Organizational knowledge transfer through creation, mobilization and diffusion: A case analysis of InTouch within Schlumberger

There is a paucity of theory for the effective management of knowledge transfer within large organisations. Practitioners continue to rely upon ‘experimental’ approaches to address the problem. This research attempts to reduce the gap between theory and application, thereby improving conceptual clarity for the transfer of knowledge. The paper, through an in-depth case analysis conducted within Schlumberger, studies the adoption of an intranet-based knowledge management (KM) system (called InTouch) to support, strategically align and transfer knowledge resources. The investigation was undertaken through the adoption of a robust methodological approach (abductive strategy) incorporating the role of technology as an enabler of knowledge management application. Consequently, the study addressed the important question of translating theoretical benefits of KM into practical reality. The research formulates a set of theoretical propositions which are seen as key to the development of an effective knowledge based infrastructure. The findings identify 30 generic attributes that are essential to the creation, mobilisation and diffusion of organisational knowledge. The research makes a significant contribution to identifying a theoretical and empirically based agenda for successful intranet-based KM which will be of benefit to both the academic and practitioner communities. The paper also highlights and proposes important areas for further research

Strategies, contributions and inhibitors of information systems to organizational competitiveness: An empirical analysis within the Caribbean

The study examines the impact of Information Systems (IS) through a consideration of improved competitiveness within a multi-business Caribbean firm. The methodology draws on a participant-observer approach for data collection and compares the application of IS by three business units within each of three organizations. It is argued that while there is already a substantial amount of research on IS effectiveness its value in the context of developing countries such as those of the Caribbean will be most significant. In this context firms are perceived to face more constraints than in developed countries so there is a need to explicitly recognize the effects of ‘inhibitors’. The study finds that for two of these businesses IS can be shown to have contributed to improved competitiveness, while the third had a less satisfactory experience. Analysis of the data revealed that in the two business units where IS contributed the units had been able to improve specific business processes in pursuit of identified competitive strategies. In the unit that did not derive such advantages, limitations in the functionality of the core application combined with insufficient adjustment of business processes, led to the unsatisfactory results. It is also observed that the explanatory value of the empirical analysis is enhanced if we identify inhibitors of IS for competitive advantage and make their effects more explicit

A versatile microfadometer for lightfastness testing and pigment identification

The design and experimental method for the use of a novel instrument for lightfastness measurements on artwork is presented. The new microfadometer design offers increased durability and portability over the previous, published design, broadening the scope of locations at which data can be acquired. This reduces the need for art handling or transportation in order to gain evidence-based risk assessments for the display of light-sensitive artworks. The instrument focuses a stabilized high powered xenon lamp to a spot 0.25 millimeters (FWHM) while simultaneously monitoring color change. This makes it possible to identify pigments and determine the lightfastness of materials effectively and non-destructively. With 2.59mW or 0.82 lumens (1.7 x107 lux for a 0.25mm focused spot) the instrument is capable of fading Blue Wool 1 to a measured 11 ΔEab value (using CIE standard illuminant D65) in 15 minutes. The temperature increase created by focused radiation was measured to be 3 to 4°C above room temperature. The system was stable within 0.12 ΔEab over 1 hour and 0.31 ΔEab over 7 hours. A safety evaluation of the technique is discussed which concludes that some caution should be employed when fading smooth, uniform areas of artworks. The instrument can also incorporate a linear variable filter. This enables the researcher to identify the active wavebands that cause certain degradation reactions and determine the degree of wavelength dependence of fading. Some preliminary results of fading experiments on Prussian blue samples from the paint box of J. M. W Turner (1755-1851) are presented

Photochemical colour change for traditional watercolour pigments in low oxygen levels

An investigation for light exposure on pigments in low-oxygen environments (in the range 0–5% oxygen) was conducted using a purpose-built automated microfadometer for a large sample set including multiple samples of traditional watercolour pigments from nineteenth-century and twentieth-century sources, selected for concerns over their stability in anoxia. The pigments were prepared for usage in watercolour painting: ground and mixed in gum Arabic and applied to historically accurate gelatine glue-sized cotton and linen-based papers. Anoxia benefited many colorants and no colorant fared worse in anoxia than in air, with the exception of Prussian blue and Prussian green (which contains Prussian blue). A Prussian blue sampled from the studio materials of J.M.W. Turner (1775 − 1851) was microfaded in different environments (normal air (20.9% oxygen) 0, 1, 2, 3.5, or 5% oxygen in nitrogen) and the subsequent dark behaviour was measured. The behaviour of the sample (in normal air, anoxia, and 5% oxygen in nitrogen) proved to be consistent with the 55 separately sourced Prussian blue samples. When exposed to light in 5% oxygen in nitrogen, Prussian blue demonstrated the same light stability as in air (at approximately 21°C and 1 atmosphere). Storage in 5% oxygen is proposed for ‘anoxic’ display of paper-based artworks that might contain Prussian blue, to protect this material while reducing light-induced damage to other components of a watercolour, including organic colorants and the paper support

Development of portable microfading spectrometers for measurement of light sensitivity of materials

Microfading was originally designed for efficiently detecting extremely light-sensitive materials on objects in situ to determine the appropriate exhibition lighting conditions. By focusing an intense beam of light to a tiny submillimetre sized spot and simultaeously monitoring the colour change over time, the fading rate of the material can be measured without producing noticeable damage. The increased intensity of light allows rapid determination of light-fastness of materials. This paper examines an improved design of microfading spectrometer that is easy to assemble, compact, robust, capable of fully automatic acquisition of data with precision control of the fading time to produce higher precision measurements and to allow simultaneous monitoring of colour, spectral reflectance and other changes in real time. The effects of various parameters such as thickness and concentration of paint layer, the binding medium and substrate on the fading rates are examined for selected pigments and found that in certain cases substrates, binding media and thickness can affect the fading rate. Reciprocity in the context of microfading compared with realistic exhibition conditions is examined and found that it breaks down for some pigment

Dynamic concentration of motors in microtubule arrays

We present experimental and theoretical studies of the dynamics of molecular motors in microtubule arrays and asters. By solving a convection-diffusion equation we find that the density profile of motors in a two-dimensional aster is characterized by continuously varying exponents. Simulations are used to verify the assumptions of the continuum model. We observe the concentration profiles of kinesin moving in quasi two-dimensional artificial asters by fluorescent microscopy and compare with our theoretical results.Comment: 4pages, 4 figures revte

The homotopy theory of simplicial props

The category of (colored) props is an enhancement of the category of colored operads, and thus of the category of small categories. In this paper, the second in a series on "higher props," we show that the category of all small colored simplicial props admits a cofibrantly generated model category structure. With this model structure, the forgetful functor from props to operads is a right Quillen functor.Comment: Final version, to appear in Israel J. Mat

Emptiness, engulfment, and life struggle: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of chronic depression

This paper explores the participant’s experience of what it is like to suffer depression, endured for years. Four women and three men, who each reported a minimum of four years’ depression, were interviewed and themes were generated using interpretative phenomenological analysis. A first complex theme is ‘depths of emptiness’ which encompasses: decline of will; disconnection from others; empty future; and numbing of the self. A second theme, ‘episodic despairing engulfment’ describes: agonising feelings and thoughts; a sense and conviction that one’s world and self are being destroyed; a growing belief that there is no escape; and sometimes ideas of suicide. The third theme, ‘the struggle of unending life-problems’ describes: a perceived timeline of struggle and difficulties; and terrible feelings and emotions. Five of the participants engaged in extreme negative thoughts and narrations about themselves, whilst two participants focused specifically on loss and threatening present situations. We conclude that chronic depression involves the experience of emptiness, but also a repeated experience of the destruction of self, connection to the world and deepest hopes. In chronic depression there are negative thoughts and feelings, yet crucially, it also involves alterations in motivation, in particular a process where aims, cares and concerns, that form important parts of the person’s life, are repeatedly thwarted or destroyed. In extreme occurrences, the phenomenological self seems to be passing out of existence

Neither a Multi-Ingredient Pre-Workout Supplement nor Caffeine Were Effective at Improving Markers of Blood Flow or Upper-Body Resistance Exercise Performance

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(2): 167-182, 2020. Few studies have measured the effects of multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements on blood flow or heart rate variability or have compared a multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement to a matched single ingredient. This study examined the effects of a multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement, an equivalent amount of caffeine, and placebo on markers of resistance training performance, blood flow, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. The study utilized a randomized, placebo-controlled, repeated-measures, crossover design. Twelve resistance-trained males (22.75 ± 4.51 yrs; 183.4 ± 7.37 cm; 91.05 ± 17.77 kg) completed the study. Resistance exercise performance was defined as total work performed during elbow flexion and extension on an isokinetic dynamometer. Blood flow was calculated using time-averaged mean velocity and blood vessel diameter of the right brachial artery, which were measured via Doppler ultrasound. Heart rate was recorded using an electrocardiogram. Neither a multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement nor caffeine alone improved upper-body resistance exercise performance or markers of blood flow relative to placebo. No differences in heart rate variability were observed across treatments. A multi-ingredient pre-workout supplement was not effective at improving performance or blood flow and did not alter autonomic nervous system function

Randomized Controlled Trial of a Home‐Based Walking Program to Reduce Moderate to Severe Aromatase Inhibitor‐Associated Arthralgia in Breast Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND: In postmenopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer (BC), most BC tumors are hormone receptor positive and guidelines recommend adjuvant endocrine therapy that includes an aromatase inhibitor (AI). This study investigates the impact of a 6-week, home-based, self-directed walking program on the commonly reported side effect of AI-associated arthralgia (AIAA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this phase II trial, consented BC patients were randomized to walking Intervention (n = 31) or Wait List Control (WLC; n = 31). Eligibility criteria included: stage 0-III BC, on AI for at least 4 weeks, ≥3 on a 5-point scale inquiring about joint symptom intensity "at its worst," and exercising ≤150 minutes per week. Outcomes were self-reported joint symptoms and psychosocial measures. Analyses comparing Intervention and WLC groups were conducted on an intention-to-treat basis to assess intervention impact at 6 weeks (postintervention) and at 6-months follow-up. Adjusted means were calculated to assess differences in two groups. RESULTS: In our final sample (n = 62), mean age was 64 years, 74% were white, and 63% had a body mass index of 30 or higher. At postintervention, Intervention group participants reported significantly increased walking minutes per week, reduced stiffness, less difficulty with activities of daily living (ADL), and less perceived helplessness in managing joint symptoms. At 6-months follow-up (postwalking period in both Intervention and WLC), walking minutes per week had decreased significantly; however, improvements in stiffness and difficulty with ADLs were maintained. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the growing evidence base suggesting exercise as a safe alternative or adjunct to medications for the management of AIAA. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Breast cancer survivors whose adjuvant endocrine treatment includes an aromatase inhibitor (AI) often experience the side effect of AI-associated arthralgia (AIAA). This study investigates the impact of a 6-week, home-based, self-directed walking program in the management of AIAA. Compared with Wait List Control, women in the Intervention group reported significantly increased walking minutes per week, reduced stiffness, less difficulty with activities of daily living, and less perceived helplessness in managing joint symptoms. This study adds to the growing evidence base suggesting exercise as a safe alternative or adjunct to medications for the management of AIAA