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Black Box (black + box)
Selected AbstractsBeyond the Black Box of Demography: board processes and task effectiveness within Italian firmsCORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 5 2007Fabio Zona In this paper we analyse boards of directors as workgroups, i.e. groups of people that perform one or more tasks within an organisational context. Building on previous studies, we developed a model that relates group's social-psychological processes to three different board tasks: service, monitoring and networking. We tested our model through a survey on 301 large manufacturing firms in Italy. Our findings support the idea that (a) process variables and, to a limited extent, demographic variables significantly influence board task performance; (b) board processes have a different impact on each specific board task; (c) board task performance varies depending upon firm and industry characteristics. [source] Inside the Black Box: How do OSHA Inspections Lead to Reductions in Workplace Injuries?,LAW & POLICY, Issue 2 2005JOHN MENDELOFF We examine different models of employers' responses to OSHA inspections. The "detection/correction" model assumes that responses are limited to correcting the violations that inspectors cite. The "behavioral shock" model assumes that firms respond by paying more attention to safety issues, even those unrelated to OSHA standards. We test whether some injury types are more affected by inspections than others, or by citations of particular OSHA standards. We conclude that, although citing particular standards can reduce injury types specifically related to those hazards, inspections also affect a wider range of injuries, suggesting a broader impact on managerial attention to safety. [source] Opening the Black Box: Beyond Frameworks and Heuristics in Administrative PracticePUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW, Issue 1 2010Kalu N. Kalu First page of article [source] Opening the Black Box: Moral Foundations of Management KnowledgeBUSINESS ETHICS: A EUROPEAN REVIEW, Issue 1 20062006 Organized by: Marie-Laure Djelic, Cergy Pontoise, ESSEC, October 1, Radu Vranceanu No abstract is available for this article. [source] Grammatical Inference Techniques and Their Application in Ground InvestigationCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2008Ian Morrey The data obtained from trial pits can be coded into a form that can be used as sample observations for input to a grammatical inference machine. A grammatical inference machine is a black box, which when presented with a sample of observations of some unknown source language, produces a grammar which is compatible with the sample. This article presents a heuristic model for a grammatical inference machine, which takes as data sentences and non-sentences identified as such, and is capable of inferring grammars in the class of context-free grammars expressed in Chomsky Normal Form. An algorithm and its corresponding software implementation have been developed based on this model. The software takes, as input, coded representations of ground investigation data, and produces as output a grammar which describes and classifies the geotechnical data observed in the area, and also promises the possibility of being able to predict the likely configuration of strata across the site. [source] Life history in a model system: opening the black box with Arabidopsis thalianaECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 7 2009C. Jessica E. Metcalf Abstract A broad research programme in Arabidopsis thaliana has provided estimates of selection on specific alleles in specific contexts, and identified geographic patterns of alleles in genes linked to timing of flowering. A closely related field has successfully captured many key axes of the evolution of timing of flowering in other monocarpic species through statistical and demographic modelling of large empirical databases. There has as yet been no synthesis between these two fields. Here we examine ways in which the two fields inform each other, and how this synergy will shape our knowledge of life-history evolution as a whole. [source] Inside the black box of shared decision making: distinguishing between the process of involvement and who makes the decisionHEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 4 2006Adrian Edwards MRCGP MRCP PhD Abstract Background, Shared decision making has practical implications for everyday health care. However, it stems from largely theoretical frameworks and is not widely implemented in routine practice. Aims, We undertook an empirical study to inform understanding of shared decision making and how it can be operationalized more widely. Method, The study involved patients visiting UK general practitioners already well experienced in shared decision making. After these consultations, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted and analysed using the constant comparative method of content analysis. Results, All patients described at least some components of shared decision making but half appeared to perceive the decision as shared and half as ,patient-led'. However, patients exhibited some uncertainty about who had made the decision, reflecting different meanings of decision making from those described in the literature. A distinction is indicated between the process of involvement (option portrayal, exchange of information and exploring preferences for who makes the decision) and the actual decisional responsibility (who makes the decision). The process of involvement appeared to deliver benefits for patients, not the action of making the decision. Preferences for decisional responsibility varied during some consultations, generating unsatisfactory interactions when actual decisional responsibility did not align with patient preferences at that stage of a consultation. However, when conducted well, shared decision making enhanced reported satisfaction, understanding and confidence in the decisions. Conclusions, Practitioners can focus more on the process of involving patients in decision making rather than attaching importance to who actually makes the decision. They also need to be aware of the potential for changing patient preferences for decisional responsibility during a consultation and address non-alignment of patient preferences with the actual model of decision making if this occurs. [source] A new approach using tissue optic theory to research the properties of organismsHEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 5 2008Yan Zhang Abstract Based on theories of tissue optics and artificial neural network, the relationship between the optical properties and biological parameters was studied, and a new experimental calculation method was derived. The properties of the organism were obtained indirectly by a black box model derived by self-study of the artificial neural network between optical parameters and thermo-physical parameters. The results calculated from the black box have an average relative error between ,5% and 5% when compared with the actual values, which verifies the neural network method's feasibility for the measurement of parameters in other domains. ©2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 37(5): 283,289, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20207 [source] Opening the black box of cancer surgery quality: WebSMR and the Alberta experienceJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 8 2009L.A. Mack MD Abstract A web-based synoptic operative report, the WebSMR (Surgical Medical Record), was developed to define and improve the quality of cancer surgery. Surgeons accurately record the essential steps of an operation including important decision-making in an analyzable format. Outcomes can be reviewed with provincial aggregates for quality improvement and maintenance of certification. Future synoptic pathology and follow-up templates will open the "black box" of surgical processes to define quality indicators for the improvement of cancer outcomes. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;99:525,530. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The diffusion of marketing science in the practitioners' community: opening the black boxAPPLIED STOCHASTIC MODELS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, Issue 4-5 2005Albert C. Bemmaor Abstract This editorial discusses an illustration of the potential hindrances to the diffusion of modern methodologies in the practitioners' (i.e. the buyers of research, not the consultants) community. Taking the example of classical regression analysis based on store-level scanner data, the authors discuss the potential limitations of the classical regression model, with the example of the occurrence of ,wrong' signs and of coefficients with unexpected magnitudes. In an interview with one of the authors, a (randomly picked) Senior Marketing Research Manager at a leading firm of packaged goods reports his/her experience with econometric models. To him/her, econometric models are presented as a ,black box' (his/her written words). In his/her experience, they provided results that were ,quite good' in a ,much focused' context only. There were experimental data obtained with a Latin square design and the analysis included a single brand with only four stock-keeping units (SKUs). The company ,dropped' the more ,ambitious' studies, which analysed the effect of the retail promotions run by all the actors in a market because of a lack of predictive accuracy (his/her written words are in quotes). The authors suggest that Bayesian methodology can help open the black box and obtain more acceptable results than those obtained at present. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Measuring the perceived impact of facilitation on implementing recommendations from external assessment: lessons from the Dutch visitatie programme for medical specialistsJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 6 2005M. J. M. H. (Kiki) Lombarts PhD Abstract Objective, To evaluate the impact of facilitation by management consultants on implementing recommendations from external quality assessment (visitatie). Design, Data collection through a postal survey amongst 205 medical specialists, representing 50 hospital-based specialist groups in, the ,Netherlands., Setting, Under the auspices of the specialty societies of surgeons, paediatricians and gynaecologists, 25 groups were offered ,20 h of management consulting to support the implementation of recommendations for quality improvement and were compared to 25 specialist groups not receiving the support. Intervention, The Quality Consultation (QC) took a site-specific multifaceted implementation approach. Main measures, Self-reported degree of implementation of recommendations, specialists' judgement of implementation result and process; experienced obstructing factors in implementing recommendations. Results, The response rate was 54% (n = 110). The supported specialist groups were more successful in partially or fully implementing the recommendations from external peer assessment: 66.1% vs. 53.8%. The implementation result and process were also rated significantly higher for the supported groups. The supported groups reported significantly less (P < 0.005) obstructing factors; in particular for the barriers ,expectation of implementation advantages', ,acceptance of the recommendations' and ,assessed self-efficacy'. The experienced obstructing factors are strongly related with the degree of implementation (spearman rho 0.57,32.5%). Conclusions, This study suggests QC is a powerful implementation strategy. It also shows the limitations of merely quantitatively analysing multifaceted strategies: it does not offer any insight into the ,black box' of the QC. It is recommended that these limitations are met by also exploring multifaceted strategies qualitatively. [source] The diffusion of marketing science in the practitioners' community: opening the black boxAPPLIED STOCHASTIC MODELS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, Issue 4-5 2005Albert C. Bemmaor Abstract This editorial discusses an illustration of the potential hindrances to the diffusion of modern methodologies in the practitioners' (i.e. the buyers of research, not the consultants) community. Taking the example of classical regression analysis based on store-level scanner data, the authors discuss the potential limitations of the classical regression model, with the example of the occurrence of ,wrong' signs and of coefficients with unexpected magnitudes. In an interview with one of the authors, a (randomly picked) Senior Marketing Research Manager at a leading firm of packaged goods reports his/her experience with econometric models. To him/her, econometric models are presented as a ,black box' (his/her written words). In his/her experience, they provided results that were ,quite good' in a ,much focused' context only. There were experimental data obtained with a Latin square design and the analysis included a single brand with only four stock-keeping units (SKUs). The company ,dropped' the more ,ambitious' studies, which analysed the effect of the retail promotions run by all the actors in a market because of a lack of predictive accuracy (his/her written words are in quotes). The authors suggest that Bayesian methodology can help open the black box and obtain more acceptable results than those obtained at present. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] From large analogical instruments to small digital black boxes: 40 years of progress in mass spectrometry and its role in proteomics.JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 8 2009Part II 198 Abstract This is the continuation of a personal retrospective on the developments that since 1965 have given shape to Mass Spectrometry (MS) and taken it from a position of simply playing a role in Protein Chemistry to becoming an indispensable tool in Proteomics, all within a 40-year span. Part I covered the period from 1965 to 1984. This second part reviews the Mass Spectrometry timeline of events from 1985 to 2000, stopping at various time points where MS made significant contributions to protein chemistry or where the development of new instrumentation for MS represented a major advance for peptide and protein work. Major highlights in the field and their significance for peptide and protein characterization such as the advent and practical consequences of electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) are covered, including work done with triple quads, the development of time-of-flight (TOF) instruments and new ion traps and going on to the more recent work on the full characterization of the Proteome with ion traps, TOF instruments and new ionization and tagging techniques for protein sequencing. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Denationalization of Cabinets in the European CommissionJCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue 4 2010MORTEN EGEBERG The cabinets of the European Commission are seen to play a crucial role in the policy-making process. So far, however, they have in many respects remained ,black boxes'. In this article we ,unpack' the demographic composition in terms of nationality of three commissions' cabinets. The standard portrayal of cabinets has been that of national enclaves and points of access. Reforms during the period have required a more multinational composition. Our study shows that not only have the new rules been implemented: the new formal requirements have become over-fulfilled and increasingly so. In 2004, 96 per cent of the cabinets contained more nationalities than formally prescribed and 57 per cent of the personnel were non-compatriots of their respective commissioners. Based on studies of comparable phenomena, it is reason to believe that decomposition of a particular demographical cluster within an organizational unit reduces the impact of such demographical factors on officials' decision behaviour. [source] | ||||||||||||||||