Cristina del Campo

When QM-operators are implication functions and conditional fuzzy relations

Some fuzzy reasoning systems base inference processes on fuzzy implication functions. Although there has been a great deal of work done on characterizing R‐ and S‐implications, little is known about QM‐implications in spite of their long history since they came to fuzzy logic by analogy with the quantum mechanic logic. This paper tackles the study of some characteristics of this type of operator. It focuses on the QM‐implication operator both as an implication function and also as a T‐conditional function, giving useful tools to characterize them. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The European regional policy and the socio-economic diversity of European regions: A multivariate analysis

Abstract There are significant differences among the European Union regions, which have been heightened due to the most recent enlargement in 2004. This paper aims to analyse this diversity and to propose a classification of European regions that is adjusted to the different axes of socio-economic development and, simultaneously, is useful for European regional policy purposes. Multivariate statistical techniques allow the identification of clusters of socio-economic similarity, which are contrasted with the classes considered in the financial proposal of the European Commission (EC) for the period 2007–2013.

A method to make some fuzzy relations T-transitive

A new method is given for a finite reflexive relation with a fixed set of properties and a t‐norm T, so that a different, but similar, T‐transitive relation could be found. The transitive closure is greater than the given relation; however, the T‐transitivized relation defined in this article is less than or equal to the original one, while reaching or maintaining, in this case, the T‐conditionality. The algorithm also verifies if a relation is T‐transitive. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Learning Effects of an International Group Competition Project.

This study investigates the effects of collaboration and competition on students’ learning performance in a course of business statistics. The collaboration involved a simultaneously organised group competition project with analysis of real-life business problems among students. Students from the following schools participated: JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Finland, Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Spain, and Sabanci University in Turkey. The results support earlier literature on positive impacts of group collaboration on learning performance but deny any negative impacts of competition. It is also found out that learning performance may be influenced to a certain degree by cultural differences in perceptions towards collaboration and competition. Overall the international competition and the touch to real-life business problems stimulate students’ engagement and result in enhanced learning towards becoming ‘intelligent consumers of business statistics’.

The role of creativity in entrepreneurship: an empirical study on business undergraduates

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the creativity level of business administration undergraduates who have attended an entrepreneurship seminar in contrast to those that have not. Design/methodology/approach Using two samples of Spanish students, the factors that condition the creation of new start-ups are analysed. A survey following the creativity items from the Kirton Adaption-Innovation (KAI) inventory was employed for a start-up seminar students and a control sample. Non-parametric tests were carried out on the responses. Findings The results show that Spanish business students’ entrepreneurial intentions are not conditioned by entrepreneurial courses, parental self-employment or by their creativity level. However, there are differences in creativity level by genders for their future ability to start-up a company. Practical implications There are no external constraints on not being an entrepreneur, who plays a fundamental role in the future of a country and it is a way to reduce current youth unemployment rates. Social and educational implications are also presented. Originality/value The use of the KAI inventory as a proxy of creativity index is original in the research. Moreover, this study contributes to a better understanding of the factors in becoming an entrepreneur, through exposure to creativity, growing up around businesses and awareness of individual creativity index. Integration of university courses with entrepreneurship actions will be of interest to the society development.