658 research outputs found

    From transactions to partnerships : Essays in honor of Jukka Vesalainen

    Get PDF
    This Festschrift for Professor Jukka Vesalainen is a collection of articles related to business relationships. The book focuses on different types of business relationships that constitute business networks, the development of business relationships and a practical perspective on relationship management. The book builds on the assumption that no firm is an island, and any business development takes place within ecosystems, networks, and relationships, where firms and other organizations collaborate. Firms are seen to be interdependent with other firms and actors in their business environment. Even though firms would not choose to operate in networks, they end up in networks, as perfect markets rarely exist. This emphasizes the importance of relationship management in today’s business activities. The collection contains empirical, theoretical and practical articles that all reflect the impact of the research and practical work done by Professor Vesalainen. The articles relate to important academic and practically oriented topics of Vesalainen’s research and academic career and also provide a sense of each contributor’s relationship with him.fi=vertaisarvioimaton|en=nonPeerReviewed

    Knowledge System Development

    Get PDF
    Knowledge System Development: Insights from Indonesia and International Applications illustrates how knowledge systems work in the evidence-based policy making process and the dynamics of different actors in the ecosystem. Applying the Knowledge System Model 2.0 in Indonesia and in selected international case studies, it explores key issues and dynamics in the knowledge-to-policy process in Indonesia and offers important insights for application in other country contexts. Written from the unique vantage point of knowledge system actors themselves in cooperation with development practitioners and researchers, the book captures efforts to clarify the roles of different actors in the knowledge system and how they interacted to influence policy. When the actors and institutions in the knowledge system interact and challenge each other to articulate and commit to a shared purpose, it is easier to navigate the inherent tensions between technical solutions and political objectives to advance the reform agenda. Intermediaries in the knowledge system can play an important role in facilitating the interactions between these actors and institutions.Publishe

    Improving approaches to material inventory management in construction industry in the UK

    Get PDF
    Materials used in construction constitute a major proportion of the total cost of construction projects. An important factor of great concern that adversely affects construction projects is the location and tracking of materials, which normally come in bulk with minimal identification. There is inadequate integration of modern wireless technologies (such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or Just-in-Time (JIT)) into project management systems for easier and faster materials management and tracking and to overcome human error. This research focuses on improving approaches to material inventory management in the UK construction industry through the formulation of RFID-based materials management tracking process system with projects. Existing literature review identified many challenges/problems in material inventory management on construction projects, such as supply delays, shortages, price fluctuations, wastage and damage, and insufficient storage space. Six construction projects were selected as exploratory case studies and cross-case analysis was used to investigate approaches to material inventory management practices: problems, implementation of ICT, and the potential for using emerging wireless technologies and systems (such as RFID and PDA) for materials tracking. Findings showed that there were similar problems of storage constraints and logistics with most of the construction projects. The synthesis of good practices required the implementation of RFID-facilitated construction management of materials tracking system to make material handling easier, quicker, more efficient and less paperwork. There was also a recommendation to implement Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools to integrate plant, labour and materials into one system. The findings from the cases studies and the literature review were used to formulate a process for real-time material tracking using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) that can improve material inventory management in the UK construction industry. Testing and validation undertaken assisted in formulating a process that can be useful, functional and acceptable for a possible process system’s development. Finally, research achievements/contributions to knowledge, and limitations were discussed and some suggestions for further research were outlined

    A strategic turnaround model for distressed properties

    Get PDF
    The importance of commercial real estate is clearly shown by the role it plays, worldwide, in the sustainability of economic activities, with a substantial global impact when measured in monetary terms. This study responds to an important gap in the built environment and turnaround literature relating to the likelihood of a successful distressed commercial property financial recovery. The present research effort addressed the absence of empirical evidence by identifying a number of important factors that influence the likelihood of a successful distressed, commercial property financial recovery. Once the important factors that increase the likelihood of recovery have been determined, the results can be used as a basis for turnaround strategies concerning property investors who invest in distressed opportunities. A theoretical turnaround model concerning properties in distress, would be of interest to ‘opportunistic investing’ yield-hungry investors targeting real estate transactions involving ‘turnaround’ potential. Against this background, the main research problem investigated in the present research effort was as follows: Determine the important factors that would increase the likelihood of a successful distressed commercial property financial recovery. A proposed theoretical model was constructed and empirically tested through a questionnaire distributed physically and electronically to a sample of real estate practitioners from across the globe, and who had all been involved, directly or indirectly, with reviving distressed properties. An explanation was provided to respondents of how the questionnaire was developed and how it would be administered. The demographic information pertaining to the 391 respondents was analysed and summarised. The statistical analysis performed to ensure the validity and reliability of the results, was explained to respondents, together with a detailed description of the covariance structural equation modelling method used to verify the proposed theoretical conceptual model. vi The independent variables of the present research effort comprised; Obsolescence Identification, Capital Improvements Feasibility, Tenant Mix, Triple Net Leases, Concessions, Property Management, Contracts, Business Analysis, Debt Renegotiation, Cost-Cutting, Market Analysis, Strategic Planning and Demography, while the dependent variable was The Perceived Likelihood of a Distressed Commercial Property Financial Recovery. After analysis of the findings, a revised model was then proposed and assessed. Both validity and reliability were assessed and resulted in the following factors that potentially influence the dependent variables; Strategy, Concessions, Tenant Mix, Debt Restructuring, Demography, Analyse Alternatives, Capital Improvements Feasibility, Property Management and Net Leases while, after analysis, the dependent variable was replaced by two dependent variables; The Likelihood of a Distressed Property Turnaround and The Likelihood of a Distressed Property Financial Recovery. The results showed that Strategy (comprising of items from Strategic Planning, Business Analysis, Obsolescence Identification and Property Management) and Concessions (comprising of items from Concessions and Triple Net Leases) had a positive influence on both the dependent variables. Property Management (comprising of items from Business Analysis, Property Management, Capital Improvements Feasibility and Tenant Mix) had a positive influence on Financial Turnaround variable while Capital Improvements Feasibility (comprising of items from Capital Improvements Feasibility, Obsolescence Identification and Property Management) had a negative influence on both. Demography (comprising of items only from Demography) had a negative influence on the Financial Recovery variable. The balance of the relationships were depicted as non-significant. The present research effort presents important actions that can be used to influence the turnaround and recovery of distressed real estate. The literature had indicated reasons to recover distressed properties as having wide-ranging economic consequences for the broader communities and the countries in which they reside. The turnaround of distressed properties will not only present financial rewards for opportunistic investors but will have positive effects on the greater community and economy and, thus, social and economic stability. Vii With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, issues with climate change and sustainability, global demographic shifts, changing user requirements, shifts in technology, the threat of obsolescence, urbanisation, globalisation, geo-political tensions, shifting global order, new trends and different generational expectations, it is becoming more apparent that the threat of distressed, abandoned and derelict properties is here to stay, and which will present future opportunities for turnaround, distressed property owners, as well as future worries for urban authorities and municipalities dealing with urban decay. The study concluded with an examination of the perceived limitations of the study as well as presenting a comprehensive range of suggestions for further research.Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, School of the built Environment, 202

    Risk in Sports and Challenges for Sports Organizations

    Get PDF
    Success, injuries, future career opportunities of athletes, and the societal gains of participating in sports and organizing (mega) sports events are all related to individual risk-taking behavior. Although the sports economics and management literature has broadly addressed these issues, it is surprising that less attention has been paid to the implications of risk-taking on the organization of sports in general and, more particularly, on the design and behavior of sports organization members

    A Comparative Analysis of the Mechanisms of Social Inclusion for Hard of Hearing People in Germany and in the Russian Federation

    Get PDF
    Inklusion von Menschen mit Behinderungen ist zu einem der vordringlichen Ziele der Sozialpolitik der Europäischen Union und in der Russischen Föderation geworden, u. a. aufgrund der zunehmenden Zahl von Ländern, die die UN-BRK1 ratifizierten, sowie Herausforderungen wegen, die eine "alternde" Gesellschaft verursacht. Jedoch werden Menschen mit Hörbehinderung und deren spezielle Bedürfnisse im Vergleich zu anderen, eher sichtbaren Behinderungen, oft übersehen. Das zentrale Anliegen der vorliegenden Untersuchung ist es, die Mechanismen und Ergebnisse der sozialen Inklusion schwerhöriger Menschen in Russland und Deutschland näher zu betrachten und zu vergleichen, sowie mit empirisch belegten Befunden zur Forschung über schwerhörige Personen beizutragen. Der Forschungstand hierzu ist in den Disability Studies noch sehr lückenhaft. Eine Analyse der Sozial- und Behindertenpolitik in beiden Ländern sowie ein Vergleich der rechtlichen und institutionellen Maßnahmen als auch der Chancen bildet den Rahmen für eine empirische Analyse (Fragebogen, Interviews mit schwerhörigen Personen, NGOs und Experten). Die Einschätzung der politischen Maßnahmen und der Infrastrukturen folgt den konzeptionellen und normativen Bewertungsmaßstäben der Disability Studies. Die vergleichende Analyse konzentriert sich auf den Zugang schwerhöriger Menschen zu Bildung und Arbeitsmarkt, zu Wiedereingliederung, Information und Kommunikation – Bereiche welche für Inklusion und Teilhabe entscheidend sind. Die empirischen Erhebungen enthalten explorative, nicht-repräsentative Fragebögen-Untersuchungen unter a) 190 jungen Befragten, 18-35 Jahre alt (davon 136 aus Deutschland; 150 aus Russland) b) 110 älteren Befragten, 65 bzw. 60 Jahre alt — abhängig vom betreffenden Land — und älter (43 aus Deutschland; 67 aus Russland) und Experten-Interviews mit Schlüsselpersonen zum Thema (Forscher, politische Entscheidungsträger, medizinische und pädagogische Experten, schwerhörige NGO-Aktivisten); darüber hinaus Leitfaden-Interviews mit schwerhörigen Personen (11 in Deutschland, 16 in Russland). Übereinstimmungen und Abweichungen in den nationalen politischen Richtlinien werden diskutiert, Beispiele von positiven Praktiken in medizinischer, ausbildungsbezogener und beruflicher Rehabilitation und potentielle politische Maßnahmen werden vorgeschlagen.Inclusion of people with disabilities has become one of the priorities of the social policy in the European Union and in the Russian Federation, in part, in connection with the increasing ratification of the UN CRPD worldwide and problems induced by the “ageing” society. However, people with hearing loss and their specific needs are often overlooked in comparison with more visible disabilities. The main purpose of this study is to look into and compare the mechanisms and results of social inclusion of hard of hearing people (HoH) in Russia and Germany and to contribute with empirically grounded findings to the research on hard of hearing people of which there is a lack in the disability research field. An analysis of the social and disability related policies in both countries and a comparison of the legal and institutional arrangements and opportunities provides the framework for the empirical analysis (questionnaire, interviews with HoH persons, NGOs and with experts). The appraisal of the policies and infrastructures is following the conceptual and normative benchmarks of the Disability studies. The comparative analysis is focused on access of HoH people to education and employment, to rehabilitation, information and communication – the fields critical to inclusion and participation. The empirical research comprises an explorative non-representative questionnaire survey with a) 190 young respondents aged 18-35 years (136 from Germany, 150 from Russia) b) 110 elderly respondents (65 or 60 years old and older; 43 from Germany, 67 from Russia), and expert interviews with the key persons in the field (researchers, political decision-makers, medical and educational professionals, hard of hearing NGO activists); furthermore, guided interviews with HoH people (N=11 in Germany, N=16 in Russia) were conducted. Commonalities and discrepancies in the national policy directions are discussed, examples of positive practices in medical, educational and professional rehabilitation and potential policy measures are suggested

    Producing Affection : Affect and Mediated Intimacy in Pokémon

    Get PDF
    Pokémon is a global multimedia franchise formed around a core series of videogames and a variety of characters to collect, learn about, and play with. Throughout its decades of development, Pokémon has grown into a media mix comprising of digital and analog games, animations, comics, toys, and a plethora of branded merchandize, all centering on the Pokémon characters and the audience’s relationship with them. In this thesis, I explore how affection is formed and distributed in Pokémon. I view the relationship with Pokémon characters as a form of mediated intimacy, theorizing it as feelings of affection and closeness expressed through and aimed at technology. Through this, I discuss how technological and fantastical bodies wield agency and actively participate in the formation of everyday affects. By drawing primarily on game studies and affect studies, I develop an interdisciplinary method for playing and reading media texts for their affects and use it to analyze the media mix of Pokémon and the affective relations therein. I focus primarily on the Pokémon videogames that serve as the core product of the entire media mix. I examine what it means to construct an entire media mix based on videogames and play and suggest this as a key interpretive arrangement for understanding the mediated intimacy of Pokémon. This study presents the mediated intimacy of Pokémon as the result of the ludic and technological foundations of the Pokémon media mix, at the heart of which is the role-playing form of the original videogames and the way they have positioned audiences as participants and characters in the world of Pokémon. In this playful environment that overlaps fiction and everyday reality, the media mix guides its players to conduct a form of affective labor to access and traverse the textual whole of Pokémon and furthermore aligns this effort with the diegetic theme of caretaking as captured on the transmedia bodies of Pokémon. Additionally, this work contributes to the theorization and rethinking of intimacies by exploring affection in human and non-human networks as an entanglement of biological and technological actors.Tuotettua kiintymystä. Pokémonin affekti ja medioitu intiimiys Pokémon on globaali monimediakokonaisuus. Sen keskiössä on joukko videopelejä sekä niiden hahmoja, joita kerätään, joista opitaan ja joiden kanssa leikitään. Pokémonista on vuosikymmenten mittaan kasvanut mediatuotteiden rypäs, media mix: monista tuote- ja julkaisukanavista koostuva kokonaisuus, joka sisältää digitaalisia ja analogisia pelejä, animaatioita, sarjakuvia, leluja ja brändituotteita, joissa kaikissa korostuvat Pokémon-hahmot sekä yleisön suhde niihin. Väitöskirjassani tarkastelen, miten kiintymystä rakennetaan ja levitetään Pokémonissa. Tutkin Pokémon-hahmoihin muodostettuja suhteita medioidun intiimiyden käsitteen kautta. Tutkimuksessani suhteet näyttäytyvät kiintymyksellisten tunteiden tiivistyminä sekä läheisyytenä, jota ilmaistaan teknologian avulla ja sitä kohtaan. Näin tarkastelen, miten teknologisten sekä fantastisten kehojen toimijuus näkyy arkipäiväisten affektien muodostumisessa. Ammentamalla pelitutkimuksesta ja affektitutkimuksesta kehitän monitieteisen metodin mediatekstien pelaamiseen ja lukemiseen, ja käytän sitä Pokémonin media mixin, sen affektien ja sen piirissä muodostettujen kiintymyssuhteiden analysointiin. Keskityn erityisesti Pokémon-videopeleihin, jotka toimivat koko media mixin ydintuotteena. Tutkin, miten Pokémonin media mix on rakennettu ensisijaisesti pelilliselle ja leikilliselle pohjalle, ja ehdotan tätä tulkintamallia keskeiseksi Pokémonin medioidun intiimiyden ymmärtämiselle. Tutkimuksen tuloksena esitän Pokémonin medioidun intiimiyden muodostuvan Pokémonin media mixin leikillisistä ja teknologisista juurista, joiden perustana on alkuperäisten Pokémon-videopelien roolipelillinen rakenne sekä se, miten sen avulla pelaajat on asemoitu hahmoiksi Pokémonin maailmaan. Fiktiota ja todellisuutta sekoittavassa leikillisessä ympäristössä Pokémonin media mix ohjaa pelaajia hoivan ja huolenpidon teemojen kautta tekemään tunnetyötä tuoteperheen mediatekstien parissa ja piirtää tämän työn tulokset Pokémon-hahmojen monimediakehoille. Lisäksi väitöstutkimukseni osallistuu intiimiyden laajempaan teoretisointiin ja uudelleenmäärittelyyn tarkastelemalla elollisten ja leikillisesti elävien toimijoiden suhteita biologisena ja teknologisena yhteenliittymän
    corecore