bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BlogWall
Authors: Cheok Adrian David , Fernando Owen Noel Newton , Ranasinghe Nimesha , Zhu Kening , Edirisinghe Chamari
Published: September 2010

Since the invention, the mobile phone is becoming more and more popular to lead the communication sector and it has been the spirit of personal communication from the beginning of 80s. Furthermore, developing countries which have always been on the search for affordable communication solutions found mobile communication the most popular method. Low cost communication, infrastructure, and maintenance are some of the key reasons that make mobile technologies popular in developing countries. Statistics depict that the usage of short messages is one of the main communication method in developing countries and most of the organizations are using SMS (Short Message Service) as a tool to assist people, especially in African and Asian continents. Sri Lanka, as a developing country, has a unique culture which has emerged scaling many centuries, mixing with various neighboring cultures. Recently the western cultural influence has dramatically changed the various cultural aspects of the urban population. The rapid economic growth, the changes in agriculture based economic environment, advances in communication and media, and globalization trends has transformed the cultural experiences of Sri Lankans. Taking into account the speedy progress of the mobile technology, especially the SMS, the evolution of the Sri Lankan way of living which has absorbed the culture that has developed with the use of mobiles, and the long literary history where poetry had played a major role in communication, we are observing the suitability of the Blogwall system, an interactive system which operates on user SMS and provides opportunities for creative poetry by combining visual art and poetry.
The Role of Information Communication Technologies Within the Field of Communication for Social Change
Authors: Servaes Jan
Published: September 2010

There is a lot of talk about the ‘newness’ of mobile and wireless Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) these days. What is so ‘new’ about them? And in what way will they solve the still unresolved problems of poverty, inequality and information divides in the world? This chapter takes a bird’s eye perspective and presents a number of observations regarding the role of ICTs within the field of Communication for Development and Social Change (CDSC). All those involved in the analysis and application of Communication for Development and Social Change would probably agree that in essence communication for social change is the sharing of knowledge aimed at reaching a consensus for action that takes into account the interests, needs and capacities of all concerned. It is thus a social process, which has as its ultimate objective sustainable development at distinct levels of society. Communication media and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are important tools in achieving social change but their use is not an aim in itself—interpersonal communication and traditional group media must also play a fundamental role. This basic consensus on development communication has been interpreted and applied in different ways throughout the past century. Both at theory and research levels, as well as at the levels of policy and planning-making and implementation, divergent perspectives are on offer. In this chapter, the author presents a brief overview of the field of Communication for Development and Social Change (CDSC) and elaborates on the role and impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Development and Social Change.
Unpacking Strong versus Weak Presence in Second Life Enactive Role Play
Authors: Ho Caroline M L
Published: September 2010

This chapter focuses on investigating participants’ presence in Second Life among students in enactive role play. The interest in the study is on the nature of participant interaction and construction of discourse moves which reflect the nature and extent of their presence (identified as ‘strong’ or ‘weak’) in the virtual world. The chapter examines the key concept of presence and its association with related concepts of engagement and identity against the sociocultural approach to learning and functional linguistic theory which provide the theoretical underpinnings and frame the research focus of this study. A review of related studies in the field follows after which background information on the context of the study is provided. The method of analysis is explained after which an analysis and a discussion of findings are presented. The chapter closes with highlighting the pertinent pedagogical implications of virtual enactive role play in 3D immersive spaces for learning.
Financial Early Warning System for Risk Detection and Prevention from Financial Crisis
Authors: Ozgulbas Nermin , Koyuncugil Ali Serhan
Published: September 2010

Risk management has become a vital topic for all enterprises especially in financial crisis periods. All enterprises need systems to warn against risks, detect signs and prevent from financial distress. Before the global financial crisis that began 2008, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have already fought with important financial issues. The global financial crisis and the ensuring flight away from risk have affected SMEs more than larger enterprises When we consider these effects, besides the issues of poor business performance, insufficient information and insufficiencies of managers in finance education, it is clear that early warning systems (EWS) are vital for SMEs for detection risk and prevention from financial crisis. The aim of this study is to develop and present a financial EWS for risk detection via data mining. For this purpose, data of SMEs listed in Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) and Chi-Square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) Decision Tree Algorithm were used. By using EWS, we determined the risk profiles and risk signals for risk detection and road maps for risk prevention from financial crisis.
Designing an Early Warning System for Stock Market Crashes by Using ANFIS
Authors: Acar Murat , Karahoca Dilek , Karahoca Adem
Published: September 2010

This chapter focuses on building a financial early warning system (EWS) to predict stock market crashes by using stock market volatility and rising stock prices. The relation of stock market volatility with stock market crashes is analyzed empirically. Also, Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) national 100 index data used to achieve better results from the view point of modeling purpose. A risk indicator of stock market crash is computed to predict crashes and to give an early warning signal. Various data mining classifiers are compared to obtain the best practical solution for the financial early warning system. Adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model was proposed to forecast stock market crashes efficiently. Also, ANFIS was explained in detail as a training tool for the EWS. The empirical results show that the fuzzy inference system has advantages to gain successful results for financial crashes.
Bankruptcy Prediction by Supervised Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Tsai Chih-Fong , Lu Yu-Hsin , Hsu Yu-Feng
Published: September 2010

It is very important for financial institutions which are capable of accurately predicting business failure. In literature, numbers of bankruptcy prediction models have been developed based on statistical and machine learning techniques. In particular, many machine learning techniques, such as neural networks, decision trees, etc. have shown better prediction performances than statistical ones. However, advanced machine learning techniques, such as classifier ensembles and stacked generalization have not been fully examined and compared in terms of their bankruptcy prediction performances. The aim of this chapter is to compare two different machine learning techniques, one statistical approach, two types of classifier ensembles, and three stacked generalization classifiers over three related datasets. The experimental results show that classifier ensembles by weighted voting perform the best in term of predication accuracy. On the other hand, for Type II errors on average stacked generalization and single classifiers perform better than classifier ensembles.
Social Aid Fraud Detection System and Poverty Map Model Suggestion Based on Data Mining for Social Risk Mitigation
Authors: Koyuncugil Ali Serhan , Ozgulbas Nermin
Published: September 2010

After last global financial crisis, one of the most important concerns of the governments became unemployment. Higher unemployment rates haves been forcing governments to develop some policies. Some of these policies has been included financial policies while some of them included social policies. One of the most important concerns of social policies is social risk mitigation and fight against poverty and social aids as its extensions. In general, measurement of social events have been mostly based on subjective statements. More specifically, targeting mechanisms have been using for determination of potential social aid owners. Most popular targeting mechanisms are subjective ones as well. In this chapter, an objective targeting mechanism model and a fraud detection system model have been developed via data mining for social aids as an identifier of poverty levels which includes early warning signals for inappropriate applications. Then, these models have been used for development of a poverty map. Developed new targeting mechanism which has been based on rating approach will be an alternative to Means Test and Proxy Means Test. In addition, social aid fraud detection system will be updated automatic with Intelligent System property and the poverty map computation approach can be used for absence of detailed data. Furthermore, Millenium Development Goals, Targeting Mechanisms, Poverty and Poverty Maps concepts have been reviewed from an analytical and objective point of view.
Data Mining and Economic Crime Risk Management
Authors: Jans Mieke , Lybaert Nadine , Vanhoof Koen
Published: September 2010

Economic crime is a billion dollar business and is substantially present in our current society. Both researchers and practitioners have gone into this problem by looking for ways of fraud mitigation. Data mining is often called in this context. In this chapter, the application of data mining in the field of economic crime, or corporate fraud, is discussed. The classification external versus internal fraud is explained and the major types of fraud within these classifications will be given. Aside from explaining these classifications, some numbers and statistics are provided. After this thorough introduction into fraud, an academic literature review concerning data mining in combination with fraud is given, along with the current solutions for corporate fraud in business practice. At the end, a current state of data mining applications within the field of economic crime, both in the academic world and in business practice, is given.
Designing Digital Marketplaces for Competitive Advantage
Authors: Rathi Dinesh , Given Lisa M.
Published: September 2010

In today’s digital world the majority of companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large firms, aim to have an online presence. However, SMEs differ from large-sized companies in terms of financial and staffing resources, which have implications for the development of e-business strategies. Thus, SMEs must not only overcome these barriers but must also take care of critical success factors (CSFs), including developing a good website and ensuring that their websites are listed among the top search engine results. This chapter discusses three elements (i.e., design principles, web usability and search engine optimization), which are vital to the effective design of a successful digital marketplace. The chapter discusses the importance of integrating these three elements in website design especially for SMEs.
Enhancing the Preparedness of SMEs for E-Business Opportunities by Collaborative Networks
Authors: Duin Heiko , Thoben Klaus-Dieter
Published: September 2010

This chapter introduces virtual Organisations (VOs) as a special organisational form of collaborative networks of SMEs to conduct E-Business projects. VOs are normally not created from scratch, but instantiated from a strategic network or pool of enterprises. This enhances the preparedness of participating members when an E-Business opportunity occurs. The underlying strategic network acts as a breeding environment for the VOs. Therefore, it is called a VO Breeding Environment (VBE). Examples from the automotive industry are illustrating the development and needs of this concept. Strategic planning is important for such a network in order to increase chances of occurring business opportunities. The remainder of this chapter shows how scenario-oriented methods such as cross-impact analysis can be used to support a collaborative strategic planning in such networked organisations. The application of such methods allows long-term foresight and the anticipation of the right technological, financial and business oriented decisions.
Open Innovation
Authors: Rahman Hakikur
Published: September 2010

With the advent of innovative technologies and multi-dimensional researches along the setting of entrepreneurship development, philosophy, context and business handling has been transformed from being traditional to innovative. Depending on diversity and nature of the transformation, innovation has been shifted from closed to open to crowdsourcing innovation. Ranging from small entrepreneurs to corporate business houses are being immensely benefited by the innovation techniques, especially utilizing information and communication technologies. However, the road to innovation, despite being a paradigm shift is not smooth and ready for many, particularly the small and medium enterprises who mainly deal with the clients at the outer peripheries of the social circle. This chapter synthesizes issues of opportunities and challenges for small and medium enterprises by carrying out a broad literature review and synthesis. Furthermore, the chapter will provide a few research hints to be applicable for researchers and research institutions.
What is New with Organization of E-Business
Authors: Potocan Vojko , Nedelko Zlatko , Mulej Matjaž
Published: September 2010

In modern working relations, a company can improve its business dramatically, especially with formation and performance of suitable management. An important role in the whole management of a company belongs also to management of e-business. A broad definition defines e-business as a business process that uses Internet (and/or any other electronic medium) as a channel to complete business transactions. One of the main concerns about management of e-business is how much of each e-business should be owned by each e-business participants. This is called the extent of vertical integration. But in the modern business environment, vertical integrations alone are not enough. The alternative to vertical integration is some other form of relationship, not necessarily ownership. Inthe authors’ contribution, they will examine the relationship between the links of the e-business in terms of the flows between the operations involved. The authors use term link for all the different types of flow in exchange. This contribution discusses two issues: 1) How different relationships in e-business impact organization of e-business, and 2) How different organizational forms impact of e-business.
Knowledge Supply for SME Networks
Authors: Carstensen Anders , Levashova Tatiana , Sandkuhl Kurt , Shilov Nikolay , Smirnov Alexander
Published: September 2010

Current trends of globalisation and increased competition require new forms of organisation and work support. Especially in small and medium sized enterprises (SME), the competitiveness and future market position of an enterprise is closely related to the ability of cooperating with partners in SME networks or virtual supplier organisations. In complex work processes with a number of distributed partners, high requirements with respect to competence and a lot of rules and guidelines to be obeyed; detecting and sharing knowledge among different members of networked organizations is an important issue. Based on an empirical investigation regarding the demands of SME and illustrating this demand with industrial cases, this paper investigates two technical approaches supporting knowledge supply in networked organizations: enterprise modeling and self-organisation of flexible supply networks. These approaches are presented with related work and their limits and potentials.
Retail 2.0
Authors: Porfírio José António , Ganhão Luís
Published: September 2010

Retail was born in 1879 with the first Five & Dime Stores. 130 years after, we still live in the era of Retail 1.5, this means, no real Quantum Leap was made in Customer Experience. However, we strongly believe that, starting half of the first decade of the 21st Century, a new Retail Era began. This change is due to the fact that, not only Classic Retailers like Wal-Mart, Tesco and Carrefour started to look to the Persona, instead of a Person among Persons, but also eCommerce Retailers, such as Amazon or eBay showed that eCommerce Retail it’s more than a Start-Up, which is something that we can observe by the continued and sustained Double Digit Revenue growths year after year. Social Retail hit the mainstream, when Time Magazine awarded Social Shopping Experience as one of the Best Inventions of 2007. The objective of the present study is to understand what have been done in the field of New Customer Experiences since the beginning of the Classic Retailers, and try to devise what will be the strategic implications for the future, arising from the changes foreseen in the field of retail business. The authors will emphasize the emerging new Trends, and try to foresee what in Social Retail and Online / Shop Customer Experience could be the mainstream for the next decade.
A Unified View of Enablers, Barriers, and Readiness of Small to Medium Enterprises for E-Business Adoption
Authors: Chugh Ritesh , Gupta Pramila
Published: September 2010

SMEs have been looking at expanding their market share by extending beyond their geographical boundaries and this is where electronic business has come to the forefront. The path to e-business adoption is ridden with barriers and understanding these along with the benefits it offers to SMEs is important. This chapter has reviewed the existing literature of barriers and benefits of e-business adoption by SMEs to identify the various enablers that can facilitate adoption. The chapter also provides an insight into e-readiness and analyses six existing tools that are used globally to measure e-readiness. Based on a comprehensive analysis, an holistic framework (Motivation Application Measurement Support (MAMS) e-readiness assessment framework) has been proposed. The framework can be utilized as a reference to assess, design and implement a supplementary strategic approach for the assessment of e-business readiness of SMEs. Further empirical research to test, amend and improve the MAMS framework can be undertaken in the future.
Fairness in Virtual Teams
Authors: Beugré Constant D.
Published: September 2010

Using organizational justice as a conceptual framework, this chapter discusses the importance of fairness in managing virtual teams. It introduces a new construct, e-organizational justice, defined as employee perceptions of fairness in virtual work environments. The chapter also posits that fairness is essential to building and maintaining the cohesiveness and effectiveness of virtual teams. The chapter ends with a discussion on e-organizational justice’s implications for further research and management practice.
Knowledge Creation and Sharing in the Malaysian Housebuilding Industry
Authors: Yusof Nor’Aini , Shafiei Mohd Wira Mohd
Published: September 2010

This chapter examines how knowledge management (KM) develops within the Malaysian housebuilding industry. The objectives of this chapter are twofold. First, it explains how innovation is able to encourage or influence housing developers in generating the new Build Then Sell (BTS) system. Second, it identifies the characteristics of successful adopters so that other developers can imitate them and funnel resources to those areas that successful adopters emphasise. Focus group and semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain in-depth responses from one house buyers‘ organisation and successful BTS adopters. The effort to implement BTS is seen as being the result of a strategic investment in new knowledge by developers responding to the pressure they have experienced on the part of the house buyers and the government. Discussion and the sharing of both explicit and tacit knowledge between the main stakeholders have generated the finer details of the BTS. A strong learning culture and the development of KM tendencies also lead to successful BTS implementation.
Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing Practice in Malaysia
Authors: Yusof Zawiyah Mohd , Ismail Mohd Bakhari
Published: September 2010

The need for the adoption of knowledge management practice, particularly knowledge sharing is pressing in any modern organisation today in order to ensure their survival in this highly competitive world. It is evidence that knowledge sharing has given untold advantages to organisations such as the ability to make good decisions and formulate new strategies. This in turn enables organisations to remain competitive in their respective industry. Knowledge bears no value unless it is shared and well disseminated, particularly among workers within the organisation. Despite its advantages, knowledge sharing seems to be taken lightly by many organisations in Malaysia and only a few studies have been carried out. Therefore, the authors take an initiative to identify factors affecting knowledge sharing in Malaysian public sector. An extensive literature review has been conducted in this area in order to determine such factors. Synthesizing from the literatures, this chapter proposes a theoretical framework that takes into consideration the individual, organizational and technological dimensions that might affect knowledge sharing practise in Malaysian public sector. It is not the intention of this chapter to include the findings of this study and therefore the current study only develops a framework based on literature review. The findings of the study will be reported upon completion of the entire study.
The Influence of Emotional Intelligence on Tacit Knowledge Sharing in Service Organizations
Authors: Othman Abdul Kadir , Abdullah Hazman Shah
Published: September 2010

The challenge of knowledge management is to generate, share, exploit and renew knowledge faster than competitors. To achieve sustainable competitive advantage, the knowledge management strategy is to develop and share tacit knowledge so that organizational capabilities rest in many, if not all, employees. In team-work environment, emotional intelligence, trust and organizational citizenship behavior are crucial to tacit knowledge sharing. Emotional intelligence as the ability to control one’s and others’ emotions, among other abilities, will facilitate the sharing of high value tacit knowledge, of work and clients, among team members. The road to a trusting relationship is marked by inter-personal understanding and empathic communication between members leading potentially to organizational citizenship behavior. Organizational citizenship behavior which manifests the employees’ commitment to the job and organization is a significant mediator in tacit knowledge sharing. However, the role of emotional intelligence in facilitating tacit knowledge sharing is constrained by the type of service environment, i.e. professional, service shop and mass service which limits the scope for tacit knowledge sharing. This chapter offers several testable propositions to explain the influence of emotional intelligence on tacit knowledge sharing in service businesses.
Knowledge Management Practices in Brazilian Software Organizations
Authors: Furquim Tatiana de Almeida , do Amaral Sueli Angelica
Published: September 2010

This chapter explores knowledge management practices in a software organization. It argues that software companies are knowledge intensive organizations and therefore they must properly address the matter of knowledge management. This case study highlights the importance of understanding the practices of knowledge management and describes knowledge acquisition, protection, transfer, and application practices in the context of a Brazilian software organization. The authors hope that this chapter increases understanding of existing knowledge practices in software organizations.
Knowledge Management in High-Growth Companies
Authors: Cudanov Mladen , Kirchner Kathrin
Published: September 2010

This case study describes knowledge management practices in Mozzartbet, the major and fastest growing division of Stepanovic & Šipka Corporation. Mozzartbet started as sport betting business in 2001. Since then, Mozzartbet’s size has increased a few hundred times in just eight years and knowledge increase followed that pace. It can therefore be an example of knowledge management practices in high-growth companies. Technical, organizational and behavioral practices, successes and problems of knowledge management in Mozzartbet are covered, and future plans of top managers in that area are revealed. In this case study the authors describe a relaxed, academic-like organizational culture, organizational structure, strategy of development, industry and regional environment, and other internal and external factors important for knowledge management. Afterwards they present conclusions about knowledge management in Mozzartbet and future directions, according to contingency approach.
Understanding the Behavior of Knowledge Management Pathways
Authors: Medina Jose Manuel Cárdenas , Spinola Mauro de Mesquita
Published: September 2010

Within small-size firms, it is too difficult to understand how the process of knowledge transfer happens. It is through a close observation of their mind-set and ethos that it is possible to construct a conceptual map of their transfer of knowledge processes. Within the present case; the relations among footwear manufacturers enabled the generation and sharing of knowledge. Thus, this chapter seeks to introduce the behavior of knowledge management and its source by studying the social behavior of micro-entrepreneurs from Peru and Brazil that create relationships, practice communities and other forms of knowledge sharing. Best knowledge-based practices emerged from the adaptation and imitation from others. Three ways were recognized: distance-to-market; distance-to-consumer, and inner circle. And, three ways of social memory creation within the core of the small-firms were observed: memory of product, market report and social memory.
HRM Adaptation to Knowledge Management Initiatives
Authors: Zapata-Cantú Laura , Ramírez Jacobo , Pineda José Luis
Published: September 2010

Organizational knowledge and human capital are increasingly regarded as key levers of competitive advantage in today’s global, dynamic and complex business environment. People are the ultimate knowledge creators and bearers; although organizations may have memory systems, they do not think by themselves. Human resource management (HRM) has a strategic role facilitating knowledge management (KM) initiatives, specifically in activities such as: recruitment, training and compensation. Although many studies raise the question of how HRM shapes KM, limited research in Latin America has explored this matter. This chapter aims to explore how HRM policies and practices have been designed in three organizations located in Mexico, in order to support KM initiatives. The findings suggest that the strategic role of HRM in supporting KM initiatives must be expanded. HRM policies, practices, and compensation systems, such as incentives and bonus packages to motivate employees to create and share knowledge, need to be redefined. Recruitment, selection and, training and development must be tailored to obtain a successful implementation of the KM program.
Modeling Access Control in Healthcare Organizations
Authors: Mourtou Efstratia
Published: September 2010

Since Hospital Information Systems (HIS) are designed to support doctors and healthcare professionals in their daily activities, information security plays a vital role in managing access control. Efficiency and effectiveness of information security policy is crucial, especially when dealing with situations that affect the status and life-history of the patient. In addition, the rules and procedures to follow, in order to provide confidentiality of sensitive information, have to focus on management of events on any table of the HIS. On the other hand, control and statement constraints, as well as events and security auditing techniques, play also an important role, due to the heterogeneity of healthcare professionals’ roles, actions and physical locations, as well as to the specific characteristics and needs of the healthcare organizations. This chapter will first explore issues in managing access control and security of healthcare information by reviewing the possible threats and vulnerabilities as well as the basic attributes of the hospital’s security plan. The authors will then present a hierarchical access model that, from a security policy perspective, refers to data ownership and access control issues. The authors conclude the chapter with discussions of upcoming security issues.
Improving Security Policy Coverage in Healthcare
Authors: Bhatti Rafae , Grandison Tyrone
Published: September 2010

With the adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), an increasing number of health-related Web applications are now available to consumers, providers and partners. While this transformation offers huge benefits, there are security and privacy concerns integral to the process of electronic healthcare delivery. In this work, the authors first survey the body of evidence to emphasize the design of appropriate security solutions for electronic healthcare applications. The successful solutions will always comply with the prime directive of healthcare - “nothing should interfere with delivery of care” (Grandison and Davis, 2007). The authors then formally present the problem of reconciling security and privacy policies with the actual healthcare workflow, which we refer to as the policy coverage problem. They outline a technical solution to the problem based on the concept of policy refinement, and develop a privacy protection architecture called PRIMA. They also offer guidelines for electronic healthcare applications to ensure adequate policy coverage. The ultimate goal is that electronic healthcare applications should be made secure without compromising usability.
Online Advertising in Relation to Medicinal Products and Health Related Services
Authors: Tzoulia Eleni
Published: September 2010

This study examines special issues of online advertising in relation to medicinal products and health related services. It demonstrates that the marketing of medicinal products over the internet puts consumers at a number of risks related to both their privacy and their health. It endeavours to answer the question whether the existing EU legislation can efficiently protect the individual, who may be induced to disclose his/her health related information to and be involved in transactions with entities of questionable origin for the purchase of medicinal products online.
Behavioral Security
Authors: Daskalakis Stelios , Katharaki Maria , Liaskos Joseph , Mantas John
Published: September 2010

Information and computer security are gaining continuous attention in the context of modern organizations across all domains of human activities. Emphasizing on behavioral factors toward the applicability of security measures and practices is an area under research, aiming to look beyond the strict technical peculiarities and investigate human attitudes in regards to security consciousness and familiarity. The aim of this chapter is to shed light on those aspects in relation with healthcare, by empirically assessing the intention of undergraduate nursing students to apply security concepts and practices. A research theoretical framework is proposed based on an empirical synthesis of constructs adopted from well established theories as the Health Belief Model and the Protection Motivation Theory along with a variety of previous research works. The model is then empirically tested and validated against a sample of 149 undergraduate nursing students. Data analysis was performed using partial least squares. The research findings highlighted the significant effects of perceived benefits, general security orientation and self-efficacy to behavioral intention along with the positive effect of general controllability to self-efficacy of nursing students in applying security concepts and practices, whereas a series of other constructs did not prove to be significant. The study outcomes contribute to further observations related with behavioral security. Despite the fact that the current empirical study was conducted under a specific context and settings, implications are discussed, regarding the security readiness of nursing students prior their engagement to a real healthcare environment.
The Role of Information Communication Technologies in Enriching Adult Education Theory Building
Authors: Parker Judith
Published: September 2010

Communication technology has influenced every aspect of our personal and professional lives. Yet, much of the literature on this influence focuses on the impact it has had on our actions and on the practice of teaching and learning. Little has addressed the impact of communication technology on the theory building in the field of adult education. How has it influenced the movement forward of the field itself? How has it changed the communication among professionals and between professionals and students? It has been almost 100 years since Adult Education made its entry into the arena of professions and fields of study. In recent decades, Malcolm Knowles is credited with popularizing adult learning theory, yet Stephen Brookfield, Jack Mezirow, Maxine Greene and Knud Illeris are among those who have moved the field forward. Along with this progression in theory, the utilization and sophistication of communication technology has escalated. This chapter will focus on the influence of communication technology throughout this history of adult education, particularly its influence on communities of learning and communities of practice for the experienced and the emerging adult educational professional and how it might enrich the future of the profession.
How Adults Learn Through Information Technologies
Authors: Farmer Lesley S. J.
Published: September 2010

To understand how learning is impacted by technology, an overview of learning processes, adult education, and educational technology is needed. Adults learn contextually and through shared knowledge construction. Technology plays an enormous role with respect to adult learning, particularly if multi-generations learn together. Educators need to provide ways for adult learners to physically and intellectually access technology. Several topics need to be addressed relative to technology-enhanced learning: workplace issues, Digital Divide, and cultural concerns. Technology impacts learning communities in several ways, particularly as interactive web 2.0 tools are incorporated. Both educators and learners need to collaboratively use technology for personal and professional growth.
Comprehensive Distance Learning Design for Adult Education
Authors: King Kathleen P.
Published: September 2010

Understanding and successfully designing online learning courses are among the greatest needs of faculty in adult and higher education today. An adult learning perspective emphasizes design which has rigorous academic engagement, addresses current and prospective students’ needs, while being feasible to develop (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright, & Zvacek, 2009; Palloff & Pratt, 2004). This chapter describes rapid changes in society, technology and distance learning which influence both course design and facilitation. Beginning with distance learning, the chapter illustrates the possibilities for teaching and learning through several inexpensive and easy technologies, before progressing to planning, designing and facilitating courses which incorporate them. Drawing upon 13+ years of distance learning research, design and teaching, and extensive continued literature reviews, the chapter has a robust knowledge base and model. The aim is to assist faculty in envisioning, planning, designing and facilitating online classes which best address the many demands they have to satisfy.
Towards a Theory of Learned Technological Helplessness
Authors: Harris Joy E.
Published: September 2010

This research attempts to lay the groundwork for the establishment of a proposed theory of Learned Technological Helplessness (LTH) in female adult learners. The theory posits that females’ technological ability and technological self-efficacy (TSE) are impacted by socialization into traditional gender roles. Analysis of the intercorrelations between the individual’s gendered characteristics (as measured by the Bem Sex Role Inventory or BSRI) and the participant’s computer self-efficacy (as measured by the General Computer Self-Efficacy score) indicates that several masculine characteristics are statistically significant predictors of TSE. The qualitative results demonstrate that women consider men to be more adept at using technology. This feminist emancipatory study provides useful information to adult educators interested in how females perceive their technological ability and capacity to learn using technology, and provides the groundwork for other researchers interested in exploring LTH.
Framing a Philosophy for 21st Century Global Recurrent Education
Authors: Strohschen Gabriele
Published: September 2010

This chapter delineates the origins of Western values that underlie prevailing adult education practices, calling for a critical analysis of assumptions that undergird our philosophy of adult education. It moves to provide an overview of an alternative, emerging blended shore theory/philosophy of adult education, which guides practitioners in exploring their praxis and creating a credo for it.
Delightfully, Difficult Work
Authors: Swanson Karen Weller
Published: September 2010

Many times students enroll in courses with the sole intention of learning new content or skills. While this is a reasonable goal, a longer term vision for students towards one of a transformed individual educates the whole person. Transformation through education has been studied for years (Kegan, 1994; Baxter-Magolda & King, 2004; and Belenky et al., 1986). This chapter is designed to examine the framework that explains the process of the transformational growth of students in becoming self-authoring. This chapter will also discuss the scholarly role that transformation plays for instructors through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). Both theories have similar requirements for reflection, dialogue with peers and continuous growth. The need to design experiences that explicitly support students to reflect on their assumptions, consider alternative perspectives, develop a content language, and make connections between theory and practice will be discussed. The impact of explicitly making these ideas transparent to students illustrates the importance of modeling and valuing reflective feedback by instructors to enhance the learning process. Ideally, well-designed course dynamically shapes instructors’ thinking about their teaching and students‘ ways of thinking about their learning.
Technology-Enhanced Information Literacy in Adult Education
Authors: Farmer Lesley S. J.
Published: September 2010

Economic and social activities rely on information and communication technologies. Information literacy forms the basis for lifelong learning. Particularly with the advent of electronic information, adult learners need to manage technologies knowledgeably. Information Literacy Learning Models show learners’ interaction with information, and inform instructional design. Technology can inform and enrich this process, including supporting anytime/anywhere learning. Technology-enhanced adult education that addresses information literacy has to deal with several issues: e-resources, instructor acceptance and knowledge of technology, collaboration, and interactivity. Future trends are also mentioned.
Online Learning
Authors: Thomas Chris , Green Wendy , Lynch Doug
Published: September 2010

The internet and telecommunications technologies have redefined distance learning, while at the same time led to increased access to students and an expanded breadth of subject offerings. For these and other reasons, online learning has been embraced by a large number of corporate, higher education, and K-12 institutions across the nation and globally, reaching billions of students. In order to understand the relationship between technologies, course design and course delivery, we conducted a survey of content designers and facilitators in higher education and corporate sectors. Additionally, we interviewed seven learning leaders who represent organizations involved in online learning in these sectors, as well as in K-12 education contexts. Results indicate that increased access is a primary strategic advantage of online learning. Additionally, corporate and educational sectors tend to approach course design and the choice of technologies in different ways.
Design Tools and Processes for Building E-Learning
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: September 2010

To harness information communications technologies (ICT) for adult e-learning, instructional designers and developers use a range of design tools to capture, analyze, document, and use critical information. Their design tools help them define the learning objectives, explore the learning domain, study embedded principles and values in the learning domain; define the projected learners and their needs (based on developmental levels, languages, cultural backgrounds, demographics, and others); define the specific project parameters (talent, timeline, resources, and budget); and identify suitable authoring tools and platform technologies. The culmination of the relevant information will optimally lead to a tailored pedagogical strategy and plan, and an effective development, alpha and beta testing, and deployment. This chapter defines the main tools used in instructional design—as a combination of methodologies and related technologies. Understanding these tools will help faculty and designers conceptualize instructional design more efficaciously and deploy the wide range of tools more strategically.
Participatory and Appreciative Adult Learning and Reflection in Virtual Environments
Authors: Marchi Simona , Ciceri Emma
Published: September 2010

Information Communication Technology, largely thanks to the development of web 2.0 resources, has encouraged the development of participatory learning processes beyond the logic of the individual learning/learners. Moreover, it has allowed the transition from a learning approach based on the development of individual capacity of critical reflection on experiences to an appreciative approach of learning, based on value creation, creativity, innovation, and based on the valorizationof the positive aspects of individual and collective experiences. These aspects will be approached with regard to the contribution offered by PAAR’s (participatory and appreciative action and reflection) theoretical and methodological perspectives and to the most recent contributions coming from learning in virtual environments. Eventually, we will suggest a facilitating model of learning partnership development in online environments.
Perceived Neutrality of Technology and its Potential Impact
Authors: Berger Jim
Published: September 2010

This chapter seeks to define technology, explore various views of technology, including feminist and afro-centric perspectives, and to identify the cultural dimensions of technology and their impact on adults as learners. I explore the viewpoints of several philosophers and researchers in the field of science and technology studies and use these to show how technology is embedded with cultural values. I propose using a cultural studies model to define various ways to study technology and its impact on adult learners and draw from these to propose ways of examining technology and users, and a means of researching the many “moments of intersection” between technology, adult learners and facilitators.
Resourcing Equity for Online Learners
Authors: Robinson-Neal Andreé
Published: September 2010

As postsecondary online learning opportunities continue to expand and interest in such opportunities continues to increase, online course and program developers and instructors will more frequently be faced with students from culturally diverse backgrounds, students with educational and physical limitations, and students with socioeconomic barriers. This chapter will provide a review of existing research related to online education, including a discussion of the gaps in research as related to online postsecondary learning. An exploration of the issues related to providing online instruction to diverse populations of students who come to higher education with educational accommodation needs, as well as students whose many cultures have communication styles, expectations, and etiquette that may differ from person to person, is also included. The chapter concludes with suggestions for improvements as well as emerging trends in creating and maintaining equity in online course and program delivery.
Initial Stages to Create Online Graduate Communities
Authors: Liu Leping , D’Andrea Livia
Published: September 2010

This chapter introduces the authors’ experiences to create three online graduate communities, focusing correspondingly on: (a) conducting program orientation for students enrolled in an online Master’s program, (b) performing program assessment for Master’s students, and (c) providing an environment for doctoral students to communicate and support one another. A logistic prediction model was generated from a pilot assessment on student needs and preference to an online community. Initial steps to design and develop the three online communities are described. The theoretical framework employed in the design consists of three design models: Information Technology Design (ITD) integration model, Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation (ADDIE) design model, and Activity Structure System (ASS) model.
Program Development in Adult Education
Authors: Wang Victor X.
Published: September 2010

Education and training programs for adults come in all shapes, sizes, and formats (Caffarella, 2002, p. 2). It is the responsibility of adult learning professions to develop sound and meaningful programs for mature learners. Often times these programs are affiliated with certain universities. Any program proposals in adult education require essential components such as program standards, need for the program, mission and goals of the program, curriculum, faculty, assessment methods, external funding and survey results. Depending on institutions’ needs, other components may be required. It is self-explanatory that the purpose of program development in adult education is to encourage continuous growth and development of mature learners. Adult learners should be the center of attention when it comes to the development of sound and meaningful programs. The chapter will provide an exemplary example for adult learning professionals who have just graduated from graduate programs in adult education.