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The ability of dendritic cells to present tumour antigens efficiently to cytotoxic T-cells has led to a continuous focus on exploiting their unique stimulatory abilities in therapeutic cancer vaccinations.[1][1] However, existing clinical strategies utilising dendritic cells have failed to induce

Mobile technologies have dramatically increased the number of work-related interruptions, especially after regular work hours. At the same time, many employees have limited freedom to decide how and when they accomplish their work, a condition that renders the explosion of interruptions especially problematic. This study proposes that perceived interruption overload negatively impacts work-related technology-usage via workers’ experiences of work-life conflict, a key source of stress, and that this indirect effect is stronger for lower levels of worker control (moderated mediation). Data were collected from 601 knowledge workers and analyzed through Conditional process analysis, which integrates moderation and mediation analyses. The results supported our model. This study takes an important step toward elucidating the role of mobile technology in work-life conflict and technostress, and it illustrates the roles of perceived interruption overload as well as conflict and technostress in IT use.

Machine learning research typically focuses on optimization and testing on a few criteria, but deployment in a public policy setting requires more. Technical and non-technical deployment issues get relatively little attention. However, for machine learning models to have real-world benefit and impact, effective deployment is crucial. In this case study, we describe our implementation of a machine learning early intervention system (EIS) for police officers in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (North Carolina) and Metropolitan Nashville (Tennessee) Police Departments. The EIS identifies officers at high risk of having an adverse incident, such as an unjustified use of force or sustained complaint. We deployed the same code base at both departments, which have different underlying data sources and data structures. Deployment required us to solve several new problems, covering technical implementation, governance of the system, the cost to use the system, and trust in the system. In this paper we describe how we addressed and solved several of these challenges and provide guidance and a framework of important issues to consider for future deployments.

Highlights • NF-κB transcription factors are central coordinating regulators of immunity, inflammation and cell survival. • NF-κB pathway is aberrantly and stably activated in cancer. • The ubiquitous presence and pleiotropic physiological role of NF-κB dimers have thus far prevented the development of any clinically useful NF-κB inhibitor. • Emerging therapeutic approaches aim to achieve the cancer-selective inhibition of the NF-κB pathway as a way to overcome the preclusive toxicities of conventional IKKβ/NF-κB-targeting drugs., Constitutive NF-κB signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of most human malignancies and virtually all non-malignant pathologies. Accordingly, the NF-κB pathway has been aggressively pursued as an attractive therapeutic target for drug discovery. However, the severe on-target toxicities associated with systemic NF-κB inhibition have thus far precluded the development of a clinically useful, NF-κB-targeting medicine as a way to treat patients with either oncological or non-oncological diseases. This minireview discusses some of the more promising approaches currently being developed to circumvent the preclusive safety liabilities of global NF-κB blockade by selectively targeting pathogenic NF-κB signalling in cancer, while preserving the multiple physiological functions of NF-κB in host defence responses and tissue homeostasis.

T-cell exclusion from the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a major barrier to overcoming immune escape. Here, we identify a myeloid-intrinsic mechanism governed by the NF-κB effector molecule GADD45β that restricts tumor-associated inflammation and T-cell trafficking into tumors. In various models of solid cancers refractory to immunotherapies, including hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian adenocarcinoma, Gadd45b inhibition in myeloid cells restored activation of proinflammatory tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and intratumoral immune infiltration, thereby diminishing oncogenesis. Our results provide a basis to interpret clinical evidence that elevated expression of GADD45B confers poor clinical outcomes in most human cancers. Furthermore, they suggest a therapeutic target in GADD45β for reprogramming TAM to overcome immunosuppression and T-cell exclusion from the TME. Significance: These findings define a myeloid-based immune checkpoint that restricts T-cell trafficking into tumors, with potentially important therapeutic implications to generally improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Res; 78(5); 1275–92. ©2017 AACR.

Top management has been concerned with IT-business strategic alignment (hereafter referred to as alignment) for the past 30 years. Consequently, alignment researchers have developed many mo...

This study critiques and extends the work of , who investigated the relations between social cues in an interface, user personality, user beliefs about the social role and capabilities of computers, and the attributions of responsibility users made for their interactions and outcomes with a computer. In this study, rather than examining the simple, direct effects investigated previously, we examine the moderating role of social cues in the interface. In addition, building upon recent findings from psychology, the authors assess personality traits individually, rather than aggregating them. To evaluate the theorized relations, 152 individuals participated in a controlled laboratory experiment, where social cues in two computer interfaces were manipulated. Results indicate that social cues moderate the relations between personality, beliefs about the social role of computing, and the attributions made. In addition, the results suggest that disaggregating personality traits is theoretically and practically richer than aggregating them.

The next 30 years are going to be challenging for organizations as they need to transition to a workforce that is rapidly growing older. As the workforce is growing older, the age of organizational technology users is an important aspect to examine in the context of organizational information systems (IS). The corresponding IS literature has largely assumed that age is an impediment or disadvantage when using modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) and has, thus, directed attention to the challenges faced by older technology users in the workforce. However, such research has not examined the potential benefits of an older workforce in terms of a possibly higher task performance under certain workplace conditions, such as employees’ subject-area knowledge and the design of the ICT interface. Hence, this paper examines age-related differences in the use of organizational ICTs in terms of the propensity that different age groups have toward performance in the form of mistake-making when searching for information. To do so, the paper forms hypotheses that explain how the combination of age, subject-area knowledge, and system interface lead individuals to make mistakes in a technology-enabled context. Drawing on a laboratory experiment using 107 older and younger technology users, we evaluated the three-way interaction of age, subject-area knowledge, and interface design. Our results demonstrate that—under certain conditions—age is not the detriment that it is widely believed to be. The implications of this finding are explored in relation to the “graying of the workforce” that all OECD countries are currently experiencing.

Raising awareness of the importance of examining the role of age in IS phenomena.Providing a review of age-related IS research on which future work can build.Introducing the concept of "touch points of age".Enabling an improvement in the modeling and understanding of age-related impacts.Advancing a series of research questions to further knowledge in this area. As the workforce ages rapidly in industrialized countries, a phenomenon known as the graying of the workforce, new challenges arise for firms as they have to juggle this dramatic demographical change (Trend 1) in conjunction with the proliferation of increasingly modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) (Trend 2). Although these two important workplace trends are pervasive, their interdependencies have remained largely unexplored. While Information Systems (IS) research has established the pertinence of age to IS phenomena from an empirical perspective, it has tended to model the concept merely as a control variable with limited understanding of its conceptual nature. In fact, even the few IS studies that used the concept of age as a substantive variable have mostly relied on stereotypical accounts alone to justify their age-related hypotheses. Further, most of these studies have examined the role of age in the same phenomenon (i.e., initial adoption of ICTs), implying a marked lack of diversity with respect to the phenomena under investigation. Overall, IS research has yielded only limited insight into the role of age in phenomena involving ICTs. In this essay, we argue for the importance of studying age-related impacts more carefully and across various IS phenomena, and we enable such research by providing a research agenda that IS scholars can use. In doing so, we hope that future research will further both our empirical and conceptual understanding of the managerial challenges arising from the interplay of a graying workforce and rapidly evolving ICTs.

AIMS To psychometrically evaluate the Impact of Nighttime Urination (INTU) questionnaire, a new patient-reported outcome measure developed to assess the impact of nocturia on health and functioning in a multicenter, behavioral modification (fluid restriction) study. METHODS Participants aged 50-95 years with at least two voiding episodes/night for ≥6 months completed voiding diaries and the INTU on 3 consecutive days during weeks 1 and 2 (same day recall) and completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Nocturia Quality of Life Questionnaire (N-QOL) at baseline and days 8 and 15. Psychometric evaluations of the INTU were conducted. RESULTS Rasch analysis showed the INTU to be a unidimensional construct, with most items located on the severe end of the symptom severity continuum. In addition to an Overall Impact Score (10 items), exploratory factor analysis affirmed by confirmatory factor analysis identified two domains: Daytime (six items) and Nighttime (four items) Impact Scores (comparative fit index = 0.968; root mean square error of approximation = 0.08). Concurrent validity met prespecified hypotheses, indicating similarity of concepts with the PSQI (correlation [r] = 0.627) and N-QOL (r = -0.784) total scores. The INTU differentiated among patients with different nocturic episode frequencies (P

Front line staff identified skin tears and stage one pressure ulcers on post-surgical patients undergoing surgical interventions lasting longer than 2 hours. Collaboration between unit-based councils from the operating room, post-anesthesia care unit, and post-surgical units established a new process for early identification and prevention of surgical acquired pressure ulcers (SAPUs). Interdepartmental collaboration was essential to identifying patient safety concerns and developing a new process of pre-evaluation, early identification, and prevention of SAPUs. Specific skin evaluation reports were created to assess the occurrence and prevalence of SAPUs within moments of initial discovery and continuing through the remainder of hospitalization. Patients would have a skin assessment post-operatively performed by the operating room and post-anesthesia care unit nurses together. An internal prevalence study revealed occurrence rates of 7.1% before implementation of interventions. After evaluating 3,035 patients over 2 years and implementation of a new screening process, the prevalence rate was reduced to 3.3%. The resultant decline in SAPUs supports the value of this no-cost change in workflow.

Continued use of strategic information systems is not always a given. This study proposes that users’ trust in the system may influence their satisfaction and continuance intention. While trust has been found to have strategic implications for understanding consumers’ technology usage, relatively little research has examined how trust’s influence operates over time. To gain insight into trust’s influence on strategic system usage over time and to explain how trust relates to satisfaction and continuance intention, we integrate trust-related constructs with the Complete Expectation Disconfirmation Theory (EDT) Model. Our results demonstrate that trust plays a central role in the EDT process and that the EDT process helps explain trust’s role more completely. The study shows that technology trusting expectations influence trusting intention through performance, disconfirmation, and satisfaction. We also show that technology trusting intention adds predictive power to EDT’s satisfaction construct as together they predict usage continuance intention. For research, our results provide a strong combined EDT and trust theory base for future studies that examine expectation management and system development projects. For practice, our study informs systems implementation strategies for technologies that have fewer human-like characteristics and more technology-like characteristics. Our findings underscore that managers need to adopt an EDT process-based view when seeking to build trust, satisfaction, and continuance intention in strategically important information systems.

Phishing is a major threat to individuals and organizations. Along with billions of dollars lost annually, phishing attacks have led to significant data breaches, loss of corporate secrets, and espionage. Despite the significant threat, potential phishing targets have little theoretical or practical guidance on which phishing tactics are most dangerous and require heightened caution. The current study extends persuasion and motivation theory to postulate why certain influence techniques are especially dangerous when used in phishing attacks. We evaluated our hypotheses using a large field experiment that involved sending phishing messages to more than 2,600 participants. Results indicated a disparity in levels of danger presented by different influence techniques used in phishing attacks. Specifically, participants were less vulnerable to phishing influence techniques that relied on fictitious prior shared experience and were more vulnerable to techniques offering a high level of self-determination. By extending persuasion and motivation theory to explain the relative efficacy of phishers' influence techniques, this work clarifies significant vulnerabilities and lays the foundation for individuals and organizations to combat phishing through awareness and training efforts.

Research examining the relationship between IT-business strategic alignment (hereafter referred to as alignment) and firm performance (hereafter referred to as performance) has produced apparently conflicting findings (i.e., an alignment paradox). To examine the alignment paradox, we conducted a meta-analysis that probed the interrelationships between alignment, performance, and context constructs. We found the alignment dimensions (intellectual, operational, and cross-domain) demonstrate unique relationships with the different performance types (financial performance, productivity, and customer benefit) and with many of the other constructs in alignment's nomological network. All mean corrected correlations between dimensions of alignment and dependent variables were positive and most of the credibility interval values in these analyses were also positive. Overall, the evidence gathered from the extant literature suggests there is not much of an alignment paradox. This study contributes to the literature by clarifying the relationships between alignment and performance outcomes and offering insight into sources of inconsistencies in alignment research. By doing so, this paper lays a foundation for more consistent treatment of alignment in future IT research.

This paper identifies issues that must be considered by Information Systems scholars interested in helping to build a rich, interdisciplinary community to support applied research into the impact of the social web. We describe challenges and opportunities presented by the social web for Information Systems research and argue that an interdisciplinary approach may address the challenges of pursuing research questions about ephemeral social web phenomena. Through the creation of communities of practice that bring together faculty, IT professionals, and students from across academic colleges and high performance computing groups that lay a foundation for collaboration, information systems scholars may realize new opportunities for behavioral, design science, business intelligence, and IS strategy research. More importantly, through an interdisciplinary community of practice, we may inform how to develop an information systems curriculum that equips our students to participate in the growing knowledge economy.

Fostering customer loyalty is a key objective for online businesses. Initial transactions with new customers are less profitable than transactions with existing customers, making loyalty an importa...

Prior research has shown that proximal states are important mechanisms through which distal states relate to IT usage. In particular, the influence of distal traits tied to social activity has not been incorporated into the nomological network surrounding information technology (IT) use. Addressing this literature gap, the authors develop their research model using Social Cognitive Theory and examine how two distal traits, social aversion (SA) and institution-based trust (TRIT), influence computer self-efficacy (CSE) and other proximal state-like differences related to IT use. The authors' results show that SA and TRIT demonstrated influence on CSE and CA at the general and specific levels of analysis, and that CSE mediates the influence of SA and TRIT on PU and PEOU, yet does not fully mediate the influence of CA on PU and PEOU. The implications of their findings for research and practice are discussed, as well as avenues for future research.

Members of major political parties in the United States view each other much more negatively than at any time in the past several decades, and political discord is common around the globe. To test ...

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are central to continuity in delivery of care in a combat environment. Yet, despite their benefits, technological advances, and legislation mandating their use, EMRs are not widely diffused in the U.S. military. Several contextual factors, such as armed conflict, multiple layers of bureaucracy, inconsistent rotation schedules, and competing goals, contribute to the complexity and difficulty of EMR implementation in a combat environment. This study applies a principal–agent perspective to understand barriers to EMR policy compliance in the U.S. military. Using a unique data set collected over a 105-week period, we investigate the implementation and effect of monitoring and sanctions on EMR compliance in combat support hospitals. Our results show that monitoring and sanctions positively impact the rate of EMR completion, yet they have no effect on the rate of EMRs started. Our results have implications for research and policy on EMR compliance and implementation in vertically integrated healthcare systems.

Social media (SM) pervades our society. One rapidly growing application of SM is its use in personnel decision making. Organizations are increasingly searching SM (e.g., Facebook) to gather information about potential employees. In this article, we suggest that organizational practice has outpaced the scientific study of SM assessments in an area that has important consequences for individuals (e.g., being selected for work), organizations (e.g., successfully predicting job performance or withdrawal), and society (e.g., consequent adverse impact/diversity). We draw on theory and research from various literatures to advance a research agenda that addresses this gap between practice and research. Overall, we believe this is a somewhat rare moment in the human resources literature when a new class of selection methods arrives on the scene, and we urge researchers to help understand the implications of using SM assessments for personnel decisions.

Since the introduction of the Motivational Technology Acceptance Model in 1992, many researchers have considered both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation as antecedents of intent to use and actual use of a system. However, it has been a long-standing and largely unchallenged assumption that intrinsic motivation (i.e., fun or enjoyment) is a more dominant predictor of hedonic (fun) application use and that extrinsic motivation (i.e., usefulness) is a more dominant predictor of utilitarian (practical) application use. In this article, we probe whether system type serves as a boundary condition (i.e., moderator) for understanding an individual’s interaction with information technology. Specifically, we examine whether perceived enjoyment’s influence on perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, intention, and use varies with system type. On the basis of a meta-analytic structural equation modeling analysis of 185 studies between 1992 and February 2011, our findings suggest intrinsic motivation is equally relevant for predicting intentions toward using and actual use of both hedonic and utilitarian systems. Therefore, our meta-analytic results call into question the rigidity of the assumption that system type is a ‘boundary condition’ for understanding individuals’ interaction with information technology. The implications of these results for research and practice are discussed.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process which describes the trans-differentiation of epithelial cells into motile mesenchymal cells, is pivotal in stem cell behavior, development and wound healing, as well as contributing to disease processes including fibrosis and cancer progression. Maintenance immunosuppression with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) has become routine management for renal transplant patient, but unfortunately the nephrotoxicity of these drugs has been well documented. HK-2 cells were exposed to Tacrolimus (FK506) and EMT markers were assessed by RT PCR and western blot. FK506 effects on TGF-β mRNA were assessed by RT PCR and TGF-β secretion was measured by ELISA. The impact of increased TGF-β secretion on Smad signaling pathways was investigated. The impact of inhibition of TGF-β signaling on EMT processes was assessed by scratch-wound assay. The results presented in this study suggest that FK506 initiates EMT processes in the HK-2 cell line, with altered expression of epithelial and myofibroblast markers evident. Additionally, the study demonstrates that FK506 activation of the TGF-β/ SMAD pathways is an essential step in the EMT process. Overall the results demonstrate that EMT is heavily involved in renal fibrosis associated with CNI nephrotoxicity.

Student-athletes may require cognitive rest and academic support after concussion. Athletic trainers (ATs) in secondary schools are uniquely positioned to provide medical care and to collaborate with school professionals while managing concussions. However, little is known regarding return-to-learn policies and their implementation in secondary schools.Context: To examine ATs' perspectives on return to learn, cognitive rest, and communication with school professionals after concussion.Objective: Cross-sectional study.Design: Web-based survey.Setting: A total of 1124 secondary school ATs completed the survey (28.5% response rate). The majority of participants were employed full time (752/1114 [67.5%]) in public schools (911/1117 [81.6%]).Patients or Other Participants: School and AT employment characteristics, demographics, number of concussions evaluated annually, and perceptions of school professionals' familiarity with ATs' responsibilities were independent variables.Main Outcome Measure(s): Of the ATs, 44% reported having an existing return-to-learn policy. The strongest predictor of a return-to-learn policy was frequent communication with teachers after concussion (odds ratio = 1.5; 95% confidence interval = 1.2, 1.7). Most ATs recommended complete cognitive rest (eg, no reading, television; 492/1087 [45.3%]) or limited cognitive activity based upon symptoms (391/1087 [36.0%]). Common academic accommodations were postponed due dates (789/954 [82.7%]), rest breaks (765/954 [80.2%]), and partial attendance (740/954 [77.6%]). Athletic trainers self-reported as primary monitors of health (764/1037 [73.7%]) and academic progression (359/1011 [35.5%]). The strongest predictor of ATs' communication with school professionals was their perception of school professionals' understanding of ATs' roles.Results: Overall, ATs followed best practices for cognitive rest and return to learn after concussion. Although ATs are central to the management of student-athletes' physical health after concussion, school professionals may be better suited to monitor academic progress. Increased communication between the AT and school professionals is recommended to monitor recovery and facilitate academic support for symptomatic student-athletes.Conclusions

While some online social networking (OSN) websites, such as Facebook, have reported sustained growth, others, such as Bebo, have not. This study investigates the factors that influence users' intentions to continue using these websites. We adapt the theory of reasoned action and develop a model depicting how trusting beliefs, habit, attitude, and subjective norm lead to continuance intention. We propose that trusting beliefs and habit will have differential effects depending on the levels of privacy restrictiveness and site experience. An analysis of data collected from Facebook users shows that the effects of trusting beliefs on continuance intention diminish as OSN users become more experienced, yet, do not diminish when users set privacy controls high. The latter finding contradicts theory positing control and trusting beliefs are substitutes. The finding that the trusting belief-continuance intention relationship is not significant when experience is high demonstrates that trusting beliefs and experience interact. We also show that habit is a stronger predictor when users restrict their personal information. However, contrary to predictions, habit shapes intention among users with both high and low experience. These findings explain how habit and trusting beliefs predict continuance intention in the new OSN environment and have both practical and research implications.

The costs associated with the turnover of information technology (IT) professionals continue to draw the attention of IT managers and researchers. Although a weak labor market has limited the quantity of turnover, organizations' most skilled IT personnel are still coveted and valuable resources. These IT professionals are also those most equipped to leave their firm and find new work. In order to reduce costs, retain key employees, and manage turnover, managers need to understand the factors that drive quitting behavior. The research model suggests that the utility of present and alternative IT work are key cognitive influences on an IT professional's decision to search for new employment, intention to quit, and, ultimately, turnover. We test the research model using longitudinal data that include actual turnover behavior. The research model explains 44% of the variance in intention to quit and 13% of the variance in actual turnover. After establishing the influence of utility on the quitting process, we conduct additional analyses to identify the elements of present and alternative job utility that are the most salient for IT professionals' quitting processes. From the additional analyses, we derive specific guidance to practice on the management of IT professionals.

Aims To evaluate the safety, sustained effectiveness, and treatment interval for percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for overactive bladder (OAB) therapy through 24 months. Methods A prospective study following treatment success after 12 weekly PTNS treatments, subjects were prescribed a 14-week tapering protocol, followed by ongoing therapy with a Personal Treatment Plan determined by the investigator and subject to sustain subject OAB symptom improvement. Questionnaires were completed every 3 months, voiding diaries every 6 months; adverse events were reported throughout. Results Of 50 subjects enrolled, 35 remained in the study at 24 months. During the 24 months following initial treatment success and a 14-week tapering protocol, mean treatments per month was 1.3. Voiding diary and OAB-q data demonstrate sustained improvement reported at 13 weeks through 24 months. Improvements in frequency, urge incontinence episodes, night-time voids and moderate-to-severe urgency episodes from voiding diaries at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were statistically significant compared to baseline (prior to initial 12 weekly treatments). Compared to baseline, OAB-q symptom severity scores and health related quality of life scores were statistically significant for improvement at each tested time point. Five mild adverse events of unknown relation to treatment were reported. Conclusion Sustained safety and efficacy of PTNS were demonstrated over 24 months with initial success after 12 weekly treatments, followed by a 14-week prescribed tapering protocol and a Personalized Treatment Plan. With an average of 1.3 treatments per month, PTNS therapy is a safe, durable, and valuable long-term OAB treatment option to sustain clinically significant OAB symptom control. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 24–29, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

While an increasing number of trust studies examine technological artifacts as trust recipients, there is still a lack of basic understanding of how technology trust relates to traditional trust and its role within the broader nomological net articulated in trust research. This paper suggests that technology trust is distinct from interpersonal trust (i.e., trust in humans) due to the different core characteristics of the trustees. To examine these differences, the authors first develop and validate a measure of technology trust comprised of IT-specific belief sources. Then, they articulate a research model that compares and contrasts technology trust and interpersonal trust. This study provides evidence that technology trust is associated with, yet distinct from, interpersonal trust. The authors found technology trust plays a dual role in the nomological net tied to individual intended behavior – exerting a direct and an indirect influence on a trust outcome. Rather than suggesting that technology trust substitutes for interpersonal trust, the findings suggest that technology trust complements interpersonal trust in affecting purchase intention.

Due to its extensive use for the study of information technology adoption and use, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) serves as an ideal base model for the study of post-acceptance IT diffusion outcomes. The research presented in this paper incrementally builds on TAM-based research to gain meaningful insights into the potential differences individuals’ exhibit in three types of diffusion outcomes in a post-acceptance context. The authors model and test the effects of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on intentions to use, intentions to explore, and trying to innovate – IT diffusion outcomes proposed as vital in a post-acceptance context. In addition to TAM predictive variables, the authors investigate how autonomy, a personal control factor, and subjective norms, a social factor, influence individuals’ intentions toward and behaviors associated with technology use. The findings suggest cognitive intention outcomes are more likely to be influenced by technology-related factors, while behavioral outcomes are more likely to be influenced by social and personal control factors in post-acceptance contexts. Implications of the study for practice and future research are also discussed.

While information on multidimensional constructs and empirical methods has become more accessible, there remain substantial challenges to theorizing about their form and implications. There are at ...

Trust plays an important role in many Information Systems (IS)-enabled situations. Most IS research employs trust as a measure of interpersonal or person-to-firm relations, such as trust in a Web vendor or a virtual team member. Although trust in other people is important, this article suggests that trust in the Information Technology (IT) itself also plays a role in shaping IT-related beliefs and behavior. To advance trust and technology research, this article presents a set of trust in technology construct definitions and measures. We also empirically examine these construct measures using tests of convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity. This study contributes to the literature by providing: (a) a framework that differentiates trust in technology from trust in people, (b) a theory-based set of definitions necessary for investigating different kinds of trust in technology, and (c) validated trust in technology measures useful to research and practice.

News reports of Internet-based security breaches, identity theft, fraud, and other dangers may increase the perceived risk and decrease the perceived benefits of using electronic services (or e-services). We examine whether interactivity serves as a means to diminish the perceived risks and increase the perceived benefits of using e-services. To examine interactivity‟s influence on consumers‟ perceptions, we conducted a laboratory experiment using a simulated web-based, online payment system. When compared to a non-interactive preview of an online payment system, we found that consumers who used an interactive e-service simulation reported higher perceived involvement and authenticity as well as higher intangibility and risks of e-services. Further, we found that interactivity moderated relationships such that consumers were more likely to report higher intentions to use eservices. The paper concludes with implications for research and practice.

In this study, we examine trust in information technology's (IT) relationship with postadoption exploration of knowledge management systems (KMS). We introduce and distinguish between trust in IT and trust in IT support staff as object-specific beliefs that influence technology's infusion into organizations. We suggest that these object-specific beliefs' influence on intention to explore KMS is mediated by behavioral beliefs about IT (e.g., perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use). To test the model, we completed two studies. Study 1 examined users' perceptions of a knowledge portal. Study 2 examined IT professionals' perceptions of KMS. Across studies, our analysis suggests that trust in IT exerts direct effects on behavioral beliefs leading to intentions to explore KMS. Further, when compared to trust in IT support, we found that trust in IT played a more central role in shaping behavioral beliefs leading to exploration of IT. Implications for research and practice are offered.

We suggest that employees’ perceptions of organizational support (POS) are not solely a product of independent evaluations of treatment offered by the organization, but are also shaped by the social context. We argue that coworkers will directly (through inquiry via cohesive friendship and advice ties) and indirectly (through monitoring of employees structurally equivalent in advice and friendship networks) affect employees’ perceived organizational support. Network studies in the admissions department of a large public university and a private company specializing in food and animal safety products indicate that employees’ POS are similar to those of coworkers with whom they maintain advice relationships as well as to those who hold structurally equivalent positions in organizational friendship and advice networks. Our work contributes to organizational support theory by developing and testing a theoretical explanation for the relationship between the social context and perceptions of support among employees. Implications for research and practice are offered.

In this study, we develop a model that explains the work-family conflict experienced by IT professionals. We propose two major sources of work-family conflict: the structure of work and individual mindsets toward work. Furthermore, we examine beliefs about the employer that can diminish work-family conflict. We test our hypotheses using data gathered from 126 IT professionals. Our model explains more than 45% of the variance in work-family conflict. Our findings suggest: (1) skill variety requirements increase work-family conflict, (2) work ethic positively relates to work-family conflict, (3) leisure ethic negatively relates to work-family conflict, and (4) professionalism has mixed effects on work-family conflict. Finally, we found that when IT professionals perceive high levels of job security and are satisfied with supervision, work-family conflict diminishes. The study concludes with implications for research and practice.