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This paper presents an application of the fuzzy gradual rules in an epidemic study of canine rabies in São Paulo city, Brazil. A linguistic epidemiological model was elaborated through fuzzy rules built by the Extension Principle. We used both the inference method of Mamdani and of Dubois et al. The results were compared with real data from São Paulo and with another MISO Model, which is entirely based on expert knowledge presented in a previous work. Questions about application of fuzzy techniques in epidemiology, different inference methods and the Dubois et al. methodology are discussed.

This paper focuses on the role of theory in the process of doing qualitative accounting research. It discusses the role of theory in qualitative accounting studies, and provides and example of how theory can be reflected upon, reassessed and refined during a research process.

This paper provides an illustrative account of theorizing during the process of qualitative accounting research. The paper places specific emphasis on an abductive approach to theorizing. An abductive theoretical framework is used to reflect on the theorizing process.

The “findings” reflect on the use of theory and the process of theorizing during a research process. The paper finds that abduction may be a useful way of theorizing in qualitative accounting research because it encourages the researcher to remain open to alternative explanations of data, which may promote theoretical development. This paper does not report the accounting practices of an organization in the traditional sense, but illustrates how the empirical findings led to an initial theoretical framework being developed.

The paper is intended to be informative in showing how theory can be used and developed during research. It may be of value and interest to new and emerging researchers. It may also interest established researchers seeking to reflect on their use of theory in research.

There are few contributions that focus exclusively and explicitly on how theory is used and developed during the process of qualitative accounting research. Moreover, the abductive approach has received limited attention in accounting. This paper aims to address these gaps.

Recent research suggests that the interest in process-based single-case studies is increasing in business-to-business (B2B) marketing. This paper aims to discuss research validity issues and dilemmas encountered by process-based single-case researchers in B2B marketing.

This is a methodology paper that builds on an integration of experiences, ideas and literature.

In the paper, three dilemmas are suggested that researchers need to deal with in process-based single-case research. These relate to the casing process: crafting the case, communicating the case and describing the process of the study. Furthermore, process validation is suggested as a research quality concept concerned with how these dilemmas are handled.

Based on the notion of process validation, the authors provide suggestions for how casing, as a process-based single-case approach, can be conveyed and advanced in its own right.

This study can be used to convey insights that can help new and experienced researchers in conducting single-case studies in B2B.

Coping with issues of research quality in B2B marketing is of relevance to researchers dealing with process-based single-case research and process validation issues, as well as to journal reviewers evaluating the qualities of process-based single-case research.

Notes that people use self‐presentation strategies to enhance their self‐image, and in doing so, they rely on norms. Raises the question of the desirability and feasibility of giving training to individuals in normative self‐presentation, where the idea is to teach the trainees to refer to judgment norms when responding in formal evaluation situations (like job interviews). Three judgment norms are used as illustration: internality, self‐sufficiency, and individual anchoring. The materials for training in these three norms are tested using the methods and techniques of the socionormative approach, and briefly presented. The ethical implications of this type of training are discussed.

The present contribution is in the field of quantum modelling of macroscopic phenomena. The focus is on one enigmatic aspect of quantum physics, namely, the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen paradox and entanglement. After a review of the state-of-the-art concerning macroscopic quantum effects and quantum interaction, this paper aims to propose a link between embryology and acupuncture in the framework of macroscopic intricate states induced by quantum mechanics.

The author uses the fractaquantum hypothesis which supposes that the quantum framework is applicable to all insecable elements in nature, whatever their size.

This contribution considers an open question related to a possible link between acupuncture and embryology: can a weak form of intrication be maintained during stem cell division to interpret the acupuncture meridians as an explicit manifestation of a macroscopic intricate system? The macroscopic structure suggested by quantum mechanics could be a beginning of explanation of acupuncture through the embryologic development.

A fundamental hypothesis is the fact that during cell division, cells keep some weak intrication.

This contribution suggests a structure of the acupuncture meridians. The links between the acupuncture points have to be searched in the embryologic development of the individual through a weak remaing intrication of some of his cells and not in present explicit relations.

A new link between occidental and oriental cultures is explored.

This contribution suggests conceptual links between acupuncture, embryology and macroscopic intricate states.

Centralized waiting lists (CWLs) for patient attachment to a primary care provider have been implemented across Canada, including Quebec. Little is known about the implementation of CWLs and the factors that influence implementation outcomes of such primary care innovations. The purpose of this paper is to explain variations in the outcomes of implementation by analyzing the characteristics of CWLs and contextual factors that influence their implementation.

A multiple qualitative case study was conducted. Four contrasting CWLs were purposefully selected: two relatively high-performing and two relatively low-performing cases with regard to process indicators. Data collected between 2015 and 2016 drew on three sources: 26 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, 22 documents and field notes. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to identify, through a cross-case comparison of ratings, constructs that distinguish high from low-performing cases.

Five constructs distinguished high from low-performing cases: three related to the inner setting: network and communications; leadership engagement; available resources; one from innovation characteristics: adaptability with regard to registration, evaluation of priority and attachment to a family physician; and, one associated with process domain: engaging. Other constructs exerted influence on implementation (e.g. outer setting, individual characteristics), but did not distinguish high and low-performing cases.

This is the first in-depth analysis of CWL implementation. Results suggest important factors that might be useful in efforts to continuously improve implementation performance of CWLs and similar innovations.

In the light of a recent systemic model, the yoyo model, this paper aims to look at how to show Bergstrom's Rotten Kid theorem as a simple corollary of earlier results along this line of work, explaining why transferable utility implies Becker's Rotten Kid theorem. It also aims to look at the relevant problem with child labor.

The systemic yoyo model published earlier is the road‐map and foundation for the discussion. Since “as long as the benevolent head continues to contribute his income to all, other members are also motivated to maximize the family income,” as claimed by Becker's Rotten Kid theorem, the issue of child labor naturally comes into play. To this end, an example is constructed to show that the works of Baland and Robinson and Bommier and Dubois need to be fine‐tuned.

The paper provides a short and clean proof for Bergstrom's Rotten Kid theorem and, by linking to Buchanan's Samaritan's dilemma, the clouds surrounding the difficult situation can be penetrated with more clarity. More specifically, child labor and children's human capital accumulation should not be mutually exclusive, as Baland and Robinson and Bommier and Dubois had assumed.

The paper shows rigorously how Baland and Robinson and Bommier and Dubois need to be fine‐tuned in order to capture more of the published empirical findings.

The purpose of this paper is to inquire into how conceptualising is done in the industrial network approach (INA).

The description and analysis of conceptualising is based on key INA references and an example illustrating the characteristics of conceptualising in individual studies.

The paper concludes that there is an open and interactive way of conceptualising in the INA. The empirical and theoretical grounding achieved through combining concepts in individual empirical studies interplays with conceptual development in the research community over time.

Three paradoxes are suggested for further discussion of conceptualising as a key element in theorising in the INA community.

By explicating how INA researchers engage in conceptualising both in individual empirical studies and as a community, the authors identify characteristics similar to the empirical phenomena in focus of the research: interaction, combining and heterogeneity of concepts.

In this paper we deal with fuzzy numbers that modelize uncertain quantities present in many fields of applications, such as man‐machine systems. Main attention is paid to inverse operations for fuzzy numbers which allow one to solve equations or systems of equations with fuzzy numbers. The relevance of the method proposed for the determination of parameters of fuzzy models is also stressed.

Reports on how Sodexho has improved service using total quality management. Discusses how achieving customer satisfaction in the service industry means knowing what the customers′ requirements are. Asserts that TQM has allowed the company to create the “perfect” customer/supplier partnership. Discusses the inverted pyramid, with the lowest level of personnel at the top. Reports that managers have to lead from behind leaving employees to take responsibility and develop their own ideas. Concludes that the company is adopting a permanent attitude but, because the business environment is always changing, the quality programme is never ending.