Search results
1 – 10 of over 1000Budget allocation formulas claim objectivity, and hence fairness. But factors composing the formula are limited to supply, demand, and cost. Attempts to correct for this imbalance…
Abstract
Purpose
Budget allocation formulas claim objectivity, and hence fairness. But factors composing the formula are limited to supply, demand, and cost. Attempts to correct for this imbalance of empirical data like usage have led to the use of weighted values in the formulas. This paper seeks to argue that assigning “weight” in a formula introduces value judgments and subjectivity, leaving only the misplaced illusion of objectivity.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper surveys the published literature on the use of monograph budget allocation formulas and provides analysis to highlight the underlying problems of allocation formulas.
Findings
Over the past several decades numerous permutations of the monograph allocation formula have been proposed and published. But there is no magic in formulas once value judgments are introduced. Instead, one is only left with the appearance of objectivity.
Originality/value
This paper is a review of the philosophical and economic underpinnings in the library literature on allocation formulas and subsequent budget distribution. It seeks to demonstrate the subjective nature of these formulas, once they are separated from empirical data. The paper seeks to demonstrate the dangerous illusion of objectivity that formulas can create when implemented.
Details
Keywords
Lively public debate regarding Britain's economic problems has begun to emerge but is focusing on the wrong priorities. By dwelling obsessively on unemployment and regarding the…
Abstract
Lively public debate regarding Britain's economic problems has begun to emerge but is focusing on the wrong priorities. By dwelling obsessively on unemployment and regarding the alleviation of this problem as the main target, it fails to see unemployment being positively affected as a by‐product of the necessary adaptation to the new technological and social environment.
Details
Keywords
Zhihang He, Wei Wang, Huaping Ruan, Yanzhang Yao, Xuelong Li, Dehua Zou, Yu Yan and Shaochun Jia
Overhead high-voltage transmission line (HVTL) inspection robots are used to inspect the transmission lines and/or maintain the infrastructures of a power transmission grid. One…
Abstract
Purpose
Overhead high-voltage transmission line (HVTL) inspection robots are used to inspect the transmission lines and/or maintain the infrastructures of a power transmission grid. One of the most serious problems is that the load on the front wheel is much larger than that on the back one when the robot travels along a sloping earth wire. Thus, ongoing operation of the inspection robot mainly depends on the front wheel motor’s ability. This paper aims to extend continuous operation time of the HVTL inspection robots.
Design/methodology/approach
By introducing a traction force model, the authors have established a dynamic model of the robot with slip. The total load is evenly distributed to both wheels. According to the traction force model, the desired wheel slip is calculated to achieve the goal of load balance. A wheel slip controller was designed based on second-order sliding-mode control methodology.
Findings
This controller accomplishes the control objective, such that the actual wheel slip tracks the desired wheel slip. A simulation and experiment verify the feasibility of the load balance control system. These results indicate that the loads on both wheels are generally equal.
Originality/value
By balancing the loads on both wheels, the inspection robot can travel along the earth wire longer, improving its efficiency.
Details
Keywords
M. Grujicic, H. Marvi, G. Arakere and I. Haque
The purpose of this paper is to carry out a series of transient, non‐linear dynamics finite element analyses in order to investigate the interactions between a stereotypical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to carry out a series of transient, non‐linear dynamics finite element analyses in order to investigate the interactions between a stereotypical pneumatic tire and sand during off‐road vehicle travel.
Design/methodology/approach
The interactions were considered under different combined conditions of the longitudinal and lateral slip as encountered during “brake‐and‐turn” and “drive‐and‐turn” vehicle maneuvers. Different components of the pneumatic tire were modeled using elastic, hyper‐ and visco‐elastic material models (with rebar reinforcements), while sand was modeled using the CU‐ARL sand models developed by Grujicic et al. The analyses were used to obtain functional relations between the wheel vertical load, wheel sinkage, tire deflection, (gross) traction, motion resistance and the (net) drawbar pull. These relations were next combined with Pacejka magic formula for a pneumatic tire/non‐deformable road interaction to construct a tire/sand interaction model suitable for use in multi‐body dynamics analysis of the off‐road vehicle performance.
Findings
To rationalize the observed traction and motion resistance relations, a close examination of the distribution of the normal and shear contact stresses within the tire/sand contact patch is carried out and the results were found to be consistent with the experimental counter parts.
Originality/value
The paper offers insights into the interactions between a stereotypical pneumatic tire and sand during off‐road vehicle travel.
Details
Keywords
Vaibhav Lalwani and Madhumita Chakraborty
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether stock selection strategies based on four fundamental quality indicators can generate superior returns compared to overall market.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore whether stock selection strategies based on four fundamental quality indicators can generate superior returns compared to overall market.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample of stocks comprises the constituents of BSE-500 index, which is a broad based index consisting of highly liquid stocks from all 20 major industries of the Indian economy. Portfolios are constructed on the basis of quality indicator rankings of companies and the returns of these portfolios are compared with the overall market. Excess returns on quality based portfolios are also determined using OLS regressions of quality portfolio returns on market, size, value and momentum factor returns.
Findings
The results suggest that two of the four quality strategies, namely Grantham Quality indicator and Gross Profitability have generated superior returns after controlling for market returns as well as common anomalies such as size, value and momentum. Combining value strategies with quality strategies do not yield any significant gains relative to quality only strategies.
Practical implications
For investors looking to invest in the Indian stock market for a long term, this study provides evidence on the performance of some fundamental indicators that can help predict long run stock performance. The findings suggest that investors can distinguish between high-performing and low-performing stocks based on stock quality indicators.
Originality/value
This is the first such study to look into the performance of quality investing in the Indian stock market. As most quality investing studies have been focussed on developed economies, this paper provides out-of-sample evidence for quality investing in the context of an emerging market.
Details
Keywords
The vehicle sideslip angle is an important state of vehicle lateral dynamics and its knowledge is crucial for the successful implementation of advanced driver-assistance systems…
Abstract
Purpose
The vehicle sideslip angle is an important state of vehicle lateral dynamics and its knowledge is crucial for the successful implementation of advanced driver-assistance systems. Measuring the vehicle sideslip angle on a production vehicle is challenging because of the exorbitant price of a physical sensor. This paper aims to present a novel framework for virtually sensing/estimating the vehicle sideslip angle. The desired level of accuracy for the estimator is to be within +/− 0.2 degree of the actual sideslip angle of the vehicle. This will make the precision of the proposed estimator at par with expensive commercially available sensors used for physically measuring the vehicle sideslip angle.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed estimator uses an adaptive tire model in conjunction with a model-based observer. The performance of the estimator is evaluated through experimental tests on a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
Findings
Detailed experimental results show that the developed system can reliably estimate the vehicle sideslip angle during both steady state and transient maneuvers, within the desired accuracy levels.
Originality/value
This paper presents a novel framework for vehicle sideslip angle estimation. The presented framework combines an adaptive tire model, an unscented Kalman filter-based axle force observer and data from tire mounted sensors. Tire model adaptation is achieved by making extensions to the magic formula, by accounting for variations in the tire inflation pressure, load, tread-depth and temperature. Predictions with the adapted tire model were validated by running experiments on the Flat-Trac® machine. The benefits of using an adaptive tire model for sideslip angle estimation are demonstrated through experimental tests. The performance of the observer is satisfactory, in both transient and steady state maneuvers. Future work will focus on measuring tire slip angle and road friction information using tire mounted sensors and using that information to further enhance the robustness of the vehicle sideslip angle observer.
Details
Keywords
Tallent Engineering, a member of the Charles Colston Group, hit the headlines last year when it won an order to supply parts for the Ford Sierra. Michael Colston, chairman of the…
Abstract
Tallent Engineering, a member of the Charles Colston Group, hit the headlines last year when it won an order to supply parts for the Ford Sierra. Michael Colston, chairman of the Colston Group, in an interview with Brian Rooks discusses some aspects of that deal, and outlines his views on industrial relations and company organisation.
Jean Whittaker, Humphrey Maine and Caroline Wilkinson
“Let it be said, right at the outset, that there is no magic formula which guarantees making the right decision in each investment case. Moreover, the fact that the answer has…
Abstract
“Let it be said, right at the outset, that there is no magic formula which guarantees making the right decision in each investment case. Moreover, the fact that the answer has been disseminated from a computer in reams of paper enhances the quality of the decision not one bit. Garbage in garbage out should be written large on the wall of any capital project decision maker's office. It is sad to think of the time that is often wasted running and re‐running programmes in order that the Return on Investment percentage, to two decimal places, can be moved to what is considered an acceptable level. All this effort at a time when the inputs to the system are in round thousands!”