R.H. Stillman and M. Darveniza
Decision making in respect of hazard and safety analysis in the face of uncertain data in the management of widespread distribution systems is focused on. The narrow…
Abstract
Decision making in respect of hazard and safety analysis in the face of uncertain data in the management of widespread distribution systems is focused on. The narrow interpretation by Courts of the “foreseeable event” has become the benchmark of liability where power system failures have resulted in loss of life, injury or destruction of property; occurrences, the prediction of which relates more to the probability of extreme event combinations than to the assessment of availability by classically‐oriented reliability statistics. The work outlines a computer‐based inferential procedure which combines adverse weather to a probabilistic assessment of failure resulting from a combination of contributing events. The technique utilises Monte‐Carlo simulation in assigning the adverse weather to common mode data analysis in the derivation of failure state conditional probabilities. Limited sensitivity studies have been performed using Northern Rivers Electricity, emphasis being placed on evaluating preventative maintenance as a function of optimal time intervals, priorities and costs.
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R.H. Stillman, M. Darveniza and G. Shannon
This article is concerned with the application of human statistical techniques to risk engineering in the electricity distribution system in Australia. It examines legal…
Abstract
This article is concerned with the application of human statistical techniques to risk engineering in the electricity distribution system in Australia. It examines legal negligence in terms of the cause of action, care and duty, and economic criteria. A mathematical hazard model of risk analysis is presented.
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Addresses modelling liability for legal negligence and the marginal cost of accidents, with special reference to the ageing and maintenance of the components of electric…
Abstract
Addresses modelling liability for legal negligence and the marginal cost of accidents, with special reference to the ageing and maintenance of the components of electric transmission and distribution lines. The methodology, which is based on the formula‐tion suggested by Judge Learned Hand, considers the use of a conditional failure distribution related to the age and degradation of a component to define the accident probability. Discusses issues of engineering risk, cost‐benefit and limited resources in the context of a “reasonable standard of care” and the common law question of “how safe is safe enough”?
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Sony Mathew and Hamid Seddighi
This paper provides remarkable insight into the structural components of a firm's core competence and its development via research and development (R&D) activities for innovation…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper provides remarkable insight into the structural components of a firm's core competence and its development via research and development (R&D) activities for innovation and exporting activities.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors have used a positivist design and a deductive methodology. The authors have examined the extant literature developing a theoretical framework to empirically investigate the relationships between a firm's core competence, organisational learning (OL), tacitness, dynamic capability and R&D activities. To carry out this investigation, the authors have collected stratified sample data from 330 firms operating in North East England, a peripheral region of England.
Findings
The authors have found that there are indeed significant statistical relationships between these structural components, R&D activities and a firm's core competence, and this nexus is pertinent to innovation and exporting. Furthermore, it is found that North East England is significantly constrained by the lack of finance, technological capability, experts and brain drain. Based on these findings, the authors propose a cooperative R&D framework to narrow down these constraints to assist firms in developing core competencies for innovation and exporting in peripheral regions.
Social implications
There is an urgent need to investigate the incidence of knowledge-driven activities, R&D, the extent of innovation and exporting activities of firms operating in North East England, a peripheral region of the United Kingdom (UK).
Originality/value
This study provides an original and systematic investigation of the firm's core competence and its formation via key structural components for innovation and exporting within an empirical framework.
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Xiaolin Xing and Fang‐Fang Tang
In this study, we compare the pricing behavior between online branches of traditional retailers (OBTRs) and online‐only retailers (ORs). Focusing on branded electronics sold…
Abstract
In this study, we compare the pricing behavior between online branches of traditional retailers (OBTRs) and online‐only retailers (ORs). Focusing on branded electronics sold online, we find that no significant pricing differences between ORs and OBTRs, but ORs seem to price slightly higher than OBTRs both in terms of posted‐ and full‐prices online. This result seems unique in online retail markets, contrary to the observations in the online markets of books, CDs and DVDs. The evidence also shows that both types of online retailers do not change their prices frequently, but adjustment magnitudes are large.
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Matthew Walker, Melanie Sartore and Robin Taylor
Outsourcing has been promoted as one of the most powerful trends in the modernization of marketing operations. The rationale for such an undertaking includes a variety of factors…
Abstract
Purpose
Outsourcing has been promoted as one of the most powerful trends in the modernization of marketing operations. The rationale for such an undertaking includes a variety of factors but is generally predicated on fiduciary considerations. The purpose of this article is to examine the issues with, and the empirical consequences of, outsourcing within the intercollegiate marketing context.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an exploratory mixed‐methods study incorporating qualitative and quantitative data to investigate outsourcing specifically related to the communication‐employee commitment relationship.
Findings
Results from study 1 reveal that marketing directors perceive outsourcing as critical but also experience dissatisfaction with the level, frequency, and direction of communication. Results from study 2 indicate that an explicit and positive relationship exists between employee satisfaction with communication and their resultant commitment to the organization.
Research limitations/implications
Owing to the exploratory nature of the study and a relatively small sample, the conclusions are tempered until subsequent studies have been performed. As well, specific moderating variables (e.g. size, culture, budget) were not included in this initial inquiry and as such may add considerable variance explained to the proposed relationship.
Practical implications
First, the authors suggest that managing the “right commitment” is essential for marketing departments when working with an outsourcing agency. Second, the authors call attention to the importance of certain contextual factors (e.g. shared knowledge, mutual dependency, and organizational linkage) that may serve to improve the outsourcing partnership.
Originality/value
Few papers have explored the communication‐commitment relationship, particularly with regards to outsourcing. Consequently, this study adds to the research by examining how intercollegiate marketing employees perceive and react to an outsourcing partnership. Building on additional work in this area, the research focuses on several aspects of the communication‐commitment framework not previously examined.
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Tim Baines, Gwyn Kay, Sola Adesola and Martin Higson
This paper describes research that has sought to create a formal and rational process that guides manufacturers through the strategic positioning decision.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper describes research that has sought to create a formal and rational process that guides manufacturers through the strategic positioning decision.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is based on a series of case studies to develop and test the decision process.
Findings
A decision process that leads the practitioner through an analytical process to decide which manufacturing activities they should carryout themselves.
Practical implications
Strategic positioning is concerned with choosing those production related activities that an organisations should carry out internally, and those that should be external and under the ownership and control of suppliers, partners, distributors and customers.
Originality/value
This concept extends traditional decision paradigms, such as those associated with “make versus buy” and “outsourcing”, by looking at the interactions between manufacturing operations and the wider supply chain networks associated with the organisation.
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Contemporary literature reveals that, to date, the poultry livestock sector has not received sufficient research attention. This particular industry suffers from unstructured…
Abstract
Contemporary literature reveals that, to date, the poultry livestock sector has not received sufficient research attention. This particular industry suffers from unstructured supply chain practices, lack of awareness of the implications of the sustainability concept and failure to recycle poultry wastes. The current research thus attempts to develop an integrated supply chain model in the context of poultry industry in Bangladesh. The study considers both sustainability and supply chain issues in order to incorporate them in the poultry supply chain. By placing the forward and reverse supply chains in a single framework, existing problems can be resolved to gain economic, social and environmental benefits, which will be more sustainable than the present practices.
The theoretical underpinning of this research is ‘sustainability’ and the ‘supply chain processes’ in order to examine possible improvements in the poultry production process along with waste management. The research adopts the positivist paradigm and ‘design science’ methods with the support of system dynamics (SD) and the case study methods. Initially, a mental model is developed followed by the causal loop diagram based on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and observation techniques. The causal model helps to understand the linkages between the associated variables for each issue. Finally, the causal loop diagram is transformed into a stock and flow (quantitative) model, which is a prerequisite for SD-based simulation modelling. A decision support system (DSS) is then developed to analyse the complex decision-making process along the supply chains.
The findings reveal that integration of the supply chain can bring economic, social and environmental sustainability along with a structured production process. It is also observed that the poultry industry can apply the model outcomes in the real-life practices with minor adjustments. This present research has both theoretical and practical implications. The proposed model’s unique characteristics in mitigating the existing problems are supported by the sustainability and supply chain theories. As for practical implications, the poultry industry in Bangladesh can follow the proposed supply chain structure (as par the research model) and test various policies via simulation prior to its application. Positive outcomes of the simulation study may provide enough confidence to implement the desired changes within the industry and their supply chain networks.