bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employees' values orientation in the context of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Strautmanis Janis 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore if there are any statistically significant values orientations that determine the organizational culture environment and ascertain the factors that affect the values orientation structures differences.Design/methodology/approachThis study investigates the relationship between organizational values and sensitivity to corporate social responsibility among current employees and business students in Latvia. Using a questionnaire on value orientation, survey data were collected from a sample of 718 employees, 125 first year business students, and 27 MBA students.FindingsThe research has contributed to the development of assessment instrument for organizational culture environment values orientation – nine scales representing values orientation typical of organizational culture. These scales were updated, analyzed by context and tested by application of statistical methods.Practical implicationsResults of the research point out the necessity of social responsibility facilitating ethics studies in entrepreneur training programs in universities and colleges. Universities and colleges have important tasks in preparing the prospective managers. The time that has been spent studying is an important stage in the personal development in the early adult age.Originality/valueA structural model of nine values orientations describing organizational culture environment has been developed. Results of the research identified significant factors determining differences in values orientation: the gender and the type of the place of employment.
Cultural dimensions in business life: Hofstede's indices for Latvia and Lithuania
Authors: Huettinger Maik 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the culture dimensions of young Latvians and Lithuanians in accordance with Geert Hofstede's indices. These culture characteristics are discussed from the perspective of their similarity with Estonia and the Scandinavian countries.Design/methodology/approachThe research is part of the Hofstede national culture studies. The survey is based on more than 800 questionnaires, which were handed out to students in Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden. The Swedish scores were used to calibrate the Lithuanian and Latvian values to the existing Hofstede database.FindingsThe study shows that respondents of both countries score very similar for all five dimensions of the Hofstede model: power distance moderate low, moderate for uncertainty avoidance, very low for masculinity, individualism moderate‐high, and very low in long‐term orientation.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical research was limited to participants who classified themselves as belonging to the dominating ethnic class. Ethnical minorities were excluded – however they might have a considerable influence in daily business life. A second weakness might be that the students sample represents the values of young Lithuanians and Latvians – the future society of the countries. An examination of the majority of population who grew up with communist ideology might have shown different results.Practical implicationsThe results of the study have shown that the three Baltic countries score pretty uniformly and much more similar to Scandinavia than Russia and/or Poland. International business actors should therefore include the Baltics in their Nordic strategy – rather than adding them to central and eastern Europe.Originality/valueThe main value of this study is that the Hofstede methodology was for the first time applied for Latvia. The results for Latvia and Lithuania were meanwhile reviewed by Prof. Hofstede and included into his database.
Medium‐term risk analysis in electricity markets: a decision‐tree approach
Authors: Mosquera Natalia , Reneses Javier , Sánchez‐Úbeda Eugenio F. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze medium‐term risks faced by electrical generation companies in competitive environments. Market risks faced by generation companies are caused by several variables subject to uncertainty. Hydro conditions, fuel (coal and natural gas) prices, system demand, and CO2 emission price are the risk factors considered in the paper. Taking into account these risk factors, generation companies have to take decisions that would affect their economic results and their risk exposure.Design/methodology/approachThis paper proposes a methodology to support the risk‐analysis decision‐making process. Firstly, different scenarios of risk factors are generated. Then, a market equilibrium model is used in order to assess the impact of the different sources of uncertainty. Finally, decision trees are used in order to analyze the variables subject to interest, such as electricity prices or companies' profits.Research limitations/implicationsThe proposed methodology can be enhanced to take into account scenarios of more risk factors, such as equipment failure or agents' behavior. Another future enhancement could be a detailed study of correlation between different risk factors.FindingsA realistic case study is presented, showing the advantages of these techniques for medium‐term risk‐analysis and decision‐making processes. Several decision trees have been generated to assess the impact of the different risk factors in electricity prices and companies' profits. These decision trees provide valuable information for companies when facing their risk‐management process.Originality/valueThe approach presented here constitutes a valuable support to gain useful information for wise decision making and to hedge against risk.
EU spot prices and industry structure: assessing electricity market integration
Authors: Pereira da Silva Patrícia , Soares Isabel 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to assess the state of spot price convergence between several European electricity day‐ahead markets.Design/methodology/approachThe concept of a fully integrated market is developed through the arbitrage relationship in which spot prices at one location should equal spot prices at another location plus the price of transmission. Accordingly, neighbouring markets are analysed to measure the relevance or their respective interconnecting and transmission constraints. Exploratory data approach is used and results are discussed, namely by correlation analysis.FindingsThis paper empirically shows that price differences have decreased during the analysed period, suggesting that integration between markets might be rising. The correlation analysis indicates very few relationships between these continental European power exchanges, what makes us to anticipate continuing difficulties in the building of a single electricity market. Nevertheless, there is some evidence for local integration and some price convergence. Only France and Germany appear to be relatively integrated with higher correlation coefficients, compared to the other cases. In respect to the other markets, this correlation analysis demonstrates that price variations in several locations do not affect prices in the neighbouring locations. Spain appears to be poorly integrated with the other locations as might be expected by its peripheral position and limited cross‐border transmission capacity.Originality/valueThe paper assesses electricity market integration in the context of European Union spot prices and industry structure.
A model for setting and validating sale prices of an electricity trader by means of load shifts
Authors: Coslovich Luca , Pesenti Raffaele , Piccoli Giovanni , Ukovich Walter 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to tackle the problem an electricity trader faces when trying to set and validate his sale prices.Design/methodology/approachThe solution approach consists in offering adequate incentives to the customers in order to encourage them to shift their consumptions to more favorable time periods; this is achieved by suitable price modifications. The problem of determining the most sensible prices to offer yields to a quadratic programing model which can be efficiently solved to optimality.FindingsThis paper analyses an opportunity that traders can exploit for increasing their profit margins and, in general, for setting and validating their electricity sale prices. The real case of an Italian trader has been analysed and the numerical results show that the obtained sale price modifications may produce savings, both for the trader and for his customers.Originality/valueThis research provides insights about the problem an electricity trader faces when setting his sale prices; it mainly focuses on the Italian market although the developed mathematical model is sufficiently general to be adopted in different scenarios.
GIS‐based modeling approach for energy systems
Authors: Biberacher Markus 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of the work is to elaborate a model framework that includes location related temporal characteristics in energy supply and demand. These characteristics in mind an imaginable energy system setup can be explored with the framework. In a case study the possible coverage of the global energy demand, by solar‐ and wind power in junction with a backup technology is treated.Design/methodology/approachSpatially and temporally high disaggregated data describing different aspects of the energy supply side (especially devoted to renewable resources and related availabilities) as well as the energy demand side are investigated. This information is processed to serve as input for the TIMES model generator in a special adapted model. The complete workflow is enclosed in a graphical user interface implemented as a plugin in the software package ArGIS.FindingsThe elaborated case study shows the practicability of the approach to treat spatially and temporally high disaggregated problems in the energy system. Especially sensibilities of an optimal system setup in dependency on assumptions on specific costs for energy transport or storage can be investigated in a very detailed manner.Research limitations/implicationsSince the spatial and temporal disaggregated examination implies the treatment of huge datasets, simplifications have to be made in the description of the technological setup of the energy system. The approach is appropriate to describe single scenario set‐ups but not a complete forecast based system development.Originality/valueGeographic information systems (GIS) and geographic information are tied together with a conventional modeling approach of energy systems. That enables the cognition and quantification of influences and sensibilities related to spatial and temporal deviations in our energy system either on the supply or the demand side.
Optimal size and layout planning for district heating and cooling networks with distributed generation options
Authors: Chinese Damiana 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe objective of this study is to highlight the questions arising in the design of district heating and cooling systems (DHCSs) in a distributed generation context and to present a model to help find cost‐effective solutions.Design/methodology/approachLiterature on energy systems optimisation is reviewed and a mixed integer programming model for decentralized DHCSs design is developed and applied to two real case studies.FindingsDistributed cooling generation partly coupled with distributed cogeneration and DH is the preferred solution in the examined areas. The optimal configurations, with special reference to network sizing and layout, significantly depend on heating demand profiles and energy prices.Research limitations/implicationsInterdependencies between energy units sizing and network layout definition should be considered. Obtaining more robust and reliable network configurations should be the objective of future modelling efforts.Practical implicationsDespite the growth of distributed energy conversion, designers often rely on centralized concepts in order to reap economies of scale. The presented model helps in discovering less usual solutions representing the most profitable option.Originality/valueCombining and comparing central and distributed production of heat and cooling under consideration of network costs.
Integrated modeling of the electric grid, communications, and control
Authors: Nutaro James , Teja Kuruganti Phani , Shankar Mallikarjun , Miller Laurie , Mullen Sara 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to address a central concern in modeling and simulating electric grids and the information infrastructure that monitors and controls them. The paper discusses the need for and methods to construct simulation models that include important interactions between the physical and computational elements of a large power system.Design/methodology/approachThe paper offers a particular approach to modeling and simulation of hybrid systems as an enabling technology for analysis (via simulation) of modern electric power grids. The approach, based on the discrete event system specification, integrates existing simulation tools into a unified simulation scheme. The paper demonstrates this approach with an integrated information and electric grid model of a distributed, automatic frequency maintenance activity.FindingsPower grid modernization efforts need powerful modeling and simulation tools for hybrid systems.Research limitations/implicationsThe main limitation of this approach is a lack of advanced simulation tools that support it. Existing commercial offerings are not designed to support integration with other simulation software products. The approach to integrating continuous and discrete event simulation models can overcome this problem by allowing specific tools to focus on continuous or discrete event dynamics. This will require, however, adjustments to the underlying simulation technology.Originality/valueThis paper demonstrates an approach to simulating complex hybrid systems that can, in principle, be supported by existing simulation tools. It also indicates how existing tools must be modified to support our approach.
Next hour load forecast in medium voltage electricity distribution
Authors: Jorge Santos P. , Gomes Martins A. , Pires A.J. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess next hour load forecast in medium voltage electricity distribution.Design/methodology/approachThe methodological approach used in this paper, is based on a regressive method – artificial neural network. A real life case study is used for illustrating the defined steps and to discuss the results.FindingsThe presence of a de‐regulated environment reinforces the need of short‐term forecast algorithms (STLF). Actions like network management, load dispatch and network reconfiguration under quality of service constraints, require reliable next hour load forecasts. Methodological approaches based on regressive methods such as artificial neural networks are widely used in STLF, with satisfactory results. The construction of an “efficient” artificial neural networks goes through, among other factors, the construction of an “efficient” input vector (IV), in order to avoid over fitting problems and keeping the global simplicity of the model. The explanatory variables normally used, are grouped in two major classes, endogenous and exogenous. The endogenous variables are load values in past instants, and the exogenous variables are normally climatic. The main findings with this kind of vector presents satisfactory results compared to other proposals in the literature.Originality/valueThis paper makes use of a procedural sequence for the pre‐processing phase that allows capturing some predominant relations among certain different sets of the available data, providing a more solid basis to decisions regarding the composition of the IV. To deal with load increasing during the winter period, the forecast average daily temperature was used in order to produce an indicator of the daily load average for the forecast day. This information brings more accuracy to the model.
A meta‐heuristic approach to the unit commitment problem under network constraints
Authors: Pereira Jorge , Viana Ana , Lucus Bogdan G. , Matos Manuel 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to solve the problem of committing electric power generators (unit commitment, UC), considering network constraints.Design/methodology/approachThe UC is first solved with a local search based meta‐heuristic, following the assumption that all generators and loads are connected to a single network node. For evaluation purposes, the economical production levels of the units committed are computed by running a pre‐dispatch algorithm where network constraints are not included. If a good quality solution is reached, an economic dispatch (ED) with network constraints is performed, where the geographic location of generators and loads are considered. Therefore, the production level of each committed generator is performed that leads to the global lowest solution cost, regarding both the generators' costs and constraints and the power system network constraints.FindingsThe algorithm proposed is computationally efficient, given the time available for decision making. In addition, the solution for this algorithm, in terms of minimization of total costs, is generally better than the solution of the two phases approach. Some contractual and legal aspects related with the injection in network connections can also be included in the model.Practical implicationsUC with network constraints has a large potential of use, especially for small and medium size power systems. It reflects reality in a closer way and provides a more complete and realistic knowledge about the system in operation.Originality/valueThe paper presents an approach where the ED with network constraints is integrated with the UC procedure. The model described is currently implemented in an EMS package offered in the market – making it a case of successful transfer from science to industry.
Towards a developing country firm perspective on outsourcing
Authors: Hansen Michael W. , Schaumburg‐Müller Henrik , Pottenger Eugene 
Published: September 2008

PurposeWhile the implications of outsourcing have been extensively studied from the point of view of the developed country multinational corporation (MNC) and its home economy, far less attention has been paid to the developing country firm (DCF) participating in the outsourcing collaboration. This article aims at presenting, evaluating, and synthesizing a number of theoretical contributions that may help build an agenda for future research on outsourcing from a DCF perspective.Design/methodology/approachThrough a review of the extant theoretical literature on outsourcing, the article seeks to explicate a DCF perspective on outsourcing.FindingsThe article argues that although several theoretical domains indirectly shed light on outsourcing from a DCF perspective, they are typically approaching the issue from a macro (country) and meso (industry) level perspective and rarely explicitly apply a micro (firm) level perspective. Moreover, they tend to view DCF strategy in outsourcing collaborations as functions of MNCs' strategies, not as strategies in their own right. In order to fill this apparent lacuna in the outsourcing literature, the article reviews a number of theories that may help building a research agenda on outsourcing from a developing country perspective.Originality/valueThe article contributes to the outsourcing literature by explicating a DCF theoretical perspective on outsourcing.
Proactive supply risk management methods for building a robust supply selection process when sourcing from emerging markets
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Barnes Ian 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to identify proactive supply risk management methods which can be used to reduce or remove risk sources during the supplier selection process, in the context of Western‐based manufacturing companies that source from emerging markets.Design/methodology/approachLearning from the literature and conducting multiple‐case study analyses of five Western‐based manufacturing companies' sourcing experiences from emerging markets.FindingsThe experiences of five Western‐based manufacturing companies suggested that applying the risk management process into supplier selection was particularly important and effective for supply risk reduction when sourcing from emerging markets. Supply risk sources must be identified and proactive supply risk management methods must be used to remove or reduce risk sources for effective supply risk management. The proactive risk management methods discovered in this research are: conducting a supplier questionnaire covering a wide range of business dimensions of the supplier; performing a technical review; negotiating a risk mitigation plan; employing local‐based procurement staff; using a total cost estimate; applying a strict part qualification process.Research limitations/implicationsA multiple‐case study methodology employs a limited number of case studies and therefore may restrict the generalisation of research findings. Manufacturing companies are used as case study organisations for this research. Therefore, the research findings are particularly applicable and useful to manufacturing companies but might not be valid for other types of company. The research focuses on supply risk reduction during the supplier selection process, while further research into other stages of the supply management process is desirable.Practical implicationsThe generated proactive supply risk management methods are useful to manufacturing companies looking to source or aiming to improve their sourcing experiences from emerging markets.Originality/valueThe literature provides valuable contents in terms of concepts but lacks proactive supply risk management methods for supply risk management when sourcing from emerging markets. The generated proactive supply risk management methods based on first‐hand information are valuable both to academics and practitioners in this field.
Make‐or‐buy: a case study at an Indian automobile company
Authors: Vyankatrao Kulkarni Sheshadri , Jenamani Mamata 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to present a strategic framework for make‐or‐buy (MoB) decision‐making process and a case study based on the framework. This framework can be applied to all the scenarios of MoB decision‐making that includes making decisions for new components and reevaluating the decisions for presently in‐sourced or outsourced components.Design/methodology/approachBased on this study of an Indian Automobile Company and review of the literature the paper proposes a strategic framework for MoB decision‐making. Unlike previous academic attempts, where a framework is developed first based on the existing theories followed by illustration through case studies, our approach starts with a case study, the paper then proposes a framework that best suits the company's need. Later the paper discusses the specific features of the framework that makes it applicable to other manufacturing sectors.FindingsThe sourcing decision‐making for any firm is a complex and dynamic process where, after stipulated period firms have to reevaluate their decisions. Existing frameworks treat both fresh and reevaluated decisions alike. It is found that the need for a framework with separate provision for outsourcing decision reevaluation. The paper identifies partial outsourcing as a strategic option to avoid supplier opportunism. It also explicitly suggests the exact decision point where risk evaluation is necessary during MoB decision‐making process.Originality/valueThe proposed framework takes a detailed and critical look at actual outcomes in terms of costs, competences and risk. Three important considerations adopted from the literature and incorporated in the proposed framework, makes it unique: provision for reevaluating the MoB decision, consideration of partial outsourcing as a strategic option other than purely making or buying, identification of decision points where risk evaluation is necessary.