Network centrality and organizational aspirations: A behavioral interaction in the context of international strategic alliances

Whereas social network analysis has been associated with organizational aspirations, little is known on how firm's structural positioning, and particularly network centrality, affects organizational aspirations to engage in international strategic alliances (ISA). This study examines the impact of network centrality on firm's internationalization behavior within the ISA domain in response to the performance-aspiration gap. We build on social and behavioral perspectives to predict that network centrality and performance-based aspirations will be associated with the number of ISA the firm engages in. Using a sample of 7760 alliance collaborations from the top 81 global pharmaceutical firms for the period of 1991-2012, we find supporting evidence for most of our arguments

Time-resolved connectome of the five-factor model of personality

Abstract: The human brain is characterized by highly dynamic patterns of functional connectivity. However, it is unknown whether this time-variant ‘connectome’ is related to the individual differences in the behavioural and cognitive traits described in the five-factor model of personality. To answer this question, inter-network time-variant connectivity was computed in n = 818 healthy people via a dynamical conditional correlation model. Next, network dynamicity was quantified throughout an ad-hoc measure (T-index) and the generalizability of the multi-variate associations between personality traits and network dynamicity was assessed using a train/test split approach. Conscientiousness, reflecting enhanced cognitive and emotional control, was the sole trait linked to stationary connectivity across several circuits such as the default mode and prefronto-parietal network. The stationarity in the ‘communication’ across large-scale networks offers a mechanistic description of the capacity of conscientious people to ‘protect’ non-immediate goals against interference over-time. This study informs future research aiming at developing more realistic models of the brain dynamics mediating personality differences

Japan’s pursuit of meritocracy, cosmopolitanism, and global rankings in higher education:a Bourdieusian interpretation

Through the market-based conception of neoliberal performativity, an interlocking set of socio-economic agendas integrate higher education (HE) in state-level systems of production and accumulation. Within the scope of globalism, the capacity to develop competitive human capital emerges as a proxy indicator of achievement amongst institutions of higher learning. Through this elaborate symbolic structure, Japanese reforms aimed at bolstering “global” soft skills, including English, cosmopolitanism, and interculturality, function alongside an ideological arms race to enhance university rankings and individual investment in education. Invoking a Bourdieusian perspective, this conceptual inquiry suggests that stakeholders consider the secondary effects of asymmetrical efforts towards “élite” education, globalism, and world-class attainment, whereby accompanying policy reform propagates hegemony both locally and internationally. Additionally, the emergence of global soft skills as essential cultural capital challenges the supposed meritocracy of Japan’s HE system. Indeed, the “effort-based-reward” symbolic contract permeating much of the neoliberal discourse fails to account for the functional reality of class-distinguished taste. From this perspective, valuable cultural resources orientate towards a globally conscious, highly-credentialed middle-class privileged in social, economic, and cultural capital, thereby disadvantaging the majority of learners inevitably excluded from study at prestigious, brand-name universities.</p

Stochastic Modeling and Analysis of Plant Microtubule System Characteristics

In this dissertation, we consider a complex biological system known as cortical microtubule (CMT) system, where stochastic dynamics of the components (i.e., the CMTs) are defined in both space and time. CMTs have an inherent spatial dimension of their own, as their length changes over time in addition to their location. As a result of their dynamics in a confined space, they run into and interact with each other according to simple stochastic rules. Over time, CMTs acquire an ordered structure that is achieved without any centralized control beginning with a completely disorganized system. It is also observed that this organization might be distorted, when parameters of dynamicity and interactions change due to genetic mutation or environmental conditions. The main question of interest is to explore the characteristics of this system and the drivers of its self-organization, which is not feasible relying solely on biological experiments. For this, we replicate the system dynamics and interactions using computer simulations. As the simulations successfully mimic the organization seen in plant cells, we conduct an extensive analysis to discover the effects of dynamics and interactions on system characteristics by experimenting with different input parameters. To compare simulation results, we characterize system properties and quantify organization level using metrics based on entropy, average length and number of CMTs in the system. Based on our findings and conjectures from simulations, we develop analytical models for more generalized conclusions and efficient computation of system metrics. As a fist step, we formulate a mean-field model, which we use to derive sufficient conditions for organization to occur in terms of input parameters. Next, considering the parameter ranges that satisfy these conditions, we develop predictive methodologies for estimation of expected average length and number of CMTs over time, using a fluid model, transient analysis, and approximation algorithms tailored to our problem. Overall, we build a comprehensive framework for analysis and control of microtubule organization in plant cells using a wide range of models and methodologies in conjunction. This research also has broader impacts related to the fields of bio-energy, healthcare, and nanotechnology; in addition to its methodological contribution to stochastic modeling of systems with high-level spatial and temporal complexity

Model-Based Engineering of Collaborative Embedded Systems

This Open Access book presents the results of the "Collaborative Embedded Systems" (CrESt) project, aimed at adapting and complementing the methodology underlying modeling techniques developed to cope with the challenges of the dynamic structures of collaborative embedded systems (CESs) based on the SPES development methodology. In order to manage the high complexity of the individual systems and the dynamically formed interaction structures at runtime, advanced and powerful development methods are required that extend the current state of the art in the development of embedded systems and cyber-physical systems. The methodological contributions of the project support the effective and efficient development of CESs in dynamic and uncertain contexts, with special emphasis on the reliability and variability of individual systems and the creation of networks of such systems at runtime. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and the case studies are therefore selected from areas that are highly relevant for Germany’s economy (automotive, industrial production, power generation, and robotics). It also supports the digitalization of complex and transformable industrial plants in the context of the German government's "Industry 4.0" initiative, and the project results provide a solid foundation for implementing the German government's high-tech strategy "Innovations for Germany" in the coming years

Dynamic modelling of demand risk in PPP infrastructure projects : “The case of toll roads”

Infrastructure is the main driver of prosperity and economic development. To fill the gap between increasing demand for infrastructure and supply, the role of the private financing has become increasingly critical. Concession contracts in which the investment cost is recovered via payments from the end users are the most dominant among all PPP types. Although this mechanism has been seen as an efficient way to achieve infrastructure projects in terms of realising the project on time and to budget, the demand risk faced in the operation stage has heavily limited this efficiency. Evidence has shown that shortfall in demand can seriously jeopardize the scheme’s viability. Demand is dependent on a range of interrelated, dynamic factors such as economic conditions, willingness to pay and tariff for using the facility. In addition, uncertainty is an inherent aspect of most demand-underlying factors which makes demand estimation subject to high level of uncertainty. However, this uncertainty is largely ignored by modellers and planners and single demand estimate is often used when evaluating the facility. Given the threat to the project success resulting from potential variation between predicted and actual demand, it is believed that a demand risk assessment model is essential. This research is therefore devoted to developing a system dynamics model to assess demand risk by capturing the factors affecting demand and their relationships and simulating their change over time. A system dynamics based conceptual model was developed for mapping factors affecting demand for service provided by a typical PPP concession project. The model has five Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) which include: socio-economic, public satisfaction, willingness to pay, competition and level of fee. Based on the developed conceptual model, a quantitative simulation model for assessing traffic demand in toll road projects was developed. This model has six sub-models which are: socio-economic, public satisfaction, willingness to pay, competition, toll and expansion factors sub-models. With the use of case study of M6 toll roads (UK), it was demonstrated the potential application of SD as a tool for the assessment of demand risk in toll roads. Univariate and multivariate sensitivity analysis, as well as risk analysis using Monte Carlo approach, were conducted using the developed SD model. Univariate sensitivity analysis helps identify the significance of the demand underlying factors when they change individually. Toll was identified as the most critical factor affecting toll traffic demand followed by congestion on the alternative un-tolled facility. Multivariate sensitivity analysis showed how demand changes when several factors change. Four scenarios were developed to show the impact of change in conditions and policies on the level of traffic. Monte Carlo simulation, on the other hand, provided level of demand with a range of confidence intervals. Providing such estimates of the expected value and the confidence level offers useful information throughout their ranges and creates overall risk profiles by providing the probability of achieving a specific result. The main contribution of the research is in the development of a system dynamics model as a tool for assessing demand in PPP projects and informing decision making, which is new to the area of demand risk modelling

Coordination and timing of speech gestures in Parkinson’s disease

Many individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience articulatory difficulties, which often have a considerable impact on their quality of life. It is currently poorly understood which mechanisms underlie these articulatory difficulties. In order to learn more about these mechanisms, this dissertation examined the coordination and timing of speech gestures in PD speech. Both these aspects are intrinsic to articulation, but at current it is unknown how they relate to the articulatory difficulties observed in PD speech. The studies in this dissertation address this issue using state-of-the-art methods. In the first study of this thesis, the effect of levodopa on vowel articulation in PD was examined. The results from this study suggest that articulation of vowels is not influenced by levodopa. In the following two studies, spatial and temporal aspects of speech gestures have been examined. The results from these studies suggest that the timing of speech gestures, and also the coupling between speech gestures is impaired in PD. In the final study of this dissertation, the prevalence and nature of tongue tremor in individuals with PD were investigated. Using a computer algorithm, we found different types of tongue tremor in our data, which we believe may affect the timing of speech gestures. Together, the studies in this dissertation show that coordination and timing are indeed impaired in the speech of (at least some) individuals with PD. We believe that this impairment may be caused by the presence of malfunctioning regulatory mechanisms in PD speech

In the eyes of the beholder: On innovation metrics : A study on innovation metrics in changing strategic contexts

Innovation measurement and metrics have fascinated scholars from several disciplines over the last decade. Allthese diverse contributions, however, have resulted in a current state of knowledge that is signified by largenumbers of articles without clear integration and synthesis. Therefore, this thesis aims to increase thetheoretical, empirical, and practical understanding of innovation measurement and metrics in changing strategiccontext and thereby augment the possibilities for improved practices and performance in organizations.The research consists of the findings of four studies presented in four appended papers. The first part of thisthesis presents the state-of-the-art in innovation measurement and metrics and provides an explorative overviewof the research field of innovation measurement and metrics. This state-of-the-art is then connected to howaction research has and can be used as an analytical, theoretical, and methodological tool in this field. Paperone provides an overview of the state of art in the field of innovation and measurement, it presents the window ofopportunity for action research as an analytical, theoretical, and methodological tool.The second part of this thesis consisting of two qualitative studies has a more explorative and explanatorycharacter. Based on a case study that focuses on understanding how innovation metrics are used in anorganization, two papers were developed. Paper two tries to provide a real-life case example of how innovationmetrics and measurement work in practice and raise understanding of how organizational members perceiveand use innovation metrics. The third paper focuses on understanding how room for organizational error occurswhen innovation metrics are used by organizational members in changing strategic context.In the last part, paper four provides an empirical example of how action research, specifically participatory actiondesign, can be used to develop innovation metrics in changing strategic contexts