How Do Mobile Knowledge Workers Communicate?

In recent years, the relevance of mobile working has been steadily increasing. New mobile devices (e.g. smartphones) and their innovative functionalities (e.g. mobile applications) enable ubiquitous access to a large amount of data. As a result, the increasing diffusion of smartphones and mobile applications offers new potentials for enterprises. Current mobile devices and related mobile networks have reached a high level of maturity. Therefore, organizational aspects of mobile work become a focal point of interest for enterprises as well as for academics. This research focuses on the communication and information needs of knowledge workers while being “on the road”. In order to evaluate the communication behavior of mobile knowledge workers, the authors collected data of communication and information processes, which were initiated by IT-consultants. The results indicate that communication contexts play a major role for the selection of appropriate media channels

Tradable SO-2-permits in the European Union: a practicable scheme for public utilities

In this paper, a practicable scheme of SO2-emission permits for European power producers is developed. Background is the second UN-ECE Sulphur Protocol from 1994 (Protocol of Oslo). After discussing some theoretical models of spatially differentiated permit schemes, evaluating the U.S. Acid Rain and RECLAIM Program, and considering the setting in the EU-15 countries, a scheme of locally undifferentiated emission permits is proposed which is distinguished by a high degree of both economic efficiency and market functioning. However, as our model simulations indicate, national deposition targets will be violated in all probability due to the scheme?s missing differentiation regarding the receptors. The risk of hot spots is addressed adequately by a differentiated bundle of countermeasures. The general economic impact of an EU-wide permit scheme is low, and, in terms of change in GDP, lower compared to a non-coordinated SO2 policy. The proposed mode of the initial permit allocation allows for early price signals and guarantees maximum static and dynamic efficiency. Balancing the interests of existing and new emitters, a long-term transition from the grandfathering to the free auction procedure is chosen. --

DRIVERS FOR THE ADOPTION OF MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT IN ORGANIZATIONS

The diffusion of mobile devices rapidly increased in the last decade. Nowadays, smartphones are part of our daily lives, both with respect to private and professional use. This leads to several challenges for enterprises, like the trend to Bring Your Own Device or IT consumerization. IT executives are forced to ensure a high level of security, provide services for employees and support the enterprise productivity. In this context, several software solutions have been introduced to manage the mobile IT, one of which are mobile device management (MDM) systems. However, until now, there is a lack of research concerning possible factors that may influnce the adoption of MDM systems in enterprises. Based on the well-established Technology Organization Environment (TOE) Framework a model for MDM adoption in enterprises is constructed and tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Data was gathered by means of an online survey, in which 95 IT executives from German enterprises participated. Overall, it could be found that perceived security benefits, costs, firm-size, and the BYOD culture significantly influnce MDM adoption, while regulations, business partners, employees´ innovativeness with IT and the amount of mobile device usage have no significant influnce

Prevalent Business Models for the Apple App Store

Mobile applications, commonly known as apps, have become a significant line of business for IS commerce. There is an App for that! With this slogan Apple suggests that there is app out there for many uses and indeed for every circumstance within our everyday life. However, there is a lack of knowledge of what business models prevail in successfully developing and capitalizing an app. This paper aims to investigate prevalent business models. For this purpose, approximately 300 successful apps from the Apple App Store were analysed. Moreover, 10 semi-structured interviews were carried out with app developers who have successfully placed an app within the top charts of the Apple App Store. It is notable that content-driven apps entertaining users in combination with a \u27freemium\u27 or \u27in-app\u27 revenue model dominate the Apple app market. App developers clearly define their target group, specify their market cultivation, and try to avoid free apps

Tradable SO2-Permits in the European Union: A Practicable Scheme for Public Utilities

In this paper, a practicable scheme of SO2-emission permits for European power producers is developed. Background is the second UN-ECE Sulphur Protocol from 1994 (Protocol of Oslo). After discussing some theoretical models of spatially differentiated permit schemes, evaluating the U.S. Acid Rain and RECLAIM Program, and considering the setting in the EU-15 countries, a scheme of locally undifferentiated emission permits is proposed which is distinguished by a high degree of both economic efficiency and market functioning. However, as our model simulations indicate, national deposition targets will be violated in all probability due to the scheme’s missing differentiation regarding the receptors. The risk of hot spots is addressed adequately by a differentiated bundle of countermeasures. The general economic impact of an EU-wide permit scheme is low, and, in terms of change in GDP, lower compared to a non-coordinated SO2 policy. The proposed mode of the initial permit allocation allows for early price signals and guarantees maximum static and dynamic efficiency. Balancing the interests of existing and new emitters, a long-term transition from the grandfathering to the free auction procedure is chosen

Photochemical degradation of trypan blue

Purpose To investigate the photochemical degradation of trypan blue (TB) and to identify decomposition products. Methods Defined solution samples of TB and a mixture with lutein/zeaxanthin were exposed to blue light. Thermal degradation processes were ruled out using controls not subjected to irradiation. All samples were analyzed using optical microscopy, UVNis spectroscopy, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. Degradation kinetics were determined based on changes in absorbance; intermediates were identified by analyzing mass differences of characteristic fragment ion peaks within the fragmentation patterns, and assignments were verified by NMR. Results TB demonstrated a photochemical degradation, which can be triggered by lutein/zeaxanthin. Intermediates vary depending on the presence of lutein/zeaxanthin. The self-sensitized photodegradation of TB occurs under generation of dimethyl sulfate and presumed formation of phenol. In contrast, within the presence of lutein/zeaxanthin the decomposition of TB indicates the formation of methoxyamine and sulfonyl arin. Thermal degradation processes were not observed. Conclusions TB demonstrated a photodegradation that may be triggered by lutein/zeaxanthin and results in the formation of cytotoxic decomposition products. Our findings contribute to understand degradation mechanisms of TB and may elucidate previous clinical and experimental observations of cellular toxicity after TB application

Adoption of Collaborative Technology to Enhance Master Data Quality Across Municipal Administrations - Identifying Drivers and Barriers

In recent years, software for collaborative improvement of master data quality has been increasingly introduced into public administration. With the support of this collaborative software, master data is not only managed by one stakeholder such as an individual or department but rather cross-institutionally and across departments by groups of several stakeholders, e.g. several municipal authorities. In this paper, based on the Technology-Organization-Environment Framework, both driving forces as well as obstacles were identified, which influenced the adoption of such collaborative software. The results show, that positive factors concerning the adoption are perceived barriers, presence and importance of data standards as well as the successful implementation into the existing environment, whereas a complex IT-infrastructure impedes an introduction