From Measurement to Management: the Influence of IT on Service Operations

The state of service management practice and the developments in IT-efficiency research prompt the call for managerial relevance, normative theory building and the conceptualization and measurement of the impact of Information Technology (IT) on service efficiency. Drawing on theoretical insights from economic and behavioral literature, this article deduces a work system centered model of the service outlet and proposes a measurement methodology (ITIMPACT) geared towards the development of a business intelligence tool. The measurement follows a two-step methodology that first assesses compared-to-best efficiency, using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and subsequently explains efficiency differences using a regression framework. An inter-disciplinary approach bases the first step on econometric logic, while the second takes its foundation in behavioral sciences, and information system research.Service industry;

ICT-Impact on Services

The state of service management practice and the developments in ICT-efficiency research prompt the call for managerial relevance, normative theory building and the conceptualization and measurement of the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on service process efficiency. Drawing on theoretical insights from economic and behavioral literature, this article deduces a model of the service processes, embedded in the work-system of the individual branch (or service-outlet). The measurement follows a two-step methodology that first assesses compared-to-best efficiency, using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), and subsequently explains efficiency differences using a regression framework. An inter-disciplinary approach bases the first step on econometric logic, while the second takes its foundation in behavioral sciences, and information system research

Palaeo‑paludification, environmental change and human impact during the Mid‑ and Late Holocene in Western Europe: the example of the La Prenarde‑Pifoy mire in the French Massif Central

Research conducted on the origin of peatlands and mires in the eastern French Massif Central during the last years has revealed some strong links between the peatland formation dynamics and the human impact above 600 m a.s.l. However, even if the anthropogenic origin of a huge number of peatlands has been proven for those build up during the last 4,500 years, the role of human societies for the appearance of peatlands between 6,500 and 4,500 cal. yr BP (Middle to Final Neolithic Period) is still in discussion because of the lack of detailed knowledge on past agro-pastoral societies. Therefore, an interdisciplinary and multi-proxy study dealing with geomorphology, pedology, micromorphology, palynology, macrofossils, diatoms and the dating of basal peat, was conducted at the La Prenarde-Pifoy mire in the Monts du Forez mountain range. We had two main aims: at first, to reconstruct the history of agro-pastoralism and, second, to provide an accurate chronology of bioclimatical and ecological changes induced by human activities. The results show that it is impossible to sufficiently argue for an anthropogenic origin of this mire, whose lateral expansion started from about 6,204-5,895 cal. yr BP onwards. Considering the history of agro-pastoral activities during the Subboreal and Subatlantic chronozones three major phases can be reconstructed: First palynological evidence of agro-pastoral action was recorded for the time period between 5,200 and 4,800 cal. yr BP, whereas these anthropogenic signals disappear between 4,800 and 2,700 cal. yr BP, a time span during which beech-fir woods dominated the landscape. After 2,700 cal. yr BP the agro-pastoral impact started again and stayed pronounced and permanent until the 19th century AD, however with notable and changing intensity.Les études conduites depuis plusieurs années sur l’origine des tourbières dans le Massif Central oriental français ont montré certains liens étroits entre la dynamique turfigène et les activités humaines au-dessus de 600 m d’altitude. Mais si l’origine anthropique de beaucoup de tourbières apparues au cours des 4 500 dernières années est prouvée, le rôle des sociétés humaines dans l’apparition des tourbières nées entre 6 500 et 4 500 ans cal. BP soit au Néolithique moyen et final est toujours discuté, faute d’une bonne connaissance de l’histoire de la mise en place et du développement des sociétés agro-pastorales. C’est pourquoi la tourbière basse minérotrophe de La Prenarde-Pifoy dans les Monts du Forez a fait l’objet d’une étude interdisciplinaire et multi-proxy combinant, d’une part, géomorphologie, pédologie et datations des couches basales de tourbe sur toute l’étendue du site et, d’autre part, palynologie, diatomologie, analyses des macro-restes végétaux et micromorphologiques. L’objectif était de retracer l’histoire de l’implantation des sociétés agro-pastorales sur ce secteur montagneux et de préciser la chronologie des changements bioclimatiques et écologiques induits par les activités humaines. Les résultats montrent tout d’abord qu’il est impossible d’argumenter suffisamment en faveur d’une origine anthropique de cette tourbière qui amorce son expansion latérale à partir de 6 204-5 895 ans cal. BP. Quant à l’histoire de la mise en place et du développement des activités agro-pastorales tout au long du Subboréal et du Subatlantique elle se divise en trois temps forts : de 5 200 à 4 800 ans cal. BP on observe des indices tangibles d’activités agro-pastorales ; ces indices d’anthropisation disparaissent entre 4 800 et 2 700 ans cal. BP période au cours de laquelle la hêtraie-sapinière domine le paysage; l’emprise agro-pastorale s’affirme nettement à partir de 2 700 ans cal. BP et se maintient ensuite jusqu’au xixe siècle quoiqu’avec des variations d’intensité notables