Grammar-based transformations: attack and defence

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-154
Author(s):  
Dusan Repel ◽  
Ingo Stengel
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Investigation ◽  
Frequency Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Development Environment ◽  
Context Free Grammar ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Context Free ◽  
Context Free Grammars

Purpose – This research aims to propose an attack that de-obfuscates codes by exploiting the properties of context-free grammars since it is important to understand the strength of obfuscation provided by context-free grammar-based obfuscators. In addition, the possibility of automatically generated transformations is explored. Design/methodology/approach – As part of our empirical investigation, a development environment for obfuscating transformations is built. The tool is used to simulate a context-free obfuscator and to devise ways of reversing such transformations. Furthermore, a theoretical investigation of subset grammars and subset languages is carried out. Findings – It is concluded that context-free grammar-based obfuscators provide limited levels of protection. Nevertheless, their application is appropriate when combined with other obfuscating techniques. Research limitations/implications – The algorithms behave as expected on a limited number of test samples. Further work is required to increase their practicality and to establish their average reliability. Originality/value – This research shows how a frequency analysis attack can threaten the security of code scrambled by context-free grammar-based obfuscators.

scholarly journals An analytical framework for employment regulation: investigating the regulatory space

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Inversi ◽  
Lucy Ann Buckley ◽  
Tony Dundon
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Space Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Labour Policy ◽  
Regulatory Approach ◽  
Multi Level

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to advance a conceptual analytical framework to help explain employment regulation as a dynamic process shaped by institutions and actors. The paper builds on and advances regulatory space theory. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyses the literature on regulatory theory and engages with its theoretical development. Findings The paper advances the case for a broader and more inclusive regulatory approach to better capture the complex reality of employment regulation. Further, the paper engages in debates about the complexity of employment regulation by adopting a multi-level perspective. Research limitations/implications The research proposes an analytical framework and invites future empirical investigation. Originality/value The paper contends that existing literature affords too much attention to a (false) regulation vs deregulation dichotomy, with insufficient analysis of other “spaces” in which labour policy and regulation are formed and re-formed. In particular, the proposed framework analyses four different regulatory dimensions, combining the legal aspects of regulation with self-regulatory dimensions of employment regulation.

“Speaking truth to power”: analysing shadow reporting as a form of shadow accounting

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 510-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Tregidga
Keyword(s):  
Power Relations ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Senior Management ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transformative Potential ◽  
Perceived Impacts

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the act of shadow reporting by a social movement organisation as a form of shadow accounting within a sustained campaign against a target corporation. Situated within a consideration of power relations, the rationales underlying the production of the shadow report, and the shadow reports perceived value and limits as a shadow accounting mechanism, are investigated. Design/methodology/approach A Foucauldian approach to power/knowledge and truth is drawn upon in the analysis of a single case study. Alongside a consideration of the shadow report itself, interviews with both the preparers of the report and senior management of the corporation targeted comprise the main data. Findings The paper provides an empirical investigation into shadow reporting as a form of shadow accounting. While a range of insights are garnered into the preparation, dissemination and impact of the shadow report, key findings relate to a consideration of power relations. The perceived “truth” status of corporate accounts compared to accounts prepared by shadow accountants is problematised through a consideration of technologies of power and power/knowledge formations. Power relations are subsequently recognised as fundamental to the emancipatory potential of shadow reporting. Research limitations/implications Results from a single case study are presented. Furthermore, given the production of the shadow report occurred several years prior to the collection of data, participants were asked to reflect on past events. Findings are therefore based on those reflections. Originality/value While previous studies have considered the preparation of shadow reports and their transformative potential, this study is, the author believes, the first to empirically analyse the preparation, dissemination and perceived impacts of shadow reporting from the perspectives of both the shadow report producers and the target corporation.

Why didn’t it work out? The effects of attributions on the efficacy of recovery strategies

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 700-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Iglesias ◽  
Concepción Varela-Neira ◽  
Rodolfo Vázquez-Casielles
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Service Failure ◽  
Service Recovery ◽  
Retail Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Customer Defection ◽  
Recovery Strategies ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of attributions on the efficacy of service recovery strategies in preventing customer defection following a service failure. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical investigation is carried out on the retail banking industry with a final sample of 448 real cases of customer retention or defection after a service failure. Findings – The results of the study not only highlight the relevance of intentionality as an additional factor in explaining customer defection, but also show the effects of some attributional dimensions (intentionality and controllability) on the efficacy of some recovery strategies (redress, apology and explanation) applied by companies to prevent post-complaint customer defection. Practical implications – The efficacy of the recovery strategies depends on the causal attributions that the customer makes about the service failure. Originality/value – This study analyzes not only the effects of traditional dimensions of attribution (stability and controllability), but also the additional effect that intentionality attributions may have on actual customer defection (not intentions). Moreover, it analyzes their effects on the effectiveness of recovery strategies in preventing customer defection. Most of these effects have never been empirically analyzed in the literature.

scholarly journals Researchers’ online visibility: tensions of visibility, trust and reputation

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 426-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Kjellberg ◽  
Jutta Haider
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Digital Communication ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Scholarly Communication ◽  
Reward System ◽  
Digital Tools ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust And Reputation ◽  
Academic Researchers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand what role researchers assign to online representations on the new digital communication sites that have emerged, such as Academia, ResearchGate or Mendeley. How are researchers’ online presentations created, managed, accessed and, more generally, viewed by academic researchers themselves? And how are expectations of the academic reward system navigated and re-shaped in response to the possibilities afforded by social media and other digital tools?Design/methodology/approachFocus groups have been used for empirical investigation to learn about the role online representation is assigned by the concerned researchers.FindingsThe study shows that traditional scholarly communication documents are what also scaffolds trust and builds reputation in the new setting. In this sense, the new social network sites reinforce rather than challenge the importance of formal publications.Originality/valueAn understanding of the different ways in which researchers fathom the complex connection between reputation and trust in relation to online visibility as a measure of, or at least an attempt at, publicity (either within academia or outside it) is essential. This paper emphasizes the need to tell different stories by exploring how researchers understand their own practices and reasons for them.

scholarly journals The intersection of professionalism gay men, bodies and power

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 491-501
Author(s):  
Simon Peter Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Gay Men ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Interview Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gay Male ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Gay Identities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to build upon the paucity of UK research on gay men and how they manage their identities, bodies and selves in the workplace. Particular focus is placed on gay male professionals working in positions of authority and how they make sense of themselves against the dominant expectations of professionalism. Design/methodology/approach The study draws upon in-depth interview data with eight gay male professionals working in positions of authority. Findings Overall, the research reveals that although the majority of participants had disclosed their sexuality in the workplace, they actively sought to integrate and normalise their gay identities. Gendered organisational norms significantly impacted upon the ways they presented their identities, bodies and selves. This was brought into focus where participants had to exercise authority. There were limited opportunities to present non-normative forms of masculinity. Originality/value This paper adds to a dearth of studies on gay men, professionalism and managing their bodies, selves and identities in the workplace. The paper builds upon and contributes to our understanding of how gay men use and construct their bodies and their self-identities as professionals. An area that has had little empirical investigation. Furthermore, the paper contributes to our understanding of organisational heteronormativity and professionalism in the workplace. The paper draws attention to issues of diversity and inclusion challenging heteronormative discourses of professionalism which are draped in masculinity. This paper highlights how professionalism serves as a normalising process that pressurises gay men to perform a specific type of masculinity. The paper argues for a more inclusive reappraisal of the meanings attached to the term professionalism.

Customer insurance frauds: the influence of fraud type, moral intensity and fairness perception

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu-Ming Tseng
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Partial Least Squares Regression ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Moral Intensity ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Insurance Fraud ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fairness Perception

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine customers’ ethical attitudes (EA) and intentions toward two types of insurance frauds. This study proposes that the factors, such as fraud types (i.e. opportunistic and planned insurance fraud), moral intensity and fairness perception (FP), can affect the customers’ acceptance of the insurance frauds. Design/methodology/approach To test the research hypotheses of this study, Taiwanese insurance customers are invited in the empirical investigation, and a scenario-based questionnaire is used to collect the data. The hypotheses of this study are tested by using a partial least squares regression. Findings The results show that moral intensity constructs and FP significantly relate to the respondents’ acceptance of insurance frauds, while fraud types also have significant impacts on the respondents’ perceptions of moral intensity and fairness. Originality/value There is no research which has examined the relationships among fraud types, moral intensity, FP, demographic variables and customers’ EA and intentions toward insurance frauds. Understanding the relationships among these variables could provide implications for those involved in the practice of anti-fraud programs.

scholarly journals Static Watson-Crick Context-Free Grammars

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wan Heng Fong ◽  
Aqilahfarhana Abdul Rahman ◽  
Nor Haniza Sarmin ◽  
Sherzod Turaev
Keyword(s):  
Dna Computing ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Dna Molecules ◽  
Context Free Grammar ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
New Variant ◽  
Sticker System ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Context Free ◽  
Context Free Grammars

Sticker systems and Watson-Crick automata are two modellings of DNA molecules in DNA computing. A sticker system is a computational model which is coded with single and double-stranded DNA molecules; while Watson-Crick automata is the automata counterpart of sticker system which represents the biological properties of DNA. Both of these models use the feature of Watson-Crick complementarity in DNA computing. Previously, the grammar counterpart of the Watson-Crick automata have been introduced, known as Watson-Crick grammars which are classified into three classes: Watson-Crick regular grammars, Watson-Crick linear grammars and Watson-Crick context-free grammars. In this research, a new variant of Watson-Crick grammar called a static Watson-Crick context-free grammar, which is a grammar counterpart of sticker systems that generates the double-stranded strings and uses rule as in context-free grammar, is introduced. The static Watson-Crick context-free grammar differs from a dynamic Watson-Crick context-free grammar in generating double-stranded strings, as well as for regular and linear grammars. The main result of the paper is to determine the generative powers of static Watson-Crick context-free grammars. Besides, the relationship of the families of languages generated by Chomsky grammars, sticker systems and Watson-Crick grammars are presented in terms of their hierarchy.

Crafting a legacy: investigating the retired athlete brand image

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-406
Author(s):  
Olzhas Taniyev ◽  
Brian S. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Consumer Loyalty ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Promotion

Purpose The purpose of this paper exploratory study is to decipher sport consumer associations and sentiments connected to the brand image of retired athletes. Design/methodology/approach In total, 14 sport consumers, who demonstrated an in-depth knowledge of throwback branding tactics and expertise in athlete brand promotion, participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Findings The findings indicate there are three prevalent themes across the present data (i.e. epoch epitome, athlete-team connection and off-the-field persona). Originality/value While the proliferation of throwback merchandise and affinity for brands of retired athletes is evident, the internalization of associations related to retired athletes has escaped empirical investigation. Numerous questions concerning how specific facets of a retired athlete’s image (e.g. athletic skills or life off the field) activate nostalgic feelings, drive consumer loyalty and establish market permanence remain unanswered. The current study contributes to the understanding of the brand image of the retired athlete and the existing literature concerning athlete branding.

The value-orientations of Catholic and Buddhist entrepreneurs

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 2428-2449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gábor Kovács
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Value Orientations ◽  
Social Teaching ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Spiritual Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Framework

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the core operating values of Catholic and Buddhist entrepreneurs. Design/methodology/approach The study is an empirical investigation of the value-orientations of Catholic and Buddhist entrepreneurs in Hungary. By applying qualitative content analysis, document analysis and qualitative comparative analysis, the study presents the distinctive spiritual values in business. Findings Regardless of their different approach, Catholic and Buddhist value-orientations are implemented in the same value-dimensions that are: the ontological conceptions, procedural aspects, and the other-directedness of business activities. Social implications The findings substantiate the understanding of the behavior and the motivations of spiritually value-oriented entrepreneurs, furthermore Catholic and Buddhist values may serve as inspirations of genuine ethical behavior in business. By promoting these values a more ethical, more sustainable economic framework can be established. Originality/value Spiritual values are studied by comparing the value-orientations of Catholic and Buddhist entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the study explores Catholic social teaching and Buddhist economics, and their practical implementation in a comparative way.

Relationship investment and reciprocity: an empirical investigation

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 637-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Yu
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Investment Banking ◽  
Fair Value ◽  
Investment Bank ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Monetary Benefit ◽  
Depth Relationship ◽  
Relationship Investment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to quantify the monetary amount of relationship investment in an investment banking context, investigate the drivers behind these relationship investments and look for evidence indicating reciprocity from the clients who receive these relationship investments. Relationship marketing has been one of the dominant mantras in marketing strategy circles, yet there is a lack of empirical evidence to prove significant relationship investment and reciprocity between exchange partners. Design/methodology/approach – Relationship investment as the monetary amount by which the fair value of a loan at issuance is below its par value is measured. Regression analysis is used to study the drivers of relationship investment, including relationship depth, relationship breadth and relationship potential. Finally, reciprocity is studied as the extent to which bank’s expectations are realized through future revenues. Findings – Based on 164 loans issued by a multinational investment bank, it was found that the bank provides significant monetary benefit to its corporate clients. The amount of monetary benefit provided to each client depends on the breadth and potential of the bank-borrower relationship. The author also finds evidence suggesting that the clients reciprocated these relationship investments and the bank anticipated the reciprocity by clients. Originality/value – This paper is the first to empirically show a significant monetary investment in a relationship-marketing context, with the intention of building stronger relationship with clients and earning future revenues through reciprocity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document