bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corn Lecithin for Injection from Deoiled Corn Germ: Extraction, Composition, and Emulsifying Properties
Authors: Liu Hongcheng , Liu Tingting , Fan Hongxiu , Gou Mengxing , Li Guijie , Ren Huahua , Wang Dawei , Cheng Zhiqiang
Published: December 2017

Although the lipid fraction of corn germ is rich in lecithin, this material is usually discarded with the residual pulp during industrial corn oil extraction processes. In this study, corn germ, after deoiling by supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2), is used as a raw material to prepare corn lecithin for injection. The physicochemical properties, phospholipid composition, fatty acid composition, and emulsifying properties of the corn lecithin for injection is analyzed. The phospholipid and phosphatidylcholine contents in the prepared corn lecithin are 95.96% and 78.37%, respectively. Linoleic acid (45.99%) and oleic acid (22.31%) is the main unsaturated fatty acids, and the ratio of n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to n‐3 PUFA (i.e., n‐6/n‐3) of 6.00 is in accord with World Health Organization recommendations. Emulsions stabilized with the corn lecithin for injection is optically characterized and microscopically inspected, and the droplet size distribution is determined. The results shows that an increase in the corn lecithin concentration lead to a decrease in droplet diameter and an increase in emulsion stability. Furthermore, the corn lecithin for injection creates a more stable emulsion than injection‐grade egg yolk lecithin.

Practical Applications: The use of lecithins as emulsifiers for parenteral emulsions was advocated because these materials, typically obtained from egg yolks or soybeans, can be readily metabolized. In this study, we explore the possibility of recovering an important value‐added substance, corn lecithin for injection, which is separated from the corn germ waste generated during corn oil production. The corn lecithin for injection has excellent potential for use as a natural emulsifier in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics industries.

In this study, the possibility of preparing high purity corn lecithin for injection from corn germ that is deoiled by supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) is examined. The physicochemical properties, phospholipid composition, fatty acid composition, and emulsifying properties of the corn lecithin for injection is analyzed. Through these efforts, a valuable by‐product of corn oil manufacture is recovered that serves as an attractive, alternative source of injection‐grade lecithin for a wide variety of industrial uses.
A multidirectional conditional spectrum
Authors: Nievas Cecilia , Sullivan Timothy
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a procedure to generate multidirectional conditional spectra (MDCS) that allow for the characterisation of seismic demands at different angles of incidence. Being conditional on a particular period and its direction of maximum response, it is considered to be a natural evolution of the conditional spectrum to account for the effects of directionality, that is, the variation of seismic demands as a function of the angle of incidence of ground motions, which can have a significant effect on the performance of different kinds of structures. The three main components needed for the generation of MDCS are explained in detail. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted using different sampling methods to assess the effects of incorporating the correlation between demands at different orientations for the same oscillator period, and a novel correlation model is proposed for this purpose. The statistical characteristics of MDCS, their relation with the conditional spectrum, the advantages of the MDCS over previous definitions of orientation‐specific spectra, and prospective future developments are discussed.
Insightful investigation of smoke suppression behavior and mechanism of polystyrene with ferrocene: An important role of intermediate smoke
Authors: Li Zhi , Expósito Daniel Fernández , González Alejandro Jiménez , Wang De‐Yi
Published: December 2017

Aiming to investigate the smoke suppression mechanism of ferrocene in model polystyrene (PS) during combustion, we exploited the vapor‐phase and condensed‐phase behaviors. Cone calorimeter testing result showed that 3 wt% ferrocene imparted PS with 56.9% reduction in total smoke production. The analysis of the char after cone calorimeter testing demonstrated that the condensed‐phase smoke suppression mechanism was weak owing to the absence of charring behavior. The vapor‐phase mechanism was focused on the analysis of the small‐molecule smoke precursors and initially formed smoke intermediates. Transmission electron microscopy of initially formed smoke intermediates of PS/3Ferrocene revealed that enormous γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles from ferrocene participated in the initial formation of smoke intermediates, which subsequently underwent notable thermal oxidation degradation with decreased smoke residue. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results manifested that the small‐molecule smoke precursors remained almost unchanged with addition of ferrocene. Conclusively, the smoke suppression mechanism with ferrocene predominantly originated from the intensive thermal oxidation of smoke intermediates, which opened a viable route for excellent smoke suppression design.
In vivo evidence supporting a metastasis suppressor role for Stard13 (Dlc2) in ErbB2 (Neu) oncogene induced mouse mammary tumors
Authors: Basak Pratima , Leslie Heather , Dillon Rachelle L. , Muller William J. , Raouf Afshin , Mowat Michael R. A.
Published: December 2017

Overexpression of dominant oncogenes and the loss of tumor suppressor genes are basic genetic events in the acquisition of the malignant phenotype. The erb‐b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB‐2) proto‐oncogene is overexpressed in 20‐30% of human breast cancers. The StAR related lipid transfer domain containing 13 gene (STARD13), also known as Deleted in Liver Cancer‐2 (DLC‐2), maps to chromosome band 13q12.3 and is frequently downregulated in human cancers, including 72% of breast cancers. It encodes a RhoGAP protein with sterile α motif (SAM) and StAR‐related lipid transfer (START) domains. The objective of this study was to determine if loss of Stard13 plays a role in mammary tumor progression using transgenic mice expressing the activated ErbB‐2 (Neu) oncogene and Cre recombinase (NIC) in mammary epithelium under transcriptional control of the murine mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter (MMTV‐NIC). These mice were crossed with a conditional Stard13 knockout mouse (floxed exon 3), resulting in simultaneous Neu expression and Stard13 deletion, specifically in the mammary epithelium. We found that loss of Stard13 did not alter tumor growth nor significantly modify overall survival and tumor free survival. However, there was an increase in the total number of lung metastases in the Stard13 heterozygous or homozygous mice compared with the parental MMTV‐NIC strain. Altogether our results indicate that Stard13 acts as a metastasis suppressor rather than a tumor suppressor gene, in Neu oncogene induced mammary tumorigenesis.
Lithospheric mantle processes beneath Kurose islet, Southwest Japan
Authors: Nguyen The Cong , Kil Youngwoo , Seol Junghwan
Published: December 2017

Upper mantle xenoliths enclosed in Cenozoic alkali basalts in Southwest Japan were found at Kurose Islet. The xenoliths consist primarily of harzburgite and minor lherzolite and exhibit a porphyroclastic texture. Trace element data showing relative depletion in light rare earth elements (REEs) and general spoon‐shaped patterns suggest that xenoliths experienced depletion and slight enrichment processes. Incompatible trace element patterns for the spinel peridotite xenoliths indicate varying degrees of modification by fractional melting (from 6 to 11%). The Kurose spinel peridotites appear to have undergone melt extraction followed by an episode of cryptic mantle metasomatism. A nearby silicate melt may have been the metasomatic agent affecting spinel peridotites. The spinel peridotites originated from depths of 48 to 51 km at equilibrium temperatures ranging from 1030 to 1082 °C.
Petrogenesis of pillow basalts in West Junggar, NW China: Constraints from geochronology, geochemistry, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes
Authors: Yang Gaoxue , Li Yongjun , Tong Lili , Wang Zuopeng , Xu Qian
Published: December 2017

West Junggar is located at the southwest margin of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and includes Silurian pillow basalts of the Mayilashan Formation. The petrogenesis and tectonic setting of these pillow basalts are important for the understanding of the tectonic evolution and metallogeny of the West Junggar area. This paper presents geochronological, geochemical, and whole‐rock Sr–Nd–Pb isotope data from the pillow basalts of the Mayilashan Formation. Zircon LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb dating of a pillow basalt, which is in conformable contact with the chert, suggests that they were erupted at 437.2 ± 2.2 Ma marking the timing of generation of these rocks as Middle Silurian. Geochemically, all the pillow basalts bear the signature of ocean island basalt (OIB), and are characterized by alkaline affinity with high concentrations of TiO2 (3.28–4.12 wt.%), LILE and LREE enrichment and HREE depletion ((La/Yb)N = 5.5–7.3), with very weak Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.96–1.06), and no obvious Nb, Ta, or Ti negative anomalies. Their Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic compositions ((87Sr/86Sr)I = 0.7037–0.7051, εNd(t) = 1.9–2.9, 206Pb/204Pbi = 17.74–18.22, 207Pb/204Pbi = 15.48–15.52, and 208Pb/204Pbi = 36.49–37.86) show Dupal‐like isotopic signature of ophiolites in the southern Paleo‐Asian Ocean. These characteristics indicate that the magmas were derived from a deep OIB reservoir, that is, a depleted but slightly heterogeneous asthenospheric mantle source with ~5–15% partial melting of garnet and spinel lherzolite. Our obtained results, in conjunction with previous published data, allow us to suggest that the alkaline pillow basalts formed in a seamount within an intraoceanic setting, where a larger number of seamounts with different ages occurred in the Paleo‐Asian Ocean.
It's About the Gateway Courses: Defining and Contextualizing the Issue
Authors: Koch Andrew K.
Published: December 2017

This introductory chapter defines the phrase gateway courses, describes why these courses are one of the most compelling issues in the contemporary student success movement, and details what is at stake if the issues associated with these courses are left unaddressed.
Chief Academic Officers and Gateway Courses: Keys to Institutional Retention and Persistence Agendas
Authors: Matthews Roberta S. , Newman Scott
Published: December 2017

Among persistence and retention agenda initiatives undertaken by colleges and universities, gateway‐course improvement efforts are often overlooked. However, the engagement of diverse institutional stakeholders in the transformation of gateway courses can contribute significantly to student success. Chief academic officers are in a unique position to sponsor such initiatives.
Prognostic value of multicenter flow cytometry harmonized assessment of minimal residual disease in acute myeloblastic leukemia
Authors: Lacombe Francis , Campos Lydia , Allou Kaoutar , Arnoulet Christine , Delabarthe Adrienne , Dumezy Florent , Feuillard Jean , Geneviève Franck , Guérin Estelle , Guy Julien , Jouault Hélène , Lepelley Pascale , Maynadié Marc , Solly Françoise , Ballon Orianne Wagner , Preudhomme Claude , Baruchel André , Dombret Hervé , Ifrah Norbert , Béné Marie C. ,   on behalf of the Groupe d'Etude Immunologique des Leucémies (GEIL)
Published: December 2017

The assessment of minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloblastic leukemia is of growing interest as a prognostic marker of patients' outcome. Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC), tracking leukemia‐associated immunophenotypic patterns, has been shown in several studies to be a useful tool to investigate MRD. Here, we report a multicenter prospective study which allowed to define a harmonized analysis strategy, as well as the efficacy of MFC MRD to predict outcome.

This study included 276 patients, in 10 different MFC centers, of whom 268 had at least 1 MRD check point. The combination of a CD45, CD34, and CD33 backbone, with the addition of CD117, CD13, CD7, and CD15 in 2 five‐color tubes allowed to define each patient's multiparameter immunophenotypic characteristics at diagnosis, according to a Boolean combination of gates. The same individual diagnosis gating strategy was then applied at each MRD time point for each patient. MRD levels were stratified according to log by log thresholds, from 5 × 10−2(the classical morphological threshold to define remission) down to <5 × 10−5.

MRD was found to be constantly negative (<5 × 10−5) for 148 patients. Survival analyses significantly associated MRD negativity with a good prognosis and any positive value with poorer outcome. AllPvalues were <0.0001 both for disease‐free and overall survival at the earliest time point (post‐induction, MRD1) as well as when considering all time points together. Finally, MRD levels were independent of cytogenetics and allowed in fact to further stratify all cytogenetics risk groups.

In summary, this multicenter study demonstrates that a simple combination of immunophenotypic markers successfully allows for the detection of MRD in acute myeloblastic leukemia patients, with a strong correlation to outcome.
Genome‐wide RNA‐Seq identifies Fas/FasL‐mediated tumoricidal activity of embryonic stem cells
Authors: Li Yatong , Fan Yongna , Xu Jing , Zhang Peng , Jiang Taijiao , Dai Menghua , Li Limin
Published: December 2017

The discovery of tumor tropism of stem cells revealed the intimate relationship between stem cells and tumor cells, but the functional role of stem cells in tumorigenesis is poorly understood. To investigate embryonic stem cell (ESC) and tumor cell interactions, we co‐cultured mouse ESCs with mouse melanoma B16‐F10 cells or mouse pancreatic tumor Pan02 cells, and found that ESCs significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Coculture of ESCs and tumor cells resulted in significant inhibition of tumorigenesis in vivo. Histological analyses indicated that ESCs encircled apoptotic tumor cells. We carried out time course RNA‐Seq analyses of ESC and tumor cell co‐cultures, and identified Fas/FasL signaling as a major pathway involved in ESC‐mediated apoptosis of tumor cells. We further generated FADD‐deficient tumor cells by CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene editing, and demonstrated that FADD‐deficient tumor cells were obviously resistant to ESC‐mediated inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. Our results indicate the Fas/FasL signaling pathway plays a critical role in ESCs‐mediated tumoricidal activity.
Development of a Coupled Model for Simulation of Urban Drainage Process Based on Cellular Automata Approach
Authors: Abbasizadeh Hossein , Nazif Sara , Hosseini Seyed Abbas , Tavakolifar Hamed
Published: December 2017

Simulation of the interaction between an urban drainage system (UDS) and surface flow is a challenging issue. Conventional rainfall–runoff models are only able to simulate the flow in UDSs without considering the interaction between surface runoff and UDS. In this study, SWMM (storm water management model), as a well‐known urban drainage simulation model, and a two‐dimensional overland flow model developed based on the cellular automata approach, have been coupled for UDS simulation. In the proposed model, sewer flows are one‐dimensionally simulated using the SWMM model and at the flooded manholes, the surcharge hydrographs are determined. Then the two‐dimensional overland flow model is used for routing the surcharged flows. The coupled model could consider the complex interaction between the drainage system and the overland flow. The proposed model has been used in a study area located in Tehran, capital of Iran. The results show that almost 40% of surcharged flow returns back to the UDS, which caused 1.5% increase in the UDS's outflow volume. This can greatly affect the UDS performance downstream of the study area. The implementation results show the model's capability in simulation of flood behaviour as well as the urban inundated area with acceptable accuracy and much less computational effort. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cultural Context and its Impact on Requirements Elicitation in Thailand
Authors: Thanasankit Theerasak , Corbitt Brian
Published: December 2017

This paper reports one part of an ethnographic study of how software analysts in Thai software houses undertake the requirements engineering process. In this paper the impact of Thai culture on the elicitation of requirements in information systems developed will be reported. The important role of requirements for software and systems development can be traced to the early study of software engineering. Software developers realised that errors during the requirements phase caused high cost in fixing systems and often led to rejection of systems (Laudon and Laudon 1995). This paper compares the nature of elicitation of requirements by systems analysts in Thailand with standard descriptions of elicitation in requirements engineering research. Detailed descriptions of elicitation processes and an evaluation of text are used to suggest that elicitation in Thailand is affected by different use of analytical and elicitation tools, different adaptation of those tools to the elicitation process, an inability to gain full access to all users where requirements can be identified, increased time needed to uncover requirements and an inability to develop requirements specification. This has important implications for Software Houses using western consultants or organisations employing consultants not familiar with Thai Culture. Understanding the nature of the impact of Thai culture on Requirements engineering processes should ensure that project failure due to poor understanding of requirements for systems would be lessened.
Information and Business Process Equality: The Case of SAP R/3 Implementation
Authors: Al‐Mashari Majed , Zairi Mohamed
Published: December 2017

The emergence of SAP R/3 technology has created an opportunity to ensure information and business process equality both at organisational and global levels. SAP R/3 serves as a catalyst for information integration within and beyond the organisational scope through its standardised software modules, while at the same time working as a vehicle for transferring best practice business processes. This paper reports on a case study of a failed implementation of SAP R/3, in conjunction with business process reengineering (BPR) efforts, at a major Middle‐Eastern manufacturing company. Both situational and contextual climates of implementation are described and analysed. Lessons in terms of factors that led to failure and their future implications are discussed in the light of the contrasting experiences of several best practice companies. The central theme of the paper argues that establishing process and information equality through SAP R/3 is highly dependent upon the approach followed to redesign core business processes, as well as the extent to which they have been integrated with other business components.
Systems Integration for a Developing Country: Failure or Success? A Malaysian Case Study
Authors: Zaitun A.B. , Mashkuri Y. , Wood‐Harper A.T.
Published: December 2017

This paper presents the findings of a case study on three government departments. The study focuses on the triggering factors, obstacles and success factors of systems integration innovation and diffusion. The paper starts with a definition on systems integration and a brief explanation on the need for integration. This is followed by a description of each department studied. The subsequent sections dwell on the triggering factors, obstacles and success factors for systems integration. The paper concludes with a recommendation that most of the obstacles to the successful implementation of systems integration can be resolved through inter‐organizational cooperation, inter‐organizational structures and a change in business processes.
Enabling Communication in Developing Regions
Authors: Yavwa Yakomba , Kritzinger P.S.
Published: December 2017

The lack of communication facilities in developing countries is a constraint to social, political and economic empowerment of the people. However, advances in technology promise to deliver voice, video and data communication services, that are urgently needed, under a common packet switched communication network. Using Zambia as a case study, the cost effectiveness of three design scenarios which involve a hybrid of radio and microwave, radio and satellite, and radio and optic fibre were evaluated. The communication links in each scenario were modeled as E1 trunks. The cost of establishing these links was determined. Each scenario was then subjected to generic input traffic patterns using a multiclass queueing network analysis model to determine its effectiveness. Our findings show that the scenario involving the microwave links as inter‐regional links has the lowest cost. The second is the scenario involving satellite inter‐regional links and the most expensive is the scenario involving optic fibre inter‐regional links. Furthermore, the microwave‐radio hybrid scenario was found to have the smallest cost‐effectiveness ratio of 17.9 followed by the optic fibre‐radio scenario with 20.3 and finally the satellite‐radio scenario with 892.9. These results effectively imply that the microwave‐radio hybrid scenario is a better option for developing countries.
Taxonomy of New Software Exporting Nations
Authors: Carmel Erran
Published: December 2017

In recent years dozens of nations have begun exporting software products and services. We label these nations the “new software exporting nations”. We introduce a four‐tier taxonomy of software exporting nations. Thresholds for the tiers are defined by export revenues, by cluster size, and by maturity. Tier 1 nations are the major software exporting nations; Tier 2 nations are the transition software exporting nations (China and Russia); Tier 3 nations are the emerging software exporting nations (e.g., Brazil, Bulgaria); and Tier 4 nations are the infant stage software exporting nations (e.g., Vietnam, Cuba).
Implementing an Information System in a Large LDC Bureaucracy: The Case of the Sudanese Ministry of Finance
Authors: Higgo Higgo A.
Published: December 2017

In developing countries, the implementation of Information Systems is a complex process, given the interaction of the contextual framework with wider societal and cultural issues. This paper illustrates the importance of strategic thinking and validates ways and means to realize socio‐economic development in one such developing country – the Sudan. In this paper, a systemic interpretive approach is taken to an investigation of the systems development and implementation process in the Sudanese Ministry of Finance with a particular focus on strategic issues. Lessons which may be tested in other developing contexts are derived from this study.
An Empirical Study on Telecommunication Product Adoption in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Bagchi Kallol K. , Solis Adriano O. , Gemoets Leopoldo A.
Published: December 2017

This study discusses some empirical findings on telephone and cell phone adoptions in Latin American and Caribbean nations. Exhaustive fixed‐effect pooled regressions are undertaken for this set of nations, using data from the World Bank for the period 1989–1999. The results show that telephone and cell phone adoption processes are different in nature. Moreover, diffusion is established to be a major factor in both telephone and cell phone adoptions in the region. Economic conditions as well as privatization also positively impact the adoptions.
Challenges to Information Systems Implementation and Organisational Change Management: Insights from the Health Sector in Ecuador
Authors: Alvarez Angel Javier Salazar
Published: December 2017

Major challenges remain in Latin American countries experiencing Healthcare Reform. Among these challenges, the implementation of decentralised organisation and management seems to be a central problem. Besides top‐down, prescribed initiatives for reorganisation such as decentralised organisational structures, the organisational challenge of implementing information systems and strengthening the management capacity of district health providers and district health authorities remains neglected, or at least undervalued. The objective of this paper is to illustrate a substantive process theory of IS implementation, situated within the context of a case study. The case study is based on a national information systems initiative to support the decentralisation and modernisation of management functions in health districts of the Ministry of Public Health in Ecuador
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and GIS for Participatory Natural Resource Management: State‐of‐the‐Practice
Authors: Tripathi Nitesh , Bhattarya Shefali
Published: December 2017

Experience has shown that development efforts that ignore indigenous knowledge (IK), local systems of knowledge, and the local environment generally fail to achieve their desired objectives. IK systems are becoming extinct because of rapidly changing natural and social environments. A Geographic Information System provides a framework to document and store indigenous knowledge meaningfully. Participation by the local community in development initiatives is critical for achieving sound natural resource management to utilize the full potential of IK systems. The main premise of this paper is to review the literature available on the approach of integrating indigenous knowledge with Geographic Information Systems as a way of promoting participatory natural resource management and giving opportunity to the local community to participate in development programs and decision‐making both as contributors and as users of knowledge.
Communication Practices as Functions, Rituals and Symbols: Challenges for Computerization of Paper‐based Information Systems
Authors: Mosse Emílio , Nielsen Petter
Published: December 2017

Communication within organizations is more than functional transmission of information between different actors. Communication practices are also composed of ritualistic and symbolic aspects, together building a relation between context and practice. This paper discusses communication practices within and among different levels of the health information system in Mozambique and efforts to implement ICTs to support these paper‐based practices. The analysis builds on a case study, based on participatory observations and interviews revealing these different aspects of communication practice. Applying our analytical lens, we describe the ongoing communication practice as shaping and shaped by the context.
A Conceptual Solution to eBusiness Models in Developing Countries: Post‐Crisis Domestic Procurement Network to Facilitate Humanitarian Assistance
Authors: Gong Weixi
Published: December 2017

E‐business models vary between countries with different e‐readiness; therefore developing countries should identify their own ways to do e‐business. A developing country suffering from various crises may provide a niche market for doing e‐business due to its specific demands. In many crisis‐affected countries, demands for post‐crisis humanitarian assistance are increasing and relevant domestic goods producers may become eligible suppliers for meeting such demands. However, there are missing links in the normal business cycle and these should be identified. This paper provides an analysis of demand and supply in a crisis‐affected country in terms of post‐crisis humanitarian assistance. It provides a conceptual solution to filling the gaps and strategic orientation towards implementation. Moreover, the conceptual solution suggested may have a fourfold effect on the countries’ development.
The Role of Enterprise System Implementation in International Joint Venture Development: Exploring the Relationship
Authors: Ding James
Published: December 2017

In recent years, the rapid development in International Joint Ventures (IJV) has been a significant phenomenon under the global economy, especially in the developing countries. However, high failure rates and hence the huge investment risks make the promised advantages unpredictable. In this study, we explore the role of Enterprise System (ES) implementation in the journey of IJV development. We study the impacts of ES to IJV through a comparison study for their relationship that involves three scenarios: implementing ES prior to, parallel to, or after IJV operation. We then construct a generic framework for the optimal strategy based on findings from both ES and IJV literature. We also use a comparative case study approach to illustrate the value of this framework. We conclude our study with some discussions on possible extensions to innovation management as future research directions.
The Software Industry in Emerging Markets
Authors: Carmel Erran
Published: December 2017

“The Software Industry in Emerging Markets” by Simon Commander. Published by Edward Elgar. 236 pages. 2005 £59.95 ISBN 1845422473.
ERP and Competitive Advantage in Developing Countries: The Case of an Asian Company
Authors: Molla Alemayehu , Bhalla Arjun
Published: December 2017

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are diffusing globally. There is however little research on ERP reflecting the experiences of developing countries’ in general and on the relationship between ERP and competitive advantage in particular. This paper addresses the issues of competitive advantage and ERP by investigating a case study of an Asian company. The paper poses two questions of whether or not the implementation of ERP within the case organization contributed towards competitive advantage and the factors that facilitated the turning of ERP benefits into competitive advantage. Results of the case study demonstrate that ERP enabled the case organization to achieve competitive advantage, but the physical technology alone cannot be considered as a cause. Several factors that the implementation of ERP assisted but that are related to innovations, managerial coordination, business routines and processes contributed to this. On the basis of the result, a framework that allows evaluation of ERP from opportunistic, awareness and positioning points of view is developed. This framework can support managers in developing countries to make crucial decisions that are necessary with respect to an ERP that has been (or is to be) implemented. Some managerial and theoretical implications of the study to IS research in general and that of developing countries in particular are highlighted.
Information Systems for Multi‐Tenure Jurisdictions
Authors: Latu Savae , Dacey Simon
Published: December 2017

Technologies that are being developed according to the needs of a particular society depend largely on the level of skills, available materials, economy, requirements and cultural traits of that society. If such technologies are proved to work successfully within a given society, cultural differences may not allow those technologies to operate effectively in other societies. Therefore, when transferring a new technology cross‐culturally, several factors must be considered so that it is beneficial to the receiving societies. Land Information Systems have been developed to serve the growing needs of developed societies for complete, current and reliable information in a timely. They are also engaged to evaluate long‐term policies on land management combining economic, social and environmental issues. Faced with compelling arguments for the adoption of such technology in developed countries, it is tempting to simply translate and impose this experience on the situation in developing countries. The authors have been asked to develop an information system to assist Tonga's Estate Holders (Nobles) in managing the country's land under their care. Accordingly, in endeavouring to explore ways in which the tools and techniques offered by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be used to collect, use and preserve relevant information about lands which are still held under various customary land tenure systems this paper presents a brief overview of culture, land tenure, Land Information Systems (LIS) development and proposes an extension to the classical LIS development models in order that information about customary held lands is dealt with effectively.
East Asia, Globalization and the New Economy
Authors: Davison Robert
Published: December 2017

F. Gerard Adams (2006) East Asia, Globalization and the New Economy, Routledge, ISBN: 0‐41‐576991‐4.
Offshoring IT Services: A Framework for Managing Outsourced Projects
Authors: Lo Henry
Published: December 2017

Mohan Babu K (2006) Offshoring IT Services: A Framework for Managing Outsourced Projects, Tata McGraw‐Hill, 274 Pages, ISBN: 0‐07‐059756‐1.
Participatory Mapping for Local Management of Natural Resources in Villages of the Rufiji District (Tanzania)
Authors: Duvail Stéphanie , Hamerlynck Olivier , Nandi Revocatus XL , Mwambeso Pili , Elibariki Richard
Published: December 2017

Tanzania has introduced legislation that allows communities to locally manage their natural resources. From 1998 to 2003, the Rufiji Environmental Management Project (REMP) promoted such a transfer of authority, from the central government to 4 pilot villages of the Rufiji District in southern Tanzania, mainly for forest resources. These communities developed Village Environmental Management Plans (VEMP). Land‐use maps have been produced by multi‐institutional teams using Landsat images, aerial photographs, detailed landscape analysis, ground‐truthing and incorporation of the results in to a GIS.

Cartography and Environmental Management, carried out in a participatory way, were shown to be effective tools for the improvement of communication and information sharing between local populations, government institutions and researchers. The mapping of land use in the Rufiji District can potentially clarify a fuzzy land‐tenure situation, especially in the floodplain. This area, considered as under‐utilised by the local authorities, is in fact extensively cultivated by the Warufiji populations who have abandoned the Ujamaa village scheme. The mapping of the 4 areas, by the villagers themselves, equipped with GPS, was instrumental in their official recognition as Village Forest Reserves. Mechanisms still need to be put in place for the resolution of land‐use conflicts between villages and for the mediating role that local government should play.

For improved planning, this participatory mapping exercise has to be complemented by a detailed analysis of the economic and spiritual values of the different landscape components, and by a description of the local rules of resource sharing. The drive towards increased local management of natural resources still needs to be supported by a strong Government with the will to empower and to secure the local benefits of the decentralisation process.
Strategies for Developing Human Resource Capacity to Support Sustainability of ICT Based Health Information Systems: A Case Study from Tanzania
Authors: Kimaro Honest C.
Published: December 2017

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are typically introduced in organizations with the promise to help manage resources, increase efficiency, increase work productivity and reduce workload. In the context of developing countries, the lure of these promises is magnified given the existing conditions and inefficiencies. International aid agencies play an important role in shaping this promise. However, introduction and use of ICTs in developing countries has proven problematic due to failures or unsustainability resulting from many factors. One important factor is the lack of appropriate human resources both with respect to quantity and quality. This paper emphasizes that human resource capacity building in developing countries is an urgent issue of concern for the sustainability of ICTs. Drawing on concepts of sustainability, ICT literacy, and human capacity building, this paper analyzes challenges related to human resources in health information systems (HISs) and ICTs in the health sector of Tanzania and suggests some strategies to address the problem. Specifically, the paper focuses on initiation of ICT based HIS in the context of the health sector and argues for human resources with a mix of skills to understand the meaning of data, information, and the use of computers.
Challenges of Establishing and Managing an IRM Centre in a Kenyan Public University: A Critical Review of Papers by Moi University's IRM Centre Staff
Authors: Bii Harrison , Gichoya David Mugo
Published: December 2017

This paper presents the challenges faced in establishing and managing an IRM centre at Moi University. A critical review of in‐house papers presented by the university's IRM staff members during recent workshops reveals that the centre faced several challenges in its formative years. If the centre is to attain its aim and objectives, the university management needs to address itself to the centre's challenges.
Issues In E‐Learning: A Thai Case Study
Authors: Pagram Penporn , Pagram Jeremy
Published: December 2017

E‐learning is a very topical and much misused term. Nevertheless, many countries both developed and developing, are rushing to embrace this new educational technology. Perceived benefits in both cost of delivery and educational outcomes are often the driving force.

This has led to a new phase in the globalisation of education, with education being sold on the world market like any other product. With this global trend come issues that go beyond those of content, delivery and even language. E‐Learning materials are very expensive to produce so its success largely depends upon economies of scale, often this leads to a one‐size‐fits‐all pedagogy. Even locally produced e‐learning materials can suffer in this way as often the content is local but the instructional model is international. The result is that often local content is plugged into overseas e‐learning templates, without the model of instruction being modified to suit the learning style or the culture into which it is being delivered.

Thailand is a country with very unique, strong cultural traditions and her peoples have largely Buddhist religious beliefs. These two factors are interlocked and affect all aspects of Thai life, including education. Traditional Thai education has evolved to complement and sustain this unique and diverse culture. Copying e‐learning styles from overseas countries may not be suited to Thai students and more importantly, inappropriate e‐learning styles may affect Thai culture through influencing the values of the new generation.

This paper looks at this subject from a Thai perspective. Through the eyes of its authors, one of whom is who is Thai, it examines the links between culture and education in Thailand and looks at the way Thai students are taught to learn. The paper reports on one of the author's research into this area and concludes with suggestions for designers of Thai e‐learning.
A Structured Approach for Bringing Mobile Telecommunications to the World's Poor
Authors: Anderson Jamie
Published: December 2017

Why haven't mobile network operators seized the opportunity at the base of the economic pyramid? The explanations are well known; non‐existent distribution channels, illiteracy, poverty, and sometimes even war or violent insurgencies can stifle the enthusiasm of companies in serving people living in poverty. Indeed, most MNOs have elected to ignore these consumer segments, and focus on the ‘low hanging fruit – customers in the middle and upper income brackets. But while the vast majority of mobile operators have seen these challenges as insurmountable barriers, other have quietly pursued strategies of experimentation in developing unique product and service propositions for some of the world's most needy consumers. At the heart of these success stories has been the development of an approach that delivers a structured approach to serving the world's poor: the 4As – availability, affordability, awareness and acceptability.
E‐Commerce Diffusion in Small Island Countries: The Influence of Institutions in Barbados
Authors: Molla Alemayehu , Taylor Rodney , Licker Paul S.
Published: December 2017

This paper concerns the role of institutions in promoting the diffusion of e‐commerce. Using institutional theory as a framework of analysis, the paper evaluates institutional interventions over a six‐year period in Barbados and how that impacted on the national environment for e‐commerce. The paper explicates the institutional powers of influence and regulation in the context of the ideologies of market supply and demand for e‐commerce. It concludes that at the early stage of e‐commerce diffusion both public and external institutions play key roles in creating conducive conditions and in providing the impetus necessary for the spread of e‐commerce respectively. However, the sustainability of e‐commerce depends on ”bottom‐up” entrepreneurial mobilization to maintain the momentum for growth “top‐down” interventions create.
Unraveling the Impact of Investments in ICT, Education and Health on Development: An Analysis of Archival Data of Five West African Countries Using Regression Splines
Authors: Morawczynski Olga , Ngwenyama Ojelanki
Published: December 2017

For more than a decade African nations have been investing in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a strategy for fostering development. Under the auspices of international development agencies such as the United Nations (UN), and World Bank these nations have been constituting and implementing technology strategies that aim to bring ‘digital opportunities’ to all constituents—especially those who are impoverished and living in remote communities. These strategies have put new demands on national governments to invest both human and financial resources into the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure and the training of new users. Such investments, however, have received some scrutiny as some claim that developing nations should focus their limited financial resources on the improvement of education or healthcare. Others argue that these ICT investments are vital for development, but should be synergized with others such as education and healthcare. In this study we will employ Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) to explore the interaction amongst investments in ICT, education and healthcare. We further analyze how each class of investments impacts human development measures in five West African nations: Benin, Cameroon, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Niger. With such an analysis we illustrate the interdependencies amongst the three classes of investments and conclude that investments in ICTs alone are not enough to significantly impact human development. Complementary investments in education and healthcare must be given equal consideration.
The Power Law of Information: Life in a Connected World
Authors: Davison Robert M
Published: December 2017

Srinivasa, S. (2006) The Power Law of Information: Life in a Connected World, Sage Publications, ISBN: 0761935126 Price: Rs250
IT Application Service Offshoring: An Insider's Guide
Authors: Davison Robert M
Published: December 2017

Lewis, M. (2006) IT Application Service Offshoring: An Insider's Guide, Sage Publications, ISBN: 0761935258 Price: Rs295
Addressing The Digital Divide: E‐Governance and M‐Governance in A Hub and Spoke Model
Authors: Narayan Gyanendra
Published: December 2017

E‐governance has been perceived as a key to better governance. Though e‐governance is capable enough of reaching to its objective, the problem of last mile connection is still persistent in developing countries due to unavailability of required infrastructure to provide e‐governance with required depth. It has been witnessed that developing countries have deeper telephonic/mobile penetration than the internet penetration. Hence the use of telephone/mobile as a tool to supplement e‐governance in its last leg becomes imperative. The higher level penetration of mobile connection makes the problem of last mile connectivity somehow redundant. Mobile‐governance (m‐governance) may be used as supplement to e‐governance in a spoke and hub model. It will be helpful in bridging the digital divide particularly in rural areas and also in developing parts of world mainly Asia and Africa. This paper discusses e‐governance and m‐governance in a spoke and hub model. A generic process will be helpful for faster replication of services and greater penetration.
A Balanced Usability Checklist Approach to Evaluate Palestinian Hotel Websites
Authors: Abdinnour‐Helm Sue , Chaparro Barbara S.
Published: December 2017

This paper introduces a Balanced Usability Checklist (BUC) approach to assess the usability of ten Palestinian hotel websites. The BUC is a modified version of the known checklist analysis technique of user interfaces and includes dimensions for User Friendliness, Attractiveness, Marketing Effectiveness, and Technical Aspects of a website. Eight participants with experience in website design and usability were asked to evaluate each of the ten websites using the BUC approach. Overall, the hotel websites faired poorly on three out of the four dimensions. A relative ranking, based on the total score, was used to rank the hotels from 1 (highest) to 10 (lowest). This study has numerous implications, mainly for hotel managers wanting to improve the delivery of their services on the Internet. Results, limitations, and future research are discussed.
Behavioral Influences on E‐Commerce Adoption in a Developing Country Context
Authors: Uzoka Faith‐Michael E. , Shemi Alice P. , Seleka Geoffrey G.
Published: December 2017

Electronic commerce (e‐commerce) is rapidly gaining a prominent place in the global marketing matrix. The volume of transactions that are carried out over the Internet globally is extremely huge. It is estimated that in the next decade, e‐commerce activities would be a major source of foreign exchange, and a key indicator of national development. Studies show that e‐commerce development in developing countries, especially in Africa is comparatively very low. Infrastructural, economic, and management factors have been previously identified as contributing to the low level of e‐commerce development in developing countries. This study focuses on behavioural factors in the adoption of e‐commerce in developing countries. The results of the study show that perceived advantages, Internet and complexity, accessibility, and management support have statistically significant influence on the adoption of e‐commerce, while perceived disadvantages and other facilitating conditions do not significantly affect the decision to adopt e‐commerce. The study results tend to agree with the theory of planned behaviour, but attitude seems to weigh more than subjective norm and perceived behavioural control.
E‐Government and local Good Governance: A Pilot Project in Fez, Morocco
Authors: Kettani Driss , Moulin Bernard , Gurstein Michael , El Mahdi Asmae
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a research project working towards building a sustainable pilot E‐Government system for the ancient city of Fez in the developing country of Morocco. Specifically, this article goes through the range of understandings related to concepts of governance, good governance, and e‐government to identify ways to put in practice these notions and facilitate systematic assessment of outcomes and results of the project implementation. The article presents a methodology (Outcome Analysis) and identifies indicators for enabling a project Outcome Analysis as a measurement of the project's contribution to the improvement of good governance. Such a systematic assessment aims to contribute to the generation of knowledge and dissemination of lessons learned concerning the implications of e‐Government implementation for good governance.