Coefficient of Structural Concordance and an Example of its Application: Labour Productivity and Wages in Slovenia

The article presents the underlying principles, derivation and properties of a simple descriptive measure of concordance between two analogous rank structures that we call the coefficient of structural concordance. It is based upon the idea of Kendalls coefficient of concordance, which we extend to two rank structures. As the coefficient of structural concordance is a pure intergroup measure of concordance, it is designed to complement the Kendalls intragroup coefficient of concordance. We apply this descriptive measure by exploring the relationship between wages and labour productivity in Slovenia for the period 19982007. We are able to confirm the hypothesis of high concordance between wages and labour productivity, which indicates a stimulative role of wages in production of market traded goods and services.Coefficient of structural concordance, Kendalls coefficient of concordance, Labour productivity, Slovenia, Value added per employee, Wages.

Coefficient of Structural Concordance and an Example of its Application: Labour Productivity and Wages in Slovenia

The article presents the underlying principles, derivation and properties of a simple descriptive measure of concordance between two analogous rank structures that we call the coefficient of structural concordance. It is based upon the idea of Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, which we extend to two rank structures. As the coefficient of structural concordance is a pure intergroup measure of concordance, it is designed to complement the Kendall’s intragroup coefficient of concordance. We apply this descriptive measure by exploring the relationship between wages and labour productivity in Slovenia for the period 1998–2007. We are able to confirm the hypothesis of high concordance between wages and labour productivity, which indicates a stimulative role of wages in production of market traded goods and services.coefficient of structural concordance, Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, labour productivity, Slovenia, value added per employee, wages

Coefficient of Structural Concordance and an Example of its Application: Labour Productivity and Wages in Slovenia

The article presents the underlying principles, derivation and properties of a simple descriptive measure of concordance between two analogous rank structures that we call the coefficient of structural concordance. It is based upon the idea of Kendall’s coefficient of concordance, which we extend to two rank structures. As the coefficient of structural concordance is a pure intergroup measure of concordance, it is designed to complement the Kendall’s intragroup coefficient of concordance. We apply this descriptive measure by exploring the relationship between wages and labour productivity in Slovenia for the period 1998–2007. We are able to confirm the hypothesis of high concordance between wages and labour productivity, which indicates a stimulative role of wages in production of market traded goods and services

Decision concordance with incomplete expert rankings in manufacturing applications

The manufacturing field encompasses a number of problems in which some experts formulate their rankings of a set of objects, which should be aggregated into a collective judgment. E.g., consider the aggregation of (i) the opinions of designers on alternative design concepts, (ii) the opinions of reliability/safety engineers on the criticality of a set of failures, (iii) the perceptions of a panel of customers on alternative aesthetic features of a product, etc.. For these problems, the Kendall’s concordance coefficient (W) can be used to express the degree of agreement between experts in a simple and practical way. Unfortunately, this indicator is applicable to complete rankings only, while experts often find it more practical to formulate incomplete rankings, e.g., identifying only the most/less relevant objects and/or deliberately excluding some of them, if they are not sufficiently relevant or well known. This research aims at extending the use of the traditional W to incomplete rankings, preserving its practical meaning and simplicity. In a nutshell, the proposed methodological approach associates a so-called “midrank” to all objects, even the ones that are not easily comparable with the other ones; subsequently, W can be applied to these midranks. The description is supported by several pedagogical examples

DEFICIENCIES IN THE REQUIREMENT GENERATION PHASE THAT DELAY THE LEAD TIME OF ARMY CONTRACT ACTIONS

The purpose of this mixed-methodology study is to identify opportunities to reduce administrative requirements lead time for contracting actions at Army Contracting Command (ACC) organizations, at CONUS installation level, for future implementation across ACC units. An analysis of FY19–21 reveals issues in the training resources available to operational contract support personnel that degrade critical contract elements, increasing the procurement action lead time for service requirements. The findings show service contracts have a longer requirements generation phase than supply contracts. The longer requirements generation phase is associated with the level of complexity and required documentation for each contract action. As complexity decreases, requirements lead time also decreases. The research further reveals an inverse relationship between the use of standardized resource tools and requirements lead time; the lead time decreased as utilization rates increased. The results of the research indicate that policy implementation and consolidation of standardized resource tools would have a reductive effect on lead time for contract actions within the ACC. Additionally, the research recommends modifying the training curriculum to focus on the requirements generation phase. Furthermore, the research recommends changing table of organization and equipment (TOE) positions to require the additional skill identifier 3C for all S4s/G4s and supply sergeants at every echelon.Major, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyMajor, United States ArmyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Delphi Study of International Cybersecurity Norms

Unregulated state cyberattacks are an urgent threat to international peace and security because of the costs they impose and the devastating effects they can create. However, international norms governing state cyberattacks (international cybersecurity norms) have not yet emerged. The lack of meaningful consequences for state cyberattacks, and the high rewards derived from them, incentivize states to engage in this new form of hostile conduct (cyberconflict). The problem addressed in this modified Delphi study was the persistent struggle between authoritarian and democratic states over competing international cybersecurity norms that cause cyberconflict to remain unregulated. Kingdon’s multiple streams framework was used as a theoretical lens to examine the norm emergence process. Data were collected from a panel of experts in international cybersecurity norms. Three rounds of online questionnaires were administered, with participant feedback between rounds, to build a consensus opinion. Six participants completed all rounds. Terms and phrases of participants were used to create codes, and related codes were grouped to reveal patterns and develop themes. The panel did not establish strong consensus (Kendal’s W ≥ .75) regarding the ranking of the issues but defined the points of disagreement and reached a weak consensus on the top three issues: problem nature, attribution, and threat perception. Findings may inform positive social change through future efforts to create the conditions necessary for international cybersecurity norms to emerge, thereby contributing to international peace and security

Towards a uniform definition for the centralisation phenomenon

The focus of this PhD project is on symptom centralisation. Its primary objectives were to establish a standard operational definition of centralisation and evaluate its inter-rater reliability in neck pain. Two systematic reviews on the reliability and prognostic value of clinically induced symptom responses in spinal pain (Chapters 2 and 3) showed that although the potential usefulness of centralisation has been demonstrated in low back pain, concern has been expressed about the observed inconsistency in reported definitions, and the scarcity of studies in neck pain. A Delphi survey of experts (Chapter 4) assisted in the development of a uniform operational definition for centralisation and the identification of future research questions. Centralisation was generally defined as the progressive and stable reduction of the most distal presenting pain towards the spine midline in response to standardised spinal loading strategies. The support by the Delphi panel of a broader definition allowed for a multitude of different ways of testing to be included in the assessment procedure which may offer some flexibility to clinicians assessing, classifying and managing different spinal pain presentations across different countries. Although the reliability of identifying centralisation was acceptable, high levels of reliability were not demonstrated (Chapter 5). However, reliability was greater for the pair of physiotherapists with prior experience and formal extensive training in symptom response assessment. Therefore, the optimal type and amount of training for eliciting and interpreting centralisation and the effect of procedural variations on testing the outcomes of individuals who centralise require urgent investigation. The prognostic and management value of centralisation are also unknown. This investigation may pave the way for the standardisation of centralisation as a physical sign and stimulate interest for further study of potential sub-groups and classification of spinal syndromes

Towards a uniform definition for the centralisation phenomenon

The focus of this PhD project is on symptom centralisation. Its primary objectives were to establish a standard operational definition of centralisation and evaluate its inter-rater reliability in neck pain. Two systematic reviews on the reliability and prognostic value of clinically induced symptom responses in spinal pain (Chapters 2 and 3) showed that although the potential usefulness of centralisation has been demonstrated in low back pain, concern has been expressed about the observed inconsistency in reported definitions, and the scarcity of studies in neck pain. A Delphi survey of experts (Chapter 4) assisted in the development of a uniform operational definition for centralisation and the identification of future research questions. Centralisation was generally defined as the progressive and stable reduction of the most distal presenting pain towards the spine midline in response to standardised spinal loading strategies. The support by the Delphi panel of a broader definition allowed for a multitude of different ways of testing to be included in the assessment procedure which may offer some flexibility to clinicians assessing, classifying and managing different spinal pain presentations across different countries. Although the reliability of identifying centralisation was acceptable, high levels of reliability were not demonstrated (Chapter 5). However, reliability was greater for the pair of physiotherapists with prior experience and formal extensive training in symptom response assessment. Therefore, the optimal type and amount of training for eliciting and interpreting centralisation and the effect of procedural variations on testing the outcomes of individuals who centralise require urgent investigation. The prognostic and management value of centralisation are also unknown. This investigation may pave the way for the standardisation of centralisation as a physical sign and stimulate interest for further study of potential sub-groups and classification of spinal syndromes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceHellenic State Scholarships FoundationUniversity of WarwickGBUnited Kingdo

Towards a uniform definition for the centralisation phenomenon

The focus of this PhD project is on symptom centralisation. Its primary objectives were to establish a standard operational definition of centralisation and evaluate its inter-rater reliability in neck pain. Two systematic reviews on the reliability and prognostic value of clinically induced symptom responses in spinal pain (Chapters 2 and 3) showed that although the potential usefulness of centralisation has been demonstrated in low back pain, concern has been expressed about the observed inconsistency in reported definitions, and the scarcity of studies in neck pain. A Delphi survey of experts (Chapter 4) assisted in the development of a uniform operational definition for centralisation and the identification of future research questions. Centralisation was generally defined as the progressive and stable reduction of the most distal presenting pain towards the spine midline in response to standardised spinal loading strategies. The support by the Delphi panel of a broader definition allowed for a multitude of different ways of testing to be included in the assessment procedure which may offer some flexibility to clinicians assessing, classifying and managing different spinal pain presentations across different countries. Although the reliability of identifying centralisation was acceptable, high levels of reliability were not demonstrated (Chapter 5). However, reliability was greater for the pair of physiotherapists with prior experience and formal extensive training in symptom response assessment. Therefore, the optimal type and amount of training for eliciting and interpreting centralisation and the effect of procedural variations on testing the outcomes of individuals who centralise require urgent investigation. The prognostic and management value of centralisation are also unknown. This investigation may pave the way for the standardisation of centralisation as a physical sign and stimulate interest for further study of potential sub-groups and classification of spinal syndromes.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceHellenic State Scholarships FoundationUniversity of WarwickGBUnited Kingdo