Marta Zárraga-Rodríguez

Exploring the links between information capability and the EFQM business excellence model: the case of Basque Country Quality award winners

In todays turbulent global environment, using and efficiently managing information is a critical success factor that enables organisations to improve their results. Information capability is a source of competitive advantage and helps companies to achieve higher levels of efficiency. Total quality management (TQM) models are designed to guide organisations in their journey towards business excellence, and they help to identify the role and importance of information as a capability. The aim of this study is to find whether companies with TQM models actually use and manage information efficiently so that they have information capability. In order to achieve this goal, after defining the components of information capability, we reviewed the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) criteria described in the reports of Basque Country Quality award winners to find evidence of these components. In addition, interviews with members of those companies were conducted in order to get additional insights into the findings. This paper presents evidence from organisations at the forefront of TQM practice, showing that many information capability practices are covered in the EFQM model. We found evidence of many information practices, and we saw from the information collected that the most highly developed competence in these companies is the Information Management Competence, while practices related to the information technology Competence and the Information Behaviours and Values Competence are not as evident. Nevertheless, this study is a first approach and is limited by the information shown in the self-assessment reports.

Key Competencies for Entrepreneurship

Abstract Nowadaysthe entrepreneurship capacity determinesthe competitiveness of anorganization. Thereforeentrepreneursare considered as avital resource.The objective of thisstudy is to establishwhich are thekey individual competenciesthat determine whetheror not a personis an entrepreneur. We have conducted a review of the literature dealing with entrepreneurship to obtain a set of entrepreneurship related individual competencies. Then using the Delphi method we have obtained reliable consensus from a selection of entrepreneurs about the importance of each individual competence that is considered to be linked to entrepreneurship. The study shows thekey competencies at individual levelthat should be developedforbecoming an entrepreneur.Competencies that enable the employees to become anentrepreneur have been identified. It can be useful for any company committed toentrepreneurship and it can also be useful for any educational institution committed to the development of entrepreneurshipcompetencies among its students.

On the Complexity Reduction of Coding WSS Vector Processes by Using a Sequence of Block Circulant Matrices

In the present paper, we obtain a result on the rate-distortion function (RDF) of wide sense stationary (WSS) vector processes that allows us to reduce the complexity of coding those processes. To achieve this result, we propose a sequence of block circulant matrices. In addition, we use the proposed sequence to reduce the complexity of filtering WSS vector processes.

In-Network Computation of the Optimal Weighting Matrix for Distributed Consensus on Wireless Sensor Networks

In a network, a distributed consensus algorithm is fully characterized by its weighting matrix. Although there exist numerical methods for obtaining the optimal weighting matrix, we have not found an in-network implementation of any of these methods that works for all network topologies. In this paper, we propose an in-network algorithm for finding such an optimal weighting matrix.

Asymptotically Equivalent Sequences of Matrices and Capacity of a Discrete-Time Gaussian MIMO Channel With Memory

Using some recent results on asymptotically equivalent sequences of matrices, we present in this paper, a new derivation of the capacity formula given by Brandenburg and Wyner for a discrete-time Gaussian multiple-input-multiple-output channel with memory. In this paper, we tackle not only the case considered by them, where the number of channel inputs and the number of channel outputs are the same, but also when both numbers are different.

Upper Bounds for the Rate Distortion Function of Finite-Length Data Blocks of Gaussian WSS Sources

In this paper, we present upper bounds for the rate distortion function (RDF) of finite-length data blocks of Gaussian wide sense stationary (WSS) sources and we propose coding strategies to achieve such bounds. In order to obtain those bounds, we previously derive new results on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of WSS processes.

Enablers of team effectiveness in higher education

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to confirm whether the factors that act as enablers of team effectiveness in professional context are also relevant for team effectiveness in higher education. Design/methodology/approach – From a review of the factors that act as enablers of team effectiveness in professional contexts, this paper explores whether they are also relevant in learning environments, in particular, in higher education. After conducting a literature analysis, a Delphi study was conducted to obtain a consensus proposal of a set of input factors that can act as enablers of team effectiveness; next this paper explored, via questionnaire, in a specific context the perceptions of lecturers and students involved in teamwork. Findings – A set of factors reached by consensus that seem to be enablers of team effectiveness in the specific context analyzed is presented. These factors can be the basis of future studies to generalize their validity. Originality/value – There are many studies that identify ...

Experience: Information Dimensions Affecting Employees’ Perceptions Towards Being Well Informed

Information is a strategic company resource, but there is no consensus in the literature regarding the set of dimensions to be considered when measuring the quality of the information. Most measures of information quality depend on user perception. Using multiple correlation analysis, we obtain a model that allows us to explain how information quality dimensions influence information consumers’ overall feeling of being well informed. A set of dimensions that any measure of information quality should at least include is proposed. This exploratory study reports the results of a research survey among managers of companies committed to quality management within the framework of a Total Quality Management (TQM) model, which is an information-intensive management model.

Analysis of Known Linear Distributed Average Consensus Algorithms on Cycles and Paths

In this paper, we compare six known linear distributed average consensus algorithms on a sensor network in terms of convergence time (and therefore, in terms of the number of transmissions required). The selected network topologies for the analysis (comparison) are the cycle and the path. Specifically, in the present paper, we compute closed-form expressions for the convergence time of four known deterministic algorithms and closed-form bounds for the convergence time of two known randomized algorithms on cycles and paths. Moreover, we also compute a closed-form expression for the convergence time of the fastest deterministic algorithm considered on grids.

Rate Distortion Function of Gaussian Asymptotically WSS Vector Processes

In this paper, we obtain an integral formula for the rate distortion function (RDF) of any Gaussian asymptotically wide sense stationary (AWSS) vector process. Applying this result, we also obtain an integral formula for the RDF of Gaussian moving average (MA) vector processes and of Gaussian autoregressive MA (ARMA) AWSS vector processes.