"Towards A Field Theory of Innovating Multinational Firms in the Digital Economy: Creative Capital in a POLIS"

In the fast developing digital technological revolution connectedness has emerged as a major characteristic of both firms and markets. For multinational firms in high technology area in general this raises some interesting and fundamental theoretical questions. How is connectedness to be formalized? What is the role of increasing returns in the new connected structure? How should we formulate the firm's activities in multiproduct, multiple activities environment? A somewhat novel theoretical approach is suggested for modeling the activities of the multiproduct, multiple activities oriented. MNC. This paper discusses some of the most important economic issues conceptually by relying on the idea of each MNC as a node in the global economy as a connected field. The basic problem of innovation for a high technology firm in a connected field can be explored via the theory of a positive feedback loop innovation system (POLIS) in a nonlinear, path-dependent world where the connectedness within the firm and between the firms and its evolution matter crucially. By investing strategically in physical, creative intellectual and other forms of human and organizational capital as well as building new institutions of cooperation some firms are able to create micro-innovation systems of their own that can be extended to region-wide systems. Under the emerging globally competitive market environment this will be the best way to compete dynamically. However, creating competitive advantage in this way requires capabilities that many firms will need to promote. Creative capital acquisition as an important dimension of the MNC behavior is one implication of this new field theory and can be tested at the microlevel.

Survey on IoT based Cyber Security Issues and Autonomous Solutions for Implantable Medical Devices

In today’s world the technology has got boomed up to the peak. So as a measure of this technology peak we could see that the enhancement of this has raised very large. This technology booming has also impacted health care sector. In our paper we are going to discuss much on implantable medical devices and its uses which plays a major role in patient’s life. This IMD’s are going to be the life changing aspect of each and every patient. These devices are highly controlled IoT devices (i.e.) those devices are connected through internet which will help doctors to track the details of the patients remotely. On the other hand since all these devices are connected to internet, these are easily hacked by the hackers. The factors of how those devices are much vulnerable and what are all the threats that will make these devices to malfunction and lead a problem to the patients is discussed. And also this will lead the health sector to fall in their reputation. IMD’s are of many types which are in existing in the Medical industry. But we are going to consider some IMD’s as example and we have planned to make a detailed study on the problems on those devices. All these devices are vulnerable since it is connected to internet. So our aim is to completely or partially reduce the risks on those devices via communication network. We have also showcased the possible threats and vulnerabilities chances on those devices. The main scenarios of device control issues and possible solutions have been discussed in this article

Children's rights in the digital age: a download from children around the world

Evidence from across the world is telling us that no matter where they are from, more and more children are relying on digital tools, platforms and services to learn, engage, participate, play, innovate, work or socialise. Foreward Some two-thirds of the world’s almost three billion internet users are from the developing world, with the numbers growing every day. Many of these new users are children and young people; in fact in many countries, internet users under the age of 24 far outnumber the rest. A growing body of evidence from across the world is also telling us that no matter where they are from, more and more children are relying on digital tools, platforms and services to learn, engage, participate, play, innovate, work or socialise. There are already countless examples of how – when harnessed appropriately – digital tools can help promote human development, by closing gaps in access to information, speeding up service delivery, supporting educational and health outcomes, and creating new entrepreneurship opportunities. The power of technology to jump across borders and time zones, to join the once disparate, and to foster social connectedness, has provided the means for the children and young people of today to participate in a global society in ways previously not possible. Sadly, there are also new or evolving risks – exposure to violence; access to inappropriate content, goods and services; concerns about excessive use; and issues of data protection and privacy. As it becomes increasingly difficult to draw the line between offline and online, it is necessary for us to examine how this changing environment impacts the wellbeing and development of children and their rights. Ensuring that all children are safe online requires approaches that promote digital literacy, resilience and cyber-savvy. It is only in partnership that we can reach consensus on how to create a safe, open, accessible, affordable and secure digital world. Critically, children and young people’s profound insight must help inform, shape and drive this goal – which needs to focus on equity of access, safety for all, digital literacy across generations, identity and privacy, participation and civic engagement. In April of this year, the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University and UNICEF co-hosted, in collaboration with PEW Internet, EU Kids Online, the Internet Society (ISOC), Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), and YouthPolicy.org, a first of its kind international ‘Digitally Connected’ symposium on children, youth, and digital media. The symposium sought to map and explore the global state of research and practice in this field, and to facilitate sharing, discussion and collaboration among the 150 academics, practitioners, young people, activists, philanthropists, government officials, and representatives of technology companies from around the world.   &nbsp

THE CONSTRUCTION OF EFFECTIVE LEARNING ECOSYSTEMS IN OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING (ODL) UNIVERSITIES: TECHNOLOGIES, INSTITUTIONAL PREPAREDNESS, AND CHANGE

A critical analysis of digital learning ecosystems in ODL universities reveals increasing adoption and innovation of technologies in the process of delivering education across the world. Though proponents of traditional-based education argue that students experiencing learning through ODL systems are disengaged from the learning process and that teachers are equally disconnected from the learning process, with insufficient value placed on face-face teaching, pressures to assign overinflated grades, and incentives to teach content only, and not critical thinking skills, however, technology has the potential to alleviate many of the challenges. Moreover, some of the challenges are peculiar to some of the ODL education systems, especially universities in the developing world. Emerging digital resources and technologies hold promise to enrich and revitalize ODL university systems, give students a deserved learning experience, and better prepare students and teachers to face the 21st century. Every aspect of learning, such as grading, assessment, access to reading materials, learning platforms and environments/classrooms, simulations, etc. is covered by emerging connected workplace technologies. The paper discusses the underlining determinant factors, namely institutional-management preparedness, employee attitudes, institutional research and technological innovations, stakeholder engagement, power supply, bandwidth/broadband issues, funding, digital policy frameworks, and the overall responsiveness to change that global ODL competitiveness imposes. It concludes that institutional preparedness and national priorities drive the effective direction of the change that meets the requirements of ODL learning systems

Mapping and the Citizen Sensor

Maps are a fundamental resource in a diverse array of applications ranging from everyday activities, such as route planning through the legal demarcation of space to scientific studies, such as those seeking to understand biodiversity and inform the design of nature reserves for species conservation. For a map to have value, it should provide an accurate and timely representation of the phenomenon depicted and this can be a challenge in a dynamic world. Fortunately, mapping activities have benefitted greatly from recent advances in geoinformation technologies. Satellite remote sensing, for example, now offers unparalleled data acquisition and authoritative mapping agencies have developed systems for the routine production of maps in accordance with strict standards. Until recently, much mapping activity was in the exclusive realm of authoritative agencies but technological development has also allowed the rise of the amateur mapping community. The proliferation of inexpensive and highly mobile and location aware devices together with Web 2.0 technology have fostered the emergence of the citizen as a source of data. Mapping presently benefits from vast amounts of spatial data as well as people able to provide observations of geographic phenomena, which can inform map production, revision and evaluation. The great potential of these developments is, however, often limited by concerns. The latter span issues from the nature of the citizens through the way data are collected and shared to the quality and trustworthiness of the data. This book reports on some of the key issues connected with the use of citizen sensors in mapping. It arises from a European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action, which explored issues linked to topics ranging from citizen motivation, data acquisition, data quality and the use of citizen derived data in the production of maps that rival, and sometimes surpass, maps arising from authoritative agencies

Proposed Solutions for the Main Challenges and Security Issues in IoT Smart Home Technology

The IoT has become a trend in recent years, and the smart home system has achieved great interest due to its need and requirement from consumers around the world. Smart home technology refers to the devices that are connected over the internet to monitor, support, and control the home in order to make our life easier. The revolution in technology has made homes more convenient, efficient, and even simpler. However, there are some challenges and obstacles that need to take into consideration when using a smart home system. Based on a comprehensive survey, this study aims to provide an overview of the critical security issues for IoT smart home systems and propose potential solutions to mitigate these risks by understanding vulnerabilities and applying security measures to ensure that the IoT system is more reliable and safe. The challenges and security issues highlighted with an emphasis on providing solutions, as well as smart home approaches and IoT layers

The Internet of Things Connectivity Binge: What are the Implications?

Despite wide concern about cyberattacks, outages and privacy violations, most experts believe the Internet of Things will continue to expand successfully the next few years, tying machines to machines and linking people to valuable resources, services and opportunities

Catching the next wave : the use of the Internet by justice and development voluntary organisations and people organisations : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University

This thesis examines the extent to which third world organisations have participated in the shaping, control and benefits of development theory and practice. It concludes that development theory has been a creation of the first world acting upon the third world which is often perceived as powerless to help itself. Modernisation theory, development theory, alternative theories and neo-liberalism are all theories that developed out of the first world experience of development. Development theory has not been shaped by the third world rather it has been manipulated and controlled from within the first world. The very poor of the poorest countries have not benefited from development theory. Participation, also perceived as empowerment, has been lauded by development practitioners as the new panacea for development ills. Even though such participation is not so evident in reality, third world organisations are becoming more participatory, especially where first world organisations have changed their role from funder and provider to solidarity partners and advocators (within their own country). This thesis examined the potential of the Internet to increase the participation of third world organisations in voicing their justice and development issues to the first world. The Internet is only a participatory tool when used in a participatory environment. Its use will not necessarily ensure greater participation, of the third world, in development issues. As yet the Internet's potential is largely unrealised. This thesis conducted descriptive research into the extent that third world organisations use the Internet to further their justice and development objectives. The research found that third world use of the Internet was low compared to first world use of the Internet. This thesis recommends that the use of email subscription lists and World Wide Web sites by grassroots organisations from within third world countries is a unique opportunity to promote the third world perception of development issues to the first world