Using crowdsourcing tools for implementing open strategy: A case study in education

Following critiques on the conventional methods of strategic planning, and the stream of research on the effect of more participation on the success of strategy process, the new concept of open strategy has been introduced to the literature. Based on the notion of open innovation, this new concept covers two principles of inclusiveness and transparency. The current study introduces an in-progress case study of using the crowdsourcing model to implement the open strategy concept in an Australian university. We use the principles of Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) for open strategic planning by using the crowdsourcing model and evaluate the method by comparing the quality of resultant plan in delivering its objective. This study explains our approach and a conceptual design for the proposed method as well as our plan for conducting future phases of the research. The introduced process can be used in similar practices of open strategic planning

Open Strategy Intermediaries? A Framework for Understanding the Role of Facilitators in Open Strategy-Making

Open strategy is an emerging phenomenon, and has received significant interest by researchers in both information systems (IS) and strategy fields. The term open strategy represents how strategy-making is becoming a more inclusive and transparent process in organizations, often enabled by information technology (IT). Despite the notable attention paid to the role of IT in the facilitation of open strategy, those practitioners who are also central in such socio-technical processes of change have received scant attention to date by scholars. This paper therefore seeks to examine the role of facilitators in IT-driven open strategy. We term these ‘open strategy intermediaries’. Using a strategy-as-practice lens and drawing on several empirical cases of IT-driven open ‘strategizing’, the article highlights six emerging practices by open strategy intermediaries which we call: (i) Initiation, (ii) Provision, (iii) Infrastructure and design, (iv) Promotion and communi-cation, (v) Mediation and moderation, and (vi) Strategy analysis and development. In concluding the paper, we detail how we intend to continue the research evident in this ongoing work

Modified reconstruction of neutron spectrum emitted in dense plasma focus devises by MCNP code and monte-carlo method.

In this study we present Monte Carlo method for obtaining the time-resolved energy spectra of neutrons emitted by D-D reaction in plasma focus devices. Angular positions of detectors obtained to maximum reconstruction of neutron spectrum. The detectors were arranged over a range of 0–22.5 m from the source and also at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° with respect to the central axis. The results show that an arrangement with five detectors placed at 0, 2, 7.5, 15 and 22.5 m around the central electrode of plasma focus as an anisotropic neutron source is required. As it shown in reconstructed spectrum, the distance between the neutron source and detectors is reduced and also the final reconstructed signal obtained with a very fine accuracy

Ultrasonication effects on thermal and rheological properties of carbon nanotube suspensions

The preparation of nanofluids is very important to their thermophysical properties. Nanofluids with the same nanoparticles and base fluids can behave differently due to different nanofluid preparation methods. The agglomerate sizes in nanofluids can significantly impact the thermal conductivity and viscosity of nanofluids and lead to a different heat transfer performance. Ultrasonication is a common way to break up agglomerates and promote dispersion of nanoparticles into base fluids. However, research reports of sonication effects on nanofluid properties are limited in the open literature. In this work, sonication effects on thermal conductivity and viscosity of carbon nanotubes (0.5 wt%) in an ethylene glycol-based nanofluid are investigated. The corresponding effects on the agglomerate sizes and the carbon nanotube lengths are observed. It is found that with an increased sonication time/energy, the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids increases nonlinearly, with the maximum enhancement of 23% at sonication time of 1,355 min. However, the viscosity of nanofluids increases to the maximum at sonication time of 40 min, then decreases, finally approaching the viscosity of the pure base fluid at a sonication time of 1,355 min. It is also observed that the sonication process not only reduces the agglomerate sizes but also decreases the length of carbon nanotubes. Over the current experimental range, the reduction in agglomerate size is more significant than the reduction of the carbon nanotube length. Hence, the maximum thermal conductivity enhancement and minimum viscosity increase are obtained using a lengthy sonication, which may have implications on application

Serious Games in an Information Technology Course: Opportunities, Challenges, and Outcomes

Serious games (SG) and Game-Based Learning (GBL) have frequently used for teaching purpose in different courses including Information Technology (IT). However, qualitative studies of students' experience in using this approach have been subject of less attention in the related literature. The current study employs a qualitative approach to gain insight on students' opinion after using the SGs in an IT course. The study particularly pays attention to potential opportunities and challenges of using the approach in IT course. Moreover, we asked students' about the possible skills which they learnt through use of SGs. Fifty four students participated in a written survey which contained three open-ended questions about students' experience in using this approach. After analysis of the results three groups of opportunities (learning outcome, engagement, and real life opportunity), three groups of challenges (learning curve, capacity of learn, and design of the game), and six groups of possible skills (human resource management, resource management, leadership, management and business skills, strategic skills, and technical knowledge) are recognised according to students' experience. This study concludes with some implications for practice and research.Griffith Sciences, School of Information and Communication TechnologyFull Tex

Open Strategic Planning in Universities: A Case Study

This paper introduces a case study in which the crowdsourcing model has been used to implement the open strategy concept in an Australian university. This model helps the organisation to include more stakeholders and provide the opportunity of a transparent planning process. The paper explains an IT artefact and accompanying conceptual design supporting an internally open strategic planning process of a university. It also explains the result of the case study in accordance to the suitability of the crowdsourcing model for implementation of an open strategy approach, challenges which were faced during the study, and root causes. It concludes with some recommendations for future research and practices.Griffith Sciences, School of Information and Communication TechnologyNo Full Tex

Efficacy of Anger Management Training on increasing Mental Health of Disabled Children Mothers

Introduction: The child's birth is apleasure for parents, although this process is associated with a lot of hardship. Hope for child health develops a sense of confidence in parents and they heartily accept their child but as soon as they become aware of their child's disability, all hope turns to despair and hence trouble starts. Stress, depression and anger are common emotions that parents then experience. The overall aim of this study was to investigate the effect of anger management training on the mental health of mothers of the disabled children in the city of Yazd. Methods: This is anexperimental study with a pretest-posttest control group. The population of this study included all the mothers of the disabled children being covered in Yazd city from 2011 to 2012. Sample of this study consisted of 35 mothers randomlyassigned into two groups(18 to experimental and 17 to control group). Mental health questionnaire was used to collect data.The anger management training program based on cognitive-behavioral approach was implemented for the experimental group in seven sessions, 2 hours each. Data were then analyzed using descriptive statistical parameters (mean and SD) and independent t-test on the difference between the scores of pre-test - post-test. Results: Results showed that Anger management training with a statistically significant difference between pre-and post-test scores leads to mental health and subscale physical symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, as well as depression (with the exception of societal dysfunction). Also, anger management training reduced the physical symptoms and depression in young mothers compared to the aged. Conclusion: With regard to the effective use of anger management training program to increase mental health, thetrainingprogramshouldbe directedtoward reducingstress