One thing which distinguishes people from computers and from one another is variously called creativity, the right brain, or the subconscious. Computers are designed to be fast…
Abstract
One thing which distinguishes people from computers and from one another is variously called creativity, the right brain, or the subconscious. Computers are designed to be fast, almost‐error‐free rule followers. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been based on computers and their rule‐following skills, e.g. expert systems. Yet we do not value Mozart, Einstein, Van Gogh, etc. for their rule following skills. In order to understand our own creativity we must model our subconscious. Once we model it, we can learn more about it by building a computer subconscious. Shows how a multiple‐module Darwinistic model can account for the human subconscious and how such a system can be emulated in a computer. For a quantum computer, perhaps the only technological computer fast enough to make computer creativity interesting, the results are also unpredictable in principle. Computers will differ in personality, skill and interests just as people do even if they start off identical.
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Month after month we bring forward additional evidence of the injury resulting from the use of chemical “preservatives” in food, while the Authorities feebly hesitate to give…
Abstract
Month after month we bring forward additional evidence of the injury resulting from the use of chemical “preservatives” in food, while the Authorities feebly hesitate to give specific legal effect to the recommendations of the Departmental Committee which made such a complete inquiry into this question. The evidence upon which those recommendations were based has been fully corroborated by a number of different observers. FERE and others have shown that, as regards boric acid and borax, even when administered in the smallest medicinal doses, there is always the risk that these drugs may aggravate, or even produce, renal diseases. These observations have been confirmed by the work of Dr. CHARLES HARRINGTON, an account of which has been recently published. Twelve cats were fed on the same food; six were treated with borax, one had no preservative, and five were given a preservative which had no apparent effect. The experiment extended over a period of 133 days, the quantity of borax given averaging about 0.5 grms, per diem. Three of the borated cats soon became ill, and one died at the end of six weeks. On the termination of the experiment the cats were all killed, and upon examination it was found that the organs of the six cats which had not taken borax were in perfectly sound and healthy condition, while the others, with one exception, were all suffering from nephritis. Of course, instances are recorded in which patients have been treated with borax and boracic acid with apparently no injurious result, but as a general rule these experiments have been of too short duration to allow of the desired information being arrived at, and the results must therefore be regarded as inconclusive and unreliable. It is perfectly evident that the kidneys may be for a short time quite capable of eliminating many objectionable substances, but the long‐continued use of such bodies, as Dr. HARRINGTON'S researches clearly indicate, sets up an inflammatory condition of the kidneys which, of course, interferes with the effective performance of their proper functions, and lays the foundations for complications of the most serious nature.
Argues social issues should play an important role in debates surrounding telecommunications services, looking particular at Australia’s universals service. Concludes each country…
Abstract
Argues social issues should play an important role in debates surrounding telecommunications services, looking particular at Australia’s universals service. Concludes each country needs to look at the specific issues affecting it population to enable use of the most appropriate policies. Stresses debates about telecoms services should not take place, just in economic terms, as social policy is just as important.
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Sponsorship's ability to help a company achieve its corporate and marketing objectives has enabled the communication tool to climb to the top of a marketer's promotional…
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Sponsorship's ability to help a company achieve its corporate and marketing objectives has enabled the communication tool to climb to the top of a marketer's promotional consideration set. This paper sets out to review the industry's current understanding of sponsorship as a promotional mechanism. As the medium's underlying principles are identified, marketing practitioners are provided with examples and strategic guidelines so that they are able to maximise their sponsorship investments.
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Chun Guo, Emily T. Porschitz and José Alves
Drawing on career and self‐initiated expatriation/repatriation literatures, this paper aims to examine the career experiences of Chinese self‐initiated repatriates after their…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on career and self‐initiated expatriation/repatriation literatures, this paper aims to examine the career experiences of Chinese self‐initiated repatriates after their return to China.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted an exploratory, qualitative study involving in‐depth interviews with 20 Chinese individuals who returned to China after spending at least three years living, studying and/or working in a range of “host” countries.
Findings
This study shows that the career agency of Chinese returnees reflects both independent and interdependent factors. It provides specific empirical support for Tams and Arthur's argument that career agency is impacted by both individual and contextual factors.
Research limitations/implications
The findings indicate the central role played by individual proactivity and contextual influences during self‐initiated repatriation. The small sample size allows for rich data, but limits the generalizability of the findings.
Practical implications
Managerial practices that address the unique career values and expectations of self‐initiated repatriates can facilitate the application of skills and knowledge acquired abroad to the local context. Policy makers should provide more institutional support to encourage and facilitate the return of overseas Chinese.
Originality/value
This study is among only a small number to explore the experiences of self‐initiated repatriates in developing countries. Recent research has addressed the importance of recognizing and identifying the boundaries that constrain and enable global careers. This study identifies a number of such boundaries and also adds to the understanding of the challenges and difficulties of repatriation.
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Roger John Hilton and Amrik Sohal
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the successful deployment of Lean Six Sigma and a number of key explanatory variables that essentially comprise…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the successful deployment of Lean Six Sigma and a number of key explanatory variables that essentially comprise the competence of the organization, the competence of the deployment facilitator and the competence of the project leaders.
Design/methodology/approach
The preliminary fieldwork involved interviews with two senior Master Black Belts; then, combined with the results of a literature review, the authors develop a conceptual model. A number of hypotheses are developed and the procedures involved in empirically testing these hypotheses are briefly explained.
Findings
Technical and interpersonal attributes of Black Belts and Master Black Belts are identified as well as the factors for success in deploying Lean Six Sigma. These factors relate to: leadership, communication, behavior and awareness of Six Sigma; policies, culture and organizational support and strategy; education, training and competency of the Six Sigma experts; project improvement teams and project management; and performance evaluations based on quality criteria, information systems, data and measurement.
Originality/value
The paper produces a predictive model for the successful deployment of a continuous improvement program such as Lean Six Sigma.
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John Watson, J. Wickramanayke and I.M. Premachandra
This paper aims to contribute the existing finance literature by examining whether the ratings of Morningstar in Australia provide useful information for an investor by way of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to contribute the existing finance literature by examining whether the ratings of Morningstar in Australia provide useful information for an investor by way of investigating the efficiency of domestic Australian equity funds that received a rating as at November 2005.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes the application of a simulation approach to stochastic data envelopment analysis (SDEA) based on Excel/@RISK, which was first proposed by Premachandra et al. in 1998. The analysis provides a variety of informative statistical information about the stochastic properties of the efficiency figure. Efficiency is measured by looking at fund performance, fund cost, fund risk exposure and manager ability over the period December 1990‐November 2005.
Findings
The introduction to portfolio performance evaluation of a new tool for evaluating fund performance (namely, the efficiency rating) is recommended. From a sample of Australian domestic equity managed funds we find that evidence exists to suggest that efficient funds are likely to receive an upgrade in rating in the medium to long term.
Practical implications
The benefit of the present paper for investors and fund managers is the improved efficiency of managed funds in terms of expense and risk.
Originality/value
The present paper further contributes to the literature by reinforcing the importance of SDEA as a tool for measuring the efficiency of decision‐making units within investment fund markets.
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John D. Nelson, Geoffrey Clifton and Miguel Loyola
This chapter focusses primarily on the short-term measures and policy reactions of transport operators and regulators to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020/2021 (such as the…
Abstract
This chapter focusses primarily on the short-term measures and policy reactions of transport operators and regulators to the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2020/2021 (such as the introduction of physical distancing and mask wearing) but also considers those policies which directly influence public transport (such as parking management and working from home). Emphasis is placed on the experience in a number of jurisdictions to identify the influence of varying governmental level responses to the pandemic. The approaches of different jurisdictions are compared using a narrative approach to help identify policy narrative elements by policy actors as the pandemic unfolded. Such an approach enables us to focus on how decision-makers can learn from the COVID-19 experience to better react to future unexpected incidents. In identifying the future policy implications and challenges, the chapter suggests that strategic planning will need to respond to both the ‘current normal’ and the ‘next normal’, and will require flexibility and tight integration between urban planning and public transport planning, as well as private transport and long-distance transport. The chapter also highlights the importance of learning from the experience of other jurisdictions and disciplines (such as disaster management) and offers suggestions for further research.