The ISCIP Analyst, Volume XIV, Issue 8

This repository item contains a single issue of The ISCIP Analyst, an analytical review journal published from 1996 to 2010 by the Boston University Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, and Policy

The ISCIP Analyst, Volume XIV, Issue 15

This repository item contains a single issue of The ISCIP Analyst, an analytical review journal published from 1996 to 2010 by the Boston University Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, and Policy

A decision support methodology to enhance the competitiveness of the Turkish automotive industry

This is the post-print (final draft post-refereeing) version of the article. Copyright @ 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Three levels of competitiveness affect the success of business enterprises in a globally competitive environment: the competitiveness of the company, the competitiveness of the industry in which the company operates and the competitiveness of the country where the business is located. This study analyses the competitiveness of the automotive industry in association with the national competitiveness perspective using a methodology based on Bayesian Causal Networks. First, we structure the competitiveness problem of the automotive industry through a synthesis of expert knowledge in the light of the World Economic Forum’s competitiveness indicators. Second, we model the relationships among the variables identified in the problem structuring stage and analyse these relationships using a Bayesian Causal Network. Third, we develop policy suggestions under various scenarios to enhance the national competitive advantages of the automotive industry. We present an analysis of the Turkish automotive industry as a case study. It is possible to generalise the policy suggestions developed for the case of Turkish automotive industry to the automotive industries in other developing countries where country and industry competitiveness levels are similar to those of Turkey

The Perception of Information and Its Role in Exercising Military Leadership

Purpose: The main purpose of the research was to investigate the way the information is perceived and the role it plays in exercising military leadership, especially in the context of differences between the Allied interpretations of the term and the Russian concept of information as an instrument of military strategy. The aim of the paper was to find out,indicate and describe the role and perception of information in different areas of military interest, both within the Alliance and outside of this. Operationalizing the aforementioned aim the following research questions have been set: what are the differences in definitions of information? what are the objectives and principles applied in various kinds of military, information-related activities? what is the role of informationin exercising leadership? Design/methodology/approach: Research methodology examined from the perspective of its objectives, in this case, can be classified as descriptive (describing systematically the perception of information,providing required input of expertise and attitudes towards the role of information) and explanatory (clarifying the differences in understanding the concept of information, e.g. in operations and management). If one considers the perspective of ‘mode of enquiry’, the qualitative approach (aiming at exploring diversity rather than quantifying and emphasizing the description of perceptions rather than their measurement) has been applied here. The basic part of research, for the purpose of the paper development, was literature (doctrinal documents) review as well as subject matter (Russian information-related capabilities and activities) summaries collation. Findings: The research shows that the perceptions of information presented by the Alliance and the Russian Federation differ substantially. The roles played by information in exercising military leadership vary as well. Considering Russian perception of information, its main concept is included in the fundamentals of information confrontation as a form of warfare. The Allied interpretation of the term focuses on data, intelligence and knowledge represented in many diverse forms. Research and practical limitations/implications: The research conduct and its scope were limited by two factors: availability of the most updated doctrinal documents (the Alliance) and access to original sources (Russia). The NATO doctrinal documents, to include policies and allied joint publications, are often subject to a long term revision process and thus may not be up to date in many aspects included in their contents. Whereas, the Russian sources are often classified or characterized by limited accessibility. Originality/value: The differences in the information perception have not been compared in such a set yet, especially internally within the Alliance – Information/Knowledge Management and Information Operations. Moreover, the wider context of Russian understanding of the apparatus applied within the Information Environment, though identified, have not been collated with the Allied approach either.Paper type: research paper

Internet functions in marketing: multicriteria ranking of agricultural SMEs websites in Greece

Δημοσιεύσεις μελών--ΣΔΟ--Τμήμα Λογιστικής, 2013The invasion of new technologies combined with the high cost for running shop force enterprises to search for new sales methods. Network applications and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) can help achieve e-commerce goals. In Greece, many enterprises in the agro-food and drink sectors are already present on the internet. This paper studies the adoption of e-commerce on websites that support e-commerce activities within the agro-food and drink sectors. Therefore, the paper aims to identify and evaluate their qualitative and quantitative content characteristics, rank them according to 6 content characteristics/criteria using the multicriteria method of PROMETHEE II and classify them in groups of similar adoption. The findings of this study reveal the rate of adoption of e-commerce in the sectors and can serve as a valuable model for the designers of websites that promote e-commerce activities within the wider areas of food and drinks

International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook - Reviewer Qualification for Life Cycle Inventory Data Sets

The International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) provides a common basis for consistent, robust and quality-assured life cycle data and studies. Such data and studies support coherent SCP instruments, such as Ecolabelling, Ecodesign, Carbon footprinting, and Green Public Procurement. This guide is a component of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook. This document provides the detailed requirements on eligible reviewers under the ILCD Handbook. These build on and conform to the ISO 14040 and 14044 and other related standards on LCA and its applications. The principle target audience for this guide is the system operator and the LCA reviewer.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

Disaggregating the United States Military: An Analysis of the Current Organizational and Management Structure of U.S. National Security Policy as It Relates to Military Operations in Space

This thesis was written to provide the reader with a comprehensive assessment about the realities of the current organizational and management structure of United States national security policy as it relates to the conduct of military operations in space. To create an encompassing argument, this thesis considers the current organizational structure of United States space policy while acknowledging that space has, in fact, become a warfighting domain. A reorganization of this magnitude has the potential to generate a succinct chain of command for military space operations while condensing the space acquisitions process and ultimately providing military space operations with the attention and resources needed to keep America and its allies safe. However, this thesis examines if reconfiguring the current organizational and management structure of United States national security space components does, in fact, have the power to accomplish such objectives. This thesis relies heavily upon the testimonies and documentation derived from both the Department of Defense, as well as the United States Congress. In addition, it is acknowledged that U.S. policymakers have driven this issue into becoming one that is largely bureaucratic and inherently politicized. This thesis ultimately concludes that some degree of reconfiguration to the current organizational and management structure of United States policy as it relates to military operations in space has the potential to positively affect the national security space establishment

Achieving Alignment: An Analysis of Enterprise Architecture Best Practices within the United States Air Force

This research uncovers areas of best practices that support achieving alignment between an organization’s Information Technology (IT) and its business processes. One principal finding of this effort revealed that the means used to achieve alignment exists within the effective application of Enterprise Architecture (EA), a common practice found throughout the Federal Government, Department of Defense, and the Air Force. EA is the tool used to achieve alignment; likewise, the reason for developing IT architecture is to achieve alignment of IT investments and mission objectives. This research groups the best practices into vision, identification, framework, and governance. Interestingly, these practices relate to an Enterprise Architecture’s depiction of the to be target state, the as is baseline, the tools and models used for communication, and the motivation and management of the transition plan. The insights achieved by this research should strengthen the use of Enterprise Architecture within the Air Force by enabling senior leaders and decision-makers to align strategy and IT investment towards improving mission accomplishment