Consumers have been increasingly involved in the innovation process in the last few decades, a major driving force of business success. This involvement is critically important for innovation, particularly in product development. However, consumers frequently cannot articulate exactly what they need, want, or like if they are asked directly. It is very difficult for consumers to articulate their needs and desires. Therefore, researchers have to use other means to understand their motivations. There are many arguments suggesting that focus groups cannot create a reliable direction for new product development (NPD) or message optimization. A solution for this problem lies in a systematic, structured and disciplined experimentation with consumers - presenting them with a set of experimentally-designed products or concepts and soliciting their preferences. It is much easier for consumers to choose a preferred option from a set of concepts. New technologies make it easier than ever to conduct complex experiments quickly and inexpensively. The expanded use of experimentation provides an opportunity to take innovation to a new level. Rule Developing Experimentation (RDE) is an increasingly popular, structured, consumer-based experimentation methodology. RDE works with prototypes, either physical prototypes, prototypes created out of language (concepts), or prototypes created out of visual stimuli (design and packaging). In business, RDE is used both to understand existing products, product categories and packages, as well as to create next generation offerings in the process of new product development (NPD). Rule Developing Experimentation: A Systematic Approach to Understand & Engineer the Consumer Mind explains RDE concepts, beginning from its origins, to novel consumer research techniques and covers applications relevant to a real market context. Readers are also introduced to the concept of Mind Genomics® - a more holistic approach to gaining insight into the consumer mind.

When we look at the quality management issues that have faced, both, in Japan and the rest of the world recently, it is clear that a next-generation quality management practice is required, featuring a rational approach that will motivate people and revitalize organizations. We need to reassess the way quality management is carried out in the manufacturing industry and establish ‘Science Total Quality Management (TQM), new quality management principle’, as a next-generation management technology. In this e-book, the author proposes the ‘Science TQM, new quality management principle’ aimed at the evolution of manufacturing, and demonstrates its effectiveness. This contemporary principle of Japanese management science - a scientific quality management method – has been the key to success in global production and facilitates globally consistent levels of quality and simultaneous production worldwide. Specifically, Science TQM consists of several core technologies designed to address specific areas of corporate operations: the ‘Total Marketing System, TMS’ for sales, the ‘Total Development System, TDS’ for development and design, the ‘Total Production System, TPS’ for production technology and manufacturing, and the ‘Total Intelligence Management System, TIS’ and ‘Total Job Quality Management System, TJS’ for administrative and managerial functions. These systems are then effectively linked through ‘Science SQC, new quality control principle’, to rationally achieve strategic quality management. The focus of this book is thus the theory and application of strategic quality management through the application of ‘Science TQM’. The effectiveness of Science TQM is then demonstrated at Toyota Motor Corporation -one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturing companies. The author, a leading ex-general manager of TQM promotion division of Toyota Motor Corporation, shows how to align them to develop competitive quality throughout the business process that covers from the creation of product concept through manufacturing and selling to delivery to clients by actual cases. This is an e-book to be benchmarked by research professionals and practitioners who are interested in developing competitive quality of their business in the prevailing global competition. This e-book is also strongly recommended to senior managers such has top level executives who are not directly involved in so-called quality management practices because quality is the outcome of the dynamics of most activities of the company as well as the kernel of competitiveness. The essence of TQM is reflected in ‘Total Quality Management’. Science and technology, team work, collaboration with internal as well as external members, training and skill, data and information, knowledge, and organizational alignment are all important ingredients to be combined systematically and strategically. Linking all ingredients for quality in consistent and effective ways is a key to competitiveness. Readers will find not only quality related practices, but also the linking capacity for executing TQM practices as well as understand the implicit scientific, behavioral and organizational insights necessary to achieve real quality.

Current global economic crises call for social responsibility to replace neo-liberalistic, one-sided and short-term criteria causing monopolies of global enterprises. Humanity’s existence is endangered under the threat of global capitalism, unless the positive concept ‘everyone’s social responsibility impacts everyone in society’ becomes the basis of the new socio-economic order. This concept must be realized together with related concepts of ‘interdependence’ and ‘holism,’ embodying the principles of accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, and respect for stakeholders--to support the rule of law, international norms, and human rights. Social Responsibility – A non-technological innovation process explores the realm of social responsibility in the context of innovation, business practice and economic crises. Readers can apply related principles to their business practices and enhance their business prospects in a modern environment facing the challenges of socio-economic crises. This volume is intended for graduates and professionals working in government organizations and commercial enterprises, to learn basic concepts about social responsibility and introduce holistic management practices in their daily and professional lives.

Current global economic crises call for social responsibility to replace neo-liberalistic, one-sided and short-term criteria causing monopolies of global enterprises. The triad ‘freedom, brotherhood, equality’ and ‘the invisible hand’ support the hypothesis of interdependence among humans. Humanity’s existence is endangered under the threat of global capitalism, unless the social responsibility’s concept ‘everyone’s social responsibility impacts everyone in society’ becomes the new socio-economic order, realized alongside concepts as ‘interdependence’ and ‘holism’ and using its principles of accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, respect for stakeholders, for the rule of law, for international norms and human rights. Social Responsibility – A non-technological innovation process explores the realm of social responsibility in the context of innovation, business practice and economic crises. Readers can apply related principles to their business practices and enhance their business prospects in a modern environment facing the challenges of socio-economic crises. This volume is intended for graduates and professionals working in government organizations and commercial enterprises, to learn basic concepts about social responsibility and introduce holistic management practices in their daily and professional lives.

Current global economic crises call for social responsibility to replace neo-liberalistic, one-sided and short-term criteria causing monopolies of global.

Current global economic crises call for social responsibility to replace neo-liberalistic, one-sided and short-term criteria causing monopolies of global enterprises. Humanity’s existence is endangered under the threat of global capitalism, unless the positive concept ‘everyone’s social responsibility impacts everyone in society’ becomes the basis of the new socio-economic order. This concept must be realized together with related concepts of ‘interdependence’ and ‘holism,’ embodying the principles of accountability, transparency, ethical behavior, and respect for stakeholders--to support the rule of law, international norms, and human rights. Range of Perspectives Per Topics and Countries brings forth discussions from researchers from different countries. The contents of this volume include discussions related to community involvement, disaster response and disease epidemics, among other topics. The volume also includes studies on social responsibility standards in a Mexican city as well as a discussion of social responsibility in BIRCS countries.

Interest Rate Modeling for Risk Management introduces a theoretical framework - the ‘real-world’ model - that allows us to estimate the market price of interest rate risk based on practical and real life situations. The model can be briefly summarized as a process of estimating the market prices of risk through discretization of forward rates with a ‘space-state setup’ whilst considering historical data trends. The book starts with a brief explanation of interest rate stochastic analysis fundamentals before delving into standard models such as Heath-Jarrow-Morton, Hull-White and LIBOR models. The real-world model is then explained in subsequent chapters while applying different frameworks. Additionally, the book also explains some properties of the real-world model, along with the negative price tendency of the market price for risk and a positive market price for risk (with an example of this actually occurring). Readers will also find a handy appendix with proofs to complement the numerical methods explained in the book. This book is intended as a primer for practitioners in financial institutions involved in interest rate risk management. It also presents a new perspective for researchers and graduates in econometrics and finance on the study of interest rate models.

The era of globalization has brought about unprecedented social, political, and environmental challenges for policy makers around the world due to the global impact of economic decisions. In view of these challenges, economics, as a discipline, needs to be taught with the goal of broadening the dialogue on social responsibility, and developing a new pluralist culture of decision making which is inclusive to different schools of economic thought. Pluralist Readings in Economics: Key-concepts and policy tools for the 21st century highlights the long-standing debates regarding economic systems, business models, criteria of justice, and economic policies by providing conceptual openings to economic theory in an engaging and accessible way. The author provides broad coverage of relevant topics through the selection of influential economic thinkers and introduces the reader to their ideas, context, and relevant interpretations. While dealing with complex problems, the author goes beyond commonly known concepts by presenting questions on the historical context of globalization. The study of economic concepts in this way leads to asking new questions concerning various issues relevant to economics. The goal of the text is to provide an interdisciplinary perspective to readers in order to equip them with information that is key to address global economic challenges. Thus, this pluralist approach calls for a reflection of the evolution of global social and economic conditions to demonstrate problem solving approaches that align with the goal of addressing these challenges. Pluralist Readings in Economics: Key-concepts and policy tools for the 21st century is suitable to a broad interdisciplinary readership as it will benefit all those who seek to better understand the complex stakes of the capitalist system, in the tensions between regulatory policies, free market equilibria, and participatory openings in governance. This introductory work also prepares the reader for debates and discussion in economic theory aimed at shaping policy transformations towards a more equitable, just and sustainable world.

Interest Rate Modeling for Risk Management presents an economic model which can be used to compare interest rate and perform market risk assessment analyses. The key interest rate model applied in this book is specified under real-world measures, and the result is used as to generate scenarios for interest rates. The book introduces a theoretical framework that allows estimating the market price of interest rate risk. For this, the book starts with a brief explanation of stochastic analysis, and introduces interest rate models such as Heath-Jarrow-Morton, Hull-White and LIBOR models. The real-world model is then introduced in subsequent chapters. Additionally, the book also explains some properties of the real-world model, along with the negative price tendency of the market price for risk and a positive market price of risk (with practical examples). Readers will also find a handy appendix with proofs to complement the numerical methods explained in the book. This book is intended as a primer for practitioners in financial institutions involved in interest rate risk management. It also presents a new perspective for researchers and graduates in econometrics and finance on the study of interest rate models. The second edition features an expanded commentary on real world models as well as additional numerical examples for the benefit of readers.

A smart port is defined as a port that uses technologies such as big data, AI, and IoT to manage transportation and logistics services. Smart Port Management and Strategy covers the design, operation and applications of a smart port to improve capacity and productivity. The book has been written by the author from an operations management perspective with the aim of providing technical knowledge to readers on how to use technology for optimizing port performance. Key Features: - Eight key topics relevant to smart port management - Focus on calculations and technical operations - Guidance on OCR, RFID and sensor technologies for gates - Includes information about port performance measurement - Includes access to Korean Port MIS - Covers automation equipment such as AGV, ARMGC, and remote control QC - Includes port simulation, digitization strategies and financial analysis Smart Port Management and Strategy is the definitive resource for anyone, whether they are professionals in transportation services or students of civil engineering or operations management, who want to learn about smart ports and how they are managed.