Hybrid Taguchi-Harmony Search Algorithm for Solving Engineering Optimization Problems

Harmony search algorithm have recently gained a lot of attention from the optimization research community. In this paper, an improved harmony search algorithm is introduced to solve engineering optimization problems. To demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach, it is applied to an engineering design and manufacturing optimization problem taken from the literature. The results obtained by the new hybrid harmony search approach for the case studies are compared with a hybrid genetic algorithm, scatter search algorithm, genetic algorithm, feasible direction method and handbook recommendation. The results of case studies show that the proposed optimization approach is highly competitive and that can be considered a viable alternative to solve design and manufacturing optimization problems

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: A Governance Perspective

Entrepreneurial ecosystems have grown in prominence given the vital need to transform economies around the creation of innovative products and services,thereby leading to wealth creation and international competitiveness. Such ecosystems involve a network of interactions of individuals and organizations from business, government and university. Despite the heightened popularity of entrepreneurial ecosystems, more attention is needed on the effective governance of its key stakeholders to ensure that anticipated outcomes are achieved. The current literature focuses mainly on business stakeholders rather than the wider variety of players from government and university who also play a critical role. It also inadequately addresses the governance process in managing these stakeholders to ensure appropriate performance. To address these issues, this study applies network governance theories to the entrepreneurship literature. In so doing, it offers pertinent governance implications to key stakeholders involved in entrepreneurial ecosystems including firms, universities and government agencies

An aesthetic for sustainable interactions in product-service systems?

Copyright @ 2012 Greenleaf PublishingEco-efficient Product-Service System (PSS) innovations represent a promising approach to sustainability. However the application of this concept is still very limited because its implementation and diffusion is hindered by several barriers (cultural, corporate and regulative ones). The paper investigates the barriers that affect the attractiveness and acceptation of eco-efficient PSS alternatives, and opens the debate on the aesthetic of eco-efficient PSS, and the way in which aesthetic could enhance some specific inner qualities of this kinds of innovations. Integrating insights from semiotics, the paper outlines some first research hypothesis on how the aesthetic elements of an eco-efficient PSS could facilitate user attraction, acceptation and satisfaction

Development of Technology Identification model focusing on Technology Intelligence and Components and Indicators extracted from Upstream Documents of the Islamic Republic of Iran

The intelligence of science, technology, and innovation in today's world can be very influential. So, making a wrong decision can have irreparable consequences and may even hurt an economy or a country for several years. Considering that the upstream documents are the guidelines for determining the macro-policies of science and technology, it is necessary to analyze these documents to identify the components of National Powerness from the perspective of these documents. In this study, we sought to investigate the upstream documents and statements of the Supreme Leader to enumerate the dimensions and components of National Powerness. The method used was based on documentary study and to analyze the findings, the Content Analysis method was used. In the policy section, upstream documents such as the constitution, the vision of the I.R. Iran on the horizon of 1404, the declaration of the second step of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and other documents were examined. In the speeches section, statements of the Supreme Leader among scientific experts, university professors, industry, and technology activists, etc. were reviewed and analyzed. The themes extracted from these documents were classified into six dimensions: political, defense-security, environmental, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural discourse. Below these dimensions, 75 components were extracted. Depending on the extracted components, technology can be identified or ranked

Innovative Tokyo

This paper compares and contrasts Tokyo's innovation structure with the industrial districts model and the international hub model in the literature on urban and regional development. The Tokyo model embraces and yet transcends both industrial districts and international hub models. The paper details key elements making up the Tokyo model-organizational knowledge creation, integral and co-location systems of corporate R&D and new product development, test markets, industrial districts and clusters, participative consumer culture, continuous learning from abroad, local government policies, the national system of innovation, and the historical genesis of Tokyo in Japan's political economy. The paper finds that the Tokyo model of innovation will continue to evolve with the changing external environment, but fundamentally retains its main characteristics. The lessons from the Tokyo model is that openness, a diversified industrial base, the continuing development of new industries, and an emphasis on innovation, all contribute to the dynamism of a major metropolitan region.Labor Policies,Environmental Economics&Policies,Public Health Promotion,ICT Policy and Strategies,Agricultural Knowledge&Information Systems,ICT Policy and Strategies,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Agricultural Knowledge&Information Systems,Innovation

Portrait of an Odd-Eyed Cat: Cultural Crossing as a Trademark for a Dutch-Thai Strategic Alliance

This chapter attempts a step forward in seeking a richer understanding of the dynamics of strategic alliances, specifically when viewed from a cross-cultural perspective. We report selected materials from a study designed to build a theory of culture and learning in organizations based on observations of and open-ended interviews with Dutch and Thai employees working for four selected Dutch firms in Thailand. Here we present one of those cases, a Dutch-Thai joint venture that thrived by weaving together the many intricate cultural webs to achieve a unique pattern of partnership which, metaphorically speaking, became its indispensible trademark. The case illustrates how the three levels of culture – national, organizational, and professional cultures – could all interlace in a real world setting and serve as an instrumental force of success amidst tension in one particular cross-border strategic alliance. First, we adopt a thick descriptive style of case narration to present the case of a Dutch- Thai joint venture, Chuchawal-De Weger Internationaal (CDW), painting a portrait of its origin, evolution and characteristics. Next, we turn to elaborate on the particular issue of cultural crossing, its exact theorized properties, dimensions and implications. Finally, we relate the case of CDW to the proposed theory and conclude with a reflection on how this case and our interpretation of it illuminate the complex role culture can play in the dynamics of strategic alliances.cross-cultural management, culture, qualitative case study, strategic alliance, thick-description

Organizational Culture and Entrepreneurial Orientation: An Orthogonal Perspective of Individualism and Collectivism

This study contributes to the existing literature regarding the relationship between culture and entrepreneurship. Building upon the precepts of institutional theory, we examine the influence of organisational culture on firm-level entrepreneurial orientation. While entrepreneurship researchers have emphasised the importance of entrepreneurial orientation for firms, the influence of organisational culture in supporting the incidence of entrepreneurial orientation has not been adequately studied. In an effort to contribute to this emergent area of inquiry, we consider the role of two key dimensions of organisational culture − individualism and collectivism – in facilitating entrepreneurial orientation. In doing so, we illustrate the utility of adopting an orthogonal conceptualisation of these cultural dimensions rather than the commonly held unidimensional formulation. We use polynomial regression and response surface methodology to investigate the effects of both dimensions of organisational culture on entrepreneurial orientation. Using Korea as the main context of the study, we support our hypotheses using data collected from 406 Korean small- and medium-sized enterprises