bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On estimation error using maximum entropy density estimates
Authors: Noonan J.P. , Basu Prabahan 
Published: April 2007

PurposeIn many problems involving decision‐making under uncertainty, the underlying probability model is unknown but partial information is available. In some approaches to this problem, the available prior information is used to define an appropriate probability model for the system uncertainty through a probability density function. When the prior information is available as a finite sequence of moments of the unknown probability density function (PDF) defining the appropriate probability model for the uncertain system, the maximum entropy (ME) method derives a PDF from an exponential family to define an approximate model. This paper, aims to investigate some optimality properties of the ME estimates.Design/methodology/approachFor n>m, when the exact model can be best approximated by one of an infinite number of unknown PDFs from an n parameter exponential family. The upper bound of the divergence distance between any PDF from this family and the m parameter exponential family PDF defined by the ME method are derived. A measure of adequacy of the model defined by ME method is thus provided.FindingsThese results may be used to establish confidence intervals on the estimate of a function of the random variable when the ME approach is employed. Additionally, it is shown that when working with large samples of independent observations, a probability density function (PDF) can be defined from an exponential family to model the uncertainty of the underlying system with measurable accuracy. Finally, a relationship with maximum likelihood estimation for this case is established.Practical implicationsThe so‐called known moments problem addressed in this paper has a variety of applications in learning, blind equalization and neural networks.Originality/valueAn upper bound for error in approximating an unknown density function, f(x) by its ME estimate based on m moment constraints, obtained as a PDF p(x, α) from an m parameter exponential family is derived. The error bound will help us decide if the number of moment constraints is adequate for modeling the uncertainty in the system under study. In turn, this allows one to establish confidence intervals on an estimate of some function of the random variable, X, given the known moments. It is also shown how, when working with a large sample of independent observations, instead of precisely known moment constraints, a density from an exponential family to model the uncertainty of the underlying system with measurable accuracy can be defined. In this case, a relationship to ML estimation is established.
On a recursive sequence
Authors: Dehghan Mehdi , Mazrooei‐Sebdani Reza 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe aim in this paper is to investigate the dynamics of difference equation yn+1=(pyn+yn−k)/(qyn+yn−k), n=0,1,2,… where k∈{1,2,3,…}, the initial conditions y−k, … ,y−1,y0 and the parameters p and q are non‐negative.Design/methodology/approachThe paper studies characteristics such as the character of semicycles, periodicity and the global stability of the above mentioned difference equation.FindingsIn particular, the results solve the open problem introduced by Kulenovic and Ladas in their monograph, Dynamics of Second Order Rational Difference Equations with Open Problems and Conjectures.Originality/valueThe global behaviour of the solutions of equation yn+1=(pyn+yn−k)/(qyn+yn−k), n=0,1,2,… were investigated providing valuable conclusions on practical data.
Investment spam, digital libraries, video tours, solid‐state PC
Authors: Andrew Alex M. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe aim is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest.Design/methodology/approachA current persistent type of unsolicited e‐mail is described, with speculation about its motivation. An initiative for a European Digital Library is reviewed, as are also arrangements for digital tours of the Hermitage art collection in St Petersburg and of the Alhambra in Spain and a major mosque in Istanbul. The last two demonstrate an important advance in the technology applicable in such displays. Reference is also made to a major advance in computer technology, particularly useful in portable machines.FindingsThese are reports on some current developments.Practical implicationsThe discussion of investment spam may suggest studies of market dynamics. The other topics bear on practical issues of data management and retrieval, interactive visual display and computer technology.Originality/valueIt is hoped this is a valuable periodic review.
EDUCAUSE: A Conference Report
Authors: Riggs Colby , Cohen Barbara 
Published: April 2007

PurposeTo report on the 2006 EDUCAUSE Conference held in October in Dallas, TexasDesign/methodology/approachProvides a review of some of the events of the conference.FindingsEDUCAUSE is a non‐profit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. The programs were designed to help participants tackle current issues and prepare them for future challenges. The conference focused on the theme “Transforming the Academy: Dreams and Reality” and the program included pre‐conference seminars; track sessions; poster sessions; small group meetings; and corporate exhibits, presentations, and workshops.Originality/valueA conference report of interest to information management professionals, especially those involved with higher education.
Drivers of corporate voluntary disclosure
Authors: Boesso Giacomo , Kumar Kamalesh 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine what factors in addition to the needs of financial markets drive the voluntary disclosure practices of companies in Italy and in the United States.Design/methodology/approachInformation provided in the management discussion and analysis section of the annual reports of 72 companies was content analyzed to determine the volume and the quality of voluntary disclosures.FindingsResults show that in addition to investors' information needs, factors such as company emphasis on stakeholder management, relevance of intangible asset, and market complexity affect both the volume as well as the quality of voluntary disclosures.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is based on the voluntary disclosures made in a single year, which makes this study a snapshot. The size of the sample used in this study is relatively small. Future research aimed at examining country differences in voluntary disclosures made by companies needs to examine the business contexts in a comprehensive manner, so that differences observed across country boundaries can be adequately explained.Practical implicationsThe comprehensive framework developed in this study for organizing and evaluating voluntary disclosures is an initial step in the direction of examining voluntary disclosure from the stakeholder perspective.Originality/valueWhile results of this study confirm the findings of previous researchers, they also identify new drivers of voluntary disclosures and give some evidence about the similarity and differences in these factors across country contexts.
Linking education and mental health – a European priority
Authors: Weare Katherine 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to clarify the links between education and mental health in European policy and practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an overview of the literature and clarification of what it shows.FindingsEducation has a major role in promoting mental health by enhancing positive wellbeing and tackling mental health problems. Education is in itself protective of mental health – so we need to increase access support inclusively and target at‐risk groups. Mental health and education need to improve their mutual communication between them. More needs to be done to develop evidence‐based, explicit, planned and evaluated whole‐school programmes to promote mental health, which develop the kind of climates and practices that are conducive to emotional wellbeing and help staff and pupils learn key skills. The European evidence base is poor and we need to put more resources into developing it, and networks between programmes, research and policy makers.Originality/valueBringing together the key elements in the arguments and evidence on how mental health and education could and do link together.
“Let's Talk About Drugs”
Authors: Newbery Natasha , McCambridge Jim , Strang John 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe feasibility of a community‐level drug prevention intervention based upon the principles of motivational interviewing within a further education college was investigated in a pilot study.Design/methodology/approachThe implementation over the course of a single term of “Let's Talk about Drugs” was studied with both action research methods and a quasi‐experimental design.FindingsModest qualitative evidence of attitudinal and environmental benefit provides some optimism that intervention of greater duration may have the capacity to produce more substantial impact.Research limitations/implicationsThe sustainability of the achieved institutional changes following the delivery of this intervention, most notably centring upon a revised drug policy, is questionable. No quantitative data on reduced drug use behaviour or associated problems directly attributable to intervention was obtained.Originality/valueFurther education colleges offer relatively unexplored opportunities for drug prevention and harm reduction, at both individual and community levels. Three major lessons were learned: for the motivational interviewing approach to be applied with meaningful potential to effectively shaping behaviour at the college level, greater input is required; quasi‐experimental methods for evaluation are feasible and appropriate; and intervention must be coherent with, and shaped by, the specific college context.
Intention to implement a smoking cessation intervention in Dutch general practice
Authors: Hoving Ciska , Mudde Aart N. , de Vries Hein 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe paper seeks to identify determinants of general practice staff's intention to further implement a smoking cessation expert system, a computer‐generated tailored intervention, following their participation in an effectiveness study.Design/methodology/approachWritten questionnaires based on the I‐Change Model, a socio‐cognitive model, were left in general practices where the expert system had been trialled. Respondents intending to continue their use (intenders, n=62) were compared to those who did not (non‐intenders, n=27).FindingsEighty‐nine individuals from 55 practices responded (73 per cent). GPs were more often intenders than general practice assistants. Responses from the same practice were not significantly related to each other. Intention to continue using the expert system was determined by a more positive attitude towards the expert system, a social norm towards engaging in smoking cessation activities, and higher self‐efficacy. Practice staff who had actively offered the expert system to their patients were more likely to be an intender.Originality/valueCognitive factors and trial involvement determined intention to further implement the expert system. Discussing barriers with practice staff could increase motivation to implement and ownership. Intenders can aid the implementation process by sharing experiences with non‐intending peers.
Best practices in business process redesign: use and impact
Authors: Limam Mansar S. , Reijers H.A. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to provide business process redesign (BPR) practitioners and academics with insight into the most popular heuristics to derive improved process designs.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was carried out in the years 2003‐2004 among a wide range of experienced BPR practitioners in the UK and The Netherlands.FindingsThe survey indicates that this “top ten” of best practices is indeed extensively used in practice. Moreover, indications for their business impact have been collected and classified.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors' estimations of best practices effectiveness differed from feedback obtained from respondents, possibly caused by the design of the survey instrument. This is food for further research.Practical implicationsThe presented framework can be used by practitioners to keep the various aspects of a redesign in perspective. The presented list of BPR best practices is directly applicable to derive new process designs.Originality/valueThis paper addresses the subject of process redesign, rather than the more popular subject of process reengineering. As such, it fills in part an existing gap in knowledge.
The influence of external variables on the executives' use of the internet
Authors: Seyal A.H. , Rahman N.A. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe primary purpose of this paper is to test and augment the original technology acceptance model (TAM) with three external variables: computer attitude, computer self‐efficacy and personality to study the use of the internet of the business executives not addressed previously.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based upon survey approach to collect the primary data from 105 business executives selected randomly. The study tests and augments the proposed model by using structural equation modeling techniques and explained 42 percent of the variance as shared by the three variables. The final model has shown the influence of computer attitude and self‐efficacy on the TAM component. Finally, perceived usefulness (PU) directly affects the executives' use of the internet.FindingsThe results show that computer attitude has a significant effect on perceived ease of use (PEOU). Whereas, computer self‐efficacy has significant but negative effect on PU and has a positive and significant effect on PEOU.Research limitations/implicationsThe study has its own limitations and suggests that with the inclusion of some more variablesR2could be enhanced and would be further improved by controlling the response biasness due to the self‐reported items. The study also lacks direction in assessing the problems faced by the executives at the inter‐organizational level.Practical implicationsThe study has practical significance as at the inter‐organizational level these external variables are under the direct control of the top management and by capitalizing on them through structured training program improved self‐efficacy and by adding variety to the task of executives, the management could further expedite the use of the internet.Originality/valueThis preliminary work adds value to the existing knowledge and supports the previous work that PU belief segments have relationship to predict the behavior intentions to use the technology. The study concludes that business executives consider ease of use as a fundamental belief that helps them to achieve the usefulness component of the technology.
DART: a new missile in Australia's e‐research strategy
Authors: Paterson Moira , Lindsay David , Monotti Ann , Chin Anne 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the evolution of a new e‐research paradigm and to outline key projects and developments in Europe, North America, Canada and Australia. The article also provides a detailed summary of the Dataset Acquisition, Accessibility and Annotation e‐Research Technology (DART) project.Design/methodology/approachA review of relevant government reports, documents and general literature was conducted.FindingsProjects currently being conducted in Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia are part of an international movement that aims to use modern ICTs to enhance e‐research. The DART project is a significant part of this movement as it has adopted a “whole process” approach to e‐research, and provides a platform for the examination of the technical, legal and policy issues that arise in the new e‐research environment.Originality/valueProvides an overview of current projects that concern the development of e‐research, with a particular focus on Australian research and the DART project.
Impact of the South African Construction Regulations on construction health and safety
Authors: Smallwood J.J. , Haupt T.C. 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider the impact on architects of recently introduced Construction Regulations in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachGiven the passing of the first anniversary of the promulgation of the Construction Regulations, a survey was conducted to determine the perceptions of member practices of the South African Institute of Architects.FindingsFindings include: the traditional project parameters in the form of cost, quality, and time are still perceived to be substantially more important than health and safety (H&S); the manifestations of the impact of the Construction Regulations are wide spread – increased H&S awareness predominates among the manifestations, followed by increased consideration for H&S by most stakeholders, and H&S predominates in terms of the extent to which the Construction Regulations will impact on various project parameters.Originality/valueThe paper offers a valid argument for the inclusion of construction H&S to feature more prominently in architectural education and training programmes.
E‐business models and consumer expectations for digital audio distribution
Authors: Amberg Michael , Schröder Manuela 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to aim to evaluate to what extent present e‐business models for digital audio distribution meet the consumer's expectations.Design/methodology/approachThe research method in this paper is particularly based on two empirical studies. In the first study, the supplier side was examined. In this context, 15 e‐business models in the German music market were identified, classified according to two criteria (type of compensation and dependency on the supplier or its technology) and analysed with regard to four aspects “type and volume of content”, “price of content”, “rights of use”, and “additional services”. To evaluate the identified e‐business models, the consumer expectations for digital audio distribution were analysed in a second study. Finally, the results of both studies were compared.FindingsThe paper finds that most of the identified e‐business models do not meet all of the fundamental consumer expectations. Either the identified category of e‐business models and its characteristics (e.g. dependency on technology) lead to a conflict with regard to the expectations of the consumers, or the implemented e‐business models reveal discrepancies between the concrete offer and the demand.Research limitations/implicationsThe results in the paper are limited to e‐business models for digital audio distribution in the German music market.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that, in order to reach more consumers, most of the existing e‐business models have to be modified.Originality/valueBased on two empirical studies, this paper presents the state‐of‐the‐art of the digital audio distribution in Germany and systematically identifies gaps between the demand and the supply side of digital audio content.
Enterprise size matters: objectives and constraints of ERP adoption
Authors: Laukkanen Sanna , Sarpola Sami , Hallikainen Petri 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discussion on enterprise resource planning (ERP) system adoption by investigating the relationship of enterprise size to the objectives and constraints of ERP adoption.Design/methodology/approachIn the paper, survey data, based on the responses of 44 companies, are analyzed, by dividing the companies into small, medium‐sized, and large enterprises; and comparing these groups, using statistical methods.FindingsThe paper finds significant differences exist between small, medium‐sized and large enterprises regarding the objectives and constraints of ERP system adoption. While small enterprises experience more knowledge constraints, large enterprises are challenged by the changes imposed by ERP adoption. Further, large and medium‐sized enterprises are more outward‐oriented in ERP adoption than small enterprises. Business development, as opposed to mere efficiency improvement, while being the most prevalent objective for ERP adoption in all the company groups, is considered especially important by medium‐sized enterprises. Finally, the findings suggest that, instead of considering small and medium‐sized enterprises as one homogeneous group of smaller enterprises, differences between these two groups of companies should be acknowledged in information system adoption.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper shows that the Finnish context and the sample size should be taken into consideration when generalizing the findings.Practical implicationsThe paper points out the differences in objectives and constraints between companies of different sizes that should be acknowledged in ERP adoption.Originality/valueInstead of resorting to the customary approach of considering small and medium‐sized enterprises as a homogeneous group of smaller enterprises, this study acknowledges the differences between these two groups of companies.
Managing between science and industry
Authors: Boersma Kees 
Published: April 2007

PurposeThis paper seeks to deal with the history of Research and Development (R&D) management. It takes the history of the R&D Department of the Royal Philips Electronics of The Netherlands as an example to unravel the dynamics behind industrial R&D management.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based upon historical and theoretical studies on industrial R&D institutions and research cultures.FindingsThe paper proposes that the directors of the Philips R&D Department continually shaped and reshaped the organization in order to retain researchers with creative ideas, and to stimulate innovativeness. The R&D‐management was the outcome of a search process that comprehended a mixture of scientific and industrial (management) skills, knowledge and expertise, which together shaped an industrial research culture. One of the most difficult questions for the research managers was to find a balance between the professional status and motives of individual researchers on the one hand and the Philips company production strategy on the other. Over the years, the research leaders stimulated individual creativity in their own way, taking specific business and economic circumstances into account. They operated during different historical periods that reflect their management ideas.Originality/valueNowadays, the Philips research takes place at the High Tech Campus. Its philosophy is based upon Chesbrough's open innovation paradigm. In the discussion of this paper, it is argued that the history of industrial research teaches that the success of this organization, as in the past, will depend upon the management's ability to find a balance between scientific activities and industrial production.