bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intelligent-Fields Management at Woodside: Using Off-the-Shelf Technology
Authors: Denney Dennis
Published: February 2015

This article, written by Senior Technology Editor Dennis Denney, contains highlights of paper SPE 116519, "Intelligent-Fields Management at Woodside: A Low-Cost Step Improvement in Field Management Using Off-the-Shelf Technology," by Bruce James, SPE, Kevin A. Kerr, Stephanie Lim, SPE, Ed Lewandowski, SPE, Craig Knight, SPE, and Richard Bell, SPE, Woodside Energy, prepared for the 2008 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Perth, Australia, 20-22 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed.

By use of improved integration, data efficiency, and more-informed decision making, Woodside's intelligent-fields-management (IFM) system has improved the way its Cossack/Wanaea/Lambert/Hermes (CWLH) fields are managed. The greatest value was in improved integration of data and work practices and in longer-term reservoir management.

Introduction

The overall goal was to improve management of oil and gas fields through better integration of workflows and data, with an emphasis on use of real-time production data and downhole-flow control. This review focused on improved integration of work processes and information.

Common applications include production optimization, allocation, and surveillance by use of data-driven neural networks. This case study describes how Woodside's IFM program was implemented and discusses accomplishments in a 12-month period at relatively low cost starting with little pre-existing knowledge. Initially, the current IFM program focused on near-term management issues, such as well-test deferral and daily optimization of the CWLH fields. The system is proceeding on two other oil fields, and efforts are under way to expand the program to gas fields and to other parts of the life cycle, such as reservoir management.

CWLH Fields

The CWLH oil fields are offshore Western Australia, 125 to 145 km northwest of Karratha (Fig. 1). The Lambert and Hermes fields are 15 km north of the Wanaea and Cossack fields. The fields lie on the inner continental shelf in water depths of 75 to 135 m.

The fields are produced through the Cossack Pioneer floating production, storage, and offtake facility through a subsea system of 11 wells tied back by flowlines. Production from the Wanaea and Cossack fields began in November 1995. The Hermes field came on stream in October 1997, and the Lambert field began production in September 1999.

Well testing is conducted by diverting individual wells into the dedicated test separator. High recovery is the result of high reservoir permeabilities, excellent reservoir continuity, and a strong aquifer drive. The produced-fluid gravity ranges from 47 to 48°API, viscosity ranges from 0.17 to 0.5 cp, and gas/oil ratio (GOR) ranges from 140 to 1,300 scf/STB. All four fields are undersaturated.
New Sucker Rod Pump Technology with Integral Screen for Sandy Wells
Authors: Stachowiak John
Published: February 2015

A high percentage of rod pump wells globally experience issues caused by production of a high amount of solids. Premature wear of pump components and stuck pumps are two leading failure modes caused by production of solids. Over the years industry has tried to solve these problems by introducing special coating materials for the wetted parts of rod pumps as well as developing special pump designs. However, currently available sand resistant technologies still lack reliability.

An innovative sucker rod pump with an integral filtering screen was developed and tested to address issues with production of high volumes of solids. This technology allows for increased plunger and barrel run life and has been successfully tested in numerous wells. This paper discusses the details of this new technology and the proven benefits based on field trial results.
Maize Leaf Phytotoxicity and Grain Yield are Affected by Nitrogen Source and Application Method
Authors: Vargas Vitor P. , Sangoi Luis , Ernani Paulo R. , Picoli Gilmar J. , Cantarella Heitor
Published: February 2015

Nitrogen fertilizer broadcast application over maize (Zea mays L.) is becoming more common as narrow row spacing is adopted and larger fields are cultivated. The contact of N fertilizers with plant leaves can partially damage leaf tissues and consequently affect crop yield. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of source, method, and time of application of N fertilizer on maize leaf area and grain yield. A field trial was conducted in Brazil during two growing seasons. Urea (UR) and ammonium nitrate (AN) were applied at V5 and V10 maize growth stages broadcasted over the canopy or banded on the soil at a rate of 200 kg N ha−1. Solid fertilizers were broadcasted over dry and wet leaves whereas for applications to the soil solid fertilizers or solutions were used. In the first season, broadcasting AN reduced the leaf area at silking by 15.7% compared to soil application regardless of leaf moisture. In the following year, broadcasting AN reduced by 7.5% the leaf area at silking compared with UR. In the first growing season, the grain yield with UR was 10.1% greater than that with AN when both fertilizers were broadcasted. In the second season for the same application method, the grain yield from crops fertilized with UR was 32% higher than those where AN was used. In addition, the yield was 18% greater when fertilizers were applied to the soil than when they were broadcasted. Broadcasting N fertilizers causes leaf phytotoxicity and may decrease grain yield, especially when AN is used.
Switchgrass Establishment and Biomass Yield Responses to Fungicide and Insecticide Seed Treatments
Authors: Interrante Sindy M. , Hancock Dennis , Butler Twain J.
Published: February 2015

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is being evaluated for both forage and bioenergy in the Great Plains of the USA. Management strategies to improve switchgrass seedling vigor and emergence may result in more successful switchgrass stands due to better competitive advantage for switchgrass seedlings over weedy species. The objectives of this field experiment were to determine the effects of seven broad‐spectrum fungicide and insecticide seed treatments on the establishment and yield of lowland type ‘EG1101’ switchgrass. The combination of fungicide + insecticide (regardless of formulation) tended to result in taller seedlings and greater seedling densities and stands of switchgrass as compared to untreated control (UTC), fungicide only, and insecticide only. These advantages didn’t result in greater switchgrass dry matter (DM) yield, probably due to adequate stands (>1–2 plants per ft2) that were achieved by all fungicide–insecticide seed treatments including UTC. However, given the relatively small cost per acre of seed treatments, there may be early‐season benefits to treating seeds with a broad‐spectrum insecticide as an insurance measure to increase switchgrass seedling vigor and reduce the chance of stand failure, especially when used with a proven weed management program.
Does Surface or Subsurface Tillage Influence Burley Tobacco Yield, Leaf Temperature, or Alkaloid Content?
Authors: Ritchey Edwin L. , Pearce Robert C. , Grove John H.
Published: February 2015

Transplanted crop growth can be adversely affected by soil compaction. Subsoil tillage is commonly used when compaction is suspected. No‐tillage (NT) fields are often thought to be compacted although this is seldom confirmed by soil bulk density (BD) before subsoiling. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of surface and subsurface tillage on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) yield, soil BD, leaf temperature, and leaf alkaloids; and to correlate tobacco leaf temperature, leaf alkaloid levels, and soil BD with root‐caused yield limitations. In five trials, surface tillage main plots consisted of NT and conventional moldboard tillage (CT), with the absence/presence of subsoiling as subplots. Soil BD values were influenced by tillage and varied with site‐year and sampling depth. They were also influenced by sampling location and the surface traffic pattern, but were not yield limiting. The CT system favored yield in three of five site‐years by 6 to 38%, but yield was not influenced by subsoiling. Tobacco leaf temperature was 2.4 to 3.3% lower in the NT treatments when differences were observed, but did not translate into higher yields relative to the CT treatments. Leaf alkaloid content was 5.6 to 23.8% higher in CT treatments. Percent conversion of nicotine to nornicotine was 18.5% greater in CT treatments. Simple linear regression indicated that leaf temperature, BD, and leaf alkaloids were related to yield, but not consistently. Although results suggest that greater CT yields were related to greater root exploration, additional research is needed to fully understand the relationships involved.
Diagnosis and management challenge of a granular cell astrocytoma of the pineal region: case report
Authors: El Asri Abad Cherif , Baallal Hassan , Zoubeir Youssef , Sinaa Mohamed , Albouzidi Abderrahman , Gazzaz Miloudi , Akhaddar Ali , Boucetta Mohamed , El Mostarchid Brahim
Published: February 2015

Granular cell astrocytoma (GCA) is a rare type of infiltrative brain tumor with most reported cases occurring in the suprasellar region. A pineal localization is extremely rare, with only 4 previously reported cases in the literature. The authors describe the case of a 16-year-old boy who developed signs of increased intracranial pressure and Parinaud syndrome. Cranial CT and MRI revealed a well-demarcated and enhanced mass in the pineal region accompanied by obstructive hydrocephalus. Subtotal resection was performed via a subtemporal approach. A histological diagnosis of GCA was made. Three years after surgery, the patient was alive and well without adjuvant therapy, and serial MRI showed no signs of progression of a small residual tumor. After a thorough review of the different epidemiological, clinical, and imaging features; treatments; and prognoses of GCAs in other intracranial localizations, the authors analyzed features of this tumor in the pineal region.
The “vagal ansa”: a source of complication in vagus nerve stimulation
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Chittur Viswanathan , Kestle John R. W. , Connolly Mary B.
Published: February 2015

A 16-year-old boy underwent vagus nerve stimulation for treatment-resistant multifocal epilepsy. During intraoperative system diagnostics, vigorous contraction of the ipsilateral sternomastoid muscle was observed. On re-exploration, a thin nerve fiber passing from the vagus to the sternomastoid was found hooked up in the upper electrode. Detailed inspection revealed an abnormal course of the superior root of the ansa cervicalis, which descended down as a single nerve trunk with the vagus and separated to join the inferior root. The authors discuss the variation in the course of the ansa cervicalis and how this could be a reason for postoperative neck muscle contractions.
Evolution of cranioplasty techniques in neurosurgery: historical review, pediatric considerations, and current trends
Authors: Feroze Abdullah H. , Walmsley Graham G. , Choudhri Omar , Lorenz H. Peter , Grant Gerald A. , Edwards Michael S. B.
Published: February 2015

Cranial bone repair is one of the oldest neurosurgical practices. Reconstructing the natural contours of the skull has challenged the ingenuity of surgeons from antiquity to the present day. Given the continuous improvement of neurosurgical and emergency care over the past century, more patients survive such head injuries, thus necessitating more than ever before a simple, safe, and durable means of correcting skull defects. In response, numerous techniques and materials have been devised as the art of cranioplasty has progressed. Although the goals of cranioplasty remain the same, the evolution of techniques and diversity of materials used serves as testimony to the complexity of this task. This paper highlights the evolution of these materials and techniques, with a particular focus on the implications for managing pediatric calvarial repair and emerging trends within the field.
Role of superior hypophyseal artery in visual function impairment after paraclinoid carotid artery aneurysm surgery
Authors: Horiuchi Tetsuyoshi , Goto Tetsuya , Tanaka Yuichiro , Kodama Kunihiko , Tsutsumi Keiji , Ito Kiyoshi , Hongo Kazuhiro
Published: February 2015

OBJECT

Although a number of studies have assessed the surgical treatment of paraclinoid-segment carotid artery aneurysms and resulting visual complications, less attention has been given to the results with respect to the superior hypophyseal artery (SHA). The authors evaluated the relationship between the aneurysm, the SHA itself, and postoperative visual function in patients with ruptured and unruptured SHA aneurysms.

METHODS

From January 1991 through December 2013, 181 patients with 190 paraclinoid carotid artery aneurysms received treatment at Shinshu University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals. The authors retrospectively analyzed charts, operative records, operative videos, and neuroimaging findings for these patients with or without postoperative visual complications.

RESULTS

The authors identified 72 SHA aneurysms in 70 patients (mean age 58 years). Of 69 patients (1 patient died) evaluated, postoperative visual complications occurred in 9 (13.0%). Although the aneurysm size and SHA sacrifice did not lead to postoperative visual impairment, simultaneous treatment of bilateral aneurysms was a risk factor for postoperative visual complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Unilateral SHA impairment may be safe (i.e., it may not induce ischemia of the optic pathway) for many, but not all, patients with SHA aneurysm.
Technological innovation in neurosurgery: a quantitative study
Authors: Marcus Hani J. , Hughes-Hallett Archie , Kwasnicki Richard M. , Darzi Ara , Yang Guang-Zhong , Nandi Dipankar
Published: February 2015

OBJECT

Technological innovation within health care may be defined as the introduction of a new technology that initiates a change in clinical practice. Neurosurgery is a particularly technology-intensive surgical discipline, and new technologies have preceded many of the major advances in operative neurosurgical techniques. The aim of the present study was to quantitatively evaluate technological innovation in neurosurgery using patents and peer-reviewed publications as metrics of technology development and clinical translation, respectively.

METHODS

The authors searched a patent database for articles published between 1960 and 2010 using the Boolean search term “neurosurgeon OR neurosurgical OR neurosurgery.” The top 50 performing patent codes were then grouped into technology clusters. Patent and publication growth curves were then generated for these technology clusters. A top-performing technology cluster was then selected as an exemplar for a more detailed analysis of individual patents.

RESULTS

In all, 11,672 patents and 208,203 publications related to neurosurgery were identified. The top-performing technology clusters during these 50 years were image-guidance devices, clinical neurophysiology devices, neuromodulation devices, operating microscopes, and endoscopes. In relation to image-guidance and neuromodulation devices, the authors found a highly correlated rapid rise in the numbers of patents and publications, which suggests that these are areas of technology expansion. An in-depth analysis of neuromodulation-device patents revealed that the majority of well-performing patents were related to deep brain stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Patent and publication data may be used to quantitatively evaluate technological innovation in neurosurgery.
Pharmacogenetics Informed Decision Making in Adolescent Psychiatric Treatment: A Clinical Case Report
Authors: Smith Teri , Sharp Susan , Manzardo Ann , Butler Merlin
Published: February 2015

Advances made in genetic testing and tools applied to pharmacogenetics are increasingly being used to inform clinicians in fields such as oncology, hematology, diabetes (endocrinology), cardiology and expanding into psychiatry by examining the influences of genetics on drug efficacy and metabolism. We present a clinical case example of an adolescent male with anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder who did not tolerate numerous medications and dosages over several years in attempts to manage his symptoms. Pharmacogenetics testing was performed and DNA results on this individual elucidated the potential pitfalls in medication use because of specific pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic differences specifically involving polymorphisms of genes in the cytochrome p450 enzyme system. Future studies and reports are needed to further illustrate and determine the type of individualized medicine approach required to treat individuals based on their specific gene patterns. Growing evidence supports this biological approach for standard of care in psychiatry.
Mammalian Introns: When the Junk Generates Molecular Diversity
Authors: Hubé Florent , Francastel Claire
Published: February 2015

Introns represent almost half of the human genome, yet their vast majority is eliminated from eukaryotic transcripts through RNA splicing. Nevertheless, they feature key elements and functions that deserve further interest. At the level of DNA, introns are genomic segments that can shelter independent transcription units for coding and non-coding RNAs which transcription may interfere with that of the host gene, and regulatory elements that can influence gene expression and splicing itself. From the RNA perspective, some introns can be subjected to alternative splicing. Intron retention appear to provide some plasticity to the nature of the protein produced, its distribution in a given cell type and timing of its translation. Intron retention may also serve as a switch to produce coding or non-coding RNAs from the same transcription unit. Conversely, splicing of introns has been directly implicated in the production of small regulatory RNAs. Hence, splicing of introns also appears to provide plasticity to the type of RNA produced from a genetic locus (coding, non-coding, short or long). We addressed these aspects to add to our understanding of mechanisms that control the fate of introns and could be instrumental in regulating genomic output and hence cell fate.
Licochalcone A, a Polyphenol Present in Licorice, Suppresses UV-Induced COX-2 Expression by Targeting PI3K, MEK1, and B-Raf
Authors: Song Nu , Kim Jong-Eun , Park Jun , Kim Jong , Kang Heerim , Lee Eunjung , Kang Young-Gyu , Son Joe , Seo Sang , Heo Yong , Lee Ki
Published: February 2015

Licorice is a traditional botanical medicine, and has historically been commonly prescribed in Asia to treat various diseases. Glycyrrhizin (Gc), a triterpene compound, is the most abundant phytochemical constituent of licorice. However, high intake or long-term consumption of Gc has been associated with a number of side effects, including hypertension. However, the presence of alternative bioactive compounds in licorice with anti-carcinogenic effects has long been suspected. Licochalcone A (LicoA) is a prominent member of the chalcone family and can be isolated from licorice root. To date, there have been no reported studies on the suppressive effect of LicoA against solar ultraviolet (sUV)-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression and the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Here, we show that LicoA, a major chalcone compound of licorice, effectively inhibits sUV-induced COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 PGE2 generation through the inhibition of activator protein 1 AP-1 transcriptional activity, with an effect that is notably more potent than Gc. Western blotting analysis shows that LicoA suppresses sUV-induced phosphorylation of Akt/ mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2/p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK) in HaCaT cells. Moreover, LicoA directly suppresses the activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)1, and B-Raf, but not Raf-1 in cell-free assays, indicating that PI3K, MEK1, and B-Raf are direct molecular targets of LicoA. We also found that LicoA binds to PI3K and B-Raf in an ATP-competitive manner, although LicoA does not appear to compete with ATP for binding with MEK1. Collectively, these results provide insight into the biological action of LicoA, which may have potential for development as a skin cancer chemopreventive agent.
Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the perennial herb Hepatica nobilis var. japonica (Ranunculaceae)
Authors: Kameoka Shinichiro , Higashi Hiroyuki , Setoguchi Hiroaki
Published: February 2015

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite markers were developed and characterized in the vulnerable plant Hepatica nobilis var. japonica (Ranunculaceae) to investigate its genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow.

Methods and Results:

Fourteen microsatellite markers were developed. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to 12, and the expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.043 to 0.855. Eleven markers were successfully amplified in the cultivar ‘Mego’ from Japan.

Conclusions:

These microsatellite markers can be used to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow of H. nobilis var. japonica.
Anionic sigmatropic-electrocyclic-Chugaev cascades: accessing 12-aryl-5-(methylthiocarbonylthio)tetracenes and a related anthra[2,3-b]thiophene
Authors: Burroughs Laurence , Ritchie John , Ngwenya Mkhethwa , Khan Dilfaraz , Lewis William , Woodward Simon
Published: February 2015

1,4-Diols resulting from the double addition of ArCCLi (Ar = Ph, substituted phenyl, 2-thienyl) to ortho-C6H4(CHO)2 undergo cascades to tetracenes on simple admixture of LiHDMS, CS2 and MeI. Acene formation proceeds by [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement of xanthate anions followed by 6π electrocyclisations. The reactions are terminated by E2 or anionic Chugaev-type eliminations. Structural packing motifs and electronic properties are reported for the tetracenes.
Man and machine in macroeconomics
Authors: Hoover Kevin D.
Published: February 2015

Les aperçus historiques des manuels de macroéconomie tournent généralement autour de Keynes. Keynes est crédité d’avoir fondé la macroéconomie, et d’être à l’origine de ses principaux développements jusqu’au début des années 1970, y compris les grands modèles macroéconométriques habituellement qualifiés de « keynésiens ». L’histoire de la macroéconomie est ainsi pensée comme un moyen de renforcer ou de contredire Keynes (par le monétarisme ou la nouvelle macroéconomie classique, par exemple). En vérité, la véritable histoire est plus compliquée et comporte deux fils distincts. Keynes fut important, mais les premiers macroéconométriciens, Ragnar Frisch et Jan Tinbergen, se révélèrent peut-être plus importants encore. Frisch et Tinbergen recoururent à des métaphores physiques ou mécaniques dans lesquelles les quantités agrégées étaient primordiales. La vision qu’avait Keynes de la macroéconomie était plutôt « médicale ». Elle s’appuie sur la psychologie humaine et les décisions individuelles et elle considère l’économie comme un système organique. Alors que les décideurs et les conseillers économiques ne peuvent opérer, selon Keynes, que dans le système économique, Frisch et Tinbergen posèrent les bases d’une approche de contrôle optimal de la politique économique où le décideur se situe hors du système. La nouvelle macroéconomie classique a réalisé un amalgame déconcertant des métaphores médicale et mécanique.
Cycles « versus » growth in Schumpeter
Authors: Geiger Niels
Published: February 2015

Les théories des cycles et de la croissance de Schumpeter comportent deux formes de superposition distinctes. La première est bien connue. Il s’agit de celle exposée sous forme graphique dans l’ouvrage Business Cycles [1939] correspondant à la superposition de différentes ondes, ou cycles, de périodes différentes. Bien que la connexion entre ces ondes d’ordres différents ne soit pas élaborée en détail, force est de constater qu’un élément de combinaison de la croissance (Kondratieff) et de mouvements cycliques, comme les cycles économiques « ordinaires » (Juglar), est bien présent. Un autre argument, plus rarement discuté encore dans la littérature, est la séparation technique stricte entre le trend de la croissance et les ondes cycliques dans les économies réelles. C’est un peu comme si l’interprétation générale de l’énoncé de Schumpeter était fondée sur la représentation graphique mentionnée précédemment. L’argument permettant de distinguer entre croissance sous-jacente d’un côté, et éléments cycliques de l’autre, est notamment avancé par Schumpeter dans deux articles [1927 ; 1935] qui ne donnent pas de représentation graphique des éléments clés de l’analyse. Cet article vise à proposer une représentation graphique détaillée et conforme au raisonnement de Schumpeter, de manière à mettre en évidence une possible imprécision présente dans Business Cycles .
Kuznets versus Kondratieff
Authors: Diebolt Claude
Published: February 2015

L’application de l’analyse spectrale au domaine cliométrique a été jusqu’à présent restreinte. Dans cet article, elle est employée pour déterminer, en comparaison internationale, la périodicité des séries du PIB sur le long terme. Après avoir rappelé la méthodologie spectrale (I), nous examinerons les séries retenues, le traitement de ces séries et les résultats de l’analyse cliométrique (II). Nous montrons ensuite les perspectives macroéconomiques de ce type d’approche et synthétisons un résultat majeur, à savoir l’existence d’un cycle intermédiaire unique de type Kuznets, en contradiction avec le discours académique relatif à la datation des fameux cycles de type Kondratieff.
« La rationalité économique et financière de l'État écrase tout intérêt pour le fait associatif »
Authors: Bourdeau Vincent , Cottin-Marx Simon
Published: February 2015

La Cimade intervient auprès des déplacés et réfugiés depuis sa création en 1939-1940 pour venir en aide aux évacués d’Alsace-Lorraine. Depuis cette date, la Cimade est aux côtés des étrangers – immigrés et réfugiés – pour leur apporter un soutien juridique et une assistance administrative, ainsi que pour faciliter leur insertion sociale. Dans cet entretien, Jean-Claude Mas, secrétaire général de l’association depuis 2012, a accepté de revenir sur l’évolution récente du contexte politique d’intervention de la Cimade et sur les effets de cette évolution sur la mission de l’association. En 2008, la convention qui liait l’État et la Cimade depuis 1984 pour l’intervention dans les centres de rétention a été remise en question. Soumise à un marché public, les prestations d’assistance et d’accompagnement font désormais l’objet d’une mise en concurrence entre différentes associations qui se partagent un marché réparti en lots régionaux. Cette transformation est le point de départ d’une discussion plus générale sur le sens du fait associatif aujourd’hui, dans un monde soumis aux contraintes de la rationalité économique où les logiques politiques et juridiques ont de plus en plus de mal à faire entendre leurs voix.
Les mutations institutionnelles du monde associatif
Authors: Bastide Jean
Published: February 2015

Au cours de l’histoire, le régime associatif a parfois été craint par les pouvoirs, mais ceux-ci ont aussi été tentés de l’utiliser à leurs fins. Issue d’initiatives privées, l’association est fréquemment aujourd’hui un instrument de mise en œuvre des politiques publiques. La grande diversité des associations, par la taille, par les objectifs et les projets et par les domaines dans lesquels elles interviennent, rend toute coordination difficile entre elles.
Les entrepreneurs sociaux à l'assaut du monde associatif
Authors: Gérome Clément
Published: February 2015

Cet article entend fournir quelques éléments de compréhension au développement récent de l’entrepreneuriat social en France. L’auteur souhaite montrer que la mobilisation de la thématique de l’entrepreneuriat social par certains dirigeants associatifs vise à reformuler les discours et renouveler les pratiques au sein du monde associatif afin de rapprocher celui-ci des acteurs et des institutions de l’économie capitaliste, dans un contexte de concurrence accrue entre associations et de privatisation des financements publics.
Travailler dans les associations est un sport de combat
Authors: Brulavoine Thierry , Marquis Lisann , Patouche  , Hanssens Patricia , Cottin-Marx Simon , S. Julien
Published: February 2015

Les six contributions de salarié-e-s associatifs que nous avons regroupées témoignent, chacune à leur manière, des spécificités du travail associatif. Le premier texte montre comment la bureaucratie peut s’imposer aux associations et devenir chronophage. Les contributions suivantes donnent un regard sur l’intérieur des associations : des sociétés de personnes qui peuvent être traversées par des conflits, des mauvaises pratiques et entraîner de la souffrance au travail. Plusieurs « petites luttes », expérimentations, soulignent qu’il est possible de tendre vers une conciliation des valeurs et des pratiques, lutter pour garder l’envie de travailler dans ces organisations qui portent la transformation sociale.
Repenser le salariat et le travail associatifs
Authors: Véclin Thierry
Published: February 2015

Le Mouvement rural de jeunesse chrétienne (MRJC) explore des modes de gouvernance inédits qui pourraient servir de modèle aux associations de l’éducation populaire. Le MRJC se distingue notamment parce qu’il est composé de jeunes bénévoles, aux commandes de l’association. Ici, les salariés chargés de l’animation sont appelés « permanents » ou « militants salariés », ce qui ne laisse pas de doute sur la nature de leur engagement. Le « personnel ressource », quant à lui, s’occupe des tâches de gestion de l’association. Depuis 85 ans, les orientations de l’association tendent à s’inscrire dans les évolutions générales de la société.
S'organiser en coopérative plutôt qu'en association
Authors: Cottin-Marx Simon
Published: February 2015

Le partage des rôles entre salariés et dirigeants bénévoles manque parfois de cohérence politique. Lorsque les associations vivent uniquement de leurs activités économiques et peinent à trouver un modèle salarial, se transformer en coopérative n’est-il pas une piste à suivre ? Dans cet entretien, le rédacteur en chef de la revue Altermondes explique ce qui a poussé l’association porteuse du projet à se transformer en société coopérative d’intérêt collectif (SCIC).
La propriété repensée par l'accès
Authors: Cretois Pierre
Published: February 2015

Dans les nouveaux cadres de l’échange économique (Internet, achat de services, partage...), le droit de propriété ne disparaît pas, il change de fonction : il devient d’abord un droit d’administrer les accès aux ressources dès lors pensées comme des supports de biens dématérialisés : expériences ou fonctionnalités notamment. Il n’est donc plus nécessaire de s’approprier matériellement les ressources pour en jouir. Ainsi, l’idée de penser une nouvelle économie non comme acquisition de ressources matérielles sur un marché, mais comme ouverture au plus vaste groupe de l’accès aux « biens d’accomplissement » en particulier (éducation, nutrition, socialisation...) dont les ressources sont les supports (sans être en elles-mêmes ces biens d’accomplissement), ouvre la possibilité d’un monde de partage susceptible d’être articulé avec l’utopie des communs.
Penser autrement la propriété : la propriété s'oppose-t-elle aux « communs » ?
Authors: Rochfeld Judith
Published: February 2015

La résurgence des « biens communs » dans le discours juridique français marque la montée de préoccupations d’ouvrir l’usage d’une ressource à une communauté de personnes, d’en assurer la conservation au profit de cette communauté, voire de transmettre la ressource aux générations à venir. Pour les ressources immatérielles, cet appel au « commun » porte également une finalité d’ouverture à la participation du plus grand nombre à leur enrichissement. Le droit français n’est pas dépourvu de modèles pour accueillir les « communs », soit qu’il propose de rendre la ressource inappropriable et dessine une communauté négative, soit qu’il offre des modes d’appropriation collective et forge des communautés positives, soit encore qu’il organise l’accès de tiers à la ressource. Dans ce dernier modèle, que l’on souhaiterait davantage soutenir, le droit articule propriété privée et accès, admettant que se constituent des communautés diffuses autour de certains biens « destinés ».
Réhabiliter la propriété comme bundle of rights : des origines à Elinor Ostrom, et au-delà ?
Authors: Orsi Fabienne
Published: February 2015

La définition de la propriété en termes de bundle of rights, ou faisceau de droits, constitue le cœur d’une puissante doctrine juridique américaine dont le développement au cours du XX e  siècle a conduit à une véritable révolution dans la conception même de la propriété aux États-Unis. Bien qu’objet d’âpres controverses, cette conception de la propriété est progressivement devenue une nouvelle « orthodoxie ». Toutefois, l’usage de cette notion a évolué dans un sens bien précis, où le droit d’exclure s’est imposé comme le critère déterminant de la propriété. Ce faisant, ce sont les fondements mêmes de la notion de propriété, comme faisceau de droits, qui se trouvent annihilés, neutralisant de fait sa portée en tant que définition alternative de la propriété. Celle-ci mérite d’être réhabilitée. C’est la tâche que s’assigne cet article. Pour cela, nous revenons sur ses origines en mettant l’accent sur le rôle des fondateurs du réalisme juridique et de l’économie institutionnaliste. Nous mettons ensuite en perspective l’usage des bundle of rights par la théoricienne des communs et « prix Nobel » d’économie, Elinor Ostrom. Notre objectif est ainsi de montrer en quoi la contribution majeure d’Ostrom constitue un renouveau de la conception originelle de la propriété comme faisceau de droits et lui restitue toute son ampleur.
Resource Allocation through Scheduling Optimization
Authors: Chilton Michael A.
Published: February 2015

Project management is especially critical when developing new information technology applications as there have been many project failures due to lost time and wasted effort (cf. e.g., Nelson, 2007). Despite a vast amount of research, this continues to be a problem. Even though Information Systems can involve leading edge technology, it seems to be lacking in its risk management abilities (Kappelman et al., 2006). Poor scheduling seems to be at the top of the causal ladder and Project Managers (PMs) often spend much of their time attending to the details of the schedule instead of dealing with the issues critical to the project that arise as the work progresses. This chapter is devoted to resource allocation, which the authors believe can be achieved through schedule optimization. The authors introduce a user-friendly program that provides an optimal schedule and takes into account the constraints imposed by having a limited number of resources.
Agile Project Management
Authors: Jansson Tomas
Published: February 2015

Agile project methods are said to encourage flexibility and efficiency in Information Systems Development projects. The questions of how, why, and in what contexts agile practices work remain to a large extent unanswered by research. The authors argue that contemporary theory on human motivation and creative work, such as the Self-Determination framework (Deci & Ryan, 1985) and the Progress Principle (Amabile & Kramer, 2011), should be applied in such research. Using the Progress Principle as the primary theoretical lens, the authors present an evaluation of one of the popular agile methods, namely Scrum (Schwaber, 2004). Findings from an ongoing research project on agile praxis indicate that the implementation of agile practices may be instrumental in fostering a motivational culture conducive to a heuristic as well as creative performance. This analytical approach contributes to a better understanding of the aspects of the agile practices that are critical to a useful implementation.
Towards Effective Teaching in Project Management
Authors: Zhao Xiaohui
Published: February 2015

As a typical IT management subject, IT project management has existed as a core subject in universities for a long period. Unlike other subjects, project management requires solid experience to fully understand its concepts and methodologies. Reluctantly, many academics often face the situation that their students lack such experience, and how to ensure the teaching/learning quality becomes an important issue to solve. This chapter first identifies some typical issues with project management students and the corresponding challenges to effective teaching. Some teaching methods are also introduced together with the sharing of the author's experience in applying them in class. The effectiveness of the methods is evaluated according to the teaching improvements in terms of student feedback and satisfaction statistics.
IT Outsourcing Success Factors
Authors: Hodosi Georg , Kaye Robert , Rusu Lazar
Published: February 2015

In this chapter, the Success Factors (SFs) for IT Outsourcing (ITO) are explored. The research literature has a bias towards large companies, neglecting medium-sized companies. Moreover, no comparative studies regarding the SFs were found related to the size of companies. These circumstances force medium-sized buyers to turn to practitioner literature, which is dominated by guidelines produced by the providers. Therefore, this chapter identifies the research problem: the lack of knowledge about ITO SFs for medium size companies, including whether SFs for large companies, are applicable for medium-sized ones as well. The used case study research shows that medium-sized companies should use the SFs from large companies. However, 2 out of 11 studied SFs have better efficiency for large companies. This result helps medium-sized companies' ITO decision makers understand the SFs of ITO and thus closes the research gap. Implementing the right SFs should improve the ITO performance.
A Framework of Risk in Global IT Projects and Mitigation Strategies from Service-Oriented Architecture
Authors: One-Ki (Daniel) Lee  , Blake Roger , Baby Deepa Varghese
Published: February 2015

Global Information Technology (IT) projects span multiple locations that are typically employing different practices, adhering to different standards, and using different technologies – at the same time operating in highly diverse cultures. Differences such as these are prevalent factors that increase risk on global IT projects. Further, they are prone to changing continuously over the course of a project, with the consequence that risk becomes highly unpredictable and dynamic. This chapter proposes a framework to characterize risks within the people-process-technology-external elements of a global IT project. The framework gives particular consideration to risks that arise from interactions of multiplicities within and between those elements (i.e. dynamic risks). The principles of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) are adopted to propose specific strategies for mitigation of these dynamic risks. Two case studies further illustrate how those strategies can mitigate the risks.
Evaluation of IT Projects in the Context of Human Performance Technology
Authors: Yakin Ilker
Published: February 2015

Accelerated competition, increased economic issues, and rapid technological improvements force organizations to implement IT projects to survive. Although organizations' enormous dependence on IT has increased, failure risks have also been synonymous with IT projects over the years. A better understanding of its usages and approaches, tools and models of HPT as a growing field may offer different angles and help improve the success of implementation of IT projects. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the role of evaluation methods in IT projects from the HPT perspective. In that sense, formative, summative, confirmative, and meta evaluation models are presented, and then the connection between these models in IT involving specific strategies that can be used when IT projects are established. The chapter is finalized with practical and methodological implications pointing out recommended actions to overcome the reliability and the validity issues encountered through evaluation processes, and future research directions.
Can Management Have Multi-Fiduciary Stakeholder Obligations?
Authors: Zakhem Abe
Published: February 2015

Evan and Freeman (1988) once argued that managers have fiduciary obligations to act in the vital interests of all organizational stakeholders. For some, this “multi-fiduciary” approach is paradoxical, as one cannot simultaneously put the interests of each respective stakeholder ahead of the interests of all other stakeholders; hence, the “stakeholder paradox.” This chapter argues for a version of multi-fiduciary stakeholder theory. The argument is based on the following claims. Fiduciary obligations ought to be imposed to control the opportunistic exploitation of the especially vulnerable and dependent. The conditions of special vulnerability and dependence that generate fiduciary obligations are present in various manager-stakeholder relationships. Finally, when properly understood, multi-fiduciary stakeholder theory is logically consistent and morally advantageous.
Business Ethics in the Information Age
Authors: Palmer Daniel E.
Published: February 2015

The Information Age ushered in significant transformations in the manner in which business is done. In particular, the growth of various forms of e-business, from Internet sales and marketing to online financial processing, has been exponential in recent years. Internet technologies provide businesses with the potential to more effectively distribute products and services, to more efficiently manage operations, and to better facilitate the processing of business transactions. The scope of information available to businesses using digital technologies has also radically expanded, allowing companies to better target consumers and market products. However, e-business activities can raise ethical issues as well. As such, scholars and business persons have a responsibility to be aware of the ethical implications of e-business and to promote ethically appropriate forms of e-business. The aim of this chapter is to aid in those enterprises by mapping out some of the major ethical issues connected to e-business.
Game-Theoretic Insights Concerning Key Business Ethics Issues Occurring in Emerging Economies
Authors: Windsor Duane
Published: February 2015

This chapter identifies some game-theoretic insights concerning several key issues of business ethics typically occurring in emerging economies. The chapter explicates four elements in this sequence: nature of game theory, characteristics of emerging economies, fundamentals of business ethics, and key business ethics issues. The chapter emphasizes useful insights of game theory rather than undertaking formal modeling (examples are noted in references). Game theory assists reasoning about strategic scenarios for businesses. A multinational entity operates within layers of institutions and norms from the international to the national and sub-national levels. Such institutions and norms help structure the complex environment within which a multinational entity operates. The approach in this chapter is to inquire into certain specific decision scenarios available in the extant literature as instances of important classes of decision problems and to suggest game-theoretic responses. These scenarios concern long-term sustainable business models, corporate values, and corporate reputation.
Entrepreneurial Ethical Decision Making
Authors: Öksüzoğlu-Güven Gizem
Published: February 2015

This chapter looks into determinants and contexts that influence an entrepreneur's decision where ethical judgment is required. By looking into relevant theories and research in the field of ethical decision making, concepts of greed and power and their influence on ethical decision making, cognitive moral development, individual psychological characteristics, ethical ideologies, organizational, environmental, industrial, and moral intensity are discussed through relevant models. The aim is to provide a perspective on understanding ethical decision making in the entrepreneurial context by forming a bridge between our understanding of individual moral psychology and entrepreneurial decision making. This discussion further augments the existing research on entrepreneurship and SME literature within the ethical decision-making context. What is presented in this chapter provides an alternative understanding of reasoning when examining entrepreneurial behaviour.
Ethics for Students Means Knowing and Experiencing
Authors: Roberts Cynthia , Roper Carolyn D.
Published: February 2015

There is growing interest in ethics education and the literature is replete with methods for approaching this complex and challenging subject. This chapter reviews the state of ethics education in business programs from infusion across the curriculum to standalone courses, the potential impact it may have on ethical behavior, and outlines several approaches to addressing ethics in the classroom. An instructional module in ethical decision making, grounded in scholarly literature, is presented. The authors discuss implications for practice and suggest utilizing several approaches from multiple perspectives to facilitate the development of ethical thought and action.
Identifying Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Curricula of Leading U.S. Executive MBA Programs
Authors: Mayes Robin James , Bracey Pamela Scott , Aguilar Mariya Gavrilova , Allen Jeff M.
Published: February 2015

Our society has witnessed large enterprises collapse from a disregard for Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) and illegal and unethical comportments. This chapter provides an understanding of the basic concepts of CSR in the context of lawful and ethical responsibilities, while recognizing the power of CSR branding. Moreover, in accordance with the theory that higher education can elevate the importance of CSR strategies, it reports the results from a qualitative content analysis study identifying explicit and implicit inclusions of CSR, law, and ethics in course titles and descriptions from 20 leading Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs at institutions of higher education in the United States. The results report that while law and ethics are commonly part of the reviewed Executive MBA programs, CSR has minimal representation in these programs.
Mainstreaming Corporate Social Responsibility at the Core of the Business School Curriculum
Authors: Jamali Dima , Abdallah Hanin
Published: February 2015

Extant literature has highlighted that business schools have been accused of promoting an educational ethos that emphasizes shareholder value and the pursuit of short-term profits, thereby preparing overly competitive future generations interested in profit maximization. This chapter highlights the importance of integrating CSR into the mainstream of business schools' curricula, arguing for the responsible role that business schools should play and emphasizing the strategic case for such integration. The chapter analyzes the main challenges and opportunities that both hinder and facilitate mainstreaming of CSR at the heart of the business school curriculum and the role that the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) can potentially play as a facilitating factor and driving force. The chapter illustrates these drivers and constraints in the context of one specific business school in Lebanon that has successfully experimented with CSR mainstreaming in recent years.