Conceptual Framework Model Research Articles

Performance Appraisal Practices: Quatitative Research and Framework for Future Development in SME Industries, India

The Performance appraisal practices can be done using the technique, Performance Management System, which involves the process of recognizing, motivating, assessing, developing, and rewarding the employees for their job performance. A descriptive research was used for this study. The analysis was done with a self prepared 5-point likert scale rating questionnaire and it was pre-tested by distributing fifty numbers of questionnaires to the pilot group. A Random sampling technique using the lottery method was employed to collect the questionnaires from the sample of 2224 respondents. A reliability test was conducted and the reliability (Cronbach's alpha) was found to be 0.878, which confirms that the internal consistency reliability of the data is satisfactory. A conceptual framework model was developed and proved using AMOS package and R statistics. Also, many relevant results were shows that the following subsequent components such as goal congruity, experience of the appraiser, transparency and understand ability, validity, employee participation, fairness in the process and fairness outcome have a strong relationship with the Effective performance appraisal process in SMEs. This research paper is an effort to discover the impact of Effective performance appraisal in enhancing employees’ performance and further increasing their job contentment in the leading Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs). This research can be carried out further in other industries like software, banking etc. and this may be very useful to the Indian SMEs to cope up with the current trends in the industry.

高潜水位煤矿区生态风险识别与评价

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 高潜水位煤矿区生态风险识别与评价 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201503050430 作者: 作者单位: 中国矿业大学北京,中国矿业大学北京土地复垦与生态重建研究所,中国矿业大学北京土地复垦与生态重建研究所,北京大学经济学院;北京大学经济学院,中国矿业大学北京土地复垦与生态重建研究所 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: TD88 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目资助（41401609）；中国矿业大学煤炭资源与安全开采国家重点实验室开放基金项目（SKLCRSM13KFB07） Ecological risk identification and assessment for a coal mine with a high groundwater table Author: Affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining,China University of Mining Technology Beijing;China;Institute of Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration,China University of Mining and Technology Beijing;China;School of economics,Peking university,;China,Institute of Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration,China University of Mining and Technology Beijing,Institute of Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration,China University of Mining and Technology Beijing,School of economics,Peking university,Institute of Land Reclamation and Ecological Restoration,China University of Mining and Technology Beijing Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:生态风险评价是生态环境保护与管理的重要研究内容，并广泛运用于流域与较大范围的区域尺度的研究。以区域生态风险评价理论为基础，结合高潜水位煤矿区生态环境以及煤炭开采对生态系统造成的危害的特点，通过分析风险源、风险受体、生态终点以及暴露-响应过程，对高潜水位煤矿区生态风险的识别与评价方法进行了研究，构建了典型高潜水位煤矿区的生态风险识别与评价概念模型与空间分析框架，分析了煤矿区生态风险识别的主要技术手段与方法，并构建了以缓冲为主要手段的综合生态风险评价方法。选择山东东滩煤矿作为研究对象，针对研究区内存在的采煤塌陷、洪涝、污染、景观及社会等生态风险类型，定量评价其空间差异，并提出相应的风险防范措施。案例分析结果表明，研究区综合生态风险重度、中度、一般、轻度分别占到研究区的4.70%，64.00%，24.09%，7.20%。生态风险较高的区域主要位于矿区中西部，为煤矸石山、裸露煤炭堆积与发电厂分布区域；中度风险是研究区主要的风险类型。从降低生态风险保障矿区生态安全角度，在未来矿区规划与生态治理过程中，提出了具体的应对措施，包括：（1）注重源头控制；（2）建立高生态风险区域阻隔带；（3）加强污染的监测与控制；（4）采用边开采边治理技术。建议加强生态风险高区域的阻隔，建立生态缓冲带，减缓对整个矿区的综合影响，构建东滩煤矿生态风险防范的空间结构。 Abstract:Ecological risk assessment is one of the most important subdivisions in eco-environmental protection and management, and it is widely used to evaluate ecological risks on both watershed and regional scales. In this study, we conducted identification and ecological assessment by analyzing risk sources, bearer, ecological endpoints, and the exposure-response process on the basis of regional ecological risk assessment coupled with the unique characteristics of mining ecosystems in high groundwater table areas. The identification and evaluation method for ecological risk was studied, and an ecological assessment conceptual model and spatial analysis framework for a coal mine with high ground water were proposed. Furthermore, a comprehensive ecological risk assessment method was proposed on the basis of the spatial buffering theory. The proposed model identifies and assesses mining-induced ecological risks. The Dongtan coal mine in Shandong Province was selected to test this model and framework. The major ecological risks in this mine include land subsidence, floods, water pollution, landscape, and social issues. The degrees of single and comprehensive ecological risk were evaluated. On the basis of the analysis, ecological risk was quantitatively analyzed and spatial strategies for ecological planning in the coal mine were broached. Severe, moderate, general, and mild comprehensive ecological risks were 4.7%, 64%, 24.09%, and 7.2%, respectively. The high ecological risk was located mid-west of the coal mine with sites for coal waste piles, exposed coal, and power plants. Despite the small area occupied, enough attention should be paid to high ecological-risk areas because of their high potential of air, water, and soil pollution. The moderate ecological risk was the dominant risk-type and was present in 64% of the whole region, where most of the mining subsidence is distributed. Mining subsidence triggers flood, farmland loss, and related social issues. The general and low ecological risks were located in the mining industry square area and coal mine edges (where coal pillars protect the ground infrastructure), and were kept at a distance from pollution sources. On the basis of quantitative and spatial ecological risk assessment, specific recommendations were proposed after considering reduced ecological risk and protection from an ecological security perspective for the mine. The countermeasures and suggestions include:(1) Source control. Coal waste piles, exposed coal, and power plants are the main causes of pollution and are considered as point-source pollution; therefore, we recommend that the coal company should focus on source control, improve the comprehensive utilization of coal waste, eliminate exposed coal, and implement monitoring of water and air emissions in power plants. (2) Establishment of barriers for high ecological-risk areas. High ecological-risk areas were established over a long period and cannot be eliminated immediately; therefore, establishment of ecological buffer zones and barriers for mitigating the effects of high ecological risks is strongly recommended. Specific measures include shelterbelt construction and utilization of geotextiles. (3) Improved monitoring and pollution control. Field sampling was not conducted in this study; the coal company should build a monitoring system to assess high pollution levels and spatial distribution of ecological risk areas and consider the dominant wind direction. (4) Concurrent mining and reclamation, filling materials in high groundwater and plain coal mines, and concurrent mining and reclamation technology are recommended to protect the topsoil and improve land reclamation efficiency. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Quality sustainability in engineering educational institutions - a theoretical model

A high quality engineering education is becoming increasingly important in India and around the world. The authors have developed a model, Integrated Educational Quality Management System (IEQMS) in Engineering Institutions. IEQMS is a compound system of quality management practice such as ISO 9001:2008 QMS, ISO 14001:2004 EMS, occupational health and safety management systems (OHSAS 18001:2007), Six-Sigma (DMAIC), TQM, knowledge management and lean thinking. The aim of this study is to develop and propose the conceptual framework and research model of IEQMS and its implementation for better performance in Indian engineering educational institutions (EEIs). Based on various literature reviews, ten important intervening critical factors are identified under IEQMS and a research model is proposed to examine the extent of its practice in engineering institutions. Further, the authors suggest that, the IEQMS model can be tested and validated by empirical means using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique for hypotheses testing.

SPIRIT: Systematic Planning of Intelligent Reuse of Integrated Clinical Routine Data. A Conceptual Best-practice Framework and Procedure Model.

Secondary use of clinical routine data is receiving an increasing amount of attention in biomedicine and healthcare. However, building and analysing integrated clinical routine data repositories are nontrivial, challenging tasks. As in most evolving fields, recognized standards, well-proven methodological frameworks, or accurately described best-practice approaches for the systematic planning of solutions for secondary use of routine medical record data are missing. We propose a conceptual best-practice framework and procedure model for the systematic planning of intelligent reuse of integrated clinical routine data (SPIRIT). SPIRIT was developed based on a broad literature overview and further refined in two case studies with different kinds of clinical routine data, including process-oriented nursing data from a large hospital group and high-volume multimodal clinical data from a neurologic intensive care unit. SPIRIT aims at tailoring secondary use solutions to specific needs of single departments without losing sight of the institution as a whole. It provides a general conceptual best-practice framework consisting of three parts: First, a secondary use strategy for the whole organization is determined. Second, comprehensive analyses are conducted from two different viewpoints to define the requirements regarding a clinical routine data reuse solution at the system level from the data perspective (BOTTOM UP) and at the strategic level from the future users perspective (TOP DOWN). An obligatory clinical context analysis (IN BETWEEN) facilitates refinement, combination, and integration of the different requirements. The third part of SPIRIT is dedicated to implementation, which comprises design and realization of clinical data integration and management as well as data analysis solutions. The SPIRIT framework is intended to be used to systematically plan the intelligent reuse of clinical routine data for multiple purposes, which often was not intended when the primary clinical documentation systems were implemented. SPIRIT helps to overcome this gap. It can be applied in healthcare institutions of any size or specialization and allows a stepwise setup and evolution of holistic clinical routine data reuse solutions.

Investigating the Relationship Between TQM Practices and Firm's Performance: A Conceptual Framework for Indian Organizations

Previous TQM studies have been inconclusive in resolving the validity of the universalistic standard for TQM implementation in the organization. The past TQM literature reported mixed and ambiguous relationship between TQM practices and organization's performance. The purpose of this study is to develop and propose the conceptual framework and research model of TQM implementation in relation to organization performance particularly in Indian context. This paper investigates impacts of TQM practices on multiple performance measures as well as the obstacles confronted by Indian organizations. To examine the link more closely the relationship between individual TQM practices and various performance measures were investigated explicitly. A comprehensive review of literature on TQM and quality performance was carried out to accomplish the objectives of this study . The adoption of such a conceptual model on TQM and organization's performance would help managers, decision makers, and practitioners of TQM in better understanding of the TQM practices and to focus on the identified practices while implementing TQM in their companies. Further, the scope for future study is to test and validate this model by collecting the primary data from Indian organizations by using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach for hypotheses testing and to find out the effect of mediators in between TQM practices and organization performance.

Integrated Approach to Conceptual Modeling

Conceptual modeling is supporting understanding and communication of the requirements in developing the information system (IS). The nature of requirements is usually divided into the functional (FRs) and non-functional requirements (NFRs). Thus, the scholars who are representing the conceptual modeling separate FRs and NFRs. Attempting to create an integrated framework for conceptual modeling of FRs and NFRs a new approach is being represented. In order to justify the approach, the research work and relevant literature in the field by using integrated perspective has been analyzed in this paper. As an outcome of this review, the need for an integrated approach to the requirement determination and proposed an integrated framework for conceptual modeling, which shall include the functional and non-functional requirements in one conceptual model has been identified. There is also identified that a small number of researchers have worked in this field, whilst the failure rate of the IS implementation which continues to be high has been the motivation, therefore the concept of proposing an integrated framework which will contribute to the increase of the efficacy of the requirements from the analysis phase in order to secure the sustainability of the IS has been approached.

Reverse Logistic Practices on Household Medical Disposal in India and its Impacts on Environment

Reverse logistics refers to managing a supply chain in reverse direction from the consumers to the manufacturers. Reverse logistics is the part of supply chain management practice that flow of products and information from the customers to the manufacturers for the purpose of value recapture and proper disposal. It becomes more challenging, mainly, in the background of supply chains of perishable products. The pharmaceutical medicines are time perishable which plays an important role in order to cure, prevent and diagnose human disease and keep people healthy. It is important issue that the disposal of pharmaceutical medicines to the environment and it requires special handling to dispose. Pharmaceutical medicine waste is a form of medical waste that includes unused or expired household medications. This study is performed by using secondary data collection method as review of various literatures. In this study we discussed various disposal practices of unwanted or expired household pharmaceutical medicines and proposed a conceptual framework model about disposal practices, type of medicines and amount of impacts.

Monitoring and Evaluating the Transition of Large-Scale Programs in Global Health.

Donors are increasingly interested in the transition and sustainability of global health programs as priorities shift and external funding declines. Systematic and high-quality monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of such processes is rare. We propose a framework and related guiding questions to systematize the M&E of global health program transitions. We conducted stakeholder interviews, searched the peer-reviewed and gray literature, gathered feedback from key informants, and reflected on author experiences to build a framework on M&E of transition and to develop guiding questions. The conceptual framework models transition as a process spanning pre-transition and transition itself and extending into sustained services and outcomes. Key transition domains include leadership, financing, programming, and service delivery, and relevant activities that drive the transition in these domains forward include sustaining a supportive policy environment, creating financial sustainability, developing local stakeholder capacity, communicating to all stakeholders, and aligning programs. Ideally transition monitoring would begin prior to transition processes being implemented and continue for some time after transition has been completed. As no set of indicators will be applicable across all types of health program transitions, we instead propose guiding questions and illustrative quantitative and qualitative indicators to be considered and adapted based on the transition domains identified as most important to the particular health program transition. The M&E of transition faces new and unique challenges, requiring measuring constructs to which evaluators may not be accustomed. Many domains hinge on measuring "intangibles" such as the management of relationships. Monitoring these constructs may require a compromise between rigorous data collection and the involvement of key stakeholders. Monitoring and evaluating transitions in global health programs can bring conceptual clarity to the transition process, provide a mechanism for accountability, facilitate engagement with local stakeholders, and inform the management of transition through learning. Further investment and stronger methodological work are needed.

Framing a socio-indexical basis for the emergence and cultural transmission of phonological systems

Moulin-Frier, Diard, Schwartz, and Bessière (2015) proffer a conceptual framework and computational modeling architecture for the investigation of the emergence of phonological universals for spoken languages. They validate the framework and architecture by testing to see whether universals such as the prevalence of triangular vowel systems that show adequate dispersion in the F1–F2–F3 space can fall out of simulations of referential communication between social agents, without building principles such as dispersion directly into the model. In this paper, we examine the assumptions underlying the framework, beginning with the assumption that it is such substantive universals that are in need of explanation rather than the rich diversity of phonological systems observed across human cultures and the compositional (prosodic) structure that characterizes signed as well as spoken languages. Also, when emergence is construed at the time-scales of the biological evolution of the species and of the cultural evolution of distinct speech communities, it is the affiliative or affective rather than the referential function that has the greater significance for our understanding of how phonological systems can emerge de novo in ontogeny.

What can we do to support reading for young adolescent students?

Young adolescents are at a critical stage in their schooling. They are consolidating and improving their reading skills. By exploring what supports these 11- to 13-year-old students in reading from a wider systemic perspective, educators and policy-makers can better understand the complex factors which support reading development. This article presents a conceptual framework model to illustrate how teachers, principals and wider support agencies can effectively interact with the students and their parents. The framework highlights the impacting roles of ministries of education, governmental policies, and how study at postgraduate level can support reading development for these young adolescents.

A quantitative critique of Kerlin’s macro-institutional social enterprise framework

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to provide the first large data-set regression analysis to test Kerlin’s (2013) macro-institutional social enterprise framework in relation to the country social enterprise models that flow from it. Kerlin (2013) offers a conceptual framework for country social enterprise models that allows countries to retain their unique understanding of social enterprise and better understand the factors influencing its development.Design/methodology/approach– This paper draws on the theory of historical institutionalism and multiple global datasets to test formal hypotheses on the relationship between macro-institutional factors and the size of the social enterprise sector across countries. Social enterprise data were obtained from the 2009 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor dataset. Hypotheses were tested using logistic hierarchical linear modeling.Findings– Results provide support for the framework at a significant level. Nearly half of the variance in the size of the social enterprise sector can be attributed to countries-level factors. We also find that the size of the social enterprise sector varies by economic competitiveness rank, size of the welfare state and collectivist cultural orientation.Research limitations/implications– The countries included in this study are not representative of the global landscape. Researchers are encouraged to test the framework with a more representative sample of countries, including those in the Global South.Practical implications– The paper includes implications for policy makers and researchers seeking to facilitate cross-regional dialogue, the transfer and support of social enterprises and research.Originality/value– This paper fulfills an identified need to advance the field of social enterprise by quantitatively testing established frameworks.

Application of an integrated hydrological model at the Southern Trans-Tisza region of Hungary as part of a conceptual phosphorus transport model framework

An integrated hydrological model has been applied for small rural-urban catchments at the Tisza-Maros confluence using the WateRisk integrated hydrological model system. The aim of the hydrological simulations was to identify the role that the relief plays in the runoff generation process, and to highlight the relationship between the precipitation, runoff and the depression’s water storage of the relief. The overall aim is to support the description of contaminant (phosphorus) transport processes with knowledge about the rainfall-runoff-storage relationship, described with the complex deterministic hydrodynamic model system. To support this aim the rainfall-runoff and the one-dimensional flow routing modules have been used in the model. Results suggest that the depletion of the surface depressions water storage capacity is a non-linear saturation type function of the amount of rainfall falling on the surface. Manning n values of the drainage channel system might also have strong influence on runoff dynamics.

The Relationship between Transformational Leadership and Followers’ Work Characteristics and Task Performance

Although leaders and followers are both essential elements within the leadership process, there has been limited research regarding followers and their effects in the process. This study aims to examine the relationship between transformational leadership and followers’ work characteristics and performance, and follower’s attitudes towards a leader as a moderating variable. A questionnaire survey will be used to collect data from Malaysian multi-national corporations. The questionnaire will be utilized to measure followers’ work characteristics and task performance with their leader while the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire will measure follower’s perception to the leadership style of their leader. Furthermore, three followers' attitudes toward their leader (trust in the leader, loyalty, and value congruence) as moderators of this association. The literature review focuses on the followers’ outcomes and builds the framework of conceptual model. Two theoretical perspectives have guided the theoretical framework which are the transformational leadership theory and leader-member exchange theory. The proposal will give an increased understanding of the implementation of transformational leadership in Malaysian MNCs and its implication on outcomes of followers. This framework reflects a growing interest in extending transformational leadership to emerging in developing counties, thus contributing to a wider body of knowledge.

Rapid Reservoir Modeling: Prototyping With an Intuitive, Sketch-Based Interface

This article, written by Special Publications Editor Adam Wilson, contains highlights of paper SPE 173237, “Rapid Reservoir Modeling: Prototyping of Reservoir Models, Well Trajectories, and Development Options With an Intuitive, Sketch-Based Interface,” by M.D. Jackson, SPE, G.J. Hampson, and D. Rood, Imperial College London; S. Geiger, SPE, and Z. Zhang, Heriot-Watt University; M.C. Sousa, SPE, R. Amorim, E. Vital Brazil, and F.F. Samavati, University of Calgary; and L.N. Guimaraes, SPE, University of Pernambuco, prepared for the 2015 SPE Reservoir Simulation Symposium, Houston, 23–25 February. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Constructing and refining complex reservoir models are challenging and time-consuming tasks that entail a high degree of uncertainty. Conventional modeling work flows have remained essentially unchanged for the past decade. Such work flows are poorly suited to rapid prototyping of a range of reservoirmodel concepts, well trajectories, and development options and to testing of how these might affect reservoir behavior. A new reservoir-modeling and -simulation approach, termed rapid reservoir modeling (RRM), allows such prototyping and complements existing work flows. Introduction Hydrocarbon reservoirs typically contain an array of complex geologic heterogeneities that are at or below the resolution of seismic data, so their geometry and spatial distribution are uncertain. These heterogeneities may be structural, stratigraphic, sedimentologic, or diagenetic in origin and often affect flow behavior and hydrocarbon recovery; hence, they must be captured in reservoir models. Reservoir-modeling work flows have remained essentially unchanged for the past decade, facilitated by commercially available software packages. These work flows begin with the construction of a geocellular reservoir model, in which a largely deterministic structural and stratigraphic framework is used to define the overall reservoir volume, and compartments and zones within the reservoir. A grid is then constructed within each zone, typically using pillars that are continuous from the top to the base of the modeled volume, and using layers that may vary in thickness or be truncated by reservoir-zone boundaries. Geostatistical methods are used to populate each grid cell with a geologic indicator (such as facies or rock type) and associated petrophysical properties. The resulting models typically contain several millions to tens of millions of cells and may be upscaled onto a coarser grid before flow simulation. Despite its wide use, there are a number of shortcomings with this work flow, including Conventional modeling workflows are slow, often requiring many months from the development of initial model concepts to flow simulation or other outputs. Conceptual geologic models become fixed early in the modeling process, with uncertainty explored using geostatistical methods within the framework of a single conceptual model, rather than across a range of possible geologic concepts. It is difficult or impossible to explore rapidly a range of conceptual models, well trajectories, and development options and test how these might affect reservoir behavior. The introduction of pillar grids early in the modeling workflow limits the spatial resolution of the model and the complexity of the geologic architectures that can be captured and focuses modeling efforts on population of gridblocks with rock properties by use of geostatistical modeling methods. Geostatistical methods are often nonintuitive and require inputs that are not closely linked to the underlying geologic concept, so it can be difficult for the geologist to create a digital version of the model concept. Integration across different disciplines is made more difficult by the use of different software tools and by different model grid types and resolutions. The aim of this work is to develop RRM software for prototyping of complex reservoir models, well trajectories, and development options by means of novel, sketch-based interaction and modeling coupled with exploratory visualization and close-to-real-time numerical analysis. The new approach does not replace existing work flows; rather, it supplements them by allowing rapid testing of geologic and development concepts and how these affect reservoir behavior.

Monitoring quality at scale: implementing quality assurance in a diverse, multicountry HIV program.

The centrality of quality as a strategy to achieve impact within the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been widely recognized. However, monitoring program quality remains a challenge for many HIV programs, particularly those in resource-limited settings, where human resource constraints and weaker health systems can pose formidable barriers to data collection and interpretation. We describe the practicalities of monitoring quality at scale within a very large multicountry PEPFAR-funded program, based largely at health facilities. The key elements include the following: supporting national programs and strategies; developing a conceptual framework and programmatic model to define quality and guide the provision of high-quality services; attending to program context, as well as program outcomes; leveraging existing and routinely collected data whenever possible; developing additional indicators for judicious use in targeted, in-depth assessments; providing hands-on support for data collection and use at the facility, sub-national, and national levels; utilizing web-based databases for data entry, analysis, and dissemination; and multidisciplinary support from a large team of clinical and strategic information advisors.

The Market Impact of Passive Trading

Implementing a passive strategy with significant assets under management affects market values and thus gives rise to implicit costs in addition to the explicit costs, such as commissions and transaction-related fees. This article presents a conceptual framework and mathematical model for decomposing implicit trading costs and comparing them across active, passive, and smart beta strategies that do not involve frequent trading. The proposed framework, which improves on the weighted-average market capitalization/turnover approach, is intended to help providers and investors evaluate the investability or capacity of index-based strategies.

Parsimonious Model for Simulating Total Mercury and Methylmercury in Boreal Streams Based on Riparian Flow Paths and Seasonality.

The complexity of mercury (Hg) biogeochemistry has made it difficult to model surface water concentrations of both total Hg (THg) and especially methylmercury (MeHg), the species of Hg having the highest potential for bioaccumulation. To simulate THg and MeHg variation in low-order streams, we have adapted a conceptual modeling framework where a continuum of lateral flows through riparian soils determines streamflow concentrations. The model was applied to seven forest catchments located in two boreal regions in Sweden spanning a range of climatic, soil, and forest management conditions. Discharge, and simulated riparian soil water concentrations profiles, represented by two calibrated parameters, were able to explain much of the variability of THg and MeHg concentrations in the streams issuing from the catchments (Nash Sutcliffe (NS) up to 0.54 for THg and 0.58 for MeHg). Model performance for all catchments was improved (NS up to 0.76 for THg and 0.85 for MeHg) by adding two to four parameters to represent seasonality in riparian soil water THg and MeHg concentrations profiles. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that riparian flow-pathways and seasonality in riparian soil concentrations are the major controls on temporal variation of THg and MeHg concentrations in low-order streams.

A conceptual modeling framework for network analytics

In this paper we propose a conceptual modeling framework for network analysis applications. Within this framework, a data model called the Network Analytics ER model (NAER) is developed, which enables us to manage and analyze network data in a unified way. In particular, not only data requirements but also query requirements can be captured by the conceptual description of network analysis applications. This unified view provides us a flexible platform to build a number of topology schemas upon the underlying core schema for supporting network analysis queries. We also discuss how the semantics of network analysis queries can be modeled at the conceptual level, and explore three possible application areas of using our analytical framework for network analysis applications: (1) governing semantic integrity, (2) improving analysis efficiency, and (3) supporting network dynamics. We believe that conceptual modeling can play an important role in managing and analyzing network data, and contribute to the development of network analytics.

A conceptual framework for intra-company technology transfer: cases of leveraging production process innovations across MNEs

Multinational enterprises (MNEs) strive to commercialise their knowledge base globally by mobilising their technological competencies, transferring them across organisational boundaries, and selling the resulting systems, products, processes, and services worldwide. However, co-operation within MNEs still leaves potential for improvement, because intra-company transfers of technology as modes of corporate expansion and conquest of new international markets seldom work efficiently. Academic literature has not adequately addressed this important issue. Based on six case studies from MNEs, this paper highlights the challenges of intra-company technology transfer by examining exemplary cases of production process-related technology transfers. It establishes a conceptual framework model for intra-company technology transfers and identifies important success factors.

A conceptual modeling framework for discrete event simulation using hierarchical control structures

Conceptual Modeling (CM) is a fundamental step in a simulation project. Nevertheless, it is only recently that structured approaches towards the definition and formulation of conceptual models have gained importance in the Discrete Event Simulation (DES) community. As a consequence, frameworks and guidelines for applying CM to DES have emerged and discussion of CM for DES is increasing. However, both the organization of model-components and the identification of behavior and system control from standard CM approaches have shortcomings that limit CM’s applicability to DES. Therefore, we discuss the different aspects of previous CM frameworks and identify their limitations. Further, we present the Hierarchical Control Conceptual Modeling framework that pays more attention to the identification of a models’ system behavior, control policies and dispatching routines and their structured representation within a conceptual model. The framework guides the user step-by-step through the modeling process and is illustrated by a worked example.