Probabilistic reasoning has been powered by the formalization of causality theory through Bayesian causal models[1]. Even when its semantic is flexible enough to model complex problems, it has to deal with the problem of interoperability between models. In the research community the necessity of contexts for these models has been pointed out. We need means to represent the context on which the ...

Strategic alliances in the form of interorganizational networks continue to receive attention in both service and manufacturing industries as a potential form of competitive advantage. Health care organizations, in particular, have embraced partnerships and strategic alliances with much intensity, adopting the interorganizational network as the new business model for the health care industry. Y...

We explore an approach to reasoning about causes via argumentation. We consider a causal model for a physical system, and we look for arguments about facts. Some arguments are meant to provide explanations of facts whereas some challenge these explanations and so on. At the root of argumentation here, are causal links ({A1, · · · , An} causes B) and also ontological links (c1 is a c2). We intro...

Working within the decision-theoretic framework for causal inference, we study the properties of “sufficient covariates”, which support causal inference from observational data, and possibilities for their reduction. In particular we illustrate the rôle of a propensity variable by means of a simple model, and explain why such a reduction typically does not increase (and may reduce) estimation e...

Although both downsizing and voluntary turnover have been topics of great interest in the organizational literature, little research has addressed the possible relationship between the two. Using organization-level data from multiple industries, we first investigate whether downsizing predicts voluntary turnover rates. Second, to lend support to our causal model, we examine whether this relatio...

This article presents an integrated model of contentious nationalist activity, 7 with structure, politics, and action assuming equal roles in an interdependent 8 causal system. The model is tested using simultaneous equation systems on 130 9 ethno-nationalist groups from 1990 to 1998. The results confirm the vital, 10 indirect role of grievances and group identity on protest and the powerful di...

This paper presents a simple generalization of causal consistency suited to any object defined by a sequential specification. As causality is captured by a partial order on the set of operations issued by the processes on shared objects (concurrent operations are not ordered), it follows that causal consistency allows different processes to have different views of each object history.

The primary goal of the epidemiologist is to identify those factors that have a causal impact on development or prevention of a health outcome, thereby providing a target for prevention and intervention. At first glance, causality may appear to be a relatively simple concept to define. However, adequately distinguishing causal agents from non-causal agents is not an easy task from an epidemiolo...