Special issue: Knowledge management within the health, pharmaceutical and clinical sectors: towards patient-centric health care systems

International Journal of Technology Management 47(1-3) 2009

• Using ontology-based knowledge networks for user training in managing healthcare processes
• Managing personal medical knowledge: agent-based knowledge acquisition
• Implementation Methodology of Evidence-Based Medicine based on technological diffusion approach: a case of system establishment within the hospital industry
• Managing clinical knowledge among hospital nurses
• A generic approach to computer-based Clinical Practice Guideline management using the ECA Rule paradigm and active databases
• Managing, measuring and reporting knowledge-based resources in hospitals
• Achieving knowledge management integration through EAI: a case study from healthcare sector
• The role of Knowledge Management in the pharmaceutical enterprise
• Applying cluster analysis to build a patient-centric healthcare service strategy for elderly patients
• Complexity metrics for ontology based information
• Drug effectiveness reporting and monitoring systems: discussion and prototype development
• Knowledge representation issues in ontology-based clinical Knowledge Management systems
• Knowledge Representation issues in structural engineering: a framework for application in the case of structures in healthcare
• Semantic Web and Knowledge Management for the health domain: state of the art and challenges for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Union (2007-2013)
• Longitudinal knowledge strategising in a long-term healthcare organisation

Call for papers: Marine Renewable Energy

Call for papers: Marine Renewable Energy

A special issue of International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology

The British Wind Energy Association mentioned that the UK has the best wave and tidal resources in Europe, an asset that has the potential to provide a considerable proportion of the UK power market in years to come. Coupled with this is a strong history of innovation that has produced some of the leading marine energy devices in the world today. These devices face a number of challenges before they can meet their potential and reach large-scale commercialisation ahead of their global competition, but the rewards will be great.

Supporting innovation early is the key to developing a globally competitive manufacturing industry in renewable energy, as Denmark and Germany have learnt from their experiences of wind energy. The UK is now fully committed to developing the next generation of commercial renewable energy technologies in the emerging wave and tidal energy market. The main objective of this special issue is to foster the development of marine renewable (wave, tidal, current and ocean wind) energy.

The objective of the special issue is to provide a means for the publication and interchange of information, on an international basis, on marine renewable energy including, but not limited to:

• Research and development: wave, tidal, current and ocean wind technology
• Design
• Construction
• Materials technology and production
• Marine spatial planning
• Environmental protection
• Sustainable development
• Economics
• Policy
• Installation
• Maintenance
• Operations
• Regulations
• Licensing
• Future directions for development

Important Dates
Manuscript submission: 31 July 2009
Notification of Acceptance: October/November 2009
Final manuscript Submission: 31 December 2009

Call for papers: Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity and Entrepreneurship

Call for papers: Ethnicity, Cultural Diversity and Entrepreneurship

A special issue of Global Business and Economics Review

The unit of analysis in traditional entrepreneurship was the entrepreneur. More recently, evidence has shown that individuals of different ethnic backgrounds react in unlike ways to opportunities for entrepreneurship (Dana, 1995). Therefore, entrepreneurship cannot be explained simply by individual level accounts. Furthermore, in some cultures, the backbone of the economy is community-based enterprise (Peredo & Chrisman, 2006), collective entrepreneurship (Dana, 2007), or subsistence self-employment (Meis-Mason et al, 2008).

Examples of ethnic entrepreneurs can include, among others, Native Americans (USA), Aboriginals (Australia), the Sami people (Finland) or immigrated ethnic groups (e.g. Pakistanis in UK, Algerians in France). This special issue will focus on entrepreneurship as a function of ethnicity, reflecting various contexts in which cultural diversity is an explanatory variable for the nature of the economy. Anthropological and sociological perspectives are welcome, as are economic studies.

REFERENCES
[1] Dana, L ., “Entrepreneurship in a Remote Sub-Arctic Community: Nome, Alaska,” Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice, 20 (1), Fall 1995, pp. 55-72. Reprinted in Norris Krueger, editor, Entrepreneurship: Critical Perspectives on Business and Management, Volume IV, London: Routledge, 2002, pp. 255-275.
[2] Dana, L., and Dana, T., “Collective Entrepreneurship in a Mennonite Community in Paraguay,” Latin American Business Review 8 (4), 2007, pp. 82-96.
[3] Meis-Mason, A., et al., “Entrepreneurship in Coral Harbour, Nunavut” International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation 9 (2), June 2008, pp. 1-10.
[4] Peredo, A, and Chrisman, J., “Toward a Theory of Community-based Enterprise,” Academy of Management Review 31 (2), 2006, pp. 302-328.

Suitable topics include, but are not limited to:

• Indigenous people
• Immigrant groups
• Enterprise development and support
• Knowledge transfer
• Land rights
• Traditional knowledge
• Opportunity recognition
• Collective entrepreneurship
• Religion and entrepreneurship
• The Arctic

Important Date
The deadline for submissions is September, 15th 2009

Special issue: 5th International Conference on Information Technology and Applications (ICITA 2008)

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology 34(4) 2009

The 5th International Conference on Information Technology and Applications (ICITA 2008) was held in Cairns, Australia, 23-26 June 2008

• Implementing an agent based auction model on a cluster of reused workstations
• An adaptive segmentation method using MRF model for suburban aerial images
• Development of power facility management services using RFID/USN
• Joint source-cryptographic-channel coding for dependable systems
• An ultrasonic thickness and wave speed determination system aided by fuzzy logic
• Improvement of redundancy principle for multimedia technical foreign-language learning
• Effect of human-biometric sensor interaction on fingerprint matching performance, image quality and minutiae count
• Analysis and classification of three-dimensional trunk shape of women by using the human body shape model
• An evaluation of interactive stacked bar charts
• Towards computer-human interaction in natural language
• Fractal terrain generation for SIMD architectures
• A robust inverse kinematics algorithm for animating a joint chain
• Growth maximisation and downside protection using power-log utility functions for optimising portfolios with derivatives
• Differential convolution for medical diagnosis
• Search in the mood: the information filter based on ambiguous queries
• A pervasive tele-health system for continual and low intrusive monitoring using peer-to-peer networks
• Skin diagnosis algorithm for analysis of skin images captured from a fingerprint sensor

Special issue: Competition and entrepreneurship

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business 8(1) 2009

• An asymmetric perspective on coopetitive strategies
• Coopetition between SMEs: an empirical study of French professional football
• Power asymmetries, flexibility and the propensity to coopete: an empirical investigation of SMEs' relationships with franchisors
• Managing strategic innovation through coopetition
• The causes of conflict when small- and medium-sized competitors cooperate
• When entrepreneurship requires coopetition: the need for standards in the creation of a market
• Innovative coopetition: the strength of strong ties
• Coopetition and business ecosystems in the information technology sector: the example of Intelligent Mobile Terminals
• The role of collective action in the New Zealand dairy industry: an international comparison

First issue: International Journal of Computational Intelligence in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology

International Journal of Computational Intelligence in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology deals with research in the application of artificial and computational intelligence to the field of bioinformatics and systems biology, for example, in predicting and understanding data from gene expression, and other emerging genomic and proteomic technologies.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue

First issue: International Journal of Information and Coding Theory

International Journal of Information and Coding Theory publishes research that significantly advances the study of information and coding theory and their applications to cryptography, network security, network coding, computational complexity theory, communication networks, and related scientific fields that make use of information and coding theory methods.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue.

First issue: International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation publishes papers on recent advances in composites, ceramics, functionally graded materials, cellular materials, and ecomaterials. It deals with all aspects of modern materials engineering, such as materials preparation and processing, relationships between structure (nano and micro) and properties (physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, electrical and magnetic), computational and optimisation techniques, as well as performance and technological applications for advanced industry.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue.

Special issue: Digart

International Journal of Arts and Technology 2(1/2) 2009

Papers from the inaugural DigArt symposium held in Esbjerg, Denmark in March 2008

• (Re)searching through play: play as a framework and methodology for collaborative design processes
• Visual music instrument
• Locating the ephemeral: capturing the fleeting moment in digital arts
• Up close and personal: some effects of technology on portraiture
• Autonomous Expressionism: a framework for installation directed Network Arts
• Exploring a parameterised portrait painting space
• Aesthetic experience of proactive interaction with cultural art
• Cinesthesis: cross-modal and cross-cultural perceptions of the Aurora Borealis for the design of an interactive installation
• Real-time audio-visual composition: Mugenkei as a Live Dream
• ReacTickles: playful interaction with information communication technologies
• The brain, biology and evolution in art and its communication

Special issue: BIOMAT 2007 Conference

International Journal of Bioinformatics Research and Applications 5(2) 2009

BIOMAT 2007, the Seventh International Symposium on Mathematical and Computational Biology was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 24-29 November 2007

• Polyhelices through n points
• Homology modelling of pyrophosphosrylase, enzyme involved in chitin pathway of Moniliophthora perniciosa
• Parallelisation of a multi-neighbourhood local search heuristic for a phylogeny problem
• Scaling properties of transcription profiles in gene networks
• Optimisation and data mining techniques for the screening of epileptic patients
• Modelling biomolecular structure with geodesic curves through ordered sets of atom sites
• Fuzzy cluster stability analysis with missing values using resampling
• Correcting short reads with high error rates for improved sequencing result

Call for papers: Thermal Modelling, Simulation and Analysis, Management, , CFD and Experimental Verification of Power Electronic Systems

Call for papers: Thermal Modelling, Simulation and Analysis, Management, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Experimental Verification of Power Electronic Systems

A special issue of International Journal of Power Electronics

Thermal modelling and analysis have become an integral part of power electronics system (PES) design and development, facilitating faster product development and reduced time to market. Furthermore, numerous software packages are available for successful thermal modelling and analysis on power engineering applications. Therefore, the purpose of this Special Issue is to present state of the art solutions in the field of thermal modelling, simulation and analysis, management, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental verification on power electronics systems.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Induction motors/generator drives
• Synchronous motors/generator drives
• Permanent magnet motors/generator drives
• Switched reluctance motors/generator drives
• Synchronous reluctance motors/generator drives
• Flux switching machine drives
• Claw pole machine drives
• Stepper motor drives
• Servo motor drives
• Buck, boost, buck- boost, two switch forward, half bridge and full bridge converters
• Renewable energy systems
• Photovoltaic systems
• Automotive and electric vehicles
• Electric traction
• Uninterruptible power supplies
• Induction heating
• HVDC transmission
• Energy storage systems
• Static compensators
• Flexible AC transmission systems

Important Dates
Paper due: 30 July, 2009
Acceptance notification: 30 September, 2009
Final paper version due: 30 November, 2009

Special issue: Life cycle engineering: towards a closed loop economy

International Journal of Sustainable Manufacturing 1(3) 2009

Expanded versions of papers presented at the 13th CIRP International Conference on Life Cycle Engineering (LCE2006) held in Leuven, Belgium, 31May - 2June 2006.

• The role of the social dimension in life cycle engineering
• A new comprehensive methodology for the evaluation of product sustainability at the design and development stage of consumer electronic products
• The eco-efficiency of reuse centres critically explored – the washing machine case
• Life cycle assessment of film and digital imaging product system scenarios
• Optimal heat-reversible snap joints for frame-panel assembly in aluminium space frame automotive bodies
• Comparison of the environmental impact of five electric vehicle battery technologies using LCA
• Materials flow of platinum group metals in Germany
• Flat screen monitor disassembly and testing for remanufacturing
• Environmental impact of ship hull repair

Special issue: Dynamic virtual communities in the information society

International Journal of Web Based Communities 5(2) 2009

• Knowledge sharing in virtual communities – a review of the empirical research
• The acceptance of mobile communication technologies in student communities
• Self-organised virtual communities: bridging the gap between web-based communities and P2P systems
• Communities detection and the analysis of their dynamics in collaborative networks
• The open source software phenomenon as a role model for networked innovations in biotechnology: an exploratory study
• Virtual eBMS: a virtual learning community supporting personalised learning
• Human affordance
• A secure collaborative web-based environment for virtual organisations
• A framework for privacy in social communities
• A business privacy model for virtual communities

Special issue: Advances in manufacturing processes and management techniques

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management 17(4) 2009

• Evaluation of tool wear mechanism of TiAlN coated tools when drilling Ti-6Al-4V
• Developing and implementing statistical process control tools in a Jordanian company
• Determining optimum EDM parameters in drilling a small hole by Taguchi method
• Lean manufacturing concept: the main factor in improving manufacturing performance – a case study
• Precision microfinishing by electro-chemical honing
• Experimental study on machining of titanium alloy (Ti64) by CVD and PVD coated carbide inserts
• Experimental study of effect of surface roughness of blank diameter on external threads
• A consensus on critical success factors for enterprise resource planning systems implementation: the experience of Malaysian firms
• Study on rock-drilling using PDC bits for the prediction of torque and rate of penetration
• Laser and arc weld methods for direct metal deposition of Waspaloy
• Study of out-of-roundness (OOR) of holes in ceramics by USD process using Taguchi's methodology
• Cost of quality for an automotive industry: a survey and findings

Special issue: Advanced design and manufacturing

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management 17(3) 2009

Extended papers from the International Conference on Advanced Design and Manufacture (ADM2006) held at Harbin, China, 8-10 January 2006

• Feedrate scheduling and jerk control algorithm for high-speed CNC machining
• Rapid design of tool-wear condition monitoring systems for turning processes using novelty detection
• Neural network adaptive control for machining process based on generalised entropy square error and wavelet analysis
• The development of a probing system for investigating friction generated acoustics
• Research on a new type mechanism to lock and unlock space borne appendages
• Optimal pricing and advertising competition in two supply chains with deterministic demand
• Adaptive control for a class of non-linear systems using fuzzy logic based on motion controller

Special issue: Multi-disciplinary problems, models, and feedback control designs

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology 34(3) 2009

• Improving consumer quality-efficiency by using simple adaptive feedback in a choice setting
• The effect of phase matching factor on four wave mixing in optical communication systems: fuzzy and analytical analysis
• Complex plane design strategy for a responsive lean manufacturing system
• Dynamic load balancing through real-time transport feedback control for VoIP QoS
• Scheduling data reads and writes using feedback control on a weakly connected environment
• Modelling and performance analysis of networked control systems under different driven modes
• A conceptual model for feedback control based instruction and evaluation
• Application of optimal control theory in marketing: What is the optimal number of choices on a shopping website?
• Modelling and control of an overhead crane with a variable length flexible cable

Special issue: Integration of knowledge management with e-learning

International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management 6(2) 2009

• Effective ontology management in virtual learning environments
• Foundations of cultural design in e-learning
• Exchange Ideology as a moderator of Knowledge Sharing in virtual teams: a social exchange theory perspective
• The socialisation of organisational learning through learning technology
• An investigation into knowledge discovery in collaborative learning communities

Call for papers: Recent Advances in Sensor Integration

Call for papers: Recent Advances in Sensor Integration

A special issue of International Journal of Sensor Networks

Recently, there has been a growing interest in the design, development and deployment of sensor systems for applications of high-level inference, which leads to an increasing demand on interconnecting wireless sensor networks with other emerging technologies, such as RFID technology, multimedia based surveillance system, biomedical technology, mobile agent based networks, P2P technology and business process and semantic technology, etc. With sensor technology being incorporated into these technologies, demands from an increasing number of autonomous and intelligent applications can be met.

This special issue is intended to provide a forum for presenting, exchanging and discussing the most recent advances in different aspects of integrating wireless sensor networks with emerging technologies. In particular, it will bring together leading researchers, industry professionals, and research students to study the applications, architectures, protocols, models, evaluation methods, and experimental studies of the advanced sensor integration technology.

Topics to be covered in this special issue include but are not limited to:

Sensor Integration with RFID technology :

• Novel architecture for integrating RFID and wireless sensor networks
• RFID based wireless sensor networks
• Ubiquitous RFID and sensor networks
• Intelligent applications for RFID and wireless sensor networks

Sensor Integration with Multimedia based Surveillance System:

• Multi-camera system algorithms and applications
• Multimedia aggregation and fusion in video sensor networks
• Testbed and experimental studies for video sensor networking
• Real-time and reliable video transmission over WSNs
• QoS provisioning for video transmission in WSNs

Sensor Integration with Biomedical Technology :

• Wireless sensor networks in e-heathcare
• Health care and medical applications for wireless body area sensor networks
• Body sensor networks

Sensor Integration with Mobile Agent Technology :

• Middleware design for mobile agent based wireless sensor networks
• Novel itinerary plan for mobile agent in wireless sensor networks
• Agent-based architectures for WSNs
• Agents design issues dealing with reliability, efficiency, and fault tolerance
• Mobile agent based intelligent sensory data fusion

Sensor Integration with P2P Technology :

• P2P-based diverse sensor networks integration
• P2P-based sensor networks resource discovery
• P2P-based worldwide sensor networks sharing

Sensor Integration with Business Process :

• Novel middleware design for sensor networks assisted business process
• Integrating sensor networks with business process
• Sensor networks based context aware business process management algorithmic methods and tools

Sensor Integration with Semantic Technology :

• Semantic descriptions of sensors and sensor data
• Semantic data integration of heterogeneous sensor network data streams
• Semantic sensor web applications, architectures, middleware, and languages
• Sharing, annotation, and (distributed) management of sensor data

Important Dates
Manuscript due: September 1, 2009
Acceptance/rejection notification: December 31, 2009
Final manuscript due: January 31, 2009

Special issue: Recent advances of utilising technologies of solar energy

International Journal of Global Energy Issues 31(2) 2009

• Performance of a solar drier with and without heat storage material for copra drying
• Comparison of performance prediction of solar water heaters between Artificial Neural Networks and conventional correlations
• Development of optimum solar irradiation energy model for Iran
• Rural electrification by photovoltaic solar energy in Algeria
• Genetic Algorithm optimisation of stand-alone Photovoltaic energy systems
• A new type of solar concentrator employing a cone-cylinder combination
• Experimental investigation of the performance of the solar tunnel dryer for drying aonla pulp
• Night operation of solar chimney power system using solar ponds for heat storage
• Solar water cost and feasibility of solar water heating system

Special issue: Decision support systems and knowledge management in SMEs

International Journal of Management and Decision Making 10(1/2) 2009

• An exploratory study of the relevance of trans-national global information systems to small and medium enterprises: evidence from Egypt
• Semi-star schema for operational and analytical requirements of SMEs
• Customer relationship management in Taiwan's banking industry
• Project termination analysis in SMEs: making the right call
• KM in SMEs: a research agenda
• Impact of knowledge management on the self-efficacy of entrepreneurs: Mexican SME context
• An intelligent decision support system for SMEs' activation in the energy sector
• A model for managerial decision-making in wireless technology management: user-based evaluation criteria for business application – an empirical study with Middle Eastern companies

Special issue: Technology enhancement

International Journal of Internet Technology and Secured Transactions 1(3/4) 2009

• A framework towards enhancing trust and authorisation for e-commerce service
• The MIT beer game as multiagent simulation: a practical approach using AOR-modelling and an XML-based implementation framework
• Contrast enhancement of bimodal SAR images using a new desired histogram method with Gamma distribution
• A genetic algorithm that simulates social behaviour
• Translating STATEMATE models into FNLOG for the verification of safety requirements in reactive systems
• New approach to e-lecturing
• Reducing latency through efficient channel allocation methods for multiversion data dissemination in mobile computing environment
• High-throughput implementation of the RIPEMD-160
• The heterogeneous world: towards platform independent adaptive session mobility

Special Issue: 22nd Annual ACM Symposium on Applied Computing

International Journal of Data Mining and Bioinformatics 3(1) 2009

The top 3 papers from the Bioinformatics Track in the 2007 ACM Symposium on Applied Computing

• A cube framework for incorporating inter-gene information into biological data mining
• Finding new Core Promoter Elements using backward-looking strategies
• An on demand data integration model for biological databases

Additional Papers

• Predicting protein–protein interfaces as clusters of Optimal Docking Area points
• A hybrid graph-theoretic method for mining overlapping functional modules in large sparse protein interaction networks
• Irrelevant gene elimination for Partial Least Squares based Dimension Reduction by using feature probes

Special issue: Performance and dynamics of diversified land vehicle systems: Part two

International Journal of Heavy Vehicle Systems 16(1/2) 2009

• The application of understeer gradient in stability analysis of articulated vehicles
• A survey of stability enhancement strategies for articulated steer vehicles
• A method for powertrain selection of heavy-duty vehicles with fuel savings
• Experimental investigations of a new type of fuelling system for heavy-duty diesel engines
• Optimised braking force distribution strategies for straight and curved braking
• Longitudinal dynamics of freight trains
• Development and validation of a modular simulation model for commercial vehicles
• Analytical analysis of tyre forces as a function of normal pressure distributions
• Experimental investigation on the dynamic behaviour of a railway vehicle travelling through a turnout
• Lateral sloshing in partially filled elliptical tanker trucks using a trammel pendulum
• Kinematics model for the wheeled vehicle tractive performance determination on Sepang's peat terrain in Malaysia
• Effect of permanent jersey-shaped concrete barrier height on heavy vehicle post-impact stability
• Retrofit of an existing Italian bridge rail for H4a containment level using simulation

Special issue: Web and grid services for advanced network and information systems

International Journal of Web and Grid Services 5(1) 2009

Extended versions of papers presented at the IEEE 22nd International Conference on Advanced Information Networking and Applications (AINA2008) held in Okinawa, Japan, 25-28 March 2008.

• A clustering analysis and agent-based trust model in a grid environment supporting virtual organisations
• A web interface for the HyperSim-G Grid simulation package
• OVerFA: a collaborative framework for the semantic annotation of documents and websites
• Semantic web services discovery based on structural ontology matching
• Design and implementation of a Click-Search interface for web browsing using cellular phones

Additional Paper

• Monitoring data dependencies in concurrent process execution through delta-enabled grid services

Renamed journal: International Journal of Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality.

The previously announced International Journal of Hospitality Knowledge Management has changed its title to the International Journal of Knowledge Management in Tourism and Hospitality. This change follows discussions with relevant experts in the field and reflects their feedback. The journal is currently being developed and will be launched later this year.

Special issue: Entrepreneurship and innovation triggers, catalysts and accelerators

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 9(1/2) 2009

A companion to the special issue: Innovation Networks and Knowledge Clusters in the Knowledge Economy and Society in International Journal of Technology Management 46(3/4) 2009

• Is knowledge creation hindered by intellectual property rights?
• Regions and innovation: a discussion of concepts illustrated with the German bioregional picture
• The role of KIBS in the technological renovation of local economies. Evidence from the computer services sector
• Small business performance: seeking efficiency through knowledge based networks
• An exploratory analysis of networking, R&D and innovativeness in the Spanish electronics sector
• The influence of geographical knowledge networks on innovative performance: evidences from the Hsinchu Science-based Industrial Park, Taiwan
• Establishing and managing an innovation network: the case of NTT DoCoMo
• Innovation penetration into a region with specific features: the case of Crete, Greece
• University-Industry-Government linkages in biotech in a small transition country: the Estonian case
• Glocal knowledge networks in the development of India's outsourced software sector
• The vendors' perspective on the choice process of IP telephony

First issue: International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing reflects the concept of entrepreneurship as not being limited to new ventures and start-ups, but as the concentration of opportunity, growth and value creation regardless of company size, age or kind.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue.

Call for papers: Advances in Waste Engineering and Management

Call for papers: Advances in Waste Engineering and Management

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management

At present, our unique planet 'Earth' is facing immense environmental problems due to ignorance, over-exploitation and waste generation. All the three basic components of the environment, i.e., air; water and land, are in the disturbed state. The quality of air we inhale, the water we drink and the land we live are all deteriorating day-by-day. In such a situation, it is of utmost importance and necessity to improve the understanding of environmental risk and learn how to minimise waste generation and utilise the same for useful products. Globally, many environmental technologies have been developed towards better waste management, but developing countries are still facing problems in solving the grave concern of waste management. Hence, a special issue is proposed to cover the advances made in waste engineering and management globally in general and developing countries in particular.

Globally, the most widely accepted technologies for MSW treatment are incineration and landfill disposal. Incineration is an efficient way to reduce the waste volume and demand for landfill space. Incineration plants can be located close to the centre of gravity of waste generation, thus also reducing the cost of waste transportation. Incineration provides the best way to eliminate methane emissions from waste management processes. Waste incineration may be advantageous when a landfill cannot be sited because of lack of suitable sites or long haulage distances resulting into higher costs. Hence, incineration will have the upper hand for reducing the quantum of MSW reaching landfills. But incineration practices have not become lucrative in developing counties due to low calorific value of wastes. Other technologies like anaerobic digestion are also not gaining popularity to date. Similarly, there are number of technologies for wastewater treatment. This special issue invites submissions addressing innovative research globally on waste engineering and management which will have great impact on policy makers, technologist and academicians.

Original research papers or reviews are invited in the following and related areas:

• R & D on different aspects of waste management
• Case studies including critical reviews on different aspects of waste management
• Modelling in waste management
• Various processing technologies waste management in general and MSW management in particular
• Climate change issues related to waste management
• Economics of technologies for waste management

Important Dates
Deadline for paper submission: 31 December 2009
First turn of papers review: 30 January 2010
Second turn of papers review: 30 July 2010
Final papers submission: 31 September 2010

Call for papers: Ubiquitous RFID Computing

Call for papers: Ubiquitous RFID Computing

A special issue of International Journal of Ad Hoc and Ubiquitous Computing

RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) technology has been one of the most popular research topics in recent years. Besides its original use of replacing barcodes, RFID has permeated many other fields such as supply chain automation, asset tracking, medical applications, people tracking, manufacturing, retail, warehouses, livestock, timing, and so on. Its applications are limited only by imagination.

As a result, it can be expected that RFID will be embedded into many objects, whether large or small, mobile or stationary, with or without your knowing. Its ubiquity raises many issues such as availability, reliability, security, privacy, and so on. Behind all these RFID applications and issues, a computing framework exists to support their normal and continuous functioning. It includes the front-end readers, the middleware, the networking, the backend databases or programs, and many others. How to make all these systems integrate seamlessly and flawlessly is very important.

This special issue aims to foster state-of-the-art research in the area of RFID related computing and is expected to focus on all aspects of RFID technologies and to present novel results and solutions to solve the various problems and challenges in RFID applications.

We encourage the submission of innovative and mature results in designing, analysing, and developing technology, services, and applications of RFID computing. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• RFID architectures and systems
• RFID resource management
• RFID models and services
• RFID economics and architectures
• Middleware for RFID computing
• RFID reader scheduling and load balancing
• RFID programming models, tools, and environments
• RFID performance evaluation and modelling
• Information retrieval in RFID computing
• Novel architectural models for RFID computing
• Performance monitoring for RFID applications
• Novel applications for RFID computing
• RFID security
• RFID privacy issue
• Reliability and availability

Important Dates
Deadline for Submission: 30 September, 2009
Acceptance notification: 31 December, 2009
Camera ready papers due: 15 February, 2010

Special issue: The role of the universities in the entrepreneurship education in some countries

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management 8(6) 2008

Papers from an international seminar held in Benevento, Italy on 5 April 2005

• Woman entrepreneurship programme breaks government's gender neutrality in Finland
• Entrepreneurship education in India: an assessment of SME training needs against current practices
• The role of the University of Tartu in the development of entrepreneurship in the region of South Estonia
• The institutional education and training for entrepreneurship development in the Italian Universities
• Entrepreneurship and innovation at work and schools: the Greek paradigm

Special issue: The hydrogen economy and hydrogen treatment of materials. Part 2

International Journal of Nuclear Hydrogen Production and Applications 2(1) 2009

Further papers from the Fifth International HTM Conference ‘Hydrogen Economy and Hydrogen Treatment of Materials’ (HTM-2007) held on 22–25 May 2007 in Donetsk, Ukraine.

• Hydrogen production by catalytic methane decomposition and catalyst regeneration by oxygen mixtures in fluidised and fixed bed reactors
• The effects of hydrogen on the electrical and optical properties of ZnO
• Development of Pd-coated ceramic electrodes in hybrid sulphur cycle
• The kinetics of hydrogen-induced diffusive phase transformations in Sm2Fe17 alloys
• Surface reaction and transport kinetics of hydrogen through palladium-based membranes under gas co-existing with hydrogen atmospheres
• Potential applications of amorphous/metallic glassy alloys as hydrogen-permeable membranes for hydrogen production and bipolar plates for PEFC
• The possibilities for hydrogen production from H2S and storage in the Black Sea

Special issue: Application of metaheuristics in the optimisation and performance measurement of operations, logistics and supply chains

International Journal of Business Performance Management 11(1/2) 2009

• The design of vehicle routes for a third-party logistics service provider using the simulated annealing algorithm
• The relative technical efficiency of European transportation systems concerning air transport and railways
• Development and analysis of scheduling decision rules for a dynamic flexible job shop production system: a simulation study
• Analysing the performance of supply chain designs
• Performance value analysis for the justification of the leagile supply chain
• The inventory management systems of a production unit and some academic institutions: a comparative study
• A metaheuristics-based decision support system for the performance measurement of reverse supply chain management

Special issue: Sustainable environmental management and technological applications in small island developing states and island territories – progress

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management 10(2) 2009

• Combined photovoltaic and energy storage systems: an integrated electrification solution for small islands
• Air quality modelling: an investigation of the merits of CMAQ in the analysis of trans-boundary air pollution from continents to small islands
• Improving access to safe drinking water in rural, remote and least-wealthy small islands: non-traditional methods in Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia
• Building with technology, management and innovation: challenges for Vanuatu
• Small islands and the adoption of ICTs: comparative study of SMEs in Jamaica and Mauritius
• Environmental and sustainability impact assessment in small islands: the case of Azores and Madeira

Call for papers: Dynamics of Innovation and Competitive Strategy in Transportation Research

Call for papers: Dynamics of Innovation and Competitive Strategy in Transportation Research

A special issue of World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research

While innovation has been noted to be essential to sustained competitive advantage in many industry sectors, academic and practitioner research of innovation in transportation has been minimal. Yet transportation provides a unique context in which to examine the dynamics of innovation and its impacts to competitive strategy.

As industries age, innovations developed and implemented within organisations change in type and intensity. Product innovation and production process innovation, both highly examined in manufacturing sectors across industry life cycles, are not adequately researched in transportation industries. Additionally, there is an enormous gap in research with respect to less “visible” innovations, which include, but are not limited to, administrative and organisational innovations that focus on organisational structure, administrative processes and human resources; technical innovations that pertain to the technology used to produce products and render services; and marketing innovations that focus on the generation and implementation of new, novel elements in the marketing process, focusing on product, price, placement, and promotion as the variables of interest. These less “visible” types of innovations often provide sustained competitive advantage as they challenge competitors to discover and uncover an organisationally-embedded, rare and valuable innovation which is not easily imitated or substituted.

This special issue is intended to present current research in the development and implementation of a broad spectrum of innovation types, their applications in transportation and supporting/related industries, changes in innovation across industry life cycles, and the resulting implications for strategy and competitive advantage. We encourage papers from all aspects of transportation and intermodal transportation where innovation has occurred or should occur, which include but are not limited to:

• Air cargo and passenger transportation
• Alliances in the transportation industries
• Brokering services
• Cargo handling, equipment and facilities
• Container development and evolution
• Development of hubbing systems
• Electronic data interchange
• Future innovation trends in intermodal transportation
• Ground transportation
• Infrastructure development, maintenance, and upgrade
• Intelligent transportation systems
• Leasing companies
• Network design
• Ocean port development, facilities, and linkages
• Pipeline operations
• Railroad development and involvement in intermodal transportation
• Security and safety of the transportation system
• Supply chain innovation
• Sustainability/transformational innovation
• Transportation competition and cooperation
• Transportation networks
• Warehousing and inventory

Important Date
Submission of full paper before: 30 June 2009

Call for papers: Creativity and Interdisciplinarity – a Discursive Tension?

Call for papers: Creativity and Interdisciplinarity – a Discursive Tension?

A special issue of International Journal of Arts and Technology

Interdisciplinarity and creativity are the buzz words of the moment. However, these terms are often employed without consideration for their complementary value. The policy agendas that drive current developments in research are often instrumentalist, conflating creativity with innovation and interdisciplinarity with novel epistemologies. Such research often engages new technologies, with a consequent emphasis on novelty for its own sake. Related research debates are interestingly and inevitably manifesting as a result of the accelerated interactions within and between disciplines. This special issue invites contributions which explore relationships between interdisciplinary research methodologies and creative practices informed by various forms of technology, both old and new.

Responses are sought to questions which include, but are not limited to:

• If 'interdisciplinarity' is in itself a modality of research, rather than a set of defined methodologies, then what are the implications of such a context for the final outcome of research?
• How do we apply interdisciplinary methodologies to specialist knowledge without inappropriately transplanting concepts from one discipline to another?
• What are the implications of 'interdisciplinarity' for research relying on a sophisticated structuring of elements that originate in different disciplinary fields, far beyond the basic processes of assembling, arranging or collecting such elements?
• Does an emphasis on rhizomic connections, linkages, overlaps and crossovers and lateral thinking (outside the box) inevitably lead to novel and creative apprehension? What are the forms and value of such novelty and creativity?
• There is significant anxiety concerning the translation of interdisciplinary methods into ways of working, how to establish productive relationships and applications amongst familiar elements and the exploration of unfamiliar terrains. How do we evaluate what works and what does not? How do we deal with the gaps between disciplines - do we attempt to build bridges or exploit the consequent tensions?

Important Dates
Deadline for abstracts (optional): 1 June, 2009
Deadline for full paper submission: 25 June, 2009
Review results returned to authors: 20 September, 2009
Deadline for camera-ready papers: 1 October, 2009

Special issue: Reconfigurable manufacturing systems: concepts, technologies and applications

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management 17(1/2) 2009

• Reconfigurable manufacturing systems: meeting the challenges of a dynamic business paradigm
• Configurable supply chain: framework, methodology and application
• Structure dynamics control-based framework for adaptive reconfiguration of collaborative enterprise networks
• A stochastic programming approach to design the production system flexibility considering the evolution of the part families
• A control design strategy of a reconfigurable manufacturing system
• Dynamic modelling of reconfigurable manufacturing planning and control systems using supervisory control
• A simulated annealing algorithm for dynamic system reconfiguration and production planning in cellular manufacturing
• Production planning of reconfigurable manufacturing systems with stochastic demands using Tabu search
• Layout configuration selection for reconfigurable manufacturing systems using the fuzzy AHP
• BTO supply chain configuration via agent-based negotiation
• Developing taxonomy and model for security centric supply chain management

Special issue: Future multimedia networking: Part One

International Journal of Internet Protocol Technology 3(4) 2008

Papers from the First International Future Multimedia Networking (FMN 2008) workshop, held in Cardiff, UK, 17-18 September 2008

• Towards seamless source mobility in SSM: design and evaluation of the Tree Morphing protocol
• Comparative analysis of routing protocols for VoIP in a Wireless Mesh Backbone: a user perspective
• Enhancing the serviceability of IMS-based multimedia services: preventing core service failures
• Enabling global multimedia distributed services based on hierarchical DHT overlay networks
• Suffix caching: an approach to ensure data availability in P2P streaming systems
• Playback delay in mesh-based Peer-to-Peer systems with random packet forwarding and transmission capacity limitations

Special issue: Business excellence in New Zealand: role of leadership in managing corporate governance and knowledge culture in the global village

World Review of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development 5(2) 2009

• Business excellence and governance: the drive for integration
• New Zealand entrepreneurs: leading for excellence
• Broken links: Absorptive Capacity and the internationalisation process of high-tech companies
• Sustainable futures and Maori business education
• New Zealand wine industry: a study of changing comparative advantage and competitiveness
• Developing emotional intelligence as a means to increase team performance
• Mentoring needs: the staff experiences of a peer-group mentoring programme in a tertiary education environment

Special issue: Environmental management and sustainable development

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management 10(3/4) 2009

• Isolation and identification of airborne fungi that can cause asthma: a case study from Eastern Puerto Rico
• Evaluation of environmental factors and equipment configuration on efficiency of a solar soil water collector
• Reducing water consumption in industry through flow analysis and simulation: a case study from India
• Purification of domestic sewage by water-hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
• Equilibrium and thermodynamics of dye removal from aqueous solution by adsorption using rubber wood saw dust
• Activated Carbons from lignocellulosic waste materials for water treatment: a review
• Demographics as a new challenge for sustainable development in the German wastewater sector
• Evaluation of the combined effects of binary mixtures of sodium hypochlorite and surfactants against Daphnia magna Straus
• Assessment of a national system of sustainable innovation in residential construction: a case study from The Netherlands
• Restructuring of a civic authority responsible for environmental issues
• Integrating environmental management and manufacturing strategy: an emerging competitive priority
• Recycling industrial waste heat for sustainable district heating: a multi-actor perspective
• Quality concepts for environmental sustainability in seaports: a case study from Egypt
• Exploring mechanisms for mobilising industrial sustainability models across different industrial locations

Call for papers: Modelling and/or Control of Multi-Vehicle Formations

Call for papers: Modelling and/or Control of Multi-Vehicle Formations

A special issue of International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous Systems

Interest in multi-vehicle formation and their control has increased because of the many possible applications in military as well as civil fields. The study of robot formation control, inspired from swarm evolution in nature, began from the industry and military worlds with the idea of using multiple small vehicles instead of one big one. Teams of inexpensive robots, performing cooperative tasks, may prove to be more cost and energy effective than a single one. They are, in addition, capable of achieving a mission more efficiently. Using formations of robots includes other advantages such as increased feasibility, accuracy, robustness, flexibility, and probability of success.

Many works have focused on the subject, based on different approaches and using different strategies, such as the virtual structure, the behavioural approach, the leader following approach, swarm intelligence, and so on. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, and is used in order to achieve a specific goal.

This special issue aims to showcase recent advances in modelling, parameter identification, and minimisation of multi-vehicle formation, self-organised task allocation strategies for multi-vehicle systems, and formation control.

Topics include, but are not limited to the following areas:

• Multi-vehicle coordination, cooperation and collaboration
• Kinematics and dynamics modelling of vehicles formation
• Path planning and task allocation of robots formation
• Stabilisation and tracking control of robots formation
• Obstacles avoidance and formation control
• Self-organisation of vehicle groups
• Biologically inspired of multi-robot behaviour
• Multi-agents system and robots formation
• Aerial and/or terrestrial group of vehicles in coordination
• Swarms of robots

Important Dates
Submission of full paper before: 30 June, 2009
Notification of Acceptance: 30 September, 2009
Final paper due: 30 November, 2009

Call for papers: Intelligent Text Processing with its Applications and Computational Linguistics

Call for papers: Intelligent Text Processing with its Applications and Computational Linguistics

A special issue of International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology

We are interested in whatever helps, will help eventually, or might help computers to meaningfully process language data. This special issue promotes the exchange of opinions between experts working in different areas of the growing field of computational linguistics and intelligent text processing. The main purpose of the special issue is to bring together scientists representing linguistics, computer science and related fields, sharing a common interest in the advancement of computational linguistics and natural language processing. The issue covers a broad spectrum of disciplines working towards enabling intelligent systems to interact with humans using natural language.

The research and development of such systems, which exploit knowledge in the target domain, is at the forefront of modern research. This special issue is intended to present applications of intelligent text processing. Submitted papers are expected to postulate diverse problems, models and solutions for these applications.

Papers are invited on recent, substantial, original and unpublished research on all aspects of computational linguistics and intelligent text processing with its application, methods and applications, including, but not limited to:

• Representation of linguistic knowledge
• Morphology, syntax, semantics, parsing
• Text generation data mining
• Document classification and clustering
• Information retrieval
• Text mining and applications
• Dictionary search
• Question answering
• Intelligence systems for e-business
• Knowledge-based systems
• Automatic text summarisation and information extraction
• Classification and clustering
• Machine translation and translation aids
• Spell checking
• Natural language interfaces
• Information retrieval/NLP applications
• Information extraction/summarisation
• Cross-Language information retrieval
• Knowledge acquisition and representation
• Knowledge management
• Web-based information systems and applications
• Machine learning and data mining

Important Dates
Submission of full paper before: 30 May 2009
Notification of acceptance before: 15 August 2009
Submission of final and revised manuscripts: 15 November 2009

Call for papers: Evaluation Aspects of Semantic Search Applications

Call for papers: Evaluation Aspects of Semantic Search Applications

A special issue of International Journal of Metadata, Semantics and Ontologies

Nowadays, the Web is one of the dominant information sources for learning and acquiring new knowledge. However, finding the relevant information is still a huge challenge. To solve this problem, a significant research effort has been devoted to enhance linguistics and statistics based search by added semantics. In the recent years, many approached to semantic search have emerged. Ontologies are typically used by most of the approaches. Some approaches are relying on semantic annotations by adding additional metadata; some are enhancing clustering of retrieved documents according to topic or semantically enriching queries; some are developing powerful querying languages for ontology.

The progress and existing sparse evaluations of the semantic search tools offer a promising prospect to improve performance of traditional information retrieval (IR) systems. However, the results lack indications of whether this improvement is optimal, causing difficulties in benchmarking different semantic search systems. Yet, the majority of IR evaluation methods are mainly based on relevance of retrieved information, while additional sophistication of the semantic search tools adds complexity to user interaction to reach improved results. Therefore, standard IR metrics as recall and precision do not suffice alone to measure user satisfaction because of the complexity and efforts needed to use the semantic search systems. There is a need to investigate what ontology properties can further enhance search performance, to assess whether this improvement comes at a cost of interaction simplicity and user satisfaction, etc.

Furthermore, evaluation methods based on recall and precision do not indicate the causes for variation in different retrieval results. There are many other factors that influence the performance of ontology-based information retrieval, such as query quality, ontology quality, complexity of user interaction, difficulty of a searching topic with respect to retrieval, indexing, searching, and ranking methods. The detail analysis on how these factors and their interactions affect a retrieval process can help to dramatically improve retrieval methods or processes.

On the other hand, semantic search systems depend on correct information specified in ontology at the appropriate level of granularity and precision. An important body of work already exists in ontology quality assessment field. However, most of ontology evaluation methods are generic quality evaluation frameworks, which do not take into account application of ontology. Therefore there is a need for task- and scenario-based quality assessment methods that, in this particular case, would target and optimise ontology quality for use in information retrieval systems.

In order to promote more efficient and effective ontology usage in IR, there is a need to focus on analysis of ontology quality- and value-added aspects for this domain, summarise use cases and identify best practices. Several issues have been raised by the current research, such as the workload for annotation, the scalability, and the balance between the express power and reasoning capability. An approach to holistic evaluation should assess both technological and economical performance viewpoints. An aspect of value creation by semantics-based systems is important to demonstrate that the benefits of the new technology will overwhelm the payout.

The aim of this special issue is to present new and challenging issues in semantic search and how the solutions can be evaluated, compared and systemised. Therefore, submissions dealing with ontology quality aspects and their impact on IR results, evaluation of usability of the semantic search systems, analysis of user behaviour, new evaluation methods enabling thorough and fine-grained analysis of semantic search technological and/or financial performance, etc. are strongly encouraged.

Original and high quality submissions that focus on different evaluation aspects of semantic search are invited. The topics of interest include but are not limited to:

Evaluation of Semantic Search Systems :

• Evaluation of information retrieval efficiency and effectiveness
• Scalability assessment
• Assessment of annotation quality/labour-load
• Evaluation and benchmarking techniques and datasets

Ontology quality aspects in Semantic Search :

• Ontology quality evaluation
• Ontology utility in semantic search
• Ontology maintenance

Evaluation of Human-Computer Interaction :

• Query interpretation and refinement
• User acceptance of semantic technology
• Usability evaluation
• Interaction modes in semantic search

Business Value :

• Ratio of semantics processing cost/ retrieval utility
• Incentives for annotation and interaction
• Costs of maintenance of semantic search solutions
• Value of information

Important Dates
Submission of abstracts: May 17, 2009
Full paper submission: May 31, 2009
Notification about acceptance/rejection: August 15, 2009
Submission of revised version: September 27, 2009
Final camera-ready submission: November 15, 2009

Call for papers: Risk Management in Construction Projects and Enterprises

Call for papers: Risk Management in Construction Projects and Enterprises

A special issue of International Journal of Project Organisation and Management

Today’s construction projects and businesses are becoming ever more complicated and complex. Hence the associated risks are also becoming more complicated and complex. Properly identifying, assessing and responding to these risks are vitally important for achieving project and organisational objectives and success. Furthermore, it is also vitally important to monitor and learn from the risk management processes.

The special issue seeks original contributions in the areas on risk management in construction projects and enterprises include but not limited to following areas:

• New theories and techniques for risk identification, risk analysis/evaluation and allocation
• Risk perceptions and attitude
• Case studies in project risk management
• Enterprise risk management
• Risk management maturity assessment
• Strategic and operational risk management
• Supply chain risk management
• Risk management and sustainability development
• Major incidence and Disaster management
• Business continuity management
• Organisational resilience

Important Date
Closing date for submission: 30 August 2009

Special issue: Patient-centric modelling and enhanced security in distributed healthcare systems

International Journal of Healthcare Technology and Management 10(1/2) 2009

• A conceptual framework to define indicators of information technology in the hospital
• Data mining trauma injury data using C5.0 and logistic regression to determine factors associated with death
• Ubiquitous and personalised contextual biomonitoring
• A pervasive computing architecture fostering integration in patient centred communities of care
• Long term success of a telehealth network: a case study of the Upper Peninsula Telehealth Network
• Pervasive assistance system for mobile physicians on the road
• Modelling how the healthcare user acquires health information: Tasmanian case studies
• Radio frequency identification (RFID) in pervasive healthcare

Special issue: High Speed Machining HSM2007 Conference (San Sebastián)

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials 4(4) 2008

HSM 2007 was held in San Sebastian, Spain, 21-22 March 2007

• White layers generated in AISI O1 tool steel by hard turning or by EDM
• Advances in the ecological machining of magnesium and magnesium-based hybrid parts
• On the robustness of stable turning processes
• Milling induced residual stresses in structural parts out of forged aluminium alloys
• Experimental and simulative investigations on machining aluminium lightweight structures
• Influence of adapted five-axis tool paths on the machine behaviour
• Toolpath dependent stability lobes for the milling of thin-walled parts
• Wear of cathodic arc coated WC-Co tools in the machining of Ti-6Al-4V alloy
• Tool flank wear influence on workpiece heating in dry machining
• Influence of characteristic material properties on machinability under high speed cutting

Newly announced journal: International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development

International Journal of Knowledge-Based Development - to begin publication in 2010 - will take a multi-disciplinary systems approach to the theory and practice of knowledge-based development activities and processes, focusing on knowledge cities and societies, knowledge-based urban development, knowledge and innovation clusters, and knowledge-intensive service activities.

First issue: International Journal of Strategic Business Alliances

International Journal of Strategic Business Alliances considers inter-firm partnerships as an alternative and effective strategic option for gaining and sustaining competitive advantage. It focuses on inter-firm collaboration in a variety of forms in various industries in both national and international environments and promotes our understanding patterns and strategies of such ventures in the competitive global marketplace.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue.

Special issue: Enterprise modelling and simulation in a broader context

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling 4(3/4) 2008

Papers from the 4th International Workshop on Enterprise and Organisational Modelling and Simulation held in Montpellier, France, 16-17 June 2008.

• Automatic verification of business process integrity
• Formal modelling and discrete-time analysis of BPEL web services
• Formalisation and verification of interaction protocols for business process integration: a Petri net approach
• Modelling and simulation of complex workflow processes using multi-level Petri nets
• Dynamic simulation modelling using descriptive information in natural language
• Developing a software process simulation model using SPEM and analytical models
• SIMONE: A Simulator for Interruptions and Message Overload in Network Environments
• Challenges in collaborative modelling: a literature review and research agenda
• Use cases and personas: uses in service sector simulation development
• Embedding simulation education into the engineering management body of knowledge
• Learning to build network-oriented epidemic simulation models in epidemiology education

Special issue: Software agents in e-business: concepts, development and applications

International Journal of Agent-Oriented Software Engineering 3(2/3) 2009

Papers from MASeB’2007, the 2nd International Workshop on (Multi-)Agent Systems in E-Business: Concepts, Technologies and Applications

• The design and implementation of an agent-based auction service
• The RBVO Formation Protocol
• An agent-oriented mobile payment system secured using a biometrics approach
• Adaptability in an agent-based virtual organisation
• IDSS: an intelligent decision support system for e-purchasing using CBR and CF
• Support for virtual organisation creation – partners' profiles and competency management
• Motivation for a new formal framework for agent-oriented software engineering
• MA-UML: a conceptual approach for mobile agents' modelling
• Advanced separation of concerns in agent-oriented design patterns
• A development framework for component-based agent-oriented business services

Special issue: Power electronics for motion control

International Journal of Power Electronics 1(4) 2009

• Advanced BLDC machine drive with minimum torque ripple and maximum power
• Feedforward fuzzy logic control for permanent magnet synchronous motor drive
• A simple and low-cost measurement system for switched reluctance motor drive
• Generalised bond graph model of a rotating machine
• Hybrid modelling and control of a synchronous DC-DC converter
• Study, modelling and control of a single-phase power factor corrector based on the Sheppard-Taylor topology

New book: The Role of Diaspora in Technology Transfer and Achieving Sustainable Development in Sudan

The latest book in the Globalisation, Technology and Sustainable Development Book Series is The Role of Diaspora in Technology Transfer and Achieving Sustainable Development in Sudan: First Sudanese Diaspora International Conference edited by Dr. Allam Ahmed, University of Sussex, price 160 Euros in print or online.

Call for papers: Knowledge Management in Higher Education

Call for papers: Knowledge Management in Higher Education

A special issue of International Journal of Management in Education

Knowledge is a complex phenomenon that has become one of the most important yet one of the less understood in our society and even civilization, and should thus be, as any other aspect of cultural production, carefully managed. Knowledge management is all about connection knowledge in and for an organisation to its mission, competition, performance and attitude towards changes. Higher education institutions (hereafter referred to as HEI) are the sole subjects to empower the information with meaning and share the knowledge produced with society by linking research to teaching/educational programmes. This is the point where knowledge management becomes of the utmost importance. To complete a full circle, the question of quality needs to be added to the scheme.

By producing and attracting proper knowledge (i.e. important to the HEIs’ field of practice), as well as distributing this knowledge (in the physical form of researchers, teachers, students, and administrators who altogether form the knowledge capital of the HEI), an HEI can perform outstandingly, and the flexibility of knowledge will allow it to quickly adapt to changes and answer challenges of any kind, putting it always in-line or even ahead of its competitors and thus successfully fulfilling its mission. Operating, however, is not that easy, for HEIs are not individual subjects in a void space; they exist and function in an agitated, unpredictable environment that often goes beyond national and cultural borders. Therefore, this special issue will be a reference for institutions and practitioners who are dealing with questions of higher education development, quality and knowledge improvement.

The special issue provides a global forum for presenting authoritative references, academically rigorous research and case studies in both theoretical and applied research. The purpose of the special issue is to discuss knowledge management in higher education in all its aspects, varying from production of knowledge, human resource management to knowledge transfer and quality in higher education. Specifically, it intends to disseminate research and studies in this specific field concerned not only with higher education, but with broader socio-economical issues, trying to get more insight to the problem of how knowledge produced and afterwards distributed from HEIs back to society will allow society to prosper and will once again establish HEIs as bearers of progress.

The subject coverage of this special issue includes, but is not limited to:

• Management of higher education institutions
• Knowledge production in higher education
• Knowledge distribution in higher education
• Higher education's changing environment
• Internationalisation in higher education and its impact on knowledge
• Knowledgeable human resource management in higher education
• Knowledge transfer from higher education to practice

Important Dates
Proposal deadline (optional): 1 September, 2009
Early submission deadline: 15 October, 2009
Full paper deadline: 30 December, 2009
Notification of status & acceptance of paper: 15 February, 2010
Final version of paper: March 15, 2010

Call for papers: Virtual University

Call for papers: Virtual University

A special issue of International Journal of Management in Education

The Virtual University is a new way to organise academic work, including research and studies. The Virtual University has, at the same time, pedagogical, social, managerial and technological aspects. This way it is an interesting area for research in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Therefore, this special issue will be a timely issue for institutions and practitioners who are interested in the phenomena of wider utilisation of ICT in higher education organisations, especially from the management point of view.

The special issue provides a global forum for presenting authoritative references, academically rigorous research and case studies in both theoretical and applied research. Its purpose is to discuss the effective management in virtual universities. Specifically, it intends to disseminate research and studies in the situation where university management has to cope with traditional academic work and the virtual university type of approach.

The subject coverage of this special issue includes, but is not limited to:

• Management of the virtual university
• University networks
• Management of educational ICT innovations in universities
• Analysis of political, economical, social, legal and cultural environment in the virtual university
• E-learning curriculum development in higher education
• ICT utilisation in future academic research
• IPR issues in the virtual universities
• Plagiarism
• E-learning good practices in higher education
• Change management in universities
• Public-private-partnerships in the virtual university context
• E-learning as part of the HRM

Important Dates
Proposal deadline (optional): 1 November, 2009
Early submission deadline: 31 December, 2009
Full paper deadline: 31 March, 2010
Notification of status & acceptance of paper: 30 April, 2010
Final version of paper: 31 May, 2010

Call for papers: Mobile Collaboration Services and Management (MCSM)

Call for papers: Mobile Collaboration Services and Management (MCSM)

A special issue of International Journal of Services, Economics and Management

Recent advances in workflow technologies and the adoption of service-oriented architecture (SOA) has much facilitated the automation of business collaboration within and across organisations to increase their competiveness and responsiveness to the fast-evolving global economic environment. The widespread of mobile technologies has further resulted in an increasing demand for the support of mobile collaboration across multiple platforms anytime and anywhere. Examples include supply-chain logistics, group calendars, and dynamic human resources planning. As mobile devices become more powerful, the adoption of mobile computing is imminent. However, mobile business collaboration is not merely porting the software with an alternative user interface, but rather involves a wide range of new requirements, constraints, and technical challenges.

This special issue intentionally seeks scientists, engineers, educators, industry people, policy makers, decision makers, and others who have insight, vision, and understanding of the big challenges in mobile collaboration services and management (MCSM).

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the theoretical, technical, or empirical aspects of the following related to MCSM:

• Principles, theories, models, challenges of MCSM
• Economic, social, and legal issues of MCSM
• MCSM requirements, design, implementation, and case studies
• MCSM deployment, adoption, and diffusion
• Inter- and intra-organisational integration for mobile platforms
• Mobile database, service, and workflow management
• Multi-databases, federated databases, parallel, and distributed databases for MCSM
• Temporal, spatial, and mobile databases for MCSM
• Data mining and knowledge discovery for MCSM
• Intelligent and agent based technologies for MCSM
• Machine learning and cybernetics for MCSM
• Context and location sensitive applications
• RFID and sensor applications and management for collaboration
• Service Level Agreements (SLA), quality, and reliability
• Web Services, ontology, and Web x.0 support for MCSM
• Cloud computing and emerging technologies for MCSM
• Content management and man-machine interactions for MCSM
• Virtual organisations and supply-chain issues for MCSM
• Trust, reputation, security, and privacy in MCSM

Important Dates
Submissions due: 30 October, 2009
Reviews to authors: 15 January, 2010
Revised manuscripts: 15 February, 2010

Call for papers: Manufacturing for Alternative Energies

Call for papers: Manufacturing for Alternative Energies

A special issue of International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems

Alternative energy is a term used for an energy source that is an alternative to using fossil fuels. This form of non-conventional energy derived from non-fossil fuels includes all energy sources that minimise environmental impacts relative to conventional hydrocarbon resources. This special issue highlights research and development into recent advances in materials, manufacturing processes and mechatronics systems for alternative energy devices.

The special issue invites the submission of high quality research articles related to manufacturing for alternative energies. Special interest will be on applications of alternative energy devices, such as solar energy systems, fuel cell systems, photovoltaic systems, etc. This special issue accepts original research articles or any other original contribution review papers, short communications on new concepts.

Topics covered by this special issue include, but are not limited to, following forms of alternative energies:

• Photovoltaic technology conversion
• Biomass conversion
• Biofuel energy
• Hydrogen energy
• Solar thermal applications
• Geothermal energy
• Wind energy technology
• Tidal/wave energy

Important Date
Submission: 31 March 2010

Newly announced journal: International Journal of Sudan Research, Policy and Sustainable Developmen

International Journal of Sudan Research, Policy and Sustainable Development - to begin publication in 2010 - will be the first international, multidisciplinary, refereed journal about Sudan. Its general theme is to discuss integrated approaches and strategies to achieve sustainable development in Sudan

Special issue: Grid–connected converters, including voltage source, current source, and multilevel converters

International Journal of Power Electronics 1(3) 2009

• Ramp based constant frequency current control for DSTATCOM
• A combined multipulse-multilevel inverter based STATCOM for improving the voltage profile and transient stability of power system
• Solutions to the harmonic elimination problem in a seven level inverter
• Analysis and design of controlled capacitor charging type power frequency inverter
• A STATCOM based voltage regulator for parallel operated isolated asynchronous generators feeding three-phase four-wire loads
• Power quality improvement in HVDC systems using 18-pulse voltage source converter

Special issue: RFID in supply chain networks

International Journal of Electronic Business 7(1) 2009

• Challenges in piloting a RFID implementation: a case study of an aerospace and defence supply chain
• RFID data sharing in supply chains: What is the value of the EPC network?
• A technology roadmap for RFID adoption in supply chains
• Secure RFID systems for supply chain applications
• A periodic review inventory model subject to shrinkage type errors: impact of RFID
• An empirical analysis of DeLone and McLean's e-commerce model in the student loan industry

Special issue: Integrating the automotive supply network: the implementation of promising practice

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management 9(1) 2009

• Supplier integration: an international comparison of supplier and automaker experiences
• Towards the strategic outsourcing of core competencies in the automotive industry: threat or opportunity?
• The impact of integration strategy on organisational innovation and growth in the global automotive industry
• A strategic view of transportation management in automotive supply networks
• Knowledge sharing in flexible production networks: a context-based approach

Special issue: Modelling and simulation of complex mechatronic systems

International Journal of Vehicle Autonomous Systems 6(3/4) 2008

• Vehicle ride performance with semi-active suspension system using modified skyhook algorithm and current generator model
• Modelling and simulation of an active front steering system using Lagrangian dynamics
• Multi-objective optimisation of parallel hybrid electric vehicles based on fuzzy logic control
• Integrated control of braking and steering for vehicle stability considering the parametric uncertainties and input constraints
• Fractional PIλDμ control and optimisation for vehicle active suspension
• Unified modelling and real-time simulation of an electric vehicle
• Attitude and handling improvements based on optimal skyhook and feedforward strategy with semi-active suspensions
• Vehicle-trailer stability and handling control: a working system
• Design and analysis of an H∞ integrated control system consists of active suspension and four wheel steering
• Construction of an active suspension for one-wheel car models using fuzzy reasoning and dual dynamic vibration absorbers
• Development of controllers for a nonlinear quarter car active suspension system
• Control of response of a quarter-car vehicle model with optimal skyhook damper

First issue: International Journal of Immunological Studies

International Journal of Immunological Studies publishes a broad range of original experimental and theoretical papers on all aspects of immunology. It is the flagship journal of the Frontiers in Immunology Research Network.

There is a free download of the papers from this first issue.

Call for papers: Advances in Meso and Micro Manufacturing Technology

Call for papers: Advances in Meso and Micro Manufacturing Technology

A special issue of International Journal of Materials and Product Technology

Nowadays, meso (1-10 mm)/micro (1-1000 µm) manufacturing is an important technology for conventional products as well as for new products, especially where miniaturisation, mechatronics and high performance are important. Applications of meso/micro manufacturing are in advanced industries, for example, aerospace, automotive, optical, military, alternative energy, biomedical and microelectronics packaging, etc. Meso and micro manufacturing processes can be applied to work metallic and non-metallic materials such as polymers, ceramics, composites and special materials.

This special issue of IJMPT invites the submission of high quality research articles related to experimental and computational topics on meso and micro manufacturing.

Suitable topics include, but are not limited to, the following aspects:

• Manufacturability of the materials at meso/micro scale
• Developments and design of precision and micro machine tools
• Meso/micro machining processes: turning, milling, drilling, etc
• Meso/micro forming: stamping, blanking, embossing, etc
• Grinding: precision and ultraprecision grinding processes.
• Nontraditional meso/micro manufacturing processes: laser, EDM, etc
• Micro manufacturing using x-ray lithography
• Modelling and simulation of meso/micro manufacturing processes
• Applications with special emphasis in alternative energy devices

Important Date
Deadline for submission: 1 December 2009

Call for papers: Assessment and Sustainable Society

Call for papers: Assessment and Sustainable Society

A special issue of International Journal of Sustainable Society

Increasing awareness of ecological limits to economic growth has stimulated considerable interest in recent years in developing and assessing effective methods for achieving a sustainable society. Sustainability and environmental protection have become major economic, as well as societal, concerns. Assessment methods and strategies have played significant roles in achieving a balance between the development of modern economies and protection of the environment, between consumption of resources and preservation of resources, and between civil liberties and restraint.

The purpose of this special issue is to capture the current state of assessment methodologies and strategies for achieving a sustainable society. Both theoretical and empirical research papers are encouraged.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following related assessments:

• Environmental sustainability and economic growth
• Integration in environmental analysis and planning
• Integration of environment and economy
• Resource productivity measures
• Sustainability and consumption
• Sustainability and environmental quality
• Sustainability and politics
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable development and the environment
• Sustainable development of the biosphere
• Sustainable economies and businesses
• Sustainable global and regional supply chain management
• Sustainable risk in global and regional financial markets
• Urban environments and the internet

Important Dates
Deadline for submission of manuscripts: 30 November, 2009
Communication of peer review to authors: 20 March, 2010
Deadline for revised manuscripts: May 2010

Call for papers: Service Quality Management in Developing and Newly Industrialised Nations

Call for papers: Service Quality Management in Developing and Newly Industrialised Nations

A special issue of International Journal of Services, Economics and Management

This call for papers seeks both empirically-based and theory-based contributions addressing quality management, with emphasis on developing countries. The concept of quality management is not something new. For many organisations, it is no longer an issue of whether they would like to implement quality management, but instead how it is to be implemented. Although quality concepts were discussed in manufacturing industries in the past, it has also been studied in service sector in recent years.

Quality management concepts are common in many developed nations, but this may not be the case in developing countries. Although the manufacturing sector is traditionally the main driving forces in developing countries’ economy, many developing countries have also slowly progressed from manufacturing towards the service sector. Many factors are related to the adoption of quality management concepts, and these factors could be different from the developed countries. This special issue wishes to solicit new contributions from the academic to enhance our knowledge in service quality management and at the same time to give meaningful input to the practitioners.

This special issue covers all aspects of service quality management, including but not limited to the topics and areas listed below:

• Service quality management in e-business
• Service quality management in information technology
• Quality management and service culture
• Quality management and customer satisfaction in service sector
• Comparative research on quality management between service sector and manufacturing sector
• Quality management and service productivity
• Quality management and public service
• Quality in service operations management
• Quality management in service industries
• Service quality management and public economics
• Marketing aspects of service quality
• Service quality management and innovation.
• Service quality management and hospitality economy

Important Dates
Submission deadline: 1 August 2009
Notification of acceptance: 15 September, 2009
Final paper submission deadline: 1 December 2009

Call for papers: SME Development in Transition Economies: Twenty Years On

Call for papers: SME Development in Transition Economies: Twenty Years On

A special issue of International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business

In the two decades which have elapsed since the beginning of the transition period in central and eastern European countries, there has been a rapid expansion of entrepreneurial and small business activities. This expansion has been influenced, inter alia, by economic change, increasing competition due to the accession of many of the countries to the European Union (EU), and policy interventions by a range of institutions.

It is generally recognised that entrepreneurship and the development of a vibrant SME sector play an important role in the generation of new industries and to assist with industrial reconstruction. Economic change has also posed significant challenges to the attitudes of people who manage and work in small and medium sized enterprise (SMEs) and the general public perception of the role of SMEs in the economy

This increase in entrepreneurial activities in transition economies has also given rise to an emerging literature, containing debates on such issues as SME start-up, entrepreneurial knowledge deficiencies and institutional development. The purpose of this special edition is to provide insights into entrepreneurial development and SME management and growth over the past twenty years and opportunities for future expansion in the small business sector.

Suitable topics include, but are not limited to:

• SMEs and management development in transition economies
• SME policy development and application
• Entrepreneurship development and support
• Entrepreneurship education
• The development of marketing in small businesses
• SME growth
• Knowledge transfer to transition economy SMEs
• HRM and HRD expansion in transition economy SMEs
• Workplace attitudes and organisational change

Important Dates
Deadline for papers: 30th June 2009

Newly announced journal: International Journal of Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Optimisation

International Journal of Mathematical Modelling and Numerical Optimisation - to begin publication in 2010 - will deal with mathematical modelling, algorithm development, numerical methods, computer simulations and numerical optimisation, including real-world applications in all major areas of sciences, engineering and industry.

Special issue: Emerging accountability mechanisms and stakeholders in the governance of public service delivery

International Journal of Public Policy 4(3/4) 2009

• The institutionalisation of public-private partnerships in the UK and the nation-state of California
• Public-private partnerships: a comparative study of new public management and stakeholder participation in the UK and Spain
• Building shared accountability into service transformation partnerships
• On the governance of social science research: the replacement of profession with performance contracts
• The effects of corporatisation on financial reporting: the experience of the Italian local governments
• Private actors and public accountability: the role of actuaries and auditors in UK life insurance regulation
• A research note: the exploration of political accountability in primary healthcare organisations
• Sending in the consultants: development agencies, the private sector and the reform of public finance in low-income countries
• Constraints to strengthening public sector accountability through civil society: the case of Morocco

Special issue: International Conference on Signals Systems and Devices, SSD’2007, Hammamet, Tunisia

International Journal of Modelling, Identification and Control 5(4) 2008

SSD’2007 was held in Hammamet, Tunisia, 19–22 March 2007

• Chemical process sliding mode control
• Sliding mode-based synchronisation and control of chaotic systems with parametric uncertainties
• Fuzzy rule base reduction via singular value decomposition
• Neural network augmented backstepping control for an induction machine
• Identification of the GMS friction model based on a robust adaptive observer
• Multilayer perceptron training using an evolutionary algorithm
• Backward iteration approaches for the stability domain estimation of discrete non-linear polynomial systems
• On an internal multimodel control for non-linear systems: a comparative study

Special issue: Interface between strategic management and knowledge management

International Journal of Knowledge Management Studies 3(1/2) 2009

• Emerging evidence on linkages between Knowledge Management (KM) governance and management strategy: the case of two organisations
• Linking business strategy and knowledge management practices: case studies of Malaysian firms
• Do corporate mergers bring about new combinations of knowledge? Empirical evidence from patent data
• Strategic diversity in Japanese university Technology Licensing Offices
• Process and content dimensions of Knowledge Management Strategy planning: an exploratory study
• Understanding an organisation's knowledge-enabled innovation capability
• A study of the effect of Knowledge Creating Capabilities on corporate performance
• The relationship between R&D productivity and knowledge intensity of firms: from the perspective of ''brand power as an integrated intangible asset''
• Strategic knowledge-based marketing