THE ORGANIZATIONAL KNOWLEDGE DYNAMICS (OKD) MODEL. CASE STUDY VODAFONE ROMANIA

According to the new economic models, knowledge has to be incorporated in production functions as a key factor. Therefore, in the new knowledge based economy the main challenge is to develop, combine and integrate the knowledge of thousands of employees within an organizational framework. The main purpose of this paper is to present a new model of organizational knowledge dynamics developed by the authors by using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology. The research approach is both theoretical and empirical. The developed model was tested within the Romanian business environment and the results prove the existence of high correlations between the results of the model and the actual strategies with regard to knowledge of the company, thus enhancing the efficiency of the model.Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), knowledge modelling, Organizational Knowledge Dynamics (OKD) Model.

Policy for Maori: values, assumptions and closing the gap

This paper looks at the issue of what it is about the way in which policy is developed which influences whether or not policy meets the needs of Maori. To do this I will focus on one component of policy making; the role of the values and assumptions of policy makers. Assumptions about the nature of policy making and the way in which policy can be used to maintain and modify norms and standards, determine values and define problems are briefly investigated. These issues are highlighted using the Code of Family and Social Responsibility as an example of the way in which dominant cultural value bases and assumptions have influenced the way in which policy issues are framed and presented. The paper concludes by asking why the consideration of the values of policy makers is important for Maori and how can I, as a Maori policy analyst working within the Government policy making sector, contribute to the development of policy which is based on Maori assumptions, realities, values and world views

Production of lipopeptide biosurfactant by Kurthia gibsonii KH2 and their synergistic action in biodecolourisation of textile wastewater

Textile dyes are recalcitrant molecules and contain a high level of chemicals and colour which poses a serious challenge to surrounding environments. Therefore, this study aims to produce biosurfactant and investigate the synergistic action on decolourisation of textile dyes by the combination of bacteria and biosurfactant. An effective dye degrading strain and biosurfactant-producer, Kurthia gibsonii KH2, was isolated from textile wastewater using molasses as the only source of carbon and energy. The isolates were identified and screened for biosurfactant production using haemolytic activity, oil spreading technique, drop collapse test and emulsification index. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrum (FTIR) and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analyses were carried out to detect the type of biosurfactant. The effect of different physicochemical parameters on textile wastewater decolourisation was assessed within 24 h. The Kurthia gibsonii KH2 showed positive results for haemolytic activity, oil spreading technique, and drop collapse test. The emulsification test (E24) revealed that Kurthia gibsonii KH2 had a higher emulsification index of 63%. FTIR and TLC analyses indicated that the biosurfactant was a lipopeptide and was formed with a yield of 2 gL−1. The synergistic activity of Kurthia gibsonii KH2 and lipopeptide biosurfactant resulted in decolourisation levels of 85% at 100 mg/L concentration and pH 7 was recorded at 168 h of incubation. The high attributes of these combinations and the phytotoxicity tests implied that the metabolites were less toxic, making it a promising option for the biodecolourisation and biodegradation of industrial textile wastewater and various environmental conditions

Real-time control for manufacturing space shuttle main engines: Work in progress

During the manufacture of space-based assemblies such as Space Shuttle Main Engines, flexibility is required due to the high-cost and low-volume nature of the end products. Various systems have been developed pursuing the goal of adaptive, flexible manufacturing for several space applications, including an Advanced Robotic Welding System for the manufacture of complex components of the Space Shuttle Main Engines. The Advanced Robotic Welding System (AROWS) is an on-going joint effort, funded by NASA, between NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, and two divisions of Rockwell International: Rocketdyne and the Science Center. AROWS includes two levels of flexible control of both motion and process parameters: Off-line programming using both geometric and weld-process data bases, and real-time control incorporating multiple sensors during weld execution. Both control systems were implemented using conventional hardware and software architectures. The feasibility of enhancing the real-time control system using the problem-solving architecture of Schemer is investigated and described

Contending European agendas for agricultural innovation

Amid expectations for a European ‘transition to sustainable agriculture’, there are competing transitional processes. Given the widely acknowledged harm from agro-industrial systems, ‘unsustainable agriculture’ has divergent diagnoses and innovative solutions. This rivalry can be analysed as contending innovation agendas; the analysis here combines theoretical paradigms of agricultural innovation. In an EU policy context of a Knowledge-Based Bio-Economy (KBBE), there are divergent accounts of its key terms: biological resources, economy, relevant knowledge and knowledge-producers. Likewise, divergent accounts are found of innovation, intensification, resource efficiency, resilience, bio-energy, horizontal integration, etc. These divergent agendas are promoted by distinct stakeholder networks. The dominant agenda favours laboratory-based techno-scientific innovation as a source of ‘efficient’ inputs, which can use renewable resources more efficiently for competitive advantage in global value chains. By contrast, other agendas promote farmers’ knowledge of natural resources, especially via agro-ecological methods which can reduce energy inputs, increase productivity and add value through quality. With those contending agendas, rival stakeholder networks seek to influence R&D priorities. From the standpoint of multifunctional agriculture, such contending agendas can play complementary roles in different rural spaces. Some agro-food practices may combine aspects of different paradigms. As a concept, Agricultural Knowledge Systems may provide a common space for interchanges between divergent agendas and their research priorities. However, these innovation agendas promote conflicting visions of the future

Human Resources Strategy: The Era of Our Ways

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss some of the main features and trends in human resources (HR) strategy. Inasmuch as people are among the most important resources available to firms, one could argue that HR strategy should be central to any debate about how firms achieve competitive advantage. But this “people are our most important asset” argument is actually fairly hollow in light of the evidence. Far too many articles on HR start with this premise, but the reality is that organizations have historically not rested their fortunes on human resources. The HR function remains among the least influential in most organizations, and competitive strategies have not typically been based on the skills, capabilities, and behaviors of employees. In fact, as Snell, Youndt and Wright (1996:62) noted, in the past executives have typically tried to “take human resources out of the strategy equation--i.e., by substituting capital for labor where possible, and by designing hierarchical organizations that separate those who think from those who actually do the work.