bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Adomian decomposition method and the variational iteration method for solving the Lane‐Emden equations of the first and second kinds
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul‐Majid , Rach Randolph 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a comparison of the Adomian decomposition method (ADM) with the variational iteration method (VIM) for solving the Lane‐Emden equations of the first and second kinds.Design/methodology/approachThe paper examines the theoretical framework of the Adomian decomposition method and compares it with the variational iteration method. The paper seeks to determine the relative merits and computational benefits of both the Adomian decomposition method and the variational iteration method in the context of the important physical models of the Lane‐Emden equations of the first and second kinds.FindingsThe Adomian decomposition method is shown to readily solve the Lane‐Emden equations of both the first and second kinds for all positive real values of the system coefficient α and for all positive real values of the nonlinear exponent m. The decomposition series solution of these nonlinear differential equations requires the calculation of the Adomian polynomials appropriate to the particular system nonlinearity. The paper shows that the variational iteration method works effectively to solve the Lane‐Emden equation of the first kind for system coefficient values α=1, 2, 3, 4 but only for positive integer values of the nonlinear exponent m. The successive approximations of the solution of these nonlinear differential equations require the determination of the appropriate Lagrange multipliers, which are established in this paper. These two methodologies overcome the singular behavior at the origin x=0. The paper shows that the variational iteration method is impractical for solving either the Lane‐Emden equation of the first kind for non‐integer values of the system exponent m or the Lane‐Emden equations of the second kind. Indeed the Adomian decomposition method is shown to solve even the generalized Lane‐Emden equation for any analytic nonlinearity and all positive values of the system coefficient α in a practical and straightforward manner. The conclusions are supported by several numerical examples.Originality/valueThis paper presents an accurate comparison of the Adomian decomposition method with the variational iteration method for solving the Lane‐Emden equations of the first and second kinds. The paper presents a new solution algorithm for the generalized Lane‐Emden equation for any analytic system nonlinearity and for any model geometry as characterized by all possible positive real values of the system coefficient α.
Foundations of a postmodern cybernetics based on Kabbalah
Authors: Burstein Gabriel , Virgil Negoita Constantin 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to lay the computational and mathematical foundations for a “postmodern cybernetics” based on ancient Kabbalah. This new Kabbalistic cybernetics is introduced to act as an unifying science addressing simultaneously, in a common language and framework the triple nature of human, psychological, social, economic, financial, political, cultural systems and their present multi‐faceted crises and conflicts: cognitive objective level of attaining knowledge; subjective emotional level and physical action and behavioral level.Design/methodology/approachFeedback, hierarchical control and other system and control theoretic features in the Tree of Life (TL) of Kabbalah were identified. These were used to develop a general system theoretic framework of a new type to address human and societal system dynamics, evolution, interaction and feedback control by simultaneously taking into account their triple nature.FindingsThe postmodern cybernetics of the TL introduced here as a general system framework, exhibits feedback control with internal model principle, hierarchical control, system multi‐valued logic, category theory pullback and pushout mechanisms, advanced knowledge engineering to aggregate, learn, evolve and solve problems and crises in an integrated way.Practical implications“Kabbalistic postmodern cybernetics” proposed here for human and societal systems is the unified scientific framework to solve problems that led to or are just related to economic, financial, political, cultural, societal and human crises and conflicts by addressing their triple intertwined human nature.Originality/valueComputational foundations for a postmodern cybernetics based on Kabbalah are introduced, where the cognitive, emotional and behavioral and physical action facets of human systems are dealt with in a unified integrated framework to address global problems and crises.
Small and large projects: their dynamics and which ones to take
Authors: Lin Yi , Liu Sifeng 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to investigate the roles of small and large projects in the development and evolution of a commercial company and why companies with a history of taking on large projects tend to eventually fail with large projects.Design/methodology/approachIn terms of small and large projects, analytic models are established to: describe investors' behaviors; depict the dynamics between CEOs and their boards of directors; and reveal how profit ceilings exist for large projects.FindingsAfter making the concepts of small and large projects precise, the paper establishes several analytic models for the investigation of the behaviors of various market participants. Then, it develops an explanation for why some decision makers like to take on large projects and why most new startups fail because of a lack of funds. A theory is given to show how investors value small projects more than large projects and why the current trend of moving manufacturing operations from industrialized nations to third world countries does not seem reversible in the foreseeable future, as long as international transportation costs stay low and the global economic system stays open and competitive. Among other results, it is also shown that: the higher the level the CEO's initial ability is, the more likely he would initiate and manage small projects, and the more labor effort he will devote to these projects; the CEO's additional effort spent on the small projects helps him gain non‐pecuniary benefits, which he can use to gain additional bargaining power over the board; to realistically maximize his private utility, the CEO would spend more of his time and effort on small projects; each large project has a glass ceiling for its maximum level of profits; companies taking on large projects cannot afford to devote much of their scarce resources to expand their market share and appearance; and to increase their profit potential, these companies have to control their spending so that their profit can be maximized by lowering their unit selling price ps; for small projects, the profit potential for the company is unlimited.Originality/valueThis work is the first to employ models of human behaviors to research the interactions and dynamics between projects of different scales. It provides a theoretically reliable distinction between small and large projects.
Cryptography
Authors: Kapoor Bhushan , Pandya Pramod , Sherif Joseph S. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper seeks to advance research and strategies that lead to a heightened awareness of the need to protect data from disclosure, to guarantee the authenticity of data and messages, and to protect systems from network‐based attacks.Design/methodology/approachThe paper introduces the necessary mathematics of cryptography: integer and modular arithmetic, linear congruence, Euclidean and extended Euclidean algorithm, Fermat's theorem, and Elliptic curve.FindingsThe results indicate that encryption has expanded beyond confidentiality concerns to include techniques for message integrity checking, sender/receiver identity authentication, digital signatures, interactive proofs, and secure computation.Practical implicationsThe results of this research show that all forms of e‐commerce activities such as online credit card processing, purchasing stocks, and banking data processing, if compromised, would lead to businesses losing billions of dollars in lost revenues as well as losing confidence in e‐commerce. In the last few years, it had been reported that organizations that store and maintain customers' private and confidential records were compromised on many occasions by hackers breaking into the data networks and stealing the records from the storage media.Originality/valueThis paper tackles one of the most critical problems of securing data networks. Security problems arise among other things to resource and workload sharing; complexity of interconnected networks; authentication of users; fast expandability of networks; threats to networks such as wiretapping and violations of the seven pillars of security: authentication, authorization, privacy, integrity, non‐repudiation, availability, and audit.
Interest models and applications in analyzing the rise and decline of Qing dynasty
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Lin Yi , Zhu Jubo 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on the rise and decline of the Qing dynasty in Chinese history, and tries to explain the evolutionary phenomenon that when a dynasty became strong, it replaced the former established but deteriorating one, and then at the end of its development, it disappeared eventually by using interest models developed herein.Design/methodology/approachSystemic interest models are introduced to the study of Chinese history quantitatively. First, by briefly going over the history of Qing, the reasons for its rise and fall are analyzed qualitatively. Second, the concept of interest is generalized under some proper assumptions so that several interest models are established. At the end, intriguing conclusions are drawn by analyzing the numerical solutions of these interest models.FindingsComparing this paper's results of numerical solutions with the Qing's history, we can see that the stability of a country was essentially an external appearance of the conflict of interests between the ruling and ruled classes. Usually, the eventual social turbulence happened when the balance of interests deteriorated and was tilted excessively to one social class, and ended when the imbalance reached another state of equilibrium. Moreover, the stability of a country always appeared to be a cycle of “turbulence→peace→turbulence→ċ” which is similar to the evolutionary characteristics of general systems indicated by the systemic yoyo model. Furthermore, the cycle can be found in all the feudal dynasties throughout Chinese history.Practical implicationsThe interest models presented in this article can be applied to the study of other social problems, such as corporation governance, the analysis of the national economic relationships, and others.Originality/valueThe concept of interest is generalized in this paper, and the relevant interest models provide good conclusions in our analysis of social and historical phenomena.
Determination of recruitment and transition strategies
Authors: Škraba Andrej , Kljajić Miroljub , Papler Peter , Kofjač Davorin , Obed Mitja 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the development and application of a manpower planning system for the Slovenian armed forces using a system approach, system dynamics (SD) and numerical optimization.Design/methodology/approachThe model of the hierarchical manpower system was developed by SD methodology and formulated in discrete time space. The problem of tracking the goal trajectories in the eight topmost ranks at the prescribed boundaries was solved by application of the quadratic performance index and finite automata (FA) which was used for classification of acceptable strategies. Genetic algorithms (GA) as well as pattern search were compared at the numeric optimization.FindingsEmploying SD and a system approach increases the understanding of the system control. The definition of an optimum strategy, which would consider only target values for ranks within prescribed parameter boundaries, could provide an undesired oscillatory solution. Inclusion of rules by FA to determine acceptable strategies based on the time response of a strategy provided acceptable, nonoscillatory solutions. GA and pattern search were considered where pattern search was shown to be significantly more suitable for the task of control strategy determination.Practical implicationsThe developed system and methodology was applied by the Slovenian Armed Forces in the process of restructuring.Social implicationsThe developed approach permits a moderate transition to the new desired structure. Restructuring without a clear understanding of the system structure and dynamics might result in undesired social impacts such as strikes and riots.Originality/valueProvision of the systemic view of the hierarchical manpower system and application of FA to determine the proper control of a complex system.
Rare elements and ecology
Authors: Andrew Alex M. 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe paper seeks to review the undesirable side‐effects of some measures to protect the environment, particularly the results of increased demand for certain metals used in hybrid cars and wind turbines, and for tantalum for mobile phones. The increased demands for indium and lithium due to technical developments are also discussed although they do not pose corresponding dilemmas.Design/methodology/approachThe aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.FindingsUndesirable side‐effects need to be considered, though means of overcoming them are not always apparent.Practical implicationsIn the case of tantalum and mobile phones, attention has been given to ethical sourcing. The possibility of indium extraction in the UK is a welcome development.Originality/valueIt is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
Creative consumers: awareness, attitude and action
Authors: Berthon Pierre , Campbell Colin , Pitt Leyland , McCarthy Ian 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to report on the construction of a scale to measure a firm's stance towards creative consumers; that is, customers who adapt, modify or transform a proprietary offering.Design/methodology/approachA measurement instrument, called the 3As, is developed to assess the extent to which an organization is aware of its creative customers, its attitude towards its creative customers, and finally the action it takes in response to its creative customers. A total of 178 Executive MBA students were used to fine‐tune a set of items using exploratory factor analysis (EFA).FindingsAn empirical test of reliability and validity resulted in three clearly defined factors or dimensions, which correspond to the three constructs of awareness, attitude and action. The relationship between the scales' prediction of stances and a manager's self typing of the organization is assessed, and the relationship between firm stance, environmental turbulence, and performance explored.Originality/valueThis paper provides the first scale for measuring a firm's stance toward creative consumers.
Managing web site performance taking account of the contingency role of branding in multi‐channel retailing
Authors: Carlson Jamie , O'Cass Aron 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe paper aims to examine the role of service branding and web site performances in a multi‐channel retail context by studying consumers who have on‐going relationships with retailers. Focus is placed on understanding perceptions of image congruency of the retail service brand across physical and electronic channels, together with web site performance perceptions influencing web site attitudes. The effects of web site attitudes on behavioural loyalty are also investigated.Design/methodology/approachData were gathered via an online survey from 196 consumers and analysed using structural equation modelling via PLS analysis.FindingsThe findings shed light on the importance of cross‐channel service brand management together with managing critical web site service interface capabilities in the retail environment to engender favourable web site attitudes and customer loyalty outcomes.Practical implicationsMulti‐channel retailers should carefully consider the degree to which consumers perceive the web site and its performance to be congruous with the retailer's brand image which appears to influence how information is subsequently processed and impacts customer loyalty behavior.Originality/valueThe findings are of value to multi‐channel retail practitioners and focus on how consumers with an ongoing relationship with the retailer integrate offline and online brand images in the formation of web site attitudes. In addition, the study examines both cognitive and hedonic elements of web site performance in the research framework.
On becoming a culturally plural consumer
Authors: Sankaran K. , Demangeot Catherine 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis paper aims to examine consumption behavior to understand how individuals become culturally plural consumers through exploratory research conducted in one of the world's most urban multi‐cultural environments, the UAE. As a starting point consumption was deemed as “consummatory” in accord with Holbrook.Design/methodology/approachThe data were collected through 20 interviews with UAE residents. This included men and women, ages ranging from 20s to 60s, representing 11 countries from five continents. Broadly a hermeneutic approach was followed in eliciting how culturally plural consumption behaviors emerged and interpreting how the process unfolded. The study examined multicultural habits pertaining to products or services chosen by the respondents. These covered food, cuisine, books, beverages, music, dance, clothes, TV and health treatments among others.FindingsPatterns of consumption acts create a consumption behavior that may be described as extemporaneous, expedient and emergent. The nature of the consumption process depends on a host of triggers that includes culturally diverse predisposition of the consumer, multi‐cultural identities, social cues, contextual factors and individuals' proclivity towards experimentalism. Taken together it is found that the praxis of becoming a culturally plural consumer is a learning process that has an emergent quality.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is exploratory and qualitative in nature with no firm conclusions.Practical implicationsIn culturally plural markets consumers have to be approached with a fine brush. Many of the current taken‐for‐granted ideals of marketing will be questioned by the approach suggested in this paper. As Stewart aptly said, understanding of praxis “would allow for practical action, based on edifying philosophy”.Originality/valueWhile Holbrook's idea of consummation is a metaphor for consumption that is well‐known, it is not adequately understood nor followed up with research. This inquiry into consumption praxis is a contribution to that end with significant implications for twenty‐first‐century marketing.
Preserving records in the cloud
Authors: Askhoj Jan , Sugimoto Shigeo , Nagamori Mitsuharu 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the characteristics of managing records in a cloud computing environment and compare these with existing archiving models, exemplified by the open archival information system (OAIS) reference model.Design/methodology/approachThe authors compare the functional entities in OAIS with a layered model of cloud computing, in which services are abstracted and shared between layers.FindingsIt is concluded that there are a number of areas where OAIS does not integrate well with cloud computing systems. Based on the findings, a new layered model for a cloud archiving system is defined using the concepts and information types from the OAIS reference model. The proposed model allows the sharing of functionality and information objects by making them available as services to higher layers. The model covers the entire document lifecycle, making archive functionality such as preservation planning possible at an early stage and helping to simplify records transfer.Research limitations/implicationsThe model provides a simple, OAIS compatible approach to representing how digital objects and necessary metadata can be transferred from content creation systems to archives systems.Originality/valueWhereas a lot of research has been done on the technical aspects of cloud storage, there is a lack of focus on how to comprehensively integrate records transfer and preservation in cloud systems. This paper fills in some of the gaps.
Motivations for records management in mobile work
Authors: Mäkinen Sari , Henttonen Pekka 
Published: November 2011

PurposeAll organisations may not have the same motivations for investing in records management. For some organisations the benefits of records management are more important than for others. It can be hypothesised that an organisation with a “natural” motivation for records management controls records processes more thoroughly than an organisation without a similar motivation. However, it is not understood how organisational context affects records management. In this paper the aim is to examine what motivations there are for an organisation to invest in records management especially in a mobile working environment.Design/methodology/approachAspects explored were ISO standards, and record users in three different organisations. The empirical data were gathered by interviews with 25 respondents and qualitative analysis of the ISO 15489 standard content. Results from the interviews were compared with the ISO standard. For this purpose, quantitative analysis was used to identify and categorise motivations given in the standard.FindingsRespondents highlighted information‐based and work‐process related ISO motivations. In general, internal motivations were emphasised and cultural‐societal goals were practically not mentioned at all. For mobile users records management is a tool to manage information and support their own and colleagues' work processes. The organisation's function affects the nature of the records produced, and this has an impact on users' attitude towards and knowledge of records management.Originality/valueAnalysis of motivations in the ISO 15489‐1 standard gives a new perspective to organisational records management. The motivations complement the picture given by studies of records usage in organisations.
A new approach to records management with the Information Workplace Platform
Authors: Castillo‐Soto Alexis , Baker Gill 
Published: November 2011

PurposeThis case study aims to set out the challenges faced by the Department for Education (DfE) in managing information and encouraging collaboration. The DfE has restructured its systems and delivered the Information Workplace Platform (IWP), in order to encourage better collaborative working and improve the success of its records management processes.Design/methodology/approachThe case study gathers together information from a number of sources within the Department (through interviews with individuals and written materials) to establish the “story” of the development of the IWP.FindingsThe case study includes details of the benefits of the implementation of IWP, both quantitative and qualitative.Originality/valueThis case study fulfils a need to share best practice with others in order to encourage positive change for information management, collaboration and records management across the public sector.