Early evidence on how Industry 4.0 reshapes MNEs' global value chains: The role of value creation versus value capturing by headquarters and foreign subsidiaries.

In anticipation of the upcoming changes and turbulence caused by Industry 4.0, in which digital integration connects all value chain members, managers at leading multinational enterprises (MNEs) are scrambling to predict the associated changes in the market. This pioneering study advances our understanding by investigating the impact of an MNE's Industry 4.0 orientation on the globalization of its value chain network. Identifying two types of value-generation activities as potential moderators, namely value creation and value capturing, we compare the moderation effects when these activities are conducted by headquarters versus foreign subsidiaries. We test the proposed model using a panel dataset comprising 5572 subsidiary-year observations from 358 Korean MNEs from 2011 to 2019. The results show that an MNE's Industry 4.0 orientation leads to a more rapid expansion of its distribution network than of its supplier network. Furthermore, value creation by headquarters has a stronger positive impact on the globalization of its distribution network than that of its supplier network, whereas value creation by subsidiaries has a stronger positive impact on the globalization of its supplier network than that of its distribution network. However, value capturing has a stronger impact on the globalization of the MNE's distribution network than that of its supplier network when performed by both locations. This study concludes by discussing the theoretical and managerial implications.

En prévision des turbulences et des changements à venir causés par l'Industrie 4.0 dans laquelle l'intégration numérique relie tous les membres de la chaîne de valeur, les managers des grandes entreprises multinationales (Multinational Enterprises - MNEs) s'efforcent de prévoir les changements associés sur le marché. Cette recherche pionnière fait progresser notre connaissance en étudiant l'impact de l'orientation vers l'Industrie 4.0 des MNEs sur la globalisation de leurs réseaux de chaîne de valeur. En identifiant deux types d'activités génératrices de valeur comme modérateurs potentiels, à savoir la création de valeur et la capture de valeur, nous comparons les effets modérateurs lorsque ces activités sont menées par le siège social versus les filiales étrangères. Nous testons le modèle proposé à l'aide d'un ensemble de données de panel comprenant 5 572 observations d'année-filiale de 358 MNEs coréennes durant la période 2011 - 2019. Les résultats montrent que l'orientation vers l'Industrie 4.0 d'une MNE conduit à une expansion de son réseau de distribution plus rapide que celle de son réseau de fournisseurs. En outre, la création de valeur par le siège social a un impact positif plus fort sur la globalisation de son réseau de distribution que sur celle de son réseau de fournisseurs, tandis que la création de valeur par les filiales exerce un impact positif plus fort sur la globalisation de son réseau de fournisseurs que sur celle de son réseau de distribution. Néanmoins, la capture de valeur a un impact plus fort sur la globalisation du réseau de distribution d'une MNE que sur celle de son réseau de fournisseurs lorsqu'elle est réalisée par les deux sites. Cette recherche se termine par une discussion des implications théoriques et managériales.

Anticipándose a los próximos cambios y turbulencias causadas por la Industria 4.0, en la cual la integración digital conecta a todos los miembros de la cadena de valor, los gerentes de las principales empresas multinacionales (EMN) se esfuerzan por predecir los cambios asociados en el mercado. Este estudio pionero avanza en nuestra comprensión investigando el impacto de la orientación de la Industria 4.0 de una EMN en la globalización de su red de cadena de valor. Al identificar dos tipos de actividades de generación de valor como moderadores potenciales, es decir, la creación de valor y la captura de valor, comparamos los efectos moderadores cuando estas actividades son llevadas a cabo por la casa matriz frente a las filiales extranjeras. Pusimos a prueba el modelo propuesto utilizando un conjunto de datos de panel que comprende 5.572 observaciones de años subsidiarios de 358 empresas multinacionales coreanas de 2011 a 2019. Los resultados muestran que la orientación a la Industria 4.0 de una empresa multinacional lleva a una expansión más rápida de su red de distribución que de su red de proveedores. Adicionalmente, la creación de valor por parte de la casa matriz tiene un impacto positivo más fuerte en la globalización de su red de distribución que en la de su red de proveedores, mientras que la creación de valor por parte de las filiales tiene un impacto positivo más fuerte en la globalización de su red de proveedores que en la de su red de distribución. Sin embargo, la captura de valor tiene un impacto más fuerte en la globalización de la red de distribución de la empresa multinacional que en la de su red de proveedores cuando es realizada en ambos lugares. El estudio concluye con un análisis de las implicaciones teóricas y gerenciales.

Antecipando as próximas mudanças e turbulências causadas pela Indústria 4.0, na qual integração digital conecta todos os membros da cadeia de valor, gerentes de principais empresas multinacionais (MNEs) estão se esforçando para prever as mudanças associadas no mercado. Este estudo pioneiro avança nosso entendimento ao investigar o impacto da orientação de uma MNE na Indústria 4.0 na globalização de sua rede de cadeia de valor. Ao identificar dois tipos de atividades de geração de valor como potenciais moderadores, a saber, criação de valor e captura de valor, comparamos os efeitos moderadores quando essas atividades são conduzidas pela matriz versus subsidiárias estrangeiras. Testamos o modelo proposto usando um conjunto de dados em painel compreendendo 5.572 observações subsidiária-ano de 358 MNEs coreanas de 2011 a 2019. Os resultados mostram que uma orientação para a Indústria 4.0 por uma MNE leva a uma expansão mais rápida de sua rede de distribuição do que de sua rede de fornecedores. Além disso, a criação de valor pela matriz tem um impacto positivo mais forte na globalização de sua rede de distribuição do que na rede de fornecedores, enquanto a criação de valor pelas subsidiárias tem um impacto positivo mais forte na globalização de sua rede de fornecedores do que na rede de distribuição. No entanto, a captura de valor tem um impacto mais forte na globalização da rede de distribuição da MNE do que na rede de fornecedores quando realizada por ambas as localidades. Este estudo conclui discutindo as implicações teóricas e gerenciais.

Development of Highly Active Bifunctional Electrocatalyst Using Co3O4 on Carbon Nanotubes for Oxygen Reduction and Oxygen Evolution.

Replacement of precious platinum catalyst with efficient and cheap bifunctional alternatives would be significantly beneficial for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the application of these catalysts in fuel cells is highly crucial. Despite numerous studies on electrocatalysts, the development of bifunctional electrocatalysts with comparatively better activity and low cost remains a big challenge. In this paper, we report a nanomaterial consisting of nanocactus-shaped Co3O4 grown on carbon nanotubes (Co3O4/CNTs) and employed as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the simultaneous catalysis on ORR, and OER. The Co3O4/CNTs exhibit superior catalytic activity toward ORR and OER with the smallest potential difference (0.72 V) between the [Formula: see text] (1.55 V) for OER and E1/2 (0.83 V) for ORR. Thus, Co3O4/CNTs are promising high-performance and cost-effective bifunctional catalysts for ORR and OER because of their overall superior catalytic activity and stability compared with 20 wt% Pt/C and RuO2, respectively. The superior catalytic activity arises from the unique nanocactus-like structure of Co3O4 and the synergetic effects of Co3O4 and CNTs.

MLCK and PKC Involvements via Gi and Rho A Protein in Contraction by the Electrical Field Stimulation in Feline Esophageal Smooth Muscle.

We have shown that myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was required for the off-contraction in response to the electrical field stimulation (EFS) of feline esophageal smooth muscle. In this study, we investigated whether protein kinase C (PKC) may require the on-contraction in response to EFS using feline esophageal smooth muscle. The contractions were recorded using an isometric force transducer. On-contraction occurred in the presence of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), suggesting that nitric oxide acts as an inhibitory mediator in smooth muscle. The excitatory composition of both contractions was cholinergic dependent which was blocked by tetrodotoxin or atropine. The on-contraction was abolished in Ca(2+)-free buffer but reappeared in normal Ca(2+)-containing buffer indicating that the contraction was Ca(2+) dependent. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), voltage-dependent K(+) channel blocker, significantly enhanced on-contraction. Aluminum fluoride (a G-protein activator) increased on-contraction. Pertussis toxin (a G(i) inactivator) and C3 exoenzyme (a rhoA inactivator) significantly decreased on-contraction suggesting that Gi or rhoA protein may be related with Ca(2+) and K(+) channel. ML-9, a MLCK inhibitor, significantly inhibited on-contraction, and chelerythrine (PKC inhibitor) affected on the contraction. These results suggest that endogenous cholinergic contractions activated directly by low-frequency EFS may be mediated by Ca(2+), and G proteins, such as Gi and rhoA, which resulted in the activation of MLCK, and PKC to produce the contraction in feline distal esophageal smooth muscle.

The Inhibitory Effect of Quercetin-3-O-beta-D-Glucuronopyranoside on Gastritis and Reflux Esophagitis in Rats.

It was evaluated the inhibitory action of quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (QGC) on reflux esophagitis and gastritis in rats. QGC was isolated from the herba of Rumex Aquaticus. Reflux esophagitis or gastritis was induced surgically or by administering indomethacin, respectively. Oral QGC decreased ulcer index, injury area, gastric volume, and acid output and increased gastric pH as compared with quercetin. Furthermore, QGC significantly decreased gastric lesion sizes induced by exposing the gastric mucosa to indomethacin. Malondialdehyde levels were found to increase significantly after inducing reflux esophagitis, and were reduced by QGC, but not by quercetin or omeprazole. These results show that QGC can inhibit reflux esophagitis and gastritis in rats.

Effect of resveratrol on the pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous nicardipine in rats: possible role of P-glycoprotein inhibition by resveratrol.

The present study aimed to assess the effect of resveratrol on the bioavailability of nicardipine in rats. Nicardipine was administered orally (12 mg kg(-1)) or intravenously (4 mg kg(-1)) with or without oral administration of resveratrol (0.5, 2.5 or 10 mg kg(-1)). The oral administration of 2.5 or 10 mg kg(-1) of resveratrol significantly increased both the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) (P < 0.01, 111-126%) and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) (P < 0.01, 105-121%), and significantly decreased the total body clearance (CL/F) (P < 0.01, 52.8-55.8%) of orally administered nicardipine. In contrast, resveratrol did not significantly change the pharmacokinetic parameters of i.v. nicardipine. Resveratrol significantly reduced rhodamine123 efflux via P-gp in MCF-7/ADR cells overexpressing P-gp. Resveratrol also inhibits CYP3A4, suggesting that the enhanced oral bioavailability of nicardipine by resveratrol may result from decreased P-gp-mediated efflux or inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 metabolism. Based on these results, nicardipine dosage should be adjusted when given with supplements containing resveratrol.

Novel porous matrix of hyaluronic acid for the three-dimensional culture of chondrocytes.

A novel three-dimensional (3D) scaffold of chemically unmodified hyaluronic acid (HA) with minimum cross-linkage was developed for the culture of chondrocytes, thereby to promote cartilage repair. The porous structure of the scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the pore size was controlled by fabrication conditions including swelling time and composition of the HA matrix. Rabbit primary chondrocytes and human chondrocytic cell lines (C-20/A4) were cultured in the HA matrix to investigate whether they can be applied to construct the cartilage tissue in vitro. The chondrocytes retained chondrocytic spherical morphology in this HA matrix. Moreover, results from the MTT assay showed good cellular viability within the HA matrix; optical density increased for up to 28 days, demonstrating that the cells continued to proliferate inside the HA matrix. Phenotypic analysis (RT-PCR, Alcian blue staining and quantification of s-GAG) showed that chondrocytes, when three-dimensionally cultured within the HA matrix, expressed transcripts encoding collagen type II and aggrecan, and produced sulfated glycosaminoglycans (s-GAG), indicating chondrogenic differentiation. The new HA matrix therefore appears as a potentially promising scaffold for the three-dimensional culture of chondrocytes for cartilage tissue engineering.

Altered pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel by the concomitant use of morin in rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of morin on the pharmacokinetics of orally and intravenously administered paclitaxel in rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of paclitaxel were determined in rats after an oral (30 mg kg(-1)) or intravenous (3 mg kg(-1)) administration of paclitaxel to rats in the presence and absence of morin (3.3 and 10 mg kg(-1)). Compared to the control given paclitaxel alone, pretreatment with morin 30 min prior to the oral administration of paclitaxel increased C(max) and AUC of paclitaxel by 70-90% and 30-70%, respectively, while there was no significant change in T(max) and terminal plasma half-life (T(1/2)) of paclitaxel. Consequently, absolute and relative bioavailability values of paclitaxel in the rats after the pretreatment with morin were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those from the control. In contrast, following an intravenous administration of paclitaxel (3.3 mg kg(-1)), the pharmacokinetic profiles of paclitaxel were not altered significantly in the presence of morin. Those results suggest that the enhanced oral exposure of paclitaxel should be mainly due to the inhibition effect of morin on the gastrointestinal extraction of paclitaxel during the intestinal absorption. Therefore, the concurrent use of morin or morin-containing dietary supplement may provide a therapeutic benefit in the oral delivery of paclitaxel.

Production of biodiesel fuel by transesterification of rapeseed oil.

Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) show large potential applications as diesel substitutes, also known as biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel fuel as renewable energy is an alternative that can reduce energy dependence on petroleum as well as air pollution. Several processes for the production of biodiesel fuel have been developed. Transesterification processes under alkali catalysis with short-chain alcohols give high yields of methyl esters in short reaction times. We investigated transesterification of rapeseed oil to produce the FAMEs. Experimental reaction conditions were molar ratio of oil to alcohol, concentration of catalyst, type of catalyst, reaction time, and temperature. The conversion ratio of rapeseed oil was enhanced by the alcohol:oil mixing ratio and the reaction temperature.

[Screening for high risk population of dementia and development of the preventive program using web].

PURPOSE: This study was to develop a screening model for identifying a high risk group of dementia and to develop and evaluate the web-based prevention program. METHOD: It was conducted in 5 phases. 1) Data were collected from dementia patients and non-dementia patients in a community. 2) A screening model of the high risk population was constructed. 3) The validity test was performed and the model was confirmed. 4) Four weeks-prevention program was developed. 5) The program was administered, and evaluated the effects. RESULT: The model consisted of age, illiteracy, history of stroke and hypercholesterolemia. The program was designed with 12 sessions, group health education using web-based individual instruction program, and 12 sessions of low-intensity physical exercise program. After the completion, their self-efficacy, and health behaviors in experimental group were significantly improved over those in the control group. The perceived barrier in the treatment group is significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: The screening model developed is very simple and can be utilized in diverse community settings. And the web based prevention program will encourage individual learning and timely feedback, therefore it can facilitate their active participation and promote health management behaviors at home.