bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bayesian networks in manufacturing
Authors: McNaught Ken , Chan Andy 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to raise awareness among manufacturing researchers and practitioners of the potential of Bayesian networks (BNs) to enhance decision making in those parts of the manufacturing domain where uncertainty is a key characteristic. In doing so, the paper describes the development of an intelligent decision support system (DSS) to help operators in Motorola to diagnose and correct faults during the process of product system testing.Design/methodology/approachThe intelligent (DSS) combines BNs and an intelligent user interface to produce multi‐media advice for operators.FindingsSurveys show that the system is effective in considerably reducing fault correction times for most operators and most fault types and in helping inexperienced operators to approach the performance levels of experienced operators.Originality/valueSuch efficiency improvements are of obvious value in manufacturing. In this particular case, additional benefit was derived when the product testing facility was moved from the UK to China as the system was able to help the new operators to get close to the historical performance level of experienced operators.
Towards the development of an intelligent supply contract design system
Authors: Kobbacy Khairy A.H. , Wang Hexin , Wang Wenbin 
Published: July 2011

PurposeMany supply contracts are employed in practice to improve the performance of supply chains. But there is a lack of research that can offer guidance to practitioners in choosing the best supply contract among a group of popular contracts. This paper aims to fill this gap by developing an intelligent rule‐based supply contract design system for choosing the best contract and its parameters from a supplier's point of view.Design/methodology/approachThe approach used in this paper is based on the comparison of several supply contracts that are encountered in supply chain practice. The paper aims at identifying the conditions under which one supply contract outperforms another from the supplier's perspective. To facilitate the implementation of the decision‐making rules that are developed in this research, an intelligent decision support system is developed.FindingsSix popular contracts are analysed; returns policy (RP), quantity discount (QD), target rebate (TR), backup agreement (BA), quantity flexibility (QF), and quantity commitment (QC). The main findings are: QD contracts generate larger expected profits for the supplier than TR contracts do when the demand is exogenous, an RP contract is better than a QD contract when the wholesale profit margin is sufficiently large and that the optimal QC contract always provides a higher expected service level than BA and QF contracts.Originality/valueThe paper presents an approach for developing an intelligent supply contract design system that can offer guidance to practitioners in choosing the best supply contract for a particular supplier.
The World Investment Report at 20
Authors: Ietto‐Gillies Grazia 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review and analyse the World Investment Report 2010 in the context of all the previous World Investment Reports (WIRs) and their historical background.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a historical analysis, the structural features of all WIRs, and an analysis of content and limitations of WIR 2010.FindingsThe paper starts with considering the historical background leading to successive units dealing with transnational corporations (TNCs) within the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The commonalities in structure, content and methodology among all WIRs are discussed. The essay then analyses the World Investment Report 2010. The conclusions make suggestions for revisiting some of the themes of earlier WIRs.Research limitations/implicationsAs a review essay, the paper does not present new empirical results.Practical implicationsThe paper makes suggestions for possible content in future WIRs and for revisiting some of the earlier themes in the context of the new economic, political and technological environment. It also argues that tackling problems related to damages to a global public good – the environment – requires the cooperation of both developed and developing regions as well as the development and implementation of global strategies.Social implicationsThe WIR has always had a developmental and policy focus. This is also the case of the WIR 2010. However, given the topic – FDI in low‐carbon products and processes – there are limitations in considering possible policies for developing countries, first because dealing with the environment requires more focus on the developed countries, and second because there is still no international agreement on global strategies towards climate change.Originality/valueThe paper presents a historical analysis of the World Investment Report. It presents an analysis of the common structural, content and methodological features of all WIRs, and of WIR 2010 in relation to development and policies in the world economy. The paper stresses the relevance of dealing with a global public good – the environment – at the global level not at the level of single nations or regions. It also highlights the need to consider the problem and related policies in relation to developed countries. It discusses the limitations in terms of strategies and policies due to lack of international agreement.
Extreme learning machine for user location prediction in mobile environment
Authors: Mantoro Teddy , Olowolayemo Akeem , Olatunji Sunday O. , Ayu Media A. , Osman Abu 
Published: July 2011

PurposePrediction accuracies are usually affected by the techniques and devices used as well as the algorithms applied. This work aims to attempt to further devise a better positioning accuracy based on location fingerprinting taking advantage of two important mobile fingerprints, namely signal strength (SS) and signal quality (SQ) and subsequently building a model based on extreme learning machine (ELM), a new learning algorithm for single‐hidden‐layer neural networks.Design/methodology/approachPrediction approach to location determination based on historical data has attracted a lot of attention in recent studies, the reason being that it offers the convenience of using previously accumulated location data to subsequently determine locations using predictive algorithms. There have been various approaches to location positioning to further improve mobile user location determination accuracy. This work examines the location determination techniques by attempting to determine the location of mobile users by taking advantage of SS and SQ history data and modeling the locations using the ELM algorithm. The empirical results show that the proposed model based on the ELM algorithm noticeably outperforms k‐Nearest Neighbor approaches.FindingsWiFi's SS contributes more in accuracy to the prediction of user location than WiFi's SQ. Moreover, the new framework based on ELM has been compared with the k‐Nearest Neighbor and the results have shown that the proposed model based on the extreme learning algorithm outperforms the k‐Nearest Neighbor approach.Originality/valueA new computational intelligence modeling scheme, based on the ELM has been investigated, developed and implemented, as an efficient and more accurate predictive solution for determining position of mobile users based on location fingerprint data (SS and SQ).
The impact of IFRS implementation on Greek listed companies
Authors: Iatridis George , Dalla Konstantia 
Published: July 2011

PurposeWhile the Greek GAAP is stakeholder‐oriented and commonly viewed as a historical cost accounting model, IFRS is shareholder‐oriented and generally perceived as a fair‐value accounting model. The study seeks to investigate the effects of adopting IFRSs on the financial statements of Greek listed companies. It focuses on major Greek industrial sectors and stock market indices and investigates the effects of IFRS adoption on company financial position and performance.Design/methodology/approachA binary logistic regression has been applied in order to capture the differences between the pre‐official adoption and official adoption periods. The model focuses on 2004 and 2005. The dependent variable is a dummy variable and takes the following values: 1 for 2005 and 0 for 2004.FindingsThe study shows that IFRS implementation has influenced positively the profitability of most industrial sectors as well as those firms that belong to FTSE 40 and SMALLCAP 80. IFRS adoption appears to negatively influence liquidity for a number of industrial sectors and stock market constituents. An increase in leverage is obtained from the examination of the sample stock market indices and industrial sectors. Similar findings are evidenced for firms of large size and high financing needs.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited in the following respects. The results reflect short‐term timing differences, which may reverse in later accounting periods. Also, companies should have anticipated IFRS adoption and might have adjusted their accounting policies accordingly, or even managed their reported numbers, in the period under investigation, since the EU Regulation passed in 2002.Originality/valueThe findings of the study are useful for investors, shareholders, financial analysts and other market participants as they provide information about the impact of IFRS implementation per major sector and market index. The effects would be expected to vary as each sector and market index carries different financial attributes. Users of accounting information could make use of the findings of the study for the evaluation of the financial performance and prospects of a sector/index and for other investment decision‐making purposes. The study also contributes to the literature as it focuses on a code law country that is stakeholder‐oriented.
Production ramp up in built‐to‐order supply chains
Authors: Kristianto Nugroho Yohanes 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on production ramp up modeling on built‐to‐order (BTO) manufacturers facing customized demand. The general purpose is to present a novel approach to managing collaboration, by considering information exchange between the manufacturer and the supplier.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology applies feedback control mechanism to analyze supplier responsiveness and customer order decoupling point to represent the need for collaboration. A two‐stage game is applied ahead of control system application to optimize the capacity decision, with the ultimate goal being profit maximization.FindingsThe results show that a higher product commonality degree gives more opportunity for quick response BTO supply chains, which are managed by feedback control, and at the same time to possibly mitigate the bullwhip effect caused by demand information noise.Research limitations/implicationsThe analytical model here focused on one product family development, so the applicability of the proposed model to the whole product portfolio should be investigated in the future.Practical implicationsThis paper helps the manufacturer to act optimally by considering the possibility of information exchange with the supplier and deciding on the product commonality degree, in taking into account the customer's lead time requirement.Originality/valueA control system model of “BTO Supply Chain” is proposed by including product commonality and response analysis in the simulation model. Furthermore, a contribution to collaborative supply chains is shown by applying a synchronized supply model to represent supplier and manufacturer communication.
Limit pricing with complementary goods
Authors: Tarziján Jorge 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the equilibrium limit price charged by a producer trying to deter the entry of a firm that can choose one of the two markets of complementary goods.Design/methodology/approachThe authors model a dynamic game of incomplete information solved using a “perfect Bayesian equilibrium” approach.FindingsIt is shown that an incumbent will be willing to spend more resources – i.e. charge a lower limit price – to deter entry into its market as products become more complementary. This is because additional benefits are gained from entry deterrence by facing a more competitive market in the complementary product. The additional benefits of entry deterrence are shown to be a function of the degree of complementarity between goods.Practical implicationsA managerial implication of this article is that firms are willing to compete more fiercely to send an entrant to the other's incumbent market as the degree of complementarity between goods increases. An interesting conclusion that is derived from the above analysis is that managers should invest to understand the interdependences (e.g. complementarities) of the goods they sell, since the strategic variables chosen to compete may be affected by them, in some cases in a non‐trivial way.Social implicationsFrom a public policy perspective, the main contribution of this paper is to point out that regulators who analyze predatory pricing, or other (probably) illegal “low‐price strategies”, should consider the degree of complementarity between goods and its effect on pricing.Originality/valueAs far as the authors' knowledge goes, there are no other papers that analyze entry decisions involving multiple markets of complementary goods.
Synergistic Protection: the roadmap for improving citizen disaster preparedness response
Authors: Curry Gerald D. 
Published: July 2011

PurposeCommunities around the world continued to be pummelled by devastating natural disasters with little to no relenting to the amount of loss of life, and property damage suffered by businesses and individuals. The United Nation reports huge financial commitments in 2010 to the tune of $109 billion in recovery in an effort of securing some semblance of normalcy. This paper aims to highlight the tremendous accomplishments created by the passing of the Post‐Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act within the US Federal Emergency Management Agency and to introduce a new concept titled Synergistic Protection that encourages citizens and businesses with special skills, equipment, or unique talents to volunteer by enrolling their contact information into a database maintained by the local emergency manager.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology that was used to construct this paper was traditional scholarly research and observations of the Washington, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. A personal account of what was said and that occurred was used.FindingsThis is a concept paper and did not use qualitative or quantitative procedures to conclude findings, but after the data were reviewed professional assessments were made to recommend a new way of involving citizens and private industry in disaster preparedness training and planning.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the concept of Synergistic Protection being applied globally is tremendous and has relevance the world over. It is the author's goal for every country to start using aspects of Synergistic Protection in designing disaster and crisis management planning.Social implicationsThe social implications of applying Synergistic Protection are huge. If and when applied people living in communities will start to form bonds out of necessity and need, and not shy away from one another because of petty differences. I believe that Synergistic Protection is needed around the world.Originality/valueSynergistic Protection is completely original and both copyrighted and trademark by the author.
Narrative research on “Bothra”: an Indian family firm
Authors: Kar Surjit Kumar , Samantarai Munmun 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this case study is to understand effect of Indian ethos, socio‐cultural setup, etc. on growth of family‐based business; impact of ethnicity and genetic intelligence on development of entrepreneurial traits, etc. in family business contexts in India.Design/methodology/approachThe approach takes a single case study on an organized retail firm named Bothra Megabazar Private Limited in Rourkela, India to comprehend the established theories and literature on emergence and spread of business community/class in India known for its own ethos and values as a country. As a part of narrative enquiry method in qualitative research, it collects the narratives of central and peripheral characters in the respective business house through “story telling” and by “restorying” the same, understands and explains the family‐based entrepreneurial journey amidst business dynamics.FindingsThe important findings of this case study are manifold. It finds that there is inter‐connectedness of different aspects amounting for success/growth of family business entrepreneurs and enterprises. Some of these factors are deep‐seated Indian ethos and values, multiple family and social networks, joint and undivided family structure, inheritance of family business down the generations, financial backing from members of family and social networks, long standing experience in trade, genetic intelligence across generations, internal capacity building with unique style of leadership and high‐risk appetite, etc.Research limitations/implicationsWith its focus on one specific community like Bani(y)as or Marwaris in Indian business society, the case may not justify the understandings on genetic intelligence in case of other communities/class. However, the study elaborates scope of future studies in the same direction.Practical implicationsPracticing managers and research scholars can use this case for understanding of the key success/growth factors behind socio‐culturally guided family‐based business enterprises.Originality/valueThe paper presents a case that is original.
Student evaluation of e‐service quality criteria in Uganda: the case of automatic teller machines
Authors: Wasswa Katono Isaac 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis study aims to identify the most important e‐service quality evaluation dimensions in an emerging market context, focusing specifically on automatic teller machines (ATMs).Design/methodology/approachThe study employs a triangulation approach, using both qualitative and quantitative methods based on a convenience sample composed mainly of students at Uganda Christian University. Instrument development was based on the results of a qualitative study. The psychometric properties of this instrument were assessed using exploratory factor analysis followed by cross‐validation using confirmatory factor analysis. This was followed by hierarchical linear regression to identify the most important dimensions of e‐service quality.FindingsThe study establishes that tangibles, card issues, reliability and location are the most important student service quality evaluation dimensions of ATMs in Uganda.Research limitations/implicationsThe study utilized a convenience sample of mainly college age students; however, many of them are working and engaged in business activities.Practical implicationsManagers should consider the identified dimensions when designing an ATM network to encourage usage of ATM facilities and decongest their banks.Originality/valueThis study is one of the few of its nature in an emerging market context.
Drivers and barriers of CSR and the size and internationalization of firms
Authors: Laudal Thomas 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze how drivers and barriers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) vary with regard to stages in the transformation process from a small and medium‐sized enterprise (SME) to a multinational enterprise (MNE).Design/methodology/approachThe main method used is a literature survey. The survey covers 47 journal articles. A limited survey of managers in the Norwegian clothing business is used to validate the findings in the literature survey.FindingsEight main drivers and barriers of CSR are identified in the literature survey and are also supported by a regression analysis based on Norwegian survey data. By relating the drivers and barriers to more general social science models, it is shown how they are affected by different business contexts and vary with regard to stages in the transformation process from a SME to a MNE.Practical implicationsThe paper suggests that public policies for CSR should be adapted to four main contexts, referring to stages in the growth and internationalization of the firm, and overcoming barriers and boosting drivers for CSR.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a better understanding of how and why drivers and barriers of CSR differ with respect to the size and internationalization of firms.
Corporate perceptions of sustainability challenges in developed and developing countries: constituting a CSR divide?
Authors: Barkemeyer Ralf 
Published: July 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to explore sustainability‐related perceptions of proponents of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from 53 countries in order to shed light on contextual differences regarding the conceptualization of the role of CSR in global governance.Design/methodology/approachThe results of a survey of corporate UN Global Compact participants are presented, focusing on respondents' perceptions regarding 23 key issues in sustainability. Non‐parametric statistics are applied to identify regional and country‐level patterns within the overall sample.FindingsWhile general perceptions regarding the urgency of key global sustainability challenges appear to be relatively homogeneous around the globe, significant differences can be identified regarding the specific roles and responsibilities respondents attribute to their own companies in countries from the global North and South, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focuses on generic patterns within the overall sample; more detailed analysis is needed in future work to explore their origins and impact on corporate practice.Practical implicationsThere is a need for an improved integration of Southern stakeholders in CSR practice and policy making in order to fully unfold the potential of CSR in global governance.Originality/valueThe paper uncovers generic differences between conceptualizations of the corporate role in global sustainability between the global North and South.