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This paper aims to study the node modeling, multi-agent architecture and addressing method for the material conscious information network (MCIN), which is a large-scaled, open-styled, self-organized and ecological intelligent network of supply–demand relationships.

This study models the MCIN by node model definition, multi-agent architecture design and addressing method presentation.

The prototype of novel E-commerce platform based on the MCIN shows the effectiveness and soundness of the MCIN modeling. By comparing to current internet, the authors also find that the MCIN has the advantages of socialization, information integration, collective intelligence, traceability, high robustness, unification of producing and consuming, high scalability and decentralization.

Leveraging the dimensions of structure, character, knowledge and experience, a modeling approach of the basic information can fit all kinds of the MCIN nodes. With the double chain structure for both basic and supply–demand information, the MCIN nodes can be modeled comprehensively. The anima-desire-intention-based multi-agent architecture makes the federated agents of the MCIN nodes self-organized and intelligent. The MCIN nodes can be efficiently addressed by the supply–demand-oriented method. However, the implementation of the MCIN is still in process.

This paper lays the theoretical foundation for the future networked system of supply–demand relationship and the novel E-commerce platform.

The authors believe that the MCIN, first proposed in this paper, is a transformational innovation which facilitates the infrastructure of the future networked system of supply–demand relationship.

Material conscious and information network (MCIN) is a kind of cyber physics social system. This paper aims to study the MCIN modeling method and design the MCIN-based architecture of smart agriculture (MCIN-ASA) which is different from current vertical architecture and involves production, management and commerce. Architecture is composed of three MCIN-ASA participants which are MCIN-ASA enterprises, individuals and commodity.

Architecture uses enterprises and individuals personalized portals as the carriers which are linked precisely with each other through a peer-to-peer network called six-degrees-of-separation block-chain. The authors want to establish a self-organization, open and ecological operational system which includes active, personalized consumption, direct, centralized distribution, distributed and smart production.

The paper models three main MCIN-ASA participants, namely, design the smart supply, demand and management functions, which show the feasibility innovation and high efficiency of implementing MCIN on agriculture. At the same time, the paper presents a prototype system based on the architecture.

The authors think that MCIN-ASA improves current agriculture greatly and inspires a lot in production-marketing-combined electronic commerce.

This paper aims to study the material conscious information network (MCIN) to present new models of clothing products and persons and propose new crowd-designing patterns to reconstruct an improved supply–demand relationship in clothing industry.

This paper aims to study the MCIN to present new models of clothing products and persons and propose new crowd-designing patterns to reconstruct an improved supply–demand relationship in clothing industry.

At last, this paper implements a prototype system of novel e-commerce platform based on the CDCI to illustrate the effectiveness and soundness of the CDCI modeling.

Different from most related works just focusing on the physiology dimension in the matching of customer and clothing, this paper proposes that the dimension of physiology, character, knowledge and experience should be synthetically considered.

With the popularity of the internet and the increasing numbers of netizens, tremendous information flows are generated daily by the intelligently interconnected individuals. The diffusion processes of different information are not independent, and they interact with and influence each other. Modeling and analyzing the interaction between correlated information play an important role in the understanding of the characteristics of information dissemination and better control of the information flows. This paper aims to model the correlated information diffusion process over the crowd intelligence networks.

This study extends the classic epidemic susceptible–infectious–recovered (SIR) model and proposes the SIR mixture model to describe the diffusion process of two correlated pieces of information. The whole crowd is divided into different groups with respect to their forwarding state of the correlated information, and the transition rate between different groups shows the property of each piece of information and the influences between them.

The stable state of the SIR mixture model is analyzed through the linearization of the model, and the stable condition can be obtained. Real data are used to validate the SIR mixture model, and the detailed diffusion process of correlated information can be inferred by the analysis of the parameters learned through fitting the real data into the SIR mixture model.

The proposed SIR mixture model can be used to model the diffusion of correlated information and analyze the propagation process.

Simulation is a well-known technique for using computers to imitate or simulate the operations of various kinds of real-world facilities or processes. The facility or process of interest is usually called a system, and to study it scientifically, we often have to make a set of assumptions about how it works. These assumptions, which usually take the form of mathematical or logical relationships, constitute a model that is used to gain some understanding of how the corresponding system behaves, and the quality of these understandings essentially depends on the credibility of given assumptions or models, known as VV&A (verification, validation and accreditation). The main purpose of this paper is to present an in-depth theoretical review and analysis for the application of VV&A in large-scale simulations.

After summarizing the VV&A of related research studies, the standards, frameworks, techniques, methods and tools have been discussed according to the characteristics of large-scale simulations (such as crowd network simulations).

The contributions of this paper will be useful for both academics and practitioners for formulating VV&A in large-scale simulations (such as crowd network simulations).

This paper will help researchers to provide support of a recommendation for formulating VV&A in large-scale simulations (such as crowd network simulations).

Content Management has long been a controversial issue in the academic, public and private sectors. But how does the debate apply to community organisations and information about them? This article considers some answers to this based on the experience of Manchester Community Information Network (MCIN), who have amassed a great deal of experience in facilitating the creation of electronic content in a community setting. MCIN is a charity working in the North West of England which has been involved in community development work for about 8 years, using ICT to develop electronic community information and participation. The article will explore issues relating to the first stages of the content life cycle; the creation, editing, storage and publishing of electronic community information.

Enhanced communication between citizens and local government is envisaged as a key role for the proposed UK public library network. Improved internal partnerships between the library and local government departments and representatives will be required. An example of the potential for the development of partnerships with social services departments is discussed, drawing upon recent research reports. However, an emphasis on citizenship information alone would be unfortunate. Partnerships with other information, advice and community networks will be essential to further the aims of increasing social inclusion through electronic networks. This recommendation is supported through a review of partnerships throughout the history of community information, and discussion of recent initiatives including the growth of community information and community information networks in the UK.

It may be well argued that in modern industrial society bureaucratic organisations are the predominant means of marshalling society's resources in order to produce desired goods and services. Because bureaucracies influence the creation and distribution of scarce wealth and resources, one must necessarily be interested in the assessment of their organisational utility. The commonly used evaluative concept of effectiveness is complex and requires careful definition. It is often couched in terms of financial measures like profit, profitability, return on investment, but we shall argue that these criteria are insufficient and moreover cannot be applied to all organisations. Clearly financial measures are necessary to a definition of organisational effectiveness but they are not sufficient in themselves. For example, a firm may enjoy a high rate of return on investment because of a monopoly power conferred upon it by society. Some adjustment must, however, be made for that matter in concluding about its effectiveness. Explicit research into the concept began to emerge about 20 years ago but the term remains controversial and still somewhat ill‐defined. As Steers (1977) pointed out, there is no generally recognised theory on the concept, no agreement on its criteria of measurement, determinants and influences.

Uses experiences in Bulgaria to exemplify market entry and control strategies employed by franchisors in a business environment that is geographically and culturally remote from the West. Carries out interviews in 1996 with Bulgarian franchisors and franchisees to test a number of hypotheses relating to issues including the type of franchisor, system densities, market entry strategies and monitoring tactics. Identifies 17 environmental factors ‐ cultural, organisational, political and legal ‐ which represent possible areas of conflict between the franchisor and franchisee. Establishes that franchisors adapt to a remote business environment in a variety of ways in respect of both market entry and monitoring strategies ; establishes some significant correlations between different types of franchisors and their strategies. Finds that western franchisors and Bulgarian owned firms often place different emphasis on the relative importance of environmental factors. Observes a broad variation in market entry tactics. Recommends that franchisors need to establish criteria to establish risks in remote business environments and devise appropriate strategies prior to entry.

Gives an in depth view of the strategies pursued by the world’s leading chief executive officers in an attempt to provide guidance to new chief executives of today. Considers the marketing strategies employed, together with the organizational structures used and looks at the universal concepts that can be applied to any product. Uses anecdotal evidence to formulate a number of theories which can be used to compare your company with the best in the world. Presents initial survival strategies and then looks at ways companies can broaden their boundaries through manipulation and choice. Covers a huge variety of case studies and examples together with a substantial question and answer section.