Showing papers on "Technical performance measure published in 2010"

Certifications and Reputation: Determining the Standard of Desirability Amidst Uncertainty

Abstract: We develop a theory that examines how a particular type of third-party quality signal, certifications, influences an actor's long-term reputation by addressing two different types of uncertainty. The first type deals with the degree to which the capabilities of an actor can be inferred over time based on known performance dimensions. We label this technical uncertainty. The second type deals with assessing whether the perceived capabilities of the actor meet the standard of desirability, which we call performance standard uncertainty. We propose and test that certifications will positively influence the long-term reputation of actors in situations that involve minimal technical uncertainty, and that, across levels of technical performance, certifications will have an inverted U-shaped relationship with assessments of actors such that certifications will have the greatest impact on assessments of actors who are close to the uncertain standard of desirability. We test our hypotheses in the context of the voting for Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame, an environment where comprehensive technical performance measures leave little technical uncertainty. Our results support our hypotheses and suggest that certifications can influence an actor's reputation by reducing performance standard uncertainty rather than just technical uncertainty, as previously presumed.

On the integration of planning and environmental impact assessment for a WEEE transportation network—A case study

Abstract: The planning activity of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) collection networks is a topic of interest for researchers and managers, due to both the complexity of the problem and its important practical implications, in accordance with the guidelines that recent laws have addressed in a large number of industrialized countries. Nevertheless, even if these new legislation directives aim to reduce the critical effects of human activities on the environment, approaches for coupling the planning phase of a WEEE transportation network with the analysis of its environmental impact are rare in literature. Specifically, in this paper, a WEEE transportation network in the North of Italy (precisely, in the Reggio Emilia district) is addressed by means of an integrated solution approach. The methodological steps regard the following topics: data collection techniques, vehicle routing methods and heuristic procedures for creating different system scenarios, simulation modelling for obtaining solutions satisfying technical performance measures, LCA methodology for assessing the environmental impact of such solutions, multi-criteria decision methods for selecting the best choice under the joint technical and environmental perspective.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Bridge to Integrate the Management of Technical Information for Producing Technical Manuals and Training Courses

Abstract: : This report describes an Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) cost-benefit analysis of a project to improve the Navy's Integrated Logistics Support (ILS). The project involves integrating, or "bridging," the management of technical information for producing Navy technical manuals and training courses. The Bridge project achieved the integration by designing new software and proposing new technical and business procedures for managing the technical information. The project was part of the Reduction in Total Ownership Cost (RTOC) program conducted by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). The study conducted separate cost-benefit analyses for two perspectives. The OSD perspective recognizes OSD's broad interest in seeing whether the new software and technical and business processes that constitute the Bridge would lead to cost savings if implemented by the Navy. This analysis found that the Bridge would achieve net benefits-cost savings for producing technical manuals and training courses that exceed the costs of implementing the Bridge. The Program Office perspective focuses on their individual systems of interest and concentrates exclusively on the benefit side- whether the Bridge would save money in producing future technical manuals and training courses for their systems of interest. The benefits proved positive.

Improvement of technical education in public technical secondary schools (ecole technique officiel - etos) in rwanda

Abstract: This paper presents a brief review of the state of technical education in Rwanda based on a study conducted in 2007, with pertinent recommendations. The background of technical education in the country is appreciated first, and then followed up with a situational analysis. Thereafter, a 5-year implementation project plan proposal, to address the identified shortcomings, needs, and expectations of government is advanced. The need to raise access to post tronc commun (post O-Level) technical training is addressed within this proposal with a specific interest to increase the capacity and range of programmes running in the existing ETOs, and the introduction of new ETOs where deemed necessary. The establishment and sustenance of a good quality technical education system is also given consideration in this proposal for effective and efficient rehabilitation of existing physical facilities and the purchase of new and appropriate training equipment. Simultaneously, considerations for increasing the number of technical teachers in the system to a determined optimum level while setting minimum acceptable qualifications for technical teachers are advanced. Implementation of this proposal is expected to contribute greatly to the continuous development of a labour pool with skills that are relevant to and adequate for the needs of the economy.