Search results

This paper discusses an electrostatic, homogeneous field in a uniform two‐dimensional domain with Neumann's boundary conditions. The boundary conditions are known only at some segments of the boundary. The synthesis is understood as the computation of the remaining boundary conditions which would ensure the required potential distribution in some subdomains within the boundary. The introduction of a single‐layer potential leads to Fredholm's equation of the second order. Stepwise approximation of the source distribution along the boundary rearranges Fredholm's equation and the requirements concerning the single layer potential distribution. It leads to a matrix equation with a rectangular coefficient matrix. In order to solve approximately this equation, in the sense of the least squares minimization, the singular value decomposition (SVD) method is used. The choice of subdomains with determined potential distribution influences significantly the conditioning of the equation. Easy selection of an acceptable solution among all possible solutions proves the suitability of the SVD method in the above problem. The numerical experiments reported in the paper are a good illustration of this.

In the paper establishing the benchmark tests for open boundary problems as it has been done in other branches of electromagnetic field calculations is proposed. Consideration is given to what input and output data should be defined for the benchmark problems. In the appendix one proposal for benchmark problems is presented.

In this paper, Sensitivity Method (SM) was used to the identification of boundary conditions. Particular attention in this paper was paid to the Levenberg‐Marquardt (L‐M) regularization method, because the inverse problems of the electromagnetic field are not well conditioned in typical cases. It was proved that using some information about the expected solution, the L‐M regularization method gives satisfactory results even in such cases where the singular value analysis (SVA) fails. The identified boundary conditions were compared with the results obtained by using the direct least squares (LS) method.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the interrelations between the evolution of industrial relations (IR) and IR research in Poland in the historical context. Two questions are put forward: How was the evolution of the IR system in Poland influenced by the re-constitution of a particular model of the capitalism and the strategies and struggle of IR actors? How were the ways of approaching and theorizing IR influenced by the aforementioned evolution?

The paper draws upon academic literature, secondary data on actors and processes of IR as well as four expert interviews with the representatives of the first generation of IR scholars in Poland.

The paper suggests that the development of the IR system and the related scholarship can be divided into three phases: the pre-1989 period characterised by the lack of autonomous interests representation and rather limited IR research; the early development of the post-1989 IR system marked by the debates on the integrative role of IR as peacekeeping mechanism in the period of deep economic and political changes (1989-2004); the post-EU accession consolidation of the IR system characterised by the weakness of the IR actors vis-à-vis the state and increasing neo-etatist tendencies.

This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on the relationships between the emergent models of Eastern European capitalism and the evolution of IR systems. It critically analyses the state of the discussion on the IR field Poland emphasising the relevance of political-economic factors as well as the ideology of “social peace” for both the evolution of the IR system in the country and the state of the IR debate.

Examines the sixteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

The authors have recently been seeing a rising trend towards sustainability and innovation among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kuwait, especially through the use of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were introduced by United Nations in 2015. In Kuwait, corporations such as Zain and NBK have already implemented the SDGs as part of their main objective to create a better future for their companies. This research attempts to explore the reasons why entrepreneurs in SMEs are implementing the SDGs and specifically goal number 12 (SDG 12).

With this research drawing on a qualitative approach, a sample of 20 participants who operated at the executive level of the SMEs were chosen randomly using the “snowball” sampling from different industries, including the food and beverage and beauty and service sectors, and were interviewed.

The results revealed that most SMEs in Kuwait are considering their approach to sustainability. Although these SMEs are following a global trend, the Kuwait government does not support them in adopting sustainability rules and regulations.

This research contributes to the existing literature by presenting new knowledge about SMEs in Kuwait implementing the SDGs. It also makes an empirical contribution to the SME and entrepreneurship literature by exploring the reasons for adopting these goals. This study is one of very few that have explored the SDGs in Kuwait, and it can provide grounds for future research on SMEs' adoption in Kuwait of future SGDs. Recommendations and future directions are presented.

The findings add to the empirical literature by revealing the reasons why entrepreneurs in SMEs are implementing SDG 12. Furthermore, the findings will open doors for future research in this field.

Examines the seventeenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.

In repetitive projects, repetition offers more possibilities for activity scheduling at the sub-activity level. However, existing resource-constrained repetitive scheduling problem (RCRSP) models assume that there is only one sequence in performing the sub-activities of each activity, resulting in an inefficient resource allocation. This paper proposes a novel repetitive scheduling model for solving RCRSP with soft logic.

In this paper, a constraint programming model is developed to solve the RCRSP using soft logic, aiming at the possible relationship between parallel execution, orderly execution or partial parallel and partial orderly execution of different sub activities of the same activity in repetitive projects. The proposed model integrated crew assignment strategies and allowed continuous or fragmented execution.

When solving RCRSP, it is necessary to take soft logic into account. If managers only consider the fixed logic between sub-activities, they are likely to develop a delayed schedule. The practicality and effectiveness of the model were verified by a housing project based on eight different scenarios. The results showed that the constraint programming model outperformed its equivalent mathematical model in terms of solving speed and solution quality.

Available studies assume a fixed logic between sub-activities of the same activity in repetitive projects. However, there is no fixed construction sequence between sub-activities for some projects, e.g. hotel renovation projects. Therefore, this paper considers the soft logic relationship between sub-activities and investigates how to make the objective optimal without violating the resource availability constraint.

The use of mobile devices by children and adolescents is increasing significantly; therefore, it is relevant to research the level of advertising literacy (AL) of parents who act as mediators between children and mobile advertising. This study aims to explore the conceptual, moral and attitudinal dimensions of AL and its relationship with different styles of parental control.

A cross-sectional survey was applied simultaneously to a sample of parents with children between 5 and 16 years old in three Spanish-speaking countries: Mexico, Spain and Colombia. Participants from the three countries were recruited via online social media networks and were asked to fill in an online survey. A questionnaire, which has been adapted from previous literature to suit the mobile advertising context and the population of interest, was designed. Cross-country samples of varying sizes, with a predetermined quota of 200 participants for each country, were used. The total sample consisted of 1,454 participants.

Four factors of mobile AL were found, which, to a greater extent, correspond to the dimensions of AL proposed in the literature. The following are the dimensions that were identified: cognitive, moral, attitudinal and an emerging factor is known as “children’s perceived mobile AL.” Differences in parents’ perceived knowledge of mobile advertising, parental control styles and AL levels in the three countries were identified. Parents with an authoritative style were identified to have more knowledge than those with an indulgent style. Differences were also identified between countries concerning the amount of exposure that children have to mobile advertising, while no significant differences were found in the moral dimension.

Marketing practitioners and public policymakers must consider that parents differ in some dimensions of AL. Parents also seem to lack adequate knowledge about the advertising tools available to announcers that affect children and adolescents in a mobile communication environment. Therefore, government agencies should consider developing mobile digital media literacy programs for parents.

This paper explores the dimensions of AL applied to the mobile context and identifies the level of parental mobile AL in three Spanish-speaking countries, as well as the differences between these sub-samples concerning parental mobile AL profiles and parental control styles, thus expanding the literature on AL with a cross-cultural approach.

This study aims to define, classify and interconnect the wide range of known entrepreneurial abilities with terms such as skills, capabilities and competencies, which have been used inconsistently within the entrepreneurial field.

This investigation is based on a systematic literature review and strengthened by a meta-analysis equipped with a bibliometric study to assist the generation of outcomes with a quantitative investigation.

This study proposes an evolving entrepreneurial ability model which interconnects genetic and acquired skill types, capabilities and competencies and is equipped with an Entrepreneurial Skills Map essential to operate in the 21st century.

The proposed model is specific to the entrepreneurial field.

This study supports universities and government agencies for the development of educational programs to prepare current and future entrepreneurs to match the changes in the new environment that has emerged with the COVID-19 pandemic.

This research contributes to the entrepreneurship research domain by shedding light on the inconsistent use of non-standardised terminologies and providing an entrepreneurial model and updated skills map to guide scholars to frame research in the post-COVID era with more clarity.