Information technology investment announcements and market value in transition economies: Evidence from Warsaw Stock Exchange

This study examines stock market reactions to announcements of information technology investments in Poland, an emerging market and transition economy. Based on 66 announcements by companies traded at the Warsaw Stock Exchange in the period 2002–2009, our study confirms some previously published results from studies conducted primarily in highly developed markets, but also shows that specific characteristics of announcements play a more important role than has been commonly assumed. Our results indicate that investors in Poland react more positively if systems are acquired from global rather than local vendors. Announcements about completed projects are more positively received than announcements about planned or in-progress projects. Furthermore, announcements in Polish, targeted at existing shareholders, are more likely to be received positively than similar announcements released in English, targeting global investors.     

Business process management success framework for transition economies

This article presents business process management (BPM) framework, which considers the specific circumstances in transition economies. The analysis of 47 papers shows that in addition to common critical success factors, BPM adoption in transition economies should also consider factors such as environment, external stakeholders impact, ownership, and implementation context. The proposed framework contributes to the theory by offering a solid foundation for future research and to the practice by indicating essential constructs for effective BPM.     

Molecular structure of bituminous coal studied with pulse nuclear magnetic resonance

High-volatile bituminous coal and coal saturated with fully deuterated solvents, were studied using the ¹H n.m.r. pulse technique. Free-induction decay (FID) signals were separated into Gaussian and Lorentzian components and contents of immobile and mobile phases of coal matter were calculated. Spin-spin relaxation times, T₂, for both phases were determined. Some solvents caused a significant decrease in the content of the coal immobile phase. It is concluded that the immobile phase of coal consists of macromolecules and molecules. The latter are attached to macromolecules by electrondonor-acceptor interactions which can be destroyed by some solvents. The contents of macromolecules (60 wt%) and molecules (40 wt%) in the coal were determined.     

Molecular and Immunological Identification of Low Allergenic Fruits among Old and New Apple Varieties

About 50–70% of patients allergic to birch pollen suffer from sensitization after apple ingestion. Apple allergenicity was established in only few varieties. Studies were performed on apple fruits of 21 traditional and nine modern varieties organically, intensively, or integratively produced. The aim of the study was to assess whether the factors like cultivation method, maturity stage, genotype, or type of tissue place an impact on the allergenic potential of apples. To answer these questions, we used semiquantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, and immunoblotting. Apple allergen genes present divergent expression across apple cultivars. Expression of the Mal d 1.06A correlates with the Mal d 1 level and is affected by the cultivation method and maturity of the fruit. The content of the main allergen Mal d 1 varied widely across cultivars. Interestingly, in our study, the Gala variety presented a low Mal d 1 concentration regardless of the cultivation method. Based on the Mal d 1.06A expression, the Mal d 1 protein content, and the immunoreactivity assay, the Kandil Sinap, Kosztela, Rumianka from Alma-Ata, Kantówka Gdańska, Reinette Coulon, and Gala cultivars emerged as potentially hypoallergenic apple cultivars. Our study allowed distinguishing between potentially low, medium, and highly allergenic varieties.     

Adoption of ERP systems: Does information transparency matter?

Research on the adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems has drawn much attention in the information systems (IS) research. This study extends previous research on ERP adoption by examining the direct and indirect effects of perceived information transparency that result from the adoption of ERP systems. Based on the extensive review of literature grounded in the technology acceptance model and theory of reasoned action, a research model is proposed. The proposed model is validated by a survey of 106 ERP users. The results of this survey confirm that perceived information transparency of the ERP system has significant direct effects on perceived usefulness, ease of use, and indirect effects on attitude and adoption. Moreover, the perceived usefulness fully mediates the relationship between information transparency and the attitude toward using the ERP system. This study expands the existing body of knowledge on the adoption of ERP systems, and benefits ERP providers and vendors when formulating their business models.     

A Proposed Molecular Mechanism of High-Dose Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Prevention and Treatment of Preeclampsia

A randomized prospective clinical study performed on a group of 74 pregnant women (43 presenting with severe preeclampsia) proved that urinary levels of 15-F_2t-isoprostane were significantly higher in preeclamptic patients relative to the control (3.05 vs. 2.00 ng/mg creatinine). Surprisingly enough, plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ in both study groups were below the clinical reference range with no significant difference between the groups. In vitro study performed on isolated placental mitochondria and placental cell line showed that suicidal self-oxidation of cytochrome P450scc may lead to structural disintegration of heme, potentially contributing to enhancement of oxidative stress phenomena in the course of preeclampsia. As placental cytochrome P450scc pleiotropic activity is implicated in the metabolism of free radical mediated arachidonic acid derivatives as well as multiple Vitamin D₃ hydroxylations and progesterone synthesis, we propose that Vitamin D₃ might act as a competitive inhibitor of placental cytochrome P450scc preventing the production of lipid peroxides or excess progesterone synthesis, both of which may contribute to the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia. The proposed molecular mechanism is in accord with the preliminary clinical observations on the surprisingly high efficacy of high-dose Vitamin D₃ supplementation in prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.     

Application of 1H pulse n.m.r. to the determination of molecular and macromolecular phases in coals

¹H n.m.r. free-induction decay (FID), after single 90 ° pulse excitation has been studied for bituminous and subbituminous coals and after saturation with deuterated pyridine and sulphuric acid. FID signals were broken down into Gaussian and Lorentzian components and their initial amplitudes determined. The ratio of hydrogen atoms occuring in the mobile phase (HMPh) and in the immobile phase (HIPh) were calculated. The ratios, HMPh:HIPh, measured in the presence of pyridine-d₅ and D₂SO₄ delimit the range where the ratio of molecules:macromolecules occuring in coals can be found. The procedure described in this Paper can be used to estimate the total content of molecules (extractable and non-extractable) occuring in coals.     

A motivational model for technology-supported cross-organizational and cross-border collaboration

The academic popularity of the topic of electronic cross-organizational and cross-border collaboration is perhaps best evident in the large number of publications on this topic. For example, a systematic review of 1180 papers published between 2000 and 2007 in only six information systems (IS) journals reveals that 80 papers are related to electronic cross-organizational and cross-border collaboration. This EJIS special issue attracted a record number of 66 paper submissions of which eight were finally accepted for publication. In the context of this special issue, we define the focus of interest as ‘the integration of people, systems, processes and infrastructure across organizations, borders, nations and world regions to enable productive teamwork towards accomplishing mutual goals’.