Configurability, Maturity, and Value Co-creation in SaaS: An Exploratory Case Study

This study answers the research question, “How do value co-creation components – value, offering, value networks, user involvement, and interaction process – change over time as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) configurability moves toward maturity?” We conducted a case study of GlobalSchool, a SaaS company providing administrative software to small-sized schools. We refined the SaaS maturity model by integrating the concept of self-service. We further assessed configurability (along with SaaS maturity) from the co-creation of value perspective. Our findings show that value co-creation components are dynamic, changing at different maturity levels. We also identified two drivers for change – knowledge and volume of clients. Our study contributed toward the SaaS and value co-creation literature. The managerial implications include the need for SaaS vendors to balance between providing support and self-service, solicit feedback from long-standing clients, and slowly transition clients to the self-service concept

Being an Immigrant with Disabilities: Characteristics of a population facing multiple structural challenges

Immigrants with disabilities face multiple structural challenges, including discrimination, socioeconomic disadvantage, and barriers to safety net access. However, limited research discusses the prevalence of disability among nonelderly adult immigrants and the characteristics of this population. Drawing on five-year estimates from the 2015 to 2019 American Community Survey, this brief provides a snapshot of select characteristics of nonelderly immigrants with disabilities ages 18 to 64. Overall, 5.6 percent of nonelderly immigrants have a disability. Disaggregation by race and ethnicity shows us that this prevalence is highest among nonelderly Black Latinx immigrants at 10.2 percent and lowest for non-Latinx Asian immigrants at 4.2 percent. Other key findings are as follows:Roughly 1 in 3 (35.3 percent) immigrants with disabilities has limited English proficiency.About 3 in 10 (30.7 percent) immigrants with disabilities are from Mexico.Nearly half (49.3 percent) of nonelderly immigrants with disabilities report having low family incomes (under 200 percent of the family federal poverty level).About four in 10 (41.4 percent) immigrants with disabilities are employed. Three in 10 (30.0 percent) immigrants with disabilities are working in service occupations, such as janitors and building cleaners, housekeeping cleaners, and personal care aides.One in 8 (12.7 percent) immigrants with disabilities reported receiving Supplemental Security Income in the 12 months before the survey.Three in 10 (30.3 percent) noncitizens report being uninsured at the time of the survey, while 1 in 10 (9.5 percent) naturalized citizens report being uninsured.The results presented in this brief can inform efforts to improve the well-being of immigrants with disabilities through strategies such as increased access to government public services, improvements in job access and quality, and development of community models to promote disability inclusion

Performance of Zinc-Rich Epoxy Primers Containing Carbon Nanotubes on the Corrosion Protection of Carbon Steel in Simulated Concrete Pore Environments

The performance of zinc-rich epoxy primers containing carbon nanotubes (CNT-ZRPs) on the corrosion protection of carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solutions contaminated with chloride ions was investigated. The research project was divided in two main sections; in the first part of this project, the author studied the influence of zinc content on the corrosion protection mechanism of carbon nanotubes/zinc rich epoxy primers on carbon steel under exposure to a simulated concrete pore solution. Based on the zinc content, three mechanisms of corrosion protection were identified. The CNT-ZRP with 60 wt. % Zn exhibited good barrier protection during the entire immersion period as a result of the highly cross-linked character of the epoxy binder. In contrast, the CNT-ZRP with 70 wt. % Zn afforded short-term sacrificial protection to the metallic substrate followed by intermediate barrier protection. Furthermore, it was found that the presence of CNTs in the coating system with 70 wt. % Zn, enhanced the electrical contact between the zinc particles and the carbon steel surface, allowing to provide sacrificial protection to the steel substrate. In addition, CNTs increased the barrier properties of the coating, suggesting that CNTs blocked micropores and defects in the material, hindering the diffusion of electrolyte throughout the coating. Finally, an extended galvanic protection was provided for the CNT-ZRP with 80 wt. % Zn. Insoluble zinc corrosion products were found inside the material and at the coating surface, as a result of the galvanic protection process and a self-corrosion process of the zinc particles. These mechanisms of corrosion protection were characterized quantitatively by electrochemical techniques such as open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and localized electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS) and high-resolution techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the second part of the research project, the influence of chloride concentration in the simulated concrete pore solution on the corrosion performance of these coating systems was investigated. The corrosion protection mechanisms for the different coating systems were similar to the ones described above, however, the effect of different chloride concentrations in the simulated concrete pore solution was noticeable; it was found that concrete pore environments with low chloride concentration allowed passivation of the carbon steel surface and formation of solid zinc corrosion products. In contrast, simulated concrete pore solutions with high chloride concentration led to breakdown of the passive layer, blister formation, and dissolution of zinc corrosion products previously formed during the sacrificial protection process

Is the CIO the “last among equals”? Students’ Perceptions of the Stereotype profiles of CIOs, CFOs, and CMOs

Researchers have often emphasized the ambiguous and challenging role that CIOs play in organizations. While some argue that CIOs are embracing new leadership roles in their organizations and suggesting that CIOs should mean Chief Influential Officers, many others argue the opposite and even refer to the term CIO as the Career Is Over. We argue that these roles may be influenced by the existence and potentially persistence of distinct stereotype profiles at the C-suite level. This paper explores business students’ perceptions of CIOs in comparison with CMOs and CFOs. We identified 18 variables that best discriminate CIOs from these two executives, revealing that CIOs are perceived as having adequate social leadership skills, but lacking leader dominance skills such as taking initiative and being assertive. Our results suggest that business students enter their professional careers with well-defined stereotypes that can potentially influence the role of the CIO

Performance of Zinc-Rich Epoxy Primers Containing Carbon Nanotubes on the Corrosion Protection of Carbon Steel in Simulated Concrete Pore Environments

The performance of zinc-rich epoxy primers containing carbon nanotubes (CNT-ZRPs) on the corrosion protection of carbon steel in simulated concrete pore solutions contaminated with chloride ions was investigated. The research project was divided in two main sections; in the first part of this project, the author studied the influence of zinc content on the corrosion protection mechanism of carbon nanotubes/zinc rich epoxy primers on carbon steel under exposure to a simulated concrete pore solution. Based on the zinc content, three mechanisms of corrosion protection were identified. The CNT-ZRP with 60 wt. % Zn exhibited good barrier protection during the entire immersion period as a result of the highly cross-linked character of the epoxy binder. In contrast, the CNT-ZRP with 70 wt. % Zn afforded short-term sacrificial protection to the metallic substrate followed by intermediate barrier protection. Furthermore, it was found that the presence of CNTs in the coating system with 70 wt. % Zn, enhanced the electrical contact between the zinc particles and the carbon steel surface, allowing to provide sacrificial protection to the steel substrate. In addition, CNTs increased the barrier properties of the coating, suggesting that CNTs blocked micropores and defects in the material, hindering the diffusion of electrolyte throughout the coating. Finally, an extended galvanic protection was provided for the CNT-ZRP with 80 wt. % Zn. Insoluble zinc corrosion products were found inside the material and at the coating surface, as a result of the galvanic protection process and a self-corrosion process of the zinc particles. These mechanisms of corrosion protection were characterized quantitatively by electrochemical techniques such as open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and localized electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS) and high-resolution techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In the second part of the research project, the influence of chloride concentration in the simulated concrete pore solution on the corrosion performance of these coating systems was investigated. The corrosion protection mechanisms for the different coating systems were similar to the ones described above, however, the effect of different chloride concentrations in the simulated concrete pore solution was noticeable; it was found that concrete pore environments with low chloride concentration allowed passivation of the carbon steel surface and formation of solid zinc corrosion products. In contrast, simulated concrete pore solutions with high chloride concentration led to breakdown of the passive layer, blister formation, and dissolution of zinc corrosion products previously formed during the sacrificial protection process

High post-anthesis temperature effects on 3 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain 4 transcriptome during early grain-filling

Background: High post-anthesis (p.a) temperatures reduce mature grain weights in wheat and other cereals. However, the causes of this reduction are not entirely known. Control of grain expansion by the maternally derived pericarp of the grain has previously been suggested, although this interaction has not been investigated under high p.a. temperatures. Down-regulation of pericarp localised genes that regulate cell wall expansion under high p.a. temperatures may limit expansion of the encapsulated endosperm due to a loss of plasticity in the pericarp,reducing mature grain weight. Here the effect of high p.a. temperatures on the transcriptome of the pericarp and endosperm of the wheat grain during early grain-filling was investigated via RNA-Seq and is discussed alongside grain moisture dynamics during early grain development and mature grain weight. Results: High p.a. temperatures applied from 6-days after anthesis (daa) and until 18daa reduced the grain’s ability to accumulate water, with total grain moisture and percentage grain moisture content being significantly reduced from 14daa onwards. Mature grain weight was also significantly reduced by the same high p.a. temperatures applied from 6daa for 4-days or more, in a separate experiment. Comparison of our RNA-Seq data from whole grains, with existing data sets from isolated pericarp and endosperm tissues enabled the identification of subsets of genes whose expression was significantly affected by high p.a. temperature and predominantly expressed in either tissue. Hierarchical clustering and gene ontology analysis resulted in the identification of a number of genes implicated in the regulation of cell wall expansion, predominantly expressed in the pericarp and significantly down26 regulated under high p.a. temperatures, including endoglucanase, xyloglucan endotransglycosylases and a β27 expansin. An over-representation of genes involved in the ‘cuticle development’ functional pathway that were expressed in the pericarp and affected by high p.a. temperatures was also observed. Conclusions: High p.a. temperature induced down-regulation of genes involved in regulating pericarp cell wall expansion. This concomitant down-regulation with a reduction in total grain moisture content and grain weight following the same treatment period, adds support to the theory that high p.a. temperatures may cause a reduction in mature grain weight as result of decreased pericarp cell wall expansion

Digital Social Innovation in Latin America: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research in Progress

Governments are under increasing pressure to meet the Social Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. Digital social innovation has been perceived as an important strategy to address several of the social and environmental needs of developing countries, especially Latin America. Digital social innovation results from the digitalization of resources, capabilities, processes, products, services, and business models with the goal of addressing a social or environmental need. Little is known about the factors that promote the success of these business initiatives in Latin America. In this paper, we analyzed 100 companies that developed and commercialized these initiatives and identified 4 general factors that might influence the success of these initiatives. Applying fsQCA and as preliminary results, we found that the prominence of the company, the type of technology used in the service or product offered, and funds raised are key factors to promote digital social innovation initiatives that are financially sustainable and socially scalable

Enantiomeric Ratio Changes of Terpenes in Essential Oils from Hybrid Eucalyptus grandis × E. tereticornis and its Pure Species

Some Eucalyptus species produce oils with biological activities and the effect of their interspecifc hybridization on the enantiomeric composition of terpenes has not been reported. The enantiomeric excesses of monoterpenes in the essential oil of Eucalyptus grandis × E. tereticornis and its parental taxa were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and to resolve coelutions problems by preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)and GC-MS with two columns in series. The essential oil composition of the hybrid presented qualitative and quantitative differences with the composition of its parental taxa. Great differences were found for the enantiomeric ratio in monoterpene alcohols among the three essential oils. Our results suggest that the enantiomeric analysis can be a reliable method for the study of how theinterspecifc hybridization can module the enantiomeric chemical profle in Eucalyptus essential oils. These results suggest the use of interspecifc hybridization to improve or expand the source of bioactive compounds.Fil: Naspi, Cecilia Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez Costa, Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Lucia, Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Audino, Paola Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; ArgentinaFil: Masuh, Hector Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa. Ministerio de Defensa. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo Estratégico para la Defensa; Argentin

Exlporing Healthcare Professionals\u27 Resistance to Using Wireless Communication Technology

This paper focuses on healthcare professionals’ non-acceptance, and resistance to the use of wireless communication technology. Specifically, we propose and empirically examine a theoretical model on barriers to the use of wireless communication technology to share information in healthcare settings. Our preliminary findings highlight important factors that, if not addressed, can result in resistance to the implementation of this technology

IT Stereotyping and the CEO-CIO Headlock

In addition to running organizational systems, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are increasingly expected to embrace a broader role in their organizations by driving innovation and being key strategic partners to the CEO and other members of the C-level team. Their ability to fulfill this challenging role, however, is inhibited by the existence (and influence) of IT stereotypes. When CEOs harbor these stereotypes, they tend to treat the CIO as a “last among equals” and relegate the CIO to a supporting role thus denying a strategic opportunity for IT. This research develops a means of assessing the IT stereotypes and their strength and examines their impact on the role of IT within the organization. This study will introduce a novel theoretical approach to the understanding of the relationship between the IT organization and the rest of the business. Implications for theory and practice are presented