bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reliability analysis of complex robotic system using Petri nets and fuzzy lambda‐tau methodology
Authors: Sharma S.P. , Sukavanam N. , Kumar Naveen , Kumar Ajay 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate various reliability parameters of a multi‐robot system, arranged in a complex configuration. The effects of failures and course of action on the system performance have also been investigated.Design/methodology/approachThe present work is based on a multi‐robotic system, in which two robots are working independently with a conveyer unit. Petri net (PN) tool is applied to represent the asynchronous and concurrent processing of the system. To enhance the relevance of the reliability study, fuzzy numbers are developed from available data of the components, using fuzzy possibility theory to define membership functions. The use of fuzzy arithmetic in the PN model increases the flexibility for application to various systems and conditions. Various reliability parameters (such as mean time between failures, ENOF, reliability, availability, etc.) are computed using fuzzy lambda‐tau methodology. As the available data are imprecise, incomplete, vague and conflicting, the fuzzy methodology can deal easily with approximations.FindingsThe adopted methodology in the present work improves the shortcomings/drawbacks of the existing probabilistic approaches and gives a better understanding of the system behavior through its graphical representation.Originality/valueIn an earlier study failure behavior of a single robot was analyzed. This paper is an extension of the previous work, in which failure behavior of multi‐robotic system is analyzed. Also, the interactions among the working units of multi‐robotic system are deeply studied. The paper contains a new idea about the reliability analysis of robotic system. Fuzzy lambda‐tau methodology, a fuzzy PROBIST technique, is used for the proposed robotic system and the results obtained are compared with crisp results. Reliability analysis of a multi‐robotic system is presented in this paper, which may help the system analysts to analyze and predict the system behavior and to reallocate the required resources.
Comparison and analysis of bubble growth and foam formation models
Authors: Elshereef R. , Vlachopoulos J. , Elkamel A. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to present and compare two different models for bubble growth and foam formation and to conduct a thorough assessment in terms of their numerical implementation and prediction accuracy.Design/methodology/approachThe two models are assessed and validated against experimental measurements. The first model is known as a single bubble growth model and treats the foaming process as a single bubble growing in a large pool with enough gas available for growth, while the second model (cell model) takes into account the finiteness of gas supply availability as well as the effects of surrounding bubbles. The models are based on the application of the conservation of continuity and momentum principles and on constitutive equations to represent the viscosity of the melt. The models are numerically implemented using a finite difference scheme and their predictions are compared against experimental measurements.FindingsThe results demonstrate that the single bubble model predicts an infinite bubble growth with time due to the assumption of unlimited supply of the blowing agent. Meanwhile the cell model gives an equilibrium bubble size because it accounts for gas depletion. From this work, it was concluded that the cell model is the best model that adequately describes experimental data.Practical implicationsThe problem of bubble growth and foam formation is of great importance in the process industry as it plays a key role in diverse technological fields such as the production of foamed plastics.Originality/valueThe findings here are important for the appropriate modeling of bubble growth and foam formation and for scheduling and optimizing the process. A simple model will suffice for the early stage of the process while a cell model is more appropriate for the entire duration of the process.
Creating knowledge that makes important contributions to society
Authors: Stone Dianna L. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe primary purposes of this article are to: consider strategies for generating new research ideas that make important contributions to society; offer suggestions for improving manuscripts submitted to the Journal of Managerial Psychology (JMP); and discuss methods for enhancing the validity of inferences made from research.Design/methodology/approachThe article reviews the challenges facing individuals, organizations, and society in the twenty‐first century. It also provides a review of the limitations of manuscripts submitted to JMP.FindingsAuthors need to consider new research issues that may alleviate some of the problems that organizations and their members face in the twenty‐first century. The article also discusses some of the limitations of submissions to JMP, and suggests strategies for overcoming them.Research limitations/implicationsThis article has implications for the creation and dissemination of new knowledge in managerial psychology.Practical implicationsThe article provides practical suggestions for enhancing the quality of manuscripts submitted to JMP, and increasing the validity of inferences made from research in the field.Social implicationsThe article urges authors to conduct research that makes important contributions to society. Thus, it has important implications for enhancing the well being of individuals, organizations, and society as a whole.Originality/valueThe article provides a unique contribution to the literature because it considers the extent to which many of the most important research contributions in applied psychology have been triggered by the challenges that affect peoples' lives. It also offers suggestions for generating new research ideas that can be used to ameliorate the problems facing individuals and organizations in today's world.
Perceptions of politics and fairness in merit pay
Authors: Salimäki Aino , Jämsén Sini 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to look into employee perceptions of politics and fairness in a work setting where a new merit pay system had recently been implemented.Design/methodology/approachThe results are based on employee survey responses from three governmental organizations (n=367) that had implemented analogous merit pay systems.FindingsHierarchical moderated regression results indicated that perceptions of politics and fairness distinctively and interactively predicted whether the pay system was perceived effective in achieving its objectives. The results suggest that some forms of politics in performance appraisals (e.g. compression) might be perceived less detrimental than others (e.g. favoritism). In a high politics environment, the pay system effectiveness varied as a function of the level of distributive justice. Voice in the pay system development only mattered in a situation where there was a low level of organizational politics.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the main limitations of this study is its reliance on cross‐sectional data. Future research should complement employee perceptions about pay system effectiveness with objective data from the organizations studied. Research on the effect of contextual factors, such as national culture on the motives, in and reactions to, organizational politics, is desired.Practical implicationsThe result suggests that the adopted merit pay systems were not ineffective or detrimentalper se,but that the effectiveness varied as a function of the established political and fairness climates at different levels of the organization.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the discussion on what are the conditions under which politics and fairness are antithetical, and when they are interactively associated with outcomes.
The role of social socialization tactics in the relationship between socialization content and newcomers' affective commitment
Authors: Simosi Maria 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore the role of social socialization tactics on the relationship between task‐ and organization‐related information (socialization content) and newcomers' affective commitment to their work organization.Design/methodology/approachA total of 280 new hires in a Greek service company participated in a survey. Moderated regression analyses were conducted to test research hypotheses.FindingsThe results supported the role of investiture‐divestiture tactics as a moderator in the relationship between newcomers' task‐related information acquisition and organizational affective commitment. In addition, serial‐disjunctive tactics were found to moderate the relationship between organization‐related information acquisition and newcomers' affective commitment. The study also demonstrated that both task‐related and organization‐related information acquisition are important to the development of newcomers' affective commitment at the early stages of the socialization process.Research limitations/implicationsOwing to the cross‐sectional design of the research, causality cannot be drawn.Practical implicationsThe knowledge of whether, and the extent to which, particular socialization tactics and content areas contribute to newcomers' adjustment would provide organizations a competitive advantage by incorporating them into their socialization programs.Originality/valueProvision of feedback affirming newcomers' personal characteristics as well as assignment of established role models were found to provide the framework within which the acquisition of task and organization‐related information respectively are related to new hires' affective commitment towards their work organization.
Is there an East‐European social model?
Authors: Neesham Cristina , Tache Ileana 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to compare the recent social welfare performance of old and new members of the European Union, and to establish whether a specific East‐European social model (ESM) is emerging.Design/methodology/approachThe concept of social model is explored in the context of the historical development of economic and social policy integration in the European Union, with emphasis on reform measures and the EU enlargement process post‐1990. Guided by Sapir's typology of ESMs, the performance of 15 West‐European countries is analysed and compared with that of ten East‐European countries, relative to key economic and social indicators. The results are then used to determine whether a typology of East‐ESMs could be produced.FindingsSocial welfare performance in the new EU members indicates two different patterns and levels of development, which at this stage separate East‐European countries into two distinct groups. While two divergent trends may be emerging, it is perhaps too soon to conclude that any specific East‐ESM is taking shape. Results so far suggest that, in Eastern Europe, the influence of a welfarist social model appears more beneficial than that of market liberalism.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is limited to the comparative analysis of social welfare performance in six country groups. To obtain a full picture of the current development of social models in the European Union, it should be complemented by a separate examination of deliberate efforts by national governments towards in integrating economic and social policies in normative social models. The analysis itself could be expanded to include other significant social indicators, such as the level of employment protection or the Human Development Index.Practical implicationsWhile deliberate policy efforts are not always necessary for a social model to emerge, public awareness of cultural and regional trends in social welfare performance, analysed through the filter of social model typology, can significantly inform future social and cultural practices, as well as national government policies, directed towards improving national welfare.Social implicationsThis analysis can provide a theoretical basis for the integration of national economic and social policies in a coherent philosophy of multi‐dimensional development in Eastern Europe.Originality/valueThe paper selects historically relevant indicators of economic and social performance, undertakes a comparative analysis of six European country groups, draws conclusions on the current state of social welfare in East‐European countries relative to their Western counterparts and makes recommendations regarding the development of social model conceptions in Eastern Europe.
Perfect competition and sustainability: a brief note
Authors: Thampapillai Dodo J. 
Published: March 2010

PurposePerfect competition (PC), despite its abstract nature, is central to the literature on shadow prices and remains an important benchmark in economic policy analysis. Adding sustainability to the conditions of PC, results in a meaningful benchmark, especially in the context of pursuing sustainability as a policy goal. On this basis, some standard explanations involving the comparisons with imperfect competition can be questioned. But, importantly the recognition of sustainability besides the standard conditions of PC provides the basis for expositing voluntary environmental stewardship. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on PC and sustainability (PCS) and PC and PCS vs monopoly.FindingsThe implications of this simple analysis are at least three‐fold. First, in the sphere of applied economics and policy analysis, PC has served as an important benchmark – especially in the shadow pricing literature dealing with project appraisal and cost‐benefit analysis. The main argument in this paper is that PCS would prove to be a better benchmark because it would facilitate the choice of decisions that would satisfy the criteria for sustainability. Second, the recognition PCS prompts the reassessment of comparisons with imperfect market organizations such as monopoly. Within an unregulated context, monopolies, if able to exploit economies of scale, can expand output beyond the limits dictated by PC and PCS and hence compromise the possibilities of sustainability. Finally, and more importantly, the introduction of PCS as a benchmark enables the exposition of voluntary stewardship as a potential measure towards sustainability.Originality/valueThe paper offers insights into PCS.
The reputation of the party leader and of the party being led
Authors: Davies Gary , Mian Takir 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the similarity of the reputation of political leaders with those of their parties and to assess the claim of causal links.Design/methodology/approachA multidimensional measure of brand personality is used to measure the reputation among voters of the three main parties and their leaders in two surveys each prior to British General Elections in 2001 and 2005.FindingsThe reputations of leader and party are highly correlated, but statistically distinct in both studies. The leader's reputation appears to influence that of the party more than vice versa. However, the decline in Tony Blair's reputation between 2001 and 2005 appears to have influenced more those loyal to other parties.Research limitations/implicationsFurther work would be useful to compare the relative value of cognitive and affective measures of reputation, particularly in predicting voting behaviour.Practical implicationsThe findings emphasise the role of the leader's reputation in managing that of a political party. A change of leader will, inevitably, produce a change in party reputation. The two reputations interact and monitoring such effects will require similar ways of measuring both.Originality/valueLinks between the reputations of organisations and their leaders have been claimed but never demonstrated empirically.
Interpersonal and political trust: modeling levels of citizens' trust
Authors: Schiffman Leon , Thelen Shawn T. , Sherman Elaine 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine whether generally trusting people are any more likely to be the same people who are also more politically trusting. In particular, the research focuses on the relationship between interpersonal trust and three political trust‐related constructs: trust of government form, political cynicism, and incumbent trust.Design/methodology/approachThe intention was to model the impact of general or interpersonal trust – i.e. Rotter's Interpersonal Trust scale, on three specific dimensions of political trust – i.e. “trust in government form”, “political cynicism”, and “incumbent trust”. This was achieved through a questionnaire, which was mailed to a random sample of 4,000 American households.FindingsThe structural aspects of the model reveal a significantly strong path between Rotter's broad‐based interpersonal trust scale and the more specific incumbent trust measure. The model also indicates a modestly strong relationship between interpersonal trust and trust in form of government, and a weak relationship between interpersonal trust and political cynicism.Originality/valueThis research should prove useful to academic research, campaign managers, and political strategists in terms of reinforcing the importance of different aspects or components of trust, as well as their interrelationship, and how they might impact political strategy and campaign development.
An investigation into the relationship between political activity levels and political market orientation
Authors: Ormrod Robert P. , Henneberg Stephan C. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe key objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between party member activity‐levels and perceptions of their party's political market orientation. Specifically, it aims to scrutinise the differences in the interplay of attitudinal and behavioural aspects of political market orientation.Design/methodology/approachUsing a wide variety of respondent groups within the party, the research draws on an existing conceptualisation of political market orientation and empirically test its relationship with party member activity levels. Three models, plus a baseline model, are developed and data from 1,156 questionnaires are used to investigate a structural equation model using the partial least square method.FindingsWhile the baseline model exhibits a robust pattern of positive relationships between the attitudinal and behavioural constructs, the comparative analysis of the different models shows that party activity levels have a significant impact on these relationships. The study identified that less active members perceive a wider range of attitudinal concepts to be of significance, compared to active members, politicians and party professionals.Originality/valueThis is one of a few studies empirically investigating the concept of political market orientation. Especially the focus on a wide range of respondents, in line with recent development in the literature on commercial market orientation, provides a nuanced analysis of the varying perception‐patterns of party stakeholders.
The influence of promotional activity and different electoral systems on voter turnout
Authors: Whitelock Amy , Whitelock Jeryl , van Heerde Jennifer 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate EU election data for the UK and Germany and examine the influence of promotional activity (party campaigning) and the different voting systems prevailing in these two countries – first past the post (FPTP) in the UK and proportional representation (PR) in Germany – on voter turnout.Design/methodology/approachThe paper takes the form of a binomial logistic regression analysis of individual‐level survey data from the European Election Studies (EES) archive.FindingsThe findings suggest a general link between electoral systems, party campaigning and voter turnout. Individuals are more likely to turn out under PR systems, while “party campaigning” – including door‐to‐door canvassing and leafleting – also had a substantial positive effect on self‐reported turnout.Research limitations/implicationsThe structure of the EES survey questions means that it is impossible to separate out which mode of campaigning (impersonal or face‐to‐face) is driving the observed strong positive relationship between the variable “party campaigning” and voter turnout. More survey research should be carried out to tease out which specific types of promotional activity have more of an influence on voter turnout. In addition, aggregate level research on campaigning patterns across countries with different voting systems would be helpful to explore this phenomenon in more depth.Originality/valueWhile research has been undertaken within the context of specific countries such as the UK, USA and New Zealand, there appears to have been no research reported within the context of the EU.
Measuring political brand equity: a consumer oriented approach
Authors: French Alan , Smith Gareth 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of how voters view the political brand by analysing the mental maps that voters create when asked to think about a political party. The analysis is both in terms of the nature of the maps and also in terms of the equity associated with a map.Design/methodology/approachA consumer‐oriented approach is developed for mapping the political brand. The brand maps are analysed to discern brand characteristics. Furthermore, methods are developed to assess the power of political brands and concomitantly, political brand equity.FindingsThe method provides interesting insights into the nature and equity of brand associations for the two main political protagonists, i.e. Conservative and Labour. Key branded characteristics are highlighted for each party, both in terms of general structure, and also those associations that form a central role in voters' maps. For the partisan sample chosen, both parties are shown to have strong brand equity, with the Conservatives slightly stronger than Labour.Practical implicationsThe method is straightforward to apply and provides important information to political marketers about the nature and power of the associations held in memory by voters. Taking a wider stance, the approach can be applied to any branding situation.Originality/valueThis paper provides a means by which a brand mapping process, new to politics, can be combined with methods facilitating the analysis of brand maps to produce a means by which brand equity can be measured.
A marketing poll: an innovative approach to prediction, explanation and strategy
Authors: Ben‐Ur Joseph , Newman Bruce I. 
Published: March 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an evaluation of a newspaper insert survey and web‐based voter surveys associated with the same newspaper, conducted before and after the 2004 US presidential election.Design/methodology/approachThe study compares response rates, demographics, and political profiles of voters responding to these two different channels of communication and evaluates the success of each in predicting the election outcome.FindingsThe study results show some significant differences between the two methods of voter data collection; nevertheless, each is useful in a comprehensive system that attempts to follow voter attitudes and intentions before the election and predict election outcome.Origiality/valueThe study relies on the use of an innovative marketing poll that goes beyond simple prediction of a voter's behavior and offers an explanatory component useful in the development of marketing strategies during a campaign.