For any organization, analysis of performance and effectiveness through available data allows for informed decision making. Data envelopment analysis, or DEA, is a popular, effective method that can be used to measure productive efficiency in operations management assessment. Data Envelopment Analysis and Effective Performance Assessment addresses the myriad of practical uses and innovative developments of DEA. Emphasizing the importance of analyzing productivity by measuring inputs, goals, economic growth, and performance, this book covers a wide breadth of innovative knowledge. This book is essential reading for managers, business professionals, students of business and ICT, and computer engineers.

Knowledge is a valuable resource that must be managed well for any organization to thrive. Proper knowledge management can improve business processes by creating value, yet the available tools meant to aid in the creation, collection, and storage of information have drastically changed since the emergence of social media. By using this collaborative online application for engaging with information, organizations are able to precisely decimate knowledge to the correct audience. Harnessing Social Media as a Knowledge Management Tool addresses the challenges and rewards of the proper use of social media, as well as the key enablers and barriers of its application. This publication endeavors to provide thorough insight into the role of social media in knowledge management from both an organizational and individual perspective. This book elucidates emerging strategies perfect for policy makers, managers, advertisers, academics, students, and organizations who wish to optimize performance.

We are living in interesting times characterized by increasing digitalization of business enterprises in a global interconnected knowledge economy. With waning euphoria about the first wave of digital e-business enterprises and a sobering dot-com stock market, business model innovation is being recognized as the key enabler that can unleash value creation for new digital enterprises. In contrast to traditional factors of production, knowledge assets and intellectual capital are expected to play a dominant role in determining both valuation and value-creation capabilities of most new age enterprises. Not surprisingly, Knowledge Management for Business Model Innovation is anticipated to be the mantra for survival, competence and success of Net enterprises as well as traditional brick-and-mortar enterprises faced with the challenge of transforming their business models into and beyond click-and-mortar companies.

Operations management is a tool by which companies can effectively meet customers' needs using the least amount of resources necessary. With the emergence of sensors and smart metering, big data is becoming an intrinsic part of modern operations management. Applied Big Data Analytics in Operations Management enumerates the challenges and creative solutions and tools to apply when using big data in operations management. Outlining revolutionary concepts and applications that help businesses predict customer behavior along with applications of artificial neural networks, predictive analytics, and opinion mining on business management, this comprehensive publication is ideal for IT professionals, software engineers, business professionals, managers, and students of management.

The effective application of knowledge management principles has proven to be beneficial for modern organizations. When utilized in the academic community, these frameworks can enhance the value and quality of research initiatives. Enhancing Academic Research With Knowledge Management Principles is a pivotal reference source for the latest research on implementing theoretical frameworks of information management in the context of academia and universities. Featuring extensive coverage on relevant areas such as data mining, organizational and academic culture, this publication is an ideal resource for researchers, academics, practitioners, professionals, and students.

Economics of Knowledge explores the theory and empirical facts needed for rational decisions on knowledge investments, creative processes and management of knowledge based industries and institutions. The accumulation of knowledge through higher education, scientific research and industrial R&D is a key factor in economic and social development. This timely and valuable book focuses on the micro- and macroeconomics of knowledge production, and on the analysis of technical constraints, possibilities of collaboration and incentives for scientists, academic teachers and students. The authors move on to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of centrally controlled and competitive university systems, before concluding with a set of decision-making rules for government, university administrations and industry. This book on a hotly contested subject will be widely sought after by those with an interest in economics, management, operations research, regional science and planning as well as consultants to knowledge based industries. R&D managers of industrial firms will learn a great deal from this book as will managers of universities and research institutes.

Knowledge Driven Development: Private Extension and Global Lessons uses actual cases written specifically to study the role and capacity of private companies in knowledge sharing and intensification through agricultural extension. Descriptions of specific models and approaches are teased out of complex situations exhibiting a range of agricultural, regulatory, socio-economic variables. Illustrative cases focus on a particular agricultural value chain and elaborate the special feature of the associated private extension system. Chapters presenting individual cases of private extension also highlight specific areas of variations and significant deviance. Each chapter begins with a section describing the background and agricultural context of the case, followed by a description of the specific crop value chain. Based on understanding of this context, extension models and methods by private companies receive deeper analysis and definition in the next section. This leads to a discussion of the private extension with respect to its relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, equity, sustainability and impact. Following that, comparison with public extension, the uniqueness of the knowledge intensification model, and lessons for its replication and scaling up are elaborated. The final chapter summarizes the major results from the ten cases presented, looking at the trends, commonalities and differences of various extension approaches and the general lessons for success or failure. It concludes with a set of messages around value creation, integrated services, market links, inclusive innovation, and capacity development.

Good operations and supply chain management practices are fundamental for the survival of both private and public organisations offering goods or rendering services. Because these practices are subject to evolving market and macro issues, which are themselves intrinsic to micro practices and processes, it is of great importance to study, understand and address current concerns. Contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management reveals a wide range of present-day matters that focus on the deep multiplicity of relationships between operations, supply chains and the changing business environment. Contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management offers tools and techniques to cope with the ever-increasing forces of supply versus demand, against the backdrop of limited resources and a constantly changing business environment. It offers a well-balanced approach between theory and practice by including contemporary issues and cases within the industry, Africa and the rest of the world. Contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management aims to have international reach and relevance for a broad audience, including but not necessarily limited to business practitioners of all kinds in any sector middle and senior managers in industry (both buyer and supplier organisations) academia - undergraduates and post graduates form higher education establishments, universities and colleges professional bodies (as recommended text/learning materials) members of industry trade associations and anyone else seeking insights into contemporary issues in operations and supply chain management. Professionals with years of experience in the field will benefit from this book as methods and strategies inherited from the past appear to no longer fit the realities presented by the ever changing modern business environment.

States and markets are integrated segments of government that rely on one another for efficient operation. Research on the workings and happenings among these two entities is essential to ensure optimal functioning of public management and the political economy. Positioning Markets and Governments in Public Management is an advanced reference publication featuring the latest scholarly research on modern-day issues within political economy. Including coverage on a range of topics such as public policy, healthcare, and immigration, this book is ideally designed for professionals, researchers, and students interested in research and frameworks concerning governments and markets.

Advancements in the digital world are bringing about rapid waves of change in organizational management. As such, it is increasingly imperative to discover ways for businesses to adapt to changes in the markets and seize various digital market opportunities. Driving Innovation and Business Success in the Digital Economy is an essential reference source for the latest research on the impact of digital computing and emerging technological innovations in the realm of business success. Featuring extensive coverage across a range of relevant perspectives and topics, such as IT outsourcing, sustainable development and online advertising, this publication is ideally designed for researchers, professionals and students seeking current research on the complex scope of the new economy.

Multidisciplinary Studies in Knowledge and Systems Science brings together valuable research on the adoption of a systems approach to the theory and practice of managing information and people in knowledge intensive activities and processes. By emphasising the understanding of technical, social, and philosophical frameworks, this book is essential for academics, practitioners, and students interested in the developments of human knowledge processes.

Beginning with a survey of fundamental concepts associated with data integration, knowledge representation, and hypothesis generation from heterogeneous data sets, "Methods in Biomedical Informatics" provides a practical survey of methodologies used in biological, clinical, and public health contexts. These concepts provide the foundation for more advanced topics like information retrieval, natural language processing, Bayesian modeling, and learning classifier systems. The survey of topics then concludes with an exposition of essential methods associated with engineering, personalized medicine, and linking of genomic and clinical data. Within an overall context of the scientific method, "Methods in Biomedical Informatics" provides a practical coverage of topics that is specifically designed for: (1) domain experts seeking an understanding of biomedical informatics approaches for addressing specific methodological needs; or (2) biomedical informaticians seeking an approachable overview of methodologies that can be used in scenarios germane to biomedical research.
Contributors represent leading biomedical informatics experts: individuals who have demonstrated effective use of biomedical informatics methodologies in the real-world, high-quality biomedical applicationsMaterial is presented as a balance between foundational coverage of core topics in biomedical informatics with practical "in-the-trenches" scenarios.Contains appendices that function as primers on: (1) Unix; (2) Ruby; (3) Databases; and (4) Web Services.

Because efficient compilation of information allows managers and business leaders to make the best decisions for the financial solvency of their organizations, data analysis is an important part of modern business administration. Understanding the use of analytics, reporting, and data mining in everyday business environments is imperative to the success of modern businesses. Utilizing Big Data Paradigms for Business Intelligence is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on how to address the challenges of data extraction in business intelligence using the five "Vs" of big data: velocity, volume, value, variety, and veracity. This book is ideally designed for business analysts, investors, corporate managers, entrepreneurs, and researchers in the fields of computer science, data science, and business intelligence.

Essentials of Nonprofit Management and Leadership: A Skills-Based Approach equips readers with the knowledge, skills, and competencies they need to serve as effective nonprofit leaders and advance human rights and social and economic justice. The book provides students with a strong foundation in professional values, knowledge development in leadership and management, and opportunities to develop their personal and professional abilities through skill-building activities. The text balances substantive content with hands-on experiential exercises and assignments to help students develop practical skillsets. It introduces theories and conceptual frameworks related to human behavior in organizational and social contexts. Equipped with this knowledge, future leaders are empowered to engage others, assess agency- and community-level concerns, intervene when problems occur, and evaluate the impacts of programs, interventions, and policies. Topics addressed within the text include personal communication, planning, program evaluation, budgeting, fund development, marketing, advocacy, and more. Essentials of Nonprofit Management and Leadership arms readers with a conceptual view of the roles of nonprofit leaders and critical skills for effective practice. It is an excellent resource for courses in nonprofit leadership and management.

Understanding the organisational dimensions that surround information systems is essential for professionals involved in the field, ultimately improving upon organisational design and performance. Examining the Informing View of Organization: Applying Theoretical and Managerial Approaches will utilise relevant perspectives to enhance theory and practice in the information systems area. By providing a framework for the Informing View of Organization, this book is a valuable resource for academics in the field, as well as managers and professionals in information systems.

Organizations are showing a remarkable interest in realizing knowledge management technologies and processes to adopt knowledge management as part of their overall strategy. However, even with the current advancement in technology, few organizations are entirely capable of developing critical organizational knowledge to achieve improved performance. Technological Innovations in Knowledge Management and Decision Support is a vital research publication that examines different knowledge management areas for organizational competitiveness, survival, and effectiveness. It also provides cutting-edge research techniques in related optimization methods and other automated techniques in real-world processes. Featuring a broad range of topics such as enterprise resource planning, neural networks, and image segmentation, this book is a critical resource for managers, IT specialists, healthcare and social sciences professionals, engineers, academicians, and researchers seeking research on effective knowledge management systems.

Knowledge management can be a powerful tool if successfully implemented into an organizational structure. Uncovering the latest methods, tools, trends, and strategies in organizational knowledge management should be a priority for individuals working in a variety of industries. Knowledge Management Practice in Organizations: The View from Inside brings together industry experts to discuss the realities of knowledge management work in organizations. Examining the challenges associated with operational knowledge management, this work provides insight into the day-to-day practice of knowledge management in real-life settings. Organizational leaders and professionals, librarians, students, and researchers will find this publication to be an essential tool in understanding knowledge management implementation.

In today's world of business, gaining an advantage of competitors is a focal point for organizations and a driving force in the economy. New practices are being studied and implemented constantly by rivaling companies. Many industries have begun putting emphasis on intensive knowledge practices, with the belief that implementing cutting-edge learning practices will fuel research and innovation within the company. Understanding this dynamic method of management is critical for managers and executives who wish to propel the success of their organizations. Knowledge Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship in a Changing World is a collection of pioneering research on the methods of gaining organizational advantages based on knowledge innovation and management. While highlighting topics including human-robot teaming, organizational learning, and e-collaboration, this book will explore the sustainable links between knowledge management influences and organizational capability. This book is ideally designed for managers, strategists, economists, policymakers, entrepreneurs, business professionals, researchers, students, and academics seeking research on recent trends in innovative economics and business technologies.

The evaluation of IT and its business value are the subject of many academic and business discussions. Investments in IT are growing extensively, and business managers worry about the fact that the benefits might not be as high as expected. This phenomenon is often called the IT investment paradox or the IT Black Hole: large sums are invested in IT that seem to be swallowed by a large black hole without rendering many returns. How to measure the benefits of IT is the concern of this book titled Information Technology Evaluation Methods and Management. The different IT evaluation approaches and methods are discussed and illustrated with cases: traditional financial evaluations such as the return on investment, information economics and the recently introduced IT Balanced Scorecard. The latter approach is proposed as an ideal mechanism to support the IT/business alignment process and its related IT governance process.

Among some of the topics included in this book are: software measurement; ERP project evaluation; strategic electronic commerce evaluation.

In the last few years, knowledge management practices have evolved in organizations. The introduction of Web 2.0 technologies has encouraged new methods of information usage and knowledge sharing, which are frequently used by employees who already rely on these Web 2.0 technologies in their personal lives. Knowledge Management 2.0: Organizational Models and Enterprise Strategies provides an overview of theoretical and empirical research on knowledge management generation in the Web 2.0 age. Research in this book highlights knowledge management evolution with a global focus and investigates the impact knowledge management 2.0 has on business models, enterprise governance and strategies, human resources, and IT design, implementation, and appropriation in organizations.