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A Control System for Strategy Implementation: A Case of a National Standardization Body
Pīlēna, Arta; Kavosa, Maija (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
Effective control of strategy implementation in today’s dynamically changing operating environment is becoming increasingly important to ensure sustained success of organizations. The aim of this paper is to analyze the importance of implementing an effective control system for strategy implementation. To ensure a comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of a control system in an organization, the authors perform an evaluation of a control system model for strategy implementation in a national standardization body. Research methods such as analysis of the relevant scientific literature, as well as logical analysis is performed. Based on both the theoretical research and analysis of the organization the authors identify the importance and main aspects of an effective control system for strategy implementation.
ALM Program: Ten Years of Educational Technology Interventions at the Faculty of Medicine at the Oldest National University in Perú
Placencia Medina, Maritza; Silva Valencia, Javier; Mechan Mendez, Víctor; Pando Álvarez, Rosa; Quintana Salinas, Margot Rosario; Carreño Escobedo, Jorge Raúl; Ascacivar Placencia, Yanelli Karen (Peru)
ABSTRACT:
Due to its benefits to promote student participation, develop skills, and strengthen the relationship with the teacher; Active learning methodologies (ALM) must be a priority in the university system. However, its optimal and massive use is still low.
Since 2008, a program was initiated to facilitate the correct implementation of ALM in the Faculty of Medicine of the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM). In this paper, we explain holistically the interventions and results of multiple projects: Innovations in Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
Significant achievements were made among students and empowering teachers in the use of computer databases and design of competency-based evaluation matrix. A virtual simulation laboratory was created, fostering a transdisciplinary exchange that strengthened the academic activity. We show the methodologies used and student perception in subjects such as Pharmacology, one of the most difficult in the medical career and which served as an intervention model.
Alumni Segmenting for Fostering Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Universities
Straujuma, Anita; Gaile-Sarkane, Elina; Ozolins, Modris (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
This research describes principles of alumni segmenting that foster innovation and entrepreneurship in universities (further HERI (Higher Education and Research Institutions)). It is based on previous research, which describes that among many other ways of mutual interaction, all alumni are university lifetime customers [41]. Customers have very important role in fostering organization’s innovation capacity – for a sustainable advancement organizations must manage knowledge to, from and about customers [15]. Customer engagement requires deep knowledge and vision on advancement of customers from initial involvement to a deeper and more meaningful cooperation which involves co-creation and innovation that set the base for entrepreneurship in HERI. Article describes the case of Riga Technical University how alumni engagement has resulted in various organizational developments that support innovations and entrepreneurship.
[15] Gebert, H. et al. (2003) ‘Knowledge-enabled customer relationship management: integrating customer relationship management and knowledge management concepts’, Journal of Knowledge Management. doi: 10.1108/13673270310505421
[41] Straujuma, A. and Gaile-Sarkane, E. (2018) ‘ALUMNI KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE HIGHER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INSTITUTION MANAGEMENT Methodology of Research Alumni – university customers’, Journal of Business Management, 15(1691–5348), p. 77.-89. doi: https://doi.org/10.32025/RIS18011.
Augmented Reality Systems in Total Hip Arthroplasty
Yassin, Amal *; Hefny, Mamdouh **; Elarif, Taha * (* Egypt, ** United Kingdom)
ABSTRACT:
Augmented Reality (AR) is the technology of viewing a real physical environment with its real objects as well as virtual computer-generated objects. AR technology has been applied in several fields in medicine as an entity of Computer-Assisted Surgery (CAS). Using AR improved the results of conventional surgery and also had a great impact on the development of Minimally Invasive Surgeries (MIS). One of the surgeries that revealed promising outcomes when using AR intraoperatively is Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).
The aim of this paper is to present the benefits of using AR in the cup placement of THA and to compare the results of the two available systems implementing this technology. PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched, and two systems were identified. Both had superior results when compared to conventional surgery with some advantages for one over the other. Despite the good results of both systems, further research and software development are required to address the challenges of using AR technology intraoperatively. In addition, this study recognized the paucity of the published research in this field.
Business Model Transformation and Business Viability. Case of Yellow Pages
Kasperovica, Ludmila; Lace, Natalja (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The article discusses the theoretical aspects of the digital transformation impact on business models. The empirical study examines the evolution of the Yellow Pages (YP) industry, which was significantly transformed by the impact of technological progress. Studying the evolution of the elements of the YP business model, the authors conducted a thorough analysis of secondary information sources, using scientific literature, industry expert reports, published materials from industry conferences and other sources. The aim of the study was to analyse what factors and risks should be taken into account in order to keep the positive financial results of business and what aspects of profit retention could be useful for other sectors as well.
Challenges of Sustainable Company Development: Case of Craft Business in Latvia
Grikke, Laura; Andersone, Ieva; Sceulovs, Deniss (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The authors of the paper analysed international coffee trade, which is one of the most important factors for sustainable development of the industry, and also analysed the Latvian coffee roasters and their activities. The authors defined sustainable development in environmental, social and economic context, and established an implementation scenario of sustainable development in Latvian coffee roasters based on the importance of various criteria. The business model was approbated in Rocket Bean Roastery Ltd. The sustainable development model was confirmed by the company’s financial calculations and the developed sustainable coffee supply chain.
The most important conclusions and suggestions of the research are that a sustainable business model of a coffee roaster has to be commercially successful, despite the growing effects of climate changes and volatile commodity prices, and should be a part of a sustainable society that is informed, knowledgeable and aware of the impact their purchases have.
Cluster and Factor Analysis of Satisfaction Perception of B-Learning of Medical Terminology
Karulis, Miervaldis (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
This study was dedicated to exploration of student perception of satisfaction of b-learning. The aim was to evaluate student satisfaction attributes (objective and subjective) in the b-learning setting of the study courses: Medical Terminology in Latin and English and to reveal homogenous groups of students of different study programmes Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Public Health with respect to their satisfaction of b-learning at Rīga Stradiņš University. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 418 students in the years of 2018 and 2019. The survey comprised 6 domains: information quality, system quality, service quality, use, user satisfaction and net benefits. Satisfaction attributes (10) were evaluated according to students’ objective (fulfillment) and subjective (perception) aspects. For each attribute an index was created, which was used to reveal homogeneity of student groups. A two-step cluster analysis, factor analysis and non-parametric tests were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20. The results indicated a high rate of satisfaction of e-learning (46% - 67%), while the cluster analysis segregated 3 groups of students of different study programmes with respect to their responses. The exploratory factor analysis revealed 4 factors. The obtained results can be taken into account when creating personalized b-learning courses and conducting further surveys.
Cognitive Cellular Automata for Image Segmentation: A Social Learning Metaphor
Alzate, Marco A.; Mejia, Marcela (Colombia)
ABSTRACT:
Cognitive agents have the ability to perceive their environment and act on it according to models of reality built through memory, intelligence and language. Interacting cognitive agents interchange information about their models in order to build a collective knowledge of their reality (social learning). In this paper we use this distributed cognitive system paradigm to solve a segmentation problem in image processing from the complex systems engineering approach. We build a cognitive cellular automata where each pixel in the image is a cognitive agent. Social learning is achieved by stigmergic and direct communication among agents. Our results outperform typical segmentation methodologies for granular material. Our social cognitive learning metaphor exemplifies a complex systems engineering approach for more general applications.
CommunicationS and Political Communication Today: New World, New Concepts, and Schemes
Rosenko, Svetlana I. *; Rezaev, Andrey A. ** (* Russian Federation, ** United States)
ABSTRACT:
The objective of the paper is to discuss theoretical and methodological frames of studying political communication as a part of the phenomena of communication/s as well as to present preliminary research findings of the research developed at the Lesgaft University of Physical Culture in 2015-2018.
On the basis of current sociological and political sciences theories, socio-political analysis the paper will identify the patterns and underlying causes of success and failure in political communication development in the early years of the 21 century.
The argument of the paper is this: contemporary communication thought is more problematic than familiar to academia terms suggest. The new outlook should emerge in the 21st century in response to the changed character and dynamics of the societies. It must attempt to make sense out of a world of communication where identity and order is administered by large organizations rather than achieved by individual consent. It has to consider communication as an agency of culture and politics. The paper argues about the necessity to have a strong interdisciplinary vision for doing research in the field of communication.
Data Distribution Assessment and Optimal Splitting of Data Sets
Heinz, Tim; Nelles, Oliver (Germany)
ABSTRACT:
A new method for assessing the quality of a data distribution based on the calculation of the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence is proposed. The pdf of the data is estimated by a kernel density estimator. In the case without any prior knowledge the target distribution is assumed to be uniform. Then Monte Carlo sampling of the estimated pdf allows to approximate the KL divergence as criterion for the space-filling properties of the data distribution. Applications of this KL-based criterion are manifold. Sobol sequences and maximin latin hypercubes, most frequently applied for space-filling design of experiments, are compared. Finally, strategies for optimally splitting data sets are discussed and illustrated.
Developing Innovation Technology Capacities in Large Manufacturing Firms from Mexico
Estrada-Domínguez, Jesús Eduardo; López-Lira Arjona, Alfonso; Hinojosa-Rivera, Moisés; Torres-Castro, Alejandro (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
In Mexico, innovation has developed disproportionately among its states. For its part, the state of Nuevo Leon has carried out activities in favor of innovation which have been differentiated as an innovative state in comparison with the other entities that make up our country. However, several experts with a greater number of research centers and a high budget devoted to science, technology and innovation activities have paid less attention to human resources. The present investigation seeks to demonstrate that factors have a positive impact on the technological innovation capacity of human capital. The above, based on the premise that the level of innovation, both of nations and industries, is directly related to the ability of human resources to innovate. It is important to clarify that when referring to the term technological innovation, it is limited to the development of new or improved products or processes. The research proposes four factors such as creativity, the ability to absorb knowledge, knowledge about innovation and technical knowledge in engineering, which are expected to be directly and positively related to the technological innovation capacity of individuals.
Digitalization of Public Procurement: Barriers for Innovation
Babica, Viktorija *; Sceulovs, Deniss *; Rustenova, Elvira ** (* Latvia, ** Kazakhstan)
ABSTRACT:
Digital transformation (DX) was introduced by the fourth Industrial Revolution. During the first decades of the new millennium DX provoked diffusion of digitalization of public procurement; that could contribute to achievement of enhanced efficiency, accountability, transparency, and participation of small and medium enterprises in tenders. Later the European Commission has emphasized the role of public procurement of innovation as a policy instrument to sustain smart and inclusive development, improve social welfare, provoke growth both of entrepreneurship and national competitive advantage. Despite the benefits provided by e-procurement, more than 60% of EU procurement procedures in 2017 used the lowest price as the only award criterion, excluding both innovation element and fair competition between suppliers. Thereby the existing system is lacking to compile with the tenets of public procurement policies. It was defined that effectiveness of e-procurement does not compile with efficiency of public procurement procedure; there exist barriers of purchasing innovation through e-procurement.
The study proved, public bodies lack of comprehensive approach of selection the awarding innovation proposal. This paper presents a research based model of a tender exhaustive award criteria to be adopted in the e-procurement system.
Effect of Post-Panamax Containerships on Us Ports and Logistics Networks
Lara Gracia, Marco A. (United States)
ABSTRACT:
The expansion of the Panama Canal has had a remarkable impact at varying degrees in different sectors of the US economy including ports and logistics networks. This paper addresses impact on port infrastructure required to prepare US container ports located on the East Coast and the Coast of the Gulf of Mexico for the arrival of Post-Panamax containerships, which are vessels that due to their dimensions require US port authorities to deepen and widen the port’s navigation channels for the safe transit of such big vessels and port operators to replace cranes used to load/unload shipping containers on/from containerships with bigger cranes. This paper also addresses the economic impact of Post-Panamax containerships in US logistics networks. Post-Panamax containerships are vessels that cross the Panama Canal after the completion of the Panama Canal expansion project.
Evaluation Model about Behavior, Quality Perception and Satisfaction of the Drinking Water Service in Trujillo- Peru
Ulloa Rubio, Bertha; Yupari Azabache, Irma Luz; Gálvez Carrillo, Rosa Patricia; Rodriguez Azabache, Julio Antonio; Wong Aitken, Higinio Guillermo (Peru)
ABSTRACT:
The present research had as an objective to develop an evaluation model about behavior, quality perception and user´s satisfaction of the drinking water service regarding the drinking water service in Trujillo - Peru in the year 2018. The population was made up of the inhabitants with drinking water connections in the district of Trujillo that make a total of 62,166. The sample was made up of 651 people who reside in the district. The applied technique was the survey and the instrument was the questionnaire, which includes the user´s characterization, the user´s environmental behavior, either connected or not connected to public network. The results obtained were the habits and/or customs in the use of water by the users of the drinking water service and 14% believe that it is convenient; as far as the repairs on the public network in the users of the drinking water service, 92% do it externally and in relation to the sanitary guarantee in the drinking water by the users of the drinking water service, 61% consider it moderate. It is concluded that there is an optimal evaluation model about behavior, quality perception and user´s satisfaction regarding the drinking water service in Trujillo-Peru-2018.
Experimental Paradigms in the Explanation of Mathematical Concepts
Gutiérrez Arenas, Rodrigo Alejandro; Salazar Guerrero, Evelyn; Martínez Alavez, Jacquelyn; Minami Koyama, Yukihiro (Mexico)
ABSTRACT:
Nowadays, one of the best ways to achieve that students acquire interest in learning something new, is to show them the future functionality of that knowledge. Engineering is a fascinating area of study because through knowledge of mathematical concepts, the physical phenomena that give rise to multiple applications in different areas are analyzed, but it’s only possible to analyze the theory in the classroom.
As mentioned above, it’s important that engineering students relate mathematical concepts to experimental subjects such as physics and chemistry. Students achieve a significant learning of mathematics using these as tools of explanation by manipulating instruments, parameter analysis and the comparison of results obtained, that allow to identify that the variables or symbols used together.
This is one of the main goals of project PE111218 Design of laboratory experiments to strengthen mathematical learning concepts in basic sciences, started at the beginning of 2018, where a group of teachers work on designing experiments that will be implemented in theoretical courses of mathematics for students of the first semesters at the School of Engineering of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM.
The project will last two years in which it’s intended to have a set of experiments that will be available to teachers of different courses in the areas of basic sciences. The experiments will be applied to different groups of students, carrying out opinion polls both to teachers and students to perform comparative analyses and evaluate the possibility of achieving good learning in students with these experiments.
It’s also of vital importance to show students the use of existing specialized software that allows to verify results immediately and to analyze hypothetical situations in which they could have some feedback of what can happen when changing some of the parameters used in the experiments or the data obtained.
In this work we will mention three experiments that are currently in development and the result that we obtained by carrying them out with some pilot groups.
Generic Integration of VR and AR in Product Lifecycles Based on CAD Models
Ulmer, Jessica *; Braun, Sebastian *; Lai, Chow Yin **; Cheng, Chi-Tsun **; Wollert, Jörg * (* Germany, ** Australia)
ABSTRACT:
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) play an important role for the implementation of Industry 4.0 - especially in the area of virtual prototyping, manufacturing and maintenance. Thus, a holistic integration of these technologies in existing processes structures is essential to ensure future competitiveness of companies. Current research mostly focuses on some aspects of the lifecycle and not on the whole process. Furthermore, mostly specific tools are developed to create AR and VR contents instead of using already existing and widespread programs for example the 3D CAD software Inventor [1] or game engines like Unity [2]. The tools are used to create VR content providing a user-friendly environment with limited options for content creation. On one side the use of these programs decreases the required knowledge to create Mixed Reality applications, however they are associated with high implementation and running costs. This increases the entry barrier for small and medium sized enterprises (SME) to adopt AR and VR into their value chains significantly.
The presented work discusses concepts and proposes information models for adding VR-specific information directly in CAD environments. A generic model of necessary interaction options as well as VR properties is created and applied to a use case in the Industry 4.0 model factory at FH Aachen, Germany. Furthermore, a workflow for combined evaluation of product and equipment developments is developed focusing on VR integration.
[1] Autodesk GmbH: Inventor. 3D-CAD-Software für Produktentwicklung. 2018
[2] Unity Technologies: Unity. 2018
Indicators, Factors and Criteria for Assessing of the Customs Performance
Čevers, Aldis; Gaile-Sarkane, Elīna (Latvia)
ABSTRACT:
The aim of the research is to analyze the most important elements of the customs performance assessment system and their applications. This topic is very actual because customs function and task priorities changes, customs services need to pay more attention to international threats. Similar tasks in different countries would be appropriate to use a similar strategic management methods. It is very important to develop a customs authority strategy, to set objectives, to organize the performance of functions and tasks, but without an appropriate performance assessment system, it will not be possible to judge the quality of the implementation of the strategy.
Modeling Workplace Conflict with “Systems Theatre”
Scholte, Tom (Canada)
ABSTRACT:
Applying systemic analysis to examples of the author’s practice, this paper presents evidence for the efficacy of a theatre-based mode of systems modeling.
Multi-Parametric Earthquake Forecasting the New Madrid from Electromagnetic Coupling between Solar Corona and Earth System Precursors
Leybourne, Bruce *; Straser, Valentino **; Wu, Hong-Chun ***; Gregori, Giovanni ****; Bapat, Arun *****; Venkatanathan, Natarajan *****; Hissink, Louis ****** (* United States, ** Belgium, *** Taiwan, **** Italy, ***** India, ****** Australia)
ABSTRACT:
Forecasting large earthquakes M ≥ 6.0 with satellite monitoring and Radio Direction Finding techniques of Electro-Magnetic (EM) precursors associated with earthquakes are possible. International Earthquake and Volcano Prediction Center (www.ievpc.org) consider phenomena driving earthquakes within a framework of strong solar EM coupling with the entire Earth system, through EM induction driving ionosphere-air-earth currents. Catastrophic earthquakes have repeatedly stricken the New Madrid Seismic Zone during the last 4 major solar hibernation cycles since 1400 AD. Research suggests another cycle of strong magnitude 6.0 to 8.0 earthquakes in the New Madrid region during the upcoming (~2021-2057), solar minimum period. The 1811–12 earthquakes, occurred in the midst of Dalton Solar Minimum (1793-1830), causing many types of ground failures including lateral spreading and ground subsidence by soil liquefaction across the Mississippi River flood plain and tributaries over 15,000km2. Studies by USGS and damage assessments by FEMA estimate damages to infrastructure approaching $600 billion. Common denominators between seismic precursors associated with a solar EM driver are found by analyzing data on ionization phenomena in areas under tectonic stress such as: Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR); Total Electron Content (TEC); atmospheric effects, such as Jet Stream and other meteorological phenomena related to earthquake clouds and lights.
The Framework of Teacher Competencies – An Evidence-Based Generic Model for Teachers’ Training in Europe
Poszytek, Pawel (Poland)
ABSTRACT:
The article is devoted to the topic of teacher competencies in an international perspective. It presents the recommendations and the generic framework of the Polish Expert Group for Describing Teachers’ Competencies in the context of the latest research and data on the national teacher competencies frameworks collected in 28 European countries.
Was Bernard Lonergan a Second-Order Cyberneticist?
Laracy, Fr. Joseph R.; Marlowe, Thomas; Valdez, Edgar; Liddy, Msgr. Richard (United States)
ABSTRACT:
In reading the early 20th century works that defined second-order cybernetics together with the works of their contemporary, the philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan, SJ, one is struck by the resonances and interplay between the two perspectives, especially in terms of the scientist/observer interacting with and reflecting upon the subject, as well as the differences and contrasts between the two views. In this short overview, we present the case that Lonergan can be understood in part as an early and illuminating figure for understanding and reflecting upon second-order cybernetics itself.
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