Between Divinity and Dullness: The Advent of Personal Computers in Italian Literature

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-42
Author(s):  
Eleonora Lima
Keyword(s):  
Personal Computer ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Italian Literature ◽  
Mass Diffusion ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Personal Computers ◽  
Cultural Impact ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Computer Culture

This article examines the cultural impact of personal computers in Italian literature in the first decade of their mass diffusion (from the mid-1980s to the second half of the 1990s) through the analysis of four texts written by some of the most respected writers of the time: Primo Levi’s article “Personal Golem” (1985), Umberto Eco’s novel Il pendolo di Foucault (1988), Francesco Leonetti’s novel Piedi in cerca di cibo (1995), and Daniele Del Giudice’s story “Evil Live” (1997). More than simply addressing the advent of personal computers, what these texts have in common is the use of religious images and metaphors in order to make sense of the new technology. This study aims at showing how this frame of reference served the four writers in expressing the contradictions inherent to the machine. Bulky and tangible because of its hardware, but animated by an elusive and mysterious software, the personal computer was perceived at the same time as a dull office appliance and a threatening virtual entity. Finally, by showing how timely and well-informed these literary works on the impact of PCs are, this article wants to make the case for considering the role of literature in shaping computer culture.

Innovation and NGOs

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen R. Luxmore ◽  
Clyde Eiríkur Hull
Keyword(s):  
New Technology ◽  
Indirect Approach ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Industry Study ◽  
Private Politics ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
The Impact

Innovations that antagonize non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will face significantly greater challenges than those that do not. The impact of non-governmental organizations on the commercialization of new technology is evolving from the more traditional indirect approach of lobbying governments. The new NGO approach is to pursue private politics, in which the NGO seeks to exert direct influence over entrepreneurial companies that commercialize radical new technology. The authors use the industry study approach to explore how this new NGO role affects innovation. They present a theoretical framework that encompasses the emerging role of NGOs and set out the practical managerial implications that emerge from their analysis.

Information Systems Usage in Business and Management

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-23
Author(s):  
Mihane Berisha-Namani
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
The World ◽  
Management Functions ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Business And Management ◽  
Role Of Information

Information systems in the world of business and management exist to serve varied needs. This article examines the role of information systems technology in business activities and management functions and discusses how organisations can best use information systems. This study provides managers and researchers with a framework for effective use of information systems for business and management purposes and offers an alternative approach to investigate the impact of new technology. The author concludes that a need exists for further research in this field to increase understanding of information systems usage in business and management. The study recommends that more attention be paid to information systems technology, as it is key to better management and succeeding in business.

scholarly journals Translation and the Individual Talent: Ambiguity in the Qurʾanic Text and the Role of the Translator

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raed A. Qassas
Keyword(s):  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Sacred Text ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Point Of Departure ◽  
Individual Talent

This article examines the impact of traditional Tafsīr, the exegesis of the Qur’an, on the translation of the Qurʾanic text into English. Caught between the authority of tradition and the sensitivity of translating a sacred text, many translators refrain from practicing interpretation as an integral part of the translation process, whereas others defiantly dismiss the authority of tradition en masse. The significance of the study lies in undermining over-reliance on explanatory texts yields semantically dogmatic interpretations recurrently manifest in the various English renditions of the Qurʾan. The article questions what is called the etic translation that involves translation from the perspective of one who remains an outsider and does not participate in the interpretation. The finding of the study lead to the conclusion that many translations of the Qurʾan disregard possible interpretations because of rehashing interpretations handed down from traditional exegeses. The article also argues that translators have an active, interpretative role in the translation of the Qurʾan. Compatibility with tradition does not mean being constricted exclusively by Tafsīr. Tradition is a frame of reference, a point of departure for new horizons of interpretation where interpretation is viewed as an augmentation to tradition, not sedition.

scholarly journals THE CHANGING LIBRARY ENVIRONMENT

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Catherine E. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Information Services ◽  
Frame Of Reference ◽  
Large Role ◽  
Business Research ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Research And Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training ◽  
Future Information

Tiris article, a summary of a recent study conducted for the author's doctorial dissertation, examines issues, trends, and relevant studies on the impact of the changing environment on the role of the librarian. Based on the enquiry conducted, she clearly sees the future role of the librarian as broadly based and focused on the utilization and evaluation of information, and as a client consultant. The librarian is seen as playing a large role in the development of information services, and as an information architect. Applying the principles developed in the frame of reference created for this study to business, research and education, will assist policy makers in making decisions about resources and training which will be needed for the development of future information resource centres. Strategic advantage due to prior knowledge will be more than ever required for organizational success.

The Language Between Youtubers and Boomers: Tendencies, New Words and Expressions in the Serbian Language

2021 ◽  
pp. 60-94
Author(s):  
Goran B. Milašin
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
English Language ◽  
New Technology ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Modern Culture ◽  
New Words ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
The Impact

This paper analyses new words and expressions used in the Serbian language. The main aims of the paper are to register and describe typical language units in young people’s speech today, then to examine the impact of technology, the Internet and new types of communication on the structure of the Serbian lexicon, and to try to identify some tendencies and processes in the contemporary Serbian language. The corpus on which the research was conducted was collected in 2019 and 2020, and it consists of 1500 utterances excerpted from online social networks, primarily Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Based on the analysis of selected new words and expressions, it was determined that young people’s speech today is changing rapidly under the influence of globalisation and the English language, especially at the lexical level. It has also been established that in latest metaphors and comparisons, new technology and the Internet are appearing more and more often in the role of source domains, as an integral part of modern culture.

Personal Computers, Mass Media, and Other Uses of Free Time

2000 ◽  
pp. 213-235
Author(s):  
John P. Robinson ◽  
Meyer Kestnbaum ◽  
Andrew Kohut
Keyword(s):  
Mass Media ◽  
Personal Computer ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Free Time ◽  
Personal Computers ◽  
Computer Usage ◽  
On Line ◽  
Media Habits ◽  
The Impact

One measure of the impact of the personal computer is in terms of its time displacement of other activities; mass media generally are considered a prime candidate given the on-line profusion of information and entertainment services. This article compares the daily mass media habits and other leisure activities of heavy, light and non users of personal computers and on-line services based on 1994-95 and 1997 national surveys. No significant or consistent evidence of time displacement of mass media was found. Indeed, heavier computer usage was associated with significantly greater use of print media and other cultural uses of free time, even after multivariate adjustment. It was concluded that at this early stage of diffusion, personal computers may have more in common with “time enhancing” home appliances (like the telephone, automobile and washing machine) than with television. Nonetheless, more complete time-diary studies are needed to identify the full temporal effects of the personal computer, much as they did for television.

Information Systems Usage in Business and Management

2013 ◽  
pp. 48-59
Author(s):  
Mihane Berisha-Namani
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
The World ◽  
Management Functions ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Business And Management ◽  
Role Of Information

Information systems in the world of business and management exist to serve varied needs. This article examines the role of information systems technology in business activities and management functions and discusses how organisations can best use information systems. This study provides managers and researchers with a framework for effective use of information systems for business and management purposes and offers an alternative approach to investigate the impact of new technology. The author concludes that a need exists for further research in this field to increase understanding of information systems usage in business and management. The study recommends that more attention be paid to information systems technology, as it is key to better management and succeeding in business.

Exploring the Role of Technology Readiness in Developing Trust and Loyalty for E-Services

2013 ◽  
pp. 291-303
Author(s):  
Keyoor Purani ◽  
Sunil Sahadev
Keyword(s):  
Service Quality ◽  
Service Provider ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Analysis Procedure ◽  
Technology Readiness ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Technology readiness relates to an individual’s propensity to embrace new technology. Consumers high in technology readiness are very optimistic about the impact of technology, have high levels of innovativeness, are very comfortable in using technology, and feel less insecure about technology. Previous studies have shown how technology readiness influences a consumer’s evaluation of service quality. The effect of technology readiness can also be on such constructs like trust with the service provider as well as loyalty to the service provider. The present study looks at the impact of technology readiness on the evaluation of e-service quality and its subsequent impact on e-trust and e-loyalty. Users of job-service portals in India were contacted for data collection. A total of 350 respondents replied to the questionnaire. The data was analysed through a path analysis procedure. The study found ample evidence for the impact of technology readiness on e-service quality, e-trust and e-loyalty. However the path from e-trust to e-loyalty as well as from e-service equality to e-trust was not found to be significant. The paper discusses the development of the conceptual model, empirical study as well as the implications. Finally, the practical implications that emerge from the results are also discussed.

scholarly journals Competencies of quality professionals in the era of industry 4.0: a case study of electronics manufacturer from Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Sumitha P.N. Kannan ◽  
Alaa Garad
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Personal Competencies ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study investigates the competencies required for quality management professionals to meet the needs of industry 4.0. The authors use a case study strategy at an electronics manufacturer in southern Malaysia, to adapt their role to be relevant in the industry 4.0 environment. In doing so, this study answers the following four questions: (1) How are the changing technological trends expected to impact the future role of quality in industry 4.0? (2) What are the competencies gap between current and future roles of quality professionals? (3) What are the views and practices related to quality roles? (4) How can the gaps identified be closed to meet the quality challenges of industry 4.0?Design/methodology/approachThe research methods consist of a comprehensive review of literature on the technological trends towards industry 4.0 and the impact on the role of quality and competence that may be required in the future, as well as internal document review on the current roles of quality professionals in an electronics manufacturer in southern Malaysia, to identify the competence gap. Empirical data was collected based on surveys conducted on 64 quality professionals with a response rate of 96.88%. Interviews were conducted on three decision-makers from critical areas in the electronics manufacturer for viewpoints from three different perspectives: finance, operations and talent development.FindingsQuality professionals will require technical competencies to interpret large amounts of data from processes to make strategic decisions, the use of new AR tools and be aware of data security risks. Methodological competencies will be required to use data to identify the source of problems, to access reliable sources of learning and the ability to use new tools for solving complex problems efficiently. Social competencies will be required in communications across multi-sites, suppliers and customers in new collaborative virtual platforms, with the ability to retain tacit and explicit knowledge, in a decentralized environment that will require leadership ability to make decisions. Personal competencies required will be the ability to work in a flexible workplace and time and more frequent work-related changes.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the study is based on what the authors currently know of the future, which may not be much for the quality professionals in the electronics manufacturer, who have not been exposed much to the technology yet. The potential for the future landscape to change dramatically with rapid technology changes may also result in a different set of skills for future quality professionals. The quality professionals who were involved in this study were the quality executives, engineers and managers, irrespective of their gender, age, length of service and experience in the field of quality. Therefore, these variables were not taken into consideration for this research.Practical implicationsThis research helped to identify the role of quality in industry 4.0 and key competencies that the quality professionals in the electronics manufacturer will require to adapt to their role in industry 4.0. However, based on the questionnaire and the interview comments of key personnel, it can be concluded that quality professionals lack awareness of their new roles in industry 4.0. This could be due to the fact that the new technology is not implemented by quality professionals but by the innovation team based in Singapore headquarters, as was also advised by the operations head.Social implicationsThe benefit of industry 4.0 technology is clearly shown by Philips's new Dutch factory with robotized technology that was able to produce the same output with one-tenth of the workers of its China factory (Rifkin, 2014, chapter 8). Rojko (2017, p. 80) also shared a similar view that industry 4.0 is expected to reduce production costs by 10–30%, logistics costs by 10–30% and quality management costs by 10–20%. The importance of this research can be seen from the findings of “The Future of Jobs” (2018, p. 22), which suggests that the window of opportunity for organizations to leverage the new technology to re-skill is within the period of 2018–2022, in order to enable employees to reach full potential in the high value-added tasks. The electronics manufacturer may need to keep to this timeline to maintain its competitive advantage.Originality/valueThe purpose of this paper was to determine the competence gap of current quality professionals in the electronics manufacturer with the competencies required in industry 4.0. This led to the third objective, to identify the views of stakeholders based on the propositions derived from the gaps identified, to triangulate the findings, to conclude the competency gaps of the current quality professionals in the electronics manufacturer. Finally, the objective of this paper was to make a recommendation on how to prepare the quality professionals in the electronics manufacturer for their role in industry 4.0. The research identified the technical, methodological, social and personal competencies gap of the quality professionals in the electronics manufacturer by looking at the changes expected in industry 4.0 from four aspects, factory (people and process), business, product and customers.

The impact of social and contractual enforcement on reseller performance: the mediating role of coordination and inequity during adoption of a new technology

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 808-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Talai Osmonbekov ◽  
Brian Gregory ◽  
Christian Chelariu ◽  
Wesley J. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Relationship Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Business To Business

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of social and contractual enforcement on the performance of business-to-business relationship. The research also tests the mediating role of perceived inequity and coordination. Design/methodology/approach A survey methodology was used to obtain responses from 224 decision-makers at reseller organizations. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings It was found that both social and contractual enforcement impact relationship performance. Perceived inequity and coordination are important moderators of those relationships, as social enforcement increases coordination and reduces perceived inequity, while contractual enforcement increases perceived inequity. Originality/value While previous studies examined enforcement impact on coordination and conflict, this study links it to relationship performance. Importantly, enforcement’s relationship with perceived inequity is also examined in the context of B2B relationship.

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