The Role of p62/SQSTM1 in TGFβ-dependent EMT and Autophagy

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) is a cytokine that regulates cellular adhesion, proliferation and apoptosis. In the context of cancer, TGFβ induces processes such as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). More recently, TGFβ has been discovered to also induce autophagy, and the relationship between TGFβ-induced EMT and autophagy remains unknown. Due to its involvement in autophagy and its established interactions with key TGFβ signaling proteins, this thesis focuses on the sequestosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1) protein. Here, I have shown that p62/SQSTM1 co-localizes with TGFβ receptors at the same time point that the receptors localize to Rab7-positive late endosomes. siRNA-mediated silencing of p62/SQSTM1 was also observed to prime non-small cell lung cancer cells to undergo an E-cadherin to N-cadherin shift, but this is not due to alterations of canonical TGFβ signaling. Furthermore, TGFβ induces a loss in nuclear p62 protein levels and sustained TGFβ incubation reduces total p62 levels, while converting light chain 3 beta (LC3B) I to LC3BII (a process that is a marker of autophagy). Finally, TGFβ-induced EMT and autophagy was shown to be dependent on the presence of the p62/SQSTM1-interacting proteins, TRAF6 and aPKC. Taken together, these findings provide new insight into the role of p62 in TGFβ signaling and autophagy, as well as provide possible relationships between EMT and autophagic processes

The hierarchical structure of a firm: a geometric approach

This paper develops a novel, geometric approach to modelling a firm's hierarchical structure. We model the firm''s hierarchy as the sector of a circle, in which the radius represents the height of the hierarchy and the angle of the sector represents the width of the hierarchy. The firm then chooses the height and angle in order to maximise profit. We analyse the impacts of changes in economies of scale, input substitutability and labour productivity on the firm''s hierarchical structure. We find that the firm will unambiguously become more hierarchical as specialisation of its workers increases or as its output price increases. The effect of changes in scale economies is contingent on the level of task specialisation and output price.

Determinan Struktur Modal dalam Upaya Meningkatkan Profitabilitas Perusahaan Manufaktur di Indonesia

Setiap perusahaan dalam menjalankan usahanya mempunyai tujuan yaitu untuk menghasilkan profit yang optimal. Profit mampu memberikan gambaran kinerja perusahaan dalam suatu periode serta menjadi daya tarik bagi investor dalam melakukan kegiatan jual beli saham. Perusahaan manufaktur merupakan salah satu perusahaan yang memberikan peranan penting bagi perekonomian nasional. Hal ini dapat terlihat dari laba perusahaan yang menunjukkan trend meningkat dibandingkan sektor lainnya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh ukuran perusahaan, uniqueness dan tangibilitas terhadap struktur modal dan profitabilitas pada perusahaan manufaktur. Populasi dalam penelitian adalah seluruh perusahaan manufaktur yang terdaftar di BEI periode 2010-2018 sebanyak 145 perusahaan. Sampel dalam penelitian sebanyak 96 perusahaan yang dipilih dengan menggunakan teknik purposive sampling. Teknik analisis data penelitian menggunakan bantuan program AMOS. Hasil penelitian menyatakan bahwa ukuran perusahaan dan tangibilitas tidak berpengaruh signifikan terhadap struktur modal, uniqueness berpengaruh signifikan positif terhadap struktur modal, dan struktur modal berpengaruh signifikan negatif terhadap profitabilitas. Hasil penelitian mendukung pecking order theory yang menyatakan bahwa semakin rendah nilai hutang perusahaan maka akan meningkatkan profitabilitas perusahaan

The Professional Responsibilities of ERP Experts: A New Form of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour

In this study, we examine how ERP experts engage in organizational citizenship behaviours (OCB) that contribute towards work performance in the context of a manufacturing firm in China. Our interpretive case study reveals instances of OCB that correspond to salient characteristics of the Chinese culture. Key and new forms among these are: harmonious work relations and the willingness to help others plus workarounds, problem solving, job crafting, building role models and leadership. A primary driver of these instances of OCB is a strong sense of responsibility. This is implicitly associated in a morally obligatory fashion with specific job positions and leads employees at all levels to engage voluntarily in overtime work, undertaking whatever tasks are necessary, irrespective of whether these are part of their formal job descriptions. We also observe OCB’s potential for improving performance in both functional and social dimensions, as well as its impact on organizational agility

MORE OR LESS PREJUDICE? A STUDY ON REAL-TIME VOLUNTEER APPS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE

Although digital technologies improve the quality of life for people with visual impairment, their influences on social justice are inconclusive. In this study, we use quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the effect of real-time volunteer apps on prejudice and social connection from the perspective of both visually impaired people (VIPs) and non-impaired people (NIPs). Counterintuitively, our findings suggest that real-time volunteer apps have even a negative effect on reducing the prejudice perceived by VIPs and have no effect on reducing the prejudice of NIPs. For social connection and social acceptance, we find that these apps have a positive impact on both VIPs and NIPs. We hope this study can inspire more IS research on disability and we suggest several ideas for future research

The Hierarchical Structure of a Firm: A Geometric Approach

This paper develops a novel, geometric approach to modelling a firm's hierarchical structure. We model the firm's hierarchy as the sector of a circle, in which the radius represents the height of the hierarchy and the angle of the sector represents the width of the hierarchy. The firm then chooses the height and angle in order to maximise profit. We analyse the impacts of changes in economies of scale, input substitutability and labour productivity on the firm's hierarchical structure. We find that the firm will unambiguously become more hierarchical as specialisation of its workers increases or as its output price increases. The effect of changes in scale economies is contingent on the level of task specialisation and output price

Leveraging an Ecosystem for the Development of AI Applications

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly essential for enhancing many conventional business processes and generating market opportunities. And yet, for AI to truly gain mainstream acceptance, there is a need to develop a vast array of different applications to cater to the myriad needs of the market. This, however, cannot be achieved by any AI firm in isolation. Instead, there is a need for the collectivization of a synergistic ecosystem of entities. How such an AI ecosystem is developed, however, has not been the subject of research to date. To address this gap, we conducted a case study of iFlytek, one of the most successful AI firms in China and the world. Based on our ongoing study, we developed a theoretical framework that illustrates the stages of AI ecosystem development, which can provide guidelines for other technology firms and policymakers on the orchestration and governance of market-driven AI applications

DEVELOPING GUANXI THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA: USER ARCHETYPES AND INFLUENCING FACTORS

Existing studies have suggested that enterprise social media (ESM) may be especially appropriate in facilitating the initial formation of guanxi, while public social media (PSM) is more suited to driving guanxi development past the initial stage. However, the different patterns of social media use in the context of guanxi development, and the antecedent factors that give rise to those patterns are two salient issues that remain understudied. We conducted a case study with the aim of exploring these issues, which revealed six user archetypes representing the different ways that the use of ESM and PSM can be combined for guanxi development. In addition, we identify a range of antecedent factors that influence how ESM and PSM are used. The user archetypes identified not only constitute a conceptual innovation, but also advance the sophistication of the current perspective of social media use in the context of guanxi development

Virtually Live-Blogs and the performance of identity

Master'sMASTER OF ART

The Impact of Social Media on Digital Guanxi Development in the Chinese Workplace

Organisational employees increasingly rely on various social media to develop guanxi online, resulting in the potentially huge value of identifying how social media can contribute to guanxi development in the workplace. In this study of digital guanxi development within Chinese organisations, we examine the role of different types of social media on the development of guanxi and its various dimensions. Based on an exploratory case study, we propose a theoretical framework that illustrates two mechanisms by which social media influence the development of digital guanxi at work. Our preliminary findings suggest that enterprise social media and public social media provide and reinforce instrumental and affective values, respectively, thereby facilitating guanxi development in the workplace