Smartphones and Exploitation in the Age of Digital Capitalism: Ordinary Aspects of the Transformation of Everyday Life

This study examines the transformation of everyday life through smartphones, focusing on the daily experiences of smartphone users in Turkey. With their multimedia features, smartphones (defined as a “melting pot” from the technological perspective or polymedia and metamedia in a broader sense) take an important place in users’ everyday lives. As these features and the services accessible through smartphones are offered in commodity form, they inevitably result in the exploitation of users’ labour, the commodification of user data, the shifting of paid work into ‘leisure time’, and finally the transformation of everyday life through smartphones. The main argument of this study is that, under these social conditions, smartphones, referred to as “a melting pot” from the technological perspective, turn into a melting pot of exploitation, and their users experience these interactions not as direct economic relations but as routine social relations.

Technological Perspective of Cyber Secure Smart Inverters Used in Power Distribution System: State of the Art Review

The purpose of smart grid architecture as compared to the conventional grid is to ensure more stability, reliability and bi-directional communication between the utility and the consumer. The deployment of the same has succeeded in improving the efficiency of the distribution systems and effective co-ordination and interoperability among the different components of the grid. Smart inverters play a major role in seamless grid integration, control and conversion of power when the renewable energy sources are present. However, they come with several security challenges as well, which are of considerable concern. Certain cyber threats include physical and cyber attacks, natural phenomena which in turn can lead to grid failure, blackouts, commercial energy losses, privacy and safety issues, etc. Therefore, there is a need for critical examination of all these issues which must be considered for designing cyber secure smart inverters at the distribution level. In this comprehensive review, keeping the technological perspective in mind, the existing gaps and the necessity for the same are highlighted. The various topologies, IEEE protocols and the control strategy are presented in detail. This will enable prospective researchers to address the design issues of smart inverters with greater focus on security and reliability aspects.

Can blockchain-technology fight corruption in MNEs’ operations in emerging markets?

Purpose The purpose of the study is to explore, with anchorage in theories about the normalization of corruption, under what conditions blockchain technology can mitigate corruptive practices of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in emerging markets (EMs). Design/methodology/approach By synthesizing a technological perspective and theory on corruption, the authors examine the feasibility of blockchain for fighting corruption in MNEs’ business operations in EMs. Findings Blockchain technology is theorized to have varying mitigating effects on the rationalization, socialization and institutionalization of corruption. The authors provide propositions describing the effects and the limitations of blockchain for mitigating corruption in EMs. Social implications This paper offers a perspective for how to tackle acute business problems and social problems pronounced in international business but also prevailing elsewhere. Originality/value The study contributes to literature in international management by systematically exploring how and under what conditions blockchain can mitigate the normalization of corruption.

Soft Devices for High-Resolution Neuro-Stimulation: The Interplay Between Low-Rigidity and Resolution

The field of neurostimulation has evolved over the last few decades from a crude, low-resolution approach to a highly sophisticated methodology entailing the use of state-of-the-art technologies. Neurostimulation has been tested for a growing number of neurological applications, demonstrating great promise and attracting growing attention in both academia and industry. Despite tremendous progress, long-term stability of the implants, their large dimensions, their rigidity and the methods of their introduction and anchoring to sensitive neural tissue remain challenging. The purpose of this review is to provide a concise introduction to the field of high-resolution neurostimulation from a technological perspective and to focus on opportunities stemming from developments in materials sciences and engineering to reduce device rigidity while optimizing electrode small dimensions. We discuss how these factors may contribute to smaller, lighter, softer and higher electrode density devices.