RETRACTED ARTICLE: Prediction of economic growth by extreme learning approach based on science and technology transfer

The purpose of this research is to develop and apply the extreme learning machine (ELM) to forecast gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate. Economic growth may be developed on the basis on combination of different factors. In this investigation was analyzed the economic growth prediction based on the science and technology transfer. The main goal was to analyze the influence of number of granted European patents on the economic growth by field of technology. GDP was used as economic growth indicator. The ELM results are compared with genetic programming (GP) and artificial neural network (ANN). The reliability of the computational models were accessed based on simulation results and using several statistical indicators. Coefficient of determination for ELM method is 0.9841, for ANN method it is 0.7956 and for the GP method it is 0.7561. Based upon simulation results, it is demonstrated that ELM can be utilized effectively in applications of GDP forecasting.

     

Mixed-methods research proficiency for applied linguists: a PLS-path modelling approach

Quality & Quantity - Since the 2010s, the appeal for utilizing mixed methods research in applied linguistics and its related strands has been expanding. However, recent text-based studies...     

Retraction Note: Prediction of economic growth by extreme learning approach based on science and technology transfer

Quality & Quantity - The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article (Karaniki? et al. 2016) because validity of the content of this article cannot be verified. This article showed evidence...     

Neoclassical versus evolutionary economics in developing countries: convergence of policy implications

This paper aims to determine whether the dichotomy between the science, technology, and innovation policy based on neoclassical and evolutionary schools of economics is applicable to developing countries. Regarding the fundamental differences in foundations of these two economic paradigms, policymakers have been forced to select and to follow one of the two seemingly competing views. However, in developing countries, due to various market and government coordination failures, complying with one of the schools has not been successful in practice. From the past, there has been some controversy between neoclassical and evolutionary schools on the subject of science, technology and innovation policy. Using a survey questionnaire and statistical analyses of the results, this paper shows that, due to the institutional setting and structural conditions in developing countries, despite the fundamentally different foundations of the competing schools of thought, the policy implications of the schools have converged. Drawing on Theme Analysis Method, the rationales are first conceptualized and then the fuzzy method is applied to reveal the respondents’ tendency to the extracted rationales and implications of the two competing schools. In conclusion, the statistical results validate the proposed hypothesis.     

A Fuzzy Stochastic Multi-Attribute Group Decision-Making Approach for Selection Problems

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the fuzzy and stochastic approaches as well as multi-attribute group decision-making techniques can be effectively utilized for selection problems in different kinds of uncertainty situations. A group of the decision makers describes a value for an alternative with respect to an attribute by the use of linguistic variables. The rating of each alternative is aggregated, which can be expressed as triangular fuzzy numbers. Then Monte Carlo simulation is applied to generate the performance distribution of alternatives with respect to different attributes in an uncertain environment. Finally, a stochastic compromise ranking technique, known as the VIKOR technique, is developed to evaluate probability distributions for each alternative on each attribute and to prioritize them. The proposed fuzzy stochastic approach is suitable to compromise a solution among the conflicting tangible and intangible attributes under the group decision-making process. In addition, an application of the proposed approach is provided to solve the important risk selection problem in a highway project. The results illustrate its real-life applicability and suitability in discrete group decision-making under uncertainty.     

Crowding-out or crowding-in? Direct voice,performance-related pay,and organizational innovation in European firms

Building on motivation crowding theory (MCT), this article contributes to the human resources management (HRM)-innovation debate by examining the potential trade-offs between HRM practices targeted to increase employees' intrinsic motivation, such as direct employee voice (EV), and the presence of extrinsic incentives in the form of individual and collective performance-related pay (PRP). The results of the analysis on more than 22,000 European establishments show support for the positive relationship between EV and a firm's organizational innovation, and that this relationship is weaker in companies that adopted individual PRP schemes (piece-rate plans). Moreover, while we found that collective PRP (profit-sharing) does not moderate the relationship between EV and organizational innovation, a positive and significant moderation effect emerged when the combined presence of individual and collective PRP was considered. By advocating that the coexistence of multiple forms of PRP could overcome the crowding-out effect of individual PRP on EV, the study contributes to the HRM debate by also calling for a better understanding of the potential contingencies between different HRM practices when innovation is focus of the analysis.     

The Effect of Service Climate on Perceived Service Value and Behavioral Intentions: The Mediating Role of Service Quality

The purpose of the current study is to assess the influence of employees’ perceived service climate on customers’ perceived service value and behavioral intention. Furthermore, the paper investigates the extent to which service quality mediates the relationship among employees’ perceived service climate, customers’ perceived service value, and behavioral intention. Data were collected from convenience samples of 400 customers and 375 hotel employees. The results of structural equation modeling indicated that: (1) employees’ perceived service climate has a positive and significant influence on service quality, customers’ perceived service value, and behavioral intention and (2) service quality has a positive and significant influence on customers’ perceived service value and behavioral intention. Additionally, this study revealed that the indirect effect of employees’ perceived service climate on customers’ perceived service value and behavioral intention through service quality is more than the direct effect of employees’ perceived service climate, customers’ perceived service value, and behavioral intention.     

Villous adenoma of the common bile duct

A villous adenoma of the common bile duct (CBD) causing obstructive jaundice was demonstrated by sonography and ERCP in a 34-year-old man. The radiological and clinical features of this rare tumor are herein presented.