Assessing the desirability and feasibility of scenarios on eco-efficient transport: a heuristic for efficient stakeholder involvement during foresight processes

foresight ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Schippl
Keyword(s):  
Transport System ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Workshop ◽  
Efficient Transport ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate and discuss how stakeholder assessment of scenarios can be used to trigger a structured and, therefore, more efficient debate amongst stakeholders about future options for achieving a more eco-efficient transport system in Europe. Particularly, it wants to explore the extent to which a distinction between the desirability and the feasibility of a potential future development can render such debates more rational and transparent. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a project on eco-efficient transport for the Science and Technology Option Assessment panel of the European Parliament (STOA). Key elements of the methods used in the STOA project were easily understandable scenarios and a survey of the main assumptions underlying the scenarios. Both the scenarios and the survey were used in a stakeholder workshop to assess the desirability and the feasibility of approaches towards establishing a more eco-efficient transport system. Findings – The methodological approach proved helpful for collecting a large amount of valuable information in a relative short time. In particular, the distinction between desirability and feasibility was useful in mapping out the patterns of opinion amongst stakeholders and for understanding where there is common ground, where there are differences and what the reasons behind these differences are. It helped in identifying promising pathways towards more eco-efficient transport futures and in getting a better understanding of barriers and of the ways to overcome them. Practical implications – The approach served as the basis for having a well-structured, rational and, thus, efficient debate. In practice, this factor is relevant because stakeholder involvement is crucial when it comes to transitions of socio-technical systems, such as the transport system. Keeping stakeholders motivated to take part in such participatory processes is only possible, however, if they perceive that these processes are well-structured and, therefore, efficient. Originality/value – In contrast to many other scenario-based approaches, the scenarios in this project were understood as an input to the discussion and not as the result of a process. Furthermore, not only the results but also the underlying assumptions of the scenarios were explicitly made a topic for assessment. The differentiation between desirability and feasibility was used as a guiding dimension for the assessment.

scholarly journals “Happy slaves”? The adaptation problem and identity politics in the writings of Amartya Sen

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 1178-1193
Author(s):  
Tony Burns
Keyword(s):  
Identity Politics ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Practical Implication ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Mary Wollstonecraft ◽  
Amartya Sen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between Amartya Sen’s notion of adaptation and his views on identity politics by focussing on the issue of slavery and, more specifically, on the example of the happy or contented slave. Design/methodology/approach The paper is text based. The methodological approach adopted is that of conceptual analysis, as is typical for work of this kind. Findings The paper concludes that the example of the happy or contented slave is indeed a fruitful one for those interested in exploring the relationship between Sen’s views on “the adaptation problem” and his views on identity politics, especially in relation to the subjection of women. Here Sen’s debt to the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft and John Stuart Mill is particularly important. Research limitations/implications One implication of the argument of the paper is that there is a need to consider more carefully the differences that exist between the views of Wollstonecraft and Mill, so far as the example of the happy or contented slave is concerned. Practical implications One practical implication of the paper is that, hopefully, it establishes the continued relevance of the ideas of thinkers such as Wollstonecraft and Mill today, not least because of the influence that they have had on theoreticians such as Amartya Sen. Social implications The paper addresses issues which are of considerable social and political significance, especially for women in underdeveloped societies today. Originality/value The example of the happy or contented slave has not received much discussion in the literature on Sen, although Sen himself has suggested that the distinction between happiness and contentment is an important one, which does merit further discussion.

Application of a methodological approach to compare ontologies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yudith Cardinale ◽  
Maria Alejandra Cornejo-Lupa ◽  
Alexander Pinto-De la Gala ◽  
Regina Ticona-Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Domain Knowledge ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Quality Model ◽  
Specific Domain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Localization And Mapping ◽  
Golden Standard ◽  
Knowledge Levels ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to the OQuaRE quality model to the developed methodology. Design/methodology/approach Ontologies are formal, well-defined and flexible representations of knowledge related to a specific domain. They provide the base to develop efficient and interoperable solutions. Hence, a proliferation of ontologies in many domains is unleashed. Then, it is necessary to define how to compare such ontologies to decide which one is the most suitable for the specific needs of users/developers. As the emerging development of ontologies, several studies have proposed criteria to evaluate them. Findings In a previous study, the authors propose a methodological process to qualitatively and quantitatively compare ontologies at Lexical, Structural and Domain Knowledge levels, considering correctness and quality perspectives. As the evaluation methods of the proposal are based on a golden-standard, it can be customized to compare ontologies in any domain. Practical implications To show the suitability of the proposal, the authors apply the methodological approach to conduct comparative studies of ontologies in two different domains, one in the robotic area, in particular for the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) problem; and the other one, in the cultural heritage domain. With these cases of study, the authors demonstrate that with this methodological comparative process, we are able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of ontologies, as well as the gaps still needed to fill in the target domains. Originality/value Using these metrics and the quality model from OQuaRE, the authors are incorporating a standard of software engineering at the quality validation into the Semantic Web.

Entrepreneurship and fintech development: comparing reward and equity crowdfunding

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciro Troise ◽  
Diego Matricano ◽  
Elena Candelo ◽  
Mario Sorrentino
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Current Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Equity Crowdfunding ◽  
Research Propositions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Starting from the state-of-the-art of Fintech development, this study aims to propose some research propositions comparing reward-crowdfunding (RCF) and equity-crowdfunding (ECF). In this sense, the present research provides a comprehensive analysis of fintech development and – to conceptualize the comparison between RCF and ECF – it focuses on campaigns’ characteristics, aims and post-campaigns scenarios. Design/methodology/approach All the research propositions related to the comparison between RCF and ECF are rooted in dedicated literature. The methodological approach adopted in the present paper can be referred to theorizing. Findings This study suggests that five key elements characterize the development of fintech: regulation, infrastructure, technologies, finance and innovations. The research provides nine propositions: four related to the campaigns’ characteristics; two related to the use of crowdfunding models by entrepreneurs; and three related to the performance of crowdfunded companies. Practical implications By offering nine research propositions, this study is expected to foster and support the investigation of fintech development from an entrepreneurial and managerial point of view. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to explore the fintech development and to propose a comparative approach between RCF and ECF. This research contributes to the current debate on fintech development as well as on the comparison between crowdfunding models.

China-based logistics research: a review of the literature and implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 392-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Liu
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Research Focus ◽  
Research Setting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Methodological Rigor ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Low Rate

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which research opportunities on China's logistics have been identified in the field. Design/methodology/approach – In order to fulfill the research objective, a literature-based survey was executed in eight peer-reviewed logistics and supply chain management journals during the 2001-2012 timeframe. In total, 91 articles were examined and analyzed from three perspectives: research focus, theoretical base and methodological approach. A content analysis was used to classify and assess the analytical units with selected examples from the articles surveyed. Findings – The analysis reveals that a number of research foci have been addressed, but there are some fertile areas that researchers could explore in view of the evolution of logistics and transitional trends in present-day China. Theory applications were applied in few papers, showing a low rate of usage of theories. Different research techniques have been applied, but greater methodological rigor is expected to be achieved, given the unique research setting in China. Research limitations/implications – While the study has consulted the major logistics journals in the logistics field in which researchers aim to pursue their publications regarding China-based logistics research, it should be noted that contributions in other journals may have been missed. Practical implications – The study sheds new light on the research needs and opportunities for advancing China-based logistics research; for those researchers interested in China's logistics, it provides options which may lead to further, valuable research in this area. Originality/value – This paper represents the first attempt to examine a body of literature on China-based logistics research. It provides implications for future study.

Aligning the co-creation project portfolio with company strategy

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert DeFillippi ◽  
Thorsten Roser
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Stakeholder Involvement ◽  
Project Design ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Project Portfolio ◽  
Assessment Framework ◽  
Company Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Exhaustive List

Purpose – An important task for all strategy leaders contemplating the use of co-creation is to determine how well the numerous co-creation project-design choices available to them align with their strategic priorities. Design/methodology/approach – In order to implement co-creation, firms need to assess how their projects or initiatives support their strategic commitments and priorities. To this end, the authors offer managers a practical, easy-to-use assessment framework. Findings – Executives should consider their approach to co-creation in terms of crafting and managing a portfolio of initiatives to be categorized and managed differently according to their strategic significance – high, medium or low. Practical implications – A six-question assessment framework was inductively derived from an extensive literature review (113 articles) focusing on practices associated with co-creation and stakeholder involvement. Though they do not represent an exhaustive list of categories for assessment, they do, however, identify strategically important choices involved in designing co-creation ventures. Originality/value – The six-question assessment framework is applied to the case of the Xerox-P&G co-innovation partnership, which illustrates how such significant co-creation initiatives might be profiled, and their main design choices analyzed.

The financial returns from buying versus renting

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkader Mostafa ◽  
Colin Anthony Jones
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Mortgage Market ◽  
Financial Returns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Short Time ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Substantial Rise

Purpose The UK experienced a substantial rise in owner occupation over the twentieth century, and many tenants still aspire to homeownership. These strong aspirations to own are attributed to a set of financial and non-financial benefits. This paper aims to calculate, for the first time, the financial returns from buying versus renting in Britain for first-time buyers in 11 regions. Design/methodology/approach It applies a DCF approach based on historical housing and mortgage market data from 1975 to 2012. Findings The paper finds strong evidence that, in purely financial terms, buying has been always superior to renting in all regions of the UK over the period. Practical implications It gives a clear message of the financial benefits of homeownership over renting in Britain, even over very short time periods. Originality/value The paper is the first to apply a comprehensive DCF model to the choice between renting and owning.

scholarly journals Personal engagement, emotion and the educational workplace

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Crawford
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Workplace Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teacher Resilience ◽  
Positive Side ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Personal Engagement

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look how the concepts of personal engagement (Kahn) and emotion in schools can aid understanding both of research priorities and practice in schools. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a review of the area, so it has no particular methodological approach. Instead, it brings together engagement, emotion and capital. Findings This paper suggests that the commonalities between the areas discussed, and the relationship to professional capital can be enhanced both in research and practice. Research limitations/implications This paper suggests that an emphasis on the positive side of personal engagement and emotion could lead to new insights in this area. Practical implications This paper also suggests that personal engagement research has practical implications for teacher resilience and workplace relationships. Originality/value Overall, this paper seeks to act as a catalyst for further discussion in the areas outlined, and asks the researcher to continue to draw together the practical and theoretical insights that can be gained through a focus on personal engagement.

scholarly journals Developing a new deep learning CNN model to detect and classify highway cracks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faris Elghaish ◽  
Saeed Talebi ◽  
Essam Abdellatef ◽  
Sandra T. Matarneh ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Deep Learning ◽  
Convolutional Neural Network ◽  
Optimization Algorithm ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Rates ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to Test the capabilities/accuracies of four deep learning pre trained convolutional neural network (CNN) models to detect and classify types of highway cracks, as well as developing a new CNN model to maximize the accuracy at different learning rates. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 4,663 images of highway cracks were collected and classified into three categories of cracks, namely, “vertical cracks,” “horizontal and vertical cracks” and “diagonal cracks,” subsequently, using “Matlab” to classify the sample to training (70%) and testing (30%) to apply the four deep learning CNN models and compute their accuracies. After that, developing a new deep learning CNN model to maximize the accuracy of detecting and classifying highway cracks and testing the accuracy using three optimization algorithms at different learning rates. Findings The accuracies result of the four deep learning pre-trained models are above the averages between top-1 and top-5 and the accuracy of classifying and detecting the samples exceeded the top-5 accuracy for the pre-trained AlexNet model around 3% and by 0.2% for the GoogleNet model. The accurate model here is the GoogleNet model as the accuracy is 89.08% and it is higher than AlexNet by 1.26%. While the computed accuracy for the new created deep learning CNN model exceeded all pre-trained models by achieving 97.62% at a learning rate of 0.001 using Adam’s optimization algorithm. Practical implications The created deep learning CNN model will enable users (e.g. highway agencies) to scan a long highway and detect types of cracks accurately in a very short time compared to traditional approaches. Originality/value A new deep learning CNN-based highway cracks detection was developed based on testing four pre-trained CNN models and analyze the capabilities of each model to maximize the accuracy of the proposed CNN.

An embezzler test for norms, standards and regulations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiago Cardao-Pito
Keyword(s):  
Money Laundering ◽  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Crimes ◽  
Standards And Regulations ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Resultant Material

Purpose The purpose of this study is to address the question that economic standards, norms and regulations can possess weak spots that might be exploitable for the embezzlement of an organization’s assets with resultant material consequences in money laundering,tax evasion, fraud, corruption and other potential financial crimes. Design/methodology/approach The author’s methodological approach is to introduce and discuss a new logical-deductive test that the author names “embezzler test”. The author’s test investigates regulatory architectures from the perspective of someone attempting to divert assets from or to an organization. It appraises whether a potential embezzler could divert resources without being detected and sanctioned. Findings The embezzler test can be applied to a broad range of standards, norms and regulations. Research limitations/implications This new test can be improved and further calibrated in future research. Practical implications Researchers, regulators and law makers can use the new test to identify and eventually fix weak spots for embezzlement in norms, standards and regulations. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, such a test has never been formulated or applied before to identify weak spots for potential embezzlement in regulatory architectures.

scholarly journals Back to the basics: how feelings of anger affect cooperation

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daphna Motro ◽  
Tamar Kugler ◽  
Terry Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Research ◽  
Building Block ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lay Theory ◽  
Payment Schemes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The authors propose that angry individuals are much more likely to consider the emotional state of their partner than are neutral individuals. They then apply a lay theory dictating that anger decreases cooperation and react accordingly by lowering their own level of cooperation. Design/methodology/approach The authors report four experiments involving different samples, manipulations, payment schemes and interfaces. The methodological approach was to capitalize on the positives of experimental research (e.g. establishing causality) while also trying to conceptually replicate the findings in different settings. Findings The authors found evidence for a lay theory (i.e. expectation) that anger decreases cooperation, but that actual cooperation was lowest when angry individuals were paired with other angry individuals, supporting the hypotheses. Research limitations/implications Anger can spill over from unrelated contexts to affect cooperation, and incidental anger by itself is not enough to decrease cooperation. However, the findings are limited to anger and cannot necessarily be used to understand the effects of other emotions. Practical implications Before entering into a context that requires cooperation, such as a negotiation, be wary of the emotional state of both yourself and of your partner. This paper suggests that only if both parties are angry, then the likelihood of cooperation is low. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, they are the first researchers to address the question of how incidental anger affects single-round cooperation. By going back to the basics, the authors believe that the findings fill a gap in existing research and offer a building block for future research on anger and cooperation.

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