Global ETD Search

41	Design Of Innovative Mechanisms For Contemporary Game Theoretic Problems In Electronic Commerce Garg, Dinesh 06 1900 (has links) Game theory and mechanism design have emerged as an important tool to model, analyze,and solve decentralized design problems involving multiple agents that interact strategically in a rational and intelligent way. Some examples of these design problems include: auctions and markets in electronic commerce; network economics; dynamic pricing; routing protocols in wireless networks; resource allocation in computational grids; algorithms for selfish agents;etc. The motivation for this doctoral work springs from the high level of current interest indesigning innovative mechanisms for solving emerging game theoretic problems in the area of electronic commerce. In this thesis, we focus on three such problems and advance the current art in mechanism design while developing new, innovative mechanisms to solve the problems. The first problem we explore is the highly strategic problem of forming a high value E-business supply chain by choosing the best mix of supply chain partners. In our research, we formulate the supply chain formation problem as a mechanism design problem in a generic wayand show that the well known VCG (Vickrey-Clarke-Groves) mechanisms provide an apt frame-work for solving this problem. We provide a compelling example of a three stage automotive distribution network to illustrate the power and e±cacy of the proposed methodology. The second problem we model and solve is that of designing a revenue maximizing sponsored search auction. This is a problem that is faced by every Internet search engine, such as Google,MSN, and Yahoo!, whenever it receives a search query. In our research, we take a comprehensivelook at existing auction mechanisms for this problem. Our work leads to an innovative new auction mechanism, which we call OPT (optimal mechanism), that exhibits a superior level ofperformance. The proposed mechanism extends, in a non-trivial way, the well known Myersonoptimal auction to the specific setting of sponsored search auctions. The proposed mechanism maximizes the revenue to the search engine and also satisfies two crucial properties, Bayesian incentive compatibility and interim individual rationality. The third contribution is in respect of Stackelberg problems, which are game theoretic problems that involve hierarchical and sequential decision making. By focusing attention on an important subclass of these problems, namely the Single-Leader-Rest-Followers (SLRF) problems, we extend all relevant aspects of classical mechanism design theory to the case of SLRF problems. We derive many important results in respect of procurement auctions with reserve prices using the developed theory. The research carried out as part of this doctoral work, we believe, advances the current art in mechanism design while developing innovative mechanisms to solve those problems. E-commerce Game Theory Mechanism Design Stackelberg Problems E-Business Supply Chain Formation Vickery-Clarke-Grooves Mechanism Sponsored Search Auction Optimal Mechanism Supply Chains Supply Chain Networks Optimal Mechanism (OPT) Single-Leader-Rest-Followers (SLRF) Decentralized Design Problems Commerce
42	Parental Rights: Curriculum Opt-outs in Public Schools Rogers, Tommy Kevin 08 1900 (has links) The purposes of this dissertation were to determine the constitutional rights of parents to shield their children from exposure to parts of the public school curriculum that the parents find objectionable on religious, moral, or other grounds and to determine the statutory rights of parents to remove, or opt-out, their children from objectionable parts or all of the public school curriculum as set forth in the statutes of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Many pivotal federal court cases dealing with parent rights and curricular issues, including Mozert v. Hawkins County Board of Education (1987), Vandiver v. Hardin County Board of Education (1987), Brown v. Hot, Sexy, & Safer Productions, Inc. (1995), Leebaert v. Harrington (2003), and Parker v. Hurley (2008) were surveyed using legal research methods. Specific types of curriculum opt-outs (e.g., sex education, comprehensive health programs, HIV/AIDS instruction) granted by each state were ascertained. States' statutes and regulations were categorized as non-existent, restrictive, or permissive based on the scope and breadth of each state's curriculum opt-out statute or regulation. A long list of federal court rulings have provided public schools the right to teach what school boards and administrators determine is appropriate. Parents did not have any constitutional right to opt their children out of public school curriculum. Many states' legislatures have granted parents a statutory right to opt their children out of certain parts of school curricula. In this study, 7 states had non-existent statutes or regulations, 18 states had restrictive statutes or regulations, and 26 states had permissive statutes or regulations. Curriculum opt-outs parent rights in public schools curriculum exclusions curriculum exemptions
43	Inbound marknadsföring - att attrahera och behålla kunder : En kvalitativ studie om digital marknadsföring inom modebranchen de la Croix, Inès, Wollnert, Matilda January 2022 (has links) Marknadsföringen har förändrats drastiskt under det senaste decenniet och forskningen visar att traditionella marknadsföringsaktiviteter inte längre är lika effektiva på grund av bland annat ett förändrat konsumentbeteende. Till följd av den förändrade attityden mot traditionell marknadsföring har ett nytt koncept vid namn inbound marknadsföring fått en allt mer framträdande roll på konsument- och företagsmarknaden. Konceptet ämnar att attrahera, konvertera och behålla kunder med hjälp av intressant och relevant innehåll till en tydligt definierad målgrupp. Dock har det blivit en allt svårare uppgift på de marknader som präglas av hög konkurrens, såsom e-handeln. Tidigare litteratur fokuserar främst på att undersöka inbound marknadsföring på en företagsmarknad, vars resultat kan vara svåra att överföra på konsumentmarknaden. Vi fann även att tidigare litteratur inte har undersökt hur företag arbetar med inbound marknadsföring som ett helhetskoncept. Denna studie ämnar därmed att ge ett bidrag till konsumentmarknaden genom att undersöka hur modeföretag arbetar med inbound marknadsföring för att attrahera och behålla kunder. Eftersom litteraturen även skildrar konceptet som ett överlägset marknadsföringskoncept är studiens syfte att undersöka vilka utmaningar modeföretag upplever i relation till konceptet. För att svara på vår frågeställning och syfte har vi genomfört en kvalitativ studie där empirin har samlats in genom sex semistrukturerade intervjuer med svenska modeföretag. Med utgångspunkt i tidigare forskning och den insamlade empirin har vi konstaterat att modeföretagen arbetar med inbound marknadsföring likt de strategier som litteraturen belyser. Ytterligare har studien funnit att modeföretag även använder två andra marknadsföringsteorier som inte har berörts i relation till konceptet. Studien har även utmynnat i en modell som kan hjälpa marknadsförare att få en övergripande bild av de strategier som ligger till grund för att attrahera och behålla kunder. Våra resultat indikerar även att modeföretag står inför komplexa utmaningar. Bland annat är det svårt för företagen att synas på en konkurrensutsatt marknad utan att upplevas som påträngande. Modeföretag står även inför utmaningen att anpassa innehållet efter kommunikationskanalerna som de tillhandahåller, få konsumenternas uppmärksamhet och förstå hur de vill interagera och engagera sig. Avslutningsvis måste modeföretag finna en balans i hur personifierat innehållet bör vara utan att det upplevs som irrelevant av konsumenterna samt när kampanjer borde inkluderas i marknadsföringen. inbound marknadsföring inbound marketing digital marknadsföring modebranschen digital marketing attrahera behålla attract engage pull strategy opt-in epost marknadsföring marknadsföring via sociala medier sökmotorsoptimering relationsmarknadsföring utmaningar marknadsföring innehållsmarknadsföring Business Administration Företagsekonomi Economics and Business Ekonomi och näringsliv
44	數位時代下垃圾訊息法制之建置---以美國法為藍本蔡欣惠, Tsai, Hsin-huei Unknown Date (has links) 當您看到此份研究計畫書時，五分鐘內可能您的e-mail郵箱已湧進二十封垃圾郵件（通稱SPAM）。據Ferris Research指出，社會花費在圍堵垃圾郵件的成本開銷上一年高達一百億美元。而根據聯合國國際電信聯盟（International Telecommunication Union，ITU)統計， Spam每年更浪費全球各國250億美元。這個驚人的數據傳達出一個訊息：對多數人而言－聽到「You've Got Mail!」，已經不再是令人愉悅的聲音了。Spamhaus的調查報告顯示，台灣及HINET一直是垃圾郵件主要輸出來源，過去AOL曾封鎖由HINET 寄送的郵件，一度造成台灣HINET使用者相當大的困擾。隨著數位匯流（Digital Convergence）時代的來臨，除了Email Spam外，電話行銷、Mobile Spam、SMS簡訊SPAM及VoIP都是數位匯流時代下垃圾郵件客攻掠的戰場，而我國行政院所草擬之「濫發商業電子郵件管理條例」草案明文只規範垃圾「郵件」問題，而未及其它垃圾訊息，法律若未對此議題及早規範，可能草案還沒出立法院大門就已經被時代淘汰。因此，本文欲針對數位時代下可能興起之垃圾訊息型態作全面性的檢討，以建構一更為完善的垃圾訊息法制已未雨綢繆。本文之研究方法如下：第一，針對美國之垃圾訊息法制的內容與立法背景，進行比較法研究。台灣的濫發商業電子郵件管制條例草案，內容主要係參考美國法，但在若干立法例仍有所不同，例如於是否需要標示主旨欄（Subject Line Labeling）則有不同選擇。對此，筆者曾於在律師雜誌發表對美國聯邦貿易委員會（FTC）研究報告反對強制行銷業者寄送廣告信必需標示主旨欄的不同意見，且建議台灣的「濫發商業電子郵件管制條例」草案做相反規定。此外，在處罰對象及門檻之設計亦大相逕庭，例如沒有刑罰規定。而在於規制主體上，我國草案的內容明文只限於垃圾『郵件』之規範，對於日益惡化的的新型態未經邀約的商業訊息，像是透過無線傳輸設備或是行動設備所接收的未經邀約之商業訊息等，草案並無法可管。因此，本文並將針對垃圾電子郵件以外的其它新興垃圾訊息法制進行說明與分析，以供未來立法及執法的參考。再者，本文將藉由國內外的實務案例研究了解法律實際操作情況。因為台灣法律目尚前無法處理垃圾郵件這個新興法律問題，導致檢察官無法可用，之後通過草案亦可能會面臨到法律不足的問題，因此實有必要針對實際案例操作深入了解。第三，本文擬就我國之「濫發商業電子郵件管理條例草案」內容進行通盤檢討，提出更符合數位匯流時代之法制架構，以更有效防堵垃圾訊息。美國史丹佛教授Dr. Dan Boneh在「the Difficulties of Tracing Spam Email」一文中提及垃圾郵件客技術日新月異，防不勝防。可預見SPAM這個議題將隨著科技演進而日益嚴重。隨著數位匯流（Digital Convergence）時代的來臨，除了垃圾郵件外，電話行銷、行動簡訊（Mobile Spam）、簡短訊息服務SMS 及網路語音（Voice over Internet Protocal）、多媒體圖片訊息（MMS）都是數位匯流時代下垃圾郵件客攻掠的戰場，實有必要針對此些新興類型之Spam進行防範。 / Within the five minutes it takes for you to read this essay, your e-mail box may have already received 20 spam mails. Ferris Research has pointed out that the costs incurred to society in blocking spam has reached US$10 billion per year. And according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the annual global cost of spam is US$2.5 billion. These startling figures convey a bit of information: for most people, the message “You’ve got mail!” is no longer welcome.. Based on a survey conducted by Spamhaus, Taiwan is a leading source of spam messages. AOL once blocked all e-mail messages coming from Hinet, which at one blow caused huge difficulties for Taiwanese Internet users. With the coming of the Digital Convergence era, besides e-mail spam, new forms are emerging such as mobile spam, telemarketing calls, SMS messaging spam, and VoIP spam. The Digital Convergence era will provide all kinds of opportunities for spammers to attack. However, Taiwan’s draft Anti-UCE Act addresses only e-mail spam. If the law does not address the broader issue early on, it may be outmoded even before it is passed. The US remains the main source of reference for Taiwan in the area of technology law. Long ago, before the US enacted the “Can-Spam Act,” there was “Shiksaa.” I would like to do in-depth research on American cyber and technology law so I can develop a suitable legal solution to Taiwan’s very serious UCE problem, to reduce the losses to society and to business productivity that are caused by spam, to eliminate Taiwan’s bad reputation for being a main spam exporter, and to spur e-commerce development. My research project would be as follows. 1. To examine the inner traits of various SPAM regulation and do interdisciplinary research 2. Deploy case-based and comparative law study to gather practical material 3. Combine the research results from technology and law to contribute to the ultimate resolution of SPAM. 垃圾郵件垃圾訊息行動簡訊數位匯流網路語音電話行動服務商業訊息主動訂閱退訂機制 Spam Unsolicited Commercial Email Wireless Spam Mobile Spam Opt-in Opt-out CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 MSCMs Digital Convergence TCPA VoIP SMS
45	The regulation of unsolicited electronic communications (SPAM) in South Africa : a comparative study Tladi, Sebolawe Erna Mokowadi 06 1900 (has links) The practice of spamming (sending unsolicited electronic communications) has been dubbed “the scourge of the 21st century” affecting different stakeholders. This practice is also credited for not only disrupting electronic communications but also, it overloads electronic systems and creates unnecessary costs for those affected than the ones responsible for sending such communications. In trying to address this issue nations have implemented anti-spam laws to combat the scourge. South Africa not lagging behind, has put in place anti-spam provisions to deal with the scourge. The anti-spam provisions are scattered in pieces of legislation dealing with diverse issues including: consumer protection; direct marketing; credit laws; and electronic transactions and communications. In addition to these provisions, an Amendment Bill to one of these laws and two Bills covering cybercrimes and cyber-security issues have been published. In this thesis, a question is asked on whether the current fragmented anti-spam provisions are adequate in protecting consumers. Whether the overlaps between these pieces of legislation are competent to deal with the ever increasing threats on electronic communications at large. Finally, the question as to whether a multi-faceted approach, which includes a Model Law on spam would be a suitable starting point setting out requirements for the sending of unsolicited electronic communications can be sufficient in protecting consumers. And as spam is not only a national but also a global problem, South Africa needs to look at the option of entering into mutual agreements with other countries and organisations in order to combat spam at a global level. / Mercantile Law / LL. D. Anti-spam laws Commercial electronic messages Consumers Consent Direct marketing Dictionary attacks Disguising of headers (spoofing) Electronic communications Electronic mail (e-mail) Harvesting and sale of e-mail addresses International cooperation Opt-out mechanism Opt-in mechanism Personal information Spam Unsolicited bulk email Unsolicited commercial communications Unsolicited electronic communications 343.9944068 Privacy, Right of -- South Africa
46	A Mechanism Design Approach To Resource Procurement In Computational Grids With Rational Resource Providers Prakash, Hastagiri 10 1900 (has links) A computational grid is a hardware and software infrastructure that provides dependable, consistent, pervasive, and inexpensive access to high-end computational capabilities. In the presence of grid users who are autonomous, rational, and intelligent, there is an overall degradation of the total eﬃciency of the computational grid in comparison to what can be achieved when the participating users are centrally coordinated . This loss in eﬃciency might arise due to an unwillingness on the part of some of the grid resource providers to either not perform completely or not perform to the fullest capability, the computational jobs of other users in the grid. In this thesis, our attention is focused on designing grid resource procurement mechanisms which a grid user can use for procuring resources in a computational grid based on bids submitted by autonomous, rational, and intelligent resource providers. Speciﬁcally, we follow a game theoretic and mechanism design approach to design three elegant, diﬀerent incentive compatible procurement mechanisms for this purpose: G-DSIC (Grid-Dominant Strategy Incentive Compatible) mechanism which guarantees that truthful bidding is a best response for each resource provider, irrespective of what the other resource providers bid G-BIC (Grid-Bayesian Nash Incentive Compatible) mechanism which only guarantees that truthful bidding is a best response for each resource provider whenever all other resource providers also bid truthfully G-OPT (Grid-Optimal) mechanism which minimizes the cost to the grid user, satisfying at the same time, (1) Bayesian Incentive Compatibility (which guarantees that truthful bidding is a best response for each resource provider whenever all other resource providers also bid truthfully) and (2) Individual Rationality (which guarantees that the resource providers have non-negative payoﬀs if they participate in the bidding process). We evaluate the relative merits and demerits of the above three mechanisms using game theoretical analysis and numerical experiments. The mechanisms developed in this thesis are in the context of parameter sweep type of jobs, which consist of multiple homogeneous and independent tasks. We believe the use of the mechanisms proposed transcends beyond parameter sweep type of jobs and in general, the proposed mechanisms could be extended to provide a robust way of procuring resources in a computational grid where the resource providers exhibit rational and strategic behavior. Computational Grids Grid Computing Grid Resource Management Mechanism Design G-OPT (Grid-Optimal) Mechanism Incentive Compatibility (IC) Rational Resource Providers Grid Resource Procurement Computer Science
47	Studie tvorby výrobní strategie / The Study of Production Strategy Formation Voborná, Petra January 2008 (has links) Every production unit must have a clearly determined production strategy based on the given business strategy. Today’s competitive environment is very tough and demanding and that is why each producer’s success or failure is determined by the correctly chosen productive orientation, technically advanced products and provided services, range of supply and their quality and mostly price as well. What makes firms to improve and optimize their supplies continuously is just dynamic development of the society and continuously growing consumers and users’ requirements. The keen competition on one hand makes the business more demanding, but on the other hand it brings lots of new opportunities. Looking for new ways, new procedures and management methods and especially niches in the given products and services market will bring the coveted strategy advantage. This master’s thesis deals with a change of the current production strategy in a building company, individual production aspects and improving the quality of the production process functionality itself following the objective of the firm competitiveness and business performance improvement. Within the solution I count on an ability to adapt promptly to new market requirements, I suppose that the continuing differentiation strategy will contribute to building a position of a preferential supplier of the chosen narrow market segment for large building firms in the market. Improving every production process component is the prerequisite for further development of the company.
48	Le contentieux privé des pratiques anticoncurrentielles : Étude des contentieux privés autonome et complémentaire devant les juridictions judiciaires / Private litigation of competition law (cartels and abuses of dominance) : Study of stand alone and follow-on litigations in national courts Amaro, Rafael 05 December 2012 (has links) L’actualisation des données sur le contentieux privé des pratiques anticoncurrentielles fait naître laconviction que l’état de sous-développement souvent pointé est aujourd’hui dépassé. Les statistiquessont nettes : des dizaines d’affaires sont plaidées chaque année. Toutefois, ce contentieux s’esquissesous des traits qui ne sont pas exactement ceux du contentieux indemnitaire de masse faisant suite àla commission d’ententes internationales. C’est un fait majeur qui doit être noté car l’essentiel desprojets de réforme furent bâtis sur cet idéal type. Trois des caractères les plus saillants de la réalitéjudiciaire témoignent de cette fracture entre droit positif et droit prospectif. D’abord, le contentieuxprivé est majoritairement un contentieux contractuel entre professionnels aux forces déséquilibrées. Ensuite, c’estun contentieux national – voire local – plus qu’un contentieux international. Enfin, c’est plutôt uncontentieux autonome se déployant devant les juridictions judiciaires sans procédure préalable oupostérieure des autorités de concurrence (stand alone). Paradoxalement, les actions complémentaires(follow-on), pourtant réputées d’une mise en oeuvre aisée, sont plus rares. Ces observations invitentalors à réviser l’ordre des priorités de toute réflexion prospective. Ainsi, la lutte contre l’asymétried’informations et de moyens entre litigants, l’essor de sanctions contractuelles efficaces, larecomposition du rôle des autorités juridictionnelles et administratives dans le procès civil ou encorele développement des procédures de référé s’imposent avec urgence. Mais s’il paraît légitime desoutenir ce contentieux autonome déjà existant, il n’en reste pas moins utile de participer à laréflexion déjà amorcée pour développer le contentieux indemnitaire de masse tant attendu et dont onne peut négliger les atouts. De lege ferenda, le contentieux privé de demain présenterait donc uncaractère bicéphale ; il serait à la fois autonome et complémentaire. Il faut alors tenter de concevoir unrégime efficace pour ces deux moutures du contentieux privé en tenant compte de leurs exigencesrespectives. Or l’analyse positive et prospective de leurs fonctions révèlent que contentieuxautonome et contentieux complémentaire s’illustrent autant par les fonctions qu’ils partagent que parcelles qui les distinguent. Il serait donc excessif de vouloir en tous points leur faire application derègles particulières ou, à l’inverse, de règles identiques. C’est donc vers l’élaboration d’un régime commun complété par un régime particulier à chacun d’eux que s’orientera la présente recherche.PREMIÈRE PARTIE. Le régime commun aux contentieux privés autonome et complémentaireSECONDE PARTIE. Le régime particulier à chacun des contentieux privés autonome et complémentaire / Pas de résumé en anglais Actions de groupe Actions en nullité Actions en réparation Amende civile Analyses contrefactuelles Causalité Class actions Clémence civile Compétence matérielle Compétence territoriale Conflit de juridictions Conflit de lois Contentieux de la distribution Contentieux privé Droit de la concurrence Dommage concurrentiel Dommages et intérêts confiscatoires Dommages et intérêts punitifs Évaluation du dommage Loi applicable Loyauté de la preuve Matière pénale Mesures d’instructions Ministère public ad hoc Non bis in idem Nullité Office du juge Opportunité des poursuites Opt out Peine privée Pratiques anticoncurrentielles Preuve Preuve par présomption Private enforcement Procès équitable Référé Relevé d’office Responsabilité civile Responsabilité des dirigeants Restitutions Union européenne Ad hoc prosecutors Anticompetitive practices Antitrust law Arbitration Causation Civil leniency Civil penalty Class actions Collective redress Competition law Confiscatory damages Conflict of jurisdiction Conflict of laws Counterfactual analysis Criminal matter Criminal prosecution Damages actions European Union Ex officio application of law Fair trial Follow-on actions French civil and criminal proceedings French competition law French law French law of evidence French unfair trading practices law Non bis in idem Nullity Opt in class action Opt out class action Private enforcement Private litigation Punitive damages Quantification of damages Settlements Stand alone actions Summary judgment Tort law Unfair evidence
49	HIV exceptionalism and the South African HIV and AIDS epidemic: perspectives of health care workers in Pietermaritzburg Still, Linda Joy 31 October 2008 (has links) The limited success of HIV-testing facilities in South Africa means that many people are not accessing necessary antiretroviral treatment services. This study investigates the practical implications of HIV exceptionalism inherent in Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). A semi-structured interview schedule was used to survey participants for their perspectives on barriers to HIV-testing uptake as well as the effects of exceptionalist practices at VCT clinics. Responses showed marked perceptions of gender differences in people's willingness to test and several important barriers including problems of access to services. Significantly, exceptionalism displayed in certain clinic procedures was thought to contribute to stigma, and attempts to normalise HIV practice in order to combat the effects of stigma were being informally implemented. Participants' views on routine opt-out testing were explored. The researcher recommended further investigation on how HIV testing and treatment policies can be normalised so as to reduce stigma and increase testing uptake. / Social Work / M.A. Sociology (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS) Ethics HIV exceptionalism Rights Routine opt-out testing Stigma Voluntary counselling and testing 362.196979200968475
50	HIV exceptionalism and the South African HIV and AIDS epidemic: perspectives of health care workers in Pietermaritzburg Still, Linda Joy 31 October 2008 (has links) The limited success of HIV-testing facilities in South Africa means that many people are not accessing necessary antiretroviral treatment services. This study investigates the practical implications of HIV exceptionalism inherent in Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT). A semi-structured interview schedule was used to survey participants for their perspectives on barriers to HIV-testing uptake as well as the effects of exceptionalist practices at VCT clinics. Responses showed marked perceptions of gender differences in people's willingness to test and several important barriers including problems of access to services. Significantly, exceptionalism displayed in certain clinic procedures was thought to contribute to stigma, and attempts to normalise HIV practice in order to combat the effects of stigma were being informally implemented. Participants' views on routine opt-out testing were explored. The researcher recommended further investigation on how HIV testing and treatment policies can be normalised so as to reduce stigma and increase testing uptake. / Social Work / M.A. Sociology (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS) Ethics HIV exceptionalism Rights Routine opt-out testing Stigma Voluntary counselling and testing 362.196979200968475

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