In this paper, we focus on the impact of digital transformation on traditional ways to sell insurance products. Our goal is to investigate how widespread the use of digital technologies in insurance ...sales is and which values of these digital technologies are perceived by insurance intermediaries. Moreover, we aim to analyze underlying influencing factors in this regard. We conducted a survey in July 2020, i.e., after the first wave of COVID-19, in which 671 exclusive agents from various insurance companies, independent agents and independent brokers from Germany participated. Our results show that even at this point of time, in a high proportion of sales workforces, digital transformation is not yet very advanced. Further analyses show that exclusive agents and younger people are further ahead in digital transformation even though COVID-19 pushes digital life across all ages and social classes. Based on our results, we derive initial recommendations for action for the insurer.
Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) represent a family of calcium sensor proteins that interact with a group of serine/threonine kinases designated as CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs). CBL-CIPK ...complexes are crucially involved in relaying plant responses to many environmental signals and in regulating ion fluxes. However, the biochemical characterization of CBL-CIPK complexes has so far been hampered by low activities of recombinant CIPKs. Here, we report on an efficient wheat germ extract-based in vitro transcription/translation protocol that yields active full-length wild-type CIPK proteins. We identified a conserved serine residue within the C terminus of CBLs as being phosphorylated by their interacting CIPKs. Remarkably, our studies revealed that CIPK-dependent CBL phosphorylation is strictly dependent on CBL-CIPK interaction via the CIPK NAF domain. The phosphorylation status of CBLs does not appear to influence the stability, localization, or CIPK interaction of these calcium sensor proteins in general. However, proper phosphorylation of CBL1 is absolutely required for the in vivo activation of the AKT1 K+ channel by CBL1-CIPK23 and CBL9-CIPK23 complexes in oocytes. Moreover, we show that by combining CBL1, CIPK23, and AKT1, we can faithfully reconstitute CBL-dependent enhancement of phosphorylation of target proteins by CIPKs in vitro. In addition, we report that phosphorylation of CBL1 by CIPK23 is also required for the CBL1-dependent enhancement of CIPK23 activity toward its substrate. Together, these data identify a novel general regulatory mechanism of CBL-CIPK complexes in that CBL phosphorylation at their flexible C terminus likely provokes conformational changes that enhance specificity and activity of CBL-CIPK complexes toward their target proteins.
Purpose
Previous research observed that large internal fraud events in the general financial services industry imply negative spillover effects, whereas internal fraud in investment banks can imply ...significantly positive effects for other banks. This paper aims to shed further light on this contradictory result.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, the authors compare the spillover effects of the three largest cases of rogue trader events in investment banks (Company 1, 1995; Company 2, 2008; Company 3, 2011) on the largest competing non-announcing banks and insurance companies in Europe based on an event study.
Findings
The results show that while the respective announcing firm suffered significant market value losses that even led to bankruptcy in case of Company 1, spillover effects on other banks and insurers were twofold. In particular, in case of Company 2 and Company 3, spillover effects on other financial firms were significantly positive depending on the event window, indicating a dominating competitive effect, whereas the Company 1 event with its resulting bankruptcy led to significantly negative spillover effects and thus contagion.
Originality/value
The results offer a first indication that the severity of the event in terms of its consequences for the announcing firm is crucial, as internal fraud events have the potential to significantly worsen the market values of other financial services firms, which is in contrast to the typically observed positive effects.
This study examines spillover effects following Volkswagen's admission of emissions cheating. We first estimate initial operational losses of 8.45% of Volkswagen's equity market capitalization on the ...date before the announcement, reputational losses up to five times these losses, and significant negative shocks to its stocks and bonds. Analyzing spillover effects from this shock beyond the usually only measured losses in equity value, we find significant negative net spillover effects to European competitors and suppliers in both stock and bond markets. Studying the economic effects in more detail, we show that Volkswagen's total losses of 27.4 billion euros in terms of changes in equity market values over the first five event days are almost entirely composed of abnormal losses. Furthermore, competitors (suppliers) overall suffered 18.3 (12.6) billion euros of abnormal losses during this time, with 60% (69%) of the firms exhibiting negative changes, especially European competitors and suppliers connected to Volkswagen. These figures are further increased by negative bond market value changes. Overall, our results strongly emphasize that neglecting debt holders losses can lead to an underestimation of such events.
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss responsibility in tourism destinations. On the basis of a resilience approach, central aspects of leadership and of responsibility in destination ...networks are introduced and, a contribution to a conceptual analysis of the future viability of tourism destinations is made. This contributes to a better understanding of resilience from a destination management organization (DMO) perspective in the context of shared responsibility.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this goal, a qualitative interview series was conducted with destination managers in urban and rural areas. The interviews were evaluated using the method of GABEK®, in order to reveal and visualize semantic relationships between the specific statements. This method allows the representation of linkages and relationships of keywords from interview transcripts in the form of network graphs.FindingsA major result is the existence of a network of leaders who take responsibility for tourism development within a tourism destination. Within this network, the destination manager once again plays a key role by developing and formulating visions, goals and strategies. In this context, the relevant employees of the DMO have an important role to play, since they are an important resource of tourism development due to their experience and competences.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to a practical view on the development of visions and strategies. It analyzes challenges and possible ways to communicate with the required political and public actors of the destination as well as with the service providers to regard destination development as a collaborative task.
Purpose
Previous research observed that large internal fraud events in the general financial services industry imply negative spillover effects, whereas internal fraud in investment banks can imply ...significantly positive effects for other banks. This paper aims to shed further light on this contradictory result.
Design/methodology/approach
For this purpose, the authors compare the spillover effects of the three largest cases of rogue trader events in investment banks (Company 1, 1995; Company 2, 2008; Company 3, 2011) on the largest competing non-announcing banks and insurance companies in Europe based on an event study.
Findings
The results show that while the respective announcing firm suffered significant market value losses that even led to bankruptcy in case of Company 1, spillover effects on other banks and insurers were twofold. In particular, in case of Company 2 and Company 3, spillover effects on other financial firms were significantly positive depending on the event window, indicating a dominating competitive effect, whereas the Company 1 event with its resulting bankruptcy led to significantly negative spillover effects and thus contagion.
Originality/value
The results offer a first indication that the severity of the event in terms of its consequences for the announcing firm is crucial, as internal fraud events have the potential to significantly worsen the market values of other financial services firms, which is in contrast to the typically observed positive effects.
Stimulus‐specific calcium (Ca²⁺) signals have crucial functions in developmental processes in many organisms, and are deciphered by various Ca²⁺‐binding proteins. In Arabidopsis thaliana, a signaling ...network consisting of calcineurin B‐like (CBL) protein calcium sensors and CBL‐interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) has been shown to fulfil pivotal functions at the plasma membrane in regulating ion fluxes and abiotic stress responses. However, the role of tonoplast‐localized CBL proteins and especially their function in regulating developmental programs remains largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed single and double mutants of the closely related tonoplast‐localized calcium sensors CBL2 and CBL3, which show either reduction of function (rf) or complete loss of function (lf). While single cbl2 or cbl3 mutants did not display discernable phenotypes, cbl2/cbl3 mutants exhibited defects in vegetative growth and were severely impaired in seed development and morphology. Seeds of the cbl2/3rf mutant were smaller in size and exhibited reduced weight and fatty acid content compared to wild‐type, but accumulation of sucrose was not altered. Moreover, accumulation of inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP₆), the major storage form of phosphorus in seeds, was significantly reduced in mutant seeds. In addition, complete loss of CBL2 and CBL3 function in cbl2/3lf resulted in a high frequency of severe defects in embryonic development. Together, our findings reveal a crucial function of Ca²⁺‐controlled processes at the vacuolar membrane as determinants of seed yield and size, and demonstrate the importance of vacuolar CBL calcium sensors for plant embryogenesis.
Transient and stable expression of transgenes is central to many investigations in plant biology research. Chemical regulation of expression can circumvent problems of plant lethality caused by ...constitutive overexpression or allow inducible knock (out/down) approaches. Several chemically inducible or repressible systems have been described and successfully applied. However, cloning and application-specific modification of most available inducible expression systems have been limited and remained complicated due to restricted cloning options. Here we describe a new set of 57 vectors that enable transgene expression in transiently or stably transformed cells. All vectors harbor a synthetically optimized XVE expression cassette, allowing β-estradiol mediated protein expression. Plasmids are equipped with the reporter genes GUS, GFP, mCherry, or with HA and StrepII epitope tags and harbor an optimized multiple cloning site for flexible and simple cloning strategies. Moreover, the vector design allows simple substitution of the driving promoter to achieve tissue-specificity or to modulate expression ranges of inducible transgene expression. We report details of the kinetics and dose-dependence of expression induction in Arabidopsis leaf mesophyll protoplasts, transiently transformed Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, and stably transformed Arabidopsis plants. Using these vectors, we investigated the influence of CBL (Calcineurin B-like) protein expression on the subcellular localization of CIPKs (Calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinases). These analyses uncovered that induced co-expression of CBL3 is fully sufficient for dynamic translocation of CIPK5 from the cytoplasm to the tonoplast. Thus, the vector system presented here facilitates a broad range of research applications.
We present an advanced vector set for β-estradiol-inducible gene expression. This includes 57 plasmids for transformation of tobacco, Arabidopsis, and protoplasts equipped with GFP, mCherry, GUS, StrepII, and HA tags. Various restriction sites facilitate convenient cloning of transgenes and the driving promoter can be exchanged to achieve any user-defined tissue-specific expression.
SUMMARY We present an advanced vector set for β-estradiol-inducible gene expression. This includes 57 plasmids for transformation of tobacco, Arabidopsis, and protoplasts equipped with GFP, mCherry, ...GUS, StrepII, and HA tags. Various restriction sites facilitate convenient cloning of transgenes and the driving promoter can be exchanged to achieve any user-defined tissue-specific expression. Transient and stable expression of transgenes is central to many investigations in plant biology research. Chemical regulation of expression can circumvent problems of plant lethality caused by constitutive overexpression or allow inducible knock (out/down) approaches. Several chemically inducible or repressible systems have been described and successfully applied. However, cloning and application-specific modification of most available inducible expression systems have been limited and remained complicated due to restricted cloning options. Here we describe a new set of 57 vectors that enable transgene expression in transiently or stably transformed cells. All vectors harbor a synthetically optimized XVE expression cassette, allowing β-estradiol mediated protein expression. Plasmids are equipped with the reporter genes GUS, GFP, mCherry, or with HA and StrepII epitope tags and harbor an optimized multiple cloning site for flexible and simple cloning strategies. Moreover, the vector design allows simple substitution of the driving promoter to achieve tissue-specificity or to modulate expression ranges of inducible transgene expression. We report details of the kinetics and dose-dependence of expression induction in Arabidopsis leaf mesophyll protoplasts, transiently transformed Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, and stably transformed Arabidopsis plants. Using these vectors, we investigated the influence of CBL (Calcineurin B-like) protein expression on the subcellular localization of CIPKs (Calcineurin B-like interacting protein kinases). These analyses uncovered that induced co-expression of CBL3 is fully sufficient for dynamic translocation of CIPK5 from the cytoplasm to the tonoplast. Thus, the vector system presented here facilitates a broad range of research applications. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
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![A New [beta]-Estradiol-Indu...](http://api.summon.serialssolutions.com/2.0.0/image/issn/XR4PS5YY4K/1674-2052/small "A New [beta]-Estradiol-Inducible Vector Set that Facilitates Easy Construction and Efficient Expression of Transgenes Reveals CBL3-Dependent Cytoplasm to Tonoplast Translocation of CIPK5")