Corpus linguistics: A guide to the methodology

Corpora are widely used in linguistics, but not always wisely. This book attempts to frame corpus linguistics systematically as a variant of the observational method. The first part introduces the reader to the general methodological discussions surrounding corpus data as well as the practice of doing corpus linguistics, including issues such as the scientific research cycle, research design, extraction of corpus data and statistical evaluation. The second part consists of a number of case studies from the main areas of corpus linguistics (lexical associations, morphology, grammar, text and metaphor), surveying the range of issues studied in corpus linguistics while at the same time showing how they fit into the methodology outlined in the first part

Studies related to the process of program development

The submitted work consists of a collection of publications arising from research carried out at Rhodes University (1970-1980) and at Heriot-Watt University (1980-1992). The theme of this research is the process of program development, i.e. the process of creating a computer program to solve some particular problem. The papers presented cover a number of different topics which relate to this process, viz. (a) Programming methodology programming. (b) Properties of programming languages. aspects of structured. (c) Formal specification of programming languages. (d) Compiler techniques. (e) Declarative programming languages. (f) Program development aids. (g) Automatic program generation. (h) Databases. (i) Algorithms and applications

Strategic Innovation Capacity: A Mixed Method Study on Deliberate Strategic Learning Mechanisms

Several management scholars have come to propound strategic innovation as an effective means to create new and substantially superior customer value, and to combat firms’ inclination towards strategic convergence. Research on strategic innovation is however still in its infancy, tends to lack scientific rigor and has so far proven unable to provide managers with well-founded insights into the specifics of strategic innovation creation. This research therefore aims to study mechanisms that managers can deliberately establish to foster their business unit’s strategic innovation capacity. A thorough review of the literature on strategic innovation and on related concepts enables us to develop a definition of strategic innovation capacity. Our quest for managerial mechanisms essentially rests on a theoretical integration of the concepts of dynamic capabilities, absorptive capacity and strategic innovation. A further study of contributions on sensemaking and routines enables us to finally identify semi-structured mechanisms managers can deliberately establish to foster their firms’ strategic innovation capacity. Relying on a sequential qualitative-quantitative mixed method design, we study these ‘deliberate strategic learning mechanisms’ empirically. Our findings of Dutch industrial business units suggest the usefulness of these mechanisms to stimulate strategic innovation capacity, and show how different mechanisms work in concert. The empirical results furthermore identify relevant path breaking areas that these mechanisms target, and link their effectiveness to specific organizational and supply chain characteristics.Verschillende managementauteurs beschouwen strategische innovatie als een effectief middel om fundamenteel nieuwe en meer waarde voor klanten te creëren, en om strategie-convergentie te bestrijden. Echter, onderzoek rond strategische innovatie staat nog in zijn kinderschoenen en vertoont weinig wetenschappelijke nauwkeurigheid en diepgang. Bovendien is men er nog niet in geslaagd om managers degelijk gefundeerde inzichten te verschaffen in de manieren waarop strategische innovatie kan worden gecreëerd. Deze studie heeft dan ook tot doel om mechanismen te onderzoeken die managers doelbewust kunnen inzetten om de strategische-innovatiecapaciteit van hun business unit te verhogen. Een diepgaande literatuurstudie van bijdragen rond strategische innovatie en aanverwante concepten stelt ons in staat om een definitie van strategische-innovatiecapaciteit te ontwikkelen. Onze eigenlijke zoektocht naar managementmechanismen steunt op de theoretische integratie van de concepten dynamische vaardigheden, absorptievermogen en strategische innovatie. Recente inzichten rond routines helpen ons om semi-gestructureerde mechanismen te achterhalen die bedrijven kunnen inzetten ter verhoging van hun strategische-innovatiecapaciteit. Op basis van een sequentiële kwalitatieve-kwantitatieve studie bestuderen we deze ‘doelbewust opgezette mechanismen voor strategisch leren’ ook empirisch. Onze onderzoeksresultaten van Nederlandse industriële business units tonen de effectiviteit van deze mechanismen aan. De bevindingen wijzen bovendien op een aantal kernaspecten die deze mechanismen stimuleren, en relateren hun effectiviteit aan specifieke eigenschappen van de business unit en van de bedrijfsketen waarin deze actief is