bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Object-Oriented Awareness-Based Methodology for ERP
Authors: Daneshgar Farhad
Published: May 2011

It is now believed that success of ERP systems is largely dependent on not only the successful evaluation, selection, implementation and post-implementation of ERP systems, but also on integrating it with the organizational business processes. On the other hand, nearly all business processes are collaborative in the sense that multiple human agents or actors interact with one another for achieving one or more process goals. As a result, one can claim that one major factor in successful implementation of the ERP systems is development of appropriate conceptual models of the ERP process from various perspectives. In this chapter the writer, being a member of the CSCW (computer supported cooperative work) research community, introduces a conceptual model for ERP which has an emphasis on the collaborative nature of ERP process that explicitly addresses the “awareness” and “knowledge-sharing” issues within the ERP process. This conceptual model demonstrates collaboration requirements of the actors behind individual business processes as well as the relationships among these business processes. This chapter is intended to introduce to the ERP community a relevant piece of work in conceptual modelling from the perspective of CSCW with the aim of attracting research collaborators for further investigation in these fields.
Software Reuse in Hypermedia Applications
Authors: Mochicchio Mario , Paiano Roberto
Published: May 2011

In the hypermedia communication process, authors are connected to readers through hypermedia applications. The underlying software is an important part of the “communication channel” between authors and readers: it is effective if it is “transparent.” This means that hypermedia software must be flexible and powerful, to support naïve users as well as “experienced navigators;” it must be developed and tested before contents, because contents, in real projects, are released very late; it must be robust and error-free; and finally it must be inexpensive with respect to contents, because contents are the focus of the production effort. For all these reasons, the run-time software must be contents independent and application independent; in fact, it can be powerful enough only if its development costs can be shared over a large number of projects. Two applications, built around a reusable run-time engine based on the previous considerations, are presented in the paper.
Principles for Supporting and Enhancing User Navigation of Digital Video in Video Browsers
Authors: Agius Harry W.
Published: May 2011

Video browsers provide an environment in which a user may navigate digital video content. They are therefore an important application for improving access to digital video resources. We apply a general framework for navigation, proposed by Spence (1999), and consider existing proposals for video browsers made within the research literature within the context of the framework. We then use this analysis to derive a number of principles that reflect the requirements for supporting and enhancing the user in the digital video navigation task.
A New Encryption Algorithm for High Throughput Multimedia
Authors: Yi Xun , Tan Chik How , Siew Chee Kheong , Syed Mahbubur Rahman
Published: May 2011

The security of multimedia data is important for multimedia commerce. The encryption algorithms with high security, such as DES and IDEA, may not be suitable for multimedia applications because of large data sizes and real time constraint. This paper proposes a fast encryption algorithm for high throughput multimedia data, called FEA-M. FEA-M is based on Boolean matrix theory. The plaintext and the ciphertext are 64 ´ 64 Boolean matrices while the secret key is also an 64 ´ 64 matrix. The structure of FEA-M is chosen to provide confusion and diffusion and to facilitate both hardware and software implementation.
Structural Influences on Global E-Commerce Activity
Authors: Markus M. Lynne , Soh Christina
Published: May 2011

An important line of research on global information management examines the effects of national culture on IT development, operations, management and use. This paper argues that global information management researchers should not lose sight of structural conditions related to business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce activity. Structural conditions are physical, social and economic arrangements that shape e-commerce business models and influence individual and organizational use of the Internet. Examples include geography (which affects the physical distribution of goods purchased online), space (which influences the choice of access technology for e-commerce) and financial infrastructure (which is related to credit card use). Structural conditions differ from country to country—and even from location to location within country, but they are not necessarily related to dimensions of natural culture. Therefore, valid explanations of global differences in e-commerce activity require a careful assessment of relevant structural factors.
Intelligent Software Agents in Electronic Commerce
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Klassen Chris , Schkade Lawrence L.
Published: May 2011

“The future business culture will be one in which innovation is necessary, learning is constant, organizations need to act collaboratively and work is its own reward…It will not be business. It will not be government. It is the social sector that may yet save the society.” ——Peter F. Drucker
Electronic Commerce
Authors: Fazlollahi Bijan
Published: May 2011

The web site is a central component of B2C Electronic Commerce. However, there are few guidelines on how to design and develop an effective web site. Most discussions address technical issues of building WebPages. The requirement stage of web site design is poorly understood. This chapter discusses requirements for web site functions from the point of view of both the firm and the customer. Firm’s business strategies and customer decision support needs are mapped into web site functionalities. Two existing web sites of firms in the building industry are analyzed for illustrative purposes.
Evaluating an ISD Methodology for Software Packages
Authors: van Slooten Kees , Bruins Marcel
Published: May 2011

The Software Package Development Methodology (SPDM) is a methodology for developing complex and customizable software packages supporting business processes, especially Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Two approaches are applied by this chapter. First SPDM will be compared to a method engineering framework. Method engineering is a discipline to construct new methods from parts of existing methods taking into account situational factors. The second approach is the analysis of the results of a questionnaire, asking users of SPDM their opinion on several issues concerning problems and quality of SPDM. The conclusions, after applying both approaches, are quite similar and some recommendations are made for future research.
An Object-Oriented Approach to Conceptual Hypermedia Modeling
Authors: Lemahieu Wilfried
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the MESH approach to hypermedia modeling and navigation, which aims at relieving the typical drawbacks of poor maintainability and user disorientation. The main focus is upon the data model, which combines established entity-relationship and object-oriented abstractions with proprietary concepts into a formal hypermedia data model. Uniform layout and link typing specifications can be attributed and inherited in a static node typing hierarchy, whereas both nodes and links can be submitted dynamically to multiple complementary classifications. In addition, the data model’s support for a context-based navigation paradigm, as well as a platform-independent implementation framework, are briefly discussed.
A Three Layered Approach for General Image Retrieval
Authors: Chbeir Richard , Amghar Youssef , Flory Andre
Published: May 2011

Several approaches are proposed for retrieving images. Each of them describes image according to application domain requirements. No global approach exists to resolve retrieving image in complex domains (as medical one), in which content is multifaceted. A framework to retrieve medical images is presented. In this paper, we expose our three-dimensional approach applied to medical domain, and required elements for both knowledge base and retrieval process. The proposed approach, built on multifaceted aspect, offers all possibilities to describe image within multifaceted content (context, physical and semantic). Conceptual relations are presented for designing knowledge base for coherent and efficient indexing and retrieval processes. Required spatial relations of processes are also exposed.
Is There a Life After Objects?
Authors: Bezivin Jean
Published: May 2011

We are presently witnessing a rapid paradigm change in software engineering: from objects to models. This chapter discusses some aspects of the emerging domain of model engineering, mainly those related to meta-modelling and uniform representation of models and meta-models. This much recalls the discussions on classes and objects that were taking place in the early eighties. In the last period, the issue of code interoperability has been dealt with such acceptable solutions as CORBA or the associated IDL language. But we are now witnessing the multiplication of non-executable models, as part of the evolving software development practice. In order to cope with this increasing complexity, a general and regular framework has to be defined. This is being achieved, in environments like the OMG, where all the new models are based on a precise meta-model and where all the meta-models are based on a common and unique meta-meta-model called the MOF. The MOF is rapidly gaining practical importance, between UML and XML, in the industrial strategy of several important companies. It is playing the role of a knowledge bus for all kind of models, object models or legacy models, product models or process models, existing models or yet to be defined models. In particular it is helping to provide a smooth transition from objects and components models to the business processes, workflows and service models that are becoming key elements in the area of Web services.
Simulation for Business Engineering of Electronic Markets
Authors: Janssen Marijn , Sol Henk G.
Published: May 2011

Developments in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enable information systems to intermediate between sellers and buyers in electronic markets (e-markets). A business engineering methodology can be of help to design and develop e-markets by providing insight into current market and potential e-market structures, matching mechanisms and processes, and by evaluating the implications of e-markets. In this chapter, a first concept of an interactive, discrete-event, agent-based simulation approach for the analyses and design of e-markets is presented and evaluated.
Web-Based Cooperative Information Systems Modeling
Authors: Baghdadi Youcef
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a modeling for the Web-Based Cooperative Information Systems (WBCISs). This modeling considers the WBCISs as support of the unavoidable interactions among multiple existing heterogeneous subsystems of the information system and external information sources that share business objects and processes. The WBCIS is considered as an artifact that firstly and mainly allow information exchange, coordination and cooperation among these sources; and secondly data restructing and processes reuse or reengineering. The main concepts are Knowledge Sources and Interaction Component. A knowledge source represents a subsystem of the information system (Personal IS, Workgroup IS or Enterprise IS); or any external information source. The modeling considers the knowledge source as a UML package that presents an interface definition (business objects schema and processes). An interactions component is a kind of Web-based broker of business objects and processes. It is a support for communication services and user-oriented semantic services of the knowledge sources. It is based on the Web so that it deals with semi-structured data and accesses any knowledge source (willing to interact) having its URL. It uses a metadata that describes the knowledge sources as UML package. The modeling specializes interactions components according to the interaction situations of the knowledge source namely interactions for coordination that deal with the consistency of the shared business objects, interactions for cooperation related to the coupled processes’ activities or interactions for transmission that deal with informal and unstructured information exchanges. A Coordination Component allows knowledge source location, access, integration, global view and restructing of the business objects. A Cooperation Component allows process’ activities invocation, reuse or reengineering activities. This methodologic specialization allows easier implementation and reuse of the interaction components. An interaction component is modeled as a UML package.
A UML Representation of U. S. Mutual Fund Servicing as an Iconic Model for Servicing the New EU Equivalent - UCITS
Authors: Leamy Patrick , Ballester George , Wright Thomas
Published: May 2011

A Unified Modeling Language (UML) representation of United States mutual fund servicing is a practical, iconic model for designing the service model for the new European Union equivalent - Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities or UCITS.
The Human Side of Information System Development
Authors: Lehaney Brian , Clarke Steve , Kimberlee Vikki , Spencer-Matthews Sarah
Published: May 2011

Information systems (IS) are growing in importance within the tourism industry, where one key application is database marketing. Evidence from the IS domain suggests systems failure may be due, at least in part, to concentration on technical rather than human issues in the development process. Through an empirical study of visitor attractions in the United Kingdom, the need for a more human-centered approach to IS development is supported, and an example of such an approach is outlined. Both in-depth focus group analysis and a broader questionnaire survey are used, and lend weight to the human-centered arguments. From the analysis of a failed tourism database marketing information system, and from evidence of similar successful systems, the value of technology-enabled database marketing within the sector is demonstrated, but its success is seen to rest on participative, human-centered approaches to development.
The Effect of Attitudes, Goal Setting and Self-Efficacy on End User Performance
Authors: Jawahar I. M. , Elango B.
Published: May 2011

Research on the influence of attitudes toward computers and end user performance has reported inconsistent results. The inconsistent results, at least in part, could be attributed to the lack of correspondence between the general nature of the attitude measure and the specific nature of the criterion, end user performance. Based on Ajzen and Fishbein’s (1980) behavioral intentions model, we argue that attitudes toward working with computers matches end user performance in terms of specificity and relevance, and therefore should be consistently related to end user performance. In this study, in addition to attitudes toward working with computers, the effects of goal setting and self-efficacy on end user performance were also tested. Results indicate that attitudes toward working with computers, goal setting and self-efficacy significantly influence end user performance. Strong support for attitudes, goal setting and self-efficacy indicate that end user performance can be substantially enhanced by shaping end users’ attitudes toward working with computers, teaching end users to set specific and challenging goals, and enhancing end users’ beliefs to effectively learn and use computing technology.
The Effect of Individual Differences on Computer Attitudes
Authors: Orr Claudia , Allen David , Poindexter Sandra
Published: May 2011

Computer competency is no longer a skill to be learned only by students majoring in technology-related fields. All individuals in our society must acquire basic computer literacy to function successfully. Despite the widespread influx of technology in all segments of our society, the literature often report high levels of anxiety and negative attitudes about using computers. Monitoring the computer attitudes and developing an understanding of the variables that affect computer attitudes will assist educators and adult trainers in providing appropriate learning experiences in which learners can succeed. This study examined the relationship between computer attitude and experience, demographic/education variables, personality type and learning style of 214 students enrolled in a university computer literacy course.
The Importance of Having a Multidimensional View of IT End-User Relationships for the Successful Restructuring of IT Departments
Authors: Leonard A. C.
Published: May 2011

The effectiveness of IT departments and the value they are adding to their organizations in many cases are hampered by poor relationships between IT professionals and their end users. This situation impacts on IT professionals’ ability to produce service and support of high quality that delivers competitive advantage for the company. This paper is based on a research study conducted to look into the working relationship between IT departments and their end users. The research was done to be means of a qualitative approach in which thought experiments were used to inductively refine the results of the research study. The paper describes IT end-user relationships as intriguing and complex, and advocates that these relationships be seen and managed as multidimensional entities. Two such dimensions, namely the physical and abstract dimensions, which form the basis of IT end-user relationships, enable one to fully describe the holistic nature of such relationships and encapsulate the important elements of a support-oriented organization, namely mutuality, belonging, and connection. The paper concluds with a brief evaluation of the recommendations made by a consulting group for the restructuring of an IT department experiencing various problems in providing quality service and support to its end users. This evaluation clearly indicates that the typical approach of the consultants was to try and solve the problems of a typical IT department merely by following a functionalistic approach. This means an approach in which the physical dimension is emphasized and in which the abstract dimension (which describes the soft issues and which forms a critical part of any IT end-user relationship environment) is basically ignored. Such an approach also ignores the holistic nature of relationships between IT professionals (IT departments) and end users (business).
Computer Mediated Communication
Authors: Willis Dianne
Published: May 2011

Email has been with us now for a long time and is being increasingly adopted as a major communication tool in UK Higher Education establishments (colleges of higher and further education and universities). As the use of email grows, the effect on communication patterns needs to be established. This paper looks at current communication and working practices within a higher education institution in the UK (the author’s own). A survey has been conducted to elicit people’s feelings about the use of email and how they see future patterns of communication developing within the establishment.
A Three-Tiered Approach to Global E-Commerce
Authors: Paper David , Tingey Ken B.
Published: May 2011

Access to the world enabled by the Internet facilitates internationalization as never before. However, lack of a coherent global Internet strategy can relegate any company to a strictly provincial “neighborhood” status. Globalization strategies and tactics should therefore be of central concern to all enterprises. To research the strategic issues involved in Internet-based globalization, we embarked on a case study. Our goal is to explore how the Internet and its related technologies can serve to help organizations better deal with the challenges of conducting global business. Our research enabled us to identify a set of heuristic “rules of thumb” that might be used to support Internet-based globalization efforts. In our study we discuss the many challenges to establishing successful global enterprises. We then introduce a model for understanding global business requirements in the e-commerce age. We conclude by analyzing a case study to initially validate our theoretical model and summarize our findings.
Behind the Celtic Tiger
Authors: McDonagh Joseph , Harbison Andrew
Published: May 2011

Like most of its counterparts in the developed world, in the last ten years the Irish economy has become highly dependent on information technology (IT), both as a source of export earning and as a means for businesses enhance their competitive performance. Indeed, given its unusually high dependence on IT-based industries, Ireland is particularly exposed to the need to maximise the benefits accrued from information technology. The country is now, in absolute terms, the world’s second largest supplier of software, with over 40% of all packaged software sold in Europe originating in Ireland (IDA Ireland, 1999). Nearly one third of all personal computers sold in Europe are manufactured in Ireland, with many major manufacturers having their European bases in Ireland. Ireland has also developed a thriving indigenous IT industry. Iona, Kindle and CBT are but the best known of the 600 small, medium and large Irish IT companies operating at the current time. The IDA presently estimate that, on average, Irish IT company start-ups occur at the rate of three per week (Brown, 1999).
End Users as Expert System Developers?
Authors: Wagner Christian
Published: May 2011

Knowledge is receiving recognition as a strategic force in organizations. Correspondingly, one form of knowledge capture and maintenance organizations are tempted to use is expert system design by end users. The article discusses difficulties associated with end user development, both in terms of design quality and knowledge content. An analysis of 25 expert systems written by non-professional developers reveals significant quality and size limitations that indicate limited feasibility of end user expert system development. Furthermore, the lack of design quality may not be easily compensated for by a “knowledge advantage” of the end users, as end users may have a performance advantage in using their knowledge, but not in “knowing” it.
An Information Systems Design Framework for Facilitating TQM Implementation
Authors: Ahmed Nazim U. , Ravichandran Ramarathnam
Published: May 2011

This paper provides a framework for information systems (IS) design for TQM implementation. The framework consists of three main phases. In the first, TQM implementation tasks are established. These tasks include identifying customer satisfaction variables (CSV), translation of CSV to firm response variables (FRV), benchmarking, and continuous improvement. The second phase includes analyses of communication effectiveness requirements between the organizational entities such as sales/marketing, top management, operations, accounting/finance and also with the customers. In the third phase, appropriate IS component inventories for different communication interfaces are generated. This was accomplished by first mapping the TQM implementation tasks for the communication interfaces. Then appropriate IS/IT solution was recommended for each interface. The final IS design is achieved by integrating IS components at technological, functional, and strategic levels. Finally, a hypothetical example for a large manufacturing firm is provided.
Process Improvement and Knowledge Communication
Authors: Kock Ned
Published: May 2011

Given the prominent role that information processing seems to play in organizational processes, and the assumption that information processing relies heavily on knowledge, the frequent claims that the collective knowledge held by organizations is the single most important factor defining their competitiveness do not seem unreasonable. The amount of relevant shared knowledge among individuals in process teams has been linked to the efficiency and effectiveness of such teams (Boland and Tenkasi, 1995; Nelson and Cooprider, 1996; Nosek and McNeese, 1997). Shared team knowledge has been equated to higher flexibility of organizational processes, as it can reduce the need for bureaucratic and automated procedures to mechanize and standardize procedures (Davidow and Malone, 1992). That is, more shared knowledge among team members may reduce the need for workflow control and automation.
Alignment of Collaboration Technology Adoption and Organizational Change
Authors: Munkvold Bjørn Erik
Published: May 2011

The chapter presents an analysis of the alignment process of the adoption of collaboration technology and related organizational change identified in a multiple case study in five organizations. Special emphasis is put on the sequential relationship between technology adoption and organizational change, and the question of whether successful adoption of collaboration technology requires the pre-existence of a collaborative organizational culture. Findings from the case studies imply that successful adoption of collaboration technology can follow different patterns, and that contextual factors can be equally important in explaining adoption as characteristics of the technology and implementation project. The case studies also illustrate how elements of learning and maturation in the implementation process can help in overcoming barriers to adoption.
The Practice of Information Resource Management in Australian Government Organisations
Authors: Potger Richard , Pervan Graham
Published: May 2011

The concept of Information Resource Management (IRM) was introduced in the mid-1970’s by the United States federal government as part of its attempt to reduce the paperwork burden on the general public. Since then, the concept of IRM has evolved and taken on many meanings and diverse interpretations ranging from technical perspectives to purely “Information Management” perspectives. These diverse interpretations, at least in the Australian context, have held back the successful implementation of IRM in practice. As part of a larger program of research on IRM, a survey of IS/IT executives in some national and state public sector organisations was conducted. The survey revealed a lack of penetration of IRM in Australian public sector organisations, a pattern of mixed success and even a lack of awareness of IRM.
The Implementation of Electronic Network Systems in Japanese Firms
Authors: Mitsufuji Toshio
Published: May 2011

This study aims at investigating the implementation process of electronic network systems in Japanese large firms, focusing on the innovativeness among industries to which firms belong. The electronic network systems such as Local Area Network (LAN) have spread rapidly during last several years. Accordingly, many firms in Japan have introduced them in their organizations. After the advent of the computer invention, computer and telecommunications technologies have merged into information technology, making a remarkable progress constantly for several decades. The electronic network systems are a kind of information technology, going back to 1950s when data communications systems were first developed. In the beginning were these systems managed by professional people. However, due to the rapid progress of the information technology, even untrained people who have no specific knowledge about IT or do not belong to the IT section have been able to use the electronic network systems in business organizations since the late 1980s. In addition, especially with the appearance of multimedia systems and the expansion of the usage of Internet, many organizations have begun introducing electronic network systems since 1990s. For this study, we sent questionnaires in 1996 to Japanese large firms in which they employed more than 1000 people. Based on the results and the interviews made in connection with this research work, we analyze first the state of the introduction of the electronic network systems, focusing on the innovativeness of firms. Next, we examine why the electronic network systems have come into wide use among Japanese large firms.
Strategically-Focused Enterprise Knowledge Management
Authors: Mockler Robert J. , Dologite Dorothy G.
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the characteristics and types of strategically focused knowledge management systems and the key conditions affecting their development and success. The discussion, which is based around company examples, focuses on various strategic management uses of these systems. The knowledge management process is designed to increase profitability and competitive advantage in the marketplace.
An Empirical Study of Knowledge and Organizations
Authors: Doswell Andrew , Reid Vivien
Published: May 2011

An empirical investigation into perceptions about the handling of knowledge in organisations. The findings are based on replies to a non-random postal questionnaire based survey. The respondents were the senior human resource management (HRM) and information technology (IT) specialists at the 60 largest Scottish companies (as measured by market capitalisation). The findings in the main confirm both ideas in the literature in general and the findings and conclusions from previous studies including Alavi, and Leidner (1999). In addition some new aspects are reported which can be construed as showing support for the idea of professional groupings holding onto knowledge and for the existence of ambivalence towards the emphasis placed on the role of IT in conducting KM.
Knowledge Sharing Across Organizational Boundaries with Application to Distributed Engineering Processes
Authors: Frick Gerd , Sax Eric , Muller-Glaser Klaus D.
Published: May 2011

Collaborative engineering processes with more than one company involved raise the need for knowledge sharing across organizational boundaries. The problem is analyzed in general, but on the background of this real-world application domain encountered, e.g., in automotive industry. A solution concept called virtual project database is presented; deficits in the status quo of information technology are hinted at as well as directions of future work for implementing the solution concept.
A Study of Knowledge Benefits Gained from Projects
Authors: Jennex Murray E. , Weiss Joseph
Published: May 2011

Projects can cause organizations to perform in new ways resulting in the generation of knowledge. It is postulated that organizational learning occurs when new knowledge is captured and disseminated to the organization. It is expected that knowledge management facilitates organizational learning. Members of utility Y2K projects were surveyed with respect to knowledge benefits gained from their projects. Strong agreement for the existence of knowledge benefits was found and a listing of benefits generated. However, there was much less agreement on how to capture the benefits with many organizations taking little, if any, action. The conclusion is that while organizations recognize knowledge benefits, many do not have the tools or processes in place to take advantage of them.
Getting over "Knowledge is Power"
Authors: VonKortzfleisch Harald F.O. , Mergel Ines
Published: May 2011

One of the most relevant aspects as to knowledge management is the need to make knowledge workers to actively participate in the diverse processes which are the objects of knowledge management. Especially the motivation to jointly share knowledge and to use the available knowledge of, e. g., colleagues or other third-party experts becomes an important issue for knowledge management in general and above all for business consulting companies which belong to one of the most knowledge-intensive and knowledge management-experienced industries. Therefore, we take a closer look at the importance of incentive systems for knowledge management in the business consulting industry. The findings of our empirical qualitative investigation in 10 leading German business consulting companies show a range of special qualities: First of all and in correspondence with the assumptions in the literature incentive systems do (!) play an important role in this knowledge driven industry. However secondly, there are almost no incentive systems with a special focus on the issue of knowledge. Rather, the existing incentive systems are somehow implicitly expected to guarantee respective behavior of the consultants. Thirdly and finally, in contrast to our expectations and most of the recommendations in the praxis-oriented and theoretical literature for knowledge management the dominant incentives were not immaterial but material. We conclude that the existing long-standing experience with the exchange and use of (new) knowledge, and the special knowledge-oriented culture of business consulting companies do motivate the consultants to share their knowledge and to use the existing knowledge of colleagues. However, in order to implement a more efficient knowledge management which supports the overall strategic goals in dynamic markets the examined business consulting companies should be aware of a special need for additional incentives – even if they do not know yet which incentives this can be and how to implement them.
A Research Model for Knowledge Management
Authors: Dembla Pamila , Mao En
Published: May 2011

Knowledge has been identified as the key issue to gaining competitive advantage in any business. A successful company is one that can create new knowledge, disseminate it through its organization, and embody it in its products and services. All this is possible by careful planning and building a culture for creating and sharing knowledge. In this chapter, a research model for KM is suggested. The various components of KM are described in detail so as to explain the process of KM. Then, using the research model as a reference, two case studies, one of Buckman’s laboratories and the other of the Nippon Steel- British Steel alliance, are analyzed to study the process of KM.
Perceived Value and Technology Adoption Across Four End User Groups
Authors: Jurison Jaak
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the role end user perceptions in information technology adoption from the perspective of innovation diffusion theory. It is based on empirical data from a three-year longitudinal study of an information system implementation in an engineering organization. Data were collected on six different applications and their adoption by four categories of end users: engineering managers, project engineers, professionals, and secretaries. The data indicate a substantial variance across time, user categories, and applications in terms of adoption rates and perceptions of technology. The managerial implications of the results are that differentiated implementation strategies focused on specific end user categories are likely to be more successful than a single broadbrush strategy for all users. The results also suggest a framework for predicting technology adoption in the long run, based on initial adoption rates and user perceptions of technology.
A Case Study Evaluation of the Use of the Viable System Model in Information Systems Development
Authors: Kawalek P. , Wastell D. G.
Published: May 2011

This chapter considers the usefulness of the Viable System Model (VSM) in information systems (IS) projects. The VSM is a rigorous organizational model which was developed from the study of cybernetics and has been given considerable attention by management science research. The chapter presents a case study that focuses upon the sales team of a manufacturing company. This sales team were seeking to develop database support for group working. The VSM was useful in highlighting the organizational limitations upon the IS project and challenged some assumptions about the nature of work in the company. It is proposed that the VSM provides a valuable diagnostic capability that shall assist the company in future IS developments.
Actability Evaluation
Authors: Hedstrom Karin , Cronholm Stefan
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we discuss an evaluation of a computerized information system in an elderly care unit. The evaluation is based on the concept of actability, which is a combination of theories from Human-Computer Interaction and the Language Action Perspective. The reason for uniting different theories is to obtain a more holistic evaluation model. The findings show that the evaluated system has a low degree of actability, and the users had a positive attitude towards the system. One explanation could be that we, as evaluators, reviewed both structure and content, whereas the users saw only the content of the information system (i.e., its functions) as the most important aspect.
Statoil's Experience Delivery of MODU Newbuilt Projects
Authors: Jorgensen Espen , Eikill Geir Ove
Published: May 2011

At the end of 2009, Statoil commenced four mobile drilling units (MODU) for operation in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). The MODUs were Aker Spitsbergen, Deepsea Atlantic, Maersk Developer and Discoverer Americas. They were in general (with the exception of Deepsea Atlantic) delivered according to contract, budgets and our internal delivery time predictions. Two more MODUs (COSLInnovator and COSLPromoter) are under construction in China.

Statoil's established a project organization " MODU newbuilt group?? for following up all MODU newbuilt projects from contract award to commencement. The " MODU newbuilt group?? ambition was to carry out task responsibility for all MODU Newbuilt Projects across line organizational task responsibilities to ensure continuity and transfer of experience throughout the entire project period.

The main goal for the MODU group was to deliver newbuilt drilling, completion and intervention units in compliance with established project goals, together with the steering committee and Asset manager group:Deliver new rig concept made for safe and efficient operations.In compliance with MODU's delivery prognosisIn compliance with agreed cost budgetsHigh focus on HSE during the construction period

The goals were achieved and we believe that the MODU group's organization and the applied??hands on?? approach have proved to be a success. The experience is that the detailed follow-up in the yards with the interaction from the " support centre?? in Stavanger during the construction phase was extremely important in order to have full status control when managing the project.

Introduction

In 2006, Statoil, along with other operators, established a strategy for renewal of the Mobile Drilling Unit fleet on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

Prior to the merger of the two companies, Statoil and Hydro entered into several MODU newbuilt contracts, for MODUs to be used both in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

The construction of these units started after the merger, and at that time the responsibility for following up these units was assigned to Drilling Technology (DT), department for Drilling Facilities (DFA).

In order to utilize potential synergy, all newbuilt projects were organized in one common project organisation within DFA called " MODU Projects??, securing cross project experience transfer and learning including optimum use of shared resources.

MODU Project Organisation Model:Establishing a Common Project Management Administration system for:Cost management–Contract administration–Handling of non-conformities–Risk assessment method to identify and follow up the predicted delivery schedule.–Optimize the use of project personnel recourses.One project organisation with one site team for each MODU.Common administration with " on line?? commercial and technical support from project support centre collaboration room to the assembly site offices.
Management of Hybrid Riser Towers Integrity
Authors: Legras Jean-Luc , Saint-Marcoux Jean-Francois
Published: May 2011

Field developments target deeper and deeper waters, for which Hybrid Riser Towers (HRTs) have become one of the solutions investigated almost systematically at bid stage. This is due, particular, to the capability of HRT's to accommodate the requirement for large diameter risers, reduced load on FPSO, demanding flow assurance requirements, and robust layout for later developments phases.

Requirements of Integrity Management (IM) are nowadays at the heart of all offshore development; they are included in the criteria for selection of a riser system. Application of IM principles to a HRT project are summarized with the perspective of the Contractor. The first IM activity is a comprehensive risk assessment which requires the review of all components of the subsea system from wellhead to FPSO; all parts of the preferred architecture of a Bundle HRT (BHRT) are addressed here with emphasis on IM issues and the main failure modes identified.

Finally a typical monitoring system of a BHRT is described as well as inspection; indeed it is from their results that the IM plan can be implemented during the operating phase of the project.

Introduction

HRTs include BHRTs and Single Hybrid Risers (SHRs) which have in common to be anchored in the seabed, include rigid pipe over the most part of the water depth, be tensioned by a buoyancy tank at the top, and linked to a Floating Production Unit (FPU) by a flexible. BHRTs that are mainly considered here are more complex because of the plurality of pipes of the column arrangement and of the specific installation method. Recent applications of BHRTs are offshore West Africa with now more than ten years of operation on the Girassol field, but designs at FEED stage have been made for ultra deep water fields of the Gulf of Mexico and Petrobras Pre-salt offshore Brazil.

A practical example application of an IM plan has been proposed and implemented by Total for the Girassol BHRT's (Chapin, 2005). Since then the industry has set in place a Joint Industry Program (SCRIM JIP, 2007) for the integrity management of Steel Catenary Risers, and the program of this JIP has been extended to cover HRT's. The subject is also addressed in the DNV RP F206. The main IM activities are summarized below.

From the Girassol (Rouillon, 2002) and Greater Plutonio (Sworn, 2005) experience, Subsea 7 (Alliot, Legras, 2006) has analyzed the lessons learned from these bundle HRT based projects. This has lead to an architecture which will be detailed hereafter and screened for the failure modes.

Dynamic risers require attention because of the dynamic nature of their loading, whether this is due to their environment or to the fluid they convey. Companies have long recognized the importance of monitoring these and results are essential input for the fitness statements to be carried out during operation of the riser system.
Ranking "White space" Frontier Regions - An Arctic Example Illustrating the Power of Integrating Plate Tectonic Reconstructions into Regional Evaluations
Authors: Winefield Peter , Steffens Gary Scott , Bergman Steven , Bishop Andrew , Wannier Mario , Dimarco Michael , van Oosterhout Cees , Ross Malcolm , Hafkenscheid Edith
Published: May 2011

The incorporation of robust plate tectonic reconstructions into regional evaluations has the power to identify potential ‘white-space’ basins where significant prospectivity is possible but where there is relatively limited current knowledge and or available data. This enables decision-makers to make judicious decisions when entering new frontier regions with minimal exposure and can also influence data acquisition strategy. This paper documents a basin ranking workflow applied to the vast Circum-Arctic region. Integration of regional geological mapping along with seismic and potential fields data in a digital format provides a consistent framework upon which to reconstruct the geological history of the region through time and to extrapolate key petroleum system elements from known calibrated areas into relatively poorly known regions. Using a set of criteria based on the elements required for a working petroleum system, a schematic basin ranking of ~140 Arctic basins was completed highlighting opportunities in ‘white-space’ basins and also areas that may be high-graded pending further evaluation.

Introduction

The Circum-Arctic (north of ~60º latitude) is an immense region spanning approximately 1/6th of the Earth's surface area beneath which significant petroleum and mineral resources have already been discovered or are awaiting discovery. Due to its remote location and extreme climate, the region remains relatively lightly explored by both industry and academia, and then only along selected margins. Hence, many of the sedimentary basins (~140) and physiographic features within the region are poorly understood (Figure 1). This situation is rapidly changing due to:renewed awareness of the resource potential of the region;increased activity in the delineation of UN Law of the Sea international boundaries;recent improved maritime access to large parts of the Circum-Arctic that were previously ice-bound for significant parts of the year; andavailability of new geological and geophysical datasets in selected regions.

In such a challenging physical, operational and political environment for exploration, a robust model for the plate tectonic evolution of the region provides a solid basis from which explorers can make rapid decisions about what areas have the highest potential. This applies to both placing existing proven regions into a wider context and also for providing the basis upon which to rank those ‘white-space’ areas where significant new opportunities may reside. This paper documents one approach to the identification of such regions in the Arctic and provides an example that can be replicated and applied elsewhere.