C.E. Love, M.A. Zitron and Z.G. Zhang
Considers a system (machine) that is subject to failure (breakdown). Two characterizations are presented. In the first characterization, the state of the system is described by…
Abstract
Considers a system (machine) that is subject to failure (breakdown). Two characterizations are presented. In the first characterization, the state of the system is described by the real age of the machine and the number of failures incurred to date. In the second characterization, the state of the system is described by the real age of the machine and the virtual age of the machine. In either characterization, upon failure, the unit may undergo a repair which can partially reset the failure intensity of the unit. The degree of reset assumed by the repair is a function of the characterization utilized. The other alternative, at a failure, is to conduct a major overhaul that serves to refresh the failure intensity of the unit. General cost structures, depending upon (real age, number of failures) in characterization one or (real age, virtual age) in characterization two are permitted. The decision, on failure to repair or renew is formulated as a discrete semi‐Markov Decision process. Optimal decisions are of the threshold type. The threshold rules depend upon the characterization.
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Florian C. Kleemann, Andreas Glas and Michael Essig
Faced with reduced budgets and rising service expectations, public authorities are increasingly cooperating with private businesses. This paper examines an alternative…
Abstract
Faced with reduced budgets and rising service expectations, public authorities are increasingly cooperating with private businesses. This paper examines an alternative procurement- and service delivery concept, Performance-based Logistics (PBL). It has been introduced by the US and UK armed forces. However, other nations, such as Germany, are still reluctant to follow. This article has two aims: First, to identify the conceptual characteristics of PBL, and second, to analyze potential reasons why although PBL is popular in some nations, others are so reluctant to introduce it. This will be done using a mixed method approach. The concept of PBL will be introduced by deductively developing a conceptual model of PBL using a business model framework. The analysis of PBL application will be performed using an in-depth case study from the German defense sector. This will be framed by a literature review and concluded by managerial recommendations.
Anna Marie Johnson, Claudene Sproles, Robert Detmering and Jessica English
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a selected bibliography of recent resources on library instruction and information literacy.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper introduces and annotates periodical articles, monographs, and audiovisual material examining library instruction and information literacy.
Findings
Information is provided about each source, and the paper discusses the characteristics of current scholarship, and describes sources that contain unique scholarly contributions and quality reproductions.
Originality/value
The information may be used by librarians and interested parties as a quick reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.
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This paper seeks to suggest a model for location‐based recommendation services that enable greater access to print and electronic resources.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to suggest a model for location‐based recommendation services that enable greater access to print and electronic resources.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper takes the form of a synthesis of previous work in basic and applied collections‐based wayfinding incorporating library and information science (LIS) literature on user context and system recommendations.
Findings
The paper identifies problems that will need to be solved before implementation of the production‐level recommendation service and suggests possible implications the system may have on reference and instruction services.
Originality/value
The paper provides computing workflows necessary to implement a library recommendation service based on user location. iPhone Software Developer Kit templates are leveraged for modeling data and interface prototypes. Use cases and user models are developed.
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Benedetto Manganelli and Francesco Tajani
This paper aims to propose a management model of public assets within public-private partnerships which can be applied to properties subject to a possible requalification through…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a management model of public assets within public-private partnerships which can be applied to properties subject to a possible requalification through the redevelopment and/or modification of the intended use.
Design/methodology/approach
The logic developed is described by an algorithm which borrows the mathematical tools of Operations Research to identify the solution that maximises the utility functions of the parties related to the requalification and management of a public property. The unknowns of the model are the price and concession period, while the constraints reflect the specific and reciprocal conveniences of the actors involved.
Findings
The benefits for the private investor are a reduction of the business risk, related to the lower financial outlay required by the investment, and therefore easier access to credit from banks. For the public administration, an increase in the demand of the property offered, savings in the property management costs, along with the preservation of public property. This aspect of no small importance where there is the fear of breaking up public property which local communities attach a high cultural and historic value.
Practical implications
This leads to a logical support to public administrations involved in the requalification of property assets.
Originality/value
This paper presents a strategic approach with long-term prospects, which interprets in a different way a pure concession model, which has a greater flexibility and articulation and also enriches the framework of the projects (public-private) considered necessary for the requalification of public property as well as possible urban transformation projects.
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Martine Lappé and Hannah Landecker
This study analyzes the rise of genome instability in the life sciences and traces the problematic of instability as it relates to the sociology of health. Genome instability is…
Abstract
Purpose
This study analyzes the rise of genome instability in the life sciences and traces the problematic of instability as it relates to the sociology of health. Genome instability is the study of how genomes change and become variable between generations and within organisms over the life span. Genome instability reflects a significant departure from the Platonic genome imagined during the Human Genome Project. The aim of this chapter is to explain and analyze research on copy number variation and somatic mosaicism to consider the implications of these sciences for sociologists interested in genomics.
Methodology/approach
This chapter draws on two multi-sited ethnographies of contemporary biomedical science and literature in the sociology of health, science, and biomedicine to document a shift in thinking about the genome from fixed and universal to highly variable and influenced by time and context.
Findings
Genomic instability has become a framework for addressing how genomes change and become variable between generations and within organisms over the life span. Instability is a useful framework for analyzing changes in the life sciences in the post-genomic era.
Research implications
Genome instability requires life scientists to address how differences both within and between individuals articulate with shifting disease categories and classifications. For sociologists, these findings have implications for studies of identity, sociality, and clinical experience.
Originality/value
This is the first sociological analysis of genomic instability. It identifies practical and conceptual implications of genomic instability for life scientists and helps sociologists delineate new approaches to the study of genomics in the post-genomic era.
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The purpose of this paper is to understand the mobile pervasiveness among different categories of student’s gender-wise vis-a-vis to investigate user perception to access library…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the mobile pervasiveness among different categories of student’s gender-wise vis-a-vis to investigate user perception to access library content in innovative ways. The study tries to understand the potential demand of some features in mobile library initiatives. In addition, this study aims to determine willingness and need of mobile library services. The information gained from the study is intended to help the libraries to realize the growing demand of mobile library services.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire was designed to gather feedback on student’s perception regarding the important mobile service features which they find useful to be included in different library initiatives. The aim was to understand the pervasiveness of mobile devices and information needs in Indian Academia. Moreover, which features can be added to new initiatives so as to deliver robust services to the users in their comfort zones.
Findings
The responses received indicate that a significant number of students are ready to adopt mobile library initiatives with the desired features in them, if provided to them by their respective libraries. The results of the study have provided the necessary information on what the users really want. It is therefore incumbent upon the universities/institutions of higher education to start to work with the Web-based library services and move it into mobile library service.
Research limitations/implications
The findings of this study provide a benchmark of mobile library initiatives with the choicest features based on the user perception. The data collected may also give an indication about compelling services that could help the users to access information ubiquitously.
Originality/value
Libraries can better serve their patrons by understanding the growing capabilities of mobile devices; it is incumbent upon libraries to mobilize their services by embracing mobile library initiatives. Moreover, to realize the needs of users and provide only such services which are more in demand.
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The purpose of this paper is to establish a conceptual framework to assist decision makers in identifying an appropriate decision-supporting method (DSM) to evaluate…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to establish a conceptual framework to assist decision makers in identifying an appropriate decision-supporting method (DSM) to evaluate public-private partnership (PPP) contract types in a disciplined and systematic manner.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic literature review was conducted to compare and analyse DSMs in construction procurement processes, and explore the benefits and limitations of using DSMs. A conceptual framework is then developed to accommodate client characteristics when selecting DSM in a PPP context. An example was obtained to illustrate the implementation of the proposed framework.
Findings
DSMs employed in the procurement method selection are identified by using a systemic literature review. The benefits and limitations of each DSM are established and comparisons of DSMs are provided to fit the client characteristics and a conceptual framework is developed to assist decision makers in choosing DSM for contract selection.
Originality/value
This paper demonstrates a link between DSMs and PPP contracts which adds value at the stage of PPP contract evaluation. Also, the proposed framework sheds some light on an important aspect of the public sector to consider the improvement of current policies (PPP framework/guideline).
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This paper aims to analyse the findings of the relevant studies, to summarise what has been done in this area, to direct future research and to improve private finance initiative…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse the findings of the relevant studies, to summarise what has been done in this area, to direct future research and to improve private finance initiative (PFI) practice. PFI is a new form of contracting out public facilities to the private sector, where facility management was integrated with construction. There have been a large number of academic papers published on this subject; however, there is a lack of a systematic review of the PFI-related studies.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature search focused on international peer-reviewed and published literature, with relevance to PFI. The search of literature, following the method of Tang et al. (2010) and Al-Sharif and Kaka (2004), involved the titles, keywords and abstracts, from some major electronic databases (Web of Science, Engineering Village, Science Direct (Elsevier) and Springer Link) of publications published between 1992 and 2011. The data were classified into six categories for further analysis.
Findings
As a new way to procure public facility management, PFI projects have unique characteristics in comparison to conventional construction procurement. The review of the literature regarding PFI is important in terms of summarising the key findings and suggestions of studies for industry practitioners, as well as forecasting the future academic research trends in this area. The number of research works on PFI increased quickly in recent years; however, the review discovered there were still some issues not yet covered in the literature.
Research limitations/implications
This review is not exhaustive in nature, as the criteria in selecting research papers only included English-written, peer-reviewed journals from some major electronic literature databases. This is the limitation of the research. Further review on a wider range of literature is recommended for researchers.
Originality/value
Since PFI was introduced to the construction industry to fund infrastructure 20 years ago in the UK, it has gained interests from scholars. In this new form of contracting out public facilities to the private sector, facility management was integrated with construction. There have been a large number of academic papers published on this subject; however, there is a lack of a systematic review of the PFI studies.
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Arshad Ali JAVED, Patrick T.I. Lam and Albert P.C. Chan
Social infrastructure projects such as hospitals are increasingly being procured through public private partnerships (PPP). Due to their complex nature and very high operational…
Abstract
Purpose
Social infrastructure projects such as hospitals are increasingly being procured through public private partnerships (PPP). Due to their complex nature and very high operational requirements, these healthcare projects need special attention in developing robust output specifications at the early procurement stage. The purpose of this paper is to present a model framework of output specifications for adoption by public sector clients in jurisdictions planning to develop hospital PPP/PFI (Private Finance Initiative) projects.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on an in-depth analysis of best practices from standard and sample project output specification documents used in Australia and the UK for completed hospital projects, reinforced by interviews with key stakeholders in the two countries.
Findings
Drafting output specifications for hospital PPP projects is perceived to be a difficult and challenging task due to the complexity and changing needs brought about by evolving health policy, technology and medical advancement. The overarching target of preparing good output specification is to achieve value for money, innovation, risk transfer (including catering for changes), whole life asset performance and establishing performance criteria to link up with the payment mechanism.
Practical/implications
The proposed framework is built up from public sector requirements on the physical asset, operational services provided by the private sector, with links to payment mechanism and performance evaluation. It also addresses change mechanism as well as conditions upon hand-over back to the public sector.
Originality/value
Unlike traditional projects which are procured using prescriptive specifications, PPP/PFI projects are procured using performance based output specifications. This paper provides the foundation and a model framework for preparing comprehensive output specifications based on best practices in Australia and the UK, using hospital as the contextual background.