Strategic obfuscation of production capacities

Recent supply‐chain models that study competition among capacity‐constrained producers omit the possibility of producers strategically setting wholesale prices to create uncertainty with regards to (i.e., to obfuscate) their production capacities. To shed some light on this possibility, we study strategic obfuscation in a supply‐chain model comprised of two competing producers and a retailer, where one of the producers faces a privately‐known capacity constraint. We show that capacity obfuscation can strictly increase the obfuscating producer's profit, therefore, presenting a clear incentive for such practices. Moreover, we identify conditions under which both producers' profits increase. In effect, obfuscation enables producers to tacitly collude and charge higher wholesale prices by moderating competition between producers. The retailer, in contrast, suffers a loss in profit, raises retail prices, while overall channel profits decrease. We show that the extent of capacity obfuscation is limited by its cost and by a strategic retailer's incentive to facilitate a deterrence. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 244–267, 2014     

基于DoDAF与Petri网的预警卫星系统建模分析

预警卫星系统在弹道导弹防御系统中处在最前沿,在战争中起着其他装备无法替代的作用。依据DoDAF和预警卫星系统的作战流程,构建了预警卫星系统作战状态转换(OV-6b)模型,以描述预警卫星系统作战过程的时序关系、各作战节点的状态转换以及信息流关系。基于Petri网将各节点OV-6b模型转换成可执行模型进行驱动,并构建和分析了各Petri网模型的可达图,结果表明,建立的OV-6b模型和Petri网模型是合理的、正确的。     

基于综合识别的高速飞行器自适应控制方法(英文)

针对高速飞行器的传统自适应控制方法中控制器参数获取时间长,辨识存在收敛性的问题,设计了一种基于综合识别方法的新型自校正控制方案。首先,由在线直接可测量构成特征模型的特征状态量,并以特征模型作为参考模型来设计控制器;其次,通过获得的特征状态量来在线调配对象系统的零极点,输出达到期望性能所需要的控制参数。仿真结果表明:该方法能较理想地实现在线自适应控制,保证系统良好的鲁棒性和快速性,同时在工程上易于实现。     

神经网络在雷达装备故障趋势预测中的应用

为了提高预测精度,在雷达装备状态监测与故障趋势预测系统中引入基于指数衰减的神经网络预测模型。通过普通BP网络预测模型引出基于指数衰减的神经网络预测模型,经验证预测精度较高。并介绍了雷达装备状态监测与故障趋势预测系统构成,此系统对于雷达装备的早期故障预测和预防性维修具有重要意义。     

高层住宅物业消防现状及思考

物业管理是城市社区管理中一个重要的基层管理体系,消防安全管理作为物业管理的一项重要工作,目前还存在着许多亟待解决的问题。从高层住宅物业消防管理的现状入手,分析其存在的问题及原因,探讨解决问题的措施,促进物业消防管理的发展完善。     

Collaboration in contingent capacities with information asymmetry

We study the optimal contracting problem between two firms collaborating on capacity investment with information asymmetry. Without a contract, system efficiency is lost due to the profit‐margin differentials among the firms, demand uncertainty, and information asymmetry. With information asymmetry, we demonstrate that the optimal capacity level is characterized by a newsvendor formula with an upward‐adjusted capacity investment cost, and no first‐best solution can be achieved. Our analysis shows that system efficiency can always be improved by the optimal contract and the improvement in system efficience is due to two factors. While the optimal contract may bring the system's capacity level closer to the first‐best capacity level, it prevents the higher‐margin firm from overinvesting and aligns the capacity‐investment decisions of the two firms. Our analysis of a special case demonstrates that, under some circumstances, both firms can benefit from the principal having better information about the agent's costs. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 54:, 2007     

The ligaments of counter-terrorism regime: sexual violence and the vicarious traumatisation of female non-governmental organisation workers: evidence from Nigeria

ABSTRACT

There is a dearth of studies on indirect victims of sexual violence in counter-terrorism efforts. Using Nigeria as a case study, this paper argues that global and state-level counter-terrorism policies have generally failed to account for the psychological effects of the engagement of female NGO workers in counter-terrorism operations or mitigating the effects of terrorism in conflict zones. Specifically, there has been an increase in sexual violence perpetrated by some members of the security agencies involved in counter-terrorism operations in North-eastern Nigeria. As a result, female NGO workers carry out Medicare, psychosocial counselling and advocacy for these victims. Female NGO workers become exposed to the trauma of victims of sexual violence, which affects their mental health and thus performances in counter-terrorism activities in the country. This altered their worldview on issues of safety even among secured locations or among the presence of security agents and reinforced feelings of powerlessness.     

US grand strategy and the origins of the developmental state

ABSTRACT

Scholars have credited a model of state-led capitalism called the ‘developmental state’ with producing the economic miracles of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. This article examines how the developmental state was shaped by the Cold War. US grand strategy focused on accelerating economic development among allies that were under the greatest threat from Communist China and North Korea. American aid agencies became involved in the process of state-building in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan and supported economic planning. I verify this claim by contrasting US policies on Taiwan with US policies in the Philippines, which faced a weaker Communist threat.