In the era of Big Data our society is given the unique opportunity to understand the inner dynamics and behavior of complex socio-economic systems. Advances in the availability of very large databases, in capabilities for massive data mining, as well as progress in complex systems theory, multi-agent simulation and computational social science open the possibility of modeling phenomena never be…
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of three workshops held at the 19th International Conference on Financial Cryptography and Data Security, FC 2015, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in January 2015. The 22 full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 39 submissions. They feature the outcome of the Second Workshop on Bitcoin Research, BITCOIN 2015, the Third Workshop …
This open textbook is a living document of knowledge and skills needed by finance students and professionals to design, govern, and invest financial resources from savings set aside during the working years, either by law (e.g., Canada Pension Plan), by mutual agreement (e.g. occupational pension plan), or privately (e.g. Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Tax-Free Savings Plan). Saving for re…
Mass Customization examines the business opportunities, considerations, and challenges manufacturers in various industries must weigh before committing to the significant investment in machinery and software needed to go to mass customization. For manufacturers who decide that it’s time to take the plunge, the author describes the proven methods and latest technologies for making mass customi…
Edited by two leading academics in this area, and with contributions from 25 prominent market practitioners and academics over 16 chapters, this Handbook covers shipping finance and banking, maritime financial management and investments. As such, it includes: shipping markets; asset backed finance; shipbuilding finance; debt finance; public and private equity and debt markets; structured financ…
Presents a strategic perspective and design methodology that guide the process of developing digital products and services that provide?real experience? to users. Only when the material experienced runs its course to fulfilment is it then regarded as?real experience? that is distinctively senseful, evaluated as valuable, and harmoniously related to others. Based on the theoretical background of…
The book addresses situations found in such industries as consumer electronics, healthcare, telecommunications, consumer goods, industrial equipment, building materials, and many others. No matter the industry, all firms trading products face operational challenges in producing and/or moving goods in a geographically dispersed global network while fulfilling customer demand in a timely and cost…
This book investigates at both the micro- and macroeconomic levels the impact of mobile phones on poverty and inequality in developing countries. To gauge the effects of mobile phones on these aspects, the author refers to the standard concept of technology adoption and also analyses the actual utilization of mobile phones as a means of communication and the degree to which they have supplanted…
Bringing together some of the world’s leading thinkers, academics and professionals to provide practitioners, students and academicians with comprehensive insights into implementing effective service innovation. This book presents service innovation holistically and systemically across various service areas, including health, education, tourism, hospitality, telecommunications, and retail. It…
The book introduces tourism earth-science as a new scientific discipline by applying the principles of earth-science in the study of natural and human tourism resources. It involves studying the geo-scientific characteristics of these tourism resources through surveys, evaluation and aesthetic value assessment. It also discusses about the principles behind geopark establishment and management. …