This paper documents the development and testing of data collection methodologies intended to cost effectively measure truck movements along specific roadway corridors selected for freight mobility improvements. As part of the effort, the project considered ways to create benchmarks, or standards against which roadway performance could be compared, in order...
This paper effort proposes that interactive situational simulation environments can provide platforms for better understanding the construction management domain as a closely coupled system of human and resource interactions. Situational simulations create temporally dynamic clinical exercises that expose participants to rapidly unfolding events and the pressures of decision-making. The focus...
The MonteCarlo benchmarking program was converted successfully from MPJ to both Sockets and GridSockets. The Sugarscape program is in the process of being converted from C++ to Java so that it may also be converted to Sockets and GridSockets. The original assignment was to convert MonteCarlo and two more benchmarking...
One of the challenges of developing a visual language for human-to-human communication is coming up with a large enough visual vocabulary that users are not overly limited in the meanings they can express. If a language system can provide extension mechanisms directly to its end users, then the language, or...
This paper investigates the role of corporate social responsibility measures in executive compensation by determining if socially responsible CEOs are paid according to their impact to both financial performance to shareholders and their social performance to protecting the interests of the stakeholders that the company also affects. Using a sample...
Quality assurance is not a new or difficult concept, but it becomes complicated when a "parent" organization must track the work quality of organizations that it licenses. This tracking or monitoring is important to ensure a certain level of quality is maintained. But monitoring alone will not result in high...
The application of finite element method to the analysis of discontinuous structural systems has received a considerable interest in recent years. This paper gives a state-of-the-art report on the different methods developed to date for the finite element modeling of cracks and joints in discontinuous systems. Particular attention, however, has...
Open-source software is not for hobbyists any more. Instead, it is a business strategy with broad applicability. Businesses can be built around this idea. This paper proposes three fundamental business models- Distributor, Software producer [GPL and non-GPL] and the Third-Party Service Provider. These are sustainable models that can lead to...
An organization exists in an environment marked by intense competition between rival firms. It is imperative for the organization to identify opportunities and suitably exploit the same towards gaining sustainable competitive advantage in the market. The paper examines the tools used and issues involved in identifying market opportunities.
Competitive advantage keeps a firm above the rest of the competing firms. It is acquired by delivering a higher ‘value’ to the customers as compared to the rival firms. Acquisition of the competitive advantage entails a large number of strategic decisions made by the firm. The paper examines the issues...
Competitive advantage of an organization involves gaining an advantage over other competing firms with regard to the design and delivery of the product or service. The external environment of an organization is marked by competition between rival firms. Several competitive forces act on the firm in the external environment. They...
As household appliances grow in complexity and sophistication, they become harder and harder to use, particularly because of their tiny display screens and limited keyboards. This paper describes a strategy for building natural language interfaces to appliances that circumvents these problems. The approach leverages decades of research on planning and...
This article is intended to present a framework that institutional investors can use to manage real estate portfolios. It summarizes the evolution of the first and second generation of applied portfolio management, covering both under the "Holistic" label. The article presents a framework that can be used to guide the...
When one is prepared, a crisis is a perfect opportunity to spread the word about public health. Paper explains that to do in a crisis is communicate with a variety of audiences at a time when there are multiple demands on attention. At such a time, it helps to be...
Risk Communication is science-based approach for communicating effectively in high-concern, high stress emotionally charged or controversial situations. Risk is the probability of loss of that which we value. The article discusses the first steps which include anticipating questions and concerns by listening; prepare accurate, well crafted, relevant, ethical, consistent, understandable...
In this research, an integrated multi-objective supply chain SC model is developed for use in simultaneous strategic and operational SC planning. Multiobjective decision analysis is adopted to allow use of a performance measurement system that includes cost, customer service levels fill rates, and flexibility. This model incorporates production, delivery, and...
This white paper document discusses earthquake disasters that had caused major damage to transportation networks, leading to significant economic disruption. This paper develops post-disaster system performance measures and applies them to the urban rail and highway transportation systems in the Kobe, Japan, region devastated by the 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu earthquake. It...
The University of Washington's Center for International Trade in Forest Products CINTRAFOR surveyed residential homebuilding firms in 1995 to determine the materials they used, factors affecting material selection, and attitudes about wood-based building materials. In late 1999, CINTRAFOR conducted a follow-up study of 2,500 residential construction firms to characterize how...
Rodgers Will Help Lead Charge for Center for Aging Services Technologies CAST to Expedite Emerging Technologies Transforming the Aging Experience WASHINGTON, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Samarion CEO Mark Rodgers was recently named commissioner to the Center for Aging Services Technologies CAST to help lead the charge to...