scholarly journals Transmission Chains or Independent Solvers? A Comparative Study of Two Collective Problem-Solving Methods

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyanoush Seyed Yahosseini ◽  
Mehdi Moussaïd
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
The Other ◽  
Information Flows ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Individual Contributions ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Problem Solvers ◽  
The Impact

AbstractGroups can be very successful problem-solvers. This collective achievement crucially depends on how the group is structured, that is, how information flows between members and how individual contributions are merged. Numerous methods have been proposed, which can be divided into two major categories: those that involve an exchange of information between the group members, and those that do not. Here we compare two instances of such methods for solving complex problems: (1) transmission chains, where individuals tackle the problem one after the other, each one building on the solution of the predecessor and (2) groups of independent solvers, where individuals tackle the problem independently, and the best solution found in the group is selected afterwards.By means of numerical simulations and experimental observations, we show that the best performing method is determined by the interplay between two key factors: the skills of the individuals and the difficulty of the problem. We find that transmission chains are superior either when the problem is rather easy, or when the group is composed of rather unskilled individuals. On the contrary, groups of independent solvers are preferable for harder problems or for groups of rather skillful individuals. Finally, we deepen the comparison by studying the impact of the group size and diversity. Our research stresses that efficient collective problem-solving requires a good matching between the nature of the problem and the structure of the group.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized enterprises: Comparative study between Slovakia and Poland for the years 2001–2007

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 8) ◽  
pp. 358-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Ubrežiová ◽  
K. Wach ◽  
J. Horváthová
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
National Economy ◽  
Transition Economy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Regional Structure ◽  
Main Attention ◽  
Supporting System ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The Impact

The main attention of the submitted paper is devoted to the comparison of development of entrepreneurship in Slovak and Polish small and medium-sized he enterprise sector. The conditions for blooming entrepreneurship are created in the national economy. Especially the role of SMEs in the transition economy, both in Slovakia and Poland, has the impact on SMEs. The entrepreneurship of small and medium-sized enterprises is extended in the whole Slovakia. From the viewpoint of the regional structure, most enterprises are located in the Bratislavský region (30.4%), Košický region (11.8%), Žilinský region (10.1%) and Trenčianský region (10.1%). On the other hand, the least of enterprises were registered in the Nitrianský region (8.9%), Trnavský region (9.2%) and Banskobystrický region (9.6%). Small and medium entrepreneurship is diversed throughout Poland. The average small and medium entreprenership ratio is 44.5, while the highest is in the Mazowieckie region – 55.2% and the lowest in the Podkarpackie region – 30 %. The supporting system for private entrepreneurship in both countries, Slovakia and Poland, is very similar and the entrepreneurs are satisfied with its offer and help.

Regions, social structure and value orientations: a comparative study of 15 West European countries

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oddbjørn Knutsen
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
The Other ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Dimensional Solution ◽  
New Politics ◽  
The Impact ◽  
West European

This article is a comparative study of regional differences in social and political value orientations. I identify four central sets of value orientations: two Old Politics orientations – religious–secular and economic left–right; and two New Politics orientations – libertarian/authoritarian and green values. I use the international value studies from 15 West European countries as my empirical base. The article addresses three major research problems: (1) Which of the four value orientations is most strongly anchored in regional differences, and in which countries do we find the largest value differences between the regions? (2) Do we find the same ranking of the regions across the four value orientations, or do the value orientations group the regions in separate ways? (3) Can the other socio-structural variables explain the impact of region on value orientations, or is that impact unique? The average correlations between regions and each of the four value orientations are similar but somewhat larger for religious value and libertarian/authoritarian values. With regard to the second research problem, I hypothesize one-, two-, and three-dimensional solutions based on different spatial configurations. The one-dimensional configurations implied that there exist some (centre) regions that have secular, economic rightist, green, and libertarian regions, and (peripheral) regions with opposite value orientations. This pattern is clearly found in four countries. The expected two-dimensional solution with an Old Politics and a New Politics dimension was found in four countries, whereas the expected three-dimensional solution with two Old Politics and one New Politics dimension was found in three countries. In the multivariate analysis examining the causal impact of region, only a small portion of the correlation between region and value orientations was spurious when controlling for the other (quasi-)ascriptive variables. Furthermore, only a small portion of the impact of region was transmitted via social class variables.

THE IMPACT OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL AFFIXES IN THE LINGUISTIC ECONOMY“A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN HEBREW AND ARABIC LANGUAGE”

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-338
Author(s):  
Ibtisam Jebur MNEHIL, Ban Salih Mahdi AL KHAFAJI ◽  
Rasheed Ghazwan MAJEED
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Research Paper ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
The Other ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Great Similarity ◽  
The Third ◽  
Hebrew Language ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Impact

The research paper focuses on the morphological affixes in the two languages, Arabic and Hebrew and the impact of these affixes in the linguistic economy. The study aims at gaining knowledge of what linguistic economy achieved by morphological affixes which contribute in creating the rich meaning by little pronunciation as well as making a comparison between the two languages to know the language that is the most economic than the other and investigating the reasons behind this economy. The research is divided into three sections. The first one focuses on the morphological prefixes; the second one on the internal affixations; and the third one on morphological suffixes. The study concluded that there is a great similarity between the Hebrew and Arabic languages in many of the morphological affixations in addition to the simple differences between the two languages. An aspect of this difference is that the Hebrew language tends to borrow the affixations from the foreign languages more than the Arabic language.

Explicit Heuristic Training as a Variable in Problem-Solving Performance

1979 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan H. Schoenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Explicit Instruction ◽  
The Other ◽  
Heuristic Strategies ◽  
Problem Solving Strategies ◽  
The Impact

This experiment examined the impact that explicit instruction in heuristic strategies, above and beyond problem-solving experience, has on students' problem-solving performance. Two groups of students received training in problem solving, spent the same amount of time working on the same problems, and saw identical problem solutions. But half the students were given a list of five problem-solving strategies and were shown explicitly how the strategies were used. The heuristics group significantly outperformed the other students on posttest problems that were similar to, but not isomorphic to, those used in the problem sets. This lends credence to the idea that explicit instruction in heuristics makes a difference--an idea further supported by the transcripts of students solving the problems out loud.

scholarly journals “Sticky Information” and the Locus of Problem Solving: Implications for Innovation

1994 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric von Hippel
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Related Problem ◽  
Technical Problem ◽  
Sticky Information ◽  
Diffusion Of Information ◽  
Needed Information ◽  
Problem Solvers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Location

To solve a problem, needed information and problem-solving capabilities must be brought together. Often the information used in technical problem solving is costly to acquire, transfer, and use in a new location—is, in our terms, “sticky.” In this paper we explore the impact of information stickiness on the locus of innovation-related problem solving. We find, first, that when sticky information needed by problem solvers is held at one site only, problem solving will be carried out at that locus, other things being equal. Second, when more than one locus of sticky information is called upon by problem solvers, the locus of problem solving may iterate among these sites as problem solving proceeds. When the costs of such iteration are high, then, third, problems that draw upon multiple sites of sticky information will sometimes be “task partitioned” into subproblems that each draw on only one such locus, and/or, fourth, investments will be made to reduce the stickiness of information at some locations. Information stickiness appears to affect a number of issues of importance to researchers and practitioners. Among these are patterns in the diffusion of information, the specialization of firms, the locus of innovation, and the nature of problems selected by problem solvers.

Exploring the Use of Problem-Based Learning for Developing Collaborative Leadership Skills

1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 470-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen J. Martin ◽  
Janet H. Chrispeels ◽  
Marianne D'Emidio-Caston
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Group Process ◽  
Instructional Strategy ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Individual Achievement ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Process Group ◽  
Group 1

This paper examines the implementation of two Problem-Based Learning (PBL) seminars at a university administrative credential program for graduate students preparing to become administrators. PBL is an instructional strategy that focuses students on a relevant problem to solve within a collaborative group. It explores in what ways PBL contributes to their development as administrators, ability to work in groups, and to use reflection as a part of their practice. Students worked in small groups to complete a relevant job-related problem. They were expected to apply theory to a real situation, use problem-solving skills, witness the impact of those skills, and reflect on their actions and those of others. Throughout the two seminars, a variety of data were collected including journal notes, videotapes, and process papers. When analyzed, the data provided important insights about the use of PBL for students as an instructional strategy. Analysis of data revealed that students found the content and process relevant to their work as administrators, saw patterns in their own growth, and gained an understanding of the importance of identifying implicit theories. The faculty also learned important lessons from this action research about the use of PBL as a pedagogical strategy. First, students need time to develop and practice both problem-solving as well as group process skills. Second, faculty needed to take an active role in teaching group process and reflective skills. This is important learning given the dynamic context of schools where collaboration with others and group work are essential components of effective organizations. The data indicate that in the HRM Seminar, Group 1 and Group 2 present a stark contrast to how well each group functioned. In Group 1, the lack of attention to group process, member's primary focus on individual achievement, lack of joint leadership, presence of conflict, and perception of not being heard led to low satisfaction with the task and process. Almost the opposite pattern occurred in Group 2. Members reported both high task and process focus and primary attention on group rather than individual achievement. In addition, they reported a sense of being valued and heard, minimal conflict between group members, and a balance between solitary and joint leadership. In addition, group members were more satisfied with the task and process. Group 3 experienced some difficulties and conflict; however, group members felt they accomplished the task well. In the UTE Seminar, the data indicate that Groups A and C functioned well with minimal conflict, and they were satisfied with the product and enjoyed the process. Group B struggled and was not fully satisfied with the product produced by the group and was only marginally satisfied with the group process.

scholarly journals Undergraduate Accounts of the Impact of Lockdown on Their Self-Managed Reflective Development of Graduate Abilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
John Cowan ◽  
Ellen Doorly ◽  
Clarissa Harte ◽  
Damien Madigan ◽  
Keomea O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
First Year ◽  
First Semester ◽  
External Facilitator ◽  
Individual Contributions ◽  
Reflective Development ◽  
The Impact

This account is mostly written by students in the first year of their discipline-based study of civil engineering. It features their self-managed development of graduate abilities in the second semester of an undergraduate Irish course in problem-based civil engineering. The principal abilities were creativity, problem-solving, presentations and teamwork. The case-study paper concentrates upon four students’ reports and reflections on their experiences concerning their second (partially locked-down) semester. Their accounts complement the review of the early weeks of their first semester experience, that has already been published elsewhere. They are joined by the tutor who was an external facilitator of their early drafts of reviews. He suggested the compilation and structure of this paper, and has assisted with the assembly of the condensed individual contributions.

scholarly journals INSUFFICIENT INTERPRETATION OF METAPHOR IN THE QURANIC TRANSLATION: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SELECTED VERSES’ TRANSLATIONS BY PICKTHALL AND ARBERRY

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lubna Farah
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
The Other ◽  
Intended Meaning ◽  
Religious Difference ◽  
Literal Translation ◽  
Semantic Translation ◽  
The Impact

Quranic verses are full of metaphoric phrases and compound metaphors which can be said to be the biggest challenge for its translators to the other languages. There is no doubt that a number of renown Western scholars and orientalists have translated Quran in different languages including English but keeping in view the cultural and religious difference, usually even renown translators and scholars like Pickthall and Arberry seem unable to totally apprehend and transfer the intended meaning of the Arabic metaphors of Quran. In this article, it has been tried to discuss and highlight the impact of this deficiency of Western scholars and untranslatability of Arabic metaphor into English without proper command and in-depth knowledge of the Arabic language. The methodology is based on the basic theories of Translation Studies in this regard, especially presented by Peter New Mark and Eugene Nida i.e. literal translation, semantic translation, equivalence, domestication and foreignization

A Comparative Study Among Recursive Metaheuristics for Gene Selection

2020 ◽  
pp. 43-62
Author(s):  
Nassima Dif ◽  
Zakaria Elberrichi
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Gene Selection ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Bat Algorithm ◽  
The Other ◽  
Slow Convergence ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
Refinement Procedure ◽  
The Comparative Study ◽  
The Impact

This chapter compares 4 variants of metaheuristics (RFA, EMVO, RPSO, and RBAT). The purpose is to test the impact of refinement on different types of metaheuristics (FA, MVO, PSO, and BAT). The refinement helps to enhance exploitation and to speed up the search process in multidimensional spaces. Moreover, it presents a powerful tool to solve different issues such as slow convergence. The different methods have been used for gene selection on 11 microarrays datasets to solve their various issues related to the presence of irrelevant genes. The obtained results reveal the positive impact of refinement on FA, MVO, and PSO, where all performances have been improved. On the other hand, this process harmed the BAT algorithm. The comparative study between the 4 variants highlights the efficiency of EMVO and FA in terms of precision and dimensionality reduction, respectively. Overall, this study suggests drawing attention to the choice of embedded metaheuristics in the refinement procedure, where powerful methods in exploration are recommended. Moreover, metaheuristics that risk form fast convergence are not advised.

Business Group and Affiliated Firms’ Performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wisnu Untoro
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Empirical Model ◽  
Business Groups ◽  
Business Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Group Affiliation ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Empirical Results ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Impact

Some argue that business groups in emerging could be beneficial for affiliated firms. On the other hand, however, group affiliation could also improve performance. In this paper, we empirically examine the impact of being a member of business group on financial performance by studying Indonesian firms over the 2004-2009 period. We test the empirical model using static panel method. Overall, our empirical results do not provide evidence that affiliation with business group could improve performance. However, some business group members perform superior than others.

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