Global Technology Company Research Articles

(Micro)soft power in Dutch public education: making classrooms platform-ready through partner work

ABSTRACT This article explores how the global technology company Microsoft, supported by local partners, makes Dutch classrooms platform-ready by influencing how schools approach three key public governance responsibilities in their digital transformation: developing a vision for digital education, creating strategies for educational innovation and fostering digital literacy. Using the concept of soft power and extensive empirical research, the study shows how Microsoft aligns these responsibilities with its own corporate interests. As a result, the company gains control over schools’ digital infrastructure – not only in terms of hardware and software but also in terms of its pedagogical design. The conclusion emphasises the importance of collective and collaborative national efforts to resist the global influence of platforms like Microsoft on local digital education.

Digital recognition: cybersecurity and internet infrastructure in UAE–Israel diplomacy

Abstract The 2020 Israel–UAE Abraham Accords normalized these states' relations, with heavy emphasis on digital technologies. International Relations theories of recognition, however, hardly consider the role digital technologies play in establishing recognition between states. What role, then, did digital technologies play in this landmark shift in UAE–Israel recognition? This article uses three aspects of digital technologies in the UAE–Israel case—cybersecurity cooperation, cloud computing, and subsea cables—to inductively develop three propositions regarding the role of digital technologies in state recognition. First, states use digital technologies—and private sector companies that own and operate them—as diplomatic lubrication: a means to navigate around and overcome difficult diplomatic relationships, building momentum towards recognition. Second, digital competition between states leads them to conform their national economic structures towards global technology companies in similar ways, thereby recognizing each other as equal participants in a global market—which we term market-oriented homogenization. Third, states involved in transnational internet infrastructure projects together develop technical working practices, interests, and dependencies that facilitate diplomatic recognition—which we term infrastructural integration. Building on these three propositions, we put forward an overall concept of ‘digital recognition’ to capture their common theme: the influence of digital technologies, their owners or their operators on state recognition.

Retrospective of IKN Nusantara Investment; Study of Apple Investment Curtailment: Technostructure of Indonesia and Vietnam

In the government's efforts to collect investment in IKN (National Capital City) Nusantara in Indonesia, technostructure; or advanced technological infrastructure is one of the crucial factors in attracting investment from global technology companies, but Indonesia still faces significant challenges in technostructure readiness compared to countries such as Vietnam, reflecting on the investment selection of technology company Apple. This study aims to analyze the current state of Indonesia's technostructure, compare it with Vietnam, and formulate what strategic steps are needed by the Indonesian government to develop a better technostructure in the next three decades. Using a descriptive qualitative method, this study collects purposive sampling-based data through literature studies, documentation, and other supporting data to provide an in-depth understanding of the technostructure conditions of the two countries. The discussion includes a detailed analysis of the state of Indonesia's technostructure and the challenges it faces. Then the study continues by comparing the technostructure readiness of Indonesia and Vietnam to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each country, and the final stage details the strategic steps that the Indonesian government must take in the next three decades to achieve competitive technostructure readiness in Indonesia. This study concludes that it is important for Indonesia to accelerate the development of technostructure to increase the attractiveness of global technology investment, especially with open management.

Evaluation Market Penetration of Infrastructure as A Service (IaaS) to Formulate Marketing Strategy: Study Case Lumos Tech Indonesia

The forecasted revenue growth of cloud computing has become a huge opportunity for IT infrastructure providers, especially for Infrastructure as a Services (IaaS) which have the biggest portion of the cloud computing business. International Data Corporation claims that the estimate revenue for IaaS in 2026 will reach USD 65.5 billion with CAGR 22.8%. Lumos Tech is an alias name that is used to protect the true identity of the firm that is being studied. As a global technology company who provides IT Infrastructure including IaaS offer, ideally Lumos Tech Indonesia should be able to capture this opportunity. However, the company is having a slow penetration rate which approximate to 0.2% for the IaaS offer. It is essential for the company to find factors that hinder the market penetration rate and design a marketing strategy to improve the business performance. The study adopts a mixed methodology where quantitative method is adopted to perform market assessment and the qualitative method focus on assessing the current condition to define the internal factors that hamper market penetration for IaaS offer. The data collection is categorized into two; the external data collection covers the data gathering from outside Lumos Tech through questionnaire, reports and journals and the internal data collection is done by doing an in-depth semi structure interview with the owner of the problem. Furthermore, the analysis is performed by utilizing PESTEL, Porter’s 5 Forces, quantitative descriptive and coding process. The objective of this study is to formulate marketing strategy for Lumos Tech’s IaaS offer by leveraging a modified Business to Business (B2B) marketing mix.

Preventing the Immense Increase in the Life-Cycle Energy and Carbon Footprints of LLM-Powered Intelligent Chatbots

Intelligent chatbots powered by large language models (LLMs) have recently been sweeping the world, with potential for a wide variety of industrial applications. Global frontier technology companies are feverishly participating in LLM-powered chatbot design and development, providing several alternatives beyond the famous ChatGPT. However, training, fine-tuning, and updating such intelligent chatbots consume substantial amounts of electricity, resulting in significant carbon emissions. The research and development of all intelligent LLMs and software, hardware manufacturing (e.g., graphics processing units and supercomputers), related data/operations management, and material recycling supporting chatbot services are associated with carbon emissions to varying extents. Attention should therefore be paid to the entire life-cycle energy and carbon footprints of LLM-powered intelligent chatbots in both the present and future in order to mitigate their climate change impact. In this work, we clarify and highlight the energy consumption and carbon emission implications of eight main phases throughout the life cycle of the development of such intelligent chatbots. Based on a life-cycle and interaction analysis of these phases, we propose a system-level solution with three strategic pathways to optimize the management of this industry and mitigate the related footprints. While anticipating the enormous potential of this advanced technology and its products, we make an appeal for a rethinking of the mitigation pathways and strategies of the life-cycle energy usage and carbon emissions of the LLM-powered intelligent chatbot industry and a reshaping of their energy and environmental implications at this early stage of development.

Management accountants—A gendered image

It has been argued that masculinity in the field of accounting is in flux and that new gendered expectations may be emerging. This study takes an important step toward a discussion on management accountants’ gendered image and broadens understanding of masculinity in the field of management accounting. The question it raises is whether the notion of hegemonic masculinity is dominant in the image and whether the image might be expanding. A qualitative case study of a global technology company was conducted, drawing on 100 of its job advertisements for management accountants and 31 semi-structured interviews with its management accountants and operational managers. The findings revealed that even though some caring attributes, such as empathy, were constructed as important, causing the hegemonic masculinity to seem softer, the image of the ideal management accountant predominantly aligns with hegemonic masculinity, more specifically with transnational business masculinity and entrepreneurialism, which emphasize business performance and maximization of the self. The dominance of hegemonic masculinity leads to the colonization of “othered” bodies, namely women in management accounting. The results critique mainstream management accounting research, which considerably lacks gender analysis.

An Empirical Analysis on the Feasibility of Financial Valuation of Technology Companies: A Fundamental Analysis Approach Based on Value Investing

This study addresses the significant challenge of accurately valuing internet companies in the contemporary business landscape, recognizing existing research gaps due to the limited applicability of conventional valuation methods such as Net Present Value (NPV) and Price to Earnings (PE) ratios in this emergent industry. This paper conducted a fundamental analysis based on the principles of value investing, utilizing 2022 financial data from thirteen internet companies listed in Forbes Global Technology companies. Key financial aspects, including liquidity, debt-servicing capacity, profitability, and shareholder returns, were meticulously analyzed. The findings reveal that internet companies face cash flow pressures impacting their liquidity. Despite a moderate long-term debt ratio, companies exhibit substantial reliance on debt financing, encountering difficulties in interest payments. While these firms demonstrate a capacity for profitability, they concurrently face intense competition and cost pressures. The market sentiment remains highly optimistic regarding the future prospects of internet companies, reflecting elevated valuations. In light of favorable market conditions, it is imperative for internet companies to strategically enhance competitive advantages, bolster core product competitiveness, and amplify profitability through innovative operational and marketing strategies, thereby augmenting their industry influence and societal impact.

Digital ecosystems in international technological business

Introduction. The current stage of economic development is characterized by the increasing impact of advanced digital information and communication technologies (ICT) on the entire system of human interactions, encompassing the processes of production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of both material and immaterial goods. Among the emerging phenomena in today's economic relations system are digital ecosystems, which are created and developed through the actions of international technological companies. The purpose of the paper is to define the essence and content of the concept of "digital ecosystems" for further analysis and understanding in an economic context. Results. It is argued that, in an economic sense, the concept of ecosystems is a continuation of the scientific inquiries of various scholars studying changes and relationships in the business environment from the perspectives of competition and collaboration among its participants. Today, business ecosystems created and developed by international technological companies typically operate through digital platforms, services, and solutions, transforming them into digital business ecosystems. The paper identifies key types of digital ecosystems in business and emphasizes the existence of other types of digital ecosystems (governmental, hybrid) that also require further exploration. The role of international technological companies in shaping global digital ecosystems is explored, using Amazon as an example. It is clarified that leading global technology companies play a crucial role as conductors of the ecosystem of ecosystems. In digital ecosystems, boundaries are constantly changing, participants and components are updated. As a result, the description of the structures of digital ecosystems varies among different authors. Conclusion. Theoretical guidelines are provided for further research on digital ecosystems in economics and business, both from the perspective of economic strategy developers and theoretical economists.

Navigating the new normal: Examining coattendance in a hybrid work environment.

The recent rise of hybrid work poses novel challenges for synchronizing in-office work schedules. Using anonymized building access data, we quantified coattendance patterns among ~43k employees at a large global technology company. We used two-way fixed effects regression models to investigate the association between an employee's presence in the office and that of their manager and teammates. Our analysis shows that employee in-person attendance was 29% higher when their manager was present. Moreover, a 1-SD increase in the share of teammates who were present yielded a 16% increase in the individual employee's attendance. We also observed greater coattendance among employees who were recently hired, have a Corporate or Operations role, or work in shared office spaces. Thus, we find evidence of some voluntary alignment of work schedules. Companies could bolster such organic coordination by leveraging digital scheduling tools or providing guidance specifically aimed at increasing coattendance.

The Influence of Federal Reserves Interest Rates Hike Cycle on Transnational Corporations

The monetary policy of the United States has a broad and profound impact on the world economy and financial markets. Due to the critical position of the US dollar in the world economy, the US monetary policy will directly affect countries and economies worldwide, and the liquidity of the US dollar is also the foundation of global liquidity. The series of interest rate increases implemented by the Federal Reserve starting in 2022 has led to the appreciation of the US dollar index, which has significantly impacted the import costs and overseas sales of domestic and multinational companies in the United States. This article selects the global multinational technology company Apple and extracts daily closing data from June 2022 to April 2023 and the USD index for the same period. This study applies the VAR model to assess the correlation between both and uses the ARMA-GARCH-X model to analyze the impact of USD index on the volatility of Apple stocks. This study analyzes the impact of interest rate hikes on multinational corporations and provides management and investment advice to their stakeholders.

The Trigger and Application of Black Swan Events: A Case Study of Silicon Valley Bank Failures

On March 10, 2023, Federal regulators shut down Silicon Valley Bank, the 16th-largest bank in the country. As a result of the significant run, the bank was forced to file for bankruptcy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the borrowing and triggering factors of black swan events by taking the Silicon Valley Bank bankruptcy event as an example, and to discuss the revelations and reflections of black swan events from the perspective of risk management based on the definition and characteristics of black swan events. Black swan events are those rare, unpredictable events with great impact, while bank bankruptcy events imply significant changes in the stability of the financial system. The failure of Silicon Valley Bank exposed the vulnerability of the banking sector and raised depositors' concerns about bank withdrawals and the cash flow crisis of global technology companies. Thus, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank has important lessons for future bank management and regulation. This paper argues that for most people, the failure of Silicon Valley Bank was not a black swan event, but even for many professionals, the impact of bank failures is unpredictable.

Revisiting the effects of social networks on enterprise collaboration technology use: A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis approach

Enterprise collaboration technologies (ECTs) are increasingly recognized for supporting effective and efficient digital collaboration, such as decision-making activities, among employees. Given the social and collaborative nature of ECT use, social network theory offers important and helpful insights into how and why employees' social network relations facilitate their ECT use. However, existing research primarily examines the effects of a single social network relation or several social network relations separately, without applying a holistic approach to investigate the joint effect of multiple social network relations on ECT use. Drawing on a novel technique of fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and social network analysis, this study explores how multiple social network relations (i.e., advice, friendship, and communication) collectively influence ECT use. Using multi-source data from 178 employees in the human resources department of a global technology company, we identify several configurations of multiple social network relations associated with high ECT use and low ECT use. Our findings indicate that a single social network relation is insufficient to explain ECT use and should be considered alongside other social network relations. Overall, this study provides an integrative framework to unpack the complex and contingent effects of multiple social network relations on ECT use.

AWWA Water Science Author Spotlight

<i><scp>AWWA</scp> Water Science</i> Author Spotlight

디지털 대전환 시대의 사회적 불평등과 정치신화

In the current era, major global technology companies are engaged in a fierce competition to attract new users and extract personal data to fuel their behavior prediction products. This competition extends to the next-generation platform wars, which are focused on dominating nascent domains, including the metaverse. This article explores the emerging power dynamics in the digital society, which are transforming human nature by decomposing individuals into organic materials of data. The traces of personal data we leave online are mined covertly and utilized to develop customized advertising services and create profit models without our explicit consent. This paper critically analyzes the defining characteristics of the surveillance capitalist system in order to elucidate the zeitgeist of the digital transition period. Our investigation focuses on how platform companies use human life experiences as raw materials to anticipate behavioral patterns and consumption preferences. Additionally, we address the issue of social inequality in the digital age, with a particular emphasis on the digital divide and the socially-produced code of automated algorithms. Finally, we investigate the problem of navigating political collective myths, which are often entrenched in volatile partisan interests and can obscure or distort the truth in the digital age. In the current era of pervasive surveillance capitalism, the dimension of seeking a more desirable society through reflective deliberation and critical thinking, rather than succumbing to the logic of factions and the demonization of others, represents a vital task of our time.

Achieving sustainable development through organizational alignment: a case study of Aptiv

Purpose: Sustainable development has become a critical goal for organizations worldwide, with an increasing focus on environmental, social, and economic responsibilities. Companies are now expected not only to achieve financial success but also to contribute positively to the well-being of society and the environment. In this context, Aptiv, a global technology company, stands out as a beacon of sustainable development. This article explores how Aptiv integrates sustainable practices into its operations, with a particular emphasis on Organizational Alignment and the Theory of Planned Behavior. By examining Aptiv's sustainability documentation, authors delve into how the company addresses various aspects of sustainable development and aligns with specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach: The research employs case study and company documents analysis to understand structural and perceptual aspects of Organizational Alignment in reaching SDGs. Findings: The findings suggest that aligning organizational structures with SDGs, coupled with a comprehensive understanding of planned behavior factors, can serve as a strategic approach for fostering successful sustainability initiatives within organizations. This dual approach addresses both the structural and behavioral aspects, offering a more holistic framework for achieving sustainable development objectives. Research limitations/implications: Research limitation lies in single source case study, suggesting the need for broader research encompassing a more extensive range of organizations. Future studies should consider both the size and the industry-specific characteristics of organizations to enhance the generalizability of findings. Practical implications: The case study serves as a blueprint, demonstrating how successful organizations strategically integrate sustainability practices to achieve tangible and impactful results. Originality/value: This paper contributes novelty by addressing a research gap through its focus on a limited number of case studies detailing specific organizations' successful implementation of SDGs. Its value lies in providing actionable insights and strategic guidance for organizations aiming to effectively integrate SDGs, particularly suitable for those seeking practical examples and success stories in the realm of sustainability initiatives. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Organizational Alignment, Theory of Planned Behavior. Category of the paper: Case study.

Observing 2021–22 data breach decisions of the Irish Data Protection Commission

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) regulates many of the top global technology companies and as such its decisions have a significant impact on the companies and on the many users of their platforms. This article examines a number of recent data breach decisions of the DPC and finds them forensic, focused, reasoned and formulaic in approach. The decisions deal with key General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provisions, notably on requirements for data breach notification and communication with data subjects. In a change of strategy earlier this year, the DPC no longer offers guidance to controllers dealing with a breach, as was its previous practice. Decisions such as these are likely to help fill that vacuum.

Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East: Deception, Disinformation and Social Media

Digital Authoritarianism in the Middle East: Deception, Disinformation and Social Media

How and when managers reward employees' voice: The role of proactivity attributions.

Recent voice research has noted that providing adequate job rewards for speaking up can sustainably motivate voice from employees. We examine why managers who seek out voice at work might not always properly reward the behavior. Drawing on theories of dispositional attribution, we propose that, in general, managers tend to reward voice because it signals to them that employees possess a valued underlying trait: proactivity, which is characterized by change-orientation and foresight. However, we argue that when managers engage in more voice solicitation-that is, explicitly ask for voice and take a listening posture toward it-their tendency to infer proactivity from employees' voice weakens. Thus, we make a case that voice solicitation, a managerial behavior intended to set facilitating conditions for speaking up at work, inadvertently weakens the (indirect) relationship between employee voice and job rewards. We establish support for our theory in a set of two studies with complementary designs. Study 1 was a preregistered between-subjects experiment that used a realistic vignette design with an online panel of 592 working adults based in the United States. Study 2 was a multisource field survey with a sample of 385 employees and their managers working at the Indian branch of a global technology company in the oil and gas industry. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our results. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Meeting (the) Pandemic: Videoconferencing Fatigue and Evolving Tensions of Sociality in Enterprise Video Meetings During COVID-19.

When COVID-19 led to mandatory working from home, significant blind spots in supporting the sociality of working life-in the moment and over time-were revealed in enterprise video meetings, and these were a key factor in reports about videoconferencing fatigue. Drawing on a large study (N = 849) of one global technology company's employees' experiences of all-remote video meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, we use a dialectic method to explore the tensions expressed by employees around effectiveness and sociality, as well as their strategies to cope with these tensions. We argue that videoconferencing fatigue arose partly due to work practices and technologies designed with assumptions of steady states and taken-for-granted balances between task and social dimensions of work relationships. Our analysis offers a social lens on videoconferencing fatigue and suggests the need to reconceptualize ideas around designing technologies and practices to enable both effectiveness and sociality in the context of video meetings.

Designing and Conducting Inclusive Research: How a Global Technology Company and an Online Research Platform Partnered to Explore the Technology Experiences of Users Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

This case study examines how researchers at Lenovo and dscout partnered to conduct a mobile ethnographic study on the technology experiences of individuals who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, with the goal of making their products and research practices more accessible and inclusive. The study revealed common frustrations and pain points people experience when using their every‐day technology. The researchers also learned valuable research design and operations lessons related to recruiting participants who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing, providing accommodations, and establishing an accessible research environment. This case explores the benefits of mobile‐forward research design, and the additional considerations and adaptations necessary for collecting both asynchronous and synchronous data from individuals who have hearing loss and who have different communication modes and preferences, including American Sign Language. The authors discuss how more inclusive research informs product design, which can make Lenovo and dscout products more accessible for everyone, regardless of ability.