bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A risk analysis model of flight operations based on region partition
Authors: Shao Xueyan , Qi Mingliang , Gao Mingang 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to focus on flight exceedances in pilots' operations. With some bad conditions, such as a bad weather, flight exceedances might lead to serious consequences. They are significant hidden dangers of aviation. Risk analysis is carried out to identify pilots' high‐risk or low‐risk operations.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐objective optimization model is proposed for risk analysis of flight operations. An evolutionary algorithm is designed to divide flight operation state‐space into some high‐risk and low‐risk sub‐spaces.FindingsThrough the empirical study of a certain flight exceedance with the analysis model, the authors discover some high‐risk flight operations, which indicate coordination problems in coordinate control of airplane's speed, rate of descent, heading, roll and pitch, etc.Originality/valueThis paper employs a quantitative model to carry out risk analysis of flight operations. The results are useful to pilots' training and may improve flight safety fundamentally. The risk analysis of flight exceedance is one specific case in airlines safety risk management. Some other problems, such as cause analysis of flight delay, aircraft faults diagnosis, can be addressed in the same way and dealt with by specific model adjustments and algorithm designs.
Distributed rigid formation control algorithm for multi‐agent systems
Authors: Cao Hu , Bai Yongqiang , Liu Huagang 
Published: March 2013

PurposeRigidity of formation is an important concept in multi‐agent localization and control problems. The purpose of this paper is to design the control laws to enable the group to asymptotically exhibit the flocking motion while preserving the network rigidity at all times.Design/methodology/approachThe novel approach for designing control laws is derived from a smooth artificial potential function based on an undirected infinitesimally rigid formation which specifies the target formation. Then the potential function is used to specify a gradient control law, under which the original system then becomes an orderly infinitesimally rigid formation.FindingsThe strong relationship between the stability of the target formation and the gradient control protocol are utilized to design the control laws which can be proved to make the target formation stable. However, the rigidity matrix is not utilized in the design of control law. Future research will mainly focus on formation control with the relationship of rigidity matrix.Originality/valueThe value of this paper is focused on the control laws design and the control laws could enable the group to asymptotically exhibit the flocking motion while preserving the network rigidity at all times. Also the detailed simulations and experiments are given to prove that the novel approach is available.
Living in a time of change
Authors: Ramage Magnus , Bissell Chris , Chapman David 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a vision for the future development of Kybernetes under a new editorship.Design/methodology/approachThe new Editors are introduced, the strengths and history of the journal reviewed, and plans for its future development described.FindingsThe future of Kybernetes will build on its long and distinguished heritage, noting especially the strengths of interdisplinarity, internationality, and strong links with major cybernetic societies across the world. While maintaining these strengths, the new Editors will seek to develop further the conversations between diverse fields contributing to the journal and to bring a new emphasis to the interdisciplinary study of information, to studies of the social implications of cybernetics and related fields, and to profiles of thinkers in cybernetics, systems and management science.Originality/valueThis is only the second time that there has been a change of editor in the more than 40 years that Kybernetes has been published. The journal (and the whole field of cybernetics and systems) owes the past editors a great debt of thanks for their outstanding work, but the time has come for change. This paper starts to identify new directions under the new Editors.
Statistical versus optimal partitioning for block entropies
Authors: Mistakidis Ioannis , Karamanos Kostas , Mistakidis Simeon 
Published: March 2013

PurposeGiven a time‐series, what is the best partitioning of the state space in order to obtain reasonable values for the block entropies? The purpose of this paper is to provide a simple answer (an algorithm), although approximative, in connection with symbolic dynamics and statistical properties of 1‐d maps on the interval.Design/methodology/approachThe logistic map is examined as an archetype of a Complex System with different behaviors, namely: periodicity, order‐to‐chaos period‐doubling transition, weak chaos, parametric intermittent chaos, developed chaos and fully developed chaos. For the logistic map the generating partition is known, and allows comparison with other prescriptions in the literature. The partitioning of the phase space with the easy generated bipartition induced by the mean value of a curve in the plane, gives results in good agreement (roughly up to a 20 per cent difference) with the results of the generating partition, if the trajectory of the system is in parametric intermittent chaos and in developed chaos (DC). In the case of fully developed chaos (FDC), the agreement is perfect.FindingsThe authors confirm that a statistical partitioning is almost equivalent with the exact partitioning for the logistic map.Originality/valueThe paper updates previous results and proposes a better understanding on the partitioning for symbolic dynamics.
A novel weighted recursive least squares based on Euclidean particle swarm optimization
Authors: Soltani Moêz , Chaari Abdelkader 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a new methodology for identification of the parameters of the local linear Takagi‐Sugeno fuzzy models using weighted recursive least squares. The weighted recursive least squares (WRLS) is sensitive to initialization which leads to no converge. In order to overcome this problem, Euclidean particle swarm optimization (EPSO) is employed to optimize the initial states of WRLS. Finally, validation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm. A comparative study is presented. Validation results involving simulations of numerical examples and the liquid level process have demonstrated the practicality of the algorithm.Design/methodology/approachA new method for nonlinear system modelling. The proposed algorithm is employed to optimize the initial states of WRLS algorithm in two phases of learning algorithm.FindingsThe results obtained using this novel approach were comparable with other modeling approaches reported in the literature. The proposed algorithm is able to handle various types of modeling problems with high accuracy.Originality/valueIn this paper, a new method is employed to optimize the initial states of WRLS algorithm in two phases of the learning algorithm.
Emergence of online shopping in India: shopping orientation segments
Authors: Gehrt Kenneth C. , Rajan Mahesh N. , Shainesh G. , Czerwinski David , O'Brien Matthew 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis study aims to explore Indian online shopping via the concept of shopping orientations.Design/methodology/approachSurveys were collected from 536 consumer panel members. Online shopping segments were identified by using a two‐step process that clustered respondents in terms of the similarity of their scores across four shopping orientations.FindingsThree segments were identified: value singularity, quality at any price, and reputation/recreation. The quality at any price and reputation/recreation segments were the predominant online shoppers. Although their orientations toward shopping differed, their behaviour, web site attribute ratings, and demographics were very similar except for occupation (managerial versus clerical, respectively). The finding that the value singularity segment is not the pioneer online shopper in India contrasts with the early online shoppers in the USA, who were often motivated by price.Research limitations/implicationsThis is the first empirical study to use shopping orientation research in the Indian marketplace. It is also among the first to link shopping orientations with a wide complement of correlates. Research should continue to track the development of this emerging market.Practical implicationsBesides revealing that the orientations of Indian consumers are not price‐based, the relatively unfractionated factor analysis solutions for shopping orientations and web site dimensionality suggest that, in the emerging Indian economy, consumer conceptualizations of shopping have not yet undergone full elaboration. Thus, this cross‐sectional study could be extended with longitudinal research to reveal how Indian consumers' perceptions of the marketplace change with market development and growing consumer sophistication.Originality/valueAlthough online shopping in India is on the verge of rapid growth, relatively little is known about most aspects of Indian consumer behaviour. This study begins to build a foundation of knowledge of Indian online shopping.
Human factors in retail environments: a review
Authors: Kim Jae‐Eun , Kim Jieun 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of the body of literature concerning human factors in retail environments and their influence on consumers. Additionally, the authors identify the research gaps in the literature and suggest directions for future research.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses qualitative approaches to provide a comprehensive review of human factors in retail environments.FindingsThe review is synthesised based on two main categories: the effects of other customers and the effects of sales associates. The influence of other customers, including the number of customers and social relations, is a significant source of human‐related environmental cues. In addition, existing studies support the importance of the number of sales associates, sales associates' physical attributes, and their behavioural characteristics observed in stores.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that retailers need to effectively manage, control and manipulate human‐related environmental factors in order to generate a positive influence on consumers' perceptions towards stores and their behaviours.Originality/valueThis study provides a conceptual framework that integrates various human‐related factors in retail environments and their significant insights in the effective management of these factors identified for researchers and retailers.
E‐commerce: exploring the critical success factors
Authors: Colla Enrico , Lapoule Paul 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe objective of this piece of qualitative research is to identify the key success factors (KSFs) of the grocery “click and drive” (or drive or drive‐in) model developed by French grocery retail companies and to understand the basis of their competitive advantages.Design/methodology/approachThe authors compare the conclusions of a review of the literature with an analysis of the various grocery drive‐in approaches developed in France. These approaches are studied by applying a multi‐method qualitative perspective comprising semi‐structured interviews with managers and e‐consumer focus groups.FindingsThe research confirms – with the exception of the quality of customer reception, which is particularly valued by managers and consumers – the main key success factors identified in the literature, and reveals a real consensus among the main operators on those KSFs and on the nature of the kind of core competences required in order to obtain competitive advantages.Research limitations/implicationsThe comparison of the real profitability of “drive‐in” sales outlets and a more precise evaluation of the advantages of an integrated multi‐channel approach would provide more accurate results. Moreover, the authors have limited this study to an analysis of the French experience. The research implies that French grocery retailers should develop, along with a more differentiated logistical system, an improved approach to customer relations marketing. Moreover, it implies that “click and drive” outlets enable traditional grocery retailers to sharpen their competitive edge.Originality/valueThis article provides an original analytical approach to the identification of the critical success factors of large grocery retailers developing drive‐in services. In answering this research question, the study should also help large grocery retailers to achieve their development objectives and counter the stagnation of traditional retail formats, especially the hypermarket.
Regional resilience in recessionary times: a case study of the East Midlands
Authors: Oxborrow Lynn , Brindley Clare 
Published: March 2013

PurposeSince the 1990s the fashion industry has reflected the issues generally arising in the manufacturing sector, namely rapid and deep structural changes, the development of new supply chain relationships, ICT impacts and increasing globalisation with the attendant issues of ethical sourcing, off‐shoring, new emerging markets and recessionary ripples. This paper focuses on one particular aspect of the fashion industry, namely the apparel sector, and in particular “fast fashion” to explore the issues arising for the SMEs in the supply chain.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopts a qualitative methodology and is longitudinal in nature, spanning five years from August 2006. The first stage of the research is reported here, where a series of focussed interview scenarios were conducted over an 18‐month period. The sample of 12 SMEs was a convenience one, drawn from the 30 participants who took part in a business‐to‐business event in Leicester, a geographical location which acts as a microcosm of the apparel industry. Interviews were used to elicit narrative data about what was actually happening in these apparel supply chains.FindingsThe apparel supply chain has changed significantly due to recessionary ripples and structural changes. SMEs have had more success in managing the upstream rather than the downstream relationships and relationships between buyers and suppliers continue to be fractious. Innovation has occurred but is hampered by the relationships that persist. Culture has proved to be a key dimension.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a lack of research on supply chains, especially, apparel supply chains that focus on reality rather than best practice. The relationships that are exerted in the supply chain and the cultural aspects that influence them have also lacked academic focus.Originality/valueThe paper adds empirical data to the paucity of theoretical work in the area by the construction of a model that articulates the key factors (relationships, innovation and culture) that operate within cluster supply chains. It also identifies the unequal relationships and how SMEs devise strategies to cope or not, to some extent dependent on their culture.
Discourse and institutional change in mass retail – the case of an institutional entrepreneur in France
Authors: Messeghem Karim , Fourquet-Courbet Marie-Pierre 
Published: March 2013

Purpose– Mass retail in France, as an organizational field, experienced an institutional change when the Dutreil Law was promulgated on August 2, 2005. This new text is the result of a long process through which different groups of opposing logics faced one another. Michel-Edouard Leclerc actively took part in the debate launched about the Galland Law reform. His institutional activism has contributed to this change and he can be qualified, on that account, as an institutional entrepreneur. Anchored in neo-institutional theory, this article contributes to understanding the part played by the institutional entrepreneur in the process of institutional change. Design/methodology/approachDesign/methodology/approach– The authors analyze Michel-Edouard Leclerc's discourse on his weblog to characterize the rhetorical strategies he adopts to legitimize change. The analysis is based on the works of the pragmatics of communication and on a detailed semantic analysis of reference fields (TropesFindings– This contribution has enabled the author to stress the part of the institutional entrepreneur in the transformation of an organizational field. The rhetorical strategies implemented here contribute to modifying institutional logic. From a theoretical point of view, this contribution links the neo-institutional approach with entrepreneurship by proposing to define the institutional entrepreneur as an actor pursuing political opportunities.Originality/value– One important advantage of this work is that the authors have offered a methodological framework for studying the discourse of institutional entrepreneurs. The paper proposes empirical operationalization of rhetorical strategies. This contributes to improving the validity of the research because the identification of rhetorical strategies is no longer exclusively related to the researcher's subjective interpretation. The work also has practical implications for the actors: how can their discourse play a part in the institutionalization process?
Anchor‐store quality in malls: an economic analysis
Authors: Shanmugam Ravi 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop and empirically test a theoretical model of competition between anchor and non‐anchor stores in a shopping mall. In doing so, the goals are to extend the literature on retail co‐location to account for effects of anchor stores' quality levels, and to explain an observed pattern of choices of anchor‐store quality levels made by mall developers.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a game‐theoretic approach to model the actions of mall developers, stores, and consumers in a competitive framework, then verifies the equilibrium predictions of this model using an empirical approach and a data set including all major malls in the US and Canada.FindingsThe key finding of both the analytical and empirical models is that there exists a positive and concave (i.e. reverse U‐shaped) relationship between anchor quality and mall size, i.e. that the highest‐quality malls are typically found in the middle range of mall sizes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study introduces a relatively basic framework that could be expanded to incorporate a more flexible variety of contract types between mall developers and tenants, as well as additional sources of consumer utility associated with a single visit to a mall.Practical implicationsThis study provides mall developers with a basis for understanding the impact of anchor quality on competition between stores in a mall.Originality/valueThis study addresses a gap in both the analytical and empirical literature on determinants of mall traffic and profit, specifically pertaining to how these variables are affected by anchor stores and their quality levels.
E‐tail emotion regulation: examining online hedonic product purchases
Authors: Bui My , Kemp Elyria 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThis research examines how hedonic shopping experiences for online music impact emotion regulation processes and how feelings regarding previous online music purchases influence repeat purchase behaviour. The paper aims to introduce a model that explains and examines the meditating role of consumers' attitudes, emotion regulation and subjective norms in the shopping experience for online music.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation analysis based on AMOS 17.0 techniques, using the maximum likelihood estimation method, was used to assess the measurement and structural model. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to determine construct and discriminant validity before testing hypotheses of the structural model.FindingsResults indicate that shopping for music online involves an emotional and hedonic component. Specifically, consumer attitudes, emotion regulation as well as subjective norms influence repeat purchase intentions.Research limitations/implicationsEmotion regulation in traditional retailing environments has been heavily studied, however, limited research exists to examine emotion regulation in the online retailing environment. With the proliferation of online retailing, this study makes important contributions to understanding online shopping behaviour for hedonic products.Practical implicationsBased on the findings of this research, online music retailers should consider developing applicable customer‐valued alternatives to positively influence the overall online shopping experience.Originality/valueThis paper models consumer emotion regulation beyond the traditional retailing environment and examines it in a virtual retailing environment. Results prove to be important as emotion regulation impacts consumer behaviour beyond previously known traditional settings.
Dimensions of employee privacy: an empirical study
Authors: Ball Kirstie , Daniel Elizabeth M. , Stride Chris 
Published: March 2013

PurposeThe study goes beyond the more frequent interest in information privacy to identify other notions of privacy within the workplace. The purpose of this paper is to explore how these additional notions of privacy relate to key demographic and employment characteristics and how data protection training, often instigated as a means of highlighting and addressing issues relating to privacy of customers’ data, is related to employees’ notions of their own workplace privacy.Design/methodology/approachThe study was undertaken in two telephone call centres since they offered a working environment where staff are highly monitored and hence there are likely to be issues relating to employee privacy. The study is exploratory in nature and adopts a mixed method approach based on a questionnaire survey that was followed by semi‐structured, qualitative face to face interviews.FindingsThe survey findings identified three distinct notions of privacy; the concern for personal information privacy (CfPIP), the concern for working environment privacy (CfWEP) and the concern for solitude privacy (CfSP). The findings were supported by the qualitative data provided by the interviews. CfWEP is found to be a gendered issue, with women showing a greater concern for the privacy of their working environment. Finally, the findings indicate that effective data protection training are associated with increased concern for their own privacy in the form of CfPIP, and that inclusion of data protection issues in performance reviews is associated their concern for CfWEP.Originality/valuePrevious studies of privacy in the workplace focus on the simplistic notion of information privacy. This study goes beyond such studies and provides empirically‐based evidence of multiple dimensions of privacy operant in a single, real‐world workplace setting. It also provides empirical insight to the previously unexplored issue of the association between data protection training employees’ notions of their own privacy.