A Grouping Genetic Algorithm for Joint Stratification and Sample Allocation Designs

Predicting the cheapest sample size for the optimal stratification in multivariate survey design is a problem in cases where the population frame is large. A solution exists that iteratively searches for the minimum sample size necessary to meet accuracy constraints in partitions of atomic strata created by the Cartesian product of auxiliary variables into larger strata. The optimal stratification can be found by testing all possible partitions. However the number of possible partitions grows exponentially with the number of initial strata. There are alternative ways of modelling this problem, one of the most natural is using Genetic Algorithms (GA). These evolutionary algorithms use recombination, mutation and selection to search for optimal solutions. They often converge on optimal or near-optimal solution more quickly than exact methods. We propose a new GA approach to this problem using grouping genetic operators instead of traditional operators. The results show a significant improvement in solution quality for similar computational effort, corresponding to large monetary savings.Comment: 22 page

Quel avenir pour Istanbul en tant que centre financier international?

Istanbul’s place in the global financial system has become regionally prominent as Turkey has opened up to a globalizing economy since the 1980s. The AKP government now wants to not only entrench Istanbul’s status as an attractive emerging market but also make Istanbul a globally important financial services centre. For this, a project of reforms, initiatives and building work has recently been put in motion. The article contextualizes this project by looking at the politics, economy and markets nexus in Turkey since the 1980s. It then reviews the project’s progress in various domains and comments on its future by taking cues from recent political turns in the AKP leadership concerning economy and financial system

Measuring Diversity Perceptions: A Qualitative Research

Having diversity inside the organization is getting more and more important. Because of the tough competition in the external world which is changing in dynamic way, companies need to find adaptation strategies. When a company’s diversity capacity increases, its potential for survival and adaptation also increases. To gain the advantages of diversity, the most important thing is to understand people’s diversity perceptions. Then it will be possible to make a decision, if that organization is suitable for diversity management or not. In this research the main aim is to understand the key words about diversity perceptions and how it differentiate. There were 25 participants and the data was collected by face to face. While analyzing the data, some key words were detected which is valid for the whole group and then also analyzed according to gender parameter