bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tailoring Multimedia Environments to Learner Cognitive Characteristics
Authors: Kalyuga Slava
Published: May 2010

Personalized adaptive multimedia environments provide individual learners or learner groups with experience that is specifically tailored to them. To achieve effective personalization, a variety of information about the learner is required. Tailoring multimedia environments to individual learner cognitive characteristics is becoming a major means for achieving a true learner-centered experience for learners through their interaction with multiple content sources, presentation formats, and delivery means. Personalized multimedia environments are capable of realizing advanced learning and instruction strategies based on a continuous process of adaptation between the learners and instructional systems. This adaptation process could be accomplished through personalized interaction and adaptive presentation of content, learner feedback, adaptive navigation and search, and different adaptation methodologies. As was mentioned in earlier chapters of this book, a major instructional implication of the expertise reversal effect is the need to tailor dynamically instructional techniques and procedures, levels of instructional guidance to current levels of learner task-specific expertise. In online multimedia instructional systems, the levels of learner task-specific expertise change as students develop more experience in a specific task domain. Therefore, the tailoring process needs to be dynamic, i.e. consider learner levels of expertise in real time as they gradually change during the learning sessions. This Chapter describes general approaches to the design of adaptive learning environments from the perspective of tailoring learning procedures and techniques to individual cognitive characteristics of learners. Studies in aptitude-treatment interactions offered a possible approach to adaptive instruction. Intelligent tutoring systems and adaptive web-based hypermedia systems use learner models to tailor learning tasks and instructional content to individual learner characteristics. This approach accommodates learner characteristics (e.g., knowledge, interests, goals) into explicit learner models that guide adaptive procedures. On the other hand, advisement and adaptive guidance approaches realize a greater learner control over instruction and provide individualized prescriptive information in the form of recommended material and tasks based on learner past performance.
Self-Service Systems
Authors: Gurau Calin
Published: May 2010

The evolution of information technology applications has changed the landscape of the service industry, offering the possibility of customer empowerment through self-service applications. Considering the main three streams of research already applied in the study of self-services, this chapter investigates customers’ perceptions about eight dimensions that characterise the quality of the self-service experience. On the other hand, the study attempts to analyse the influence of the self-service users’ profile (gender, Internet usage experience, and online self-service usage experience), and to provide specific insights about the needs and wants of various categories of customers.
Evolution of Online Financial Trading Systems
Authors: Yap Alexander
Published: May 2010

This chapter focuses on the theme of e-service innovation in financial electronic markets. The discussion will cover the theories of “technology bundling” and how bundling creates value-added in servicing electronic markets. More specifically, this chapter looks at innovations created through e-service bundling for online brokers connected to various financial electronic markets. The proliferation of different e-trading systems raises the question of which systems provide better service to online stock traders. Many online brokers (e-brokers) now provide low-cost transactions and financial research capabilities, so where is the next level of innovation? The objective of this chapter is to show that several innovations in broker e-services are critical in the following areas: (a) how order processes are efficiently managed in financial e-markets; (b) how responsive e-trading systems are in handling trading rules and regulations; (c) how different systems address unique niches in financial e-markets; and (d) improving systems stability and reliability.
The Case of Roskilde University E-Services
Authors: Heilesen Simon
Published: May 2010

Examining electronic services both as products and as organization, this chapter discusses the development and management of e-services at Roskilde University, Denmark. The services in question can be distinguished according to purpose into products meant for administration, communication, education, and integration. The chapter discusses several examples of e-services from the point of view of adoption of technological innovation. Further, it is argued that participatory design and voluntary adoption are factors favourable to, but also challenging to the adoption of e-services. The technical and organizational integration of e-services are also touched upon, as is the importance of maintaining a creative environment for developing the services. The chapter concludes by outlining some challenges to the continued diffusion of e-services in the organization.
Introducing E-Procurement in a Local Healthcare Agency
Authors: Federici Tommaso
Published: May 2010

This chapter deals with the introduction of electronic procurement in the public healthcare domain. After a brief discussion on the healthcare spending characteristics and on the suitability of e-procurement tools in the public sector; the long-lasting experience of e-procurement implementation promoted by an Italian Local Healthcare Public Agency is described. This initiative included some pilot projects and applied many different solutions; always involving both a new ICT tool and a thorough process redesign. The development of the innovation introductions is discussed; together with their organizational and managerial background; the description of the new processes; and the analysis of the most relevant results. The chapter provides a fairly comprehensive illustration of available solutions; opportunities; and challenges in this still neglected topic.
vGOV
Authors: Rubeck Robert F. , Miller Glenn A.
Published: May 2010

The need of rural and reservation residents to receive better government services has been long-standing. In spite of the best efforts of the Social Security Administration; a vast number of Native Americans living in rural and remote areas have had their access to program information and social benefits limited by distance; economic; and cultural challenges. A project at the University of North Dakota has found a way to transform the delivery of government services to these citizens. As an off-shoot of work in telemedicine and rural outreach; staff members of the Center for Rural Service Delivery collaborated with the Social Security Administration and the Indian Health Service to create the first video link connecting a hospital to a Social Security Office. The IHS hospital; in Belcourt; ND was connected to the SSA office in Minot; ND; some 120 miles away. The video link went live in October of 2003. The social benefits of remote video access to SSA services have been measured by the number of citizens who use video access to seek answers to questions and to make application for benefits each year. Since it went live; the link has resulted in more than 300 completed applications for disability benefits or income supplements. That total is more than 50 times the number produced through conventional service delivery. The economic impact to VSD has been measured as the cumulative value of monthly Supplemental Security Income and Disability payments to individual citizens and the total of annual Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement payments made to local healthcare facilities. The service impact includes increased application completion rates; accelerated claims processing; and increased third party assistance in the application process.
The Social Context of Knowledge
Authors: Memmi Daniel
Published: May 2010

Information and knowledge have become a crucial resource in our knowledge-based, computermediated economy. But knowledge is primarily a social phenomenon, on which computer processing has had only a limited impact so far, in spite of impressive advances. In this context have recently appeared various collaborative systems that promise to give access to socially situated information. We argue that a prior analysis of the social context is necessary for a better understanding of the whole domain of collaborative software. We will examine the variety and functions of information in modern society, where collaborative information management is now the dominant type of occupation. In fact, real information is much more complex than its usual technical sense: one should distinguish between information and knowledge, as well as between explicit and tacit knowledge. Because of the notable importance of tacit knowledge, social networks are indispensable in practice for locating relevant information. We then propose a typology of collaborative software, distinguishing between explicit communities supported by groupware systems, task-oriented communities organized around a common data structure, and implicit links exploited by collaborative filtering and social information retrieval. The latter approach is usually implemented by virtually grouping similar users, but there exist many possible variants. Yet much remains to be done by extracting, formalizing, and exploiting implicit social links.
E-Governance
Authors: Bhogle Srinivas
Published: May 2010

E-governance uses Internet and communication technologies to automate governance in innovative ways, so that it becomes more efficient, more cost-effective, and empowers the human race even more. E-governance exercises are being attempted for more than a decade now, but have so far achieved only mixed success. The long-term prognosis for e-governance, however, remains extremely positive. The emergence of Web-services technologies, the continually proliferating computer networks, and the irreversible migration towards digital information strongly confirm the view that e-governance is here to stay. The eventual success of any e-governance project is intimately linked to the methodology used, and to that complex mesh between men, machines, and mindsets. We explain the “what,” “why,” and “how” of e-governance. We also talk of e-governance concerns, and discuss a few illustrative case studies.
On the Study of Complexity in Information Systems
Authors: Courtney James , Merali Yasmin , Paradice David , Wynn Eleanor
Published: May 2010

This article addresses complexity in information systems. It defines how complexity can be used to inform information systems research, and how some individuals and organizations are using notions of complexity. Some organizations are dealing with technical and physical infrastructure complexity, as well as the application of complexity in specific areas such as supply chain management and network management. Their approaches can be used to address more general organizational issues. The concepts and ideas in this article are relevant to the integration of complexity into information systems research. However, the ideas and concepts in this article are not a litmus test for complexity. We hope only to provide a starting point for information systems researchers to push the boundaries of our understanding of complexity. The article also contains a number of suggested research questions that could be pursued in this area.
Modeling and Analyzing Perspectives to Support Knowledge Management
Authors: Cai Jian
Published: May 2010

This chapter introduces a generic modeling approach that explicitly represents the perspectives of stakeholders and their evolution traversing a collaborative process. This approach provides a mechanism to analytically identify the interdependencies among stakeholders and to detect conflicts and reveal their intricate causes and effects. Collaboration is thus improved through efficient knowledge management. This chapter also describes a Web-based information system that uses the perspective model and the social network analysis methodology to support knowledge management within collaboration.
A Design Tool for Business Process Design and Representation
Authors: Paiano Roberto , Lisa Guido Anna
Published: May 2010

In this chapter the focus is on business process design as middle point between requirement elicitation and implementation of a Web information system. We face both the problem of the notation to adopt in order to represent in a simple way the business process and the problem of a formal representation, in a machine-readable format, of the design. We adopt Semantic Web technology to represent process and we explain how this technology has been used to reach our goals.
Introduction to Cryptography
Authors: Laxman Karandikar Rajeeva
Published: May 2010

The chapter introduces the reader to various key ideas in cryptography without going into technicalities. It brings out the need for use of cryptography in electronic communications, and describes the symmetric key techniques as well as public key cryptosystems. Digital signatures are also discussed. Data integrity and data authentication are also discussed.
A Metadata-Based Approach for Unstructured Document Management in Organizations
Authors: Paganelli Federica , Pettenati Maria Chiara , Giuli Dino
Published: May 2010

Effectively managing documents is a strategic requirement for every organization. Available document management systems (DMSs) often lack effective functions for automatic document management. One reason is that relevant information frequently is conveyed by unstructured documents, whose content cannot be easily accessed and processed by applications. This article proposes a metadata model, the DMSML (Document Management and Sharing Markup Language) to enable and to ease unstructured document management by supporting the design of DMSs. We argue that the extensive use of this metadata language will render organizational information explicit, promoting information reuse and interoperability in a more profitable way than what is guaranteed by proprietary DMSs. We also briefly depict the design and deployment phases of a Web-based DMS prototype based on DMSML. Our overall intent is to increase the awareness of what managers should account for when considering the possibility of adopting a DMS.
Politics, Accountability, and Information Management
Authors: Rocheleau Bruce
Published: May 2010

This chapter provides examples of the politics of managing information in public organizations by studying both its internal and external aspects. Within the organization, politics is involved in structuring decision making, struggles over purchases of hardware and software, interdepartmental sharing of information, and the flow of communications such as e-mail among employees. The chapter analyzes examples of each of these internal aspects of politics. The chapter also discusses evidence concerning whether political appointees or career administrators are more effective as information managers. Externally, the chapter discusses how information management has been used to attempt to achieve greater political accountability through e-reporting and examples of cases where purchasing problems spill over into the realm of external politics such as through attempts to privatize governmental information management function. Certain topics such as municipal broadband systems and information management disasters are highly likely to involve information managers in politics. The attempts to use governmental Web sites as mechanisms to achieve e-governance and greater citizen participation in the political process also make it impossible for information managers to insulate themselves against politics.
IT Infrastructure Capabilities and Business Process Improvements
Authors: Law Chuck C.H. , Ngai Eric W.T.
Published: May 2010

It has been widely discussed in the management information systems (MIS) literature that the outcomes of information technologies (IT) and systems may be subject to the influence of the characteristics of the organization, including those of the IT and business leadership. This study was conducted to examine the relationships that may exist between IT infrastructure capabilities (ITC), business process improvements (BPI), and such IT governance-related constructs as the reporting relationship between the chief executive officer (CEO) and chief information officer (CIO), and senior management support of IT and BPI projects. Using a sample of 243 multinational and Hong Kong-listed firms operating in Greater China, this study yielded empirical support for the perceived achievement of capabilities in some dimensions of the IT infrastructure in the companies under study. It was found that the BPI construct was related to the reporting relationship between the CEO and CIO (CEO-CIO distance), and to the levels of senior management support. The dimensions of the ITC construct were also investigated and identified by an exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Associations were found between the selected organizational constructs and the ITC dimensions, except in two hypothesized relationships. Those between CEO-CIO distance and the ITC dimensions of data integration and training were not supported at the significance level of 0.05.
Social Software Trends in Business
Authors: Burkhardt Peter
Published: May 2010

Social networking and Web 2.0 are the hottest words in technology right now; but is there more than just hype? This chapter will define and describe social software and Web 2.0, separate their true concepts from the marketing and buzz, and follow by identifying what might be next for this dynamic technology space. After establishing the social software and Web 2.0 concepts, this chapter identifies the value that they can bring to a company when used in a business context and the shortcomings or pitfalls. This chapter will set the foundation for subsequent discussions of social software and Web 2.0 for specific industry applications.
The Influence of Consumer-Generated Content on Customer Experiences and Consumer Behavior
Authors: Harrell David
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this chapter is to inform retail business managers about the amplification of consumer voices through new forms of Internet media. Candid, real-time feedback through various forms of Web 2.0 have revolutionized the way consumers research, purchase, and enjoy products and services in today’s world of commerce. The chapter provides a background on the importance of the Internet in consumer purchases, the development of various forms of consumer feedback, and the implications for multichannel retail businesses. An analysis of several leading Web 2.0 technologies is provided to clarify key differences. The reader should walk away with a more robust understanding of consumer behavior in today’s multichannel retail landscape.
Web 2.0 and E-Discovery
Authors: Kimes Bryan
Published: May 2010

Companies today face an overwhelming amount of digital information, and many of them are involved at some point in civil litigation. When a company is in the discovery (pretrial) phase of civil litigation, it usually exchanges information, including documents, with the opposing party in the litigation. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which govern civil litigation in federal courts, were amended in 2006 to provide additional guidance to parties with regard to electronically stored information. The management teams of many U.S. corporations are working with their IT departments and lawyers in order to understand the sources of electronically stored information that may be potentially relevant to their litigation. Over the last 20 years, technology has grown increasingly more complex, from the early mainframe and personal computers to sophisticated e-mail and instant messaging applications that enable users to send and receive millions of messages every day. This chapter addresses the issues companies may face related to the discovery of electronically stored information as a result of new communication technologies, including Web 2.0 applications.
Business Computing in the Internet Era
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

The first chapter aims at defining a “big picture” of contemporary business and business computing. Business pressures and business risks are explored in order to identify the main factors affecting the functioning of modern organizations in the Internet era. IT-related risks are identified as well, showing some sort of paradox in today’s e-business and e-economy era: information technologies are used in order to provide answers to several types of business pressures and reduce the risks, however, in the same time, IT can be a risk by itself, if not implemented and/or managed properly.
Advanced Server Technologies for Business Continuity
Authors: Bajgoric Nijaz
Published: May 2010

Server operating systems described in Chapter VI usually come preinstalled. Additional components can be installed “on-demand” in the form of ServerWare components and modules, as explained in previous chapter. However, there exist more advanced technologies, both hardware and software, aimed at further enhancing the levels of continuous computing and business continuity. These technologies are introduced and briefly explained in this chapter.
Information Privacy and Security for e-CRM
Authors: Fjermestad Jerry , Romano Nicholas C.
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents a value exchange model of privacy and security for electronic customer relationship management within an electronic commerce environment. Enterprises and customers must carefully manage these new virtual relationships in order to ensure that they both derive value from them and minimize unintended consequences that result from the concomitant exchange of personal information that occurs in e-commerce. Based upon a customer’s requirements of privacy and an enterprise requirement to establish markets and sell goods and services, there is a value exchange relationship. The model is an integration of the customer sphere of privacy, sphere of security and privacy/security sphere of implementation.
Networking Serendipitous Social Encounters in Urban Neighbourhoods
Authors: Foth Marcus
Published: May 2010

In Australian urban residential environments and other developed countries, Internet access is on the verge of becoming a ubiquitous utility, like water or electricity. From an urban informatics perspective, this chapter discusses emerging qualities of social formations of urban residents that are based on networked individualism and the potential of Internet-based systems to support them. It proposes that appropriate opportunities and instruments that are needed to encourage and support local interaction in urban neighbourhoods. The chapter challenges the view that a mere re-appropriation of applications used to support dispersed online communities is adequate to meet the place and proximity-based design requirements that community networks in urban neighbourhoods pose. It argues that the key factors influencing the successful design and uptake of interactive systems to support social networks in urban neighbourhoods include the swarming social behaviour of urban dwellers, the dynamics of their existing communicative ecology, and the serendipitous, voluntary and place-based nature of interaction between residents on the basis of choice, like-mindedness, mutual interest, and support needs. Drawing on an analysis of these factors, the conceptual design framework of an “urban tribe incubator” is presented.
Information Security Effectiveness
Authors: Knapp Kenneth J. , Marshall Thomas E. , Rainer R. Kelly , Ford F. Nelson
Published: May 2010

Taking a sequential qualitative-quantitative methodological approach, we propose and test a theoretical model that includes four variables through which top management can positively influence security effectiveness: user training, security culture, policy relevance, and policy enforcement. During the qualitative phase of the study, we generated the model based on textual responses to a series of questions given to a sample of 220 information security practitioners. During the quantitative phase, we analyzed survey data collected from a sample of 740 information security practitioners. After data collection, we analyzed the survey responses using structural equation modeling and found evidence to support the hypothesized model. We also tested an alternative, higher-order factor version of the original model that demonstrated an improved overall fit and general applicability across the various demographics of the sampled data. We then linked the finding of this study to existing top management support literature, general deterrence theory research, and the theoretical notion of the dilemma of the supervisor.
Agricultural Data Mining in the 21st Century
Authors: Torbett E. Arlin , Candia Tanya M.
Published: May 2010

Data on the production, sale, repackaging, and transportation of fresh produce is scarce, yet with recent threats to national safety and security, forward and backward traceability of produce is mandatory. Recent advances in online marketing of fresh produce, a new international codification system and use of advanced technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and bar coding are working together to fill the gap, building a solid database of rich information that can be mined. While agricultural data mining holds much promise for farmers, with better indications of what and when to plant, and for buyers, giving them access to improved food quality and availability information, it is the world’s health organizations and governments who stand to be the biggest beneficiaries. This chapter describes the current state of fresh produce data collection and access, new trends that fill important gaps, and emerging methods of mining fresh produce data for improved production, product safety and public health through traceability.
A Case Study in Data Mining for Automated Building of Teams
Authors: McCormack Robert K.
Published: May 2010

This chapter highlights a case study involving research into the science of building teams. Accomplishment of mission goals requires team members to not only possess the required technical skills but also the ability to collaborate effectively. The authors describe a research project that aims to develop an automated staffing system. Any such system requires a large amount of personal information about the potential team members under consideration. Gathering, storing, and applying this data raises a spectrum of concerns, from social and ethical implications, to technical hurdles. The authors hope to highlight these concerns by focusing on their research efforts which include obtaining and using employee data within a small business.
Criminal Sanctions Against Electronic Intrusion
Authors: Vassilaki Irini E.
Published: May 2010

The international dimension of intrusion is discussed in this chapter along with the different legislative approaches adopted by various countries leading to the development of computer specific-legislation concerning electronic intrusion in a rather homogeneous style approach. The integrity of information and computer systems is presented and the misuse of devices, the illegal interception of data transfer and the illegal access to computer systems are bounded so to demonstrate the responsibility of providers or users.
Protecting Identity without Comprising Privacy
Authors: Iglezakis Ioannis
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, a specific issue is addressed that concerns the protection of privacy vis-à-vis the efforts to combat identity theft and protect personal identifying information. There are, in particular, measures undertaken by legislators that involve penal sanctions and the introduction of new technological means for identity verification. Also, identity management schemes are introduced, which are utilized by service providers, mainly in the e-business sector, in order to support controlled access to resources. The solutions undertaken to protect identity are seen as measures enhancing privacy, which is endangered by identity theft. Personal information is largely available in the information society and its collection by identity fraudsters is also possible. Therefore, an effective protection of information protection should also include the protection of identity. The downside of the identity protection approach is that identity management actually presents risks to privacy, since the processing of personal data takes place in this context and it is argued that there are certain implications concerning the lawfulness of the processing. The use of electronic authentication through electronic cards or biometrics on passports and identity cards pose privacy issues, too. Subsequently, the legislation concerning identity theft and identity related crime is outlined. This is followed by specific analysis of privacy issues concerning identity management and identity verification methods, with particular reference to biometrics.
Controlling Electronic Intrusion by Unsolicited Unwanted Bulk Spam
Authors: Kozyris Phaedon John
Published: May 2010

The ordinary and uncomplicated Spam menace is made possible by technological advances which enable the sender to dispatch millions if not billions of commercial messages without significant monetary cost and without wasting time. The present review will focus on fundamentals, exploring what has already been done and suggesting avenues of improvement. The chapter promotes basic approaches of handling Spam depending on the actions and choices of the receiver. The anti-Spam campaign needs effective enforcement powers and should be able to use all available technological know-how. As the vagaries of enforcement are presented, the role of the Internet Service Providers and advertisers is envisaged.
Data Mining of Personal Information
Authors: Politis Dionysios
Published: May 2010

In this chapter data-mining techniques are presented that can be used to create data-profiles of individuals from anonymous data that can be found freely and abundantly in open environments, such as the Internet. Although such information takes in most cases the form of an approximation and not of a factual and solid representation of concrete personal data, nevertheless it takes advantage of the vast increase in the amount of data recorded by database management systems as well as by a number of archiving applications and repositories of multimedia files.
British Consumers' Attitudes and Acceptance of Mobile Advertising
Authors: Laforet Sylvie , Limahelu Hannah
Published: May 2010

This wireless advertising is considered to be an important alternative advertising medium in the future, due to its numerous advantages over traditional media. However, little research has been conducted on consumer acceptance of this medium in particular, in the United Kingdom. This study explores consumers’ attitudes towards and acceptance of mobile advertising, using focus group interviews. Results indicate that British consumers generally do not accept mobile advertising. Although mobile adverts are seen as interesting, eye catching, and motivating consumers to browse. Consumers who accept the technology do not see the need to have adverts on their mobiles. Those who dislike this medium are comfortable with using the Internet through their PCs as they do not see the benefits of mobile advertising, due to its small screen and speed limitation. Managerial considerations are also discussed.
Fear of Flying and Virtual Environments
Authors: Vincenti Giovanni
Published: May 2010

Fear of flying is a common problem that many people have to face. As varied as the causes may be, all kinds of fears have many aspects in common. Much is known to us about fear, and the fields of psychology and psychiatry teach us that many times we can conquer fears simply by exposing the subject to the dreaded object. Human-Computer Interaction has branched even in this direction, including the treatment of phobias. With the help of Virtual Reality researchers around the world have recreated using a computer the way that psychologists and psychiatrists cure fears, adding a twist. Many times patients are supposed to go the extra mile and expose themselves, little by little, to what they are afraid of. Virtual Reality brings this type of exposure directly to the patient, with the comfort that such fear can be stopped at any time, since it is only a computer simulation. The most successful studies have been performed on arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders. There are also studies that deal with the fear of heights and the fear of public speaking. Some studies have also been performed on addressing the fear of flying using a virtual environment. This work is a review of such methods, and an explanation of the principles behind the motivation for these studies.
Web Presence Hosting
Authors: Burgess Stephen , Carmine Sellitto Carmine , Karanasios Stan
Published: May 2010

In earlier chapters we discussed the need to link Web presence strategy with anticipated small business direction and motivations - where this strategy would invariably be reflected in the business’s Website activities. In this chapter we examine and elaborate on the diversity of options available to the small business operator when hosting their Web presence - hosting options that can impact on Websites features. Arguably, the appropriate use of Web hosting services have evolved to the point were they are an integral part of the Web presence experience for the small business operator.
Dynamics of Public Perception and Confidence
Authors: Ding Amy Wenxuan
Published: May 2010

To guard against potential terrorist attacks and protect the public and infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and related authorities usually issue threat warning advisories to the public when there is a potential threat (CRS, 2004; DHS, 2001; PPW, 2004). The warning advisory relies on a five-color system (see Figure 2.1) that represents levels of risk related to a potential terror attack. Each threat level has a corresponding list of recommended actions that the public should take to reduce the likelihood or impact of a potential attack. Therefore, when a warning advisory is issued, authorities hope the public will follow the advisories, which are listed on the DHS’s Citizen Guidance on the Homeland Security Advisory System Web page, and take the recommended actions (Citizen, 2001; Federal, 2001). For example, as of December 31, 2007, the country remained at an elevated risk (i.e., code yellow) for a terrorist attack.
Incident Commander
Authors: Ding Amy Wenxuan
Published: May 2010

In natural or human-induced emergencies, decisions made during the very first minutes and hours are critical to successful damage control, the prevention of casualties and structural losses, and ultimately the overall resolution of the disaster (Asaeda, 2002; Aylwin et al., 2006). In the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, for example, the response efforts in the early stages included a serious mistake; as many investigations have noted, without this mistake, Three Mile Island would have been limited to a relatively insignificant incident (The President’s Commission Report, 1980). However, the initial information in emergency situations often is unclear and limited, which can lead to different interpretations of the problem. During the first few minutes of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident, more than 100 alarms went off, and there was no system for suppressing the unimportant signals so that operators could concentrate on the significant ones. That is, the information was not presented in a clear or sufficiently understandable manner. Although warnings displayed the pressure and temperature within the eactor coolant system, there was no direct indication that the combination of pressure and temperature would mean that the cooling water was turning into steam. Rather than adding cooling water then, the operators (or those who supervised them) turned off the pumps—a seriously poor decision. Obviously, understanding differences makes a difference. Different response methods may result in different resolutions, and a deficient response may increase losses.
Countering Chemical Terrorism
Authors: Ding Amy Wenxuan
Published: May 2010

An industrialized society makes widespread use of toxic chemicals, transported daily in large amounts on the roads or by rail. Approximately 800,000 shipments of hazardous substances, including chemical and petroleum products, travel daily throughout the United States by ground, rail, air, water, and pipeline (DOT, 1998). Although nearly all of these materials safely reach their destinations, many are explosive, flammable, toxic, and corrosive and can be extremely dangerous if released improperly. These materials frequently are transported over, through, and under areas that are densely populated or populated by schools, hospitals, or nursing homes, where the consequences of an acute release could result in environmental damage, severe injury, or death (DOT, 1999; AAR, 2004). According to the U.S. Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system, 643 incidents involving chemicals in the highest-ranked group—designated as those that are easy to obtain, travel far by air if released, are highly toxic, and could be used as weapons—occurred in 15 U.S. states between October 2006 and February 2007. These 643 chemical incidents affected 225 victims (who could be associated with more than one chemical) and resulted in 1,200 persons being evacuated. Table 8.1 displays the disposition of most affected people. For an industrial chemical incident, the type of chemical agent involved (if released) is normally known during the occurrence. On the basis of the agent’s characteristics and possible poisonous effects, an event-based, specific response and associated medical rescue procedure can be generated and implemented to handle and control the situation.
Clinical Decision Support Systems in Nursing
Authors: Dowding Dawn , Randell Rebecca , Mitchell Natasha , Foster Rebecca , Lattimer Valerie , Thompson Carl
Published: May 2010

Increasingly, new and extended roles and responsibilities for nurses are being supported through the introduction of clinical decision support systems (CDSS). This chapter provides an overview of research on nurses’ use of CDSS, considers the impact of CDSS on nurse decision making and patient outcomes, and explores the socio-technical factors that impact the use of CDSS. In addition to summarising previous research, both on nurses’ use of CDSS and on use of CDSS more generally, the chapter presents the results of a multi-site case study that explored how CDSS are used by nurses in practice in a range of contexts. The chapter takes a socio-technical approach, exploring the barriers and facilitators to effective CDSS use at a level of the technology itself, the ways people work, and the organisations in which they operate.
Mobile Technology in a Developing Context
Authors: Petrucka Pammla , Bassendowski Sandra , James Thomas F. , Roberts Hazel , Anonson June
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents the imperatives of mobile technologies in healthcare as these impact (or potentially) impact on development. It presents the contextual overview in development of the diffusion, penetration, and uptake of health-related mobile technologies. A consideration of the roles and responsibilities of the diaspora in the embracing of information and communication technologies is emphasized. The emphasis is on the impact of technologies, generally, and mobile technologies, specifically, in the global health context. The authors provide key exemplars of mobile technologies in development to increase understanding and demonstrate promising practices in this emergent field.
Successful Online Teaching and Learning Strategies
Authors: Oriol Mary D. , Tumulty Gail
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents a theoretical framework and research base for the successful transition of an established Master of Science in Nursing program from that of traditional classroom delivery to one that is Web-based with no geographic limitations to students. The application of socio-technical systems theory to facilitate creation of a positive learning environment for future nurse leaders is described. Use of social processes and application of technology to optimize learning is explained and the latest research on content presentation and student engagement in an e-learning environment are presented. The authors hope that through examination of successful online teaching/learning strategies, readers will have a clear understanding of the competencies necessary for students and faculty to be successful in online education.
Strategies for Creating Virtual Learning Communities
Authors: Perry Mahler Beth , Edwards Margaret
Published: May 2010

Teaching nursing online requires teachers to purposefully use strategies that facilitate the development of virtual learning communities. The chapter proposes answers to the question, “How can educators effectively teach the very social discipline of nursing in virtual classrooms?” Specific online teaching strategies including Photovoice, Virtual Reflective Centers, and Conceptual Quilting are explored. The social and socio-technical implications of teaching nursing online are considered. A final section in the chapter describes how these developments in online nursing education are changing the social and pedagogical perspectives of distance learning. Research questions that arise from this exploration are presented.
Use of Handheld Computers in Nursing Education
Authors: Farrell Maureen
Published: May 2010

The use of mobile technologies in nursing education is rapidly increasing. Handheld computers are the most frequently used of these technologies as they can provide students with information for point of care clinical reference, such as diagnostics, medical terminology, and drug references. Integrating the management and processing of information into clinical practice is an effective learning approach for students and reflects a changing paradigm in nursing education. Traditionally, nursing programs have the tendency to separate the acquisition of academic knowledge from clinical practice, and the process of integrating academic information into the decision making processes in the clinical area has been difficult for student nurses. This chapter will provide an overview of the use of handheld computers in nursing and medical education, including a brief synopsis of current use in clinical practice. It will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of their use, barriers to implementation and future directions.
Collaborative E-Gov Networks
Authors: Moumtzi Vasiliki , Chatzidimitriou Marios , Koumpis Adamantios
Published: May 2010

Work reported in this chapter relates with work carried out in the context of the European IST Project SemanticGov (www.semantic-gov.org). The project aims at implementing a set of advanced Semantic Web technologies for adoption in the European public sector to advance the level and expand the volume of e-government solutions in EU. In this chapter we elaborate on the need to (re)position the idea of providing an advanced solution for an ideally functioning e-gov island within a sea of non-interoperable e-gov process frameworks, to become parts of open-ended ventures to allow the creation of collaborative networks for Electronic Governance.
Breaking Mind Inertia for Humane Business through E-Governance
Authors: Sharma Sangeeta
Published: May 2010

The changing economic scenario is redefining the socio-cultural dynamics. The notional domains of conventional concepts are changing and therefore humanitarian commerce is emerging as the new thrust area. This chapter examines the possibilities of penetrating the mind of individual entrepreneur to facilitate shift of focus from excessive materialism to humane business. The main structure of this chapter consists of basics of mind inertia, of humane business, and of restructuring the business values. The inter-relationship is vital and visible. The mind inertia cannot be broken without shifting the focus of business from materialism to humane which is possible by evolving a neo-ethical framework. This conceptual construct is based on the premiss that individuals in consonance with their desires define function of money. This is coherent with fact that to redefine the function of money the “desire” management is inevitable. The inter-mobility within these three basics can be increased with the intervention of e-governance.
E-Participation in Local Government Decision Making
Authors: Demediuk Peter , Solli Rolf
Published: May 2010

Modern society will only reach its potential when citizens individually and collectively are able to use their knowledge and capabilities to shape their lives and communities. Citizen participation in government decision making that uses online technologies is one way of leveraging this capacity, and has been termed e-participation. Case studies of a Swedish and an Australian local government examine how e-participation fits into initiatives to increase community involvement in decision making. Interactive chat sessions between stakeholders can facilitate debate. Information portals can provide supporting information in interesting and accessible ways. E-voting can enable greater input and influence by a wider number of citizens. But ultimately the technology choice and e-participation implementation must be driven by the objectives of the engagement exercise, and these can range from better decisions to community capacity building and issues of trust and legitimacy.
The Role of Knowledge Management Security Requirements for E-Government
Authors: Ratnasingam Pauline
Published: May 2010

E-government has gained a lot of attention and public interests of government, technology providers, and researchers. Despite the growing awareness among policy makers about the prospects of the new technology for the government, past research suggests that the quality, security, and the timeliness of the services provided by e-government could be described as poor, and in many ways is still in its infancy. Further, IT security has gained tremendous importance in recent years with tragic events such as 9/11 and natural disasters caused by hurricane Katrina. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the role of knowledge management security requirements for e-government. Drawing upon the theory of knowledge management, and security requirements we develop an integrated framework of knowledge management, and security requirements for e-government. This study contributes to theory of e-government as it introduces knowledge management, and the importance of security requirements for e-government. Further, it contributes to practitioners as it increases their awareness on the importance of the security requirements in the context of e-government
Measuring Consumer Attitudes Towards Self-Service Technologies
Authors: Portillo Pizana Jesus Enrique
Published: May 2010

In the midst of many trends taking place at this historic moment – such as deregulation of industries, privatization of state-owned enterprises, geographical diversification of powerful companies and massive destruction of small ones – “there are two forces that are shaping today’s economic landscape: information technology and globalization” (Kotler 1999). By “shaping”, we mean that we are learning to harness them, to learn from them and to channel them. They are taking form, and we are trying to contribute in a small way forming them. Today, the marketplace concept has changed. Customers no longer need to move to where products are sold. They are now making the rules from the intimacy of their computers.