Abstract: When consistently innovative business-models can
give companies a competitive advantage, longitudinal empirical
research, which can reflect dynamic business-model changes, has yet
to prove a definitive connection. This study consequently employs a
dynamic perspective in conjunction with innovation theory to examine
the relationship between the types of business-model innovation and
firm value. This study tries to examine various types of
business-model innovation in high-end and low-end technology
industries such as HTC and the 7-Eleven chain stores with research
periods of 14 years and 32 years, respectively. The empirical results
suggest that adopting radical business-model innovation in addition to
expanding new target markets can successfully lead to a competitive
advantage. Sustained advanced technological competences and
service/product innovation are the key successful factors in high-end
and low-end technology industry business-models respectively. In
sum up, the business-model innovation can yield a higher market value
and financial value in high-end technology industries than low-end
ones.
Abstract: Unlike general-purpose processors, digital signal
processors (DSP processors) are strongly application-dependent. To
meet the needs for diverse applications, a wide variety of DSP
processors based on different architectures ranging from the
traditional to VLIW have been introduced to the market over the
years. The functionality, performance, and cost of these processors
vary over a wide range. In order to select a processor that meets the
design criteria for an application, processor performance is usually
the major concern for digital signal processing (DSP) application
developers. Performance data are also essential for the designers of
DSP processors to improve their design. Consequently, several DSP
performance benchmarks have been proposed over the past decade or
so. However, none of these benchmarks seem to have included recent
new DSP applications.
In this paper, we use a new benchmark that we recently developed
to compare the performance of popular DSP processors from Texas
Instruments and StarCore. The new benchmark is based on the
Selectable Mode Vocoder (SMV), a speech-coding program from the
recent third generation (3G) wireless voice applications. All
benchmark kernels are compiled by the compilers of the respective
DSP processors and run on their simulators. Weighted arithmetic
mean of clock cycles and arithmetic mean of code size are used to
compare the performance of five DSP processors.
In addition, we studied how the performance of a processor is
affected by code structure, features of processor architecture and
optimization of compiler. The extensive experimental data gathered,
analyzed, and presented in this paper should be helpful for DSP
processor and compiler designers to meet their specific design goals.
Abstract: Mobile banking services present a unique growth
opportunity for mobile operators in emerging markets, and have
already made good progress in bringing financial services to the
previously unbanked populations of many developing countries. The
potential is amazing, but what about the risks? In the complex
process of establishing a mobile banking business model, many kinds
of risks and factors need to be monitored and well-managed. Risk
identification is the first stage of risk management. Correct risk
identification ensures risk management effectiveness. Keeping the
risks low makes it possible to use the full potential of mobile banking
and carry out the planned business strategy. The focus should be on
adoption of consumers which is the main risk factor of mobile
banking services.
Abstract:
Innovation is becoming more and more important in
modern society. There are a lot of researches on different kinds of
innovation but marketing innovation is one kind of innovation that
has not been studied frequently before. Marketing innovation is
defined as a new way in which companies can market themselves to
potential or existing customers.
The study shows some key elements for marketing innovation that
are worth paying attention to when implementing marketing
innovation projects. Examples of such key elements are: paying
attention to the neglected market, suitable market segmentatio
reliable market information, public relationship, increased customer
value, combination of market factors, explore different marketing
channels and the use of technology in combination with what? Beside
the key elements for marketing innovation, we also present some
risks that may occur, such as cost, market uncertainty, information
leakage, imitation and overdependence on experience.
By proposing a set of indicators to measure marketing innovation,
the article offers solutions for marketing innovation implementation
so that any organization can achieve optimal results.
Abstract: In this paper, we present a technical and an economic
assessment of several sources of renewable energy in Saudi Arabia;
mainly solar, wind, hydro and biomass. We analyze the
environmental and climatic conditions in relation to these sources
and give an overview of some of the existing clean energy
technologies. Using standardized cost and efficiency data, we carry
out a cost benefit analysis to understand the economic factors
influencing the sustainability of energy production from renewable
sources in light of the energy cost and demand in the Saudi market.
Finally, we take a look at the Saudi petroleum industry and the
existing sources of conventional energy and assess the potential of
building a successful market for renewable energy under the
constraints imposed by the flow of subsidized cheap oil. We show
that while some renewable energy resources are well suited for
distributed or grid connected generation in the kingdom, their
viability is greatly undercut by the well developed and well
capitalized oil industry.
Abstract: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application or commonly known as softphone has been developing an increasingly large market in today-s telecommunication world and the trend is expected to continue with the enhancement of additional features. This includes leveraging on the existing presence services, location and contextual information to enable more ubiquitous and seamless communications. In this paper, we discuss the concept of seamless session transfer for real-time application such as VoIP and IPTV, and our prototype implementation of such concept on a selected open source VoIP application. The first part of this paper is about conducting performance evaluation and assessments across some commonly found open source VoIP applications that are Ekiga, Kphone, Linphone and Twinkle so as to identify one of them for implementing our design of seamless session transfer. Subjective testing has been carried out to evaluate the audio performance on these VoIP applications and rank them according to their Mean Opinion Score (MOS) results. The second part of this paper is to discuss on the performance evaluations of our prototype implementation of session transfer using Linphone.
Abstract: Warranty is a powerful marketing tool for the
manufacturer and a good protection for both the manufacturer and the
customer. However, warranty always involves additional costs to the
manufacturer, which depend on product reliability characteristics and
warranty parameters. This paper presents an approach to optimisation
of warranty parameters for known product failure distribution to
reduce the warranty costs to the manufacturer while retaining the
promotional function of the warranty. Combination free replacement
and pro-rata warranty policy is chosen as a model and the length of
free replacement period and pro-rata policy period are varied, as well
as the coefficients that define the pro-rata cost function. Multiparametric
warranty optimisation is done by using genetic algorithm.
Obtained results are guideline for the manufacturer to choose the
warranty policy that minimises the costs and maximises the profit.
Abstract: The role of entrepreneurs in generating the economy is
very important. Thus, nurturing entrepreneurship skills among
society is very crucial and should start from the early age. One of the
methods is to teach through game such as board game. Game
provides a fun and interactive platform for players to learn and play.
Besides that as today-s world is moving towards Islamic approach in
terms of finance, banking and entertainment but Islamic based game
is still hard to find in the market especially games on
entrepreneurship. Therefore, there is a gap in this segment that can be
filled by learning entrepreneurship through game. The objective of
this paper is to develop an entrepreneurship digital-based game
entitled “Catur Bistari" that is based on Islamic business approach.
Knowledge and skill of entrepreneurship and Islamic business
approach will be learned through the tasks that are incorporated
inside the game.
Abstract: Airport capacity has always been perceived in the
traditional sense as the number of aircraft operations during a
specified time corresponding to a tolerable level of average delay and
it mostly depends on the airside characteristics, on the fleet mix
variability and on the ATM. The adoption of the Directive
2002/30/EC in the EU countries drives the stakeholders to conceive
airport capacity in a different way though. Airport capacity in this
sense is fundamentally driven by environmental criteria, and since
acoustical externalities represent the most important factors, those are
the ones that could pose a serious threat to the growth of airports and
to aviation market itself in the short-medium term. The importance of
the regional airports in the deregulated market grew fast during the
last decade since they represent spokes for network carriers and a
preferential destination for low-fares carriers. Not only regional
airports have witnessed a fast and unexpected growth in traffic but
also a fast growth in the complaints for the nuisance by the people
living near those airports. In this paper the results of a study
conducted in cooperation with the airport of Bologna G. Marconi are
presented in order to investigate airport acoustical capacity as a defacto
constraint of airport growth.
Abstract: Most people know through experience and intuition what the word „sport“ means. Sport includes a combination of these configurations when it involves team competitions, tournaments, or matches in dual sports or individual sports. Sport management - it is an area of professional endeavor in which a variety of sport-related managerial careers exist and it is also an area of academic professional preparation. Exists three unique aspects of sport management: sport marketing, sport enterprise financial structures and sport industry career paths. The aim of the paper was to highlight the growing importance of sport in contemporary society, especially to emphasize its socio-economic benefits and refer to the development of sport management and marketing. The article has shown that sport contributes 2-3% to gross domestic product in the Czech Republic and that the demand for experts, specialists educated for the sports manager profession is growing.
Abstract: Fermented beverages have high expression in the
market for beverages in general, is increasingly valued in situations
where the characteristic aroma and flavor of the material that gave
rise to them are kept after processing. This study aimed to develop a
distilled beverage from passion fruit, and assess, by sensory tests and
chromatographic profile, the influence of different treatments (FM1-
spirit with pulp addiction and FM2 – spirit with bigger ratio of pulp
in must) in the setting of volatiles in the fruit drink, and performing
chemical characterization taking into account the main parameters of
quality established by the legislation. The chromatograms and the
first sensorial tests had indicated that sample FM1 possess better
characteristics of aroma, as much of how much quantitative the
qualitative point of view. However, it analyzes it sensorial end
(preference test) disclosed the biggest preference of the cloth provers
for sample FM2-2 (note 7.93), being the attributes of decisive color
and flavor in this reply, confirmed for the observed values lowest of
fixed and total acidity in the samples of treatment FM2.
Abstract: Solar water heating (SWH) systems are gaining popularity in ASEAN in the midst of increasing number of affluent population in society and environmental concerns from seemingly unchanged reliance on fossil-based fuels. The penetration of these systems and technologies into ASEAN markets is a welcome development; however there is a need for the method of assessment of their thermal performances. This paper discusses the reasons for this need and a suitable method for thermal performance evaluation of SWH systems in ASEAN. The paper also calls on research to be focused on the establishment of reliable data to be entered into the performance rating software. The establishment of accredited solar systems testing facilities can help boost the competitiveness of ASEAN solar industry.
Abstract: The objectives of this study are to determine the role of media that influence the values, attitudes and behaviors of Thai youths. Analytical qualitative research techniques were used for this purpose. Data collection based techniques was used which were individual interviews and focus group discussions with journalists, sample of high school and university students, and parents. The results show that “Social Media" is still the most popular media for Thai youths. It is also still in the hands of the marketing business and it can motivate Thai youths to do so many things. The main reasons of media exposure are to find quality information that they want quickly, get satisfaction and can use social media to get more exciting and to build communities. They believe that the need for media and information literacy skills is defined as making judgments, personal integrity, training of family and the behavior of close friends.
Abstract: With the proliferation of mobile computing technology, mobile learning (m-learning) will play a vital role in the rapidly growing electronic learning market. However, the acceptance of m-learning by individuals is critical to the successful implementation of m-learning systems. Thus, there is a need to research the factors that affect users- intention to use m-learning. Based on an updated information system (IS) success model, data collected from 350 respondents in Taiwan were tested against the research model using the structural equation modeling approach. The data collected by questionnaire were analyzed to check the validity of constructs. Then hypotheses describing the relationships between the identified constructs and users- satisfaction were formulated and tested.
Abstract: This study is purely qualitative. The objectives of this study can be identified as two main factors: traditionally explanation and economically studying. The study of weddings, both in traditional beauty and the aggressively strong competitive in the wedding business market has limited population of the study only Thailand internal wedding consumers. Focus group with the new marriage couple and in-depth interview with fully experiences wedding businessman were used. Traditionally, Thai weddings are very various; therefore, the recent patterns were briefly concluded to be processes of traditional Thai wedding will be revealed and explained then give more details in the formal procedures. Economically, weddings business are related to many types of businesses from catering business, hospitality and tourism business, pre-wedding photography, and the complete full-serviced wedding organizer for examples. The situations, changes and obstacles of the wedding related business will be discussed.
Abstract: When choosing marketing strategies for international markets, one of the factors that should be considered is the cultural differences that exist among consumers in different countries. If the branding strategy has to be contextual and in tune with the culture, then the brand positioning variables has to interact, adapt and respond to the cultural variables in which the brand is operating. This study provides an overview of the relevance of culture in the development of an effective branding strategy in the international business environment. Hence, the main objective of this study is to provide a managerial framework for developing strategies for cross cultural brand management. The framework is useful because it incorporates the variables that are important in the competitiveness of fast food enterprises irrespective of their size. It provides practical, proactive and result oriented analysis that will help fast food firms augment their strategies in the international fast food markets. The proposed framework will enable managers understand the intricacies involved in branding in the global fast food industry and decrease the use of 'trial and error' when entering into unfamiliar markets.
Abstract: This article stands in the context of rural communities
in Brazil, where, like many others emerging countries, the
overwhelming increasing markets and the overcrowded cities are
leaving behind informal settlements based on obsolete agricultural
economies and techniques. The pilot project for the community of
Goiabeira reflects the attempt to imagine a development model that
privileges the actual improvement of living conditions, the education
and training, the social inclusion and participation of the dwellers of
rural communities. Through the inclusion of operative public space,
the aim is for them to become self-sustaining, encouraging the use of
local resources for appropriate architectural, ecological and energy
technologies and devices, that are efficient, affordable and foster
community participation, in the respect of the surrounding
environment.
Abstract: The presence of heavy metals in the environment
could constitute a hazard to food security and public health. These
can be accumulated in aquatic animals such as fish. Samples of four
popular brands of canned fish in the Iranian market (yellowfin tuna,
common Kilka, Kawakawa and longtail tuna) were analyzed for level
of Cr after wet digestion with acids using graphite furnace atomic
absorption spectrophotometry. The mean concentrations for Cr in the
different brands were: 2.57, 3.24, 3.16 and 1.65 μg/g for brands A, B,
C and D respectively. Significant differences were observed in the Cr
levels between all of the different brands of canned fish evaluated in
this study. The Cr concentrations for the varieties of canned fishes
were generally within the FAO/WHO, U.S. FDA and U.S. EPA
recommended limits for fish.
Abstract: While the form of crises may change, their essence
remains the same (such as a cycle of abundant liquidity, rapid credit
growth, and a low-inflation environment followed by an asset-price
bubble). The current market turbulence began in mid-2000s when the
US economy shifted to imbalanced both internal and external
macroeconomic positions. We see two key causes of these problems
– loose US monetary policy in early 2000s and US government
guarantees issued on the securities by government-sponsored
enterprises what was further fueled by financial innovations such as
structured credit products. We have discovered both negative and
positive lessons deriving from this crisis and divided the negative
lessons into three groups: financial products and valuation, processes
and business models, and strategic issues. Moreover, we address key
risk management lessons and exit strategies derived from the current
crisis and recommend policies that should help diminish the negative
impact of future potential crises.
Abstract: This work proposes a novel market-based air traffic flow control model considering competitive airlines in air traffic network. In the flow model, an agent based framework for resources (link/time pair) pricing is described. Resource agent and auctioneer for groups of resources are also introduced to simulate the flow management in Air Traffic Control (ATC). Secondly, the distributed group pricing algorithm is introduced, which efficiently reflect the competitive nature of the airline industry. Resources in the system are grouped according to the degree of interaction, and each auctioneer adjust s the price of one group of resources respectively until the excess demand of resources becomes zero when the demand and supply of resources of the system changes. Numerical simulation results show the feasibility of solving the air traffic flow control problem using market mechanism and pricing algorithms on the air traffic network.