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Fuzzy numbers are often used to represent non-probabilistic uncertainty in engineering, decision-making and control system applications. In these applications, fuzzy arithmetic operations are frequently used for solving mathematical equations that contain fuzzy numbers. There are two approaches proposed in the literature for implementing fuzzy arithmetic operations: the α-cut approach and the extension principle approach using different t-norms. Computational methods for the implementation of fuzzy arithmetic operations in different applications are also proposed in the literature; these methods are usually developed for specific types of fuzzy numbers. This chapter discusses existing methods for implementing fuzzy arithmetic on triangular fuzzy numbers using both the α-cut approach and the extension principle approach using the min and drastic product t-norms. This chapter also presents novel computational methods for the implementation of fuzzy arithmetic on triangular fuzzy numbers using algebraic product and bounded difference t-norms. The applicability of the α-cut approach is limited because it tends to overestimate uncertainty, and the extension principle approach using the drastic product t-norm produces fuzzy numbers that are highly sensitive to changes in the input fuzzy numbers. The novel computational methods proposed in this chapter for implementing fuzzy arithmetic using algebraic product and bounded difference t-norms contribute to a more effective use of fuzzy arithmetic in construction applications. This chapter also presents an example of the application of fuzzy arithmetic operations to a construction problem. In addition, it discusses the effects of using different approaches for implementing fuzzy arithmetic operations in solving practical construction problems.

The purpose of this paper is to assess the vulnerability of the aquifer using two models of analysis (DRASTIC and GOD) that were applied in practice in the regions of Bir Chouhada, Souk Naamane and Ouled Zouai in the district of Oum El-Bouaghi.

This study aims to determine the most adequate methods to ensure the protection of the Bir Chouhada, Souk Naamane and Ouled Zouai aquifer from pollution using vulnerability assessment. The application of the DRASTIC and GOD models made this evaluation possible.

The analysis of the both maps of vulnerability, resulting from the application of the two methods (DRASTIC and GOD), has revealed several classes of vulnerability that are no-, low-, medium- and high-vulnerable area. High DRASTIC vulnerability values vary between 145 and 178, and those of GOD vary between 0.07 and 0.57. It is observed that vulnerability increases from the center toward the eastern part of the plain; this is confirmed by the repartition of nitrate contents. The impact of the hydraulic conductivity on vulnerability to pollution is more significant than those of the vadose zone and the aquifer media. This is well observed when considering the single-parameter sensitivity analysis.

The text deepens the understanding of the vulnerability assessment and quality of the aquifer and the groundwater. The present study can be used for the assessment and the management of groundwater.

This chapter proposes a survey of the main results produced by the literature on licensing and some original insights, with a particular focus on globalization, North–South models of technology transfer, the issue of how the intellectual property rights influences international licensing, and asymmetric information.

The purpose of the paper is to investigate the price interrelationship between the Taiwanese and US financial markets.

The trivariate GJR‐GARCH (1,1) model and event study were employed to investigate volatility asymmetry and overreaction phenomenon, respectively.

The empirical results show that return volatility reveals the asymmetric phenomenon, and the holding period returns on US index futures from the opening of the US index futures electronic trading to the opening of the Taiwanese stock market are an important reference for investors in the Taiwanese stock market. Additionally, the paper presents an overreaction of the Taiwan Stock Exchange Capitalization Weighted Stock Index to a drastic price rise of E‐min NASDAQ 100 Index futures at the opening of the Taiwanese stock market.

This paper deletes the observations arising from the different national holidays of the USA and Taiwan, to have the same number of observations in both markets, which might contaminate the empirical results.

Investors in the Taiwanese stock market tend to pay more attention to the fluctuations in the share prices of high‐technological companies in the USA.

Most of the previous studies regarding price transmission between the Taiwanese and US stock markets focused mainly on the Taiwanese market reactions to the overnight returns of the US market. This paper enlarges the current field by examining the lead‐lag relationship, the volatility asymmetry, and the overreaction phenomenon between the Taiwanese and US financial markets according to the most updated US stock index information.

Non-politicized bureaucracy plays a fundamental role in the survival of states during times of transition and drastic change. Moreover, non-politicized bureaucracy protects state institutions from failing. In fact, state survival bureaucracy (SSB), as an alternative to Deep State, obtains all mechanisms for the sustainability of the state, both its entity and identity. In case of resistance to the elected officials and executives’ abrupt decisions, professionals and experts came up with Deep State to reflect the elements of rejection.

The paper uses both system and function approaches in analyzing the role of bureaucracy in states going through transition. It also draws comparisons from the harsh experiences in the Arab region after Arab revolutions where most of the states collapsed while Tunisia and Egypt survived. The authors will use the available literature in reviewing different arguments regarding the role of bureaucracy in addition to the own observations as scholars who were engaged in the political process in Egypt for sometimes and during the drastic changes since January 25, 2011 and the knowledge about political process in Tunisia and other Arab states.

In the study of the collapse of a number of Arab states and the survival of Tunisia and Egypt, it was found out that it is SSB which holds state together in cases of drastic changes or tangible threats. SSB includes bureaucrats and policy implementing agencies that are committed to both entity and identity of the state. The role of SSB emerges clearly in a state of utmost survival crisis of the state. SSB does inherently obtain self-correcting mechanisms that help states face, experience drastic change and cope with it.

Non-politicized bureaucracy plays a fundamental role in the survival of states during times of transition and drastic change. Moreover, non-politicized bureaucracy protects state institutions from failing. In fact, SSB as an alternative to Deep State, as defined in this paper, obtains all mechanisms for the sustainability of the state, both its entity and identity. The analysis will show how SSB is a constructive mechanism for the survival of the state when its entity and identity as well as well-established national interests are under tangible threats.

Growing competition and globalisation have led to massive changes in the approaches of traditional management systems and techniques. Often this needs a radically different way of organising activities, recruiting and developing people, and measuring performances and results. In this article, the focus is on the specific challenges of organising management development in a situation of turbulence and drastic change. After a short sketch of the historical context, some current trends and challenges are explored; the role of strategic re‐orientations, the emphasis on the individual, the role of competencies and the significance of demographic changes. In order to see how management development is organised in companies that have seen drastic organisational change, we investigated the most recent approaches of management development in two large Belgian companies. In our conclusion, we stress the importance of fine‐tuning the objectives between individual and organisation in a creative and long‐term‐oriented perspective.

Japan has had four periods of public sector reform since World War II. This chapter discusses the leadership for reform during the occupation period, the high economic growth period, the low economic growth period and the search for a ‘new’ Japan under various present difficulties. Reforms reflect the priorities of the time and interests of prime ministers, whose style of functioning also affects how public sector reforms are advanced. During the occupation period, the Administrative Management Agency was established in the Prime Minister’s Office and was responsible for the overall management of national government organizations. It was staffed by civil servants who were experts in their areas. Since the 1980s, furthering privatization, deregulation and reorganization, advisory councils for the prime minister were also used, involving influential business leaders and scholars.

This chapter shows that political leadership, especially that of the prime minister and minister in charge of administrative reform, is important in deciding on highly political issues, to persuade or direct politicians and administrators to follow the leadership, to inspire and get the support of the general public and to ensure the support or acceptance of those concerned. Where prime ministers are not directly involved, leadership is provided by professional administrators under the general support of the prime minister and the minister responsible for administrative reforms. It is also pointed out that reform sustainability occurs through institutionalization, incentives, management and producing meaningful results.