Impact of Interorganisational Learning Factors on the Performance of Micro and Small Businesses

The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of interorganisational learning factors on the performance of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) participating in a Local Productive Arrangement (LPA) network; specifically, the clothing arrangement located in the city of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Three aspects were analysed in the performance of the MSEs: cooperation, innovation, and market. For this, a quantitative survey method was employed, with a sample of 301 respondents, analysed through the modelling of structural equations of the PLS type. The results indicate a complex model with the variable interorganisational learning characterised as being of second order, as it is filled by first-order variables of reflexive characteristic, which obtained validation in the measurement and structural assumptions. The model suggests that interorganisational learning positively influences the performance of cooperation, innovation, and market of the MSEs that constitute the LPA.

Stratified Guarded First-Order Transition Systems

First-order transition systems are a convenient formalism to specify parametric systems such as multi-agent workflows or distributed algorithms. In general, any nontrivial question about such systems is undecidable. Here, we present three subclasses of first-order transition systems where every universal invariant can effectively be decided via fixpoint iteration. These subclasses are defined in terms of syntactical restrictions: negation, stratification and guardedness. While guardedness represents a particular pattern how input predicates control existential quantifiers, stratification limits the information flow between predicates. Guardedness implies that the weakest precondition for every universal invariant is again universal, while the remaining sufficient criteria enforce that either the number of first-order variables, or the number of required instances of input predicates remains bounded, or the number of occurring negated literals decreases in every iteration. We argue for each of these three cases that termination of the fixpoint iteration can be guaranteed.

Logical laws for short existential monadic second-order sentences about graphs

In 2001, Le Bars proved that there exists an existential monadic second-order (EMSO) sentence such that the probability that it is true on [Formula: see text] does not converge and conjectured that, for EMSO sentences with two first-order variables, the zero–one law holds. In this paper, we prove that the conjecture fails for [Formula: see text], and give new examples of sentences with fewer variables without convergence (even for [Formula: see text]).

Modeling and Language Extensions

Answer set programming (ASP) has emerged as an approach to declarative problem solving based on the stable model semantics for logic programs. The basic idea is to represent a computational problem by a logic program, formulating constraints in terms of rules, such that its answer sets correspond to problem solutions. To this end, ASP combines an expressive language for high-level modeling with powerful low-level reasoning capacities, provided by off-the-shelf tools. Compact problem representations take advantage of genuine modeling features of ASP, including (first-order) variables, negation by default, and recursion. In this article, we demonstrate the ASP methodology on two example scenarios, illustrating basic as well as advanced modeling and solving concepts. We also discuss mechanisms to represent and implement extended kinds of preferences and optimization. An overview of further available extensions concludes the article.

ANALISIS KEPUASAN KONSUMEN RESTORAN CEPAT SAJI MENGGUNAKAN METODE PARTIAL LEAST SQUARE (Studi Kasus: Burger King Bali)

The were two aims of this research. First is to get model of the relation between the latent variable quality of service and product quality to customer satisfaction. The second was to determine the influence of service quality on customer satisfaction and the influence of product quality on consumer satisfaction at Burger King Bali. This research implemented Partial Least Square method with 3 second order variables is the service quality, product quality, and customer satisfaction. In this research also used 5 first order variables to explain the variable service quality are tangibles, empathy, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and 6 first order variables to explain the variable quality product are performance, reliability, feature, durability, conformance, and design. Samples used in this research is 100. The results of this research indentify that the service quality and product quality affect customer satisfaction at Burger King.

Sequential path analysis for determining interrelationships between yield and related traits in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) under normal and abiotic stress conditions

In the present work the relationships between yield and its related traits were investigated in tobacco genotypes under normal and abiotic stress conditions (Orobanche aegyptiaca weed) at Urmia Tobacco Research Centre, Iran, during 2006-2009 cropping seasons. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in each condition every year. Analysis of variance revealed extent genetic variability among the genotypes for most of the traits studied. In comparison with normal condition, the mean value of studied traits decreased in stress condition. LAI and FD showed the maximum and minimum diminution in the mean values under stress condition compared to normal one so known as more sensitive and more tolerant traits, respectively. Based on CV values, the traits FD and DLYP showed the minimum and maximum variation among traits in both normal and stress conditions. Correlation analysis revealed significant and positive correlations between DLYP with all studied traits in both normal and stress conditions. Path analysis detected the traits including biomass, APDW and DWR as the first-order variables at normal condition and biomass, APDW, DWR and harvest index as the first-order variables under abiotic stress condition. Based on results, the traits such as biomass, APDW, DWR detected as more important factors in both conditions can be used in tobacco breeding programs for increasing yield. Abbreviation: aerial part fresh weight without leaves weight (APFW), aerial part dry weight without leaves weight (APDW), biomass (BIO), coefficient of variation (CV), dry weight of root (DWR), flowering date (FD), fresh weight of leaf (FWL), fresh weight of root (FWR), harvest index (HI), leaf area index (LAI), dry leaf yield per plant (DLYP), number of leaf (NL), plant height (PH), randomized complete block design (RCBD), standard deviation (Std).