ANNE M. LANDIN and MATS H. PERSSON
Quality systems are being adopted by the Swedish building industry to an increasing degree. The present paper examines two categories of specialist contractors — electrical…
Abstract
Quality systems are being adopted by the Swedish building industry to an increasing degree. The present paper examines two categories of specialist contractors — electrical contractors, and plumbing, heating and ventilation contractors — and the introduction of quality systems in these environments. The companies were assessed in terms of the ISO 9001 standard and the Crosby Quality Management Maturity Grid. The evaluation shows that much has been accomplished in efforts to ensure quality, but that much is yet to be done. Considering the investment in resources which the introduction of a quality system represented for these firms, it is noteworthy that none of them measured the effects of quality control in a concrete way. A specific instrument, based on ISO 9001 and the Crosby Grid, is seen as applicable. The importance of developing the evaluation of quality systems further is emphasized, an approach which can be used both by suppliers and by customers.
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Mats Persson and Magnus Frostenson
As an object of study, mergers and acquisitions are often characterized as containing two entities that in one way or the other become one. Metaphorically, researchers frequently…
Abstract
As an object of study, mergers and acquisitions are often characterized as containing two entities that in one way or the other become one. Metaphorically, researchers frequently talk about this relationship in terms of a “marriage.” In this chapter, the authors discuss the marriage metaphor with regard to its adequacy in M&A studies. The authors suggest that the metaphor contains strong normative understandings that to some extent condition how we understand M&As. This chapter highlights three dimensions to problematize the metaphor: sequence of events, number of partners, and power relations in a marriage. For each dimension, the underlying metaphorical belief is discussed and a specific risk is identified. The general message is that M&A research should consider more closely the nature of the relationship between the two (or more) parties of M&A to provide a better understanding of which situations that are actually studied.
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There are several urban areas close to the sea and other water bodies that may be adversely affected by erosion and flooding. Global climate change, including sea‐level rise and…
Abstract
Purpose
There are several urban areas close to the sea and other water bodies that may be adversely affected by erosion and flooding. Global climate change, including sea‐level rise and more intense and damaging storms, will increase the threats of natural hazards in several areas. Mitigating and adapting to these risks in urban areas are huge challenges for society. There is a need for a proper decision basis to build a society that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. By incorporating coastal hazard and risk mapping into spatial planning, new developments can be diverted away from threatened areas. Further, by taking adaptation measures, risks in existing urban areas can be reduced. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper presents the results of two case studies and discusses the prerequisites for impact assessment and project appraisal and how this is used and accepted by the users and decision‐makers.
Findings
A guideline has been developed as a tool for the integration of costs and benefits in decision making on investments in coastal zones. The guideline gives an overview of why, when, and how impact assessments and project appraisals can be made using socio‐economic valuations of coastal areas affected by erosion. Two case studies have been performed to demonstrate the practical application of the guideline and economic analysis and valuation in coastal management.
Originality/value
The guideline can be used to prioritise areas that need attention due to threatened shorelines, and to decide which preventive measures are the most efficient from a socio‐economic point of view.
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Hannes Holm, Teodor Sommestad, Jonas Almroth and Mats Persson
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if automated vulnerability scanning accurately identifies vulnerabilities in computer networks and if this accuracy is contingent on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate if automated vulnerability scanning accurately identifies vulnerabilities in computer networks and if this accuracy is contingent on the platforms used.
Design/methodology/approach
Both qualitative comparisons of functionality and quantitative comparisons of false positives and false negatives are made for seven different scanners. The quantitative assessment includes data from both authenticated and unauthenticated scans. Experiments were conducted on a computer network of 28 hosts with various operating systems, services and vulnerabilities. This network was set up by a team of security researchers and professionals.
Findings
The data collected in this study show that authenticated vulnerability scanning is usable. However, automated scanning is not able to accurately identify all vulnerabilities present in computer networks. Also, scans of hosts running Windows are more accurate than scans of hosts running Linux.
Research limitations/implications
This paper focuses on the direct output of automated scans with respect to the vulnerabilities they identify. Areas such as how to interpret the results assessed by each scanner (e.g. regarding remediation guidelines) or aggregating information about individual vulnerabilities into risk measures are out of scope.
Practical implications
This paper describes how well automated vulnerability scanners perform when it comes to identifying security issues in a network. The findings suggest that a vulnerability scanner is a useable tool to have in your security toolbox given that user credentials are available for the hosts in your network. Manual effort is however needed to complement automated scanning in order to get satisfactory accuracy regarding network security problems.
Originality/value
Previous studies have focused on the qualitative aspects on vulnerability assessment. This study presents a quantitative evaluation of seven of the most popular vulnerability scanners available on the market.
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Mert Gülçür, Dmitry Isakov, Jérôme Charmet and Gregory J. Gibbons
This study aims to investigate the demoulding characteristics of material-jetted rapid mould inserts having different surface textures for micro-injection moulding using in-line…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the demoulding characteristics of material-jetted rapid mould inserts having different surface textures for micro-injection moulding using in-line measurements and surface metrology.
Design/methodology/approach
Material-jetted inserts with the negative cavity of a circular test product were fabricated using different surface finishes and printing configurations, including glossy, matte and vertical settings. In-line measurements included the recording of demoulding forces at 10 kHz, which was necessary to capture the highly-dynamic characteristics. A robust data processing algorithm was used to extract reliable demoulding energies per moulding run. Thermal imaging captured surface temperatures on the inserts after demoulding. Off-line measurements, including focus variation microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, compared surface textures after a total of 60 moulding runs.
Findings
A framework for capturing demoulding energies from material-jetted rapid tools was demonstrated and compared to the literature. Glossy surfaces resulted in significantly reduced demoulding forces compared to the industry standard steel moulds in the literature and their material-jetted counterparts. Minimal changes in the surface textures of the material-jetted inserts were found, which could potentially permit their prolonged usage. Significant correlations between surface temperatures and demoulding energies were demonstrated.
Originality/value
The research presented here addresses the very topical issue of demoulding characteristics of soft, rapid tools, which affect the quality of prototyped products and tool durability. This was done using state-of-the-art, high-speed sensing technologies in conjunction with surface metrology and their durability for the first time in the literature.
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Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some…
Abstract
Aim of the present monograph is the economic analysis of the role of MNEs regarding globalisation and digital economy and in parallel there is a reference and examination of some legal aspects concerning MNEs, cyberspace and e‐commerce as the means of expression of the digital economy. The whole effort of the author is focused on the examination of various aspects of MNEs and their impact upon globalisation and vice versa and how and if we are moving towards a global digital economy.
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Mats Ekelid, Hans Lind, Stellan Lundström and Erik Persson
The article is based on a study of 100 appraisal reports from the period 1980‐1996, covering a full property cycle. A number of aspects related to uncertainty were investigated…
Abstract
The article is based on a study of 100 appraisal reports from the period 1980‐1996, covering a full property cycle. A number of aspects related to uncertainty were investigated. Among the results are: The appraiser often used both a sales comparison and an income method. Both methods usually led to very similar results, probably because the appraiser used an iterative procedure to make the results converge. During the boom years, the value was usually presented as a point estimate or a narrow range. After the crash, point estimates are unusual and wider ranges dominate. Sensitivity analysis were almost never used during the boom. Thereafter it can be found in about 50 per cent of the reports. During the boom it became more common to make explicit reservations stating that the appraisal only concerned the market value “now”, and that no statement is made about the future market value. The results are in line with observations from other countries pointing to the neglect of uncertainty during the boom years. Finally it is recommended that at least qualitative information should be given about the strength of the evidence and about the probability distribution of actual prices. How the values on the relevant market have developed during the last ten years should be presented so that the client can judge the variability of the market value.