to more explicitly account for the relationship between the social and the material in the Information Systems discipline, under the banner of socio-materiality, also imply the need for a closer examination of practice. Using John Law’s (2004) exposition of “method assemblage” as foregrounding and backgrounding a re-reading of Jonathan Grudin’s (1990) account of the various delineations of the computer interface is attempted. It is offered as a preliminary orientation to some of the native “ethno-methods”, (discursive and embodied practices) which might be deployed to negotiate sociality and materiality in IS and other technical arenas.
From Intermediary to Mediator and Vice Versa
Authors: Andrade Antonio Díaz
Published: April 2012

Assuming symmetry between human and nonhuman actors is a tenet of actor-network theory (ANT), i.e., an actor, anyone or anything that modifies a state of affairs. This symmetric perspective entails granting agency attributes to both human and nonhuman actors, an approach that has been often criticised. By means of a combination of research observation and participation, the use of electronic mail systems, especially the automatically generated “Out of Office” message, is examined in this article to emphasise the distinction between agency and intentionality. The fundamental assumption is that work practices are nothing less than technology mediated activities and the use of electronic mail and its multiple tools is an inherently sociotechnical practice. The notions of intermediaries and mediators are introduced not only to corroborate that the division between the social and the technical is artificial but also to reveal the difference between nonhuman agency and human intentionality.
Norms of Behaviour and Their Identification and Verification in Open Multi-Agent Societies
Authors: Alrawagfeh Wagdi , Brown Edward , Mata-Montero Manrique
Published: April 2012

Norms have an obvious role in the coordinating and predicting behaviours in societies of software agents. Most researchers assume that agents already know the norms of their societies beforehand at design time. Others assume that norms are assigned by a leader or a legislator. Some researchers take into account the acquisition of societies’ norms through inference. Their works apply to closed multi-agent societies in which the agents have identical (or similar) internal architecture for representing norms. This paper addresses three things: 1) the idea of a Verification Component that was previously used to verify candidate norms in multi-agent societies, 2) a known modification of the Verification Component that makes it applicable in open multi-agent societies, and 3) a modification of the Verification Component, so that agents can dynamically infer the new emerged and abrogated norms in open multi-agent societies. Using the JADE software framework, we build a restaurant interaction scenario as an example (where restaurants usually host heterogeneous agents), and demonstrate how permission and prohibition of behavior can be identified by agents using dynamic norms.
A Spatial Agent-Based Model of Malaria
Authors: Arifin S. M. Niaz , Davis Gregory J. , Zhou Ying
Published: April 2012

In agent-based modeling (ABM), an explicit spatial representation may be required for certain aspects of the system to be modeled realistically. A spatial ABM includes landscapes in which agents seek resources necessary for their survival. The spatial heterogeneity of the underlying landscape plays a crucial role in the resource-seeking process. This study describes a previous agent-based model of malaria, and the modeling of its spatial extension. In both models, all mosquito agents are represented individually. In the new spatial model, the agents also possess explicit spatial information. Within a landscape, adult female mosquito agents search for two types of resources: aquatic habitats (AHs) and bloodmeal locations (BMLs). These resources are specified within different spatial patterns, or landscapes. Model verification between the non-spatial and spatial models by means of docking is examined. Using different landscapes, the authors show that mosquito abundance remains unchanged. With the same overall system capacity, varying the density of resources in a landscape does not affect abundance. When the density of resources is constant, the overall capacity drives the system. For the spatial model, using landscapes with different resource densities of both resource-types, the authors show that spatial heterogeneity influences the mosquito population.
A Framework for Modeling Genetically-Aware Mosquito Vectors for Sterile Insect Technique
Authors: Gentile James E. , Rund Samuel S. C.
Published: April 2012

Vector-borne diseases account for 16% of the global infectious disease burden (WHO, 2004). Many of these debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases are transmitted between human hosts by mosquitoes. Mosquito-targeted intervention methods have controlled or eliminated mosquito-borne diseases from many regions of the world but regions of constant transmission (holoendemic areas) still exist (Molineaux et al., 1980). To eliminate these illnesses, researchers need to understand how interventions impact a mosquito population so as to identify potential avenues for new intervention techniques. This paper presents a software architecture that allows researchers to simulate transgenic interventions on a mosquito population. The authors present specifications for a model that captures these transgenic aspects and present a software architecture that meets those needs. The authors also provide a proof of concept and some observations about sterile insect technique strategies as simulated by this architecture.
Does Technology Acceptance Change the Way from CRM to Customer Loyalty?
Authors: Liu Yi-Yuan
Published: April 2012

This study explores the moderating effect of technology acceptance on the relationship between customer relationship management (CRM) in terms of distribution and tailor-made functions and customer loyalty in the banking industry. The author uses LISREL two-group path analysis to find the variances between high and low technology acceptance. Data collected from the customers of nine retail banks show that commitments have a mediating effect on the relationship between the tailor-made function of CRM and customer loyalty, while technology acceptance has significant effects on both relationships between the two functions of CRM and continuance commitment.
Enhancing Complaint and Problem Management
Authors: Juell-Skielse Gustaf
Published: April 2012

M-government is an emergent area for mobile applications, where citizens and organizations can interact with government and municipal agencies through mobile devices. One promising area for m-government is complaint and problem management, where mobile applications using the integrated functions of a cellular telephone can offer citizens convenient ways of rapidly reporting problems. The problems reported can then be effectively managed by the municipality using state-of-the-art workflow techniques. Furthermore, the municipality can inform citizens and companies of problems already reported or addressed, which can be visualized through interactive maps. In this study, a municipal e-service for complaint and problem management is transformed into an m-service and put into operation in a Swedish municipality. The experiences from developing the m-service comprise of a suggested design and several identified challenges. Suggestions for future research include the application of new technologies for positioning and the adaptation of the m-service to new cellular telephone models.
Examining the Role of Stakeholder’s in Adopting Enterprise Application Integration Technologies in Local Government Domain
Authors: Kamal Muhammad Mustafa , Weerakkody Vishanth
Published: April 2012

The realisation of innovative technological transformation in providing electronic services (e-Services) has often been associated with the presence of a number of prime stakeholders who perform their requisite functions in the organisation. In context of this research, the authors examine the potential role of key stakeholders involved in the Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) adoption process. Literature exemplifies that EAI technologies are large, comprehensive solutions that are complex to adopt and manage. Similar to adopting other technologies, there are several stakeholders involved with adopting EAI solutions, each with specific domain knowledge and expertise that are crucial to the success of EAI projects. In this regard, it would be judicious to give greater contemplation to research examining the role of stakeholders in the EAI adoption process in Local Government Authorities (LGAs). This paper applies concepts of the stakeholder theory to analyse the importance of stakeholders during the EAI adoption process with regards to EAI adoption factors. To conduct this research, the authors follow a qualitative multiple case study approach. Empirical findings highlight that each stakeholder involved in the EAI adoption process has a significant role utilising their expertise by contributing towards the success of EAI projects.
Strategy as Action
Authors: Zeleny Milan
Published: April 2012

In the post-crisis era, new concepts are emerging, while some old and dysfunctional ones are being discarded. Strategy is about making series of decisions that drive corporate action under specific coupling with company’s environment and context. Because decisions are actions, the strategy itself is action, not just a description of action. In the world of traditional strategy, descriptions (information) have replaced action (knowledge), and talk has replaced walk. We start from the premise that strategy is what company does, and what company does is its strategy. One cannot run a company just on descriptions and framed mission statements. The role of customers is crucial: the customer shapes strategy and triggers corporate action. Without respecting the customer, there is no viable strategy. This is why we label the action-based strategic thinking as “Anti-Porter”: consumers do not want tradeoffs and thus truly effective strategy cannot be rooted in Porter’s tradeoffs.
Toward Understanding Ethical Decision Making
Authors: Johnson Jennie , Coyle Tom
Published: April 2012

This paper proposes a step-wise methodology for the development of a scale measuring intent-to-act ethically, which is a step forward in the ethical decision-making process. To test the robustness of the methodology, data from two different populations gathered from 75 students and 181 professionals were examined to ensure reliability in ethical workplace scenarios. This research is relevant to recent issues like the current economic crisis lead by the sub-prime banking failures. The failures of Enron and Tyco are extreme examples of failure of societal members to act ethically. The construction of scale-measuring items was based on a theory of intent, and issues identified from the human resource management literature related to reasons employees do not report perceived unethical behavior in the workplace. Tested for social desirability bias, the results show that the proposed scale offers an improved reliability for assessing behavioral intent related to ethical decision-making. With these findings, this paper provides a tool for research that relies on a measure of ethical intent as a proxy for ethical behavior.
A Hybrid Multiple Criteria Decision Making Technique for Prioritizing Equipments
Authors: Jajimoggala Sarojini , Rao V. V. S. Kesava , Beela Satyanarayana
Published: April 2012

Prioritization of equipment is an important factor for decision making to optimize maintenance management in Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM). Many factors must be considered as part of the prioritization of equipment for maintenance activities. Consequently, evaluation procedures involve several objectives and it is often necessary to compromise among conflicting tangible and intangible factors. Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is a useful approach to solve these problems. In this study, a hybrid model is developed for prioritizing the equipment in hybrid flow systems. The first stage involves identifying the criteria. The second stage is prioritizing the different criteria using fuzzy Analytical Network Process (ANP), in which the weight of each criterion is calculated using modified fuzzy Logarithmic Least Square Method (LLSM) to overcome the criticism of inconsistency, unbalanced scale of judgments, uncertainty and imprecision in the pair-wise comparison process, then finally ranking of equipment using fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS).
Optimal Power Flow with TCSC and TCPS Modeling using Craziness and Turbulent Crazy Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Roy P. K. , Ghoshal S. P. , Thakur S. S.
Published: April 2012

This paper presents two new Particle swarm optimization methods to solve optimal power flow (OPF) in power system incorporating flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS). Two types of FACTS devices, thyristor-controlled series capacitor (TCSC) and thyristor controlled phase shifting (TCPS), are considered. In this paper, the problems of OPF with FACTS are solved by using particle swarm optimization with the inertia weight approach (PSOIWA), real coded genetic algorithm (RGA), craziness based particle swarm optimization (CRPSO), and turbulent crazy particle swarm optimization (TRPSO). The proposed methods are implemented on modified IEEE 30-bus system for four different cases. The simulation results show better solution quality and computation efficiency of TRPSO and CRPSO algorithms over PSOIWA and RGA. The study also shows that FACTS devices are capable of providing an economically attractive solution to OPF problems.
Congestion Management Using Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization Technique
Authors: Balaraman Sujatha , Kamaraj N.
Published: April 2012

This paper proposes the Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization (HPSO) method for solving congestion management problems in a pool based electricity market. Congestion may occur due to lack of coordination between generation and transmission utilities or as a result of unexpected contingencies. In the proposed method, the control strategies to limit line loading to the security limits are by means of minimum adjustments in generations from the initial market clearing values. Embedding Evolutionary Programming (EP) technique in Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm improves the global searching capability of PSO and also prevents the premature convergence in local minima. A number of functional operating constraints, such as branch flow limits and load bus voltage magnitude limits are included as penalties in the fitness function. Numerical results on three test systems namely modified IEEE 14 Bus, IEEE 30 Bus and IEEE 118 Bus systems are presented and the results are compared with PSO and EP approaches in order to demonstrate its performance.
Unit Commitment by Evolving Ant Colony Optimization
Authors: Vaisakh K. , Srinivas L. R.
Published: April 2012

Ant Colony Optimization is more suitable for combinatorial optimization problems. ACO is successfully applied to the traveling salesman problem, and multistage decision making of ACO has an edge over other conventional methods. In this paper, the authors propose the Evolving Ant Colony Optimization (EACO) method for solving unit commitment (UC) problem. The EACO employs Genetic Algorithm (GA) for finding optimal set of ACO parameters, while ACO solves the UC problem. Problem formulation takes into consideration the minimum up and down time constraints, start up cost, spinning reserve, and generation limit constraints. The feasibility of the proposed approach is demonstrated on the systems with number of generating units in the range of 10 to 60. The test results are encouraging and compared with those obtained by other methods.
Bacterial Foraging Optimization
Authors: Passino Kevin M.
Published: April 2012

The bacterial foraging optimization (BFO) algorithm mimics how bacteria forage over a landscape of nutrients to perform parallel nongradient optimization. In this article, the author provides a tutorial on BFO, including an overview of the biology of bacterial foraging and the pseudo-code that models this process. The algorithms features are briefly compared to those in genetic algorithms, other bio-inspired methods, and nongradient optimization. The applications and future directions of BFO are also presented.
Honey Bee Swarm Cognition
Authors: Passino Kevin M.
Published: April 2012

A synthesis of findings from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral biology has been recently used to show that several key features of cognition in neuron-based brains of vertebrates are also present in bee-based swarms of honey bees. Here, simulation tests are administered to the honey bee swarm cognition system to study its decision-making performance. First, tests are used to evaluate the ability of the swarm to discriminate between choice options and avoid picking inferior “distractor” options. Second, a “Treisman feature search test” from psychology, and tests of irrationality developed for humans, are administered to show that the swarm possesses some features of human decision-making performance. Evolutionary adaptation of swarm decision making is studied by administering swarm choice tests when there are variations on the parameters of the swarm’s decision-making mechanisms. The key result is that in addition to trading off decision-making speed and accuracy, natural selection seems to have settled on parameters that result in individual bee-level assessment noise being effectively filtered out to not adversely affect swarm-level decision-making performance.
Differential Integrated Circuit Package Antenna for RFID Reader
Authors: Wang Christina Junjun
Published: April 2012

The emphasis of this chapter is to introduce the design of the integrated circuit package antenna (ICPA), which is a compact and cost-effective antenna design method for RFID reader. The concept, the architecture, and the characterizations of the ICPA will be discussed in details. As differential circuitry dominates in RF transceiver integrated circuit design due to its good performance, microstrip antennas can be seen for use in radio systems with differential signal operation. In this chapter, the improved theory of single-ended microstrip antennas based on the cavity model is expanded to analyze the input impedance and radiation characteristics of the differentially-driven microstrip antennas and ICPA. The occurrence of the resonance for the differentially-driven microstrip antennas, which can be tuned by adjusting the ratio of the separation of the dual feeds to the free space wavelength, will be analysed. Furthermore, the frequency band selection capability of the differential ICPA will be presented.
Beam Forming Algorithm with Different Power Distribution for RFID Reader
Authors: Baki A. K. M. , Karmakar Nemai Chandra , Bandara Uditha Wijethilaka , Amin Emran Md
Published: April 2012

It is possible to achieve higher BE and lower SLL of array antenna by implementing different amplitude or phase distribution technique in the array antenna. The phase errors of the system should also be kept to a minimum in order to maintain lower SLL and higher BE. The phase errors can come from any of the stages: signal detection, MW/RF generation, amplifier/attenuator, phase synchronization, phase shifter, et cetera. The phase error can be reduced by using non-uniform element spacing. In this chapter some methods of SLL reduction and increase of BE by adopting some edge tapering concepts and minimization of phase errors by implementing non-uniform spacing of array elements are discussed. The spectrum below 10 GHz frequency will likely be congested, and the spreading of millimetre wave technology in different emerging wireless applications as well as associated increase in energy consumption will be witnessed in the near future. In this chapter some new and better beam forming techniques for optimization between side lobe levels and beam efficiency are discussed. Different frequency bands of RFID systems are also focused on in this chapter.
Wireless Sensor Network Protocols Applicable to RFID System
Authors: Azad A. K. M. , Kamruzzaman Joarder , Karmakar Nemai Chandra
Published: April 2012

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are believed to be the two most important technologies in realizing the ubiquitous computing vision of Future Internet. RFID technology provides much cheaper solution for object identification and tracking based on radio wave. On the other hand, data on various parameters about the physical environment can be acquired using WSNs. Integration of the advantages of both RFID systems and WSNs would benefit many application domains. In RFID system, either an active RFID tag itself or an RFID reader (reading passive or semi-passive tags) consisting of an RF transceiver poses communication capability similar to that for nodes in WSNs. Therefore, instead of using single hop RFID protocol, RFID networks can take advantage of WSN-like multihop communication, and in this regard a number of WSN protocols can be useful for such RFID systems. In this chapter we present possible scenario of the integration of RFID system and WSNs and study a number of wireless sensor network protocols suitable to use in RFID system.
Scams and the Australian E-Business Environment
Authors: Berzins Michelle
Published: April 2012

This chapter highlights the risks and benefits of transacting business within a virtual environment. It becomes evident that e-business has changed the face of consumer/business interactions. Substantial competitive advantage can be gained by a business engaging in well-managed e-business transactions, while consumers can receive benefits such as cheaper prices, a wider range of products, and more convenient shopping via the internet. The chapter commences with a review of the current literature on scams and online fraud, including an introduction to the role that social networking sites can play in facilitating online scams. Statistics regarding e-business transactions for small and medium-sized Australian enterprises are presented followed by the exploration of two specific types of scams: overpayment scams and online shopping scams. Reported financial loss within Australia during 2010 as a result of these scams totalled AUS$29,710,420. The chapter concludes with the identification of some preventative measures to ensure the transactions occurring in any e-business environment are legitimate, followed by some directions for future research.
E-Tailing
Authors: Chugh Ritesh , Grandhi Srimannarayana
Published: April 2012

E-tailing is gaining momentum in Australia as traditional retailers are moving towards the adoption of a clicks and bricks strategy. Electronic retailing or E-tailing can be described as selling goods to customers directly through electronic means. Although this Business-to-Consumer phenomenon is not new, it is helping retailers to conduct business online with virtual storefronts and to reach local and global customers who are disadvantaged by geographical and other distinct barriers. This chapter starts by detailing the current state of e-tailing with supporting statistical figures from recent research with a specific emphasis on Australia. Overall growth in Internet accessibility rates across Australia clearly demonstrate e-tailing’s importance to online customers. Literature review once again proves the fact that Internet not only creates opportunities for retailers but also poses many challenges. Further discussion provides an understanding of the suitability of the retailing channel for different products and services. This study then analyses the usability of Australia’s top twenty-five retailers’ websites focussing on website usability factors, such as navigation, searchability, purchasing, layout and clarity, information content, and web browser compatibility. Australia’s e-tailing initiatives might be lagging behind most developed markets, however recent research indicates that there is a significant growth in this online activity and it will continue to attract more and more online customers in the coming years as retailers jump on the e-tailing bandwagon.
Bridging the Digital Divide
Authors: Arikpo Iwara , Osofisan Adenike , Usoro Abel
Published: April 2012

This paper outlines the current state, opportunities and potentials in the use of ICT for education, R&D, and governance in Nigeria. It presents several ICT initiatives and the roles of some ICT bodies capable of bridging the digital divide between Nigeria and the developed world. Challenges facing the continuing development of ICT in the country are identified, and solution strategies to harness the full potential of ICT as an indispensable vehicle for socio-economic development in Nigeria are also discussed.
KNOWREM
Authors: Osofisan Adenike
Published: April 2012

Although information technology is facilitating knowledge retrieval and sharing, it is sometimes difficult to adequately map the decision maker’s mind-set into an appropriate object for information retrieval. Ontology potentially enables automated knowledge sharing and re-use among both human and computer agents; this is achieved by interweaving human and machine understanding through formal and real-world semantics. Thus, the combination of both graphical and mathematical model development was employed in the research with a bid to capture operational complexities and human issues and also establish rigorously defined formal definitions and mapping functions derived from the extension of the axiom of selection (or choice) and Object-Attribute-Relation (OAR) model. The research is relevant to knowledge sharing in and from developing economies where cultural factors may play their role by way of imprecision of information. Thus, the future direction of this research in fuzzy logic will tackle more the problem of ill-defined decision-making problems.