Artificial Intelligence Lab, Department of MIS, University of Arizona / Law enforcement agencies across the United States have begun to focus on innovative knowledge management technologies to aid in the analysis of criminal information. The use of such technologies can serve as intelligence tools to combat criminal activity by aiding in case investigation or even by predicting criminal activity. Funded by the National Institute of Justice, the University of Arizonaâ s Artificial Intelligence Lab has teamed with the Tucson Police Department (TPD) to develop the Coplink Concept Space application, which serves to uncover relationships between different types of information currently existing in TPDâ s records management system. A small-scale field study involving real law enforcement personnel indicates that the use of Coplink Concept Space can reduce the time spent on the investigative task of linking criminal information as well as provide strong arguments for expanded development of similar knowledge management systems in support of law enforcement.

This paper examines the challenges that the success of library and information systems design and implementation is now generating. It makes a distinction between management and mobilization and argues that the organizational success of the interrelated fields of knowledge management and in-formation systems (KM/IS) rests on strengthening (1) their descriptive understanding of how individuals in organizations make their own choices about accessing, using and sharing knowledge and (2) corre-sponding prescriptive recommendations for adapting the technical designs of KM/IS to best accommo-date those choices. It is success that has created this need, in that every major trend in KM/IS adds to user choices and reduces institutional control; the library now has no locked doors and experts can â meetâ wherever they are and whenever they want. Blogs bypass all the formal traditions, practices, edi-torial policies, verification procedures and protections against libel and misrepresentation of traditional print media. The frequent use of the term â democratic journalismâ to describe the blog phenomenon (George, 2006) in itself implies that traditional journalism is non-democratic. While KM/IS is not driven by a search for profits in the mass consumer market, it shares the same basic aim as leaders in consumer electronics, mobile data services, and even the gaming field. It is a commitment of institutional funds, whether from research grants or in-house sources, to innovate through information technology. The pur-pose of the innovation is to enable and encourage new behaviors. Knowledge management is focused in this regard on knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Information services are generally more centered on individual information-seeking and learning. When user choices determine the adoption and impact of this type pf innovation, then obviously it is essential to understand the foundations and dynamics of choice.

This thesis is an inquiry into the promotion and implementation of Japanese QCC in Singapore. The thesis aims to develop a better understanding of the QCC phenomenon and of its applicability outside Japan. The QCC as a small group activity used in promoting quality improvement among workers is examined through several theoretical frameworks: structuration theory, critical systems thinking and the notion of QCC as social technology. A historical analysis of the Japanese QCC provides an understanding of the socio-historical context in which the QCC as a small group activity evolved. The Japanese QCC system is examined, appraised and critiqued in terms of its key processes and role in quality management using Habermas's theory of knowledge and human interests and critical systems thinking. An analysis of the promotion of QCC in Singapore and of the general state of QCC activities provides a socio-historical context for five case studies of QCC implementation by Singapore firms. Using Olikowski's structuration model of technology, the thesis discusses the influence of the interactions between institutional properties and human agency on the outcomes of these firms' QCC implementation strategies. With technology viewed as a system metaphor comprising technical, social, economic and political sub-systems, the interpretive flexibility of the QCC as a social technology is underlined. QCC implementations outside Japan are viewed as incidents of technology transfer, with local inventions, which takes into account the systemic and socially constituted nature of QCC activity, essential for successful transfer. A conceptual map regarding the transfer of QCC is presented. The map incorporates the three theoretical frameworks used in this thesis. This is an attempt at modelling the processes essential for successful social technology transfer.

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In this paper, we have introduced and discussed a new and evolving tool of corporate strategy - benchmarking. We have compared and contrasted it with other, and sometimes competing, business philosophies and instruments of strategy. We have considered and deliberated on its three vital and expanding applications to business functions - sales (market penetration), manufacturing and quality management, and finance (cost control) with true stories from leading organisations in North America. We have also attempted to chart the direction of its future growth and development, especially in redefining business performance measurement.

Most literature on facility location assumes a fixed set-up cost and a linear variable cost. However, as production volume increases, cost savings are achieved through economies of scale, and then when production exceeds a certain capacity level, congestion occurs and costs start to increase significantly. This leads to an S-shaped cost function that makes the location-allocation decisions challenging. This thesis presents a nonlinear mixed integer programming formulation for the facility location problem with economies of scale and congestion and proposes a Lagrangian solution approach. Testing on a variety of functions and cost settings reveals the efficiency of the proposed approach in finding solutions that are within an average gap of 3.79% from optimal.

The aim of this study is to explore managers’ subjective experience of having a coaching approach to management. This has been researched through a Q methodological approach where 18 participants sorted a sample of 36 statements based on their subjective experience. These statements were prepared on the basis of a research design which included how managers perceive their role as both manager and coach, how they relate to a focus on process and product, and how they experience the relational quality to their employees. Four factors were identified through the factor analysis, and represents different views or experiences of coaching management. Factor 1 experiences coaching as a natural part of their role as managers and find that coaching promote results, learning and growth through reciprocal relations. Factor 2 does not seem to recognize coaching as a central role or management style, and emphasizes independence and autonomy as essential for efficiency and success. Factor 3 experiences that coaching management is primarily about being supportive. They also find that the position as manager brings with it a certain authority. Factor 4 has a results oriented focus and considers shared control as central to promote cooperation. These findings are discussed in relation to two models that show different ways of understanding the experience of being a coaching manager. The theoretical frame includes polarity management, situational leadership and transformational change. The results show that coaching management entails contradictory aspects that the factors relate to differently. What is perceived as polarities also varies. The thesis further addresses how the development of a coaching approach to management can be seen as an integration of polarities through transformational learning.