Reputation Management: Corporate Image and Communication

Reputation was, is, and always will be of immense importance to organisations, whether commercial, governmental or not-for-profit. To reach their goals, stay competitive and prosper, good reputation paves the organisational path to acceptance and approval by stakeholders. Even organisations operating in difficult ethical environments - perhaps self-created - need to sustain a positive reputation where possible. Argenti & Druckenmiller argue that, “organisations increasingly recognize the importance of corporate reputation to achieve business goals and stay competitive” (Argenti & Druckenmiller 2004, p.368). While there are many recent examples of organisations whose leadership and business practice behaviours have destroyed their reputation, such as Enron, Arthur Andersen, Tyco and WorldCom, the positive case for reputation is that it has fostered continued expansion of old stagers like Johnson & Johnson and Philips and innovators such as Cisco Systems, who top recent rankings of the most respected organisations in the US and Europe. What is evident is that reputation does not occur by chance. It relates to leadership, management, and organisational operations, the quality of products and services, and - crucially - relationships with stakeholders. It is also connected to communication activities and feedback mechanisms. This chapter will consider the definitions and nature of reputation and its management, best practice and evaluation. It will also discuss the boundaries between branding, image and reputation

CMOS digital pixel sensor array with time domain analogue to digital conversion

This thesis presents a digital pixel sensor array, which is the first stage of an ongoing project to produce a CMOS image sensor with on-chip image processing. The analogue to digital conversion is performed at the pixel level, with the result stored in pixel memory. This architecture allows fast, reliable access to the image data and simplifies the integration of the image array and the processing logic. Each pixel contains a photodiode sensor, a comparator, memory and addressing logic. The photodiode sensor operates in integrating mode, where the photodiode junction capacitance is first charged to an initial voltage, and then discharged by the photodiode leakage current, which is comprised mainly of optically generated carriers. The analogue to digital conversion is performed by measuring the time taken for the photodiode cathode voltage to fall from its initial voltage, to the comparator reference voltage. This triggers the 8-bit pixel memory, which stores a data value representative of the time. The trigger signal also resets the photodiode, which conserves the charge stored in the junction capacitance, and also prevents blooming. An on-chip control circuit generates the digital data that is distributed globally to the array. The control circuit compensates for the inverse relationship between the integration time and the photocurrent by adjusting the data clock timing. The period of the data clock is increased at the same rate as the integration time, resulting in a linear relationship between the digital data and the photocurrent. The design is realised as a 64 x 64 pixel array, manufactured in O.35µm 3.3 V CMOS technology. Each pixel occupies an area of 45µm x 45µm with a 12.3% fill factor, and the entire pixel array and control circuit measures 3.7mm x 3.9mm. Experimental results confirm the operation of the digital pixel, and the linearising control circuit. The digital pixel has a dynamic range of 85dB, and can be adapted to different lighting conditions by varying a single clock frequency. The data captured by the array can be randomly accessed, and is read from the array nondestructivcly

Aberrations in shift-invariant linear optical imaging systems using partially coherent fields

Here the role and influence of aberrations in optical imaging systems employing partially coherent complex scalar fields is studied. Imaging systems require aberrations to yield contrast in the output image. For linear shift-invariant optical systems, we develop an expression for the output cross-spectral density under the space-frequency formulation of statistically stationary partially coherentfields. We also develop expressions for the output cross{spectral density and associated spectral density for weak-phase, weak-phase-amplitude, and single-material objects in one transverse spatial dimension

Brickbats and bouquets for marketing

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to consider the development and application of marketing theory and practice over time and its current status. The terms “brickbats” and “bouquets” are used as metaphors to extend praise or criticism for marketing. In doing so, the authors draw upon the views of leading theorists over time and apply these in the current environmental context. Design/methodology/approach The approach adopted is discursive, critical and conceptual. Findings Following literature review, and drawing upon current examples, marketing as a discipline is subject to both kudos and criticisms. Nonetheless, it is concluded optimistically in that marketing can be an even greater source for societal good. That “goodness” is partly based upon the added impetus of social media adoption and use by consumers, the need for growth and accelerative innovation in the digital age coupled with the democratisation of consumption. Nonetheless, the authors offer the caveat that free competitive markets lead to market failures, and the need for market regulation by governments is becoming more evident. Research limitations/implications The implications of the paper are profound. Academics should be concerned in and involved with marketing theory. Questions need to be raised concerning non-robust definitions of marketing and its application. The authors wait for a consumer-led approach to marketing to add depth to the marketing theory. Practical implications Marketers need to be made more accountable for their actions. Consumers need to become part of the marketing process. Marketing claims need to be verified by delivered benefits. Companies need to take steps to ensure that the marketing process does not end at purchase. Satisfaction needs to be made manifest. Likewise, dissatisfactions need to be managed well as part of the marketing process. Social implications Too much marketing currently is relatively unregulated in the sense that there are so few opportunities to evade its myriad reach and – despite social media – little chance of changing marketing practice for the good of societies. Many criticisms of marketing practice are not being addressed in the literature. Originality/value Marketing is a vibrant force in all nations and markets. It is deeply rooted in business practice. It is contemporaneous and relevant. It is global and national. But, it is not entirely all good news. There are caveats and criticisms as well as kudos and praise. While both are addressed here, the topic needs to be considered for marketing and its accompanying theory and practice to change

Variable Structure Feedback Control with Application to Spacecraft with Small Thrust Propulsion Systems

Small spacecrafts requiring small propulsion systems are becoming more popular for low Earth orbit. It is important for these research satellites to have accurate guidance and control systems. Small propulsion systems will also be beneficial for multiple small spacecrafts used future exploration expeditions beyond low Earth orbit. These small spacecrafts benefit from the simplicity of low thrust cold gas propulsion systems. Additionally, large spacecrafts using low thrust, high specific impulse propellants for main propulsion systems, such as ion engines, allow longer and more flexible missions, including Earth orbiting spacecraft and interplanetary spacecraft. In order to extend the life of future planetary exploration missions, it becomes necessary to use In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to be able to extract resources such as water, oxygen, propellants, and building materials from the local target environment. Small free flying vehicles can be used for quickly surveying planetary surfaces in order to search for potential resource locations. These surveying vehicles can also use such extracted propellants if their propulsion system is designed for it. Cold gas propulsion provides a flexible system to use locally extracted or manufactured propellants. This dissertation investigates nonlinear feedback control techniques for spacecraft with low thrust, cold gas thrust, and spacecraft with cold gas thrust. A model for a cold gas propulsion system is developed for designing control systems for multiple types cold gas thrusters. The model is also used for testing control algorithms in simulation. The cold gas model is validated from a cold gas propulsion hardware testing, and a control law is tested on hardware