Convergence Arguments Research Articles

Emergence of Organizational Attributions: The Role of a Shared Cognitive Schema

Daft and Weick (1984) suggest that individual-level interpretations of top strategic managers can be expected to converge into an organizational interpretation because managers use identical cognitive schemata when making their personal interpretations. The primary purpose of this paper is to adapt the well-accepted interpersonal attribution schema to an organizational context to determine whether Daft and Weick's convergence argument is plausible. We conclude that the common phenomena of informational equivocality and bias make the existence of shared schemata a necessary but not sufficient condition for the convergence of interpretations. Therefore, studies in the organizational literature which rely on the convergence argument fail to sufficiently establish a linkage between individual cognition and organizational action.

Taxonomic and geographic diversity in robust australopithecines and other African Plio-Pleistocene larger mammals

Abstract There is considerable evidence to support the allocation of all eastern and southern African robust australopithecines to the genus Paranthropus, but the case for a polyphyletic origin is nol totally refuted. In order to assess the argument for convergence in the face of conflicting signals from the hominid remains, we have turned to evidence from patterns of geographic distribution in other monophyletic groups of larger African Plio-Pleistocene mammals. These distributions point to considerable contact between eastern and southern Africa in addition to the existence of regional representatives of other monophyletic groups. The suggestion that robust australopithecine monophyly is not an exotic interpretation is consistent with the evolutionary history of several other mammalian groups.

Emergence of organizational attributions: The role of a shared cognitive schema

Daft and Weick (1984) suggest that individual-level interpretations of top strategic managers can be expected to converge into an organizational interpretation because managers use identical cognitive schemata when making their personal interpretations. The primary purpose of this paper is to adapt the well-accepted interpersonal attribution schema to an organizational context to determine whether Daft and Weick's convergence argument is plausible. We conclude that the common phenomena of informational equivocality and bias make the existence of shared schemata a necessary but not sufficient condition for the convergence of interpretations. Therefore, studies in the organizational literature which rely on the convergence argument fail to sufficiently establish a linkage between individual cognition and organizational action.

Existence and uniqueness of an optimum in the infinite-horizon portfolio-cum-saving model with semimartingale investments

The model considered here is essentially that formulated in the author's previous paper Conditions for Optimality in the Infinite-Horizon Portfolio-cum-Saving Problem with Semimartingale Investments, Stochastics and Stochastics Reports 29 (1990), 133-171. In this model, the vector process representing returns to investments is a general semimartingale. Processes defining portfolio plans arc here required only to be predictable and non-negative. Existence of an optimal portfolio-cum-saving plan is proved under slight conditions of integrability imposed on the welfare functional; the proofs rely on properties of weak precompactness of portfolio and utility sequences in suitable L p spaces together with dominated and monotone convergence arguments. Conditions are also obtained for the uniqueness of the portfolio plan generating a given returns process (i.e. for the uniqueness of the integrands generating a given sum of semimartingale integrals) and for the uniqueness of an optimal plan; here use is made of r...

Strong consistency of a sieve estimator for the variance in nonlinear regression

A strongly consistent sequence of estimators of the variance of the disturbance term in a nonlinear regression model is given. This improves earlier results based on either equicontinuity or uniform convergence arguments.

Permissive sites and topology of an outer membrane protein with a reporter epitope

We are developing a genetic approach to study with a single antibody the folding and topology of LamB, an integral outer membrane protein from Escherichia coli K-12. This approach consists of inserting the same reporter foreign antigenic determinant (the C3 epitope from poliovirus) at different sites of LamB so that the resulting hybrid proteins have essentially kept the in vivo biological properties of LamB and therefore its cellular location and structure; the corresponding sites are called permissive sites. A specific monoclonal antibody can then be used to examine the position of the reporter epitope with respect to the protein and the membrane. We present an improved and efficient procedure that led us to identify eight new permissive sites in LamB. These sites appear to be distributed on both sides of the membrane. At one of them (after residue 253), the C3 epitope was detected on intact bacteria, providing the first direct argument for exposure of the corresponding LamB region at the cell surface. At this site as well as at four others (after residues 183, 219, 236, and 352), the C3 epitope could be detected with the C3 monoclonal antibody at the surface of the extracted trimeric LamB-C3 hybrid proteins. We provide a number of convergent arguments showing that the hybrid proteins are not strongly distorted with respect to the wild-type protein so that the conclusions drawn are also valid for this protein. These conclusions are essentially in agreement with the proposed folding model for the LamB protein. They agree, in particular, with the idea that regions 183 and 352 are exposed to the periplasm. In addition, they suggest that region 236 is buried at the external face of the outer membrane and that region 219 is exposed to the periplasm. Including the 3 sites previously determined, 11 permissive sites are now available in LamB, including 3 at the cell surface and most probably at least 3 in the periplasm. We discuss the nature of such sites, the generalization of this approach to other proteins, and possible applications.

The Continuum Random Tree. I

Exact and asymptotic results for the uniform random labelled tree on $n$ vertices have been studied extensively by combinatorialists. Here we treat asymptotics from a modern stochastic process viewpoint. There are three limit processes. One is an infinite discrete tree. The other two are most naturally represented as continuous two-dimensional fractal tree-like subsets of the infinite-dimensional space $l_1$. One is compact; the other is unbounded and self-similar. The proofs are based upon a simple algorithm for generating the finite random tree and upon weak convergence arguments. Distributional properties of these limit processes will be discussed in a sequel.

Martingales with given maxima and terminal distributions

Let μ be any probability measure onR with λ |x|dμ(x)<∞, and let μ* denote its associated Hardy and Littlewood maximal p.m. It is shown that for any p.m.v for which μ<ν<μ* in the usual stochastic order, there is a martingale (X t)0≦t≦1 for which sup0≦t≦1 X t andX 1 have respective p.m. 'sv and μ. The proof uses induction and weak convergence arguments; in special cases, explicit martingale constructions are given. These results provide a converse to results of Dubins and Gilat [6]; applications are made to give sharp martingale and ‘prophet’ inequalities.

Quadratic convergence for cell-centered grids

This work discusses some of the convergence properties of approximations defined on standard cell-centered finite difference grids. It is shown that the order of convergence is quadratic in the grid spacing for both uniform and nonuniform grids. This order of convergence cannot be improved upon, even if uniform point-distributed grids are used. It is concluded that order of convergence arguments do not favor point-distributed grid construction over the more physically reasonable cell-centered construction. The techniques used are elementary and rely entirely on Taylor series expansions. Other applications of these techniques, such as to local grid refinement, are indicated.

Social network analysis, structuration theory and the holism-individualism debate

Attempts at developing the theoretical side of social network analysis have not generated a satisfactory account of its methodological suppositions and implications. This paper clarifies the network conception of the relationship between human action and social structure by documenting the convergence of social netwoek analysis with structuration theory on the principle of methodological individualism. It then uses the convergence argument to suggest a new role for social network analysis in the methodological restructuring of modern social theory.

Variational calculations for 4He I: Improved energies for singlet and triplet n D and n F levels (n=3-8).

Hylleraas method variational calculations with up to 458 expansion terms are reported for the n $^{1}D$, n $^{3}D$ terms and for the n $^{1}F$, n $^{3}F$ terms (n=4--8) of neutral helium. Convergence arguments are presented to obtain new estimates of the exact nonrelativistic energies of these terms. The reliability of the estimates ranges from 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}10}$ a.u. in the worst case to ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}11}$ a.u. in the best case. The nonrelativistic singlet and triplet energies are combined with previously calculated values for relativistic and other small energy contributions to evaluate the total ionization energies for the n D and n F levels. Comparisons of the n $^{1}D$ and n $^{3}D$ energies with other calculations and available data yield improved values for relativistic contributions. The calculated relativistic n F ionization energies agree with values based on core-polarization theoretical n G and n H energies within deviations of 3 MHz (5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}11}$ a.u.) for n=5 to 1 MHz (1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}11}$ a.u.) for n=7,8. The calculated n F fine-structure separations generally agree with experiment for n=5--8 within uncertainties of the order of 1 to 0.1 MHz. Predicted values given for the 4 F fine-structure separations and the ${4}^{1}$F ionization energy are probably accurate within a few MHz.

Diffusion premiums for claim severities subject to inflation

Analytical formulas for net, stop-loss and risk loaded premiums are derived. These are based on a diffusion model for the aggregate claims of a risk business which accounts for inflation on claim severities and for interest on their accumulation. The model has been given a number of formal justifications based on weak convergence arguments. An alternate justification based on stochastic differential equations is added here for completeness.

Numerical Approximation for the Infinite-Dimensional Discrete-Time Optimal Linear-Quadratic Regulator Problem

An abstract approximation framework is developed for the finite and infinite time horizon discrete-time linear-quadratic regulator problem for systems whose state dynamics are described by a linear semigroup of operators on an infinite dimensional Hilbert space. The schemes included the framework yield finite dimensional approximations to the linear state feedback gains which determine the optimal control law. Convergence arguments are given. Examples involving hereditary and parabolic systems and the vibration of a flexible beam are considered. Spline-based finite element schemes for these classes of problems, together with numerical results, are presented and discussed.

Convergence and Shakedown for Discrete Load Steps in Statically Loaded Elastic-Plastic Bodies

ABSTRACT The convergence of solutions for elastic-plastic bodies that are subjected to static loading is considered, for discretized loading paths. It is shown that the classical convergence and shakedown arguments extend to the discrete case when an incremental holonomic constitutive equation is adopted. This constitutive relation is based on a backward difference time integration algorithm and retains the convexity properties of the rate constitutive equations. Some implications of the result are discussed.

Argument structures in decision‐making groups

Within the context of a continuing research program on argument and group decision‐making, this study reports refinements in an existing coding scheme of interpersonal argument, and an analysis of argument structures in consensus and dissensus groups. Four argument structures were identified: simple, compound, eroded, and convergent. In addition, consensus groups had a greater proportion of convergent arguments than did dissensus groups. Discussion focuses on future directions for interpersonal and small‐group argument research.

Religion and Regional Culture: The Changing Pattern of Religious Affiliation in the Cajun Region of Southwest Louisiana

The hypothesis that large-scale economic development and population redistribution has led to the demise of regional culture is examined for the traditional Catholic Cajun community in southwest Louisiana. Using census type data, comparisons of religious affiliation patterns between the Cajun region, Louisiana, the South, and the nation demonstrate a small shift towards regional convergence over the 1950-80 period. An analysis of the twenty-two parishes in the Cajun region provides some limited support for the convergence argument. The results are discussed in light of earlier work by Newman and Halvorson (1984) reported in this journal.

Weak convergence and approximations for partial differential equations with stochastic coefficients

For a parabolic equation with wide bandwidth coefficients, it is shown that the solution converges weakly to that of a stochastic PDE driven by an infinite dimensional Wiener process as the bandwidth tends to infinity. The treatment is novel and purely probabilistic. The solution to the “wide band” coefficient system is represented as a conditional expectation of a functional of a certain diffusion. By a weak convergence argument, the conditional expectation (and its mean square derivatives) converges weakly to a conditional expectation of a functional of a “limit” diffusion. It is then shown that this “limit” functional satisfies the appropriate stochastic PDE. The infinite dimensional Wiener processes is represented explicitly in terms of the original system noise. No coercivity or strict ellipticity conditions are required. The result provides a partial justification for the use of infinite dimensional Wiener processes in distributed systems. Since the method is based on weak conver

A new spectrum associated with boron dioxide: BO2+?

A single unreported red-degraded band has been observed at 6117.4 AA in a microwave discharge through BF3 and oxygen. The only reasonable rotational analysis is compatible with a 1 Sigma u+-1 Sigma g+ or 1 Sigma g--1 Sigma u- transition. The carrier is tentatively identified to BO2+ on the basis of several convergent arguments. The B values are 0.29482 and 0.22004 cm-1 for the lower and upper states respectively. The corresponding 10BO2+ band has also been observed and analysed.

Convergence and non-convergence of mediterranean type communities

SummaryMediterranean plant communities of several areas, particularly the U.S. and Israel, are discussed and compared. There is little evidence supporting classic arguments for vegetation convergence at the community level on different continents. Instead, there are major differences in life form spectra, leaf traits, physiognomy, species richness, and fire adaptations among different regions of Mediterranean vegetation. Non-convergence is related to differences in past climate, history of disturbance, and random evolutionary canalizations among regions.

31D, 41D, 51D, 41F, 51F and 61F states of He

Hylleraas method variational calculations up to 367 terms are reported for the three lowest states of neutral helium with 1D and 1F symmetry. Convergence arguments are presented to obtain new estimates of the exact non-relativistic energies of these states. The reliability of the estimates ranges from 10-6 au in the worst case to 10-9 au in the best case.