A Qualitative Literature Review on Linkage Techniques for Data Integration

The data linkage techniques ”entity linking” and ”record linkage” get rising attention as they enable the integration of multiple data sources for data, web, and text mining approaches. This has resulted in the development of numerous algorithms and systems for these techniques in recent years. The goal of this publication is to provide an overview of these numerous data linkage techniques. Most papers deal with record linkage and structured data. Processing unstructured data through entity linking is rising attention with the trend Big Data. Currently, deep learning algorithms are being explored for both linkage techniques. Most publications focus their research on a single process step or the entire process of ”entity linking” or ”record linkage”. However, the papers have the limitation that the used approaches and techniques have always been optimized for only a few data sources

The integration approach: Integrating technology strategy with business strategy in the airline industry

Technology has emerged as a key component in solving complex strategic issues. Much of the relevant literature recognises technology as the driving force behind the fast rate of change in many markets. Consequently, organisations are becoming increasingly dependent on advanced technology to improve their performance. At the same time organisations need to be extremely flexible in order to meet the demands of customers quickly, accurately and cost-effectively. To benefit from the potential of technology in highly dynamic environments, there is a need to integrate technology strategy with business strategy. This research explores the integration between technology strategy and business strategy in the airline industry. The literature on technology, technology strategy, corporate strategy, business strategy, competitive advantage and the integration of technology strategy with business strategy is critically evaluated and shortcomings of the literature are identified. The literature review was evaluated and identifies gaps and possible future directions. This indicated a need for a systematic way of linking technology and business strategies. Thus an Integration Model is proposed consisting of three stages involving business strategy, competitive strategy and technology strategy. The literature review and the Integration Model identified the importance of technology assessment in formulating a technology strategy and the need for a supportive tool to aid this process

Quality and Environmental Management Linkage: A Review of the Literature

This article presents a conceptual and empirical review of the literature related to the link between the different perspectives, models, and tools associated with Quality Management and Environmental Management. Several academic works identified in the literature that aimed to establish conceptual similarities between QM and EM are reviewed and discussed. In general, terms, the scholarly literature suggests that the main quality practices and programs associated with the Quality Management paradigmsuch as ISO 9001 and Total Quality Managementfacilitate the adoption of environmental practices associated with corporate Environmental Management. However, there is evidence of certain limitations driven by different biases, whether or not they are recognized in the reviewed publications. The concentration on some avenues of research focused on very detailed aspects of the linkage between QM and EM is discussed. Conversely, lines that have been overlooked and are in need for more research were also identified. The implications for scholars, such as suggestions for further research, are included as a contribution of the article.This research was funded by the Basque Autonomous Government (Grupos de Investigacion del Sistema Universitario Vasco; GIC 15/176) and the Chaire de recherche du Canada sur l'internalisation du developpement durable et la responsabilisation des organisations

THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON LOCAL

Por medio de transferencia tecnológica, externalidades (o spillovers) y vínculos con entidades locales las empresas multinacionales poseen el potencial de asistir en el desarrollo económicode las economías emergentes. Este artículo argumenta que filiales extranjeras operando en una economía emergente (Chile) mostrarán múltiples tipos de vínculos tales como vínculos competitivos y de colaboración con empresas locales. Las filiales extranjeras compensarán sus desventajas derivadas de su origen extranjero por medio del establecimiento de vínculos colaborativos, los cuales incrementan las ventajas provenientes de sus activos (ownership advantages) en términos de producción de productos y procesos que son socialmente responsables (Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, RSE). Para el análisis del grado de vinculación (Degree of Linkage, DOL) entre las filiales extranjeras y las empresas locales una muestra de empresas del sector servicios en Chile fue analizada utilizando técnicas de estudio de casos. Se encontró que las filiales extranjeras efectivamente establecen múltiples tipos de vínculos con otras empresas, y las filiales que han establecido un nivel de vínculos por sobre el promedio, en términos de cantidad y calidad, también han establecido vínculos de RSE por sobre el promedio. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados en términos de políticas y para la teoría de negocios internacionales.Multinacionales, rol de subsidiarias, desarrollo económico, análisis de estudio de casos, Chile, Responsabilidad Social Empresarial (RSE).

Diversity and network coherence as indicators of interdisciplinarity: Case studies in bionanoscience

Interdisciplinary research, nanotechnology, nanoscience, diversity, indicators, network analysis

Putting the new aid paradigm to work: challenges for monitoring and evaluation

Over the last few years a remarkable shift has taken place in the aid instruments advocated for low-income countries, characterised by a conversion from project to more programme oriented aid and by the inclusion of 'broad-based civil society participation' as a form of new aid conditionality. PRSP constitutes a new framework for policy negotiations with the recipient government but also a new set of rules for aid implementation. As most of the PRSPs are currently in the early stages of implementation, so far scant attention has been directed to monitoring and evaluation and particularly to the implications of the PRSP 'participatory' rhetoric and 'programme-based' approach. This paper contributes to this under-exploited field of research by stocktaking and assessing different aspects of M&E systems for a selected number of SSA countries. Findings of our desk study confirm evidence from other studies that M&E is among the weaker parts of most of the PRSPs. We argue that PRSP with its focus on 'process conditionality' functions as a catalyst for change, while its basic philosophy of 'participation' and 'comprehensiveness' puts at the same time unrealistic demands on at best embryonic national M&E systems.

A system dynamics-based simulation study for managing clinical governance and pathways in a hospital

This paper examines the development of clinical pathways in a hospital in Australia based on empirical clinical data of patient episodes. A system dynamics (SD)-based decision support system (DSS) is developed and analyzed for this purpose. System dynamics was used as the simulation modeling tool because of its rigorous approach in capturing interrelationships among variables and in handling dynamic aspects of the system behavior in managing healthcare. The study highlights the scenarios that will help hospital administrators to redistribute caseloads amongst admitting clinicians with a focus on multiple Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG’s) as the means to improve the patient turnaround and hospital throughput without compromising quality patient care. DRG’s are the best known classification system used in a casemix funding model. The classification system groups inpatient stays into clinically meaningful categories of similar levels of complexity that consume similar amounts of resources. Policy explorations reveal various combinations of the dominant policies that hospital management can adopt. The analyses act as a scratch pad for the executives as they understand what can be feasibly achieved by the implementation of clinical pathways given a number of constraints. With the use of visual interfaces, executives can manipulate the DSS to test various scenarios. Experimental evidence based on focus groups demonstrated that the DSS can enhance group learning processes and improve decision making. The simulation model findings support recent studies of CP implementation on various DRG’s published in the medical literature. These studies showed substantial reductions in length of stay, costs and resource utilization

Toward the Integration of Economics and Outdoor Recreation Management

The general theme of this bulletin is that improved management of public-sector recreational resources is a multidisciplinary task. To this end, we attempt to integrate elements of outdoor recreation management theory and economics. The bulletin is written for both resource managers and researchers. For the former, our intent is to emphasize the importance of being aware of economic implications-at least conceptually-of management actions that influence the character and availability of recreational opportunities. To researchers involved in developing recreation management theory, we draw attention to the parallel between recreation management theory and the traditional managerial economic model of the firm. To economists, particularly those involved in developing and applying nonmarket valuation techniques, we draw attention to the types of decisions faced by resource managers. We argue that the most important resource allocation issues are of the incremental variety, so nonmarket valuation should also yield incremental values. These values alone, however, are not sufficient economic input into rational public choice analysis. The missing link , or nexus, between outdoor recreation management theory and economic analysis is the integration of supply and demand, as called for by traditional managerial economics. Collaborative research to develop recreation supply response functions akin to agricultural production functions is an essential step that is missing from both literatures. Theoretical and applied work assume greater practical importance if they feed information into this broadened framework. It is our hope that this bulletin will bring the disciplines closer to that realization

Lean and green – a systematic review of the state of the art literature

The move towards greener operations and products has forced companies to seek alternatives to balance efficiency gains and environmental friendliness in their operations and products. The exploration of the sequential or simultaneous deployment of lean and green initiatives is the results of this balancing action. However, the lean-green topic is relatively new, and it lacks of a clear and structured research definition. Thus, this paper’s main contribution is the offering of a systematic review of the existing literature on lean and green, aimed at providing guidance on the topic, uncovering gaps and inconsistencies in the literature, and finding new paths for research. The paper identifies and structures, through a concept map, six main research streams that comprise both conceptual and empirical research conducted within the context of various organisational functions and industrial sectors. Important issues for future research are then suggested in the form of research questions. The paper’s aim is to also contribute by stimulating scholars to further study this area in depth, which will lead to a better understanding of the compatibility and impact on organisational performance of lean and green initiatives. It also holds important implications for industrialists, who can develop a deeper and richer knowledge on lean and green to help them formulate more effective strategies for their deployment