Concomitant Nrf2- and ATF4-Activation by Carnosic Acid Cooperatively Induces Expression of Cytoprotective Genes

Carnosic acid (CA) is a phytochemical found in some dietary herbs, such as Rosmarinus officinalis L., and possesses antioxidative and anti-microbial properties. We previously demonstrated that CA functions as an activator of nuclear factor, erythroid 2 (NF-E2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor in human and rodent cells. CA enhances the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and antioxidant genes, such as HO-1 in an Nrf2-dependent manner in U373MG human astrocytoma cells. However, CA also induces NGF gene expression in an Nrf2-independent manner, since 50 μM of CA administration showed striking NGF gene induction compared with the classical Nrf2 inducer tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) in U373MG cells. By comparative transcriptome analysis, we found that CA activates activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in addition to Nrf2 at high doses. CA activated ATF4 in phospho-eIF2α- and heme-regulated inhibitor kinase (HRI)-dependent manners, indicating that CA activates ATF4 through the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway. Furthermore, CA activated Nrf2 and ATF4 cooperatively enhanced the expression of NGF and many antioxidant genes while acting independently to certain client genes. Taken together, these results represent a novel mechanism of CA-mediated gene regulation evoked by Nrf2 and ATF4 cooperation

Proposal of Experience Sharing Service Value Co-creation model (ESSVC)

We propose a new service model with value co-creation and sharing experience value. According to the legacy service theories, a service provider has to provide services based on fixed scenarios. When the service is successfully finished, the customers leave the service stage. Finally, customers decide the value of service which they have received and the entire process for providing the service is done. Here, customer's experience leads to new needs to the service. Our main aim is to consider the `dynamic' service value co-creation after providing a service. The service value for a customer has to change based on his experience. It also changes because of interactive sharing with closely related people. We propose a new service model for sharing the dynamic experience value using information technology (Web2.0, Social network, Smart device). We also present its application to Korean language education

Value Co-creation with Customer through Recursive Approach Based on Japanese Omotenashi Service

Currently, it is a fundamental intent of a company to deliver a true solution for its users that may co-create value and indicate a servitizing company. To produce a true solution expected by a customer is very difficult, as the expected responses between customer and company usually has a gap. Therefore, this paper proposes a design method that is able to address the gaps between customers and company expectation and fill-up those gaps by gathering necessary knowledge or resources from the customer within a recursive approach concept. In addition, this study analyzes the behaviors of service providers in Japanese “Omotenashi”, where the provided service gradually fit into customers’ requirements according to their communication. We can apply this practice to any other organization, both in the pure service or manufacturing industry for service value co-creation. This research also discusses the application of the proposed notion to adapting servitization based on the effect of two real-life case studies

Knowledge Space Concept and Its Application for Servitizing Manufacturing Industry

A new model for servitization of the manufacturing industry is proposed based on the concept of knowledge space, de-notes that the set of all knowledge from performing companies, customers, and users is dynamic over time and has a positive relationship with the produced solution. This research explains the use of the knowledge space concept for value co-creation in the manufacturing industry. It also discusses the pertinent issues of the value co-creation process for adapting servitization based on the results of one “B to B to B” collaboration and two “B to B to C” collaboration case studies

Service Mediator Model for Value Co-Creation Based on Service Dominant Logic

A new mediator model for Information service firms (ISFs) is proposed based on Service dominant logic. In this model, mediators create a shared contextual place and it plays an important role in connecting and managing supply and de- mand to provide superior services. The mechanism of value co-creation based on service dominant logic in business activities through a suitable service field organized by mediator firms for interactions by all participants. This mecha- nism is demonstrated through case studies of the framework of Hitachi TWX-21 and Cookpad Inc., which are Japanese information service businesses. We found that a good service field was effective in helping all business’s parties receive better value and gain satisfaction

A consideration on university branding based on SDL (Service Dominant Logic) : The lens of stakeholders' value co-creation

University branding based on Service Dominant Logic (SDL) enables university stakeholders to play a very important role in co-creating value for all stakeholders and also for university brands. Our SDL-based definition of university branding includes both internal and external branding. This research aims to propose a new methodology for internal university branding. We developed a brand creation model by using the perspective of the value co-creation process involving the experience of universities’ stakeholders. The model includes direct value co-creation for internal branding and indirect co-creation for external branding. Case study methodology was conducted for the case of a very strong university brand and a developing university brand in Japan. This analysis clearly revealed the efficacy of branding based on experience and co-creation, and shows that our university brand model is potentially applicable to all universities