Search results for "working"

Measuring electrostatic double-layer forces on HOPG at high surface potentials

1999

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate surface forces in aqueous electrolyte solutions between surfaces with high electric potentials. Therefore the force between a surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) and a silicon nitride tip of an atomic force microscope was measured. Various electric potentials by a counter electrode were applied to the HOPG, which served as working electrode. As predicted by the Poisson–Boltzmann theory the electrostatic double-layer force changed only in a narrow potential range of ≈300 mV. At high negative sample potentials, where the negatively charged tip was repelled from the sample, the force saturated. At positive potentials an attract…

Optimized secure and reliable distributed data storage scheme and performance evaluation in unattended WSNs

2013

Unattended Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs), characterized by the absence of real-time communication between sensors and sinks, impose sensors to retain data till the next visit of a mobile sink to off-load their data. In such networks, if a sensor is compromised, data accumulated in the sensor are exposed to attackers. In addition, by holding the secret key of the compromised sensor, attackers can also learn post-compromise data accumulated by the sensor. Furthermore, once sensors stop working due to, for instance, node crash or battery depletion, all the accumulated data will be lost. In this paper, we propose a secure and reliable data distribution scheme that addresses these challenges.…

Coded addresses in multi-hop wireless sensor networks

2014

Human capital evaluation in knowledge-based organizations based on big data analytics

2020

Abstract Starting from a Human Capital Analysis Model, this work introduces an original methodology for evaluating the performance of employees. The proposed architecture, particularly well suited to the special needs of knowledge-based organizations, is articulated into a framework able to manage cases where data is missing and an adaptive scoring algorithm takes into account seniority, performance, and performance evolution trends, allowing employee evaluation over longer periods. We developed a flexible software tool that gathers data from organizations in an automatic way – through adapted connectors – and generates abundant results on the measurement and distribution of employees’ perf…

The Co-creation Canvas

2021

Abstract Digital transformation has become an increasingly important topic among enterprises and in research. The adoption of enterprise systems is such an investment, and it usually requires significant change management activities to realize the potential benefits. One important issue is how firms should go about to make investments in appropriate digital technology – and the appropriate changes to organizational processes and business models. This is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They generally have very limited resources, and they usually depend on external input and cooperation with other companies. Therefore, a successful strategy for many SME…

Smart ICT Support for Business Networks

2005

Modern companies lean increasingly towards innovating and renewing their business operations in a more value-adding and customer-centric direction. As a prerequisite to this, a number of companies are willing to combine their knowledge and resources, for instance by forming strategic alliances supported by a mixture of open ICT infrastructure and proprietary and interoperable ICT applications. This study examines a network of three focal companies that are seeking cost-efficient expansion of their services. As the potential market for these complex customer services is worldwide, the objective is expected to be met only with the help of ICT. Furthermore, the view among the companies is rela…

Introducing SD modelling into planning and control systems to manage SMEs' growth: a learning-oriented perspective

2002

This article emphasises the need for a learning-oriented approach to planning and control as a prerequisite for SMEs’ survival and growth. Such a perspective can be effectively pursued through the development of interactive learning environments linking system dynamics (SD) and accounting models, which provide two complementary views of business phenomena. In order to properly support the drawing up of business plans and the evaluation of results associated with their implementation, the use of financial SD models embodying the accounting perspective is recommended. This is likely to enhance a shift in SME key actors’ minds, as they will be able to analyse under the feedback view financial …

Co-creation in networks of SMEs: a conceptual model of the co-creation process

2021

Abstract The ability to adopt new digital technology is a very challenging endeavour, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who because of resource poverty are dependent on external input and cooperation with other companies. Recent research has indicated that co-creation among SMEs is a promising way to overcome such limitations. However, there has been very limited research on the co-creation process, and we have little understanding about how SMEs would go about to establish and run a co-creation network. We propose a conceptual model based on our review of the literature and our empirical findings from investigating co-creation in four networks. The results expand ou…

Language in globalised interactive business: adaptation vs. standardisation

2017

We investigate language-related choices made in online firms characterised as 'interactive' and having multiple and varying audiences, in both consumer and business marketing environments. Online language choices and their relatedness with firm strategic and tactical behaviour have little received scrutiny. Using survey data, we investigate the role language plays in online firms. We scrutinise whether or not firms significantly adapt to their targeted markets through language and how such adaptive or standardising behaviour relates with firm internationalisation level, and furthermore, if this behaviour relates with how firms interact with their environment. When studying how firms interac…

Employee shirking and overworking: modelling the unintended consequences of work organisation

2020

Underworking (i.e. shirking) and overworking of employees can have detrimental effects for the individual and the organisation. We develop a computational model to investigate how work structure, specifically the way in which managers distribute work tasks amongst employees, impacts work intensity and working time. The model draws on theories from economics, psychology and management, and on empirical observations. The simulations show that when managers correctly estimate task difficulty, but undervalue the employee’s competence, opportunities for shirking are provided due to longer deadlines. Similarly, if managers overvalue the employee’s competence, they set tighter deadlines leading to…