A differential-equation-based model of the glass ceiling in career progression

ABSTRACT

We introduce a model based on Ordinary Differential Equations to describe how two mutually exclusive groups progress through a career hierarchy, whether in a single organization, or in an entire economic sector. The intended application is to gender imbalance at the top of the academic hierarchy in European Universities; however, the model is entirely generic and may be applied in other contexts also. Previous research on gender imbalance in European universities has focused on large-scale statistical studies. Our model represents a point of departure, as it is deterministic (i.e., based on Ordinary Differential Equations). The model requires a precise definition of the progression rates for the different groups through the hierarchy; these are key parameters governing the dynamics of career progression. The progression rate for each group can be decomposed into a product: the proportion of group members at a low level in the hierarchy who compete for promotion to the next level a given year, multiplied by the in-competition success rate for the group in question. Either of these two parameters can differ across the groups under consideration; this introduces a group asymmetry into the organization’s composition. We introduce a glass-ceiling index to summarize this asymmetry succinctly. Using case studies from the literature, we demonstrate how the mathematical framework can pinpoint the proximate cause of the glass ceiling in European academia.     

Price coordination in distribution channels: A dynamic perspective

In this study, we investigate two important questions related to dynamic pricing in distribution channels: (i) Are coordinated pricing decisions efficient in a context where prices have carry-over effects on demand? (ii) Should firms practice a skimming or a penetration strategy if they choose to coordinate or to decentralize their activities? To answer these questions, we consider a differential game that takes place in a bilateral monopoly where the past retail prices paid by consumers contribute to the building of a reference price. The latter is used by consumers as a benchmark to evaluate the value of the product, and by firms to decide whether to adopt a skimming or a penetration strategy.     

Reduced-order modeling of three-dimensional unsteady partial cavity flows

An efficient reduced-order modeling to analyze three-dimensional unsteady partial cavity flows is proposed. The proposed approach is based on the boundary element method along with the potential flow assumption. To this end, a novel non-iterative method based on the flow eigenmodes of three-dimensional partial cavity flows is applied. Eigenanalysis and reduced-order modeling for unsteady flows over a three-dimensional hydrofoil with various sections are performed. The results obtained from the present analysis are compared with those reported in the literature to verify the strength of the proposed approach. In order to examine the performance of the introduced algorithm for unsteady cavitating flows, various simulations for several reduced frequencies, hydrofoil geometries and different cavitation numbers are also investigated. Comparison between the obtained results using the novel and conventional methods indicates that the present algorithm works very well with sufficient accuracy. Moreover, it is shown that the proposed method is computationally more efficient than the conventional ones for unsteady sheet cavitation analysis on three-dimensional hydrofoils.