Volume 1 Issue 1
Authors: Adolfo Crespo; Carlos Carlos; Vicente González-Prida; Luis Barberá
Abstract: This paper tries to help industrial organizations in the process of RCM software tools characterization and evaluation. We This paper tries to help industrial organizations in the process of RCM software tools characterization and evaluation. We first review different types of software platforms structures that support the RCM methodology implementation and then we propose a series of benchmarks to assess, weigh and compare these types of tools, concentrating on essential methodological issues that must be met for successful implementation of RCM methodology in any organization. The structure, main features and functionalities of three different platform proxies are described. This is done in order to characterize the various operating structures of these kinds of software tools, but also to facilitate the comparison among them through a descriptive and practical tabular analysis using a referred maturity model.
Keywords: Maintenance, RCM, software, evaluation methodology, maturity model, information systems.
Authors: Roberto Fratini; Enrico Marone
Abstract: Green spaces are often intended to support urban populations’ quality of life, they have to be considered in connection with the places where people live and in a way that reflects their point of view. The most important aspect to consider is “functional level”, intended: as green space inside and outside the city that are not substitutes for each other and both are perceived in different ways. Urban greening should be evaluated in relation to the relevant functional scales, ranging from street to city level. An important problem is the restricted economic situation of urban administrations. There is less money for an increased number of management objectives due to more intense use of urban forests, parks or green spaces in general. (Moll et al., 1995; Ware, 1994)The functional classification of green areas constitutes the first indispensable step for planning and for a better use of green areas. It’s important to obtain such a goal through a detailed description of all green spaces, their characteristics and space development. Moreover, it is necessary to know the agronomic requirements, the pathological emergencies of this green patrimony. Finally, it is important to determine the costs and benefits of technical interventions. Normally the costs of maintenance are readily calculated and conspicuous. But the benefits provide are spread over many areas, making them hard to quantify and easy to overlook. Therefore it would be necessary to create a data- base that documents public green areas, playgrounds and tree stocks. This paper presents a case for the town of Florence (Italy) where we analyse the public funding and financial aspects of the maintenance operations and management oftwo investigated areas.
Keywords: Urban green areas, economic value of parks, costs of green maintenance, urban green management
Authors: Pablo Viveros; Fredy Kristjanpoller; Adolfo Crespo; Luis Barberá; Vicente González-Prida
Abstract: Every day, companies are facing problems related to warranty management where the after sales organization and the product reliability are not always taken into account. In that context, this article attempts to integrate the management of warranty support in the overall business strategy, analyzing how decisions in this field can influence other faces of the business. With that intention, the paper introduces firstly the concept of warranty and proposes a framework for its management. This framework has been defined and used by the authors in other studies. Then, the Balanced Scorecard is depicted as a methodology to achieve the alignment of the department strategy with the overall business targets. Its application is described for the specific case of the maintenance management and later on, it is implemented to organize the technical assistance of the warranty support. The article shows finally a brief case study as an example, highlighting the most relevant points of the paper at the conclusions with the approach of future researches in this field. In few words, the analysis of this methodology is intended to help executives and after sales managers to align their local objectives with the overall goals of the business itself, avoiding the creation of a compartmentalized organization where decisions are made independently. This kind of organizational structure may negatively affect the company's future development, and consequently its image in front of the client.
Keywords: After-sales management, balanced scorecard, customer service, decision making, process improvement, warranty assistance
Authors: Jennifer Gao
Abstract: This paper tries to clarify the relationship between organizational socialization and staff retention by using four dimensions of socialization (precursors) and one outcome variable (turnover intention), and to demonstrate the mediator role of employees’ work dedication in this relationship. Data were collected from 395 employees in two major telecommunications organizations in a southern city in mainland China, and the proposed model has been analyzed using a structural equation modeling methodology. All the four dimensions (Training, Understanding, Coworker Support, and Future Prospects) of the organizational socialization were positively related to employees’ work dedication, and work dedication was negatively related to turnover intention. The relationship between organizational socialization and turnover intention was mediated by employee work dedication. Limitations, management implications, and future research were discussed.
Keywords: Organizational socialization, training, understanding, coworker support, future prospects, work dedication, turnover intention
Authors: Christopher Temple; Sarah Graham; Kevin Curran
Abstract: Approaches to advertising have changed dramatically over the past 50 years, from Newspapers to Mass media via Radio and Cinema, from Television sets to internet and e-mail. Now the next target is in sight- Social Networking. With advances in technology consumers are now in control of the media message they want to become exposed to. They have the option of watching TV programmes without having to view advertisements, they can listen to radio without having to hear the advertisements, they can alter their mail boxes so that SPAM mail goes directly to their junk folder and they can minimise advert pop ups when surfing online. Marketers are being forced to consider another form of marketing that would reach target customers in a new way. This paper examines how Facebook, has incorporated advertising into its site and highlights the methods employed to aid companies in reaching their customers in innovative ways.
Keywords: facebook, social networks, advertising,
Authors: Kyle Poland; Kevin Curran
Abstract: Broadband penetration in countries around the world varies immensely between different regions. More economically developed regions (MEDC’s) such as North America and Western Europe are the leaders of broadband penetration while less economically developed regions (LEDC’s) such as Asia and Africa are lagging behind the rest of the world. Delivering affordable, reliable broadband to less developed regions will help bridge the digital divide and help these regions to become stronger, more competitive and more prepared for continued growth in the years to come. This paper aims to show the differences in broadband penetration between the different regions around the world, the benefits brought to countries by the development of the broadband infrastructure and what strategies countries are undertaking to improve that infrastructure.
Keywords: Broadband, mobile, Internet, economics