Dynamic Capabilities in Information Systems Research: A Critical Review, Synthesis of Current Knowledge, and Recommendations for Future Research

Over the past twenty years, the dynamic capabilities view (DCV) has gained prominence in the IS field as a theoretical perspective from which to explain competitive advantage in turbulent environments. While there are quite a few review studies of dynamic capabilities (DCs) in the strategic management domain, research on DCs in the IS area has not been synthesized nor critically analyzed. The result is that the role that IT plays in the DCV remains largely ambiguous, and the way we think and conduct IS research on DCs is unquestioned. Addressing this, we conducted a critical review of DCs in IS research based on 136 papers. Our review provides a synthesis of contemporary knowledge on DCs that emphasizes the role of IT in this research, and a critical analysis of the assumptions underlying this literature. In addition, we develop a minimum DC definition for future research as a solution to the conceptual issues that we uncovered via the critical analysis. We further leverage the remaining findings of our critical review by providing a detailed research agenda for future investigations on DCs by IS scholars

Separation of nickel from cobalt and manganese in lithium ion batteries using deep eutectic solvents

The authors would like to thank the Faraday Institution (grant codes FIRG005 and FIRG006) for funding (Project website https://relib.org.uk). This research also received funding from the European Commission's H2020 – Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) − Innovative Training Networks within the SOCRATES project under the grant agreement no. 721385 (Project website: https://etn-socrates.eu).A cornerstone of the decarbonisation agenda is the use of lithium ion batteries, particularly for electric vehicles. It is essential that effective recycling protocols are developed and this includes the ability to selectively digest and recover components of the cathode materials, most commonly including manganese, cobalt and nickel. This study shows a method by which nickel oxide can be efficiently separated from cobalt and manganese oxides using an oxalic acid-based deep eutectic solvent. The subsequent addition of water to the pregnant solution enables the co-precipitation of cobalt and manganese oxalates. This permits a route to the reformulation of the active materials from high cobalt and manganese content to high nickel content.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Business-to-Employee cooperation support through online job interviews

The Internet has emerged as a viable and reliable tool for recruiting. Using the Internet and e-Business applications, companies and applicants can reach one another faster and easier. This convenience has resulted in significant challenges for Human Resource departments. First-generation automation tools made the initial step toward addressing these challenges. Early systems provided the ability to collect resumes online. However, they failed to solve hiring process problems and provide meaningful workflow. Within this scope, this paper proposes online interviews as a tool that allows recruiters to gather structured interview information and assess cultural fit, while at the same time streamlining the interview process and reducing interview biases. Online interviews cannot replace the traditional face-to-face interviews, but can definitely provide the means to help recruiters and hiring managers with interviewing challenges

Using UML to build knowledge management and decision support tools: the case of dynamically allocating roles in software engineering teams

The aim of this paper is to describe how the Unified Modelling Language (UML) is used to build knowledge management and decision support tools. This attempt is part of a research project being sponsored by British Telecommunications. This paper defines the process of dynamic role allocation, explains the need for monitoring this process in software engineering teams, and justifies its importance to industry. It also outlines the factors affecting the dynamic role allocation in software engineering teams, and identifies the requirements for a system supporting the overall process. Furthermore, it presents the key concepts and design issues that lead in following an Object Oriented approach and using UML, and it describes the implementation and evaluation of such a prototype. Finally it discusses the issues rising from using UML in this specific domain, and especially for modelling notions such as cultural differences, personality characteristics, and individual preferences

Metal oxides processing using deep eutectic solvents

Metal oxides are the form from which most metals are extracted. They are found in natural ores and many industrial residues and end-of-life products, which makes their efficient processing an important topic. The state-of-the art processes for the extraction of metal oxides include either the pyrometallurgy or hydrometallurgy, which both have a significant environmental footprint. The investigation of more efficient alternatives for their extraction is crucial, in order to develop sustainable flowsheets for recycling materials like cathodes from lithium ion batteries.The understanding of the dissolution mechanism of selected metal oxides was attempted using deep eutectic solvents. In general, Pourbaix diagrams have shown that metal oxides can be digested either through protonation, complexation or by redox processes. The two former methods were investigated to determine their effect on solubility, and it was shown that the surface complexation had a greater impact on their solubility compared to the proton activity of the solvent. Speciation is known to be the key to designing selective processes, so the ability to tune the deep eutectic solvents to selectively dissolve some metals over others is a great asset. The selective extraction of Co and Mn over Ni from cathode materials of lithium ion batteries and Y and Eu from spent fluorescent lamp phosphors was demonstrated.Apart from the chemical dissolution, the electrochemical oxidation of metal oxides was also investigated as this was previously shown to be efficient for the dissolution of metal sulfides, tellurides and selenides. It was found that a significant enhancement of the metal oxide dissolution rate could be obtained in solvents that are neither acidic nor consist of complexing agents. Indeed, the rate of dissolution, which was dependent upon the band gap of the metal oxides, was strongly enhanced, sometimes even more than 10000 times. </div

Trial Evaluation of Wireless Info-Communication and Indoor Location-based Services in Exhibition Shows 1

Abstract. Exhibition shows are essentially information exchange hubs. Their success relies on the quantity and quality of interaction of the involved parties: exhibitors, visitors, and organizers. The introduction of advanced wireless applications in the exhibition industry is a major opportunity for improving interaction and communications, thus leveraging the value proposition of exhibition services. This paper discusses the development and commercial trial of a Wireless Exhibition Guide that employs mobile terminals, wireless networks, and indoor location positioning technologies integrated through a set of software components, to introduce sophisticated information, communication, and navigation services for exhibition environments. Results indicate acceptance of the Wireless Exhibition Guide amongst the stakeholders of the exhibition industry, organizers, exhibitors, and visitors alike, and provide guidance towards the future of portable personalized location-sensitive information systems in information-rich environments, such as museums, conference centers, and art show

G.: Wireless Info-Communication and Navigation Services in Exhibition Shows

Exhibition shows accumulate vast quantities of information and their success relies in the quantity and quality of interaction of the involved parties: exhibitors, visitors and organizers. The more effective the interaction between end parties, the more successful the exhibition. The application of advanced ICT applications in the exhibition industry has always been a major opportunity for leveraging the value proposition of exhibition-related services. More specifically, as the telecommunication technology evolves, unexpected possibilities arise for such information and communication rich environments and quite interesting applications, from both the technology and the business side, appear. This case study concerns extended discussion about an innovative wireless system, named as Wireless Exhibition Guide. The wireless system, which has been the primary research and development result of a European project funded under the IST programme, employs a set of integrated software components, mobile terminals, wireless networks and indoor location positioning technologies to introduce advanced information, communication and navigation services for a typical European exhibition environment. The discussion concerns several perspectives on the development and exploitation of the Wireless Exhibition Guide, such as applied technology (sub-systems and infrastructure), provided services, valu