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1 – 10 of over 28000
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2001

Linda L. Brown and Daniel J. Svyantek

Analyses of organizational behavior traditionally use methods based on linear statistics. However, aspects of complex system behavior, such as market share performance, may be…

Abstract

Analyses of organizational behavior traditionally use methods based on linear statistics. However, aspects of complex system behavior, such as market share performance, may be better modeled and understood using graphical approaches. These approaches can be used to clarify the relationships between variables found in psychological research and can provide a complement to traditional research representations that has particular value for the practitioner in organizations. This paper demonstrates how three‐dimensional graphs can be valuable tools for understanding, explaining, and communicating research results by using longitudinal performance data from the automotive industry as an illustration.

Details

The International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1055-3185

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1994

John Walker

Describes the advantages of combining a Windows(TM) database package anda Visual Basic(TM) program for graphical analysis of machine replacementproblems. The database allows the…

Abstract

Describes the advantages of combining a Windows(TM) database package and a Visual Basic(TM) program for graphical analysis of machine replacement problems. The database allows the regular and easy updating of the cost elements associated with the purchase, operation and disposal of a machine. The Visual Basic(TM) program provides a simple user interface, requiring only the use of a “mouse” for input, program control, and graphical analysis of output. The program has easy access to appropriate database, spreadsheet and word‐processing packages. Illustrates the use of the program in considering the graphical analysis of the replacement of an ambulance fleet.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 14 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 July 2016

Railya B. Galeeva

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an adaptation of the SERVQUAL survey method for measuring the quality of higher educational services in a Russian university context…

3369

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate an adaptation of the SERVQUAL survey method for measuring the quality of higher educational services in a Russian university context. We use a new analysis and a graphical technique for presentation of results.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology of this research follows the classic SERVQUAL method in terms of data acquisition but provides a new approach for data analysis and presentation of findings. The technique is intended to improve upon the original method by including an importance-quality analysis grid and extending it with an innovative graphical tool for presenting results to decision-makers that is based on area-based ratios rather than difference scores.

Findings

The report includes survey results of two waves of research conducted in 2009 and 2014. Each wave consisted of 1,000 respondents from 20 branches of study and 11 higher education institutions, respectively.

Research limitations/implications

It is argued that the SERVQUAL method can be improved significantly with the proposed technique. However, the validity and reliability of the importance, expectation and perception summary scores need to be further investigated. Also, alternative methods for quality assessment (SERVPERF/HEdPERF) should be tested and compared with the modified SERVQUAL method in Russian and other international education contexts.

Practical implications

Educational service quality assessments allow the management to acquire an image of the overall quality of an institution, as well as its strengths and weaknesses, thereby improving its strategic positioning to make improvements. It is hoped that the proposed improvement to the SERVQUAL technique will increase adoption of the method among academic institutions.

Originality/value

The improved SERVQUAL methodology demonstrated in this research replaces the widely criticised “difference scores” with an easily applied graphical display. The methodology also incorporates an importance-quality analysis providing a new perspective on the SERVQUAL data. The current findings provide valuable insights into the perceived quality of the Republic of Tatarstan’s higher education system in Russia, as given by its student customers.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2018

Christopher Heywood and Monique Arkesteijn

This paper aims to report an analysis of the graphical representations of 14 corporate real estate (CRE) models. It does this to establish the systematic, metatheoretical…

1119

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to report an analysis of the graphical representations of 14 corporate real estate (CRE) models. It does this to establish the systematic, metatheoretical requirements for modelling CRE alignment which to date have been disguised in a multitude of models.

Design/methodology/approach

This meta study of CRE alignment models used a qualitative hermeneutic method to inductively develop understanding of the models’ constituent parts. Several iterations of graphical and textual analysis were required to do this. Further deductive analysis sought to understand the individual models relative to this new understanding.

Findings

The analysis showed that a total of 12 components have been used to model CRE alignment. These are divided into four Building Blocks: understanding corporate strategy; understanding real estate performance; making real estate strategy; and implementing real estate strategy. While every model’s representation contained the four Building Blocks, few models contained all 12 components, though all contained at least seven. Completeness of representation in this study should not be inferred as equating to effectiveness as an alignment process. Various feedback mechanisms were also evident between the components.

Originality/value

The analysis provides the most complete map of the modelling requirements for CRE alignment. It differs from previous theoretical work on alignment by synthesising a metatheory of alignment representation. By providing a more coherent theory by which to model CRE alignment the metatheory provides a consistent basis on which to investigate and theorise aspects of CRE alignment.

Details

Journal of Corporate Real Estate, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-001X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2014

Antonio Armillotta

This paper aims to present a method for the tolerance analysis of mechanical assemblies that is suitable to nonlinear problems where explicit functional equations are difficult or…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a method for the tolerance analysis of mechanical assemblies that is suitable to nonlinear problems where explicit functional equations are difficult or even impossible to write down. Such cases are usually modelled by linearised tolerance chains, whose coefficients (or sensitivities) are calculated from assembly data.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is based on the free-body diagrams of force analysis, which are shown to be related to the sensitivities of linearised functional equations. Such an analogy allows the conversion of a tolerance chain into a corresponding static problem, which can be solved by common algebraic or graphical procedures.

Findings

The static analogy leads to a correct treatment of tolerance chains, as the analysis of several examples has confirmed by comparison to alternative methods.

Research limitations/implications

Currently, the method has only been tested on two-dimensional chains of linear dimensions for assemblies with nonredundant kinematic constraints among parts.

Practical implications

The proposed method lends itself to ready application by using simple operations with minimal software assistance. This could make it complementary to current methods for calculating sensitivities, which are mathematically complex and require software implementation for deployment in industrial practice.

Originality/value

Analogy with force analysis, which has not been previously highlighted in the literature, is a potentially interesting concept that could be extended to a wider range of tolerancing problems.

Details

Assembly Automation, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-5154

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 2 November 2010

1565

Abstract

Details

Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 5 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-5664

Article
Publication date: 28 September 2010

M.R. Rotab Khan and Ibrahim A. Darrab

Factory management needs to find the technically feasible point up to which maintenance and quality activity levels of a factory should be selected to achieve highest productivity…

2162

Abstract

Purpose

Factory management needs to find the technically feasible point up to which maintenance and quality activity levels of a factory should be selected to achieve highest productivity with a view to fulfil company objectives for higher profitability. This research paper aims to report the development of an analytical relation between maintenance, quality and productivity.

Design/methodology/approach

An analytical relation is designed and developed incorporating graphical analysis and regression analysis to support outputs of graphical method, which creates an appropriate model. A mixed research approach is used, including application of a practical case example.

Findings

The study displays a wide range of productivity performance profiles with the strategic aim of identifying the technically feasible highest productivity result obtained. It has formulated an important analytical link, and suggested a few recommendations. The formulated model predicts the best possible productivity result out of maintenance and quality‐related practical data of a factory. The analysis enables managers to analyze, compare and identify improvement opportunities in order to enjoy competitive advantages.

Practical implications

Modern factory managers, particularly in food production, who live in a world of rapid changes, extensive interactions and complex situations, and face everyday challenges in a competitive global market, can use this model as a hands‐on tool for measurement, evaluation, logically better and proper realistic planning and implementation of maintenance and quality activities to attain maximum manufacturing productivity for their companies.

Originality/value

The model is the result of an attempt to design and develop, fulfil identified technical managerial needs and offer practical help to make logical decisions. Evidence from the literature confirms that this is a newer outlook on analytical diagnostic tools, which demonstrates the weaknesses in existing factory production system and thus helps in identifying key areas for productivity improvements. Therefore, this research is one step to further the potential and practical value added contribution in food and other industries.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 September 2016

Silvana Chambers

Regression discontinuity (RD) design is a sophisticated quasi-experimental approach used for inferring causal relationships and estimating treatment effects. This paper aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

Regression discontinuity (RD) design is a sophisticated quasi-experimental approach used for inferring causal relationships and estimating treatment effects. This paper aims to educate human resource development (HRD) researchers and practitioners on the implementation of RD design as an ethical alternative for making causal claims about training interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

To demonstrate the key features of RD designs, a simulated data set was generated from actual pre-test and post-test diversity training scores of 276 participants from three organizations in the USA. Parametric and non-parametric analyses were conducted, and graphical presentations were produced.

Findings

This study found that RD design can be used for evaluating training interventions. The results of the simulated data set yielded statistically significant results for the treatment effects, showing a positive causal effect of the training intervention. The analyses found support for the use of RD models with retrospective training intervention data, eliminating ethical concerns from random group assignment. The results of the non-parametric model provided evidence of the plausibility of finding the right balance between precision of estimates and generalizable results, making it an alternative to experimental designs.

Practical implications

This study contributes to the HRD field by explicating the implementation of a sophisticated, statistical tool to strengthen causal claims, contributing to an evidence-based HRD approach to practice and providing the R syntax for replicating the analyses contained herein.

Originality/value

Despite the growing number of scholarly articles being published in HRD journals, very few have used experimental or quasi-experimental design approaches. Therefore, a very limited amount of research has been devoted to uncovering causal relationships.

Details

European Journal of Training and Development, vol. 40 no. 8/9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-9012

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2003

P.Y. Lee, S.C. Hui and A.C.M. Fong

With the proliferation of objectionable materials (e.g. pornography, violence, drugs, etc.) available on the WWW, there is an urgent need for effective countermeasures to protect…

1686

Abstract

With the proliferation of objectionable materials (e.g. pornography, violence, drugs, etc.) available on the WWW, there is an urgent need for effective countermeasures to protect children and other unsuspecting users from exposure to such materials. Using pornographic Web pages as a case study, this paper presents a thorough analysis of the distinguishing features of such Web pages. The objective of the study is to gain knowledge on the structure and characteristics of typical pornographic Web pages so that effective Web filtering techniques can be developed to filter them automatically. In this paper, we first survey the existing techniques for Web content filtering. A study on the characteristics of pornographic Web pages is then presented. The implementation of a Web content filtering system that combines the use of an artificial neural network and the knowledge gained in the analysis of pornographic Web pages is also given.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 13 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2013

Silvia Artoni, Maria Claudia Buzzi, Marina Buzzi, Claudia Fenili, Barbara Leporini, Simona Mencarini and Caterina Senette

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific method for modelling human behavior, successfully applied in the context of Autism. Recording and sharing measurable data (on…

Abstract

Purpose

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific method for modelling human behavior, successfully applied in the context of Autism. Recording and sharing measurable data (on subjects’ performance) between caregivers guarantees consistency of learning programs and allows monitoring the learning enhancements. Data are usually recorded on paper, which requires considerable effort and is subject to error. The purpose of this paper is to describe a portable application developed to support ABA tutors in their work with autistic subjects. It allows gathering data from ABA sessions, giving tutors rapid access to information, also in graphical formats.

Design/methodology/approach

The tool was designed via participatory design. Various ABA team members were involved, in order to make the application respond perfectly to their needs. The approach aims to ensure maximum usability, while minimizing errors and ambient interference.

Findings

The use of mobile devices (i.e. tablets or smartphones) allows mobility and ease of interaction, enabling efficient data collection and processing. Data plotting allows one to easily interpret gathered data.

Social implications

The proposed application, free open source software, can be a valuable aid for supporting the ABA intervention and favor the inclusion of children with autism.

Originality/value

Available software to assist tutors during therapy sessions is often proprietary, and research prototypes are not freely available, so paper forms are still widespread. Besides, without attention to usability requirements, assisting tools would be comparable in efficiency with data insertion on paper. Our software was specifically designed following ABA principles and favors efficient data entry allowing natural interaction with touch screen interfaces: drag and drop, taps and gestures. Furthermore, it is shared in the public domain.

Details

Journal of Assistive Technologies, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-9450

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 28000