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The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual architecture for the development of an auction business‐to‐consumer marketplace where sellers offer available resources and services aiming to maximize their revenue while on‐the‐move travelers bid for them subject to the geographical area they are located in.

Based on previous findings from the literature and aggregate results from a preliminary field survey, core communication requirements, marketplace architecture, and communication workflows are presented.

Findings from the literature and field study exhibit a great potential for the successful use of location sensitive auction applications in tourism sector. Mobile auctions seem attractive for the efficient allocation and pricing of travel resources by abolishing the internet's barriers related to travelers computing requirements; furthermore, location‐based services (LBS) may reduce significantly the communication costs for sellers. The proposed marketplace is beneficial for a number of stakeholders beyond sellers, like auctioneer, mobile communications providers, and LBS providers.

The proposed architecture is in conceptual form and is currently under development. Infrastructure issues (like communication load, required bandwidth and protocol) are being investigated. Future research will focus on the integration of the architecture in an extended multi‐provider environment forming virtual enterprises. The viability and acceptance of the proposed model should be further investigated through an extended detailed market survey.

To the authors' best knowledge it is the first attempt to propose a location‐sensitive auction marketplace for tourism services.

The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic methodology (NaviGaTor) combining a structured method for the evolutionary design of training programs with Nominal Group Technique (NGT) setting supporting the involvement of a diverse set of participants and experts.

The paper describes the necessity and efficiency of group decision making in the design of training programs, focussing on how participants can convey experience and knowledge and how NGT can enhance idea generation and support convergence of opinions. The methodology evolved from a paper-based format to a web-based format, thus supporting remote participation.

The application of the methodology in a large-scale multi-national training design program confirms practical implications on the usability, efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed structured group decision-making methodology.

The systematic training design methodology presented herein not only enhances previous findings from the literature but also sets the foundations for future research on the importance of diversity of ideas and experiences from many experts in the design of training programs.

After a series of successful applications for the design of training programs in several mid-scale intra-company projects, the methodology was applied successfully in a multi-national large-scale project focussing on the design of corporate training programs on stress management with very promising results.

The proposed methodology was the first one to be applied through a systematic and structured process and constitutes a practical tool for the efficient design of training programs through an evolutionary and structured process based on idea generation from experts.

This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

A methodological approach can enhance the design and effectiveness of workplace training programs. Use of focus groups enables greater diversity of potential training solutions to issues arising at work and can help ascertain appropriate training content, techniques, and means of evaluation.

The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations.

The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

The purpose of this paper is to present the design and evaluation of an integrated system that supports planners and dispatchers to deliver enhanced courier operations. In addition to regular deliveries and pickups, these operations include: first, mass deliveries to be served over a horizon of multiple days; and second, real-time dynamic requests (DRs) to be served within the same service period.

To address the aforementioned challenges, the authors developed an architecture that enhances a typical fleet management system by integrating purpose designed methods. Specifically, the authors plan mass deliveries taking into account typical routes of everyday operations. For planning DRs in real time, the authors propose an efficient insertion heuristic.

The results from testing the proposed optimization algorithms for planning mass deliveries and real-time DRs are encouraging, since the proposed algorithms outperform current practices. Testing in a practical courier environment, indicated that the enhanced planning system may improve significantly operational performance.

The proposed optimization algorithm for the dynamic aspect of this problem comprises a heuristic approach that reaches suboptimal solutions of high quality. The development of fast optimal algorithms for solving these very interesting and practical problems is a promising area for further research.

The proposed integrated system addresses significant problems of hybrid courier operations in an integrated, balanced manner. The tests showed that the allocation of flexible orders within a three-day time horizon improved the cost per flexible order by 7.4 percent, while computerized routing improved the cost of initial (static) routing by 14 percent. Furthermore, the proposed method for managing DRs reduced the excess cost per served request by over 40 percent. Overall, the proposed integrated system improved the total routing costs by 16.5 percent on average compared to current practices.

Both the planning problems and the related solution heuristics address original aspects of practical courier operations. Furthermore, the system integration and the proposed systematic planning contribute to the originality of the work.