Information systems offshore outsourcing: managerial conclusions from academic research

In the light of the growing interest raised by Information Systems Offshore Outsourcing both in the managerial world and in the academic arena, the present work carries out a revision of the research in this area. We have analysed 89 research articles on this topic published in 17 prestigious journals. The analysis deals with aspects such as research methodologies, level of analysis in the studies, data perspective, economic theories used or location of vendors and clients of these services; and it additionally identifies the most frequent topics in this field as well as the most prolific authors and countries. Although other reviews about the research in this area have been published, the present paper achieves a greater level of detail than previous works. The review of the literature in the area could have interesting implications not only for academics but also for business practice.

La Investigación en el área de Offshore Outsourcing de Sistemas de Información

El Offshore Outsourcing consiste en la externalización del trabajo relacionado con las Tecnologías de la Información a un proveedor localizado en un país diferente al cliente. Dado el creciente interés por el Offshore Outsourcing tanto en el mundo empresarial como académico, el presente trabajo realiza una revisión de la literatura en esta área. Se han analizado los artículos sobre el tema publicados en revistas de reconocido prestigio, examinando las metodologías de investigación, el nivel de análisis de los estudios, la perspectiva de datos, las teorías económicas más usadas, dónde se ubican los clientes y proveedores de estos servicios, qué tópicos son los más tratados y qué autores y países han aportado más hasta el momento en esta área. Las conclusiones destacan la falta de formalización teórica, el carácter fundamentalmente divulgativo y el mayor interés por conocer no sólo la perspectiva de los clientes sino también de los proveedores de estos servicios.

Facebook and Academic Performance: A Positive Outcome

The objective sought with the present paper consists in analyzing the literature about Facebook in order to know the conclusions of the different works with regard to its influence on those results. The examination of 37 papers devoted to this thematic area allows us to know which journals publish more about the impacts that Facebook has on academic performance, which data collection methods are more often used, which topics emerge in parallel to the use of Facebook in the academic context, and which countries are more prolific in this field. The conclusions suggest that, despite the divergence of results, the overall outcome is positive when it comes to the use of Facebook in academic environments.

Ventilated Stone Veneer: Mechanical Behaviour, Calculation Methodologies, Major Pathologies and Existing Tests

The increase of building pathologies related to the use of stone materials and the use of ventilated stone veneers, requires the reformulation of design concepts in building façades and also the reformulation of the architectural project. The aim of this paper is to identify, analyze and evaluate synthetically building pathologies in stone ventilated façades in order to obtain the main technical conditions to be considered in the architectural design, by interpreting its mechanical behavior and capabilities to prevent such pathologies and to ensure the proper features during the building lifetime. The methodology is based on both laboratory stone tests and in situ tests about construction systems, by analyzing physical and mechanical behavior of the outer layer in relation to other building requirements. The results imply the need of proper sizing, specific quality control and practical application of calculation methods, to control high concentration pressures in ventilated façades by reaching appropriate project solutions. In conclusion, the research about different pathologies of stone ventilated façades, the study of their mechanical behavior, their anchorage and their connection with their constructive aspects, will help to improve the construction quality of the stone ventilated façade in buildings and to enhance the use of natural stone in modern architecture.