171,095 research outputs found
Competence and competency in the EQF and in European VET systems
No full textPurpose – Though the notion of competence is common terminology in European VET policy at national and supra-national level, understandings vary widely, both across countries and within. The particular conceptions of competence adopted in the EQF are themselves problematic and the framework allows for a variety of interpretations. The purpose of this paper is to clarify those appliedin the EQF and the vocational education and qualifications systems of particular European countries and to contribute to the development of a transnational understanding of the term, one which is compatible with a rapidly changing labour market.Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on evidence from work funded by the Nuffield Foundation entitled “Cross-national Equivalence of Vocational Skills and Qualifications”, the paper explores the various conceptions of competence in the EQF and the national systems – in particular in the sectors of construction, ICT and health – of England, Germany, France and The Netherlands.Findings – Interpretations are located on a continuum from the comprehensive occupational model traditionally found in many European countries to the task-focused model of the English NVQ system.Research limitations/implications – Much developmental work involving all stakeholders is necessary to arrive at a commonly agreed conception. A broad understanding of competence would relate to the potential of labour, itself determined through the occupational capacity embodied in thequalification.Practical implications – Zones of Mutual Trust need to be based on transnational categories of VET.Originality/value – The value of the paper is in seeking to go beyond identifying differences by developing transnational categories and suggesting the nature of Zones of Mutual Trust for implementing the EQF
Development of a Dynamic Model for a Constant Tension Winch
No full textDeveloping an effective controller for a towing winch is very important to maintain constant towing rope tension between a submarine cable burying machine and a cable ship. A valve-controlled hydro-motor system for the towing winch is a highly nonlinear and time varying system due to the flow– pressure dynamics, oil leakage, oil temperature variation, etc. In this paper, we develop the dynamic model of the valve-controlled hydraulic winch by linearizing its nonlinear dynamics at an operating point. Both the simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the developed model describes the dynamic relationship between input control signals from the electronic proportional valve and pull forces generated by hydro-motor well. We used the model to evaluate and analyze the PID and FUZZY P+ID controllers for the constant tension winch that operates under sea waves with significant variations (peak-to-peak) from 1.5 to 2.5 meters
Fostering Entrepreneurs’ Capabilities to Outline Sustainable Strategies in ‘Stunted’ SMEs through Modelling and Simulation: a Dynamic Resource Based View
No full textThe literature recognises the phenomenon of ‘dwarf’ or ‘stunted’ small and micro firms (in
Italian nanismo aziendale) and that they might represent potential lost opportunities for
owners and the local economy.
Based on a field survey conducted by Bianchi et al. (2003) and the analysis previously
developed by the authors of this paper in sketching a simple ‘insight’ model to simulate the
behaviour of such firms (Bianchi & Winch, 2005), this work aims to show further research
developments in the effort to better understand the business dwarfism phenomenon.
A system dynamics model replicating the basic no-growth, cyclical behaviour attributed to
“stunted” SMEs is firstly analysed. Alternative policies arising from different entrepreneur’s
targets and attitudes towards strategic resources, aimed to change that behaviour to one of
stability or steady growth, are then tested and commented.
Although the model encompasses a larger range of inter-relationships than in its early version,
it is still a simple insight tool that will be used by the authors in a later step of the research, in
Euram Conference, Munich (Germany), 4-5 May 2005
2
order to conduct field experiments on the way “stunted” business entrepreneurs can better
learn and perceive weak signals of crisis or growth opportunities.
In this simple form, the model does link behaviours to system structure and could support
individual entrepreneurs in understanding the reasons for dwarfism in their firm and the
potential for unleashing growth. It could also further form the basis for a more detailed model
to support the identification and evaluation of strategic alternatives in individual firms
Winch, C R, VX68190
No full textThis record was harvested from a previous catalogue system and will be withdrawn in 2025. Information in this record may be superseded or incomplete. Visit this record in UMA's new catalogue at: https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/426675Surname: WINCH. Given Name(s) or Initials: C R. Military Service Number or Last Known Location: VX68190. Missing, Wounded and Prisoner of War Enquiry Card Index Number: 42171.254247
Item: [2016.0049.58936] "Winch, C R, VX68190
Drivers and dynamic processes for SMEs going global
No full textPurpose - Many, if not most, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are subject to the impacts of globalisation. This article seeks to explore the extra dimension of challenge to their already difficult environments when they have to venture into the world-trade system. Design/methodology/approach - Recent research undertaken separately by Polish, Italian, Norwegian and UK collaborators examined eight case studies of disparate smaller companies with international operations. This article brings together the common features found, and discusses them in terms of structural drivers and dynamic implications. Findings - Research findings include the stretching of capabilities in supporting customers in unfamiliar markets, the internal competition for funds in pursuing multiple international markets, the importance of word-of-mouth marketing, and the pressures on R&D functions. Practical implications - The critical importance of balance in smaller enterprises where resources are likely to be tightly constrained is highlighted, and the article observes that, while some of the challenges apply to many firms and other contexts, they are especially critical in SMEs. Originality/value - This article identifies common pressures and challenges facing SMEs when going global, and uses causal loop diagramming to capture the drivers and consider longer-term dynamic implications. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Supporting value creation in SMEs through capacity building and innovation initiatives: the danger of provoking unsustainable rapid growth
No full textValue creation comes in many guises, and may be achieved through expansion and efficiency, innovation and novel processes, and closer alignment with customer needs. This article examines the real dangers to firms, especially small firms, which pursue very ambitious capacity growth plans in order to chase market opportunities. Case analysis has unearthed a new phenomenon, which might be termed ‘business gigantism’ – a situation of rapid and unsustainable growth that places severe strains on the firm. This article briefly recounts two case studies where small firms secured substantial funding to support rapid expansion – in both cases via public agencies. In each case, funding was justified by formal business plans, but their static and mechanistic nature failed to foresee the perils when the firms attempted to grow too quickly and both experienced major crises. Simulation modelling explored more moderate, but still ambitious, growth options and showed that sustainable futures were feasible. © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
Unleashing growth potential in 'stunted' SMEs: Insights from simulator experiments
No full textThe literature recognises the phenomenon of 'dwarf' or 'stunted' small and micro firms (in Italian nanismo aziendale) and that they might represent potential lost opportunities for owners and the local economy. This paper describes the development of a simple 'insight' model to simulate the behaviour of such firms. The model replicates the basic no-growth, cyclical behaviour attributed to them and shows how changes in targets and attitudes towards asset management can change that behaviour to one of stable growth. In this simple form, the model does link behaviours to system structure and could support individual entrepreneurs in understanding the reasons for dwarfism in their firm and the potential for unleashing their growth potential. It could further form the basis for a more detailed model that could support the identification and evaluation of strategic alternatives in individual firms. Copyright © 2006 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd
MANAGING LEVERS OF ORGANIZATION DESIGN TO ENHANCE SMES’ LONGEVITY: An Agenda for Further Research
No full textSME success is often primarily linked to the personal traits of entrepreneurs and vice versa. In terms of SME failure, most of the literature, research and popular press, seems focused on individual factors, such as those related to the owner/entrepreneur’s profile and behavior, or contextual factors like those associated with relationships between the firm and its own stakeholders, especially on the competitive and financial systems arenas.
That said, some scholars have emphasized the relevance of organizational design for SME longevity, though there seems to be little inter-relating of the two sides. This paper examines the relationships between owner/entrepreneur attributes and organization design and infrastructure in an attempt to gain a clearer understand of SME longevity and failure. It examines critical issues in appropriateness and comprehensiveness of organizational design, control and decision-making flexibility and risk perception. It concludes that these linkages are not well understood and may lead to unhelpful misdiagnoses of small business failure. It consequently suggests a research agenda based on a structural analysis and modeling using the system dynamics approach
- …
