Indicator-fetishism, or the bent yard-stick

Indikátor fetisizmus, avagy az elgörbült méterrúd

Author(s): Bence Ságvári,Tibor Dessewffy / Language(s): Hungarian / Issue: 3/2006

Keywords: innovation; R + D; indicators; small and medium size enterprises (SMEs); IT industries

Standard indicators of the level of R + D activities have now been used for several decades to measure the competitiveness of societies and economies. However, much less attention has been paid to the phenomena hidden behind the figures that fundamentally determine the possibilities and the expectable economic outcomes of innovation. Thus, in addition to traditional indicators, other ones must also be found, which may help in better understanding of R + D and innovation processes, and mechanisms determining economic success or failure of development programs. Even more important is consummating and turning into new marketable products of the social processes that might be measured by these indicators in the future. The author, reporting on empirical research results, argues that not only measurement methodology should be changed, but also the Hungarian micro- and macro-environment of innovation must simultaneously be reformed.

Lectori salutem!

Üdvözlet az olvasónak!

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Hungarian / Issue: 3/2006

Two Scholia on Innovation

Két megjegyzés az innovációról

Author(s): Imre Hronszky / Language(s): Hungarian / Issue: 3/2006

Keywords: radical innovation; uncertainty; neoclassical and evolutionist way of thinking; SOCROBUST

This paper is dealing, on the one hand, with basic characteristics of innovation, the nature of uncertainty determining innovation, special ways of learning leading to innovation, and the contraposition of basic assumptions of the neo-classical and evolutionist approaches, and, on the other hand, the management of break-through or radical innovation. For exploring innovation in the context of globalization, a dynamic systems approach and an evolutionist way of thinking is required. The author of the paper compares, from the perspective of innovation, several basic attributes of the neo-classical and the evolutionist approach in economics, and summarizes how the so-called SOCROBUST project, relying on the evolutionist approach, has tried to solve the problem of managing radical innovation.

The 7th Research Framework Programme: More Emphasis on Research Topics (Interview)

7. kutatási keretprogram: nagyobb hangsúly a kutatási témákon (Interjú)

Author(s): Árpád Bak / Language(s): Hungarian / Issue: 3/2006

An interview about the EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research andTechnological Development with Ilona Vass, vice-president of the Hungarian National Office for Research and Technology (NKTH) and with Ágnes Gulyás, head of the EU Department within the Division of Foreign Relations at NKTH.

The Use of Spatial Data for Segmentation of the Postal Service Market

The Use of Spatial Data for Segmentation of the Postal Service Market

Author(s): Dejan Marković,Slavica Štrbac,Biljana Grgurović / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: postal traffic; market; segmentation; users; postal services; spatial data; geographic information system (GIS)

Modern trends in the field of postal traffic imply the existence of a large number of providers who distribute these services. A trend of this kind sets highly rigorous requirements regarding structure and quality of the services. On the other hand, the users are a heterogenous group with specific characteristics, which significantly complicates the process of segmentation, choice of a target market and formulating of an adequate marketing strategy. Application of some standard methods of demographic and psychographic segmentation, in the opinion of the authors of this paper, results in very general grouping most often based on assumptions. The aim is to point out the significance of spatial data and how the results obtained by application of a geographic information system (GIS) can be used in the case of segmentation of the postal service market.

A Numerical Experiment on Mathematical Model of Forecasting the Results of Knowledge Testing

A Numerical Experiment on Mathematical Model of Forecasting the Results of Knowledge Testing

Author(s): Natalja Kosareva,Aleksandras Krylovas / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: Item Response Theory (IRT); mathematical modelling; item characteristic function; generating function; Monte Carlo Method

In this paper the new approach to the forecasting the results of knowledge testing, proposed earlier by authors, is extended with four classes of parametric functions, the best fitting one from which is selected to approximate item characteristic function. Mathematical model is visualized by two numerical experiments. The first experiment was performed with the purpose to show the procedure of selecting the most appropriate item characteristic function and adjusting the parameters of the model. Goodness-of-fit statistic for detecting misfit of the selected model is calculated. In the second experiment a test of 10 items is constructed for the population with latent ability having normal distribution. Probability distribution of total test result and test information function are calculated when item characteristic functions are selected from four classes of parametric functions. In the next step it is shown how test information function value could be increased by adjusting parameters of item characteristic functions to the observed population. This model could be used not only for knowledge testing but also when solving diagnostic tasks in various fields of human activities. Other advantage of this method is the reduction of resources of testing process by more precise adjustment of the model parameters and decreasing the standard error of measurement of the estimated examinee ability. In the presented example the methodology is applied for solving the problem of microclimate evaluation in office rooms.

Achievements of Lithuanian Sustainable Development During the Integration Process into the European Union

Achievements of Lithuanian Sustainable Development During the Integration Process into the European Union

Author(s): Genovaitė Liobikienė,Justina Mandravickaitė / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: sustainable development; convergence; economic integration; gross domestic product (GDP); comparative price level; living standards

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Lithuania rapidly started turning towards European trade patterns averting from those of the former communist regime. However, European integration has had an effect not only on convergence of gross domestic product (GDP) but also on convergence of prices as well as on alteration of living standards. The goals of Lithuanian integration to the EU were noted in the National Lithuanian Sustainable Development Strategy. The key objective of sustainable development in Lithuania was to achieve the present developmental level of the EU countries according to indicators of economic and social development. Therefore, the paper compares the convergence across the old and newer member-states of the EU in terms of GDP, household final consumption expenditure and comparative price level indices. In addition, it is revealed that Lithuanian expenditure patterns rapidly approach those of the old member-states of the EU. Consequently, Lithuanian integration to the EU contributes to approaching the EU-15 level what means the successful achievements of Sustainable Development Strategy as well. So, the aim of this paper is to show how successful are Lithuanian sustainable development achievements in terms of GDP, comparative price level and household expenditure within framework of integration to the EU.

Multimoora Optimization Used to Decide on a Bank Loan to Buy Property

Multimoora Optimization Used to Decide on a Bank Loan to Buy Property

Author(s): Willem Karel M. Brauers,Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: MOORA; MULTIMOORA; bank loans; weights; Ratio System; Reference Point Theory; Full Multiplicative Form; Ameliorated Nominal Group and Delphi Techniques

Different multiple objectives are expressed in different units, which makes optimization difficult. Therefore the internal mechanical solution of a Ratio System, producing dimensionless numbers, is preferred to Weights which are most of the time used to compare the different units. In addition, the ratio system creates the opportunity to use a second approach: a non-subjective Reference Point Theory. The two approaches form a control on each other. The choice of the objectives is even more non-subjective if the opinion of all stakeholders interested in the issue is involved by the use of the Ameliorated Nominal Group and Delphi Techniques. The overall theory is called MOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis). The results are still more convincing if a Full Multiplicative Form is added to MOORA under the name of MULTIMOORA. At that moment the control by three different approaches forms a guaranty for a solution being as non-subjective as possible. MULTIMOORA is used to decide upon a bank loan to buy property.

Modelling for Evaluations of Call Center for Public Traffic and Transport Systems

Modelling for Evaluations of Call Center for Public Traffic and Transport Systems

Author(s): Dejan Marković,Slaven Tica,Valentina Radojičić,Goran Marković / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: agent; call center; dynamic programming; management; operation; service; shift

This paper is dealing with functional organization of a call center based on human operator work. Due to significant fluctuations of user demands during the day and from day to day, the determination of required number of agents appears as actual giving the opportunities for efficient management. The purpose of this paper is to develop a mathematical model for optimal resource allocation in a call center in order to provide a satisfactory quality of service at all times, without having more agents than necessary. The objective is to find the best staffing levels or schedule that minimizes the daily costs while satisfying all constraints. To solve this problem, we propose here a two-level dynamic programming (DP) algorithm that determines the required staffing levels by shifts. The algorithm enables optimal allocation of available human resources such that the operation costs are reduced as much as possible. The practical sample is demonstrated in a case of a call center for public traffic and transport systems in metropolitan. The results comparison for different shifts duration is performed.

Motor Biofuel-Powered CHP Plants—A Step Towards Sustainable Development of Rural Lithuania

Motor Biofuel-Powered CHP Plants—A Step Towards Sustainable Development of Rural Lithuania

Author(s): Anicetas Strakšas,Laurencas Raslavičius / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: motor biofuels; cogeneration CHP plant; rural Lithuania; combined heat and power; first generation biofuels; energy supplies

This paper focuses on the benefits that can be attained from the correct option of small-scale combined heat and power plant (CHP) relative to fuel availability and sphere of application. The analysis serves as a means of highlighting some of the owners of large-scale farms as well as holders of industrial greenhouses that influence the penetration of small-scale cogeneration plants running on bio-based liquid fuels. The identification of the main influencing factors and their weight is the first step towards the implementation of a more coherent strategy, if the EC (European Commission) and national energy authorities wish for new small-scale cogeneration technologies to have a future in the context of sustainable development of rural Lithuania. Against this background, this paper aims at presenting the technical, environmental and economic aspects of the possibilities of utilizing biodiesel, biodiesel-conventional diesel blends and rapeseed oil in combined heat and power production as an issue for further discussions regarding the formative breakthrough attitude towards a possible path of country's sustainable development.

A Pareto Multi-Objective Optimization Approach for Solving Time-Cost-Quality Tradeoff Problems

A Pareto Multi-Objective Optimization Approach for Solving Time-Cost-Quality Tradeoff Problems

Author(s): Heng Li,Hongling Guo,Sai Xing Zeng,Vivian Wy Tam,Xundi Diao / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: Time-cost-quality; tradeoff; Pareto optimal set; project management; genetic algorithm

Speeding up a project's duration will definitely increase the cost and decrease the quality. The previous literatures were mainly related to project planning and controlling which mainly focus on cost-time tradeoff. However, limited researches have been referred to project quality based on mathematical methodologies. This paper proposes a tradeoff problem on time-cost-quality performance. A computer-based Pareto multi-objective optimization approach is utilized for solving the tradeoff problems. The approach can help searching near the reality Pareto-optimal set while not receiving any information on the stakeholders’ preference for time, cost and quality. Based on the developed approach, decision-making can become easy according to the sorted non-dominated solutions and project preferences.

Mobile Service Usage Behavior in Korea: An Empirical Study on Consumer Acceptance of Innovative Technologies

Mobile Service Usage Behavior in Korea: An Empirical Study on Consumer Acceptance of Innovative Technologies

Author(s): Seung-Ho Kim,Jungmann Lee,Yeong-Wha Sawng,Young Sam Oh / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: mobile service; consumer usability; consumer acceptance; consumer intention

Whilst mobile services have grown to a sizeable market in recent years, and leaps and bounds have been made in related technology, consumers’ usage behavior with regard to these services has received little attention from researchers. Studies on related topics are few and scarce, if compared, for example, to studies on information systems or web services. The main purpose of this study is to investigate consumers’ usage behavior in mobile services to provide pointers for future development of this field. Specifically, this study attempts to identify variables influencing the use of mobile service consumers. We developed an information technology acceptance model to determine usage characteristics and usage trends in mobile services and predict consumers’ usage behavior based on patterns discerned from these characteristics and trends. Information technology acceptance models are a useful tool for understanding the behavior of consumers of services such as mobile services, combining aspects of a technology and service good, from the perspective of behavioral science. This study, comprehensively concerned with mobile service marketing-related issues, considers both factors influencing consumers’ usage behavior and also technical aspects of services. Factors influencing the behavior of mobile service consumers are investigated empirically, by examining them in a real-world context. The expected outcomes of this study are as follows: First, it will predict consumers’ usage behavior with regard to mobile services based on usage characteristics at the level of task management, and discern identifiable and recurring patterns. Second, it will awaken providers to the importance of technical and functional performance and a clear understanding of consumers’ needs for the success of marketing mobile services.

Investigation into Evaluation of Agriculture Informatization Level Based on Two-Tuple

Investigation into Evaluation of Agriculture Informatization Level Based on Two-Tuple

Author(s): Xin Zhang,Peide Liu / Language(s): English / Issue: 1/2011

Keywords: agriculture informatization; two-tuple; linguistic evaluation set

Agriculture informatization level is an important part of one country's modernization. It is important to construct reasonable agriculture informatization evaluation indicator system and propose the evaluation method for promoting the agriculture informatization. This paper firstly analyzes the research status of the indicator system and evaluation method of informatization at home and abroad. On the basis of the relative literatures, the evaluation indicator system of the agriculture informatization in China is constructed, and the evaluation model of the agriculture informatization based on two-tuple and the relative operators are also constructed. This model not only can be used to rank the orders of the different areas according to the informatization level, but also can realize the qualitative evaluation of the agriculture informatization of the different areas according to the evaluation system. Finally, the application example shows that the evaluation system of the agriculture informatization constructed in this paper is effective, and the evaluation method proposed in this paper is simple and easy to use.

Contrafort 5-6 (187-188)

Contrafort 5-6 (187-188)

Author(s): Author Not Specified / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 187-188/2010

28 Iunie - decretul care a rascolit Moldova; Proză de Marcel Gherman, Emanuela Sprînceană şi Mihaela Perciun În dezbatere: „Cartea nomazilor din B.” de Val Butnaru Caleidoscop parizian – însemnări de Leo Butnaru şi Lucreţia Bârlădeanu Literatura germanăcontemporană: Rolf Bossert, Silke Scheuermann, Roland Erb, W.G. Sebald Chestionar „Contrafort”: De ce îşi pune omul întrebări? Răspund: Virgil Mihaiu, Maria Şleahtiţchi, Alex Cosmescu, Paul Cernat

Protection of intellectual property rights and restricting access to Internet

Protecția drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală și restricționarea accesului la Internet

Author(s): Ionel Grigorie / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 02/2010

Keywords: intellectual property rights; social importance of the protection; access to internet; qualification of this right; the conditions of restraint of access to internet

The article underlines the importance of the protection of intellectual property rights which encourage the development of the culture and the economy. In this context the author focuses on the new challenges to these rights determined by the internet that create a new tension between their protection and the right of the people to access to internet. This tension in more evident after the incorporation of a new European regulation that guarantee the right to internet as an application of the fundamental rights of the person, regulation which should be adopted by Romania till may 2011.

Double patenting

Dubla brevetare

Author(s): Miruna Enescu / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 02/2010

Keywords: invention; patent; national patent; European patent; double patenting

The work defines the principle of double patenting and afterwards approaches this subject from historical perspective, referring in particular to the relevant case law at the Court of Appeal of EPO. It deals with the succession of decisions made by this Court, decisions providing both a theoretical-legal basis of the concept and its practical applications.

Prosecution practice in intellectual property rights

Practica parchetelor în domeniul drepturilor de proprietate intelectuală

Author(s): Monica Pop / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 02/2010

Keywords: copyrights; related rights; passive subject of the offence; trademarks; the offence of releasing counterfeit products; counterfeit products; counterfeit car spare parts; simplified customs procedure; unit of offence; plurality of offences

The practice of prosecutor’s offices as regards the settlement of cases having as subject matter offenses related to the legal system of intellectual property rights emphasized a real analysis of the phenomena of piracy and counterfeiting, revealing legislative inaccuracies (trademarks and car spare parts), the need to clear certain actions (the offence provided under article 140, paragraph 1, letter c of Law no. 8/1996 regarding Copyright and Related Rights), difficulties in the interpretation and application of the law (application of provisions regarding trademarks at border, plurality of offences – unit of offence), issues that, in the legal practice and the criminal doctrine, have not been clarified yet.

Law applicable to non-contractual civil legal element of industrial and intellectual property

Legea aplicabilă raporturilor juridice civile necontractuale cu element de extraneitate din materia proprietătii intelectuale si industriale

Author(s): Gheorghe Gheorghiu,Nicoleta Enache / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 02/2010

Keywords: legal relation; contractual obligations; extra-contractual obligations; intellectual property; industrial property

If, traditionally, each state would set by means of domestic regulations the law applicable to legal relations with an extraneous nature, Regulation EC No. 864 of July 11, 2007 aimed at a uniform standardization, across the Community area, of the law applicable to legal relations in matters of non-contractual obligations. The regulation shall not apply to tax, customs or administrative matters, or to non-contractual obligations arising out of the kinship relations and marriages, wills and succession, bills of exchange, checks and promissory notes, occurrence of nuclear damage, as well as out of injuries inflicted on the privacy and on the personality-related rights, including calumny.

ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGMENTS IN TRADE MARK INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS IN CROSS-BORDER CASES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

Punerea în executare a hotărârilor judecătoresti privind încălcarea drepturilor asupra mărcilor în cazuri transfrontaliere în Uniunea Europeană

Author(s): Czenczer Orsolya,Kapa Matyas / Language(s): English / Issue: 02/2010

Keywords: trademark; trademark infringement; EC law; enforcement of judgments; cross-border cases

The article refers to the enforcement of judgments in trade mark infringement proceedings in cross-border cases. The authors present the special multi-level rules related to the enforcement of judgments in cross-border community trade mark infringement cases in the European Union. Although a Community trade mark provides protection in all Member States of the Europen Union, assertion of rights involving several Member States is rare. That shows the cross-border enforcement of judgments in Community trade mark infringement proceedings is an area to which both legislation and legal practice should pay significant attention in the future.

Plant varieties protection through intellectual property

Protecția varietăților de plante prin dreptul de proprietate intelectuală

Author(s): Ioana Vasiu,Lucian Vasiu / Language(s): Romanian / Issue: 02/2010

Keywords: Plant variety rights; Intellectual Property; UPOV; patent; Genetic Use Restriction Technology; genotype.

Plant variety rights (PVR) are intellectual property rights granted to the breeder of a new variety of plant and represent one of the least studied of all forms of intellectual property. In this paper, we review rationales for granting intellectual property rights in new plant varieties and identify the legal framework for intellectual property rights in this area. Next, we discuss new paradigms and technologies designed to compensate for the increasingly ineffective intellectual property regimes. Finally, we draw our conclusion.