HEC Montréal

About: HEC Montréal is a education organization based out in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Vehicle routing problem. The organization has 1221 authors who have published 5708 publications receiving 196862 citations. The organization is also known as: Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales de Montreal & HEC Montreal.

The green vehicle routing problem

Abstract: We develop a solution approach to solve the green vehicle routing problem.We propose a simulated annealing heuristic to improve the quality of solutions.We present a new formulation having fewer variable and constraints.We evaluate the algorithm in terms of the several performance criterions.Our algorithm is able to optimally solve 22 of 40 benchmark instances. This paper develops a simulated annealing heuristic based exact solution approach to solve the green vehicle routing problem (G-VRP) which extends the classical vehicle routing problem by considering a limited driving range of vehicles in conjunction with limited refueling infrastructure. The problem particularly arises for companies and agencies that employ a fleet of alternative energy powered vehicles on transportation systems for urban areas or for goods distribution. Exact algorithm is based on the branch-and-cut algorithm which combines several valid inequalities derived from the literature to improve lower bounds and introduces a heuristic algorithm based on simulated annealing to obtain upper bounds. Solution approach is evaluated in terms of the number of test instances solved to optimality, bound quality and computation time to reach the best solution of the various test problems. Computational results show that 22 of 40 instances with 20 customers can be solved optimally within reasonable computation time.

Triggers and barriers to financial inclusion: The use of ICT-based branchless banking in an Amazon county

Abstract: Financial inclusion can be defined as the access to formal financial services at an affordable cost for all members of an economy, favoring mainly low-income groups. It has been recognized as a critical element in policies for poverty reduction and economic growth. Some successful experiences with financial inclusion reported in developing countries are associated with the use of information and communication technology (ICT)-based branchless banking. One of these experiences is the Brazilian correspondent model, an ICT-based network responsible for delivering financial services to tens of millions of poor Brazilians, most of them having no other way to access banking services. This article presents a case study of financial inclusion in Autazes, a county in the Amazon region not served by banks until 2002, when a correspondent started its operations there. Since then, Autazes has experienced economic and social changes, due in part to government social benefits and other banking services delivered at the local level. The results of our field study in Autazes suggest that financial inclusion through the correspondents' process positively contributes to local socio-economic development but, at the same time, presents clear negative signs such as low-income population over-indebtedness, reproduction of social exclusion practices and reinforcement of power asymmetries. We conclude that although access to financial resources is a fundamental way to promote local development to low-income population, such access should be accompanied by other inclusive mechanisms like financial education in order to be effective.

Users’ participation in the accounting standard-setting process: A theory-building study

Abstract: The authors develop an explanatory theory using a meso-level approach and qualitative methodology to describe the participation of financial statement users in the standard-setting process (e.g. financial analysts and institutional investors). The theory links the characteristics of the standard-setting process to the individual determinants of users’ participation. The instrumental, symbolic and systemic dimensions of Hardy’s [Hardy, C. (1994). Power and politics in organizations. In C. Hardy, editor. Managing strategic action. London: Sage Publications] power framework are operationalized in the standard-setting context, and they introduce the descriptive categories of this process. The three determinants of behaviour of Vroom’s [Vroom, V. H. (1964). Work and motivation. New York: John Wiley & Sons] expectancy theory (valence, instrumentality and expectancy) provide the determinants of users’ participation. Each type of legitimacy (pragmatic, moral and cognitive) identified by Suchman [Suchman, M. C. (1995). Managing legitimacy: strategic and institutional approaches. Academy of Management Review 20 (3), 571–610] in his typology is then used to link the descriptive categories of the standard-setting process to the determinants of participation suggested by Vroom. By combining the categories provided by Hardy, Vroom and Suchman, we propose a preliminary model of users’ participation that we refine based on information gathered through interviews we conducted with Canadian users of financial statements.

Toward a new theory of the contribution of the it function in organizations

Abstract: Because changes in organizations and information technology environments are enduring, the alignment of the IT function with business objectives must not only be understood, but constantly renewed and adjusted. This is amply reflected in recent surveys of CIOs, which consistently suggest that the notion of alignment is a top challenge and management priority. Many CIOs face a double challenge when addressing the issue of alignment: they must first clarify top management's expectations and assumptions about IT, which may be contradictory, and then understand their implications for how the IT department should be managed (i.e., translate the function's strategic mission into an IT management model that adds value to the organization). The characterization of the IT function has constituted a central and growing subject of research in the information systems field. Although the extant literature has much to teach us, knowledge in this area is nevertheless fragmented and has not been properly integrated. In response to these limitations, this study proposes and tests a new theory of the contribution of the IT function. Specifically, our objective is to offer an explanation of the contribution of the IT function in organizations with a typology of ideal profiles. A field study was conducted in 24 large Canadian companies in order to validate a set of research propositions. Our results first suggest that there are five distinct "ideal" IT management profiles in organizations and each of these profiles tends to focus on specific sources of value. Next, we observed that IT functions that are close to the ideal of any given profile seem to be outperforming those with hybrid profiles. Finally, our findings provide a compelling explanation as to how ideal IT management profiles are adopted in organizations. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the proposed theory.