bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating Knowledge-Based Communities of Practice
Authors: Hanley Susan , Dawson Christine
Published: May 2011

This chapter is a case study of how American Management Systems (AMS) established its current knowledge management program, and the lessons learned during the process. The chapter gives a background on the need for knowledge management at AMS, discusses the challenges of implementation and the AMS Knowledge Management framework, describes the AMS Knowledge Centers (communities of practice), and explains five key lessons learned. Finally, it outlines the results of the knowledge management program for AMS from both internal and external perspectives.
Current Issues and Trends of Internet-Based Education in the Philippines
Authors: Espejo Bea V. , Mana Marlene P. , Bato Sheila B.
Published: May 2011

The Philippines is one of many developing countries that has begun using the Internet to establish closer communication with entities abroad. Some educational institutions have begun engaging in Internet-based distance education to provide accessible, anytime, anywhere education. These ventures have focused on the tertiary level and post-graduate level of education. The quality of the Internet education that they provide has shown them to be at par with western institutions. However, in the primary and secondary levels of education, the situation is one of a large disparity between the levels of education provided by public and private schools of the nation. Many public educational facilities are located in remote areas where they do not even have electricity, telephone facilities, let alone Internet access. Due to lack of funding, the government has been forced to focus first on providing these schools with the most basic of amenities. Aside from these efforts, the government has also begun to provide ICT facilities to chosen schools that meet the basic requirements for ICT to function. The chapter discusses each of these major points in detail.
Effective Online Learning - Both a Utilization of Technology and Methods
Authors: Frick Jan , Sautter Michael , Ovrebekk Svend
Published: May 2011

The authors have used modeling techniques to gain understanding of causes and relationships in online learning environments. The cases that the modeling relates to have their origin in the large Norwegian research project NettLæR, which runs online courses on various topics and levels. The modeling work seems to indicate that good learning models from earlier learning research may still be of relevance, but the conditions to make them work, and the context they operate in, are more limited and more critical than before.
Designing and Implementing an E-Government Application
Authors: Asoh Derek , Belardo Salvatore , Crnkovic Jakov
Published: May 2011

Today, citizens have grown accustomed to highly customized products and services from private sector firms. As a result, they have begun to demand that government agencies become similarly responsive as well. In order to address the ever-increasing expectations of its citizens, governments will need to become more customer-centric. Some government agencies have begun to do this through such IT-enabled initiatives as e-commerce and e-government. This chapter presents a case study of a successful IT project, MACROS, designed to help implement a new vision of business for state agencies within New York State. This new vision requires greater organizational and system transparency, and a culture of collaboration and sharing that is essential to learning how to better serve citizens. The discussion of the methodology employed in the implementation of this e-government application and the lessons learned lends itself to both traditional and virtual educational processes.
An Analysis of Factors that Influence the Ability of SMEs to Derive Benefit in Four Phases of Electronic Commerce
Authors: Chau Stephen B. , Turner Paul
Published: May 2011

This paper builds on research presented by the authors at IRMA 2001. Previous research by Chau and Turner (2001b) adapted the work of Venkatraman (1994) to explore the relationship between the degree of SME organisational transformation and potential benefits derived from e-commerce. The qualitative data explored reveals various factors that influence SME’s ability to derive benefit from conducting Web-based e-commerce. A preliminary review suggests that these factors can be distinguished into internal factors (organisational and technological) and external factors (nature of supply chain, level of service provided by third party organisations, industry influence, and government assistance). This paper discusses these factors and their implications for modelling e-business organisational transformation.
LEZI
Authors: Bochicchio Mario A. , Fiore Nicola
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we present LEZI, an experimental software tool oriented to the production of indexed videos enriched with hypertextual and multimedia elements for distance learning applications. LEZI is based on the assumption that in particular types of educational hypermedia productions, the quality of educational content may easily compensate for a user interface limited to the essentials or a reduced set of multimedia features. Production of this kind of hypermedia application can be high quality, even with short production cycles at very low cost. The purpose of the chapter is to show how a traditional lesson or a conference can be effectively transformed into a powerful multimedia product based on a very simple and regular structure.
The Retention of Women in Information Technology - A South African Perspective
Authors: van der Merwe Nata , Stander Adrie
Published: May 2011

The retention of women in Information Technology (IT) is a global problem. This chapter reflects on the results of a comprehensive study of women in the South African IT Industry. Areas covered are demographics, experience and qualifications, the work environment, discrimination, gender issues, technical abilities, mentors and other issues related to women in the IT industry. Factors affecting the retention of women in the South African IT Industry are identified, and popular beliefs with regard to the preferences of female IT employees are examined. The authors believe that the findings reported on in this chapter can provide valuable insights that can be used by companies world-wide to enhance employment policies as well as recruitment and retention strategies aimed at women in IT.
Software Outsourcing Prospects for Small Developing Countries
Authors: Bishop Stewart
Published: May 2011

Developing countries have been utilizing information and communication technologies in the management of their business and administrative affairs to improve efficiency and effectiveness; at the national level also, they have been innovative with the establishment of information services sectors. From the initial provision of data entry services some developing countries, as participants in the global software outsourcing movement, have embarked on the development of software for export. Many challenges ranging from insufficient skilled personnel to becoming competitive in a fierce marketplace will be faced. This chapter examines the participation of two small Caribbean countries and describes education and training initiatives and other policy approaches taken by them. The consensus is that, while they will hardly ever make a significant impact on global outsourcing, such small developing countries can achieve substantial economic benefits, stimulate their domestic Information Technology environment and attain an enhanced technological capability.
The Ten Commandments for Global Electronic Commerce Success in Small Business
Authors: Al-Qirim Nabeel A.Y.
Published: May 2011

Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute significantly to national economies and employment levels and represent a viable source for inventions and innovations. The emergence of electronic commerce in the early 90’s could provide different opportunities to the small business sector to overcome its inadequacies. However, in view of the electronic commerce/business (EC) literature in organizations in general and in SMEs specifically, EC research is scarce. Available research portrays a gloomy picture about EC uptake and use by SMEs. Therefore, this chapter attempts, by reviewing recent EC research, to depict an agenda for EC success in SMEs made up of ten influencing factors. Thus, an attempt is made to develop deeper understanding about the factors influencing EC success in SMEs. By following the suggested guidelines in this chapter, SMEs would be in a better position to assess the viability of the new EC perspective to their organizations. The same factors are highly important to researchers, SMEs, professionals (including educational institutions) and policymakers in driving SMEs and EC forward.
Culture and E-Business in Thailand
Authors: Jantavongso Suttisak , Li Raymond K.Y. , Tootell Benedict
Published: May 2011

Surveys of Western literature identify law, infrastructure, tax, payment processes, consumers, suppliers, education and business culture, as the key factors in the successful adoption of e-business. A survey of Thai business executives confirmed that culture and society are additional factors. Twenty of these factors were identified and examined. Organizational infrastructure and English literacy were also found to be major internal and external barriers respectively. The research findings provide the foundation for future research aimed at developing a holistic framework to guide business in Thailand and other countries, to successfully implement the new generation of e-business activities. The new generation of e-business activities include operation-centric e-business, virtual business and Application Service Providers (ASPs).
Network Security Software
Authors: Pulkkis Göran , Grahn Kaj J. , Åström Peik
Published: May 2011

This chapter is a topical overview of network security software and related skills needed by network users, IT professionals, and network security specialists. Covered topics are protection against viruses and other malicious programs, firewall software, cryptographic software standards like IPSec and TLS/SSL, cryptographic network applications like Virtual Private Networks, secure Web, secure email, Secure Electronic Transaction, Secure Shell, secure network management, secure DNS and smartcard applications, as well as security administration software like intrusion detectors, port scanners, password crackers and management of network security software management. Tools and API’s for security software development are presented. A four-level network security software skill taxonomy is proposed and implications of this taxonomy on network security education is outlined. University and polytechnic level network security education is surveyed and the need for inclusion of network security software development skills in such education is pointed out.
Integrating Cooperative Engagement Capability into Network-Centric Information System Security
Authors: Korzyk Sr.
Published: May 2011

The U.S. military’s concept of a Cooperative Engagement Capability should serve as a useful referent for those attempting to design/develop large scale, organization-wide information security systems. This concept involves centralizing command over the entire suite of defensive assets (naval, air, ground) available in some region or locale; whenever a threat is directed against any US force element (a ship, an infantry unit, etc.), this central authority would then be expected to direct the deployment of whatever appears to be the most efficient countermeasure…in light of prospective as well as actual threats. This is a dramatic departure from the traditional decentralized approach, whereby each force element was expected to draw on its own defensive measures to counter any threat directed at it from any source. Industrial/commercial organizations might draw on the logic of the Cooperative Engagement Capability logic in devising a system to secure its informational assets.
The Influence of Socioeconomic Factors on Technological Change
Authors: Azari Rasool , Pick James
Published: May 2011

This paper examines the technological level of 74 counties in technologically advanced states in the United States at the end of the 1990s. The conceptual framework is that selected socioeconomic dimensions influence the level of technological development for advanced communities; i.e., technology does not develop by itself but in concert with pre-disposing characteristics of the environment. The influence of socioeconomic factors was studied through correlation and regression analysis. The findings reveal that, on a national basis, factors that are important across several technology sectors are college education, ethnicity, income, and federal grant funds. There are distinctive influences for high-tech counties in the “rust belt” versus the “sunbelt.” Taken together, the results highlight the association of socioeconomic factors with the per capita magnitude of the technology sectors. The findings are discussed relative to research literature and data collected, and policy and ethical implications are presented.
Social Responsibility and the Transition Toward a Knowledge-Based Society in Latin America
Authors: Ochoa-Morales Heberto J.
Published: May 2011

In Latin America, the proliferation of regional and multilateral agreements with integration as a purpose has generated a high flow of goods, services, and investments among these countries. From the economic perspective, the outcome is trade and, therefore, stimulus to economic growth. Information technology is a relevant parameter in this endeavor. The “digital gap” between developed countries (DC) and less developed countries (LDC) is greater than the gap in the “standard of living” between them. The uneven distribution of wealth among and within countries, and the lack of communication infrastructure and computer-based power, situate them at a transitional stage within the “knowledge-based society,” which emanates social changes, and therefore new roles to be achieved by private and public institutions within the framework of social responsibility.
Evaluating UML Using a Generic Quality Framework
Authors: Krogstie John
Published: May 2011

Many researchers have evaluated different parts of UML™ and have come up with suggestions for improvements to different parts of the language. This chapter looks at UML (version 1.4) as a whole, and contains an overview evaluation of UML and how it is described in the OMG™ standard. The evaluation is done using a general framework for understanding quality of models and modeling languages in the information systems field. The evaluation is based on both practical experiences and more theoretical evaluations of UML. Based on the evaluation, we conclude that although being an improvement over it is predecessors, UML still has many limitations and deficiencies, both related to the expressiveness and comprehensibility of the language. Although work is well underway for the next version of UML (version 2.0), not all of the important problems seem to be addressed in the upcoming new version of the language.
An Extension to a UML Activity Graph from Workflow
Authors: Riesco Daniel , Acosta Edgardo , Montejano German
Published: May 2011

This chapter proposes an extension to the activity graph of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) to support the Workflow Management Coalition (WfMC) standard. The definition of a business process has been standardized by the WfMC with the purpose of satisfying the need of interaction and connectivity between process definition tools and different workflow systems. Here, the WfMC meta-model is explained. The UML activity diagrams, used for the business process modeling, support less detail than the WfMC standard. In this chapter, an extension of the UML’s activity graph meta-model is proposed, and its formalization using the workflow meta-model is defined. The purpose of this chapter is to obtain an extension of UML to support the workflow process definition without changing the standard with the same expressive power as the WfMC. It increments the expressive power of the activity diagrams so that the business processes modeled with the UML notation can be executed by a workflow engine.
Towards a UML Profile for Building on Top of Running Software
Authors: Mirbel Isabelle , de Rivieres Violaine
Published: May 2011

Currently, fewer and fewer applications are developed from scratch. Therefore, with any development process, it is very important to determine during the analysis and design phases whether there are any applications that must be safeguarded and how this could be accomplished. Legacy applications, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning integration are typical examples of developments that deal with safeguarding. Indeed, safeguarding may be necessary for a specific piece of work involving the integration of new developments with different parts of running applications. To support such a difficult but fundamental task, we recommend a set of extensions through a UML profile. In this proposal, we highlight three aspects of safeguarding which have to be taken into account: the business expertise, the interfaces, and the code itself. We then present how this profile can be used along the different phases of analysis and design; applicable guidelines are provided to support software designers in their daily work.
A Framework for Extending Potency and Reducing Competitive Risk in the IT Strategic Systems Portfolio
Authors: White James D. , Steinbach Theresa A. , Knight Linda V. , Burns Alan T.
Published: May 2011

This research proposes that, in addition to balancing risk in the total IT project portfolio as McFarlan suggested in 1981, organizations should also balance risk in their strategic IT portfolios. A framework is distilled from the literature that will both minimize the total risk of an organization’s strategic project portfolio, and identify opportunities to extend the strategic life of its information systems. The framework’s validity is assessed by using four classic cases in the strategic use of technology. Results indicate that overall strategic IT risk may be reduced by evaluating an organization’s strategic IT portfolio against the five dimensions of the framework, and then seeking strategic IT projects and opportunities that would bring greater balance to the organization’s efforts. In addition, by moving across boundaries in each of the five dimensions, strategic systems can adapt to competitive marketplace or technology changes, and thus maintain their strategic potency over extended time periods.
Measurement Issues in Decision Support Systems
Authors: Holstein William K. , Crnkovic Jakov
Published: May 2011

After a brief discussion on the history of decision-making, this chapter focuses on metrics for justifying investment in information systems and technology and for measuring business and management performance. The discussion of metrics is linked to current practices in decision support systems and focuses on the needs for future systems. With several examples drawn from contemporary practice, we introduce implementation guidelines for DSS development incorporating new metrics that go beyond ROI and Balanced Scorecard-like measures. Suggested guidelines include simplicity, selectivity, a focus on research and learning, and benchmarking. These guidelines suggest that future metrics to support decision support systems should be grouped into meaningful categories and tied more closely to system architecture.
Potential Roles for Business-to-Business Marketplace Providers in Service-Oriented Architectures
Authors: Lenz Markus , Greunz Markus
Published: May 2011

The chapter introduces the concept of a service-oriented architecture and assesses its applicability to business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces. In order to provide substantial value to their members, marketplaces have to offer a comprehensive service offering which aims to support all phases of the transaction process. Building up such a service offering is not a one-time effort; electronic B2B marketplaces will have to evolve their service offerings continually and adapt them to the ever-changing needs of the companies they serve. Therefore, instead of trying to create such an extensive service offering on their own, we argue that B2B marketplaces have to make use of partnerships with specialized service providers.
A Cooperative Communicative Intelligent Agent Model for E-Commerce
Authors: Jentzsch Ric , Gobbin Renzo
Published: May 2011

The complexities of business continue to expand. First technology, then the World Wide Web, ubiquitous commerce, mobile commerce, and who knows. Business information systems need to be able to adjust to these increased complexities, while not creating more problems. Here, we put forth a conceptual model for cooperative communicative intelligent agents that can extend itself to the logical constructs needed by modern business operations today and tomorrow.
Mobile Computing Business Factors and Operating Systems
Authors: Mariga Julie R.
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the enormous impact of mobile computing on both companies and individuals. Companies face many issues related to mobile computing. For example: which devices will be supported by the organization? which devices will fulfill the business objectives? which form factor will win? which features and networks will future devices offer? which operating systems will they run? what will all this cost? what are the security issues involved? what are the business drivers? This chapter will discuss the major business drivers in the mobile computing field, and provide an analysis of the top two operating systems that are currently running the majority of mobile devices. These platforms are the 1) Palm operating system (OS), and 2) Microsoft Windows CE operating system. The chapter will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each operating system and discuss market share and future growth.
Development of Interactive Web Sites to Enhance Police/Community Relations
Authors: Baim Susan A.
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses research conducted to determine the feasibility of introducing police Web sites and virtual communities as new tools in the move toward community-oriented policing. Using citizen satisfaction surveys designed to evaluate police department performance in three Ohio cities, a profile of future citizen expectations regarding interactions with the police is constructed. Based on differences in the demographics of the cities’ populations, probabilities of success in implementing online communications with the police are assigned. A model for establishing a virtual community for the Trenton, Ohio Police is explored in light of the survey results and established community-oriented policing theory.
A Rigorous Model for RAISE Specifications Reusability
Authors: Felice Laura , Riesco Daniel
Published: May 2011

During the RAISE specification development process, a variety of components and infrastructures are built. All of these components are not independent, but they are related to each other, especially when we specify different systems in the same infrastructure. The RAISE method is based on the idea that software development is a stepwise, evolutionary process of applying semantics-preserving transitions. So, the reuse process is crucial in all stages of the development, but there is not explicit reference to the specification reusability in this development process. This chapter presents a rigorous process for reusability for RAISE Specification Language (RSL) components. We provide the mechanism to select a reusable component in order to guide RAISE developers in software specification and construction.
The Application of FOOM Methodology to IFIP Conference Case Study
Authors: Kabeli Judith , Shoval Peretz
Published: May 2011

FOOM (Functional and Object-Oriented Methodology) is an integrated methodology for information systems’ analysis and design, which combines two essential software-engineering paradigms: the functional/data approach (or process-oriented) and the object-oriented (OO) approach. Having applied FOOM in a variety of domains, this chapter presents the application of the methodology to the specification of the IFIP Conference system. We focus on the analysis and design phases. FOOM-analysis phase includes data modeling and functional analysis activities and produces an initial Class Diagram and a hierarchy of OO data flow diagrams (OO-DFDs). The products of the design phase include: (a) a complete class diagram; (b) object classes for the menus, forms and reports and (c) a behavior schema, which consists of detailed descriptions of the methods and the application transactions, expressed in pseudocode and message diagrams.
What Difference Does It Make
Authors: Chaudhry Abdus S.
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an overview of performance measurement in the area of knowledge management. Salient features of main measures have been described and their role in determining the return on knowledge management work highlighted. While Balanced Scorecard and Intangible Assets Monitor provide comprehensive coverage, several other measures are also in use. A recent study and review of applications of main KM performance measures in selected organizations showed several areas of commonality in the objectives of performance measurement and revealed differences in approaches to the application and presentation of various performance measures. Developing a measurement system for knowledge management is considered the key to the competitive success of the organization.
Rewards
Authors: Laupase Ricky
Published: May 2011

This chapter will discuss as to whether reward systems will effectively facilitate the sharing and transfer of tacit knowledge amongst consultants in management consulting firms. A research framework was based on the ‘tacit knowledge conversion’ model given by Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) and the ‘reward classifications’ model by VonKortzfleisch and Mergel (2001). The framework suggests that, with effective implementation, reward systems would encourage the tacit knowledge sharing. A typical example of knowledge-intensive organisation is a management consulting firm in which its success depends heavily on the sharing of tacit knowledge amongst its consultants. Seven senior management executives from different international management consulting firms who have had extensive experience in the consulting industry were interviewed. The study found that reward systems do encourage consultants to share knowledge with each other. It is also found that informal meetings and also offering non-material or ‘soft’ rewards are often cited as a more effective approach to encourage tacit knowledge sharing.
The Value of Trust in Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Wang Ran , Rubenstein-Montano Bonnie
Published: May 2011

Knowledge sharing is currently at the forefront of research in the areas of organizational management and electronic business. Research has focused on aspects of knowledge sharing such as trust, quality of knowledge shared, and task complexity. This chapter builds on past inquiries of trust in knowledge sharing by examining how the benefits obtained from knowledge sharing change as trust levels change. A Repeated Measures ANOVA design is used to test the impact of trust on knowledge sharing. Task completion time, the dependent variable, measures the effect of knowledge sharing. Statistical analysis suggests that the benefit obtained from knowledge sharing increases as trust level increases.
Knowledge Reuse in an Application Service Provider
Authors: Timbrell Greg , Nelson Karen J.
Published: May 2011

This qualitative study of support personnel in an Enterprise Systems Application Service Provider assesses and confirms Markus’ Theory of Knowledge Reuse. Following disappointing knowledge capture outcomes during implementation and the consequential inability to reuse that knowledge effectively, enterprise systems applications support managers are recognizing the importance of lifecycle knowledge management as they face the first major upgrade of their clients’ enterprise systems. This study also explores the dominant knowledge reuse types of support personnel. We extend Markus’ typology to include Primary Data Miner to explain management’s dominant knowledge reuse situations.
Social Issues in the Administration of Information Systems Survey Research
Authors: Lippert Susan K.
Published: May 2011

Survey responses differ between direct paper and pencil (manual) administration and Internet-based (electronic) survey data collection methods. Social dynamics (issues) play an important role in influencing respondent participation. A review of the existing literature suggests that the medium and administration context affect differences in instrument performance parameters, i.e., response rate, participation ease, attractiveness of survey, novelty effect, administrative costs, response flexibility, response time, population size, sample bias, instrument validity, the management of non-response data, and response error. This chapter attempts to identify, describe and map the differences between survey data collection media as a function of selected social variables.
End User Support Usage
Authors: Munkvold Robin
Published: May 2011

This study explores how different end user qualities affect actual use of support sources in organizations. It identifies three qualities: information technology-skills; computer self-efficacy; information technology (IT) -involvement. Sources of support are divided in: formal sources of support; informal sources of support; use of internal documentation and use of external documentation. Hypotheses are tested empirically through a cross sectional study in a large Norwegian organization. The results show end user qualities in varying degree may affect the end users’ choice of different support sources. The study also shows access to a computer expert and giving collegial support might be important factors for explaining the variation in the end users’ choices of support services.
Users as Developers - Conditions and Effects of User Systems Development
Authors: Avdic Anders
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents conditions and effects of User Systems Development using a Spreadsheet Program. It argues that User Systems Development using a Spreadsheet Program is characterized by integration, interactivity and capacity of questioning, which make it possible to control continuous changes in the environment of an organization. Three empirical studies have been carried out using a Grounded Theory influenced approach. The results are presented with the use of the model of generic practice (the ToP model), in order to systemize empirical findings and related theory. The model is used to specify the conditions and results of a specific practice, e.g., a controller practice or an information technology (IT) specialist practice.
The Role of the Organizational Context in the Use of a Workflow System
Authors: Sarmento Anabela
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the role of the organizational context in the use of a workflow system. It argues there are organizational factors such as structure, power, people, technology and culture, that constrain and enable the use of workflow systems. The author hopes that, by presenting a case study of a Portuguese organization, which implemented and used a workflow system, it will help to identify those organizational factors, which could affect implementation, and to understand how they can influence the success, or failure, of such a system. Finally, the results will contribute to a better management of the process of change.
Making Way for Java in an Information Technology Masters Program
Authors: Lucas Wendy
Published: May 2011

The object-oriented programming paradigm has gained popularity in industry and academia, and Java is becoming the language of choice. Yet, it can be a difficult language to learn, with many hurdles for novice programmers. This chapter describes our experiences transitioning to Java as the first programming language in an information technology Masters program. Careful consideration was given to a variety of factors, including when to introduce object-oriented concepts, which integrated development environment to use, and how to support students with minimal prior experience. The impact of these choices on the learning experience is described, and the factors that led to the successful implementation of Java as a first programming language are presented.
Empirical Study of Students' Perceptions of Online Courses
Authors: Simon Judith C. , Brooks Lloyd D. , Wilkes Ronald B.
Published: May 2011

The recent proliferation of availability of online courses and programs has caused some concerns related to ensuring that the time and cost investments provide beneficial results, both to students and the institutions providing the material. Students’ perceptions of these programs are likely to affect their interest in enrolling in them. Schools need an awareness of these student perceptions to determine if a need exists to modify the delivery of online programs. This study was designed to determine current perceptions of online programs by potential students, compared with the traditional on-campus environment. Findings indicate those issues that are most important to students in course delivery and their beliefs as to whether these issues are more likely to be delivered through online or through traditional on-campus courses.
Virtual Government
Authors: Oberer Birgit J.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, an overview of electronic government is given. Online electronic services, like inquiry possibilities that are made available to its interaction partners (citizens and businesses) by administration authorities, are one proof of changes in the public sector because of modern information and communication technologies. Electronic government includes all governmental measures at the levels (union, states, and local governments) for qualitative improvements in citizen’s different spheres of life and for optimization of business processes within the administration. It can cause an improvement of the relationship between administration, citizens, and businesses. The author gives an overview about selected current international electronic government incentives, introduces analysis methods for these governmental strategies, and shows developed guidelines for implementing electronic government.
Introduction
Authors: Ratnasingam Pauline
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we introduce the motivation for the study and discuss the background of inter-organizational trust, followed by significant prior research leading to a rationale of this study. Then we discuss previous research in e-commerce adoption, its history, growth, and an analysis of the factors that drive and inhibit e-commerce adoption. E-commerce is the sharing of business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions by means of telecommunications networks (Zwass, 1996:3). E-commerce applications facilitate communication and information exchanges between organizations, thereby enabling mass manufacturing, production, and customization to occur (Giaglis et al., 1998). E-commerce is changing the shape of competition, the dynamics of trading partner relationships, and the speed of fulfillment (Kalakota and Robinson, 2001). In this study, a trading partner is considered to be an organization which engages in business-to-business e-commerce. Trading partners can play various roles of suppliers, merchants, brokers, or customers. They interact with one another to form Inter-organizational relationships (IOR’s). To avoid the possibility of anthropomorphizing the organization, and inferring that the trustor is an organization, inter-firm trust is viewed as the collectively held cognitive belief of a group of well-informed individuals within a firm (Zaheer, McEvily, and Perrone, 1998). Thus, in this study the terms trading partner trust and inter-organizational trust are used interchangeably.
The New Informated Business Architecture
Authors: Targowski Andrew
Published: May 2011

The fall of the Berlin Wall, the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, and the disintegration of the Soviet Union are certainly monumental events in the history of the human race as the 20th century nears its close. Monumental changes are taking place in business organizations and in the managers who run them. The business community is shifting its paradigms and the manner in which it does business. To avoid “Future Shock,” one must look beyond the trends of the past and discover the rules that will govern business in the Twenty-First Century, the Information Age. By knowing the nature of such changes and how to anticipate them, the strategist can elicit extraordinary leverage in shaping the future. Drucker (1980) in Managing Turbulent Times, writes that one of the most important skills during times of turbulence is anticipation. This chapter explores the effects of the information age (Figure 1) upon the global business enterprise which is shifting from an old paradigm to a new one, in the way Kuhn (1970) described paradigm shifts in science in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. We will also suggest that since all major business dimensions have shifted paradigms, a new era in business requires a new set of rules.
Engineering of a Virtual Community Platform
Authors: Rose Kerstin , Urbas Leon , Kunzer Alexander , Kindsmuller Martin Christof , Leuchter Sandro
Published: May 2011

UseWorld.net is a federated user adaptive Internet portal that supports information exchange and cooperation in research and development in the area of human machine interaction. It has been jointly developed with members of Center of Human-Machine-Systems (ZMMS, TU Berlin), Chair of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics (RWTH Aachen), Chair for Industrial Design (University of Essen) and Center for Human-Machine-Interaction (ZMMI, University of Kaiserslautern). The portal is operated by an independent open incorporated society. It integrates manifold information services (online journal, different thematic link collections, conference database, expert database) and a sophisticated cooperation component to support distributed teams by providing shared workspaces. Software agents for community awareness tasks and a clean and consistent interaction design complete the solution and support the portal’s innovative operation concept, which intends to activate the users to become editors.
Integrated E-Learning System and Its Practice
Authors: Okamoto Toshio , Kayama Mizue
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we present an intelligent media oriented e-learning system. In this system, we have developed a LMS (Learning Management System), some learning control systems and some learning media, with a flexible framework. It is intended to provide a collaborative workplace to encourage interactions among lecturer/learners. Moreover, we propose an innovative educational method of a cooperative link between a university and an industry for higher education. We analyze these results and the problems we encountered, as well as offer constructive solutions. Furthermore, we have developed some intelligent media such as an analyzer/summarizer by the statistical natural language processing for data log of discussion process to encourage/aware discussion/negotiation between learners and an automatic reporting processor.
Fast Track
Authors: Duggan Philip , Ghaoui Claude , Simco Mike
Published: May 2011

Most studies involving students in designing and developing software involve research teams and other professionals outside of the normal school environment. This pilot study demonstrated that involving students in the design and development of software could take place entirely within the school environment. This methodology was called “fast tracking.” Students could, and did, play demanding and effective roles in the process of software development. Students were responsible for selecting their own roles in the design process and were assertive in selecting the teaching staff they wanted to work with. The students also proved to be adept at selecting a suitable toolkit for implementing the software. The participating students represented a cross section of the entire ability range. A quantitative analysis of “flow” as an indication of the success of the implementation indicated that middle ability students derived the most educational benefit from using software developed under the fast track approach. Relationships between students and teaching staff exhibited changes in the power structure, which were often difficult to redress outside of the pilot study.
E-Learning as a Catalyst for Educational Innovation
Authors: Askar Petek , Halici Ugur
Published: May 2011

As a form of distance learning, e-learning has become a major instructional force in the world. In this chapter, initiatives regarding e-learning and its impacts on instructional design, on school management and on the community are described and discussed in order to show different aspects of e-learning environments and their impact on related individuals or institutions. Future trends in e-learning are presented in connection with expected technological improvements and key points needing special care in the development of future e-learning environments are mentioned in the light of diffusion theory.
A Case Study on Forecasting of the Return of Scrapped Products through Simulation and Fuzzy Reasoning
Authors: Marx-Gomez Jorge , Rautenstrauch Claus
Published: May 2011

Forecasting of scrapped products to recycling poses severe problems to remanufacturing companies due to uncertainties in timing and quantities of returns. A method is suggested combining a simulation approach with fuzzy reasoning. The prediction model presented here is based on life-cycle data (e.g., sales figures and failures) and impact factors (e.g., lifetime, wear and tear, usage intensity). First, these data serve to develop a simulation model, which consists of sub-models describing sales, failures, usage and returns, respectively. Furthermore, the forecasting approach will be extended by a fuzzy component introducing expert knowledge into the model design to obtain more accurate forecasting results. An empirical study has been applied using life-cycle data of photocopiers to forecast the returns. The results of this study are presented in this chapter as well.
Newshound Revisited
Authors: Goldberg Jeffrey L. , Shen Shijun S.
Published: May 2011

There has been a lot of research done in the area of Intelligent Internet Agents. In this chapter, we would like to report our experience in implementing such an agent. It is called Newshound, and it can be trained to recognize a desired topic, and then scan Usenet newsgroups looking for new examples of that topic. Recently, Newshound has been in use by law enforcement personnel, and in response to their feedback, we have extended its capabilities. Also, we introduce two additional intelligent agents: Chathound and Webhound. Finally, we describe the inter-agent communication layer, the facilitator for cooperation between ANSER’s intelligent agents
Virtual Organizations that Cooperate and Compete
Authors: Loebbecke Claudia , van Fenema Paul C.
Published: May 2011

‘Co-opetition’ describes the phenomenon that firms engage in a virtual form of interaction where they cooperate and compete with their counterparts. Such hybrid relationships challenge traditional notions of firm boundaries and strategic resource management. There seems a contradiction in the fact that partners are supposed to share knowledge which is at the same time a key determinant of their competitive advantage. This balancing act suggests the need for special competencies that enable companies to reap the benefits of temporary synergy, while avoiding risks associated with making knowledge available to external partners. This chapter explores the art of controlling knowledge flows in ‘coopetitive’ relationships. We conceptualize types of knowledge flows and dependencies, resulting in four configurations. For each of these, risks in terms of deviations from the original agreement are examined. We propose control strategies that allow companies engaged in co-opetition to anticipate deviant trajectories and define adequate responses. Directions for future research on this topic are indicated.
Technology-Based Marketing in the Healthcare Industry
Authors: Johnson Grace , Kumar Anand , Ramaprasad Arkalgud , Reddy Madhusudhan
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we focus on the impact of Web-based technology on marketing practices within the healthcare industry and its impact on the relationships between the major players in the industry. In particular, we focus on the relationship between the patient and his/her physician. The first part of the chapter examines the dynamics of this relationship in the context of exchanges and interactions that patients and physicians have with the pharmaceutical and insurance companies, i.e., players outside the clinic/hospital setting. We present a simple conceptual model that shows how relationships in the industry have evolved as a result of technologically driven marketing practices. In the second part of the chapter, we examine how Web technology affects the way in which players and processes inside the clinic/hospital setting influence the patient-physician relationship. Specifically, we explore how Web technology streamlines administration within a clinic/hospital, increases patient education about their illness, enhances communication between patients and physicians and leads to an overall improvement in the quality of patient care. We balance our discussion of the virtues of Web technology by briefly discussing thorny legal and public policy issues that have been raised by the use of this technology in the healthcare industry.
VDT Health Hazards
Authors: Clark Carol
Published: May 2011

This article outlines major health issues (e.g., vision problems, musculoskeletal disorders, and radiation effects on pregnancy), as evidenced by the literature and medical research, associated with VDT use. It provides practical suggestions for both end users and managers to help eliminate or reduce the potential negative health effects of VDT use.
The User Interface for a Computerized Patient Record System for Primary Health Care in a Third World Environment
Authors: Blignaut P. J. , McDonald T.
Published: May 2011

The manual paper-based system for keeping track of patient history was replaced with a computerized system in a Primary Health Care clinic in a traditionally Black urban area. Several factors influenced the design of the user-interface. Aspects such as screen layout, data fields to be captured, mouse dependency, computer literacy of the users and adapting the system to the normal daily routine of users were considered. The study showed that special attention should be devoted to the design of the user interface for systems used primarily by third world users who do not want the computer to interfere or hinder them in their daily jobs.
Studying the Translations of NHSnet
Authors: Whitley Edgar A. , Pouloudi Athanasia
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the ways in which innovative information systems projects take on a life of their own. The chapter begins by reviewing some of the more traditional ways of making sense of this phenomenon: resistance to change, escalation and unintended results, before introducing the sociology of translation. This provides a theoretical framework for viewing the transformations that an information systems project undergoes. The framework is then applied to the case of the NHSnet project in the United Kingdom. Using the language of sociology of translation, we consider the underlying stakeholder relations in the case study and draw more general conclusions for the responsibilities of stakeholders involved in an information systems lifecycle.