Strong coupling regime in two-dimensional large-N scalar quantum chromodynamics

Two-dimensional large-$N$ quantum chromodynamics with scalar quarks is considered with particular emphasis on its strong coupling regime which has not been studied so far. Techniques necessary to deal with the infinitely oscillatory bound state wave functions in the strong coupling regime are developed. I derive an estimate for the ground state mass and show that (1) the lightest hadron in the theory is massless and (2) the ground state mass is continuous across the transition between the weak and the strong coupling.Comment: replaced with corrected PostScript file, otherwise unchange

Insight private equity : [Version 18 June 2013]

We are able to shed light on the black box of restructuring tools private equity investors use to improve the operational performance of their portfolio companies. By building on previous work considering performance evaluation of PE backed companies, we analyze whether private equity improves operating efficiency and which of the typical restructuring tools are the main performance drivers. Using a set of over 300 international leveraged buyout transactions of the last thirty years, we find that while there is vast improvement in operational efficiency, these gains vary considerably. Our top performing transactions are subject to strong equity incentives, frequent asset restructuring and tight control by the investor. Furthermore, investors’ experience has a positive influence while financial leverage has no influence on operational performance

New Models of Intellectual Exchange: CAN, EVENTS, HOLO

This folio covers the inception and design, development, testing and curation of three interlinked platforms for intellectual exchange (both digital and analogue). It reflects on their role as an emerging and evolving form of knowledge generation and dissemination in the context of an increasingly digital society, and the opportunities and challenges this offers. Designed and led by Filip Visnjic, these projects aim to generate and shape new opportunities, emerging discourse, information exchange and knowledge in (but not limited to) the intersections of technology with the fields of art, media and digital design; to archive these and set up frameworks to critically examine and assess their cultural impact though the design of platforms suitable for, responsive to and innovation in their central digital and art based subject area. These platforms are: CAN, a blog which evolved into a rapid-publication online journal; a series of conferences, workshops, exhibitions and events; and HOLO, a more stable publication which develops on the work and themes generated by the other two. These platforms have been devised to interact, but operate at different speeds, scales and levels of stability, generating many forms of information exchange and gradually refining and reflecting on the knowledge generated, sifting, critiquing and selectively stabilising the ‘churn’ of digital information. Based on McLuhan’s proposition that art anticipates and can be said to predict changes to wider culture, these much-acclaimed initiatives thus seek to make new connections between technology and existing art and digital practices and thus enable developments in the field. As expert practitioner, inventor, designer, editor and contributor, Visnjic is instigating, shaping and testing new forms of and platforms for discourse generation. While enabling, framing and disseminating both medium and message, this work critically reflects on the possibilities and problems of all information exchange, and simultaneously offers new models in response

Creative Applications Network (CreativeApplications.Net, CAN) Website and related platforms

CreativeApplications.Net (CAN) is a web-based project that includes a blog, digital applications, live events and a print magazine. It was launched by Visnjic in October 2008, with the primary aim of creating a current, open source, online sharing and collective ‘scenius’ aimed at developing the intersection of art, technology and design. The project is driven by a number of research questions: What are the implications for open source, online sharing and collective ‘scenius’ on the future of art, technology and the culture of design? How are contemporary digital technologies and computation tools part of design production and development? How may digital media be used to develop projects, people, events and organisations? How may print media and events be used to compliment on-line collaboration and exchange? CAN’s online presence, amounting to over 20,000 users, allows it to drive the conversation in the art/design/digital technology arena. It is ranked 1169 of most influential sites by Technorati and used very often as a source by other respected technology blogs such as Wired US, Wired UK, The Creators Project, Gizmodo, Engadget and many others. The Resonate Festival organised by Visnjic each year since 2012 to complement CAN’s online presence attracted 1,000 participants in 2012 and 1,600 in 2013, and its print journal HOLO will go into circulation in October 2013. Since 2010, Visnjic has been regularly interviewed or invited to speak about the project at academic institutions and technology festivals and events

Asociaciones profesionales como contribuyentes al desarrollo profesional de los docentes de educación infantil (Caso de Croacia)

This paper is a result of the assumptions of the importance of the professional development of early childhood education (ECE) teachers. Professional development is seen as a developmental process grounded in lifelong learning. While discussing the professional learning community as the optimal support in professional development, the paper discusses the role of professional associations in professional development. Aim of the research was to find teachers’ opinion whether the professional association contribute to their professional development. In order to ensure the best understanding of this problem, a research was conducted with the help of group interviews. Focus group participants were early childhood education teachers (N=6) who are also members of the Association of Preschool Educators “Krijesnice”. The analysis of the results indicated that ECE teachers highly value the need for their professional development. They also emphasize lifelong learning and motivation as prerequisites of professional development. The Association of Preschool Educators is seen as a support in professional development.Este trabajo está basado en la suposición sobre la importancia del desarrollo profesional de los maestros de educación preescolar. El desarrollo profesional se entiende como aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida. Observando las comunidades profesionales de aprendizaje como el apoyo ideal para el desarrollo profesional, se está investigando el papel de las asociaciones profesionales en el desarrollo profesional. El objetivo de la investigación fue investigar la opinión de los maestros sobre la cuestión si la asociación profesional contribuye a su desarrollo profesional. Para asegurar la mejor comprensión de este problema, se ha llevado a cabo una investigación en forma de la entrevista en grupo. Los participantes del grupo focal fueron los maestros que también son miembros de la Asociación de los maestros de educación preescolar (N=6) “Krijesnice” (“Luciernagas”). El análisis de los resultados demuestra que los maestros en gran medida valoran la necesidad del desarrollo profesional de los maestros. También enfatizan el aprendizaje a lo largo de la vida y la motivación como prerrequisitos del desarrollo profesional. La Asociación de los maestros preescolares se considera como el apoyo al desarrollo personal

HOLO Presentation at OFFF Festival 2016

For the last 10 years our central objective has been to facilitate a productive scenius that nurtures creative intersections, exchanges and networks between practitioners in art, media, design and technology. From online and offline publications to live events, our initiatives have become incubators for a multitude of computational tools, people and organisations, events and people and continue to provide an open platform for dialogue, feedback and response in diverse media. Filip Visnjic and Alexander Scholz share an insight into their latest projects, events and initiative. More than a decade ago, OFFF was born as a festival. Today, OFFF is a way of understanding creativity. A way of life. Evolving and transforming

Revenue models for digital services in the railway industry : A framework for choosing the right revenue model

While digital servitization provides manufacturing companies with the potential to earn additional revenues in the transition process from physical to digital offerings, the implementation of adequate value-capturing mechanisms is a major hurdle. The literature discerns little on the factors that influence the choice of revenue models for digital services. To address this knowledge gap, we build on a case study approach involving two global manufacturing companies in the railway industry that have experience in offering diverse digital services. The analysis reveals specific features and characteristics of three major revenue models for digital services – namely, subscription, usage-based, and performance-based revenue models. In addition, we identify overarching factors influencing the choice of revenue models for digital services. They are related to a) customer digital readiness, b) digital service sophistication, and c) digital ecosystem partnerships. Building on these influencing factors, we propose a framework that recommends that companies evaluate revenue models in relation to specific digital services. We furnish several theoretical contributions to the digital servitization literature and provide managerial implications for practitioners to assist in the choice of revenue models for digital services.© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).fi=vertaisarvioitu|en=peerReviewed

Only the Brave: Product Innovation, Service Business Model Innovation, and Their Impact on Performance

Recent empirical findings concerning the performance effects of service business model innovation (servitization) and its interplay with product innovation are mixed. Using the lenses of the demand-based view on value creation and complementarity, the performance impact of two key service business models is examined: the product-oriented model and the customer-oriented model, implemented jointly with product innovation. Results indicate that the interplay between service business model innovation and product innovation results in long-term performance benefits coupled with a degree of short-term performance sacrifice. Service business model innovation in isolation from product innovation results in short-term profit gains but long-term knowledge loss and, thus, market performance decline. Our study suggests that firms need to look beyond the evidence on short-term effects in order to achieve superior performance in the long run.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jpim.1225