bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distributed Web GIS
Authors: Guan J. , Zhou S. , Zhou J. , Zhu F.
Published: May 2011

This article presents the MADGIS (Mobile Agent-based Distributed Geographic Information System) project, which aims at integrating distributed Web GIS applications by using mobile agent technologies to overcome the limitations of traditional distributed computing paradigms in a (mobile) Internet context.
Keyword-Based Language for Mobile Phones Query Services
Authors: Abdul-Mehdi Z.
Published: May 2011

This article will highlight the framework opted by the authors in developing a database query system for usage on mobile phones. As the development work is still in progress, the authors will share some of the approaches taken in developing a prototype for a relationally complete database query language. This work concentrates on developing an application-independent, relationally complete database query language. The remainder of this article is organized as follows. The next section presents some of the existing work related to the study. We then introduce and describe the framework undertaken in order to develop a database query system for mobile phones, and discuss the prototype of the database query language used by the system. We end with our conclusion.
M-Advertising
Authors: Decker M.
Published: May 2011

According to our comprehension, mobile advertising (also called “wireless advertising” or “mobile marketing”) is the presentation of advertising information on mobile handheld devices with a wireless data link like cellular phones, personal digital assistants and smartphones; however notebooks/laptops and tablet PCs are not considered as mobile devices in this sense, because they are used like stationary devices at different locations. For example SMS-messages with product offers would be a simple form of m-advertising. In this article we discuss the special features of m-advertising, but also the problems involved. Afterwards we name basic methods of m-advertising and compare their general strengths and weaknesses using a set of criteria.
Mobile Agent-Based Discovery System
Authors: Raje R. , Gandhamaneni J. , Olson A. , Bryant B.
Published: May 2011

For reasons of economy and scalability, many of the current distributed computing systems (DCSs) are realized as an integration of prefabricated and deployed components offering specific services. A critical task that the assembler of such a system needs to address is to locate and select appropriate components scattered over a network. This requires solving many research challenges. These include: (a) deployment of components and their specifications, (b) efficient searching for and gathering of appropriate specifications, (c) representation of queries, and (d) semantics of matching between queries and specifications. UniFrame (Raje, Auguston, Bryant, Olson, & Burt, 2001) is a framework that allows the seamless discovery and integration of such distributed software components. It addresses three key research issues: (1) architecture-based interoperability, (2) distributed discovery of resources, and (3) quality validation. This article presents a mobile-agent-based discovery service, which is one of the alternatives developed under research issue (2).
Mobile Commerce
Authors: Wang J.
Published: May 2011

The rapid development and deployment in wireless networks and mobile telecommunication systems are leading to a phenomenal growth of innovative and intelligent mobile applications generally referred to as mobile commerce (m-commerce). Mobile devices like the mobile phone become a necessity for everyone. M-commerce makes networks more productive by seamlessly bringing together voice, data communication, and multimedia services. There is an increasing demand in mobile applications or m-commerce. The objective of this short article is to discuss the reasons for the growth of m-commerce. First, variety of wireless and mobile telecommunication technologies will be reviewed. Second, the evolution of m-commerce application architecture will be studied. Third, we will examine the landscape of m-commerce. Finally, we conclude the article.
Mobile Healthcare Communication Infrastructure Networks
Authors: Olla P.
Published: May 2011

There are numerous wireless infrastructures available for healthcare providers to choose from. Mobile networks that provide connectivity within buildings use different protocols from the standard digital mobile technologies such as global mobile systems (GSMs), which provide wide area connectivity. The second section of this article provides a summary of these mobile technologies that are having a profound impact on the healthcare sector. This section is then followed by the conclusion.
Mobile Hunters
Authors: Lonthoff J.
Published: May 2011

This article will first summarize the current state of research in this field and then present mobile location-based gaming. Then the reader will get to know the game “Mobile Hunters.” After that, we will discuss the lessons learned from the game, and possible further developments will be considered. At the end of this, we draw a short conclusion.
Mobility and Multimodal User Interfaces
Authors: Pavlovski C. , Mitchell S.
Published: May 2011

In this article we discuss multimodal technologies that address the technical and usability constraints of the mobile phone or PDA. These environments pose several additional challenges over general mobility solutions. This includes computational strength of the device, bandwidth constraints, and screen size restrictions. We outline the requirements of mobile multimodal solutions involving cellular phones. Drawing upon several trial deployments, we summarize the key designs points from both a technology and usability standpoint, and identify the outstanding problems in these designs. We also outline several future trends in how this technology is being deployed in various application scenarios, ranging from simple voice-activated search engines through to comprehensive mobile office applications.
Notification Services for Mobile Scenarios
Authors: Decker M.
Published: May 2011

In this article we introduce the concept of generalized notification services (NSs). NSs are a simple class of services for mobile and wireless terminals, but nevertheless there are many useful services which can be modeled as NSs. Mobile and wireless terminals (MWTs) in our sense are handheld computers with a wireless interface for data communication (e.g., GPRS, UMTS, or WiFi); examples of MWTs are cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), and smart phones. Mobile services are functionalities offered by one or more remote computers (server or back-end systems) to a MWT (client). Because of the mobility of the MWT, at least the first part of the route for the necessary data communication with the server is realized using wireless standards like GPRS, UMTS, or WiFi.
An Optimal Timer for Push to Talk Controller
Authors: Alam M.
Published: May 2011

In this article, we depict some of the potential problem areas of a PoC server and provide an analytic model to ameliorate dimensioning of a PoC controller.
Pen-Based Mobile Computing
Authors: Garret B.
Published: May 2011

The original idea of a portable computer is credited to Alan Kay of the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center who suggested the idea in the 1970s (Kay, 1972a, 1972b; Kay & Goldberg, 1977). He envisioned a notebook-sized portable computer named the “Dynabook” that could be used for all of the user’s information needs and using wireless network capabilities for connectivity.
Positioning Technologies for Mobile Computing
Authors: O’Grady M.
Published: May 2011

In this review, we summarize some of the key technologies that enable the position of a mobile computer user to be determined.
Privacy Concerns for Indoor Location-Based Services
Authors: Jiménez L.
Published: May 2011

Being able to locate artifacts and persons can raise privacy concerns. In fact, these privacy concerns represent one of the most important barriers for the adoption of systems providing location-based services. Thus, effective mechanisms for addressing these privacy concerns should be implemented.
Short Message Service (SMS) as an Advertising Medium
Authors: Okazaki S.
Published: May 2011

The proliferation of the Internet-enabled mobile device has extended into many parts of the world. Collectively, the mobile-network operators paid more than $100 billion for licenses to operate “third-generation” (3G) networks, which were among “the largest bet in business history on the introduction of a new technology” (Economist, 2005). This drastic move has been most illustrated by the use of short message service (SMS) and multimedia messaging service (MMS) by mobile users. For example, a recent survey indicates that SMS in the Asia-Pacific region will increase to up to 75% of mobile subscribers in 2006 (IDC Asia/Pacific, 2003). As a result, marketers and agencies are increasingly interested in taking advantage of this growth, by incorporating SMS advertising as part of an integrated marketing communications (IMC) strategy. However, there has been little academic research on mobile advertising, perhaps because its growth is still in an early stage and the technological infrastructure varies across markets. The study has two objectives: (1) to identify the factors influencing MNCs’ managerial intention to adopt SMS advertising, and (2) to test a statistical relationship between these factors and managerial intention to use SMS advertising. To this end, we conducted telephone interviews of senior executives of MNCs operating in European markets.
A Technology Intervention Perspective of Mobile Marketing
Authors: Lee D.
Published: May 2011

“What is the difference between mobile marketing and traditional marketing?” Will this new form of marketing be effective? How will consumers respond to this form of marketing? What will be the benefit to marketers when consumers receive this type of advertising? These are just some of the issues that marketers are concerned with in order to evaluate the mobile channels for marketing purposes and are questions that are core to computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW) and technology intervention research.
3G Commercial Deployment
Authors: Peng M.
Published: May 2011

In this article, the key techniques impacting on the radio network design of TD-SCDMA are introduced. Meanwhile, some special radio network design issues for TD-SCDMA are presented.
The Wi-INET Model for Achieving M-Health Success
Authors: Wickramasinghe N. , Goldberg S.
Published: May 2011

The application of mobile commerce to healthcare—namely, m-health—appears to offer a way for healthcare delivery to revolutionize itself and simultaneously address the critical areas of access, quality, and value. Integral to such an approach is the need for a robust wireless model. We propose the Wi-INET (wireless Internet, intranet, extranet) model as the way to deliver m-health excellence.
IT Governance as Strategic Alignment
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: May 2011

Strategy can simply be defined as principles, a broad based formula, to be applied in order to achieve a purpose. These principles are general guidelines guiding the daily work to reach business goals. Strategy is the pattern of resource allocation decisions made throughout the organization. These encapsulate both desired goals and beliefs about what are acceptable and, most critically, unacceptable means for achieving them.
Industry Software Reviews Survey Design
Authors: Wong Yuk Kuen
Published: May 2011

Chapters five and six described the theoretical EIIO model; this chapter mainly focuses on industry survey design. The first section describes the research methodology and survey used to gather, collate, and analyse data for the study. After presenting the rationale for the research design, including the questionnaire design, measurement scales, and models. The chapter explores issues of validation and reliability, such as cross sectional research and construct operationalisation. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the data collection method and the analytical procedures used in the study.
Recommendations for Conducting Software Reviews
Authors: Wong Yuk Kuen
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides recommendations for conducting software reviews in software development environments. It is recommended that the software review process planning should consider three issues. These include: 1) decision on the selection of inputs, 2) a determination of the level of review meetings required, and 3) identifying the measurement metrics. For researchers, it is recommended that 1) future research should pay more attention to important relationships between software artefact characteristics and the use of supporting documents, 2) designing and conducting laboratory studies be done more realistically, 3) direct and indirect relationships between the use of inputs as predictors for software review performance, 4) the important relationships between the software artefact characteristics and meeting process factors, 5) meetings should be held when the artefact is complex, of large size and poor initial quality, 6) the use of previously reviewed software documents in relation to meeting process, 7) perceived contingency (motivation) is the most critical factor to meeting process, and 8) future studies should further concentrate on the use of previously reviewed software documents in combination with the implicit inputs, process, and performance.
Development and Implementation of Optimal KM/WM Systems
Authors: Thierauf Robert , Hoctor James
Published: May 2011

• To examine the importance of the KISS principle in the development and implementation of optimal KM/WM systems • To explore the need to take a holistic view to connect “points of wisdom” throughout the design process, to look at the cost justification of developing and implementing optimal KM/WM systems • To set forth the detailed steps essential to develop and implement successful optimal KM/WM systems
The Power of Terrorism
Authors: Colarik Andrew
Published: May 2011

Create a foundational understanding of traditional terrorism in order to apply its goals, methods, and means to cyber terrorism. Ö Identify the key elements that comprise the term terrorism. Ö Understand the political orientation of terrorism. Ö Become aware of many of terrorism’s actors throughout the world. Ö Discern many of the goals of terrorist organizations.
Relativity of Inforamtion Quality
Authors: Gackowski Zbigniew J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a qualitative inquiry into the universe of quality attributes of symbolic representation such as data and information values. It offers a rationale for a move from the internal toward the external, from the ontological to the teleological perspective. The focus is on approaches that derive attributes from established theories. The special relativity of qual-ity as applied to information values is discussed at various levels of viewing those attributes within business-decision contexts. Four cases offer examples of top-down, dataflow-up examination of quality attributes to demonstrate the potential of the teleological perspective. A rationale for a broader use of qualified names for quality attributes is given. The evolutional, by Liu and Chi (2002), and the purpose-focused, by Gackowski (2004, 2005a/b), views of operations quality offer a new potential for integrating the present theoretical contributions into a more complete, cohesive, and pragmatic model. Examples begin with the quantity and utility value of information, the direct primary attributes of quality, some of the direct secondary attributes, and end with samples of indirect attributes.
Local E-Governement in Japan
Authors: Kubo Sadaya , Shimada Tatsum
Published: May 2011

This paper explains the actual state of digital readiness of the local governments in Japan, and describes the stages of achievement in digitalization and the direction of digitalization. The items being analyzed are the digitalization of governmental administration, services to residents, and information security. Further, in order to clarify the direction of digitalization, we propose stages of progress of the digitalization of the local governments.
A Framework for Understanding Information Systems Development
Authors: Basden Andrew
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores how Dooyeweerd’s philosophy might help us understand the challenges and issues in ISD as they are seen from an everyday perspective. The information system that is developed includes both the technical artefact or system and the human context of its use, which is often organisational. The communities of practice and research in this area include those involved in programming, system design, systems analysis, organisational analysis, knowledge elicitation, modelling, and many more. First this chapter reviews the history of ISD and paradigms, and shows briefly why a new paradigmatic approach might be useful. Then it applies Dooyeweerd’s notion of multi-aspectual functioning to understand what goes on in ISD, and derives a tentative framework for understanding it.
Open Variant Process Models in Supply Chains
Authors: Engelhardt-Nowitzki C.
Published: May 2011

The following chapter will elaborate on complexity in supply chains and the implications on supply chain design. It investigates the specific requirements of supply chain processes in terms of flexibility versus standardization, evaluating the feasibility of designing, customizing, assessing, and improving logistics processes within a framework provided by process reference models. Mass customization and, in particular, the configuration approach developed by Winter for financial services will be discussed for their applicability for reducing complexity in a process environment. Process reference frameworks will be used as elements of an “open variant process model”. The Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model defined by the Supply Chain Council as the major cross-industry standard for supply chain management will be discussed for its usefulness and shortcomings in “process mass customization”, with a focus on systems implementation.
Hyperspectral Image Classification with Kernels
Authors: Bruzzone Lorenzo , Gomez-Chova Luis , Marconcini Mattia , Camps-Valls Gustavo
Published: May 2011

The information contained in hyperspectral images allows the characterization, identification, and classification of land covers with improved accuracy and robustness. However, several critical problems should be considered in the classification of hyperspectral images, among which are (a) the high number of spectral channels, (b) the spatial variability of the spectral signature, (c) the high cost of true sample labeling, and (d) the quality of data. Recently, kernel methods have offered excellent results in this context. This chapter reviews the state-of-the-art hyperspectral image classifiers, presents two recently proposed kernel-based approaches, and systematically discusses the specific needs and demands of this field.
Service-Oriented Processes
Authors: Ouyang C. , Van der Aalst W. , Dumas M.
Published: May 2011

The Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL) is an emerging standard for specifying the behaviour of Web services at different levels of details using business process modeling constructs. It represents a convergence between Web services and business process technology. This chapter introduces the main concepts and constructs of BPEL and illustrates them by means of a comprehensive example. In addition, the chapter reviews some perceived limitations of BPEL and discusses proposals to address these limitations. The chapter also considers the possibility of applying formal methods and Semantic Web technology to support the rigorous development of service-oriented processes using BPEL.
Semantic Web Service Discovery
Authors: Tsetsos V.
Published: May 2011

This chapter surveys existing approaches to Semantic Web service discovery. Such semantic discovery will probably substitute existing keyword-based solutions in the near future, in order to overcome the limitations of the latter. First, the architectural components along with potential deployment scenarios are discussed. Subsequently, a wide range of algorithms and tools that have been proposed for the realization of Semantic Web service discovery are presented. Moreover, key challenges and open issues, not addressed by current systems, are identified. The purpose of this chapter is to update the reader on the current progress in this area of the distributed systems domain and to provide the required background knowledge and stimuli for further research and experimentation in semantics-based service discovery.
Perspectives on Reference Modeling
Authors: Fettke Peter , Loos Peter
Published: May 2011

Conceptual models play an increasingly important role in all phases of the information systems life cycle. For instance, they are used for business engineering, information systems development, and customizing of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. Despite conceptual modeling being a vital instrument for developing information systems, the modeling process often is resource-consuming and faulty. As a way to overcome these failures and to improve the development of enterprise-specific models, the concept of reference modeling has been introduced. A reference model is a conceptual framework and may be used as a blueprint for information systems development. In this Chapter, we seek to motivate research on reference modeling and introduce the chapters of this book on using reference models for business systems analysis. Our discussion is based on a framework for research on reference modeling that consists of four elements: reference modeling languages, reference modeling methods, reference models, and reference modeling context. Each element of the framework is discussed with respect to prior research, the contributions of chapters in this book, and future research opportunities.
Integrating ICTs in African Development
Authors: Rezaian Bobak
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews the role of information and communication technologies in socioeconomic development and poverty-reduction programs in sub-Saharan countries. To this end, the author first provides an overview of the status of ICTs and national ICT strategies in sub-Saharan Africa. He then analyzes the treatment of ICTs in three major policy documents that provide the framework for economic growth and poverty reduction efforts in most developing countries. These are (a) national poverty-reduction strategies, (b) country assistance strategies of the World Bank, and (c) poverty-reduction support credits. The analysis reveals that while a majority of national ICT policies strongly promote the use of ICTs for socioeconomic development, the poverty-reduction and country assistance strategies focus primarily on the use of ICTs in public-sector management. Hence, there is a persistent disconnection between the ICT policies and the poverty-reduction strategies. The author identifies some of the main challenges and the substantial opportunities that would arise from the mainstreaming of ICTs in national development initiatives.
Value Shop Configuration
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: May 2011

To comprehend the value that information technology provides to organizations, we must first understand the way a particular organization conducts business and how information systems affect the performance of various component activities within the organization. Understanding how firms differ is a central challenge for both theory and practice of management. For a long time, Porter’s (1985) value chain was the only value configuration known to managers. Stabell and Fjeldstad (1998) have identified two alternative value configurations. A value shop schedules activities and applies resources in a fashion that is dimensioned and appropriate to the need’s of the client’s problem, while a value chain performs a fixed set of activities that enables it to produce a standard product in large numbers. Examples of value shops are professional service firms, as found in medicine, law, architecture and engineering. A value network links clients or customers who are or wish to be interdependent. Examples of value networks are telephone companies, retail banks and insurance companies. A value configuration describes how value is created in a company for its customers. A value configuration shows how the most important business processes function to create value for customers. A value configuration represents the way a particular organization conducts business.
Insourcing Knowledge
Authors: Gottschalk Petter
Published: May 2011

The term outsourcing can be studied further by using the opposite term of insourcing. Hirschheim and Lacity (2000) define insourcing as the practice of evaluating the outsourcing option, but confirming the continued use of internal IT resources to achieve the same objectives of outsourcing. They studied six decision factors: decision scope, decision sponsor, evaluation process, year of decision, size of the organization, and decision outcome. Lacity et al. (1996) define total insourcing as the management and provision of at least 80 percent of the IT budget internally after evaluating the IT service market. The common element of the two definitions seems to be that customers evaluate the external IT services market before a sourcing decision takes place.
Reducing Negative Complexity by a Computational Semiotic System
Authors: Doben-Henisch Gerd
Published: May 2011

The chapter describes the set-up for an experiment in computational semiotics. Starting with a hypothesis about negative complexity in the environment of human persons today it describes a strategy, how to assist human persons to reduce this complexity by using a semiotic system. The basic ingredients of this strategy are a visual programming interface with an appropriate abstract state machine, which has to be realized by distributed virtual machines. The distributed virtual machines must be scalable, have to allow parallel processing, have to be fault tolerant, and should have the potential to work in real time. The objects, which have to be processed by these virtual machines, are logical models (LModels), which represent dynamic knowledge, including self learning systems. The descriptions are based on a concrete open source project called Planet Earth Simulator.
The Evolution of a Framework for Mixed Reality Experiences
Authors: Hughes Charles E. , Stapleton Christopher B. , O’Connor Matthew R.
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the evolution of a software system specifically designed to support the creation and delivery of Mixed Reality (MR) experiences. We first describe some of the attributes required of such a system. We then present a series of MR experiences that we have developed over the last four years, with companion sections on lessons learned and lessons applied. We conclude with several sample scripts that one might write to create experiences within the current version of this system. The authors’ goals are to show the readers the unique challenges in developing an MR system for multimodal, multi-sensory experiences and to demonstrate how developing MR applications informs the evolution of such a framework.
The Future of Augmented Reality Gaming
Authors: Thomas Bruce H.
Published: May 2011

Entertainment systems are one of the successful utilisations of augmented reality technologies to real world applications. This chapter provides my personal insights into the future directions of the use of augmented reality with gaming applications. This chapter explores a number of advances in technologies that may enhance augmented reality gaming. The features for both indoor and outdoor augmented reality are examined in context of their desired attributes for the gaming community. A set of concept games for outdoor augmented reality are presented to highlight novel features of this technology.
Minign Critical Infrastructure Information from Municipality Data Sets
Authors: Tolone William J. , Xiang Wei-Ning , Raja Anita , Wilson David , Tang Qianhong , McWilliams Ken
Published: May 2011

An essential task in critical infrastructure protection is the assessment of critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. The use of scenario sets is widely regarded as the best form for such assessments. Unfortunately, the construction of scenario sets is hindered by a lack in the public domain of critical infrastructure information as such information is commonly confidential, proprietary, or business sensitive. At the same time, there is a wealth of municipal data in the public domain that is pertinent to critical infrastructures. However, to date, there are no reported studies on how to extract only the most relevant CI information from these municipal sources, nor does a methodology exist that guides the practice of CI information mining on municipal data sets. This problem is particularly challenging as these data sets are typically voluminous, heterogeneous, and even entrapping. In this chapter, we propose a knowledge-driven methodology that facilitates the extraction of CI information from public domain, i.e., open source, municipal data sets. Under this methodology, pieces of deep, though usually tacit, knowledge acquired from CI domain experts are employed as keys to decipher the massive sets of municipal data and extract the relevant CI information. The proposed methodology was tested successfully on a municipality in the Southeastern United States. The methodology is considered a viable choice for CIP professionals in their efforts to gather CI information for scenario composition and vulnerability assessment.
C. M. Ko, Compostar Technology Corporation
Authors: Ko Lucas Chain
Published: May 2011

This book is about the experiences of contemporary chief information officers (CIO). CIOs in New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United States of America agreed to participate. They also agreed to be identified along with the name of their company. They provided their interpretation of issues that have been dealt with and those they anticipate having to deal with in the foreseeable future. The results of the interviews allowed the identification of emerging themes related to management and technological aspects. Another important result is the identification of an alignment issue. That is, it is important to ensure that the interpretation of the CIO role is clearly and explicitly agreed upon by both the chief executive officer (CEO) and the CIO.
Kathleen Starkoff, Limited Brands
Authors: Starkoff Kathleen
Published: May 2011

This book is about the experiences of contemporary chief information officers (CIO). CIOs in New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United States of America agreed to participate. They also agreed to be identified along with the name of their company. They provided their interpretation of issues that have been dealt with and those they anticipate having to deal with in the foreseeable future. The results of the interviews allowed the identification of emerging themes related to management and technological aspects. Another important result is the identification of an alignment issue. That is, it is important to ensure that the interpretation of the CIO role is clearly and explicitly agreed upon by both the chief executive officer (CEO) and the CIO.
John Zarb, Libbey
Authors: Zarb John
Published: May 2011

This book is about the experiences of contemporary chief information officers (CIO). CIOs in New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United States of America agreed to participate. They also agreed to be identified along with the name of their company. They provided their interpretation of issues that have been dealt with and those they anticipate having to deal with in the foreseeable future. The results of the interviews allowed the identification of emerging themes related to management and technological aspects. Another important result is the identification of an alignment issue. That is, it is important to ensure that the interpretation of the CIO role is clearly and explicitly agreed upon by both the chief executive officer (CEO) and the CIO.
Reviewing CIO Comments
Authors: Hunter M. Gordon
Published: May 2011

This book is about the experiences of contemporary chief information officers (CIO). CIOs in New Zealand, Taiwan, and the United States of America agreed to participate. They also agreed to be identified along with the name of their company. They provided their interpretation of issues that have been dealt with and those they anticipate having to deal with in the foreseeable future. The results of the interviews allowed the identification of emerging themes related to management and technological aspects. Another important result is the identification of an alignment issue. That is, it is important to ensure that the interpretation of the CIO role is clearly and explicitly agreed upon by both the chief executive officer (CEO) and the CIO.
Measurement Models in the Intellectual Capital Theory
Authors: Van den Berg H.
Published: May 2011

Intellectual capital in the form of intangible assets is now variously estimated to constitute 60-75 percent of corporate value, on average. Current debates about intellectual capital are part of the search for a methodology to measure the knowledge base of a firm. This is critical since a failure to properly conceptualize the nature and value of knowledge assets condemns firms and whole economies to fight competitive battles with outdated weapons and tactics. The purpose of this chapter is to present a comparative evaluation of some of the most commonly known intellectual capital (IC) measurement models. These models include Skandia’s IC Navigator, Intellectual Capital Services’ ICIndex™, The Technology Broker’s IC Audit, Sveiby’s intangible asset monitor (IAM), citation-weighted patents, and real option theory. Each model is classified along dimensions of temporal orientation, system dynamics, and causal direction.
Method for Aligning Information Technology Resources to the Knowledge Management of an Organization
Authors: Osvaldo De Sordi J. , Contador J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses and introduces a quantitative method for aligning information technology resources to the knowledge management of an organization whose purpose is to quantify the intensity of the available software functionalities, so as to maximize the benefits and minimize costs of the knowledge management process. Two important topics had to be developed for devising this method, whose results also are presented: the cycle of activities for an effective knowledge management and the description of functionalities, which may be implemented by means of software algorithms, with a potential to contribute to one or more process activities of knowledge management. The most important thing to emphasize about the method proposed herein is its capacity of aligning investments in information technology resources to the organization’s knowledge management process and the capacity of defining priorities for investments in software functionalities and proper algorithms for knowledge management.
Improved Seismic Design Procedures and Evolutionary Tools
Authors: Fragiadakis Michalis , Lagaros Nikos D. , Tsompanakis Yiannis , Papadrakakis Manolis
Published: May 2011

Four alternative analytical procedures are recommended by the design codes for the structural analysis of buildings under earthquake loading. The objective of this chapter is to assess these procedures by integrating them in the framework of structural optimization. The evaluation is based on the European seismic design code, where procedures based on both linear and nonlinear response history analysis are adopted. In order to realistically simulate seismic actions, suites of both natural and artificial ground-motion records are used. For the solution of the optimization problem an evolutionary algorithm is adopted. The results obtained demonstrate the advantages of using more elaborate seismic design procedures, based on a detailed simulation of the structural behaviour and the applied seismic loading, as opposed to the commonly used simplified design methodologies. Designs with less material cost combined with better seismic performance are obtained when nonlinear response history analysis is performed.
Differing Challenges and Different Achievements
Authors: Blass E. , Ettinger A. , Holton V.
Published: May 2011

Higher education has traditionally been provided in universities through lectures, seminars and tutorials, and other social mechanisms of learning where students interact in less formal settings. This chapter highlights some of the differences that occur when higher education is provided by e-learning provisions and argues that the challenges that students face and the differences in student-tutor and student-student interactions are sufficiently different to warrant that such degrees be awarded under a separate qualification classification. Drawing on research carried out at Ashridge Business School, UK, into the realities of getting started in e-learning, and a literature review of e-student and e-tutor issues, the argument is made that actually succeeding at this form of learning requires additional skills, motivation and discipline that should be more widely recognized, and that this would be best achieved through a separate qualifications classification. Such a classification would also ensure that e-learning degrees are equivalent to their more traditionally earned counterparts.
Social Implications of E-Mentoring
Authors: Godshalk V.
Published: May 2011

E-mentoring, also known as online mentoring or virtual mentoring, is changing the way that traditional mentor and protégé dyad members interact with each other. Mentoring has been widely known for its ability to enhance the career development, and to provide psychosocial support, for more junior organizational members. Through the use of computer-mediated communication technology, e-mentoring may allow individuals to bridge geographic and time differences. However, there is still much we do not know about e-mentoring and its social effects. This chapter focuses on whether or not computer-mediated communication (CMC) technology will allow for true mentoring relationships to develop, as well as what personal characteristics may be necessary to grow these virtual relationships. A model and proposition for future research are offered.
Social Aspects of Open Source Software
Authors: Lakka S.
Published: May 2011

Open source software/free software (OSS/FS), also abbreviated as FLOSS/FOSS (free/libre and open source software), has risen to great prominence. Existing literature from diverse disciplines or through interdisciplinary studies have tried to explain the growth and success of the phenomenon. This chapter describes and discusses OSS/FS under the scope of three major aspects: motivations that lead to OSS/FS, the organization of OSS/FS communities and the economic theory as a means of explaining the manifold phenomenon. Furthermore, the chapter analyzes the social implications that lie underneath the OSS/FS diffusion, together with the social processes that take place in OSS/FS communities in an effort to enhance our understanding of the diverse mechanisms that disseminate OSS/FS rapidly.
Concurrent Programming with Multi-Agents and the Chemical Abstract Machine
Authors: Ma Wanli , Tran Dat
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we propose a new concurrent programming approach called MACH (multi-agent extended chemical abstract machine). MACH extends the chemical abstract machine with multiple coexisting agents. This paper focuses on the design, implementation, and verification of MACH. The aim of MACH is to develop a reactive programming language based on an interactive computational model, which we believe is the key to concurrent programming. We present MACH as a simple and efficient programming approach based on a sound theoretical background.
Toward Agent-Based Grid Computing
Authors: Wang Lizhe
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses research issues related to agent-based Grid computing. Grid computing now becomes an innovative computing paradigm and helps build non-traditional computing infrastructures and applications. Multiple-agent systems and algorithms, on the other hand, mainly focus on solving corporative problems among multiple participants, mainly from theoretical aspects. It is thus a natural choice to combine these two key technologies together and benefit both research communities. This chapter first reviews background for multi-agent system, agent-based computing, and Grid computing. Research challenges and issues are characterized and identified together with possible solutions. After the investigation of current research efforts of agent-based Grid computing, future research trends are presented and studied.
Three Perspectives on Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Gao Yang , Wang Hao
Published: May 2011

This chapter concludes three perspectives on multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL): (1) cooperative MARL, which performs mutual interaction between cooperative agents; (2) equilibrium-based MARL, which focuses on equilibrium solutions among gaming agents; and (3) best-response MARL, which suggests a no-regret policy against other competitive agents. Then the authors present a general framework of MARL, which combines all the three perspectives in order to assist readers in understanding the intricate relationships between different perspectives. Furthermore, a negotiation-based MARL algorithm based on meta-equilibrium is presented, which can interact with cooperative agents, games with gaming agents, and provides the best response to other competitive agents.
A Multi-Agent System for Optimal Supply Chain Management
Authors: Choi Hyung Rim , Kim Hyun Soo
Published: May 2011

Supply chain management recently has been developing into a dynamic environment that has to accept the changes in the formation of the supply chain. In other words, the supply chain is not static but varies dynamically according to the environmental changes. Therefore, under this dynamic supply chain environment, the priority is given not to the management of the existing supply chain but to the selection of new suppliers and outsourcing companies in order to organize an optimal supply chain. The objective of this research is to develop a multi-agent system that enables the effective formation and management of an optimal supply chain. The multi agent system for optimal supply chain management developed in this research is a multi agent system based on the scheduling algorithm, a cooperative scheduling methodology, which enables the formation of an optimal supply chain and its management. By means of active communications among internal agents, a multi-agent system for optimal supply chain management makes it possible to quickly respond to the production environment changes such as the machine failure or outage of outsourcing companies and the delivery delay of suppliers. This research has tried to suggest a new direction and new approach to the optimal supply chain management by means of a multi-agent system in dynamic supply chain environment
Language Evolution and Robotics
Authors: Vogt Paul
Published: May 2011

This chapter focuses on recent studies on the origins and evolution of language which have used multiple robot systems as their primary platform. After presenting some theoretical background regarding language evolution and the symbol grounding problem, the chapter discusses a number of themes within the evolutionary linguistics that have been subject of robotic studies this far. These themes include categorisation, the formation of vocabularies, the evolution of grammar and the emergence of meaningful communication. Following this review, future avenues for research are discussed. The objective of the chapter is to present why robotics is a fruitful approach to study language origins and evolution, identify the main topics, report the major achievements and problems and provide a roadmap to future studies. The chapter concludes that robotics is, indeed, a very promising methodology to study language evolution and that, although many insights have been gained, we are still closer to the starting point than to the endpoint.
Making Meaning in Computers
Authors: MacLennan Bruce
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes synthetic ethology, a scientific methodology in which we construct synthetic worlds in which synthetic agents evolve and become coupled to their environment. First we review the motivations for synthetic ethology as an experimental methodology and explain how it can be used to investigate intentionality and meaning, and the mechanisms from which they emerge, with a special emphasis on communication and language. Second, we present several examples of such experiments, in which genuine (i.e., not simulated) meaningful communication evolved in a population of simple agents. Finally, we discuss the extension of the synthetic ethology paradigm to the problems of structured communications and mental states, complex environments and embodied intelligence, and suggest one way in which this extension could be accomplished. Indeed, synthetic ethology offers a new tool in a comprehensive research program investigating the neuro-evolutionary basis of cognitive processes.
Enhancing the Employability of ICT Students with Hybrid Skills
Authors: Duan Yanqing , Li Daoliang
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes an empirical study that aimed to collect UK small business managers’ views on the importance of staff skills in supporting their business operations and success. The study formed an important part of the HAPPINESS Project funded by the European Commission. The project proposed a hybrid skills model for identifying skill needs to meet the demand in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. It is argued that a competent ICT worker should possess not only technical skills, but also other skills such as skills in communication and management, and skills to enable them to operate effectively in a business environment. This argument is discussed in the literature and supported by the empirical evidence collected in the survey conducted with UK small business managers. The hybrid training approach proposed by HAPPINESS attempts to address the problem of skills shortage in ICT by developing appropriate training needs identification methods and matching the identified personal training needs with a proposed hybrid training provision. The challenge, however, remains for higher education institutes and training organizations to prepare ICT students to respond to the hybrid skill needs of enterprises.
Of Experts and Apprentices
Authors: Reinhardt Christian , Hemetsberger Andrea
Published: May 2011

Free and open source software (F/OSS) communities are self-organizing, social entities that collaboratively create knowledge and innovate. Their fundamentally new approach of developing software challenges traditional principles of collaboration and learning. In contrast to well-organized and planned commercial projects, F/OSS development constitutes a continuous, iterative process of constant, incremental improvements made by various self-motivated contributors. Within such projects, organizational structures emerge that enable a large number (i.e., hundreds or even thousands) of volunteers to commit themselves to freely chosen work, yet collaboratively realize a joint enterprise. The success of F/OSS communities genuinely depends on a constant flux of new members in order to ensure the sustainability. These aspirant members must be culturally integrated and taught, in order to become expert members. This, in turn, increases complexity. Hence, these integration processes must be sophisticated, yet simple. Project coordination and new member integration, therefore, play a key role for the success of F/OSS communities. This is a challenging task, given that developers rarely meet face-to-face. New member integration takes place in online environments. It is their design and usage that are crucial for the success of such online efforts. The aim of this chapter is to discuss new member integration and learning, firstly in a theoretical manner applying a “communities of practice” perspective on F/OSS communities, and secondly by providing empirical evidence from the KDE project.