Efficient and accurate retrieval of business process models through indexing

Recent years have seen an increased uptake of business process management technology in industries. This has resulted in organizations trying to manage large collections of business process models. One of the challenges facing these organizations concerns the retrieval of models from large business process model repositories. For example, in some cases new process models may be derived from existing models, thus finding these models and adapting them may be more effective than developing them from scratch. As process model repositories may be large, query evaluation may be time consuming. Hence, we investigate the use of indexes to speed up this evaluation process. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate that our proposal achieves a significant reduction in query evaluation time.

Development of a dragline in-bucket bulk density monitor

This paper details the implementation and trialling of a prototype in-bucket bulk density monitor on a production dragline. Bulk density information can provide feedback to mine planning and scheduling to improve blasting and consequently facilitating optimal bucket sizing. The bulk density measurement builds upon outcomes presented in the AMTC2009 paper titled ‘Automatic In-Bucket Volume Estimation for Dragline Operations’ and utilises payload information from a commercial dragline monitor. While the previous paper explains the algorithms and theoretical basis for the system design and scaled model testing this paper will focus on the full scale implementation and the challenges involved.

A micro perspective analysis of capability renewal through knowledge integration within product innovation projects

The aim of this paper is examine how firms renew their organisational capabilities based on micro organisational processes. Organisational capability development literature points to firms’ failure in capability renewal process. To overcome this inefficiency, it is proposed to integrate dynamic capability and ambidexterity perspectives by studying knowledge integration within product innovation. In this relation, applying micro perspective in studying technology diffusion within Iranian Auto industry revealed micro co-evolutionary relationships between knowledge integration within product innovation and capability development. Furthermore, based on near decomposability principals, the analysis suggested relationships among modularity of product architecture, modularity of organisational modularity and modularity of industry architecture in downstream and upstream value chain. Based on these micro-macro co evolutionary effects, capability development process underlying successful corporate entrepreneurship may be verified.

Electrophoretic mobility of cell nuclei (EMN index) as a biomarker of the biological aging process: Considering the association between EMN index and age

The present study examined whether a specific property of cell microstructures may be useful as a biomarker of aging. Specifically, the association between age and changes of cellular structures reflected in electrophoretic mobility of cell nuclei index (EMN index) values across the adult lifespan was examined. This report considers findings from cross sections of females (n = 1273) aged 18–98 years, and males (n = 506) aged 19–93 years. A Biotest apparatus was used to perform intracellular microelectrophoresis on buccal epithelial cells collected from each individual. EMN index was calculated on the basis of the number of epithelial cells with mobile nuclei in reference to the cells with immobile nuclei per 100 cells. Regression analyses indicated a significant negative association between EMN index value and age for men (r = −0.71, p < 0.001) and women (r = −0.60, p < 0.001); demonstrating a key requirement that must be met by a biomarker of aging. The strength of association observed between EMN index and age for both men and women was encouraging and supports the potential use of EMN index for determining a biological age of an individual (or a group). In this study, a new attempt of complex explanation of cellular mechanisms contributing to age related changes of the EMN index was made. In this study, a new attempt of complex explanation of cellular mechanisms contributing to age related changes of the EMN index was made. EMN index has demonstrated potential to meet criteria proposed for biomarkers of aging and further investigations are necessary.

Constructing an Internationalisation Readiness Index

In this study we incorporate a pre-internationalisation phase into the traditional Uppsala model of firm internationalisation to address the question: Where does the process begin? We identify through the literature four concepts fundamental to the ability of a firm to begin internationalisation of its operations: stimuli, attitudinal/psychological commitment, resources and lateral rigidity. Through a survey of 274 Australian exporting and non-exporting firms we collect data relating to the four pre-internationalisation concepts. An internationalisation readiness index is constructed and applied to some representative cases to establish its validity as a diagnostic tool.

Dual-process action of exercise on appetite control : increase in orexigenic drive but improvement in meal-induced satiety

Background: Exercise could contribute to weight loss by altering the sensitivity of the appetite regulatory system. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 12 wk of mandatory exercise on appetite control. Design: Fifty-eight overweight and obese men and women [mean (±SD) body mass index (in kg/m2) = 31.8 ± 4.5, age = 39.6 ± 9.8 y, and maximal oxygen intake = 29.1 ± 5.7 mL · kg–1 · min–1] completed 12 wk of supervised exercise in the laboratory. The exercise sessions were designed to expend 2500 kcal/wk. Subjective appetite sensations and the satiating efficiency of a fixed breakfast were compared at baseline (week 0) and at week 12. An Electronic Appetite Rating System was used to measure subjective appetite sensations immediately before and after the fixed breakfast in the immediate postprandial period and across the whole day. The satiety quotient of the breakfast was determined by calculating the change in appetite scores relative to the breakfast's energy content. Results: Despite large variability, there was a significant reduction in mean body weight (3.2 ± 3.6 kg), fat mass (3.2 ± 2.2 kg), and waist circumference (5.0 ± 3.2 cm) after 12 wk. The analysis showed that a reduction in body weight and body composition was accompanied by an increase in fasting hunger and in average hunger across the day (P < 0.0001). Paradoxically, the immediate and delayed satiety quotient of the breakfast also increased significantly (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These data show that the effect of exercise on appetite regulation involves at least 2 processes: an increase in the overall (orexigenic) drive to eat and a concomitant increase in the satiating efficiency of a fixed meal.

Measuring building quality of shopping centres in Surabaya by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Quality has been an important factor for shopping centers in competitive conditions. However, quality measurement has no standard. In Surabaya, only two regional shopping centers will be measured in this research. The objective is assessing quality of shopping centers building using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and calculating the Building Quality Index. An overall ranking of Hierarchy priorities of quality criteria founded as a result from AHP analysis. Access and Circulation became the highest priority in affecting quality of shopping centers building according to respondents’ perception of quality. Weightened value as a result from comparison between two shopping centers as follows: Tunjungan Plaza get 0,732 point and Surabaya Plaza get 0,268 point. The first shopping center got higher weight than the second shopping center. The BQI for Tunjungan Plaza is 66% and for Surabaya Plaza is 64%.

Business process extensibility

Vendors provide reference process models as consolidated, off-the-shelf solutions to capture best practices in a given industry domain. Customers can then adapt these models to suit their specific requirements. Traditional process flexibility approaches facilitate this operation, but do not fully address it as they do not sufficiently take controlled change guided by vendors’ reference models into account. This tension between the customer’s freedom of adapting reference models, and the ability to incorporate with relatively low effort vendor-initiated reference model changes, thus needs to be carefully balanced. This paper introduces process extensibility as a new paradigm for customising reference processes and managing their evolution over time. Process extensibility mandates a clear recognition of the different responsibilities and interests of reference model vendors and consumers, and is concerned with keeping the effort of customer-side reference model adaptations low while allowing sufficient room for model change.

Sustainable infrastructure assets : capability for infrastructure capacity management

Building for a sustainable environment requires sustainable infrastructure assets. Infrastructure capacity management is the process of ensuring optimal provision of such infrastructure assets. Effectiveness in this process will enable the infrastructure asset owners and its stakeholders to receive full value on their investment. Business research has shown that an organisation can only achieve business value when it has the right capabilities. This paradigm can also be applied to infrastructure capacity management. With limited access to resources, the challenge for infrastructure organisations is to identify and develop core capabilities to enable infrastructure capacity management. This chapter explores the concept of capability and identifies the core capability needed in infrastructure capacity management. Through a case study of the Port of Brisbane, this chapter shows that infrastructure organisations must develop their intelligence gathering capability to effectively manage the capacity of their infrastructure assets.

A GIS framework for streamlining the Nature Refuge Gazettal process

Nature Refuges encompass the second largest extent of protected area estate in Queensland. Major problems exist in the data capture, map presentation, data quality and integrity of these boundaries. The spatial accuracies/inaccuracies of the Nature Refuge administrative boundaries directly influence the ability to preserve valuable ecosystems by challenging negative environmental impacts on these properties. This research work is about supporting the Nature Refuge Programs efforts to secure Queensland’s natural and cultural values on private land by utilising GIS and its advanced functionalities. The research design organizes and enters Queensland’s Nature Refuge boundaries into a spatial environment. Survey quality data collection techniques such as the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are investigated to capture Nature Refuge boundary information. Using the concepts of map communication GIS Cartography is utilised for the protected area plan design. New spatial datasets are generated facilitating the effectiveness of investigative data analysis. The geodatabase model developed by this study adds rich GIS behaviour providing the capability to store, query, and manipulate geographic information. It provides the ability to leverage data relationships and enforces topological integrity creating savings in customization and productivity. The final phase of the research design incorporates the advanced functions of ArcGIS. These functions facilitate building spatial system models. The geodatabase and process models developed by this research can be easily modified and the data relating to mining can be replaced by other negative environmental impacts affecting the Nature Refuges. Results of the research are presented as graphs and maps providing visual evidence supporting the usefulness of GIS as means for capturing, visualising and enhancing spatial quality and integrity of Nature Refuge boundaries.

Critical thinking and organisation theory : embedding a process to encourage graduate capabilities

The need for the development of effective business curricula that meets the needs of the marketplace has created an increase in the adoption of core competencies lists identifying appropriate graduate skills. Many organisations and tertiary institutions have individual graduate capabilities lists including skills deemed essential for success. Skills recognised as ‘critical thinking’ are popular inclusions on core competencies and graduate capability lists. While there is literature outlining ‘critical thinking’ frameworks, methods of teaching it and calls for its integration into business curricula, few studies actually identify quantifiable improvements achieved in this area. This project sought to address the development of ‘critical thinking’ skills in a management degree program by embedding a process for critical thinking within a theory unit undertaken by students early in the program. Focus groups and a student survey were used to identify issues of both content and implementation and to develop a student perspective on their needs in thinking critically. A process utilising a framework of critical thinking was integrated through a workbook of weekly case studies for group analysis, discussions and experiential exercises. The experience included formative and summative assessment. Initial results indicate a greater valuation by students of their experience in the organisation theory unit; better marks for mid semester essay assignments and higher evaluations on the university administered survey of students’ satisfaction.

Minimising transport disadvantage to support knowledge city formation : applying the capability approach to select indicators

Purpose–The aims of this paper are to demonstrate the application of Sen’s theory of well-being, the capability approach; to conceptualise the state of transportation disadvantage; and to underpin a theoretical sounds indicator selection process. Design/methodology/approach–This paper reviews and examines various measurement approaches of transportation disadvantage in order to select indicators and develop an innovative framework of urban transportation disadvantage. Originality/value–The paper provides further understanding of the state of transportation disadvantage from the capability approach perspective. In addition, building from this understanding, a validated and systematic framework is developed to select relevant indicators. Practical implications –The multi-indicator approach has a high tendency to double count for transportation disadvantage, increase the number of TDA population and only accounts each indicator for its individual effects. Instead, indicators that are identified based on a transportation disadvantage scenario will yield more accurate results. Keywords – transport disadvantage, the capability approach, accessibility, measuring urban transportation disadvantage, indicators selection Paper type – Academic Research Paper

Clone Detection in Repositories of Business Process Models

Business process model repositories capture precious knowledge about an organization or a business domain. In many cases, these repositories contain hundreds or even thousands of models and they represent several man-years of effort. Over time, process model repositories tend to accumulate duplicate fragments, as new process models are created by copying and merging fragments from other models. This calls for methods to detect duplicate fragments in process models that can be refactored as separate subprocesses in order to increase readability and maintainability. This paper presents an indexing structure to support the fast detection of clones in large process model repositories. Experiments show that the algorithm scales to repositories with hundreds of models. The experimental results also show that a significant number of non-trivial clones can be found in process model repositories taken from industrial practice.

Measuring export readiness using a multiple-item index

Since the 1970s the internationalisation process of firms has attracted wide research interest. One of the dominant explanations of firm internationalisation resulting from this research activity is the Uppsala stages model. In this paper, a pre-internationalisation phase is incorporated into the traditional Uppsala model to address the question: What are the antecedents of this model? Four concepts are proposed as the key components that define the experiential learning process underlying a firm’s pre-export phase: export stimuli, attitudinal/psychological commitment, resources and lateral rigidity. Through a survey of 290 Australian exporting and non-exporting small-medium sized firms, data relating to the four pre-internationalisation concepts is collected and an Export Readiness Index (ERI) is constructed through factor analysis. Using logistic regression, the ERI is tested as a tool for analysing export readiness among Australian SMEs.