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A framework to leverage human resources information system for business performance
Get PDFMcLaughlin, Patrick - Associate SupervisorPayroll is one of the earliest applications in the history of business information system. Despite
the early start, Human Resources Information System (HRIS) is primarily perceived as an
administration tool. Most business managers do not recognise the business potential of HRIS.
This research is motivated to address this phenomenon by identifying key Information System
(IS) factors and organisation characteristics and initiatives to enhance HRIS business potential.
The study proposes that, with the appropriate skills and knowledge, Human Resource (HR)
practitioners can effectively use HRIS data to contribute to greater business success. Similarly,
through effective initiatives implemented by business line managers, HR practitioners would
be more capable of unlocking the potential of HRIS. A qualitative approach is adopted in
exploring the key IS success factors, assessing HR practitioners’ skills, and understanding the
initiatives that line managers could implement. The field data of this study were collected from
HR practitioners and business line managers who worked for large companies in the UK. The
field study confirmed that HRIS has been mainly used in an administrative context, with limited
business impact. The two reasons suggested are: 1) there are shortfalls in HR practitioners’
strategic, analytic, and business skills and knowledge; 2) deficiencies in the line managers’
initiatives to maintain a productive HR-line relationship, empower HR practitioners, and adopt
business expectations regarding the HR role. The research proposes a HRIS implementation
framework that includes key IS success factors, required characteristics and initiatives that help
HR practitioners to use HRIS effectively and unlock their potential to contribute to business
success. The framework was developed into a Readiness Assessment Checklist (RAC) tool and
used successfully in the implementation planning of a HRIS project. The research successfully
applied information systems adoption research theories to develop a new model that captures
the characteristics of Human Resource Management business practice.PhD in Transport System
The rising entropy of English in the attention economy
Get PDFWe present evidence that the word entropy of American English has been rising steadily since around 1900. We also find differences in word entropy between media categories, with short-form media such as news and magazines having higher entropy than long-form media, and social media feeds having higher entropy still. To explain these results we develop an ecological model of the attention economy that combines ideas from Zipf’s law and information foraging. In this model, media consumers maximize information utility rate taking into account the costs of information search, while media producers adapt to technologies that reduce search costs, driving them to generate higher entropy content in increasingly shorter formats.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Royal SocietyThe study was funded by the EPSRC grant for the Mathematics for Real- World Systems CDT at Warwick (grant number EP/L015374/1). T.T.H. was supported on this work by the Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award (WM160074) and a Fellowship from the Alan Turing Institute, which is funded by EPSRC (grant number EP/N510129/1). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.Communications Psycholog
Performance analyses of active aerodynamic load balancing designs on high-performance vehicles in cornering conditions
Get PDFThis study presents a comprehensive investigation into the impact of active aerodynamic load balancing (AALB) on the cornering performance of high-performance vehicles. The research explores the use of active asymmetric aerodynamic devices, specifically split and tilted rear wing concepts, capable of manipulating vertical wheel loads and counteracting effects of lateral load transfer during cornering. The performance potential of AALB is assessed through quasi-steady static coupling of aerodynamic data with a detailed vehicle dynamics model. The findings show that inside bias operating states of the split rear wing and tilted rear wing concepts, which favor loads on the inside tires, can improve cornering velocities up to 0.5% and 2% compared to high symmetric operating states, respectively. Noteworthy, through effective distribution of aerodynamic loads, the inside bias operating states produce less downforce and drag, thereby reducing the propulsion power required to overcome drag by 15%–20%, depending on the cornering condition. The tilted rear wing concept demonstrates the highest AALB capability and most consistent response to its control strategy, accredited to its ability to generate vertical and horizontal aerodynamic force components. It can, therefore, achieve over 1% higher maximum cornering velocities compared to the split rear wing, while also offering efficiency benefits. Overall, the research highlights the effectiveness of AALB in improving cornering performance and efficiency, offering valuable insights for the development of advanced active aerodynamic solutions in automotive design and paving the way for future advancements in the field.Physics of Fluid
“Do i have the right to lead?“ identity work of emerging Russian business leaders in a leadership development programme
Get PDFHorwitz, Frank - Associate SupervisorThrough a qualitative study of 30 Russian managers and entrepreneurs who
graduated from an 18-month Master of Business Administration Programme
(MBA) in Moscow, Russia, the research answers two questions: (1) what does
leadership mean in the Russian context as described by emerging Russian
business leaders? and (2) how do these leaders develop their leadership identity
within a leadership development programme? Key research findings reveal that
perceptions about effective leadership in Russia are changing, presumably due
to a generational shift, and that the leadership identity work in a leadership
development programme is fuelled by participants' efforts to promote their leader
efficacy. The thesis contributes to social identity theory, implicit leadership theory,
and identity theory. Social identity theory is enriched by proposing specific
characteristics of Russian leadership identity and describing the challenges
emerging Russian leaders face because of conflicting leadership prototypes for
self-to-leader comparison. Implicit leadership theory benefits from the evidence
that perceptions about Russian leadership characteristics are changing;
emerging business leaders prefer a more participative, humane oriented,
transformational approach over a transactional, directive and authoritarian one.
Finally, identity theory is strengthened by establishing a link between leader
efficacy and leadership identity work and by proposing a process model of leader
efficacy development and leadership identity work within an educational
programme. The study also indicates avenues for further research.Doctor of Business Administratio
Data in support of "The role of mixing on the kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth in membrane distillation crystallisation"
No full textEffects of boundary layer and bulk crystalliser mixing on crystallisation kinetics are described.
Increased boundary layer mixing (Re) increases nucleation rate which reduces crystal size.
Higher bulk agitation (N) reduces induction time and increases crystal growth rate.
High supersaturation levels at increased Re promotes secondary nucleation and agglomeration.
Nucleation and crystal growth kinetics can be decoupled and independently controlled
Intrinsic kinetics of steam methane reforming over a monolithic nickel catalyst in a fixed bed reactor system
No full textThe intrinsic kinetics of steam methane reforming were experimentally investigated using a monolithic nickel-based catalyst in a specially designed fixed bed system. All kinetic tests were performed under various operating conditions: steam to carbon ratio of 2 to 5, methane volumetric concentration in feed gas of 3 % to 9 %, temperature of 500 to 650 °C, and typical biogas compositions with N2 dilution (carbon dioxide 35.7–55.6 %, methane 44.4–64.3 %, with 86–91 % nitrogen dilution). A deconvolution process was applied during the rate calculation and the reaction orders with respect to different gases were determined, coupled with thermodynamic system analysis. The reaction mechanism was then proposed and a Langmuir-Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson (LHHW) kinetic model was established, followed by kinetic parameter estimations for the model and a further model validation with experimental data. Based on the model, the intrinsic kinetic of SMR reaction using monolithic catalysts was described. The validity and feasibility of applying the faster approach for kinetic parameter estimation were demonstrated, and this work is the first demonstration of a complex reaction system. Also, the reaction mechanism appeared to show a suitably high correlation with alternative and more sustainable methane sources (i.e. biogas).Chemical Engineering Scienc
Recursive least squares with log-determinant divergence regularisation for online inertia identification
Get PDFThis study presents a recursive algorithm for solving the regularised least squares problem for online identification of rigid body dynamic model parameters with emphasis on the physical consistency of estimated inertial parameters. One of the geometric approaches is to use a regulariser that represents how close the pseudo-inertia matrix is to a given reference on the feasible manifold in the regression problem. The proposed extension enables memory-efficient online learning in addition to the benefits of geometry-aware convex regularisation using the log-determinant divergence of the pseudo-inertia matrix. Also, the recursive version endows the estimator with the capability to deal with time-variation of parameters by introducing an optional forgetting mechanism. The characteristics of the recursive regularised least squares algorithm is demonstrated using the MIT Cheetah 3 leg swinging experiment dataset and compared to the existing batch optimisation method.2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA
Working anytime and anywhere: a contemporary behavioral phenomenon
Get PDFEditorialWork flexibilization enables office employees and knowledge workers to work anytime and anywhere, including outside of their expected working times. In this Research Topic, we assemble seven original papers presenting theoretical considerations and empirical findings on the psychological implications of “working anytime and anywhere”. Drawing on border theory (Clark, 2000), Steffens et al. characterize the broad concept of “work-life-blending” in terms of four interlinked components: (I) the two domains of work and private life; (II) the dynamic interplay between these domains; and (III) the individual and (IV) interindividual dynamics (e.g., within a family) determining boundary segmentation strategies. The six other papers offer insights on “working anytime and anywhere” by discussing workers' flexible work activities (Jiang et al.; Ma et al.; Yeves et al.) and extended work activities (Hendrikx et al.; Mueller et al.; Schoellbauer et al.)
Climate change adaptation attributes across scales and inter-institutional networks: insights from national and state level water management institutions in India
Get PDFEffective climate change adaptation requires cohesive inter-institutional networks across different scales, facilitating the sharing of data, information, knowledge, and practices. However, the impact of adaptation attributes across scales is poorly understood due to limited focus on these networks. Based on interviews with 26 institutions operating at the national level (ION) in India and 26 institutions operating within a state (Himachal Pradesh) (IOS), this study analysed adaptation attributes and the inter-institutional networks across the two scales to understand its implications at different scales. IONs have a greater capacity (compared to IOS) to frame guidelines, standards and regulations for practitioners along with better accessibility to resources and information. When coupled with bridging institutions, this can enhance adaptive capacities at other scales. Conversely, learnings from low regret adaptive measures being implemented by IOS are opportunities for informing national policy strategies. While national adaptation strategies and goals can inspire adaptation at lower scales, the currently fragmented inter-institutional network in India reduces the passage and accessibility of data and information, creating a bottleneck for the smooth devolution of adaptation attributes. Recruitment and deployment practices for water officials further entrench silo attitudes, impeding essential data accessibility. Adaptation needs comprehensive networks across vertical, horizontal, and diagonal institutional connections to improve climate risk perception and strategy implementation. Policy measures should consider socio-institutional factors beyond legislative prescriptions.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Economic and Social Research CouncilWe acknowledge the Government of India (grant no. 11016/10/2010) and the UK Natural Environment Research Council, grant number NE/1022329/1 (MICCI) for sponsoring this research and the UK Irrigation Association for the Jack Wright Travel Scholarship for supporting the fieldwork. SRJ was part-funded through the EPSRC/ESRC International Centre for Infrastructure Futures (ICIF) grant (EP/K012347/1).Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Chang
Manufacturing thick laminates using a layer by layer curing approach
Get PDFThe work presented in this paper puts forward a manufacturing strategy for the processing of thermosetting composites based on Layer by Layer (LbL) curing. The process operates additively with sublaminates placed in a heated press, partially cured while consolidating, followed by loading of the next sublaminate and repeating the cycle until part completion. Coupled consolidation-cure simulation was utilised to design the process and establish its capabilities showing that halving the cure time is possible for thick parts. Mechanical testing showed that for pre-cure of placed layers below the gelation degree of cure, interlaminar properties are equivalent to those of conventionally manufactured material. A trial was carried out demonstrating successfully the LbL process. On-line measurements of temperature and compaction matched the predictions of the simulation, whilst the quality of the material produced is equivalent to that of conventionally produced composites.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (grant number EP/P006701/1) through the EPSRC Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub.Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturin