Global virtual teamwork. Building and communicating trust through technology

Tutkimuksen ensisijaisena tavoitteena oli tarkastella luottamuksen rakentumista virtuaalitiimissä. Keskeistä tarkastelussa olivat luottamuksen lähteiden löytäminen, suhteen rakentuminen sekä teknologiavälitteinen kommunikaatio. Myös käytännön keinoja ja sovelluksia etsittiin. Tässä tutkimuksessa luottamus nähtiin tärkeänä yhteistyön mahdollistajana sekä keskeisenä elementtinä ihmisten välisten suhteiden rakentumisessa. Tämä tutkimus oli empiirinen ja kuvaileva tapaustutkimus. Tutkimuksessa kvalitatiivista aineistoa kerättiin pääasiassa web-pohjaisen kyselyn sekä puhelinhaastattelun avulla. Aineistonkeruu toteutettiin siis pääasiassa virtuaalisesti. Saatu aineisto analysoitiin teemoittelun avulla. Tässä työssä teemoja etsittiin tekstistä pääasiassa teoriasta johdettujen oletusten perusteella. Tutkimuksen tuloksena oli, että luottamusta rakentavia mekanismeja ovat, karkeasti luokiteltuna, yhteiset päämäärät ja vastuut, kommunikaatio, sosiaalinen kanssakäyminen ja informaation jakaminen, toisten huomioiminen ja henkilökohtaiset ominaisuudet. Mekanismit eivät suuresti eronneet luottamuksen rakentumisen mekanismeista perinteisessä kontekstissa. Virtuaalitiimityön alkuvaiheessa luottamus pohjautui käsityksille toisten tiimin jäsenten kyvykkyydestä. Myös institutionaalinen identifioituminen loi pohjaa luottamukselle alkuvaiheessa. Muuten luottamus rakentui vähän kerrassaan tehtävään liittyvän kommunikaation ja sosiaalisen kommunikaation kautta. Tekojen merkitys korostui erityisesti ajan myötä. Työssä esitettiin myös käytännön keinoja luottamuksen rakentamiseksi. Olemassa olevien teknologioiden havaittiin tukevan hyvin suhteen rakentumista tiedon jakamiseen ja sen varastoimiseen liittyvissä tehtävissä. Sen sijaan vuorovaikutuksen näkökulmasta tuen ei nähty olevan yhtä kattavaa. Kaiken kaikkiaan kuitenkin parannuksella sosiaalisissa suhteissa voitaneen saada enemmän aikaan kuin parannuksilla teknologian suhteen.

Konsentroitujen liuosten nanosuodatus

The aim of this thesis was to study the retentions of an organic acid and neutral components separately and in mixed solutions. The literature part of this study deals with factors affecting retention in nanofiltration. Nanofiltration is a complex process where many factors are affecting retention depending on the solution, molecule and membrane properties and their interactions. Concentrated model solutions were filtered with Desal-5 DL, NTR 7470 and NF 270 nanofiltration membranes in the experimental part of this work. The effects of pH, pressure and flux on retention were studied. Citric acid was used as the organic acid and the neutral components were inositol, betaine and xylitol. All components were filtered separately. The neutral compounds were also filtered together with citric acid. The filtrations were performed at Lappeenranta University of Technology using laboratory scale nanofiltration equipment. The retentions of neutral components were constant when filtered separately at different pH values. Citric acid had a significant influence on the retention of the neutral compounds. The retentions of neutral compounds decreased significantly when pH increased. The neutral compounds did not have any affect on the retention of citric acid. The retentions of model compounds increased when the flux increased.

New Algorithm for Managing Childhood Illness Using Mobile Technology (ALMANACH): A Controlled Non-Inferiority Study on Clinical Outcome and Antibiotic Use in Tanzania.

INTRODUCTION: The decline of malaria and scale-up of rapid diagnostic tests calls for a revision of IMCI. A new algorithm (ALMANACH) running on mobile technology was developed based on the latest evidence. The objective was to ensure that ALMANACH was safe, while keeping a low rate of antibiotic prescription. METHODS: Consecutive children aged 2-59 months with acute illness were managed using ALMANACH (2 intervention facilities), or standard practice (2 control facilities) in Tanzania. Primary outcomes were proportion of children cured at day 7 and who received antibiotics on day 0. RESULTS: 130/842 (15∙4%) in ALMANACH and 241/623 (38∙7%) in control arm were diagnosed with an infection in need for antibiotic, while 3∙8% and 9∙6% had malaria. 815/838 (97∙3%;96∙1-98.4%) were cured at D7 using ALMANACH versus 573/623 (92∙0%;89∙8-94∙1%) using standard practice (p<0∙001). Of 23 children not cured at D7 using ALMANACH, 44% had skin problems, 30% pneumonia, 26% upper respiratory infection and 13% likely viral infection at D0. Secondary hospitalization occurred for one child using ALMANACH and one who eventually died using standard practice. At D0, antibiotics were prescribed to 15∙4% (12∙9-17∙9%) using ALMANACH versus 84∙3% (81∙4-87∙1%) using standard practice (p<0∙001). 2∙3% (1∙3-3.3) versus 3∙2% (1∙8-4∙6%) received an antibiotic secondarily. CONCLUSION: Management of children using ALMANACH improve clinical outcome and reduce antibiotic prescription by 80%. This was achieved through more accurate diagnoses and hence better identification of children in need of antibiotic treatment or not. The building on mobile technology allows easy access and rapid update of the decision chart. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry PACTR201011000262218.

Technology transfer at the periphery of the Mycenaean world: the cases of Mycenaean pottery found in central Macedonia (Greece) and the Plain of Sybaris (Italy)

The study of technology transfer in pottery production to the periphery of the Mycenaean world has been addressed by considering two different areas, southern Italy and central Macedonia. Technological features such as ceramic paste, decoration and firing have been determined for different ceramic groups established according to provenance criteria. The studies of technology and provenance have been performed following an archaeometric approach, using neutron activation analysis, petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results have revealed the existence of two different models. On the one hand, southern Italy seems to exhibit a more organized pottery production, which follows a Mycenaean-like technology, while in central Macedonia production is probably more varied, being based in part on the technology of the local tradition.

Evaluation de la tolérance subjective et hémodynamique des membranes de dialyse à faible et haut flux chez les patients sous hémodialyse intermittente chronique : un essai contrôlé randomisé

Les membranes de dialyse à haut flux et à faible flux pourraient être liées à différents profils hemodynamiques pendant les séances de dialyse. Cette étude visait à comparer le profil hémodynamique des certains filtres de dialyse polysulfone couramment utilisés en Suisse. Nous avons réalisé une étude ouverte, cross-over, avec 25 pazients en hémodialyse On a comparés entre eux 4 filtres de polysulfone de la surface de 1 8 m2 A (Revaclear HF, Gambro), B (Helixone HF, Fresenius), C (Xevonta HF, BBraun) et D (Helixone LF Fresenius). Le profil hémodynamique a été mesuré en utilisant une technique non invasive et au patient a été demandé de fournir une opinion sur la tolérance à la seance de dialyse. La même membrane était utilisée pour 3 séances de suites Chaque semaine la membrane de dialyse était modifiée conformément à la séquence de randomisation. Pour chaque patient on a recueillie les données de 12 séances de dialyse. L'étude a été réalisé sur trois mois à compter de novembre 2012. Les analyses ont encore une fois montré la supériorité des filtres à haut débit comparés aux filtres à faible débit, et ne tendance à la supériorité du filtre Helixone (haut debit) comparé aux deux autres membranes. Les filtres à faible débit par rapport a ceux a haut debit sont associés ä une pression systolique et diastolique plus élevées a des résistances périphériques plus hautes et à un débit cardiaque plus faible L incidence d'épisodes d'hypotension en dialyse était la suivante: Revaclear HF (A) 70 Helixone HF (B) 87 Xevonta HF 73 (C), Helixone LF (D) 75. Le nombre d'épisodes d hypotension associée au filtre B était supérieure, de manière significative. La membrane à faible flux était associée à une pression artérielle supérieure à celles des membranes de haut flux. La membrane à haut flux Helixone garantie la meilleure efficacité de dialyse. Malheureusement, la même membrane est associée à une augmentation de l'incidence des épisodes d'hypotension, probablement due à un déséquilibré hé à l'efficacité de la dialyse. Malgré ces résultats, la tolérance subjective pour les différents filtres était comparable.

Catalytic gates for gas sensors based on SiC technology

En este trabajo se presenta un estudio químico y estructural de las capas metálicas de Pt y TaSix utilizadas como puerta catalítica en sensores de gas de alta temperatura basados en dispositivos MOS de SiC. Para ello se han depositado capas de diferentes espesores sobre substratos de Si. Los resultados muestran que con la reducción del espesor de Pt y con un recocido se consigue aumentar la rugosidad de las capas de puerta, lo que debería aumentar la sensibilidad y la velocidad de respuesta de los dispositivos que las incorporasen. Otro efecto del recocido es la transformación química del material de la puerta que, para capas delgadas de Pt con TaSix, produce la transformación total Pt en Pt2Ta, lo que podría afectar a las características catalíticas de la puerta. Los primeros resultados eléctricos indican que, a pesar de que las capas de Pt empleadas son gruesas y compactas, los diodos MOS túnel de SiC son sensibles a los gases CO y NO2, aunque presentan una velocidad de respuesta bastante lenta.

Studying social interactions through immersive virtual environment technology: Virtues, pitfalls, and future challenges

Thegoalofthepresentreviewistoexplainhowimmersivevirtualenvironmenttechnology(IVET)canbeusedforthestudyofsocialinteractionsandhowtheuseofvirtualhumansinimmersivevirtualenvironmentscanadvanceresearchandapplicationinmanydifferentfields.Researchersstudyingindividualdifferencesinsocialinteractionsaretypicallyinterestedinkeepingthebehaviorandtheappearanceoftheinteractionpartnerconstantacrossparticipants.WithIVETresearchershavefullcontrolovertheinteractionpartners,canstandardizethemwhilestillkeepingthesimulationrealistic.Virtualsimulationsarevalid:growingevidenceshowsthatindeedstudiesconductedwithIVETcanreplicatesomewell-knownfindingsofsocialpsychology.Moreover,IVETallowsresearcherstosubtlymanipulatecharacteristicsoftheenvironment(e.g.,visualcuestoprimeparticipants)orofthesocialpartner(e.g.,his/herrace)toinvestigatetheirinfluencesonparticipants'behaviorandcognition.Furthermore,manipulationsthatwouldbedifficultorimpossibleinreallife(e.g.,changingparticipants'height)canbeeasilyobtainedwithIVET.Besidetheadvantagesfortheoreticalresearch,weexplorethemostrecenttrainingandclinicalapplicationsofIVET,itsintegrationwithothertechnologies(e.g.,socialsensing)andfuturechallengesforresearchers(e.g.,makingthecommunicationbetweenvirtualhumansandparticipantssmoother).

Clustering and International Competitiveness of Information Technology Industry in the Saint Petersburg Area

The main objective of this study is to assess the potential of the information technology industry in the Saint Petersburg area to become one of the new key industries in the Russian economy. To achieve this objective, the study analyzes especially the international competitiveness of the industry and the conditions for clustering. Russia is currently heavily dependent on its natural resources, which are the main source of its recent economic growth. In order to achieve good long-term economic performance, Russia needs diversification in its well-performing industries in addition to the ones operating in the field of natural resources. The Russian government has acknowledged this and started special initiatives to promote such other industries as information technology and nanotechnology. An interesting industry that is basically less than 20 years old and fast growing in Russia, is information technology. Information technology activities and markets are mainly concentrated in Russia’s two biggest cities, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and areas around them. The information technology industry in the Saint Petersburg area, although smaller than Moscow, is especially dynamic and is gaining increasing foreign company presence. However, the industry is not yet internationally competitive as it lacks substantial and sustainable competitive advantages. The industry is also merely a potential global information technology cluster, as it lacks the competitive edge and a wide supplier and manufacturing base and other related parts of the whole information technology value system. Alone, the industry will not become a key industry in Russia, but it will, on the other hand, have an important supporting role for the development of other industries. The information technology market in the Saint Petersburg area is already large and if more tightly integrated to Moscow, they will together form a huge and still growing market sufficient for most companies operating in Russia currently and in the future. Therefore, the potential of information technology inside Russia is immense.

Digital Audio Broadcasting: Technology and Prospects

The subject of the thesis was the digital audio broadcasting technology developed in the Eureka project 147. The research was based on the literature on the subject. At first, some reasons for the digitisation of broadcasting technology were given. Next, the channel multiplexing and channel coding methods employed by digital radio were discussed. The design of these methods is based on certain phenomena related to the propagation of radio-frequency signals, and these phenomena were also described. After that, audio and data transfer mechanisms as well as the structure of digital radio network were explained. Furthermore, digital audio and data services were considered. Finally, the digital radio was examined from marketing and administrative aspects. From a merely technical point of view, the digital radio technology offers several improvements in comparison with analogue technology. However, the digital radio has not become as widespread as it was perhaps originally expected during its development.

CLARIN: common language resources and technology infrastructure

Presentamos el proyecto CLARIN, un proyecto cuyo objetivo es potenciar el uso de instrumentos tecnológicos en la investigación en las Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales

Partnering in the Dynamic Environment: The Role of Trust in Asymmetric Technology Partnership Formation

The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the role and nature of trust in asymmetric technology partnership formation. In the knowledge-based "learning race" knowledge is considered as a primary source for competitive advantage. In the emerging ICT sector the high pace of technological change, the convergence of technologies and industries as well as the increasing complexity and uncertainty have forced even the largest players to seek cooperation for complementary knowledge and capabilities. Small technology firms need the complementary resources and legitimacy of the large firms to grow and compete in the global market place. Most of the earlier research indicates, however, that partnerships with asymmetric size, managerial resources and cultures have failed. A basic assumption supported by earlier research was that trust is a critical factor in asymmetric technology partnership formation. Asymmetric technology partnership formation is a dynamic and multi-dimensional process, and consequently a holistic research approach was selected. Research issue was approached from different levels: the individual decision-maker, the firm and the relationship between the parties. Also the impact of the dynamic environment and technology content was analyzed. A multitheoretical approach and a qualitative research method with in-depth interviews in five large ICT companies and eight small ICT companies enabled a holistic and rich view of the research issue. Study contributes on the scarce understanding on the nature and evolution of trust in asymmetric technology partnership formation. It sheds also light on the specific nature of asymmetric technology partnerships. The partnerships were found to be tentative and the diverse strategic intent of small and large technology firms appeared as a major challenge. The role of the boundary spanner was highlighted as a possibility to match the incompatible organizational cultures. A shared vision was found to be a pre-condition for individual-based fast trust leading to intuitive decision-making and experimentation. The relationships were tentative and they were continuously re-evaluated through the key actors' sense making of the technology content, asymmetry and the dynamic environment. A multi-dimensional conceptualization for trust was created and propositions on the role and nature of trust for further research are given. The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the role and nature of trust in asymmetric technology partnership formation. In the knowledge-based "learning race" knowledge is considered as a primary source for competitive advantage. In the emerging ICT sector the high pace of technological change, the convergence of technologies and industries as well as the increasing complexity and uncertainty have forced even the largest players to seek cooperation for complementary knowledge and capabilities. Small technology firms need the complementary resources and legitimacy of the large firms to grow and compete in the global market place. Most of the earlier research indicates, however, that partnerships with asymmetric size, managerial resources and cultures have failed. A basic assumption supported by earlier research was that trust is a critical factor in asymmetric technology partnership formation. Asymmetric technology partnership formation is a dynamic and multi-dimensional process, and consequently a holistic research approach was selected. Research issue was approached from different levels: the individual decision-maker, the firm and the relationship between the parties. Also the impact of the dynamic environment and technology content was analyzed. A multitheoretical approach and a qualitative research method with in-depth interviews in five large ICT companies and eight small ICT companies enabled a holistic and rich view of the research issue. Study contributes on the scarce understanding on the nature and evolution of trust in asymmetric technology partnership formation. It sheds also light on the specific nature of asymmetric technology partnerships. The partnerships were found to be tentative and the diverse strategic intent of small and large technology firms appeared as a major challenge. The role of the boundary spanner was highlighted as a possibility to match the incompatible organizational cultures. A shared vision was found to be a pre-condition for individual-based fast trust leading to intuitive decision-making and experimentation. The relationships were tentative and they were continuously re-evaluated through the key actors' sense making of the technology content, asymmetry and the dynamic environment. A multi-dimensional conceptualization for trust was created and propositions on the role and nature of trust for further research are given.

Fabrication technology and applications of fiber Bragg gratings

In this thesis theoretical and technological aspects of fiber Bragg gratings (FBG) are considered. The fabrication of uniform and chirped fiber Bragg gratings using phase mask technique has been exploited throughout this study. Different requires of FBG inscription were considered and implemented experimentally to find economical and effective procedure. The hydrogen loading was used as a method for enhancement the photosensitivity of the fiber. The minimum loading time for uniform and chirped fiber Bragg gratings was determined as 3 days and 7 days at T = 50°C and hydrogen pressure 140 bar, respectively. The post-inscription annealing was considered to avoid excess losses induced by the hydrogen. The wavelength evolution during annealing was measured. The strain and temperature sensor application of FBG was considered. The wavelength shifts caused by tension and temperature were studied for both uniform and chirp fiber Bragg gratings.

Clustering and international competitiveness of information technology industry in the Saint Petersburg area

The main objective of this study is to assess the potential of the information technology industry in the Saint Petersburg area to become one of the new key industries in the Russian economy. To achieve this objective, the study analyzes especially the international competitiveness of the industry and the conditions for clustering. Russia is currently heavily dependent on its natural resources, which are the main source of its recent economic growth. In order to achieve good long-term economic performance, Russia needs diversification in its well-performing industries in addition to the ones operating in the field of natural resources. The Russian government has acknowledged this and started special initiatives to promote such other industries as information technology and nanotechnology. An interesting industry that is basically less than 20 years old and fast growing in Russia, is information technology. Information technology activities and markets are mainly concentrated in Russia’s two biggest cities, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and areas around them. The information technology industry in the Saint Petersburg area, although smaller than Moscow, is especially dynamic and is gaining increasing foreign company presence. However, the industry is not yet internationally competitive as it lacks substantial and sustainable competitive advantages. The industry is also merely a potential global information technology cluster, as it lacks the competitive edge and a wide supplier and manufacturing base and other related parts of the whole information technology value system. Alone, the industry will not become a key industry in Russia, but it will, on the other hand, have an important supporting role for the development of other industries. The information technology market in the Saint Petersburg area is already large and if more tightly integrated to Moscow, they will together form a huge and still growing market sufficient for most companies operating in Russia currently and in the future. Therefore, the potential of information technology inside Russia is immense.

Marketing in support of sales in industrial high technology company

The aim of this study is to find out how Metso Paper’s marketing could better support sales and how sales people are executing marketing during the sales processes. This study is done from sales people’s point of view. The study is limited to cover only company’s internal environment. This research was executed through literature review and qualitative theme interviews, where 20 of Metso Paper’s sales people were interviewed. The interviewees were asked to tell their opinions about marketing’s support, marketing materials, information and the relationship between sales and marketing. The results of this study show that the relationship between marketing and sales is rather good, but there is still a great need for improvements. It is hoped that marketing would take more part in the selling processes. In addition, more information about the launches and schedules were also hoped for. Marketing is told to be quite Finland centric and sales people are wishing for more adopted marketing materials and occasions. It came up during the interviews, that sales people are not so willing to give regular feedback to marketing and quite often they think that marketing’s role in Metso Paper is not important at all.