Understanding the Success of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) - The Perspective of Post-Adoption Use

Understanding the antecedents and consequences of trust in an online and on-demand outsourcing context is important. This study explores the effects of service quality on trust, which in turn affects a client firm’s post-adoption use in SaaS. A research model was developed based on the dedication-constraint framework of social exchange theory to measure service quality, trust, and SaaS post-adoption as multiple dimensions. We empirically examined the model by collecting data from 246 firms (key informants) that have adopted SaaS. Results show that while all three dimensions of service quality (client orientation quality, client response quality, environment quality) positively affect trust in service quality, client orientation and environment quality have positively influence on trust in provider. Both types of trust positively influence post-adoption intention. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications

A Contingency Model of Knowledge Creation

Knowledge management (KM) has been recognized as one of the most important issues for sustaining competitive advantage. In order to achieve KM effectively, past research argued that it is important to facilitate and leverage knowledge assets. However, few studies examine knowledge processes and enablers that may influence the accumulation of knowledge assets. To fill this gap, drawing on dynamic capabilities perspective and absorptive capacity theory (ACAP), this paper develops a contingency model that interconnects the aforementioned KM factors. In order to test the feasibility of the research model, we conducted an empirical study. This study employed a survey instrument, which collected data from 1000 respondents from organizations in computer industry, finance, transportation and service, manufacturing, construction, electronics, trade, and academic institution. A total of 303 usable responses were analyzed. The major contributions of this research are: (1) develop a KM framework that identifies the impact of knowledge-creating processes on knowledge assets; (2) specify the moderating effect of task characteristics on the relationship mentioned in item (1). The implications of the study are provided, and further research directions are proposed. Keywords: knowledge management, knowledge assets, knowledge

An Empirical Study of Collective Continuance Intention on Virtual Community Page of Social Network Site

Web 2.0 sociable technologies (such as social network sites, SNS) create new online interpersonal collaboration and communication. Particularly, given the proliferation of virtual community page (VCP, ex. Facebook fan page and group) participation, the sustainability of VCP has been recognized as a critical issue. While existing studies have started to address this issue through classical individual-based models to investigate the use of SNS, some argued that individual approach may not be appropriate view point to explain “social” action. To fill this void, drawing on collective intention perspective, this study develops a model that investigates the relationship between organizational citizenship behaviours (OCBs), social loafing, group cohesion, and collective continuance intention on VCP of SNS. Based on 139 Facebook VCP users, we confirm our hypotheses that group cohesion positively affects OCBs which in turn influences collective continuance intention on VCP. Our research model broadens our knowledge about collective continuance intention on VCP of SNS

Pentacene-Based Thin-Film Transistors With a Solution-Process Hafnium Oxide Insulator

Abstract—Pentacene-based organic thin-film transistors with solution-process hafnium oxide (HfOx) as gate insulating layer have been demonstrated. The solution-process HfOx could not only exhibit a high-permittivity (κ = 11) dielectric constant but also has good dielectric strength. Moreover, the root-mean-square surface roughness and surface energy (γs) on the surface of the HfOx layer were 1.304 nm and 34.24 mJ/cm2, respectively. The smooth, as well as hydrophobic, surface of HfOx could facilitate the direct deposition of the pentacene film without an additional polymer treatment layer, leading to a high field-effect mobility of 3.8 cm2/(V · s). Index Terms—Hafnium oxide, high permittivity, organic thinfilm transistor (OTFT), solution process, surface energy

Intra-Aterial treatment in patients with acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic failure: comparisons between positive versus negative contrast extravasation groups

[[abstract]]Objective To determine whether treatment outcome is associated with visualization of contrast extravasation in patients with acute massive gastrointestinal bleeding after endoscopic failure. Materials and Methods From January 2007 to December 2009, patients that experienced a first attack of acute gastrointestinal bleeding after failure of initial endoscopy were referred to our interventional department for intra-arterial treatment. We enrolled 79 patients and divided them into two groups: positive and negative extravasation. For positive extravasation, patients were treated by coil embolization; and in negative extravasation, patients were treated with intra-arterial vasopressin infusion. The two groups were compared for clinical parameters, hemodynamics, laboratory findings, endoscopic characteristics, and mortality rates. Results Forty-eight patients had detectable contrast extravasation (positive extravasation), while 31 patients did not (negative extravasation). Fifty-six patients survived from this bleeding episode (overall clinical success rate, 71%). An elevation of hemoglobin level was observed in the both two groups; significantly greater in the positive extravasation group compared to the negative extravasation group. Although these patients were all at high risk of dying, the 90-day mortality rate was significantly lower in the positive extravasation than in the negative extravasation (20% versus 42%, p < 0.05). A multivariate analysis suggested that successful hemostasis (odds ratio [OR] = 28.66) is the most important predictor affecting the mortality in the two groups of patients. Conclusion Visualization of contrast extravasation on angiography usually can target the bleeding artery directly, resulting in a higher success rate to control of hemorrhage

Engineering of Escherichia coli protein expression process development

It almost 30% protein drugs are expression by Escherichia coli, because of rapid growth and high production yield. We have developed E.coli base system for recombinant protein expression, scFv, Fab and vaccine. In this study we introduce example about process development for nutrient components selection. Shaker flasks were used for different nitrogen and carbon components screening by DoE. Seven media formulations for E. coli fermentation were used in this study. By changing nitrogen and carbon source ratio, product titer of target protein could be optimized, at least 1.4 folds increased. The best result from shaker flask was used in 250 mL parallel fermenter and pH, dissolved oxygen, feeding/induction strategy were evaluated. The processes from seed culture to harvest only require 64 hours. The optimized time was reduced to 32 hours. The result showed that both target protein expression and cell density value were comparable, but the total process time was significantly reduced by half Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract