City Sustainable Development Evaluation Based on Hesitant Multiplicative Fuzzy Information

Sustainable development evaluation is the basis of city sustainable development research, and effective evaluation is the foundation for guiding the formulation and implementation of sustainable development strategy. In this paper, we provided a new city sustainable development evaluation method called hesitant multiplicative fuzzy TODIM (HMF-TODIM). The main advantage of this method is that it can deal with the subjective preference information of the decision-makers. The comparison study of existing methods and HMF-TODIM is also carried out. Additionally, real case analysis is presented to show the validity and superiority of the proposed method. Research results in this paper can provide useful information for the construction of sustainable cities

Data Science: Measuring Uncertainties

With the increase in data processing and storage capacity, a large amount of data is available. Data without analysis does not have much value. Thus, the demand for data analysis is increasing daily, and the consequence is the appearance of a large number of jobs and published articles. Data science has emerged as a multidisciplinary field to support data-driven activities, integrating and developing ideas, methods, and processes to extract information from data. This includes methods built from different knowledge areas: Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Information Science, and Engineering. This mixture of areas has given rise to what we call Data Science. New solutions to the new problems are reproducing rapidly to generate large volumes of data. Current and future challenges require greater care in creating new solutions that satisfy the rationality for each type of problem. Labels such as Big Data, Data Science, Machine Learning, Statistical Learning, and Artificial Intelligence are demanding more sophistication in the foundations and how they are being applied. This point highlights the importance of building the foundations of Data Science. This book is dedicated to solutions and discussions of measuring uncertainties in data analysis problems

New Challenges in Neutrosophic Theory and Applications

Neutrosophic theory has representatives on all continents and, therefore, it can be said to be a universal theory. On the other hand, according to the three volumes of “The Encyclopedia of Neutrosophic Researchers” (2016, 2018, 2019), plus numerous others not yet included in Encyclopedia book series, about 1200 researchers from 73 countries have applied both the neutrosophic theory and method. Neutrosophic theory was founded by Professor Florentin Smarandache in 1998; it constitutes further generalization of fuzzy and intuitionistic fuzzy theories. The key distinction between the neutrosophic set/logic and other types of sets/logics lies in the introduction of the degree of indeterminacy/neutrality (I) as an independent component in the neutrosophic set. Thus, neutrosophic theory involves the degree of membership-truth (T), the degree of indeterminacy (I), and the degree of non-membership-falsehood (F). In recent years, the field of neutrosophic set, logic, measure, probability and statistics, precalculus and calculus, etc., and their applications in multiple fields have been extended and applied in various fields, such as communication, management, and information technology. We believe that this book serves as useful guidance for learning about the current progress in neutrosophic theories. In total, 22 studies have been presented and reflect the call of the thematic vision. The contents of each study included in the volume are briefly described as follows. The first contribution, authored by Wadei Al-Omeri and Saeid Jafari, addresses the concept of generalized neutrosophic pre-closed sets and generalized neutrosophic pre-open sets in neutrosophic topological spaces. In the article “Design of Fuzzy Sampling Plan Using the Birnbaum-Saunders Distribution”, the authors Muhammad Zahir Khan, Muhammad Farid Khan, Muhammad Aslam, and Abdur Razzaque Mughal discuss the use of probability distribution function of Birnbaum–Saunders distribution as a proportion of defective items and the acceptance probability in a fuzzy environment. Further, the authors Derya Bakbak, Vakkas Uluc¸ay, and Memet S¸ahin present the “Neutrosophic Soft Expert Multiset and Their Application to Multiple Criteria Decision Making” together with several operations defined for them and their important algebraic properties. In “Neutrosophic Multigroups and Applications”, Vakkas Uluc¸ay and Memet S¸ahin propose an algebraic structure on neutrosophic multisets called neutrosophic multigroups, deriving their basic properties and giving some applications to group theory. Changxing Fan, Jun Ye, Sheng Feng, En Fan, and Keli Hu introduce the “Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Method Using Heronian Mean Operators under a Bipolar Neutrosophic Environment” and test the effectiveness of their new methods. Another decision-making study upon an everyday life issue which empowered us to organize the key objective of the industry developing is given in “Neutrosophic Cubic Einstein Hybrid Geometric Aggregation Operators with Application in Prioritization Using Multiple Attribute Decision-Making Method” written by Khaleed Alhazaymeh, Muhammad Gulistan, Majid Khan, and Seifedine Kadry

Integrating Knowledge in Organizations: A Lessons Learned Case Study

El paper del coneixement comú a les organitzacions (CKO, en la sigla en anglès) és creixent en la literatura com un tema important; tanmateix, la seva formalització és lenta. Aquesta tesi presenta un model de CKO que descriu la seva relació amb la capacitat organitzativa en el context de les teories de l’empresa. Disseny, metodologia i enfocament Tenint en compte l’estat no sistematitzat del coneixement a les organitzacions i els diversos enfocaments de què és objecte la capacitat organitzativa, en aquest treball s’analitzen textos de les teories del coneixement i de les teories de l’empresa, seguint mètodes de codificació de la grounded theory, amb vista a emmarcar un model per tal d’observar i avaluar casos de CKO que participen en la pràctica productiva. El component de recerca empírica d’aquesta tesi segueix l’estratègia de l’estudi del cas per a la recopilació de dades i de la grounded theory per a la seva anàlisi. El cas correspon a un programa de cooperació internacional interuniversitari, que va durar deu anys, en què s’integren els coneixements en forma de lliçons apreses. Les dades inclouen l’extensa documentació del programa, tres sèries d’enquestes, 16 entrevistes filmades i 36 històries. Aquí, la grounded theory segueix el concepte de sensibilització de Charmaz (2000)per guiar la codificació inicial utilitzant com a referència el marc conceptual desenvolupat. Conclusions El CKO es caracteritza per: a) la tensió en la integració dels coneixements en la pràctica productiva; b) la lògica d’instrumentalitzar eines organitzacionals (OT), y c) els processos pels quals es reconeixen els coneixedors. El CKO funciona com a mediador entre les OT (directives, plans, estructura, arquitectura i rutines) i l’eficiència de la capacitat organitzativa. El CKO apareix no com una eina organitzativa, sinó com els processos relacionats que els instrumentalitzen i per mitjà dels quals els coneixedors són reconeguts i donen forma al sistema interpretatiu de l’organització. Aquesta tesi ofereix criteris de gestió orientats a l’eficiència del CKO (sorgits d’aquesta concepció), amb vista a aplicar eines organitzatives que integren el coneixement en la pràctica productiva, i proposa: a) una visió organitzacional integral de les teories existents del saber; b) un model d’observació d’instàncies del saber a les organitzacions; c) un esquema per tal d’emmarcar les teories de l’empresa, i d) un model per entendre el rol del coneixement comú a les organitzacions.El papel del conocimiento común en las organizaciones (CKO por sus siglas en inglés) se acentúa en la literatura como un tema importante; sin embargo su formalización está rezagada. Esta tesis presenta un modelo de CKO que describe su relación con la capacidad organizacional en el contexto de las teorías de la firma. Diseño, metodología y enfoque: Teniendo en cuenta el estado no-operacionalizado del conocimiento en las organizaciones y los variados acercamientos a la capacidad organizacional, este trabajo entrevista textos de las teorías del conocimiento y de las teorías de la firma, siguiendo métodos de codificación de “grounded theory”, para enmarcar un modelo para observar y evaluar instancias de CKO que participan en la práctica productiva. El componente de investigación empírica de esta tesis sigue la estrategia de estudio de caso para la recopilación de datos, y “grounded theory” para su análisis. El caso corresponde a un programa de cooperación internacional Interuniversitario, que duró diez años, en el que se integra conocimientos en lecciones aprendidas. Los datos incluyen la extensa documentación del programa, 3 sets de encuestas, 16 entrevistas filmadas y 36 historias. Aquí, “grounded theory” sigue el concepto de sensibilización de Charmaz (2000) para guiar la codificación inicial utilizando como referencia el marco conceptual desarrollado. Hallazgos: CKO está caracterizado por la (a) tensión en la integración de conocimientos en la práctica productiva, (b) la lógica de instrumentalizar herramientas organizacionales (OT) y (c) los procesos por los cuales se reconocen a los conocedores. CKO funciona como mediador entre OT (directivas, planes, estructura, arquitectura y rutinas) y la eficiencia de la capacidad organizacional. CKO emerge, no como una herramienta organizacional, sino como los procesos relacionados que los instrumentalizan, y por medio de los cuales los conocedores son reconocidos y dan forma al sistema interpretativo organizacional. Esta disertación ofrece criterios de gestión orientados a la eficiencia (surgidos de esta concepción) de CKO) para aplicar herramientas organizacionales que integran el conocimiento en la práctica productiva, y propone (a) una visión organizacional integral de teorías existentes del saber, (b) un modelo de observación de instancias del saber en organizaciones, (c) un esquema para enmarcar teorías de la firma, y (d) un modelo para entender el rol del conocimiento común en las organizaciones.The role of common knowledge in organizations (CKO) is emphasized in literature as an important topic; however, its formalization has been neglected. This dissertation presents a model of CKO that depicts its relationship with the capability of the organization within the context of theories of the firm. Design/methodology/approach: Considering the un-operationalized status of knowledge in organizations and the several approaches to organizational capability, this work interviews text of the theories of knowing and the theories of the firm, following grounded theory coding methods, to frame a model to observe and assess CKO instances that participate in the productive practice. The research empirical component of this dissertation follows case study strategy for data collection and grounded theory for data analysis. The case corresponds to a ten-year International Inter-university Cooperation Program that integrates knowledge into lessons learned. Data include program extensive program documentation, 3 sets of surveys, 16 filmed interviews, and 36 stories. Grounded theory follows Charmaz (2000) sensitizing concept approach to guide initial coding using the developed framework. Findings: CKO is characterized by the (a) tension of integrating knowledge into the productive practice, (b) logic of instrumentalizing organizational tools (OT), and (c) processes by which knowers are recognized. CKO also operates as mediator between OT (directives, plans, structure, architecture and routines) and the efficiency of the organizational capability. CKO emerges, not as an organizational tool, but as the related processes that instrumentalize them, or by which knowers are recognized and shape the organizational interpretative system. Dissertation offers efficiency oriented managerial criteria (emerged from the CKO conception) for applying organizational tools to integrate knowledge into the productive practice, and proposes (a) an integrated organizational view of extant theories of knowing, (b) a model for observing knowing instances in organizations, (c) a scheme for framing theories of the firm, and (d) a model for understanding the role of common knowledge in organization

Fuzzy Mathematics

This book provides a timely overview of topics in fuzzy mathematics. It lays the foundation for further research and applications in a broad range of areas. It contains break-through analysis on how results from the many variations and extensions of fuzzy set theory can be obtained from known results of traditional fuzzy set theory. The book contains not only theoretical results, but a wide range of applications in areas such as decision analysis, optimal allocation in possibilistics and mixed models, pattern classification, credibility measures, algorithms for modeling uncertain data, and numerical methods for solving fuzzy linear systems. The book offers an excellent reference for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in applied and theoretical fuzzy mathematics. Researchers and referees in fuzzy set theory will find the book to be of extreme value

Emotional eloquence : the argument from pathos in deliberation

The argument from pathos is one of the three normative modes of persuasion in deliberation. The argument from pathos in deliberation serves six functions. It serves as a perceptual capacity; it is a constituent element of deliberative judgment: it communicates importance: it is a powerful motivator: it serves several aesthetic functions, and it is expressive. An examination of the cognitive structure of the emotions reveals the epistemic potential of the emotions. The success conditions necessary for an emotion to grasp its object yields three epistemic results. The apprehension of particular object of an emotion confers salience: the formal object names a quality that conceptually relates the emotion to a normative principle, and the propositional object provides the connection to semantic matters. The semantic properties of emotional language help structure and determine the sophistication of one’s emotional responses

Assessment of the influence of corporate risk disclosure determinants on the share returns of listed companies in Kenya

Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the requirements for the Degree of Master of Commerce (MCOM) at Strathmore UniversityDespite corporate risk disclosures (CRD) being widely encouraged and gaining increasing concern by regulators and market participants, the determinants of those disclosures remains relatively unknown. Concerns have been raised by scholars, practitioners and other market participants regarding the relevance of increasing CRD by listed companies in Kenya. This study sought to assess the influence of CRD determinants on share return of listed companies in Kenya. This study used descriptive research design and multiple regression analysis to determine key determinants of the level of CRD and the influence on share return. Using a disclosure index comprising 37 information items, the study employed content analysis of audited financial reports to determine the level of CRD by 36 listed companies in Kenya over the period 2008-2014.To corroborate the results, questionnaire data obtained the managers’ perspective. Six hypothesis were tested from the regression results .The findings revealed a relatively low level of CRD with listed companies disclosing more business risk and less credit risk .The finding revealed a positive relationship between the level of CRD and stock returns of listed companies in Kenya .The study highlighted the need for companies to increase the level of disclosures by revealing the factors influencing the level of corporate risk disclosures. The findings revealed that the level of corporate risk disclosure is significantly and positively influenced by the type of auditor, institutional equity ownership concentration and negatively influenced by existence of audit committee and the board composition. The study highlighted the need for degree of caution in choosing the type of auditor. Since the study relied extensively on disclosures provided by companies in the audited financial statements as established using content analysis, a study of disclosures using other publications like internal management reports may be necessary. Further study may also be necessary to assess the relevance of corporate risk disclosure involving more listed companies over an extended period of time. Despite the study assessing relevance of CRD in a single country setting, it contributes to the extant literature on relevance of CRD in a developing country