Evaluating research: A multidisciplinary approach to assessing research practice and quality

AbstractThere are few widely acknowledged quality standards for research practice, and few definitions of what constitutes good research. The overall aim was therefore to describe what constitutes research, and then to use this description to develop a model of research practice and to define concepts related to its quality. The primary objective was to explore such a model and to create a multidisciplinary understanding of the generic dimensions of the quality of research practice. Eight concept modelling working seminars were conducted. A graphic representation of concepts and their relationships was developed to bridge the gap between different disciplines. A concept model of research as a phenomenon was created, which included a total of 18 defined concepts and their relationships. In a second phase four main areas were distilled, describing research practice in a multidisciplinary context: Credible, Contributory, Communicable, and Conforming. Each of these was further specified in a concept hierarchy together with a defined terminology. A comprehensive quality model including 32 concepts, based on the four main areas, was developed for describing quality issues of research practice, where the model of research as a phenomenon was used to define the quality concepts. The quality model may be used for further development of elements, weights and operationalizations related to the quality of research practice in different academic fields

Validation of MIPAS ClONO2 measurements

Altitude profiles of ClONO2 retrieved with the IMK (Institut fur Meteorologie und Klimaforschung) science-oriented data processor from MIPAS/Envisat (Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding on Envisat) mid-infrared limb emission measurements between July 2002 and March 2004 have been validated by comparison with balloon-borne (Mark IV, FIRS2, MIPAS-B), airborne (MIPAS-STR), ground-based (Spitsbergen, Thule, Kiruna, Harestua, Jungfraujoch, Izana, Wollongong, Lauder), and spaceborne (ACE-FTS) observations. With few exceptions we found very good agreement between these instruments and MIPAS with no evidence for any bias in most cases and altitude regions. For balloon-borne measurements typical absolute mean differences are below 0.05 ppbv over the whole altitude range from 10 to 39 km. In case of ACE-FTS observations mean differences are below 0.03 ppbv for observations below 26 km. Above this altitude the comparison with ACE-FTS is affected by the photochemically induced diurnal variation of ClONO2. Correction for this by use of a chemical transport model led to an overcompensation of the photochemical effect by up to 0.1 ppbv at altitudes of 30-35 km in case of MIPAS-ACE-FTS comparisons while for the balloon-borne observations no such inconsistency has been detected. The comparison of MIPAS derived total column amounts with ground-based observations revealed no significant bias in the MIPAS data. Mean differences between MIPAS and FTIR column abundances are 0.11 +/- 0.12 x 10(14) cm(-2) (1.0 +/- 1.1%) and -0.09 +/- 0.19 x 10(14) cm(-2) (-0.8 +/- 1.7%), depending on the coincidence criterion applied. chi(2) tests have been performed to assess the combined precision estimates of MIPAS and the related instruments. When no exact coincidences were available as in case of MIPAS-FTIR or MIPAS-ACE-FTS comparisons it has been necessary to take into consideration a coincidence error term to account for chi(2) deviations. From the resulting chi(2) profiles there is no evidence for a systematic over/underestimation of the MIPAS random error analysis.Peer reviewe

TO ERADICATION OF VOLTAGE SAG AND HARMONICS IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM USING DVR WITH CAPACITOR COMPENSATION SCHEME

Power Quality (PQ) is that the most vital perspectives on transmission and distribution ranges. The availability of high-grade electric powered offerings wished for the customers illustrates this idea. The voltage sag and swell square degree the most not unusual PQ problems that in particular rise up in the distribution systems because of the truth that it's going to cause tool tripping, failure of stress systems, closure for home and business instrumentality. The Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) associated nonparallel has amazing dynamic talents and is a flexible solution for PQ troubles. Ultra-capacitors (UCAP) have quality developments like excessive strength and espresso electricity density important for the mitigation of voltage sag and swell. This paper offers AN extended DVR topology capable of handing over deep, prolonged mitigation for power terrific troubles. Within the planned DVR, UCAP is employed as strength storage because it offers immoderate electricity in a totally short c software language length of it gradual. The DVR is protected into Ultra capacitor via a bifacial DC-DC converter which facilitates in supplying a rigid dc-link voltage and conjointly enables in compensating transient voltage sag and voltage swell. PI Controller is hired in DVR for electricity exceptional improvement. The simulation model for the proposed device has been superior in MATLAB and therefore the performance over famous DVR is legitimate with the effects obtained

The inside track : On the important (but neglected) role of customers in the resource-based view of strategy and firm growth

This paper argues for the important role of customers as a source of competitive advantage and firm growth, an issue which has been largely neglected in the resource-based view of the firm. It conceptualizes Penrose’s (1959) notion of an ‘inside track’ and illustrates how in-depth knowledge about established customers combines with joint problem-solving activities and the rapid assimilation of new and previously unexploited skills and resources. It is suggested that the inside track represents a distinct and perhaps underestimated way of generating rents and securing long-term growth. This also implies that the sources of sustainable competitive advantage in important respects can be sought in idiosyncratic interfirm relationships rather than within the firm itself

Opening the grey box: Social communities, knowledge and culture in acquisitions

International acquisitions are today the most important foreign direct investment vehicle, and the ensuing integration processes are notoriously fraught with problems. We situate, discuss, and develop the main results of an early study in the knowledge-based view tradition – the award-winning Bresman, Birkinshaw, and Nobel (1999) article. To enhance and develop the central contributions regarding social communities, knowledge, and culture, we use the metaphor of unpacking the “grey box”. We argue that heavy socialization is a rational learning strategy, even if the acquirer aims at appropriating the target's technology or wishes to impose its dominant logic.

A World of Learning: A future for leaders who can make a difference based on European foundations

As the first recognized university, Bologna celebrated its 900th anniversary in 1988 with the signing of the Magna Charta Universitatum1 by 430 rectors. Since those early days the role of universities has changed in reflection of advances in knowledge as well as regional and societal particularities and political, economic, technological and cultural changes. As such the university has been a very adaptive model that explains its near millennium-old persis-tence as an institution of learning and research. With this in mind, we should not be shy to ask what in the world of learning we should do with universities today, especially with respect to executive university education in our contemporary globally interconnected world. What do global leaders of today need, and can universities be the providers? After all, such provocative questions have been central to university education success and the ability to combine stable routines and flexibility in developing new knowledge and capabilities over centuries