Understanding Of Various Elements Research Articles

Strategic supply chains: a configurational perspective

PurposeDrawing on configuration theory and adopting a holistic perspective, the authors aim to explore strategic supply chain elements' interaction with internal and external contextual conditions. Specifically, they evaluate multivariate co-alignment of supply chain's capabilities (agility, adaptability, alignment), adhocracy organizational structure and environmental uncertainty (dynamism, munificence and complexity) that lead to superior performance outcomes (supply chain cycle time, financial performance, market performance).Design/methodology/approachA survey research design is adopted to collect primary and secondary data from 182 international firms. Cluster analysis and profile deviation techniques are employed first to derive a taxonomy of strategic supply chains and then examine multivariate co-alignment.FindingsThe analysis reveals that four groups of triple-A supply chains could emerge. It is found that strategic supply chains exhibit a flexible/organic/fluid organizational structure and a high level of triple-As in their processes. These supply chains perform superior to a higher level of environmental complexity, munificence and dynamism.Practical implicationsThis study's results provide insights for practitioners by informing their investment decisions for developing strategic supply chains. Specifically, this research highlights the contextuality of triple-A supply chains and offers best practices to capitalize on strategic supply chains.Originality/valueExecutives in organizations require a holistic understanding of various elements to ensure that the organizational system as a whole performs effectively. This research offers insights into the interdependencies of triple-A supply chains with other organizational and external environmental elements. Noteworthy implications for scholarship in operations/supply chain management and supply chain practitioners are presented.

Innovation diffusion theory and customers’ behavioral intention for Islamic credit card

PurposeOne of the main challenge when launching new banking services is to overcome resistance to change so as to accelerate market acceptance. This is the case of an Islamic credit card (ICC). Grounded in innovation diffusion theory (IDT) and theory of reasoned action (TRA), this paper aims to study the purposes and empirically tests an integrated model to explore, which factors influence of ICC.Design/methodology/approachPartial least squares and structural equation modeling was used to assess the hypotheses. Accordingly, the empirical results, obtained in a sample of 762 bank customers.FindingsIntentions to use of ICC are mostly determined by relative advantage, compatibility, customer awareness, satisfaction and attitude. The combination of IDT and TRA significantly explain the ICC adoption.Originality/valueThis research has provided a theoretical understanding of the ICC adoption determinants with the intent of promoting a more in-depth understanding of various elements influencing acceptance and usage of this Islamic banking service.

基于生态网络的山水林田湖草生物多样性保护研究——以广西左右江为例

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 基于生态网络的山水林田湖草生物多样性保护研究——以广西左右江为例 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201905311144 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目（41571173，41771207）；国家重点研发计划项目（2016YFC0502103） Biodiversity conservation of mountains-rivers-forests-farmlands-lakes-grasslands using an ecological network: A case study on the Zuoyoujiang river basin in Guangxi Province, China Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: The National Natural Science Foundation of China；National Key Research and Development 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:“山水林田湖草是生命共同体”的理念强调生态系统的整体性，反映了自然界各生态系统之间的联系，表明对生态环境的治理要建立在系统论的思想方法上，怎样将“山水林田湖草”的理论思想落实到具体的地区已成为生态保护与修复的关注热点。生态网络的构建不仅可以连接破碎生境，而且能够综合考虑生态系统的各个要素，因此，以广西左右江流域为例，选取保护区作为生态源地，结合最小累积阻力模型（MCR，minimum cumulative resistance）和整体连通性指数（IIC，integral index of connectivity），分析潜在生态廊道的结构组成以及源地重要性，探讨研究区潜在生态网络“山水林田湖草”空间分布。研究结果表明：通过构建生态网络识别出69条潜在生态廊道，但在研究区中部没有可利用的廊道，导致明显的南北阻隔；在51个源地斑块中，仅有3个斑块的重要性指数大于0.2，景观整体连通性较低；通过廊道景观构成的分析发现，耕地占廊道面积比例达20.28%，仅次于自然林地（74.16%），说明耕地对生态网络的构建有重要影响。最后通过廊道与道路的叠加选取9个关键生态节点和23个断裂点，并提出相应的修复和优化对策。研究结果可为广西左右江流域生物多样性保护提供方法和建议，同时作为对“山水林田湖草”生态保护与修复的探索，能够为今后类似研究提供参考。 Abstract:The existence of mountains-rivers-forests-farmlands-lakes-grasslands systems emphasizes the need for ecosystem integrity and reflects the relationships among natural ecosystems. Thus, ecological protection and restoration methods should be based on the system theory. This study focuses on the ecological protection and restoration of mountains-rivers-forests-farmlands-lakes-grasslands systems in specific regions. An ecological network allows the connection of fragmented habitats and aids the understanding of various elements of an ecosystem. Therefore, using the Zuoyoujiang River basin in Guangxi Province, China as an example, this study selected protected areas as ecological sources, analyzed the structure of potential ecological corridors and the importance of ecological sources using a combination of the minimum cumulative resistance and integral index of connectivity (IIC) models, and discussed the spatial distribution of potential mountains-rivers-forests-farmlands-lakes-grasslands ecological networks. A total of 69 potential ecological corridors were identified; however, there were no available corridors in the central part of the study area, which resulted in an obvious north-south barrier. Among the 51 source patches, only 3 patches had an IIC greater than 0.2, and the overall connectivity of the landscape was poor. Analysis of the corridor composition indicated that the proportion of cultivated land was 20.28%, second only to that of natural forest land (74.16%). Thus, cultivated land has a considerable effect on the construction of ecological networks. A total of 9 key ecological nodes and 23 breakpoints were selected through the superposition of corridors and roads, and corresponding restoration and optimization countermeasures were suggested. The results of this study provide insights into biodiversity conservation in the Zuoyoujiang River basin in Guangxi. Further, this study acts as a preliminary exploration for the ecological protection and restoration of mountains-rivers-forests-farmlands-lakes-grasslands ecosystems and will act as a reference for such studies in the future. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

A study on software fault prediction techniques

Software fault prediction aims to identify fault-prone software modules by using some underlying properties of the software project before the actual testing process begins. It helps in obtaining desired software quality with optimized cost and effort. Initially, this paper provides an overview of the software fault prediction process. Next, different dimensions of software fault prediction process are explored and discussed. This review aims to help with the understanding of various elements associated with fault prediction process and to explore various issues involved in the software fault prediction. We search through various digital libraries and identify all the relevant papers published since 1993. The review of these papers are grouped into three classes: software metrics, fault prediction techniques, and data quality issues. For each of the class, taxonomical classification of different techniques and our observations have also been presented. The review and summarization in the tabular form are also given. At the end of the paper, the statistical analysis, observations, challenges, and future directions of software fault prediction have been discussed.

Saints Christmas Trees Pricing Analysis

This teaching case and assignment pertains to various areas of pricing analysis that are essential for business managers. There are numerous pricing components integrated into this case that will enhance students’ understanding of various elements that influence pricing decisions. Students will need to analyze and calculate various pricing components that are linked to other economic and marketing concepts. This case is suited for an undergraduate introductory marketing or economics course. Provided at the end of the case are teaching notes for instructors.

Elements of organizational sustainability

PurposeWhile the adoption of corporate social responsibility reporting has been growing, less interest has been evoked in how organizations are in fact responding to organizational sustainability, or what their relevant optimal strategies ought to be. Triple Bottom Line Sustainability (TBLS) as a desirable organizational goal is now generating some interest, and it is defined here, together with an exploration of the systemic issues which influence organizational attitudes regarding its achievement. Attention is drawn to lessons to be learned from how a learning organization, on either the local or global scale, might respond to the challenges of achieving sustainability. By exploring research and practitioner viewpoints bearing on sustainability‐related promotion of organizational learning, and means to change industrial‐age mindsets, this special issue aims to help organizations remove cultural and structural barriers to progressing sustainability.Design/methodology/approachGeneral sustainability‐related concerns and challenges are reviewed, and individual authors voice their understanding of various elements of sustainability based on their research, their case studies, and the extant literature.FindingsFindings include enhanced understanding of how economic vested interests and political dynamics can block effective decision making in the sustainability field, even though the many sustainability experiences from around the world have provided practical means for companies to enhance their economic growth without affecting environments and communities. The impact of two different styles of leadership on the creation of a positive and a negative sustainability‐enabling environment is explained, and it is suggested that having a better understanding of an organization's ability to adapt and self‐regulate on crucial issues for sustainability may help to develop a path through the ongoing socio‐ecological crisis. In addition, the importance of an organization having an extended view of its endeavors in corporate and business ethics is revealed. An action research study is also presented to show how organizations currently view and implement sustainability, and to identify which critical systemic components are yet to be seriously addressed.Originality/valueThe opinions and research presented provide new and unique understanding of the elements contributing to organizational sustainability. Further value is added via the assessment of progress toward the sustainability ideal, the identification of barriers, and by studying the many practical examples of means to facilitate progress toward that ideal.

The Potential for Cruise Tourism in Kenya

ABSTRACT Today, cruise tourism is the fastest developing one in the travel and tourism industry. Yet, it is a neglected area with limited coverage in contemporary tourism literature. Cruise tourism has been concentrated in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean regions. However, operators in these regions are now facing stiff competition and are looking for alternative and more exciting destinations. The Kenyan coast and the rest of the Eastern African Coast provide such possible alternative destinations. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the potential for cruise tourism in Kenya. The paper is intended to provide valuable information to operators willing to develop cruise tourism in the region. It relies heavily on interviews, library research and personal observations in the field. In this paper, cruise tourism is considered as a system and Leiper's Tourism System Model is used as the main theoretical framework. The model helps in the understanding of various elements involved in cruise tourism. SWOT analysis is used to discuss the current situation in the industry. From the discussion, it is apparent that a lot of potential for cruise tourism exists in the study area.

Judgements on Justice: young people and Aboriginal reconciliation

Aboriginal reconciliation is a process intended to address indigenous disadvantage through education and the promotion of a wider understanding of the unique position of indigenous Australians. The emergence in Queensland of an extremist, right wing political force, explicitly antagonistic to issues fundamental to the process of reconciliation, has alarmed educators and teachers. While a good deal of attention has focused on the views of adults, little is known about those of young people. Based on research undertaken with primary school children, this article details students’ understanding of various elements of reconciliation. It argues that young people's engagement with reconciliation is underpinned by racial and racist associations and if reconciliation is to be achieved, it is important to address the context of these racialised understandings.