Cooperative Setting Research Articles

Partnered Operations and the Positive Duties of Co-Parties

Abstract A key issue in partnered operations is the extent to which partners have obligations under international law as regards each other’s conduct. For partnered operations in situations of armed conflict, this issue has generated a rich and vivid debate on the existence of a duty to ensure respect for international humanitarian law (IHL) by one’s partners, and in particular, whether this duty would require taking positive action. Rather than weighing in on the general question of whether all States bear such duties, this article sheds light on one aspect that this debate has tended to overlook. The article specifically looks at the situation in which multiple parties are engaged in the same armed conflict alongside one another against a common adversary—here labelled ‘co-parties’. It investigates which positive obligations these parties have as regards each other’s conduct. The central argument is that co-parties in an armed conflict have multiple complementary sets of duties to take positive steps vis-à-vis the conduct of their fellow co-parties. The resulting network of duties reflects the central role of the parties to the conflict to ensure that armed conflicts are carried out in accordance with the protective purposes of IHL. Built into the established structure of the legal framework regulating armed conflict, the account of the duties of co-parties presents a more refined conception to the allocation of obligations under IHL in cooperation settings, which, if implemented, may contribute to addressing the protection challenges raised by partnered operations.

A differential game for basin ecological compensation mechanism based on cross-regional government-enterprise cooperation

Cross-regional cooperation among upstream and downstream governments and enterprises is crucial for the efficiently implementation of basin ecological compensation mechanism. In this study, we propose and study a differential game model for basin ecological compensation mechanism based on cross-regional cooperation among governments and enterprises. We have considered three different cooperation settings: mechanisms with no cost sharing, mechanisms with cost sharing and collaborative cooperation mechanism. Under these three settings, all the players' optimal ecological protection efforts, cost sharing rates and optimal revenues are derived. Comparison analysis shows that (1) all the players’ revenues are increasing in the partially ordered set of vectors of cost sharing; (2) the total revenue of the whole system achieves optimal under the collaborative cooperation mechanism. Finally, we conduct several numerical experiments to verify the performance of the solutions to the model, and reveal many interesting managerial insights after hence.

Implementasi Metode SMART (Simple Multi Attribute Rating Technique) Pada Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Pemberian Kredit Pinjaman

Koperasi Simpan Pinjam (KSP) Tamanmartani Sejahtera is an operational savings and loan cooperative that utilizes funds from members in the form of savings and then flows back to members in the form of credit or loans. KSP Tamanmartani Sejahtera's main problem is arrears or customer credit payment delays. If it is allowed to continue, it will make it difficult for cooperatives to develop. One way to reduce delays in credit payments is to select prospective customers selectively. When choosing prospective customers, managers often experience difficulty making credit request decisions. Managers must consider and analyze the background of the credit application. The provision of credit to prospective customers must meet the standard criteria the cooperative sets. Based on these problems, to provide maximum recognition, it is necessary to have a system to help managers determine customer credit decisions. A Decision Support System (DSS) is a system that can provide information and manipulation data to assist decision-makers. One can use many choices, one of which is the Simple Multi-Attribute Rating Technique (SMART). The SMART method can help solve complex problems based on the difficulties encountered in KSP Tamanmartani Sejahtera. The results of this study are The SMART method was successfully implemented into a website-based system and displayed the ranking of customers who deserved to be given a loan. The test results with Black Box testing show the system can run according to a predetermined design.

EFEKTIVITAS PEMBELAJARAN MATEMATIK MELALUI PENERAPAN PENDEKATAN SAINTIFIK SETTING KOOPERATIF PADA SISWA KELAS VII SMPIT UMAR BIN KHATTAB KABUPATEN PANGKEP

This research is a type of pre-experimental research that aims to: Determine the level of competition for the effectiveness of students who are given a scientific approach to cooperative settings for quadrilateral and triangular flat fields in class VII students of SMP Negeri 6 Makassar based on (a) student achievement, (b) Activities student learning, and (c) Student response. The population in this study were all seventhgrade students of SMPIT Umar Bin Khattab Kabupaten Pangkep. While the sample was selected at random 1 class to be applied as a group that will be given learning treatment by applying a scientific approach to cooperative settings. Before learning is done, pre-test is given first, then learning is carried out by applying a scientific approach in a cooperative setting for 5 meetings, and then given a post-test. The results showed that: (1) the average score of learning implementation from the first meeting to the fifth meeting was 3.80 (very good category). (2) the average value of student learning achievement (gain) is 0.6 (medium classification). (3) the average score of the student activity category is 3.4 (very good category). (4) the average student response is 3.1 (the category tends to be positive). (5) The value of effectiveness (E) obtained is 3.20 (quite effective). Results Based on the research, the scientific approach of cooperative setting is quite effective to be applied to the seventh grade students of SMPIT Umar Bin Khattab Kabupaten Pangkep.

Précis: Concern, Respect, and Cooperation

Précis: <i>Concern, Respect, and Cooperation</i>

Finding Cooperation in the N-Player Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma with Deep Reinforcement Learning Over Dynamic Complex Networks

Biological, social and economical systems expose enormous levels of complexity, and studying situations of cooperation of conflict encompassing such systems is of particular interest. The N-Player Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma (NIPD) is a general game-theoretic model that captures realistic scenarios of cooperation and conflict. This paper studies the emergence of cooperation in the NIPD, using methods borrowed from the field of reinforcement learning. Such methods attracted immense amounts of attention over the last decade, and have shown promising results in robotics, game-playing, multi-agent systems, etc. However, it is well-known that plain reinforcement learning applied in the NIPD will converge to the Nash equilibrium of the game, which is defection. Therefore, additional mechanisms are needed to foster the development and upkeep of cooperation. This work considers different interconnection topologies for players of the NIPD, and uses dynamic rewiring (players can severe some connections and form others) as a mechanism to encourage cooperation. In such scenarios, the initial interconnection topology is also a crucial aspect. Thus, conducted experiments are concerned with the NIPD over dynamic complex networks, where players can rewire edges in order to position themselves in more cooperative settings. Our results show that cooperation can emerge in such settings.

A Novel and Efficient Influence-Seeking Exploration in Deep Multiagent Reinforcement Learning

Although recent years witnessed notable success for a cooperative setting in multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), efficient explorations are still challenging primarily due to the complex dynamics of inter-agent interactions constituting the high dimension of action spaces. For an efficient exploration, it is necessary to quantify influences that can represent interactions among agents and use them to obtain more information about the complexity of multi-agent systems. In this paper, we propose a novel influence-seeking exploration (ISE) scheme, which encourages agents to preferably explore action spaces significantly influenced by others and thus helps in speeding up the learning curve. To measure the influence of other agents in action selection, we use the variance of joint action-values with different action sets of agents that obtained by an estimation technique to lessen computation overhead. To this end, we first present an analytical approach inspired by the concept of approximated variance propagation and then apply it to an exploration scheme. We evaluate the proposed exploration method on a set of StarCraft II micromanagement as well as modified predator-prey tasks. Compared to state-of-the-art methods, the proposed method achieved performance improvements of 10&#x0025; in StarCraft II micromanagement and 50&#x0025; in modified predator-prey tasks approximately.

Student Learning Outcomes using the Snow Cube Throwing Learning Model with Cooperative Settings

The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in learning outcomes between students who received snow cube throwing and students who received an expository learning model. In addition to these objectives, another objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of using the snow cube throwing learning model on student learning outcomes. The research method used was a quasi-experimental with a non equivalent control group design. The population of this study were all students of class XI at SMAN 5 Cimahi. The sample in this study consisted of 2 groups, namely the experimental class and the control class selected by purposive sampling. Each group consisted of 40 students, so that there were 80 students who were sampled in this study. Data analysis in this study used the independent sample t-test and effect size. The results of the data analysis show that the learning outcomes of students who get the snow cube throwing model are better than the learning outcomes of students who get the expository model. The effectiveness of using the snow cube throwing model is more effective in improving student learning outcomes, as indicated by the value of the effect size which is included in the high category.

Cooperative differential games with continuous updating using Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation

This paper examines a class of cooperative differential games with continuous updating. Here it is assumed that at each time instant players have or use information about the game structure defined for a closed time interval with fixed duration. The current time continuously evolves with the updating interval. The main problems considered in a cooperative setting with continuous updating is how to define players' cooperative behaviour, how to construct a cooperative trajectory, how to define the characteristic function and how to arrive at a cooperative solution. This paper also addresses the properties of the solution and presents some techniques to fix the process by which a cooperative solution is constructed. Theoretical results are demonstrated on a differential game model of non-renewable resource extraction, initial and continuous updating versions are also considered. Comparison of cooperative strategies, trajectories, characteristic functions and corresponding Shapley values is presented.

A Low-Complexity Multicast Scheduling for D2D-Aided F-RANs Using Network Coding

Traditional studies on Instantly Decodable Network Coding (IDNC) focus on optimizing IDNC metrics, i.e., completion time or decoding delay, in broadcast scenarios in which all user-devices (UDs) want the same files. The problem of joint optimization over two interdependent parameters, i.e., transmitting user-devices (UDs) and IDNC was traditionally tackled by finding the set of feasible cooperation between UDs. This, however, requires high computational complexity, which is not feasible. This work, instead, develops low complexity, yet optimal, solution to the problem using graph theory in practical multicast scenarios where UDs are interested in different subsets of files. Specifically, the proposed method studies the condition for generating important UDs’ feasible cooperation that can minimize the IDNC metric under investigation while considering the effect of unwanted files on the performance of IDNC schemes for multicast sessions. Numerical results show that the proposed method outperforms the benchmark method in terms of completion time and decoding delay with significant reduction in the computational complexity.

Territorial Conflict, Domestic Crisis, and the Covid-19 Pandemic in the South Caucasus. Explaining Variegated EU Responses.

Territorial Conflict, Domestic Crisis, and the Covid-19 Pandemic in the South Caucasus. Explaining Variegated EU Responses.

Digital Innovation and Capability to Create Competitiveness Model of Cooperatives in Bandung, Indonesia

Digital innovation refers to innovations that take advantage of digital technology to obtain new results from digitalization. Currently the digital innovation process has been implemented in a competitive and cooperative setting. Cooperatives as social organizations are required to be able to follow environmental regulations by implementing digital innovation to accelerate national economic growth, reduce poverty levels, and support equitable distribution of people's income. The inability of cooperatives to adapt to meet needs and balance the era of the industrial revolution 4.0 will result in a downturn in cooperative management, such as what happened in 2017 where almost 40% of cooperatives in West Java were inactive. In digital innovation, digital capability are also needed to connect digital technology with professional digital talent. The purpose of this study is to identify and formulate a competitiveness model through digital innovation and capabilities with government support for cooperatives in Bandung. Primary data technique consists of distributing questionnaires, interviews and secondary data through literature studies.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords— Digital innovation; capabilities; competitiveness; cooperatives

Cooperative inventory games in multi-echelon supply chains under carbon tax policy: Vertical or horizontal?

This paper studies carbon tax policy in inventory games of multi-echelon supply chains. Four structures are considered with regard to the decision-making of supply chain members (decentralized, vertical downward cooperation, vertical upward cooperation, and horizontal cooperation). The purposes are to find the solutions of inventory games at each cooperation scheme, to compare strategies, and to examine the impact of the carbon tax on costs, emissions, and cooperation savings. A coordination mechanism with synchronized cycles is proposed, using cooperative game theory concepts in SC centralization. Closed-form equilibrium values were calculated for the optimal replenishment cycles, costs, and carbon emissions functions. For this intent, an algebraic method was deployed for vertical cooperation games. Though, other games were solved by an exact solution method. The numerical examples examined the impacts of the carbon tax on each structure and compared optimal solutions. Moreover, the impact of inventory and carbon emissions parameters on the cost and carbon emissions savings from cooperation settings were evaluated, indicating that SCs can reduce both costs and carbon emissions through cooperation. Additionally, it was found that the carbon tax can reduce the level of carbon emissions, while simultaneously decreasing coalition costs and emissions savings.

Teaching (Cooperative) Business: The “Bluefield Experiment” and the Future of Black Business Schools

Teaching (Cooperative) Business: The “Bluefield Experiment” and the Future of Black Business Schools

Quantum broadcast channels with cooperating decoders: An information-theoretic perspective on quantum repeaters

Communication over a quantum broadcast channel with cooperation between the receivers is considered. The first form of cooperation addressed is classical conferencing, where receiver 1 can send classical messages to receiver 2. Another cooperation setting involves quantum conferencing, where receiver 1 can teleport a quantum state to receiver 2. When receiver 1 is not required to recover information and its sole purpose is to help the transmission to receiver 2, the model reduces to the quantum primitive relay channel. The quantum conferencing setting is intimately related to quantum repeaters as the sender, receiver 1, and receiver 2 can be viewed as the transmitter, the repeater, and the destination receiver, respectively. We develop lower and upper bounds on the capacity region in each setting. In particular, the cutset upper bound and the decode-forward lower bound are derived for the primitive relay channel. Furthermore, we present an entanglement-formation lower bound, where a virtual channel is simulated through the conference link. At last, we show that as opposed to the multiple access channel with entangled encoders, entanglement between decoders does not increase the classical communication rates for the broadcast dual.

Human-agent coordination in a group formation game

Coordination and cooperation between humans and autonomous agents in cooperative games raise interesting questions on human decision making and behaviour changes. Here we report our findings from a group formation game in a small-world network of different mixes of human and agent players, aiming to achieve connected clusters of the same colour by swapping places with neighbouring players using non-overlapping information. In the experiments the human players are incentivized by rewarding to prioritize their own cluster while the model of agents’ decision making is derived from our previous experiment of purely cooperative game between human players. The experiments were performed by grouping the players in three different setups to investigate the overall effect of having cooperative autonomous agents within teams. We observe that the human subjects adjust to autonomous agents by being less risk averse, while keeping the overall performance efficient by splitting the behaviour into selfish and cooperative actions performed during the rounds of the game. Moreover, results from two hybrid human-agent setups suggest that the group composition affects the evolution of clusters. Our findings indicate that in purely or lesser cooperative settings, providing more control to humans could help in maximizing the overall performance of hybrid systems.

Habitat and Resource Equivalency Analysis: 30 Years of Lessons Learned and a Look to the Future

ABSTRACT Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) is a process used to determine the amount of compensation due to the public for natural resource injuries arising from oil spills. Two models, Resource Equivalency Analysis (REA) and Habitat Equivalency Analysis (HEA), are used in essentially all OPA NRDAs to compute compensatory restoration requirements. REA is applied when members of wildlife populations are injured: usually mortality or a loss of reproduction among a species of bird, turtle, marine mammal, or fish. HEA is used when habitats are injured: usually oiling of beaches, wetlands, or sediments. The models are often implemented in a cooperative setting with input from both the Responsible Party and the Trustees. In this setting the models provide a structure for organizing negotiations and identifying the types of agreements that need to be reached before restoration can be identified and “right sized.” The models also have a technical basis in economic theory that is fully justified, but only in particular, limited circumstances. This technical basis is the only means of assuring the Trustees, RPs, and stakeholders that the NRDA process has identified an appropriate level of compensation. When the circumstances of a spill do not approximate those in which HEA and REA are defensible, creative solutions are needed to adjust the models to the circumstances of the case if they are to provide a convincing basis for scaling restoration and reaching resolution. This paper identifies the circumstances under which REA and HEA are fully defensible as well as 35 years of evolving adjustments designed to make them “work” when applied to real-world cases they do not quite fit. We also look to the future and how climate change may alter restoration scaling.

From a Society of Knowledge to a Society of Consciousness a Call for Awareness Is on Its Way

The convergence of today’s critical sanitary environmental and socio-economic crises is pressing humanity towards a shifting point from which a new paradigm could emerge, where accelerated scientific-technological innovations transforming social relations may enable a leap of conscience with the improvement appreciation of human life conditions and better caring for the planet as a whole, opening for a more fraternal cooperation and sustainability mind set. The crisis is systemic and has moral roots, so the solutions are asking for a change in human values and human consciousness that may already be found in initiatives like a new socio-economic models such as the Economy of Francisco, the Society 5.0 that are emerging and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Moreover, there is already a humanity awareness movement that defines patterns for levels of global consciousness that together with other development systems models may help to follow up the process of the transition from the society of knowledge to the society of consciousness. This close global monitoring would give us chance for a better global and local management showing signs of improvement, and give calls for alerts. This paper presents advances in this direction and shows how the ICT revolution on its way may already give support to collectively on-line monitoring with already existing important synthetic indicators that represent basic sensors for the process, showing what may be the way for the future, and what kind of metamorphose we may be emerging.

Channel efficiency and retailer tier dominance in a supply chain with a common manufacturer

We consider a two-tier supply chain with manufacturing as the upstream tier and retailing as the downstream tier. We focus on investigating the impact of the retailers’ competition vis-à-vis their relative positioning within the retailing tier on the performance of the supply chain. Further, we develop a stylized game-theoretic model, where a manufacturer is the leader, while multiple competing retailers are its followers. We look to generate three distinct supply chain structures by varying the positioning (tier dominance) of one retailer with the other retailer(s): (i) simultaneous setting, (ii) sequential setting, and (iii) cooperative setting. Our analysis reveals some interesting insights regarding the impact of these distinct supply chain structures on channel efficiency. For instance, we find that the supply chain becomes the most efficient under the sequential setting. The economic rationale behind this non-intuitive result is rooted in how retailers’ relative positioning in the retailing tier interacts with double marginalization. Additionally, our results suggest that retailers’ tier dominance leads to a “win-win” outcome where both the supply chain and consumers are better off. Under the sequential setting, we determine the optimal number of tier-dominant retailers while maximizing channel efficiency. Finally, using numerical studies, we investigate the impact of the degree of product substitution on channel efficiency, whereby, we find that, under the simultaneous setting, channel efficiency monotonically increases in the degree of product differentiation, which essentially is not always monotone in the sequential setting. We also demonstrate how the power imbalance between retailers complements the theory of countervailing power.

Urban e-Grocery Distribution Design in Pamplona (Spain) Applying an Agent-Based Simulation Model with Horizontal Cooperation Scenarios

E-commerce has boosted in the last decades because of the achievements of the information and telecommunications technology along with the changes in the society life-style. More recently, the groceries online purchase (or e-grocery), has also prevailed as a way of making the weekly shopping, particularly, the one including fresh vegetables and fruit. Furthermore, this type of virtual shopping in supermarkets is gaining importance as the most efficient delivery system in cost and time. Thus, we have evaluated in this study the influence of the cooperation-based policies on costs and service quality among different supermarkets in Pamplona, Spain. Concerning methodology, first of all, we carried out a survey in Pamplona having the purpose of modelling the demand patterns about e-grocery. Second, we have developed an agent-based simulation model for generating scenarios in non-cooperative, limited cooperation, and full cooperation settings, considering the real data obtained from the survey analysis. At this manner, Vehicle Routing Problems (VRP) and Multi Depot VRPs (MDVRP) are dynamically generated and solved within the simulation framework using a biased-randomization algorithm. Finally, the results show significant reductions in distance driven and lead times when employing horizontal cooperation in e-grocery distribution.