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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 1 December 2006

Xiaojun Tong, Hongxing Li, Mianyun Chen and Yi Lin

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between the property of distributivity and Zadeh's operators.

175

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the relationship between the property of distributivity and Zadeh's operators.

Design/methodology/approach

The results are established by studying the relationship between the condition of distributivity and Zadeh's operations.

Findings

When the t‐conorm T* and t‐norm T are Zadeh's “intersection” and “union” operations, respectively, or when the pseudo‐addition ⊕ and pseudo‐multiplication ⊗ are Zadeh's “intersection” and “union” operations, respectively, a series of sufficient and necessary conditions for T* and T (or ⊕ and ⊗) to satisfy a distributivity property are obtained. These results are readily applied to semirings.

Originality/value

New theoretical results are discovered and are shown to be useful to the study of triangular operators and applications in intelligent systems.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 35 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1995

Guy Jumarie

The theory of possibility (Zadeh, Sugeno) and the theory of relative information (Jumarie) both aim to deal with the meaning of information, but their mathematical frameworks are…

218

Abstract

The theory of possibility (Zadeh, Sugeno) and the theory of relative information (Jumarie) both aim to deal with the meaning of information, but their mathematical frameworks are quite different. In the first approach, possibility is described either by fuzziness (Zadeh) or by generalized measures (Sugeno), and in the second, possibility is obtained as the result of observing probability via an observation process with informational invariance. Shows that a combination of (classical) information theory with generalized maximum likelihood via geometric programming exhibits a link between relative information, fuzziness and possibility. Some consequences are outlined.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 5 October 2018

Aminah Robinson Fayek and Rodolfo Lourenzutti

Construction is a highly dynamic environment with numerous interacting factors that affect construction processes and decisions. Uncertainty is inherent in most aspects of…

Abstract

Construction is a highly dynamic environment with numerous interacting factors that affect construction processes and decisions. Uncertainty is inherent in most aspects of construction engineering and management, and traditionally, it has been treated as a random phenomenon. However, there are many types of uncertainty that are not naturally modelled by probability theory, such as subjectivity, ambiguity and vagueness. Fuzzy logic provides an approach for handling such uncertainties. However, fuzzy logic alone has some limitations, including its inability to learn from data and its extensive reliance on expert knowledge. To address these limitations, fuzzy logic has been combined with other techniques to create fuzzy hybrid techniques, which have helped solve complex problems in construction. In this chapter, a background on fuzzy logic in the context of construction engineering and management applications is presented. The chapter provides an introduction to uncertainty in construction and illustrates how fuzzy logic can improve construction modelling and decision-making. The role of fuzzy logic in representing uncertainty is contrasted with that of probability theory. Introductory material is presented on key definitions, properties and methods of fuzzy logic, including the definition and representation of fuzzy sets and membership functions, basic operations on fuzzy sets, fuzzy relations and compositions, defuzzification methods, entropy for fuzzy sets, fuzzy numbers, methods for the specification of membership functions and fuzzy rule-based systems. Finally, a discussion on the need for fuzzy hybrid modelling in construction applications is presented, and future research directions are proposed.

Details

Fuzzy Hybrid Computing in Construction Engineering and Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-868-2

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 October 2023

Maria Gebhardt, Anne Schneider, Marcel Seefloth and Henning Zülch

The paper aims to provide companies with a better understanding of the needs of institutional investors to improve the disclosure of sustainability information by companies. The…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to provide companies with a better understanding of the needs of institutional investors to improve the disclosure of sustainability information by companies. The study investigates the changed information needs of institutional investors resulting from the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an internet-based survey instrument amongst institutional investors to gain insights into their needs regarding sustainability information. The authors received 155 responses in total and use descriptive statistics and t-tests to analyse the survey data.

Findings

The results demonstrate that the implementation of the SFDR challenges institutional investors, as it affects their decision process. Additionally, the findings still indicate a lack of available corporate sustainability information, making it even more challenging for institutional investors to make appropriate investment decisions. Respondents suggest that information on climate-related risks is more important than the European Union (EU) Taxonomy metrics for meeting the SFDR requirements.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are mainly restricted to the opinion of European investors. However, the evidence contributes to the existing literature by investigating institutional investors' information needs in the new regulatory landscape.

Practical implications

As the study provides insights into institutional investors' needs, reporting companies recognise the relevance of transparently providing sustainability information to be further considered in the investment process of institutional investors despite the regulation. The findings can help regulators develop uniform and global sustainability reporting standards.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to provide evidence on sustainability information requested on the institutional investors' side. The survey gathers primary data from professional investment members unavailable in databases or reports.

Details

Journal of Applied Accounting Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0967-5426

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 December 2022

Mohammad Hendijani Zadeh, Karen Naaman and Najib Sahyoun

This study aims to examine whether a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) transparency (reflected in two separate dimensions of social transparency and environmental…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) transparency (reflected in two separate dimensions of social transparency and environmental transparency) affects a company’s dependence on expensive trade credit (TC) financing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a panel of S&P 500 index companies between 2012 and 2019 and ordinary least squares estimators. Transparency ratings represented by Bloomberg scores capture both the quantity and quality of verified CSR practice information.

Findings

CSR transparency (CSRT) is negatively associated with a firm’s dependence on expensive TC financing. This study’s results continue to hold after a battery of robustness tests like substitute proxies for TC, use of two-stage least squares regression, industry-adjusted dependent variable, generalized linear model and bootstrapping approach. This association is stronger among companies with higher information asymmetry (IASY) and lower quality regarding governance and financial reporting. Further investigation indicates that potential channels through which CSRT mitigates a company’s reliance on TC financing are the cost of debt (CoD) and stock liquidity. This study’s findings suggest that transparent companies have a lower CoD and higher stock liquidity. This helps these companies to be more financially flexible and eventually less dependent on expensive TC financing.

Originality/value

By combining two separate research lines of TC and CSR, this study adds to both works of literature as it is the first (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) to present evidence of the effect of CSRT proxied by Bloomberg scores on a company’s reliance on TC (a real economic decision and financial policy). Additionally, this study documents the moderating effects of financial reporting quality, IASY and corporate governance on the relationship between CSRT and TC financing. In conclusion, this study provides empirical evidence regarding the potential mechanisms of CoD and stock liquidity, through which CSRT influences a company’s reliance on TC financing.

Details

International Journal of Accounting & Information Management, vol. 31 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1834-7649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 December 2020

Diane Aparecida Reis, André Leme Fleury and Marly Monteiro Carvalho

Emerging digital ventures and related breakthrough innovations result in new challenges for the development of entrepreneurial competences and demand new perspectives for…

1309

Abstract

Purpose

Emerging digital ventures and related breakthrough innovations result in new challenges for the development of entrepreneurial competences and demand new perspectives for entrepreneurship research. In this context, policy-makers and organizations are increasingly interested in fostering entrepreneurial competences to improve the success of policies and venture capital investments. This paper aims at identifying the core relevant entrepreneurial competences, mapping the current literature and the main clusters and going beyond toward a meta-competence framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is a literature review, combining bibliometric, network and content analysis. The sampling process was conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases. The bibliometrics and content analysis were performed with a computer aid approach applying VosViewer1.6, Ucinet and NetDraw 2.139. The content analysis approach was performed considering a detailed coding schema developed. Finally, toward the meta-competences framework, the study applied quantitative analysis on the coding schema, particularly cross-tabulation, core-periphery and network analysis.

Findings

The results show the state of the art concerning entrepreneurial competences. The research identified a list of 98 entrepreneurial competences. Finally, the study proposes a meta-competence framework and clusters the 33 core entrepreneurial competences previously identified.

Originality/value

The proposed conceptual framework exploring meta-entrepreneurial competences offers an original contribution with implications for theory and practice. The research contributes to broadening the understanding of the entrepreneurial competences, helping on the creation, design, development and improvement of entrepreneurship educational initiatives, which are important to entrepreneurs' educators. The proposed framework contributes by providing relevant knowledge for the policy-makers' strategy formulation processes. As implications for the practice, the proposed framework can allow better assessment process for incubators and accelerators, besides more robust ventures considering learning trails based on meta-competences frameworks.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2009

Minglan Sheng

Melting universality, quantification and relative computability into a meta‐synthesis, pansystems theory develops an investigation on W‐fuzziness and 0*‐fuzziness connected with…

184

Abstract

Purpose

Melting universality, quantification and relative computability into a meta‐synthesis, pansystems theory develops an investigation on W‐fuzziness and 0*‐fuzziness connected with generalized conceptions such as derivative, equation, variational principle and OR. The purpose of this paper is to unify various mathematical structures, fuzziness categories, definitions of systems are unified within a general framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper includes topics: pansystems approach to fuzzy systems and relations, pansystems variational principle and Zadeh's extension principle, pansystems clustering and its fuzzy embodiment, pansystems topology and approximation to fuzziness, relative unification of fuzziness and roughness.

Findings

Zadeh extension principle about fuzziness transmission can be considered as a specific model of pansystems extremum principle, and so the more modes can be developed. Based on them a further investigation is present on pansystems clustering, which is a W‐fuzzy clustering, an extension or sublation of traditional one and fuzzy one.

Originality/value

Pansystems clustering embodies mutuality of many logoi of different subbraches with classification‐styled OR, including related interpromotions of the principles among knowledge rediscovery, data mining, mathematical reasoning and the investigations of fuzzy systems. W‐fuzziness and 0*‐fuzziness realize a relative unification for many logoi and principles.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 38 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 October 2020

Mohammad Hendijani Zadeh

This study explores whether a firm's environmental and social (E&S) transparency affects corporate payout policies having two forms of dividend payout and stock repurchase payout…

1207

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores whether a firm's environmental and social (E&S) transparency affects corporate payout policies having two forms of dividend payout and stock repurchase payout.

Design/methodology/approach

Focusing on a large sample of S&P 500 firms, and utilizing Tobit estimators, the author examines whether a firm's environmental transparency and social transparency affect the levels of each dividend payout and stock repurchase payout. Transparency reflects comprehensive scores compiled by Bloomberg, capturing both the quantity (in terms of the number of data points) and the quality (with respect to objective and industry-relevant data points) of verified E&S information attributed to a firm's E&S practices.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that transparency, both environmental and social, relates to higher corporate payouts (i.e. higher dividend payout and higher stock repurchase payout). These positive relationships are magnified for firms suffering from high information asymmetry, low financial reporting quality and for those with weak governance. Moreover, the author finds that dividend payout is more stable in high E&S transparent firms than in low E&S transparent firms. The study findings continue to hold after a battery of robustness and sensitivity checks such as alternative measures, specifications, estimators, use of the instrumental variable regression approach and mitigation of omitted variable bias

Research limitations/implications

The study findings suggest that investors' interests (demanding for high corporate payouts) and other stakeholders' interests (demanding for high E&S transparency) are not necessarily in conflict, and investors' demands can be met while maintaining commitment to high E&S transparency. In addition, the study results imply that higher E&S transparency complements higher corporate payouts and signals to the market both a firm's commitment to E&S transparency and its ability to have high corporate payouts. In this line, the study findings clarify the high value of E&S transparency screening in investors' decision-making process as such transparency leads to higher corporate payouts for investors (i.e. facilitating wealth transfer to shareholders). Finally, the study findings are relevant to standard setters and regulators who emphasize the importance of E&S transparency.

Originality/value

By integrating two distinct streams of literature on corporate finance and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the author introduces E&S transparency as a novel nonfinancial driver of corporate payout policies. Finally, the study findings are in line with the notion that firm transparency (reflected in E&S transparency) can be a crucial element in justifying a firm's corporate payout policies and, in an overall view, firm policies.

Details

International Journal of Managerial Finance, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1743-9132

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1996

Ronald R. Yager

Focuses on the applications of fuzzy set theory as a tool for the construction of multi‐criteria decision functions from specifications expressed in natural language. Starting…

218

Abstract

Focuses on the applications of fuzzy set theory as a tool for the construction of multi‐criteria decision functions from specifications expressed in natural language. Starting with the ability to represent individual criteria satisfactions in terms of membership of fuzzy subsets, shows how different types of linguistic specifications are implemented. Consideration is given to the representation of trade‐offs between criteria, quantifier‐guided aggregations, conditioned criteria and possibilistically qualified criteria.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 25 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 June 2021

Haniruzila Hanifah, Nursyamimi Abd Halim, Ali Vafaei-Zadeh and Khaled Nawaser

Manufacturing sectors are identified to be of the foremost importance expected to increase Malaysia's GDP contribution to the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11th MP). The present study…

1965

Abstract

Purpose

Manufacturing sectors are identified to be of the foremost importance expected to increase Malaysia's GDP contribution to the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11th MP). The present study aims to examine the effects of intellectual capital and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on knowledge sharing in manufacturing SMEs. The impact of intellectual capital and EO on firms' innovation performance in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is accordingly investigated by considering knowledge sharing as the mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via a questionnaire consisting of the owners or top managers of 121 manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia. Partial least square (PLS) was used to analyze the obtained data.

Findings

Results indicated that human capital, as well as external relational capital, has a positive correlation with both knowledge sharing and innovation performance mediated by knowledge sharing. It was also shown that knowledge sharing has a significant impact on firm innovation performance. Interestingly, structural capital, internal relational capital and (EO) did not significantly impact knowledge sharing and innovation performance. However, all of these elements are important to influence the firm's innovation performance.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the literature on intellectual capital, entrepreneurial orientation, knowledge sharing and innovation through developing and testing the possible connections among them. The finding of this study will provide owners and top managers in manufacturing SMEs insight into the variables improving firm innovation performance.

Originality/value

This study provides a basis for researchers to reach more mounting evidence about the practice of knowledge sharing and innovation performance among manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia.

Details

Journal of Intellectual Capital, vol. 23 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1469-1930

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 2000