bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How to Handle Knowledge Management in Healthcare
Authors: Wahle A. E. , Groothuis W. A.
Published: May 2011

There are many arguments why healthcare organizations need knowledge management. In The Netherlands, there are some things going on, like a new defrayment and remuneration system for the hospitals, the increasing aging population, the focus on quality, efficiency and effectiveness and the existence of more, very specialized disciplines, that there is a need for knowledge management. This chapter describes a model that can be used to chart the current situation regarding knowledge management. The model is based upon the primary and supported processes, a division in types of knowledge and a knowledge cycle. The use of the model is demonstrated by a case description. Conclusions which are drawn from the recap of the case description showing that the model can be useful but some things must be taking into account, such as the size of a case and its boundaries.
Getting Knowledge Management Right
Authors: Chan Ivy , Chau Patrick Y.K.
Published: May 2011

Knowledge is increasingly recognized to provide a foundation for creating core competences and competitive advantages for organizations, making effective knowledge management (KM) crucial and significant. Despite evolving perspectives and rigorous endeavors to embrace KM intentions in business agendas, organizations cannot always realize expected benefits and improve their performances. This paper reports a case study of an organization in Hong Kong that shares typical characteristics with other organizations with strong awareness and expectations of KM, yet experienced failure of its program in two years. Our findings showed that KM activities carried out in the organization were fragmented and not supported by members. Based on this failure case, four lessons learned are identified for improving KM performance.
Integrating Knowledge Management with Programme Management
Authors: Owen Jill
Published: May 2011

Knowledge reuse has long been an issue for organisations. The management, reuse and transfer of knowledge can improve project management capabilities (i.e., learning, memory, cycle time) resulting in continuous learning. Although knowledge management has been recognised as a critical success factor in programme management very little research has been conducted to date (Lycett, Rassau, & Danson, 2004; Soderlund, 2004). A framework is discussed that demonstrates how knowledge is created, transferred, captured and reused within project and programme management, resulting in improved project management maturity. The framework utilises a task based approach to knowledge management and assumes that knowledge is created, transferred and reused as a result of an individual performing a specific task, which in this context is a project at the project level and a programme at the programme level.
Knowledge Management in a Project Climate
Authors: Coakes Elayne , Bradburn Anton , Black Cathy
Published: May 2011

This case study concerns the company Taylor Woodrow, which is a housing, property, and construction business operating internationally in situations where frontline operations are characterised by project management. Construction projects can sometimes carry substantial risk, and this case examines the role of knowledge management at Taylor Woodrow in minimising the probability of mischance by promoting best practice and lessons learned. The case shows how best practice can be developed through knowledge-sharing facilitated by networks of relationships. Some relationships are external — between the company, its partners, suppliers, and customers. Other relationships are internal — between frontline managers on construction sites and headquarters’ staff. The case study indicates how knowledge is collated and distributed for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders.
What Difference Does It Make
Authors: Chaudhry Abdus Sattar
Published: May 2011

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

Establishing criteria for knowledge management (KM) is important because criteria help to establish a basis for assessing the value and evaluating its results. Literature review has revealed that widely accepted criteria and performance measures have not been developed for KM. Delphi Technique and survey-based research, using a questionnaire targeting KM professionals as respondents, were aimed at establishing criteria for assessing KM success for different types of organizations. The results show what organizations consider important outcomes of a KM initiative. Contributions from this research effort should support government, non-profit, and for-profit organizations in making decisions about KM initiatives and measuring KM efforts. Future research efforts can focus on developing these KM outcomes into detailed measures.
The Emerging Discipline of Knowledge Management
Authors: Schwartz David G.
Published: May 2011

This article presents some of the findings from the editorial process of creating an Encyclopedia of Knowledge Management. The global view of knowledge management (KM) research made available by this process provides interesting insights into the state of knowledge management research today and raises some questions regarding future directions for knowledge management as a discipline. The popularity and interaction between the different foundations of KM research is discussed, and specific attention is given to the discipline of social epistemology as a frame of reference for knowledge management research.
e-Health with Knowledge Management
Authors: Sharma Sushil K. , Wickramasinghe Nilmini , Reddy Harsha Priya
Published: May 2011

The main purpose of this chapter is to bring out and discuss the central facts pertaining to the importance of incorporating knowledge management in the area of e-health. This is accomplished by focusing on the application of knowledge management in e-health and its effects.
Intelligence and Counterterrorism Tasks
Authors: Badia Antonio
Published: May 2011

At the end of the Cold War, the intelligence situation (characterized in the past by a confrontation among equals and information scarcity) changed radically to the current situation of today, characterized as an asymmetric threat: On one side, there is still a nation, but on the other, there is a relatively small group of individuals brought together by a common ideology, usually with ethnic and religious elements. These individuals can only confront their opponent by using subterfuge, deception, and terrorist acts. They try to disguise their activities by infiltrating society at large and seeking refuge in anonymity. This kind of conflict has long been analyzed in the military literature under names like low-intensity conflict (LIC) or operation other than war (OOTW; for more on this perspective, the reader is referred to the classic work by Kitson, 1971). The task of the nations under terrorist threat is to detect the group’s individuals and their intentions before they can carry out destructive actions. For this, their intelligence services count with large amounts of raw data obtained from many different sources: signal intelligence, open sources, tips from informants, friendly governments, and so forth. However, this data is not always reliable and almost never complete, and the truly interesting events are usually to be found hidden among large amounts of similar looking facts. To deal with this situation, intelligence officers use sophisticated information technology tools. Several authors have pointed out that this task is not at all dissimilar from the task that strategists in business intelligence (BI) and knowledge management (KM) face: As in KM, in intelligence the challenge is that “the right knowledge must get to the right people at the right time” (Pappas & Simon, 2002). Therefore, intelligence experts may learn something from studying BI and KM, and their history and milestones, while business strategists may also be enlightened by the history and lessons of military intelligence (after all, military intelligence is an ancient discipline; in contrast, KM can be considered a newcomer). In this article, we describe the intelligence analysis cycle and compare it with the KM cycle (we assume the reader is familiar with KM, but not with intelligence tasks). We point out the similarities (and the differences) between the two, and highlight several ways in which military intelligence may benefit from the hindsights and techniques developed by KM practitioners. We also briefly describe tools and methods from military intelligence that KM practitioners may find illuminating. We close with a discussion of future trends and some conclusions.
Gender Differences and Hypermedia Navigation
Authors: Fan Jing Ping , Macredie Robert D.
Published: May 2011

Adaptive hypermedia learning systems can be developed to adapt to a diversity of individual differences. Many studies have been conducted to design systems to adapt to learners’ individual characteristics, such as learning style and cognitive style to facilitate student learning. However, no research has been done specifically regarding the adaptation of hypermedia learning system to gender differences. This chapter therefore attempts to fill this gap by examining the published findings from experimental studies of interaction between gender differences and hypermedia learning. Analysis of findings of the empirical studies leads to a set of principles being proposed to guide adaptive hypermedia learning system design onthe basis of gender differences in relation to (i) adaptive presentation and (ii) adaptive navigation support.
Instructors' Experiences with Using Groupware to Support Collaborative Project-Based Learning
Authors: Day Jon , Lou Hao , Van Slyke Craig
Published: May 2011

Today’s business schools are looking for effective approaches to leverage technology to facilitate distributed learning and support collaborative group projects. Faculty need tools, methods, and best practices that can be adapted to support various learning models and learning objectives across academic disciplines. The application of groupware technology, Lotus Domino discussion databases, to support collaborative project-based learning is explored. From the instructor’s perspective, a variety of uses for discussion databases are described, including supporting course logistics, supporting student teams, and extending learning beyond the classroom. Recommendations for effective implementation include technical support issues, use of team databases, maintaining contact with remote students, and faculty time commitments.
Adult Learners in Higher Education
Authors: Correia Maria R. , Sarmento Anabela
Published: May 2011

The development and promotion of the strategic goal of the European Union (EU) to become a competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy and society (Lisbon European Council, 2000) can only be achieved with relevant technological infrastructures together with people equipped with necessary skills and competencies (European Commission, 2002). This must be supported by a well-structured initial education, constantly updated by a continuous lifelong learning programme, so that people can face the challenges of a series of new jobs, maybe separated by spells of short-term contracts or even unemployment. This continuous education programme should be available to all citizens regardless of their age and social or economic status. In a knowledge-based society, education and training are among the highest priorities because they are central to the creation and transmission of knowledge and are a determining factor for societal innovation. It is also recognized that human resources are the main assets for every organization and country (Lisbon European Council).
High Performance Publisher/Subscriber Communication for Adaptive, Collaborative Web-Based Learning
Authors: Lee Yugyung , Junginger Markus , Geller James
Published: May 2011

The inability of current Internet-based learning systems to deal with different kinds of learners and the high cost of developing a new learning system are well-known problems in e-learning. To overcome these problems, we have designed a learning middleware suite, called the Collaborative and Sharable Learning (CoSL) system. CoSL is a tool set for building e-learning systems and for developing course materials for an e-learning environment. Given the geographic distribution of the components of a Web-based e-learning system, it is crucial to support fast communication between providers and consumers of e-learning course materials. In this paper, a high performance Publisher/Subscriber communication system has been designed for real-time communication between participants. CoSL allows us to build and manage global real-time learning systems in a distributed and heterogeneous environment.
Interactivity in Web-Based Learning
Authors: Bodomo Adams
Published: May 2011

This article discusses one of the main features of ICT—interactivity. Drawing from many years of Web-based course design and delivery at the University of Hong Kong, it is argued that enhanced interactivity is the single most important reason why teachers should practice Web-based teaching. The notion of conversational learning community (CLC) as a kind of constructivist learning environment is introduced. It is shown that instructional interactivity, defined as active communication in a conversational learning community between instructor(s), learners, course materials, and links to remote experts and resources, is a central aspect of the learning situation. A practical implementation of the CLC model is presented through describing the interactive features of a Web-based course using WebCT. It is concluded that Web-based teaching actually enhances interactivity both within and beyond the classroom setting.
Innovations for Online Collaborative Learning in Mathematics
Authors: Nason Rodney , Woodruff Earl
Published: May 2011

The field of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) has been growing in a number of areas and across a number of subjects (Koschmann, 1996; Koschmann, Hall, & Miyake, 2002; Wasson, Baggetun, Hoppe, & Ludvigsen, 2003). One of the most promising pedagogical advances, however, for online collaborative learning that has emerged in recent years is Scardamalia and Bereiter’s (1996) notion of knowledge-building communities. Unfortunately, establishing and maintaining knowledge-building communities in CSCL environments such as Knowledge Forum® in the domain of mathematics has been found to be a rather intractable problem (Bereiter, 2002b; Nason, Brett, & Woodruff, 1996). In this chapter, we begin by identifying two major reasons why computer-supported knowledge-building communities in mathematics have been difficult to establish and maintain.
The Essential Elements of Interactive Multimedia Distance Learning Systems
Authors: Maly Kurt , Abdel-Wahab Hussein , Overstreet C. Michael , Wild J. Christian , Abdel-Hamid Ayman , Ghanem Sahar , Farag Waleed
Published: May 2011

In recent years, we have seen the introduction and use of many distance learning systems. Some of these systems are characterized as interactive, which means the dominant mode of instruction is live or synchronous using networked multimedia technology such as audio, video and shared workspaces. In this paper, we present the common features and essential elements that should be implemented in such systems. Throughout this paper, we will use as a model and case study the IRI-h system (for Interactive Remote Instruction-heterogeneous) that we have developed and implemented in Java and have used to support distance learning at Old Dominion University.
Evaluating Online Learning Applications
Authors: Liu Leping
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of the design-quality of current online K-12 learning applications on student learning via three learning-related variables (student enjoyment, motivation, and anxiety level when using those online applications). Nine hundred online K-12 applications (WebQuests, online drills, games, tests, and other applications) were evaluated in terms of four design factors (quality of information, design of information, quality of technology use, and design of technology use) in relation to the three learning-related variables. Three prediction models were generated and tested in this study. An intermediate effect was found between the design of online application and student learning, which may provide some insights for teachers when they integrate online applications into teaching and learning. The target audience of this paper may be school teachers, designers, or professionals who use online applications for education purposes.
Content Engineering Agent
Authors: Cheung B. S.N. , Hui L. C.K. , Yiu S. M. , Lee J. K.W. , Kwok L. K. , Leung Kenneth
Published: May 2011

With the advance in Internet technology, “e-learning” becomes an alternative means of learning and teaching, and is currently an active research topic in both IT and education professionals. However, to make “e-learning” an effective learning mode, besides technology, the issue of pedagogy and quality control are equally important. Most of the existing e-learning platforms and tools usually focus on the technology aspect without much investigation on the pedagogical issues and the quality control on the e-learning material. In fact, there is still a big gap between pedagogy and technology. The SPACE Online Universal Learning (SOUL) platform is designed to fill this gap and provide an effective e-Learning platform for e-course providers and students. In particular, the content engineering agent of the platform is designed for e-course development, which is based on the Task-Based Learning (TBL) curriculum development framework and is incorporated with the concept of Total Quality Management (TQM), a well-known technique in quality control. In this paper, we discuss the details of this content engineering agent and show how TBL and TQM are incorporated in the agent. As a remark, the content engineering agent has already been integrated in the SOUL platform, which is being used by more than 17,000 students and teachers. A preliminary evaluation on the usefulness of the Content Engineering agent has been performed and the result is positive.
Mathematics Education over the Internet Based on Vega Grid Technology
Authors: Xu Zhiwei , Li Wei , Fu Hongguang , Zeng Zhenbing
Published: May 2011

This paper presents research work conducted at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, on the Vega Grid technology and dynamic geometry technology, and how the two can integrate to provide a dynamic geometry education system based on grid technology. Such an approach could help solve the interconnect problem, the performance problem and the intellectual property problem for Internet-based education systems.
Project Smart Remote Classroom Providing Novel Real-Time Interactive Distance Learning Technologies
Authors: Shi Yuanchun , Xie Weikai , Xu Guangyou , Xiang Peifeng , Zhang Baopeng
Published: May 2011

Real-time interactive virtual classrooms play an important role in distance learning. However currently available systems are insufficient in supporting large-scale user access, and they cannot efficiently support accessing with heterogeneous devices and networks. Furthermore, these systems are usually desktop-based, until the result that the teacher’s experience is completely different from teaching in a real physical classroom. This paper discusses the Smart Remote Classroom project that deals with these difficulties using the following novel technologies: 1) A hybrid transport layer multicast protocol called TORM and an adaptive content delivery scheme called AMTM, which work together to enable large-scale users to access a virtual classroom with different devices and networks synchronously. 2) A dedicated software called SameView, which takes use of the proposed TORM and AMTM technology, and provides a rich set of functions for teachers and students to efficiently carry out the real-time interactive tele-education. 3) The Classroom augmented by Smart Space technology called Smart Classroom where the user interfaces of the SameView are incorporated in the classroom space. Thus the teacher can instruct the remote students just like teaching face to face in a conventional classroom. All these technologies have been successfully integrated and demonstrated in the prototype system at Tsinghua University.
Diffusion of Web-Based Education in Singapore and Australia
Authors: Wong Y. Y. Jessie , Gerber R. , Toh K. A.
Published: May 2011

The Internet has transformed the way education is delivered in the 21st Century. Web-based education has been developed on the basis of the capability and potential of the Internet. The idea of Web-based education was first developed about 15 years ago from a simple form of online learning, using mainly e-mail as a form of communication and consisting of mainly text, with no multimedia. Soon after, a variety of new software and services were developed to support Web-based Education. In late 1990s, the development of new technologies for this purpose accelerated. They gradually transformed the way by which distance education was delivered. Today, it is common for both private and public educational institutions to offer Web-based courses. However, only a few virtual universities exist today with all of their courses and activities Web-based.
Stanford CyberLab
Authors: Hesselink Lambertus , Rizal Dharmarus , Bjornson Eric , Paik Sandy , Batra Raj , Catrysse Peter , Savage Dan , Wong Anthony
Published: May 2011

Cyberlab is a fully automated, Internet accessible laboratory for use in research and teaching, developed at Stanford University since 1996. Cyberlab is a completely self-contained system including a web-based scheduler, analysis tools, a data acquisition system, a digital notebook, extensive collaboration tools including simultaneous access to the equipment by multiple students, extensive security features, including firewall compliance without the need for IT intervention. The system is easily scalable and can be integrated with other distance learning programs.
Free-Choice Learning Research and the Virtual Science Center
Authors: Goldman Kathryn Haley , Dierking Lynn .
Published: May 2011

Societies are in the midst of change, witnessing an explosion in out-of-school learning. From the proliferation of educational programming through film, television, museums and science centers, there are more opportunities for free-choice learning, self-directed and voluntary, than ever before. However, most virtual learning research is focused on classroom-based practices with little research on how learning occurs virtually. This chapter describes an appropriate research agenda, suggesting some of the research questions of highest priority. Authors suggest that models such as the Contextual Model of Learning are useful tools to understand the virtual science center experience and frame a research agenda for the future. Better understanding the nature of such virtual experiences and the factors that contribute to learning online will enable the field to better design such science centers, as well as begin to build a body of knowledge about how people in the 21st century engage in free-choice learning online.
Distance Learning and Educational Technology in Malaysia
Authors: Lateh Habibah , Raman Arumugam
Published: May 2011

Malaysia, in comparison to some of the other countries in South East Asia, is relatively small, with a size of 329,750 km2 and a population of 25.45 million (first quarter of 2004). Yet, the country, which comprises the peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, is undoubtedly one of the most rapidly developing countries in the region. Figure 1 shows Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and important cities. This article discusses mainly the institutions in Malaysia offering distance education (DE) using educational technology, and it identifies the front line for the educational technology concern. In order to get a clear picture about Malaysian distance education, the reader must understand the Malaysian education system generally.
Operational Success in Distance Education
Authors: Martz Jr. Wm. Benjamin , Reddy Venkateshwar K.
Published: May 2011

The education industry is being transformed by the ever-growing presence of distance education. Distance education has several market drivers that make educators, colleges and businesses take a serious look at how to implement programs and courses. This interest is driving a huge investment without a set direction.
Methodologies to Determine Class Sizes for Fair Faculty Work Load in Web Courses
Authors: Zuckweiler Kathryn M. , Schniederjans Marc J. , Ball Dwayne A.
Published: May 2011

This paper presents two modeling approaches that can be used to determine student class sizes for instructors who teach Web-based courses. The methodologies act to provide assurance to faculty that they will not have to compromise quality of instruction when teaching a Web course, nor have to sacrifice time away from research or service activities to develop and manage a Web course. These methodologies will also help department chairs plan student class size limitations to achieve “fairness” in asking instructors to adopt and teach Web courses at their universities. The models are applied to actual Web course experience at a university to demonstrate their practicality. Results of the application revealed faculty processing efficiencies that are inherent in offering Web-based courses and efficacy of the modeling approach.
Introducing GIS for Business in Higher Education
Authors: Gadish David
Published: May 2011

Schools of business can benefit from adoption of geographic information systems (GIS). A brief overview of GIS technology is presented along with an example showcasing how it can be presented in a business school. GIS benefits for business schools, their students, and faculty are discussed. A comprehensive approach for promoting such spatial thinking is presented. The goal is to empower faculty to adopt GIS for their research and teaching, producing a large number of business school graduates that can promote spatial thinking in their organizations.
Quality Assurance and Online Higher Education
Authors: Garten Edward D. , Thompson Tedi
Published: May 2011

This is an urgently needed topic. It is the author’s conviction that, currently, there are no 21st century schools and, even worse, there is no substantive and widely held vision about what such schools should look like, and what the role and competencies of teachers in those schools should be. So, the tendency of most educators writing about needed 21st century teaching competencies will be to pretty much “rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.” Most will be driven by another equally repugnant cliché, “Technology is only a tool,” and they will try to determine how this misunderstood tool can best enhance out-of-date and fast-aging approaches to K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This is not to say that the wonderful array of traditional teaching competencies and skills that have enabled teachers to have generally done such an impressive job of teaching our children over the last century will cease to be important. The ability of teachers to understand and connect with students; to impart considerable knowledge and wisdom about their subject; to provide them with good adult role models; to cultivate their motivation for learning; to encourage their sensitivity toward, and appreciation of, individual and cultural differences; to prepare them for post-secondary education and/or the world of work; and even, to sometimes be “the sage on the stage,” will remain critical competencies as long as there is a teaching profession. But just as technology has dramatically transformed society, the way we work, the way we live, even the way we think about things, schools must be dramatically transformed in the way they work, in the way content is processed, and maybe most importantly, in the way teachers teach and students learn.
Enhancing Phronesis
Authors: Olofsson A. D. , Lindberg J. O.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, the possibilities to use technology in order to improve the contextual and value-based dimensions in online distance-based teacher training in Sweden are explored. Aristotle’s (1980) concept of phronesis is used as a starting point for raising questions whether the Internet, and the establishing of educational online learning communities, can be used to enhance the teacher trainees´ skills of making moral decisions in unpredictable situations. It is argued that active participation, collaboration, and dialogue are vital in order to foster common moral and societal values among the teacher trainees, but that there is a need for rethinking how technology could be used in order to accommodate such processes. This chapter suggests that the development of a shared teacher identity is possible by expanding the scope of online community, and bridging teacher-training practices to teacher practices, thus including already practicing teachers, teacher trainers, and teacher trainees in a joint educational community.
Disability, Chronic Illness and Distance Education
Authors: Newell C. , Debenham M.
Published: May 2011

Distance education may be seen as both enabling and disabling in its application to, and relationship with, people with disability and chronic illness. Cutting-edge work suggests that it can provide a suitable route to support the studies of students with disabilities and those with long-term health problems. However, it is important that this should be regarded in terms of providing choice to students rather than requiring those who are identified as having impairment/chronic illness to undertake studies at a distance. Unless well designed and evaluated, as with any technology, DE can also become disabling in its impact (Goggin & Newell, 2003; Newell & Walker, 1992).
Critical Success Factors for Distance Education Programs
Authors: Martz B.
Published: May 2011

Distance education is playing an ever-growing role in the education industry. As such, it is prudent to explore and understand driving conditions that underlie this growth. Understanding these drivers and their corresponding concerns (Table 1) can help educators in the distance education field better prepare for the industry.
The Online Discussion and Student Success in Web-Based Education
Authors: Benrud E.
Published: May 2011

This article examines the performance of students in a Web-based corporate finance course and how the technologies associated with communication on the Internet can enhance student learning. The article provides statistical evidence that documents that the online discussion board in a Web-based course can significantly enhance the learning process even in a quantitative course such as corporate finance. The results show that ex ante predictors of student performance that had been found useful in predicting student success in face-to-face classes also had significant predictive power for exam performance in the online course. However, these predictors did not have predictive power for participation in the online discussion. Yet, online participation and exam performance were highly correlated. This suggests that the use of the online discussion board technology by the students enhanced the performance of students who otherwise would not have performed as well without the discussion.
EBS E-Learning and Social Integrity
Authors: Lim B.R.
Published: May 2011

In an effort to support public education, the Korean government utilized e-learning and established EBS e-learning system. Educational Broadcasting System (EBS) e-learning is developed especially for high school students who are preparing for the Korean college entrance examination (KSAT). This case study is to introduce EBS e-learning and analyze its merits and weaknesses in order to investigate some meaningful implications for future use of a similar learning system. First, this case study analyzes characteristics of EBS e-learning, secondly, this study identifies its outcomes and issues. Lastly, some implications are presented for further development and more effective use of e-learning system. The outcomes of the case study showed that EBS e-learning system has brought 1) cost reduction on private education on a short-term basis, 2) positive effect on social integrity, 3) a possibility of supporting public education. Some issues identified in this case study are in the following areas: 1) Contents, 2) School use, 3) Learning management and operation strategies, 4) Faculty members, 5) User interface. Lastly, some implications and suggestions are made to ensure the provision of quality programs in the future: 1) it is necessary to reinforce interactive ways of learning, 2) customized education and level-specific learning programs should be developed and provided, 3) it should utilize effective learning management systems, and 4) it needs to provide qualified, specialized learning contents to the learners.
E-Learning and New Teaching Scenarios
Authors: Mari Cecilia , Genone Sara , Mari Luca
Published: May 2011

This paper analyzes the reciprocal influences between various teaching methodologies sup¬ported by information and communication technology (ICT) and the teaching objectives that are pursued by means of these methodologies. The authors present the main characteristics of the conceptual model which has led to the definition of the teaching objectives and the results of the experience of the “eLearning@LIUC” project, where the validity of the hypotheses underlying the model has been tested through their application within concrete contexts. They believe that the presented model, with its analysis of the possible correlations between teaching objectives, teaching methodologies, and technological tools, can provide a new awareness of the opportuni¬ties offered by the adoption of ICT in teaching.
Moral Foundations of Data Mining
Authors: Goodman Kenneth W.
Published: May 2011

It has become a commonplace observation that scientific progress often, if not usually, outstrips or precedes the ethical analyses and tools that society increasingly relies on and even demands. In the case of data mining and knowledge discovery in databases, such an observation would be mistaken. There are, in fact, a number of useful ethical precedents, strategies, and principles available to guide those who request, pay for, design, maintain, use, share, and sell databases used for mining and knowledge discovery. These conceptual tools — and the need for them — will vary as one is using a database to, say, analyze cosmological data, identify potential customers, or run a hospital. But these differences should not be allowed to mask the ability of applied ethics to provide practical guidance to those who work in an exciting and rapidly growing new field.
Integrating Security in the Development Process with UML
Authors: den Braber Folker , Lund Mass Soldal , Stolen Ketil , Vraalsen Fredrik
Published: May 2011

Today, most business processes and communications as well as a lot of everyday life situations involve IT technology. Apart from requirements on functionality, this development of IT systems has increased the need for security. Security issues are reaching the main headlines in the media on a regular basis. Virus, worms, misconfiguration and program bugs are common problems in a world where new releases and updates are almost as frequently announced as spam e-mail pop-ups in our inboxes.
Do Information Security Policies Reduce the Incidence of Security Breaches
Authors: Doherty Neil F. , Fulford Heather
Published: May 2011

Information is a critical corporate asset that has become increasingly vulnerable to attacks from viruses, hackers, criminals, and human error. Consequently, organizations are having to prioritize the security of their computer systems in order to ensure that their information assets retain their accuracy, confidentiality, and availability. While the importance of the information security policy (InSPy) in ensuring the security of information is acknowledged widely, to date there has been little empirical analysis of its impact or effectiveness in this role. To help fill this gap, an exploratory study was initiated that sought to investigate the relationship between the uptake and application of information security policies and the accompanying levels of security breaches. To this end, a questionnaire was designed, validated, and then targeted at IT managers within large organizations in the UK. The findings presented in this paper are somewhat surprising, as they show no statistically significant relationships between the adoption of information security policies and the incidence or severity of security breaches. The paper concludes by exploring the possible interpretations of this unexpected finding and its implications for the practice of information security management.
Use of RFID in Supply Chain Data Processing
Authors: Owens Jan , Chalasani Suresh , Sounderpandian Jayavel
Published: May 2011

The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is becoming prevalent in supply chains, with large corporations such as Wal-Mart, Tesco, and the Department of Defense phasing in RFID requirements on their suppliers. The implementation of RFID can necessitate changes in the existing data models and will add to the demand for processing and storage capacities. This article discusses the implications of the RFID technology on data processing in supply chains.
A Multimedia-Based Threat Management and Information Security Framework
Authors: Joshi James B.D. , Shyu Mei-Ling , Chen Shu-Ching , Aref Walid , Ghafoor Arif
Published: May 2011

This chapter focuses on the key challenges in the design of multimedia-based scalable techniques for threat management and security of information infrastructures. It brings together several multimedia technologies and presents a conceptual architectural framework for an open, secure distributed multimedia application that is composed of multiple domains employing different security and privacy policies and various data analysis and mining tools for extracting sensitive information. The challenge is to integrate such disparate components to enable large-scale multimedia applications and provide a mechanism for threat management. The proposed framework provides a holistic solution for large-scale distributed multi-domain multimedia application environments.
Herding 3,000 Cats
Authors: Andriole Stephen J. , Monsanto Charlton
Published: May 2011

Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors, an independently owned and operated member of the Prudential Real Estate Affiliate, Inc., is the fourth-largest provider of real estate services in the U.S., with $15.5 billion in annual sales in 2004. The company operates 70 offices staffed by 900 employees. Prudential Fox & Roach also contracts with more than 3,300 independent agents who work on commission. Real estate companies and their sales agents face stiff competition for listings and clients. Finding new ways to expedite the complex sales cycle offers an important advantage to a real estate company. Prudential Fox & Roach sought a better way to give its mobile-sales agents and branch-office employees access to the myriad applications, forms, and databases, such as multiple-listing services, needed to list and sell properties. The company wanted to deliver applications and the corporate intranet over the Internet, which offered wide availability and a familiar browser interface for agents, many of whom are technologically unsophisticated. Prudential Fox & Roach implemented the Citrix MetaFrame Secure Access Manager to augment its existing MetaFrame Presentation Server environment with secure access to applications and information over the Internet.1 Independent agents and 900 employees now have a single point of access from any standard Web browser to applications, databases, forms and documents, and tools such as Web search engines. The impact of the remote access implementation project shortened the real estate sales cycle, provided data security for remote and mobile users, and reduced support requirements by 60%.2 The project also simplified computing for many nontechnical users. Perhaps just as importantly, the project has reduced the number of agents that have left the company for technology support reasons by more than 80%.
A Case Study on a Security Maturity Assessment of a Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce Organization
Authors: Becker Shirley Ann , Berkemeyer Anthony
Published: May 2011

GlobalUBid.com is a B2B (business-to-business) e-commerce company offering excess and obsolete inventory to online customers. GlobalUBid is rapidly expanding into the global online marketplace; but recently, its Web site crashed due to a denial-of-service (DOS) attack. A lack of security awareness at an organizational level has left GlobalUBid’s online system vulnerable to internal and external attacks. Though informal security policies are in place, many employees are not aware of them nor are they enforced on a regular basis. Unsecured aspects of the physical workplace make the organization vulnerable to disgruntled employees, hackers, and unscrupulous competition. GlobalUBid has hired URSecure consultants to conduct a security assessment in uncovering internal and external vulnerabilities. URSecure has made recommendations for improved security, though the organization must develop most of the implementation details. GlobalUBid management recognizes the need for improved security, though there is a concern about the financial implications of implementing a security plan.
Applying Directory Services to Enhance Identification, Authentication, and Authorization for B2B Applications
Authors: Jiao Yuan-Yuan , Du Jun , Jiao Jianxin ("Roger")
Published: May 2011

System-to-system integration is an essential aspect of Business-to-Business (B2B) organizations. This chapter proposes a common infrastructure model for B2B applications, referred to as the IAAIBB model. It aims to centralize the Identification, Authentication and Authorization (IAA) infrastructures and to provide easy interoperability among business partners. The key technique is to incorporate the directory service into business applications. The directory service acts as the core repository of the IAAIBB model to support all functions associated with identification,authentication and authorization. The chapter illustrates how IAAIBB enables a sound trust relationship for B2B applications, as well as the implementation of the IAAIBB model. Also reported is the evaluation of the IAAIBB model, which reveals a number of advantages. The IAAIBB model leverages on the strength of XML, the directory service, the PKI cryptography and role-based access control.
Responsibility for Information Assurance and Privacy
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten
Published: May 2011

Decisions regarding information assurance and IT security can affect individuals’ rights and obligations and thereby acquire a moral quality. The same can be said for questions of privacy. This chapter starts by showing how and why information assurance and privacy can become problems worthy of ethical consideration. It demonstrates that there is no simple and linear relationship between ethics and information assurance or between ethics and privacy. Many decisions in the area of IT, however, affect not only one, but both of these subjects. The ethical evaluation of decisions and actions in the area of privacy and security, therefore, is highly complex. This chapter explores the question whether individual responsibility is a useful construct to address ethical issues of this complexity. After introducing a theory of responsibility, this chapter discusses the conditions that a subject of responsibility typically is assumed to fulfill. This chapter will argue that individual human beings lack some of the essential preconditions necessary to be ascribed responsibility. Individuals have neither the power, the knowledge, nor the intellectual capacities to deal successfully with the ethical challenges in the tension of privacy and information assurance. This chapter ends by suggesting that the concept of responsibility, nevertheless, may be useful in this setting, but it would have to be expanded to allow collective entities as subjects.
Computing Ethics
Authors: Macer Darryl
Published: May 2011

Computers are a vehicle for the information age, and are central to the dispersal of descriptive accounts of technology, and to interactive discussion between growing communities. Despite the commitment of all countries to free flow of information and access to knowledge sources based upon social justice there are still ethical problems of the digital divide. The attitudes of respondents towards science and computers in both Japan and Thailand is compared between 1993 and a decades later. There is more positive support towards science and technology in general in Thailand than in Japan, but both countries continue to be positive in attitude. There is a clear social mandate in both countries for their government policies promoting the development of information technology and science and technology in general. The perception of benefits and the worries about computers are discussed, as are some emerging issues.
The Critical Role of Digital Rights Management Processes in the Context of the Digital Media Management Value Chain
Authors: Pagani Margherita
Published: May 2011

This paper set out to analyze the impact generated by the adoption of Digital Rights Management (DRM) processes on the typical Digital Media Management Value Chain activities and try to analyze the processes in the context of the business model. Given the early stage of the theory development in the field of DRM the study follows the logic of grounded theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967) by building the research on a multiple-case study methodology (Eisenhardt, 1989). The companies selected are successful players which have adopted DRM processes. These companies are Endemol, Digital Island, Adobe Systems, Intertrust, and the Motion Picture Association. In this paper we provide in-depth longitudinal data on these five players to show how companies implement DRM processes. Twelve DRM solution vendors are also analyzed in order to compare the strategies adopted. After giving a definition of Intellectual Property and Digital Rights Management (section 1) the paper provides a description of the typical Digital Media Management Value Chain Activities and players involved along the different phases examined (section 2). An in-depth description of Digital Rights Management processes is discussed in section 3. Digital Rights Management processes are considered in the context of business model and they are distinguished into content processes, finance processes and Rights Management processes. We conclude with a discussion of the model and main benefits generated by the integration of digital rights management and propose the most interesting directions for future research (section 4).