Genetic Algorithm and its Variants: Theory and Applications

The Genetic Algorithm is a popular optimization technique which is bio-inspired and is based on the concepts of natural genetics and natural selection theories proposed by Charles Darwin. The Algorithm functions on three basic genetic operators of selection, crossover and mutation. Based on the types of these operators GA has many variants like Real coded GA, Binary coded GA, Sawtooth GA, Micro GA, Improved GA, Differential Evolution GA. This paper discusses a few of the forms of GA and applies the techniques to the problem of Function optimization and System Identification. The paper makes a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of GA. The computer simulations illustrate the results. It also makes a comparison between the GA technique and Incremental LMS algorithm for System Identification

Research Productivity in Management Schools of India: A Directional Benefit-of-Doubt Model Analysis

Given the growing emphasis on research productivity in management schools in India, the present authors developed a composite indicator (CI) of research productivity, using the directional benefit-of-doubt (D-BOD) model, which can serve as a valuable index of research productivity in India. Specifically, we examined overall research productivity of the schools and the faculty members during the 1968-2014 and 2004-2014 periods in a manner never done before. There are four key findings. First, the relative weights of the journal tier, total citations, impact factor, author h-index, number of papers, and journal h-index varied from high to low in order for estimating the CI of a faculty member. Second, both public and private schools were similar in research productivity. However, faculty members at the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) outperformed those at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). Third, faculty members who had their doctoral degrees from foreign, relative to Indian, schools were more productive. Among those trained in India, alumni of IITs, compared to those of IIMs, were more productive. Finally, IIMs at Ahmedabad and Bangalore and the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad have seemingly more superstars than other schools among the top 5% researchers during 2004-2014. These findings indicate a shift in the priority from mere training of managers to generating impactful knowledge by at least two of the three established public schools, and call attention to improving the quality of doctoral training in India in general and IIMs in particular. Suggestions for improving research productivity are also offered