The guide to available mathematical software problem classification system1

A vast collection of reusable mathematical and statistical software is now available for use by scientists and engineers in their modeling efforts. This software represents a significant source of mathematical expertise, created and maintained at considerable expense. Unfortunately, the collection is so heterogeneous that it is a tedious and error-prone task simply to determine what software is available to solve a given problem. In mathematical problem solving environments of the future such questions will be fielded by expert software advisory systems. One way for such systems to systematically associate available software with the problems they solve is to use a problem classification system. In this paper we describe a detailed tree-structured problem-oriented classification system appropriate for such use.     

A Long‐Term Disability Care and Support Scheme for Australia: Opportunities for Disability Sector Reform

Social insurance schemes in Australasia have a long‐standing involvement in leading systemic change as well as funding services for eligible scheme participants. Establishing a long‐term disability care and support scheme for Australia provides opportunities to remove barriers to community access and improve the employment participation of all Australians with a disability, and to increase the use of evidence in policy development and in the delivery of disability supports. Using the examples of successful models in Australia and New Zealand, the authors will propose a model for the development and management of a long‐term disability care and support scheme that enables sector reform in employment participation, barriers to access and participation in all aspects of community life, and funding of disability research to benefit all Australians with a disability.     

A methodology for industrial studies of productivity performance

This article describes a methodology for measuring productivity and competitiveness in industry. The methodology is developed mainly for the mechanical industry (including shipyards, offshore and electromechanical companies). Two different approaches are described—one is based on a self-audit using a questionnaire answered by the industry itself, the second, using a more complete audit, is based on expert teams analysing the company. The productivity is described by indicators given points on a scale from 1 to 7 (1—far behind international competitors, 7—(best practice’).