History of Offshoring Knowledge Services

The offshoring of knowledge services has become the stuff of newspaper headlines and U.S. presidential debates. Here, we view the antecedents of the current state of affairs. In the 1980s services offshoring was a trivial portion of the economy, but the seeds of today’s situation were planted then. A combination of U.S. government neglect, foreign government activism, a culture change among business people concerning service processes, technological advances, and cultural relationships among countries have created the specific services offshoring configuration of today

Screen-printed electrode-based electrochemical detector coupled with in-situ ionic-liquid-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for determination of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

A novel method is reported, whereby screen-printed electrodes (SPELs) are combined with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. In-situ ionic liquid (IL) formation was used as an extractant phase in the microextraction technique and proved to be a simple, fast and inexpensive analytical method. This approach uses miniaturized systems both in sample preparation and in the detection stage, helping to develop environmentally friendly analytical methods and portable devices to enable rapid and onsite measurement. The microextraction method is based on a simple metathesis reaction, in which a water-immiscible IL (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, [Hmim][NTf2]) is formed from a water-miscible IL (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [Hmim][Cl]) and an ion-exchange reagent (lithium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, LiNTf2) in sample solutions. The explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was used as a model analyte to develop the method. The electrochemical behavior of TNT in [Hmim][NTf2] has been studied in SPELs. The extraction method was first optimized by use of a two-step multivariate optimization strategy, using Plackett–Burman and central composite designs. The method was then evaluated under optimum conditions and a good level of linearity was obtained, with a correlation coefficient of 0.9990. Limits of detection and quantification were 7 μg L−1 and 9 μg L−1, respectively. The repeatability of the proposed method was evaluated at two different spiking levels (20 and 50 μg L−1), and coefficients of variation of 7 % and 5 % (n = 5) were obtained. Tap water and industrial wastewater were selected as real-world water samples to assess the applicability of the method.The authors would like to thank the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project n. CTQ2011-23968), Generalitat Valenciana (Spain) (projects n. ACOMP/2013/072 and PROMETEO/2012/038) and Universidad de Alicante (Spain) (project n. GRE12-45) for the financial support. E.F. also thanks Generalitat Valenciana for her fellowship

Research Opportunities in Service Process Design

This paper presents an overview of the new issues and research opportunities related to four service operations design topics—the design of retail and e-tail service processes, design of service processes involving waiting lines and workforce staffing, service design for manufacturing, and re-engineering service processes. All four topics are motivated by new technologies (particularly web-based technologies) and require a multi-disciplinary approach to research. For each topic, the paper presents an overview of the topic, the relevant frameworks, and a discussion of the research opportunities

COVID-19 No Match for the Forces of Global Trade: It Is Too Early to Declare the End of the Current Era of Globalization

COVID-19 is not only causing worldwide economic decline, it is also feeding the world-view of those who favor more isolationist policies. While de-globalization captures more than trade, economic integration is at its core. In this article, the not-so-well-known operational underpinnings of trade globalization are explored. The basic reasons why international trade has skyrocketed in the recent past point to our economic future as well

Variance in the Accuracy of Tidal Levels with Increasing Data Length

The Highest Astronomical Tide level (HAT) is derived from sea level datasets of sufficient length to encapsulate the lunar nodal cycle. HAT based on datasets of 35, 90, 180 and 400 days was determined for 14 sites. The difference between HAT based on short datasets and on 20-year datasets indicate that short datasets gave an average difference of 0.22 to 0.24 m. Increasing the length to 400 days decreased the difference to 0.06 m. Sites with diurnal form gave a larger difference of 0.4 to 0.9 metres. Inferring shallow water tidal constituents from the nearest longterm site reduced the difference to 0.15 to 0.19 m.La Máxima Pleamar Astronómica (HAT) se deriva a partir de conjuntos de datos del nivel del mar con longitud suficiente para englobar el ciclo nodal lunar. Se determinó la HAT para 14 sitios basándose en conjuntos de datos de 35, 90, 180 y 400 días. La diferencia entre HAT basadas en conjuntos de datos cortos y en conjuntos de datos de 20 años indica que los conjuntos de datos cortos proporcionaron una diferencia media de 0.22 a 0.24 m. Aumentar la longitud a 400 días redujo la diferencia a 0.06 m. Los sitios con forma diurna proporcionaron una diferencia mayor de 0.4 a 0.9 metros. Inferir los constituyentes de marea de aguas someras a partir del sitio a largo plazo más cercano redujo la diferencia a entre 0.15 y 0.19 m.Le niveau de la plus haute mer astronomique (PHMA) est dérivé de jeux de données sur le niveau de la mer d'une longueur suffisante pour englober le cycle nodal lunaire. La PHMA a été déterminée pour 14 sites, à partir d’ensembles de données de 35, 90, 180 et 400 jours. La différence entre la PHMA basée sur des jeux de données courts et sur des jeux de données de 20 ans indique que les jeux de données courts ont donné une différence moyenne de 0,22 à 0,24 m. L'augmentation de la longueur à 400 jours a diminué la différence à 0,06 m. Les sites avec une forme diurne ont donné une plus grande différence de 0,4 à 0,9 mètres. L’inférence déduction des composantes de la marée en eau peu profonde à partir du site à long terme le plus proche a réduit la différence à 0,15 à 0,19 m

Examining the Experiences of First-Generation College Students Attending a Christian University in the Southwestern United States

First-generation college students (FGCS) face unique challenges that could negatively impact their college success. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of FGCS attending a Christian university in the southwestern United States. A second purpose of this study was to assess whether differences exist between White and non-White FGCS regarding racial and cultural inclusion, academic resources, socioeconomic status, isolation and loneliness, life experiences, sufficient academic resources and financial concerns. An independent sample t-test was conducted to compare the scores of gender and ethnicity of FGCS, and Levene’s test was conducted to assess the equality of variances of the scores. Findings from this study showed that White FGCS reported that they were more likely to feel racially and culturally included while attending ACU. Implementing policies and plans to address mentorship would likely give non-White FGCS a sense of belonging and connection on campus

The Effect of Language Differences and National Culture on Operational Process Compliance

With increasing frequency, firms are locating their operations in disparate countries with distinct national cultures and languages. This study develops and empirically tests hypotheses relating an operation\u27s process compliance performance to (1) the presence of a language difference between the location of the operation and that of headquarters and (2) the national culture of the location of the operation and that of headquarters. Employing an international sample of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants located primarily in Western nations, the analysis reveals that a language difference between the location of a plant and the firm\u27s headquarters is consistently related to decreased process compliance at the plant level. Regarding national culture, only limited evidence of a direct relationship between national cultural dimensions (at either the plant or headquarters location) and process compliance exists. However, the analysis does suggest that cultural congruence between the location of the plant and that of headquarters can relate to improved compliance performance. Such a relationship depends on the specific national cultural dimension studied. While these results are obtained in a specific manufacturing setting, they potentially have implications for process compliance in any global operation

Managing Across or Within a Culture? Comparing Hotel Workers From China and Taiwan Using Hofstede’s Scales

Potential cultural differences between China and Taiwan are explored using Hofstede’s Values Survey Module (VSM94). The focus is on workers in hotels that cater to Western visitors. Hofstede’s VSM was administered to hotel workers in Tainan, Taiwan, and Shanghai, China.  A comparison shows worker attitudes to be, in general, highly similar.  Differences, however, on some scales, especially Power Distance, indicate that different managerial styles will be successful in the two countries. Qualitative data from industry stakeholders corroborate and elaborate on our findings

Ligand-mediated controlled drug delivery

Disclosed are systems and methods that can be utilized to define and control the delivery rate of a biological agent from a carrier matrix such as a biocompatible hydrogel. The carrier matrices of the present invention can include ligands incorporated within the matrix at a predetermined concentration level (C.sub.LT). In addition, the ligands within the matrix can display a particular, predetermined affinity for the biologically active agents to be delivered by the system. In particular, the affinity between the ligand and the biologically active agent can have a known predetermined dissociation constant (K.sub.D). When utilizing the system, the agent can be incorporated within the matrix due to association of the agent with the ligand. In addition, the agent can be protected from side reactions due to the association of the agent with the ligand. Through particular selection of the parameters C.sub.LT and K.sub.D, the rate of release of the biologically active agent from the matrix can be controlled. The disclosed methods and systems can be advantageously used in both in vivo clinical settings and ex vivo settings, such as tissue engineering applications

A Coherent Tidal Datum for the Torres Strait

The Torres Strait is a complex waterway to the north of Australia linking the Arafura and Coral Seas. Sea level data from 13 islands were provided with the intention of validating the GPS extension of AUSGeoid98 to the Torres Strait. A comparison between the Australian Height Datum (AHD) determined from the AUSGeoid98 model and Mean Sea Level (MSL) identified differences of up to 1.57m. A coherent tidal datum was established with a seasonal adjustment to the long-term level from Thursday Island. The seasonally adjusted MSL from this study should be considered as an approximation of AHD in the Torres Strait.El Estrecho de Torres es un canal complejo al norte de Australia, que conecta los Mares de Arafura y Coral. Se proporcionaron datos del nivel del mar de 13 islas, con la intención de validar la extensión GPS de AUSGeoid98 al Estrecho de Torres. Una comparación entre el Plano de Referencia Australiano (AHD) determinado a partir del modelo AUSGeoid98 y el Nivel Medio del Mar (MSL) identificó diferencias de hasta 1,57m. Se creó un Datum de Mareas coherente con un reajuste de nivel estacional a largo plazo a partir de la Isla Thursday. El MSL reajustado estacionalmente a partir de este estudio debería ser considerado como una aproximación del AHD en el Estrecho de Torres.Le détroit de Torres est une voie navigable complexe au nord de l‘Australie, qui relie les mers d‘Arafura et de Coral. Les données sur le niveau de la mer de 13 îles ont été fournies dans l‘intention de valider l‘extension du GPS d‘AUSGeoid98 au détroit de Torres. Une comparaison entre le système de référence australien (AHD) déterminé à partir du modèle de AUSGeoid98 et le niveau moyen de la mer (MSL) a mis en évidence des différences allant jusqu‘à 1,57m. Un zéro des marées cohérent a été établi avec une correction saisonnière du niveau à long terme, à partir de Thursday Island. Le MSL corrigé des variations saisonnières de cette étude doit être considéré comme une approximation du AHD dans le détroit de Torres