Abstract: Sub-prime mortgage crisis which began in the US is
regarded as the most economic crisis since the Great Depression in the
early 20th century. Especially, hidden problems on efficient operation
of a business were disclosed at a time and many financial institutions
went bankrupt and filed for court receivership. The collapses of
physical market lead to bankruptcy of manufacturing and construction
businesses. This study is to analyze dynamic efficiency of construction
businesses during the five years at the turn of the global financial
crisis. By discovering the trend and stability of efficiency of a
construction business, this study-s objective is to improve
management efficiency of a construction business in the
ever-changing construction market. Variables were selected by
analyzing corporate information on top 20 construction businesses in
Korea and analyzed for static efficiency in 2008 and dynamic
efficiency between 2006 and 2010. Unlike other studies, this study
succeeded in deducing efficiency trend and stability of a construction
business for five years by using the DEA/Window model. Using the
analysis result, efficient and inefficient companies could be figured
out. In addition, relative efficiency among DMU was measured by
comparing the relationship between input and output variables of
construction businesses. This study can be used as a literature to
improve management efficiency for companies with low efficiency
based on efficiency analysis of construction businesses.
Abstract: The incidence of mechanical fracture of an
automobile piston rings prompted development of fracture analysis
method on this case. The three rings (two compression rings and one
oil ring) were smashed into several parts during the power-test (after
manufacturing the engine) causing piston and liner to be damaged.
The radial and oblique cracking happened on the failed piston rings.
The aim of the fracture mechanics simulations presented in this paper
was the calculation of particular effective fracture mechanics
parameters, such as J-integrals and stress intensity factors. Crack
propagation angles were calculated as well. Two-dimensional
fracture analysis of the first compression ring has been developed in
this paper using ABAQUS CAE6.5-1 software. Moreover, SEM
fractography was developed on fracture surfaces and is discussed in
this paper. Results of numerical calculations constitute the basis for
further research on real object.
Abstract: In this paper a hybrid technique of Genetic Algorithm
and Simulated Annealing (HGASA) is applied for Fractal Image
Compression (FIC). With the help of this hybrid evolutionary
algorithm effort is made to reduce the search complexity of matching
between range block and domain block. The concept of Simulated
Annealing (SA) is incorporated into Genetic Algorithm (GA) in order
to avoid pre-mature convergence of the strings. One of the image
compression techniques in the spatial domain is Fractal Image
Compression but the main drawback of FIC is that it involves more
computational time due to global search. In order to improve the
computational time along with acceptable quality of the decoded
image, HGASA technique has been proposed. Experimental results
show that the proposed HGASA is a better method than GA in terms
of PSNR for Fractal image Compression.
Abstract: The growing problem of youth unemployment in
Egypt after the 25th January Revolution has directed the attention of
some human resource experts towards considering remote
employment as a partial remedy for the unemployed youth instead of
the unavailable traditional jobs, a trend which will also help with the
congested offices and unsolved traffic problem in Cairo and spread
a flexible work culture, but despite of that, the main issue remains
unresolved for these organizations to deal with the system challenges.
In the past few years, in developed countries, there has been a
growing trend for many companies to shift to remote employment
instead of the traditional office employment for many reasons: due to
the growing technological advances that helped some employees do
their work from home on a part time basis, the need for achieving an
employee-s work balance in the middle of unbalanced complicated
life, top management focus on employee-s productivity rather their
time spent at work. The objective of this paper is to study and analyze
the advantages and challenges that Egypt-s labor force will be facing
in their implementation of remote or virtual employment in both
government and private organizations after the 25th January
revolution. Therefore, the research question will be: What are the
advantages and different challenges that Egyptian organizations
might face in their implementation for remote employment system
and how can they manage these challenges for the system to work
effectively? The study is divided into six main parts: the introduction,
objective and importance of the study, research problem,
methodology, experience of some countries that implemented remote
employment, advantages and challenges of implementing remote
employment in Egypt and then the conclusion which discuses the
results and recommendations of the study.
Abstract: Achieving success is a highly critical issue for the
companies to survive in a competitive business environment. The
construction industry is also an area where there is strong
competition due to a large number of construction contractors. There
have been many factors such as qualified employees, quality
workmanship and financial management that can lead to company
success in the construction industry. The aim of this study was to
investigate the critical factors leading to construction company
success. Within this context, a survey was carried out among 40
Turkish construction companies which are located in the Northwest
region of Turkey. In this survey, top-level managers and owners of
the companies were interviewed. The interviews took place over a
five month period between January and May 2007. Finally, the
ranking of the critical success factors has been determined by using
the Simple Multi Attribute Rating Technique (SMART). Based on
the results, business management, financial conditions and
owner/manager characteristics were determined as the most
important factors to company success.
Abstract: Outsourcing, a management practice strongly
consolidated within the area of Information Systems, is currently
going through a stage of unstoppable growth. This paper makes a
proposal about the main reasons which may lead firms to adopt
Information Systems Outsourcing. It will equally analyse the
potential risks that IS clients are likely to face. An additional
objective is to assess these reasons and risks in the case of large
Spanish firms, while simultaneously examining their evolution over
time.
Abstract: Three sulphonic acid-doped polyanilines were
synthesized through chemical oxidation at low temperature (0-5 oC)
and potential of these polymers as sensing agent for O2 gas detection
in terms of fluorescence quenching was studied. Sulphuric acid,
dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid (DBSA) and camphor sulphonic acid
(CSA) were used as doping agents. All polymers obtained were dark
green powder. Polymers obtained were characterized by Fourier
transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible absorption
spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, elemental analysis,
differential scanning calorimeter and gel permeation
chromatography. Characterizations carried out showed that polymers
were successfully synthesized with mass recovery for sulphuric aciddoped
polyaniline (SPAN), DBSA-doped polyaniline (DBSA-doped
PANI) and CSA-doped polyaniline (CSA-doped PANI) of 71.40%,
75.00% and 39.96%, respectively. Doping level of SPAN, DBSAdoped
PANI and CSA-doped PANI were 32.86%, 33.13% and
53.96%, respectively as determined based on elemental analysis.
Sensing test was carried out on polymer sample in the form of
solution and film by using fluorescence spectrophotometer. Samples
of polymer solution and polymer film showed positive response
towards O2 exposure. All polymer solutions and films were fully
regenerated by using N2 gas within 1 hour period. Photostability
study showed that all samples of polymer solutions and films were
stable towards light when continuously exposed to xenon lamp for 9
hours. The relative standard deviation (RSD) values for SPAN
solution, DBSA-doped PANI solution and CSA-doped PANI
solution for repeatability were 0.23%, 0.64% and 0.76%,
respectively. Meanwhile RSD values for reproducibility were 2.36%,
6.98% and 1.27%, respectively. Results for SPAN film, DBSAdoped
PANI film and CSA-doped PANI film showed the same
pattern with RSD values for repeatability of 0.52%, 4.05% and
0.90%, respectively. Meanwhile RSD values for reproducibility were
2.91%, 10.05% and 7.42%, respectively. The study on effect of the
flow rate on response time was carried out using 3 different rates
which were 0.25 mL/s, 1.00 mL/s and 2.00 mL/s. Results obtained
showed that the higher the flow rate, the shorter the response time.
Abstract: The request for a sustainable development challenges
both managers and consumers to rethink habitual practices and
activities. While consumers are challenged to develop sustainable
consumption patterns, companies are asked to establish managerial
systems and structures considering economical, ecological, and social
issues. As this is in particular true for housing associations, this paper
aims first, at providing an understanding of sustainability strategy in
residential trade and industry (RTI) by identifying relevant facets of
this construct and second, at conceptually analyzing the impact of
sustainability strategy in RTI on operational efficiency and
performance of municipal housing companies. The author develops a
model of sustainability strategy in RTI and its effects and further,
sheds light in priorities for future research.
Abstract: This paper studies mixed-mode fracture mechanics in
rock based on experimental and numerical analyses. Experiments
were performed on sharp-cracked specimens using the modified
Arcan specimen test loading device. The modified Arcan specimen
test was, in association with a special loading device, an appropriate
apparatus for experimental mixed-mode fracture analysis. By
varying the loading angle from 0° to 90°, pure mode-I, pure mode-II
and a wide range of mixed-mode data were obtained experimentally.
Using the finite element results, correction factors applied to the
rectangular fracture specimen. By employing experimentally
measured critical loads and the aid of the finite element method,
mixed-mode fracture toughness for the limestone under consideration
determined.
Abstract: Petrol Fuel Station (PFS) has potential hazards to the
people, asset, environment and reputation of an operating company.
Fire hazards, static electricity air pollution evoked by aliphatic and
aromatic organic compounds are major causes of accident/incident
occurrence at fuel station. Activities such as carelessness,
maintenance, housekeeping, slips trips and falls, transportation
hazard, major and minor injuries, robbery and snake bites has a
potential to create unsafe conditions. The level of risk of these
hazards varies according to location and country. The emphasis on
safety considerations by the government is variable all around the
world. Developed countries safety records are much better as
compared to developing countries safety statistics. There is no
significant approach available to highlight the unsafe acts and unsafe
conditions during operation and maintenance of fuel station. Fuel
station is the most commonly available facilities that contain
flammable and hazardous materials. Due to continuous operation of
fuel station they pose various hazards to people, environment and
assets of an organization. To control these hazards, there is a need for
specific approach. PFS operation is unique as compared to other
businesses. For smooth operations it demands an involvement of
operating company, contractor and operator group. This study will
focus to address hazard contributing factors that have a potential to
make PFS operation risky. One year data collected, 902 activities
analyzed, comparisons were made to highlight significant
contributing factors. The study will provide help and assistance to
PFS outlet marketing companies to make their fuel station operation
safer. It will help health safety and environment (HSE) professionals
to arrest the gap available related to safety matters at PFS.
Abstract: Logistics is part of the supply chain processes that
plans, implements, and controls the efficient and effective forward
and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related
information between the point of origin and the point of consumption
in order to meet customer requirements. This research aims to
investigate the current status and future direction of the use of
Information Technology (IT) for logistics, focusing on Supply Chain
Management (SCM) and E-Commerce adoption in Malaysia.
Therefore, this research stresses on the type of technology being
adopted, factors, benefits and barriers affecting the innovation in
SCM and E-Commerce technology adoption among Logistics
Service Providers (LSP). A mailed questionnaire survey was
conducted to collect data from 265 logistics companies in Johor. The
research revealed a high level of SCM technology adoption among
LSP as they had adopted SCM technology in various business
processes while they perceived a high level of benefits from SCM
adoption.
Abstract: Policies that support entrepreneurship are keys to the
generation of new business. In Brazil, seed capital, installation of
technology parks, programs and zero interest financing, economic
subsidy as Program First Innovative Company (PRIME) are
examples of incentive policies. For the implementation of PRIME, in
particular the Brazilian Innovation Agency (FINEP) decentralized
operationalization so that business incubators could select innovative
projects. This paper analyzes the program PRIME Business Incubator
Center of the State of Sergipe (CISE) after calculating the mean and
standard deviation of the grades obtained by companies in the factors
of innovation, market potential, financial return economic, market
strategy and staff and application of the Mann-Whitney test.
Abstract: The special and unique advantages of explosive
forming, has developed its use in different industries. Considering the
important influence of improving the current explosive forming
techniques on increasing the efficiency and control over the
explosive forming procedure, the effects of air and water as the
energy-conveying medium, and also their differences will be
illustrated in this paper. Hence, a large number of explosive forming
tests have been conducted on two sizes of thin walled cylindrical
shells by using air and water as the working medium. Comparative
diagrams of the maximum radial deflection of work-pieces of the
same size, as a function of the scaled distance, show that for the
points with the same values of scaled distance, the maximum radial
deformation caused by the under water explosive loading is 4 to 5
times more than the deflection of the shells under explosive forming,
while using air. Results of this experimental research have also been
compared with other studies which show that using water as the
energy conveying media increases the efficiency up to 4.8 times. The
effect of the media on failure modes of the shells, and the necking
mechanism of the walls of the specimens, while being explosively
loaded, are also discussed in this issue. Measuring the tested
specimens shows that, the increase in the internal volume has been
accompanied by necking of the walls, which finally results in the
radial rupture of the structure.
Abstract: Programmable logic controllers are the main controllers in the today's industries; they are used for several applications in industrial control systems and there are lots of examples exist from the PLC applications in industries especially in big companies and plants such as refineries, power plants, petrochemical companies, steel companies, and food and production companies. In the PLCs there are some functions in the function library in software that can be used in PLC programs as basic program elements. The aim of this project are introducing and implementing a new function block of a neural network to the function library of PLC. This block can be applied for some control applications or nonlinear functions calculations after it has been trained for these applications. The implemented neural network is a Perceptron neural network with three layers, three input nodes and one output node. The block can be used in manual or automatic mode. In this paper the structure of the implemented function block, the parameters and the training method of the network are presented by considering the especial method of PLC programming and its complexities. Finally the application of the new block is compared with a classic simulated block and the results are presented.
Abstract: Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy is the first
cognitive behavior therapy which was introduced by Albert Ellis.
This is a systematic and structured psychotherapy which is effective
in treating various psychological problems. A patient, 25 years old
male, experienced intense fear and situational panic attack to return
to his faculty and to face his class-mates after a long absence (2
years). This social anxiety disorder was a major factor that impeded
the progress of his study. He was treated with the use of behavioural
technique such as relaxation breathing technique and cognitive
techniques such as imagery, cognitive restructuring, rationalization
technique and systematic desensitization. The patient reported
positive improvement in the anxiety disorder, able to progress well in
studies and lead a better quality of life as a student.
Abstract: The paper outlines the drivers behind the movement
from products to solutions in the Hi-Tech Business-to-Business
markets. The paper lists out the challenges in enabling the
transformation from products to solutions and also attempts to explore
strategic and operational recommendations based on the authors-
factual experiences with Japanese Hi-tech manufacturing
organizations. Organizations in the Hi-Tech Business-to-Business
markets are increasingly being compelled to move to a solutions model
from the conventional products model. Despite the added complexity
of solutions, successful technology commercialization can be achieved
by making prudent choices in defining a relevant solutions model, by
backing the solution model through appropriate organizational design,
and by overhauling the new product development process and
supporting infrastructure.
Abstract: Many companies have switched their processes to project-oriented in the last years. This brings new possibilities and effectiveness not only in the field of external processes connected with the product delivery but also the internal processes as well. However centralized project organization which is based on the role of project manager in the team has proved insufficient in some cases. Agile methods of project organization are trying to solve this problem by bringing new view on the project organization, roles, processes and competences. Scrum is one of these methods which builds on the principles of knowledge management to drive the project to effectiveness from all view angles. Using this method to organize internal and delivery projects helps the organization to create and share knowledge throughout the company. It also supports forming unique competences of individuals and project teams and drives innovations in the company.
Abstract: The steam cracking reactions are always accompanied with the formation of coke which deposits on the walls of the tubular reactors. The investigation has attempted to control catalytic coking by the applying aluminum, zinc and ceramic coating like aluminum-magnesium by thermal spray and pack cementation method. Rate of coke formation during steam cracking of naphtha has been investigated both for uncoated stainless steel (with different alloys) and metal coating constructed with thermal Spray and pack cementation method with metal powders of Aluminum, Aluminum-Magnesium, zinc, silicon, nickel and chromium. The results of the study show that passivating the surface of SS321 with a coating of Aluminum and Aluminum-Magnesium can significantly reduce the rate of coke deposition during naphtha pyrolysis. SEM and EDAX techniques (Philips XL Series) were used to examine the coke deposits formed by the metal-hydrocarbon reactions. Our objective was to separate the different stages by identifying the characteristic morphologies.
Abstract: Fast development of technologies, economic globalization and many other external circumstances stimulate company’s competitiveness. One of the major trends in today’s business is the shift to the exploitation of the Internet and electronic environment for entrepreneurial needs. Latest researches confirm that e-environment provides a range of possibilities and opportunities for companies, especially for micro-, small- and medium-sized companies, which have limited resources. The usage of e-tools raises the effectiveness and the profitability of an organization, as well as its competitiveness.
In the electronic market, as in the classic one, there are factors, such as globalization, development of new technology, price sensitive consumers, Internet, new distribution and communication channels that influence entrepreneurship. As a result of eenvironment development, e-commerce and e-marketing grow as well.
Objective of the paper: To describe and identify factors influencing company’s competitiveness in e-environment.
Research methodology: The authors employ well-established quantitative and qualitative methods of research: grouping, analysis, statistics method, factor analysis in SPSS 20 environment, etc. The theoretical and methodological background of the research is formed by using scientific researches and publications, such as that from mass media and professional literature; statistical information from legal institutions as well as information collected by the authors during the surveying process.
Research result: The authors detected and classified factors influencing competitiveness in e-environment.
In this paper, the authors presented their findings based on theoretical, scientific, and field research. Authors have conducted a research on e-environment utilization among Latvian enterprises.
Abstract: The growing importance of sustainability in corporate
policies represents a great opportunity for workers to gain more
consideration, with great benefits to their well being. Sustainable
work is believed to be one which improves the organization-s
performance and fosters professional development as well as
workers- health. In a multiple case study based on document
research, information was sought about work activities and their
sustainability or corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies, as
disseminated by corporations. All the companies devoted attention to
work activities and delivered a good amount of information about
them. Nevertheless, the information presented was generic; all the
actions developed were top-down and there was no information about
the impact of changes aimed at sustainability on the workers-
activities. It was found that the companies seemed to be at an early
stage. In the future, they need to show more commitment through
concrete goals: they must be aware that workers contribute directly to
the corporations- sustainability. This would allow room for
Ergonomics and Work Psychodynamics to be incorporated and to be
useful for both companies and society, so as to promote and ensure
work sustainability.