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The purpose of this paper is to discuss the importance of cross‐sectoral co‐operations and the potential role of tourism organizations in an integrated location management system, using the regional governance approach. The coordination between participants and the development of economic dynamics by coordinated networks are important factors determining the competitiveness of locations.

The paper undertook a qualitative and quantitative survey in Bavaria, which analyzed the role of a tourism organization in the location, using the example of cross‐sectoral interaction with the brewing industry. First, a qualitative explorative study was conducted analyzing the potential cross‐sectoral activities of the tourism organization with the brewery industry in Bavaria, and examined the indicators of power and legitimacy. A further quantitative survey was then carried out to assess the current situation of the cross‐sectoral interaction of the Bavarian tourism organization with the brewery industry and the position of the tourism organization in the location.

The results show that the role of the tourism organization in cross‐sectoral interactions with other parties in a region where tourism does not play a major role is not strong. It lacks the power to take a leading part in determining a region's attractiveness, and needs to develop its expertise as a cross‐sector intermediary for an integrative location management process. The results indicate potential for improvements in the field of communication and interaction to strengthen the position of the tourism organization.

The study results reveal that the philosophy of cross‐sectoral thinking is not yet strongly developed in the Bavarian tourism organization. It should develop a stronger network‐oriented perspective if it wants to become an intermediary between the local sectors and industries.

Applying the findings of the regional governance theory, the paper demonstrates the potential contribution of tourism organizations as cross‐sector intermediaries for location management processes, so that the various attractions at a location can all profit by working towards a more competitive and attractive location.

Mobility management for single‐hop cellular networks has received much research attention in the last few years. One of the research challenges for 4G wireless systems is the design of mobility management techniques that integrate cellular and ad‐hoc networks. Currently, there are no structured mobility management schemes for these heterogeneous multi‐hop networks. This paper aims to address these issues.

This paper describes techniques for tracking a mobile node (MN) in an integrated architecture with minimum overhead. This paper proposes group rerouting concept.

The paper implements and evaluates the proposed protocol by using the network simulator (NS‐2). The proposed protocol increases performance compared to broadcasting schemes.

This scheme considers devices with two interfaces only.

The paper proposes a scheme to extend the coverage of cellular base stations by using ad‐hoc devices.

This paper describes techniques for tracking an MN in an integrated architecture with minimum overhead. This scheme is independent of the routing protocol used in a multi‐hop network.

This paper proposes a new Heterogeneous Multi‐hop Cellular IP (MCIP) network that integrates multi‐hop communication with Cellular IP. MCIP increases the coverage of the wireless network and improves the network robustness against adverse propagation phenomena by supporting communication in dead zones and areas with poor radio coverage. MCIP includes three components: location management, connection management and route reconfiguration. Location management is responsible for maintaining the location information for Mobile Stations (MSs) in a local domain. Connection management establishes an initial path for data transmission and a route reconfiguration mechanism is proposed to take advantage of various multi‐hop connection alternatives available based on terminal interfaces, network accessibility and topology. Our simulation results show that MCIP performs well in networks of various sizes including scalability, throughput, and packet delay.

Disaster management and humanitarian logistics (HT) play crucial roles in large-scale events such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis. Well-organized disaster response is crucial for effectively managing medical centres, staff allocation and casualty distribution during emergencies. To address this issue, this study aims to introduce a multi-objective stochastic programming model to enhance disaster preparedness and response, focusing on the critical first 72 h after earthquakes. The purpose is to optimize the allocation of resources, temporary medical centres and medical staff to save lives effectively.

This study uses stochastic programming-based dynamic modelling and a discrete-time Markov Chain to address uncertainty. The model considers potential road and hospital damage and distance limits and introduces an a-reliability level for untreated casualties. It divides the initial 72 h into four periods to capture earthquake dynamics.

Using a real case study in Istanbul’s Kartal district, the model’s effectiveness is demonstrated for earthquake scenarios. Key insights include optimal medical centre locations, required capacities, necessary medical staff and casualty allocation strategies, all vital for efficient disaster response within the critical first 72 h.

This study innovates by integrating stochastic programming and dynamic modelling to tackle post-disaster medical response. The use of a Markov Chain for uncertain health conditions and focus on the immediate aftermath of earthquakes offer practical value. By optimizing resource allocation amid uncertainties, the study contributes significantly to disaster management and HT research.

The importance of location to retail organisations has long been recognised in the geography and retail marketing literatures, with subjective and “gut feel” methods of evaluation emerging as highly significant factors in the decision‐making process. Through the application of existing frameworks we seek to highlight the importance of location to small independent retailers in the context of outdoor leisure retailing. The case of “UpFront”, a pseudonym for a retailer operating four outlets in Great Britain, is presented. It is shown that, although based largely on luck and opportunism, the firm's locational “strategy” has been crucial to its success as a leading player in the sector. Based on detailed interviews with the managing director and employees, the role and importance of location as a critical success factor to the organisation is presented. In conclusion, a call is made for greater engagement with the nuances of location to small retail organisations, given its impact on a large number of retail operations.

In this paper, the authors describe a geographical information system (GIS)‐based software system for managing and integrating multi‐facility warehousing and production systems that are distributed within a relatively large geographical area. The development of the software system is motivated by a unique warehousing environment at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The arsenal scenario is characterized by a novel set of highly limiting warehouse constraints. Although motivated by this unique problem, the software system has been designed to maximize technology transfer capability into diverse general warehouse settings. The paper presents motivation, describes features, and demonstrates the efficacy of operations using the software system. The system is verified and validated in a case study setting. It is demonstrated that the GIS platform offers unique capabilities that enhance problem solutions. In conclusion, the paper offers a contribution to the literature by presenting the use of GIS as an integration strategy in an exciting new area of application.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the integration of information technology (IT) systems and the strengthening of customer service to raise business competitive advantage.

The case company uses IT systems to integrate customers and suppliers. In this paper, both are interviewed about how they work together for the development and operation of IT systems. A grounded theory approach is followed to develop the theoretical framework from the empirical evidence.

This research regards the whole machine industry as having the following influence, beginning with the related innovation business model. Previously, most machine tool companies played the role of product manufacturer, making high‐quality products the goal. This research indicated that not only can Taiwan manufacture high‐quality products but also that it can create product design and support a global localization service to the world.

In this paper, information architecture planning is designed to strengthen the bonds between the clients and the company.

This paper may help global companies concerned with the development, support, and operation of IT systems to look beyond the systems of their collaborative working to consider the effect of supporting a localization service in their systems.

What effect do different business environments, caused primarily by changes in GDP, have on property management of growth firms?

This paper investigates the dynamic effects of two successive periods on property management variables with data from 387 Swedish growth firms during the six year period of 1998‐2003. The variables cover two three‐year time periods: 1998‐2000 (high growth of GDP) and 2001‐2003 (low growth of GDP). The empery originates from a quantitative survey with variables related to: office areas; affiliation changes (events of M&A, outsourcing of core business has occurred) and if those events have changed the total use of office space; use of temporary staff and staff that works in office area; flexibility of contracts; propensity to rent office space and location events. Dramatic changes of GDP are here associated to the dynamic effects of the business environment that have implications on property management variables of the two periods.

The two periods themselves correlate strongly to each other. The results reveal correlations between down turn‐business period and variables that describe the hiring temporary staff; propensity to rent office spaces; significance of flexible contracts; office location in rural area and relocation frequency.

The survey is limited geographically to Sweden with strict growth criteria. The findings argue for a behaviour among growth firms that responds to changes in business environment into property management decisions.

Dramatic changes in GDP influence growth firms behaviour of renting office spaces; down turn of GDP is likely related in particular to increase of rented offices space.

Empery from an extensive survey of growth firms of an entire country with focus on property management variables during two distinct periods regarding GDP.

There is a need for a realistic simulator to model real mobile networks users. The purpose of this paper is to present a practical approach for simulating mobile networks. It aims to develop a platform that enables researchers to study different mobility scenarios.

The platform is built by using an initial set of real world data which is made richer by adding more complex movement patterns for users. Such an environment will aid researchers that are studying different problems related to users' behavior in a mobile computing setup.

It was found that the illustrative histograms of the generated network are used as an effective tool to modify and qualify the generated network, before actually using it, to have a network as close as possible to a real world one.

The authors were unable to access real data from real networks because of privacy issues.

The paper describes the first fully integrated simulator for mobile networks.

An important question in contemporary research is: do certain management practices cause better performance or do better performing organizations find it easier to adopt certain management practices? This question is also of importance when applying the high performance organization (HPO) framework, which is a scientifically validated technique designed to achieve and sustain a high level of performance. Many research studies correlate the HPO framework with improved organizational performance. There are, however, no studies which explicitly look at the causal relationship. This paper aims to provide empirical evidence of causality.

Longitudinal research was conducted at two companies. An HPO diagnosis was conducted at each company, after which management implemented the HPO framework. Two units at each company were selected as case studies. Data were collected, using a questionnaire and interviews, at the beginning and after 18 months, when the diagnoses were repeated. A linear regression analysis was performed to interpret the data.

Despite exposure to the same HPO framework techniques, organizational units achieved significantly different outcomes. In each company, one unit achieved a higher HPO score and higher organizational results, while the other unit had no change, or a lower HPO score and lower organizational results. The key factor was the manner in which unit managers applied the HPO framework.

Optimal effectiveness for the HPO framework occurs when management incorporates the HPO factors into the workplace and strives diligently to improve performance.

This research responds to the question “Do certain management practices cause better performance or do better performing organizations find it easier to adopt certain management practices?”