Abstract: The goal of this paper is to segment the countries
based on the value of export from Iran during 14 years ending at 2005. To measure the dissimilarity among export baskets of different countries, we define Dissimilarity Export Basket (DEB) function and
use this distance function in K-means algorithm. The DEB function
is defined based on the concepts of the association rules and the
value of export group-commodities. In this paper, clustering quality
function and clusters intraclass inertia are defined to, respectively,
calculate the optimum number of clusters and to compare the
functionality of DEB versus Euclidean distance. We have also study
the effects of importance weight in DEB function to improve
clustering quality. Lastly when segmentation is completed, a
designated RFM model is used to analyze the relative profitability of
each cluster.
Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) viewpoint have challenged the traditional perception to understand corporations position. Production- and managerial-centred views are expanding towards reference group-centred policies. Consequently, the significance of new kind of knowledge has emerged. In addition to management of the organisation, the idea of CSR emphasises the importance to recognise the value-expectations of operational environment. It is know that management is often well-aware of corporate social responsibilities, but it is less clear how well these high level goals are understood in practical product design and development work. In this study, the apprehension above proved to be real to some degree. While management was very aware of CSR it was less familiar to designers. The outcome shows that it is essential to raise ethical values and issues higher in corporate communication, if it is wished that they materialize also in products.
Abstract: Transport and logistics are the lifeblood of societies.
There is a strong correlation between overall growth in economic
activity and growth of transport. The movement of people and goods
has the potential for creating wealth and prosperity, therefore the
state of transportation infrastructure and especially the condition of
road networks is often a governmental priority. The design, building
and maintenance of national roads constitute a substantial share of
government budgets. Taking into account the magnitude and
importance of these investments, the expedience, efficiency and
sustainability of these projects are of great public interest. This paper
provides an overview of supply chain management principles applied
to road construction. In addition, road construction performance
measurement systems and ICT solutions are discussed. Road
construction in Estonia is analyzed. The authors propose the
development of a national performance measurement system for road
construction.
Abstract: Although automotive industry has brought different beneficiaries to human life, it is being pointed out as one of the major cause of global air pollution which resulted in climate change, smog, green house gases (GHGs), and human diseases by many reasons. Since auto industry is one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels, the realization of green innovations is becoming a crucial choice to meet the challenges towards sustainable development. Recently, many auto manufacturers have embarked on green technology initiatives to gain a competitive advantage in the global market; however, innovative manufacturing systems and technologies can enhance operational performance only if the human resource management is in place to elicit the motivation of the employees and develop their organizational expertise. No organization can perform at peak levels unless each employee is committed to the company goals and works as an effective team member. Strategic human resource practices are the primary means by which firms can shape the skills, attitudes, and behavior of individuals to align with the business strategic objectives. This study investigates on the comprehensive approach of multiple advanced technology innovations and human resource management at Toyota Motor Corporation as the market leader of full hybrid technology in the automotive industry. Then, HRM framework of the company is described and three sets of human resource practices that support the innovation-oriented HR system, presented. Finally, a conceptual framework for innovativeness in green technology in automotive industry by applying a deliberate strategic HR management system and knowledge management with the intervening factors of organizational culture, knowledge application and knowledge sharing is proposed.
Abstract: The work presented in this paper focus on Knowledge Management services enabling CSCW (Computer Supported Cooperative Work) applications to provide an appropriate adaptation to the user and the situation in which the user is working. In this paper, we explain how a knowledge management system can be designed to support users in different situations exploiting contextual data, users' preferences, and profiles of involved artifacts (e.g., documents, multimedia files, mockups...). The presented work roots in the experience we had in the MILK project and early steps made in the MAIS project.
Abstract: This paper presents strategies for dynamically creating, managing and removing mesh cells during computations in the context of the Material Point Method (MPM). The dynamic meshing approach has been developed to help address problems involving motion of a finite size body in unbounded domains in which the extent of material travel and deformation is unknown a priori, such as in the case of landslides and debris flows. The key idea is to efficiently instantiate and search only cells that contain material points, thereby avoiding unneeded storage and computation. Mechanisms for doing this efficiently are presented, and example problems are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of dynamic mesh management relative to alternative approaches.
Abstract: The main objective of the paper has been represented
by the identification of the changes that occurred in the competitive
environment and their impact on the strategic marketing management
of companies in B2B market. At Romania-s level there has not yet
been done a similar research that studies change management in
crises on business to business field. In order to answer to the paper-s
objectives, a qualitative marketing research (in-depth structured
interview) was conducted, within the top management of 27
companies in Romanian business to business field. The main results
of the research highlight the necessity of a management of change, as
a result of the crises, as follows: changes in the corporate objectives
(from development objectives to maintaining objectives), changes
market segmentation and in competitive advantages, changes at the
level of market strategies and of the marketing mix.
Abstract: Pressures for urban redevelopment are intensifying in
all large cities. A new logic for urban development is required –
green urbanism – that provides a spatial framework for directing
population and investment inwards to brownfields and greyfields
precincts, rather than outwards to the greenfields. This represents
both a major opportunity and a major challenge for city planners in
pluralist liberal democracies. However, plans for more compact
forms of urban redevelopment are stalling in the face of community
resistance. A new paradigm and spatial planning platform is required
that will support timely multi-level and multi-actor stakeholder
engagement, resulting in the emergence of consensus plans for
precinct-level urban regeneration capable of more rapid
implementation. Using Melbourne, Australia as a case study, this
paper addresses two of the urban intervention challenges – where and
how – via the application of a 21st century planning tool ENVISION
created for this purpose.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body
of knowledge in the area of management accounting, particularly
performance measurement systems within the BSC framework, by
investigating empirically the extent of multiple performance
measures usage and their effects on the financial performance of
Jordanian banks in the branches level. Nevertheless, the result of this
study shows that the non-financial measures usages, particularly,
customer oriented indicators and product/ service oriented indicators,
appears to be important as it enhances firm performance.
Remarkably, the findings reveal that there is positive relationship
between the usages of multiple performance measures via overall
BSC measures and financial performance in the branches level.
Abstract: In this paper the Analytic Network Process (ANP) is
applied to the selection of photovoltaic (PV) solar power projects.
These projects follow a long management and execution process
from plant site selection to plant start-up. As a consequence, there are
many risks of time delays and even of project stoppage.
In the case study presented in this paper a top manager of an
important Spanish company that operates in the power market has to
decide on the best PV project (from four alternative projects) to
invest based on risk minimization. The manager identified 50 project
execution delay and/or stoppage risks.
The influences among elements of the network (groups of risks
and alternatives) were identified and analyzed using the ANP
multicriteria decision analysis method. After analyzing the results the
main conclusion is that the network model can manage all the
information of the real-world problem and thus it is a decision
analysis model recommended by the authors. The strengths and
weaknesses ANP as a multicriteria decision analysis tool are also
described in the paper.
Abstract: Nowadays the asynchronous learning has granted the permission to the anywhere and anything learning via the technology and E-media which give the learner more convenient. This research is about the design of the blended and online learning for the asynchronous learning of the process management subject in order to create the prototype of this subject asynchronous learning which will create the easiness and increase capability in the learning. The pattern of learning is the integration between the in-class learning and online learning via the internet. This research is mainly focused on the online learning and the online learning can be divided into 5 parts which are virtual classroom, online content, collaboration, assessment and reference material. After the system design was finished, it was evaluated and tested by 5 experts in blended learning design and 10 students which the user’s satisfaction level is good. The result is as good as the assumption so the system can be used in the process management subject for a real usage.
Abstract: Recently, there has been a considerable increase in the
number of procedures carried out under regional anesthesia.
However, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedures are
usually performed under general anesthesia. The aim of this study
was to assess the safety and efficacy of PCNL under spinal anesthesia
in patients with renal calculi. We describe our 9 years experience of
performing PCNL under spinal anesthesia for 387 patients with large
stones of the upper urinary tract, with regard to the effectiveness and
side effects. All patients received spinal anesthetics (Lidocain 5%, or
Bupivacaine 0.75%) and underwent PCNL in prone position. The
success rate was 94.1%. The incidence of complications was 11.6%.
PCNL under spinal anesthesia is feasible, safe, and well-tolerated in
management of patients with renal stones.
Abstract: The procurement and cost management approach adopted for mechanical and electrical (M&E) services in Malaysian construction industry have been criticized for its inefficiency. The study examined early cost estimating practices adopted for mechanical and electrical services (M&E) in Malaysia so as to understand the level of compliance of the current techniques with best practices. The methodology adopted for the study is a review of bidding documents used on both completed and on – going building projects awarded between 2008 – 2010 under 9th Malaysian Plan. The analysis revealed that, M&E services cost cannot be reliably estimated at pre-contract stage; the bidding techniques adopted for M&E services failed to provide uniform basis for contractors to submit tender; detailed measurement of items were not made which could complicate post contract cost control and financial management. The paper concluded that, there is need to follow a structured approach in determining the pre-contract cost estimate for M&E services which will serve as a virile tool for post contract cost control.
Abstract: The risk sphere in business is fast changing and expanding. Almost anything has become a risk factor that will have potent, direct, and far reaching impacts on business. This paper examines the intensity of enterprise risk management (ERM) practices among the Malaysian public listed companies. The paper espouses a ERM framework comprising fourteen important implementation elements and processes. Results of the analysis indicate that the intensity of ERM implementation among the respondents is in the ‘good’ category of the semantic scale, which is deemed encouraging vis-à-vis the country’s regulatory regime.
Abstract: In this paper is described a new conception of the
Cartesian robot for automated assembly and also disassembly
process. The advantage of this conception is the utilization the
Cartesian assembly robot with its all peripheral automated devices for
assembly of the assembled product. The assembly product in the end
of the lifecycle can be disassembled with the same Cartesian
disassembly robot with the use of the same peripheral automated
devices and equipment. It is a new approach to problematic solving
and development of the automated assembly systems with respect to
lifecycle management of the assembly product and also assembly
system with Cartesian robot. It is also important to develop the
methodical process for design of automated assembly and
disassembly system with Cartesian robot. Assembly and disassembly
system use the same Cartesian robot input and output devices,
assembly and disassembly units in one workplace with different
application. Result of design methodology is the verification and
proposition of real automated assembly and disassembly workplace
with Cartesian robot for known verified model of assembled actuator.
Abstract: Heat transfer from two cam shape cylinder in side-byside
arrangement had been studied numerically.
The transverse gap between the centers of cylinders (T) is allowed
to vary to change the pitch ratio (T/Deq). The equivalent diameter of
the cylinder (Deq) is 27.6 mm and pitch ratio varies in range of
1≤T/Deq≤3. The Reynolds numbers based on equivalent circular
cylinder are within 50≤ Reeq≤150. Results show that Nusselt number
of cylinders increases about 1 to 36 percent when pitch ratio
increases from 1 to 3.
Abstract: The study investigated the hydrophilic to hydrophobic
transition of modified polyacrylamide hydrogel with the inclusion of
N-isopropylacrylamide (NIAM). The modification was done by
mimicking micellar polymerization, which resulted in better
arrangement of NIAM chains in the polyacrylamide network. The
degree of NIAM arrangement is described by NH number. The
hydrophilic to hydrophobic transition was measured through the
partition coefficient, K, of Orange II and Methylene Blue in hydrogel
and in water. These dyes were chosen as a model for solutes with
different degree of hydrophobicity. The study showed that the
hydrogel with higher NH values resulted in better solubility of both
dyes. Moreover, in temperature above the lower critical solution
temperature (LCST) of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIAM)also
caused the collapse of NIPAM chains which results in a more
hydrophobic environment that increases the solubility of Methylene
Blue and decreases the solubility of Orange II in the hydrogels with
NIPAM present.
Abstract: Traffic management in an urban area is highly facilitated by the knowledge of the traffic conditions in every street or highway involved in the vehicular mobility system. Aim of the paper is to propose a neuro-fuzzy approach able to compute the main parameters of a traffic system, i.e., car density, velocity and flow, by using the images collected by the web-cams located at the crossroads of the traffic network. The performances of this approach encourage its application when the traffic system is far from the saturation. A fuzzy model is also outlined to evaluate when it is suitable to use more accurate, even if more time consuming, algorithms for measuring traffic conditions near to saturation.
Abstract: We propose an enhanced key management scheme
based on Key Infection, which is lightweight scheme for tiny sensors.
The basic scheme, Key Infection, is perfectly secure against node
capture and eavesdropping if initial communications after node
deployment is secure. If, however, an attacker can eavesdrop on
the initial communications, they can take the session key. We use
common neighbors for each node to generate the session key. Each
node has own secret key and shares it with its neighbor nodes. Then
each node can establish the session key using common neighbors-
secret keys and a random number. Our scheme needs only a few
communications even if it uses neighbor nodes- information. Without
losing the lightness of basic scheme, it improves the resistance against
eavesdropping on the initial communications more than 30%.
Abstract: The objective of this research is to explore the role of actors at the local level in managing the Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Service (EMS) system in Thailand. The research method was done through documentary research, individual interviews, and one forum conducted in each province. This paper uses the case of three provinces located in three regions in Thailand including; Ubon Ratchathani (North-eastern region), Lampang (Northern Region), and Songkhla (Southern Region). The result shows that, recently, the role of the local government in being the service provider for their local people is increasingly concerned. In identifying the key success factors towards the EMS system, it includes; (i) the local executives- vision and influence that the decisions made by them, for both PAO (Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) and TAO (Tambon Administration Organisation), is vital to address the overall challenges in EMS development, (ii) the administrative system through reforming their working style create the flexibility in running the EMS task, (iii) the network-based management among different agencies at the local level leads to the better EMS practices, and (iv) the development in human resource is very vital in delivering the effective services.