Transition During Offshore Outsourcing: A Process Model

In recent years, outsourcing has become a ubiquitous phenomenon. Despite extensive research, several examples of outsourcing failure are prevalent. In this paper, complimenting the strategic and economic studies on outsourcing, we focus on the operational execution challenges by examining transition phase, which starts immediately after contract signing and involves the critical transfer of outsourced activities from client to vendor firm. We conceptualize and illustrate transition as interplay of three connected organizational processes: transfer, learning and adaptation. Using an in-depth, longitudinal case study of an offshore outsourcing engagement, we develop and explain a transition process model, consisting of three phases – familiarize, adapt and accelerate. For each phase, the model identifies dominant organizational processes, key factors and triggering condition for progression to the next phase

Effects of maternal age, parity and hemoglobin on neonatal stature and cord blood hemoglobin: an observational study

Background: There is a large body of research both in India and abroad studying the effect of maternal age, parity and haemoglobin (in third trimester) on their infant’s birth weight. The present study has been planned to evaluate these factors effects on their infant’s stature(anthropometry) and cord blood haemoglobin.Methods: Maternal background information, third trimester haemoglobin concentration, gestational age and number of children was obtained and recorded in semi-structured case proforma. 100 post-partum women and their newborns were studied in post-natal ward of a tertiary care hospital in an urban area. Maternal and neonatal data and anthropometric measurements were recorded in semi-structured case proforma.Results: Of the 100 newborns, 43% were second born, followed by 35% first born, 18% third born and only 4% were fourth born by the order of their birth. Out of the 100 studied mothers 52% were anaemic as per the WHO criteria (Hb <11 gm%). Cord blood haemoglobin values decreased significantly as the order of birth increased. The cord blood haemoglobin of normal birth weight newborns is significantly higher as compared to that of low birth weight newborns. Cord blood haemoglobin concentrations shows strong statistical significance with maternal anaemia. The birth order of the child has a prominent inverse effect on the cord blood haemoglobin values.Conclusions: There should nationwide improvement in the nutritional status of the girl child by dietary supplementations to improve the health of the generations to come. There should be proper birth spacing to prevent maternal and neonatal morbidities. Maternal anaemia needs early and aggressive treatment to minimize perinatal complications to both mother and the baby

Association of maternal physical status and pregnancy outcome

Background: Lots of research both in India and abroad studying the effect of maternal physical markers on their infant’s birth weight is going on. The present study has been planned to evaluate the effects of maternal physical markers on their infant’s anthropometry and cord blood haemoglobin.Methods: Maternal background information, height, last known pre-pregnancy weight, gestational age and number of children was obtained and recorded in case proforma. 100 post-partum women and their newborns were studied. The study was carried in a post-natal ward of a tertiary care hospital. Maternal and neonatal data were recorded.Results: Maternal physical status (pre-pregnancy weight, height and BMI) significantly influences the pregnancy outcome (neonatal parameters) of the baby.Conclusions: There should be emphasis on improvement in nutrition of the girl child to improve the health of the upcoming generations. Maternal body mass index needs to be optimized to reduce perinatal complications to both mother and the baby

Transition Process and Performance in IT Outsourcing: Evidence from a Field Study and Laboratory Experiments

In this dissertation, complementing the strategic and economic studies on interorganizational relationships and IT outsourcing, we focus on the operational execution challenges inherent in these relationships by examining the transition stage, which starts immediately after contract signing and involves the critical transfer of knowledge, experience and routines related to outsourced activities from client to vendor firm. We focus on the transition stage due to its significance for outsourcing success, its complexity and theoretical richness, and its limited current understanding. Utilizing both a longitudinal field study and laboratory experiments to investigate transition, this dissertation generates important theoretical contributions and practical implications. In the first study (see Chapter 4), adopting a longitudinal perspective, we capture a real-life transition as it unfolds over time between a Utility company (Saturn) and a Global IT vendor (Apollo). Adopting the qualitative data analysis techniques and process theorizing guidelines, we inductively develop, explain and illustrate the transition process model consisting of three phases – transfer, adapt and routinize. For each phase, we illustrate the triggering conditions, key activities and outcomes for progression to the next phase. In the second study (see Chapter 5), building on the findings from the longitudinal qualitative field-study (Chapter 4), we focus on the transfer phase, which represents the most fundamental phase and largely determines the success of not only transition but also overall IT outsourcing relationship. To determine the influence of this phase on transition performance, we develop a novel experiment that captures outsourcing and transition scenarios in the laboratory. Using this experimental setting, we focus on understanding the relationship between transfer mechanisms (i.e

Post kidney transplant infections with special reference to cytomegalovirus

Background: The burden of infectious disease is high among kidney transplant recipients because of concomitant immunosuppression. Methods: Study was a retrospective and prospective cohort study. The study was conducted for a period of 12 months and 30 transplant recipients were included. Results: Males comprised 86.66% of the study population. The mean age of the recipients was 37.96 years. UTI was the most common post-transplant infection observed in 15 patients (50%) of 30 patients. E. Coli infection was most predominant (50%) causing UTI. 5 patients (16.66%) in this study developed tuberculosis after renal transplantation. Two patients (6.66%) developed CMV infection in the study. Two patients (6.66%) developed COVID-19 infection in the study. Two patients (6.66%) developed herpes infection post-transplant. One patient (3.33%) in the study developed cryptococcal meningitis. One patient (3.33%) developed hepatitis C after 18 years of transplant. One patient (3.33%) developed hepatitis B after 10 years of transplant. Three patients (10%) developed lower respiratory tract infection and developed acute respiratory distress. Three patients (10%) had developed acute graft rejection within first year after transplantation. There are total of 13 deaths (43.33%) among 30 patients all of which were secondary to infections. Total of 4 patients among the 13 deaths had chronic graft rejection. Most common cause of death was tuberculosis (38.46%) followed by UTI (23%) and Lower respiratory tract infection (23%). Conclusions: The incidence of infections is relatively higher in kidney transplant recipients when compared to general populations due to immunosuppression

Understanding transition performance during offshore IT outsourcing

Purpose - Within an IT outsourcing relationship, transition represents a critical and complex phase that starts immediately after contract signing. Transition involves handing over outsourced activities from client firm to service provider firm and accompanies a new way of operating. The purpose of this paper is to determine and detail factors influencing the performance of transition phase within global IT outsourcing relationships. Design/methodology/approach - In this paper, the authors present a framework for transition performance that includes four factors: transition planning, knowledge transfer, transition governance and retained organization. This framework is tested and enriched by utilizing a single, in-depth case study involving over 25 interviews with a global offshore IT outsourcing engagement. Findings - It was found that knowledge transfer and transition governance are more critical factors than transition planning and retained organization for transition performance. This was due mainly to two reasons: the critical challenges faced, within the scope of these factors, had higher potential to disrupt transition; and both these factors and their related issues required a significant joint and coordinated effort from client and service provider firms, thereby, making implementation challenging for transition. Originality/value - Practitioners have suggested that over two-thirds of failed outsourcing relationships are due to transition-related challenges. This paper represents one of the first in-depth studies that provides insights from a real-life global outsourcing engagement, which contributes to and complements existing literature on IT outsourcing by providing a greater understanding of transition. Furthermore, it provides practitioners with insights and best practices that can be used to guide transitions in real-life engagements

Strain field in doubly curved surface

This paper presents algorithm for development of structural and continuous curved surface into a planar and non planar (radial) shape in 3D space. The development process is modeled by application of strain in certain plane from the curved surface to its planar development. A doubly curved surface has been generated for the purpose of technical studies. Important features of the approach include formulations of the coefficients of first fundamental form, second fundamental form, Gaussian curvature and Serret Frenet curve. The approximate strain field is obtained by solving a constrained linear and nonlinear problem in algorithm

Salvaging collateral damage by COVID-19 pandemic in form of exposed silicone ear framework in 33-year post reconstructed ear

Total ear reconstruction is being practiced by different techniques. Ready to use Silicone ear framework (Silastic ear framework by Dow corning) was being used frequently by Plastic surgeons in the eighties and nineties of the twentieth century. Framework exposure, either due to skin necrosis or due to infection used to be the commonest complication in the early postoperative period. A follow-up case of a 50 year old male patient, our 33 years follow up case of Total ear reconstruction by silicone ear framework implantation presented to us with exposed silicone framework and infection. Due to constant use of facemask with elastic ear loop for support during COVID-19 pandemic. The exposed infected implant successfully salvaged using negative pressure wound therapy. In all cases of autologous or alloplastic ear reconstruction, we strictly recommend not to use facemasks with elastic ear loops. If a facemask has to be used it should have a head loop or to be used with an ear protector. 

Methods of obtaining smooth surface in 2D/3D surface reconstruction

Surface reconstruction is an emergent research area in the field of computer aided design and manufacturing. There are various methods / algorithms which are working considerably well for surface reconstruction problem but we cannot say to the best of our knowledge that we got all the solutions. Missing surface can be repaired either by surface patch or by extending boundary curves. However, in both cases, surface smoothening problem arises in form of flat surface. The present paper has been tried to offer a solution to above problem which makes the curve smoother

A charge reversal differentiates (p)ppGpp synthesis by monofunctional and bifunctional Rel proteins

A major regulatory mechanism evolved by microorganisms to combat stress is the regulation mediated by (p)ppGpp (the stringent response molecule), synthesized and hydrolyzed by Rel proteins. These are divided into bifunctional and monofunctional proteins based on the presence or absence of the hydrolysis activity. Although these proteins require Mg2+ for (p)ppGpp synthesis, high Mg2+ was shown to inhibit this reaction in bifunctional Rel proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus equisimilis. This is not a characteristic feature in enzymes that use a dual metal ion mechanism, such as DNA polymerases that are known to carry out a similar pyrophosphate transfer reaction. Comparison of polymerase Pol&#946; and RelSeq structures that share a common fold led to the proposal that the latter would follow a single metal ion mechanism. Surprisingly, in contrast to bifunctional Rel, we did not find inhibition of guanosine 5′-triphosphate, 3′-diphosphate (pppGpp) synthesis at higher Mg2+ in the monofunctional RelA from Escherichia coli. We show that a charge reversal in a conserved motif in the synthesis domains explains this contrast; an RXKD motif in the bifunctional proteins is reversed to an EXDD motif. The differential response of these proteins to Mg2+ could also be noticed in fluorescent nucleotide binding and circular dichroism experiments. In mutants where the motifs were reversed, the differential effect could also be reversed. We infer that although a catalytic Mg2+ is common to both bifunctional and monofunctional proteins, the latter would utilize an additional metal binding site formed by EXDD. This work, for the first time, brings out differences in (p)ppGpp synthesis by the two classes of Rel proteins