Services networks: concept and research agenda

Service networks represent an often used but less often defined construct. As part of the Industrial Marketing Management Special Issue on Services Networks we provide an overview of different ways of understanding services networks, particularly from a business marketing and a services systems perspective. We provide our own definition of services networks and introduce three different conceptual layers. These layers are used to describe the different articles in the special issue. A discussion of a tentative research agenda concludes our argument

Relationships and Networks as Examined in Industrial Marketing Management

The importance of the study of relationships and networks within business-to-business marketing is clear from the numerous articles written over the years that aim to give us greater insight into these two concepts. This paper reviews six of these articles. What sets these six apart from others is that they are the most highly cited articles on relationships and networks published in Industrial Marketing Management between 1995 and 2004. We examine each of these articles in terms of their scholarly impact and identify what researchers have learnt from these highly cited papers. Our conclusions show some interesting similarities that we feel has led to these articles being so highly cited. We conclude that the key to citation success is the identification of new research avenues. In addition, the chances of writing excellent papers seems to be improved when collaborating with others, rather than writing alone. By introducing new ideas these authors have not only been successful in their own work, but have given others the platforms to build on, thereby generating much more research in this area

Entrepreneurial networking in supply chain relationships in the automotive component industry

Purpose: The point of departure in this article is that the principles that underpin entrepreneurial networking also apply to the establishment of supply chain relationships. The theoretical base for the need for entrepreneurial networking can be found in Kirzner's theory of entrepreneurship that argued that entrepreneurs identify and act upon profit opportunities that exist in disequilibrium in order to equilibrate the economy. Problem investigated: This article explores the possibility of implementing entrepreneurial networking in supply chain relationships in the automotive component industry. Methodology: Kirzner's theory is used as a theoretical base to support the case for the development of supply chain relationships. The literature with regard to supply chain management and its relevance to entrepreneurial networking is first dealt with. The case for implementing entrepreneurial networking to strengthen supply chain relationships in the automotive component industry in South Africa is then presented. Findings: The findings of this article indicate that the principles underlying entrepreneurial networking could be applied to supply chain relationships in the automotive component industry in South Africa. The argument is mainly based on the sustainability and profitability potential of entrepreneurial networking and the similarities that exist between entrepreneurial networking and supply chain management relationships. Originality: This research is original as it explores the possibility that the principles that underpin entrepreneurial networking also apply to the establishment of supply chain relationships in the automotive component industry. Furthermore, there is a need for published research in South Africa on supply chain management, particularly relationships within the supply chain. Conclusion: Based on the sustainability and profitability potential of entrepreneurial networking and the similarities that exist between entrepreneurial networking and supply chain relationships, the principles underlying entrepreneurial networking can be applied to supply chain relationships in the automotive component industry in South Africa. The unique challenges facing this industry in the current global market further strengthen the case for the implementation of entrepreneurial networking

A systems design approach to appropriate, smart technology in a youth agriculture initiative

Abstract: A transformative research paradigm is rooted in knowledge mobilization processes involving close collaboration between researchers and the community. The research presents the development of an integrated, connected food ecosystem that, because of its fundamental design and use of appropriate, smart technology, which tends to naturally create inclusion and prosperity opportunities for many and not simply for the few. The research relies on multistakeholder participation to develop appropriate technologies to enhance economic activity amongst unemployed youths in Johannesburg, South Africa. A humancentered, systems engineering approach to develop a pilot project that promotes integrated, online, technologically supported food system is presented. The research is also concerned with how to measure the impact of the intervention the on food resilience as a result of urban farming. This paper presents the systems analysis of the current local food network and the proposed integrated solutions for a pilot project to establish a minimal viable project that can be tested. The research describes the planning and implementation of a pilot project as a minimal viable product to test in the market

The financing of a nonpure public good : the case of roads

This dissertation is concerned with the financing of roads in terms of public finance economic theory. The theory of public goods is applied to the case of roads and it is concluded that roads possess significant elements of privateness and are therefore nonpure public goods. Given that roads are nonpure public goods, and that the market for roads has natural monopoly characteristics, it is proposed that user charges have a role to play in the financing of roads. Road user charging techniques such as licence fees, fuel levies, tolls, area licensing, parking charges and weight-distance charges are evaluated. The advantages of user charging versus tax earmarking and general fund financing are examined. A road financing system for South Africa is proposed, whereby National roads are financed by user charges, and Provincial and Local roads are financed partly by user charges and partly by general taxes.Economics and Management SciencesThesis (M.Com.)--University of South Africa, 1996

Complaint management expectations: an online laddering analysis of small versus large firms

This study explores complaint management expectations in business relationships, particularly the qualities and behaviours that affect buying companies as part of the complaint handling encounter with a supplier. An exploratory empirical study uses a hard laddering approach which also allows us to compare the expectations of large and small companies to understand size-effects. The research indicates that complaining companies perceive disruptions of their supplier relationships in the context of the business network within which they are embedded, especially vis-à-vis the benefits associated with long-term supplier ties. However, these network concerns are more pronounced for large companies. Issues of effective complaint management in business-to-business settings therefore need to be addressed not just as isolated managerial activities with limited benefits for the parties involved, but should be seen as being part of a wider activity set of strategic networking activities with an impact on whole business systems. Thus, the findings enrich the existing limited stock of knowledge on the context of complaint management in business relationships and networks

Complaint resolution management expectations in an asymmetric business-to-business context

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain a deeper understanding of the attributes of effective complaint management in business-to-business relationships, and to reveal the underlying benefits that buying organizations are looking for when complaining. Design/methodology/approach – A semi-standardized qualitative technique called laddering was applied successfully to an online environment with 22 representatives of companies in the manufacturing industry participating. Findings – The resulting hierarchical value map displays 13 attributes which exemplify the complaint resolution management expectations. A total of 14 constructs represent consequences of such resolution activities, while four constructs can be interpreted as values. Take “Quick action” is the most important of the expected attributes and behaviours of complaint resolution management. Four consequences seem to dominate the assessment: Financial benefits, Prevention of future problems, Solution, and Effective resolution handling. “Maintain supplier relationships” appears as a dominant value in the perceptions of respondents, with half of them mentioning this as an end. Research limitations/implications – Owing to the exploratory nature of the study in general and the scope and size of its sample in particular, the findings are tentative in nature. The study involved a group of representatives of large UK manufacturing companies with complaint handling responsibilities and so the results cannot be generalised. Originality/value – The findings enrich the existing limited stock of knowledge on complaint management in business relationships by developing a deeper understanding of the attributes that complaining customer companies desire from suppliers, as well as the underlying business logic (i.e. values) for these expectations. The quality of the results also suggests that the laddering questionnaire technique can be transferred effectively to an online environment

Serum prostate-specific antigen as surrogate for the Histological diagnosis of Prostate cancer

Introduction. To determine whether there is a cut-off value of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) which can be used confidently to make the diagnosis of prostate cancer, thereby obviating the need for biopsy.Patients and methods. During the period October 1991 to March 1998 the Department of Chemical Pathology at Tygerberg Hospital performed a total of 6 733 serum PSA assays on 3960 patients. The histopathological and clinical diagnoses of these patients were obtained from records in the departments of Anatomical Pathology, Urological Oncology and Radiation Oncology. The serum PSA levels were correlated with the histopathology reports, using different PSA cut-off values ranging from 5 to 500 ng/ ml, to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of each cut-off value of PSA in predicting the presence of prostate cancer.Results. In total, 3 837 (57%) of the 6 733 serum PSA assays were ≤ 4 ng/ ml, 1 045 (15.5%) of the assays were ≥50 ng/ ml, and 798 (11.9%) were~ 100 ng/ ml. Of the total of 3 960 individual patients, 531 (13.4%) had a serum PSA ≥50 ng/ ml and 423 (10.7%) had a PSA ≥ 100 ng/ ml. A serum PSA of ≥ 30 ng/ml had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 90% at a specificity of 87% and sensitivity of 78%, while a PSA ≥ 60 ng/ ml had a PPV of 98% at a specificity of 98% and sensitivity of 65% for the presence of prostate cancer. The PPV reached 99% at a PSA ≥ 100 ng/ ml and 100% at a PSA ≥ 500 ng/ ml, with a specificity of 99% and 100%, but sensitivity of only 53% and 19%, respectively.Conclusions. A serum PSA ≥ 60 ng/ ml has a PPV of 98% for the presence of adenocarcinoma of the prostate, and may be used as a surrogate for histological diagnosis where facilities for obtaining prostatic biopsies are not readily available, thus decreasing costs and patient morbidity

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer in the Western Cape

Background. Early stage prostate cancer does not cause symptoms, and even metastatic disease may exist for years without causing symptoms or signs. Whereas early stage prostate cancer can be cured with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, the prognosis of patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer is significantly poorer.Objectives. ln view of the high incidence of advanced and therefore incurable prostate cancer seen at the oncology clinic of the Department of Urology, Tygerberg Hospital, we started a prostate clinic with the aim of detecting early stage prostate cancer which is potentially curable. A secondary objective was to investigate the question whether there is a higher incidence of prostate cancer among black African men.Patients and methods. Men aged 50 - 70 years were invited by means of media communications (newspaper and radio) to attend our prostate clinic for a free physical examination, including a digital rectal examination (DRE) and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay. If the DRE was clinically suspicious of malignancy and/ or the serum PSA was > 4 ng/ ml, the patient was appropriately counselled and referred for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided sextant prostate biopsy.Results. In the period June 1997- September 1999 a total of 1056 men attended the prostate clinic. Biopsies were indicated in 160 cases, and were obtained in 114 (71.3%, i.e. 10.8% of the entire cohort). Prostate cancer was detected on first biopsy in 3.5% of the entire group of men (in 35.9% of those with a clinically abnormal DRE, in 41.3% of those with a serum PSA > 4 ng/ ml and in 88.6% of those with an abnormal DRE and serum PSA > 4 ng/ ml. In the 37 men with prostate cancer, the clinical tumour stage was T1 - 2 in 83.8% and T3- 4 in 16.2%. ln the group of patients with clinical stage T1 - 2 tumours, the treatment was watchful waiting in 62.5% of cases, radiotherapy in 20.8% and radical prostatectomy in 16.7%. Analysis of the data according to race showed that in the group of 47 black men there was a higher percentage of clinically abnormal DRE, PSA > 4 .0 ng/ ml and biopsies showing malignancy, and a higher overall prostate cancer detection rate (8.5%).Conclusions. Our prostate cancer detection rate of 3.5% is slightly lower than that reported in larger studies (4.7%), which may be due to the fact that prostate biopsy was performed in only 71% of those who had an indication for biopsy. ln the men diagnosed with clinically localised prostate cancer, potentially curative treatment was given in only 37.5% of cases. This compares unfavourably with the historical cohort of men seen at our oncology clinic, where 53% received potentially curative treatment, and a large European study where potentially curative treatment was given in 89% of cases. Our finding that black men had a higher percentage of clinically abnormal DRE, PSA > 4.0 ng/ ml and biopsies showing malignancy and a higher overall detection rate of prostate cancer should be interpreted with caution, since black men comprised only 4.5% of our overall study cohort.

Chaotic oscillations of a single cavitating bubble immersed in a maxwell liquid

In the present work we develop a mathematical model for a bubble immersed in a Maxwell fluid insonified by an ultrasonic field. As in previous works we wanted to see the effect of the viscoelasiticy in the overall behavior of the bubble in time. With a modified Rayleigh-Plesset equation we obtain the evolution of radius in time, for different Deborah and Reynolds Numbers. Of interest the phase space graphs that show the chaotic oscillations for different values of the parameters, and how these parameters can be used as controllers of the oscillations. For a more complete analysis we perform a Perturbation Multiple Scale technique to get a frequency analysis, which can demonstrate how the parameters might modulate the resonance.Papers presented at the 13th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Portoroz, Slovenia on 17-19 July 2017 .International centre for heat and mass transfer.American society of thermal and fluids engineers