Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge. Edited by I. Lakatos and A. Musgrave. Pp. viii, 282. £3·50, paperback £1. 1970. (Cambridge University Press.)

Many companies have developed strategies that include investing heavily in information technology (IT) in order to enhance their performance. Yet, this investment pays off for some companies but not others. This study proposes that organization learning plays a significant role in determining the outcomes of IT. Drawing from resource theory and IT literature, the authors develop the concept of IT competency. Using structural equations modeling with data collected from managers in 271 manufacturing firms, they show that organizational learning plays a significant role in mediating the effects of IT competency on firm performance. Copyright  2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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IT competency and firm performance: is organizational learning a missing link?

A fairly thorough account of multiple discrepancies theory (MDT) is presented, with a review of its historical antecedents and an examination of its strength in accounting for the happiness (H) and satisfaction (S) of nearly 700 university undergraduates. Basically, MDT asserts that H and S are functions of perceived gaps between what one has and wants, relevant others have, the best one has had in the past, expected to have 3 years ago, expects to have after 5 years, deserves and needs. MDT explained 49% of the variance in H, 53% in global S and 50% or more in 7 out of 12 domain S scores. The domains studied were health, finances, family, job, friendships, housing, area, recreation, religion, self-esteem, transportation and education.

Multiple Discrepancies Theory (MDT)

How to Read a Paper is one of the bestselling texts on evidence-based medicine, used by health care professionals and medical students worldwide. Trisha Greenhalgh's ability to explain the basics of evidence-based medicine in an accessible and readable way means the book is an ideal introduction for all, from first year students to experienced practitioners. This is a text that explains the meaning of critical appraisal and terms such as 'numbers needed to treat', 'how to search the literature', 'evaluate the different types of papers' and 'put the conclusions to clinical use'. New features of the third edition include: New discussion putting evidence-based medicine into the current context, with more emphasis on patient perspectives Increased coverage of qualitative research in evidence-based medicine New information on literature sources and search mechanisms. This book covers critical appraisal, how to search literature, evaluating different types of papers, qualitative research in evidence-based medicine, and how to put conclusions to clinical use. [Link in URL above is to 2nd edition]

How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence-Based Medicine

Thoroughly revised, this new edition of Critical Theory of Technology rethinks the relationships between technology, rationality, and democracy, arguing that the degradation of labor-as well as of many environmental, educational, and political systems-is rooted in the social values that preside over technological development. It contains materials on political theory, but the emphasis has shifted to reflect a growing interest in the fields of technology and cultural studies.

Transforming Technology: A Critical Theory Revisited

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

Philosophy and Technology

A guide to the culture of science, technology, and medicine

Research in Philosophy and Technology

Responsibility and Technology: The Expanding Relationship.- Philosophical Anthropology and the Problem of Responsibility in Technology.- Technoscience: Nihilistic Power versus a New Ethical Consciousness.- Phenomenology and the Autonomy of Technology.- The Autonomy of Technology.- Technique and Responsibility: Think Globally, Act Locally, according to Jacques Ellul.- Increasing Responsibility as Technological Destiny? Human Reproductive Technology and the Problem of Meta-Responsibility.- Commercializing Reproductive Technologies: Ethical Issues.- Incontinence and Biomedicine: Examples from Puyallup Indian Medical Ethnohistory.- Homo Generator: The Challenge of Gene Technology.- The Modern Babylon Culture.- Religion, Technology, and Human Autonomy.- Societal Role of Dutch Freshwater Ecologists in Environmental Policies.- Risk Assessment as Social Research.- Toward a Philosophy of Engineering and Science in R &.D Settings.- Engineers as Social Activists: A Defense.- The Real Risks of RiskCost-Benefit Analysis.- Responsibility and Technology: A Select, Annotated Bibliography.- Index of Names.

Paul T. Durbin

Papers

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

Philosophy and Technology

A guide to the culture of science, technology, and medicine

Research in Philosophy and Technology

Technology and responsibility