bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TASK GENERATION FOR DISTRIBUTED FUNCTIONAL MODEL
Authors: SERA TAKAFUMI , TAKURA AKIRA
Published: September 2004

A new method is proposed to automatically generate the network control specifications necessary for executing services in a network from communications service specifications by using a knowledge of virtual resource that expresses logical functions in a network. Because these communication service specifications are described by observable terminal behaviors, the communication service specifications can be described without detailed knowledge of the network. The conventional stepwise description for network control specifications is manually performed for each network architecture. Then an expert, who has thorough knowledge of networks, must make a detailed design to comply with the requests of network architecture. Then an expert, who has thorough knowledge of internal networks, must make a detailed design to comply with the requests of network architecture. An expert can define in advance the relationship between a service state and a virtual resource and the relationship between a state transition of a virtual resource and task components and can store this knowledge in a database. Communications service specifications can be described without detailed knowledge of the network, and the network control specifications of the network can be derived from the communication service specifications.
SOFTWARE SYNTHESIS SHELL SOFTEXSHELL AND ITS APPLICATION TO SWITCHING SERVICE SOFTWARE
Authors: YAMANOUCHI TORU , SATO AKIYOSHI , WATANABE MASANOBU , WATANABE HIROYUKI , YAMANAKA HIROMITSU
Published: September 2004

To improve the productivity and quality of software development, a software synthesis shell called SOFTEXSHELL has been developed. SOFTEXSHELL is a tool kit with a transformation system based on a term rewriting system, a language DSL/C++ for defining transformation rules as well as a specification language for a specific software model, and a rule verification system which supports development of correct transformation rules. The system is designed to provide an environment which enables a broad range of software engineers to construct software synthesis systems for their domains. To evaluate how effectively SOFTEXSHELL does this, a software synthesis system for switching scenario software was developed by two switching software specialists without prior software synthesis experience. After a four-month prototype development period, a practical software synthesis system for switching service software was developed in eight months. The developed software synthesis system, SOFTEX/EX, has been utilized for developing six switching systems. Generated programs, including 272,000 steps in total, have been in daily operation. Based on the development process and developed system results, we conclude that SOFTEXSHELL enables software engineers, without prior software synthesis experience, to develop useful and efficient software synthesis systems.
THE MODAL LOGIC AND FUZZY COGNITIVE MAPS IN TELEPRESENCE
Authors: SILVA PAULO CAMARGO
Published: September 2004

Telepresence is constituted of a robotic system controlled by a human operator at a remote control station. In these systems the human operator is immerse in a virtual reality and the robot is controlled at distance by human operator. Often the human operator has that repeat tasks through robot. In this article we propose that the telepresence can use semi-autonomous (semi-reactive) robots, that execute the tasks that the operator repeats often, However, to create a relationship between the human operator and the semi-autonomous (semi-reactive) robot, it is necessary to develop a logic that combines the knowledge of the reactive robot and the knowledge of the human operator. On the other hand, in the last years we have seen the possibility to structure virtual worlds with Fuzzy Cognitive Maps. These maps can model virtual worlds with numerous actors. Moreover these FCMs can combine different virtual worlds. In this article we introduce a multi-agent modal logic of knowledge and belief that can be used in design of telep resence with semi-reactive robots. In this logic we describe possible worlds (“states of nature”) by fuzzy cognitive maps.
QPS — A TOOL FOR QUANTITATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Authors: SMITH F.J. , KRISHNAMURTHY M.V.
Published: September 2004

An AI tool called the Quantitative Problem Solver (QPS) has been developed for building knowledge based systems which can solve quantitative problems in science and engineering. QPS can store and manipulate quantitative knowledge comprising numerical data and scientific laws represented by formulas. The human interface is based on the symbols commonly used by scientists and engineers. All knowledge is represented as objects and classes in an object-oriented knowledge base. QPS employs the familiar Problem Decomposition strategy for selecting the correct sequence of equations needed for solving problems and it has been tested by the building of knowledge based systems to solve several simple problems in Engineering and Physics.
BMS: A KNOWLEDGE-BASED TOOL FOR UNIX PERFORMANCE TUNING
Authors: ZHANG DU , VELEZ RAUL
Published: September 2004

This paper presents the design and implementation of a knowledge-based tool for performance tuning of the UNIX operating system. The tool, called BMS, provides an intelligent support and maintenance for identifying performance bottlenecks in UNIX and recommending solutions to the problems. Currently, it handles problems in UNIX resource management, such as memory utilization, disk utilization, CPU scheduling and I/O devices. BMS has been implemented in the EXSYS environment and tested on UNIX V.3. Preliminary results have indicated that such a knowledge-based tool to operating system performance tuning (1) is viable; (2) increases the productivity of system maintenance personnel and reduces the cost of training; and (3) offers a better service to operating system users by providing prompt recommendations to solutions of their system performance problems.
AN AGENT BASED LANGUAGE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRIBUTED SOFTWARE SYSTEMS
Authors: POGGI AGOSTINO , TURCI PAOLA
Published: September 2004

This paper presents a concurrent object-oriented language, called CUBL, that seems be suitable for the development and maintenance of multi-agent systems. This language is based on objects, called c_units, that act in parallel and communicate with each other through synchronous and asynchronous message passing, and allows the distribution of a program, that is, of its objects on a network of UNIX workstations. This language has been enriched with an agent architecture that offers some of more important features for agent-oriented programming and some advantages as regards the other implemented agent architectures. In particular this architecture allows the development of systems where agents communicate with each other through a high level agent communication language and can change their behavior during their life.
ENGLISH-JAPANESE MACHINE TRANSLATION: VERB-BASED NOUN CLASSIFICATION APPROACH
Authors: YEO CHAI KIAT , LAM WAI KONG , SOON ING YANN
Published: September 2004

A new approach to machine translation, capable of resolving different meanings of a verb in sentences of varying context, is described. The design revolves around the Verb Usage Frame (VUF) and the Noun Classification Hierarchy (NCH). VUF contains different context items which embody the different semantic usages of a verb under different contexts. The meaning of the verb is resolved through the classifications of its subject and object, achieved through the NCH. NCH returns not just the basic classification of a noun but also its super-classification. This allows thorough semantic analysis of both the verb and the noun. The entire design is implemented using object-oriented techniques and a prototype English-Japanese machine translator is built to illustrate the merits of the design.
SILO: INTEGRATING LOGIC IN OBJECTS FOR KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION AND REASONING
Authors: HATZILYGEROUDIS IOANNIS
Published: September 2004

There have been a large number of systems that integrate logic and objects (frames or classes) for knowledge representation and reasoning. Most of those systems give pre-eminence to logic and their objects lack the structure of frames. These choices imply a number of disadvantages, as the inability to represent exceptions and perform default reasoning, and the reduction in the naturalness of representation. In this paper, aspects of knowledge representation and reasoning in SILO, a system integrating logic in objects, are presented. SILO gives pre-eminence to objects. A SILO object comprises elements from both frames and classes. A kind of many-sorted logic is used to express object internal knowledge. Message passing, alongside inheritance, plays a significant role in the reasoning process. Control knowledge, concerning both deduction and inheritance. is separately and explicitly represented via definitions of certain functions, called meta-functions.
AN OBJECT-BASED ENVIRONMENT (OPUSDEI) FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Authors: ONOMA A.K. , SUGANUMA H. , POONAWALA M. , SUBRAMANIAN S. , TSAI W.T. , SYOMURA T.
Published: September 2004

This paper discusses an object-based software development and maintenance environment, Opusdei, built and used for several years at Hitachi Software Engineering (HSK - Since 1994, University of Minnesota has been involved in the Opusdei project.) Industrial software is usually large, has many versions, undergoes frequent changes, and is developed concurrently by multiple programmers. Opusdei was designed to handle various problems inherent in such industrial environments. In Opusdei, all information needed for development is stored using an uniform representation in a central repository, and the various documentation and views of the software artifacts can be generated automatically using the tool repository. Opusdeis’ innovative capabilities are 1) uniform software artifacts representation 2) inter-relation and traceability maintenance among software artifacts 3) tools coordination and tool integration using tool composition scenarios 4) automatic documentation and versioning control. Tool coordination and composition has been discussed in the literature as a possible way to make software development environments more intelligent. Opusdei provides a uniform representation of software artifacts and tools which is an essential first step in addressing the issues of tool coordination and composition. Opusdei has been operational for several years and has been used in many large software development projects. The productivity gain reported for some of these projects, by using Opusdei ranged from 50–90%.
A NEURO-FUZZY ARBITRAGE SEMULATOR FOR STOCK INVESTING
Authors: HOBBS ALLEN , BOURBAKIS NIKOLAOS
Published: September 2004

In this paper, the use of a neuro-fuzzy network model for the successful prediction of the price of a stock, given the fluctuations in the rest of the market that day, is presented. Based on the neural net’s prediction, the model then measures its success by simulating buying or selling that stock, based on whether the market’s price is determined over valued or under valued. The neural net itself is a modification of S.Y. Kung’s - a fuzzy based neural network. The neural model consistently averages over 20% A.P.R., and has been time tested over 6 years with several stocks.
COLLAPSE/FLATTENING OF NUCLEONIC BAGS IN ULTRA-STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD
Authors: MANDAL SOMA , CHAKRABARTY SOMENATH
Published: September 2004

It is shown explicitly using MIT bag model that in presence of ultra-strong magnetic fields, a nucleon either flattens or collapses in the direction transverse to the external magnetic field in the classical or quantum mechanical picture respectively. Which gives rise to some kind of mechanical instability. Alternatively, it is argued that the bag model of confinement may not be applicable in this strange situation.
QUANTUM CYLINDRICAL WAVES AND SIGMA MODELS
Authors: FERNANDO BARBERO G. J. , MENA MARUGÁN GUILLERMO A. , VILLASEÑOR EDUARDO J. S.
Published: September 2004

We analyze cylindrical gravitational waves in vacuo with general polarization and develop a viewpoint complementary to that presented recently by Niedermaier showing that the auxiliary sigma model associated with this family of waves is not renormalizable in the standard perturbative sense.
ENERGY AND MOMENTUM IN SPACETIME HOMOGENEOUS GÖDEL-TYPE METRICS
Authors: SHARIF M.
Published: September 2004

Using Einstein and Papapetrou energy–momentum complexes, we explicitly calculate the energy and momentum distribution associated with spacetime homogeneous Gödel-type metrics. We obtain that the two definitions of energy-momentum complexes do not provide the same result for these type of metrics. However, it is shown that the results obtained are reduced to the energy–momentum densities of Gödel metric already available in the literature.
A SCENARIO FOR THE DIMENSIONAL COMPACTIFICATION IN ELEVEN-DIMENSIONAL SPACE–TIME
Authors: MONTANI GIOVANNI
Published: September 2004

We discuss the inhomogeneous multidimensional mixmaster model in view of the appearing, near the cosmological singularity, of a scenario for the dimensional compactification in correspondence to an 11-dimensional space–time. Our analysis candidates such a collapsing picture toward the singularity to describe the actual expanding 3-dimensional Universe and an associated collapsed 7-dimensional space. To this end, a conformal factor is determined in front of the 4-dimensional metric to remove the 4-curvature divergences and the resulting Universe expands with a power-law inflation. Thus we provide an additional peculiarity of the eleven space-time dimensions in view of implementing a geometrical theory of unification.
DARK ENERGY AND THE STATISTICAL STUDY OF THE OBSERVED IMAGE SEPARATIONS OF THE MULTIPLY-IMAGED SYSTEMS IN THE CLASS STATISTICAL SAMPLE
Authors: DEV ABHA , JAIN DEEPAK , MAHAJAN SHOBHIT
Published: September 2004

The present day observations favour a universe which is flat, accelerated and composed of ~ 1/3 matter (baryonic + dark) and ~ 2/3 of a negative pressure component, usually referred to as dark energy or quintessence. The Cosmic Lens All Sky Survey (CLASS), the largest radio-selected galactic mass scale gravitational lens search project to date, has resulted in the largest sample suitable for statistical analysis. In the work presented here, we exploit observed image separations of the multiply-imaged lensed radio sources in the sample. We use two different tests: (1) image separation distribution function n(Δθ) of the lensed radio sources and (2) Δθ pred versus Δθ obs as observational tools to constrain the cosmological parameters w and Ωm. The results are in concordance with the bounds imposed by other cosmological tests.
DECAY OF SPIN-1/2 FIELD AROUND REISSNER–NORDSTROM BLACK HOLE
Authors: ZHOU WEI , ZHU JIAN-YANG
Published: September 2004

To find what influence the charge of the black hole Q will bring to the evolution of the quasinormal modes, we calculate the quasinormal frequencies of the neutrino field (charge e=0) perturbations and those of the massless Dirac field (e≠0) perturbations in the RN metric. The influences of Q, e, the momentum quantum number l, and the mode number n are discussed. Among the conclusions, the most important one is that, at the stage of quasinormal ringing, when the black hole and the field have the same kind of charge (eQ>0), the quasinormal modes of the massless charged Dirac field decay faster than those of the neutral ones, and when eQ<0, the massless charged Dirac field decays slower, which may be helpful in the astronomical observation. In addition, we compare the influence from the charge of the black hole to the spin 1/2 field and scalar field perturbations including the extremal limit (M=Q) and find a turning point of Q exists in both cases. The explanation of this fact is unclear with some suggestions that may be helpful are given.
SUPERPOSITION OF WEYL SOLUTIONS: CIRCULAR ORBITS
Authors: BINI DONATO , GERALICO ANDREA
Published: September 2004

Circular orbits are examined in static spacetimes belonging to the Weyl class of vacuum solutions which represent (nonlinear) superposition of the gravitational fields generated by certain collinear distributions of matter. In particular, solutions representing two and three Chazy–Curzon particles — all of them endowed with conical singularities — are considered. Conditions for geodesic motion in certain symmetry planes are discussed and results are summarized in a number of graphics too. All the discussion is developed in the framework of observer-dependent analysis of motion.
HIGHER DIMENSIONAL SZEKERES' SPACE–TIME IN BRANS–DICKE SCALAR TENSOR THEORY
Authors: BANERJEE ASIT , DEBNATH UJJAL , CHAKRABORTY SUBENOY
Published: September 2004

The generalized Szekeres family of solution for quasi-spherical space–time of higher dimensions are obtained in the scalar tensor theory of gravitation. Brans–Dicke field equations expressed in Dicke's revised units are exhaustively solved for all the subfamilies of the said family. A particular group of solutions may also be interpreted as due to the presence of the so-called C-field of Hoyle and Narlikar and for a chosen sign of the coupling parameter. The models show either expansion from a big bang type of singularity or a collapse with the turning point at a lower bound. There is one particular case which starts from the big bang, reaches a maximum and collapses with the in course of time to a crunch.
A STUDY OF HIGHER DIMENSIONAL INHOMOGENEOUS COSMOLOGICAL MODEL
Authors: CHAKRABORTY SUBENOY , DEBNATH UJJAL
Published: September 2004

In this paper we present a class of exact inhomogeneous solutions to Einstein's equations for higher dimensional Szekeres metric with perfect fluid and a cosmological constant. We also show particular solutions depending on the choices of various parameters involved and for dust case. Finally, we examine the asymptotic behaviour of some of these solutions.
PASSAGE OF TIME IN A PLANCK SCALE ROOTED LOCAL INERTIAL STRUCTURE
Authors: CHRISTIAN JOY
Published: September 2004

It is argued that the "problem of time" in quantum gravity necessitates a refinement of the local inertial structure of the world, demanding a replacement of the usual Minkowski line element by a (4+2n)-dimensional pseudo-Euclidean line element, with the extra 2n being the number of internal phase space dimensions of the observed system. In the refined structure, the inverse of the Planck time takes over the role of observer-independent conversion factor usually played by the speed of light, which now emerges as an invariant but derivative quantity. In the relativistic theory based on the refined structure, energies and momenta turn out to be invariantly bounded from above, and lengths and durations similarly bounded from below, by their respective Planck scale values. Along the external timelike world-lines, the theory naturally captures the "flow of time" as a genuinely structural attribute of the world. The theory also predicts expected deviations — suppressed quadratically by the Planck energy — from the dispersion relations for free fields in the vacuum. The deviations from the special relativistic Doppler shifts predicted by the theory are also suppressed quadratically by the Planck energy. Nonetheless, in order to estimate the precision required to distinguish the theory from special relativity, an experiment with a binary pulsar emitting TeV range γ-rays is considered in the context of the predicted deviations from the second-order shifts.
NON-SINGULAR BLACK-HOLES ON THE BRANE
Authors: SHANKARANARAYANAN S. , DADHICH NARESH
Published: September 2004

We investigate the possibility of obtaining non-singular black-hole solutions in the brane world model by solving the effective field equations for the induced metric on the brane. The Reissner–Nordstrom solution on the brane was obtained by Dadhich et al. by imposing the null energy condition on the 3-brane for a bulk having non-zero Weyl curvature. In this work, we relax the condition of vanishing scalar curvature R, however, retaining the null condition. We have shown that it is possible to obtain a class of static non-singular spherically symmetric brane space–times which admits horizon. We obtain one such class of solution which is a regular version of the Reissner–Nordstrom solution in the standard general relativity.
QUANTUM COSMOLOGY FROM INDUCED SCALAR–TENSOR THEORY OF GRAVITY AND THE ROLE OF CONSERVATION LAWS
Authors: BASINI GIUSEPPE , CAPOZZIELLO SALVATORE
Published: September 2004

In this paper, it is shown that the so-called Hartle criterion to select correlated regions in configuration space of dynamical variables, is directly connected to the presence of conservation laws, that is the existence of conservation laws in minisuperspace quantum cosmology constitutes a selection rule to recover observable universes. In this context, we develop the quantum cosmology for a scalar–tensor theory of gravity, induced from the reduction procedure of a 5D-unification theory. A class of exact solutions for Wheeler–DeWitt equation is derived and their connection to classical observable universes is discussed.
GROWTH INTENTIONS AND ACTUAL GROWTH: THE IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL CHOICE
Authors: KOLVEREID LARS , BULLVAG ERLEND
Published: September 2004

Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the Norwegian Royal Ministry of Industry and the Bodø Graduate School of Business for the financial support that made this research possible. We would also like to thank the Society of Associated Researchers in Entrepreneurship under whose auspices the data for this study was collected. An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 3rd Annual Global Entrepreneurship Conference, Lyon, France, March 1993.

The present research investigated: (1) the relationship between entrepreneurs’ growth intentions and actual firm growth, (2) the stability of growth intentions, and (3) the relationship between changes in intentions and actual firm growth. Using a longitudinal design, data were collected from Norwegian entrepreneurs for 1990 and 1992. The results indicate that growth intentions may be used to predict actual growth, that past intentions are related to later intentions, and that changes in growth intentions are associated with changes in growth patterns.
NEW FIRM GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: A REPLICATION AND EXTENSION OF REYNOLDS’ RESEARCH
Authors: ARBAUGH J.B. , SEXTON DONALD L.
Published: September 2004

A study of 323 new ventures in Ohio supports Reynolds’ findings of an earlier study in Pennsylvania, namely: firms tend to follow one of four different growth patterns, only one of which includes significant growth; most firms do not experience growth beyond their first year’s sales; and there are no significant correlations between age of the firm and annual sales. The results support a new model of firm growth which empirically invalidates the metamorphic growth model. The study concludes by identifying significant differences in operational and strategic emphases between the development patterns.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP BY FRANCHISING: DIFFERENTIATING FRANCHISEES FROM INDEPENDENT ENTREPRENEURS BY SELECTED PERSONALITY TRAITS
Authors: HING NERILEE
Published: September 2004

This article explores the notion that different types of entrepreneurs exist, distinguishable not only by the types of business activities undertaken, but also by certain personality traits they possess. Selected personality traits of franchised entrepreneurs are compared to those of independent entrepreneurs using empirical data from 127 franchised owner-managers from ten restaurant franchises. The study findings suggest that, while high need for achievement motivates entrepreneurial endeavours of various types, the distinctive conditions of franchising mean that franchisees neither possess, nor require, such high degrees of internal locus of control and ambiguity tolerance as do independent entrepreneurs.
THE MANAGEMENT OF TRANSFORMATION IN EAST GERMAN FIRMS
Authors: WITT PETER
Published: September 2004

The transformation of East Germany from a socialist to a market economy has brought about the need to restructure all East German firms. Managing this transformation process is comparable to the planning and controlling of a large project in a quickly changing economic environment. The main goal for the managers of firms in transition is to ensure the survival of their companies and to reduce the time required for the restructuring processes. The purpose of this study is to assess stochastic activity network analysis as a tool for the management of transformation. Network analysis allows to identify the necessary management activities, to plan the optimal sequence of these activities, and to control ongoing transformation processes. Our experiences so far suggest that the stochastic activity network technique GERT is a well suited technique for the analysis of transformation processes. To illustrate this new application of GERT, the study presents a simulation of a GERT activity network for the transformation process of a firm. The simulation is based on more than 20 in-depth case studies conducted in East Germany.
PUBLIC POLICY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT - SINGAPORE STYLE
Authors: GOH MARK , CHEW IRENE
Published: September 2004

In the recent attempt to add an external wing to its economy, Singapore has been using its various agencies and instruments to promote the growth of micro enterprises and other types of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Recognising the potential contribution by entrepreneurs to help sustain economic growth for the country, the Singapore government is now embarking on a proactive public policy to motivate new business entrepreneurship.

This paper shows how the government has worked with industry to encourage entrepreneurship development. Particular attention is paid to the activities of various government agencies in relation to new business entrepreneurship and to the barriers of this activity in Singapore. The Singapore experience and programme offer useful insights for policy development and management by other countries in the region.
THE PREREQUISITES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUCCESSFUL INTERFIRM COOPERATION IN THE SME- SECTOR
Authors: KOIVISTO ELINA MURTO , ROUTAMAA VESA , VESALAINEN JUKKA
Published: September 2004

The objective of this paper is to discuss the prerequisites and outcomes of interfirm cooperation of SMEs. Four sub-themes are involved in this discussion. First, different types of SME cooperation are defined. Second, the a priori outcomes of each type are presented. Third, the prerequisities of each type are listed, and fourth, short case histories are presented as manifestations of reality. The discussion, which is based on a longitudinal research project, stresses the importance of distinguishing between various types of SME cooperation. The types differ from each other in strategic intensity and in degree of formality. Five different types are identified: development circle, a loose cooperative circle, a project group, a joint venture, and a joint unit. We consider that as the prerequisities as well as the possible outcomes of different types of cooperation vary, those who are involved in promoting SME cooperation should be aware of these alternatives and the varying conditions of each of them.
FROM BUSINESS CREATOR TO BUSINESSMAN, A STRATEGIC DISTINCTION
Authors: PENDELIAU GUY
Published: September 2004

One can become a businessman by creating a new business, by purchasing or restarting an existing business, by taking a financial interest or by succession. The course to be followed is of varying difficulty. If they are to be successful, creators of new business require considerable entrepreneurial potential. The latter consists of a combination of creative potential, negotiating skills, a capacity for internal communication, a capacity for resistance to setback, and potential for action. These elements will determine their chances of success.
DO SMALL FIRMS CREATE JOBS?
Authors: SPILLING OLAV R.
Published: September 2004

The role of small firms in job creation in Norway is examined for the period 1980–90 by analysing births, expansions, contractions and closures. Data on establishments, which are applied as a proxy for firms, reveal that small establishments as a whole are the only group providing a net positive contribution to job creation over the period. However, further analysis of the data reveals that very significant proportions of job creation may be attributed to a small part of the establishments, and generally small establishments turn out to be poor job creators.
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING IN SMALL FIRMS
Authors: Murshed A.J.M. Humayun
Published: September 2004

Small firms’ role in the modern business world is well recognized. Despite such recognition, there exists a dearth of research in small firms, particularly in understanding the implications of accounting and finance. This paper reports the results of an empirical study carried out on the financial accounting and reporting of small firms in Bangladesh. Financial reporting does not seem to be important in these firms except for complying with tax formalities. No systematic way of presenting financial figures among the firms was observed. Most firms’ financial statements do not provide any database for organizational decision making. The managers have a high degree of satisfaction, particularly with the format used in presenting financial statements. On the contrary, they hardly use those financial statements in organizational decision making and control. They prefer to use a simple form of financial statement and show almost no concern for users’ need and attaining financial control.
CRITERIA FOR A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PLAN: PREFERENCES OF DIFFERENT FINANCING INSTITUTIONS
Authors: KIM TAN BENG , TAY JOANNE
Published: September 2004

A well-developed, well-written business plan is essential for entrepreneurs approaching banks or investors for funds. However, many entrepreneurs frequently underestimate the importance of a good business plan in increasing their chances of securing finance. This study aims to provide a better understanding of the criteria that different financing institutions in Singapore look for when assessing business plans. Such information can guide entrepreneurs in preparing their business plans and targetting different financing institutions. Fourteen institutions representing venture capital firms, commercial banks, finance companies and the government participated in this study. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The results indicate general emphases on organisation and management, characteristics of the entrepreneur, and background and purpose of the proposed business. There is some indication that the criteria most highly emphasised will vary, depending on the type of financing institution, and the geographical and industry specialisation of the particular institution. In general, the participating institutions adopted a conservative approach which combined judgement and intuition.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP INCLINATION OF SINGAPORE BUSINESS STUDENTS
Authors: CHIEN DOH JOON , LIANG TAN WEE , SOON CHIONG TECK
Published: September 2004

This paper presents the partial findings of our study into the intention of tertiary students in Singapore in becoming entrepreneurs. The research is undertaken as a preliminary step in understanding whether students upon graduation prefer to start a business of their own or prefer to be employees, and the forces which have contributed toward the shaping of their inclination. A survey was conducted on graduating Business students in the School of Accountancy and Business, Nanyang Technological University. The research findings indicate that in the Singapore sample, the percentage of graduating students with entrepreneurial inclination was higher than in other countries. The findings are encouraging for Singapore as they indicate that entrepreneurial aspiration is strong among the sample of Business students. However, this should not be the basis for complacency as experience elsewhere has indicated that, if left on their own, not many of them would actually go into business. To increase the rate of graduates starting their own business, a supportive infrastructure needs to be developed. One approach is to set up a start-up business centre. Such an infrastructure will not only broaden the career options for graduates, but will also, in the long run, contribute to the development of a core of entrepreneurs who have the knowledge and expertise to spearhead complex and technologically oriented enterprises in line with Singapore’s emphasis on regionalisation and internationalisation of business.
BROADENING THE CONCEPT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
Authors: WITHANE SIRINIMAL (SIRI)
Published: September 2004

The area of entrepreneurship during the last fifteen years, has gained a reasonable acceptance as a discipline of its own and become a major component of the broader field of business management. However, to stand up as a distinct field of study and research by itself, it has yet to develop a consolidated framework and an articulated agenda of research. The paper suggests that to achieve such ends, students and researchers of entrepreneurship should launch a unified effort to make solid inroads into mainstream social sciences and to establish cross-fertilization of entrepreneurship research phenomena with major concepts, constructs, models and theories of other disciplines. Such a consolidated approach will be useful for overcoming the existing deficiencies of entrepreneurship research, enabling the development of convergent theories and broader frameworks to strengthen the base of entrepreneurship study and research.
ADAPTIVE RESPONSE: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMPETITIVENESS IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG
Authors: BENG CHEAH HOCK , YU TONY F.L.
Published: September 2004

This paper examines the economic development and changes in competitiveness in the economy of Hong Kong, and explains those changes in terms of Austrian entrepreneurship. It begins with Schumpeter’s conceptual distinction between ‘creative response’ and ‘adaptive response’, and between two corresponding modes of (Schumpeterian and ‘Austrian’) entrepreneurship. The experience of the economic development in Hong Kong indicates that since the 1960s, Hong Kong’s international competitive advantage has been based on unskilled labour-intensive exports. The ability of this city state to prosper on predominantly labour intensive activities is due to the efforts of its predominantly small-scale entrepreneurs. Hong Kong’s development has been promoted not by revolutionary (Schumpeterian) innovations undertaken by creative Hong Kong entrepreneurs, but rather by incremental and evolutionary innovations, such as product imitation, subcontracting, spatial arbitrage and diversification, undertaken mainly by adaptive ‘Austrian’ entrepreneurs in small-scale enterprises. Hong Kong’s experience suggests that ‘Austrian’ entrepreneurship can offer significant potential benefits to other developing countries.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Authors: RUSHING FRANCIS W. , THOMPSON MARK A.
Published: September 2004

This paper brings together the importance of intellectual property protection (IPP) and entrepreneurship in economic growth. The paper surveys the economic literature on what factors are important to growth. The focus is on recent models of endogenous growth which reflect on the role of investment, technological change and education. Secondly, publications, which measure the impact of IPP on some of the growth elements identified are reviewed. The third section deals with IPP and the entrepreneur as an important agent and facilitator of growth. It discusses the nature of IPP as an incentive in not only stimulating the development of new technologies and processes but also the dissemination of existing technologies. Using the surveys as background, short case studies for India and Brazil are presented on IPP as a stimulus and application of research and development. The last section summarizes the previous sections and draws some conclusions with respect to policy.
THE EMERGING CLASS OF BUSINESSWOMEN AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS FIRMS IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Authors: WIMALATISSA W.A.
Published: September 2004

This study focuses on the emerging ’women entrepreneurship’ and ’womenowned businesses’ in Brunei Darussalam. It first examines the demographic background, personal competency, reasons behind the choice of ’selfemployment career,’ and management style of the businesswomen. Secondly, it looks into the main sources of finance, lines of merchandise, size of the work force, and problems of the women-owned enterprises. The sample consists of 50 businesswomen. In manufacturing, retail, and service businesses. These businesswomen have gone through the formal education process and are in their thirties. Their reasons for doing business are independence and an opportunity to use their knowledge and experience. The popular types of business activities for these businesswomen are retailing and services. They practise a centralised decision making style. Their businesses are generally in the start-up stage and the predominant source of capital is personal savings. Most of the businesses employ less than 10 workers and the major problems of the businesses are labour shortage and strong competition.
CRISIS IN MEXICO: ITS EFFECTS ON FAMILY OWNED BUSINESSES
Authors: GRABINSKY SALO
Published: September 2004

In December 1994, Mexico suffered a deep financial crisis which caused a sustantial devaluation of the peso. The new government as well as millions of entrepreneurs were caught by surprise. This paper will review: 1. An austerity measures, changes in attitude, adaptability and other adjustments forced by this crisis on several representative Mexican family businesses. 2. Conflicts within family members owning to financial, succession and psychological factors. 3. Evolving corporate and family strategies being used by several businesses for survival. 4. Effects of this situation on women entrepreneurs, both in their businesses and in relation to their families. The author will focus on several financial strategies, boards of directors and advisors of family businesses and their effectiveness in conflict resolution and strategic planning.

This paper is based on author’s exprience with several dozen firms in Mexico, before and during this still ongoing crisis. Changes in attitudes, family dynamics and management strategies forced by this unexpected “meltdown” will help viable companies survive and grow in the next generation. Moreover, it could mean an important starting point for entrepreneurs and their families everywhere who wish to embark in new ventures in these turbulent times.
THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE ENTERPRISE SECTOR IN ESTONIA - A HISTORICAL APPROACH TO A CONTEMPORARY TRANSITION
Authors: LIUHTO KARI
Published: September 2004

This article analyses the transition of the Estonian enterprise sector in the twentieth century. The starting shot was first fired for the transformation of the Estonian enterprise sector when the country gained its independence from the Russian Empire in 1918. The independence was followed by a 20-year-long transformation of the enterprise sector, which was, however, ended by the Estonian annexation to the Soviet Union in 1939. The incorporation of Estonia to the Soviet Union signified the beginning of a completely reverse transformation. The third important period of transformation in the Estonian enterprise sector began at the end of 1991 when Estonia separated from the disintegrating Soviet Union. The purpose of this article is to describe these periods mentioned above and draw a summarized comparison between the first and the present transformation. Integrating a historical approach to this contemporary transformation may facilitate in comprehending the present trends of development and even predict the future.
THE “CATFISH EFFECT” OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR ON THE ECONOMY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Authors: YOUZHUO ZHANG , JIESHENG FU , WONG M.Y. , STEWART SALLY
Published: September 2004

Just as a catfish placed in a tank will by its vigorous activity oxygenate the water and energise the other fish, so the private sector1 in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is stimulating progress in other aspects of the economy. It is suggested that the changes, which include the creation of a new entrepreneurial class; setting a model for “capital operations” in the transition to a market economy; accelerating the formation of a competitive climate and acting as a pioneer, are contributing greatly to the development of the PRC. The paper concludes that the private sector provides a new dynamic force and is unlikely to be abolished again.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF SMALL MANUFACTURING FIRMS: PERCEPTIONS OF JAPANESE OWNER/MANAGERS
Authors: WIJEWARDENA HEMA , COORAY SHIRAN
Published: September 2004

This paper is based on a study of a sample of small manufacturing firms operating in the Kobe region of Japan. On the basis of the perceptions of owner/managers, the study attempts to identify a set of variables that may contribute to the growth of small firms. The results of the study indicate that good customer relations, high quality of products and skilful workers have been identified by respondents as the most important contributors to the growth of these firms. The other highly contributing factors in their order of ranking are efficiency of manager(s), owner’s knowledge and experience, good labour relations, competitive prices of products, systematic planning for the future, and owner’s active participation in management. However, some of the results of this study are attributable, at least partly, to the different nature of Japanese industrial structure and their unique management philosophy. This shows that the degree of effectiveness of the factors contributing to the growth of small manufacturing firms may vary from country to country.
THE START-UP CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL FIRM AS DETERMINANTS OF THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF THE FIRM IN THE SHORT TERM AND IN THE LONG TERM
Authors: KAURANEN IIKKA
Published: September 2004

The objective of the study was to obtain more knowledge regarding the start-up characteristics of a new entrepreneurial firm as determinants of the future success of the firm both in the short term and in the long term. Accordingly, the following groups of variables were examined: the motives for the founding of the firms, the formulation of the business idea of the firms, and the initial behavioral characteristics of the firms. Market-orientedness and a new product idea distinguished the successful firms from the unsuccessful firms in the short-term but not in the long-term. The firms successful in the long term stated that their competitors operated by imitating their products. These successful firms concentrated on what they were good at. Basing the business idea of a new firm on good availability of labour did not lead to success.
SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING NEEDS: A CASE STUDY
Authors: CHAWLA SUDHIR K.
Published: September 2004

Russia, East Germany, and India are just a few of the many countries around the world which have opened up their economies to global trade in the last decade. This trend has forced organizations, especially state-owned enterprises, to face a changing environment, one driven by innovation, efficiency, competition, and marketing. Privatization of these enterprises has been taking place at record speed. National and multinational organizations have replaced state-owned operations in hopes of boosting a nation’s interantional competitiveness and economic growth. However, privatization alone will not solve the many problems created by open market trade. The vitality of these economies may well depend on the nation’s ability to foster its own entrepreneurial sector of small businesses. Continual training of these business is needed to ensure economic goals are reached. Each nation must determine the training needs of these businesses through needs analysis studies. A framework, based on a study conducted for the South Texas Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located in San Antonio, Texas, is provided. Results indicate that the most frequently cited problem areas by small businesses fall into two general categories: Finance and Governmental Relations. The level of concern for the areas identified has been found to vary by the age of the business. However, the need for basic business skills, such as marketing, finance, and accounting, is ever present in differing degrees of specialization. Seminars and a mixture of communicational tools were found to be the most effective delivery system for the information required by businesses in the region. In addition, factor analysis was used to group together specific problematic areas for small businesses in the region. Seven dimensions were identified and include the following: Work force development, financing and legal issues, marketing, technology issues, daily operations, and selling.
TAXATION AND ITS IMPLICATION ON CROSS-BORDER PROFITS OF MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG
Authors: CHEUNG DANIEL K C , CHAN SAMUEL Y S , LAM ISABELLA S K
Published: September 2004

As Hong Kong manufacturers accelerate to shift their operations to China and cease or contract. Their operations in Hong Kong, many of them are taking advantage of the limitation of a source jurisdiction to team up with Chinese companies and escape the Hong Kong tax net. This relocation exercise of their manufacturing base not only allows the Hong Kong manufacturers to enjoy the preferential tax concessions for foreign investors and lower cost of production in mainland China, but also depletes the public coffers to the Hong Kong Government. We therefore postulate two hypotheses: (1) there is a negative association between the business operations in China and those in Hong Kong, and (2) there is a negative association between the business operations in China and the related Hong Kong profits tax liability. A questionnaire survey was carried out to collect data on the level of activities in both China and Hong Kong, in particular data from Hong Kong manufacturers on their Hong Kong profits tax liability. Spearman’s rank-order correlation analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The result supports that the higher the level of business operations in China, the lower the level of business operations in Hong Kong. It also reveals that the higher the level of business operations in China, the lower the related Hong Kong profits tax liability. The issue of tax base erosion is a case for Hong Kong to review its principle of taxing only profits locally generated.
SUPPORT OF SMALL BUSINESS FIRMS: ENTREPRENEURS’ VIEWS OF THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY SIDE
Authors: KLOFSTEN MAGNUS , MIKAELSSON ANN-SOFI
Published: September 2004

Like many other countries, Sweden is putting a lot of effort into the development of effective support for small firms. This has resulted in the emergence of a number of programmes intended to increase the number and quality of start-ups and to improve their chances of survival and further growth. In the development of support programmes, it is important to be aware of potential barriers on the demand side (the perceived benefit of taking part in programmes) as well as on the supply side (the support organisation’s ability to develop satisfactory programmes). This paper presents the preliminary results of a survey of 158 technology-based firms in and around Linköping, Sweden. The focus of this research was to study the dynamics of the firm’s participation in the support programmes. The firm’s attitude towards support programmes, how the gap between demand and supply occurs, as well as, how this gap could be bridged to achieve effective support activities was studied. The results showed that the supply-demand gap became apparent when the firm’s situation was compared to its participation in various programmes. The implications of the study are that the support organisations should be focused on the firms’ real needs, that they should facilitate communication between their organisation and the small firm sector and should secure a supply of good programme managers.