Computer Software Patents: a Dilemma in Competitive Advantage IT Research

A significant amount of information technology (IT) research centers on the attainment of competitive advantage through the use of IT. In many cases, the use of patents to protect that IT does not receive much attention. Often studies conclude that patent protection cannot help IT to achieve such an advantage. Our research finds that many IT researchers based these conclusions predominately on two studies that are no longer relevant. This paper reviews some of that IT research and then links that research to these two dated studies. A number of reasons why researchers may continue to use the research for support of their conclusions are put forth, including lack of knowledge, research as a lagging indicator, pressure to complete research The paper offers recommendations for improving the research efforts such as using law as a reference discipline, considering the law in the reviewing process, and including legal considerations in doctoral training. We conclude with lessons learned

Relevance in MIS Research: The Need for the Laws as a Reference Discipline

Recently, IS research has been criticized for lacking in rigor and relevance. One reason for this is that IS researchers have a limited exposure to relevant contexts where IT use and behavior of management are involved. Another consideration is the multiplicity of theoretical frameworks and reference disciplines that exist. This paper suggests that considering the law as a much needed reference discipline for IS research can advance rigor and relevance. The body of law that is suggested includes contract, tort, and intellectual property. Some areas of IS research that would be lacking in rigor and relevance should the law not be considered are also identified and discussed

Decision Factors for the Adoption of E-Finance and other E-Commerce Systems

The development of e-commerce relies upon customer usage intentions, and IS researchers have examined usage intentions toward various online e-commerce systems. However, these systems have been studied in prior works independently rather than comprehensively. In order to pursue better measures for predicting and explaining B2C e-finance and some other major e-commerce adoptions for customers, we conducted a comparison analysis across different online systems to advance the understanding of the adoption factors and their linkage to customer behavior. Refining from Perceived Risk Theory and existing studies, specific risk facets, customer characteristics and system characteristics were operationalized and integrated within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) resulting in a proposed e-finance and other e-commerce system adoption model

Risky Group Decision Making: A Comparative Analysis of FTF and CMC Teams in Stock-Trak Investment Simulations

Few studies have explicitly focused on risky group decision making in information sharing or examined the manifestation of communication differences in face-to-face (FTF) and computer-mediated communication (CMC) teams. Hypothesizing that information-sharing behaviors could be influenced not only by contextual forces but also by personality and trust, we integrate communication mode, trust and personality into a theoretical framework, and also examine the possible impact of these constructs on risky group decision-making outcomes. Our interdisciplinary study integrates the fields of information system management, investment analysis and financial education by examining both FTF and CMC teamwork in a Stock-Trak portfolio simulation. We find that contrary to the common wisdom, even though FTF team members tend to feel greater levels of trust, affiliation and satisfaction in their team collaboration process, CMC teams eventually outperform their FTF counterparts by having greater portfolio returns and investor utilities

The Role for HNF-1β-Targeted Collectrin in Maintenance of Primary Cilia and Cell Polarity in Collecting Duct Cells

Collectrin, a homologue of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), is a type I transmembrane protein, and we originally reported its localization to the cytoplasm and apical membrane of collecting duct cells. Recently, two independent studies of targeted disruption of collectrin in mice resulted in severe and general defects in renal amino acid uptake. Collectrin has been reported to be under the transcriptional regulation by HNF-1α, which is exclusively expressed in proximal tubules and localized at the luminal side of brush border membranes. The deficiency of collectrin was associated with reduction of multiple amino acid transporters on luminal membranes. In the current study, we describe that collectrin is a target of HNF-1β and heavily expressed in the primary cilium of renal collecting duct cells. Collectrin is also localized in the vesicles near the peri-basal body region and binds to γ-actin-myosin II-A, SNARE, and polycystin-2-polaris complexes, and all of these are involved in intracellular and ciliary movement of vesicles and membrane proteins. Treatment of mIMCD3 cells with collectrin siRNA resulted in defective cilium formation, increased cell proliferation and apoptosis, and disappearance of polycystin-2 in the primary cilium. Suppression of collectrin mRNA in metanephric culture resulted in the formation of multiple longitudinal cysts in ureteric bud branches. Taken together, the cystic change and formation of defective cilium with the interference in the collectrin functions would suggest that it is necessary for recycling of the primary cilia-specific membrane proteins, the maintenance of the primary cilia and cell polarity of collecting duct cells. The transcriptional hierarchy between HNF-1β and PKD (polycystic kidney disease) genes expressed in the primary cilia of collecting duct cells has been suggested, and collectrin is one of such HNF-1β regulated genes