Bridges with pillars: a graphical calculus of knot algebra

AbstractThe paper comprises a graphical calculus which is designed to deal with the Coxeter-Dynkin series of type E and some generalizations. Temperley-Lieb algebras of type E are defined as quotients of Hecke algebras and the module structure of the algebra associated to E6 is determined. The graphical calculus is a refinement of the calculus for the ordinary Temperley-Lieb algebra: a planar strip is decomposed by the arcs of a diagram into domains and the domains are used to incorporate additional information into the figure

Axiomatic homology and duality revisited

We associate to each homology theory in an elementary and canonical manner a tautological cohomology theory on Cartesian spaces such that the classical Alexander duality holds. The duality isomorphisms obtained from cap-products yield an isomorphism of cohomology theories. Guided by our methods we also introduce the new category of dualizible maps

Homology planes and algebraic curves

All premises are covered by a lease which governs the rights and obligations between landlord and tenant. Contracts can be designed in different ways, but to develop a contract that takes all possible outcomes into account is basically impossible. One can still in various ways make contracts as clear as possible. One area which often causes problem of boundaries is maintenance of interior surface layers, and this is the problem that this thesis focuses on. We have studied this issue at the National Property Board (SFV) by looking at seven museums. As a landlord, SFV is strongly tied to many of their tenants because of the special facilities they manage. Because many of the tenants of SFV are strongly tied to the premises that the business is conducted in, the ability to terminate the contract is limited for both parties. It makes the relationship with the tenants extremely important since it is long-term. Even tenants cherish the relationship with SFV and short-term conflicts are rare. There is simply a lot of value in avoiding conflicts and disputes are often solved by compromises. To regulate the responsibilities and provide clarity between SFV and their tenants SFV uses detailed demarcation lists. It has been shown that these lists are rarely used because of its length and incalculability. Our judgment is that because both parties care so much about having a good relationship, they will perform their obligations, which means that such detailed demarcation lists are not necessary. Our recommendation is instead a shorter, more general list, which we believe would simplify the situation, both for SFV and their tenants.Alla lokaler omfattas av ett hyreskontrakt som reglerar rättigheter och skyldigheter mellan hyresgäst och hyresvärd. Kontrakten kan utformas på olika sätt men att ta fram ett kontrakt som tar hänsyn till alla möjliga utfall är i princip omöjligt. Man kan ändå på olika sätt försöka göra kontrakten så tydliga som möjligt. Något som ofta ställer till gränsdragningsproblem är underhåll av inre ytskikt, och det är denna problematik som detta examensarbete fokuserar på. Vi har studerat denna problematik hos Statens fastighetsverk (SFV) utifrån att titta på sju museer. Som hyresvärd är SFV starkt bundna till många av sina hyresgäster på grund av de speciella lokaler de förvaltar. Eftersom många av SFVs hyresgäster är knutna till den lokal som verksamheten bedrivs i, är möjligheten att säga upp kontraktet begränsat för båda parter. Det gör att relationen med hyresgästerna är oerhört viktig, då den är minst sagt långsiktig. Även hyresgästerna värnar om relationen med SFV och kortsiktiga konflikter är ovanliga. Det finns helt enkelt ett stort värde i att hålla sams och eventuella konflikter löses ofta genom kompromisser. För att reglera ansvarsfördelningen och skapa tydlighet mellan SFV och hyresgästerna använder sig SFV av detaljrika gränsdragningslistor. Det har dock visat sig att dessa listor sällan används i praktiken på grund av sin längd och oöverskådlighet. Vår bedömning är att eftersom parterna är så måna om sin relation, kommer de att sköta sina åtaganden vilket gör att så detaljerade gränsdragningslistor inte är nödvändiga. Vårrekommendation är istället en kortare, mer generell lista, vilket vi tror skulle förenkla både för SFV och deras hyresgäster

Critical success factors in UK four and five star hotels

This research aims to assess the strategic tool of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) within the UK four and five star hotel industry by developing a strategic framework incorporating CSFs within the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach. Success in the hotel industry at all market levels and locations is determined by the ability to clearly formulate and implement a coherent strategy. Considering the importance of the hotel industry for the UK economy, it is essential to enhance overall strategic understanding within the hotel sector in order to increase efficiencies, performance and overall success. A major factor in identifying and understanding what needs to be done comes in identifying CSFs. This concept combines the strategic aims of the company and condenses them into a number of manageable factors that are absolutely critical to success. In addition, the BSC approach as a strategic tool that utilises CSFs to measure the performance and success of businesses is utilised. For the three stages of primary data collection, a mix of quantitative techniques, questionnaires and Delphi rounds, were used. The first stage included 33 questionnaires with hotel managers to update the existing list of CSFs; followed by three Delphi rounds with hotel industry experts to reduce the number of CSFs. These final factors were then ranked in importance by 61 general managers and owners of UK four and five star hotels. Confirmatory factor analysis identified a total of 19 CSFs for the UK four and five star hotel industry. Overall, there are four to five factors within each of the four BSC categories. Out of these, yield maximization, hygiene and cleanliness, staff friendliness and customer loyalty were identified to be the most important CSFs of each BSC category. A key finding is that even within a relatively homogenous set of hotels there are distinct differences in CSFs importance based on hotel characteristics such as size, location, star rating and ownership structure. Therefore, a significant result of this study is the creation of a framework for business strategy incorporating CSFs and the BSC for UK four and five star hotels for a coherent strategy formulation and implementation. Overall, the research also provides academia and the UK four and five star hotel industry with a tool for the prioritisation of strategy creation and implementation