Entrepreneurship, Service Innovation, International Expansion and Performance in SMEs: Empirical Evidence from Finnish ICT Industry

The thesis aims to clarify the mixed results of prior literature regarding the performance impacts of entrepreneurship and human capital through service innovation and international expansion. The thesis examines the factors affecting degree of internationalization (DOI) and performance in ICT SMEs. These factors are entrepreneurial orientation (EO), human capital and service innovation (SI). The data was collected via questionnaire from Finnish ICT SMEs. The results suggest that EO consist of three dimensions that have different impact in DOI and SI. Also DOI has inverted U-shaped relationship with international performance, whereas DOI-profitability relationship is linear. The results of the study suggest that SMEs should not blindly increase their DOI, and that strategic focus is important.

The Changing Role of the CIO: Developing Skills by Means of Postgraduate Educational Programs

The objective of this research was to identify the skills and competences required by Chief Information Officers in their professional life and whether these skills can be developed by means of postgraduate education pro-grams. Although the changing role of the CIO has been studied for years by the academia, the ways of necessary skills development have not been paid significant attention. In order to obtain understanding of the topic and its main issues qualitative method was implemented and questionnaires and interviews were conducted with CIOs and other C-level executives to-gether with analysis of the curricula of postgraduate educational programs in the field of business designed for executives. Business skills and knowledge along with developed communication and leadership skills are among the most discussed and required from CIOs. According to the collected data and its further analysis, although the most important competences of an IT executive are technological, the im-portance of business related skills is emphasized by the majority of re-spondents and supported by the existing theory. Postgraduate educational programs have curricula that can develop the required competences, alt-hough not equally.

Isolation, expansion and differentiation of cellular progenitors obtained from dental pulp of agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha Wagler, 1831)

Abstract: The study aimed to isolate, expand, differentiate and characterize progenitor cells existent in the dental pulp of agouti. The material was washed with PBS solution and dissociated mechanically with the aid of a scalpel blade on plates containing culture medium D-MEM/F-12, and incubated at 5% CO2-37⁰C. The growth curve, CFU assay, osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation and characterization were obtained from the isolation. The cells began to be released from the explant tissue around the 7th day of culture. By day 22 of culture, cells reached 80% confluence. At the UFC test, 81 colonies were counted with 12 days of cultivation. The growth curves before and after freezing showed a regular growth with intense proliferation and clonogenic potential. The cell differentiation showed formation of osteoblasts and fat in culture, starting at 15 days of culture in a specific medium. Flow cytometry (FACs) was as follows: CD34 (positive), CD14 (negative), CD45 (negative), CD73 (positive), CD79 (negative), CD90 (positive), CD105 (positive), demonstrating high specificity and commitment of isolated cells with mesenchymal stem cells strains. These results suggest the existence of a cell population of stem cells with mesenchymal features from the isolated tissue in the explants of agouti dental pulp, a potential model for study of stem cell strains obtained from the pulp tissue.

Koulutusinflaatio. Koulutusekspansio ja koulutuksen arvo Suomessa 1970–2008

Sotienjälkeisenä aikana Suomessa jokainen sukupolvi on ollut edellistä korkeammin koulutettu ja kehitys näyttää yhä vain jatkuvan. Kun 1970-luvulla alle kolmanneksella väestöstä oli perusasteen jälkeinen koulutus, nykyään vähintään keskiasteen koulutuksen puuttuminen on lähes yhtä harvinaista. Koulutusinflaatio viittaa koulutuksen arvon laskuun työmarkkinoilla. Koulutuksen arvon inflatoituessa saman tasoisella koulutuksella päädytään yhä alempiin yhteiskunnallisiin asemiin. Väitöskirjassa tarkastellaan koulutuksen arvon muuttumista Suomessa vuosina 1970–2008. Empiirinen osuus muodostuu kolmesta referee-journaaleissa julkaistusta artikkelista. Ensimmäisessä artikkelissa tarkastellaan ylemmän toimihenkilön asemaan päätyneiden osuutta sekä suhteellista tulotasoa eri koulutusasteilla. Toinen artikkeli keskittyy koulutuksen ja huono-osaisuuden väliseen yhteyteen. Kolmannessa artikkelissa tarkastellaan koulutusekspansion ja koulutusinflaation välistä yhteyttä. Kahdessa ensimmäisessä artikkelissa käytetään samaa rekisteripohjaista otosaineistoa.Aineisto koostuu neljästä 4000 henkilön otoksesta, jotka edustavat 30–39-vuotiaita suomalaisia vuosina 1970, 1980, 1990 ja 2000. Kolmannessa artikkelissa käytetään aggregaattidataa vuosilta 1970, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1993, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 ja 2008. Viimeinen aineisto kattaa 30–39-vuotiaat työlliset suomalaiset mainituilta vuosilta, se ei siis ole otospohjainen. Tulosten perusteella koulutusinflaatio on ollut Suomessa vahvaa, erityisesti alimmalla korkea-asteella ja alemmalla korkeakouluasteella. Hyvinvointipuutteet lisääntyivät vähiten koulutettujen keskuudessa, mutta vähemmän kuin olisi voinut olettaa. Raja, jonka ylittävällä koulutuksella hyvinvointipuutteiden riski laskee huomattavasti, on noussut – perusasteen ja keskiasteen välistä keskiasteen ja alimman korkea-asteen väliin. Koulutusekspansion yhteys koulutusinflaatioon on ollut erittäin vahva, erityisesti alemmalla korkeakouluasteella.

Handshake ecosystem for Educational Contents between Institutional Repository and OER based Repository

Poster at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Release of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide after volume expansion is not related to pituitary-adrenal axis diurnal variation in normal subjects

The existence of a circadian rhythm of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in humans is controversial. We studied the plasma ANP response to isotonic blood volume expansion in the morning and in the afternoon and its relationship with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-cortisol diurnal variation in seven normal subjects. Basal plasma ANP level was similar in the morning (19.6 ± 2.4 pg/ml) and in the afternoon (21.8 ± 4.8 pg/ml). The ANP peak obtained with saline infusion (0.9% NaCl, 12 ml/kg) in the morning (49.4 ± 8 pg/ml) did not differ from that obtained in the afternoon (60.3 ± 10.1 pg/ml). There was no correlation between the individual mean cortisol and ACTH levels and the ANP peak obtained with saline infusion. These data indicate no diurnal variation in plasma ANP secretion induced by blood volume expansion and no relationship between plasma ANP peak and ACTH-cortisol diurnal variation

Gastroduodenal resistance and neural mechanisms involved in saline flow decrease elicited by acute blood volume expansion in anesthetized rats

We have previously demonstrated that blood volume (BV) expansion decreases saline flow through the gastroduodenal (GD) segment in anesthetized rats (Xavier-Neto J, dos Santos AA & Rola FH (1990) Gut, 31: 1006-1010). The present study attempts to identify the site(s) of resistance and neural mechanisms involved in this phenomenon. Male Wistar rats (N = 97, 200-300 g) were surgically manipulated to create four gut circuits: GD, gastric, pyloric and duodenal. These circuits were perfused under barostatically controlled pressure (4 cmH2O). Steady-state changes in flow were taken to reflect modifications in circuit resistances during three periods of time: normovolemic control (20 min), expansion (10-15 min), and expanded (30 min). Perfusion flow rates did not change in normovolemic control animals over a period of 60 min. BV expansion (Ringer bicarbonate, 1 ml/min up to 5% body weight) significantly (P<0.05) reduced perfusion flow in the GD (10.3 ± 0.5 to 7.6 ± 0.6 ml/min), pyloric (9.0 ± 0.6 to 5.6 ± 1.2 ml/min) and duodenal (10.8 ± 0.4 to 9.0 ± 0.6 ml/min) circuits, but not in the gastric circuit (11.9 ± 0.4 to 10.4 ± 0.6 ml/min). Prazosin (1 mg/kg) and yohimbine (3 mg/kg) prevented the expansion effect on the duodenal but not on the pyloric circuit. Bilateral cervical vagotomy prevented the expansion effect on the pylorus during the expansion but not during the expanded period and had no effect on the duodenum. Atropine (0.5 mg/kg), hexamethonium (10 mg/kg) and propranolol (2 mg/kg) were ineffective on both circuits. These results indicate that 1) BV expansion increases the GD resistance to liquid flow, 2) pylorus and duodenum are important sites of resistance, and 3) yohimbine and prazosin prevented the increase in duodenal resistance and vagotomy prevented it partially in the pylorus

Effect of pyloroplasty and fundectomy on the delay of gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit of liquid elicited by acute blood volume expansion in awake rats

We evaluated the effects of fundectomy and pyloroplasty on the delay of gastric emptying (GE) and gastrointestinal (GI) transit of liquid due to blood volume (BV) expansion in awake rats. Male Wistar rats (N = 76, 180-250 g) were first submitted to fundectomy (N = 26), Heinecke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty (N = 25) or SHAM laparotomy (N = 25). After 6 days, the left external jugular vein was cannulated and the animals were fasted for 24 h with water ad libitum. The test meal was administered intragastrically (1.5 ml of a phenol red solution, 0.5 mg/ml in 5% glucose) to normovolemic control animals and to animals submitted to BV expansion (Ringer-bicarbonate, iv infusion, 1 ml/min, volume up to 5% body weight). BV expansion decreased GE and GI transit rates in SHAM laparotomized animals by 52 and 35.9% (P<0.05). Fundectomy increased GE and GI transit rates by 61.1 and 67.7% (P<0.05) and prevented the effect of expansion on GE but not on GI transit (13.9% reduction, P<0.05). Pyloroplasty also increased GE and GI transit rates by 33.9 and 44.8% (P<0.05) but did not prevent the effect of expansion on GE or GI transit (50.7 and 21.1% reduction, P<0.05). Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy blocked the effect of expansion on GE and GI transit in both SHAM laparotomized animals and animals submitted to pyloroplasty. In conclusion 1) the proximal stomach is involved in the GE delay due to BV expansion but is not essential for the establishment of a delay in GI transit, which suggests the activation of intestinal resistances, 2) pyloric modulation was not apparent, and 3) vagal pathways are involved

Acute blood volume expansion delays the gastrointestinal transit of a charcoal meal in awake rats

The present study evaluates the effect of blood volume expansion on the gastrointestinal transit of a charchoal meal (2.5 ml of an aqueous suspension consisting of 5% charcoal and 5% gum arabic) in awake male Wistar rats (200-270 g). On the day before the experiments, the rats were anesthetized with ether, submitted to left jugular vein cannulation and fasted with water ad libitum until 2 h before the gastrointestinal transit measurement. Blood volume expansion by iv infusion of 1 ml/min Ringer bicarbonate in volumes of 3, 4 or 5% body weight delayed gastrointestinal transit at 10 min after test meal administration by 21.3-26.7% (P<0.05), but no effect was observed after 1 or 2% body weight expansion. The effect of blood volume expansion (up to 5% body weight) on gastrointestinal transit lasted for at least 60 min (P<0.05). Mean arterial pressure increased transiently and central venous pressure increased and hematocrit decreased (P<0.05). Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy and yohimbine (3 mg/kg) prevented the delay caused by expansion on gastrointestinal transit, while atropine (0.5 mg/kg), L-NAME (2 mg/kg), hexamethonium (10 mg/kg), prazosin (1 mg/kg) or propranolol (2 mg/kg) were ineffective. These data show that blood volume expansion delays the gastrointestinal transit of a charcoal meal and that vagal and yohimbine-sensitive pathways appear to be involved in this phenomenon. The delay in gastrointestinal transit observed here, taken together with the modifications of gastrointestinal permeability to salt and water reported by others, may be part of the mechanisms involved in liquid excess management.

Nitrergic modulation of vasopressin, oxytocin and atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in response to sodium intake and hypertonic blood volume expansion

The central nervous system plays an important role in the control of renal sodium excretion. We present here a brief review of physiologic regulation of hydromineral balance and discuss recent results from our laboratory that focus on the participation of nitrergic, vasopressinergic, and oxytocinergic systems in the regulation of water and sodium excretion under different salt intake and hypertonic blood volume expansion (BVE) conditions. High sodium intake induced a significant increase in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the medial basal hypothalamus and neural lobe, while a low sodium diet decreased NOS activity in the neural lobe, suggesting that central NOS is involved in the control of sodium balance. An increase in plasma concentrations in vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OT), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and nitrate after hypertonic BVE was also demonstrated. The central inhibition of NOS by L-NAME caused a decrease in plasma AVP and no change in plasma OT or ANP levels after BVE. These data indicate that the increase in AVP release after hypertonic BVE depends on nitric oxide production. In contrast, the pattern of OT secretion was similar to that of ANP secretion, supporting the view that OT is a neuromodulator of ANP secretion during hypertonic BVE. Thus, neurohypophyseal hormones and ANP are secreted under hypertonic BVE in order to correct the changes induced in blood volume and osmolality, and the secretion of AVP in this particular situation depends on NOS activity.

GABA in the central amygdaloid nucleus modulates the electrolyte excretion and hormonal responses to blood volume expansion in rats

We investigated the involvement of GABAergic mechanisms of the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA) in unanesthetized rats subjected to acute isotonic or hypertonic blood volume expansion (BVE). Male Wistar rats bearing cannulas unilaterally implanted in the CeA were treated with vehicle, muscimol (0.2 nmol/0.2 µL) or bicuculline (1.6 nmol/0.2 µL) in the CeA, followed by isotonic or hypertonic BVE (0.15 or 0.3 M NaCl, 2 mL/100 g body weight over 1 min). The vehicle-treated group showed an increase in sodium excretion, urinary volume, plasma oxytocin (OT), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels compared to control rats. Muscimol reduced the effects of BVE on sodium excretion (isotonic: 2.4 ± 0.3 vs vehicle: 4.8 ± 0.2 and hypertonic: 4.0 ± 0.7 vs vehicle: 8.7 ± 0.6 µEq·100 g-1·40 min-1); urinary volume after hypertonic BVE (83.8 ± 10 vs vehicle: 255.6 ± 16.5 µL·100 g-1·40 min-1); plasma OT levels (isotonic: 15.3 ± 0.6 vs vehicle: 19.3 ± 1 and hypertonic: 26.5 ± 2.6 vs vehicle: 48 ± 3 pg/mL), and ANP levels (isotonic: 97 ± 12.8 vs vehicle: 258.3 ± 28.1 and hypertonic: 160 ± 14.6 vs vehicle: 318 ± 16.3 pg/mL). Bicuculline reduced the effects of isotonic or hypertonic BVE on urinary volume and ANP levels compared to vehicle-treated rats. However, bicuculline enhanced the effects of hypertonic BVE on plasma OT levels. These data suggest that CeA GABAergic mechanisms are involved in the control of ANP and OT secretion, as well as in sodium and water excretion in response to isotonic or hypertonic blood volume expansion.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with educational inequalities among Brazilian adults: a population-based study

The present study estimated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) according to the criteria established by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATPIII) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and analyzed the contribution of social factors in an adult urban population in the Southeastern region of Brazil. The sample plan was based on multistage probability sampling according to family head income and educational level. A random sample of 1116 subjects aged 30 to 79 years was studied. Participants answered a questionnaire about socio-demographic variables and medical history. Fasting capillary glucose (FCG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides were determined and all non-diabetic subjects were submitted to the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), waist circumference and blood pressure (BP) were determined. Age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of MS was 35.9 and 43.2% according to NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria, respectively. Substantial agreement was found between NCEP-ATPIII and IDF definitions. Low HDL-C levels and high BP were the most prevalent MS components according to NCEP-ATPIII criteria (76.3 and 59.2%, respectively). Considering the diagnostic criteria adopted, 13.5% of the subjects had diabetes and 9.7% had FCG ≥100 mg/dL. MS prevalence was significantly associated with age, skin color, BMI, and educational level. This cross-sectional population-based study in the Southeastern region of Brazil indicates that MS is highly prevalent and associated with an important social indicator, i.e., educational level. This result suggests that in developing countries health policy planning to reduce the risk of MS, in particular, should consider improvement in education.

Software business expansion through distribution channel : Case M-Files - Denmark

The purpose of this study was to find out how a software company can successfully expand business to the Danish software market through distribution channel. The study was commissioned by a Finnish software company and it was conducted using a qualitative research method by analyzing external and internal business environment, and interviewing Danish ICT organizations and M-Files personnel. Interviews were semi-structured interviews, which were designed to collect comprehensive information on the existing ICT and software market in Denmark. The research used three external and internal analyzing frameworks; PEST analysis (market level), Porter´s Five Force analysis (industry level competition) and SWOT analysis (company level). Distribution channels theory was a base to understand why and what kind of distribution channels the case company uses, and what kind of channels target markets companies’ uses. Channel strategy and design were integrated to the industry level analysis. The empirical findings revealed that Denmark has very business friendly ICT environment. Several organizations have ranked Denmark´s information and communication technology as the best in the world. Denmark’s ICT and software market are relatively small, compared to many other countries in Europe. Danish software market is centralized. Largest software clusters are in the largest cities; Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg. From these clusters, software companies can most likely find suitable resellers. The following growing trends are clearly seen in the software market: mobile and wireless applications, outsourcing, security solutions, cloud computing, social business solutions and e-business solutions. When expanding software business to the Danish market, it is important to take into account these trends. In Denmark distribution channels varies depending on the product or service. For many, a natural distribution channel is a local partner or internet. In the public sector solutions are purchased through a public procurement process. In the private sector the buying process is more straight forwarded. Danish companies are buying software from reliable suppliers. This means that they usually buy software direct from big software vendors or local partners. Some customers prefer to use professional consulting companies. These consulting companies can strongly influence on the selection of the supplier and products, and in this light, consulting companies can be important partners for software companies. Even though the competition is fierce in ECM and DMS solutions, Danish market offers opportunities for foreign companies. Penetration to the Danish market through reseller channel requires advanced solutions and objective selection criteria for channel partners. Based on the findings, Danish companies are interested in advanced and efficient software solutions. Interest towards M-Files solutions was clearly seen and the company has excellent opportunity to expand business to the Danish market through reseller channel. Since the research explored the Danish ICT and software market, the results of the study may offer valuable information also to the other software companies which are expanding their business to the Danish market.