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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2006

Derek J. Paulsen

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an independent analysis of all existing geographic profiling software packages to determine if any one is more accurate than the others or…

2695

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct an independent analysis of all existing geographic profiling software packages to determine if any one is more accurate than the others or if any of the software systems are any more accurate than simple spatial distribution strategies at locating the home base of serial offenders.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis was conducted of all existing geographic profiling software as well as three spatial distribution methods of profiling. Differences in accuracy were assessed using four different methods; dichotomous profile accuracy, simple error measurement, profile error distance, and average top profile area.

Findings

Results indicate that not only are the different profiling software systems no more accurate than the spatial distribution control methods, but that accuracy in general was marginal at best. In addition results indicated that certain crimes, such as commercial robbery, were particularly difficult to profile and that the number of crimes in a series was not by itself a good indicator of success of a profile.

Research limitations/implications

The paper shows that future research needs to focus more on determining how various factors such as city type, crime type, road network and spatial aspects of a crime series (dispersion and search area) impact profiling accuracy. In addition future research should also endeavor to determine whether these advanced strategies are substantially more accurate than other simple profiling strategies such as human prediction. Finally, future research should also seek to examine geographic profiling in a real world setting and how geographic profiling impacts the success of open investigations.

Practical implications

Practically, this study casts doubt not only on the overall accuracy of profiling strategies in predicting the likely home location of an offender, but also on whether probability strategies are substantially better than spatial distribution strategies.

Originality/value

This research was the first to independently analyze all of the existing geographic profiling systems against control methods for the purpose of determining the accuracy of these different methods.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 29 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 4 October 2013

Abstract

Details

The Development of Higher Education in Africa: Prospects and Challenges
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-699-6

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2020

Jean Pierre Guy Gashami, Christian Fernando Libaque-Saenz and Younghoon Chang

Cloud computing has disrupted the information technology (IT) industry. Associated benefits such as flexibility, payment on an on-demand basis and the lack of no need for IT staff…

Abstract

Purpose

Cloud computing has disrupted the information technology (IT) industry. Associated benefits such as flexibility, payment on an on-demand basis and the lack of no need for IT staff are among the reasons for its adoption. However, these services represent not only benefits to users but also threats, with cybersecurity issues being the biggest roadblock to cloud computing success. Although ensuring data security on the cloud has been the responsibility of providers, these threats seem to be unavoidable. In such circumstances, both providers and users have to coordinate efforts to minimize negative consequences that might occur from these events. The purpose of this paper is to assess how providers and users can rely on social media to communicate risky events.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Situational Theory of Publics and trust, the authors developed three research questions to analyze stakeholders’ communication patterns after a security breach. By gathering Twitter data, the authors analyzed the data security breach faced by the Premera Blue Cross’ Web application.

Findings

The results indicate that Premera acted as the main source of information for Twitter users, while trustworthy actors such as IT security firms, specialists and local news media acted as intermediaries, creating small communities around them. Theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.

Originality/value

Social media could be used for diffusing information of potential threats; no research has assessed its usage in a cloud-based security breach context. The study aims to fill this gap and propose a framework to engage cloud users in co-securing their data along with cloud providers when they face similar situations.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 120 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2012

James Woodall

There is a strong political imperative to regard the prison as a key social setting for health promotion, but evidence indicates that drug misuse continues to be a significant…

3166

Abstract

Purpose

There is a strong political imperative to regard the prison as a key social setting for health promotion, but evidence indicates that drug misuse continues to be a significant issue for many prisoners. This paper aims to examine the social and environmental factors within the setting that influence individuals' drug taking.

Design/methodology/approach

Focus groups and interviews were conducted with prisoners and staff in three male training prisons in England. The sampling approach endeavoured to gain “maximum variation” so that a broad based understanding of the prison setting could be gathered. The data were analysed in accordance with Attride‐Stirling's thematic network approach.

Findings

The findings suggest a myriad of social and environmental factors influencing drug use. While staff recognised the scale of the drugs problem, they struggled to cope with creative inmates who were not perturbed by taking risks to gain their supplies. Fellow prisoners played a major role in individuals' decision making, as did the boredom of institutional life and Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) policies within the institutions.

Practical implications

Drug treatment is an essential component of prison healthcare, but it only forms a small part of creating a health‐promoting setting. If the health‐promoting prison is to be fully realised, a more radical, upstream and holistic outlook is required.

Originality/value

The settings approach is an important theoretical and practical approach in health promotion. In comparison to other settings (such as schools), however, there has been limited research on the prison as a health‐promoting environment.

Details

Health Education, vol. 112 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-4283

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2019

Douglas M. Lambert

The purpose of this paper is to document the growing concerns about the lack of relevance of business school research, and offer suggestions for journal editors and faculty…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to document the growing concerns about the lack of relevance of business school research, and offer suggestions for journal editors and faculty members in logistics and supply chain management.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review of literature related to the relevance of business school research and an analysis of trends related to the editorial review boards of the three main logistics journals.

Findings

The current business school research model is unsustainable. The metrics used are driving the wrong behavior. Logistics journals, traditionally known for an emphasis on practical relevance, appear to be emulating the journals of other business functions at a time when there is a growing consensus that these journals are publishing, more often than not, research of little or no value to practicing managers or society.

Practical implications

The cost of faculty research at AACSB schools, which increasingly benefits no one but the authors, has been estimated at roughly US$3.8bn annually. Imagine the potential benefits if business school deans realigned the incentives to encourage faculty to produce credible research that is useful to business and society.

Originality/value

The hope is to influence senior logistics faculty with tenure to work with business executives or policymakers to identify long-term big idea projects that will impact business and society, and publish their research in the logistics journals. Traditionally, the editors of logistics journals included business executives on the editorial review boards and encouraged research of practical relevance. Journal editors should look back and realize what was good about the journals and not discard the good for current fads.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

Keywords

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