How to promote knowledge sharing in cross-functional NPD teams

This paper investigates the common issues that may arise in cross-functional new product development (NPD) teams from a Knowledge Management perspective. The study has been built around a contextualized trigger, where several factors were preventing a new-born NPD team from performing effectively. The purpose of this paper is to give insights of the main dynamics involved in the knowledge sharing process throughout the application of a systematic problem-solving approach to the case investigated by the authors. Due to the impossibility of building a universal recipe suitable for every team in every situation, this work represents a compromise trying to exemplify how to prioritise interventions in a given context, in order to provide a benchmark for similar circumstances. This paper, using an action research method within a single case context, takes shape around the advises and suggestions made by authors to Electronic Connected Ltd (disguised name), a small-medium enterprise (SME) in a situation of NPD paralysis. In particular, the paper emphasizes the importance of effective leadership and supporting environment in facilitating communication, enhancing cohesiveness, fostering joint commitment and giving direction in order to enable knowledge sharing and to leverage capabilities to conclusively deliver new products

Predicting the Corn Basis in the Texas Triangle Area

This study develops a new and straightforward economic model of basis forecasting that outperforms the simple three-year average method suggested in much of the literature. We use monthly data of the corn basis in the Texas Triangle Area from February 1997 to July 2008. The results and the graphs indicate that the new model based on economic fundamentals performs better than basis estimates using a three-year moving average.Hedging, basis, corn, Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, Financial Economics, Marketing, Risk and Uncertainty,

Wealth Effects of Banks' Rights to Market and Originate Annuities

We examine wealth effects, for banks and insurers, of bank rights to sell and underwrite annuities. The stock-price reactions to four court and regulatory decisions are consistent with expectations of bank gains at insurers' expense. Cross-sectionally, smaller, riskier insurers with higher distribution costs and substantial annuity business sustain larger wealth losses. Larger, riskier bank holding companies with fee- based and consumer business gain most, consistent with the extension of federal safety-net guarantees as a source of gains. Banking stock-price reactions to the Supreme Court's decision are opposite other findings, possibly reflecting unfulfilled expectations of a broader mandate for expanded bank rights.Annuities, VALIC, financial modernization, deregulation, deposit insurance, Blackfeet National Bank, event studies

Policy brief: investing in health information systems

Health information systems need to be recognised as an essential component of health service delivery in the Asia and Pacific regions, and valued for their ability to provide evidence for decision-making. Globally, there is increasing understanding of the importance of efficient and effective health information systems that underpin health services. There are increasing requirements for governments to be accountable, and thus a strong need for measuring health outputs and outcomes

Predicting the Corn Basis in the Texas Triangle Area

Shifting patterns of corn use as a result of the ethanol boom may be causing basis levels to change across the United States, creating the need for methods to predict basis levels in dynamic conditions. This study develops a new and straightforward economic model of basis forecasting that outperforms the simple three-year average method suggested in much of the literature. We use monthly data of the corn basis in the Texas Triangle Area from February 1997 to July 2008. The results show the new model based on economic fundamentals performs better than basis estimates using a three-year moving average.basis, corn, grain marketing, Texas Triangle Area, Agribusiness, Marketing,

Understanding and supporting web developers: : design and evaluation of a web accessibility information resource (WebAIR)

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a Web Accessibility Information Resource (WebAIR) for supporting web developers to create and evaluate accessible websites. WebAIR was designed with web developers in mind, recognising their current working practices and acknowledging their existing understanding of web accessibility. We conducted an evaluation with 32 professional web developers in which they used either WebAIR or an existing accessibility information resource, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, to identify accessibility problems. The findings indicate that several design decisions made in relation to the language, organisation, and volume of WebAIR were effective in supporting web developers to undertake web accessibility evaluations

Photocathode Quantum Efficiency of Ultra-Thin Cs2Te Layers On Nb Substrates

The quantum efficiencies (QE) of photocathodes consisting of bulk Nb substrates coated with thin films of Cs2Te are reported. Using the standard recipe for Cs2Te deposition developed for Mo substrates (220 {\AA} Te thickness), a QE ~11% - 13% at light wavelength of 248 nm is achieved for the Nb substrates, consistent with that found on Mo. Systematic reduction of the Te thickness for both Mo and Nb substrates reveals a surprisingly high residual QE ~ 6% for a Te layer as thin as 15 {\AA}. A phenomenological model based on the Spicer 3-Step model along with a solution of the Fresnel equations for reflectance, R, leads to a reasonable fit of the thickness dependence of QE and suggests that layers thinner than 15 {\AA} may still have a relatively high QE. Preliminary investigation suggests an increased operational lifetime as well. Such an ultra-thin, semiconducting Cs2Te layer may be expected to produce minimal ohmic losses for RF frequencies ~ 1 GHz. The result thus opens the door to the potential development of a Nb (or Nb3Sn) superconducting photocathode with relatively high QE and minimal RF impedance to be used in a superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) photoinjector.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure

Quid-pro-quo exchanges of outside director defined benefit pension plans for equity-based compensation

The independence of outside directors is critical to corporate board effectiveness. We examine a unique period in corporate governance when outside directors\u27 defined benefit pensions are replaced with increases in equity. Firms with pension plans significantly underperform their industry in terms of stock returns. Firms terminating the pension plans in exchange for equity have significant increases in stock returns relative to their industry subsequent to the change. All samples outperform the ROA and ROE industry medians both before and after the change in compensation, indicating pressure from organized investors likely comes from stock performance, not accounting performance. Investor rights pressure and outside director compensation and not takeover risk or institutional ownership best explain firms altering outside director compensation, with board of director effectiveness improving