Search results for "Operation"
showing 10 items of 2969 documents
TQM Application through Self-Assessment and Learning: Some Experiences from Two EQA Applicants
2006
[This abstract is based on the author's abstract.]The introduction of international quality awards has increased the importance of self-assessment in the implementation of total quality management initiatives. Models underlying these awards stress the p..
1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene diffusion in polystyrene solutions
1996
Self-diffusion coefficients of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene (TIB) in binary solutions with polystyrene and ternary mixtures comprised of TIB, toluene, and polystyrene have been measured by static gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (SG-NMR) techniques. These data, as well as mutual-diffusion coefficient data measured by capillary column inverse gas chromatography (CCIGC), have been analyzed here with the Vrentas-Duda free-volume diffusion model. Although both binary and ternary diffusion coefficient data can be accurately correlated with the model, the results contradict those of an earlier investigation, which suggested that TIB diffuses as a single unit in polystyrene solutions. The new data…
The effects of self-efficacy on computer usage
1995
Abstract This paper examines the effect of self-efficacy, belief in one's capabilities of using a computer in the accomplishment of specific tasks, on computer usage. It introduces an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) that explicitly incorporates self-efficacy and its determinants (experience and organizational support) as factors affecting computer anxiety, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and the use of computer technology. A survey of 450 microcomputer users in Finland found strong support for the conceptual model. In accordance with TAM, perceived usefulness had a strong direct effect on usage, while perceived ease of use had indirect effect on usage through perceive…
Self-Efficacy and Resilience: Mediating Mechanisms in the Relationship Between the Transformational Leadership Dimensions and Well-Being
2019
The objective of this article is to test the roles of self-efficacy and resilience as consecutive mediators in the relationship between the four dimensions of transformational leadership and well-being (operationalized as psychosomatic complaints and psychological distress). The sample consists of 225 social services employees in Spain. Data were gathered at two time points with a time-lag of 6 months. We used path analysis to test the hypothesized model and Monte Carlo confidence intervals to check the significance of the indirect effects. Our results showed that only two of the four transformational leadership dimensions have a direct impact on self-efficacy: inspirational motivation and…
Employment contract, job insecurity and employees’ affective well-being: The role of self- and collective efficacy
2018
A large amount of research has focused on job insecurity, but without obtaining consistent results. Some authors have pointed that this variability might be due to the operationalization of job insecurity. Different types of job insecurity can provoke different employee reactions. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of job insecurity, understood as temporary employment (objective job insecurity) and personal perception (subjective job insecurity), on affective well-being. In addition, the moderator roles of job self-efficacy and collective efficacy are examined in the relationship between job insecurity and employees’ affective well-being. This study was carried out with 1435 emp…
Self-organizing maps could improve the classification of Spanish mutual funds
2006
In this paper, we apply nonlinear techniques (Self-Organizing Maps, k-nearest neighbors and the k-means algorithm) to evaluate the official Spanish mutual funds classification. The methodology that we propose allows us to identify which mutual funds are misclassified in the sense that they have historical performances which do not conform to the investment objectives established in their official category. According to this, we conclude that, on average, over 40% of mutual funds could be misclassified. Then, we propose an alternative classification, based on a double-step methodology, and we find that it achieves a significantly lower rate of misclassifications. The portfolios obtained from…
Characterization of single semiconductor nanowires by synchrotron radiation nanoprobe
2012
In this work, we report on the results of the characterization of single semiconductor nanowires by x-ray fluorescence nanoprobe. Wurtzite InGaN and Co-implanted ZnO single nanowires were studied. Ternary semiconductor nanowires show an axial inhomogeneous elemental distribution, with Ga accumulating at the bottom and In at the top of the wires. The ZnO NWs, on the other hand, show a homogeneous distribution of the Co implanted along the nanowires, without signatures of clustering or segregation effects induced by the implantation. No signatures of unintentional doping are observed neither in the InGaN nor the ZnO NWs. These overall results demonstrate the suitability of X-ray fluorescence …
Optimal selection of thek best of a sequence withk stops
1997
We first consider the situation in which the decision-maker is allowed to have five choices with purpose to choose exactly the five absolute best candidates fromN applicants. The optimal stopping rule and the maximum probability of making the right five-choice are given for largeN eN, the maximum asymptotic value of the probability of the best choice being limN→∝P (win) ≈ 0.104305. Then, we study the general problem of selecting thek best of a sequence withk stops, constructing first a rough solution for this problem. Using this suboptimal solution, we find an approximation for the optimal probability valuesPk of the form $$P_k \approx \frac{1}{{(e - 1)k + 1}}$$ for any k eN.
On estimating contemporaneous quarterly regional GDP
2007
Subnational regional jurisdictions rarely have at their disposal a reasonable array of timely statistics to monitor their economic condition. In light of this, we develop a procedure that simultaneously estimates a quarterly time series for all regions of a country based upon quarterly national and annual regional data. While other such techniques exist, we suggest a temporal error structure that eliminates possible spurious jumps. Using our approach, regional analysts should now be able to distribute national growth among regions as soon as quarterly national figures are released. In a Spanish application, we detail some practicalities of the process and show that our proposal produces bet…
Vehicle routing with private and shared delivery locations
2021
Abstract The rapid growth of e-commerce has led to an increase of home delivery requests. Providing efficient distribution systems for services on the last mile has become a challenging issue for logistics companies, where a trade-off between the classical approaches, attended home delivery (AHD) and usage of shared delivery locations (SDLs) has been identified. AHD provides a higher quality of service but implies very high costs for the company, while usage of SDL requires customers to perform the very last mile by themselves. For companies, this bears the risk of a decrease in the perceived service quality. However, due to consolidation effects, transportation costs can be considerably mi…