Measurement of Variables Involved in the Design of a Training Study: Practical Experience Undertaken in a Sports Organisation

This article describes the process for preparing a survey, which will be used to measure relevant variables, which are involved in a study of training needs in a Spanish sports organisation. The variables which have been considered are: problems and difficulties in carrying work of specific positions; “strong points” in carrying out this work; usefulness of the training received in facing and solving the above-mentioned problems and difficulties; usefulness of the training received in acquiring and strengthening these “strong points” in carrying out work; opinion and suggestions with respect to future training. Due to the applied nature of the study, a data collection methodology was designed which was based on interviews and group discussions with a representative sample of workers. Finally, the predictive capacity of perception, which workers have, of their motivation at work was clearly shown in order to then identify different attitude and conduct patterns.     

A replication and extension of quality management into the supply chain

As competition moves beyond a single firm into the supply chain, researchers are beginning to explore quality management (QM) in a supply chain context. The literature suggests that supply chain management (SCM) consists of internal practices, which are contained within a firm, and external practices, which cross organizational boundaries integrating a firm with its customers and suppliers. Supplier quality management and customer focus are two QM practices that are also clearly in the domain of SCM. In this study we investigate how these two supply chain management-related quality practices lead to improved performance and examine the practices that precede and mediate those relationships. In doing so, we replicate and extend the relationships among the QM practices and their effects on firm performance suggested in Kaynak [Kaynak, H., 2003. The relationship between total quality management practices and their effects on firm performance. Journal of Operations Management 21, 405–435] using survey data gathered from firms operating in the U.S. The inclusion of customer focus and supplier quality management in the QM model supports the importance of internal and external integration for quality performance. Implications of the results for researchers and practitioners are discussed, and further research implications are suggested.     

Strategic supply management,quality initiatives,and organizational performance

Researchers in supply chain management have found over the past two decades that supply management should be not merely a purchasing function but a strategic tool for supply chain integration. Supply management, the cornerstone of the integration of industrial supply chains, has evolved as a key research area. Based on quantitative and qualitative investigations of 225 electronics manufacturing firms, we examine the organizational impacts of strategic supply management (SSM) and the contexts of company size, process type, ISO 9000 certification, and quality management (QM) implementation that facilitate such an endeavor. We reveal that SSM is essentially a quality management initiative that requires bilateral efforts for continuous improvement and thus is not associated with the basic requirements of ISO 9000. We find that SSM improves on-time shipments, reduces operational costs, and leads to customer satisfaction and improved business performance. Developed based on contemporary premises in supply chain and QM, this research refines our understanding of the relationships among quality initiatives, SSM, and organizational performance.     

关于物流园区定义的研究

从五个方面对我国现有的物流园区的定义进行梳理,分析利弊,从而为物流园区的管理和未来的研究提供具有价值的参考。     

基于要素禀赋的上海金融外包行业发展可行性研究

大量的海内外实践表明,发展金融外包对于一个国家、一座城市具有重要意义和强大吸引力.本文先从理论层面上,构建了"基于要素禀赋的外包行业发展可行性评价体系",之后通过问卷调研的方法,结合对应分析,研究了各要素禀赋对于上海发展金融外包的关联度,并对其匹配情况进行分析.实证研究表明:上海大力发展金融外包具有可行性.     

Assessing supply chain risks with the analytic hierarchy process: Providing decision support for the offshoring decision by a US manufacturing company

This paper reports the process used by a US manufacturing company to assess supply chain risks within the context of an offshore sourcing decision. The case study company was faced with the objective of finding a new supplier for two of its major product lines. Five alternatives were considered: (1) sourcing finished goods from Mexico; (2) sourcing finished goods from China; (3) sourcing parts from China and assembly in the US; (4) sourcing parts from China, assembly in a Maquiladora in Mexico with investment; and (5) sourcing parts from China, assembly in a Maquiladora in Mexico with no investment in the venture. To find the best solution, action research methodology was combined with the application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Through iterative and structured discussions, 17 risk factors were identified, which were subsequently grouped into main and sub objectives. AHP was then used to evaluate the importance of each risk factor, and to determine the best alternative. This study makes several contributions to the field of purchasing and supply management. First, it provides a comprehensive framework of empirically derived risk factors to be considered in an international sourcing context. Second, it shows how AHP can be used to assess these risk factors and alternatives as part of the framework to facilitate and support the final offshoring decision. And third, it illustrates the successful application of the approach by a US manufacturing company. As such, this paper contributes to the research streams of offshoring and risk management in purchasing and supply, as well as to decision-making under uncertainty and AHP. In addition, it serves as a practical methodology for firms in similar situations.     

进出口贸易对经济增长贡献的比较分析——基于中国对外贸易的实证研究

长期以来,无论是政界还是在学术界都表现出高度重视出口在经济增长中的作用,但低估甚至忽视进口对经济增长的推动作用的倾向。通过建立分布滞后模型,对我国1978～2006年进出口贸易与经济增长的数据进行回归分析和比较,无法获得充分的证据支持出口贸易在推动经济增长中的重要性要胜过进口贸易的观点,反而得出无论是出口贸易还是进口贸易都对经济增长有促进作用的结论。通过实证研究对我国贸易发展得到一些有益的启示。     

我国银行对外开放适度性研究

2006年12月。我国银行业将向国外全面开放。2007年起,外资银行将享有与中资银行几乎同等的权利,提供全面的人民币业务,中外资银行的竞争将全面展开。文中就此展开论述,研究我国银行对外开放的适度性问题。     

基于XML语言的智能体语义通信研究

目前智能体之间的通信主要是基于KQML规范.但是KIF表达语义能力不强.如果将其应用于基于智能体Agent的分布式入侵防御系统中智能体之间的通信,会导致智能体之间由于语义通信能力差而难以沟通和协作等问题.为了解决这一问题,文中设计并实现了一种基于XML语言的入侵防御Agent通信机制.通过将 XML 语言作为智能体KQML通信语言的内容语言来提高入侵防御系统中智能体 Agent 之间语义通信的能力.     

知识营销模式构建及特点研究

随着经济时代的快速发展,给传统经济面临带来一定冲击,各行企业需要迅速调整市场营销模式,应对知识经济带来的影响。以知识密集型的药品公司为例,详细阐述知识营销的特点,构建知识营销模式,并分析实践应用中知识营销的关键点,以此来完善企业的市场营销策略,使其实现知识经济时代背景下的良性发展。