Financial decision making about found oil and gas in Ghana : real options vs. traditional methods

This research is a study of the use of capital budgeting methods for investment decisions. It uses both the traditional methods and the newly introduced approach called the real options analysis to make a decision. The research elucidates how capital budgeting can be done when analysts encounter projects with high uncertainty and are capital intensive, for example oil and gas production. It then uses the oil and gas find in Ghana as a case study to support its argument. For a clear understanding a thorough literature review was done, which highlights the advantages and disadvantages of both methods. The revenue that the project will generate and the costs of production were obtained from the predictions by analysts from GNPC and compared to others experts��� opinion. It then applied both the traditional and real option valuation on the oil and gas find in Ghana to determine the project���s feasibility. Although, there are some short falls in real option analysis that are presented in this research, it is still helpful in valuing projects that are capital intensive with high volatility due to the strategic flexibility management possess in their decision making. It also suggests that traditional methods of evaluation should still be maintained and be used to value projects that have no options or those with options yet the options do not have significant impact on the project. The research points out the economic ripples the production of oil and gas will have on Ghana���s economy should the project be undertaken. These ripples include economic growth, massive job creation and reduction of the balance of trade deficit for the country. The long run effect is an eventually improvement of life of the citizens. It is also belief that the production of gas specifically can be used to generate electricity in Ghana which would enable the country to have a more stable and reliable power source necessary to attract more foreign direct investment.

Fuzzy Online Reputation Analysis Framework

The fuzzy online reputation analysis framework, or ���foRa��� (plural of forum, the Latin word for marketplace) framework, is a method for searching the Social Web to find meaningful information about reputation. Based on an automatic, fuzzy-built ontology, this framework queries the social marketplaces of the Web for reputation, combines the retrieved results, and generates navigable Topic Maps. Using these interactive maps, communications operatives can zero in on precisely what they are looking for and discover unforeseen relationships between topics and tags. Thus, using this framework, it is possible to scan the Social Web for a name, product, brand, or combination thereof and determine query-related topic classes with related terms and thus identify hidden sources. This chapter also briefly describes the youReputation prototype (www.youreputation.org), a free web-based application for reputation analysis. In the course of this, a small example will explain the benefits of the prototype.

I shouldn't have to do this: Illegitimate tasks as a stressor in relation to organizational control and resource deficits

The performance of tasks that are perceived as unnecessary or unreasonable, illegitimate tasks, represents a new stressor concept that refers to assignments that violate the norms associated with the role requirements of professional work. Research has shown that illegitimate tasks are associated with stress and counterproductive work behaviour. The purpose of this study was to provide insight into the contribution of characteristics of the organization on the prevalence of illegitimate tasks in the work of frontline and middle managers. Using the Bern Illegitimate Task Scale (BITS) in a sample of 440 local government operations managers in 28 different organizations in Sweden, this study supports the theoretical assumptions that illegitimate tasks are positively related to stress and negatively related to satisfaction with work performance. Results further show that 10% of the variance in illegitimate tasks can be attributed to the organization where the managers work. Multilevel referential analysis showed that the more the organization was characterized by competition for resources between units, unfair and arbitrary resource allocation and obscure decisional structure, the more illegitimate tasks managers reported. These results should be valuable for strategic-level management since they indicate that illegitimate tasks can be counteracted by means of the organization of work.

Estructuras, Procesos, Indicadores para Gestionar el Proceso de la Demanda Estrat��gica en las TI

En los ��ltimos a��os, el desarrollo industrial a nivel globalizado en los diferentes sectores, la difusi��n de la TI y el uso estrat��gico de la misma, han crecido de manera exponencial. El uso adecuado de esta, se ha convertido en una gran preocupaci��n para los ��rganos de gobierno de las organizaciones ya que la falta de direcci��n y control en las inversiones que se realizan en ellas, as�� como un uso inadecuado de las mismas pueden comprometer la consecuci��n de los objetivos de la organizaci��n, su competitividad y su sostenibilidad a medio-largo plazo. La preocupaci��n de los propietarios de los negocios es mejorar su rendimiento con la ayuda de la TI frente a sus competidores, realizando los procesos de negocio de una manera eficaz y eficiente, por lo que muchas organizaciones han realizado inversiones importantes en la adquisici��n de tecnolog��a para lograr sus prop��sitos. Sin embargo la ejecuci��n de estas inversiones no se ha gestionado adecuadamente, conforme a las pol��ticas y planes especificados en los planes de negocio de la organizaci��n y la entrega de los servicios de TI no ha sido conforme a los objetivos previstos, generando p��rdidas importantes y lo que es peor un gran deterioro de la imagen de la organizaci��n, por lo que consideramos a la gesti��n de la demanda estrat��gica de la TI como uno de los factores claves para el ��xito de los negocios, el cual no ha sido tomada en cuenta por los consejos de gobierno o los altos ejecutivos de las organizaciones. La investigaci��n comienza con una amplia revisi��n de la literatura, identificando dos elementos muy importantes, la demanda y el suministro de la TI dentro de la gobernanza corporativa de la TI; not��ndose la escasa informaci��n relacionado con la gesti��n de la demanda estrat��gica de la TI. Se realiz�� un estudio exploratorio para conocer como los miembros del consejo de administraci��n y altos ejecutivos de una organizaci��n gestionan la demanda estrat��gica de la TI, obteniendo una respuesta de 130 encuestados, donde se confirma que hace falta normas o metodolog��as para la gesti��n de la demanda estrat��gica de la TI. En base a estos resultados se ha construido un marco de trabajo para todo el proceso de la gesti��n de la demanda de la TI y como una soluci��n que se plantea en esta tesis doctoral, consiste en la elaboraci��n de una metodolog��a, combinando e integrando marcos de trabajo y est��ndares relacionados con la gobernanza corporativa de la TI. La metodolog��a propuesta est�� conformada por tres fases, cada fase con sus actividades principales, y cada actividad principal por un conjunto de sub-actividades. Adem��s, se establecen los roles y responsabilidades de los altos ejecutivos para cada una de las actividades principales. Esta propuesta debe ser de f��cil implantaci��n y aplicable en las organizaciones, permitiendo a estas afrontar con ��xito el desarrollo de sus negocios, con una mejor calidad, reduciendo los costes de operaci��n y empleando el menor tiempo posible. La validaci��n de la metodolog��a propuesta se realiz�� a trav��s de una encuesta online y un estudio de casos. En la encuesta de validaci��n participaron 42 altos ejecutivos de diferentes empresas y el estudio de casos se realiz�� con 5 empresas internacionales. Las respuestas de los estudios fueron analizados, para determinar la aceptaci��n o el rechazo de la metodolog��a propuesta por los participantes, confirmando la validez y confiabilidad del estudio. Este es uno de los primeros estudios reportado con evidencias emp��ricas para el proceso de la gesti��n de la demanda estrat��gica de la TI. Los resultados de esta investigaci��n han sido publicados en revistas y congresos internacionales. ABSTRACT In recent years, the globalized industrial development, diffusion and strategic use of IT in different sectors has grown exponentially. Proper use of IT has become a major concern for government bodies and organizations. Uncontrolled or mismanaged IT investments or improper IT use may compromise the achievement of an organization���s objectives, competitiveness and sustainability in the medium to long term. Business owners set out to use IT to outperform their competitors, enacting business processes effectively and efficiently. Many organizations have made significant investments in technology in order to achieve their aims. However, the deployment of these investments has not been managed properly in accordance with the policies and plans specified in the organizations��� business plans, and IT services have not been delivered in accordance with the specified objectives. This has generated significant losses and, worse still, has seriously damaged the image of organizations. Accordingly, we believe that IT strategic demand management is one of the key factors for business success which has not been overlooked by the boards of trustees or senior executives of organizations. The research begins with an extensive review of the literature. This review has identified two very important elements: IT demand and supply within the corporate governance of IT. We have found that information related to IT strategic demand management is scant. We conducted an exploratory study to learn how members of the board of directors and senior executives of an organization manage IT strategic demand. The survey, which was taken by 130 respondents, confirmed that standards or methodologies are needed to manage IT strategic demand. Based on the results, we have built a framework for the entire IT demand management process. The solution proposed in this thesis is to develop a methodology, combining and integrating frameworks and standards related to the corporate governance of IT. The proposed methodology is divided into three phases. Each phase is composed of a series of key activities, and each key activity is further split into minor activities. We also establish the roles and responsibilities of senior executives for each of the key activities. This proposal should be easy to implement and apply in organizations, enabling corporations to successfully conduct better quality business, reduce operating costs and save time. The proposed methodology was validated by means of an online survey and a case study. The validation survey was completed by 42 senior executives from different companies, and the case study was conducted at five international companies. The study results were analysed to determine the acceptance or rejection of the proposed methodology by the participants, confirming the validity and reliability of the study. This is one the first studies to report empirical evidence for the process of IT strategic demand management. The results of this research have been published in international journals and conferences.

An��lisis del modelo RFM seg��n el m��todo convencional y el m��todo de las 2-Tuplas

En el siguiente Trabajo de Fin de M��ster se pone en pr��ctica la Miner��a de Datos (Data Mining), llevando a cabo una investigaci��n de CRM (Customer Relationship Management) en la cual se analizan los comportamientos de compra de los clientes de una empresa que comercializa solo por internet (online). Este negocio es de origen espa��ol y mediante estos an��lisis podremos saber principalmente cu��ntos tipos de clientes posee y c��mo son sus h��bitos de compra para poder clasificarlos. Para ello, utilizaremos la segmentaci��n RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) que la calcularemos mediante dos metodolog��as muy importantes que son el M��todo Convencional y el M��todo de las 2-Tuplas. En el primer m��todo realizaremos una clasificaci��n num��rica mediante quintiles que se numerar��n de 1 a 5 tanto para la Recencia, la Frecuencia y el Valor Monetario, con los que podremos determinar el comportamiento de compra de cada cliente. En el segundo m��todo veremos otra clasificaci��n de los clientes m��s precisa, m��s detallada y con la ventaja que ofrece un valor ling����stico para poder entender mejor a que cluster pertenece cada cliente. Finalmente, realizaremos unos an��lisis de clusters con el m��todo de ���K-medias��� con diferentes segmentos (entre 5 y 7 segmentos) que nos permitir��n distinguir cu��ntos tipos de clientes tiene este negocio y c��mo son con respecto a su h��bito de compra. Todo esto con el fin de dar respuesta a este negocio sobre c��mo es el comportamiento de compra de cada cliente, cu��les son los m��s importantes, cu��les son los menos importantes, cu��ntos han dejado de comprar, etc.

A new marketing segmentation approach based on marginal individual utilities: applying CRM is not a chimera anymore

In the advent of Customer Relationship Management, a more accurate profile of the consumer is needed. The objective of this paper is to show the usefulness of knowing consumer���s complete utility function through his/her marginal utilities. This approach allows one to form groups of individuals with similar preferences (as traditional segmentation methods do) and to treat them individually (which represents an advance). The empirical application is carried out, on a sample of 2,127 individuals, in the context of tourism, where the customer relationship management philosophy is gaining more and more relevance.

Assessing service satisfaction between a 3PL provider and a vehicle manufacturer using the SERVQUAL technique

This paper reports on a new study conducted within a leading UK based (and US owned) car manufacturing company looking at the satisfaction between parties within a newly formed third party logistics (3PL) relationship. The study contains a two-way assessment of the relationship (i.e. the vehicle manufacturer���s Parts Supply and Logistics Operation���s assessment of the 3PL���s service and the 3PL���s assessment of the vehicle manufacturer���s relationship management ability). The study principally used an online SERVQUAL survey, (backed up with an on-line questionnaire, and face to face interviews) for data collection. The paper discusses the background and problems that have arisen in the relationship, the analysis of how each of the parties sees one other in terms of the service provided. Also, the findings and recommendations presented to management are outlined: these include factors such as the need for information sharing, reliability, flexibility, role specificity, trust and effective requirements management.

The antecedents and consequences of e-business adoption in Malaysian manufacturing firms

Theory suggests that firms that adopt innovation share some common characteristics, just as those who do not adopt innovation and firms adopt a particular technology because the functions provided by the chosen technology fulfils their needs. Building on these arguments, this research project investigates the antecedents and consequences of e-business adoption among manufacturing firms in Malaysia. This thesis develops from the existing literature of organisational innovation adoption, information technology and strategic marketing/management. It further adds to the existing literature by using cultural-based predictors representing organisational characteristics consisting of market orientation, innovativeness and organisational learning. The study also formalises the theoretical framework of organisational-environment-technology. This study develops a new construct called technology motivation in addition to the introduction of several e-business technology scales. The results substantiate the significance of firm technology motivation in determining firm adoption of the various e-business initiatives. In addition, business environment and market orientation are found to influence firm choice of technology motivation. Meanwhile, innovativeness and organisational learning are shown to influence the magnitude of a firm���s e-business adoption. Finally, the results show that firm adoption of e-business technology does not influence organisational performance. This investigation clarifies the rationale and importance of firm technology motivation in adopting the various e-business initiatives. It also highlights the importance of having the appropriate organisational culture in ensuring a successful technology adoption.

Building up resilience of construction sector SMEs and their supply chains to extreme weather events

Wider scientific community now accept that the threat of climate change as real and thus acknowledge the importance of implementing adaptation measures in a global context. In the UK , the physical effects of climate change are likely to be directly felt in the form of extreme weather events, which are predicted to escalate in number and severity in future under the changing climatic conditions. Construction industry; which consists of supply chains running across various other industries, economies and regions, will also be affected due to these events. Thus, it is important that the construction organisations are well prepared to withstand the effects of extreme weather events not only directly affecting their organisations but also affecting their supply chains which in turn might affect the organisation concerned. Given the fact that more than 99% of construction sector businesses are SMEs, the area can benefit significantly from policy making to improve SME resilience and coping capacity. This paper presents the literature review and synthesis of a doctoral research study undertaken to address the issue of extreme weather resilience of construction sector SMEs and their supply chains. The main contribution of the paper to both academia and practitioners is a synthesis model that conceptualises the factors that enhances resilience of SMEs and their supply chains against extreme weather events. This synthesis model forms the basis of a decision making framework that will enable SMEs to both reduce their vulnerability and enhance their coping capacity against extreme weather. The value of this paper is further extended by the overall research design that is set forth as the way forward.

Form follows function:model-driven engineering for clinical trials

We argue that, for certain constrained domains, elaborate model transformation technologies-implemented from scratch in general-purpose programming languages-are unnecessary for model-driven engineering; instead, lightweight configuration of commercial off-the-shelf productivity tools suffices. In particular, in the CancerGrid project, we have been developing model-driven techniques for the generation of software tools to support clinical trials. A domain metamodel captures the community's best practice in trial design. A scientist authors a trial protocol, modelling their trial by instantiating the metamodel; customized software artifacts to support trial execution are generated automatically from the scientist's model. The metamodel is expressed as an XML Schema, in such a way that it can be instantiated by completing a form to generate a conformant XML document. The same process works at a second level for trial execution: among the artifacts generated from the protocol are models of the data to be collected, and the clinician conducting the trial instantiates such models in reporting observations-again by completing a form to create a conformant XML document, representing the data gathered during that observation. Simple standard form management tools are all that is needed. Our approach is applicable to a wide variety of information-modelling domains: not just clinical trials, but also electronic public sector computing, customer relationship management, document workflow, and so on. �� 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Introduction to data envelopment analysis and its applications

This chapter provides the theoretical foundation and background on Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method and some variants of basic DEA models and applications to various sectors. Some illustrative examples, helpful resources on DEA, including DEA software package, are also presented in this chapter. DEA is useful for measuring relative efficiency for variety of institutions and has its own merits and limitations. This chapter concludes that DEA results should be interpreted with much caution to avoid giving wrong signals and providing inappropriate recommendations.

Managing imbalanced supply chain relationships for sustainability:a power perspective

This study adopts a power perspective to investigate sustainable supply chain relationships and specifically uses resource-dependence theory (RDT) to critically analyze buyer-supplier-supplier relationships. Empirical evidence is provided, extending the RDT model in this context. The concept of power relationships is explored through a qualitative study of a multinational company and agricultural growers in the UK food industry that work together to implement sustainable practices. We look at multiple triadic relationships involving a large buyer and its small suppliers to investigate how relative power affects the implementation of sustainable supply-management practices. The study highlights that power as dependence is relevant to understanding compliance in sustainable supply chains and to identifying appropriate relationship-management strategies to build more sustainable supply chains. We show the influences of power on how players manage their relationships and how it affects organizational responses to the implementation of sustainability initiatives. Power notably influences the sharing of sustainability-related risks and value between supply chain partners. From a managerial perspective, the study contributes to developing a better understanding of how power can become an effective way to achieve sustainability goals. This article offers insights into the way in which a large organization works with small and medium size enterprises to implement sustainable practices and shows how power management-that is, the way in which power is used-can support or hinder effective cooperation around sustainability in the supply chain. �� 2014 Decision Sciences Institute.

Do managerial strategies influence service behaviours? Insights from a qualitative study

Based on a review of the extant literature, a conceptual framework for analyzing the associations between managerial strategies (internal communications, empowerment, supportive leadership and professional development), employee job attitudes (organizational commitment and job satisfaction) and prosocial service behaviours (PSBs) is developed. The authors explore the relevance of the proposed conceptual model and testable propositions regarding the associations between managerial strategies, employee attitudes and PSBs by conducting in-depth interviews of FLEs in a travel service organization. Based on the findings of the in-depth interviews, the relationships between managerial strategies, job attitudes and PSBs in the conceptual framework are largely supported.