A survey based analysis of IT adoption and 3PLs' performance

Purpose: In today's competitive scenario, effective supply chain management is increasingly dependent on third-party logistics (3PL) companies' capabilities and performance. The dissemination of information technology (IT) has contributed to change the supply chain role of 3PL companies and IT is considered an important element influencing the performance of modern logistics companies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between IT and 3PLs' performance, assuming that logistics capabilities play a mediating role in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach: Empirical evidence based on a questionnaire survey conducted on a sample of logistics service companies operating in the Italian market was used to test a conceptual resource-based view (RBV) framework linking IT adoption, logistics capabilities and firm performance. Factor analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis have been used to test hypotheses. The focus of the paper is multidisciplinary in nature; management of information systems, strategy, logistics and supply chain management approaches have been combined in the analysis. Findings: The results indicate strong relationships among data gathering technologies, transactional capabilities and firm performance, in terms of both efficiency and effectiveness. Moreover, a positive correlation between enterprise information technologies and 3PL financial performance has been found. Originality/value: The paper successfully uses the concept of logistics capabilities as mediating factor between IT adoption and firm performance. Objective measures have been proposed for IT adoption and logistics capabilities. Direct and indirect relationships among variables have been successfully tested. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Explaining process and performance in the co-production of knowledge:a comparative analysis of collaborative research projects

Despite considerable and growing interest in the subject of academic researchers and practising managers jointly generating knowledge (which we term ‘co-production’), our searches of management literature revealed few articles based on primary data or multiple cases. Given the increasing commitment to co-production by academics, managers and those funding research, it seems important to strengthen the evidence base about practice and performance in co-production. Literature on collaborative research was reviewed to develop a framework to structure the analysis of this data and relate findings to the limited body of prior research on collaborative research practice and performance. This paper presents empirical data from four completed, large scale co-production projects. Despite major differences between the cases, we find that the key success factors and the indicators of performances are remarkably similar. We demonstrate many, complex influences between factors, between outcomes, and between factors and outcomes, and discuss the features that are distinctive to co-production. Our empirical findings are broadly consonant with prior literature, but go further in trying to understand success factors’ consequences for performance. A second contribution of this paper is the development of a conceptually and methodologically rigorous process for investigating collaborative research, linking process and performance. The paper closes with discussion of the study’s limitations and opportunities for further research.

Performance modelling and analysis of multiple coexisting IEEE 802.15.4 wireless sensor networks

With the features of low-power and flexible networking capabilities IEEE 802.15.4 has been widely regarded as one strong candidate of communication technologies for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). It is expected that with an increasing number of deployments of 802.15.4 based WSNs, multiple WSNs could coexist with full or partial overlap in residential or enterprise areas. As WSNs are usually deployed without coordination, the communication could meet significant degradation with the 802.15.4 channel access scheme, which has a large impact on system performance. In this thesis we are motivated to investigate the effectiveness of 802.15.4 networks supporting WSN applications with various environments, especially when hidden terminals are presented due to the uncoordinated coexistence problem. Both analytical models and system level simulators are developed to analyse the performance of the random access scheme specified by IEEE 802.15.4 medium access control (MAC) standard for several network scenarios. The first part of the thesis investigates the effectiveness of single 802.15.4 network supporting WSN applications. A Markov chain based analytic model is applied to model the MAC behaviour of IEEE 802.15.4 standard and a discrete event simulator is also developed to analyse the performance and verify the proposed analytical model. It is observed that 802.15.4 networks could sufficiently support most WSN applications with its various functionalities. After the investigation of single network, the uncoordinated coexistence problem of multiple 802.15.4 networks deployed with communication range fully or partially overlapped are investigated in the next part of the thesis. Both nonsleep and sleep modes are investigated with different channel conditions by analytic and simulation methods to obtain the comprehensive performance evaluation. It is found that the uncoordinated coexistence problem can significantly degrade the performance of 802.15.4 networks, which is unlikely to satisfy the QoS requirements for many WSN applications. The proposed analytic model is validated by simulations which could be used to obtain the optimal parameter setting before WSNs deployments to eliminate the interference risks.

Modeling and analysis of high performance L-band erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA)

The performances of L-band EDFA are modeled and analyzed, based on C-band EDFA, through variation of pump power, ion concentration and fiber length. The fiber length promises higher performance than others. © 2005 Optical Society of America.

The effectiveness of workplace coaching:a meta-analysis of learning and performance outcomes from coaching

This study presents a meta-analysis synthesizing the existing research on the effectiveness of workplace coaching. We exclusively explore workplace coaching provided by internal or external coaches and therefore exclude cases of manager-subordinate and peer coaching. We propose a framework of potential outcomes from coaching in organizations, which we examine meta-analytically (k = 17). Our analyses indicated that coaching had positive effects on organizational outcomes overall (δ = 0.36), and on specific forms of outcome criteria (skill-based δ = 0.28; affective δ = 0.51; individual-level results δ = 1.24). We also examined moderation by a number of coaching practice factors (use of multisource feedback; type of coach; coaching format; longevity of coaching). Our analyses of practice moderators indicated a significant moderation of effect size for type of coach (with effects being stronger for internal coaches compared to external coaches) and use of multisource feedback (with the use of multisource feedback resulting in smaller positive effects). We found no moderation of effect size by coaching format (comparing face-to-face, with blended face-to-face and e-coaching) or duration of coaching (number of sessions or longevity of intervention). The effect sizes give support to the potential utility of coaching in organizations. Implications for coaching research and practice are discussed.

Analysis and improvement of performance in LCL filter-based PWM rectifier/inverter application using hybrid damping approach

A hybrid passive-active damping solution with improved system stability margin and enhanced dynamic performance is proposed for high power grid interactive converters. In grid connected active rectifier/inverter application, line side LCL filter improves the high frequency attenuation and makes the converter compatible with the stringent grid power quality regulations. Passive damping though offers a simple and reliable solution but it reduces overall converter efficiency. Active damping solutions do not increase the system losses but can guarantee the stable operation up to a certain speed of dynamic response which is limited by the maximum bandwidth of the current controller. This paper examines this limit and introduces a concept of hybrid passive-active damping solution with improved stability margin and high dynamic performance for line side LCL filter based active rectifier/inverter applications. A detailed design, analysis of the hybrid approach and trade-off between system losses and dynamic performance in grid connected applications are reported. Simulation and experimental results from a 10 kVA prototype demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution. An analytical study on system stability and dynamic response with the variations of various controller and passive filter parameters is presented.

Performance analysis of 20Gb/s RZ-DPSK non-slope matched transoceanic submarine links

Direct computation of the bit-error rate (BER) and laboratory experiments are used to assess the performance of a non-slope matched transoceanic submarine transmission link operating at 20Gb/s channel rate and employing return-to-zero differential-phase shift keying (RZ-DPSK) signal modulation. Using this system as an example, we compare the accuracies of the existing theoretical approaches to the BER estimation for the RZ-DPSK format. © 2007 Optical Society of America.

Performance analysis of polymer optical fibre based Fabry-Perot sensor formed by two uniform Bragg gratings

The stress sensitivity of polymer optical fibre (POF) based Fabry-Perot sensors formed by two uniform Bragg gratings with finite dimensions is investigated. POF has received high interest in recent years due to its different material properties compared to its silica counterpart. Biocompatibility, a higher failure strain and the highly elastic nature of POF are some of the main advantages. The much lower Young’s modulus of polymer materials compared to silica offers enhanced stress sensitivity to POF based sensors which renders them great candidates for acoustic wave receivers and any kind of force detection. The main drawback in POF technology is perhaps the high fibre loss. In a lossless fibre the sensitivity of an interferometer is proportional to its cavity length. However, the presence of the attenuation along the optical path can significantly reduce the finesse of the Fabry-Perot interferometer and it can negatively affect its sensitivity at some point. The reflectivity of the two gratings used to form the interferometer can be also reduced as the fibre loss increases. In this work, a numerical model is developed to study the performance of POF based Fabry-Perot sensors formed by two uniform Bragg gratings with finite dimensions. Various optical and physical properties are considered such as grating physical length, grating effective length which indicates the point where the light is effectively reflected, refractive index modulation of the grating, cavity length of the interferometer, attenuation and operating wavelength. Using this model, we are able to identify the regimes in which the PMMA based sensor offer enhanced stress sensitivity compared to silica based one.

Performance analysis of IEEE 802.11 cognitive radio ad hoc networks

IEEE 802.11 standard is the dominant technology for wireless local area networks (WLANs). In the last two decades, the Distributed coordination function (DCF) of IEEE 802.11 standard has become the one of the most important media access control (MAC) protocols for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). The DCF protocol can also be combined with cognitive radio, thus the IEEE 802.11 cognitive radio ad hoc networks (CRAHNs) come into being. There were several literatures which focus on the modeling of IEEE 802.11 CRAHNs, however, there is still no thorough and scalable analytical models for IEEE 802.11 CRAHNs whose cognitive node (i.e., secondary user, SU) has spectrum sensing and possible channel silence process before the MAC contention process. This paper develops a unified analytical model for IEEE 802.11 CRAHNs for comprehensive MAC layer queuing analysis. In the proposed model, the SUs are modeled by a hyper generalized 2D Markov chain model with an M/G/1/K model while the primary users (PUs) are modeled by a generalized 2D Markov chain and an M/G/1/K model. The performance evaluation results show that the quality-of-service (QoS) of both the PUs and SUs can be statistically guaranteed with the suitable settings of duration of channel sensing and silence phase in the case of under loading.

The effectiveness of workplace coaching:A meta-analysis of learning and performance outcomes; scale development; theoretical model of individual differences and longitudinal study

The extant literature on workplace coaching is characterised by a lack of theoretical and empirical understanding regarding the effectiveness of coaching as a learning and development tool; the types of outcomes one can expect from coaching; the tools that can be used to measure coaching outcomes; the underlying processes that explain why and how coaching works and the factors that may impact on coaching effectiveness. This thesis sought to address these substantial gaps in the literature with three linked studies. Firstly, a meta-analysis of workplace coaching effectiveness (k = 17), synthesizing the existing research was presented. A framework of coaching outcomes was developed and utilised to code the studies. Analysis indicated that coaching had positive effects on all outcomes. Next, the framework of outcomes was utilised as the deductive start-point to the development of the scale measuring perceived coaching effectiveness. Utilising a multi-stage approach (n = 201), the analysis indicated that perceived coaching effectiveness may be organised into a six factor structure: career clarity; team performance; work well-being; performance; planning and organizing and personal effectiveness and adaptability. The final study was a longitudinal field experiment to test a theoretical model of individual differences and coaching effectiveness developed in this thesis. An organizational sample of 84 employees each participated in a coaching intervention, completed self-report surveys, and had their job performance rated by peers, direct reports and supervisors (a total of 352 employees provided data on participant performance). The results demonstrate that compared to a control group, the coaching intervention generated a number of positive outcomes. The analysis indicated that coachees’ enthusiasm, intellect and orderliness influenced the impact of coaching on outcomes. Mediation analysis suggested that mastery goal orientation, performance goal orientation and approach motivation in the form of behavioural activation system (BAS) drive, were significant mediators between personality and outcomes. Overall, the findings of this thesis make an original contribution to the understanding of the types of outcomes that can be expected from coaching, and the magnitude of impact coaching has on outcomes. The thesis also provides a tool for reliably measuring coaching effectiveness and a theoretical model to understand the influence of coachee individual differences on coaching outcomes.

Performance analysis of an experimental wireless relay sensor network

Communication through relay channels in wireless sensor networks can create diversity and consequently improve the robustness of data transmission for ubiquitous computing and networking applications. In this paper, we investigate the performances of relay channels in terms of diversity gain and throughput via both experimental research and theoretical analysis. Two relaying algorithms, dynamic relaying and fixed relaying, are utilised and tested to find out what the relay channels can contribute to system performances. The tests are based on a wireless relay sensor network comprising a source node, a destination node and a couple of relay nodes, and carried out in an indoor environment with rare movement of objects nearby. The tests confirm, in line with the analytical results, that more relay nodes lead to higher diversity gain in the network. The test results also show that the data throughput between the source node and the destination node is enhanced by the presence of the relay nodes. Energy consumption in association with the relaying strategy is also analysed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A statistical-mechanical analysis of coded CDMA with regular LDPC codes

We analyze, using the replica method of statistical mechanics, the theoretical performance of coded code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems in which regular low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are used for channel coding.

A comparative assessment of performance and productivity of health centres in Seychelles

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to measure the technical and scale efficiency of health centres; to evaluate changes in productivity; and to highlight possible policy implications of the results for policy makers. Design/methodology/approach - Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is employed to assess the technical and scale efficiency, and productivity change over a four-year period among 17 public health centres. Findings - During the period of study, the results suggest that the public health centres in Seychelles have exhibited mean overall or technical efficiency of above 93 per cent. It was also found that the overall productivity increased by 2.4 per cent over 2001-2004. Research limitations/implications - Further research can be undertaken to gather data on the prices of the various inputs to facilitate an estimation of the allocative efficiency of clinics. If such an exercise were to be undertaken, researchers may also consider collecting data on quantities and prices of paramedical, administrative and support staff to ensure that the analysis is more comprehensive than the study reported in this paper. Institutionalization of efficiency monitoring would help to enhance further the already good health sector stewardship and governance. Originality/value - This paper provides new empirical evidence on a four-year trend in the efficiency and productivity of health centres in Seychelles. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Data envelopment analysis and performance management

4th International Symposium of DEA, 5th-6th September 2004, Birmingham (UK)