On the Problem of Participation in Strategy: A Critical Discursive Perspective

We still know little of why strategy processes often involve participation problems. In this paper, we argue that this crucial issue is linked to fundamental assumptions about the nature of strategy work. Hence, we need to examine how strategy processes are typically made sense of and what roles are assigned to specific organizational members. For this purpose, we adopt a critical discursive perspective that allows us to discover how specific conceptions of strategy work are reproduced and legitimized in organizational strategizing. Our empirical analysis is based on an extensive research project on strategy work in 12 organizations. As a result of our analysis, we identify three central discourses that seem to be systematically associated with nonparticipatory approaches to strategy work: “mystification,” “disciplining,” and “technologization.” However, we also distinguish three strategy discourses that promote participation: “self-actualization,” “dialogization,” and “concretization.” Our analysis shows that strategy as practice involves alternative and even competing discourses that have fundamentally different kinds of implications for participation in strategy work. We argue from a critical perspective that it is important to be aware of the inherent problems associated with dominant discourses as well as to actively advance the use of alternative ones.

Hardness of approximation results for the problem of finding the stopping distance in Tanner graphs

Tanner Graph representation of linear block codes is widely used by iterative decoding algorithms for recovering data transmitted across a noisy communication channel from errors and erasures introduced by the channel. The stopping distance of a Tanner graph T for a binary linear block code C determines the number of erasures correctable using iterative decoding on the Tanner graph T when data is transmitted across a binary erasure channel using the code C. We show that the problem of finding the stopping distance of a Tanner graph is hard to approximate within any positive constant approximation ratio in polynomial time unless P = NP. It is also shown as a consequence that there can be no approximation algorithm for the problem achieving an approximation ratio of 2(log n)(1-epsilon) for any epsilon > 0 unless NP subset of DTIME(n(poly(log n))).

Uniformly valid analytical solution to the problem of a decaying shock wave

An explicit representation of an analytical solution to the problem of decay of a plane shock wave of arbitrary strength is proposed. The solution satisfies the basic equations exactly. The approximation lies in the (approximate) satisfaction of two of the Rankine-Hugoniot conditions. The error incurred is shown to be very small even for strong shocks. This solution analyses the interaction of a shock of arbitrary strength with a centred simple wave overtaking it, and describes a complete history of decay with a remarkable accuracy even for strong shocks. For a weak shock, the limiting law of motion obtained from the solution is shown to be in complete agreement with the Friedrichs theory. The propagation law of the non-uniform shock wave is determined, and the equations for shock and particle paths in the (x, t)-plane are obtained. The analytic solution presented here is uniformly valid for the entire flow field behind the decaying shock wave.

Noncommutative Quantum Field Theory : Problem of Time and Some Applications

In this thesis the current status and some open problems of noncommutative quantum field theory are reviewed. The introduction aims to put these theories in their proper context as a part of the larger program to model the properties of quantized space-time. Throughout the thesis, special focus is put on the role of noncommutative time and how its nonlocal nature presents us with problems. Applications in scalar field theories as well as in gauge field theories are presented. The infinite nonlocality of space-time introduced by the noncommutative coordinate operators leads to interesting structure and new physics. High energy and low energy scales are mixed, causality and unitarity are threatened and in gauge theory the tools for model building are drastically reduced. As a case study in noncommutative gauge theory, the Dirac quantization condition of magnetic monopoles is examined with the conclusion that, at least in perturbation theory, it cannot be fulfilled in noncommutative space.

The problem of conserving amphibians in the Western Ghats, India

Habitat distruction and hunting for dissection specimens have taken their toll. But there may be other, subtle factors causing loss of amphibian populations.

A Direct Approach to the Problem of Diffraction by a Half-Plane under Mixed Boundary Conditions

A general direct technique of solving a mixed boundary value problem in the theory of diffraction by a semi-infinite plane is presented. Taking account of the correct edge-conditions, the unique solution of the problem is derived, by means of Jones' method in the theory of Wiener-Hopf technique, in the case of incident plane wave. The solution of the half-plane problem is found out in exact form. (The far-field is derived by the method of steepest descent.) It is observed that it is not the Wiener-Hopf technique which really needs any modification but a new technique is certainly required to handle the peculiar type of coupled integral equations which the Wiener-Hopf technique leads to. Eine allgemeine direkte Technik zur Lösung eines gemischten Randwertproblems in der Theorie der Beugung an einer halbunendlichen Ebene wird vorgestellt. Unter Berücksichtigung der korrekten Eckbedingungen wird mit der Methode von Jones aus der Theorie der Wiener-Hopf-Technik die eindeutige Lösung für den Fall der einfallenden ebenen Welle hergeleitet. Die Lösung des Halbebenenproblems wird in exakter Form angegeben. (Das Fernfeld wurde mit der Methode des steilsten Abstiegs bestimmt.) Es wurde bemerkt, daß es nicht die Wiener-Hopf-Technik ist, die wirklich irgend welcher Modifikationen bedurfte. Gewiß aber wird eine neue Technik zur Behandlung des besonderen Typs gekoppelter Integralgleichungen benötigt, auf die die Wiener-Hopf-Technik führt.

A New Approach to the Problem of Scattering of Water Waves by Vertical Barriers

Using a modified Green's function technique the two well-known basic problems of scattering of surface water waves by vertical barriers are reduced to the problem of solving a pair of uncoupled integral equations involving the “jump” and “sum” of the limiting values of the velocity potential on the two sides of the barriers in each case. These integral equations are then solved, in closed form, by the aid of an integral transform technique involving a general trigonometric kernel as applicable to the problems associated with a radiation condition.

On the problem of spurious patterns in neural associative memory models

The problem of spurious patterns in neural associative memory models is discussed, Some suggestions to solve this problem from the literature are reviewed and their inadequacies are pointed out, A solution based on the notion of neural self-interaction with a suitably chosen magnitude is presented for the Hebb learning rule. For an optimal learning rule based on linear programming, asymmetric dilution of synaptic connections is presented as another solution to the problem of spurious patterns, With varying percentages of asymmetric dilution it is demonstrated numerically that this optimal learning rule leads to near total suppression of spurious patterns. For practical usage of neural associative memory networks a combination of the two solutions with the optimal learning rule is recommended to be the best proposition.

Mean first passage time approach to the problem of optimal barrier subdivision for Kramer's escape rate

We consider the effect of subdividing the potential barrier along the reaction coordinate on Kramer's escape rate for a model potential, Using the known supersymmetric potential approach, we show the existence of an optimal number of subdivisions that maximizes the rate, We cast the problem as a mean first passage time problem of a biased random walker and obtain equivalent results, We briefly summarize the results of our investigation on the increase in the escape rate by placing a blow-torch in the unstable part of one of the potential wells. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

On the solution of the problem of scattering of surface water waves by a sharp discontinuity in the surface boundary conditions

Closed-form analytical expressions are derived for the reflection and transmission coefficients for the problem of scattering of surface water waves by a sharp discontinuity in the surface-boundary-conditions, for the case of deep water. The method involves the use of the Havelock-type expansion of the velocity potential along with an analysis to solve a Carleman-type singular integral equation over a semi-infinite range. This method of solution is an alternative to the Wiener-Hopf technique used previously.

The pursuit-evasion problem of two aircraft in a horizontal plane

The pursuit-evasion problem of two aircraft in a horizontal plane is modelled as a zerosum differential game with capture time as payoff. The aircraft are modelled as point masses with thrust and bank angle controls. The games of kind and degree for this differential game are solved.

Approach to the problem of ferroresonance in e.h.v. systems

An analytical analysis of ferroresonance with possible cases of its occurrence in series-and shunt-compensated systems is presented. A term `percentage unstable zoneÿ is defined to compare the jump severity of different nonlinearities. A direct analytical method has been shown to yield complete information. An attempt has been made to find all four critical points: jump-from and jump-to points of ferroresonance jump phenomena. The systems considered for analysis are typical 500 kV transmission systems of various lengths.