Factors of competitive advantage in IT industry on the example of computer games industry

Praca bada determinanty przewagi konkurencyjnej w przedsiębiorstwach branży IT, a w szczególności w branży gier komputerowych. Temat branży gier komputerowych nie jest jeszcze dostatecznie dobrze zbadany i nie istnieje wiele prac naukowych jemu poświęconych, szczególnie w literaturze polskojęzycznej, a rosnące corocznie obroty branży sugerują, że jest ona przyszłościowa. Celem badania było określenie, co decyduje o przewadze konkurencyjnej firm działających na rynku gier komputerowych i jakie strategie konkurencyjne pozwalają im osiągnąć sukces. W tym celu wykorzystano model 5 sił Michaela Portera. Przestudiowano przypadki dwóch firm, amerykańskiej Blizzard Entertainment i polskiej CD Projekt. Badanie wykazało, że firmy te stosują hybrydę strategii wyróżnienia produktu i strategii koncentracji.This work studies the factors of competitive advantage in the companies operating in the IT industry, particularly in computer game industry. The subject of computer games is not yet well-covered and there are not many scientific works dedicated to it, especially in polish language, and its revenue, which is growing every year, suggests that this industry has got a future. The aim of the study was to determine what decides about competitive advantage of the companies operating in the computer game industry and which competitive strategies allow them to be successful. In order to accomplish that, Michael Porter’s 5 forces model was used. Cases of two companies were studied, including american Blizzard Entertainment and polish CD Projekt. The studies shown that the companies apply a hybrid of differentiation strategy and concentration strategy

Risks of investing on on-line forex investment platforms

Praca bada ryzyka, na jakie narażeni są inwestorzy decydujący się na grę na internetowych platformach inwestycyjnych forex. Temat owych platform nie został do tej pory dostatecznie zbadany i nie istnieje wiele rzetelnych prac naukowych jemu poświęconych, a agresywny marketing, szczególnie w Internecie sugeruje, że jest to zjawisko popularne, co do ktorego społeczna świadomość wciąż wydaje się niska. Celem badania było określenie głównych czynników ryzyka, a także wskazanie niedoskonałości metod służących do analizy opłacalności inwestycji. W tym celu zbadano efektywność informacyjną rynku na gruncie teorii błądzenia losowego oraz skuteczność podstawowych narzędzi analizy technicznej. Porównano wyniki analizy rzeczywistego kursu walutowego pary EUR/GBP za dzień 14/05/2015 z wynikami analizy danych wygenerowanych w sposób losowy. Badanie wykazało, że rynek forex w rozumieniu internetowych platform inwestycyjnych jest efektywny w stopniu słabym, że kursy walutowe poruszają się w sposób losowy oraz że narzędzia analizy technicznej zastosowane dla historycznych danych pozwalają przewidzieć wahania rzeczywistych kursów walutowych w podobnym stopniu, w jakim pozwalają przewidzieć wahania danych wygenerowanych losowo.This work studies the risks of investing using on-line forex investment platforms. This subject is not yet well-covered and there are not many trustworthy, scientific works dedicated to it and aggresive marketing campaigns, especially on the Internet, suggest that it's a trending phenomenon which lacks social understanding and consciousness. The aim of the study was to identify the main risk factors and to point out the imperfections of market analysis methods. In order to accomplish that, information efficiency in the context of random walk theory, as well as basic tools of technical analysis were examined. A comparison of analysis results of actual exchange rate movement of EUR/GBP pair on 14/04/2015 and analysis results of data generated in a random manner was conducted. The conclusion of the work was that the forex market as on the on-line investment platforms is efficient in a weak form, that the prices on forex market move in a random fashion and that technical analysis applied to the historical data allows to predict the movement of the actual price and the movement of the random data to similar extent

Extraction of Magnetic Field Features to Determine the Degree of Material Strain

Currently, to realize the reliable operation and proper exploitation of complex machines and structures, information regarding the material condition must be obtained. This information should ideally be acquired in a noninvasive manner. In addition, contemporary rapid technological development is conducive to the research and advancement of new methods, including magnetic methods. This publication describes the methods that can enable the extraction of information from the magnetic field, which is valuable for determining the material effort state and performing technical diagnostics. The issue of using the magnetic field to assess the technical condition of structures is a promising trend in technical diagnostics. Moreover, new ways to process the magnetic field information are being identified to connect the observed surface changes in the magnetic field with the significant diagnostic symptoms. This work provides an extensive introduction to the theoretical basis and diagnostic techniques based on measurements of the magnetic field obtained in close proximity to the structure of interest. The key limitations of the method and associated possibilities are highlighted. The model considerations were taken into account to provide a mathematical description of the extraction process and possible interpretations of the acquired signals. According to the received guidelines, the plan and implementation of two experiments are described along with the obtained results, which demonstrated the possibility of identifying valuable information that can be used to determine the state of the material stress and perform diagnostics of steel structures

Experimental and numerical investigations and optimisation of grain-oriented silicon steel mechanical cutting process

The process of mechanical cutting of magnetic materials has many advantages in the form of high efficiency with reduced process costs in relation to other cutting technologies; no thermal stresses in the material, which significantly deteriorate the magnetic properties; or the possibility of shaping materials taking into account long cutting lines. In industrial practice, it is very difficult to ensure appropriate conditions for the cutting process and its proper control. Currently, there are no data on the selection of technological parameters of the mechanical shear slitting process of grain-oriented silicon steel in terms of the obtained cutting surface quality and the obtained magnetic properties of the workpiece. The article presents the possibilities of forecasting the characteristic features of the cut edge and selected magnetic properties of grain-oriented silicon steel. For this purpose, proprietary numerical models using FEA (Finite Element Analysis) were used. Then, experimental studies were carried out, and the optimisation task was developed. The developed results enable the correct selection of technological parameters of the process, ensuring the appropriate quality of the cut edge of steel and minimal interference with the magnetic properties

Diagnostically Oriented Experiments and Modelling of Switched Reluctance Motor Dynamic Eccentricity

The article compares the results of experimental and modelling research of switched reluctance motor at two different operational states: one proper and one with mechanical fault, i.e., with dynamic eccentricity of the rotor. The experiments were carried out on a test bench and then the results were compared with mathematical modelling of quasi-static and dynamic analysis of 2D geometry model. Finally, it was examined how the operation with dynamic eccentricity fault of the motor affected its main physical parameter—the phase current. The analysis was presented in the frequency domain using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT); however, individual current waveforms in the time domain are also shown for comparison. Applying results of the research could increase reliability of the maintenance of SRM and enhance its application in vehicles for special purposes as well as its military and industrial applications

Acoustic signal processing and analysis for the byside monitoring station

abstractEN: To improve safety in the rail transportation, permanent monitoring of technical state of critical parts and sets of rail vehicles is necessary. Interesting idea for the enhancement of present diagnostics systems, widely consider on the world, seems to be conception of use of byside monitoring station which aim, in the particular points of rail track, would be inspection of passing trains and identification and analysis of signals connected with safety of the railway traffic. Operation of the bysides monitoring systems bases on the assumption, that diagnostically interesting information is available in acoustic signal, which is emitted by the passing rail vehicle.Grounded on this conception, paper presents possibility of acoustic signal analysis, which is generate by the moving vehicle and acquired by the stationary diagnostic station. Those circumstances introduce lot of difficulties in the fault - oriented signal analysis. Fundamental influence has Doppler effect, which causes in the observed signal, persistently change of the values of carrier frequencies. Paper presents the method of reduction of Doppler effect consequences, which definitely impede signal analysis and thwart use of conventional method of signal analysis. Presented method is a task - oriented signal dynamic resampling, which allows identification of undistracted frequencies and proceed further analysis and interpretation. The problem of diagnosis of real rail vehicle is more complicated, because we must proceed with not alone, but with many signals from the following wheels/carriers, which are situate close together and are moving with high velocity. For this purpose, simulation model of moving source signals was created. Using constructed model, many configuration of measurement station were tested, and the influence for the character of registered signal and selection of the proper technique of signal analysis, was exhibited. Application of proper selection measurement parameters creates opportunity to make use of Doppler effect or to minimize its influence. In the case of appropriate configuration of measurement station for the two different relevant distances of sources, it is possible to observe beat effect, which can directly deliver information about frequency variation produces by the Doppler effect. Discovering the character of disturbances, we are able to, for example, estimate the speed of moving vehicle. Further analysis of frequency and nature of beat effect can indicate the difference in the carrier frequencies of source signals (not connected to the Doppler effect), which give the information about differences in the kinematics and dynamics work of following vehicles sets, for example affected by the different wheel diameter. Spread of signal analysis supported by the model, makes possible appreciate the fact that signal acquisition performs with several microphones. Changing its arrangement and putting together signal during the object is closing and the signal during the object is recede, we are able creates sufficient condition for beat effect generation (even when the objects are moving in high velocity). Aiming better analysis and increase usefulness of beat effect attend of frequency shifting, which moves interesting frequencies to different band (better for analysis), is suitably. It also allows operate frequencies from particular sources in order to exhibit and identify beat effect, which might help to decide if the acquired information is connected to proper running of vehicle or there is some anomaly in its behavior. There is also chance to recognize the specific place, through the all carriages, where the anomaly was observed.To perform described investigation, essential is the skill of signal identification, which modulates the amplitude of analyzing signal. Except classic methods, empirical mode decomposition was examinee.The paper also includes the examples of described analysis in the application to the simulated data and to the real signals from the rail vehicles registered by the stationary measurement station.score: 10collation: 2735-275

Distributed System for Monitoring of the Large Scale Infrastructure Structures Based on Analysis of Changes of its Static and Dynamic Properties

abstractEN: The complexity and diversity of civil engineering structures impose requirements on the monitoring systems, which are difficult to be satisfied. In the paper the concept of the distributed diagnostic system capable of monitoring the technical state of critical elements of large infrastructure objects like steel trusses, supermarket buildings, exposition halls, bridges etc. is discussed. Adaptation of such systems is essential for online assessment of technical state of the infrastructure objects and could limit the possibility of catastrophic disasters with loss of people. As a source of information data from strain gauges, passive magnetic field sensors and acceleration sensors applied to the construction are considered. For the process of selection of sensors and diagnostic methods the mathematical model of the construction and the physical test stand were used..score: 8collation: 106-11