bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Materializing Communication Concepts
Authors: Warner Julian
Published: May 2010

This chapter is concerned with exposing the material basis for the concepts of the syntagm and paradigm from linguistics, and the message and messages for selection from information theory. The priority, given to abstract concepts over their material basis when cutting paper is conceived as a pedagogic technique to illustrate the distinction of syntagm from paradigm, is reversed. Materialities of linearity, of surface, and of store or reservoir, are revealed to lie behind the abstractions of linguistics and of information theory. The paradigm is regarded as generated from the immediately present material reality of the syntagm as the line of writing. The understanding of the word, as a cohesive group of letters with strong statistical influences, is understood as more explicitly revealing the material basis for communication, and to correspond to the instantiation of the word in paper- and computer-based systems. A rematerialization, rather than a dematerialization, of communication is discerned in current transitions in information technologies and practices.
Social Influence and Human Interaction with Technology
Authors: Friedman Robert S. , Roberts Desiree M. , Linton Jonathan D.
Published: May 2010

This chapter discusses how information that supports innovation flows throughout an organization, the construction and effects of team composition, the innovative processes that teams employ, and the development, implementation, and evaluation of systems used to manage the flow and distribution of information. As Allen and Cohen (1969) point out, effective communicators rise in their organizations as a result of their willingness to engage information—by reading and conversing outside of their immediate settings, but as Tushman (1977) explains, that kind of outreach precipitates special boundary roles, which come about to satisfy an organization’s communication network’s role of bridging an internal information network to external sources of information. Thompson (1965) investigates the conditions necessary to move an organization from a single-minded focus on productivity to one of those that facilitate innovation. At times, that means engaging rival firms, and von Hippel (1987) demonstrates that information sharing is economically beneficial to the organizations doing the trading. Freeman’s (1991) finding that information regarding innovative processes entails the development of effective information networks confirms how important it is for successful innovation that there exist effective external and internal communication networks, and that individuals collaborate to share information. von Hippel (1994) returns later in the chapter to qualify this point by showing that there is a direct correlation between the level of stickiness and the expense related to moving that information to a location where it can be applied to solving a problem.
Knowledge and Change in Organizations
Authors: Friedman Robert S. , Roberts Desiree M. , Linton Jonathan D.
Published: May 2010

This chapter on the role of knowledge in the operation of organizations consists of two main thrusts: the effects of knowledge (accrual, dissemination, and implementation) on organizational change, and more specifically, the manner and effects of knowledge transfer within and among firms conducting innovative product design and development. We begin with Grant’s (1996) view of the importance and processes of knowledge coordination within a firm’s administrative hierarchy, and follow with Nonaka and Konno’s (1998) concept of ba, or a shared space for the creation and emergence of knowledge. Greenwood and Hining’s (1996) examination of the role of radical change on their theory of neo-institutionalism focuses on cognition and its relationships to operative procedures and behavior norms, as opposed to the more traditional view of institutionalism, with its fundamental goals of stasis and equilibrium. Leonard-Barton’s (1992) article attempts an in-depth view and explanation of how one identifies and exposes organizational capabilities in the face of organizational structures that promote management practices that have the potential to stifle innovation rather than institute and nurture change.
Organizational Innovation Strategy
Authors: Friedman Robert S. , Roberts Desiree M. , Linton Jonathan D.
Published: May 2010

There are three dominant themes that run through this chapter on organizational innovation strategy: the rate and nature of change; attitudes, behaviors, and strategic change; and the role of research in organizational strategy. The first section begins with Fry (1982), who examines the interaction between technology and organizational structure in an effort to uncover how this kind of interaction affects how organizations function. Ettlie, Bridges, and O’Keefe (1984) then look into the food processing industry as an example of organizations that draw clear distinctions between radical and incremental outcomes to support their innovation process model, one which suggests that any organizational innovation process requires a unique implementation strategy.and organizational structure that is responsive to the organizational conditions, rather than a more traditional approach, that can be characterized as incremental as opposed to radical change.
New Product Development
Authors: Friedman Robert S. , Roberts Desiree M. , Linton Jonathan D.
Published: May 2010

The articles addressed in this chapter on new product development can be classified in two general categories—papers that address the internal processes that assist or hinder development, and those that focus on factors that contribute to a new product’s success or failure in terms of performance and diffusion. We begin with Cooper and Kleinschmidt (1986), who report on the second phase of the New Prod project. Its goal was to examine the nature of the steps that affect the development process and determine how the step-wise structure was modified by the developer companies in order to improve process performance. Clark (1989) looks at project scope, or the extent to which in-house part development affects new product development and overall project performance. The new product development process, as a comprehensive scope of work, is the subject of Millison, Raj, and Wilemon’s (1992) discussion, specifically what the tensions and trade-offs are that occur among different functional areas and how they affect innovative product development. Wheelwright and Clark (1992) provide insight into strategies to plan, focus, and control a firm’s project development, offering an aggregate project plan that promotes management clearly delineating the roles and steps of each participant’s activities. Griffin and Page (1993) offer a practitioner’s framework that identifies and coordinates the many measures of product development success and failure, and holds them up against existing measures used by academic researchers. We then move to Souder’s (1988) article examining the relationship between R&D groups and marketing groups, the nature of the problems between them, and the structure of potentially effective partnerships.
Open Source and Software Development Innovation
Authors: Friedman Robert S. , Roberts Desiree M. , Linton Jonathan D.
Published: May 2010

It is beyond question how ubiquitous and powerful computing has become for commerce, communication, and culture. As the articles addressed in this chapter make clear, the development of software poses challenges to those with commercial concerns?those that build software and those that use it?as well as specific situations in which management and innovation theory is responsive also to nonproprietary software development. We begin with two articles by Boehm, arguably the most prominent voice in software engineering today. The first, with Ross (1989), introduces advances in theory to aid software project management, and the second (1991) takes a close look at risk management as it pertains to software development projects. Fichman and Kemerer (1997) present their research findings related to knowledge management in software process innovation management environments, while Nambisan and Wilemon (2000) explain the mutually advantageous bodies of knowledge that the realms of software development and new product development hold for one another. Fajar and Sproull (2000) consider software development management from a knowledge and team management perspective, and their findings have affinities with Farris et al.’s (2003) introduction of the Web of Innovation, which facilitates an organization’s e-knowledge management systems and their application to new product development.
Directions in the Field of Technology Innovation Management
Authors: Friedman Robert S. , Roberts Desiree M. , Linton Jonathan D.
Published: May 2010

Although the goal of this book is to provide foundational knowledge through indepth consideration of the seminal literature in the technology innovation management field, we now offer some thoughts on integrating the past, present, and future research directions in this field. The underlying theme that holds together the research considered in this book is the tension between the old (current routine) and the new (innovation). Mainstream business and management theory, like economic theory, focuses on the assumption of equilibrium. The study of technology innovation management at its core considers how to manage in the face of dynamics caused by the novelty and uncertainty associated with innovation. The nature of these dynamics can differ depending on a variety of factors. In some cases, the innovation causes smaller disruptions, due either to the magnitude or the nature of its effects. Such changes are often associated with terminology such as continuous, evolutionary, incremental, or sustaining. At other times, the disruptions are quite large, either due to a greater magnitude of change or a substantial difference in the change. These changes are often associated with terms such as discontinuous, disruptive, radical, or revolutionary. A major challenge to technology innovation management research is that the assumption of equilibrium is needed in many cases to allow for sufficient simplification of phenomena to produce generalizable theory and solutions that are tractable and close formed.
Cognitive Load Theory
Authors: Kalyuga Slava
Published: May 2010

Cognitive load theory is a learning and instruction theory that describes instructional design implications of human cognitive architecture outlined in the previous chapter. Based on these theoretically and empirically established instructional consequences (usually referred to as cognitive load effects or principles), the theory makes specific prescriptions on managing cognitive load in learning and instruction. The theory distinguishes several different types or sources of cognitive load (e.g., effective and ineffective load; intrinsic, extraneous, and germane load) that are associated with different instructional implications and cognitive load effects. This chapter analyzes cognitive load factors that could potentially influence efficiency of interactive multimedia applications (e.g., levels of element interactivity, spatial and temporal configurations of instructional presentations, redundant representational formats, levels of learner prior experience in a task domain). Basic assumptions of cognitive theory of multimedia learning are discussed. The chapter starts with the description of the sources of cognitive load followed by an overview of the major cognitive load effects.
The Expertise Reversal Effect
Authors: Kalyuga Slava
Published: May 2010

Cognitive studies of expertise that were reviewed in Chapter I indicated that prior knowledge is the most important 1earner characteristic that influences learning processes. Recently, it has been established that learning procedures and techniques that are beneficial for learners with low levels of prior knowledge may become relatively inefficient for more knowledgeable learners due to cognitive activities that consume additional working memory resources. This expertise reversal effect could be related to aptitude-treatment interactions (interactions between learning outcomes of different instructional treatments and student aptitudes) that were actively investigated in 1960-70s. The learner level of prior knowledge or level of expertise is the aptitude of interest in this case. The effect is explained by the cognitive overload that more knowledgeable learners may experience due to processing redundant for these learners instructional components (as compared to information without redundancy). As a consequence, instructional outcomes of different multimedia learning formats and procedures are always relative to levels of learner task-specific expertise. This chapter describes cognitive processes that cause expertise reversal effect and major instructional implications of this effect. The chapter provides a review of empirical evidence obtained in the original longitudinal studies of the effect, the expertise reversal for methods of enhancing essential cognitive load, and expertise reversal phenomena when learning from textual and hypertextual materials. The chapter also describes relations between the expertise reversal effect and studies of Aptitude-Treatment Interactions. Additional empirical evidence for the effect in other areas will be described in the following chapters in Section 2 of the book.
Assessment of Task-Specific Expertise
Authors: Kalyuga Slava
Published: May 2010

Main implication of the expertise reversal effect is the need to tailor instructional techniques and procedures to changing levels of learner expertise in a specific task domain. In order to design adaptive procedures capable of tailoring instruction in real-time, it is necessary to have online measures of learner expertise. Such measures should be rapid enough to be used in real time. At the same time, they need to have sufficient diagnostic power to detect different levels of task-specific expertise. One of the previously mentioned reasons for low practical applicability of the results of studies in Aptitude-Treatment Interactions were inadequate aptitude measures. Most of the assessment methods used in those studies were psychometric instruments designed for selection purposes (e.g., large batteries of aptitude tests based on artificially simplified tasks administered mostly in laboratory conditions). Another suggested reason was unsuitability of those methods for dynamic, real-time applications while learners proceeded through a single learning session. This chapter describes a rapid diagnostic approach to the assessment of learner task-specific expertise that has been intentionally designed for rapid online application in adaptive learning environments. The method was developed using an analogy to experimental procedures applied in classical studies of chess expertise mentioned in Chapter I. In those studies, realistic board configurations were briefly presented for subsequent replications. With the described diagnostic approach, learners are briefly presented with a problem situation and required to indicate their first solution step in this problem situation or to rapidly verify suggested steps at various stages of a problem solution procedure.
Adaptive Procedures for Efficient Learning
Authors: Kalyuga Slava
Published: May 2010

The rapid diagnostic approach to evaluating levels of learner task-specific expertise was introduced in Chapter IV and used in several studies that were subsequently described throughout this book. The rapid diagnostic techniques (first-step method and rapid verification technique) were instrumental in investigating some instances of the expertise reversal effect and in optimizing levels of cognitive load in faded worked example procedures (Section II and Chapter XI). This chapter describes some specific adaptive procedures based on rapid diagnostic methods for evaluating ongoing levels of learner task specific expertise. Two specific approaches to the design of adaptive instruction are considered, adaptive procedures based on rapid measures of performance and adaptive procedures based on combined measures of performance and cognitive load (efficiency measures). The expertise reversal effect established interactions between learner levels of task-specific expertise and effectiveness of different instructional methods. The major instructional implication of this effect is the need to tailor instructional methods and procedures to dynamically changing levels of learner expertise in a specific class of tasks within a domain. The rapid diagnostic approach was successfully used for real-time evaluation of levels of learner task-specific expertise in adaptive online tutorials in the domains of linear algebra equations (Kalyuga & Sweller, 2004; 2005) and vector addition motion problems in kinematics (Kalyuga, 2006) for high school students. Both first step diagnostic method and rapid verification technique were applied in adaptive procedures. According to the rapid assessment-based tailoring approach, these tutorials provided dynamic selection of levels of instructional guidance that were optimal for learners with different levels of expertise based on real-time online measures of these levels. The general designs of those studies were similar. In learner-adapted groups, at the beginning of training sessions, each student was provided with an appropriate level of instructional guidance according to the outcome of the initial rapid pretest. Then during the session, depending on the outcomes of the ongoing rapid tests, the student was allowed to proceed to the next learning stage or was required to repeat the same stage and then take the rapid test again. At each subsequent stage, a lower level of guidance was provided to learners (e.g., worked-out components of solution procedures were gradually omitted and progressively replaced with problem solving steps), and a higher level of the rapid diagnostic tasks was used at the end of the stage. In control non-adapted groups, learners either studied all tasks that were included in the corresponding stages of the training session of their yoked participants, or were required to study the whole set of tasks available in the tutorial.
Services, E-Services, and Nonservices
Authors: Henten Anders
Published: May 2010

This chapter examines the provision and codevelopment of electronic services, content, and applications at the conceptual level. There is focus on the provision of services electronically (e-services) and the development of user-produced electronic content and applications (nonservices). The chapter points at codifiability, digitization, and interpretation as three crucial conditions for the development of e-services and nonservices. Codifiability is the basic prerequisite, but even if knowledge is codifiable, it does not necessarily follow that it can be entirely digitized or that it will be interpreted in the same manner in different contexts. Regarding implications, an important issue is whether the development of e-services and nonservices leads to specialization and/or convergence in the production and marketing of informational services. Is there reason to anticipate that the production and marketing of informational services will develop differently from other production areas with respect to the implications of technology on the combination of specialization and convergence?
Online Journalistic Services
Authors: Flavián Blanco Carlos
Published: May 2010

The new online communication has had a considerable impact on the activities of the newspaper industry. As a result, analysis of the duality of journalism has aroused increasing interest. This chapter analyses the readers’ behavior in relation to digital and traditional media. We identify the main reading motivations and the behavior patterns in each medium. Besides, we examine the possible relationship between readers’ objectives for reading and the choice of each channel. The results confirm that the electronic and traditional channels are compatible, but suggest that it is necessary to take the process of differentiation in order to enhance this complementarity, meeting readers’ needs in different circumstances and combining effects to raise loyalty to a newspaper.
Emerging E-Services in Accounting
Authors: Gullkvist Benita M.
Published: May 2010

This chapter analyses and provides an example of the introduction and first years of the management of accounting services and e-services in a professional accounting firm. It argues that e-services, as a result of adoption and use of Web-based digital technology, are slowly emerging within the accounting field. Further, the change to e-services implies a significant change in the business model for professional service providers as well as acceptance and adoption of the new services among customers. Furthermore, the author hopes that by identifying development and learning issues, the case cannot only be used for implementation of similar initiatives within other organizations but will also assist students in their understanding of the process of change and e-service management.
eInsurance
Authors: Ahonen Aki , Salonen Jarno , Järvinen Raija , Kivistö-Rahnasto Jouni
Published: May 2010

The chapter introduces an innovative organizational logic for developing and designing electronic services especially in the context of financial services, such as insurance. Furthermore, a novel electronic insurance service concept for consumers is introduced in the chapter. The authors argue that development of electronic service solutions for the use of financial sector formerly rather conducted in an organization may well be executed through a multi-organizational project-based working logic. In fact the chapter establishes that the multi-organizational project-based logic results in a more creative outcome. Hence, the authors hope that the chapter encourages both academics and especially practitioners within the insurance business sector to take steps towards more collaborative working practices in order to generate more creative electronic service solutions for customers.
eBay
Authors: Wang Zhongxian , Yao James , Yan Ruiliang , Hsu Jeffrey
Published: May 2010

eBay provides online marketplaces for the sale of goods and services, online payments, and online communication offerings. Their three primary business segments are: eBay Marketplaces, Payments, and Communications. The Marketplace platform has grown beyond the initial auction platform to include Rent.com, Shopping.com, Kijiji, Craigslist, mobile.de, and Marketplaats.nl. PayPal enables individuals and businesses to easily and securely transact payments. The overgrowth of eBay may have brought about the management problems in a young company that grows so fast. As the eighth largest global retailer, eBay’s mission is to pioneer new communities around the world built on commerce, sustained by trust, and inspired by opportunity. Their ability to maintain or enhance this position will depend on their ability to adapt to new technologies while facing increased competition and anticipating customers’ needs. This chapter will address management’s philosophies, the corporate business model, its challenges, and network relationships, and examine corporate growth to date as well as future horizons.
Limitations and Perspectives on Use of E-Services in Engineering Consulting
Authors: Westh Nicolajsen Hanne
Published: May 2010

In this chapter we analyse organizational challenges when an engineering consultancy in the building industry integrates information and communication technologies (ICT) in the production and delivery of their services, and discuss how the e-service concept can be applied in this context. The analysis is based on a field study on introduction of 3D-modeling tools within one of the leading engineering companies in Scandinavia (Ramboll). The analysis focuses on the changes in knowledge creation and transfer both within the company and in inter-organizational relations. The analysis points towards a need to change the business model as the project engineering part of the technical engineering service becomes standardized.
Providing Telemental Health Services after Disasters
Authors: Bhushan Gogia Shashi
Published: May 2010

The role of information technology (IT) in managing disasters is increasingly being recognized. The Healing Touch project was started after the tsunami disaster in Tamilnadu to address the healthcare needs of the survivors through IT. Specifically; it provided mental health support to the victims near their place of residence. This project has been different from other telemedicine projects because: It was sponsored and managed entirely by NGOs. The local community and local NGOs were directly trained to manage there own health problems after the natural disaster. Success was linked to the intensive pre and post execution work done. We believe that preparation and involvement of people is the key to success in most IT projects. Some problems we faced were related to a general lack of awareness and nonpenetration of IT in the community we served. If people are using IT in their day to day work; adoption of telemedicine and other e-services will be far simpler after a disaster.
Reference Model Management
Authors: Thomas Oliver
Published: May 2010

Reference modeling is located in a field of conflict between research and practice. Despite the array of theoretical concepts, there is still a deficit in knowledge about the use and problems inherent in the implementation of reference models. Accordingly, in the past years the supply-sided development of reference models predominant in the science world has distanced itself from their demand-sided use in business and administration. This contribution will analyze the causes of these problems and present a solution in the form of an integrative approach to computer-supported management of reference models. The task to be carried out with this solution approach will be concretized using data structures and a system architecture and then prototypically implemented in the form of a reference model management system.
A Model of Knowledge Management Success
Authors: Jennex Murray E. , Olfman Lorne
Published: May 2010

This article describes a knowledge management (KM) success model that is derived from observations generated through a longitudinal study of KM in an engineering organization and KM success factors found in the literature, which were modified by the application of these observations and success factors in various projects. The De- Lone and McLean (1992, 2003) IS Success Model was used as a framework for the model, since it was found to fit the observed success criteria and provided an accepted theoretical basis for the proposed model.
A Comparison and Scenario Analysis of Leading Data Mining Software
Authors: Wang John , Hu Xiaohua , Hollister Kimberly , Zhu Dan
Published: May 2010

Finding the right software is often hindered by different criteria as well as by technology changes. We performed an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) analysis using Expert Choice to determine which data mining package was best suitable for us. Deliberating a dozen alternatives and objectives led us to a series of pair-wise comparisons. When further synthesizing the results, Expert Choice helped us provide a clear rationale for the decision. The issue is that data mining technology is changing very rapidly. Our article focused only on the major suppliers typically available in the market place. The method and the process that we have used can be easily applied to analyze and compare other data mining software or knowledge management initiatives.
End-User Perceptions of the Benefits and Risks of End-User Web Development
Authors: McGill Tanya , Klisc Chris
Published: May 2010

The development of applications by end users has become an integral part of organizational information provision. It has been established that there are both benefits and risks associated with end-user development, particularly in the areas of spreadsheets and databases. Web development tools are enabling a new kind of end-user development. The fact that Web page creation may impact, not only locally but also globally, significantly raises the importance of this type of end-user application development. This article reports on the extent of Web page development amongst end users and investigates their perceptions of the benefits and risks of end-user Web development relative to those associated with spreadsheet development and explores approaches to reducing the risks.
ERP Usage in Practice
Authors: Jones Mary C. , Young Randall
Published: May 2010

This study presents the results of an exploratory study of Fortune 1000 firms and their enterprise resource planning (ERP) usage, as well as benefits and changes they have realized from ERP. The study empirically examines ERP in these organizations to provide insight into various aspects that firms can use to evaluate how they are managing their ERP systems. Findings provide information about functionality implemented, extent to which benefits are realized, extent of ERP-related organizational changes firms have realized, and the way firms measure ERP success. The study also addresses the extent to which various types of ERP software have been implemented and whether there is a relationship between type of software and benefits. Finally, it examines ERP-enabled change in light of organizational configuration.
Knowledge Management Systems for Emergency Preparedness
Authors: Raman Murali , Ryan Terry , Olfman Lorne
Published: May 2010

This article is about the design and implementation of an information system, using Wiki technology to improve the emergency preparedness efforts of the Claremont University Consortium. For some organizations, as in this case, responding to a crisis situation is done within a consortium environment. Managing knowledge across the various entities involved in such efforts is critical. This includes having the right set of information that is timely and relevant and that is governed by an effective communication process. This study suggests that Wiki technology might be useful to support knowledge management in the context of emergency preparedness within organizations. However, issues such as training in the use of a system(s), a knowledge-sharing culture among entities involved in emergency preparedness, and a fit between task and technology/system must be there in order to support emergency preparedness activities that are given such structures.
Education for IT Service Management Standards
Authors: Cater-Steel Aileen , Toleman Mark
Published: May 2010

Service management standards such as the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL), and now ISO/IEC 20000, provide guidance and tools for the effective management and control of IT service delivery. These standards are of increasing importance to organizations around the globe. Education about these standards and possibilities for training IT staff are, therefore, important. Universities have a place in this education process; however, academics have not embraced these standards in either research or education about them. Regardless, demand grows for IT staff qualified at various levels, particularly on basic or foundational levels, in these standards. This article considers the training offered and the requirement for education related to IT service management. Benefits to universities, graduates, and industry are numerous including increases in student numbers, enhanced employment options for graduates, and improved IT service quality, but there are challenges too, in particular, how to effectively transfer the knowledge to students who have not experienced the IT service environment firsthand.
Developing a Basis for Global Reciprocity
Authors: Crawford  , Crawford  , Lynn  , Lynn
Published: May 2010

Professional standards are a significant issue for professions such as IT and project management, where certification and licensure are either necessary to practice or to demonstrate individual competence and capability. In many professions there is no basis for international reciprocity of professional standards. This paper documents the development of a standard for global reciprocity between already existing professional standards in the field of project management. Data are based on personal involvement by the authors and interviews with participants. This discussion addresses different approaches to standardisation, how common issues in the standardisation process have been addressed, and how the hindering influence of the professional associations’ proprietorial interest was avoided. Significantly different standards of development processes have been used compared to those typical in Project Management standards development, including: an emphasis on negotiation and joint modification rather than market dominance, and an open access approach, rather than one based on exclusion and gate-keeping.
Knowledge Fusion
Authors: Keen Peter , Tan Margaret
Published: May 2010

The article proposes a simple framework termed ‘knowledge fusion’ to extend the rigor and relevance of knowledge management (KM). It points to some gaps in the current body of knowledge about KM, and provides a parsimonious set of ‘partitions’ that link to and from traditional knowledge management research and practice. It proposes that attention be paid to knowledge mobilization that reflects the demand side that is dominated by knowledge being part of individual identity and hence personal choice of whether, where, why and with whom to share knowledge and expertise as oppose to just understanding the traditional knowledge management that addresses only the supply side of information and the creation of environments for communication and collaboration, especially those “knowledge” largely being independent of the individual.
Electronic Risk Management
Authors: Sinha Tapen , Condon Bradly
Published: May 2010

Doing business on the Internet has many opportunities along with many risks. This chapter focuses on a series of risks of legal liability arising from e-mail and Internet activities that are a common part of many e-businesses. Some of the laws governing these electronic activities are new and especially designed for the electronic age, while others are more traditional laws whose application to electronic activities is the novelty. E-business not only exposes companies to new types of liability risk, but also increases the potential number of claims and the complexity of dealing with those claims. The international nature of the Internet, together with a lack of uniformity of laws governing the same activities in different countries, means that companies need to proceed with caution.
Organizational Culture for Knowledge Management Systems
Authors: Ciganek Andrew P. , Mao En , Srite Mark
Published: May 2010

Knowledge is increasingly being viewed as a critical component for organizations. It is largely people-based and the characteristics of groups of individuals, in the form of organizational cultures, may play a key role in the factors that lead to either the acceptance or rejection of knowledge management systems (KMS). The primary objective of this research is to explore how dimensions of organizational culture influence factors that lead to the acceptance of KMS. While researchers have agreed that culture plays an important role in KMS, the literature has only recently begun to examine organizational culture within this context. We examined the effects of three dimensions of organizational culture through a research model that was tested and analyzed utilizing a field survey of corporate knowledge management users. Our results indicated that both process-oriented and open communication system organizational cultures significantly influenced the factors that led to the acceptance of KMS.
Technology Trends in Knowledge Management Tools
Authors: Balmisse Gilles , Meingan Denis , Passerini Katia
Published: May 2010

A large number of tools are available in the software industry to support different aspects of knowledge management (KM). Some comprehensive applications and vendors try to offer global solutions to KM needs; other tools are highly specialized. In this paper, state-of-theart KM tools grouped by specific classification areas and functionalities are described. Trends and integration efforts are detailed with a focus on identifying current and future software and market evolution.
A Strategic Framework for Integrating Web 2.0 into the Marketing Mix
Authors: Bryant Samantha C.
Published: May 2010

Marketing strategy set by the marketing mix has remained fundamentally the same through years of other business disciplines being significantly disrupted by emerging technologies. Emerging Web 2.0 technologies such as wikis, blogs, YouTube, and virtual worlds are not only affecting how companies tactically approach marketing, but also their marketing strategies. This chapter will explore the impact of Web 2.0 technologies on marketing and brand management and how companies can leverage these technologies to strengthen relationships between their brands and consumers through a Web 2.0 marketing mix. This new Web 2.0 marketing mix supplements the traditional four-p marketing mix (price, product, promotion, and placement) with a new “p” lens: participation. The focus of this analysis is on B2C marketing of products and services only.
The Enterprise 2.0 Organization
Authors: Ali Nadira
Published: May 2010

The implementation of Web 2.0 technologies in organizations ushers in a new era of collaboration and communication for enterprises. Enterprise 2.0 is the term that has emerged to describe the organization’s embrace of Web 2.0 technologies. This chapter examines the current trends and impact of Web 2.0 on organizations, managers, the workforce, and information exchange within and across companies. This phenomenon is expected to bring another wave of change to organizations that some believe could be on the magnitude of that experienced during the Internet revolution. These technological advancements do not come without challenges. Security, privacy, ethics, and legal considerations all play a major role in how these technologies develop over time. The time has come, however, for companies to begin to determine strategies for utilizing these technologies in order to remain competitive in the global business arena.
Web 2.0, Virtual Worlds, and Real Ethical Issues
Authors: Conger Sue
Published: May 2010

Social networking sites, enabled by Web 2.0 technologies and embodied in role-playing virtual worlds, are gaining in popularity and use both for recreational and business purposes. Behavioral controls can be regulated through program code restrictions, rules of conduct, and local norms. Most vendor hosts of virtual worlds use code restrictions sparingly, restricting only overtly illegal activities. Otherwise, all worlds publish some form of rules of conduct and rely on the development of in-world local norms to regulate behavior. As a result, many unethical forms of behavior have arisen, including griefing, fragging, and industrial espionage. There is no sure method of solving the unethical forms of behavior unless strong social norms develop; therefore, users must take precautions when acting in virtual worlds to understand how to avoid or deflect virtual attacks of different types.
Bringing Real Justice to Virtual Worlds
Authors: Jamerson Hunter W.
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this chapter is to advise developers, content providers, end users, legislators, and business managers about the challenges and ramifications of conducting business in virtual worlds. The chapter examines crime in virtual worlds, as well as evaluates the current status of property rights (real, actual, and intellectual), and suggests changes to the existing legal structure in order to confront virtual crime. Recommendations to the business manager are also included in this chapter.
Activity Theory Approaches for Authentic Web 2.0 Learning
Authors: Reinartz Tom
Published: May 2010

This chapter discusses activity theory approaches to authentic online learning through Web 2.0 media tools and practices. With the proliferation of Web 2.0 software, many have access to the tools, but it is more difficult to harness the power in them toward authentic and meaningful action. Activity theory provides a lens to examine the “unit of activity” as a way to describe, analyze, and understand activity en route to learning goals. The first part of this chapter briefly defines activity theory and its main tenets, and the last few sections specifically address learning in authentic situations and developing authentic communities. Web 2.0 tools and practices allow learners to be engaged in content-related challenges using the tools as mediating devices and therefore facilitating more authentic and successful learning trajectories.
Economics of Downtime
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

After introducing some basic facts on how today’s businesses are faced with several types of business risks, the second chapter tends to explain one of the major problems that a contemporary business may face in regard to the impact of its computing infrastructure to business results. System downtime is briefly explained and the resulting “economics of downtime” is elaborated in order to demonstrate the direct financial impacts of the unavailability of so-called “business-critical applications” to business results.
Information Architectures for Business Continuity
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

Based on the framework defined in Chapter III, the fourth chapter discusses the models of information architectures that are used in implementing business computing solutions. In addition to the traditional mainframe-based architecture and most widely used client-server architecture, some recently developed architectures are briefly explained. This chapter aims at locating server configurations within these architectures critical points for ensuring continuous computing and business continuity.
Server Operating Systems
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

Server configurations described in Chapter V are operated by server operating systems. Server-based application software and business-critical applications are installed on these platforms. Taken together, they form what is called “server operating environment,” the hardware-operating system platform responsible for running business applications and keeping “business in business.” Chapter VI explains in more details server operating systems and their role in ensuring continuous computing and hence business continuity.
System Administration and System Administrator's Role in Business Continuity
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

Chapter IX focuses on the role of system administration as an IT-profession and system administrator as a person who does the administrative (managerial) activites on servers and server operating systems. If server goes down for any reason or server operating system crashes, in most cases it is up to this person to “recover” the server from the bad situation and make sure that business – critical applications continue to run and provide services to end users. HP-UX as a server operating system platform is selected in order to demonstrate most commonly used techniques and features that may lead to higher levels of system availability.
Advanced Storage Technologies for Business Continuity
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

In addition to standard storage and traditional tape-based backup technologies explained in Chapter X, businesses employ advanced storage technologies in order to achieve higher levels of applications and data availability. Most widely used advanced storage technologies such as direct access storage (DAS), storage area network (SAN), network attached storage (NAS), RAID technology, mirroring and data replication, data vaulting, continuous data protection, and clustering are explained in Chapter XI.
Business Continuity Management
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

After explaining several continuous computing technologies in previous chapters, the book focuses on business continuity management in Chapter XIII. Ensuring higher levels of data and applications availability and hence improving the business continuity is not one-time job. Contrary, it represents a process that has to be managed in an efficient and effective way. It encompasses numerous activities that have to be planned and managed. This chapter introduces the main concepts, standards and approaches of business continuity management.
Is Information Ethics Culturally Relative?
Authors: Brey Philip
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, I examine whether information ethics is culturally relative. If it is, different approaches to information ethics are required in different cultures and societies. This would have major implications for the current, predominantly Western approach to information ethics. If it is not, there must be concepts and principles of information ethics that have universal validity. What would they be? I will begin the chapter by an examination of cultural differences in ethical attitudes towards privacy, freedom of information, and intellectual property rights in Western and nonwestern cultures. I then analyze the normative implications of these findings for doing information ethics in a cross-cultural context. I will argue for a position between moral absolutism and relativism that is based on intercultural understanding and mutual criticism. Such a position could be helpful in overcoming differences and misunderstandings between cultures in their approach to information and information technologies.
U.S. Federal Data Mining Programs in the Context of the War on Terror
Authors: Shahidullah Shahid M.
Published: May 2010

This chapter examines the issues and concerns raised in the context of the recent growth of federal mining programs. The chapter argues that in the context of the war on terror, intelligence gathering on terrorist activities both within and outside the United States has emerged as one of the core strategies for homeland security. The major national security related federal agencies such as the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense have developed a number of data mining programs to improve terrorism intelligence gathering and analysis in the wake of the events of September 11, 2001. Some data mining programs have, however, raised a number of issues related to privacy protections and civil liberties. These issues have given birth to a wider debate in the nation and raised new tensions about how to search for a balance between the needs for the protection of privacy and civil liberties, and the needs for national security. The authors believe that the future of this debate is intimately connected to the future of the war on terror. Currently, Congress and the federal courts seem to be more in favor of supporting the preeminent needs of protecting national security. Through a number of enactments, Congress has broadened the federal power for collecting terrorism intelligence both at home and abroad. In a number of cases, the federal courts have ruled in favor of the doctrines of the “state secret privilege” and the “inherent power of the President” to emphasize the overriding need for protecting national security in the context of the war on terror. As America has embarked on a long and protracted ideological war against radical militant Islam, issues of national security and the need for data mining for detecting and analyzing terrorist activities are likely to remain dominant for a long time.