Exploring the Relationship between Supply Network Configuration, Interorganizational Information Sharing and Performance

ABSTRACT EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUPPLY NETWORK CONFIGURATION, INTER-ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING AND PERFORMANCE By MARCIA DALEY August 2008 Committee Chair: Dr. Subhashish Samaddar Major Department: Decision Science Critical to the success of a firm is the ability of managers to coordinate the complex network of business relationships that can exist between business partners in the supply network. However many managers are unsure on how best to leverage their resources to capitalize on the information sharing opportunities that are available in such networks. Although there is significant research on information sharing, the area of inter-organizational information sharing (IIS) is still evolving and there is limited research on IIS in relation to systemic factors within supply networks. To help fill this gap in the literature, a primary focus of this dissertation is on the relationship between the design of the supply network and IIS. The design of the supply network is characterized by the supply network configuration which is comprised of (1) the network pattern, (2) the number of stages in the supply network, and (3) where the firm is located in that supply network. Four different types of IIS are investigated, herein. These types of IIS are a function of the frequency with which information is shared and the scope of information shared. Type 1 (Type 2) IIS is the low (high) frequency state where only operational information is shared. Similarly, Type 3 (Type 4) is the low (high) frequency state where strategic information is shared. The argument is that the type of IIS varies depending on the configuration of the supply network and that this relationship is influenced by the coordination structure established between firms in the network. The second focus of this dissertation deals with the relationship between IIS and performance. Research findings on the benefits to be gained from IIS have been ambiguous, with some researchers claiming reduced cost in the supply network with IIS, and others finding minimal or no benefits. To add clarity to these findings, the role that uncertainty plays in the relationship between IIS and performance is examined. The thesis presented is that the positive relationship between IIS types and the performance of the supply network is impacted by process uncertainty (i.e. the variability in process outcomes and production times), and partner uncertainty. Social network theory and transaction cost economics provide the theoretical lens for this dissertation. A model is developed and will be empirically validated in a cross-sectional setting, utilizing a sampling frame randomly selected and comprised of supply management executives from various industries within the United States

Practical recipes for the model order reduction, dynamical simulation, and compressive sampling of large-scale open quantum systems

This article presents numerical recipes for simulating high-temperature and non-equilibrium quantum spin systems that are continuously measured and controlled. The notion of a spin system is broadly conceived, in order to encompass macroscopic test masses as the limiting case of large-j spins. The simulation technique has three stages: first the deliberate introduction of noise into the simulation, then the conversion of that noise into an equivalent continuous measurement and control process, and finally, projection of the trajectory onto a state-space manifold having reduced dimensionality and possessing a Kahler potential of multi-linear form. The resulting simulation formalism is used to construct a positive P-representation for the thermal density matrix. Single-spin detection by magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) is simulated, and the data statistics are shown to be those of a random telegraph signal with additive white noise. Larger-scale spin-dust models are simulated, having no spatial symmetry and no spatial ordering; the high-fidelity projection of numerically computed quantum trajectories onto low-dimensionality Kahler state-space manifolds is demonstrated. The reconstruction of quantum trajectories from sparse random projections is demonstrated, the onset of Donoho-Stodden breakdown at the Candes-Tao sparsity limit is observed, a deterministic construction for sampling matrices is given, and methods for quantum state optimization by Dantzig selection are given.Comment: 104 pages, 13 figures, 2 table

BELIEFS AND ATTITUDES REGARDING SMOKING CESSATION AMONG AMERICAN INDIANS: A PILOT STUDY

Background: American Indians (AI) have some of the highest smoking rates in the United States. The Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma developed a culturally targeted program called ‘‘Second Wind’’ based on the American Cancer Society’s FreshStart smoking cessation program, but it has not been formally tested. Methods: We conducted six focus groups of AI adult smokers at the Haskell Health Center (Lawrence, Kansas). Focus groups assessed beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors related to smoking cessation, as well as participants’ perceptions of the ‘‘Second Wind’’ curriculum’s appropriateness and feasibility for this diverse group. Focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for content themes. Participants were 41 AI adults (63% female), 21–67 years of age. Participants smoked an average of 13 cigarettes per day, half had made a quit attempt in the past year, and 63% were daily smokers. For pharmacotherapy, most preferred the nicotine patch. Results: Focus group responses were categorized into three major themes: traditional tobacco use, quitting and quit attempts, and the ‘‘Second Wind’’ program. Those who reported that traditional tobacco use is important were less inclined to use tobacco recreationally. Second Wind modifications suggested by participants included increasing use of AI imagery and addressing the meaning of tobacco to AI cultures. Conclusions: American Indian smokers are unique because of their traditional use of tobacco. Our participants felt that smoking cessation can be accomplished without discouraging traditional use of tobacco. We suggest ways to improve the ‘‘Second Wind’’ curriculum so that it is targeted for a heterogeneous group of AI smokers