Quality And Effectiveness Of Enterprise Resource Planning - Customer Relationship Management Systems: Implications For Information Systems Marketing Strategies

The present research examines the success of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in Greece, employing Delone and McLean’s model. The questionnaires of the study were e-mailed to the 1,049 largest organizations based on turnover and assets. The final research sample consists of 105 Greek enterprises. The list of organizations was compiled by using the Index of Companies and Products Directory (ICAP). Results show that users have more positive attitude towards system quality and information quality and less positive attitude towards service quality. Moreover, users believe that ERP systems enhance their performance and can contribute to the control of management. Furthermore, present paper proved that D&M model constitutes a causal model with the exception of the variable of system use that is only related to user satisfaction, and ERP system quality.The findings of this research trigger many theoretical and managerial implications and create lots of potential for future research in the fields of Information Systems, Management, and Marketing

Structure of the human heterodimeric transporter 4F2hc-LAT2 in complex with Anticalin, an alternative binding protein for applications in single-particle cryo-EM.

Cryo-EM structure determination of relatively small and flexible membrane proteins at high resolution is challenging. Increasing the size and structural features by binding of high affinity proteins to the biomolecular target allows for better particle alignment and may result in structural models of higher resolution and quality. Anticalins are alternative binding proteins to antibodies, which are based on the lipocalin scaffold and show potential for theranostic applications. The human heterodimeric amino acid transporter 4F2hc-LAT2 is a membrane protein complex that mediates transport of certain amino acids and derivatives thereof across the plasma membrane. Here, we present and discuss the cryo-EM structure of human 4F2hc-LAT2 in complex with the anticalin D11vs at 3.2 Å resolution. Relative high local map resolution (2.8-3.0 Å) in the LAT2 substrate binding site together with molecular dynamics simulations indicated the presence of fixed water molecules potentially involved in shaping and stabilizing this region. Finally, the presented work expands the application portfolio of anticalins and widens the toolset of binding proteins to promote high-resolution structure solution by single-particle cryo-EM

Multiple Museum Construct Motivators: a Multivariable Analysis with Repertory Grid Analysis (RGA) Approach

This paper aims to present and highlight the importance of factors resulting from Repertory Grid Analysis (R.G.A.). Strategic planning management issues concerning the management of museum audience are studied. A short description of the R.G.A. and the corresponding literature is cited, and an empirical application of the aforementioned method in a sample of 128 university students, takes place. The application of RGA produced 1345 interpretation models (constructs) which were coded and analyzed with three multivariable statistical techniques. The paper clearly demonstrates the importance of the analysis of constructs in relation to the management (local authorities or private institutions) suggestions that concern the museums of a specific area. Also, it contributes to the evolution of a new research area for the Destination Marketing Management with emphasis on Place design practices and development. Cultural offers and special managerial suggestions about particular groups of museums (strategic museum groups), are also discussed

The Role of Exporters’ Emotional Intelligence in Building Foreign Customer Relationships

Despite the critical importance of emotional intelligence in effectively interacting with other people, its role has been overlooked in scholarly research on cross-border interorganizational relationships. Drawing on Emotion Regulation Theory, we propose a model that conceptualizes links among exporters’ emotional intelligence, key behavioral dimensions characterizing the atmosphere of the relationship with import buyers, and the resulting relational performance. We test the model with data collected from 262 Greek exporters using structural equation modeling. The results indicate that higher levels of exporter emotional intelligence enhances communication and social bonding with the importer, while diminishing distance and conflict in their working relationship. Relational performance is positively influenced by communication and social bonding, but negatively affected by distance and conflict. The results also reveal the moderating effect of both opportunism and interpartner incompatibility on the association between the exporter’s emotional intelligence and the behavioral atmosphere of the relationship with import buyers

Multiple Museum Construct Motivators: a Multivariable Analysis with Repertory Grid Analysis (RGA) Approach

This paper aims to present and highlight the importance of factors resulting from Repertory Grid Analysis (R.G.A.). Strategic planning management issues concerning the management of museum audience are studied. A short description of the R.G.A. and the corresponding literature is cited, and an empirical application of the aforementioned method in a sample of 128 university students, takes place. The application of RGA produced 1345 interpretation models (constructs) which were coded and analyzed with three multivariable statistical techniques. The paper clearly demonstrates the importance of the analysis of constructs in relation to the management (local authorities or private institutions) suggestions that concern the museums of a specific area. Also, it contributes to the evolution of a new research area for the Destination Marketing Management with emphasis on Place design practices and development. Cultural offers and special managerial suggestions about particular groups of museums (strategic museum groups), are also discussed

Confronting Pharmaceutical Products Selection Criteria: A comparative survey of consumers in Greece, France and Bulgaria

Purpose: The survey at hand explores the factors describing the consumers’ profile in the pharmaceutical markets of three European nations Design/methodology/approach: A primary research was carried out using questionnaires with a sample of citizens (pharmacy customers) in the capital of each nation and aiming to to determine the criteria motivating the customer/patient to purchase particular pharmaceutical preparations and the ultimate goal is to get an objective picture of the buying behavior of Greek, French and Bulgarian consumers Findings: Behavioral motives appear to be affected by health scientists, price, advertising, alternative available options and “public opinion”. Moreover, it appears that customers differ from one nation to the other but also between themselves, both with respect to their choices, as well as their special mode of action. Such individuality mainly results from the different levels of education and basic income of each pharmaceutical products consumer. Comparative study reveals that Frenchmen, Greeks and Bulgarians tend to agree in some common behavioral trends, yet substantially differ in issues of major importance. Research limitations/implications: Any research on the quantitative measurement of perceptions has inherent limitations as it rests on the subjective views and attitudes of the respondents. Additionally, some obstacles emerged in the course of the survey and in regard to the filling-out of the questionnaires in all three countries, thus account must be taken of the following limitations when interpreting the findings: (1) lack of detailed knowledge of the legislative framework for the supply of pharmaceutical products in Bulgaria and France; (2) rapid changes in external factors (legal-political-social) in the case of Greece; (3) inability of personal contact with every respondent in order to get a first-hand view of their “pharmaceutical behavior” and education, and (4) time and resources limitations dictated that the survey be carried out with respect to a very limited and small sample compared to the total population of Athens, Paris and Sofia. Originality/value: This research effort was motivated by former researches relating to the consumers of pharmaceutical products, the knowledge gap that was created with respect to this issue during the years of the financial and more general crisis and the continuous changes in the health system of Greece. The idea for a comparative survey then rested on the practical and substantial comparison of consumers from Greece and those from the two other nations. It was simultaneously reinforced by the fact that no other similar research effort (for Greece-France-Bulgaria) has been published in recent years

The intra-articular use of ropivacaine for the control of post knee arthroscopy pain

AIMS: The purpose of this prospective randomised study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and the appropriate dose of the ropivacaine in the control of post-knee arthroscopy pain. METHODS: We randomised 60 patients in two groups to receive 10 ml/7.5 mg/ml ropivacaine (Group B) or 20 ml/7.5 mg/ml (Group A) at the end of a routine knee arthroscopy. We monitored the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, allergic reactions, headache, nausea, we assessed the pain using the visual analogue score at intervals of 1,2,3,4 and 6 hours after the operation. and we recorded the need for extra analgesia. RESULTS: The intraarticular use of the ropivacaine provided excellent control of pain after knee arthroscopy. At two hours post-operatively there wasn't any difference between the two groups. Afterwards, the Group A showed increased pain and need for supplementary medication. CONCLUSION: We believe that intraarticular use of ropivacaine is effective to reduce post-operative pain minimising the use of systematic analgesia

A regulatory domain in the C-terminal extension of the yeast glycerol channel Fps1p

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene FPS1 encodes an aquaglyceroporin of the major intrinsic protein (MIP) family. The main function of Fps1p seems to be the efflux of glycerol in the adaptation of the yeast cell to lower external osmolarity. Fps1p is an atypical member of the family, because the protein is much larger (669 amino acids) than most MIPs due to long hydrophilic extensions in both termini. We have shown previously that a short domain in the N-terminal extension of the protein is required for restricting glycerol transport through the channel (Tamás, M. J., Karlgren, S., Bill, R. M., Hedfalk, K., Allegri, L., Ferreira, M., Thevelein, J. M., Rydström, J., Mullins, J. G. L., and Hohmann, S. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 6337-6345). Deletion of the N-terminal domain results in an unregulated channel, loss of glycerol, and osmosensitivity. In this work we have investigated the role of the Fps1p C terminus (139 amino acids). A set of eight truncations has been constructed and tested in vivo in a yeast fps1Δ strain. We have performed growth tests, membrane localization following cell fractionation, and glycerol accumulation measurements as well as an investigation of the osmotic stress response. Our results show that the C-terminal extension is also involved in restricting transport through Fps1p. We have identified a sequence of 12 amino acids, residues 535-546, close to the sixth transmembrane domain. This element seems to be important for controlling Fps1p function. Similar to the N-terminal domain, the C-terminal domain is amphiphilic and has a potential to dip into the membrane

Functional imaging and circulating biomarkers of response to regorafenib in treatment-refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients in a prospective phase II study

Objective: Regorafenib demonstrated efficacy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Lack of predictive biomarkers, potential toxicities and cost-effectiveness concerns highlight the unmet need for better patient selection. Design: Patients with RAS mutant mCRC with biopsiable metastases were enrolled in this phase II trial. Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI was acquired pretreatment and at day 15 post-treatment. Median values of volume transfer constant (Ktrans), enhancing fraction (EF) and their product KEF (summarised median values of Ktrans× EF) were generated. Circulating tumour (ct) DNA was collected monthly until progressive disease and tested for clonal RAS mutations by digital-droplet PCR. Tumour vasculature (CD-31) was scored by immunohistochemistry on 70 sequential tissue biopsies. Results: Twenty-seven patients with paired DCE-MRI scans were analysed. Median KEF decrease was 58.2%. Of the 23 patients with outcome data, >70% drop in KEF (6/23) was associated with higher disease control rate (p=0.048) measured by RECIST V. 1.1 at 2 months, improved progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.16 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.72), p=0.02), 4-month PFS (66.7% vs 23.5%) and overall survival (OS) (HR 0.08 (95% CI 0.01 to 0.63), p=0.02). KEF drop correlated with CD-31 reduction in sequential tissue biopsies (p=0.04). RAS mutant clones decay in ctDNA after 8 weeks of treatment was associated with better PFS (HR 0.21 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.71), p=0.01) and OS (HR 0.28 (95% CI 0.07–1.04), p=0.06). Conclusions: Combining DCE-MRI and ctDNA predicts duration of anti-angiogenic response to regorafenib and may improve patient management with potential health/economic implications