THEIA

2022 ◽  
pp. 119-149
Author(s):  
Paulo Botelho Pires ◽  
António Correia Barros ◽  
José Duarte Santos

THEIA provides technical solutions for the construction industry, specializing in materials for thermal insulation. It is positioned in the middle of the distribution channel, between manufacturers and construction companies, and the profound changes that occurred in the sector had repercussions on the company's activity, forcing it to rethink its business strategy. THEIA repositioning was studied according to a specific methodology, combining analysis techniques to assess organizations' internal capacity and the exploration of external conditioning factors. The strategic plan used financial and commercial information from THEIA and from the sector where it operates, according to the following steps: analysis of THEIA's internal situation, external positioning of THEIA in the national market, definition of strategic objectives, elaboration of scenarios and recommendations.

Author(s):  
Nataliia Leonidivna Gavkalova ◽  
Oleg Yuriyovych Amosov

The vision of social transformations, which is a component of the stage of modernization of society, is presented. It is proposed to consider the influence of archetypes on social transformations through the formation of an archetypical and institutional mechanism for regulating socio-economic relations, which is proposed to be considered as an ordered set of institutional levers, incentives and measures aimed at ensuring the effective use of archetypes on the basis of a combination of factors of the micro- and macroeconomic environment by means of public administration. The emphasis is placed on the strengthening of the role of state and supra-national regulatory archetypical-institutional entities in the design of social transformations. Based on the existing theoretical and conceptual provisions for determining the content of the process of institutionalization of archetypes, it has been determined that the mechanism of regulation of institutional transformations of the national market should be considered in three main aspects, corresponding to the economic and social nature of the inter-subjective interaction of market participants. It is noted that the system-reflexive paradigm of regulation of the development and management of transformational changes of complex open socio-economic systems is based on the definition of the active nature of the influence of archetypes, subjects, as well as the reflexive procedures of their interaction, both on the choice of directions and ways of implementation, and on the dynamics of the flow of these processes. The composition of the main provisions that determine the feasibility of using a system of reflexive paradigm in the field of regulation of socio-economic relations, includes a set of assumptions. The main provisions defining the expediency of using the system-reflexive paradigm in the sphere of regulation of socio-economic relations are determined. It is established that the main institutional conflicts are manifestations of inconsistency between archetypes and elements of institutional environment.


Author(s):  
M S S El Namaki

Computing equipment capable of what one may term partial and quasi-intelligent behaviour, commonly referred to as Artificial Intelligence (AI), is assuming a key role in business. The probability is high that this Artificial Intelligence (AI) will lead to a fundamental change in the process of business strategy formulation as much as the very contents of this strategic behaviour. Product and market strategies and the resultant competitive behaviour will, more likely than not, be the outcome of those artificial intelligence processes and reiterations. A start is made and one can observe substantial progress in this direction. Who has done it and is there a conceptual framework behind this strategic behaviour? This will be the focus of this article The article starts with a brief definition of artificial intelligence and a basic framework of the concept. Seven case studies follow supporting the hypothesis that AI is penetrating the business strategy arena and leading to a fundamental change in the concept as much as the application. Those cases were drawn from different industries, and countries. A conceptual framework is accordingly derived and positioning of those case companies within this conceptual framework is done. The article is based on contemporary frameworks of AI and the cases are drawn from contemporary analysis of strategic behaviour. The conceptual model could provide an instrument for business AI application.


2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1610-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Tixier ◽  
Jade Vacquie Garcia ◽  
Nicolas Gasco ◽  
Guy Duhamel ◽  
Christophe Guinet

Abstract Odontocete depredation on longlines involves socioeconomic and conservation issues with significant losses for fisheries and potential impacts on wild populations of depredating species. As technical solutions to this conflict are limited and difficult to implement, this study aimed to identify fishing practices that could reduce odontocete depredation, with a focus on killer whales (Orcinus orca) interacting with Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) longliners off the Crozet islands. Data collected by fishery observers from 6013 longline sets between 2003 and 2013 allowed us to statistically detect the significant influence of five operational variables using GLMMs. The probability of interactions between vessels and killer whales was decreased by (i) the number of vessels operating simultaneously in the area: the limited number of depredating killer whales may induce a dilution effect with increased fleet size, and (ii) depth of longline sets: vessels operating in shallow waters may be more accessible to whales that are initially distributed on peri-insular shelves. The cpue was negatively influenced by (iii) length of longlines: longer sets may provide killer whales access to a greater proportion of hooked fish per set, and positively influenced by (iv) hauling speed: increased speed may shorten the time during which toothfish are accessible to whales during hauling. The time it takes for killer whales to reach vessels was positively correlated to (v) the distance travelled between longline sets with an estimated threshold of 100 km beyond which whales seem to temporarily lose track of vessels. These findings provide insightful guidelines about what fishing strategy to adopt given these variables to reduce killer whale depredation here and in similar situations elsewhere. To a greater extent, this study is illustrative of how collaborative work with fishermen in a fully controlled fishery framework may lead to the definition of cost-limited and easy-to-implement mitigation solutions when facing such human-wildlife conflict.


This chapter begins by describing the common problems associated with implementing IT business strategy that are faced by companies and other organizations, resulting in business planning that is not directly aligned with IT planning and IT investments not clearly supporting business strategies. It is stressed that all organizations should pursue strategic alignment practices to improve organizational performance when using IT-based resources. Case studies specific to the construction industry are presented to illustrate practical problems that companies face. With this background, the critical success factors of implementing IT business strategy are discussed. They mainly center around the goal of enabling businesses to reduce costs while at the same time improve IT’s contribution to their overall performance in terms of overall profit or net earnings. In the discussion, research finding of organizational success in strategic IT and business alignment are used to elaborate on the factors involved, both internal and external to the organization. Overall, the essential traits of successfully aligned organizations are mentioned. This is followed by describing a proposed model that is able to successfully address the alignment of business and IT by adopting a process-driven architecture that focuses on information management. Moving on, there are several aspects of preparing an organization for successful IT business strategy implementation. The next part describes some major steps of implementation like defining the goals and linking them to the performance criterion, focusing on the strategic intentions, adopting an effective plan, quantifying the cost and benefits of IT, measuring and tracking the results, and, last but not least, managing culture. Specifically on the construction industry, the chapter covers the main advantages and disadvantages of adopting IT to increase strategic competitiveness of construction companies. The illustrations from past research focus on links that are established between competitive advantage or project success and the use of technology. As background to proposing a set of recommendations on how IT business strategies can be implemented in design and construction firms, the case of IT adoption in the construction industry of Singapore is presented to serve as an overview of developments in this area. Based on the performance criteria established for these two types of firms in Singapore, appropriate enablers of implementation are suggested, including the kind of business strategy applicable to different firm types, through a process framework. The chapter concludes with a summary of the main points covered on the implementation of IT business strategy in the construction industry.


2008 ◽  
pp. 2500-2504
Author(s):  
Eun G. Park

Trust is one of the key factors that emerged as a significant concept in virtual communities. Trust is so complicated that it is hard to define in one standardized way. Trust issues have evolved into two major ways in the fields of virtual community and security. Among a huge literature concerning trust in virtual communities, a majority of literature addresses technical solutions on trust-building by providing new Web-based applications. They range from human users authorization, semantic Web, agent technologies and access control of network to W3C standardization for content trust and security. Some examples include AT&T’s Policymaker or IBM’s Trust Establishment Module (Blaze, Feigenbaum, & Lacy, 1996; Herzberg, 2000). Only a minority deals with understanding the concept of trust and sources of trust-building from social and cultural aspects. It appears to miss the essence of trust in virtual communities, although an integrated approach is needed for building trust in communication and the use of virtual communities. This article aims to present the definition of trust and relevant concepts for recognizing sources of trust-building in virtual communities. This article also presents future research implications for further development on trust and trust-building in virtual communities.


Author(s):  
Eun G. Park

Trust is one of the key factors that emerged as a significant concept in virtual communities. Trust is so complicated that it is hard to define in one standardized way. Trust issues have evolved into two major ways in the fields of virtual community and security. Among a huge literature concerning trust in virtual communities, a majority of literature addresses technical solutions on trust-building by providing new Web-based applications. They range from human users authorization, semantic Web, agent technologies and access control of network to W3C standardization for content trust and security. Some examples include AT&T’s Policymaker or IBM’s Trust Establishment Module (Blaze, Feigenbaum, & Lacy, 1996; Herzberg, 2000). Only a minority deals with understanding the concept of trust and sources of trust-building from social and cultural aspects. It appears to miss the essence of trust in virtual communities, although an integrated approach is needed for building trust in communication and the use of virtual communities. This article aims to present the definition of trust and relevant concepts for recognizing sources of trust-building in virtual communities. This article also presents future research implications for further development on trust and trust-building in virtual communities.


Author(s):  
Yogesh Malhotra

<div>Within the last few years, the topic of knowledge management has gathered a</div><div>lot of interest in the corporate sectors. Although there is no commonly agreed upon</div><div>definition of knowledge management, companies, governments, institutions and</div><div>organizations are demonstrating an increasing interest in the topic. The key argument</div><div>of this chapter is that most current interpretations of knowledge management</div><div>are relevant to the industrial world of business of the past era. Given their origin in</div><div>the ‘old world’ of business, many such interpretations of knowledge management</div><div>may have serious and adverse implications for information strategy of enterprises,</div><div>governments and institutions.</div><div>The discussion surfaces the key assumptions about information strategy and</div><div>how they need to be considered afresh given the changing assumptions about</div><div>business strategy and competitive business environment. Based on this discussion,</div><div>a new perspective of knowledge management is proposed followed by suggestions</div><div>for the managers to effectively deploy it in the ‘new world’ of e-business. For the</div><div>purpose of this article, the focus of discussion is on e-business enterprises as most</div><div>observations are already evident in such organizations. However, most of the</div><div>arguments, observations and conclusions are also relevant to executives interested</div><div>in information strategy and business transformation for other post-industrial organizations</div><div>in the twenty-first century.</div>


2010 ◽  
Vol 129-131 ◽  
pp. 472-475
Author(s):  
Li Hui Cao ◽  
Ying Lin Li

Priority has been giving to smart garment materials in modern textile clothing industries. The definition of smart garment material can be described as the material which has the sensory capacity to the stimulation of the surroundings or the environmental elements and can make responses accordingly and meanwhile, maintain the typical features and garment functions. Sensory capacity, feedback and response are the three main elements of the smart garment material. Five relative mature and widely used smart materials, including shape memory materials, waterproof and moisture permeable materials, temperature adaptable materials, photo chromic and thermo chromic materials, and electronic materials, were thoroughly reviewed in terms of concept, theory and up-to-date applications. The aim was to give an overview to national garment designers and manufacturers in China and to explore the potential of developing smart garments for the national market.


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