Egidio D’Amato, Elia Daniele, Lina Mallozzi and Giovanni Petrone
The purpose of this paper is to propose a numerical algorithm able to describe the Stackelberg strategy for a multi level hierarchical three-person game via genetic algorithm (GA…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a numerical algorithm able to describe the Stackelberg strategy for a multi level hierarchical three-person game via genetic algorithm (GA) evolution process. There is only one player for each hierarchical level: there is an upper level leader (player L0), an intermediate level leader (player L1) who acts as a follower for L0 and as a leader for the lower level player (player F) that is the sole actual follower of this situation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a computational result via GA approach. The idea of the Stackelberg-GA is to bring together GAs and Stackelberg strategy in order to process a GA to build the Stackelberg strategy. Any player acting as a follower makes his decision at each step of the evolutionary process, playing a simple optimization problem whose solution is supposed to be unique.
Findings
A GA procedure to compute the Stackelberg equilibrium of the three-level hierarchical problem is given. An application to a Authority-Provider-User (APU) model in the context of wireless networks is discussed. The algorithm convergence is illustrated by means of some test cases.
Research limitations/implications
The solution to each level of hierarchy is supposed to be unique.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates the possibility of using computational procedures based on GAs in hierarchical three level decision problems extending previous results obtained in the classical two level case.
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Daniele Di Lorenzo, Victor Champaney, Chady Ghnatios, Elias Cueto and Francisco Chinesta
This paper presents an original approach for learning models, partially known, of particular interest when performing source identification or structural health monitoring. The…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper presents an original approach for learning models, partially known, of particular interest when performing source identification or structural health monitoring. The proposed procedures employ some amount of knowledge on the system under scrutiny as well as a limited amount of data efficiently assimilated.
Design/methodology/approach
Two different formulations are explored. The first, based on the use of informed neural networks, leverages data collected at specific locations and times to determine the unknown source term of a parabolic partial differential equation. The second procedure, more challenging, involves learning the unknown model from a single measured field history, enabling the localization of a region where material properties differ.
Findings
Both procedures assume some kind of sparsity, either in the source distribution or in the region where physical properties differ. This paper proposed two different neural approaches able to learn models in order to perform efficient inverse analyses.
Originality/value
Two original methodologies are explored to identify hidden property that can be recovered with the right usage of data. Both methodologies are based on neural network architecture.
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Tommaso Vallone, Stefano Elia, Peder Greve, Lisa Longoni and Daniele Marinelli
We study the relationship between firms’ top management teams (TMT) and internationalization complexity. We consider the effect of three different sets of TMT characteristics �…
Abstract
We study the relationship between firms’ top management teams (TMT) and internationalization complexity. We consider the effect of three different sets of TMT characteristics – international business orientation intensity, education intensity, and team diversity – on three different and increasingly complex facets of internationalization - international markets intensity, international operations intensity and international country diversity. We argue that more international, highly-educated and diverse TMTs are better able to face the complexity derived from international competition. The results of our empirical analysis show that TMTs having foreign managers or managers with international experience are more likely to be in charge of firms facing higher international operations intensity. Conversely, more educated and more diverse TMTs are associated with complexity deriving from international diversification.
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Francesca Culasso, Laura Broccardo, Daniele Giordino and Edoardo Crocco
Performance management systems (PMSs) must remain dynamic and maintain the ability to withstand the high degrees of complexity brought about by digital technologies (DTs)…
Abstract
Purpose
Performance management systems (PMSs) must remain dynamic and maintain the ability to withstand the high degrees of complexity brought about by digital technologies (DTs). Academics and practitioners have explored DTs and PMSs separately. This study aims to bridge the academic and practitioner discourse surrounding PMSs and DTs to promote knowledge diffusion and collaboration.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopted a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative content analysis, which were validated through semi-structured interviews with academics and practitioners. The authors first conducted a content analysis of the academic literature contained in the Scopus database and the practitioners' literature featured in the Nexis Uni database.
Findings
The combined academic-practitioners’ body of knowledge underscores the risk and environmental dimension, as well as the theoretical frameworks employed to explore digitally empowered PMSs. These findings were corroborated by 17 confirmatory interviews conducted with scholars and practitioners.
Research limitations/implications
Due to its scope, the research is limited to publications listed on Scopus and Nexis Uni. Additionally, its qualitative and interpretative nature presents some generalizability issues.
Originality/value
This study connects the intentions of scholars and practitioners concerning PMSs and DTs to promote collaborative efforts and knowledge diffusion. Moreover, considering the broader spectrum of insights, this manuscript postulates new avenues of research that address the key issues and concerns of both academics and practitioners. Finally, this article showcases PMs- and DT-appropriate theoretical frameworks that can inform practitioners’ discourse and work.
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Valentina Cillo, Gian Luca Gregori, Lucia Michela Daniele, Francesco Caputo and Nathalie Bitbol-Saba
Through the human resources (HR) and knowledge management (KM) perspective as human-centric processes, the aim of this study is to explore how companies’ engagement in diversity…
Abstract
Purpose
Through the human resources (HR) and knowledge management (KM) perspective as human-centric processes, the aim of this study is to explore how companies’ engagement in diversity (DIV), inclusion (INC) and people empowerment (PEMP) policies influences companies’ organizational performance, to support organizations in the shift to the Industry 5.0 framework.
Design/methodology/approach
Combining the HR management and the KM-driven organizational culture, a conceptual model is proposed for explaining companies’ higher organizational performance. Proposed hypotheses are tested with reference to a set of listed international companies traced by Refinitiv on a five-year time horizon (2016–2020) through 24,196 firm-year observations.
Findings
This research shows that companies engaged in DIV policies, INC practices and PEMP through education have higher profitability and are more valued by capital markets’ investors.
Originality/value
This paper draws attention to the need to overcome the reductionist view of HR and rethink KM architecture to cope with the growing challenge of HR integration according to the Industry 5.0 paradigm.
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Paola Maria Anna Paniccia, Gianpaolo Abatecola and Silvia Baiocco
How does the interaction between time and knowledge affect the evolution of organizations? Past research in organizational evolution has mostly investigated time and knowledge as…
Abstract
Purpose
How does the interaction between time and knowledge affect the evolution of organizations? Past research in organizational evolution has mostly investigated time and knowledge as two separate variables. In contrast, theoretical perspectives integrating these variables are still seemingly scant. The authors believe that filling this literature gap needs attention. Thus, this study aims to contribute by developing a conceptual framework.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a conceptual study. The framework is centred on the concept of “co-evolutionary time”, which the authors explain through a business example from the tourism industry. Supported by a narrative-based style, from a methodological point of view the framework is featured by the attempt to synthesize specific, extant literature into new theoretical development.
Findings
As its main theoretical contribution, the co-evolutionary time suggests how firms can adapt in a way that, from an evolutionary perspective, proves fitting both in terms of contents and methods, thus opening possibilities for new long-term social construction and reconstruction. As its main practical contribution, co-evolutionary time can constitute not only a temporary source of organizational success and competitive advantage but also an agent of enduring change and long-term business survival.
Originality/value
As its main novelty, the framework is developed through merging two literature streams. In particular, the authors first consider the literature about time, with a focus on its objective and subjective dimensions. The authors then consider the literature about organizational evolution, with a focus on the co-evolutionary nature of the firm/environment relationship.
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Mohamud Said Yusuf, Khadar Ahmed Dirie, Md. Mahmudul Alam and Isyaku Salisu
The purpose of this study is to investigate the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the amount of trust customers have in Somali Islamic banks. Furthermore, the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the amount of trust customers have in Somali Islamic banks. Furthermore, the role of gender in CSR activities and Islamic bank clientele is evaluated.
Design/methodology/approach
Throughout February and March 2022, 410 clients of Islamic banks in Somalia were surveyed using a questionnaire. The partial least squares approach and the structural equation model are applied to examine the data.
Findings
Findings indicate that all variables of CSR activities, such as social product, social legal, social needs, social environment and social employees’ responsibility, are influential and significant predictors of trust in Islamic banks in Somalia. Gender inequalities moderate the relationship between social product, social needs, social environment, social employee and trust. Conversely, only social legal responsibility was unaffected by gender differences in Somalia regarding people’s trust in Islamic banks.
Practical implications
A sample from a developing country such as Somalia is useful for shedding light on the outcomes of consumers’ perceptions of and trust in businesses’ CSR in the developing world. Furthermore, this study contributes to knowledge regarding CSR and how it can help the Islamic banking industry. Its findings will be useful to policymakers and regulatory bodies in the banking industry in their efforts to improve CSR.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first empirical investigation of its kind about the understudied relationship among customer trust, CSR efforts and gender in Somalia context. Furthermore, it investigates how gender specifically moderates CSR in the Islamic banking sector in a developing country.
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Donato Morea, Simona Fortunati, Francesco Cappa and Raffaele Oriani
This study aims to analyze how, under the stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility (CSR) might favor the emergence of circular economy (CE) in the Agri-food sector…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze how, under the stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility (CSR) might favor the emergence of circular economy (CE) in the Agri-food sector, which is a relevant context, as it is technologically dynamic and requires paying attention to all the stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory, qualitative research design has been adopted to study the phenomenon in detail, as it facilitates the understanding of complex phenomena such those under investigation and helps enrich existing theory with new insights from real-world cases to add theoretical generalizations to the existing body of research in the field.
Findings
The results of this study highlight that companies adopting CSR models are oriented toward circularity.
Practical implications
This study provides useful indications to managers and policymakers as to how to favor the two approaches (CSR and CE) and benefit all the stakeholders.
Originality/value
While there is wide scholarly and managerial interest toward CSR and CE, previous research has mainly analyzed CE and CSR as two independent phenomena. Therefore, there is a lack of understanding about how the two areas are linked. Following previous studies that have started to theoretically argue an interconnection between CSR and CE, in this research, it has been empirically investigated, and further explored theoretically, whether CSR can implicitly encourage the emergence of CE approaches.