Authors: Antonio E. Morales-Pita, Brian Cihlar, Ross Richmond, Davis Stout, Randall Towner

Pages: 2-22

Abstract:

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of the American recession on the world economy, emphasizing that interdependence is both the cause and the possible solution to the global economic crisis. The paper is structured into five sections. The main conclusions indicate that the recession in America was basically due to domestic problems (the housing market slow down, over consumption and indebtedness of households partially due to the idiosyncrasy of the average American consumer and his reliance on housing and stock markets, the credit crunch resulting from the recession, and the banks’ reluctance to lend after the defaults on the housing market and the credit industry). The situation was worsened by the twin deficits, and an increase in the foreign debt. Since most countries depend on America as their top export market and key location for capital outflows, the recession was extended to their economies. The paper also concludes that because of Chinese exports’ role in the structure of its GDP and its dependence on American consumers, as well as China’s role in funding the US deficits there is a mutual interdependence between China and the US. Despite America’s present predicaments, the US dollar still remains as the primary currency in international trade.

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Authors: Mariusz Bednarek, Niño L. Fernando

Pages: 23-34

Abstract:

This paper presents a methodology proposal for the implementation of lean manufacturing system adapted to the particular characteristics of Mexican SMEs.
The findings of this research are the following:

• 1. Methodology proposal
• 2. Basic concepts for its practical validation


The conclusions and limitations presented in this research are the following:
• a) A lack of knowledge about the concept and about the objectives of lean manufacturing by Mexican SMEs
• b) The results obtained during validation process will allow to develop a general methodology of implementation of lean manufacturing in Mexican industrial plants

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Authors: Agnieszka Bieńkowska, Zygmunt Kral, Anna Zabłocka-Kluczka

Pages: 35-57

Abstract:

In the study, the need for the research of controlling solutions adopted in practice has been justified. Furthermore, the authors have presented the results of the research into the functional solutions of controlling applied in big enterprises in Lower Silesia. They have also characterised the concepts of controlling adopted in those enterprises as well as the coordination function of controlling and the types of controlling. The research results have been presented from a general perspective as well as from a perspective which takes into account the period of controlling use and the level of environment changeability as key criteria of diverse results.

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Author: Zbigniew Nagórny

Pages: 58-66

Abstract:

This paper presents the results of the application of the modified Hopfield network to the travelling salesman problem (TSP). A cost function of the TSP consists of four components: two terms which ensure that the salesman’s tour is valid, the term which forces neurons to have the output signal equal to 0 or 1, and the total length of the salesman’s tour. For two 10-city benchmarks the average tour length of obtained solutions is equal to the optimal tour length. Other works did not report such results using the classical Hopfield network. For greater numbers of cities, the solution quality is significantly better in comparison with the quality of results achieved in other works. The method of auto-tuning of the constant in the fourth component of the cost function is presented. This method ensures very good quality results for randomly generated instances of the 10-city TSP. The presented network is destined for hardware implementation.

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Author: Jarosław W. Przybytniowski

Pages: 67-73

Abstract:

Economy processes globalization, information and telecommunication technologies development , service sector expansion with limitation of agriculture and industry significance at the same time, influences leaving traditional work model, its organization and corporate work relations. Additionally globalization processes implicate constant changes dynamics and impredictability as well as growing market competition determine increasing companies elasticity understood as the ability to adjust the activity to changeability in orders portfolio and growing difficulties in defining future demand on company’s products and services as well as introducing temporary solutions. Customized companies activities adjustment to specific customers attributes and demands is an essential condition to keep the market’s position and economical growth of the company.

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Author: Jacek Dworzecki

Pages:

Abstract:

Author: Julia Gorzelany-Plesińska, Magdalena Gorzelany-Dziadkowiec

Pages:

Abstract:

The authors analyse the level of women’s remuneration in Poland with particular emphasis on women-managers The first part of the study deals with an analysis of the women’s salaries and wages in Poland. Next, we present women’s remuneration at managerial positions.

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