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Tests and analyzes a total quality management (TQM) methodology known as the mystery guest approach. The method involved the development of a research‐based approach to employee training by involving employees in the problem‐solving and strategic planning process. In this case study university student subjects were asked to participate in a focus group format which utilized the critical incidents, importance/performance analysis and planning effectiveness evaluation technique. Participants were organized to take a trip from Bowling Green, Ohio to Quebec City, Quebec with the itinerary including four major points of interest along the way and five on the return. Each point of interest was evaluated as a tourism experience for families. Findings revealed that participants developed their problem‐solving skills and improved their decision‐making abilities. It became apparent to the researchers that a research approach in training has the potential to be used in organizations to build employee loyalty, understanding and confidence.

Economists have long sought methods whereby efficient collective decisions can be made. When a group is confronted with the problem of choosing one policy from several alternatives, some decision‐making mechanism must be employed. Whether the mechanism is choice by democratic vote, the whim of the reigning dictator, coin tossing, or some other, the choice is made by the application of some decision‐making mechanism.

Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.

Purpose – To reflect on reasons for refusal in cross-cultural telephone surveys and address ways of reducing non-response from Chinese managers.

Approach – We first propose a conceptual model for telephone survey cooperation, drawing on existing research regarding survey non-response. This is evaluated through reflections on non-response to a telephone survey of 1,900 Chinese senior and middle managers working in privately owned high-technology firms.

Findings – We conclude with a framework for cooperation in cross-cultural telephone surveys, enhancing the leverage-saliency theory. Among many factors, home country interviewers are crucial in gaining access and generating survey interview responses. However, they require careful recruitment, rigorous training and monitoring to help ensure the quality of research data.

Research implications – Our framework provides practical advice in minimising non-response in cross-cultural telephone surveys. This includes sample selection, the development of the survey instrument (and translation), reasons for refusal, research incentives and the role of interviewers.

Originality/value – Our contribution in this chapter is twofold: an enhanced understanding of leverage-saliency theory in cross-cultural telephone surveys, and an articulation of the role of interviewers in changing the dynamics of positive and negative leverage through telephone interaction with managers.

Develops an original 12‐step management of technology protocol and applies it to 51 applications which range from Du Pont’s failure in Nylon to the Single Online Trade Exchange for Auto Parts procurement by GM, Ford, Daimler‐Chrysler and Renault‐Nissan. Provides many case studies with regards to the adoption of technology and describes seven chief technology officer characteristics. Discusses common errors when companies invest in technology and considers the probabilities of success. Provides 175 questions and answers to reinforce the concepts introduced. States that this substantial journal is aimed primarily at the present and potential chief technology officer to assist their survival and success in national and international markets.

At a recent inquest upon the body of a woman who was alleged to have died as the result of taking certain drugs for an improper purpose, one of the witnesses described himself as “an analyst and manufacturing chemist,” but when asked by the coroner what qualifications he had, he replied : “I have no qualifications whatever. What I know I learned from my father, who was a well‐known ‘F.C.S.’” Comment on the “F.C.S.” is needless.

It has often been said that a great part of the strength of Aslib lies in the fact that it brings together those whose experience has been gained in many widely differing fields but who have a common interest in the means by which information may be collected and disseminated to the greatest advantage. Lists of its members have, therefore, a more than ordinary value since they present, in miniature, a cross‐section of institutions and individuals who share this special interest.

Tremendous measure of data lakes with the exponential mounting rate is produced by the present healthcare sector. The information from differing sources like electronic wellbeing record, clinical information, streaming information from sensors, biomedical image data, biomedical signal information, lab data, and so on brand it substantial as well as mind-boggling as far as changing information positions, which have stressed the abilities of prevailing regular database frameworks in terms of scalability, storage of unstructured data, concurrency, and cost. Big data solutions step in the picture by harnessing these colossal, assorted, and multipart data indexes to accomplish progressively important and learned patterns. The reconciliation of multimodal information seeking after removing the relationship among the unstructured information types is a hotly debated issue these days. Big data energizes in triumphing the bits of knowledge from these immense expanses of information. Big data is a term which is required to take care of the issues of volume, velocity, and variety generally seated in the medicinal services data. This work plans to exhibit a survey of the writing of big data arrangements in the medicinal services part, the potential changes, challenges, and accessible stages and philosophies to execute enormous information investigation in the healthcare sector. The work categories the big healthcare data (BHD) applications in five broad categories, followed by a prolific review of each sphere, and also offers some practical available real-life applications of BHD solutions.

There are many definitions of profound and multiple learning disabilities. Most definitions include having a high degree of learning disability in conjunction with at least one other severe impairment, such as visual, auditory or physical impairments (Male, 1996; Ware, 1996; Lacey, 1998). Bunning (1997) adds that people with such disabilities are very reliant on others for support, including support in taking part in communicative events. Establishing reliable and consistent methods of communication may be exceptionally difficult (Florian et al, 2000). However, it is important to consider the individuality and extreme diversity of this population (Detheridge, 1997; Hogg, 1998), which includes variability in communication strengths and needs (Granlund & Olsson, 1999; McLean et al, 1996). Communication is often given little attention when services are planning ways of supporting individuals to participate, develop independence and make choices (McGill et al, 2000). While the individual's communication strengths and needs should remain central within any discussion, the significant others and the environment will also have an important influence. This article explores some of the communication issues experienced by people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and highlights the importance of the communication partnership within interventions.