Servitization 2.0: The significance of product and service dominant logics for public service organisations

This conceptual paper explores servitization as significant to public service organisations (PSOs) within which there is a requirement to administer lean and sustainable provision. It specifically appreciates that the digital transformation of services has embraced customer processing machine technologies that facilitate volume growth alongside information sharing; thus, fostering co-operation within collaborative network systems whilst pro-actively operating as elements of the product-service system (PSS). It demonstrates the significance of good-dominant logic (GDL) and service-dominant logic (SDL) perspectives when considering servitization within specific PSOs, and therefore seeks to better understand the strategic and operational realities for the era of Servitization 2.0

Industry 4.0: Exploring Collaborative Supply Networks from the Pespective of Servitization of a Mature Public Transport System

Digital transformation in the era of Industry 4.0, with its revised, prescribed frameworks of practice, include those which are redefining the contextual characteristics that strongly advocate collaboration within the supply chain; and in doing so, see this element of the operations function as being an increasingly critical contributor to operational performance. We deepen the understanding of the concept and operationalization of the collaborative supply network in terms of it being a value ecosystem wherein value is captured and exploited within servitization practices (Baines & Lightfoot, 2013), as present within a mature public transport system

Mechanisms and applications of dioxirane chemistry

Dimethyldioxirane oxidises nitrogen-containing substrates. The sites of oxidation are generally the sp3 nitrogen atoms in the molecules although other reactive groups can be oxidised if present. An indication of the reactivity of different dioxiranes was obtained qualitatively from the polarographic peak reduction potentials and quantitatively by reaction with the model substrate 4-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline. The polarographic peak potentials were shown to be of a similar order to those of typical acyclic peroxides. The rank order in terms of reactivity was shown to be methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane > dimethyldioxirane > ethylmethyldioxirane. The rate of the reaction was not influenced by pH or ionic strength but was accelerated greatly by the presence of water. An explanation for this observation was proposed through consideration of dielectric constant and hydrogen bonding effects. [Continues.

The Economic Feasibility of Producing Pasture Poultry for Limited Resource Farmers in Southeastern North Carolina

This study examines the economic feasibility of two pasture poultry production operations (pasture pen and net range) by limited resource farmers (LRFs) using the Net Present Value (NPV) method of analysis. Results of the NPV method illustrated unacceptable investments for both production operations.Alternative Enterprises, Agricultural Prosperity, Pasture Poultry Production, Limited Resource Farming, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use,

On real valued ω-continuous functions

The aim of this paper is to introduce and study upper and lower !-continuous functions. Some characterizations and several proper- ties concerning upper (resp. lower) !-continuous functions are obtained

A Conceptual Framework for Servitization in Industry 4.0: Distilling Directions for Future Research

Purpose: This paper focusses on developing further the recent conceptual frameworks of competitive dynamics and business-to-business value ecosystems considering the changing environment of Industry 4.0 and the particular perspective of servitization. Design/Methodology/Approach: This a conceptual paper that reviews and syntheses business model concepts in relation to competitive dynamics, collaborative business ecosystems and supply chain as evolving and reshaping manufacturing and services within Industry 4.0. Findings: The transformation of organizations in light of Industry 4.0 has led to a reframing of business models and practices, such as stakeholder value and supply chain relationships cooperating within a highly dynamic environment. In an attempt to consider the implications that Industry 4.0 has, particularly from the service perspective, this work attempts to distil directions for future research. Originality/Value: Previous studies on Industry 4.0 have articulated the reasoning about the benefits of Industry 4.0, with its paradigm shift to cyber-physical systems and revised business models. The intention of this paper, is to be able to further define collaboration and value ecosystems in order to show the interdependence and integration between organisations as applied to servitization within Industry 4.0. Moreover, this paper seeks to begin to articulate how research can be conducted to determine the degree to which the change and paradigm shift has become a reality

Potential effects of climate change on Plethodon shermani

Climate change is a global factor that has been implicated in many behavioral alterations across various species. We speculate and observe the potential responses to the Plethodon shermani mating system induced from temperature changes, which may affect the ability of P. shermani to rely on external cues for mating season. The courtship rituals of P. shermani have been well-documented; deviations from the expected patterning of behavior was measured via both initiation of and length of time spent in the “tail straddle walk” in addition to insemination success rate. It has been determined that an increase in temperature has implications in more inseminations, while the reverse is apparent for decreased temperature; indicating that climatic changes may lead to an earlier breeding season with warmer temperatures. The effects on our sampling may translate either directly or indirectly to the population, community, and other amphibian-containing ecosystems. We suggest further research that may aid our ability to predict the capacity for amphibians to adjust to climatic changes

Near-infrared Observations of Nova V574 Puppis (2004)

We present results obtained from extensive near-infrared spectroscopic and photometric observations of nova V574 Pup during its 2004 outburst. The observations were obtained over four months, starting from 2004 November 25 (four days after the nova outburst) to 2005 March 20. The near-IR JHK light curve is presented - no evidence is seen from it for dust formation to have occurred during our observations. In the early decline phase, the JHK spectra of the nova are dominated by emission lines of hydrogen Brackett and Paschen series, OI, CI and HeI. We also detect the fairly uncommon Fe II line at 1.6872 micron in the early part of our observations. The strengths of the HeI lines at 1.0830 micron and 2.0585 micron are found to become very strong towards the end of the observations indicating a progression towards higher excitation conditions in the nova ejecta. The width of the emission lines do not show any significant change during the course of our observations. The slope of the continuum spectrum was found to have a lambda^{-2.75} dependence in the early stages which gradually becomes flatter with time and changes to a free-free spectral dependence towards the later stages. Recombination analysis of the HI lines shows deviations from Case B conditions during the initial stages. However, towards the end of our observations, the line strengths are well simulated with case B model values with electron density n_e = 10^{9-10} cm^{-3} and a temperature equal to 10^4 K. Based on our distance estimate to the nova of 5.5 kpc and the observed free-free continuum emission in the later part of the observations, we estimate the ionized mass of the ejecta to be between 10^{-5} and 10^{-6} solar-mass.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRA