A reappraisal of the extent of world hunger

The variation between different estimates of the magnitude of the world food problem are enormous. The author questions the basis of the major surveys of FAO, the World Bank, and USDA, and suggests that they have grossly overestimated the extent of world hunger. By analyzing the connection between population, food, and economic participation, a more realistic view is obtained, suggesting a return to targeted assistance programs for the improvement of maternal and child health.     

Modelling food and agricultural systems: A state-of-the-art study

The author provides a comprehensive survey of the recent models which have been constructed to analyze interacting factors in the field of food and agriculture. She discusses the ways in which over 20 models consider: the interrelationships between population and development, and environment and agriculture; international relationships; and technological change and investments.     

The moderating effect of innovative capacity on the relationship between real options and strategic flexibility

In dynamic sectors, organizations should be capable of adapting to unpredictable environmental conditions. Strategic flexibility grants organizations the capacity to respond to the changes in their environment in the direction required, renewing their strategies and making the required organizational changes. The goal of this study is to analyze how the use of real options relates to strategic flexibility from a managerial capacity perspective. Through an empirical study performed on European firms, we confirm that innovative capacity exercises a moderating role between real options and strategic flexibility. The fact that a firm's management has foreseen and contemplated real options does not necessarily lead to their execution; they must also be accompanied by some innovative capacity.     

资源投入与产品质量策略的匹配性研究 ——基于收益效应和福利效应的比较分析

在产品差异化市场中,企业可能为获取高端消费者而向高质量产品投入更多资源,却在一定程度上减少低质量产品的资源投入,造成资源投入与产出质量配比失调现象。为解决此类问题,针对实施垂直差异化策略的垄断企业应用优化理论、反证法对此问题进行了论证,通过数值仿真分析验证了结论的合理性。研究结果表明:1)追求福利最大化的企业实施垂直差异化策略所获得的利益高于追求收益最大化的企业;2)在资源有限的情形下,以收益最大化为目标的企业所提供的产品质量低于福利最大化的企业;3)收益最大化者在生产高质量产品上过度分配资源,对低质量产品的资源投入不足;4)随着预期的消费者到达市场的数量增加到无穷大,二者都会表现为平等分配资源。研究结果为企业运用差异化策略进行产品线设计提供了依据,对运营管理者改进产品线设计思路、节约企业成本、提高客户满意度具有借鉴意义。     

A qualitative study of inter-organizational knowledge management in complex products and systems development

Much research has recognized that cross-disciplinary knowledge inputs are necessary to successful product innovation, particularly in complex products and systems (CoPS) development. This paper focuses on developing an exploratory framework for studying how an inter-organizational knowledge management (KM) approach affects the development of CoPS, and exploring how inter-organizational collaboration affects KM within a CoPS context. Based on a review of the literature and in-depth case studies, this paper puts forward some propositions and develops an integrated conceptual model showing the link between the dimensions of inter-organizational KM and the performance of CoPS development. Finally, the implications of the proposed model for inter-organizational KM in a CoPS environment are discussed.     

Firm non‐market capabilities and the effect of supranational institutional safeguards on the location choice of international investments

Research Summary : We investigate the extent to which firms rely on supranational institutional safeguards versus their non‐market capabilities to offset the risks of investing abroad. We argue that firms with non‐market capabilities are insensitive to supranational institutional safeguards when choosing the location of their international investments. We show that supranational agreements between an investor's home and host nation, operationalized as bilateral investment treaties (BITs), increase the likelihood of investment, but there is substantial firm heterogeneity with respect to this relationship. Firms with various forms of non‐market capabilities are not sensitive to BITs, whereas other firms are more likely to invest under BITs. We advance the understanding of how firm non‐market capabilities can substitute for supranational institutional arrangements in addressing risks associated with host country institutional weaknesses. Managerial Summary : The risk of expropriation is one of the main concerns companies have when investing abroad. Because of this, many countries implement bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to safeguard foreign investments, alleviate foreign investor concerns, and promote investments. We show that only those companies without political competence or political connections favor countries with BITs when choosing where to invest. Companies with political competence or political connections, on the other hand, ignore BITs and apparently rely on their ability to influence governments whenever their foreign investments face expropriation threats. As a result, politically connected or competent companies can enter markets most of their competitors lacking these capabilities shy away from. They can, therefore, do business in environments in which they face less competition.     

用户选择广告模式对广告效果影响的眼动研究

通过眼动技术与认知问卷调查相结合的方式,测量被试男女在用户选择广告模式/强制广告模式下观看广告的眼动数据,研究了广告模式和被试性别因素对广告效果的影响。结果表明,相对于传统的强制广告模式,用户选择广告模式下,受众对广告的注意力有显著提升,对广告中的文案记忆效果也好,同时,受众性别对广告效果也会产生影响。     

Economic feasibility analysis of flexible material handling systems: A case study in the apparel industry

Flexible material handling systems (MHS) have been widely used to enhance productivity involved with product proliferation, and thus far, only fixed-track MHSs such as Eton systems in the apparel industry are commonly used. This paper explores the economic feasibility of a flexible MHS using free-ranging automated guided vehicles (AGV) with a local positioning system (LPS) for the apparel industry. A component-based and modified activity-based costing methodology is proposed to estimate the additional cost of adopting flexible MHSs, and then the internal rate of return (IIR) and payback periods are applied to evaluate the project economic performance. Results show that adopting flexible MHSs has a promising IIR which is larger than 30%.     

A framework of ERP systems implementation success in China: An empirical study

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is one of the most widely accepted choices to obtain competitive advantage for manufacturing companies. However, the successful implementation rate is low and many firms did not achieve intended goals in China. This study develops an ERP implementation success framework by adapting the Ives et al. information systems (ISs) research model and DeLone and McLean's IS success model to identify both critical success factors and success measures. Qualitative case study research methodology is used to collect data and Atlas/ti program is used to facilitate data analysis. Discussion is made finally and suggested ERP systems implementation methodology is given at the end.     

变流量供热控制系统的设计与实现

在分析了供热系统中变量间的耦合关系的基础上,根据变流量供热系统的控制要求,提出了在有效解耦的前提下,将供热系统分解为几个子系统分别控制的基本控制策略,设计了供热系统的控制方案。介绍了以工控机为上位机、PLC为下位机的硬件配置和软件设计方法,给出了程序流程图,详细说明了PID控制程序和定时中断程序的设计。     

Espoused drum-buffer-rope flow control in serial lines: A comparative study of simulation models

This paper documents an investigation of drum-buffer-rope (DBR) scheduling and flow control methodology in single-product serial production lines. In particular, DBR flow control is reviewed and the importance of correctly representing this type of flow control mechanism in serial lines is discussed. Departures from valid DBR conceptual and simulation modeling are illustrated. It is shown that the model of a previously published paper is a push system not a DBR system, and that related conclusions regarding protective capacity and constraint location are unsupported. Correct modeling of DBR flow control is shown using discrete simulation experiments that compare the DBR model and a similar push model. Suggestions for additional research are offered.     

The effect of compensation program and structure on sbu competitive strategy: A study of technology-intensive firms

In this paper we examine the impact various compensation programs have upon business-level strategy for technology-intensive firms. Similarly, we examine the effect of centralization of R&D and non-R&D decision-making, formality of procedures, and SBU size on competitive strategy. Analysis of data from 79 SBUs suggest that there is a resource trade-off between marketing-oriented strategies and R&D-oriented strategies, and that managers who operate under certain types of compensation programs will tend to favor R&D/innovation strategies and capital investment over other alternatives. Structure and competitive position also appear to play a significant role in determining technology and investment strategy.     

A simple technique for the optimization of lay-out and location for chemical plant safety

A computer program to optimize the use of land and ensure safe operation of plant. A logical process flow is maintained, while the position of plant items is optimized using a hill-climbing technique. A number of quantitative techniques exist for the measurement of hazard values for comparison of process routes in chemical plant design and operation. Such numerical values can also be used as a basis in lay-out considerations. There is a need for a simple technique, which allows for the optimization of separation distances between plant by determining the minimum requirement for safe operation. This requirement determines the cost of land and that of piping and control lines. It is then possible to carry out economic comparisons between using separation distances and the installation of mobile and fixed prevention and protection systems. An optimization technique based on a modified hill-climbing method is described.     

纵流式换热器流动与传热特性的数值研究

在分析纵流式换热器结构特点的基础上,对纵流式换热器进行了数值模拟,采用网格连接方法将纵流式换热器管程、壳程中的对流换热与导热2种传热方式进行了耦合。根据计算结果,分析了纵流式换热器的管程、壳程的传热与流动特性。     

基于ABAQUS的新型密拼叠合板承载能力比较研究

为优化密拼式叠合板侧向拼缝处的连接构造,设计一种在拼缝处设置抗剪键槽的密拼式钢筋桁架叠合楼板。利用ABAQUS有限元软件对7个密拼叠合楼板进行四点弯曲模拟研究,针对普通密拼式叠合板与不同形式的抗剪键槽密拼式叠合板的承载能力进行对比分析。结果表明：新型密拼式叠合楼板的承载能力较好,相较于普通密拼式叠合板提升了17%左右;当达到极限荷载时,其内置钢筋所受应力明显低于普通密拼式叠合板。通过对不同开槽形式叠合板的受弯性能进行对比分析,明确了新型抗剪键槽叠合板拼缝处设计的合理性,为新型拼缝叠合楼板在工程实践中的应用提供了理论依据。     

The moderating effect of control systems on the relationship between commission and salesperson intrinsic motivation in a customer oriented environment

Using a social psychology theory, Cognitive Evaluation Theory (CET), the authors show how commission compensation can be viewed as a sales performance contingent reward and the extent of its use to reward performance, coupled with a sales control system, impacts salesperson intrinsic motivation in a relationship selling environment. In essence, the sales control mechanisms modify the impact of the commission based on whether it is perceived as controlling or informative. This is empirically tested using a sample of business-to-business salespeople. Partial support for three hypothesized relationships is shown providing preliminary evidence that CET is a way to study the integration of commission compensation rewards, sales control systems, and motivational impact. Implications of the findings for theory and for managers are considered, along with suggested directions for future research.