1522 research outputs found
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Management Support for Staff Knowledge Sharing in Higher Education Institutions (JAHE)
Get PDFPurpose of the research: This study focuses on staff knowledge sharing activity in higher education institutions (HEIs), which is recognised as being at low levels in these organisations. The advent of social media and its adoption by organisations in the form of enterprise social networks (ESN) is gathering pace, and its usefulness to organisational knowledge sharing can be seen through a number of characteristics it shares with a knowledge management technique known as communities of practice. A conceptual model is presented with enterprise social networks and virtual communities of practice (vCoP) at its core. The formal objective of the research is to investigate how ESN can enable staff knowledge sharing in vCoP in HEIs.
Methodology: The study is based on a 12 month Action research project in the host organization, a medium-sized HEI in Ireland. The study is qualitative in nature and data collection instruments included focus groups and semi-structured interviews.
Findings: The findings indicate that management support is a key antecedent for the establishment if an active knowledge sharing environment. Management must facilitate and encourage knowledge sharing activities rather than mandating or instructing them.
Implications: The findings have implications for HEIs in their attitudes towards knowledge sharing and their understanding of its importance. The findings can also help in the creation and management of active knowledge sharing communities in HEIs and will be of interest to practitioners and researchers working in this area
Internet-das-Bionano-Coisas: Conectando-se às Nanomáquinas
Get PDFThe Internet-of-things attracts the attention of many researchers in computer networks with the challenge of providing connectivity to a huge quantity of devices. This reality can be further complicated once again with the recent proposed Internet-of-bionano-things. Nanomachines, natural or synthetic, will be able to communicate to each other and to the Internet through the means of communication systems that are being developed at the nano-scale with the goal of cooperatively executing complex tasks. This technology requires a complete revision of the TCP/IP architecture to accommodate the requirements and demands of the nanonetworks. This chapter aims at introducing this research field to the computer network community, presenting the different types of communicating networks, an initial reformulation of the TCP/IP architecture, research challenges and the applications for the nanonetworks. This technology enables a revolution in the society and affects directly areas, such as medicine, agriculture, pollution and even industry
THE POWER OF STORYTELLING IN THE CO-CREATION OF TOURISM EXPERIENCES
Get PDFThe consumer experience is central to tourism research and practice, where the concept of experiential consumption and the process of co-creation are receiving increased attention. In addition, interpretive storytelling is being advocated as a co-creation tool that facilitates more pleasurable experiences for tourists. This study aims to contribute to this emerging discourse by exploring how interpretive storytelling can act as an engagement platform and value enhancing strategic resource that impels the value cocreation journey and shapes the tourist experiences at a Historic House Tourist Attraction (HHTA)? Service Dominant Logic (SDL) emerged as the most appropriate theoretical lens to study this topic due to its provider/customer balance, process orientation and application in tourism research. However, a review of the literature on storytelling in the co-creation of the tourism experience fails to provide illumination on the key issues required to answer the proposed research question. Details on how the co-creation process occurs, the role of the people within the experience and influencing dimensions are critically absent. This study gives prominence to these factors through six units of analysis; it will identify the co-creation process through the performance of stories; the role and function of the people and how and when they derive pleasure (value); the influencing aspects of the environment or place; and their perspective on how they feel and think during the experience. Observation is coupled with interviews to capture the dual perspective of both guides and tourists in this ethnographic study and empirical investigation is situated in the context of guided tours at Huntington Castle, Ireland as a single case site. Analysis adopts a narrative approach of structural (how), thematic (what), and interaction (who, when and why) analysis; Structural analysis focuses on how stories are formed and their classification. Thematic analysis focuses on content to uncover similarities and divergences clustered into themes. Interactional analysis examines the physical and dialogic interaction between actors (e.g. guide, tourist and others). Findings suggest that structured stories, regardless of genre, act as a platform of engagement by stimulating interaction between guide and tourist. In these interactive encounters co-creation takes place through the guide’s actions of interpretation and performance and the tourist’s integration of their own resources to produce physical, sensorial, cognitive and emotional reactions. Therefore, the guide acts as an enabler and the tourist as responder. Together, they co-construct the narrative in the mind of the tourist and co-create the on-site experience at the HHTA. Value or pleasure is accumulated from these episodic story based interactions and is determined by the tourist through post experience reflection. The process and appropriation of pleasure is influenced by the authenticity of the guide and storyscape (environment); the cognitive processes of imagination and immersion; and, the affective responses of empathy and personal reflection. The memorable effect of the stories and the attainment of learning, further contribute to the acquisition of pleasure. This study contributes by providing a theoretical conceptualization and practical framework for the design and management of a Story Enhanced Tourism Experience (SETE). Tourism scholarship is expanded by unifying storytelling and the marketing cocreation theory to conceptualize this experience. The framework has an applied value by providing managerial insights and strategic direction to national and international attractions intending to enhance their tourist experiences through storytelling. It also provides empirical support to the national policy emphasis on storytelling at heritage attractions
Computational Models for Trapping Ebola Virus Using Engineered Bacteria
Get PDFThe outbreak of Ebola virus in recent years has
resulted in numerous research initiatives to seek new solutions
to contain the virus. A number of approaches that have been
investigated include new vaccines to boost the immune system.
An alternative post-exposure treatment is presented in this
paper. The proposed approach for clearing Ebola virus can
be developed through a microfluidic attenuator, which contains
the engineered bacteria that traps Ebola flowing through the
blood onto its membrane. The paper presents the analysis of
the chemical binding force between the virus and a genetically
engineered bacterium considering the opposing forces acting on
the attachment point, including hydrodynamic tension and drag
force. To test the efficacy of the technique, simulations of bacterial
motility within a confined area to trap the virus were performed.
More than 60% of the displaced virus could be collected within
15 minutes. While the proposed approach currently focuses on
in vitro environments for trapping the virus, the system can be
further developed into the future for treatment whereby blood
can be cycled out of the body into a microfluidic device that
contains the engineered bacteria to trap viruses
Fog assisted application support for animal behaviour analysis and health monitoring in dairy farming
Get PDFWith the exponential growth rate of technology, the future of all activities, including dairy farming involves an omnipresence of widely connected devices. Internet of things (IoT), fog computing, cloud computing and data analytics together offer a great opportunity to increase productivity in the dairy industry. In this paper, we present a fog computing assisted application system for animal behaviour analysis and health monitoring in a dairy farming scenario. The sensed data from sensors is sent to a fog based platform for data classification and analysis, which includes decision making capabilities. The solution aims towards keeping track of the animals' well-being by delivering early warning alerts generated through behavioural analytics, thus aiding the farmer to monitor the health of their livestock and the capability to identify potential diseases at an early stage, thereby also helping in increasing milk yield and productivity. The proposed system follows a service based model, avoids vendor lock-in, and is also scalable to add new features such as the detection of calving, heat, and issues like lameness
Exploring the Impact of External Investors on Resource Availability in High Potential Start-up Businesses in Ireland
Get PDFThis research explores the impact of external investment on resource availability in high potential start-up (HPSU) businesses in Ireland, in the context of developing internal sources of competitive advantage. Only a minority of early stage businesses exploiting some form of innovation or engaging in research and development (R&D) require external equity-based investment. This study explores how HPSUs engage with external investors to increase resource availability in their firms, thus allowing them to develop resources in pursuit of competitive advantage. A conceptual framework is developed depicting resource availability in HPSUs in the context of developing resources in pursuit of competitive advantage. The framework is underpinned by resource-based view (RBV) theory with the intent of extending RBV theory to smaller, high potential early stage businesses. The research adopts a qualitative interpretivist multiple case study method, utilising in-depth interviews with the HPSU CEOs, followed by group interviews with employees and co-founders in tandem with analysis of firm documentation. Seven HPSUs participated in this study between June and December 2017. A novel approach in this research is the focus on the perspectives of the recipients of the investments, that is the early stage businesses. The capture of these perspectives enables this study to construct a comprehensive description of HPSU activities prior to and after securing external investment. The research describes how goal setting at firm-level leads to resource needs identification and consequently to interactions with external investors to acquire resources for the HPSUs. It then discusses how HPSUs configure financial and non-financial resources in pursuit of competitive advantage for the firms. The research findings conclude that HPSUs acquire investment from a variety of sources and configure those financial and non-financial resources in a manner that affords them competitive advantage in the market. The overarching conclusion is that HPSUs are not typical early stage firms, as they are not resource poor in all categories. They can be regarded as rich in non-financial resources such as founders’ experience, technical skills, IP rights and valuable connections via founders’ networks. Limited financial resources curtail their potential. That potential is augmented through the receipt of external investment. Several practical recommendations are made for HPSUs and prospective HPSUs, for Government funded bodies supporting early stage businesses, and for investors and debt providers. This research extends the application of RBV to the entrepreneurial environment of small firms by describing the contextual environment of HPSUs and how they organise their firm resources to develop resources in pursuit of competitive advantage. A contribution to theory is achieved by extending the application of RBV to resource-rich, cash-poor, high potential, early stage businesses
The Development of Non-Invasive Genetic Methods for Bats of the British Isles
Get PDFBats play an important role in the ecosystem of the British Isles, but are vulnerable to population decline due to human activities and thus are the subject of much scientific research. Non-invasive DNA sampling is commonly used in scientific studies of wild mammal species, but is still used in relatively few genetic studies of bat species. The overall aim of this thesis is to develop molecular techniques for application to the bat species of the British Isles. Species-specific real-time PCR primers, targeting the cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene, were designed for the identification of eighteen resident bat species in the British Isles. These primers were applied to a field survey of bat roosts in Ireland, in Counties Galway, Kildare, Waterford and Wexford, from which non-invasively collected faecal DNA samples were obtained. The lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros) is one of Ireland’s rarest bat species, and its population is monitored nationally each summer by emergence counts of at known summer roosts. The sex ratio of adult bats present in these roosts is an important part of calculating national population estimates, but no empirical data on this sex ratio are available from Ireland. Real-time PCR sex typing assays for the lesser horseshoe bat were designed, targeting the ZFX, SRY and DBY genes. Using these sex typing assays and previously published microsatellite DNA markers, the sex ratio of adult bats was examined at six lesser horseshoe bat summer roosts across the species’ range in Ireland using faecal DNA samples. The lesser horseshoe bat’s range in Ireland is limited to geographically isolated parts of the counties of the west coast. The population genetics of the species was examined using microsatellite genotyping of faecal DNA samples from 21 colonies from across its range, to assess the level of interbreeding and possible risk of inbreeding within this population
Motivation and local food tourism: a review of the literature
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this study is to provide a synthesis and an extended discussion of the literature relating to tourist motivation and food tourism. It presents a Review of the academic literature and provides insights into the specific issues addressed by studies in this area. Design/methodology/approach: A search of major research databases with multiple keywords was performed to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles. A total of 44 articles were identified and analysed using the using the data analysis software NVivo. Based on a qualitative thematic analysis, four themes were identified; defining motivation, motivation theories, local food as a motivating factor in tourist destination choice and tourist motivation to eat local food on holiday. Findings: It was found that local food can be a primary reason to choose a destination for some tourists but a secondary motivator for others. It is further suggested that individual attitudes towards local food can influence the behaviours of tourists. Behaviours affect travel motivation and destination choice and can influence approaches to local food experiences while at a destination. Research implications: This study contributes to the current body of knowledge on motivation and local food tourism. The analysis of the different issues addressed by the literature could build the foundation for future research. Originality/value: This study presents a comprehensive review of the literature on motivation in local food tourism. It can serve as a roadmap of literature for both academics and practitioners and help stimulate further interest
Simulation of Signal Coverage for Terahertz Communications
Get PDFRecent progress in wireless communication technology has started to see proposals for spectrum operation in the Terahertz band (0.1 THz to 10 THz), which will lead to data rates close to Terabit per second (Tbps). However,there are a number of challenges with the signals operating in the THz band, and this includes the requirements of Line-of-sight, signal attenuation due to molecular absorption, as well as signal scattering upon reflection from rough surfaces. This paper addresses a software-defined reflector solution for mirror-assisted terahertz communications. The paper also discusses future outlook that further improve reflectos for terahertz communications
'THE TRUSTWORTHY HEADHUNTER' – THE INFLUENCING FACTORS OF THE SEARCH CONSULTANT'S TRUSTWORTHINESS AND THE IMPACT ON TRUST BEHAVIOUR
Get PDFTrust has long been a subject of academic interest from philosophical, moral and ethical
standpoints, followed by scientific trust research in the fields of sociology, psychology and in
the organisational and business context. This study focusses on the role of trust in the context
of headhunting. Based on the “integrative model of organisational trust” by Mayer et al. (1995),
the author developed a conceptual framework, positing the influence of the perception of a
headhunter's trustworthiness by both candidates and clients on their trust behaviour in the initial
exchange phase, when trust is established - or not.
A deductive, quantitative approach was chosen to test this framework and related hypotheses
with a web-based survey. Data was gathered from 282 candidates and 175 clients. Regression
and mediator/moderator analyses revealed that perceived trustworthiness shows a significant
direct, positive impact on trust behaviour for both candidates and clients. Trust propensity is
supported as a moderator for both. Risk perception serves as a moderator in the client
environment. Membership in an industry association is supported as a moderator in the
candidate environment.
This study contributes to practice by explaining the mechanisms behind being perceived as
trustworthy and its impact on business, by successfully acquiring client projects, winning
candidates for those projects and building long-term business relationships. The results make
headhunters aware of the importance of being perceived as trustworthy for their business
success. It can help search firms in hiring and developing their consulting talent and help
candidates and clients to make better selection decisions for headhunters.
The theoretical contribution of this study lies in its confirmation of the relationship between
perceived trustworthiness and trust behaviour in the context of headhunting. The study can also
serve as a basis for further research in the role of trust in headhunting or related fields of
business, such as coaching and consulting