bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Web-Enabled Technology in a Performance-Based Accreditation Environment
Authors: Wise John C. , Lall Dhaneshwar , Shull Peter , Sathianathan Dhushy , Lee Sang Ha
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes two online systems that support the transition from instructor-based to student-outcome-based education in an engineering technology context. The first system facilitates communication among faculty while establishing a baseline of current curricular practice. This data can be used to identify appropriate measurement points for various student performance outcomes. The second system is designed to collect and display student performance data related to particular educational outcomes in preparation for program accreditation. Data are collected from both students and faculty. The system is scalable, so it can be adapted to various levels of need. This data are being used to assess individual or group performance across several distributed campuses.
Online Assessment in the K-12 Classroom
Authors: Shrago Jacqueline B. , Smith Michael K.
Published: May 2011

ThinkLink Learning has developed an online formative assessment model that helps teachers and students prepare throughout the year for end-of-year state and national summative assessments. Four aspects of the ThinkLink system are discussed in this chapter: (a) how online formative assessment can help improve student learning on standards tested at a state or national level, (b) the advantages and disadvantages of using online assessment, (c) three case studies that demonstrate the predictive validity of this system and its use in improving student learning, and (d) future trends in the use of online assessment and directions in measuring student learning on standardized tests. In general, ThinkLink Learning has pioneered online solutions to large-scale assessment problems.
From Paper and Pencil to Computerized
Authors: Jenson G. Eric
Published: May 2011

Computerized testing offers many advantages over paper and pencil exams. Advantages can include increased security, greater availability of the exam, rapid scoring, and reduced administrative costs. Possible disadvantages can include the need for computer hardware and software, computer glitches, and computer anxiety. This chapter discusses the advantages and disadvantages of computerized testing followed by a description of the experience of a state-based dental board as they transitioned from a paper and pencil exam to a computerized exam.
Intelligence in MAS-Based Distributed Learning Environments
Authors: Yang Chunsheng
Published: May 2011

This chapter first addresses the issue of the importance of intelligence in MAS-based DLEs. Then, it stresses that there are three main intelligent competencies in MAS-based DLEs: intelligent decision-making support, coordination and collaboration of the agents in MAS, and student modeling for personalization and adaptation in learning systems. It also describes in detail how to apply relevant AI techniques, including the introduction of AI techniques and their state-of-the-art application in the e-learning domain. Finally, future trends in the research and development of intelligence for MAS-based DLEs are discussed.
A Language for Specifying Agent Systems in E-Learning Environments
Authors: Lin Hong
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we use the Chemical Reaction Metaphor (Banatre & Le Metayer, 1990, 1993, 1996) to model the interactions among program units, including the agents, clients, servers, and databases, in a multiagent-based e-learning system. Through case studies, we demonstrate that the Gamma language (Banatre & Le Metayer, 1990; Le Metayer, 1994) is suitable for specifying a multiagent system, particularly, because an agent’s properties, such as autonomy and mobility, can be captured concisely. The use of the high-level specification paves the way for solving architectural-design issues in building an e-learning environment. The Gamma specification of an agent system can be implemented in a hierarchical running environment, which is composed of nodes in different levels of a tree. Interactions among agents can be implemented in a unified mechanism for synchronization.
Building Integrative Enterprise Knowledge Portals with Semantic Web Technologies
Authors: Priebe Torsten
Published: May 2011

The goal of this chapter is to show how Semantic Web technologies can help build integrative enterprise knowledge portals. Three main areas are identified: content management and metadata, global searching, and the integration of external content and applications. For these three areas the state-of-the-art as well as current research results are discussed. In particular, a metadata-based information retrieval and a context-based port let integration approach are presented. These have been implemented in a research prototype which is introduced in the Internet session at the end of the chapter.
Collaboration and Pervasiveness
Authors: Shibuya Kazuhiko
Published: May 2011

This chapter attempts to contribute toward exploring fundamental conceptualization on collaboration and pervasiveness in education. An assigned task is to clarify my concepts on collaborative learning based on ubiquitous computation and Semantic Web perspectives by means of more originated ways. Collaborative activities and computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) per se consists of various needs to encourage motivation and understandings of each student in more effective learning style and environment. We can recognize that collaborative learning in a ubiquitous environment can provide more interactive, experiential, spatiotemporal, and distributed aspects for anyone who wants to know information and solve educational tasks coordinating with others at any time. Then, I would like to show my design of the ubiquitous jigsaw method and self-organizing networks in the learning community. Further, I concentrate on exploring possibilities of collaborative learning with semantic technologies which allows to inspire and facilitate a more reciprocal exchange among affiliated relationships in a ubiquitous environment. Finally, I will discuss these topics.
Requirements Engineering for Technical Products
Authors: Paech Barbara , Denger Christian , Kerkow Daniel , von Knethen Antje
Published: May 2011

Over the last few years the functionality and complexity of technical products has increased dramatically. This is reflected in the complexity of the development process. In this chapter we discuss in detail the resulting challenges that have to be faced by requirements engineering. We identified these challenges in interviews conducted at a German car manufacturer. The main part of this chapter presents the QUASAR requirements engineering process that faces all identified challenges. In particular, it supports: (1) a set of views and abstraction levels tailored to the stakeholders, (2) communication about these views through understandable notations, (3) efficient access based on tools and traces that make relationships between views explicit, (4) explicit feedback based on inspection and simulation, and (5) overall quality by integrating a formal specification technique with informal, textual specification techniques as well as through guidelines, checklists and tailored review techniques.
Revealing Unseen Organizations in Higher Education
Authors: Sommer Lucie
Published: May 2011

Structuration theory, which examines the relationship between local and institutional structures, and organizational theory specific to the higher education setting, are utilized to formulate an analytical framework appropriate for “reading” educational technologies as social phenomena. Wanda Orlikowski’s (2000) technology-in-use model, (a contemporary revision of Poole and DeSanctis’ [1990] adaptive structuration model) and Burton Clark’s (1984) taxonomy of higher education organization are applied as the foundation for the inquiry.
NGCMS
Authors: Liu Youmei
Published: May 2011

The effective faculty use of course management systems (CMS) is the key to the successful online instructional delivery. This chapter focuses on two main areas: 1) understanding CMS to innovatively adapt and customize CMS to accomplish educational objectives; and 2) understanding the process of technology adoption from the perspectives of developing effective faculty training programs for using CMS to ease the transition of incorporating technology into the process of teaching.
The Use of Database-Driven Web Pages to Increase the Functionality of Current Online Learning Technology
Authors: Caladine Richard
Published: May 2011

Online learning and course management systems are central to learning universities and colleges, and a model that blends face-to-face learning with distance education can combine benefits of the rich human learning relationships with the benefits of flexibility of where and when students learn. A large number of universities and colleges are adopting a blended model of learning. In the past, online interactions between learners generally have taken the form of text-based discussion forums, and while these have been used with great success in many courses, there are other interactions that have been difficult or impossible to undertake online. Database-driven Web sites were developed to make these interactions possible. Database-driven Web pages or collaborative, user-produced, Internet documents (CUPIDs) represent an innovation in online learning that allows learners to add, remove and edit the content of a Web page and/or upload files. As the data are input via Web forms, no programming skills are required. The data from the forms are processed by the database and the Web page is then rebuilt by the database. In this way, the database constructs or “drives” the Web page. CUPIDs have been used to facilitate a range of online interactions between learners in subjects at the University of Wollongong. The subjects all employ a model that blends face-to-face and online components. As well, learners may be distributed geographically between the five campuses of the university. The examples are: a Collaborative Online Glossary (COG); a Collaborative Online Reporting (COR); an Online Student Collected and Annotated Resources (OSCAR); as well as, a Collaborative Online Movie Review (COMR). By fostering new types of online interactions, CUPIDs provide greater functionality to online collaboration and open the door to a host of activities that are new to collaboration, online or otherwise and hence have a place in online learning of the future.
Eliminating the Weakest Link
Authors: Wong-Ming Ji Diana J.
Published: May 2011

As organizations shift from tactical to strategic approaches with IT outsourcing, their human capital portfolios of knowledge, skills, competencies, and organizational capabilities need to be reconfigured accordingly. This chapter outlines a model for constructing human capital portfolios that enable firms to strategically leverage IT outsourcing. Two organizational capabilities—rational strategic management process and connective capabilities—provide the integrating mechanisms for competencies from three sub-units that are human resource information systems (HRIS), the IS function, and supply chain management. Knowledge and skills at the individual and sub-unit level enable the development of competencies that are integrated by organizational capabilities. Given the dynamic nature of competitive contexts, managers have to reconfigure their organizations’ human capital portfolio to align their firms with the external environment. In sum, creating human capital portfolios for strategic IT outsourcing supply chains requires a multi-level and multi-disciplinary approach to identify and strengthen the weakest links.
MPEG Standards and Watermarking Technologies
Authors: Kim Jong-Nam , Ahn Byung-Ha
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the watermarking technologies of the MPEG standards and gives information about a framework of watermarking technology for intellectual property protection (MPEG IPMP technology). An overview of MPEG-2/4, IPMP standard of MPEG-2/4, and watermarking technologies of MPEG-2/4 IPMP is described, and the concept of IPMP system and required normative technical items is summarized. MPEG-21 and its Part 11, PATs (Persistent Association Technologies) methodologies, PATs requirements, and evaluation methods of PATs are described and future trends of the MPEG-related watermarking technologies are discussed, including technical requirements.
Expanding the Classroom
Authors: McIntosh Shawn
Published: May 2011

Traditional classroom environments can benefit from using asynchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC) such as an online discussion group (Yahoo! Groups). An online discussion group can “expand the classroom” in a number of ways, such as allowing for student and instructor interaction throughout the week at times convenient to all participants, shifting learning from a teacher-oriented to a network-oriented, collaborative learning environment, and providing rapid teacher feedback to homework that lets students immediately apply what they have learned. This chapter offers concrete advice on techniques to best use online discussion groups in a variety of class types and sizes, and warns of potential pitfalls to be aware of when using them. Evolving functions of Yahoo! Groups and other asynchronous online formats that can further complement the learning experience outside the classroom are also examined.
MOOs
Authors: Robbins-Sponaas Rhonna J. , Nolan Jason
Published: May 2011

This chapter defines, describes, and assesses the form of collaborative virtual learning environment known as MOOs. MOOs offer opportunities impossible in any other actively developed online communication tool, but they have remained largely the purview of hackers, coders, and academics. This chapter deals with understanding what a MOO is, what key features make it a valuable collaborative environment, and issues of accessibility, access, and governance. Key aspects include defining and historicizing MOO, exploring the technology’s current development, discussing issues that presently limit large-scale acceptance, and speculation about the possibilities and the future of MOO. The chapter considers text-based multimedia environments; general features of synchronous and asynchronous technologies; the notion of polysynchrony; tools for rapid prototyping, education, or training of users; application accessibility; costs in hardware, software, and manhours; and whether it’s worth organizations getting involved in MOOs at their present state of development.
Technology for Decision-Making (Level 3.0)
Authors: Tomei Lawrence A.
Published: May 2011

Decision-making technologies literally launched the instructional technology revolution. As such, the third level of the Taxonomy for the Technology Domain centers on problem-solving and its application is defined as “the ability to use technology in new and concrete situations to analyze, assess, and judge.”
An Algorithm for Transforming XML Documents Schema into Relational Database Schema
Authors: Shah Abad , Adeniyi Jacob , Al Tuwairqi Tariq
Published: May 2011

The Web and XML have influenced all walks of lives of those who transact business over the Internet. People like to do their transactions from their homes to save time and money. For example, customers like to pay their utility bills and other banking transactions from their homes through the Internet. Most companies, including banks, maintain their records using relational database technology. But the traditional relational database technology is unable to provide all these new facilities to the customers. To make the traditional relational database technology cope with the Web and XML technologies, we need a transformation between the XML technology and the relational database technology as middleware. In this chapter, we present a new and simpler algorithm for this purpose. This algorithm transforms a schema of a XML document into a relational database schema, taking into consideration the requirement of relational database technology.
Introduction - The Emerging Interaction Society
Authors: Wiberg Mikael
Published: May 2011

Recently it has been argued that there is a need for computer science, and related fields of research, to shift its focus from user tasks, their requirements, applications or computing, to issues concerning interaction, mutual awareness, and ubiquity (e.g., Dourish, 2001). Overall, it is a shift from the Information Society, with its focus on information, storage and processing of data and transactions, to the Interaction Society, with related issues including, e.g., work as ongoing and fluid networks of connections (Sproull & Keisler, 1998) interaction overload (Ljungberg & Sørensen, 2000), interaction management (Whittaker et al., 1997), contact management (Whittaker et al., 2002), session management (Edwards, 1994), time management, etc. This general shift has also highlighted the need to acknowledge issues such as attention management in relation to the fluidity of work (e.g., Hudson et al., 2002; Davenport & Beck, 2001).
Social Exile and Virtual Hrig
Authors: Graiouid Said
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores ways in which computer-mediated interaction and cybercafé culture are appropriated by individuals and groups in Morocco. It argues that computer-mediated communication mediates the construction of cybernetic identities and promotes the rehearsal of invented social and gender relations. This inventive accommodation of the Internet (known among young Moroccan Net communicants as “virtual hrig”) makes computer-mediated interaction, especially through the discursive forum of chatrooms and email discussion groups, act as a backtalk to dominant patriarchal and conservative power structures. By using a qualitative ethnographic approach while sounding the depth of the “cultural noises” and incrustations, which are accompanying the expansion of cyber culture, the author also hopes to foreground the prospective implications of New Media and Information Technologies in a non-Western environment. While it is too early to draw conclusions on the extent of the impact of new media technologies on individual subjectivities and group identities, the point is made that cyber interaction is contributing to the expansion of the public sphere in Morocco.
Keeping Track of Notes - Implications for Mobile Information and Communication Technology in Homecare Practice
Authors: Orre Carljohan
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides a case and an investigation of how a particular mobile ICT support has been used within an established practice of homecare work. The discussion shows a perspective of how technology and practice coevolves and gets enmeshed together. The importance of seeing the interface of either the mobile devices or the stationary computer as common information spaces is stressed, since the single-user interface the current system offers is not enough support for the collaborative activities the mobile workforce of homecare work is engaged in. The problem resides in this case in the relations to predecessors of the system, found in diaries and coordination tools. A modest suggestion posed by the author is that an understanding of the work maintaining the role of these predecessors can provide beneficial information for the future design of these technological supports.
Guiding Design for Waiting
Authors: Lundin Johan , Larsson Lina
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a number of suggestions for design of information technology (IT) to be used in public places. The design implications given are based on an exploratory field study conducted in public places where people wait to travel. The study shows that the use of technology must be negotiable and adaptable to support use in different ways, in different contexts and to produce a possibility for others to understand this use. The findings are arranged in three areas: creating privacy (how people act to establish privacy in the public place), adapting to change (how people adapt to social, spatial and temporal changes in the environment), and appearance and activity (how people make efforts to communicate activities to others present in the public place). Each of these areas has aspects that affect the use of IT. Thus they should also influence the design of IT. Based on these findings, we derive implications for design of IT to be used in public places.
Tactical Electric Power Digital Library
Authors: Donovan Anne Marie , Nomura Michael
Published: May 2011

This case study traces the development of the Tactical Electric Power Digital Library (TEPDL), a special-purpose document repository and information resource Web site. Discussion focuses on content management considerations and their effect on project planning, Web site design, and Web site maintenance. Also described are the process and challenges associated with implementing the content management and content delivery features of TEPDL. The case study is intended to highlight the importance of addressing content management issues early in the digital library Web site planning and design process, and to illustrate how a content management needs analysis can be translated into the selection and development of specific content management tools and processes.
Actor-Network Theory and Adoption of E-Commerce in SMEs
Authors: Tatnall Arthur , Burgess Stephen
Published: May 2011

Just because e-commerce technologies seems like useful tools that may assist a small to medium enterprise (SME) in doing its business better, it does not necessarily follow that these technologies will be adopted by this business. The implementation of an e-commerce system in an SME necessitates change in the way the business operates, and so should be considered as an innovation and studied using innovation theory.
Agent- and Web-Based Employment Marketspaces in the U.S. Department of Defense
Authors: Gates William R. , Nissen Mark E.
Published: May 2011

Two modes of matching people with jobs prevail at present: hierarchical planning and distributed markets. Patterned after centrally planned (e.g., former Soviet-style) economies, hierarchical planning remains prevalent for matching job candidates to jobs internally within an organization. With evolving information technology, the internal job-matching process could be accomplished far more equitably and efficiently using Web-based markets. Intelligent agents offer excellent potential to help both employees and employers find one another in a distributed electronic marketspace. But realizing this potential goes well beyond simply changing the rules of internal job matching or making agent technology available to job searchers. Rather, the corresponding markets and technologies must be designed together to mutually accomplish the desired results (e.g., efficient and effective matching) and conform to necessary properties (e.g., market clearing, employer policies).
Agent-Based Negotiation in E-Marketing
Authors: Murthy V. K. , Krishnamurthy E. V.
Published: May 2011

This article describes in brief the design of agent-based negotiation system in e-marketing. Such a negotiation scheme requires the construction of a suitable set of rules, called protocol, among the participating agents. The construction of the protocol is carried out in two stages: first expressing a program into an object-based rule system and then converting the rule applications into a set of agent-based transactions on a database of active objects represented using high-level data structures.
Alignment of Information Technology and Human Resources Strategies
Authors: Dery K. F. , Samson D. A.
Published: May 2011

Increased productivity within modern organizations over the past two decades has largely been generated by more effective use of information technology. However, the increase in technological capability has necessitated a wide range of organisational changes. These changes to process and work structure have implications for the recruitment, remuneration, reward, skill levels and general management of people. Therefore some of the greatest challenges have been associated with integrating and aligning information systems with the appropriate human resources management strategies.
An ERP Life-Cycle Cost Model
Authors: Esteves José , Pastor Joan
Published: May 2011

Nowadays, the enterprise resource planning (ERP) products and services industry is one of the most promising. Through the usage of ERP systems such as SAP, BAAN, Peoplesoft and Oracle, organizations try to integrate the information flow of the different business areas and, at the same time, improve efficiency and reduce costs. Theoretically, these integrated systems provide large functionality in terms of problem solving associated with data flow when they are integrated with different software systems.
Audience Response Systems and Face-to-Face Learning
Authors: Banks David A.
Published: May 2011

Audience Response Systems (ARS) are gradually being introduced into educational settings, having previously proved their value in business. Hand-held keypads allow students to enter data in response to questions or statements displayed on a public screen. The captured data is displayed on the public screen and enables both academic and students to immediately see how the whole group has responded. The anonymity afforded by an ARS encourages individuals to fully participate without fear of ridicule or loss of face.
Balancing Risks and Rewards of ERP
Authors: Bradley Joseph
Published: May 2011

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems claim to meet the information needs of organizations. These off-the-shelf software packages replace hard to maintain solutions created by IS departments or older off-the-shelf packages that often provided only piecemeal solutions to an organization’s information needs. ERP systems evolved from material requirements planning systems (MRP) and manufacturing resources planning systems (MRP II). ERP serves the entire enterprise, not just manufacturing and inventory control as with its predecessors. ERP integrates information for the entire organization in a single database. But ERP implementations are often complex and experience serious problems. Failures, abandoned projects and general dissatisfaction have been well publicized in the business press. ERP systems are “expensive and difficult to implement, often imposing their own logic on a company’s strategy and existing culture” (Pozzebon, 2000).
Bayesian Machine Learning
Authors: Lauria Eitel J.M.
Published: May 2011

Bayesian methods provide a probabilistic approach to machine learning. The Bayesian framework allows us to make inferences from data using probability models for values we observe and about which we want to draw some hypotheses. Bayes theorem provides the means of calculating the probability of a hypothesis (posterior probability) based on its prior probability, the probability of the observations and the likelihood that the observational data fit the hypothesis.
Case-Based Learning in Computer Information Systems
Authors: Jennings Morgan , Mawhinney Charles H. , Fustos Janos
Published: May 2011

How can we retain computer information systems (CIS) students? A decline in enrollment similar to that which occurred in the 80’s (Mawhinney, Callaghan, & Cale, 1989) is the motivating factor for this question. A google™ search on declining enrollments in information systems brings up reports supporting this trend. DePaul University, for example, had increased undergraduate enrollments “in all colleges but the School for New Learning and the School of Computer Science, Telecommunications and Information Systems” (DePaul University, 2003). A report from the California Community College system listed the top 15 curricular areas of declining FTE’s (Perry, 2003); Computer and Information Science and Computer programming made the list. Our own Computer Information Systems (CIS) and Computer Science programs have fewer students enrolled.
Classroom Communication on a Different Blackboard
Authors: Nightingale Jennifer Paige
Published: May 2011

Employing technology that students find enticing and will prepare them well for the future, may be easier than preparing the teachers who will integrate this technology into learning activities. Competition among educational institutions for students is increasing exponentially, which requires a greater sensitivity to student needs (Heckman & Guskey, 1998). Course management systems (CMSs) can build a framework for using technology as a technique of providing this responsiveness to students, predominantly in the form of communication. The aim is to ultimately create an environment conducive to teaching and learning via a technological community where students, faculty, adjunct instructors, staff, and administration can work together to achieve a common goal—produce quality graduates.
Computing Curriculum Analysis and Development
Authors: Scime Anthony
Published: May 2011

Information technology (IT) is an umbrella term that encompasses disciplines dealing with the computer and its functions. These disciplines originated from interests in using the computer to solve problems, the theory of computation, and the development of the computer and its components.
Concepts and Dynamics of the Application Service Provider Industry
Authors: Kim Dohoon
Published: May 2011

The enterprise intelligence through e-transformation is one of the cornerstones of the next-generation e-business era where the Internet constitutes the core business resource. Furthermore, the severe competitive landscape of e-business makes firms focus on their core capability and farm out staffing functions such as IT. Under this circumstance, enhancing intelligence and synergy through e-transformation will be accomplished by IT outsourcing via ASPs (application service providers). The ASP industry now provides an essential infrastructure for the Internet-based e-business transactions, thereby accelerating corporate e-transformation.
Contextual Metadata for Document Databases
Authors: Lyytikainen Virpi , Tiitinen Pasi , Salminen Airi
Published: May 2011

Metadata has always been an important means to support accessibility of information in document collections. Metadata can be, for example, bibliographic data manually created for each document at the time of document storage. The indexes created by Web search engines serve as metadata about the content of Web documents. In the semantic Web solutions, ontologies are used to store semantic metadata (Berners-Lee et al., 2001). Attaching a common ontology to a set of heterogeneous document databases may be used to support data integration. Creation of the common ontology requires profound understanding of the concepts used in the databases. It is a demanding task, especially in cases where the content of the documents is written in various natural languages. In this chapter, we propose the use of contextual metadata as another means to add meaning to document collections, and as a way to support data integration. By contextual metadata, we refer to data about the context where documents are created (e.g., data about business processes, organizations involved, and document types). We will restrict our discussion to contextual metadata on the level of collections, leaving metadata about particular document instances out of the discussion. Thus, the contextual metadata can be created, like ontologies, independently of the creation of instances in the databases.
Critical Realism in IS Research
Authors: Carlsson Sven A.
Published: May 2011

The Information Systems (IS) field is dominated by research approaches and theories based in positivism (Arnott, Pervan, O’Donnell, & Dodson, 2004; Chen & Hirschheim, 2004; Schultze & Leidner, 2003). IS scholars have pointed out weaknesses in these approaches and theories and in response different strands of post-modern theories and constructivism have gained popularity—see Lee, Liebenau, and DeGross, (1997), Trauth (2001), Whitman and Woszczynski (2004), and Michael Myers’ “Qualitative Research in Information Systems” (http://www.qual.auckland.ac.nz). The approaches and theories argued for include interpretivism, ethnography, grounded theory, and theories like Giddens’ (1984) structuration theory and Latour’s (1987) actor-network theory. (For simplicity, we refer to these different approaches and theories as “post-approaches” and “post-theories” when distinction is not required).
Critical Trends in Telecommunications
Authors: Nugent John H.
Published: May 2011

As in all industries, in order to win in a market, it is important to know as much as possible about that market and have at one’s disposal tools that will provide insight and competitive advantage when properly, collectively, consistently, and timely applied. This article presents a series of powerful but easy-to-use and understand analytical and operational tools that deliver insight and competitive advantage to the wireless telecommunications professional. It should be stated, moreover, that as with all good tools, the tools and models as presented herein transition across industry lines and are not limited to the wireless telecommunications industry alone.
Cross-Culture Communication
Authors: Targowski Andrew , Metwalli Ali
Published: May 2011

In this millennium, global organizations will increasingly focus on the critical value of the cross-cultural communication process, efficiency, competence and its cost of doing business. In order to successfully communicate cross-culturally, knowledge and understanding of cultural factors such as values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors should be acquired. Because culture is a powerful force that strongly influences communication behavior, culture and communication are inseparably linked.
Delineating Knowledge Flows for Enterprise Agility
Authors: Nissen Mark E.
Published: May 2011

The practice of knowledge management (KM) purports to take the power of knowledge to the group, organization and even enterprise level (Davenport & Prusak, 1998). Although this potential benefit of KM is not viewed universally (Gore & Gore, 1999; McDermott, 1999), many scholars (e.g., Drucker, 1995) assert that knowledge represents one of the very few sustainable sources of competitive advantage. Hence, the knowledge-based organization—one that competes on the basis of its differential knowledge (e.g., see Grant, 1996, for discussion of the knowledge-based view of the firm)—appears to offer great promise in terms of performance and capability.
Designing Agents with Negotiation Capabilities
Authors: Polgar Jana
Published: May 2011

Agents are viewed as the next significant software abstraction, and it is expected they will become as ubiquitous as graphical user interfaces are today. Agents are specialized programs designed to provide services to their users. Multiagent systems have a key capability to reallocate tasks among the members, which may result in significant savings and improvements in many domains, such as resource allocation, scheduling, e-commerce, and so forth. In the near future, agents will roam the Internet, selling and buying information and services. These agents will evolve from their present day form - simple carriers of transactions - to efficient decision makers. It is envisaged that the decision-making processes and interactions between agents will be very fast (Kephart, 1998).
Designing High Performance Virtual Teams
Authors: Wong Ian K. , Staples D. Sandy
Published: May 2011

In the past several decades, we have seen tremendous advancements in the development of communication technology. Since the invention of the Internet in 1969, there has been rapid development of Internet-based communication tools and technologies. This technology has revolutionized business practices by offering another important and effective channel for communication (Foo & Lim, 1997), and has allowed people to work on projects irrespective of their physical location. One resulting business practice that has been adopted in recent years is virtual teamwork. Virtual teams are groups of individuals who work at interdependent tasks, who share responsibility for outcomes, and who work together from different locations. Recently, the use of teams as fundamental building blocks in organizations is increasing, as is the use of virtual teamwork (Furst, Blackburn & Rosen, 1999). This article identifies the characteristics of high performing virtual teams.
Designing Hypertext and the Web
Authors: Theng Yin-Leng
Published: May 2011

Hypertext and Web technology still continue to excite many, ever since it became popular in the late 1980s. Early visionary thinkers such as Bush (1945), Engelbart (1963), and Nelson (1987) in their own ways believed that hypertext and its underlying philosophy would enable man to locate, retrieve, and easily use the store of human knowledge that lies in books, journals, and associated materials in libraries all over the world.
Designing Web Applications
Authors: Rossi Gustavo , Schwabe Daniel
Published: May 2011

The World Wide Web (WWW) has become the most widely used platform for application development and information delivery. Web applications have evolved from static, read-only Web sites to current, collaborative, mobile, and pervasive information systems. Most companies are automating their core work flows using Web technologies; new businesses supported by the provision of complex Web services appear every day.
Diffusion of Innovations in Organisations
Authors: Askarany Davood
Published: May 2011

During the past two decades, the world has witnessed a significant change in the nature of the technological and administrative practices and processes faced by organisations in different areas of their operations, such as manufacturing processes, operation technologies, and information systems (Shields, 1997). To keep pace with other competitors in the global market, organisations are keen to be able to use the best and the latest ideas, techniques, practices, and processes in different aspects of their activities. This has placed a greater emphasis on the diffusion of innovation as a solution to cope with the requirements of such changes. This view is consistent with systems approach theory that suggests that all parts of a system are related to each other, and any change in one part of a system may require the consideration of appropriate change(s) in other parts of the organisation, otherwise, the system may not work properly (Kellett & Sweeting, 1991).
Digital Asset Management Concepts
Authors: Subramanian Ramesh
Published: May 2011

Dramatic changes have occurred on the corporate front in the last few years, as more and more businesses have started to conduct commerce on the Internet. New business concepts and products are being developed on a daily basis. The accent is on speed, and changes occur quickly – daily, hourly or even minute-to-minute.
Dimensions of Database Quality
Authors: Hoxmeier John A.
Published: May 2011

The ultimate objective of database analysis, design, and implementation is to establish an electronic repository that faithfully represents the conceptual and logical model of the manageable aspects of a user’s information domain. Enterprise and Web-enabled databases must satisfy a wide set of demands and constituents. Software engineering in general and database development in particular can be a complex, complicated process. There is probably no other product development process that faces the same amount of uncertainty, which may account for the high failure rate of software projects. This chapter expands on the growing body of literature in the area of data quality by proposing additions to a hierarchy of database quality dimensions that include model and behavioral factors in addition to the process and data factors.
DRM Technology for Mobile Multimedia
Authors: Kwok Sai Ho
Published: May 2011

Mobile multimedia has been promoted as a promising service and application in mobile e-commerce (m-commerce) by many mobile operators and mobile service providers, when high-speed mobile networks are expected to take off in the near future. However, at present, mobile multimedia is still in its infancy, accessed by relatively low-end mobile devices with limited bandwidth and resources. A typical example is Orange in Hong Kong which launched a low-grade multimedia service in 2000 to test the market with current mobile technologies. Due to the physical constraints of a 2.5G mobile network, audio broadcast is the best service that the network can offer up to date. However, in the near future, when advanced mobile networks and technologies become available, higher demands will be placed on the quality of mobile multimedia services. Such services support both audio and video data, for example, video conferencing, music video, video-on-demand and so on. Rights management deserves more serious concern because intellectual property of distributed multimedia content is as valuable as a company’s physical assets (Doherty, 2002). This will become even more important when mobile multimedia services become marketable and an essential part of the business. The purpose of a digital rights management (DRM) system is to allow owners of digital assets (movies, songs) to distribute their products/services/contents electronically in a controlled way (Peinado, 2002). DRM technology makes various online payment schemes possible, such as pay-per-view, pay-per-download, pay-per-game and so on. Hence, mobile service providers are able to control end users’ use of, and accessibility to, their products, and stand to gain huge profits from this capability with the DRM technology (Foroughi, Albin, & Gillard, 2002). A successful DRM system should address both business and technical issues (Grab, 2002), but this chapter only addresses and presents issues in the technical side due to the nature of this book. We present some critical issues of mobile DRM for mobile multimedia. A proposal of mobile DRM framework is presented to meet the urgent DRM needs with the existing 2.5G mobile technology. This chapter is concluded by presenting future directions of mobile DRM for mobile multimedia.
E-Government, E-Democracy and the Politicians
Authors: Jaeger Birgit
Published: May 2011

The development of Electronic or Digital Government (E-Government) has varied throughout the world. Although we give it the same name, we know from different studies that, for example, the concept of information society can be interpreted in different ways in different cultural settings (Sancho, 2002; Williams & Slack, 1999). This article provides a general outline of the development of E-Government in the West and is primarily based on European and Scandinavian experiences.
E-Mail and Communication
Authors: Willis Dianne
Published: May 2011

Electronic mail is the most frequently used application of the Internet. IDC research in 2002 suggested that the daily output of e-mails will reach 35 billion by 2005.
Empirical Study of E-Commerce Adoption in SMEs in Thailand
Authors: Lertwongsatien Chalermsak , Wongpinunwatana Nitaya
Published: May 2011

It was predicted that in 2004, e-commerce would generate worldwide revenue as high as $6.9 trillion, and the number of Internet users would grow as high as 765 million users in 2005 (CommerceNet, 2003). Though about 40% of online spending originates in the United States, this proportion is predicted to fall to about 38% by 2006, due to increased online spending of residents in Asia and Western Europe (Virgoroso, 2002). In addition, it was expected that online buying in Asia will grow about 89% in 2002 (Virgoroso, 2002), and the Asia Pacific will be the second most profitable, with a value of $1.6 trillion (CommerceNet, 2003).
Engineering Emotionally Intelligent Agents
Authors: Byl Penny Baillie-de , Toleman Mark
Published: May 2011

Traditionally, philosophers have defined emotions to be interruptions to otherwise logical states of being (Smith & Kirby, 2000). The recent resurgence of research in the emotional realm in both psychology and cognitive science agrees with the view developed by the late Charles Darwin who, in the late 1800s, conceived that emotions play an important part in our cognition and serve to provide us with the mechanisms for adaptive behaviour in a dynamically complex world (Smith & Ellsworth, 1985).
Fundamentals of Multirate Systems
Authors: Javanovic-Dolecek Gordana
Published: May 2011

Digital signal processing (DSP) is an area of science and engineering that has been rapidly developed over the past years. This rapid development is a result of significant advances in digital computers technology and integrated circuits fabrication (Elali, 2003; Grover & Deller, 1999; Mitra, 2001; Oppenheim & Schafer, 1999; Smith, 2002; Stein, 2000; White, 2000).
ICTs as Participatory Vehicles
Authors: Holzer Marc , Schwester Richard
Published: May 2011

While citizen participation is central to democratic governance, there is a noticeable disconnect between elected representatives and the citizenry, as evidenced by voter apathy, decreased levels of civic participation, and widespread cynicism toward political institutions (Hudson, 2001; Putnam, 2000; Berman, 1997). Citizen participation advocates, however, are optimistic that information and communications technologies (ICTs) will facilitate direct interactions between citizens and government, thereby altering the dynamics of the policy-making process by affording the citizenry a stronger voice. This article examines the integration of ICTs and digital democratic applications in the context of citizen participation in government.
Information Laws
Authors: Targowski Andrew S.
Published: May 2011

Humankind progresses in proportion to its wisdom which has roots in practice, acquired skills, available data and information, concepts and knowledge. To be wise, humankind needs to be informed and knowledgeable; otherwise it will not survive its own failures. Progress in knowledge was painfully slow as long as the racial memory was transmitted only by oral tradition. With the invention of writing and books the process of knowledge discovery and dissemination has been accelerated. Today, computers and their networks speed up that process far beyond our imagination. In the 2000s the Information Wave significantly controls the Agricultural and Industrial Waves through millions of computers. IT supports decision-making based on knowledge-oriented systems such as data mining that, for example, discovers knowledge about customers, organizational dynamics, and so forth to achieve competitive advantage.
Information Systems and Small Business
Authors: Hunter M. Gordon
Published: May 2011

The subject area of the application of information systems to small business is a thoroughly interesting, yet relatively under-researched topic. Small business is an important part of any economy. In the United Kingdom, 25% of the gross domestic product is produced by small business, which employs 65% of the nation’s workers (Ballantine et al., 1998). In Canada, 43% of economic output is accounted for by small business, employing 50% of private sector employees (Industry Canada, 1997). Further, governments view the small business sector as that component of the economy that can best contribute to economic growth (Balderson, 2000). Given the importance of this sector of the economy, it is incumbent upon researchers and managers of small business to develop a better understanding of how information systems may contribute to the operation and growth of individual businesses as well as the overall sector.
Informationbase - A New Information Sytem Layer
Authors: Dragan Kovach
Published: May 2011

Information is a set of data purposefully organized into a report. In the database of an information system, only the raw material for the information is stored, that is, the data.