1,261 research outputs found
The impact of social networks on leadership behaviour
Dominant streams in leadership literature conceptualise it either as a role within sociopolitical structure or as a behavioural predisposition of agents. Leadership roles are determined by decisional power, most typically related to the hierarchical and structural position of agents within sociopolitical networks. Limitations in attaining meaningful predictions of leader potential can be related to the separation of leadership as an agency attribute from leaders as structurally embedded agents. Social network analysis allows for the contingent examination of both. In this article, a number of hypotheses are tested via an empirical case study where interaction and affiliation networks across multiple decision experiments are coupled with attribute and psychometric data of the actors. In this quasi-experimental setting, leadership emergence is studied among four groups of undergraduate students faced with a decision choice in an iterative political simulation game. Findings suggest that in egalitarian political systems, centrality in social networks is directly associated with political success, while in political systems imbued with power inequalities successful actors are idiocentric brokers. Methodologically, this study frames role simulation games as quasi-experimental tests. Group interactions can be controlled, but vitally also incorporated in studies of perceptions, behaviours and group outcomes. The use of attitudinal micro-surveys, psychometric tests, observation and relational surveys is combined for a comprehensive mapping of group dynamics suited to questions of agency. In conclusion, there are a number of insights offered on deploying these methods in tandem and the challenges inherent in such a research design. </jats:p
ASEAN-EU university network programme on EMC and SI education
This paper reports about a project for the creation of an innovative university course devoted to the preparation of future electronic designers to the challenges imposed by the assurance of the electrical performance of high-speed electronic systems. The target groups are future university teaching staff and future electronic systems designers. Activities are developed by means of sharing research results, seminars, experience exchange and the development of demonstrators to be used for teaching. The partnership is composed by Technical University of Turin (Italy), University of Hannover (Germany), University of Nottingham (UK), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and King Monguts Institute of Technology Lad-krabang, Bangkok (Thailand). The program is partially funded by the European Commission under the ASEAN-EU University Network Programme (AUNP) and its duration is 24 months
Is it important to know Jack? Using social network analysis to assess regional business connectivity in Bristol
AbstractThis article attempts to measure the effect of âpublic sector brokerageâ in facilitating the interaction between enterprises in Bristol. In particular we examine the effectiveness of a public sector project through formal social network analysis. The data originates from a publicly funded consulting project measuring interaction between actors as a result of the Science City Bristol Initiative 2008â12. The remit of the project has been to maximise investment, increase public engagement and boost connectivity among key businesses in the region. Bristol is identified as an important cluster for aerospace, IT, finance and creative technologies. To monitor and evaluate connections a network analysis was commissioned at the early stage of the initiative. A core-periphery structure has been identified with key brokerage roles held by public sector agencies - facilitating private gain and presumably an increase of GVA. A number of suggestions in developing this research platform are offered in conclusion. These focus on capturing the evolution of social networks, their effect on the interaction between private and public actors, their impact on entrepreneurship and their effect on the dissemination of innovation
Computer numerical control vertical machining centre feed drive modelling using the transmission line technique
This study presents a novel application of the Transmission Line Matrix Method (TLM) for the modelling of the dynamic behaviour of non-linear hybrid systems for CNC machine tool drives. The application of the TLM technique implies the dividing of the ball-screw shaft into a number of identical elements in order to achieve the synchronisation of events in the simulation, and to provide an acceptable resolution according to the maximum frequency of interest. This entails the use of a high performance computing system with due consideration to the small time steps being applied in the simulation. Generally, the analysis of torsion and axial dynamic effects on a shaft implies the development of independent simulated models. This study presents a new procedure for the modelling of a ball-screw shaft by the synchronisation of the axial and torsion dynamics into the same model. The model parameters were obtained with equipments such as laser interferometer, ball bar, electronic levels, signal acquisition systems etc. The MTLM models for single and two-axis configurations have been simulated and matches well with the measured responses of machines. The new modelling approach designated the Modified Transmission Line Method (MTLM) extends the TLM approach retaining all its inherent qualities but gives improved convergence and processing speeds. Further work since, not the subject of this paper, have identified its potential for real time application
Reassessing the Greek National Schism of World War I: The Ideological Parameters
The National Schism that erupted in Greece during World War I has already been thoroughly analysed in the bibliography as a crisis of national unification, defined by geographical, political and socio economic criteria. The aim of this article is to move a step forward, to support that the National Schism might also be considered as an act in the broader and much older Greek ideological drama, that of the tantalising and incomplete âreturnâ to the East via the European West. It is argued that the Schism, far from being a bipolar confrontation between supporters and opponents of Europe, did select from the EastâWest debate whatever arguments were necessary to invest military and political choices with a âdeeperâ meaning. Our approach focuses mostly on the rhetoric produced by the two opposing camps, the Venizelists and the anti-Venizelist block, from 1914 to 1922. It is, however, complemented by a retrospective presentation of the nineteenth-century debateover the Enlightenment and liberalism, on the one hand, and German idealism, on the other
Reassessing the Greek National Schism of World War I: The Ideological Parameters
The National Schism that erupted in Greece during World War I has already been thoroughly analysed in the bibliography as a crisis of national unification, defined by geographical, political and socio economic criteria. The aim of this article is to move a step forward, to support that the National Schism might also be considered as an act in the broader and much older Greek ideological drama, that of the tantalising and incomplete âreturnâ to the East via the European West. It is argued that the Schism, far from being a bipolar confrontation between supporters and opponents of Europe, did select from the EastâWest debate whatever arguments were necessary to invest military and political choices with a âdeeperâ meaning. Our approach focuses mostly on the rhetoric produced by the two opposing camps, the Venizelists and the anti-Venizelist block, from 1914 to 1922. It is, however, complemented by a retrospective presentation of the nineteenth-century debateover the Enlightenment and liberalism, on the one hand, and German idealism, on the other
Developing image based positioning strategies for retaining the political partiesâ electoral bases : a new theoretical perspective
In the recent past, there has been an increasing interest in the topic of personal values and their influence on end-usersâ behaviour in the context of both commercial and political environment. However, there has been little research aimed at linking votersâ value priorities, and the influence of these values in the formulation and implementation of successful organizational strategies.This dissertation is concerned with the area of personal values, how votersâ values influence both strategy process and its outcomes in the formation of competitive segmentation/positioning strategies within the political environment, and with the developing field of political marketing, in order the retention of political partiesâ electoral bases to be achieved. The research strategy is based on a qualitative approach to discovering the value priorities of voter segments. Working on coding applications, throughout the votersâ value-behaviour spectrum, the reasoning and impact of personal values on votersâ political behaviour will be identified. Also, the identification of value priorities perceptions based on political image, since the leaderâs image and partyâs image are basic components of the political product offering, will be described. Finally, based on votersâ value priorities an image-based positioning strategy will be proposed.Rokeachâs, Schwartzâs, and Rohanâs theoretical background provide the main basis for understanding the topic of personal values. The qualitative method which will be used is based on Grand McCrackenâs âThe Long Interviewâ method which consists of the basic research framework. However, in parallel, the inductive approach for Ground Theory development has been employed for more solid elements for the Greek Votersâ electoral behaviour interpretation to be achieved. Moreover, for more reliability and support for the interview process and outcomes to be achieved, the Theory of Planned Behaviour from the field of Social Psychology is also employed. This will lead to a consensus of image-based positioning strategic directions. As a result, an approach showing the impact of personal values on strategy formulation for the retention of the political partiesâ electoral bases is proposed
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