National freight transport planning: towards a Strategic Planning Extranet Decision Support System (SPEDSS)

This thesis provides a `proof-of-concept' prototype and a design architecture for a Object Oriented (00) database towards the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for the national freight transport planning problem. Both governments and industry require a Strategic Planning Extranet Decision Support System (SPEDSS) for their effective management of the national Freight Transport Networks (FTN). This thesis addresses the three key problems for the development of a SPEDSS to facilitate national strategic freight planning: 1) scope and scale of data available and required; 2) scope and scale of existing models; and 3) construction of the software. The research approach taken embodies systems thinking and includes the use of: Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOA/D) for problem encapsulation and database design; artificial neural network (and proposed rule extraction) for knowledge acquisition of the United States FTN data set; and an iterative Object Oriented (00) software design for the development of a `proof-of-concept' prototype. The research findings demonstrate that an 00 approach along with the use of 00 methodologies and technologies coupled with artificial neural networks (ANNs) offers a robust and flexible methodology for the analysis of the FTN problem domain and the design architecture of an Extranet based SPEDSS. The objectives of this research were to: 1) identify and analyse current problems and proposed solutions facing industry and governments in strategic transportation planning; 2) determine the functional requirements of an FTN SPEDSS; 3) perform a feasibility analysis for building a FTN SPEDSS `proof-of-concept' prototype and (00) database design; 4) develop a methodology for a national `internet-enabled' SPEDSS model and database; 5) construct a `proof-of-concept' prototype for a SPEDSS encapsulating identified user requirements; 6) develop a methodology to resolve the issue of the scale of data and data knowledge acquisition which would act as the `intelligence' within a SPDSS; 7) implement the data methodology using Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) towards the validation of it; and 8) make recommendations for national freight transportation strategic planning and further research required to fulfil the needs of governments and industry. This thesis includes: an 00 database design for encapsulation of the FTN; an `internet-enabled' Dynamic Modelling Methodology (DMM) for the virtual modelling of the FTNs; a Unified Modelling Language (UML) `proof-of-concept' prototype; and conclusions and recommendations for further collaborative research are identified

Impact and Implications of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in East and Southern Africa: 2nd WCO ESA Regional Research Conference

This book presents the papers, report and outcomes of the 2nd WCO ESA Regional Research Conference which was hosted by the Regional Training Centre (RTC) Kenya on the 23rd and 24th November, 2017, at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies (KSMS) in Nairobi, Kenya. It was co-organized by the ROCB and the RTC Kenya and attended by more than 200 participants from 20 nations. Participants included researchers and officials from various Customs administrations in the East and Southern Africa Region, WCO ESA Regional Training Centres (RTCs), the WCO, the African Union, the World Bank, Africa Development Bank, Regional Economic Committees (RECs) (the East African Community), the Government of Australia, Kenyan ministries, the private sector, academia, and other cooperating partners. The theme of the conference was “Impacts and Implication of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the WCO Mercator Programme to the ESA region” and covered the following topics: Impacts of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in East and Southern Africa; Data Analysis for Effective Border Management in East and Southern Africa; Best Practices in Digital Customs in East and Southern Africa; E-commerce as a Driver for Economic Growth in East and Southern Africa; Securing and Facilitating Trade in East and Southern Africa; and Regional Integration: Addressing Levels of Intraregional Trade in East and Southern Africa. The Governing Council of the World Customs Organization, East and Southern Africa region, established the regional research programme aiming to build institutional capacity and the body of knowledge in customs through research. The objective of the programme is to encourage research on topical themes for customs in East and Southern Africa. The programme also aims to develop a body of knowledge to guide the decision-making process concerning trade facilitation and regional economic integration in the Region. It is also hoped that the research programme and the results from findings from the research initiatives will assist countries in sharing experiences, ideas, knowledge, and information on new innovations to improve Customs operations while creating new inventions to continue modernizing customs to ease facilitation of trade in East and Southern Africa. The envisaged output from this process will always be the publication of an e-book (and book) consisting of a consolidation of papers presented during the conference

Research in Supply Chain Management: Issue and Area Development

Today the study of supply chain management (SCM) is growing rapidly and provides a great opportunity to do research both empirical and theoretical development. Research opportunities in SCM has been reviewed by many researchers and grouped into many categories. This paper contains a review of research SCM and classify into 7 categories, namely (1) SCM Operational Management & Strategy, (2) knowledge management, (3) Relationship Management, (4) Information Technology in SCM, (5) Supply Chain Design, Logistics & Infrastructure, (6) Global Issues, (7) Environment, Legal & Regulations. The issue in each category and research opportunities will be discussed in this paper. Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Research Opportunities in SCM, Issue in SC

Co-Modality: Opportunities and Barriers in the Greater Toronto Area

The Greater Toronto Area is said to be one of the fastest growing regions in Ontario experiencing many challenges due to the influx of population and the demand for goods and services. Amongst the challenges include externalities associated with the last mile delivery of goods such as traffic congestion, emissions of Green House Gases, and illegal parking of delivery vehicles posing as threats to active transportation. The purpose of this study was to identify opportunities for combining both passengers and freight (parcels) in the same vehicle at the same time (co-modality) and barriers that might hinder such a practice in the city of Toronto. The study also sought to identify current co-modal practices in the Greater Toronto Area. The methodology employed for the research was the exploratory research design using semi-structured interview guides to collect valuable information from stakeholders in the city of Toronto through telephone interviews and face-face interviews. Again, information was obtained through literature review. The information collected from the interview process were analysed using the thematic framework analysis. Findings from both the literature review and the collection of information from stakeholders revealed that there are indeed both environmental and economic benefits of co-modality. Shipper Bee and A-Way Express are two companies that practice co-modality in the Greater Toronto Area. Opportunities which exist in the city for co-modality included the willingness of the city officials to pilot new programs to reduce congestion, the growth of e-commerce in the city allowing businesses in the freight industry to adopt new business models, and the availability of public transit which can be utilized to move freight during off-peak periods. Barriers identified included a by-law which prevents the taxi industry from engaging in such a practice, conflicts with passenger schedules, the risk of high insurance rate premiums, and safety concerns. Based on the findings of the study, there is, indeed a promise for co-modality in the city of Toronto. It is recommended that stakeholders must co-operate to the successful implementation of co-modality. Another recommendation is that the Municipal Licensing and Standard of the city of Toronto should review the by-law which prohibits co-modality in the taxi industry, taking a critical look at the business operation of Shipper Bee company. Finally, the safety of passengers must be ensured through the scanning of parcels to reduce the safety and security risks involved in the movement of both passengers and freight

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania

Management: A bibliography for NASA managers

This bibliography lists 706 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in 1984. Entries, which include abstracts, are arranged in the following categories: human factors and personnel issues; management theory and techniques; industrial management and manufacturing; robotics and expert systems; computers and information management; research and development; economics, costs, and markets; logistics and operations management; reliability and quality control; and legality, legislation, and policy. Subject, personal author, corporate source, contract number, report number, and accession number indexes are included

Some contribution in operations research

Not availabl