Optimizing Natural Gas Flows with Linear Programming and Scenarios

Recently, we developed a linear programming model to aid an electric utility company in evaluating several long-term operating decisions. Variations of this model provide insights into daily operations and valuation of supply contracts. This paper outlines the important characteristics of this class of network models including the usage of a gas storage facility, the use of market forecasts of gas prices, and the accommodation of gas contract structures. In addition, we develop a scenario optimization procedure in which demand forecasts provide scenarios. We also describe ways in which these models were automated to drive a decision support system.     

Information Systems Adaptation and the Successful Implementation of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies*

Few plants have initial success with advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs), and adaptations are commonly required after installing new technologies. We especially know little about the outcomes of adaptations that manufacturers regularly employ in the context of AMTs. Sociotechnical theory and the technology literature suggest that AMTs commonly require four types of adaptations including those to process technologies, human resources, operational structures, and information systems. This study investigates which of these four adaptations and their interactions lead to improved operational performance. Data were collected on 104 plants that implemented a single type of manufacturing AMT. Findings indicate that information systems (IS) adaptation during the course of AMT implementation was the most important action. Surprisingly, human resource and process technology adaptations were linked to lower performance, and no interactions had any clear effects. The results also show that practitioners underestimated the relevance of IS adaptations during contemporary or “second-generation” AMT implementation projects and overemphasized the need for shop floor changes.     

唐宋长安经济研究述评

长安是唐代的京畿重地和北宋西北经济政治文化中心。唐宋各自的时代特征造就了长安经济的发展、繁荣和变迁,使得长安经济在我国经济史上占有独特的地位。唐宋长安经济研究是经济史学研究的重要领域之一。自从20世纪初以来,学术界就唐宋长安经济研究出版了大量论著。     

美国科学基金会课题遴选的评价体系述要

价值评审是美国科学基金会在课题遴选过程中的一项很重要的操作实践。文章着眼于价值评审的过程,收集和整理了与价值评审的各个环节相关的资料数据,在此基础上对这一工作作了多方面的总结与概括。     

新时期中国苏维埃区域社会事业建设研究述评

改革开放以来,学术界对苏区社会事业建设进行了广泛深入的研究,取得了可喜的成绩。对已有的研究进行梳理和阐述,并指出其需要加强和改进之处,对于继续深化苏区社会事业建设研究以及促进当前的中国特色社会主义社会事业建设都有着非常重大的意义。     

A systematic review of executive coaching outcomes: Is it the journey or the destination that matters the most?

In this article, we focus on a specific type of personal and professional development practice -executive coaching- and present the most extensive systematic review of executive coaching outcome studies published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals to date. We focus only on coaching provided by external coaches to organizational members. Our purpose is twofold: First, to present and evaluate how executive coaching outcome studies are designed and researched (particularly regarding methodological rigor and context-sensitivity). Secondly, to provide a comprehensive review of what we know about executive coaching outcomes, what are the contextual drivers that affect coaching interventions and what the current gaps in our understanding of coaching practice. On that basis, we discuss and provide a research agenda that might significantly shift the field. We argue that methodological rigor is as important as context-sensitivity in the design of executive coaching outcome studies. We conclude with a discussion of implications for practice.     

Factors that support change in the delivery of midwifery led care in hospital settings. A review of current literature

Problem

In hospital units, the network of interdependent relationships between midwives and doctors has positioned midwives within hierarchical relationships of power. Others argue that the physical layout of hospital wards created by biomedicine makes it difficult for midwives to provide midwifery led care. The aim of this review is to identify factors that support change in the delivery of the midwifery led care in hospital settings.

Facilitators and barriers to pregnant women’s participation in research: A systematic review

Background

Although there is consensus among many that exclusion of pregnant women from clinical research should be justified, there is uncertainty as to whether and why pregnant women themselves would be willing to participate even if they were found to be eligible. The objective was to identify the reasons why pregnant women participate in clinical research and thereby to distinguish between facilitators and barriers.

评分不一致性对在线评论有用性的影响——归因理论的视角

哪些因素会影响在线评论的有用性一直是理论界和实践界都十分关心的问题,但现有研究对在线评论的星级评分是如何影响评论有用性这一问题仍未形成统一的结论。基于此,本文以归因理论为分析框架,构建了在线评论的星级评分与产品的平均星级间的不一致性对评论有用性的影响的研究模型,并重点探讨产品的评论总量以及评论的星级评分和平均星级间差异的方向对这一影响的调节作用。本文以携程网上832233条酒店评论为样本,采用零膨胀负二项回归方法对理论模型进行了实证检验,研究结果表明,评分不一致性对评论的有用性有显著的负向影响,而某种产品的评论总量以及星级评分和平均星级间差异的方向对评分不一致性和评论有用性间的关系起到调节作用。当产品的评论总量越高或评论的星级评分与产品的平均星级间的差异为正向差异时,评分不一致性对评论有用性的负向影响越强。本文的研究成果既为理解在线评论有用性提供了理论贡献,也有助于电子商务或第三方评论网站管理和应用在线评论。     

‘Widening cross-disciplinary research for mental health’: what is missing from the Research Councils UK mental health agenda?

This current issues article is a brief critical examination of the recent Research Councils UK agenda and call for cross-disciplinary research in mental health. Our argument is based on the fact that patient and public involvement (PPI) is the only involvement and influencing strategy for service users and survivors in the agenda. Service user and survivor research as a discipline in itself remains unacknowledged. We conclude that service user and survivor research is distinct and is different to PPI, and should be recognised in any mental health research agenda.