I. VAKILZADEH and A.A. KESHAVARZ
In this paper the design of a controller for a relay‐controlled second‐order non‐linear stable plant with third‐order nonlinearity is considered. The task of the controller is the…
Abstract
In this paper the design of a controller for a relay‐controlled second‐order non‐linear stable plant with third‐order nonlinearity is considered. The task of the controller is the simultaneous reduction of output and output derivative to zero with the input being at zero. It will be shown that for all initial values of output and output derivative it would be possible to bring them to zero, simultaneously and with at most one switching reversal of the relay. It will also be shown that, through simple transformation of error and error derivative, the equation of the switching curve can be made independent of any constant gain of the plant and also of the coefficient of the non‐linear term.
I. VAKILZADEH and A.A. KESHAVARZ
In this paper the design of a controller for a relay‐controlled second‐order non‐linear unstable plant with second‐order nonlinearity will be considered. The task of the…
Abstract
In this paper the design of a controller for a relay‐controlled second‐order non‐linear unstable plant with second‐order nonlinearity will be considered. The task of the controller is the simultaneous reduction of output and output derivative to zero with the input being at zero. If the initial values of error and error derivative fall in a “controllable region”, then it is possible to reduce error and error derivative to zero, simultaneously and in the shortest possible time with at most “one” switching reversal of the relay. It will also be shown that, through simple transformation of error and error derivative, the equation of switching curve can be made independent of any constant gain of the plant, as well as the coefficient of non‐linear term.
In this paper the design of a controller for a relay controlled second order nonlinear unstable plant with fourth order nonlinearity is considered. The task of the controller is…
Abstract
In this paper the design of a controller for a relay controlled second order nonlinear unstable plant with fourth order nonlinearity is considered. The task of the controller is the simultaneous reduction of output and output derivative to zero with the input being at zero. It is established that, if the initial values of error and error derivative fall in a “controllable region”, it is possible to reduce error and error derivative to zero simultaneously and in the shortest possible time with at most one switching reversal of the relay. It is also shown that, through simple transformation of error and error derivative, the equation of the switching curve can be made independent of the constant gain of the plant, as well as the coefficient of the nonlinear term.
K. BALACHANDRAN and R.S. RAMASWAMY
In this paper, it is established that the error and error derivative can be reduced to zero simultaneously and in the shortest possible time with at most one switching reversal of…
Abstract
In this paper, it is established that the error and error derivative can be reduced to zero simultaneously and in the shortest possible time with at most one switching reversal of the relay, provided the initial values of error and error derivative fall in a controllable region.
Stylianos Karagiannis and Emmanouil Magkos
This paper aims to highlight the potential of using capture the flag (CTF) challenges, as part of an engaging cybersecurity learning experience for enhancing skills and knowledge…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the potential of using capture the flag (CTF) challenges, as part of an engaging cybersecurity learning experience for enhancing skills and knowledge acquirement of undergraduate students in academic programs.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach involves integrating interactivity, gamification, self-directed and collaborative learning attributes using a CTF hosting platform for cybersecurity education. The proposed methodology includes the deployment of a pre-engagement survey for selecting the appropriate CTF challenges in accordance with the skills and preferences of the participants. During the learning phase, storytelling elements were presented, while a behavior rubric was constructed to observe the participants’ behavior and responses during a five-week lab. Finally, a survey was created for getting feedback from the students and for extracting quantitative results based on the attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction (ARCS) model of motivational design.
Findings
Students felt more confident about their skills and were highly engaged to the learning process. The outcomes in terms of technical skills and knowledge acquisition were shown to be positive.
Research limitations/implications
As the number of participants was small, the results and information retrieved from applying the ARCS model only have an indicative value; however, specific challenges to overcome are highlighted which are important for the future deployments.
Practical implications
Educators could use the proposed approach for deploying an engaging cybersecurity learning experience in an academic program, emphasizing on providing hands-on practice labs and featuring topics from real-world cybersecurity cases. Using the proposed approach, an educator could also monitor the progress of the participants and get qualitative and quantitative statistics regarding the learning impact for each exercise.
Social implications
Educators could demonstrate modern cybersecurity topics in the classroom, closing further the gap between theory and practice. As a result, students from academia will benefit from the proposed approach by acquiring technical skills, knowledge and experience through hands-on practice in real-world cases.
Originality/value
This paper intends to bridge the existing gap between theory and practice in the topics of cybersecurity by using CTF challenges for learning purposes and not only for testing the participants’ skills. This paper offers important knowledge for enhancing cybersecurity education programs and for educators to use CTF challenges for conducting cybersecurity exercises in academia, extracting meaningful statistics regarding the learning impact.
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Kijan Vakilzadeh and Alexander Haase
Resilience is critical for organizations in today's volatile business environment, yet some will survive (and even thrive) despite adversity, while others will perish. Why do some…
Abstract
Purpose
Resilience is critical for organizations in today's volatile business environment, yet some will survive (and even thrive) despite adversity, while others will perish. Why do some organizations handle adversity better than others? The past literature confirms the importance of specific resources, capabilities and structures in dealing with adversity. However, empirical research on organizational resilience remains highly diverse, and the available results have not yet been presented succinctly.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature review of empirical research on organizational resilience was conducted to summarize the diverse findings of 69 studies, focusing on the factors that lead to resilience.
Findings
Several building blocks affect how organizations successfully anticipate, cope with and adapt to adversity. Anticipation entails environmental scanning, resilience plans, specific leadership behavior and resources. Coping necessitates particular leadership qualities, a certain organizational culture and innovation. Adaptation requires an organization to learn from adversity and initiate change processes, which influences its ability to anticipate adversity in the long run.
Originality/value
By exclusively analyzing empirical research on organizational resilience, this study summarizes and assembles the results into building blocks for organizational resilience. The findings elaborate on the composition of a concept that is known for its complexity.
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Albi Thomas and M. Suresh
Using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM), this paper aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the sustainable-resilience readiness factors for healthcare during…
Abstract
Purpose
Using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM), this paper aims to “identify”, “analyse” and “categorise” the sustainable-resilience readiness factors for healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
To obtain the data, a closed-ended questionnaire was used in addition to a scheduled interview with each respondent. To identify how the factors interact, the TISM approach was employed and the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to a classification method was used to rank and categorise the sustainable-resilience readiness factors.
Findings
This study identified ten sustainable-resilience readiness factors for healthcare during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study states that the major factors are environmental scanning, awareness and preparedness, team empowerment and working, transparent communication system, learning culture, ability to respond and monitor, organisational culture, resilience engineering, personal and professional resources and technology capability.
Research limitations/implications
The study focused primarily on sustainable-resilience readiness characteristics for the healthcare sector.
Practical implications
This research will aid key stakeholders and academics in better understanding the factors that contribute to sustainable-resilience in healthcare.
Originality/value
This study proposes the TISM technique for healthcare, which is a novel attempt in the subject of readiness for sustainable-resilience in this sector. The paper proposes a framework including a mixture of factors for sustainability and resilience in the healthcare sector for operations.
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Anne Marie Cullen, Ronald McQuaid, Yvonne Hail, Mary Kinahan, Luca D'Alonzo and Maria Chiara Leva
This paper explores and analyses the major challenges faced by both customer-facing and office-based public transport employees during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper explores and analyses the major challenges faced by both customer-facing and office-based public transport employees during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and the responses of their employers to their concerns.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were carried out, involving 39 employees and directors representing a wide range of professionals working in the transport sector in three European countries, Poland, Ireland and the UK. Data were analysed through thematic analysis and the emerging issues explored.
Findings
Major employee challenges included: access to resources for safe working; worker mental health and well-being; and the effects of changing working practices, particularly flexible working, on their wider household circumstances and work–life balance (especially combining childcare responsibilities with work). First, physical health safety measures (such as PPE) were put in place for all workers, although sometimes with delays. Second, concerning practical support for mental health and well-being at work, the findings highlight that their employers’ practical support was considered limited by some customer-facing participants. In contrast, participants working from home were offered considerably greater employer support for their well-being, including increased and regular communication regarding work and non-work-related topics to tackle isolation and lack of social interactions. Third, work–life balance, and especially childcare were significant issues for those working from home. To improve organisational resilience, employer support for workers needs to better reflect employees’ job role, work setting and location, as well as their household demands such as childcare.
Practical implications
The lessons learned from this study contribute to future employer responses and practices and their organisational resilience, both in times of major crises and also for improving mental-health and childcare support in normal times.
Originality/value
The study considers the role of employee perspectives on organisational resilience and service continuity in public transport during a crisis and in three countries. Importantly, the data were gathered contemporaneously during the early stages of the pandemic, and so are not influenced by retrospective rationalisation or uncertain recollections.
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Thomas G. Calderon, Lei Gao and Ricardo Lopes Cardoso
This chapter provides preliminary evidence to show that financial accounting students would use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve their learning if given…
Abstract
This chapter provides preliminary evidence to show that financial accounting students would use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve their learning if given the opportunity to do so by their instructors. Most students who completed the exercises we used in the study did so diligently and modified their answers after using a generative AI tool in a manner that suggests beneficial effects. It appears that the more prior knowledge a student had about the subject matter, the more beneficial was the experience. Pitfalls still exist, however. For example, students without knowledge of the subject matter struggled with crafting queries and judging the efficacy of their answers. Moreover, although a minority, some students tended to duplicate their original answers without utilizing the responses generated by the generative AI tool. Additionally, certain students merely copied the answers generated by the AI tool without providing any additional critique or analysis. Implications for teaching and learning and opportunities for future research are discussed.
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Selvi Kannan and Selin Metin Camgöz
This chapter explores how resilience in the face of difficult and crisis-ridden circumstances influences innovation. By examining Qantas and the critical role played by the CEO…
Abstract
This chapter explores how resilience in the face of difficult and crisis-ridden circumstances influences innovation. By examining Qantas and the critical role played by the CEO and Managing Director Alan Joyce, we discuss how innovation leadership amid a crisis requires resilience with a balanced approach. With a lens of self-level innovation leadership, we showcase Alan Joyce’s resilience and how that flowed onto his team and the organisation to action required changes in a creative and novel way to revitalise. The chapter contributes to the literature by further detailing about how resilience from a business leadership perspective influences the organisation’s ability to encourage innovation in a difficult and crisis-ridden environment. We believe that the lessons learned from the Qantas case can inspire companies and industries that face similar challenges to understand what it means to demonstrate resilience as a leader.