Knowledge marketing: How can strategic customers be utilised for knowledge marketing in knowledge-intensive SMEs?

This study aims to analyse the use of various forms of “knowledge utilisation” to integrate strategic customer knowledge in order to be one step ahead of the market and competitors. For this purpose, premises, processes, and factors are highlighted, which are essential to incorporate the knowledge of strategic customers into the knowledge base of knowledge-intensive small- to medium-sized enterprises (SME) and therefore contribute to the commercialisation of knowledge-intensive products as well as services. Here a knowledge marketing strategy may support the commercial exploitation of these products and services. Since research and literature in the field of knowledge marketing (especially in knowledge-intensive SMEs) is still scarce, the authors regard a qualitative research approach as appropriate. In the analysed cases, three necessary processes have been identified: (1) Developing knowledge networks, (2) solving customer problems, and (3) possessing the absorptive capacity to understand and integrate customer knowledge.     

Generic two-degree-of-freedom linear and fuzzy controllers for integral processes

This paper presents a new framework for the design of generic two-degree-of-freedom (2-DOF), linear and fuzzy, controllers dedicated to a class of integral processes specific to servo systems. The first part of the paper presents four 2-DOF linear PI controller structures that are designed using the Extended Symmetrical Optimum method to ensure the desired overshoot and settling time. The second part of the paper presents an original design method for 2-DOF Takagi-Sugeno PI-fuzzy controllers based on the stability analysis theorem. Experimental results for the speed control of a servo system with variable load illustrate the performance of the new generic control structures.     

基于粗糙集理论的知识密集型服务业集群创新能力评价研究

在相关研究的基础上,运用粗糙集方法,对德国雷根斯堡地区的六个知识密集型服务业集群的创新能力进行了综合评价研究,结果表明软环境的建设和集群对入驻企业的影响这两个方面对集群的创新能力具有较强的影响。     

A biomechanical comparison of countermovement performance after short-term traditional and daily-undulated loaded vertical jump training

In order to assess lower extremity muscle mechanical properties in athletes, power-load characteristics during multi-joint tasks are frequently examined. This work compared 6 weeks of traditional (TP) and daily-undulated (DUP) periodized loaded countermovement jumping (CMJ). 20 amateur athletes (age: 24.2 ± 2.6 years, height: 175.6 ± 7.1 cm, body mass: 71.5 ± 7.7 kg, 10 males/10 females) exercised three times weekly using maximal CMJs with loads corresponding to 0%, 15% and 30% of body mass. Prior to the training period, subjects were once-only assigned by random to either the TP or DUP training scheme. Pre-to-post training, maximal center of mass (COM) -height, -take-off velocity, -power output and -impulse were compared during CMJ with additional loads corresponding to 0–30% of body mass. ANOVA (time * group) with repeated measures revealed significant (P < 0.05) temporal gains of maximal COM-height (2–11%), -take-off velocity (1–7%), -power (2–8%) and -impulse (3–9%) over most loading conditions for TP and DUP. However, ANOVA indicated no group effects for any outcome. Independent from the periodization model, maximal power output remained statistically unchanged with increased testing loads. For short-term conditioning periods, TP and DUP were equally effective in enhancing biomechanical jumping variables under varying loading conditions.     

Knowledge sharing and rewards: a game-theoretical perspective

Shared databases are used as tools for knowledge management. But contributing knowledge to the database is a public-goods dilemma. Its specific features are multidimensionality of the goods, resource overlap, interdependency of group members and the lack of a marginal unit of return for individual contributions. An analytical model is presented describing the individual- and group-level payoff function. It shows that rewarding contributions with a cost-compensating bonus can be an effective solution not only at the individual level, but also at the group level. Whether or not a bonus system is self-supporting depends on the critical mass of people on average needing a contribution. This depends on the overlap of the people's resources and their interdependency.     

Modeling the Etiology of Individual Differences in Early Reading Development: Evidence for Strong Genetic Influences

We explored the etiology of individual differences in reading development from post-kindergarten to post–4th grade by analyzing data from 487 twin pairs tested in Colorado. Data from three reading measures and one spelling measure were fit to biometric latent growth curve models, allowing us to extend previous behavioral genetic studies of the etiology of early reading development at specific time points. We found primarily genetic influences on individual differences at post–1st grade for all measures. Genetic influences on variance in growth rates were also found, with evidence of small, nonsignificant, shared environmental influences for two measures. We discuss our results, including their implications for educational policy.     

Using Exploratory Bifactor Analysis to Understand the Latent Structure of Multidimensional Psychological Measures: An Example Featuring the WISC-V

Exploratory bifactor analysis (EBFA) represents a methodological advancement for implementing a bifactor model in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). However, little is known about how to properly employ the procedure. The current rotation criteria available for EBFA make it more likely to “get stuck” in local minima, contributing to possible group factor collapse, than more traditional EFA rotations. Thus, getting a proper solution is a more complex and involved process than typical EFA and may require a sensitivity analysis. This article examines EBFA through a sensitivity analysis and subsequent simulation of parameters thought to contribute to group factor collapse. Results support the use of sensitivity analysis, as the problematic variable was shown to greatly increase the likelihood of factor collapse. The hypothesis that estimation start values contribute to factor collapse was not supported. Accompanying R syntax for all analyses are provided to facilitate reproducibility.     

The linguistic complexity of adult and child contextualized and decontextualized talk

The association between decontextualized talk (DT; i.e., talk extending beyond immediate context) and child language outcomes is well-attested but not well-understood. This study tested the hypothesis that DT is more linguistically complex than contextualized talk (CT). Thirty-eight Norwegian children (M_age = 5.5 years; 25 girls; 30 Norwegian-speaking monolinguals and eight multilinguals) and their teachers were videotaped during picture book reading, story card conversations and toy play (collected 2010–2011 and 2017). Results show that DT was more complex than CT among children and teachers. Both types of talk were more complex during book reading and story conversations than during play. The conversational context should be accounted for when theorizing about the role of DT in language development.