bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expediting Personalized Just-in-Time Training with E Learning Management Systems
Authors: Case Thomas L. , Dick Geoffrey N. , Slyke Craig Van
Published: May 2011

E-learning may be described as the utilization of technology to support the delivery of education. Although e-learning has been around for a long time, the use of the “e” in front of “learning” began soon after the start of using the “e” in front of other terms such as “commerce,” “business,” and “governance.” More than 25 years ago, training firms began bringing students into training centers and sitting them in front of terminals hooked to boxes equipped with headphones. Training center staff would assist trainees in inserting video disks that included lessons on new products, processes, or programs. Training sessions typically lasted two or three hours or more. This was e-learning in its infancy and it was well-received by students because they could needed training when they wanted it; they no longer had to wait for the next instructor-led class scheduled for months in the future. E-learning also has roots in distance education (DE)—the process of providing education where the instruction and learning are in different physical locations (Kelly, 2000). Historically, distance education first emerged in the form of correspondence courses; materials would be mailed to students who would complete readings, reports, and exams and mail them back to course instructors to be evaluated. Television, videotaping, and satellite broadcasting allowed distance education to expand beyond textbooks and printed materials. Using these technologies, learners could experience a classroom-like environment without physically attending class. However, expensive production environments were required to achieve such learning experiences. Computer-based training (CBT) technologies are other precursors of e-learning. These evolved during the 1980s but because early multimedia development tools were primitive and hardware-dependent, the cost associated with CBT delivery was too high to foster widespread adoption. CBT growth was also limited by the need to physically distribute training new media such as CDs whenever updates to training content were made. Today, intranets and the public Internet make it unnecessary for learners to travel training centers because similar types of learning can be delivered directly to the desktop. Learning can take place 24/7 at locations and times that are most convenient to the learner. Intranets and the Internet provide a low-cost medium for content delivery and a cost-effective course development environment. Streaming video and audio is increasingly used to enliven the training/learning experience. Today’s e-learning technologies also enable trainers to simulate the environment in which learning will be applied and to provide the practice needed to master context-specific skills. Training content is now being personalized to ensure that individual students complete only the learning modules that they need or want. And, the development of systems to manage such learning is now producing world class training program content from mixtures of internal and external expertise.
Improving Employee Selection with Online Testing
Authors: Pollack Jeffrey M.
Published: May 2011

Advances in technology now enable employers to utilize computers to administer online employee selection tests, which result in lower costs, increased efficiency, and fewer transcription errors (Richman, Kiesler, Weisband, & Drasgow, 1999; Tippins et al., 2006). Additionally, online employment testing software can effectively and efficiently assist in identifying individuals best suited to an occupation, reducing poor person-job fit, lowering turnover rates, decreasing training costs, and minimizing errors in hiring (Bingham, Ilg, & Davidson, 2002; Mooney, 2002). This article addresses issues related to online employment testing software including types of tests available, validity and reliability, proctoring, and social desirability. Additional terms are defined and implications and future directions for research are discussed.
Internet Technology-Based Tools Utilization in the Workplace of Contemporary Organizations
Authors: Wielki Janusz
Published: May 2011

Currently there are many studies which deal with the impact of the Internet and Internet technology-based tools on organizations. Most of them are focused on such issues as the opportunities which have emerged with the development of the digital economy, possible new business models, establishing new kind of relations with customers, and security aspects. The impact of Internet technology-based tools on the internal work environment of organizations is an issue which is relatively rarely analyzed. Although more and more publications concerning this field are being released, they are only focused to a small degree on the challenges connected with the utilization, and, particularly, the misuse, of Internet technology-based tools in the workplace. Thus, this article is an attempt to deal with this issue in a more holistic way.
Knowledge Management Systems as a Framework for IT in Knowledge Management
Authors: Meroño-Cerdán Ángel L.
Published: May 2011

Designing information systems from the traditional database orientation is not sufficient to cope with today’s organisational difficulties. Employees need information technologies (IT) which provide them not only with information but also with knowledge. In this context, using a knowledge management system (KMS) perspective can be appropriate. Although the potential benefits of applying this approach have been argued, there is evidence of failures when applying a KMS, caused normally by overestimating the role of technology. To suit the role of IT in KMS, a process perspective is proposed.
The Management of the Human Resources and the Quality of the Services
Authors: Segret José A. Lastres , García Mariangélica Cadagan
Published: May 2011

Due to their nature and market position, service companies are committed to excellence. But to achieve excellence they must have a clear vision of their product that gives them the best competitive advantages and guides the resources of the company toward success. Human resources management is a tool that has been implemented to develop human potential; service quality depends on understanding the processes and tools that promote a positive attitude in members of an organization and a greater commitment to meeting management goals. These elements are translated into concrete actions, which can be seen in the mechanisms that ensure client satisfaction. The new information development culture is based on three elements: first, globalization, which has created a world market that is not constricted by time and space; second, a business model and opportunities based on networked economic activity; and finally, interdisciplinarity, a fundamental mechanism for managing resources. In this work, we seek to identify the factors that influence a company’s human resources management and service quality. What factors influence modern human resources management in companies facing technological and administrative changes requiring an adequate level of service quality? The content is related to human resources management, service quality, and factors that influence both areas, specifically in the case of urban transportation companies, because they are an indispensable resource for society providing a service directed at the inhabitants and tourists of the selected region.
Medical IT Systems and Their Effect on Human Resources
Authors: Mockler Robert J. , Dologite Dorothy G.
Published: May 2011

Initially, substantial information regarding the patient’s condition upon entrance into the hospital or emergency room is needed and has to be recorded in a readily available information source. To be effective, then, accurate information on the patient’s prior treatment and conditions is needed promptly and completely at each phase of the treatment process by the appropriate professional healthcare provider. Subsequently, the professionals treating the patient need to record information at each point in the treatment process in order for each professional to be able to effectively identify the nature of the ailment and to recommend and then perform the appropriate treatment. Problems arise with this process when it is largely paper-based or stored in nonintegrated systems. Medical IT systems, on the other hand, can affect improvement of healthcare services delivery at hospitals, as this chapter will show.
Organizational Factors for Implementing E-Democracy in Organizations
Authors: Forcadell Francisco Javier
Published: May 2011

Organizational democracy is achieved when the organization applies the principles of democracy to design the way it operates, cultivating a workplace that enhances employee potential, achieving its business goals, and positively impacting the community (Worldblu, 2007). Thus, organizational democracy is both a mind-set and a system of principles practiced at all levels of a company as a coherent organizational system. Generally, organizational democracy refers to all efforts that, within an organization, seek to harmonize individual and collective goals. In order to reach this objective, it is necessary to design a series of practices included in the concept of democratic management. Democracy means that members of any organization or society participate in such an organization and government processes. Harrison and Freeman (2004) point out that “…any action, structure, or process that increases the power of a broader group of people to influence the decisions and activities of an organization can be considered a move toward democracy. In contrast, any action, structure, or process that works to concentrate decision power and management influence into the hands of one or a smaller group of people is a move away from democracy.” In addition, the main tenets of organizational democracy are (Cloke & Goldsmith, 2002): everyone is capable of actively participate in decision making that affects his or her work life; everyone is equally entitled to be heard and respected; everyone’s opinion counts equally; everyone is a leader in achieving goals; and everyone collaborating yields better results.
Process Standardization and Integration for Human Resource Administration
Authors: Staudinger Bettina , Ostermann Herwig , Staudinger Roland
Published: May 2011

Personnel administration is a part of general business administration and an integrative element of the process management of an enterprise. However, personnel administration has not been researched and discussed with priority in context with personnel management or the development of human resource management (HRM) but rather has been assumed to be an operative element of the enterprise. The objectives of personnel administration therefore were set in rationalization and automation of internal administration processes. The necessary digitalization and has been realized by stronger operative oriented sciences (e.g., commercial information technology). The scientific research in personnel management rather concentrated in findings of organization theory (Kupsch & Marr, 1985), the instruments of leadership or even in the basic definition of the concept of personnel management as multidisciplinary and operation oriented business task (Remer, 1978). The personnel work has passed different stages of development within the last decades and depending on the time period the terms as well as the focal points of personnel work have been expanded and redefined. Table 1 shows an overview after Scholz (2000).
Processes, Prospects, and Promises of Electronic Leadership
Authors: Provitera Michael J.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this article is to review the extant literature on electronic-leadership (e-leadership) and illustrate how it has impacted human resource management. First, a brief introduction will explain how e-leadership can enhance communication between leaders and followers, and then a background section provides various definitions of e-leadership and speci- fies its importance for today’s leaders. The third section shows the connection between e-leadership and human resource management. This is followed by a section on future trends that provide a frank appellation of prospects, promises, and processes of e-leadership. And finally, a conclusion offers ideas of how e-leadership can be implemented by leaders across a myriad of both profit- and non-profit businesses. Competitive advantage and performance of the organization is part of the changing role of human resources today (Dessler, 2006). Ergo, electronic-leadership offers human resource professionals an innovative way to communicate, manage, and lead. The information age has brought with it a host of new technologies and an over abundance of choices amongst them. Leaders are hard-pressed to figure out the applications for each of these technological innovations, let alone which ones to adopt and subsequently implement (McAfee, 2006).
Supporting Work-Family Amalgamation through E-HRM
Authors: Lekoko Rebecca Nthogo
Published: May 2011

Managerial practices and changes can be understood and appreciated when placed in a historical context. Kramar (2006) suggests that the starting point should be in the1980’s where issues relating to human resources in organizations were steered by managers themselves, with little or no involvement of the humans being managed. This was an instrumental management view because employees were regarded as instruments to be used to produce and deliver services for the benefit of the organization. Managers’ control of workers in ensuring high productivity was highly esteemed. Overemphasizing the role of managers meant downplaying the interests of workers being managed and holding in the highest regard job tasks and how such tasks were performed. It was a management approach that emphasized organizational needs at the expense of individual well-being. This approach attracted some criticisms.
Theory and Application of Leadership
Authors: Crawford-Mathis Krista J.
Published: May 2011

One of the key functions of the human resource division is the training and development of the organizational staff. Technology is forcing change with respect to the tools and skills required to lead organizations. As such, the identification of the competencies required for an effective executive recruitment and development program can impact the future of an organization. Leadership development should be a company’s core competency (Foster, 2006). The correct mix of leadership traits, skills, and abilities can be dictated by the situation in which the leader operates, for example, industrial versus service, traditional versus virtual. The following is a brief description of leadership theory, the competencies of effective leaders, and a look at implications for the future.
Basic Concepts of Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Pestana Leão de Brito Lina M. , Rodríguez Peralta Laura M.
Published: May 2011

As with many technologies, defense applications have been a driver for research in sensor networks, which started around 1980 due to two important programs of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): the distributed sensor networks (DSN) and the sensor information technology (SensIT) (Chong & Kumar, 2003). However, the development of sensor networks requires advances in several areas: sensing, communication, and computing. The explosive growth of the personal communications market has driven the cost of radio devices down and has increased the quality. At the same time, technological advances in wireless communications and electronic devices (such as low-cost, low-power, small, simple yet efficient wireless communication equipment) have enabled the manufacturing of sensor nodes and, consequently, the development of wireless sensor networks (WSNs).
Capacity Building in SME Tourism Networks
Authors: Braun Patrice , Hollick Mary
Published: May 2011

This article discusses capacity building of small and medium size enterprises (SME) in tourism networks in the context of the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICT) and an increasingly networked economy. The success of the tourism industry is dependent on the quality of business operations and how well they are able to sustain themselves in the networked economy. To run tourism businesses well, operators need to be skilled, flexible and innovative in order to maintain and enhance competitiveness. The aim of this paper is to share some insights into an Australian tourism industry capacity building project via flexibly delivered online skills. Aiming to raise industry standards and move away from ineffective silo approaches to industry training and capacity building, this article reflects the importance of developing effective industry networks.
A Case Study in the Role of Trust in Web Service Securities
Authors: Ratnasingam Pauline
Published: May 2011

The Internet, a rapidly expanding global computer and communication infrastructure, has facilitated the emergence of digitization and globalization that in turn has permitted businesses to extensively engage in foreign investments. The reasons for using the Internet include: first considerably reducing the coordination costs involved in inter-organizational transactions. Second, business partners from remote locations are able to communicate and coordinate together using Web services and finally, the widespread adoption of open standards on the Web has greatly reduced the complexities thereby providing flexibility in conducting inter-organizational transactions. According to Forrester Research, e-commerce in the U.S. will grow at 19% reaching $230 billion by 2008. Today firms are attempting to attain their value chain goals by offering and selling products and services in an increasingly competitive market environment. Given the uncertainties of online transactions, Web services encourage the creation of institutional structures for online exchange relationships. Building upon the notion of institutional structures, this chapter examines the role of technology trust that develops through governance mechanisms and provides structural assurances that in turn enhance relationship trust thereby reducing and mitigating risks in Web services.
Challenges of VO Inheritance
Authors: Karvonen Iris , Ollus Martin
Published: May 2011

Collaboration with other companies has long been a practice in several industrial fields like construction and one-of-a-kind manufacturing. During the last decades, it has, however, increased and extended further to other industries and operations. One catalytic factor is, of course, the extensive development in ICT. Also, research in collaborative networks is substantial. It has often focused on ICT tools, components, and infrastructures supporting the collaboration. The basic rules, operating principles, and practices in the collaboration world are still dispersed and not well defined. A need to consolidate and synthesize the existing knowledge of collaborative networks by creating a scientific discipline for it has been announced (Camarinha-Matos & Afsarmanesh, 2004).
Collective Intelligence
Authors: Garrido Paulo , Lemahieu Wilfried
Published: May 2011

Intelligence is taken here as the ability for attaining goals or for solving problems that put at work responsiveness of the solver to the situation where the goal or problem arises and use of its previous knowledge and experience. Let one notice that this definition means that intelligence or intelligent behavior is not an absolute concept in at least three ways: • Intelligence is relative to the goal or problem being solved. • Intelligence is relative to the situation where the goal arises. • Intelligence is relative to the knowledge and experience of the solver. Usually, intelligence is conceived as a property of individuals. In recent years, the recognizance has grown that this conception is too narrow. It makes sense and it is most useful to consider the intelligence of groups of individuals, whether small or very large. Such intelligence is still the intelligence of one entity— the group—but it is made of the ways individual intelligences are orchestrated or coordinate themselves. This being given, collective intelligence (CI) is defined here simply as the intelligence of entities constituted by several or many individuals. As taken, CI is about the intelligent behavior of entities which are conceived from the beginning as not being atomic.
Competency Concept in VO Breeding Environments
Authors: Galeano Nathalíe , Ermilova Ekaterina , Giraldo Jorge  , Afsarmanesh Hamideh , Molina Arturo
Published: May 2011

In order to acquire more business opportunities, by adapting to new and changing market conditions, organizations face many strategic and operational challenges; one of them is related to identification and management of their competencies. Broadly speaking, competency management is the way in which organizations coordinate and manage the competencies of the corporation, groups, and individuals. It has the primary objective to identify and continuously maintain competencies, according to the objectives of the corporation. A competency is a way to put into the practice some knowledge, know-how, and also attitudes, inside a specific context. Identification of competencies has been well recognized as a key element for the achievement of company goals, complimenting core business processes, customer relationships, and financial issues; integration of all these elements will reflect as an increase in company’s competitiveness (Hamel & Prahalad, 1994; Norton & Kaplan, 1996).
Cooperative Interaction in Virtual Education
Authors: del Dujo Ángel García , Saurez Guerrero Cristobal Nico
Published: May 2011

Virtuality is a new technological condition in which diverse forms of social interaction take place. The relationship between technology and the construction of social processes, evident at different historical moments (Briggs & Burke, 2002), is something that should not take us by surprise since society tirelessly reinvents itself according to its tools, co-participating in a series of cultural transformations. As Broncano (1995) points out, “culture does not exist, can not survive, if it is not in an ever more technologically sophisticated medium” (p.10).
Relatonics as a Key Concept for Networked Organizations
Authors: Backström Tomas , Döös Marianne
Published: May 2011

Learning in organizations, and the competence the organization thereby obtains for performing its core tasks, has come into ever sharper focus when attempts have been made to explain the degree of competitiveness of companies. Much learning takes place when people interact, converse, or co-act. In their research, the current authors have found themselves in need of a new concept, relatonic, that can be applied to the study of interaction and relations at organizational level. To focus interactions and relations is important for all organizations, and extra important for networked and virtual organizations, where persons not as often meet naturally just by working close to each other. The authors have defined and used the concept on the basis of their respective theoretical platforms. These concern recent thinking within the theories of workplace learning (WPL) and organization pedagogics (Döös, 2004, 2007) and theories of complex adaptive systems (CAS) (Backström, 2004). The possibility of a joint definition of the concept of relatonics has been explored (Backström & Döös, 2005), thereby initiating integration of parts of the theories of WPL and CAS. Next, in the Background, follows the joint definition of relatonics and the concept relatonic is expounded from a CAS perspective. Thereafter, follows a description of practical implications of relatonics. The aim is to describe the importance of relatonics for networked and virtual organizations. The main underlying problem concerns which opportunities for everyday learning and competence development are offered in working life, both at an individual and organizational level, but also the problem of stabilizing and integrating organizations composed of relatively autonomous parts.
Semantic E-Business Challenges and Directions
Authors: Laskaridis Giorgos , Markellos Konstantinos , Markellou Penelope , Panayiotaki Angeliki , Tsakalidis Athanasios
Published: May 2011

The emergence of semantic Web opens up boundless new opportunities for e-business. According to Tim Berners-Lee, Hendler, and Lassila (2001), “the semantic Web is an extension of the current Web in which information is given well-defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation”. A more formal definition by W3C (2001) refers that, “the semantic Web is the representation of data on the World Wide Web. It is a collaborative effort led by W3C with participation from a large number of researchers and industrial partners. It is based on the resource description framework (RDF), which integrates a variety of applications using eXtensible Markup Language (XML) for syntax and uniform resource identifiers (URIs) for naming”. The capability of the semantic Web to add meaning to information, stored in such way that it can be searched and processed as well as recent advances in semantic Web-based technologies provide the mechanisms for semantic knowledge representation, exchange and collaboration of e-business processes and applications.
Strategies for Virtual Organizations
Authors: Kettunen
Published: May 2011

Regional development has been playing an increasingly important role in the activities of higher education institutions (HEIs). The planning of regional strategies is notably different from that of other strategies, because there is no single institution or organisational unit who owns the strategy. This study presents techniques for networked and virtual organisations to gain commitment to a common strategy with applications for regional development.
Strategies for Virtual Work
Authors: Jackson Paul , Klobas Jane E.
Published: May 2011

As capital searches for new markets, greater efficiencies and competitive advantage, time, space and the boundaries of the firm become strategic enablers rather than operational hindrances. Mass customization, the ability to develop and deliver exactly what a customer needs, requires intimacy with their operations and the active participation of customers and customer communities in the design of solutions (Venkatraman & Henderson, 1998). The mobilization and leveraging of knowledge resources to create ideal solutions requires building teams of experts who are motivated, empowered and connected. These experts can be at home, in other offices, in other companies, or in other countries. And the sourcing of assets required to support production and delivery is no longer sacred: complementarity of resources, configured in temporary networks, is sought, even if those resources come from competitors. The solution, the fit for the customer, is the key to success, not the historical reliability of the tried and true business process (Castells, 2001).
A Student Teacher Collaborative Community
Authors: Ng Eugenia M.W.
Published: May 2011

When we walk into any schools or universities, we often find educators teaching in front of the classroom. Despite numerous theories and research of learning approaches, many teachers and academics still prefer to rely on familiar pedagogical approaches such as stand up lectures, worksheets and rote learning activities even though they might preach about other approaches to learning and teaching. Interestingly, this practice appears to be proportional to the age of the learners, that is, more commonly practiced at university level than at kindergarten level. Lecturing is the norm of teaching at universities (Biggs, 2001). Does the teacher-centered teaching approach sufficiently prepare the youngster to cope with the ever changing world?
Training to Improve Trust in Virtual Teams
Authors: French Monique L. , Beranek Peggy M.
Published: May 2011

Several factors have been shown to affect how effective virtual teams communicate. One of these factors, trust, has received a great deal of attention by researchers. However, most virtual team members do not receive training on how to effectively communicate and promote trust. Several theories have questioned the ability of computer-mediated systems to aid the development of communication, trust, and other interpersonal attributes that are needed to form successful teams. Some researchers suggest computer-mediated communication does not differ from face-to-face communications in terms of the substance but in terms of a slower rate of transfer. However, most academic virtual teams and many organizational project teams meet over the course of several months and are then disbanded, thereby not having enough time to develop the types of links needed for effective, efficient communication. Our research investigates the impact of training on trust development by tracking trust levels among members of virtual teams in an academic environment. We extend the current research on the use of virtual teams by applying team training and tracking the resulting change in trust.
Virtual Community of Learning Object Repository
Authors: Lee Gilliean
Published: May 2011

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for innovative ways of delivering education, which led to a more personalized, flexible, and portable learning (Zhang et al., 2004). The use of the Internet to support the needs for learning is commonly referred to as “elearning.”
Virtual Informatics Museum
Authors: Fernandes de Almeida José Maria
Published: May 2011

The only virtual informatics museum (VIM) existing in Portugal was conceived over personal memoirs and a long investigation and research work. The first publication by VIM was done over the first trimester of 1997 in Terravista, a site created by the Ministry of Science and Technology (Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia - MCT). On its first version, available in the Terravista Project, the contents were not chronologically ordered.
Web-Based Business Reporting in Virtual Enterprises
Authors: Parlakkaya Raif , Ögüt Adem , Demirsel M. Tahir
Published: May 2011

Knowledge-based companies are transforming everything: the way they are organized and managed, the way they do work and develop new products, the way they manage risks, and their relationships with other organizations in order to survive and compete in the rapidly changing business environment. The accomplished companies in this harsh competition are the ones that focus on the customer, get rid of the nonvalue and low-value activities, decentralize the decision making process, reduce the time required to perform key activities, and form new networks and collaborations with suppliers, customers, and competitors (AICPA, 1994).
Meta-Modeling for Situational Analysis and Design Methods
Authors: van de Weerd Inge , Brinkkemper Sjaak
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces an assembly-based method engineering approach for constructing situational analysis and design methods. The approach is supported by a meta-modeling technique, based on UML activity and class diagrams. Both the method engineering approach and meta-modeling technique will be explained and illustrated by case studies. The first case study describes the use of the meta-modeling technique in the analysis of method evolution. The next case study describes the use of situational method engineering, supported by the proposed meta-modeling technique, in method construction. With this research, the authors hope to provide researchers in the information system development domain with a useful approach for analyzing, constructing, and adapting methods.
Location-Based Service (LBS) System Analysis and Design
Authors: Xia Yuni , Munson Jonathan , Wood David , Cole Alan
Published: May 2011

Advances in GPS, personal locator technology, Internet and network technology, and the rapidly growing number of mobile personal devices are helping to drive the fast growth of mobile e-commerce, we refer to as m-commerce. A special case of m-commerce is enabled with location based services (LBS) where often the actual position of the terminal is used in the service provision. In this chapter, we concentrate on the analysis and design issues and techniques for the LBS. We give a brief introduction of LBS and its applications and present the most important user, system, and infrastructure requirements. We also present the architecture and database design issues in LBS systems and study the performance an LBS system and evaluate its properties.
Individual Improvisation in Information Systems Development
Authors: Magni Massimo , Provera Bernardino , Prosperpio Luigi
Published: May 2011

Improvisation is rapidly becoming an important issue for both scholars and practitioners. Organizations that operate in turbulent environments must learn to swiftly adapt and respond to such nstability, especially in areas as innovation and new product development. In such contexts, traditional top-down, carefully-planned approaches to innovative projects may represent an obstacle to effectively dealing with environment uncertainty. Prior research on improvisation has focused considerable attention on the centrality of improvisation in individual and group outcomes, while less emphasis has been placed on how individual attitude toward improvisation is formed. In an attempt to fill this gap, we will theoretically analyze the antecedents of individual attitude toward improvisation, by looking at the information systems development (ISD) domain. In particular, the outcome of this chapter is the development of theoretical propositions which could be empirically tested in future research.
Software Modeling Processes
Authors: Gelbard Roy
Published: May 2011

Applications require short development cycles and constant interaction with customers. Requirement gathering has become an ongoing process, reflecting continuous changes in technology and market demands. System analysis and modeling that are made at the initial project stages are quickly abandoned and become outmoded. Model driven architecture (MDA), rapid application development (RAD), adaptive development, extreme programming (XP), and others have resulted in a shift from the traditional waterfall model. These methodologies attempt to respond to the needs, but do they really fulfill their objectives, which are essential to the success of software development? Unified modeling language (UML) was created by the convergence of several well-known modeling methodologies. Despite its popularity and the investments that have been made in UML tools, UML is not yet translatable into running code. Some of the problems that have been discovered have to do with the absence of action semantics language and its size. This chapter reviews and evaluates the UML evolution (UML2, xUML), providing criteria and requirements to evaluate UML and the xUML potential to raise levels of abstraction, flexibility, and productivity enhancement. At the same time, it pinpoints its liabilities that keep it from completely fulfilling the vision of software development through a continuous exactable modeling process, considered to be the future direction for modeling and implementation.
From Business Process Model to Information Systems Model
Authors: Rittgen Peter
Published: May 2011

The main purpose of a corporate information system is the support of the company’s business processes. The development of information systems is therefore typically preceded by an analysis of the business processes it is supposed to support. The tasks of analysing business processes and designing information systems are governed by two seemingly incompatible perspectives related to the interaction between human actors or inanimate agents (objects), respectively. As a consequence, the corresponding modeling languages also differ. DEMO (dynamic essential modeling of organization) is a typical language for modeling business processes, the UML is the predominant language for information systems modeling. We challenge the assumption of incompatibility of the perspectives by providing a framework for the integration of these languages.
Some Method Fragments for Agile Software Development
Authors: Tran Q. N.N. , Henderson-Sellers B. , Hawryszkiewycz I.
Published: May 2011

The use of a situational method engineering approach to create agile methodologies is demonstrated. Although existing method bases are shown to be deficient, we take one of these (that of the OPEN Process Framework) and propose additional method fragments specific to agile methodologies. These are derived from a study of several of the existing agile methods, each fragment being created from the relevant powertype pattern as standardized in the Australian Standard methodology metamodel of AS 4651.
Cognitive Perspective on Human-Computer Interface Design
Authors: Zheng Robert Z. , Dahl Laura B. , Flygare Jill
Published: May 2011

This chapter focuses on the design of human-computer interface, particularly the software interface design, by examining the relationship between the functionality and features of the interface and the cognitive factors associated with the design of such interface. A design framework is proposed followed by an empirical study to validate some of the theoretical assumptions of the framework. The findings indicate that learners become more perceptually engaged when a multiple sensory-input interface is used. Our study also shows that building affective interaction at the perceptual level could significantly enhance learners’ perceptual engagement which further leads them to cognitive engagement. Guidelines for designing an effective interface are proposed. The significance of the study is discussed with some suggestions for future study.
Frameworks for Model-Based Design of Enterprise Information Systems
Authors: Nikolaidou Mara , Alexopoulou Nancy
Published: May 2011

System design is an important phase of system engineering, determining system architecture to satisfy specific requirements. System design focuses on analyzing performance requirements, system modeling and prototyping, defining and optimizing system architecture, and studying system design tradeoffs and risks. Modern enterprise information systems (EIS) are distributed systems usually built on multitiered client server architectures, which can be modeled using well-known frameworks, such as Zachman enterprise architecture or open distributed processing reference model (RM-ODP). Both frameworks identify different system models, named views, corresponding to discrete stakeholder’s perspectives, specific viewpoints, and could serve as a basis for model-based system design. The main focus of this chapter is to explore the potential of model-based design for enterprise information systems (EIS). To this end, the basic requirements for model-based EIS design are identified, while three alternative approaches are discussed based on the above requirements, namely, rational unified process for systems engineering (RUP SE), UML4ODP and EIS design framework.
An Exploration of Demographic Inconsistencies in Healthcare Information Environments
Authors: Esmahi Larbi , Edwards James W. , Badidi Elarbi
Published: May 2011

As the global economy and global business practices increase, individuals tend to be more transient. Their medical histories are an important precursor to successful health care provisioning. Contingent upon this medical history record is the successful integration of data from varied sources, including the mobile patient’s information. This information must be portable, presentable, and independent of the initial data program from which it was obtained. By far, the greatest concern relates to data inconsistency and subsequent inaccuracy in an environment of disparate systems. In the next section of this article, we will discuss the Health Level Seven communication protocol. In the third section, we will discuss the protocol DICOM. The application of these protocols into solutions for healthcare information repositories is presented in the fourth section, where both PACS and RIS systems are discussed. The problem of Data Disparity that causes inconsistencies in the intersystem communications will be discussed in the fifth section. The design of the XML Bus solution will be presented in the sixth section. The successes and shortcomings of this design are discussed in the conclusion.
Working with Database and E-Journal Vendors to Ensure Quality for End Users
Authors: Christenson Heather , Willhite Sherry
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes how the California Digital Library (CDL) supports the thousands of electronic journals, databases, collections and reference works that are licensed by CDL on behalf of the ten campuses of the University of California (UC). Three key components are vital to the success of this activity: the involvement of librarians at all the campuses to monitor and evaluate UC’s electronic resources; CDL’s internal processes for working with vendors; and CDL’s requirements documents which emphasize both technical standards and best practices. By sharing these processes and documents, the authors hope to provide a foundation for developing practices to work successfully with vendors and ensure quality for library patrons.
Challenges and Potentials of Electronic Resource Management
Authors: Zhang Yvonne Wei
Published: May 2011

This chapter will focus on two ERM services, ExLibris’ SFX and III’s ERM. ExLibris’ SFX is an example of a link resolver, whereas III ERM is an example of an ERM system. The discussion of these ERM services will focus on key issues encountered during ERM implementation at Cal Poly Pomona. The main objective of this chapter is to make the readers aware of the challenges and potentials ERM services offer, distilled from the experiences gained at Cal Poly Pomona.
In the Eye of the Storm
Authors: Koppel Ted
Published: May 2011

Electronic resource management (ERM), as a tool for library management, grows in importance every day. The ERM industry has matured greatly over the past decade. Just ten years ago, the first journals began to be published on the Web in significant volume; by 2007, many smaller colleges and some large research libraries have moved to complete or nearly complete electronic-only access (Ives, 2006). The Association of Research Libraries reports that the average ARL research library now spends over 31% of its materials budget on electronic resources, with a large proportion of these libraries spending more than 50% of their materials budget on electronic resources (Kyrillidou & Young, 2006).
Parawork
Authors: Zuidema Leah A.
Published: May 2011

The term parawork describes spaces and activities that function alongside—yet also outside—of traditional workplaces. Parawork spaces are not regulated by the workplace, but they are available for work-related activities. In parawork environments, it can be desirable to overlap the personal, social, and professional. Participating with others in parawork activities may not “get work done,” yet these interactions may facilitate professional identity formation, association with workplace and professional culture, and readiness to accomplish workplace tasks and professional goals. This chapter defines parawork, focusing on parawork enabled by online communication technologies. The author reviews literature that supports and informs understanding of online parawork. Through case study of one woman’s participation in an e-mail discussion list for teacher interns, the practical realities and possibilities of online parawork are considered. The chapter closes with conclusions about conditions necessary for effective online parawork, as well as implications for future research.
Building Online Training Programs for Virtual Workplaces
Authors: Ehmann Powers Christa , Hewett Beth L.
Published: May 2011

Companies that conduct their business either in an entirely online setting or in hybrid environments (i.e., online and face-to-face) are in a unique position in today’s global economy. They are poised to take advantage of the Internet’s flexibility both for assisting their clients and for hiring the best workers available regardless of geographical location. They also are in a unique position when it comes to training and preparing their workers to assist those clients. However, many such companies do not have principle-centered training materials that they can adapt to meet their own institutional needs. This chapter provides employers with such training principles, ones that have been substantiated by practice and research from various professional fields and that have been successfully used in an Internet-based business that employs hundreds of part- and full-time individuals. Specifically, this chapter provides readers with: (1) an educational and financial rationale for conducting online human adaptive training for virtual workplaces; (2) an understanding of training/professional development principles and strategies for online employees in virtual businesses via one-to-one and/or group human adaptive settings, and (3) an understanding of how to scale such training processes efficiently and with measurable results gleaned from qualitative and quantitative methods.
Virtual Workplaces for Learning in Singapore
Authors: Chatterjea Kalyani
Published: May 2011

The concept of the virtual workplace is used in three initiatives to create an out-of-classroom environment where learners worked on virtual space while engaging in learning activities. The first involves a multigroup field-class working at geographically separated locations, under on-demand supervision from the lecturer on virtual workplace, using Internet, video and text messaging, on-demand file uploads and file transfers. The second involves use of virtual lab, to prepare for complicated laboratory procedures and reduce classroom time by allowing virtual hands-on lab exposure. The third initiative is supported by online learning resources, providing a learning environment on demand, on virtual workplace and hence with the associated freedom of choice. Learner responses to each of these initiatives are discussed.
Technologies and Services in Support of Virtual Workplaces
Authors: McCord Alan , Boone Morell D.
Published: May 2011

Our global business climate is rapidly evolving to require greater use of virtual work tools. This chapter provides an overview of today’s virtual work technologies against the backdrop of evolving business needs. The concept of the virtual workplace is discussed from the perspectives of nomadicity, pervasive computing, and globalization. This chapter provides two frameworks—a technology services framework and a virtual services management framework—for evaluating an organization’s readiness and capabilities to develop, deploy, and support effective virtual work environments. The elements of the frameworks are explored through examination of real-world issues surrounding the evolution of virtual workplaces. The chapter also proposes two assessment approaches to evaluate virtual work capabilities and the virtuality of enterprise work groups.
Distance Internships
Authors: Edgell David A.
Published: May 2011

Academic internships and cooperative programs exist so that students can build a bridge between their academic learning and their professional lives. These programs exist primarily for the student, but also serve a purpose for the university as a way to promote their academic program and for industry to become familiar with the talents and knowledge of new graduates. In a global economy where industries distribute work around the world, internship students may need a chance to become acculturated and familiar with this new professional environment. Distance internships may also provide opportunities for students that are not available locally.