Oto Hudec

Biobjective center – balance graph location model *

In the paper, a new algorithm for finding the absolute center of the graph is proposed. Later on problem of the absolute balance point of the graph is investigated the objective function of which is defined as the difference in the distance from the located facility to the farthest and the nearest demand point. An algorithm for finding it is presented By following the balance criterion it may happen, that the balance point is located too far from the demand points. Conversely, if we are interested not only in the distance to the farthest demand point, but (what is more realistic) also in the structure of the distances, a criterion of balance is appropriate. Consequently, we investigate the center balance constrained model that simultaneously used center and balance criteria. By considering the center and the balance objective in a multiobjective framework, efficient solutions are generated by minimizing former objective such that latter satisfies an upperbound

Culture-led regeneration through the young generation: Košice as the European Capital of Culture

The European Capital of Culture (ECoC) initiative, which is aimed at highlighting the diversity of European urban cultures, has brought positive effects in many of the supported cities over the past 30 years. These include the dissemination of positive features from other ECoC models, such as city regeneration, an improved urban image, a boost to tourism and an increase in the influence of the creative sector in the city economy and culture. There are several areas of consideration (which we call “dilemmas”) within the ECoC programme, which can be summarised under the headings of cultural, economic and spatial dilemmas. Through an analysis of the Košice 2013 ECoC in this way, we identify a shift to the concept of culture-led regeneration, which is stimulated by the young organisers and entrepreneurs, who are bringing in knowledge from other European cultural centres.

Balanced location on a graph

The problem of locating service facilities with respect to a given set of demands on a graph is considered. The objective function to be minimized is equal to the maximum difference in the distance from a demand point to its farthest and nearest facility (balancing function). It is assumed that any facility has at most m of possibilities for its location. For m = 2, the computational complexity of the problem is O(np 2log p), where n is the number of demand points and p is the number of located facilities. For m > 2, the problem is NP -hard. Similar results are presented for boolean and strongly boolean versions of the problem.

Vertex Location Problems

Let G = (X, W, E) be a complete bipartite graph. Let D be the m x n matrix of distances between each pair of vertices x 1 e X, w j e W, let z be an objective defined on the set M of p-element subsets of W , The vertex location problem is to find a subset Y e M which minimizes (maximizes) the objective z(Y). For special criteria we obtain the well known p-center and p-median problem. We consider several other optimality criteria and give complexity results for such problems.

The Evolution of Innovation Networks in Slovakia: Disintegration and Slow Recovery

Knowledge production processes during the transition period from authoritarian socialism to market economy experienced significant changes in Slovakia and other CEE countries. Such a paradigm shift has caused the disintegration of the former inventory networks followed by only a slow recovery over the last 20 years. The patenting activity analysis of Slovak institutions gives a good focal point to indicate the general decrease in innovation performance and also to justify the breakdown and fragmentation of the former long-term cooperating inventory networks during the period of 1998–2012. The Slovak regional inventory networks have been studied for a longer period using network analysis, discovering common evolutionary development as well as particular network patterns after the opening of the economy to competition and foreign investments, staying before in a comfort zone. The recovery and formation of new networks of inventors are still very slow, even if the economic growth is steadily positive. One of the main reasons for continuing lower innovation performance is not only the low expenditure on research and development, but another reason is a relatively low number and quality of the links within poorly developed regional innovation systems. The results of the network analysis demonstrate to what degree the regional innovation system is truly regional (or national or even international) by comparing Slovakia’s regions and their interdependencies.

Culture of quality: insight into foreign organisations in Slovakia

This paper aims to present the results of comparative research on the culture of quality in the largest foreign and domestic organisations operating in the automotive industry in Slovakia. The empirical research examines quality strategy, quality vision, leadership, quality values, and customer involvement practices. The comparative research is based on in-depth personal interviews with professionals responsible for quality and innovation management in the organisations. The empirical research is combined with secondary resources (e.g. annual reports). The culture in Slovakia as described according to the Hofstede model has a ‘high power distance’ and is strongly ‘masculine’. Empirical research on the large foreign organisations operating in the automotive industry in Slovakia recognises that the culture of quality varies significantly according to the country of origin. Inherent differences exist within French, German, Korean, Mexican, Norwegian, and US companies. Proximity in culture can be found between France and the United States as well as Mexico and Germany. The main differences in the culture of quality are primarily in practices and less in vision, values and leadership approaches. Despite the variability within the group of foreign companies, as a group, the set shows a common culture that is fundamentally different from the culture of the sample of Slovak companies. The research focused only on the group of the largest organisations operating in the automotive industry in Slovakia, both foreign and domestic. The paper provides original findings on the culture of quality in foreign organisations operating in Slovakia. Previous studies have not examined what culture of quality arises when a foreign-owned company is faced with the culture of Slovak employees.

Confined location of facilities on a graph

Location problems on a graph are usually classified according to the form that the set of located facilities takes, the specification of the demand location set and the objective function of distances between facilities and demand points. In this paper we suppose that a given number of located facilities is confined to the same number of edges. We consider eight types of optimality criteria: minirnizing(or maximizing) the minimum (or maximum) distance from a demand to its nearest (farthest) facility.