The Balanced Scorecard to Measure Information Technology Performance

The Balanced Scorecard (BS) is a powerful framework to assess Information Technology (IT) performance. The BS is useful because it uses multiple perspectives and distinguishes between outcomes (effects) and drivers (causes). This study is divided into two stages. The first stage uses a case study methodology to explore the use of the BS within different organizations. The second stage uses a quantitative approach to test the relationship between drivers and outcomes. This study will contribute to the understanding of assessing the performance of the IT function. Results will suggest different drivers depending on the strategic role of the IT function within an organization

Identity Meanings and Online Interactions of Hybrid Transnational Communities of Immigants

This paper investigates identity in Hybrid Transnational Communities of Immigrants. As predicted by the integrated theory of identity, members enact different salient identities based on situational factors. Community members do enact their placebased identity. However, their role-based identities in the physically community are also brought over to the virtual community. The connection of the virtual community to a geographic location provides members with a tool to verify the identity of others. Members ask or disclose information that can only be known to locals providing a natural filter to screen insiders from outsiders. Members deny their support to any mechanisms to verify the identity of people participating. Even if such mechanisms were enforced, the identity verification is limited because virtual communities have no power, authority or means to verify the identity disclosed

Data Science for All: Apache Spark & Jupyter Notebooks

The Nation\u27s research enterprise faces a shortage of data scientists. Expanding the pipeline of data science students, particularly from underrepresented populations, requires educational institutions to increase awareness of data science and inspire a passion for data in students as they begin their academic careers. In this tutorial we discuss the development and delivery of a free seminar designed to provide hands-on lessons in the use of both Apache Spark and Jupyter notebooks to students from any academic background in an approachable, no-risk environment. An explanation of the seminar resources, exercises, and implementation guidelines are included, as are lessons learned from several successful seminars held both in-person and virtually at two institutions of high education

Unstructured data for cybersecurity and internal control

This paper proposes a research framework for studying the connections-realized and potential-between unstructured data (UD) and cybersecurity and internal controls. In the framework, cybersecurity and internal control goals determine the tasks to be conducted. The task influences the types of UD to be accessed and the types of analysis to be done, which in turn influences the outcomes that can be achieved. Patterns in UD are relevant for cybersecurity and internal control, but UD poses unique challenges for its analysis and management. This paper discusses some of these challenges including veracity, structuralizing, bias, and explainability

Unstructured Data for Cybersecurity and Internal Control

This paper proposes a research framework for studying the connections--realized and potential--between unstructured data and cybersecurity and internal controls. In the framework, cybersecurity and internal control goals determine the tasks to be conducted. The task influences the types of unstructured data to be accessed and the types of analysis to be done, which in turn influences the outcomes that can be achieved. Patterns in unstructured data are relevant for cybersecurity and internal control, but unstructured data poses unique challenges for its analysis and management. This paper discusses some of these challenges including veracity, structuralizing, bias, and explainability

A cybersecurity control framework for blockchain ecosystems

This paper proposes a cybersecurity control framework for blockchain ecosystems, drawing from risks identified in the practitioner and academic literature. The framework identifies thirteen risks for blockchain implementations, ten common to other information systems and three risks specific to blockchains: centralization of computing power, transaction malleability, and flawed or malicious smart contracts. It also proposes controls to mitigate the risks identified; some were identified in the literature and some are new. Controls that apply to all types of information systems are adapted to the different components of the blockchain ecosystem

Sewage sludge application as a vehicle for microplastics in eastern Spanish agricultural soils

Microplastic pollution is becoming a major challenge with the growing use of plastic. In recent years, research about microplastic pollution in the environment has become a field of study with increased interest, with ever expanding findings on sources, sinks and pathways of microplastics. Wastewater treatment plants effectively remove microplastics from wastewater and concentrate them in sewage sludge which is often used to fertilise agricultural fields. Despite this, quantification of microplastic pollution in agricultural fields through the application of sewage sludge is largely unknown. In light of this issue, four wastewater treatment plants and 16 agricultural fields (0–8 sewage sludge applications of 20–22 tons ha−1 per application), located in the east of Spain, were sampled. Microplastics were extracted using a floatation and filtration method, making a distinction between light density microplastics (ρ −3) and heavy density microplastics (ρ > 1 g cm−3). Sewage sludge, on average, had a light density plastic load of 18,000 ± 15,940 microplastics kg−1 and a heavy density plastic load of 32,070 ± 19,080 microplastics kg−1. Soils without addition of sewage sludge had an average light density plastic load of 930 ± 740 microplastics kg−1 and a heavy density plastic load of 1100 ± 570 microplastics kg−1. Soils with addition of sewage sludge had an average light density plastic load of 2130 ± 950 microplastics kg−1 and a heavy density plastic load of 3060 ± 1680 microplastics kg−1. On average, soils’ plastic loads increased by 280 light density microplastics kg−1 and 430 heavy density microplastics kg−1 with each successive application of sewage sludge, indicating that sewage sludge application results in accumulation of microplastics in agricultural soils. Microplastics concentrations in soils are highly proportional to the number of sludge applications.</p

Interactions between agricultural mulching plastic debris and pesticides

In semi-arid regions, the use of plastic mulch and pesticides in conventional agriculture is nearly ubiquitous. The use of plastics and pesticides lead both to the release of residues in the soils. The degradation of plastic and pesticide residues in the soil have been previously studied, but not together despite the fact that pesticides may be sorbed to plastics and that the sorption may change the degradation rate. In fact, the sorption of pesticides on Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) has been previously studied, but no data is available for other plastics such as Pro-oxidant Additive Containing (PAC) plastics or "biodegradable" (Bio) plastics. The aim of this research was to measure the sorption pattern of active substances from 38 pesticides on LDPE, PAC and Bio plastic mulches and to compare the decay of the active substances in the presence and absence of plastic debris. For this purpose, 38 active substances from 17 insecticides, 15 fungicides and 6 herbicides commonly applied with plastic mulching in South-east Spain were incubated at 35°C for 15 days with a 3×3 cm² square of plastic mulch (LDPE, PAC and Bio). The QuEChERS (Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe) approach was adapted to extract the pesticides. The sorption behaviour depended on both, the pesticide and the plastic mulch type. On average, the sorption percentage was ~23% on LDPE and PAC, and ~50% on Bio. The decay of active substances in the presence of plastic was, on average, 30% lower than the decay of active substances in solution alone. Therefore, efficacy, transport, degradability and/or eco-toxicity of active substances from pesticides may be affected by sorption on plastics. Additionally the sorption of pesticides on plastic debris may affect the plastic degradability due to the toxicity of pesticides to some soil organisms

Relaciones existentes entre incertidumbre laboral, satisfacción con la vida y funcionalidad familiar en trabajadores de la hotelería

El objetivo del presente artículo es analizar la correlación entre incertidumbre laboral, satisfacción con la vida y funcionalidad familiar de los trabajadores de la hotelería en Puerto Vallarta y Bahía de Banderas. Los participantes fueron seleccionados mediante el muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia y sumó un total de 914 personas, 438 mujeres (47.92%) y 476 hombres (52.08%). Se corrobora la relación directa y negativa entre incertidumbre laboral, satisfacción con la vida y funcionalidad familiar. Así mismo se confirma la relación positiva entre una adecuada funcionalidad familiar y la satisfacción con la vida. Esta investigación aporta al entendimiento de que una mayor funcionalidad familiar impactará en las distintas facetas de nuestra vida como la educación, el trabajo, el alojamiento, la vida social, entre otras; por lo que la incertidumbre laboral es atenuada en sus efectos adversos en la satisfacción con la vida cuando existe una adecuada funcionalidad familiar. Estos resultados se analizaron tomando en consideración las características propias del territorio de Puerto Vallarta y Bahía de Banderas, en un contexto donde prevalece la migración y en dónde actualmente hay una reconfiguración del mercado laboral ya que existe una alta oferta de trabajos y poca demanda debido a que la población busca mayor certidumbre, trabajos más flexibles, trabajos desde casa, entre otras características que, derivadas de la pandemia por SARS-COv-2, se están priorizando a partir de la nueva normalidad