James Yiming Zhang, Jing Wu, Gregor v. Bochmann and Michel Savoie
The purpose of this paper is to present the benefits of using the Lagrangian relaxation (LR) and subgradient methods in scenario studies for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the benefits of using the Lagrangian relaxation (LR) and subgradient methods in scenario studies for wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network planning. The problem of WDM network planning for a given set of lightpath demands in a mesh topology network is to select lightpath routes and then allocate wavelength channels to the lightpaths. In WDM network planning, a scenario study is to find out the network performance under different lightpath demands and/or different network resource configurations.
Design/methodology/approach
A scenario study must solve a series of related static WDM network planning problems. Each static WDM network planning problem is an optimization problem, and may be formulated as an integer linear programming problem, which can be solved by the proposed Lagrangian relaxation and subgradient methods. This paper uses the Lagrange multipliers that are obtained from previous scenarios as initial Lagrange multiplier values for other related scenarios.
Findings
This approach dramatically reduces the computation time for related scenarios. For small to medium variations of scenarios, the method reduces the computation time by several folds. The proposed method is the first method that effectively considers the relations between related scenarios, and uses such relations to improve the computation efficiency of scenario studies in WDM network planning.
Practical implications
The method improves the efficiency of a scenario study in WDM network planning. By using it, many “what‐if” type of scenario study questions can be answered quickly.
Originality/value
Unlike other existing methods that treat each scenario individually, this method effectively uses the information of the relation between different scenarios to improve the overall computation efficiency.
Details
Keywords
Eduard Grasa, Sergi Figuerola, Albert López, Gabriel Junyent, Michel Savoie, Bill St Arnaud and Mathieu Lemay
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of using the UCLP software for network operators, advanced and regular end users in the research networking…
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the advantages of using the UCLP software for network operators, advanced and regular end users in the research networking community. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides an example of the deployment of UCLP in the GÉANT2/National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) scenario, and compares how network operators, advanced users and regular end users would do their work, with and without UCLP. Findings – The paper provides high‐level technical information about UCLP as well as depicting the drivers for its use in the European research networking community. Research limitations/implications – This paper does not explain the details of the deployment of the software in the GÉANT2/National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) scenario, it just explains the benefits that the deployment of the software would provide. If the deployment was to be done today, some improvements to UCLP should be done, as well as support for more equipment vendors should be added. Practical implications – UCLP could provide more flexibility to the e‐science community if it was deployed over the European research networking infrastructure, because it would isolate network users from each other while providing them an unprecedented degree of control over the network. Originality/value – Nowadays, several control/management solutions for networks exist, but none that is capable of partitioning a physical network into slices and handoff its management to the users, like UCLP does. This is the first UCLP paper that studies a hypothetical deployment of UCLP in the European research networking scenario, and evaluates the drivers and implications of such a deployment.
Details
Keywords
The author presents a synthesis of research on the concept of territory in the field of tourism, taking into consideration the point of view of visitors, local population…
Abstract
The author presents a synthesis of research on the concept of territory in the field of tourism, taking into consideration the point of view of visitors, local population, politics an dpublic administration, as well as organizers and sales persons. His research is based on the results of studies in the alpine region as one of the most important tourism areas.
Details
Keywords
Pascal Bacoup, Cedric Michel, Georges Habchi and Magali Pralus
This paper deals with the subject of “Lean Normalization.” The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive methodology which combines the benefits of both International…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper deals with the subject of “Lean Normalization.” The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive methodology which combines the benefits of both International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards and Lean Management. The application of this methodology leads manufacturing or service companies to certification without creating more documentation. It guarantees agility and flexibility in the day-to-day management of the company, and induces lower costs and reduced times. This methodology provides a new way of tackling the implementation of ISO standards in a company.
Design/methodology/approach
This methodology is based on the synergistic combination of both ISO standards (Quality Management System) and the key concepts of Lean Management. After a short presentation of ISO standards and Lean Management, the possibility of implementing a synergy between these two different approaches will be discussed. At this point, ISO 9001 standards will be focused on. The proposed methodology will be introduced step by step. Each step of the model will be formalized using the Structured Analysis and Design Technique graphic representation tool. Moreover, each step is associated with a key concept of Lean Management. In order to illustrate the proposed method, an example of implementation will also be presented.
Findings
To show the feasibility of this methodology, this paper finishes with a summary of the results achieved in a company and draws some interesting conclusions. Companies have the possibility of achieving certification in combination with a Lean Quality Management System (LQMS): a one-page quality manual, only ten records, no major non-conformities and no customer complaints over a two-year period.
Research limitations/implications
The methodology may have to be adapted to better suit the needs of companies seeking to implement the latest version of the ISO 9001 standards.
Practical implications
This paper presents the deployment of ISO 9001 standards whilst simultaneously respecting key Lean Management concepts. The practical results for enterprises are the implementation of an LQMS leading to a certification.
Social implications
This paper presents a new method combining both ISO standards and Lean Management concepts to achieve certification with an LQMS.
Originality/value
Due to its simplicity and the relevance of its steps, the proposed methodology can be applied to companies with a guaranteed success of certification.
Details
Keywords
Jacques Bourgault and Stèphane Dion
Many relationships between politicians and bureaucrats are based on an energy‐equilibrium model where the politicians provide energy and the bureaucrats, equilibrium. According to…
Abstract
Many relationships between politicians and bureaucrats are based on an energy‐equilibrium model where the politicians provide energy and the bureaucrats, equilibrium. According to this model, conflicts occur when one partner does not adequately fulfill his or her expected role. This model may be fruitfully used to study the relationship between the politician, the career bureaucrat, and the political appointee. The division of roles among this “ménage à trois” is particularly difficult and often generates tension. The situation is most prone to conflict when the government is in a period of change. At such times, the newly elected politicians have a tendency to mistrust the established bureaucracy and to depend almost exclusively on their political appointees. The dysfunctions induced by this phenomenon, in regard to the capacity of the bureaucracy to adequately fulfill its equilibrium role, are very clearly illustrated by the Canadian political transition of 1984, when the federal government was handed over to the Progressive Conservative Party. A series of interviews with ministers, senior civil servants, and senior policy advisors, all of whom had ringside seats to this transition, shows how the extensive power granted to ministerial offices aggravated the difficulties usually associated with a period of transition. This particular transition illustrates how important it is for the newly elected to ensure that their partisan policy advisors play their roles without getting in the way of the indispensable cooperation which must be established between ministers and senior civil servants.
Rosario Michel-Villarreal, Eliseo Luis Vilalta-Perdomo and Martin Hingley
The purpose of this study is to explore food producers' motivations and challenges whilst participating in short food supply chains (SFSCs). This paper compares findings with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore food producers' motivations and challenges whilst participating in short food supply chains (SFSCs). This paper compares findings with previous literature and investigates the topic in the context of producers' motivations.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper includes a literature review concerning producers' motivations to engage in SFSCs. A case study was designed to investigate motivations underlying producers' engagement in SFSCs, as well as the challenges that they face. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a farmers' market located in Mexico. Thematic analysis is used to identify the principal issues for producers'. Propositions based on findings are presented.
Findings
Findings suggest that small, large, part-time and full-time producers are willing to engage with farmers' markets for diverse primary economic and non-economic motivations. Individual and collective challenges were also identified.
Originality/value
This research helps to explain producers' motivations and challenges within SFSCs in an under-researched context, namely a focus on producers' and in the Global South.
Details
Keywords
Alexandre J.S. Morin, Christian Vandenberghe, Jean‐Sébastien Boudrias, Isabelle Madore, Julien Morizot and Michel Tremblay
This paper seeks to examine the relationships between affective commitment and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) across four foci: organizations, supervisors, coworkers…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to examine the relationships between affective commitment and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) across four foci: organizations, supervisors, coworkers, and customers. Further, it aims to determine whether relationships among commitments and OCBs involve mediated linkages.
Design/methodology/approach
This study relies on matched employee‐supervisor data (n=216). The relative fit of different models representing relationships among commitments and OCBs was examined using structural equations modeling.
Findings
Results revealed that commitments to coworkers, customers and supervisors displayed positive relationships with OCBs directed at parallel foci. In addition, commitment to the global organization partially and negatively mediated the relationship of commitments to coworkers and customers to parallel OCBs dimensions. Results also revealed cross‐foci relationships between local commitments and OCBs. Finally, no commitment target was significantly associated with organization‐directed OCBs but the latter were positively related to local OCBs.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates that multiple commitments and OCBs are involved in a complex net of relationships among which local foci play a critical, and positive, role.
Details
Keywords
Aux experts axés trop exclusivement sur l'économie, le Professeur Hunziker rappelait opportunément que «l'homme lui‐même est le vrai centre du tourisme» et que la fonction…
Abstract
Aux experts axés trop exclusivement sur l'économie, le Professeur Hunziker rappelait opportunément que «l'homme lui‐même est le vrai centre du tourisme» et que la fonction économique du tourisme n'est que «subsidiaire», alors que «sa mission humanitaire» est «éminente».
Tim Calkins and Julien Dangles
The senior management team at Leclerc, one of the largest retailers in France, is considering how best to maintain growth in the highly regulated French retail industry. Strict…
Abstract
The senior management team at Leclerc, one of the largest retailers in France, is considering how best to maintain growth in the highly regulated French retail industry. Strict limits on pricing and store construction will significantly limit Leclerc's flexibility; many of the traditional growth levers cannot be used. These regulations also have a major impact on competition. The executives at Leclerc must identify the optimal growth plan and then consider whether it will deliver the desired growth.
The case can be used to examine three areas: growth strategy for established businesses, non-market strategy, and marketing planning. It provides an interesting look at the French retail industry and highlights the role of government regulations in shaping the competitive playing field.
Details

Keywords
Deutsches Wirtschaftswissenschaftliches Institut für Fremdenverkehr an der Universität München Am 2. Juni 1970 fand die Mitgliederversammlung des Deutschen…
Abstract
Deutsches Wirtschaftswissenschaftliches Institut für Fremdenverkehr an der Universität München Am 2. Juni 1970 fand die Mitgliederversammlung des Deutschen Wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Instituts für Fremdenverkehr an der Universität München statt. Unter dem Vorsitz von Dr. E. Mayerhofer, dem geschäftsführenden Vorstandsmitglied, wurden vorab die Regularien behandelt.