Platform as a Service (PaaS) solutions are changing the way software is produced, distributed, used, and priced. However, there has been little research into understanding the dynamics of PaaS business models and how these business models should be designed to establish a flourishing ecosystem around these platforms. Using design science research (DSR) we first identified the main design elements of PaaS business models as well as their relationships by investigating 24 PaaS providers. The resulting classification scheme as well as the qualitative systems dynamics model (in form of a causal loop diagram (CLD)) facilitates a better understanding of the adoption dynamics of PaaS business models. By focusing on the adoption dynamics of PaaS business models, our research goes beyond previous approaches for studying PaaS.
Due to an increased competition for volunteers, nonprofit organizations have intensified efforts to recruit members as volunteers. But how to effectively persuade members to volunteer using visual communication? Research suggests that images are most persuasive when they demand something from the viewer. A demand is expressed through the depiction of a person who directly gazes at the viewer, whereas an offer is expressed through the depiction of a face with an averted gaze. Demands and offers can also be expressed verbally. A verbal demand is articulated through commands, whereas a verbal offer is conveyed through statements. This study examines whether NPOs should address their members using demands or offers and whether correspondence between image and text increases persuasion. An experiment among 205 members of a Swiss NPO finds that direct gaze images are most effective. However, image-text matching increases persuasion for campaigns that feature an averted gaze image.
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