bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does experience matter?
Authors: Dagger Tracey S. , O'Brien Timothy K. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeAlthough customer relationships transpire through a process of time, encounters and experience, few studies have examined the dynamics of service relationships. This paper aims to address this issue by examining the effect of experience on the association between relational benefits and relationship quality, and between relationship quality and loyalty.Design/methodology/approachUsing a national sample of 376 service consumers and nine service industries, the study examines whether the impact of relationship benefits on perceptions of satisfaction, trust and commitment, and ultimately customer loyalty, differs significantly between novice and experienced customer cohorts.FindingsThe results indicate significant differences between novice and experienced cohorts. Specifically, the impact of confidence, social and special treatment benefits on perceptions of satisfaction, trust and commitment, and ultimately customer loyalty, differ significantly based on a customer's level of relationship experience.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study have tactical and strategic implications for service firms, including effective customer asset management, resource allocation, and relationship strategy.Originality/valueThis study makes a significant new contribution to theory and practice.
Bi‐level programming based contra flow optimization for evacuation events
Authors: Lv Nengchao , Yan Xinping , Xu Kun , Wu Chaozhong 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a bi‐level programming optimization model to reduce traffic congestion of transportation network while evacuating people to safe shelters during disasters or special events.Design/methodology/approachThe previous optimization model for contra flow configuration only considered the character of the manager. However, the traffic condition is not only controlled by managers, but also depended on the root choice of travelers. A bi‐level programming optimization model, which considered managers and evacuees' character, is proposed to optimize the contra flow of transportation network in evacuation during special events. The upper level model aims to minimize the total evacuation time, while the lower level based on user equilibrium assignment. A solution method based on discrete particle swarm optimization and Frank‐Wolfe algorithm is employed to solve the bi‐level programming problem.FindingsIt is found that the bi‐level programming based contra flow optimization model can improve evacuation efficiency and decrease evacuation time 30 per cent or more. With the increase of traffic demand, the evacuation time will decrease significantly by contra flow configuration.Research limitations/implicationsIn the optimization model, the background traffic is ignored for simplification and the contra flow is configured absolutely as 0 or 1, which ensures vehicles do not go back into the evacuation area.Practical implicationsAn efficient optimization model for traffic managers to reduce congestion and evacuation time of evacuation network.Originality/valueThe new bi‐level programming model not only considers managers' character, but also considers evacuees' reaction. The paper is aimed to optimize contra flow for transportation network.
Study on deformation prediction of landslide based on genetic algorithm and improved BP neural network
Authors: Ran Yong‐fen , Xiong Guang‐chi , Li Shi‐sheng , Ye Liao‐yuan 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to improve back propagation neural network (BPNN) modeling in order to promote the forecast calculation precision of landslide deformation.Design/methodology/approachThe genetic algorithm is adopted to optimize the architectural parameter of BPNN so as to avoided errors occurrence while using the trial‐and‐error method. Furthermore, the Sigmoid function is improved and revised to expand the output range of change‐over function from unipolar (only positive) to ambipolar (may be positive or negative), then the convergence time is reduced and the neural network can express more artificial intelligence.FindingsThe modeling can effectively reduce the probability to get into the local minima while employing neural networks to forecast the landslide deformation. It significantly promotes the forecast precision.Research limitations/implicationsThe improved BPNN modeling, which is very good in learning and processing information, can work out the complex non‐linear relation by learning model and using the present data or reciprocity of surroundings.Practical implicationsThe revised BPNN modeling in this paper can be used to predict and calculate landslide deformation.Originality/valueThe paper demonstrates that the modeling can meet the demand of calculation precision.
Satellite mission scheduling based on genetic algorithm
Authors: Sun Baolin , Wang Wenxiang , Xie Xing , Qin Qianqing 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe a new satellite mission scheduling (SMS) problem based on an genetic algorithm (GA).Design/methodology/approachThe SMS involves scheduling tasks to be performed by a satellite, where new task requests can arrive non‐deterministically (i.e. at any time) and must be scheduled in real‐time. This paper investigates algorithmic approaches for determining an optimal or near‐optimal sequence of tasks, allocated to a satellite payload over time, with dynamic tasking considerations.FindingsSimulation results show that the proposed approach is effective and efficient when utilized in actual cases.Originality/valueThis paper shows how to adopt the GA search approach to generate an SMS within allowable computation time.
An open architecture for information communication systems for multi‐level electric power control centers
Authors: Guo Chuangxin , Cao Yijia , Tang Yuezhong , Han Zhenxiang 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to design an open architecture of an interconnected communication system (ICS) for multi‐level electric power control centers (EPCC) based on Tele‐control Application Service Element (TASE.2), which possesses specialties of high performances, robustness, cost‐efficiency, quick‐restoration, and easy‐maintenance.Design/methodology/approachBased on the hierarchy and structure of TASE.2, the overall architecture of the ICS for multi‐level EPCC is put forward at first. As the key devices in the system, the structures of the communication gateway (CG) and common interface are designed. Then, the logical procession flows in CG and the con modes, for both CG and IC are analyzed in detail. The web‐based software configuration of remote maintenance and fault diagnosis is discussed conceptually.FindingsAs a standardized, well‐developed, and efficient protocol, TASE.2 is considered to be the most suitable protocol to support the ICS for multi‐level EPCC.Research limitations/implicationsThe performance of the ICS needs to be further simulated.Practical implicationsPractical architecture for ICS for multi‐level EPCC with robustness and cost‐efficient specialty is designed in principle, which is very useful for manufacturers to develop pilot devices or even products.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a new ICS scheme for multi‐level EPCC based on TASE.2 is proposed.
Adaptive SNR estimation algorithms for decoding block turbo codes
Authors: Wang Kang , Liu Xingcheng , Cull Paul 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a novel decoding algorithm, to decrease the complexity in decoding conventional block turbo codes.Design/methodology/approachIn this algorithm, the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) values of channels are adaptively estimated. After analyzing the relationship between the statistics of the received vectors R and the channel SNR, an adaptive method of tuning the decoding complexity is presented.FindingsSimulation results show that the proposed algorithm has greatly decreased the decoding complexity and sped up the decoding process while achieving better bit error rate performance.Originality/valueSimulation experiments described in this paper show that the proposed algorithm can decrease the decoding complexity, shorten the decoding time and achieve good decoding performance.
Delay‐dependent asymptotic stability of BAM neural networks with time delay
Authors: Xueli Wu , Jianhua Zhang , Xinping Guan , Hua Meng 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the criteria of uniqueness of the equilibrium point and the new stability criteria for stability of the equilibrium point. The new stability condition is dependent on the size of delays.Design/methodology/approachThe global asymptotic stability of a class of delayed bi‐directional associative memory (BAM) neural networks is studied. Some new sufficient conditions are presented for the unique equilibrium point and the global stability of BAM neural networks with time delays by constructing Lyapunov functions and using the linear matrix inequality. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.FindingsBased on the mathematical method and matrixes inequality skill, some criteria are obtained which contain the unique equilibrium point and the global stability of BAM neural networks.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper proposes the new Lyapunov function and new skill to compose matrixes inequality.Practical implicationsA very useful method for BAM neural network to judge the uniqueness of the equilibrium point and stability.Originality/valueThe new mathematical model is proposed about the production process, and the new control method is used in the temperature system for a double layers welded pipe in welding process.
The hierarchical linear modeling of shared mental model on virtual team effectiveness
Authors: Xiao Yu‐chun , Jin Yang‐hua 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to find the new analysis method of virtual team effectiveness in team building, as well as various HR tools.Design/methodology/approachThis paper investigated 62 virtual teams, distinguished between identified mental models and distributed mental models, tested the relation among team characteristics, and shared mental models and virtual team effectiveness using hierarchical linear modeling.FindingsResults demonstrated that time would enhance the effect of shared mental models on task effectiveness; virtual team size would affect the relation between shared mental model and cooperative effectiveness, team size could enhance the effect of identified mental model on cooperative effectiveness, but weaken the relation between distributed mental model and cooperative effectiveness. A need is found for application of hierarchical linear modeling of shared mental model on virtual team effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsAccessibility and availability of data are the main limitations which apply.Originality/valueThis paper presents a new approach of optimal choice of virtual team building. The paper is aimed at HR and psychological researches and managers, especially those who dealt with people, and provides very useful advice for team management in enterprises.
A scheduling model for temporally constrained grid workflow for distributed simulation system on grid
Authors: Yang Qing , Wang Hongwei , Hu Wan , Lijuan Wang 
Published: August 2010

PurposeIn the grid‐based simulation, the resource application needed is distributed in the grid environment as grid service, and time management is a key problem in the simulation system. Grid workflow provides convenience for grid user to management and executes grid services. But it emphasizes process and no time‐management, so a temporally constrained grid workflow model is pointed out based on grid flow with temporally constraint to schedule resources and manage time.Design/methodology/approachThe temporally constrained grid workflow model is distributed model: the federate has local temporal constraints and interactive temporal constraints among federates. The problem to manage time is a temporally distributed constraint satisfaction problem given deadline time and duration time of grid services. Multi‐asynchronous weak‐commitment search (AWS) algorithm is an approach to resolve DCSP, so a practical example of a simulation project‐based grid system was presented to introduce application of Multi‐AWS algorithm.FindingsThe temporally constrained grid workflow is based temporal reasoning and grid workflow description about grid services.Originality/valueThe new problem about scheduling resources and managing time in the grid‐based simulation is pointed out; and the approach to resolve the problem is applied into a practical example.
An improved PSO approach to short‐term economic dispatch of cascaded hydropower plants
Authors: Yuan Yanbin , Yuan Xiaohui 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the optimization model and solve the short‐term economic dispatch of cascaded hydro‐plants.Design/methodology/approachAn improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) approach is proposed to solve the short‐term economic dispatch of cascaded hydroelectric plants. The water transport delay time between connected reservoirs is taken into account and it is easy in dealing with the difficult hydraulic and power coupling constraints using the proposed method in practical cascaded hydroelectric plants operation. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated for actual cascaded hydroelectric plant.FindingsThe simulation results show that this approach can prevent premature convergence to a high degree and keep a rapid convergence speed.Research limitations/implicationsThe optimal values of parameters in the proposed method are the main limitations where the method will be applied to the economic operation of the hydro‐plant.Practical implicationsThe paper presents useful advice for short‐term economic operations of the hydro‐plant. A new optimization method to solve the short‐term optimal generation scheduling is proposed. The optimal generation power and water discharge during the whole dispatching time for hydro‐plant operation can be obtained.Originality/valueThe IPSO method is realized by maintaining high diversity of the swarm during the optimization process and preventing premature convergence.
The rolling horizon procedure on deterministic lockage co‐scheduling to the two dams of the Three Gorges Project
Authors: Zhang Xiaopan , Fu Xide , Yuan Xiaohui 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to propose a rolling horizon procedure (RHP) to deal with the large‐scale and strongly NP‐hard problem on cooperative lockage‐timetables and service‐policies of the five locks in the Three Gorges Project.Design/methodology/approachRHP based approach is composed of a series of periodical short‐time sub‐optimizations instead of global optimization. Each of the sub‐optimizations is modeled by a mixed‐integer‐programming and solved by a branch and bound algorithm with terminal penalty.FindingsThe RHP method is found to be effective and efficient. The size of the rolling horizon is positively correlated to the total weighted area of ships.Research limitations/implicationsPrecision of short‐time predictions is the main limitation.Originality/valueThis procedure promotes the navigation capacity of the Three Gorges Project and proposes a solution to the lockage‐scheduling problem of the Three Gorges Project.
SD‐MOP integrate model and its application in water resources plan: a case study of Qinhuangdao
Authors: Zhang XueHua , Zhang Hongwei , Zhang Baoan , Liu Hongbo 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a new plan approach for optimal allocation water resources in social‐economic‐environmental complex system in order to achieve human and nature coordinated development.Design/methodology/approachBy integrating the system dynamics (SD) and multi‐objective programming (MOP), the new approach which is termed SD‐MOP model is proposed. The model is characterized by fully reflecting the initial trends of the system development, accurately explaining both of the structure and function of the system, objectively finding the sensible points of the system, and achieving the optimum solutions of the model, the according the solutions the optimal plan can be designed according practical situation.FindingsBy applying SD‐MOP integrated model, the designed planning proposal can be guaranteed operable, available, and optimal level.Practical implicationsSD‐MOP integrated model is a very useful support tool in optimal decision making.Originality/valueThe new planning approach of SD‐MOP integrated model can be used in regional resources planning, especially in formulating sustainable development strategies. In addition, the model can be used to estimate the trends of the system development when the planning program has been implemented.
Going green
Authors: Andrew Alex M. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review environmental aspects of information and communication technology (ICT) and the negative impact is shown to be large, though offset by positive features. A major proposal by Bill Gates for a novel nuclear power source is welcomed. Environmental considerations affecting conferences, including WOSC triennial congresses, are discussed.Design/methodology/approachThe aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.FindingsThe power consumption and consequent environmental impact of ICT is much greater than is generally realised, but is offset by many positive aspects. It has been suggested that plentiful nuclear power may be available from fission of uranium‐238, and this could vastly improve the global situation.Practical implicationsThere is clearly a need to make computers as energy‐efficient as possible, partly by utilising waste heat from large installations. Digital techniques operate in very many ways to save energy, with one minor but intriguing example provided by computer control of a means of starting internal combustion engines using a combination of batteries and capacitors. The proposal by Bill Gates for a travelling‐wave reactor definitely merits further examination.Originality/valueIt is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
The effect of market orientation on innovation speed and new product performance
Authors: Carbonell Pilar , Rodríguez Escudero Ana I. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeIt has been argued that innovation speed has been inappropriately absent in models of market orientation. The present study seeks to provide new insights into whether and how market orientation's three main components: intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination, and responsiveness affect innovation speed and new product performance, and about the mediating role of innovation speed.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from a sample of 247 firms in a variety of manufacturing industries. A mail survey was developed to collect the data.FindingsThe results indicate that intelligence generation has an indirect positive effect on innovation speed via intelligence dissemination and responsiveness. Intelligence dissemination influences innovation speed positively, both directly and indirectly through responsiveness. Findings report a curvilinear (J‐shaped) relationship between responsiveness and innovation speed. With regard to the effect of the market orientation's components on new product performance, the findings indicate a positive relationship between responsiveness and new product performance. The parameter estimates for the direct paths linking intelligence generation and intelligence dissemination with new product performance were found to be not significant. Instead, the findings show that intelligence generation and intelligence dissemination influence new product performance indirectly through responsiveness. Finally, a positive relationship was found between innovation speed and new product performance.Originality/valueThe research makes three important contributions to the marketing strategy and new product development literatures. First, by splitting market orientation into the components of intelligence generation, intelligence dissemination and responsiveness, the study provides a closer examination into the effect of market orientation on innovation speed and new product performance. Second, the results indicate that the effects of intelligence generation and intelligence dissemination on innovation speed and new product performance are mediated by responsiveness to market intelligence. Third, findings support the argument that innovation speed partially mediates the effect of market orientation's three main components on new product performance.
The influence of organizational culture and conflict on market orientation
Authors: McClure Rex E. 
Published: August 2010

PurposeThis study aims to review three recognized culture types: bureaucracy, supportive, and innovative, then to develop a model describing how intra‐organizational conflict mediates the relationship between these cultures and market orientation.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data from over 200 corporate managers, a model of the mediating effect of conflict was examined. First, the model was tested using structural equation modeling, and then a series of linear regressions was used to confirm mediation.FindingsThe study found that conflict mediated the relationship between culture and market orientation. The findings also suggested that conflict was positively associated with bureaucratic organizations and negatively associated with innovative and supportive organizations.Practical implicationsThe results point out potential pitfalls that some organizations may encounter in maintaining market orientation or in trying to become market‐oriented. The results suggested that innovative and supportive organizations were less likely to experience dysfunctional conflict, and thereby would be better able to maintain market orientation.Originality/valueThe study offers a model that extended previous research on the relationship between organizational culture and market orientation by examining the mediating role of conflict. By including conflict, the study offers insight into the importance of the interaction of culture, conflict and market orientation.
How does concurrent sourcing affect performance?
Authors: Mols Niels Peter 
Published: August 2010

Purpose“Concurrent sourcing” is a term used by Parmigiani to describe the phenomenon where a firm simultaneously buys and makes the same good or service. The purpose of this paper is to develop propositions that suggest how concurrent sourcing affects performance.Design/methodology/approachBased on transaction cost, agency, neoclassical economic, knowledge‐based, and resource‐based theory, it is proposed to show how concurrent sourcing affects performance.FindingsThe paper argues that concurrent sourcing improves performance when firms face a combination of volume uncertainty, technological uncertainty, performance uncertainty, non‐decomposability, transaction‐specific investments, and strong internal and external capabilities.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper maps the relationships between concurrent sourcing and performance and discusses how these relationships can be modelled. The propositions and discussion offer researchers a starting‐point for further research.Practical implicationsThe propositions that are developed suggest that managers should consider using concurrent sourcing when they face problems caused by volume uncertainty, technological uncertainty, performance uncertainty, non‐decomposability, and asset specificity. Concurrent sourcing can also be a way to exploit both strong internal capabilities and external suppliers' strong capabilities.Originality/valueThe main contribution is a number of propositions, explanations, and discussions regarding how concurrent sourcing affects performance of the market and the hierarchy.