Sharif Digital Repository

In this paper we consider the problem of joint location and pricing optimization for a firm in a heterogeneous market producing a single product. We assume that customers have a different willingness to pay for the product. We consider two classes of customers who are not uniformly distributed in the market and develop an analytical framework to determine the relationship between the optimal price and location of the firm. We demonstrate that the optimal price and location are closely related to each other, and thus there is a need for simultaneous optimization of the price and location. We provide both analytical and numerical results to illustrate the impact of transportation cost and the... 

In this paper, we consider the problem of making simultaneous decisions on the location, service rate (capacity) and the price of providing service for facilities on a network. We assume that the demand for service from each node of the network follows a Poisson process. The demand is assumed to depend on both price and distance. All facilities are assumed to charge the same price and customers wishing to obtain service choose a facility according to a Multinomial Logit function. Upon arrival to a facility, customers may join the system after observing the number of people in the queue. Service time at each facility is assumed to be exponentially distributed. We first present several... 

We consider a two-echelon inventory system with a manufacturer operating from a warehouse supplying multiple distribution centers (DCs) that satisfy the demand originating from multiple sources. The manufacturer has a finite production capacity and production times are stochastic. Demand from each source follows an independent Poisson process. We assume that the transportation times between the warehouse and DCs may be positive which may require keeping inventory at both the warehouse and DCs. Inventory in both echelons is managed using the base-stock policy. Each demand source can procure the product from one or more DCs, each incurring a different fulfilment cost. The objective is to... 

We study the problem of finding a target t from a start point s in street environments with the cooperation of two robots which have a minimal sensing capability; that is, robots do not know any information about the workspace including information on distances, edges, coordinates, angles etc. They just can detect the discontinuities in the visibility region of their location. The robots can detect target point t as soon as it enters their visibility region and have communication peripherals to send messages to each other. Our aim is to minimize the length of the path passed by the robots. We propose an online algorithm for robots such that they move in the workspace and find the target.... 

Purpose: The main purpose of this study is to review the knowledge management literature from a content-related perspective using cluster analysis. Design/methodology/approach: A critical analysis of previous review articles in KM provided a conceptual framework with nine dimensions. A survey was then administered to 120 KM authors asking them to review which dimensions they considered in their own research. Findings: Three clusters of KM research were identified as follows: the socialization school, the collaboration school, and the codification school. Research limitations/implications: The study does not consider the dimension of strategic versus operational KM issues nor does it consider... 

It is beyond dispute that technological change acts as a driver of economic growth. In developing countries where highly suffer from lack of this process, incremental innovation is considered as main source of technology capability building and development In moving toward this pass and to meet with time pressure of catching up, developing countries acquire the initial required knowledge base through technology absorption from outside sources; On the other hand as development is a lengthy process, it is important that the absorbed knowledge still has the potential of more advancement in future. Therefore a selection instrument with ability of assessing different knowledge base or... 

Porter's model of Competitive advantage of nations (named as Diamond Model) has been widely used and criticized as well, over recent two decades. On the other hand, non-mainstream economists have tried to propose new frameworks for industrial analysis, that among them, Sectoral Innovation System (SIS) is one of the most influential ones. After proposing an assessment framework, we use this framework to compare SIS and Porter's models and apply them to the case of second mobile operator in Iran. Briefly, SIS model sheds light on the innovation process and competence building and focuses on system failures that are of special importance in the context of developing countries, while Diamond... 

In project-based organizations, many practical cases show there is a considerable knowledge gap between project-level and organization level. To bridge such gap, organizations can exploit knowledge intensive human resources, new organizational structures and new information and communication technologies. But all these three dimensions could have trivial effect when there is no central attention toward the content of knowledge that is to be managed. In this paper, we postulated a three layer framework for this problem that its main contribution is that the content of knowledge is at the center of attention, while all other three dimensions of any knowledge management system (HR, Organization... 

This paper presents an improved stochastic simulation method for calculating current dependent energy losses in distribution networks. The method is based on power load curves and integrates the stochastic nature of the load curves with power and voltage covariance matrices. The method reduces calculation effort using the factor analysis of covariance matrices and provides a few quantities needed to calculate energy losses. The method has no limitation for network configuration and gives accurate results several times faster than other existing methods. Therefore, it is appropriate for considering losses in optimization and decision making purposes in operating and planning of distribution... 

In this article we develop a 'Stakeholder Mapping' approach to ex-ante policy evaluation. The proposed framework helps to assess policy implementation activities by applying several tests to evaluate the completeness, non-redundancy, proper assignment and internal consistency of a policy design. We illustrate the method by applying it to the analysis of e-commerce policy in Iran. We conclude by assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the approach. © 2009 SAGE Publications  

A known theorem in probability is adopted and through a probabilistic approach, it is generalized to develop a method for generating random deviates from the distribution of any continuous random variable. This method, which may be considered as an approximate version of the Inverse Transform algorithm, takes two random numbers to generate a random deviate, while maintaining all the other advantages of the Inverse Transform method, such as the possibility of generating ordered as well as correlated deviates and being applicable to all density functions, regardless of their parameter values. © Sharif University of Technology, October 2008  

As Gregory Bateson, the British social scientists, once said "You can't live without an eraser", the process of learning is not a unidirectional way toward accumulation of knowledge, rather, organizations should critically evaluate the value of their knowledge and if necessary, actively forget no-longer-useful knowledge. A brief review of related literature shows that the concept of knowledge active forgetting (KAF) is a crucial aspect of organizational learning and knowledge management. However, many aspects of this topic deserve more attention by researchers. The main gap in the literature seems to be related to the linkage between peculiar aspects of knowledge (such as stickiness, context... 

The effect of the layer in contact with tool (Al or Cu) and the depth of plunge on friction stir butt welding of Al-Cu bilayer laminated composites produced by cold roll welding were studied. The measurement of weld cross sections and variations of the axial load and torque during welding process showed that material flow is influenced by the material which is in contact with the shoulder. Being Al layer in contact with the shoulder led to higher force and torque during welding, and a defect-free weld could be obtained in this manner. By welding from Cu side, a higher plunge depth was needed to develop enough force and torque and thereby a defect-free weld. The amount of material swept by...