bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Information Resources for Business Success
Authors: Widén-Wulff Gunilla , Suomi Reima
Published: February 2011

This article works out a method on how information resources in organizations can be turned into a knowledge sharing (KS) information culture, which can further feed business success. This process is complicated, and the value chain can be broken in many places. In this study this process is viewed in the light of resource-based theory. A KS-model is developed where the hard information resources of time, people and computers are defined. When wisely used, these make communication a core competence for the company. As the soft information resources are added, that is, the intellectual capital, KS and willingness to learn, a knowledge sharing culture is developed, which feeds business success. This model is empirically discussed through a case study of 15 Finnish insurance companies. The overall KS capability of a company corresponds positively to the different dimensions applied in the model. KS is an interactive process where organizations must work on both hard information resources, the basic cornerstones of any knowledge sharing, and make constant investment into soft information resources, learning, intellectual capital and process design in order to manage their information resources effectively.
A Critical Systems View of Power-Ethics Interactions in Information Systems Evaluation
Authors: Córdoba José-Rodrigo
Published: February 2011

Current developments in information systems (IS) evaluation emphasise stakeholder participation in order to ensure adequate and beneficial IS investments. It is now common to consider evaluation as a subjective process of interpretation(s), in which people’s appreciations are taken into account to guide evaluations. However, the context of power relations in which evaluation takes place, as well as their ethical implications, has not been given full attention. In this article, ideas of critical systems thinking and Michel Foucault’s work on power and ethics are used to define a critical systems view of power to support IS evaluation. The article proposes a system of inquiry into power with two main areas: 1) Deployment of evaluation via power relations and 2) Dealing with ethics. The first element addresses how evaluation becomes possible. The second one goes in-depth into how evaluation can proceed as being informed by ethical reflection. The article suggests that inquiry into these relationships should contribute to extend current views on power in IS evaluation practice, and to reflect on the ethics of those involved in the process.
Disruptive Innovation Strategy Effects on Hard-Disk Maker Population
Authors: Georgantzas Nicholas C. , Katsamakas Evangelos
Published: February 2011

To encourage premium-quality information systems (IS) research in areas where dynamic complexity rules, this article combines disruptive innovation strategy (DIS) theory with the system dynamics (SD) modeling method. It presents a computer simulation model of the hard disk (HD) maker population overshoot and collapse dynamics. Data from the HD maker industry help calibrate the parameters of the SD model and replicate the HD makers’ overshoot and collapse dynamics, which DIS allegedly caused from 1973 through 1993. SD model analysis entails articulating exactly how the structure of feedback relations among variables in a system determines its performance through time. The analysis of the HD maker population model shows that, over five distinct time phases, four different feedback loops might have been most prominent in generating the HD maker population dynamics. The article shows the benefits of using SD modeling software, such as iThink®, and SD model analysis software, such as Digest®. The latter helps detect exactly how changes in loop polarity and prominence determine system performance through time. Strategic scenarios computed with the model also show the relevance of using SD for IS research and practice.
Using a Systems Thinking Perspective to Construct and Apply an Evaluation Approach of Technology-Based Information Systems
Authors: Kefi Hajer
Published: February 2011

In this article, we use soft systems methodology and complexity modeling to build an evaluation approach of a data warehouse implemented in a leading European financial institution. This approach consists in building a theoretical model to be used as a purposeful observation lens, producing a clear picture of the problematic situation under study and aimed at providing knowledge to prescribe corrective actions.
A Systemic Framework for Business Process Modeling Combining Soft Systems Methodology and UML
Authors: Sewchurran Kosheek , Petkov Doncho
Published: February 2011

Business process analysis and modeling is a crucial step in formulating information systems user requirements. The practice of information technology (IT) development does not indicate a lack of problems in spite of the growing number of modeling techniques. This article gives an action research account of formulating and applying a new business process modeling framework to manufacturing processes to guide software development. It is based on a combination of soft systems methodology (SSM) and the Unified Modeling Language (UML) business process modeling extensions suggested by Eriksson and Penker. SSM has been linked to information systems provision in the past. The examination of prior research shows that there is no underlying reasoning about the justification from a methodological point of view of the combination of SSM and UML. This article justifies the mixing of SSM and Eriksson and Penker’s UML extensions using the ideas of Mingers’ Multimethodology. The latter helps to overcome the ontological complexities of combining soft and hard techniques in a single intervention. The proposed framework was applied to modeling the production process in an aluminum rolling plant as a step in the development of a new information system for it. The reflections on the intervention give details on how actual learning and appreciation is facilitated using SSM, leading to better UML models in this complex problem.
Relationship of Skill Expectation Gap Between IS Employees and Their Managers with User Satisfaction
Authors: Jiang James , Klein Gary , Wang Eric T.G.
Published: February 2011

The skills held by information system professionals clearly impact the outcome of a project. However, the perceptions of just what skills are expected of information systems (IS) employees have not been found to be a reliable predictor of eventual success in the literature. Though relationships to success have been identified, the results broadly reported in the literature are often ambiguous or conflicting, presenting difficulties in developing predictive models of success. We examine the perceptions of IS managers and IS employees for technology management, interpersonal, and business skills to determine if their perceptions can serve to predict user satisfaction. Simple gap measures are dismissed as inadequate because weights on the individual expectations are not equal. Exploratory results from polynomial regression models indicate that the problems in defining a predictive model extend beyond the weighting difficulties, as results differ by each skill type. Compound this with inherent problems in the selection of a success measure, and we only begin to understand the complexities in the relationships that may be required in an adequate predictive model relating skills to success.
Topic Effects on Process Gains and Losses in Electronic Meetings
Authors: Gu Linwu , Aiken Milam , Wang Jianfeng
Published: February 2011

In the literature of electronic meetings, few studies have investigated the effects of topic-related variables on group processes. This article explores the effects of an individual’s perception of topics on process gains or process losses using a sample of 110 students in 14 electronic meetings. The results of the study showed that topic characteristics variables, individual knowledge, and individual self-efficacy had a significant influence on the number of relevant comments generated in an electronic meeting.
E-Learning Investment Risk Management
Authors: Angelou Georgios N. , Economides Anastasios A.
Published: February 2011

E-learning markets have been expanding very rapidly. As a result, the involved senior managers are increasingly being confronted with the need to make significant investment decisions related to the elearning business activities. Real options applications to risk management and investment evaluation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have mainly focused on a single and a priori known option. However, these options are not inherent in any ICT investment. Actually, they must be carefully planned and intentionally embedded in the ICT investment in order to mitigate its risks and increase its return. Moreover, when an ICT investment involves multiple risks, by adopting different series of cascading options we may achieve risk mitigation and enhance investment performance. In this article, we apply real options to the e-learning investments evaluation. Given the investment’s requirements, assumptions and risks, the goal is to maximize the investment’s value by identifying a good way to structure it using carefully chosen real options.
A Paradigmatic and Methodological Review of Research in Outsourcing
Authors: Yadav Vanita , Gupta Rajen K.
Published: February 2011

Due to the growing academic and practitioner interest in the field of outsourcing, there is a need to do a comprehensive assessment and synthesis of research activities to date. This article addresses this need and examines the academic literature on information systems outsourcing and business process outsourcing using a paradigmatic and methodological lens. The objective of this article is fourfold. Firstly, it examines the status of outsourcing research from 1995 to 2005 in eight leading academic journals, to compare the current research trends with past research directions in terms of methodologies applied. Secondly, it analyzes the research paradigms adopted in these research papers using the Operations Research Paradigm framework. Thirdly, it compares and contrasts the outsourcing research work published in three leading European journals with the work published in three leading American journals. Finally, it uncovers the implications of this study and the directions for future research.
Ensuring Correctness, Completeness, and Freshness for Outsourced Tree-Indexed Data
Authors: Dang Tran Khanh
Published: February 2011

In an outsourced database service model, query assurance takes an important role among well-known security issues. To the best of our knowledge, however, none of the existing research work has dealt with ensuring the query assurance for outsourced tree-indexed data. To address this issue, the system must prove authenticity and data integrity, completeness, and freshness guarantees for the result set. These objectives imply that data in the result set is originated from the actual data owner and has not been tampered with; the server did not omit any tuples matching the query conditions; and the result set was generated with respect to the most recent snapshot of the database. In this paper, we propose a vanguard solution to provide query assurance for outsourced tree-indexed data on untrusted servers with high query assurance and at reasonable costs. Experimental results with real datasets confirm the effciency of our approach and theoretical analyses.
Measuring Critical Factors of Software Quality Management
Authors: Vitharana Padmal , Mone Mark A.
Published: February 2011

Literature presents attributes of effective quality management in building software systems. The value of the capability maturity model (CMM), ISO 9000, and total quality management (TQM) concepts in managing software quality has been widely acknowledged. However, shortcomings of these approaches have also been recognized. For instance, scholars have acknowledged CMM implementation difficulties because of its inherent complexity. This research synthesizes existing literature base in CMM, ISO 9000, TQM, among others, to identify six critical factors of software quality management (SQM) and then develops an instrument that can be used to measure critical factors of SQM. Validity and reliability are established by reviewing extant literature, testing a preliminary version of the instrument among a group of researchers and industry experts, and empirically testing a revised version of the instrument among a group of IS professionals. The instrument is relatively easy to implement and requires minimal resources. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Evolving Relationship between Law, Offshoring of Professional Services, Intellectual Property, and International Organizations
Authors: Gupta Amar , Gantz David A. , Sreecharana Devin , Kreyling Jeremy
Published: February 2011

This article covers four issues. First, it examines evolving international conventions to determine whether countries, especially developed countries, can take any steps to inhibit offshoring with the objective of protecting jobs in their respective countries. Second, it looks at statistics from independent sources to see if outsourcing exceeds insourcing, or vice versa, in the case of the U.S. Third, it looks at trends in outsourcing in the legal arena. Fourth, it looks at the intellectual property aspects of outsourcing and presents a long-term vision on how this ticklish issue is likely to be addressed in the long-term.
Revisiting the Impact of Information Technology Investments on Productivity
Authors: Ko Myung , Clark Jan G. , Ko Daijin
Published: February 2011

This article revisits the relationship between IT and productivity, and investigates the impact on information technology (IT) investments. Using the MARS techniques, we show that although IT Stock is the greatest predictor variable for productivity Ko, M.; Clark, J.G.; Ko, D.(Value Added), it is only significant as an interaction variable, combined with Non-IT Capital, Non-IT Labor, Industry, or Size.
An Explorative Study of Age Discrimination in IT Wages
Authors: Quan Jing , Dattero Ronald , Galup Stuart D.
Published: February 2011

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of the United States of America reported in 2002 that age discrimination was its fastest-growing complaint. In this article, we examine the treatment of information technology professionals, using the Human Capital Model. The model results suggest that age treatment discrimination exists, but varies, across industries and job functions. We present explorative theories to explain why such variations exist, and draw managerial implications based on the results.
Perception Gaps about Skills Requirement for Entry-Level IS Professionals between Recruiters and Students
Authors: Lee Sooun , Fang Xiang
Published: February 2011

Dramatic changes in the U.S. economic situations and offshore outsourcing trends in the IT (Information Technology) industry have affected the IS (Information Systems) job market and recruiters with regard to IS knowledge/skills that their new hires should possess. Keeping pace with these changes presents a challenge for IS recruiters and students. There is an urgent need for a study that investigates the perception gaps between IS recruiters and students about the knowledge/skill sets required for a new entry-level IS hire. This study reports the findings from a survey of IS recruiters and IS students in the U.S., detailing the differences of their understanding about the knowledge/skills requirement.
System Characteristics, Perceived Benefits, Individual Differences and Use Intentions
Authors: Kamhawi Emad M.
Published: February 2011

Limited research has considered the value derived from using enterprise resource panning (ERP) systems for decision making support. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of a set of individual differences, system characteristics, and perceived benefits of the system, on the intentions to use ERP systems for decision support. A field study was used to collect data from managers working in Bahraini enterprises that use ERP systems. The results indicate that individual differences concerning age, gender, level of education, and even computer self efficacy did not influence intentions of using the decision tools of ERP systems. The only individual difference that showed significant influence is the degree of knowledge of the system. In addition, both perceived shared benefits and system characteristics had significant influence on the intention to use the system for decision support tasks, through perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. The paper discusses the implications of these findings and ends with possible extensions of the study.
The Effect of Level of Negotiation Support Systems and Cultural Diversity on Coalition Formation
Authors: Guo Xiaojia , Lim John , Wang Fei
Published: February 2011

This article is an attempt to investigate the role of negotiation support systems (NSSs) in supporting inter-team negotiations, which have become commonplace for today’s business negotiations. Inter-team negotiations differ from simple dyadic negotiations, and are associated with enormous complexity introduced by the negotiating team dynamics. When there are three or more members in a negotiating team, coalition formation by team members stands out as an intriguing phenomenon, of which cultural diversity is a primary antecedent. NSSs through altering coalition formation dynamics have important impacts on various negotiation outcomes. An experiment was conducted to test our research model and hypotheses. A content analysis was undertaken to measure the extent of coalition formation. Besides the quantitative approach, a qualitative analysis was also conducted to further enhance our exploratory efforts in examining the phenomenon. The results provide initial evidence of the usefulness of NSSs in supporting inter-team negotiations and have both theoretical and practical implications.
A Model of Turnover Intention Among Technically-Oriented Information Systems Professionals
Authors: Rigas Petros Pavlos
Published: February 2011

This study was motivated by the need to understand the factors that determine turnover intention among the large group of personnel working in technically-oriented information systems positions. Turnover rates among personnel in these positions have been consistently high and have been shown to have significant negative effects on an organization’s productivity and profitability. A model of the factors that determine turnover intention is developed based on the findings of previous studies and survey data collected from 437 personnel working in organizations in Thailand. The model is analyzed using Structured Equation Modeling techniques and the results are interpreted and compared to the findings of previous studies. Based on the findings managerial actions for reducing turnover among technically oriented personnel are recommended.
Examining Digital Piracy
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Smith Wayne W. , McDowell William C.
Published: February 2011

Digital piracy is a persistent and pervasive problem for society. Based on both the general theory of crime and deterrence theory, this study investigates the role of self-control, perceived severity of punishment and perceived certainty of punishment in predicting digital piracy behavior as well as self-efficacy. The results of the study show that risk-taking and punishment certainty are strong predictors of digital piracy behavior. Self-efficacy is also significantly related to punishment certainty and digital piracy behavior. Implications of the study for research and practice are discussed.
The Influence of Attitude on the Acceptance and Use of Information Systems
Authors: Kacmar Charles J. , Fiorito Susan S. , Carey Jane M.
Published: February 2011

The nomological network of the technology acceptance model is expanded through the addition of affective and task-preparation variables as antecedents to traditional predictors of technology acceptance:output quality, result demonstrability, and ease of use. An empirical study involving a visual/simulation information system, set in the domain of retail merchandise planning, finds that negative affectivity (NA) is a consistent and strong negative antecedent to perceptions of output quality, result demonstrability, and ease of use. In contrast, positive affectivity (PA) is a significant and positive antecedent to ease of use, but not necessarily a significant antecedent to either output quality or result demonstrability. A new construct developed from the job characteristics literature—perceived task preparation—measured the subject’s perceptions of the pre-system usage training, which included task design and modeling instruction, scenarios of activities within the prospective information system, discussions and review of the system documentation, and highly structured, pre-task system use activities. Perceived task preparation was found to be a significant and strong positive indicator of computer self-efficacy.
Can Social Capital Enhance the Careers of IT Professionals?
Authors: Zhang Lixuan , Jones Mary C.
Published: February 2011

This study examines the role of human capital and social capital in the career advancement of IT professionals. Specifically, it posits that the greater human capital and social capital an IT professional has, the more promotions that person will receive in his/her career. Although much research about the role of social capital has been conducted, the focus has not been specifically on the IT professional. Yet, there is evidence that IT professionals differ from other professionals not only in terms of the importance they place on social factors, but also in terms of longevity in their jobs, the impact of the dynamics of the IT field on their jobs, and other job related factors. This study examines the IT professional using a theoretical lens that has not been widely applied to them, yet can yield important insights into their careers. This insight includes practical guidance for IT professionals and the organizations for which they work as well as guidance for future research.
Personality, Mood and Music Listening of Computer Information Systems Developers
Authors: Lesiuk Teresa , Pons Alexander , Polak Peter
Published: February 2011

This research examines personality type, trait mood, and use of music listening by 32 professional computer information systems developers (CISD) from two different IT environments in south Florida. Improved quality-of-work via use of individually preferred music listening has previously been reported in CISD. Music listening, offering an opportunity for improved positive mood, has been shown in the psychological literature to improve workplace task problem-solving and cooperative behaviors. Prevalence of basic personality type preferences was measured with the Myers-Briggs type inventory (MBTI). Trait mood, also known as individuals’ emotional dispositions, was measured with the multiple affect adjective check list (MAACL). Results from this exploratory pilot survey indicate a significant prevalence of introversion, thinking, and judging types in CISD with greater negative trait mood for introversion and feeling types. Music listening trends by type are reported, including findings such as extraverts listen to music twice as much than introverts, and feeling types twice as much as thinking types. The findings and recommendations have important implications for managers of computer information systems developers and, as well, may be generalized to similar work contexts.
An Exploratory, Longitudinal Study of Factors Influencing Development of a Networked Company
Authors: Hardy Bednar Deborah , Godkin Lynn
Published: February 2011

In 1901 the Gulf Refining Company was chartered to provide refining and sales support to the Spindletop oil field in southeast Texas (Gulf Oil History, 2003). A refinery was built immediately after on a 4,000 acre site. The facility was acquired in 1985 by Chevron as a part of a merger with Gulf (‘Congratulations Premcor 100 Years,’ 2001). In February 1995, Chevron sold the Port Arthur plant with an important proviso. Chevron agreed to perform any environmental remediation required by the United States Environmental Protection agency (U.S.-EPA) or the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) after sale was complete. Chevron assumed responsibility for contamination associated with the site since 1901. A total of US$500 million was placed in reserve. Chevron was ultimately required to “make good” on the agreement, and Chevron established a networked company fulfill the obligation. This longitudinal study of that networked company reports the factors found to have positive, negative, and neutral effects on the project.
Risk Management of ERP Projects in Manufacturing SMEs
Authors: Iskanius Päivi
Published: February 2011

To deepen the knowledge on enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs), this study identifies and assesses the main risks in ERP projects through a case study of three manufacturing SMEs. Various tools, standardised methods and techniques have been developed to help enterprises better manage their ERP projects. In this paper, the author introduces two risk management methods targeted for SMEs in their ERP implementation projects. By using company-specific risk analysis method (RAM), the critical risks of the ERP projects have been identified and assessed. Then, by using characteristics analysis method (CAM), recommendations of how to divide the ERP projects into manageable sub projects are given.
IT-Enabled Corporate Governance
Authors: Jiang Yabing , Raghupathi Wullianallur
Published: February 2011

Sophisticated information technologies allow companies to provide stakeholders with more transparency. Web-based disclosures have the advantages of low cost, mass reach, frequency and speed, and yet the extent of Internet disclosure varies across companies and industries. Drawing on interdisciplinary work in information technology and corporate governance, in this paper, the authors examine the S&P 100 companies’ use of the Web for corporate governance information disclosure and analyze the association between the Web disclosing practice and firm attributes. Their findings support the proposition that Web-based disclosure decisions were associated with various firm specific attributes. This study has implications for the strategic role of the Internet and Web in disclosure and transparency.
The 24-Hour Knowledge Factory
Authors: Gupta Amar , Seshasai Satwik , Aron Ravi , Pareek Siddharth
Published: February 2011

The term “24-Hour Knowledge Factory” connotes a geographically dispersed team of workers in which members of the team work on endeavors on a continous basis. This work has five defining features: (i) the same body of work is processed sequentially and handed one unit to another; (ii) the handover of work is characterized by short cycle times and the frequency of handover is greater than in traditional offshore work; (iii) the functional units of the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory operate in a peer-to-peer relationship where each functional unit audits the work of other units; (iv) the knowledge transfer between the different work units and work history between units is effected through specialized mechanisms and a distributed human agency called the composite personae; and (v) the constituent units of the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory feature similar work capabilities, as opposed to the more traditional model of global teams where the distributed teams usually possess complementary work capabilities. The distributed units of the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory work on the same body of work and do very similar work; therefore, the units have nearly identical capabilities. The authors identify two sets of research issues surrounding this phenomenon that fall within the technical paradigm and the organizational paradigm of information systems.
No Strategy is an Island to Itself
Authors: Koch Bradley J.
Published: February 2011

The first-mover strategy for foreign investment is examined to determine under what conditions a significant effect exists when it is combined with other foreign investment strategies like partner selection, geographical market focus, joint-venture control, and resource commitment strategies. Using official audited data and survey data from Sichuan, the results reveal that there are significant interaction effects. The interaction effects can eliminate first-mover advantage, create a first-mover effect that previously didn’t exist, or change the direction of the effect. Consequently, the author argues that it is better to analyze strategies as a set that is formed by a series of strategic decisions made by managers as they establish foreign joint ventures and wholly owned subsidiaries.
Chinese Outward Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Ilhéu Fernanda
Published: February 2011

In past years, China recorded a fast sustainable economic growth with an estimated average GDP growth rate of 9.7% in the period of 1980-2008, turning China into the world’s second largest economy. With an export oriented economic model, China is the most attractive developing country for FDI flows, both short and long term. In this regard, China has been able to achieve a foreign exchange reserve of US$ 2.2 trillion, the world´s largest reserve currency. Around 50% of this huge reserve is being applied in American bonds, while the remaining supports Chinese health and social security systems, bank solvability, internationalization of their economy, investment in geostrategic positioning, and making foreign aid available to other developing countries. During the 2008 global crisis, China was able to resist better than other major world economies, benefitting from this downturn to implement policies to reduce its economic imbalances. One of these imbalances is the gap between Chinese FDI and OFDI, which is now progressively narrowing. In the near future, OFDI is expected to be larger than FDI, and in this paper, the authors research whether Chinese OFDI can be explained by existing theories or if a new theory is required.
Exploring Multi-Path Communication in Hybrid Mobile Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Cardoso Roberto Speicys , Caporuscio Mauro
Published: February 2011

Ambient computing requires the integration of multiple mobile heterogeneous networks. Multi-path communication in such scenarios can provide reliability and privacy benefits. Even though the properties of multi-path routing have been extensively studied and a number of algorithms proposed, implementation of such techniques can be tricky, particularly when resource-constrained nodes are connected to each other through hybrid networks with different characteristics. In this paper, the authors discuss the challenges involved in implementing multipath communication on a middleware for hybrid mobile ad hoc networks. The authors present the PLASTIC middleware, several compelling applications of multi-path communication and the main issues concerning their implementation as a primitive middleware-provided communication.
Interoperable Semantic and Syntactic Service Discovery for Ambient Computing Environments
Authors: Ben Mokhtar Sonia , Raverdy Pierre-Guillaume , Urbieta Aitor , Cardoso Roberto Speicys
Published: February 2011

The inherent heterogeneity of ambient computing environments and their constant evolution requires middleware platforms to manage networked components designed, developed, and deployed independently. Such management must also be efficient to cater for resource-constrained devices and highly dynamic situations due to the spontaneous appearance and disappearance of networked resources. For service discovery protocols (SDP), one of the main functions of service-oriented architectures (SOA), the efficiency of the matching of syntactic service descriptions is most often opposed to the fullness of the semantic approach. As part of the PLASTIC middleware, the authors present an interoperable discovery platform that features an efficient matching and ranking algorithm able to process service descriptions and discovery requests from both semantic and syntactic SDPs. To that end, the paper defines a generic, modular description language able to record service functional properties, potentially extended with semantic annotations. The proposed discovery platform leverages the advanced communication capabilities provided by the PLASTIC middleware to discover services in multi-network environments. An evaluation of the prototype implementation demonstrates that multi-protocols service matching supporting various levels of expressiveness can be achieved in ambient computing environments.
Reducing Blocking Risks of Atomic Transactions in MANETs Using a Backup Coordinator
Authors: Böse Joos-Hendrik , Broß Jürgen
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the authors present a probabilistic model to evaluate the reliability of the atomic commit for distributed transactions in mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). This model covers arbitrary MANET scenarios as well as strict and semantic transaction models. The authors evaluate the approach to integrate a backup coordinator to reduce blocking risks. For the purpose of showing an example of a MANET scenario, the authors illustrate how the considered blocking probability is very low.
Extrapolated Biogeography-Based Optimization (eBBO) for Global Numerical Optimization and Microstrip Patch Antenna Design
Authors: Lohokare M. R. , Pattnaik S.S. , Devi S. , Panigrahi B.K. , Das S. , Joshi J. G.
Published: February 2011

Biogeography-Based Optimization (BBO) uses the idea of probabilistically sharing features between solutions based on the solutions’ fitness values. Therefore, its exploitation ability is good but it lacks in exploration ability. In this paper, the authors extend the original BBO and propose a hybrid version combined with ePSO (particle swarm optimization with extrapolation technique), namely eBBO, for unconstrained global numerical optimization problems in the continuous domain. eBBO combines the exploitation ability of BBO with the exploration ability of ePSO effectively, which can generate global optimum solutions. To validate the performance of eBBO, experiments have been conducted on 23 standard benchmark problems with a range of dimensions and diverse complexities and compared with original BBO and other versions of BBO in terms of the quality of the final solution and the convergence rate. Influence of population size and scalability study is also considered and results are compared with statistical paired t-test. Experimental analysis indicates that the proposed approach is effective and efficient and improves the exploration ability of BBO.
Posterior Sampling using Particle Swarm Optimizers and Model Reduction Techniques
Authors: Martínez J. L. Fernández , Gonzalo E. García , Muñiz Z. Fernández , Mariethoz G. , Mukerji T.
Published: February 2011

Inverse problems are ill-posed and posterior sampling is a way of providing an estimate of the uncertainty based on a finite set of the family of models that fit the observed data within the same tolerance. Monte Carlo methods are used for this purpose but are highly inefficient. Global optimization methods address the inverse problem as a sampling problem, particularly Particle Swarm, which is a very interesting algorithm that is typically used in an exploitative form. Although PSO has not been designed originally to perform importance sampling, the authors show practical applications in the domain of environmental geophysics, where it provides a proxy for the posterior distribution when it is used in its explorative form. Finally, this paper presents a hydrogeological example how to perform a similar task for inverse problems in high dimensional spaces through the combined use with model reduction techniques.
Reserve Constrained Multi-Area Economic Dispatch Employing Evolutionary Approach
Authors: Sharma Manisha , Pandit Manjaree
Published: February 2011

The objective of Multi-area economic dispatch (MAED) is to determine the generation levels and the interchange power between areas that minimize fuel costs, while satisfying power balance and generating limit and transmission constraints. If an area with excess power is not adjacent to a power deficient area, or the tie-line between the two areas is at transmission limit, it is necessary to find an alternative path between these two areas to transmit additional power. When a MAED problem is solved with spinning reserve constraints, the problem becomes further complicated. The power allocation to each unit is done in such a manner that after supplying the total load, some specified reserve is left behind. In this paper, the authors compare classic PSO and DE strategies and their variants for reserve constrained MAED. The superior constraint handling capability of these techniques enables them to produce high quality solutions. The performance is tested on a 2-area system having 4 generating units and a 4-area, 16-unit system.
Application of Machine Learning Techniques to Predict Software Reliability
Authors: Mohanty Ramakanta , Ravi V. , Patra M. R.
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the authors employed machine learning techniques, specifically, Back propagation trained neural network (BPNN), Group method of data handling (GMDH), Counter propagation neural network (CPNN), Dynamic evolving neuro–fuzzy inference system (DENFIS), Genetic Programming (GP), TreeNet, statistical multiple linear regression (MLR), and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), to accurately forecast software reliability. Their effectiveness is demonstrated on three datasets taken from literature, where performance is compared in terms of normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) obtained in the test set. From rigorous experiments conducted, it was observed that GP outperformed all techniques in all datasets, with GMDH coming a close second.
A Novel Puzzle Based Compaction (PBC) Strategy for Enhancing the Utilization of Reconfigurable Resources
Authors: Saleh Ahmed I.
Published: February 2011

Partially reconfigurable field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can accommodate several independent tasks simultaneously. FPGA, as all reconfigurable chips, relies on the “host-then-compact-when-needed” strategy. Accordingly, it should have the ability to both place incoming tasks at run time and compact the chip whenever needed. Compaction is a proposed solution to alleviate external fragmentations problem, trying to move running tasks closer to each other in order to free a sufficient area for new tasks. However, compaction conditions the suspension of the running tasks, which introduces a high penalty. In order to increase the chip area utilization as well as not affecting the response times of tasks, efficient compaction techniques become increasingly important. Unfortunately, traditional compaction techniques suffer from a variety of faults. This paper introduces a novel Puzzle Based Compaction (PBC) technique that is a shape aware technique, which takes the tasks shapes into consideration. In this regard, it succeeded not only to eliminate the internal fragmentations but also to minimize the external fragmentations. This paper develops a novel formula, which is the first not to estimate, but to exactly calculate the amount of external fragmentations generated by accommodating a set of tasks inside the reconfigurable chip.
A Geographic Analysis of Public-Private School Choice in South Carolina, USA
Authors: Zhang Haifeng (Charlie) , Anderson Lorin W. , Cowen David J. , Mitchell Lisle S.
Published: February 2011

Despite years of research and debate, household choice between public and private schools is not well understood. This article investigates factors associated with parental choice between public and private schools using unique census-based school enrollment data for school districts in South Carolina and for neighborhoods in the Columbia Metropolitan Area. This study extends the existing literature by examining patterns of public-private school choice for whites and blacks separately in order to control racial disparities in school choice. Results of multiple regression analyses for the whole population and subdivided racial groups generally support the assumption that public-private school enrollment rate is subject to socioeconomic status, racial proportion, and public school quality. Findings of this study not only suggests the reconciliation of the market-based theory and the racial preference theory, but also provides insights into education policies in terms of stemming white enrollment losses and fostering public school education in the United States.
Varying the Variable
Authors: Klaas Zachary
Published: February 2011

It is common practice in business geography to use gravity models such as the Reilly’s Retail Law of Gravitation model to gauge the extent of presumed trade areas for retail sites based on a variable that models the general demographic attractiveness of the site in question. In the Huff retail model, an exponent represents additional attractiveness factors that differentially affect certain sites; however, it is less common practice to vary the attractiveness of one site alone and to visually inspect in a series of maps the differences in other trade areas given the variation of assumptions about the attractiveness of that site. The idea behind this form of analysis is that business managers benefit from being able to visualize a range of possible contingencies to which they may have to respond. The city of New Britain, Connecticut, is used as a demonstration model in this article to provide these kinds of visualization maps.
The Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center System
Authors: Blackwell P. R. , McDonald Darrel
Published: February 2011

During the past 20 years, the role of geospatial technology in society has increased dramatically. However, the impact of these technologies in rural areas remains minimal. In Texas, a federally funded project called the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center System (the System) has emerged as a model for bringing the benefits of geospatial technology to all portions of society. The model involves distributed, academically based Centers, each with regional specializations, linked together into a unified system for addressing critical needs in emergency response, economic development, and natural resource management. The Centers operate on three focus areas, i.e., data, applications, and training. The Columbia Center has been in operation for five years and has demonstrated the practical strength of the System through numerous local and statewide projects, responses to natural disasters, and other geospatial activities.
Semi-E-Preinvex Functions
Authors: Syau Yu-Ru , Lee E. Stanley
Published: February 2011

A class of functions called semi--preinvex functions is defined as a generalization of semi--convex functions. Similarly, the concept of semi--quasiconvex functions is also generalized to semi--prequasiinvex functions. Properties of these proposed classes are studied, and sufficient conditions for a nonempty subset of the -dimensional Euclidean space to be an -convex or -invex set are given. The relationship between semi--preinvex and -preinvex functions are discussed along with results for the corresponding nonlinear programming problems.
A Characterization of Convex Fuzzy Mappings
Authors: Chen Chih-Yuan , Wang Cheng-Pin , Huang Tetz C.
Published: February 2011

As any real-valued functions can be regarded as a fuzzy mapping, the research on fuzzy mappings extends the research on real-valued functions. In this paper, a characterization of convex fuzzy mappings is obtained. Supposeis a fuzzy mapping, whereis a non-empty convex subset ofandis the set of all fuzzy numbers. With respect to the fuzzy-max order, is convex if and only if it is both quasi-convex and intermediate-point convex.
The Worst-Case Stabilization Time of a Self-Stabilizing Algorithm under the Weakly Fair Daemon Model
Authors: Huang Tetz C. , Lin Ji-Cherng , Chen Chih-Yuan , Wang Cheng-Pin
Published: February 2011

In this paper, the result of any self-stabilizing algorithm under the weakly fair daemon model (for a particular problem) that is not self-stabilizing under the non-fair central daemon model is obtained. Also, if any safe configuration under the weakly fair daemon model is also a safe configuration under the non-fair central daemon model, the worst-case stabilization time, measured in steps, is infinity. The implication of this new finding is that any problem, the existence of self-stabilizing algorithms for the weakly fair daemon model only, is unsatisfactory, that is of significance to pursue self-stabilizing algorithms for the non-fair central daemon model.
Collaboration and Competition Process
Authors: Chang Ping-Teng , Lin Chih-Sheng , Hung Kuo-Chen , Lee Han-Hsiang , Chang Ching-Hsiang
Published: February 2011

The hybridization of genetic algorithms and the simplex method have been proven in literature as useful and promising in optimizations. Therefore, this paper proposes a multi-teams genetic-algorithm (MT-GA) hybrid developed toward extending the previous simplex-GA hybrids. The approach utilizes the simplex method as a united team and multi-teams collaboration and also competition search process in conjunction with the GAs. It is designed such that it has multi-teams with self-evolution (parallel applications of the simplex method), multi-teams communication and even mutual stimulation, and multi-teams survival competition as well as non-elite team breakup for individual relearning (with GAs) and re-forming the new teams. The extension of multi-teams GA thus provides the advantages and as previous simplex-GAs has been proved to outperform a number of other approaches. The experiments in this research show that the MT-GA generally outperforms the existing simplex-GAs for the indices of convergence rate (CPU time required), efficiency (number of function evaluations), and effectiveness (accuracy). Also, a further functional experiment of the MT-GA shows that the MT-GA can be a useful improved algorithm for the function optimization problems.
Adaptive H8 Fuzzy Control for a Class of Uncertain Discrete-Time Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Lin Tsung-Chih , Chang Shuo-Wen
Published: February 2011

In this paper, an adaptive interval type-2 fuzzy controller is proposed for a class of unknown nonlinear discrete-time systems with training data corrupted by noise or rule uncertainties involving external disturbances. Adaptive interval type-2 fuzzy control scheme and control approach are incorporated to implement the main objective of controlling the plant to track a reference trajectory. The Laypunov stability theorem has been used to testify the asymptotic stability of the whole system and the free parameters of the adaptive fuzzy controller can be tuned on-line by an output feedback control law and adaptive laws. The overall adaptive scheme guarantees the global stability of the resulting closed-loop system in the sense that all signals involved are uniformly bounded. The simulation example is given to confirm validity and tracking performance of the advocated design methodology.
Movement Strategies for Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Nguyen S. , Kachitvichyanukul V.
Published: February 2011

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is one of the most effective metaheuristics algorithms, with many successful real-world applications. The reason for the success of PSO is the movement behavior, which allows the swarm to effectively explore the search space. Unfortunately, the original PSO algorithm is only suitable for single objective optimization problems. In this paper, three movement strategies are discussed for multi-objective PSO (MOPSO) and popular test problems are used to confirm their effectiveness. In addition, these algorithms are also applied to solve the engineering design and portfolio optimization problems. Results show that the algorithms are effective with both direct and indirect encoding schemes.