Search results for "Management Science"
showing 10 items of 1017 documents
A Multi objective inventory model for short food supply chains
2017
Over the past 50 years, vertically integrated multinationals dominated global food markets by providing huge product diversity at low prices. Such systems are characterized by long supply chains capable of achieving high cost efficiencies resulting from the use of cheap raw materials, high chemical inputs, industrial shelf-life extension processes, economies of scale and mechanization. This dominant position on the market, however, has been achieved at a heavy cost on the global environment, generated by massive food wastage, and by a steady supply of fossil fuels. For such reasons, global supply chains are considered unsustainable and new food systems are being promoted in order to replace…
Research Practices and Operations in Studying Debates and Documents
2017
The chapter presents research practices and operations (or methods and techniques) that are useful in studying debates and documents as part, and as arenas and reflections, of political activity, political processes, strategies and actions. It contains first general considerations that are valid and helpful for most interpretative and textual analyses, with additional emphasis set on how to analyse political activity linked to texts: the research interest and research question target the moves, strategies, interests and actors involved in the political processes in question, rather than simply the contents of the text, and this in return crucially determines material selection, research que…
An Adaptive Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers
2021
AbstractThe alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) is a powerful splitting algorithm for linearly constrained convex optimization problems. In view of its popularity and applicability, a growing attention is drawn toward the ADMM in nonconvex settings. Recent studies of minimization problems for nonconvex functions include various combinations of assumptions on the objective function including, in particular, a Lipschitz gradient assumption. We consider the case where the objective is the sum of a strongly convex function and a weakly convex function. To this end, we present and study an adaptive version of the ADMM which incorporates generalized notions of convexity and penalty…
Applying complexity science to air traffic management
2015
Versión aceptada obtenida del archivo digital en línea WestminsterResearch de la Universidad de Westminster. Complexity science is the multidisciplinary study of complex systems. Its marked network orientation lends itself well to transport contexts. Key features of complexity science are introduced and defined, with a specific focus on the application to air traffic management. An overview of complex network theory is presented, with examples of its corresponding metrics and multiple scales. Complexity science is starting to make important contributions to performance assessment and system design: selected, applied air traffic management case studies are explored. The important contexts of…
Learning and Innovation in Agriculture and Rural Development: The Use of the Concepts of Boundary Work and Boundary Objects
2015
Purpose: The paper explores the role of boundary work and boundary objects in enhancing learning and innovation processes in hybrid multi-actor networks for sustainable agriculture (LINSA). Design/Methodology/Approach: Boundary work in LINSA is analysed on the basis of six case studies carried out in SOLINSA project under a common methodology. In developing typologies of boundary work and objects, a grounded approach is used. Findings: LINSA analysis demonstrates the dynamic character, diverse forms and multiple functions of boundary work and objects in three domains: learning, innovation, and sustainability. Addressing specific types of goals and actors leads to specific types of boundary …
Constrained control of a nonlinear two point boundary value problem, I
1994
In this paper we consider an optimal control problem for a nonlinear second order ordinary differential equation with integral constraints. A necessary optimality condition in form of the Pontryagin minimum principle is derived. The proof is based on McShane-variations of the optimal control, a thorough study of their behaviour in dependence of some denning parameters, a generalized Green formula for second order ordinary differential equations with measurable coefficients and certain tools of convex analysis.
Reconfiguration: a key to handle exceptions and performance deteriorations in manufacturing operations
2005
During a manufacturing operation, exceptions may occur dynamically and unpredictably. Their occurrence may lead to the degradation of system performance or, in the worst case scenario may interrupt the production process by causing errors in the schedule plan. This paper classifies three families of exceptions: (1) out-of-order events such as machine breakdowns, (2) operational out-of-ordinary events such as rush orders and (3) deteriorations of manufacturing resource performance such as reductions of machines' utilization. In all cases, in order to maintain an adequate level of system performance, it is necessary to detect exceptions, to diagnose them quickly and to recover them by taking …
Learning to synthesise contradictions: an Austrian approach to bridging time concepts in the strategic theory of the firm
2012
Moving from an inquiry on the notions of time underlying strategy studies, in this paper we lay the groundwork for the elaboration of a multitemporal view of the firm. We draw on the Austrian process view in economic studies and on Nonaka's idea of synthesising capabilities to formulate a methodological framework which consents the elaboration of a multitemporal view of the resource-based firm, in which different time concepts are bridged and main actor behaviours crucial for prolonged firm success are encompassed. We then show how the multitemporal view of the firm which emerges from the deployment of the integration of the Austrian and Nonakian approaches consents the reinterpretation and…
Multinationality, foreignness and institutional distance in the relation between R&D and productivity
2012
Abstract This paper empirically examines to what extent being foreign and part of a multinational affects the endogenous relation between R&D and productivity. Our findings indicate that multinationals obtain in general higher R&D returns. Also, there is a negative foreignness effect in that domestic-owned multinationals outperform foreign subsidiaries. However, these effects are somehow moderated by the institutional distance between the home and host countries. These results, obtained for a panel of UK firms, are largely consistent with a set of hypotheses derived from the institutional and international business theories.
Financing successful small business projects
2014
Purpose – The current credit rationing strongly influences the viability of SMEs innovation projects. In this context, the practice of screening borrowers by project success probability has become a paramount consideration for both lenders and firms. The aim of this paper is to test the screening role of loan contracts that consider collateral-interest margins simultaneously. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents an empirical analysis that uses a unique data set composed of 323 bank loans granted by 28 banks to SMEs backed by a Spanish Mutual Guarantee Institution. Findings – The results show that appropriate combinations of collateral and interest rates can distinguish between…