bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An empirical investigation into e‐shopping excitement: antecedents and effects
Authors: Jayawardhena Chanaka , Tiu Wright Len
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to examine the antecedents of online shopper excitement, its consequences for behavioural intentions as expressed by intent to return, and positive word‐of‐mouth communication.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual model is developed based on the literature. Instrument item scales to measure all constructs in the model were as informed by the literature and adapted from prior studies. An online structured questionnaire survey was sent by e‐mail to a UK consumer panel (n=626). The results were analysed using LISREL 8.7.

Findings

Convenience, involvement, attributes of the web site and merchandising all collectively influence shopper excitement. The attributes of the web site and merchandising directly influence intent to return. E‐shopper excitement leads to positive word‐of‐mouth (WOM) and increases the intent to return.

Research limitations/implications

The study may be limited in that no differentiation is made between the types of goods that e‐consumers purchased. A future extension of this work could be to investigate how the study can be applied to various products, including experience goods such as entertainment.

Practical implications

It is shown that shopping excitement can increase intent to return and positive WOM. Understanding online shopper excitement can explain some of the reasons why consumers shop online, which in turn can help e‐tailers improve their offerings to their consumers.

Originality/value

The study presents a comprehensive model of online shopper excitement. This is the first study to validate such a model empirically, and therefore the study adds to the understanding of the antecedents and consequences of consumer excitement in the online shopping environment.
Online grocery shopping: the influence of situational factors
Authors: Hand Chris , Dall'Olmo Riley Francesca , Harris Patricia , Singh Jaywant , Rettie Ruth
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper seeks to understand the triggers which influence the adoption (and the discontinuation) of online grocery shopping. Specifically, the research aims to establish the role of situational factors in the process of adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A two‐step research process is employed. First, exploratory qualitative research is carried out, with the purpose of gaining an in‐depth understanding of consumers' online grocery shopping behaviour. This is followed by a large‐scale quantitative survey extending the findings of the qualitative research and validating the role of situational factors in instigating the commencement (and discontinuation) of online grocery buying. Cluster analysis is used to segment consumers based on the importance of specific types of situations.

Findings

Both qualitative and quantitative results establish the importance of situational factors, such as having a baby or developing health problems, as triggers for starting to buy groceries online. Many shoppers are found to discontinue online grocery shopping once the initial trigger has disappeared or they have experienced a problem with the service.

Practical implications

While situational factors are beyond a marketer's control, they could be used as a basis for marketing communications content and target advertising, for instance, by using magazines directed at new parents.

Originality/value

The importance of situational factors as triggers for the adoption of online grocery shopping suggests an erratic adoption process, driven by circumstances rather than by a cognitive elaboration and decision. The adoption of online shopping seems to be contingent and may be discontinued when the initiating circumstances change.
Factors influencing self‐directed career management: an integrative investigation
Authors: Park Yongho
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between the protean career and other variables, including organizational learning climate, individual calling work orientation, and demographic variables.

Design/methodology/approach

The research data were obtained from a sample consisting of 292 employees of two South Korean manufacturing companies in the private sector. To collect the research data, this study employed the web survey method.

Findings

The study results showed that two organizational learning climates – embedded system and system connection – and calling orientation had significant positive relationship with the protean career. Demographic variables did not relate significantly to the protean career.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides an empirical approach to related environmental and psychological variables influencing the protean career based on the literature review.

Practical implications

The results have implications for both researchers and practitioners in that the study examines the protean career as it relates to the organizational learning climate and provides suggestions for establishing strategies that foster employees' self‐directed career management attitudes.

Originality/value

This paper offers new and useful insight into the predictors of self‐directed career management by exploring variables related to the protean career.
Expertise: myth or reality of a cross‐national definition?
Authors: Germain Marie‐Line , Enrique Ruiz Carlos
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer a comparison of how human expertise is perceived by human resource development (HRD) scholars across several Western European countries and in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, exploratory approach using electronic mail was used for this study. In total, 36 leading HRD scholars from 11 different countries were interviewed.

Findings

There is a propensity of several countries to converge towards common themes. Based on this fact, a European‐US definition of expertise is offered: expertise is the combination of knowledge, experience, and skills held by a person in a specific domain.

Research limitations/implications

One major limitation is the selection of “experts” to describe “expertise”. Second, although all but one European interviewee spoke fluent English, the questions were asked in English. Third, virtual ethnography coupled with traditional interviewing is known to be best. Fourth, the research is deeply embedded in one field. Finally, the rather small sample size underrepresented some countries.

Practical implications

The findings provide HRD practitioners with a better understanding of training and development practices and give additional ground for employee development. They shed light on cultural differences and on cross‐national communication. As organizations increasingly expand worldwide and outsource, understanding expertise across nations can provide insights into selection and hiring procedures and help with cross‐cultural training for expatriates. Expertise can also be used as a performance measure to develop employees for optimal performance.

Originality/value

The paper explores a training and development construct internationally
Electromagnetic optimization based on an improved diversity‐guided differential evolution approach and adaptive mutation factor
Authors: dos Santos Coelho Leandro , Alotto Piergiorgio
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show, on a widely used benchmark problem, that adaptive mutation factors and attractive/repulsive phases guided by population diversity can improve the search ability of differential evolution (DE) algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

An adaptive mutation factor and attractive/repulsive phases guided by population diversity are used within the framework of DE algorithms.

Findings

The paper shows that the combined use of adaptive mutation factors and population diversity in order to guide the attractive/repulsive behavior of DE algorithms can provide high‐quality solutions with small standard deviation on the selected benchmark problem.

Research limitations/implications

Although the chosen benchmark is considered to be representative of typical electromagnetic problems, different test cases may give less satisfactory results.

Practical implications

The proposed approach appears to be an efficient general purpose stochastic optimizer for electromagnetic design problems.

Originality/value

This paper introduces the use of population diversity in order to guide the attractive/repulsive behavior of DE algorithms.
Parallel implementation of evolution strategy optimization algorithm on multicore processors
Authors: Ivanov Petar , Brandisky Kostadin
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a parallel implementation of an evolution strategy (ES) algorithm for optimization of electromagnetic devices. It is intended for multi‐core processors and for optimization problems that have objective function representing a numerical simulation of electromagnetic devices. The speed‐up of the optimization is evaluated as a function of the number of processor cores used.

Design/methodology/approach

Two parallelization approaches are implemented in the program developed – using multithreaded programming and using OpenMP. Their advantages and drawbacks are discussed. The program is tested on two examples for optimization of electromagnetic devices.

Findings

Using the developed parallel ES algorithm on a quad‐core processor, the optimization time can be reduced 2.4‐3 times, instead of the expected four times. This is due to a number of system processes and programs that run on part of the cores.

Originality/value

A new parallel ES optimization algorithm has been developed and investigated. The paper could be useful for researchers aiming to diminish the optimization time by using parallel evolution optimization on multi‐core processors.
Optimal sizing of an embedded electrical system with an approach for limiting the search space
Authors: Nguyen‐Huu H. , Retière N. , Wurtz F. , Roboam X. , Sareni B. , Aléjo D.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe an optimization methodology based on a mixed (analytical‐numerical) design model and evolutionary algorithms.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, optimal sizing is used to design the new architecture of an embedded electrical system. An approach is presented for defining the specifications and a method for modeling an embedded electrical network. This will enable the optimization problem to be set.

Findings

This paper shows that the proposed methodology is useful for sizing an embedded electrical system. It is illustrated by its application to the sizing of an aircraft electrical power channel (auto‐transformer‐rectifier unit type).

Originality/value

An original approach is proposed for limiting the search space before using the evolutionary algorithms. The advantage of this approach is to increase convergence speed of the evolutionary algorithms.
Multi‐level design optimization using target cascading, an improvement of convergence
Authors: Moussouni F. , Kreuawan S. , Brisset S. , Gillon F. , Brochet P. , Nicod L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Analytical target cascading (ATC) is a hierarchical multi‐level design methodology. According to the state‐of‐the‐art, it is confirmed that for problems with unattainable targets, strict design consistency cannot be achieved with finite weighting factors. This paper aims to address these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A new formulation is proposed to improve the ATC convergence. The weighted sum of deviation metric is transformed into a multi‐objective formulation. An original optimization problem with a single global optimal solution is used as a benchmark.

Findings

It is found that carrying out an industrial application to design optimally a tram traction system demonstrates the efficiency of the proposed solution.

Originality/value

This paper is of value in showing how to improve the convergence of a multi‐level optimization algorithm by best management of the consistency constraints.
Optimization of magnetic sensor arrays for current measurement based on swarm intelligence and D‐optimality
Authors: Zhang Z. , Di Rienzo L.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve the accuracy of innovative current transducers based on magnetic sensor arrays.

Design/methodology/approach

The positions and the orientations of the magnetic sensors are optimized. The objective function is defined according to D‐optimality theory and the optimization problem solved using particle swarm optimization (PSO).

Findings

PSO is shown to be efficient for the optimization problem and that, following the D‐optimality approach, a significant improvement in the measurement accuracy is obtained in terms of the errors typically used to classify current transducers.

Research limitations/implications

The paper does not take into account the effects of external magnetic fields.

Practical implications

A criterion and a methodology are suggested in order to design more accurate current transducers based on magnetic sensors.

Originality/value

A new methodology to optimize magnetic sensor arrays for current measurement.
Adjoint variable method for time‐harmonic Maxwell equations
Authors: Durand Stephane , Cimrák Ivan , Sergeant Peter
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the optimization problem of low‐frequency magnetic shielding using the adjoint variable method (AVM). This method is compared with conventional methods to calculate the gradient.

Design/methodology/approach

The equation for the vector potential (eddy currents model) in appropriate Sobolev spaces is studied to obtain well‐posedness. The optimization problem is formulated in terms of a cost functional which depends on the vector potential and its rotation. Convergence of a steepest descent algorithm to a stationary point of this functional is proved. Finally, some numerical results for an axisymmetric induction heater are presented.

Findings

Using Friedrichs' inequality, the existence and uniqueness of the vector potential, its gradient and the corresponding adjoint variable can be proved. From the numerical results, it is concluded that the AVM is advantageous if the number of parameters to optimize is larger than two.

Research limitations/implications

The AVM is only faster than conventional methods if the gradients can be calculated with sufficient accuracy.

Originality/value

Theoretical results for eddy currents model are often based on a non‐vanishing conductivity. The theoretical value of this paper is the presence of non‐conducting materials in the domain. From a practical viewpoint, it has been demonstrated that the AVM can yield a significant reduction of computational time for advanced optimization problems.
3D optimal design of open type magnetic circuit producing uniform field
Authors: Takahashi N. , Nakazaki S. , Kato H. , Asaumi J.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an approach to the optimal design of open type magnetic circuit of permanent magnet having uniform field.

Design/methodology/approach

The Biot‐Savart's law and evolution strategy are used for the design of permanent magnet configuration. The optimization is carried out by changing the objective function, dimension of target region, and target flux density.

Findings

The obtained uniformity is affected by the selection of objective function, dimension of target region, and target flux density. About 50 ppm uniformity of 0.08 T in the imaging area is obtained by changing the dimensions, dimension of target region, and target flux of 3D magnets and the amplitudes of magnetization and the directions of magnetization vectors.

Originality/value

This paper describes a new approach for obtaining the optimal shape of open type magnetic circuit which may be used when magnetic resonance imaging is carried out.
A constructive algorithm of neural approximation models for optimization problems
Authors: Carcangiu Sara , Fanni Alessandra , Montisci Augusto
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a constructive algorithm to design multilayer perceptron neural networks used as approximation models of electromagnetic devices.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed procedure allows automatic determination of both the number of neurons and the synaptic weights of networks with a single hidden layer. The approximation model is used in design optimization problems. The inputs of the neural network correspond to the design parameters whereas the output corresponds to the objective function of the optimization problem. The neural model is then inverted in order to determine which input is associated to a prefixed output.

Findings

The performance of the algorithm has been tested on analytical function and on the TEAM workshop problem 25.

Originality/value

As the reliability of the optimum solution is strongly affected by the accuracy of the neural approximation model, the approximation error is kept as low as possible, especially in the maximum/minimum points.
Modeling and inversion of 1‐D profiles in time‐domain
Authors: Rahman Mehbub‐ur , Marklein René
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a time‐domain technique to compute the electromagnetic wave field and to reconstruct the permittivity and electric conductivity profile of a one‐dimensional slab of finite length.

Design/methodology/approach

The forward scattering problem is solved by a Green's function formulation to generate synthetic data that are used as a testbed for the inversion scheme. The inverse scattering problem is solved by reconstructing the unknown permittivity and electric conductivity profile of the medium with the help of an invariant embedding method.

Findings

The Green's operator maps the incident field on either side of the medium to the field at an arbitrary observation point inside the slab and hence, the internal fields can be computed directly without computing the wave field throughout the entire medium. The invariant embedding method requires a finite time trace of reflection data and therefore it is suitable for reconstructing the material parameters in real‐time.

Practical implications

The implemented methods have been validated against synthetic and measured time domain reflectometry data.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to determine unknown one‐dimensional profiles and thus plays an important role in electromagnetics, non‐destructive testing, and geophysics.
Solution of 2D singular hybrid linear system
Authors: Sajewski Lukasz
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the 2D hybrid linear model, which is a method of describing both continuous‐ and discrete‐time dynamics in one system. Singularity of 2D hybrid linear models is a newly occurred problem and a very important question is how to compute the solution of the singular 2D hybrid linear model.

Design/methodology/approach

Computation of the solution of mentioned system is based on Laplace transform, Z‐transform and shifting algorithm. The inverse Laplace transform and inverse Z‐transform are used in two cases.

Findings

In this paper, a class of 2D singular hybrid linear systems is introduced. Two methods for computation of solutions of the singular hybrid system with nonzero boundary conditions are proposed. Both methods are illustrated by the examples.

Originality/value

Presented methods are a new way for computing the solution of singular 2D hybrid linear systems.
ITAE optimal variable structure control of second order systems with input signal and velocity constraints
Authors: Nowacka‐Leverton Aleksandra , Bartoszewicz Andrzej
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a new sliding mode control algorithm for the second order dynamic system subject to input signal and velocity constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed algorithm employs a time‐varying switching line. At the initial time t=t0, the line passes through the representative point of the system in the error state space. Afterwards, the line moves with a constant velocity and a constant angle of inclination to the origin of the space and having reached the origin it stops moving. Parameters of the line are selected in such a way that the integral of the time multiplied by the absolute error is minimized with the input signal and the system velocity constraints. First, each of the constraints is taken into account separately, and then both of them are considered at the same time.

Findings

The algorithm introduced in this paper ensures insensitivity of the controlled system with respect to external disturbance and model uncertainty since the very beginning of its motion. Furthermore, the algorithm guarantees fast tracking error convergence to zero without overshoots or oscillations.

Originality/value

In this paper, new systematic methods of the switching line design for the second order system are presented. Input signal and velocity constraints are explicitly taken into account in the design process.
Parametrization of static output feedback controllers for Markovian switching systems and related robust control problems
Authors: Pakshin Pavel , Soloviev Sergey
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a parametric description (parametrization) of all static output feedback stabilizing controllers for linear stochastic discrete‐time systems with Markovian switching, applications of this result to simultaneous and robust stabilization problems and obtaining of algorithms for computing stabilizing gains.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed approach presents parameterization in terms of coupled linear matrix equations and quadratic matrix inequalities which depend on parameter matrices similar to weight matrices in linear quadratic regulator (LQR) theory. To avoid implementation problems, a convex approximation technique is used and linear matrix inequalities (LMI)‐based algorithms are obtained for computing of stabilizing gain.

Findings

The algorithms obtained in this paper are non‐iterative and used computationally efficient LMI technique. Moreover, it is possible to use well‐known LQR methodology in the process of controller design.

Originality/value

As a result of this paper, a new unified approach to design of static output feedback stabilizing control is developed. This approach leads to efficient stabilizing gain computation algorithms for both stochastic systems with Markovian switching and deterministic systems with polytopic uncertainty.
Systemic and cybernetic knowingness: relating “(a)symmetry” and “subtleness”?
Authors: Bulz Nicolae
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research work on systemic and cybernetic knowingness: relating according to classical and original concepts: “(a)symmetry” and “subtleness”. There is an entire project focused on contemporary complexity versus the information‐knowledge dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The starting point is related to the denominations: “perverse effects” and “asymmetric conflicts”. The paper supports innovative (a)symmetric approaches on human beings, ITC and community: shrinking the gap between humanist and technologist perspectives; promoting an anthropocentric perspective with stimuli from the real world expressed by (old and new) ideas regarding the (re)construction of a world/e‐world balance through/within the triad: production, intelligence and morality; and illustrating a positive e‐world response by sketching innovative, synergy‐based, experimental ITC models, considering metaphors linked to the idea of an open definition of subtleness.

Findings

The paper finds a shrinking gap between our world and our e‐world, able to integrate biased perspectives and realising a composition of (a)symmetric matter within information/knowledge economy/society. Based on semantic transfer, there is a promising path to a creative partnership between humanists and technologists within the interactive modelling: connectedness‐communication versus incursion‐anticipation. From a knowledge engineering perspective, a solution can be reached more effectively by: a Wienerian view on the information and knowledge as (a)symmetric concepts/constructs – and a dually Göedelian view on the observability and controllability of a subtle entity/system toward a wisdom and/or consciousness society.

Originality/value

This paper provides information and knowledge on “information‐knowledge dynamics” research.
Symmetry of conjugate systems with anticipation and retardation
Authors: Otlacan Eufrosina
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The paper refers to a pair of conjugate systems (master and slave systems) associated by the condition that the evolution of the first is function on its current state and on a future state of the second system, while the evolution of the second system depends on its current state and on a past state of the first system also. The purpose of this paper is to solve particular cases of differential systems of equations which express the behaviour of conjugate systems, in order to see what kind of symmetry or harmony is established in the common evolution of the two systems.

Design/methodology/approach

Becoming with the Dubois' definition of conjugate retardation and anticipation variables and his mixed advanced‐retarded differential equations, the paper considers some cases: first case when information about future and past is kept constant, without and with an impulse from the side of the master system, then when information about future and respective past is a variable.

Findings

In the case with variable information about future and past, and for a constant shift time, there are found exponential solutions; it has been ascertained that the two trajectories present a symmetry expressed by their proportionality all the time. A definition of symmetry by anticipation and retardation is given. It is also found that a system with uniform linear development cannot be in a symmetry by anticipation and retardation with any other system.

Practical implications

In the paper, the practical implications are linked by the relationship between man and his environment and how to consider the data delivered by forecast.

Originality/value

The calculus and its results, the notion of symmetry by anticipation and retardation, examples and conclusions, all are original contributions.
Turbulences and disorder in general systems theory
Authors: Esteve‐Calvo Pasqual , Lloret‐Climent Miguel
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Previous articles have studied the basic behaviour and structure of the systems‐linkage from several points of view and were interested primarily in the different objects which compose a system‐linkage and the properties generated by the iterations of the associated structural function. Some of these properties raised the idea of the existence of order within a system‐linkage, but that idea was only semantic. There was not any formal definition of order within a system‐linkage. The purpose of this paper is to define more precisely what is understood to be an “ordered” system‐linkage, as well as studying before one of the main cases of disorder in these systems: turbulences.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a reminder is given of all the concepts and proved results that readers need for understanding the paper. Then, two new and important definitions are given: definition of ordered system‐linkage and the definition of turbulence. The paper proves several questions linking this definition with the main objects which appear within a system‐linkage. Several examples of turbulences will be showed using graphs.

Findings

The definition of turbulence presented, basically refers to the dependent relationship between two subsets disjoint from the M set of variables, once the associated structural function operates on them. It is a good example of disorder within a system‐linkage and, moreover, it is a good example of how the initial conditions, in a lot of cases, do not allow to see the real relationships between the variables or sets of them of a system‐linkage.

Originality/value

It is the first time that an ordered system‐linkage is formalized. Moreover, the situation of turbulence, under the qualitative point of view, is also shown for the first time.
Static and dynamic complex models: comparison and application to chemical systems
Authors: Drałus Grzegorz , Świątek Jerzy
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present research in the area of the modeling of complex systems using feed‐forward neural network.

Design/methodology/approach

Applications of multilayer neural networks with supervisor learning on the own simulator program wrote in Borland®Pascal Language. Series‐parallel identification method is applied. Tapped delay lines (TDL) in static neural networks for modeling of dynamic plants are used. Gradient and heuristic learning algorithms are applied. Three kinds of calibration of learning and testing data are used.

Findings

This paper illustrates that feed‐forward multilayer neural networks can model complex systems. Feed‐forward multilayer neural networks with TDL can be used to build global dynamic models of complex systems. It is possible to compare the quality both models.

Research limitations/implications

The learning and testing data from real systems to tune neuronal models require use of calibrating these data to range 0‐1.

Practical implications

The models quality depends on kind of calibration learning data from real system and depends on kind of learning algorithms.

Originality/value

The method and the learning algorithms discussed in the paper can be used to create global models of complex systems. The multilayer neural network with TDL can be used to model complex dynamic systems with low dynamics.
System GAMMA: the directives of finite‐frequency identification
Authors: Mikhailova Ljubov , Alexandrov Albert
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the results in the area of modern computer‐aided control system design tools relating to system identification.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite‐frequency identification method was designed for the needs of active identification. The test signal represents the sum of harmonics with automatically tuned (self‐tuned) amplitudes and frequencies where the number of harmonics does not exceed the state space dimension of the plant. The self‐tuning of amplitudes is carried out to satisfy those requirements on the bounds of the input and output which hold true in the absence of a test signal.

Findings

In this paper, the software implementation of finite‐frequency identification method in the system GAMMA is considered. GAMMA is the two‐level computer‐aided design (CAD) tool for identification and controllers algorithms synthesis for linear plants.

Practical implications

The system GAMMA is the complete and really working system.

Originality/value

A new structure of the CAD tool for engineers‐developers of control systems is proposed and its program implementation is described. The new variant of finite‐frequency identification method with self‐tuning of identification parameters (test signal and identification time) is considered.
Emergence and development of grey systems theory
Authors: Liu Sifeng , Forrest Jeffrey , Vallee Robert
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the scientific background from which grey systems theory came into being, the astonishing progress that grey systems theory has made in the world of learning and its wide‐ranging applications in the entire spectrum of science.

Design/methodology/approach

The grey uncertainty is compared with other kinds of uncertainty such as stochastic uncertainty, unascertainty, fuzzy and rough uncertainty.

Findings

The advances in grey systems theory and its various successful applications are introduced individually by algorithms of grey numbers and grey algebraic systems, grey dynamic models and grey predictions, grey optimization analysis for decision making, grey control models.

Research limitations/implications

Many scientific theories require the unremitting efforts of several generations of people and have gone through hundreds of years before reaching maturity and perfection. Grey systems theory is still in its growth period. So, it is unavoidable that there exist immature and imperfect parts in the theory.

Originality/value

Grey systems theory is a new method for studying problems of uncertainty with few data points and poor information. This new theory studies small samples and systems with poor information, which have partial information known, partial information unknown. It describes adequately and monitors effectively systems' operations and evolutions through extracting valuable information from the little known information. Grey systems theory comes into being along with the development of modern systems science and uncertainty systems theories and methods. It is also a result of deepened perceptivity about uncertain systems.
A new method to evaluate whether the data are suitable to GM model or not
Authors: Wei Yong , Hu Dahong
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the new class ratio dispersion, the new smooth degree sequence and the comparison criterion of the new smooth degree and to propose the new prior check of grey modeling in order to meet the modeling demand of the optimized grey models which have the white exponential law of coincidence.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces the corresponding new concepts and new comparison criterion which can reflect the approach degree of the raw data and the normal geometric progression by analogy with the traditional class ratio dispersion, smooth degree sequence and comparison criterion.

Findings

To the optimized grey models, the new concepts and the new comparison criterion can be regarded as the prior check of grey modeling.

Originality/value

First, the new concepts and the new comparison criterion can reflect the approach degree of the raw data and the normal geometric progression, and this paper proposes the prior check of grey modeling to the optimized grey models. Second, this paper proposes the quantificational valuation criterion – the concept of the smooth degree which can reflect the approach degree of a single sequence and the normal geometric progression, and ends the status quo that there is only the comparison criterion of the smooth degree between two sequences but not the quantificational valuation criterion of a single sequence.
Decision making algorithm for a class of two‐level manufacturing systems
Authors: Hojda Maciej , Józefczyk Jerzy
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to deal with a decision‐making problem in a complex operation system. Two levels of the system are made up of two different decision problems, i.e. task scheduling and task execution where by the latter an executor's movement control problem is understood. Interconnection of both levels creates a new problem that requires a new solution algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

With use of a model of a moving vehicle in the state space, an offline movement control algorithm, is developed. Moreover, the concept of rescheduling to improve the solution through repeated execution of both, the movement control and the scheduling algorithms is used.

Findings

Decision‐making problem, and its substitutive version is defined. A solution is given for the substitutive approach along with its analytical evaluation. Furthermore, significant improvement of the solution through rescheduling has been achieved.

Research limitations/implications

Proposed approach to decision making creates a difficulty for generalization of the results on cases with a different movement model.

Practical implications

The methodology introduced in the paper can be applied prominently in flexible manufacturing systems with moving executors where it is either unfeasible to move the assemblage or the executors are capable of performing multiple tasks.

Originality/value

Solution to a decision‐making problem in a two‐level system, with the given vehicle model, and use of rescheduling for quality improvement was not considered beforehand.
Enterprise ethical climate changes over life cycle stages
Authors: Belak Jernej , Mulej Matjaž
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Life cycle stages may see, result from, and/or cause, changes in culture and climate as the right‐brain attributes of both managers and their co‐workers. A four‐stage model is used to perceive these possible changes. Findings are tested in Slovenian enterprises. Differences per stages may be crucial and should therefore be known to managers/owners. Based on the case study research, this paper aims to suggest that enterprise awareness of importance of ethical climate can be of essential meaning for its long‐term success. The purpose of this paper is to discover differences in enterprise ethical climate in different enterprise life cycle stages and to identify their importance for active ethical climate care by the enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the qualitative research is applied. The research cognitions on ethical climate are discussed in application of the dialectical systems theory.

Findings

The paper finds that there are some differences in enterprise ethical climate for enterprise life cycle stages and indicates a significant presence of the “rule”, “law and code” and “instrumental” ethical climates. Movement towards a more bureaucratic method of enterprise functioning, as an enterprise moves from the pioneer stage towards the stage of turn‐over, was also found.

Practical implications

This paper gives us some insights in the state of ethical climate in Slovenian enterprises. In a frame of practical implications, a further research should be done to show which measures of such ethical climate implementation should be used to stimulate the enterprises' innovative behaviour in accordance with the state of enterprise's life cycle stage.

Originality/value

The available literature does not provide for a similar research of linkage between the ethical climate and enterprises' life cycle.
Fragmentary structure of global knowledge: constructive processes for interoperability
Authors: Heather Michael , Rossiter Nick
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The application of category theory to interoperability to increase understanding of the problems and to facilitate the development of practical tools for their solution.

Design/methodology/approach

Category theory is naturally suited to handling interoperability. The use of first order predicate logic in many information systems may be justified through its completeness. However, the work of Gödel shows that such systems are undecidable if they rely on formal systems of number and/or sets. For interoperability dyadic higher order logic is required, which is neither complete nor decidable if based on sets. However, pure category theory is still axiomatic so is also neither complete nor decidable. Applied category theory based on cartesian closed categories for process is natural and is both complete and decidable. Gödel's theorems therefore do not apply.

Findings

The paper finds that composed adjunctions appear particularly well‐suited for modelling interoperability, with composition of distinct functors for mapping across a number of levels and of endofunctors for business process interoperability. The monad/comonad category provides a powerful abstraction of the business process. The development of a tool based on categorial principles written in Haskell may be a way forward but only as an initial set model approach.

Originality/value

This paper applies categorial constructions which permit a natural formal approach to interoperability.
Preparation and characterisation of green nanocomposites of biodegradable poly(vinyl‐alcohol‐co‐ethylene) and wood dust
Authors: Bana Ruchi , Banthia A.K.
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report the preparation and characterisation of nanocomposites, which are made of biodegradable poly(vinyl‐alcohol‐co‐ethylene) and wood dust. These nanocomposites can aptly be termed as green by nature as they are totally non‐toxic and ecofriendly.

Design/methodology/approach

Sample films containing 5, 10 and 15 wt% fillers are prepared by conventional solvent casting technique using glass plates as casting surfaces. The dispersion of filler in the polymer matrix is investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis. Physical and chemical properties of the films are studied by various characterisation techniques (FTIR, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), TEM and TGA).

Findings

TEM analysis reveals that the average particle size of the nanodispersed filler in the nanocomposite materials is in the range of 12‐25 nm, which shows that a greater extent of matrix penetrated into fibre capillaries of wood dust. These results are supported by the XRD findings also. Wood enhances the thermal stability of the as synthesised nanocomposites.

Research limitations/implications

The mechanical properties of the as synthesised nanocomposites can be improved further by modifying wood dust.

Practical implications

The method developed provides a simple and practical solution to improve the biodegradability, as well as the thermal stability of the composite films.

Originality/value

The nanocomposites so developed can be used in automotive parts like front door liners, boot liners, parcel shelves, headliners, etc. also as mulching films in agriculture.
Amine functional aniline furfuraldehyde condensate cured epoxy resin
Authors: Maity Tithi , Samanta Bidhan
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the curing efficiency of amine functional aniline furfuraldehyde condensate (AFAFFC) for diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin to achieve toughness, chemical resistance, etc.

Design/methodology/approach

To study curing reaction, the curing agent AFAFFC is synthesised first from the reaction of aniline and furfuraldehyde in acid medium and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, elemental analysis, concentration of primary and secondary amine analysis. Then, equimolecular mixture of AFAFFC and DGEBA is subjected to curing reaction and the reaction is followed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The kinetic studies of this curing reaction, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of cured epoxy are also reported.

Findings

The DSC analysis shows the complete exotherms of effective curing reaction indicating the efficiency of AFAFFC as curing agent for DGEBA resin. The kinetic studies reveal that the curing reaction is first order. Mechanical properties reflect the brittleness of cured matrix and TGA shows that the cured matrixes are stable up to around 240°C.

Research limitations/implications

The curing agent AFAFFC has been synthesised by using aniline and furfuraldehyde. By changing amine and aldehyde, other curing agents could be synthesised and the curing efficiency of these for epoxy resin could also be studied.

Originality/value

The method for curing study of epoxy resin (DGEBA) is novel and relevant as the cured products have high performance applications in protective coatings and adhesives for most substrates.
The impact of consumer animosity on attitudes towards foreign goods: a study of Jewish and Arab Israelis
Authors: Rose Mei , Rose Gregory M. , Shoham Aviv
Published: October 2009

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight the importance of examining sub‐cultural attitudes when assessing the animosity of individuals from one nation toward the products of other nations.

Design/methodology/approach

The context chosen, Arab and Jewish Israelis' attitudes toward the UK and Italy, provides a strong setting to test the influence of animosity on product judgments and willingness to purchase products from these nations. Attitudes toward British and Italian products were collected in shopping malls and community centers in middle class neighborhoods in Northern Israel. A total of 112 Arab Israeli and 111 Jewish Israeli consumers were sampled.

Findings

Both animosity and consumer ethnocentrism led to a decreased willingness to purchase a nation's products. Arab Israelis felt more animosity toward the UK than Jewish Israelis, which negatively impacted their product judgments of British products.

Originality/value

Previous research on the impact of animosity on foreign products has generally looked at nations as a whole, examined contexts where animosity was fairly distant (e.g. Chinese animosity toward Japan from the second world war), and found that animosity does not affect product judgments. The paper examines a more immediate context (current attitudes among Arab and Jewish Israelis), highlights the importance of considering subcultures when studying animosity, and finds that animosity can and does affect the product judgments of foreign products when felt animosity is strong.
An exploratory investigation of the consumer religious commitment and its influence on store loyalty and consumer complaint intentions
Authors: Swimberghe Krist , Sharma Dheeraj , Flurry Laura
Published: October 2009

Purpose

Past consumer behavior researchers contend that there is a significant relationship between a consumer's religious affiliation and a number of consumption related variables. Based on Worthington et al.'s multi‐dimensional approach this paper aims to examine the concept of consumer religious commitment in the marketing domain.

Design/methodology/approach

Using cross‐sectional data of 425 respondents this research examines the outcomes of the direct influence of consumer religious commitment on two outcomes, namely, store loyalty and complaint intentions.

Findings

Results of the study indicate that consumer religious commitment significantly influences store loyalty and complaint intentions.

Originality/value

The paper offers prescriptive insights for managers, who may see potential value of consumer religiosity as a market segmentation tool.
The talent wars
Authors: Ferguson Rick , Brohaugh Bill
Published: October 2009

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to advise employers on how to recognize and reward their best employees in order to retain and motivate top talent during a recession.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper explores, with commentary from leaders in the marketing industry, business‐to‐employee marketing (B2E) and employee incentive programs as a means to enhance employee loyalty and customer service.

Findings

Good people retain career mobility even in tough times; simply having a job is not a sufficient employee motivator during tough times. Retaining your top performers pays out both in the short term, by helping to avoid Circuit City‐style meltdowns, and in the long term, by retaining their expertise, skills, contacts and relationships.

Practical implications

By rewarding employees as businesses would consumers, marketers can enhance their employees' work experience and thus expand their bottom line.

Originality/value

The paper has exclusive interviews with representatives from some of the largest marketing firms in the industry today and provides tangible tips and tools to utilize in the real world.