21,915 research outputs found
Customer Enquiry Management in a Global Competitive Context: A Comparative Multi-Case Study Analysis
Business-to-Business (B2B) relationships, such as between a manufacturer and a customer, are increasingly important during the Customer Enquiry Management (CEM) process, particularly so for non-Make-To-Stock (non-MTS) companies operating in industrial markets. Few empirical studies have explored the CEM practices adopted by firms in practice. A study of the Italian capital goods sector by Zorzini et al. (2007) is a recent exception. Moreover, most studies have approached CEM from a cross-department integrated perspective but in the digital economy, and with globalization, outsourcing and extended supply chains, CEM needs to be approached from a broader supply chain-oriented perspective, incorporating B2B exchanges. This paper builds on the study by Zorzini et al. (2007) by conducting multi-case study research with seven UK-based companies in the capital goods sector, including three sales and support companies with offshore manufacturing. By adopting a cross-national research perspective, it assesses whether the proposed theory applies to other capital goods firms outside Italy. By also adopting a supply chain perspective of CEM it investigates current industry practice in B2B markets and explores whether cross-functional coordination and formalization issues can be extended into a global context. Evidence from the UK generally supports prior theory, confirming links between high levels of coordination, formalization of the CEM process and improved performance. Some refinements are proposed, for example, in order to make the theory suitable for a global context. The characteristics of a supply chain are important factors that affect CEM. This research has managerial implications for improving the CEM process in non-Make-To-Stock (non-MTS) capital goods companies from both an intra and an inter-organisational (B2B) perspective. Coordination with partners along the supply chain is needed at the enquiry stage and constraints linked to global customers should be considered when structuring the
A variational method from the variance of energy
A variational method is studied based on the minimum of energy variance. The
method is tested on exactly soluble problems in quantum mechanics, and is shown
to be a useful tool whenever the properties of states are more relevant than
the eigenvalues. In quantum field theory the method provides a consistent
second order extension of the gaussian effective potential.Comment: 5 ps figure
Hierarchical analysis of gravitational-wave measurements of binary black hole spin-orbit misalignments
Binary black holes may form both through isolated binary evolution and
through dynamical interactions in dense stellar environments. The formation
channel leaves an imprint on the alignment between the black hole spins and the
orbital angular momentum. Gravitational waves from these systems directly
encode information about the spin--orbit misalignment angles, allowing them to
be (weakly) constrained. Identifying sub-populations of spinning binary black
holes will inform us about compact binary formation and evolution. We simulate
a mixed population of binary black holes with spin--orbit misalignments
modelled under a range of assumptions. We then develop a hierarchical analysis
and apply it to mock gravitational-wave observations of these populations.
Assuming a population with dimensionless spin magnitudes of , we
show that tens of observations will make it possible to distinguish the
presence of subpopulations of coalescing binary black holes based on their spin
orientations. With observations it will be possible to infer the relative
fraction of coalescing binary black holes with isotropic spin directions
(corresponding to dynamical formation in our models) with a fractional
uncertainty of . Meanwhile, only observations are
sufficient to distinguish between extreme models---all binary black holes
either having exactly aligned spins or isotropic spin directions.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures. Updated to match version published in MNRAS as
10.1093/mnras/stx176
Preliminary testing of a prototype portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer
A portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for use as an analyzer in mineral resource investigative work was built and tested. The prototype battery powered spectrometer, measuring 11 by 12 by 5 inches and weighing only about 15 pounds, was designed specifically for field use. The spectrometer has two gas proportional counters and two radioactive sources, Cd (10a) and Fe (55). Preliminary field and laboratory tests on rock specimens and rock pulps have demonstrated the capability of the spectrometer to detect 33 elements to date. Characteristics of the system present some limitations, however, and further improvements are recommended
Deciphering the Atmospheric Composition of WASP-12b: A Comprehensive Analysis of its Dayside Emission
WASP-12b was the first planet reported to have a carbon-to-oxygen ratio (C/O)
greater than one in its dayside atmosphere. However, recent work to further
characterize its atmosphere and confirm its composition has led to incompatible
measurements and divergent conclusions. Additionally, the recent discovery of
stellar binary companions ~1" from WASP-12 further complicates the analyses and
subsequent interpretations. We present a uniform analysis of all available
Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescope secondary-eclipse data, including
previously-unpublished Spitzer measurements at 3.6 and 4.5 microns. The primary
controversy in the literature has centered on the value and interpretation of
the eclipse depth at 4.5 microns. Our new measurements and analyses confirm the
shallow eclipse depth in this channel, as first reported by Campo and
collaborators and used by Madhusudhan and collaborators to infer a carbon-rich
composition. To explain WASP-12b's observed dayside emission spectrum, we
implemented several recent retrieval approaches. We find that when we exclude
absorption due to C2H2 and HCN, which are not universally considered in the
literature, our models require implausibly large atmospheric CO2 abundances,
regardless of the C/O. By including C2H2 and HCN in our models, we find that a
physically-plausible carbon-rich solution achieves the best fit to the
available photometric and spectroscopic data. In comparison, the best-fit
oxygen-rich models have abundances that are inconsistent with the chemical
equilibrium expectations for hydrogen-dominated atmospheres and are 670 times
less probable. Our best-fit solution is also 7.3*10^{6} times more probable
than an isothermal blackbody model.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Six-degree-of-freedom program to optimize simulated trajectories (6D POST). Volume 1: Formulation manual
The basic equations and models used in a computer program (6D POST) to optimize simulated trajectories with six degrees of freedom were documented. The 6D POST program was conceived as a direct extension of the program POST, which dealt with point masses, and considers the general motion of a rigid body with six degrees of freedom. It may be used to solve a wide variety of atmospheric flight mechanics and orbital transfer problems for powered or unpowered vehicles operating near a rotating oblate planet. Its principal features are: an easy to use NAMELIST type input procedure, an integrated set of Flight Control System (FCS) modules, and a general-purpose discrete parameter targeting and optimization capability. It was written in FORTRAN 4 for the CDC 6000 series computers
Capabilities and applications of the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories (POST). Program summary document
The capabilities and applications of the three-degree-of-freedom (3DOF) version and the six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) version of the Program to Optimize Simulated Trajectories (POST) are summarized. The document supplements the detailed program manuals by providing additional information that motivates and clarifies basic capabilities, input procedures, applications and computer requirements of these programs. The information will enable prospective users to evaluate the programs, and to determine if they are applicable to their problems. Enough information is given to enable managerial personnel to evaluate the capabilities of the programs and describes the POST structure, formulation, input and output procedures, sample cases, and computer requirements. The report also provides answers to basic questions concerning planet and vehicle modeling, simulation accuracy, optimization capabilities, and general input rules. Several sample cases are presented
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