A measurement model for psychophysical scaling

In the literature very little attention has been given to psychophysical scaling, even though this kind of measurement provides many advantages, such as continuous interval scales, more precision, possibilities for easy replications and therefore for correction of measurement error. Besides all kinds of technical reasons one possible explanation for this lack of attention is that the procedures have always been described as completely different from the commonly used measurement procedures. Also, the tests which have been suggested for the quality of the results were quite different from the commonly used procedures. In this paper it will be shown that psychophysical scaling can be formulated in a congeneric test model, i.e., all the commonly used criteria for the quality of measurement instruments like reliability and validity can be applied in the usual way. An illustration of this will be given. Furthermore it will be shown that psychophysical scales are not ratio scales but that they satisfy the requirements of a (log)interval scale.     

The styles of management inventory: A methodological analysis of a training and research instrument

In recent years several theoretical ideas have been advanced in the area of problem-solving and decision-making in administration, with a focus on “leadership” styles. Instruments have been designed to operationalize the theory and for purposes of training and research. However, there has been little systematic testing of such instruments. This study examines the theoretical underpinning of one particular instrument, the Styles of Management Inventory. Then, it proceeds to test it for internal consistency by using multidimensional scaling. The data for this study were obtained from 288 probation administrators in the United States. Since this instrument is currently used by trainers and researchers, it is felt that this methodological study has important implications for both the management training and research fields.     

Weight restrictions in DEA: misplaced emphasis?

Measuring productive efficiency is an important research strand within fields of economics, management science and operations research. One definition of efficiency is the proportional scaling needed for observations of inefficient units to be projected onto an efficient production function and another definition is a ratio index of weighted outputs on weighted inputs. When linear programming is used to estimate efficiency the two definitions give identical results due to the fundamental duality of linear programming. Empirical applications of DEA using linear programming showed a prevalence of zero weights leading to questioning the consequence for the efficiency score estimate based on the ratio definition. Early literature on weight restrictions is exclusively based on the ratio efficiency. It was stated that variables with zero weights had no influence on the efficiency score, in spite of the alleged importance of the variables. This has been one motivation for introducing restrictions on weights. Another empirical result was that often there were too many efficient units. This problem could also be overcome by introducing weight restrictions. Weight restrictions were said to introduce values for inputs and outputs. The paper makes a critical examinations of these claims based on defining efficiency relative to a frontier production function.     

Fifty years of measurement and scaling in the Dutch social sciences

It is evident from recent issues of journals like Psychometrika and Applied Psychological Measurement that the Dutch contribution to the development of the area of measurement and scaling is considerable. In the first part of this paper, we try to answer the question how this could happen. In the early development De Groot in Amsterdam and Van de Geer in Leiden created an academic climate that made it possible for many researchers to develop their skills. Some other possible reasons are sketched for the flourishing of this area in the Netherlands, but it is difficult to assess which reasons were most important. In the second part of the paper, we analyze the international impact of the Dutch contribution by a citation analysis in four fields of measurement and scaling: factor analysis, test theory including item response theory, latent class analysis, and optimal scaling and multidimensional scaling. It appears that Dutch researchers not only publish a lot, but also that the impact of their publications is at the same level as publications produced world-wide.     

Measuring productivity of research in economics: A cross-country study using DEA

We measure productivity in leading edge economic research by using data envelopment analysis (DEA) for a sample of 21 countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Publications in ten top journals of economics from 1980 to 1998 are taken as the research output. Inputs are measured by R&D expenditure, the number of universities with economics departments and (as an uncontrollable variable) population. Under constant returns-to-scale, the US emerges as the only efficient country. Under variable returns-to-scale, the efficiency frontier is defined by the US, Ireland and New Zealand. With the exception of the US, all countries in our sample display increasing returns-to-scale, and thus have the potential to raise their efficiency by scaling up their research activities.     

Needs assessment of university leadership programs

Although research indicates that university leadership programs can offer students many extremely valuable outcomes, the overall effectiveness of these programs is highly dependent on their abilty to attract student participants. This study addresses this issue by employing maximum difference scaling (MDS) analysis to determine the needs and preferences of university students with regard to participating in university leadership activities. From this data, four distinct need‐based segments of students are identified and discussed: socializers, leaders, self‐improvers, and job seekers. Suggested strategies are presented to increase particpation within each segment by focusing leadership programs on delivery of those outcomes most desired by each segment.     

The intellectual core of enterprise information systems: a co-citation analysis

Enterprise information systems (EISs) have evolved in the past 20 years, attracting the attention of international practitioners and scholars. Although literature reviews and analyses have been conducted to examine the multiple dimensions of EISs, no co-citation analysis has been conducted to examine the knowledge structures involved in EIS studies; thus, the current study fills this research gap. This study investigated the intellectual structures of EISs. All data source documents (1083 articles and 24,090 citations) were obtained from the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Knowledge database. A co-citation analysis was used to analyse EIS data. By using factor analysis, we identified eight critical factors: (a) factors affecting the implementation and success of information systems (ISs); (b) the successful implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP); (c) IS evaluation and success, (d) system science studies; (e) factors influencing ERP success; (f) case research and theoretical models; (g) user acceptance of information technology; and (h) IS frameworks. Multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis were used to visually map the resultant EIS knowledge. It is difficult to implement an EIS in an enterprise and each organisation exhibits specific considerations. The current findings indicate that managers must focus on ameliorating inferior project performance levels, enabling a transition from ‘vicious’ to ‘virtuous’ projects. Successful EIS implementation yields substantial organisational advantages.     

矿山采空区塌陷预测方法研究

采空区塌陷一直以来都是采矿工程领域的重要研究课题,许多学者就如何对采空区塌陷做出正确的预测做了深入的研究,也提出了许多预测方法。本文首先介绍了采空区塌陷的原因及产生的危害,对采空区塌陷预测具有重要的意义,然后总结了采空区塌陷预测的四种比较好的方法。     

Dimensions of CEO–Board Relations

Interactions between CEOs and their boards of directors are a prominent focus of management and strategy research. Despite the extensive literature on CEO–board relations, to date there has been limited integration of theoretical perspectives and measurement schemes. Through an extensive analysis of published studies, we hope to facilitate future research on CEO–board relations. We begin with a comparison of key theoretical approaches. Next, we conduct a content analysis of 51 empirical articles. We find that prior studies have an unbalanced focus regarding both topics and theoretical perspectives, and that there is limited consistency in the choice of measures. Based on this review, we lay out a number of promising directions for future research. We also find that, while there has been progress in international research on CEO–board relations, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the generalizability of governance theories across different geographic settings.     

基于价值工程的企业竞争优势构建

动态复杂的环境下,应当树立什么样的经营理念,采取何种经营机制、何种管理技术获取竞争优势,实现可持续发展,益已成为企业面临的迫切课题。与其同时,价值工程(简称VE)作为现代思想方法和管理技术,应用领域不断扩充,出现了不少以企业管理为研究对象的优秀成果。在此背景下,本文把价值工程运用于企业竞争优势构造,从竞争优势的四个层面展开,试图构造一个以功能为导向的竞争优势构造模式。     

Whistle while you work? A review of the effects of music in the workplace

The effects of music on human performance have been studied across many disciplines. Music has been shown to impact task performance, organizational citizenship behaviors, and learning (i.e., training), but the implications of the study of music in the workplace have not yet been fully realized. Therefore, we conduct an interdisciplinary review of research on music relevant to the field of management. We also offer a solution to the lack of theoretical grounding in previous work by applying activation theory to understand the effects of music in the workplace. Taken together, the literature shows that music works through the mediator of mood and emotion. Findings also illustrate the consequences of extraversion, task complexity, and listening autonomy in relation to individual affective reactions to music. While the evidence suggests music may potentially have significant value in the workplace, more research is needed to understand how music might be effectively utilized by organizations.     

Managerial applicability of graphical formats to support positioning decisions

Issues of segmentation and positioning have always been at the heart of marketing management. In recent years, much methodological progress has been made in order to carry out these two tasks simultaneously, that is, to combine certain types of clustering algorithms with appropriate multidimensional scaling or unfolding procedures. When trying to provide managers with a tool to support marketing decision-making in segmentation and positioning, the ease of use and the visual quality of results must be emphasized. This paper provides a state-of-the-art review of alternative graphical formats designed to assist strategic management. It focuses on three aspects, namely, (I) representing competitive market structures, (II) illustrating preferences for product attributes, and (III) describing customer heterogeneity at the individual as well as segment-specific levels; this paper also explores the interrelations among these aspects. The benefits and limitations of different approaches are discussed, and graphical examples are provided. Advances in academic research are contrasted with the information requirements of marketing managers. Finally, recommendations on the applicability of these alternatives for practical use are offered, and issues for further research are specified.     

五年一贯制高职人才培养的实践与探索

五年制高职教育是我国高等教育方面不可或缺的重要部分,对于我国各行业专门人才的培养起到了十分重要的作用。但五年一贯制的高职人才培养却面临着诸多的困难,无论是教学管理还是学生质量都没有实质性的提高,如何将高职学校从人才培养的困境中成功地挣脱出来,成为高等职业学校的重点研究课题。本文作者从事高职教育多年,对高等职业人才培养的探索和实践提出一些自己的观点和看法。     

中国最优价值工程实践研究(英文)

价值工程是一种有效的降低产品、系统或服务的成本并提高其价值的管理方法,在过去的50年中,它被广泛地用于许多国家.自1978年这一方法引入中国大陆以来,已广泛地用于各种领域,并取得了显著的效益,然而,近年来,中国大陆的许多企业面临着从计划经济向市场经济转换的种种困难.价值工程的应用大为衰弱了,许多价值工程团体业很少活动.有很多原因影响了价值工程的应用,例如,没有一个清楚的价值工作的基准,就是其中的一个重要原因.因此,广泛地考察国际的价值工程实践,建立一个中国的最优价值工程珠基准,开发一个能够用于市场经济的最优价值工程实践的架构,就显得十分紧迫了,本文是香港研究资助理事会的资助的一个项目的成果,在调查研究国际价值工程经验的基础上,本文尝试性地探讨了上述问题.     

Enterprise maturity models: a systematic literature review

Maturity models (MM) have been used by different enterprise segments. However, while many MM have been developed, few have been validated because of the lack of studies that demonstrate how to classify model levels. This study investigates the literature that presents assessment models for classifying maturity levels as well as the development of the research area. A systematic literature review was carried out, finding 409 relevant papers and a list of the few methods for classifying the maturity level. This review enabled us to update the state of the art on MM and identify gaps that may prompt future research.     

Gainsharing: A few questions,and fewer answers

Gainsharing is an important organization development intervention, yet many of the basic questions have not been answered. This paper addresses these questions by developing a conceptual model and using the model to review the case study literature on gainsharing. The plans varied in terms of structural factors, implementation factors, and situational factors, and a majority were successful. Gainsharing impact was found in five key areas: organizational effectiveness, individual quality of work life, ideas and innovation, labormanagement cooperation, and pay. Relevant research is briefly reviewed and several unanswered questions are identified for future research.     

Foundations of logistics and supply chain research: a bibliometric analysis of four international journals

The purpose of this paper is to explore the current intellectual foundation of four leading academic journals within the field of logistics and supply chain management. We were interested to identify the most frequently quoted publications as well as their impact on logistics research. We examined 17,000 references of 412 papers and further analysed the 39 top-references with the means of multidimensional scaling (MDS), cluster- and factor analysis. We were able to identify a mix of textbooks and articles from academic journals and revealed a journal-specific citation pattern, not only in the choice of textbooks but also in the choice of referenced methodology papers. We were also able to identify citation streams and citation areas, where it was surprising to find so many general socio-scientific papers and general papers explaining the character of the field.     

THE ECONOMICS OF NETWORKS: A SURVEY OF THE EMPIRICAL LITERATURE

Abstract.  Network effects, the increase in value of consuming a product if many other consumers use the same product, are a feature of many markets and in particular of many high-technology products. This paper surveys the burgeoning empirical literature that has developed especially during the last years. After theoretical work dominated the earlier years of research in this area, newer research has combined theoretical models with empirical studies and applied work with direct implications for public policy, marketing and company strategies. Furthermore, insights from the study of social networks have been applied to analyse how consumers interact with each other. The paper argues that a closer analysis of the network structure of consumer interaction promises fruitful future research avenues and advances in our understanding of how network effects operate.     

Recent sojourn time results for multilevel processor-sharing scheduling disciplines

Multilevel Processor-Sharing (MLPS) disciplines refer to a family of age-based scheduling disciplines introduced decades ago. A time-discretized version of an MLPS discipline is applied in the scheduler of the traditional UNIX operating system. In recent years, MLPS disciplines have been used to study the way that packet level scheduling mechanisms impact the performance perceived at the flow level in the Internet. Inspired by this latter application, many new sojourn time results have been discovered for these disciplines in the context of the M/G/1 queue. The aim of this paper was to give a consistent overview of these new results. In addition, it points out some intriguing open problems for further research.     

THE STATE GIVETH AND THE STATE TAKETH AWAY: SUPPORTING THE RESEARCH-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY IN EUROPE AND THE UK

The European research-based pharmaceutical industry has been declining relative to its US counterpart for more than a decade. It remains a substantial and successful industry, and the UK continues to be a particular success story, but many challenges lie ahead in an increasingly competitive global environment. Recent attempts to reinvigorate and support pharmaceutical and biotech research and development have been numerous, and in the UK now include the R&D tax credit. But it is the operating environment and the structure of the market for pharmaceuticals that represent the biggest challenges for the industry and policy-makers.