Distance-based network localization is known to have solution, in general, if the network is globally rigid. In this technical note we relax this condition with reference to unit disk graphs. To this ...end, shadow edges are introduced to model the fact that selected nodes are not able to sense each other. We provide a localization algorithm based on such edges and a necessary and sufficient localizability condition. We also investigate the relation between the proposed approach and trilateration, showing from both a theoretical and empirical perspective that shadow edge localization succeeds also when trilateration fails.
Cyber Physical Systems are characterized by a strong interaction among networking, sensing, and control functionalities. Moreover, the recent advent of Internet of Things extended their information ...sharing capability. However, the interaction between Internet and Cyber Physical Systems requires increased efforts for guaranteeing the security of connected systems. In the industrial field, the problem becomes more complex due to the need of protecting a large attack surface while guaranteeing system availability and real-time response to the detection of threats. In this contribution, we deal with the injection of tampered data into the communication channel with the aim of modifying the status of the physical system. To cope with this attack, we design a secure control system able to detect the injection of tampered data by coding the output of the measurement systems. The proposed approach is based on the use of permutation matrices, whose scheme varies upon a secret pattern obtained exploiting the Fibonacci <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">p </tex-math></inline-formula>-sequences. The detection strategy is compliant with the time delay constraints typical of a Cyber Physical System. An analysis of the security performances of the proposed system is presented along with the experimental proof of its effectiveness.
In this paper, we present a system that allows visually impaired people to autonomously navigate in an unknown indoor and outdoor environment. The system, explicitly designed for low vision people, ...can be generalized to other users in an easy way. We assume that special landmarks are posed for helping the users in the localization of pre-defined paths. Our novel approach exploits the use of both the inertial sensors and the camera integrated into the smartphone as sensors. Such a navigation system can also provide direction estimates to the tracking system to the users. The success of out approach is proved both through experimental tests performed in controlled indoor environments and in real outdoor installations. A comparison with deep learning methods has been presented.
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the competitive position of Italian roasting firms in the international market, thus developing a multidimensional framework for measuring industry ...export competitiveness.
Design/methodology/approach
Considering that the objective is to evaluate the export competitiveness of Italian roasting firms, the author chooses “positive” and “ex-post” indicators, combined in a multidimensional and a multivariable framework. The two dimensions of competitiveness implemented are competitive performance and competitive potential; the author used four indices to evaluate the first dimension (export market share, net export share, net export index, revealed comparative advantage) and three indices for the second dimension (unit export price, relative quality index, relative export growth).
Findings
The evolution of the international context, with the emergence of new competitors and the spread of coffee consumption worldwide, creates new opportunities but also new challenges for Italian companies. In fact, both competitive performance and competitive potential have been worsening since the second half of the early twenty-first century because of the lack of innovation. A mix of external and internal factors explain this lack.
Practical implications
In order to recover their international competitiveness, firms should leverage on the combination of “traditional elements”–such as Made in Italy effect and the rich technical know-how, depending on their long tradition in the espresso coffee market niche–with “innovative elements,” depending on new marketing skills and competences; these new elements could be developed internally or, most fruitfully, acquired externally, through collaboration with other firms. In this way, Italian businesses could improve the relative quality perceptions of their offering.
Social implications
Coffee roasting industry in Italy is a significant component of the Italian economic system and it contributes to the development of the Made in Italy abroad. Therefore, an improvement of its export competitiveness could be beneficial to the whole domestic market.
Originality/value
This paper constitutes the first attempt to study the evolution of the coffee industry in regards to the international competitive landscape. This is quite surprising, considering that coffee is one of the main segments of the food and beverage industry; it is the second most important commodity exchanged worldwide after oil and the third most popular beverage after water, tea and carbonated beverages. Then, the analysis of export competitiveness is developed combing two main research streams: the industrial organization literature and the strategic management literature. Moreover, this paper offers a methodological framework useful to measure export competitiveness also in other industries and countries.
Business markets are facing major changes due to an increasing digitalization trend and consequent changes in buying behaviors. Practitioners and academics alike have started to emphasize social ...selling as a novel way to tackle these emerging opportunities and challenges at the sales force level. Since research in this area remains embryonic and fragmented, we adopt a discovery-oriented research approach and conceptualize social selling and its key facets based on a systematic literature review and a field study involving thought leading social selling professionals. The findings indicate a need to extend the research focus from social media usage into a concept which comprehends social selling as a broader application of digital marketing principles at the individual salesperson level. Social selling leverages social and digital channels for understanding, connecting with, and engaging influencers, prospects and existing customers at relevant customer purchasing journey touchpoints for building valuable business relationships. We relate the construct to other close selling approaches and explicate its organizational strategy components as well as performance outcomes. The findings advance current understanding of the role of sales in contemporary business markets and have implications for sales and marketing theory and practice.
•We conceptualize social selling based on a discovery oriented study.•It leverages social and digital channels for building business relationships.•It focuses on understanding, connecting with, and engaging relevant actors.•It reflects implementation of digital marketing principles at personal selling.•We identify its key outcomes and organizational strategy elements.
3D printing is stimulating a flourishing academic debate. This is witnessed by both the increasing number of scientific contributions and of ad-hoc conferences and workshops organized at national and ...international levels. Although this rising attention, it seems that the major part of studies has roots in technical areas such as engineering and materials science, while only a minor part of the available studies face the 3D printing from a business and management perspectives. Hence, this article focuses on two main issues: (1) understanding what the current business/management themes are related to 3D printing; (2) identifying the theoretical and managerial implications concerning 3D printing. Recurring to a systematic literature review of published academic articles, this paper identifies and discusses five main thematic areas and consequent implications.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth understanding of the B2B customers’ perspective regarding salespeople’s social media use.
Design/methodology/approach
The study adopts a ...qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews with 26 key informants performing their job in customer role in various industries.
Findings
The authors inductively identify five themes regarding the B2B customers’ perspective of social media use in B2B selling. These themes allow for valuable implications for social selling activities and expected outcomes.
Originality/value
Against a growing body of literature on drivers, best practices and outcomes of social media use by B2B salespeople, less attention has been paid to the customer’s side. The authors extend current research by providing a more complete picture of social selling activities and expected outcomes.
The present paper investigates the relationship between the involvement of family firms in R&D collaborations aimed at developing green solutions and the value of resulting innovations. To dig into ...this relationship, the moderating effects of two proximity dimensions (i.e., geographical distance and technological relatedness) are also assessed. Analyses are based on a sample of 156 joint patents classified into the “Alternative energy production” field, as defined by the International Patent Classification Green Inventory and successfully filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the period 1997–2010 by publicly listed companies. According to our conjectures, results reveal a positive relationship between the involvement of family firms and green innovation value. Moreover, our findings show that this relationship is hindered when partners are geographically distant or technologically proximate. Eventually, we contribute to the literature on green innovation by unveiling under which conditions inter‐firm R&D collaborations lead to more valuable innovations.
In this paper we consider the localization of a sensor network where the nodes are heterogeneous, in that some of them are able to measure the distance from their neighbors, while some others are ...just able to detect their presence, and we provide a post-processing algorithm that can be used to improve an initial estimate for the location of the nodes, based on a mass–spring optimization approach, taking into account presence and distance information, as well as one-hop and two-hop information.
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