bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Texture Segmentation Algorithm and Its Application to Target Recognition
Authors: Wu QingE , Yang Weidong
Published: February 2017

Image segmentation is an important research direction in pattern recognition and image understanding, but existing texture segmentation algorithms cannot take full advantage of some texture information of texture image, such as the direction, width, density of ridge line, and so on, and can also not effectively carry out the segmentation of various texture image quality. In order to efficiently implement the texture image segmentation, strengthen the amassing of region segmentation, improve the accuracy of segmentation, achieve more accurate target recognition, this paper defines the direction of the texture, calculates the width of ridge line, gives the distance characteristics between textures, and establishes the mathematical model of the texture border, accordingly presents a new texture segmentation algorithm and compares with other texture segmentation algorithms. The simulation results show that the segmentation algorithm has some advantages to texture segmentation, such as has higher segmentation precision, faster segmentation speed, stronger anti-noise capability, less lost information of target, and so on. The segmented regions hardly contain other texture regions and background region. Moreover, this paper extracts the characteristic points and characteristic parameters in various segmented regions for texture image to obtain the characteristic vector, compares the characteristic vector with the standard template vectors, and identifies the type of target in a range of threshold value. Experimental results show that the proposed target recognition approach has higher recognition rate, faster recognition speed, and stronger anti-noise characteristics than the existing target recognition approaches.
Theoretical and Empirical Background to the eBook
Authors: Abubaker Azza A , Lu Joan
Published: February 2017

A textbook in any e-educational system is an important element that requires a closer look at its components and structure, as well as identifying the barriers that affect the level of learning. This can be achieved in different aspects such as the analysis of textual content or sentence structure which is one of the concerns of linguists. On the other hand, examining the textual content can determine the appropriateness of the education level for students. This type of assessment is part of educators' concerns and by examining and defining the factors that could affect reading a text on screen, this is usually related to the way of displaying text such as font size, colour, background colour, amount of text and the location of the text on the screen. This is a key focus of this research. In this chapter, the concern will be to define the concepts and the structure of an e- document as a starting point to investigate the usability of e-texts as it covers the following: definition of e-document; history of eBook; structure of e-textbook; contribution of e-textbook for education; comparison between reading electronic and paper book; young people and the use of the internet and computer; statistical data for using the internet in Arabic countries; designing an e-textbook.
Experiment 2
Authors: Abubaker Azza A , Lu Joan
Published: February 2017

The outcomes for the previous experiment in this research indicated that students' attitudes differ according to the way of presenting the text and text layout. As the aim of the study was to investigate the three main typographic variables [font size, font type and line length] we will start by font size and font type. Much research has highlighted the character size as a factor in visual display, and reported that font size has a significant effect on readability of texts in both versions. Therefore, defining a readable font size for the Arabic language is the main focus of this experiment, taking into account the effect of one dependent variable, four controlled variables and two independent variables: content length and font type. Students were required to make different judgments of letter pairs, thus indicating which letters were distinguishable. Based on the findings of this experiment, subsequent experiments were designed. In addition, the findings of this experiment will be able to address the issues related to reading Arabic text from screen by children in relation to the following: RQ1: In which font size is the Arabic text read most effectively? RQ2: Is there any correlation between age of the reader and font size? RQ3: Which font type is more readable?
Experiment 3
Authors: Abubaker Azza A , Lu Joan
Published: February 2017

Although experimental studies have shown a strong impact of text layout on the legibility of e- text, many digital texts appearing in eBook or the Internet use different designs, so that there is no straightforward answer in the literature over which one to follow when designing e- material. Therefore, in this chapter we shall focus on the text layout, particularly the influence of line length. This experiment is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the factor of line length by studying its effect on reading speed and accuracy using various columns [one column and two columns] with each page having the same amount of information. The second part tests a new approach which basically assumes that by using different colours for the first and last word of each line, it will improve students' reading level. This hypothesis was based on pervious findings over the difficulty of being able to immediately locate the following line (Chan and Lee 2005). In addition, this approach was based on explanation of the eye movement which, in the reading process, does not scan a line but stops for about ¼ of a second before jumping to new place such as at the end of the line when the eye goes back to the beginning of the new line.
Major Findings, Contributions, and Areas for Future Research
Authors: Abubaker Azza A , Lu Joan
Published: February 2017

Selecting an optimal layout of academic text for display on screen was affected by several factors such as; type of material, subject or readers` age. In this study researcher assumed that each reading strategy requires a specific layout. Thus, the study starts with an understanding of the way that students interact with the text in both formats [electronic and paper]. Findings from this phase were linked with three common typography variables to provide standards for optimal design. In this chapter, the findings of this research are interpreted in the light of the theoretical perspective of the study by linking it with the objectives of the study already set out in chapter one. The first section is devoted to debating the outcomes related to the use of the Internet and eBooks by children at school and at home. This is identified as the first layer of the children's usability of online text, suggesting a further analysis of the children's experience of the e- text with a focus on the reading processes of the schoolbook in both versions [paper and online]. The third section is devoted to discussing the results related to readable Arabic font size and type. Section four is concerned with the findings from testing the effect of line length on reading speed and comprehension of Arabic text; whereas, the fifth section is devoted to debating the outcomes related to the new method for presenting Arabic texts.
Conclusion and Future Work in E-Reading Context
Authors: Abubaker Azza A , Lu Joan
Published: February 2017

This research is an attempt to examine the effect of reading processes on designing e-texts for children using Arabic script. In addition, it aims to develop a model for designing acceptance that will have the power to demonstrate acceptance and usage behaviour of the e-school text using a schoolbook for primary schools in Libya. Alternatively, dealing with the research problem led to the specification of the following research objectives, which were achieved through four inter- related surveys: to build an e-reading strategy for a schoolbook based on users' cognitive and behaviour processes, to define the typographical variables that affect reading Arabic texts from the screen such as font size, font type, background color, line length and text format from a literature survey, to provide a standard that can help keep children's concentration on the text, to create a guideline that could help designers when designing e-Arabic texts for children, to examine in-depth the challenges of reading Arabic e-texts, to study the efficiency of Arabic text reading and the factors impacting the efficiency of reading and comprehension, to understand children's behaviour when reading from a screen. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the study's contribution to knowledge and provide recommendations for future research.
Background Review for Neural Trust and Multi-Agent System
Authors: Lu Gehao , Lu Joan
Published: February 2017

This chapter provides a systematic background study in the neural trust and multi-agent system. Theoretic models are discussed in details. The concepts are explained. The existing systems are analyzed. The limitations and strength of previous research are discussed. About 59 references are cited to support the study for the investigation. The study did address the research importance and significance and finally, proposed the future directions for the research undertaken.
Final Remarks on The Investigation in Neural Trust in Multi-Agent Systems and Possible Future Directions
Authors: Lu Gehao , Lu Joan
Published: February 2017

This chapter provides the book's summary and conclusion on the neural trust in multi-agent systems. It also discusses possible future research directions in the field. The other chapters that make up this book collectively discuss ontology and big data.
Operational Approaches in Organizational Structure
Authors: Khan Mohammad Ayub
Published: February 2017

This chapter analyzes the challenge of organizational setup in developing countries faced by MNEs. In doing so the chapter focuses on different types of structural options available for MNEs and studies factors influencing the decision of how to structure the MNE in developing countries. In essence, the chapter presents a list of structural options for MNEs to choose from according to their needs, contextual situations and strategic direction. The factors influencing the decision to structure the company are general factors, management orientations, corporate culture, information and communication technologies, strategy and learning organizations. Finally, the chapter forwards some essential recommendations for MNEs to follow when deciding about which organizational structure is relatively more suitable than others while operating in developing countries.
Unifying a Framework of Organizational Culture, Organizational Climate, Knowledge Management, and Job Performance
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: February 2017

This chapter introduces the framework and causal model of organizational culture, organizational climate, knowledge management, and job performance related to business process orientation. It argues that dimensions of organizational culture, organizational climate, and knowledge management have mediated positive effect on job performance. Knowledge management positively mediates the relationships between organizational culture and job performance and between organizational climate and job performance. Organizational culture is positively related to organizational climate. Furthermore, the author hopes that understanding the theoretical constructs of organizational culture, organizational climate, knowledge management, and job performance through the use of the framework and causal model will not only inform researchers of a better design for studying organizational culture, organizational climate, knowledge management, and job performance, but also assist in the understanding of intricate relationships between different factors.
A Common Methodology
Authors: Munn Sunny L.
Published: February 2017

Organizational structures are comprised of an organizational culture created by the beliefs, values, traditions, policies and processes carried out by the organization. The work-life system in which individuals use work-life initiatives to achieve a work-life balance can be influenced by the type of organizational culture within one's workplace, for example a structured, rigid culture in which employees are afraid to ask questions versus a flexible, open culture where discussion is encouraged. Grouping methodologies such as cluster analysis or latent class analysis can be used to create typologies of organizational culture. The focus of this paper is to deconstruct the common methodology of cluster analysis used to identify typologies of organizational culture in the NSCW Study and the NOS Study, which set out to identify the impact of organizational culture on the use and existence of work-life benefits for individuals and organizations, respectively (Munn, 2012). The paper discusses the cluster analysis methodology in detail as well as another grouping methodology – latent class analysis - as a means to understanding the place of organizational culture in work-life research. The theoretical contributions of using cluster analysis to create typologies of organizational culture and the implications for workforce research are discussed.
Fostering Supply Chain Management in Global Business
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: February 2017

This chapter reviews the perspectives of fostering supply chain management (SCM) in global business, thus describing the theoretical and practical concept of SCM; the applications of SCM; fostering SCM through knowledge management (KM) in global business; the strategic success factors of SCM; and the significance of SCM in global business. The utilization of SCM is necessary for modern organizations that seek to serve suppliers and customers, increase business performance, strengthen competitiveness, and achieve continuous success in global business. Therefore, it is essential for modern organizations to examine their SCM applications, develop a strategic plan to regularly check their practical advancements, and immediately respond to the SCM needs of customers in global business. Applying SCM will extremely improve organizational performance and reach business goals in global business.
The Role of Marketing Strategies in Modern Business and Society
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: February 2017

This chapter introduces the role of marketing strategies in modern business and society, thus explaining the theoretical and practical concepts of competitive strategy, market segmentation strategy, differentiation strategy, cost leadership strategy, focus strategy, market orientation, and organizational performance; the significance of marketing strategies in modern business and society; and the impact of marketing strategies on organizational performance. Marketing strategies serve as the valuable foundation of marketing plans designed to fill marketing needs and reach marketing objectives. Marketing strategies include all basic and long-term activities in the field of marketing, thus dealing with the analysis of the strategic situation of an organization and the formulation, evaluation and selection of market-oriented strategies and effectively contribute to the goals of the organization and its marketing objectives. The chapter argues that applying marketing strategies has the potential to increase organizational performance and gain sustainable competitive advantage in the social media age.
Knowledge Management Strategy as a Chance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Bencsik Andrea , Juhász Tímea
Published: February 2017

This chapter shows how SMEs can compete with multinational companies. This chapter was written on the basis of practical research results. In this research, Hungarian and Slovakian SMEs were investigated from the view of a knowledge-based economy. The question was how they can face future challenges. The researchers wanted to know how SMEs handle their chance which is hidden in their way of thinking about a knowledge strategy. As a result, these companies seem to be afraid, uncertain, and think their success is only luck or a current incident. They live a “fly by night” existence, and they do not feel the importance of development, of studying, of knowledge; they run after work and money. These enterprises feel that they have to survive, and to this, they need money and financial capital. Therefore, knowledge and studying fall behind.
Key Enablers for Knowledge Management for Australian Not-for-Profit Organizations
Authors: Hume Craig , Hume Margee
Published: February 2017

Not-for-Profit (NFPs) organizations operate in an increasingly competitive marketplace for funding, staff and volunteers, and donations. Further, NFPs, both in Australia and internationally, are growing rapidly in number in response to increasing needs for humanitarian services and environmental sustainability that local and national governments and established international aid organizations cannot or struggle to provide effectively. Many NFPs are being driven to adopt more commercial practices in order to improve their donor appeal, government grant applications, staff/volunteer retention, and service delivery. Knowledge Management (KM) is one such “corporate” practice being explored to address the increasingly competitive environment. Although the concept of knowledge management may be basically understood in NFPs, researchers and NFP managers are yet to explore and fully understand the complex inter-relationships of organizational culture, ICT, internal marketing, employee engagement, and performance management as collective enablers on the capture, coordination, diffusion, and renewal of knowledge in a NFP environment. This chapter presents research into the relationship of KM with those enabling elements and presents an implementation model to assist NFPs to better understand how to plan and sustain KM activity from integrated organisational and knowledge worker perspectives. The model emphasises an enduring integrated approach to KM to drive and sustain the knowledge capture and renewal continuum. The model provides an important contribution on “how to” do KM.
On Knowledge Management
Authors: Mousakhani Mohammad , Rouzbehani Khadijeh
Published: February 2017

Successful implementation of knowledge management for organization requires a systematic and comprehensive perspective about various organizational factors. Appropriateness of these factors and their integration and coordination is a vital prerequisite to implement knowledge management effectively. The primary purpose of the research is investigating the relationship between three fundamental aspects of intellectual assets – human capital, structural capital and relational capital – with knowledge management practices. The method of the research is descriptive and co relational. The research was conducted in petrochemical Company in Tehran. The total number of personnel was 720 and the sample of 265 members of personnel was selected as statistical sampling. According to the research findings, there are significant relationships between these intellectual assets and knowledge management practices. These findings support the necessity of preparing the prerequisites of effective implementation of knowledge management. Accordingly an organization characterized by more developed intellectual capitals can benefit from knowledge management initiatives.
Leadership in Social Entrepreneurship
Authors: Díez Jorge Colvin , Saiz-Alvarez José Manuel
Published: February 2017

The social entrepreneur has been analyzed from many perspectives, either from its social impact, its proposed social value, or its direct or indirect action. This chapter attempts to analyze the entrepreneur from a new approach: the perspective of the leader. Therefore, the question arises: is leadership in social entrepreneurs an evolutionary process or not? Is it a natural ability or a learned technique? Is the social entrepreneur a leader born or made? To answer this, [1] we will analyze the main contemporary theories of leadership from two different paradigms (Colvin, 2013), [2] we will define new concepts in the world of social entrepreneurship, [3] we will establish a life cycle of strategic leadership promoted by the social entrepreneur focused on his or her organization in order to serve as a seed for the intended social impact.
Organisations' Responsibilities towards Corporate Sustinability
Authors: Sambhanthan Arunasalam , Potdar Vidyasagar
Published: February 2017

This paper analyses published literature to determine the organizational responsibilities towards business sustainability. Over two hundred published research papers in this space have been subjected to content analysis using NVivo qualitative analysis tool. The results reveal that there are three major types of responsibilities namely social responsibilities, environmental responsibilities and the role based responsibilities which the organizations have in terms of ensuring corporate sustainability. These responsibilities have been found to be effectively achieved through effective corporate sustainability reporting practices, policy level concerns backed by values and principles, coordination of consumer inputs, ensuring stakeholder understanding about their roles and responsibilities and effective risk management backed by proper definition of roles and responsibilities. A number of conclusions along with implications for practice have been derived as the outcome of the documented research.
Knowledge Management Approaches and Their Contributions to the Generation and Management of Innovation
Authors: da Silva Elaine , Valentim Marta Lígia Pomim
Published: February 2017

This chapter presents considerations about the importance of innovation in organizational environments and highlights the role of knowledge in innovation creation. It is observed in the base activities related to the innovation systems, the constant presence of processes centered in learning, building, and knowledge sharing, whereas knowing knowledge management processes and promoting its implementation, both in the innovation systems scope and in the innovation systems agents scope, shows up as an alternative promoter for successful innovation systems deployment, development, and support, and, therefore, for the generation and management of innovation in their respective context. It emphasizes the relevance of knowledge sharing within the scope of innovation systems, where the knowledge management implantation is an essential strategy to the organizations that aim to maintain themselves in the competitive current market. For this purpose, it presents some approaches and models that have been devoted to the theme, aiming to promote knowledge management in organizational environments, as well as showing innovation contribution.
Knowledge Sharing Cultural Dimensions from Team and Organization Perspective
Authors: Pandey Satyendra C
Published: February 2017

Process view of Knowledge Management (KM) suggests that KM can be broken down into a series of processes commonly labeled as knowledge creation, storage, sharing and application. Out of these, KM literature identifies knowledge sharing as most important and complex. Literature also suggests that knowledge sharing and culture is not studied under both the perspective of a team and organization. Other import success factors for KM are IT infrastructure and organizational structure. IT is important in how knowledge travels and is accessed in the organization. Structure acts both as a bridge and a barrier in KM process. Of all the factors identified, culture remains the most understudied and complex. This chapter seeks to investigate and set a precursor to study the relationship between cultural dimensions which are not very well defined, yet important in knowledge sharing behavior. Dimensions of culture which are found to be important are trust and cooperation. Chapter also highlights the need of studying this from team as well as organization perspective.
Organizational Trauma and Change Management
Authors: Gallego Juan-Maria
Published: February 2017

This chapter will evaluate the correlation between change management and the employee and/or management behaviors detrimental to the wellbeing of those individuals and the overall productivity and efficiency of an organization. The potential relationship between change and organizational behaviors, the effects of change on the wellbeing of individuals, the well-documented resistance to change would analyzed as well as potential techniques that managers, consultants and HR departments could implement to minimize the detrimental influence of organizational change on the wellbeing of individuals. The traumatic effects of change on the employee, both physical and psychological effects would be included in this chapter. These effects on the wellbeing of employees have been correlated to diminishing job satisfaction, increased absenteeism and turnover, reduced productivity and effectiveness and overall lower engagement with the organization. The chapter will include the introduction and brief analysis of organizational change and effectiveness models in particular the Burke-Litwin Model.
Organizational Culture in Higher Education
Authors: Erdem Ali Rıza
Published: February 2017

Universities who are higher education organizations, have an academic and autonomous construction by performing education, basic and scientific researches, community's duty functions that they take on, they improve a particular organizational culture. The organizational culture that a university has makes it different from other universities by its values,basic assumptions and norms, leaders and heroes, symbols and language,stories and legends, ceremonies and customs. In this study, the terms organization and culture were clarified first and the culture of organization and organization culture in the higher education was studied afterwards.
The Academic Workplace
Authors: Gedro Julie
Published: February 2017

This manuscript will consider higher education institutions as workplaces, and it will explore the relationships between the shifting landscape of higher education, the corresponding organizational changes that are identified and implemented by college and university leaders in response to those shifts, and workplace culture and climate. Its purpose is to offer a typology of HRD interventions that respond to organizational needs for skill building and education in order to equip individuals and organizations to thrive during periods of significant change. The context for this chapter is mostly through a U.S. based lens, although it is likely that several concepts and suggestions might have transnational relevance.
Learning Organizations
Authors: Davis Daniel Cochece , Lopuch Viviane S.
Published: February 2017

Learning organizations are environments promoting individual and team learning capabilities. A growing number of organizations throughout the world are embracing these concepts as strategies for competing in dynamic economic environments. Globally, leaders across varying industries continue to strive to build learning organizations to improve effectiveness, and continuously evolve. Learning organizations depend on effective communication; a chief component of leadership influence. They also require thinking from as many perspectives as possible, in order to change and grow in response to anticipated and existing external pressures. These perspectives emerge from the variety of experiences coming from diverse individuals, and leaders must recognize these as critical resources in organizations' ability to learn, manage change and facilitate innovation. The present analysis explores learning organization variables, arguing that diversity and leadership communication are important co-factors in successfully implementing learning organization principles leading to innovation.
Organizational Socialization and Workplace Diversity
Authors: Homsey Dini Massad
Published: February 2017

An organization teaches its members its culture through socialization. Sources of anticipatory socialization exceed just the organization. Many sources such as family, friends, media, communities, previous employment, and education play a role in the socialization process. Not only are people socialized into skills but also into ideals such as workplace diversity. Therefore, the teachings of such ideals need to occur before an individual enters an organization. Through socialization, members learn not only workplace skills but also ideals and concepts such as workplace diversity. Therefore, if anticipatory socialization begins before an individual enters an organization, then teaching of concepts like workplace diversity need to occur earlier as well. In order to merge theory with practice, institutions of higher education must incorporate the teaching of organizational values such as workplace diversity to adequately prepare graduates for entry into the workforce.
The Role of Cultural Dynamics in the Digital Age
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: February 2017

This chapter introduces the role of cultural dynamics in the digital age, thus explaining the theoretical and practical concepts of organizational culture, cultural values and belief systems, material culture and artifacts, language and communication systems, cultural interpenetration, deterritorialization, cultural pluralism, and hybridization; the categorization of cultural dimensions; and the application of cultural dynamics in the modern business world. Cultural influences are changing dramatically as cultures are no longer dependent on local resources to formulate their characteristic tastes, preferences, and behavior and are increasingly linked across vast geographic distances by modern communication media. Membership in a culture adapts to new cultural contexts while transporting elements of one culture to another. As membership in a culture becomes increasingly transitional, unique elements are less clearly demarcated or distinctive. Understanding the role of cultural dynamics in the digital age will significantly enhance organizational performance and achieve business goals in global business environments.
The Role of Organizational Culture in the Success of Changing Behaviour
Authors: Nicholls Ian , Paul Perry
Published: February 2017

Success in meeting the goals of an organization, whether they be business, bureaucratic, administrative, or operational, often depends on the ability of that organization to learn from experience and effect appropriate positive changes as quickly as possible. Some are successful, while others fail. This chapter examines the realities of organizational cultures and describes both roadblocks and facilitators to productive change. In a competitive environment, properly considered change in procedures can often mean continued survival. This requires a collective yet well led effort to pursue the objective of continuous improvement and adaptation. What are the detractors and facilitators in today's world?
Organizational Culture and Gender Minority
Authors: Vij Richa
Published: February 2017

Organizational culture has long been shaped and dominated by male orientations and therefore focus on change in the organizational culture can help in addressing the issue of discrimination and isolation of women in organizations. The present paper aims at identifying the attributes of organizational culture in respect of which the perceptions of female employees differ significantly from those of male employees in State Bank of India. The study is based on the data relating to 54 variables for measuring the attributes of organizational culture. The results indicate that though there were differences between the perceptions of Female group employees and Male employees of State Bank of India regarding many of the attributes of organizational culture, they were not statistically significant. The study points out that despite the compelling evidence in support of the belief that gender discrimination does exists in most firms, some firms have been able to develop an organizational culture that is perceived to be non-discriminatory in nature by the gender minority.
The Effect of Structural Capital for Human Capital Development and Management in Social Enterprises
Authors: Kong Eric
Published: February 2017

Social enterprises are a hybrid form of organizations that enact nonprofit and for-profit activities simultaneously. Like their nonprofit and for-profit counterparts, social enterprises are facing the same challenges, if not more, in a turbulent economy. This chapter aims to examine how structural capital assists social enterprises in the development and management of human capital in today's competitive environment. Based on 22 qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews across 10 social enterprises and nonprofit organizations that perform social entrepreneurship in Australia, the findings suggest that structural capital helps social enterprises in facilitating human capital development and management for innovation. Thus, the study contributes to the literature by arguing that structural capital plays an essential role in social enterprises. Strategies should be developed for a more balanced development of intellectual capital if an intellectual capital-based view of the firm is to be fully integrated.
Knowledge Management and the Roles it Plays in Achieving Superior Performance
Authors: Delbaere Marjorie , Di Zhang David , Bruning Edward R. , Sivaramakrishnan Subramanian
Published: February 2017

Knowledge is one of the most critical organizational resources, and Knowledge Management (KM) has been identified as one of the key aspects in organizational strategic management. In addition to creating functional value by protecting and utilizing organizational knowledge, strategic knowledge management also serves as a central nerve system within the organization that facilitates organizational learning, organizes the market intelligence about customers and competitors, maximizes the value of organizational knowledge, and contributes towards superior organizational performances. The objectives of this chapter are to develop a theoretical model that delineates the relationship among several organizational variables that are of strategic importance to performance, including Market Orientation (MO), Learning Orientation (LO), and KM. A national survey was conducted to collect information from managers of Canadian manufacturing companies. A total of 307 informants returned the survey. Data was analyzed using Structure Equation Modeling (SEM). The results demonstrate that a firm's KM mediates the positive influences from the firm's LO and MO on market performance.
The Relation of Knowledge Intensity to Productivity Assessment Preferences and Cultural Differences
Authors: Nembhard David , Xiao Min
Published: February 2017

The authors investigate commonalities and differences in productivity assessment preferences among managers from two different cultural settings, one in the US and the other in China. They also investigate these differences for two knowledge intensity levels to inform how the type of work being assessed affects these preferences. The results illustrate significant differences among the two organizations, among the knowledge intensity levels, and that these results are generally dependent on the specific measures of performance being evaluated. The US organization's managers tended to view quality as the most important metric for the high knowledge intensity work, and customer satisfaction as the most important metric for the low knowledge intensity work. The Chinese managers viewed innovation as the most important metric for the high knowledge intensity level jobs, and quality as the most important metric for the low knowledge intensity level jobs. These results indicate that utility-based work productivity model can be used as an evaluation tool to measure knowledge work productivity.
Leadership Development and Career Planning
Authors: Guo Jing , Zhang Hao , Zong Yijun
Published: February 2017

Academic libraries are in an increasingly complex and dynamic social environment. This necessitates an outward development model that focuses on the various ways academic libraries need to adapt to these changes. The trend of development in higher education has led to rapid growth of digital and internet resources, large-scale application of various technologies, and new subject integration or differentiation. These trends constantly change patrons' relationship with information, so academic libraries should be open-minded, far-sighted, and creative, building stronger leadership and development agendas. To accomplish this, librarians must also be equipped to adapt to these changes. This chapter will introduce the trends of development in higher education and academic libraries and will explain the necessity of leadership development in responding to the change. By reforming management philosophy and structure, human resources, teamwork, and capability enhancement, academic libraries can turn passive into active, becoming patron-oriented, innovative, flexible, and far-sighted.
Creating a Sustainable Supply Chain in Response to Unstable Market Expectations
Authors: Brdulak Halina Maria , Brdulak Anna Janina
Published: February 2017

This paper aims to indicate a possible development direction for enterprises and sustainable supply chains under circumstances of uncertain economic situation in the world. On the basis of their own research and descriptions of specific examples, the authors think that future strategies will be more oriented on the use of “soft” competences of employees. This direction is confirmed by the quoted research conducted by independent companies. For the purposes of building the strategy of sustainable supply chains it is necessary to engage appropriate leaders who, to a larger degree than previously, will be able to motivate and encourage employees to creative thinking. An additional challenge is presented by generation Y and Z entering the labour market and their co-operation with generation X or even Baby Boomer. The challenged is met, in the authors' opinion, by consistent implementation of the CSR concept providing the basis for creating Lean Management model.
Organizational Learning to Managing Change
Authors: Şimşit Zeynep Tuğçe , Günay Noyan Sebla , Vayvay Özalp
Published: February 2017

Nowadays, in our fast moving business world companies have to adapt changes as fast as it is possible to gain advantages among their rivals. At this point, managerial processes become vital for every company and every sector to survive. Firms' adaptation to changing environmental conditions is one of the most important topics in every century. For that reason, companies use several techniques to adapt their processes to changing conditions for gaining advantages in their market. Organizational learning is not a new concept although its importance significantly increased nowadays. This chapter aims to present a research about effects of organizational learning on managing change. For this purpose, organizational learning as a key player of continuous improvement and its key dimensions will be drawn out through this chapter. The result of this chapter will be a set of tools which describe approaches for implementing learning management to get efficient change management.
Global Diversity and Organizational Culture's Impact on Adaptation, Performance, and Innovation
Authors: Cross Doris E.
Published: February 2017

Diversity and change are key concepts facing our world. As we enter into the 21st century, organizational leaders recognize the importance of diverse perspectives and adaptation to changes as competitive advantages. Doris E. Cross is an educator and researcher on diversity issues influence on organizational cultures. This chapter identifies factors, such as changing demographics, tumultuous economies, and workforce dynamics, effects on individual perceptions of organizational cultures and performances. Cross considers embracing diversity as a competitive advantage that adds significance to companies' market values globally. To effectively manage market changes, organizational leaders are encouraged to examine the inclusion of diverse perspectives to capture both employees and consumers' loyalty. She contends diverse perceptions in organizational cultures encourage new ideas and innovative approaches to meeting the needs of diverse customers. Changes within organizations are most effective when its adaptation, change, and performance are intricately linked with its advancement.
An Overview of Text Information Extraction from Images
Authors: C. J. Prabhakar
Published: February 2017

In this chapter, we present an overview of text information extraction from images/video. This chapter starts with an introduction to computer vision and its applications, which is followed by an introduction to text information extraction from images/video. We describe various forms of text, challenges and steps involved in text information extraction process. The literature review of techniques for text information extraction from images/video is presented. Finally, our approach for extraction of scene text information from images is presented.
Shape Determination of Aspired Foreign Body on Pediatric Radiography Images Using Rule-Based Approach
Authors: M Vasumathy , Thirugnanam Mythili
Published: February 2017

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a common problem among pediatric population that requires early diagnosis and prompt successful management. Conventionally the radiography image inspection processes are carried out manually by the experts of medical field. Recently automated systems are developed to improve the quality of the radiography images but none of the work carried out especially to determine the characteristics of the foreign bodies in pediatric foreign body aspired radiography images. The proposed approach focuses on characterizing the foreign body shape using sixteen various geometric and edge features. The shapes are determined by using fuzzy logical connectives formed by logically connecting two or more extracted information and a binary decision tree. More than 100 X-Ray radiography images are used to obtained the experimental research. The method proved that the results are more accurate in determining the foreign body shapes as circle, polygon, sharp and irregular automatically with less time.
Diophantine Equations for Enhanced Security in Watermarking Scheme for Image Authentication
Authors: T Padma , Nair Jayashree
Published: February 2017

Hard mathematical problems having no polynomial time algorithms to determine a solution are seemly in design of secure cryptosystems. The proposed watermarking system used number theoretic concepts of the hard higher order Diophantine equations for image content authentication scheme with three major phases such as 1) Formation of Diophantine equation; 2) Generation and embedding of dual Watermarks; and 3) Image content authentication and verification of integrity. Quality of the watermarked images, robustness to compression and security are bench-marked with two peer schemes which used dual watermarks.
Design, Construction, and Programming of a Mobile Robot Controlled by Artificial Vision
Authors: Urrea Claudio , Yau Alex
Published: February 2017

The design, construction and programming of a mobile robot controlled by means of artificial vision, capable of recognizing, grabbing and moving specific objects in a completely autonomous way is presented, together with the conceptual and theoretical-practical grounds for the work. A mechanically robust robot is built and a system is designed, allowing the mobility of two sensors jointly, i.e., artificial vision camera and distance sensor. This makes it possible to improve the range of artificial vision, over approximately 180°, achieving precise positioning of the mobile robot. The artificial vision camera, CMUCam 2, provides the mobile robot with great autonomy thanks to its excellent interaction with its surrounding world. Having a mobile robot like this will allow interesting developments to be made in various areas of mobile robotics.
Review and Applications of Multimodal Biometrics for Secured Systems
Authors: Dhawale Chitra Anil
Published: February 2017

Biometric Systems provide improved security over traditional electronic access control methods such as RFID tags, electronic keypads and some mechanical locks. The user's authorized card or password pin can be lost or stolen. In order for the biometrics to be ultra-secure and to provide more-than-average accuracy, more than one form of biometric identification is required. Hence the need arises for the use of multimodal biometrics. This uses a combination of different biometric recognition technologies. This chapter begins with the basic idea of Biometrics, Biometrics System with its components, Working and proceeds with the need of Multimodal Biometrics with the emphasis on review of various multimodal systems based on fusion ways and fusion level of various features. The last section of this chapter describes various multimodal Biometric Systems.
Background Subtraction and Object Tracking via Key Frame-Based Rotational Symmetry Dynamic Texture
Authors: D Jeyabharathi , D Dejey
Published: February 2017

Developing universal methods for background subtraction and object tracking is one of the critical and hardest challenges in many video processing and computer-vision applications. To achieve superior foreground detection quality across unconstrained scenarios, a novel Two Layer Rotational Symmetry Dynamic Texture (RSDT) model is proposed, which avoids illumination variations by using two layers of spatio temporal patches. Spatio temporal patches describe both motion and appearance parameters in a video sequence. The concept of key frame is used to avoid redundant samples. Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average model (ARIMA) (Hyndman & Rob, 2015) estimates the statistical parameters from the subspace. Uniform Local Derivative Pattern (LDP) (Zhang et al., 2010) acts as a feature for tracking objects in a video. Extensive experimental evaluations on a wide range of benchmark datasets validate the efficiency of RSDT compared to Center Symmetric Spatio Temporal Local Ternary Pattern (CS-STLTP) (Lin et al., 2015) for unconstrained video analytics.
Digital Image Steganography
Authors: Dhawale Chitra A. , Jambhekar Naveen D.
Published: February 2017

Digital data transmitted over the insecure communication can be prone to attacks. Intruders try various attacks to unauthorized access of the confidential information. The Steganography is such as security system that provide the protection to the images, text and other type of data digitally transferred through the data communication network. This chapter elaborates the basics of Digital Image Steganographic techniques from ancient era to digital edge, types of images used for the steganography, payload used for the steganography, various attacks and different algorithms that can provide the information security. The performance analysis of the various Digital Image Steganographic algorithms are discussed. The current applications and their necessities are discussed in this chapter.
Vegetation Index
Authors: Nagarajan Suresh Kumar , Sangaiah Arun Kumar
Published: February 2017

This is the survey for finding vegetation, deforestation of earth images from various related papers from different authors. This survey deals with remote sensing and normalized difference vegetation index with various techniques. We survey almost 100 theoretical and empirical contributions in the current decade related to image processing, NDVI generation by using various new techniques. We also discuss significant challenges involved in the adaptation of existing image processing techniques to generation NDVI systems that can be useful in the real world. The resolution of remote sensing images increases every day, raising the level of detail and the heterogeneity of the scenes. Most of the existing geographic information systems classification tools have used the same methods for years. With these new high resolution images, basic classification methods do not provide satisfactory results.