Emergent culture in global IS/IT outsourcing

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University on 6/4/2011.The research addresses the emergent nature of culture in global Information Systems / Information Technology (IS/IT) outsourcing relationships. Considering the broadly recognized role of culture in Global Outsourcing (GLOS), it builds on existing literature and it identifies three research issues that support the need to address culture in a global IS/IT relationship as emergent. These issues involve: a. A literature “gap” and low research granularity of existing research, b. The tendency to examine culture in IS/IT as either national or organizational, with no adequate research examining the dynamic nature of culture in GLOS collaboration, and c. The unique nature of GLOS culture, which is not stable but emergent. In order to address emergence, the thesis applies a cultural systems perspective, which is used to describe the emergent GLOS culture as related to a GLOS cultural system. An initial model is thus developed, according to which GLOS culture emerges from a GLOS cultural system, and the GLOS cultural system results from the combination of cultural characteristics of separate organizations within the GLOS context. This GLOS cultural system is related to Attitudes and Behaviors (A&B), the Environment, Interactivity, and Control. Using the philosophical perspective of interpretivism and a qualitative methodology, two pilot studies and a series of case studies were conducted. Due to its increasing reliance on outsourcing strategies, the automotive industry was used as the industry-based setting of the research and, more specifically, the phases related to the production of Electronic System (ES) of coaches and buses. Each phase involves the relationship between the client (AC) and one of its three suppliers (AS1, AS2, AS3), all residing in different countries (three across Europe and one in Asia). The analysis of the two pilot cases (GC, DS) helped finalize the interview agenda, which was then used in the four in-depth case studies that describe the relationship between AC and each individual supplier (AC-AS1, AC-AS2, AC-AS3). A thematic analysis was applied to the interview data, leading to an extended version of the initial model. According to the new extended model, the GLOS cultural system, through Mechanisms and Processes, expresses an emergent GLOS culture, which is related to extended versions of the concepts discussed in the initial model. More specifically, in the extended model, emergent GLOS culture is related to Attitudes, Behaviors, and Cognition (ABC), Context, Interactivity, and Regulation. The extended model also extends the concept of the initial model, further reflecting the emergent nature of emergence of the GLOS culture. Therefore, it associates Attitudes, Behaviors, and Cognition (ABC) with the dimensions of we-they and abstract-expressed, Context with the dimensions of environment and definition, Interactivity with the dimensions of relationship and exchange, and Regulation with the dimensions of control and feedback. The contribution of the extended model is demonstrated through validation by professionals and original participants in the study. The model also expresses the uniqueness of each GLOS collaboration and analyzes emergent GLOS culture in terms of specific cultural attributes, as they emerge within the GLOS relationship. Furthermore, it provides an in-depth description of the nature of emergent culture in global collaboration, and its contribution is discussed from a theoretical, practical, and methodological perspective. The thesis also addresses lessons learned, research limitations, and proposals for further research. Overall, the thesis offers an in-depth approach to understanding culture in GLOS relationships. Building on the concept of emergence, as addressed in existing literature, the study extends the discussion of culture beyond the national – organizational level and it offers a list of cultural attributes (themes) related to emergence. Using empirical industry-based evidence from countries selected across various economic and sociopolitical level, and an industry (automotive) that demonstrates a growing interest in outsourcing strategies, it discusses an emergent approach to culture, focusing exclusively on IS/IT GLOS. The emergent GLOS culture extends beyond mere summation of cultural characteristics of collaborating organizations. It allows for dynamism and adjustability, and, at the same time, it offers a new way of capturing, addressing, and explaining the uniqueness of the culture of every GLOS relationship

Η ερμηνεία των Έξι σουιτών για σόλο βιολοντσέλο του J.S. Bach μέσα από τα κείμενα των ερμηνευτών Mstislav Rostropovich, Steven Isserlis, Δήμου Γκουνταρούλη

Στην παρούσα εργασία γίνεται λόγος εν συντομία για την ιστορία των Έξι σουιτών για σόλο βιολοντσέλο του J.S Bach, για τις ηχογραφήσεις και τις εκδόσεις τους. Επίσης γίνεται αναλυτική παρουσίαση των πληροφοριών, που αντλήθηκαν από τα κείμενα τριών σημαντικών ερμηνευτών, οι οποίοι ηχογράφησαν το έργο και μοιράζονται τις προσωπικές τους απόψεις για την ερμηνεία του. Οι βιολοντσελίστες αυτοί είναι: ο Mstislav Rostropovich, o Steven Isserlis και ο Δήμος Γκουνταρούλης. Ο κάθε ένας ανήκει σε άλλη γενιά, έχει γεννηθεί σε άλλο σημείο του πλανήτη και έχει εντελώς διαφορετικές καταβολές. Στα καλογραμμένα και εμπνευσμένα κείμενά τους μιλούν για τον τρόπο που σχετίζονται με τις Σουίτες και εξηγούν πώς τις προσέγγισαν προκειμένου να τις ηχογραφήσουν. Τα κείμενα και των τριών περιέχουν πολλές προσωπικές εξομολογήσεις, είναι ιδιαίτερα διδακτικά (άλλωστε και οι τρεις έχουν ασχοληθεί και με την παιδαγωγική του οργάνου), έχουν ποιητική διάθεση, αίσθηση του χιούμορ και λόγο σαφή, ζωντανό και κατανοητό. Και οι τρεις προσέγγισαν τη μουσική αυτή με αγάπη και σεβασμό, και παρέδωσαν μια ανεκτίμητης αξίας παρακαταθήκη στις επόμενες γενιές, τόσο με τη σπουδαία ερμηνεία τους όσο και με τα έξοχα κείμενά τους. Καταληκτικά γίνεται μια σύντομη αντιπαραβολή των απόψεων των τριών ερμηνευτών και συνάγονται κάποια συμπεράσματα σχετικά με τις ομοιότητες και τις διαφορές τους.This paper briefly discusses the history of J.S Bach's Six Cello Solo Suites, their recordings and releases. There is also a detailed presentation of the information, extracted from the texts of the three significant performers, who recorded the work and share their personal views on its interpretation. These cellists are: Mstislav Rostropovich, Steven Isserlis and Dimos Goudaroulis. Each one belongs to a different generation, was born in another part of the world and has completely different origins/background. In their well-written and inspiring texts, they discuss how they relate to the Suites and explain how they approached them in order to record them. The texts of all three contain many personal confessions, they are particularly didactic (after all, all three have also dealt with the pedagogy of the instrument), they possess a poetic sense, a sense of humour and a clear, vivid and comprehensible voice. All three approached Bach's work with love and respect, and passed on an invaluable legacy to future generations, both with their unique interpretation and their excellent, remarkable writings. Finally, a brief comparison of the views of the three performers is made and some conclusions are drawn regarding their similarities and differences

Investigating the Information Systems Heterarchy

This article assesses how one IS organization is changing in response to the increased globalization of software development and posits the emergence of a new form of multi-national enterprise (MNE)—the heterarchy. Data from two projects create new insights into the structures and behaviors of ISMNEs as they adapt to global systems development. The article identifies four primary dimensions of impact—cultural, economic, operational, and organizational—and suggests how such organizations are evolvin

Outbreaks of publications about emerging infectious diseases: the case of SARS-CoV-2 and Zika virus.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of infectious diseases generate outbreaks of scientific evidence. In 2016 epidemics of Zika virus emerged, and in 2020, a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We compared patterns of scientific publications for the two infections to analyse the evolution of the evidence. METHODS: We annotated publications on Zika virus and SARS-CoV-2 that we collected using living evidence databases according to study design. We used descriptive statistics to categorise and compare study designs over time. RESULTS: We found 2286 publications about Zika virus in 2016 and 21,990 about SARS-CoV-2 up to 24 May 2020, of which we analysed a random sample of 5294 (24%). For both infections, there were more epidemiological than laboratory science studies. Amongst epidemiological studies for both infections, case reports, case series and cross-sectional studies emerged first, cohort and case-control studies were published later. Trials were the last to emerge. The number of preprints was much higher for SARS-CoV-2 than for Zika virus. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities in the overall pattern of publications might be generalizable, whereas differences are compatible with differences in the characteristics of a disease. Understanding how evidence accumulates during disease outbreaks helps us understand which types of public health questions we can answer and when

Effective functionalization of carbon nanotubes for bisphenol F epoxy matrix composites

ABSTRACT: A brand-new type of multifunctional nanocomposites with high DC conductivity and enhanced mechanical strength was fabricated. Ionic liquid functionalized Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs-IL) were embedded into epoxy matrix with covalent bonding by the attached epoxy groups. The highest DC conductivity was 8.38 × 10–3 S.m–1 with 1.0 wt. (%) loading of CNTs-IL and the tensile strength was increased by 36.4% only at a 0.5 wt. (%) concentration. A mixing solvent was used to disperse CNTs-IL in the epoxy monomer. The dispersion and distribution of CNTs-IL in the polymer matrix were measured by utilizing both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectivelyCOL009969

Electrically Conductive Epoxy Matrix Composites

Materials in general can be divided into insulators, semiconductors and conductors, depending on their degree of electrical conductivity. Polymers are classified as electrically insulating materials, having electrical conductivity values lower than 10-12 S/cm. Due to their favourable characteristics, e.g. their good physical characteristics, their low density, which results in weight reduction, etc., polymers are also considered for applications where a certain degree of conductivity is required. The main aim of this study was to develop electrically conductive composite materials based on epoxy (EP) matrix, and to study their thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. The target values of electrical conductivity were mainly in the range of electrostatic discharge protection (ESD, 10-9-10-6 S/cm). Carbon fibres (CF) were the first type of conductive filler used. It was established that there is a significant influence of the fibre aspect ratio on the electrical properties of the fabricated composite materials. With longer CF the percolation threshold value could be achieved at lower concentrations. Additional to the homogeneous CF/EP composites, graded samples were also developed. By the use of a centrifugation method, the CF created a graded distribution along one dimension of the samples. The effect of the different processing parameters on the resulting graded structures and consequently on their gradients in the electrical and mechanical properties were systematically studied. An intrinsically conductive polyaniline (PANI) salt was also used for enhancing the electrical properties of the EP. In this case, a much lower percolation threshold was observed compared to that of CF. PANI was found out to have, up to a particular concentration, a minimal influence on the thermal and mechanical properties of the EP system. Furthermore, the two above-mentioned conductive fillers were jointly added to the EP matrix. Improved electrical and mechanical properties were observed by this incorporation. A synergy effect between the two fillers took place regarding the electrical conductivity of the composites. The last part of this work was engaged in the application of existing theoretical models for the prediction of the electrical conductivity of the developed polymer composites. A good correlation between the simulation and the experiments was observed. Allgemein werden Materialien in Bezug auf ihre elektrische Leitfähigkeit in Isolatoren, Halbleiter oder Leiter unterteilt. Polymere gehören mit einer elektrischen Leitfähigkeit niedriger als 10-12 S/cm in die Gruppe der Isolatoren. Aufgrund vorteilhafter Eigenschaften der Polymere, wie z.B. ihren guten physikalischen Eigenschaften, ihrer geringen Dichte, welche zur Gewichtsreduktion beiträgt, usw., werden Polymere auch für Anwendungen in Betracht gezogen, bei denen ein gewisser Grad an Leitfähigkeit gefordert wird. Das Hauptziel dieser Studie war, elektrisch leitende Verbundwerkstoffe auf der Basis von Epoxidharz (EP) zu entwickeln und deren elektrische, mechanische und thermische Eigenschaften zu studieren. Die Zielwerte der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit lagen hauptsächlich im Bereich der Vermeidung elektrostatischer Aufladungen (ESD, 10-9-10-6 S/cm). Bei der Herstellung elektrisch leitender Kunststoffen wurden als erstes Kohlenstofffasern (CF) als leitfähige Füllstoffe benutzt. Bei den durchgeführten Experimenten konnte man beobachten, dass das Faserlängenverhältnis einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf die elektrischen Eigenschaften der fabrizierten Verbundwerkstoffe hat. Mit längeren CF wurde die Perkolationsschwelle bereits bei einer niedrigeren Konzentration erreicht. Zusätzlich zu den homogenen CF/EP Verbundwerkstoffen, wurden auch Gradientenwerkstoffe entwickelt. Mit Hilfe einer Zentrifugation konnte eine gradierte Verteilung der CF entlang der Probenlängeachse erreicht werden. Die Effekte der unterschiedlichen Zentrifugationsparameter auf die resultierenden Gradientenwerkstoffe und die daraus resultierenden, gradierten elektrischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften wurden systematisch studiert. Ein intrinsisch leitendes Polyanilin-Salz (PANI) wurde auch für das Erhöhen der elektrischen Eigenschaften des EP benutzt. In diesem Fall wurde eine viel niedrigere Perkolationsschwelle verglichen mit der von CF beobachtet. Der Einsatz von PANI hat bis zu einer bestimmten Konzentration nur einen minimalen Einfluß auf die thermischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften des EP Systems. In einem dritte Schritt wurden die zwei oben erwähnten, leitenden Füllstoffe gemeinsam der EP Matrix hinzugefügt. Erhöhte elektrische und mechanische Eigenschaften wurden in diesem Fall beobachtet, wobei sich ein Synergie-Effekt zwischen den zwei Füllstoffen bezogen auf die elektrische Leitfähigkeit der Verbundwerkstoffe ergab. Im letzten Teil dieser Arbeit fand die Anwendung von theoretischen Modelle zur Vorhersage der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit der entwickelten Verbundwerkstoffe statt. Dabei konnte eine gute Übereinstimmung mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen festgestellt werden

Electrically Conductive Epoxy Matrix Composites

Materials in general can be divided into insulators, semiconductors and conductors, depending on their degree of electrical conductivity. Polymers are classified as electrically insulating materials, having electrical conductivity values lower than 10-12 S/cm. Due to their favourable characteristics, e.g. their good physical characteristics, their low density, which results in weight reduction, etc., polymers are also considered for applications where a certain degree of conductivity is required. The main aim of this study was to develop electrically conductive composite materials based on epoxy (EP) matrix, and to study their thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. The target values of electrical conductivity were mainly in the range of electrostatic discharge protection (ESD, 10-9-10-6 S/cm). Carbon fibres (CF) were the first type of conductive filler used. It was established that there is a significant influence of the fibre aspect ratio on the electrical properties of the fabricated composite materials. With longer CF the percolation threshold value could be achieved at lower concentrations. Additional to the homogeneous CF/EP composites, graded samples were also developed. By the use of a centrifugation method, the CF created a graded distribution along one dimension of the samples. The effect of the different processing parameters on the resulting graded structures and consequently on their gradients in the electrical and mechanical properties were systematically studied. An intrinsically conductive polyaniline (PANI) salt was also used for enhancing the electrical properties of the EP. In this case, a much lower percolation threshold was observed compared to that of CF. PANI was found out to have, up to a particular concentration, a minimal influence on the thermal and mechanical properties of the EP system. Furthermore, the two above-mentioned conductive fillers were jointly added to the EP matrix. Improved electrical and mechanical properties were observed by this incorporation. A synergy effect between the two fillers took place regarding the electrical conductivity of the composites. The last part of this work was engaged in the application of existing theoretical models for the prediction of the electrical conductivity of the developed polymer composites. A good correlation between the simulation and the experiments was observed. Allgemein werden Materialien in Bezug auf ihre elektrische Leitfähigkeit in Isolatoren, Halbleiter oder Leiter unterteilt. Polymere gehören mit einer elektrischen Leitfähigkeit niedriger als 10-12 S/cm in die Gruppe der Isolatoren. Aufgrund vorteilhafter Eigenschaften der Polymere, wie z.B. ihren guten physikalischen Eigenschaften, ihrer geringen Dichte, welche zur Gewichtsreduktion beiträgt, usw., werden Polymere auch für Anwendungen in Betracht gezogen, bei denen ein gewisser Grad an Leitfähigkeit gefordert wird. Das Hauptziel dieser Studie war, elektrisch leitende Verbundwerkstoffe auf der Basis von Epoxidharz (EP) zu entwickeln und deren elektrische, mechanische und thermische Eigenschaften zu studieren. Die Zielwerte der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit lagen hauptsächlich im Bereich der Vermeidung elektrostatischer Aufladungen (ESD, 10-9-10-6 S/cm). Bei der Herstellung elektrisch leitender Kunststoffen wurden als erstes Kohlenstofffasern (CF) als leitfähige Füllstoffe benutzt. Bei den durchgeführten Experimenten konnte man beobachten, dass das Faserlängenverhältnis einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf die elektrischen Eigenschaften der fabrizierten Verbundwerkstoffe hat. Mit längeren CF wurde die Perkolationsschwelle bereits bei einer niedrigeren Konzentration erreicht. Zusätzlich zu den homogenen CF/EP Verbundwerkstoffen, wurden auch Gradientenwerkstoffe entwickelt. Mit Hilfe einer Zentrifugation konnte eine gradierte Verteilung der CF entlang der Probenlängeachse erreicht werden. Die Effekte der unterschiedlichen Zentrifugationsparameter auf die resultierenden Gradientenwerkstoffe und die daraus resultierenden, gradierten elektrischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften wurden systematisch studiert. Ein intrinsisch leitendes Polyanilin-Salz (PANI) wurde auch für das Erhöhen der elektrischen Eigenschaften des EP benutzt. In diesem Fall wurde eine viel niedrigere Perkolationsschwelle verglichen mit der von CF beobachtet. Der Einsatz von PANI hat bis zu einer bestimmten Konzentration nur einen minimalen Einfluß auf die thermischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften des EP Systems. In einem dritte Schritt wurden die zwei oben erwähnten, leitenden Füllstoffe gemeinsam der EP Matrix hinzugefügt. Erhöhte elektrische und mechanische Eigenschaften wurden in diesem Fall beobachtet, wobei sich ein Synergie-Effekt zwischen den zwei Füllstoffen bezogen auf die elektrische Leitfähigkeit der Verbundwerkstoffe ergab. Im letzten Teil dieser Arbeit fand die Anwendung von theoretischen Modelle zur Vorhersage der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit der entwickelten Verbundwerkstoffe statt. Dabei konnte eine gute Übereinstimmung mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen festgestellt werden