bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
M-Commerce in the U.S. and China Retail Industry
Authors: Zhang J. L. , Quan J. , Frost Raymond
Published: May 2011

The main objective of this chapter is to investigate the current trends and future endeavors of mobile commerce in the retail industry in an effort to establish a greater understanding and awareness of the technology, problems, business models, applications and critical success factors it provides to consumer subscribers and business users. Case study is used to illustrate critical success factors for successfully implementing m-commerce in organizations.
Perception of Mobile Technology Provision in Health Service
Authors: Oddershede Astrid M. , Carrasco Rolando A.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter the user interface perception and resources for Mobile Technology (MT) support in healthcare service activities is investigated. Most procedures oriented to provide better operation and quality of health service depends on the existing information and communication technology (ICT) system However, the implementation of new technology competes with funding available for health institutions resources, hence introducing them is complex. The technical difficulties encountered in using ICT are: an inadequate physical infrastructure, QoS issues and insufficient access by the user to the hardware/software communication infrastructure. A case study by multi-criteria approach was investigated involving three categories of hospitals in Chile and empirical data was collected comprising diverse health sector representatives. The main contribution is the proposed research decision-making model using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to evaluate and compare information and communications systems as fixed, wireless or computer-assisted provisions for health related activities and to identify the high priority dimensions in a healthcare service.
A Formal Analysis of Virtual Enterprise Creation and Operation
Authors: Jacobsson Andreas , Davidsson Paul
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces a formal model of virtual enterprises, as well as an analysis of their creation and operation. It is argued that virtual enterprises offer a promising approach to promote both innovations and collaboration between companies. A framework of integrated ICT-tools, called Plug and Play Business, which support innovators in turning their ideas into businesses by dynamically forming virtual enterprises, is also formally specified. Furthermore, issues regarding the implementation of this framework are discussed and some useful technologies are identified.
Norm Emergence in Multi-Agent Societies
Authors: Savarimuthu Bastin Tony Roy , Purvis Maryam , Cranefield Stephen
Published: May 2011

Norms are shared expectations of behaviours that exist in human societies. Norms help societies by increasing the predictability of individual behaviours and by improving cooperation and collaboration among members. Norms have been of interest to multi-agent system researchers, as software agents intend to follow certain norms. But, owing to their autonomy, agents sometimes violate norms, which needs monitoring. In order to build robust MAS that are norm compliant and systems that evolve and adapt norms dynamically, the study of norms is crucial. Our objective in this chapter is to propose a mechanism for norm emergence in artificial agent societies and provide experimental results. We also study the role of autonomy and visibility threshold of an agent in the context of norm emergence.
Artificial Neural Network and Metaheuristic Strategies
Authors: Mukherjee Indrajit , Ray Pradip Kumar
Published: May 2011

Application of optimization tools and techniques is necessary and an essential requirement for any metal cutting-based manufacturing unit to respond effectively to severe competitiveness and increasing demand of quality product in the global market. However, both problem types and techniques employed are diverse. Often the context of the problem involves building nonlinear inferential response surface model(s) of the process(s), and then determine levels of inputs and in-process parameters that result in best (or significantly improved than existing) measures of process quality improvement and effectiveness. Selecting the appropriate levels or settings of inputs and in-process variables is a typical example of desired process effectiveness. However, determination of optimal process conditions, using appropriate solution methodology through cost-effective inferential nonlinear response surface model(s) is a challenging and continual research endeavour for researchers and practitioners. In this context, artificial neural network (ANN) and metaheuristic strategies, such as genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA), and tabu search (TS), either in its original form or its variant, has been shown to yield promising outcomes for solving nonlinear response surface optimization problems in metal cutting process(s). The goal of this chapter is to assess the status and scope of artificial neural network-based inferential model, GA, SA, and TS-based metaheuristic search stategies in metal cutting processes. Subsequently, a solution methodology for nonlinear response surface optimization in metal cutting processes is proposed for the benefits of selection of an appropriate technique. Specific application in a multiple response grinding process optimization problem using ANN, realvalued genetic algorithm, simulated annealing, and a modified tabu search is also provided for a clearer understanding of the settings, where the proposed methodology is being used.
The Hidden Deception of Knowledge Management Systems
Authors: Mannor Michael J.
Published: May 2011

Drawing on the Carnegie tradition of bounded rationality, knowledge theory, and research on core rigidities, this research examines the potential unintended consequences of knowledge management systems on organizational routines. Although knowledge management systems promote interpersonal knowledge transfer, individual cognitive biases toward satisficing rather than optimal search are exaggerated by knowledge management systems that create a convenient proximal search environment of existing organizational knowledge that biases individuals against broader search. This behavioral bias toward proximal search then leads to the rigid persistence of organizations in existing knowledge traditions and declining radical innovation. To help address these concerns, the paper concludes with an analysis of how this rigidity can potentially be overcome through the strategic management of knowledge management infrastructure.
The Business Expansion Process of Applied Research Center (ARC)
Authors: González José Luis , Loyarte Edurne , Peña Iñaki
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to describe a real story where key subjects related to a business expansion process of a young IT-based applied research center (ARC) are discussed. More specifically, key theoretical notions will be examined linked to the day-to-day events occurred in ARC. This IT-based organization traced an original expansion trajectory based on the creation of two spin-offs during its infancy period. This chapter highlights general concerns associated with knowledge management and the capacity of innovation which emerged during the business expansion process. For purposes of this study, these concerns can be classified in three main theoretical areas: Entrepreneurship, Interpreneurship and Intrapreneurship.
Neurofeedback
Authors: Vernon David
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces neurofeedback as a mechanism for altering human brain functioning and in turn influencing behavior. It argues that neurofeedback provides a plausible mechanism by which the individual can learn to alter and control aspects of his electrocortical activity. The chapter highlights some of the findings from both clinical and optimal performance research, showing the benefits of neurofeedback training, and outlines some of the important issues that remain to be addressed. It is hoped that outlining some of the issues that have yet to be resolved will serve a dual purpose. Initially it will assist in the understanding of some of the theoretical and methodological limitations that may be holding the field back. In addition, it is hoped that such information will stimulate researchers to work toward designing more efficient and effective research protocols and paradigms.
Improving Global Knowledge Management Through Inclusion of Host Country Workforce Input
Authors: Paik Yongsun
Published: May 2011

Within a framework of international strategy for multinational corporations, this chapter examines the important opportunities afforded by taking a more inclusive approach to the foreign subsidiary host country workforce (HCW). It argues that past international management writing and practice, with its expatriate bias, has neglected consideration of this important resource. Not only can the HCW help expatriate managers be more successful and have a better experience in the host country, but it can contribute to and benefit from the corporate knowledge base, leading to more effective global knowledge management. The authors discuss means by which a multinational corporation can effectively include the HCW in its knowledge management activities.
Managing Knowledge Diversity in Distributed Organizational Structures
Authors: Paraponaris Claude
Published: May 2011

Knowledge in organizations can be compared with human memory. There is no unique place for creating and conserving knowledge. Knowledge in Multinationals realize it’s potential with various tools of management. The diversity of tools leads to the issue of coordinating levels of management. How managing different tools of KM without disrupting the knowledge creating process? To address this issue we analyses several knowledge management strategies of high technologies industries (computer, telecommunications and pharmacy). In these cases diversity encourages implementation of knowledge management tools. The precision of these tools indicates the firm’s competence in managing and diffusing knowledge. An important conclusion that can be drawn is that several factors (redundancy, diversity, discussion and duration) can reinforce these competences and, in fact: network mechanisms in organization.
Security
Authors: Rada Roy
Published: May 2011

Privacy and security of health information is a global concern. However, this chapter will focus on approaches to security in the United States. In particular, the federal regulation of security in the form of the Security Rule will be studied. The HIPAA Security Rule details the system and administrative requirements that a covered entity must meet in order to assure that health information is safe from people without authorization for its access. By contrast, the Privacy Rule describes the requirements that govern the circumstances under which protected health information must be used or disclosed with and without patient involvement and when a patient may have access to his or her protected health information. The implementation of reasonable and appropriate security measures supports compliance with the Privacy Rule.
Disintermediated Education
Authors: Mitev Helena , Crowther David
Published: May 2011

In this paper we argue that one of the benefits of IT is its role in enabling the disintermediation of education to provide an environment in which all can participate. In the context of this chapter however we focus on the role of the internet as a disintermediating technology. There are many ramifications to this but our focus is upon the implications as far as education is concerned. The controlling mechanisms of education have been cost and geographical access. The Internet has changed both of these through its disintermediating function, potentially allowing access to all. The purpose of this chapter is to theorise this in considering the prognosis for development in various parts of the world.
Mining Allocating Patterns in Investment Portfolios
Authors: Wang Yanbo J. , Zheng Xinwei , Coenen Frans
Published: May 2011

An association rule (AR) is a common type of mined knowledge in data mining that describes an implicative co-occurring relationship between two sets of binary-valued transaction-database attributes, expressed in the form of an ? rule. A variation of ARs is the (WARs), which addresses the weighting issue in ARs. In this chapter, the authors introduce the concept of “one-sum” WAR and name such WARs as allocating patterns (ALPs). An algorithm is proposed to extract hidden and interesting ALPs from data. The authors further indicate that ALPs can be applied in portfolio management. Firstly by modelling a collection of investment portfolios as a one-sum weighted transaction- database that contains hidden ALPs. Secondly the authors show that ALPs, mined from the given portfolio-data, can be applied to guide future investment activities. The experimental results show good performance that demonstrates the effectiveness of using ALPs in the proposed application.
Music Information Retrieval in P2P Networks
Authors: Karydis Ioannis
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we present the most significant trends in recent research in the field of content-based music information retrieval in peer-to-peer networks. Despite the diminished attention the area has received in general terms, the relatively close area of metadata MIR in P2P is by far new. As metadata prove to be inefficient for the purposes of MIR as well as the peculiarities of music in comparison to text and image data, developing dedicated solutions for CBMIR in P2P networks becomes a necessity while the challenges faced therein, unique. Depending on the type of P2P network, a number of prominent research works are presented and compared in this chapter.
From Theory to Practice
Authors: Eisler George , Tan Joseph , Sheps Samuel
Published: May 2011

The challenge of conceptualizing healthcare technology management (HCTM) construct begins with an extensive literature content analysis to generate a set of definitions and attributes of the technology management (TM) concept, which was eventually extended to HCTM. To move from a theoretical framework to understanding best practices in HCTM, a critical step is the development of an instrument through a formal design process involving expert panel review, pilot testing, and instrument refinement and field-testing in order to extract and measure HCTM performance indicators. This metric that was generated for its formalization was then used to assess HCTM best practices. This chapter, which discusses the flow of HCTM theoretical framework into best practices, provides insights into the status of HCTM practices in Canadian teaching hospitals.
Using Genetic Programming to Extract Knowledge from Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Rivero Daniel , Varela Miguel , Pereira Javier
Published: May 2011

A technique is described in this chapter that makes it possible to extract the knowledge held by previously trained artificial neural networks. This makes it possible for them to be used in a number of areas (such as medicine) where it is necessary to know how they work, as well as having a network that functions. This chapter explains how to carry out this process to extract knowledge, defined as rules. Special emphasis is placed on extracting knowledge from recurrent neural networks, in particular when applied in predicting time series.
Emergence of Creativity
Authors: Thórisson Hrafn Thorri
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a theory of natural creativity and its relation to certain features of intelligence and cognitive faculties. To test the theory we employ simulated worlds of varying complexity, inhabited by creatures with a genetically-evolving mental model. Plan-making strategies are compared between creatures in each of these worlds. The results show that creative behaviors are governed by the world’s structural coherence and complexity. In light of the results we present a new definition of creativity, propose a theory for why creativity evolves in nature, and discuss creativity’s relation to perception, goals, logic, understanding, and imagination. Creativity has been a difficult concept to define and its exact relationship with intelligence remains to be explained. The theoretical framework presented is proposed as a foundation and tool for furthering understanding of natural creativity and to help develop creative artificially intelligent systems.
Solving the Sensory Information Bottleneck to Central Processing in Adaptive Systems
Authors: Nilsson Thomy
Published: May 2011

Information bottlenecks are an inevitable consequence when a complex system adapts by increasing its information input. Input and output bottlenecks are due to geometrical limits that arise because the area available for connections from an external surface always exceeds the area available for connections to an internal surface. Processing of the additional information faces an internal bottleneck As more elements increase the size of a processor, its interface surface increases more slowly than its volume. These bottlenecks had to be overcome before more complex life forms could evolve. Based on mapping studies, it is generally agreed that sensory inputs to the brain are organized as convergent-divergent networks. However, no one has previously explained how such networks can conserve the location and magnitude of any particular stimulus. The solution to a convergent-divergent network that overcomes bottleneck problems turns out to be surprisingly simple and yet restricted.
LARGE-SCALE INTERACTION STRATEGIES FOR ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE DISCUSSION
Authors: Giguere Paul , Formica Scott W. , Harding Wayne M. , Cummins Michele R.
Published: May 2011

Designing online trainings or courses for large numbers of participants can prove to be challenging for instructors and facilitators. Online learning environments need to be structured in a way that preserves actual or perceived levels of interaction, participant perceptions of value and utility, and achievement of the learning objectives. This chapter describes five Large-Scale Interaction Strategies that offer guidance for addressing some of these online instructional design issues. Evaluation data are presented in support of two of the strategies, and recommendations are provided about how future research in this area might be conducted.
What the Future Holds
Authors: Abresch John , Hanson Ardis , Heron Susan Jane , Rheeling Peter J.
Published: May 2011

Geographic information is ubiquitous, from MapQuest in Google to the use of global positioning systems on PDAs and automobiles. More people use geographic information on a daily basis, from directions and a review of a local restaurant to building new infrastructures for communities. Therefore, libraries and librarians should be planning on how best to obtain, market, and provide this type of information for their users’ personal and professional needs. What are some of the emerging themes in geographic information systems, particularly for libraries? In the convergence of services and resources, emergent themes are cartography; platform/network development; “geoweb” services and resources; geodata management trends; and societal impacts. Sui (2004) postulates that GIScience research will be involved in “computational, spatial, social, environmental, and aesthetic dimensions” (p. 65), therefore “geocomputation, spatially integrated social sciences, social informatics, information ecology, and humanistic GIScience” are areas of research to watch (p. 65). This chapter will address these themes from both a GIS and libraries perspective.
The Future of Online Learning
Authors: Caladine Richard
Published: May 2011

To write about technology is to write about change. In the first decade of the 21st century the rate of change of technology is greater than ever before. At a recent meeting of human resource developers using online learning, an executive of a local, national broadcaster mentioned that a year ago his organization did not know what podcasting was and that today they have managers of it. Change in technology has been recognized by almost all who live in developed countries, and it is clear to most that the only certainty about technology is that, for the foreseeable future at least, it will continue to change. Yet a conundrum appears to exist as fundamentally, little has changed about online learning or e-learning in higher education and human resource development for the past 10 or so years. Content is still predominantly text-based and the communications tools are generally limited to text. This contrasts markedly with the trend in other online experiences to include audio, video animation as well as text and graphics. This book argues that it is high time for e-learning to change. The book puts forward theoretical models designed to assist trainers, teachers, and instructional designers to create e-learning where rich media are used for content as well as interactions.
Technology Operation and Concepts for Teachers
Authors: Chen Irene , Thielemann Jane
Published: May 2011

The teacher knows technology terminology and concepts; the appropriate use of hardware, software, and digital files; and how to acquire, analyze, and evaluate digital information.
Design, Produce, and Distribute Educational Multimedia Products
Authors: Chen Irene , Thielemann Jane
Published: May 2011

The teacher knows how to design, produce, and distribute multimedia products.
Perspectives on Online Teaching
Authors: Gudea Sorin Walter
Published: May 2011

The general focus of the chapter is on the various perspectives of online teaching. Specifically, its objective is to review what has been published in the academic literature about the online teaching environment and its various aspects.
The Online Teaching Experience
Authors: Gudea Sorin Walter
Published: May 2011

The chapter explores how teachers use information technology for their online courses, and the possible variations in the meaning they derive from their online teaching experiences. The interviewed teachers share their online experiences and offer several interesting suggestions. Technology is ubiquitous in everybody’s life nowadays, and teachers are no exception to this rule. Whether teaching in the traditional classroom only, or online, the greatest majority of instructors include technology in their teaching process. For example, they prepare course materials on the computer, typing up lectures, student assignments, and presentations. They are definitely not afraid to use technology in support of their teaching, and are not avoiding it. However, the online educational environment is fundamentally different in that it poses specific challenges to teachers. Among the issues that concern them are those related to the instructional processes, media richness, technology reliability, uneven access to technology, and the social isolation of the online teacher. The contents of this chapter should help increase teachers’ awareness of what challenges awaits for them in the online classroom.
Legal Issues of Electronic Publishing in Virtual Environments
Authors: Iglezakis Ioannis
Published: May 2011

Electronic publishing is a new concept, aiming at replacing traditional publishing media and making available the electronic delivery of digital content. Initially, e-publishing did not yield expected economic outcomes (Zahrt, 2003). The increase in the use of information and communication technologies, however, and the development of fast network connections, has provided electronic publishing new opportunities. Furthermore, epublishing changed from text-based applications into multimedia presentations, which can be disseminated in various forms over network environments such as the Internet (Ramaiah, Foo, & Choo, 2003). In more particular, e-publishing is the application of computing software by a publisher to information content and packaged for a specific audience, and the distribution of the final product through electronic means (Ramaiah et al., 2003). While the earliest applications of e-publishing were stand alone off-line applications, distributed through CD-ROMs and other storage media, today e-publications are far more than that. They include multiple information resources and their distribution takes place over networks, so that the information is able to reach a wider circle of users. It is also notable that file-sharing (peer-to-peer) technologies can be used for the distribution of information, independent from centralized Web servers. Individual authors can benefit from such technologies; however, due to copyright infringement committed by users of P2P systems, the future of such systems remains unclear.
Knowledge Through Evolution
Authors: Beale Russell , Pryke Andy
Published: May 2011

This chapter argues that a knowledge discovery system should be interactive, should utilise the best in artificial intelligence (AI), evolutionary, and statistical techniques in deriving results, but should be able to trade accuracy for understanding. Further, it needs to provide a means for users to indicate what exactly constitutes “interesting”, as well as understanding suggestions output by the computer. One such system is Haiku, which combines interactive 3D dynamic visualization and genetic algorithm techniques, and enables users to visually explore features and evaluate explanations generated by the system. Three case studies are described which illustrate the effectiveness of the Haiku system, these being Australian credit card data, Boston area housing data, and company telecommunications network call patterns. We conclude that a combination of intuitive and knowledge-driven exploration, together with conventional machine learning algorithms, offers a much richer environment, which in turn can lead to a deeper understanding of the domain under study.
Visual Environment for DOM-Based Wrapping and Client-Side Linkage of Web Applications
Authors: Ito Kimihito , Tanaka Yuzuru
Published: May 2011

Web applications, which are computer programs ported to the Web, allow end-users to use various remote services and tools through their Web browsers. There are an enormous number of Web applications on the Web, and they are becoming the basic infrastructure of everyday life. In spite of the remarkable development of Web-based infrastructure, it is still difficult for end-users to compose new integrated tools of both existing Web applications and legacy local applications, such as spreadsheets, chart tools, and database. In this chapter, the authors propose a new framework where end-users can wrap remote Web applications into visual components, called pads, and functionally combine them together through drag-and-drop operations. The authors use, as the basis, a meme media architecture IntelligentPad that was proposed by the second author. In the IntelligentPad architecture, each visual component, called a pad, has slots as data I/O ports. By pasting a pad onto another pad, users can integrate their functionalities. The framework presented in this chapter allows users to visually create a wrapper pad for any Web application by defining HTML nodes within the Web application to work as slots. Examples of such a node include input-forms and text strings on Web pages. Users can directly manipulate both wrapped Web applications and wrapped local legacy tools on their desktop screen to define application linkages among them. Since no programming expertise is required to wrap Web applications or to functionally combine them together, end-users can build new integrated tools of both wrapped Web applications and local legacy applications.
Historical Perspectives on Analog and Digital Equity
Authors: Randolph Leigh Patricia
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, the author uses the philosophical lens of critical race theory (CRT) to shed light upon the vast inequalities in access to information technologies that exist among racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups; a phenomenon that has come to be known as the digital divide. The primary focus is on how the digital divide has played out for African Americans and the use of CRT to explain the history of inequalities and why significant differences in educational opportunities have persisted into the 21st century. The author adopts the term “analog divide” to refer to all the non-computer/telecommunications- based educational inequities that African Americans have experienced for decades and even centuries. She further purports that one cannot understand or begin to rectify the digital divide unless one is willing to fully confront and attack the problem of the analog divide that preceded it and continues to persist.
The Social Glue in Open Source
Authors: Bärwolff Matthias
Published: May 2011

Open source has, of late been discussed as a most significant institutional disruption to the way software and, indeed, digital content, in general, evolves and dissipates through society. Credits and their due redemption play a vital yet often underrated role in the development and dissemination of open source. While credits in open source development are often of a rather elusive and informal nature (goodwill, reputation, indirect effects), formal credits have their inevitable role, too. On the one hand, less formal kinds of credits than money and the like often provide for a relatively efficient and viable way of accounting for credits in the development of large and complex software and technology projects. On the other hand, at the intersection of developer communities with end users, there is a distinct need for formal money-based interactions, because informal contracts and credit redemption do work well in communities, but less so in anonymous market contexts.
Introduction to Broadband Adoption and Usage Research
Authors: Dwivedi Yogesk K.
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an introduction to this research monograph. The following section provides a definition of broadband, outlines broadband’s potential, and then provides a discussion of the research problem comprising the focus of this book. Following that, a discussion of the state of broadband adoption, usage, and impact is presented. This is ensued by the definition of the research aim and objectives. Details are provided concerning the research approach that will be utilised in order to achieve the proposed aims and objectives. The research contributions of this study are then offered. Finally, a summary of this chapter is provided.
Picking
Authors: Ko Chi Chung , Cheng Chang Dong
Published: May 2011

The last two chapters have discussed how animation and interaction can be created in Java 3D to increase visual impact, to show object dynamics and hidden views, and to allow the user to interact with the objects in a virtual 3D universe (Emoto et al., 2001, Shyamsundar & Gadh, 2001). Our discussion has been carried in a general tone through the use of the behavior class to capture all types of events to cater to all possibilities. However, it is common that interaction with 3D objects in many applications involves the user to pick up relevant objects and change its positions, angles, and even texture and shapes for a variety of purposes. As a simple example of picking behavior, Figure 1 shows snapshots in an application where the user uses the mouse to pick up a cube and moves it to a new position through a mouse dragging operation. In this chapter, we will discuss how the picking behavior class in Java 3D can be made use of to create interesting customized dynamical picking interaction with any specific visual object. We will start in the next section with the use of some standard picking behavior classes, before embarking on to discuss how custom picking classes can be constructed to suit specific applications.
The Auto-ID Technology System
Authors: Michael Katina , Michael M.G.
Published: May 2011

This chapter analyses the findings from the case studies on bar codes, magnetic-stripe cards, smart cards, biometrics and RFID tags and transponders. Its main aim is to describe the auto-ID innovation process, especially the prevalence of patterns of migration, integration and convergence in auto-ID techniques and devices. Migration will be shown to have occurred in the transition between magneticstripe cards and smart cards, and the transition between bar codes and RFID transponders. Integration will be demonstrated through the example of auto-ID hybridization, especially on multi-technology cards, and the use of biometric minutiae on 2D bar codes. The third pattern to be described is that of convergence, as in the case of radio-frequency capable smart cards. The auto-ID selection environment will also be discussed from the perspective of the service provider who is increasingly facing pressure to choose the right auto-ID technique for a given application context.
The Auto-ID Trajectory
Authors: Michael Katina , Michael M.G.
Published: May 2011

This chapter considers the automatic identification (auto-ID) trajectory within the context of converging disciplines to predict the realm of likely possibilities in the short-term future of the technology. The chapter relies heavily on presenting a cross-section of research conducted primarily up until 2003 when the first commercial chip implant occurred, as a window to forecasting what kinds of technologies may become widely diffused by 2020. After showing the evolutionary development from first generation to third generation wearable computing, medical breakthroughs using implantable devices are documented. The findings of the chapter suggest that before too long, implantable devices will become commonplace for control, convenience and care-related applications. The paradigm shift is exemplified in the use of auto-ID, from its original purpose in identifying humans and objects to its ultimate trajectory with multifunctional capabilities buried within the body.
The Socio-Ethical Implications of Automatic Identification and Location Services
Authors: Michael Katina , Michael M.G.
Published: May 2011

The number of automatic identification (auto-ID) technologies being utilized in eBusiness applications is growing rapidly. With an increasing trend toward miniaturization and wireless capabilities, auto-ID and LBS technologies are becoming more and more pervasive. The pace at which new product innovations are being introduced far outweighs the ability for citizens to absorb what these changes actually mean, and what their likely impact will be upon future generations. This chapter attempts to cover a broad spectrum of issues ranging from the social, cultural, religious and ethical implications of auto-ID with an emphasis on human transponder implants. Previous work is brought together and presented in a way that offers a holistic view of the current state of proceedings on the topic.
EFL Students
Authors: Chen Teresa , Ku Teresa Nai-Kuang
Published: May 2011

This chapter reports on a survey study that investigates English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) students’ experiences with online plagiarism and the factors associated with these practices among the students. With reference to the important factors concerning plagiarism identified in previous studies, the survey focused on students’ awareness of the definition of plagiarism, their perceptions of text borrowing, possible causes of their plagiarism, the role of print versus electronic media in plagiarism, and teachers’ policies and enforcement of the policies. Based on the findings from the survey, the chapter presents the students’ perspectives and provides suggestions on ways to prevent students from online plagiarism. It is hoped that the chapter will contribute to a series of dialogues regarding text borrowing by presenting students’ experiences and points of view.
Returns on e-Branding Investment
Authors: Chatterjee Patrali
Published: May 2011

Consumer-centric organizations recognize customer relationships with brands as a source of sustainable competitive advantage that they can leverage to successfully introduce brand extensions. Marketers seeking to leverage brand equity associated with core off-line products to introduce e-brand extensions recognize that success depends on initiating brand relationships with prospective customers, as well as maintaining relationships with existing customers. This research proposes and empirically demonstrates that investment on e-branding relationships with current users generates higher returns for online extensions that have close fit with the core off-line product. In contrast, investments on nonusers have a higher return on adoption of online brand extensions that have low-fit with core products, compared to current customers and can increase overall profitability. Further, we show that Web site features like personalized e-mail and interactive aids have a significantly higher impact on customer profitability and motivate prospective consumers to move to higher levels of relationship with the firm, than financial incentives like sales promotions. Managerial implications for return on e-branding investments and future research directions are discussed.
Access and Accessibility in E-Learning
Authors: Matheson Catherine , Matheson David
Published: May 2011

This chapter considers some of the major questions around access and accessibility, beginning with the most basic: just what is meant by access and how this relates to the notion of accessibility since the assumption is so frequently made that we all know so much what access and accessibility are that few writers ever bother to define them or even to set under which terms of reference they understand the words. In this respect, as we shall show, there are parallels between the e-learning access debates and issues and those surrounding access to other forms of education, in particular, higher education.
The Role of Knowledge Mediators in Virtual Environments
Authors: Scarso Enrico
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the role of online knowledge mediator, an entity that occupies an intermediate position in a knowledge transfer/exchange between a source and a receiver, and whose task is to assist and facilitate the knowledge transfer process, when performed through the use of Internet-based technologies to a significant degree. In the present rapidly evolving world of Internet, many types of virtual knowledge mediators continue to come out with different features and functions. Despite their growing diffusion, little effort has been devoted to examine their practices thoroughly. In light of this, the chapter aims to develop an analytical framework that could be of use to a deeper and more systematic investigation of these new economic agents. It is a two-dimensional framework, since it is based on two complementary, conceptual views of the knowledge transfer process, that is, the cognitive and the economic one.
Ambient E-Service
Authors: Hwang Yuan-Chu , Yuan Soe-Tsyr
Published: May 2011

Most of existing mobile services were designed based on the client/server architecture. Those mobile services neither paid much attention to mobile users’ interactions with their environments nor considered the collective efforts between the mobile users in a dynamic peer group. In this paper, the notion of ambient e-service is so defined as to identify a new scope of mobile e-service, which address dynamic collective efforts between mobile users (enabled by Mobile Peer-to-Peer technology), dynamic interactions with ambient environments (envisioned by Location-based service), the moment of value (empowered by wireless technologies), and low cost service provision. The notable features of ambient e-services are the exhilarated linkage based on social context and significantly rapid growth of connections. We also present an ambient e-service framework that characterizes ambient e-services with three dimensions (value stack, environment stack and technology stack), followed by several exemplars of ambient e-service applications. Moreover, we present the Ambient e-service Embracing Model (ASEM) that addresses the integrated consideration of trust, reputation and privacy required for fostering the growth of ambient e-services and steers the directions of future fruitful relevant research. The embracing model can also guide the government or service providers to implement the ambient e-service applications that satisfy customers’ unique needs under various circumstances. Keywords: mobile commerce, ambient e-service, mobile peer-to-peer, trust/reputation/privacy
Mouth and Ear Interaction
Authors: Schnelle Dirk
Published: May 2011

This chapter gives an overview of the challenges that have to be mastered while working with audio. The vision of ubiquitous computing involves challenges for the future workplace. Tasks to be performed by workers are becoming more and more complex, which leads to an ever-increasing need to deliver information to workers. This can be information from a manual or instructions on how to proceed with the current task. Workers typically have their hands busy and use of a mouse or a keyboard will force them to stop working. Mouth and ear interaction can be performed without focusing attention on the device. But audio is also a medium that is not easy to handle. This chapter provides an understanding of why audio-based interfaces are difficult to handle and you will also be provided with some pointers as to how these challenges can be mastered to improve the quality of applications involving mouth & ear interaction.
VPNS and IPSEC
Authors: Mogollon Manuel
Published: May 2011

Virtual private networks (VPN) and IPsec are discussed in this chapter. A VPN emulates a private wide area network (WAN) facility using IP networks, such as the public Internet or private IP backbones. When VPNs are used, the Internet offers the appearance, functionality, and usefulness of a dedicated private network. One of the problems in using the Internet as a WAN is that the Internet is a public network and has relatively little security. IPsec provides the following security services to VPNs: data origin authentication, access control, confidentiality (encryption), connectionless integrity, rejection of replayed packets (a form of partial sequence integrity), and limited traffic flow confidentiality.
The Decision Hedgehog
Authors: Humphreys Patrick
Published: May 2011

The discourses established as the foundations of group decision support systems (GDSS) have been called into question not only in the interests of advancing the academic GDSS field (Bannon, 1997), but also out of the perceived need to plug gaps that sophisticated GDSS systems throw up in practice (Huber, 1981; Humphreys & Brezillon, 2002; Humphreys & Jones, 2006; Stabell, 1987). The limitations of rational perspectives of “decision- making as choice” have been raised (Carlsson, 2002; Cyert & March, 1992; Nappelbaum, 1997). The challenges relate to failures of implementation, the rise of unintended outcomes, the impact of cultures of fear and failure within organisations (Humphreys & Nappelbaum, 1997), and problems associated with externalisation of decision systems designers who “play God” by designing from outside the game for those who are inside (Humphreys, 1989).
Influence Diagrams as a Tool for Decision Support System Design
Authors: O’Donnell Peter , Meredith Rob
Published: May 2011

This article examines the application of a modeling technique called influence diagramming to decision support system (DSS) analysis. Influence diagrams allow the development of a model of the natural (at least from the perspective of the decision maker) structure of a decision situation. These diagrams are simple to develop and understand, providing the DSS analyst and the decision maker with a useful basis for communication. The diagrams can also be easily translated into specifications detailing the design of a computer-based system. In particular, influence diagrams are well suited to the specification and description of spreadsheet-based models commonly used in contemporary decision support systems.
Online Urban Information Systems
Authors: Yigitcanlar Tan , Saygin Omur
Published: May 2011

Countless factors affect the inner workings of a city, so in an attempt to gain an understanding of place and making sound decisions, planners need to utilize decision support systems (DSS) or planning support systems (PSS). PSS were originally developed as DSS in academia for experimental purposes, but like many other technologies, they became one of the most innovative technologies in parallel to rapid developments in software engineering as well as developments and advances in networks and hardware. Particularly, in the last decade, the awareness of PSS have been dramatically heightened with the increasing demand for a better, more reliable and furthermore a transparent decision-making process (Klosterman, Siebert, Hoque, Kim, & Parveen, 2003). Urban planning as an act has quite different perspective from the PSS point of view. The unique nature of planning requires that spatial dimension must be considered within the context of PSS. Additionally, the rapid changes in socio-economic structure cannot be easily monitored or controlled without an effective PSS.
The Role of Information in Decision Making
Authors: Shinnick Edward , Ryan Geraldine
Published: May 2011

The advent of the World Wide Web and other communication technologies has significantly changed how we access information, the amount of information available to us, and the cost of collecting that information. Individuals and businesses alike collect and interpret information in their decision-making activities and use this information for personal or economic gain. Underlying this description is the assumption that the information we need exists, is freely available, and easy to interpret. Yet in many instances this may not be the case at all. In some situations, information may be hidden, costly to assimilate, or difficult to interpret to ones own circumstances. In addition, two individuals who look at the same information can reach different conclusions as to its value. One person may see it as just a collection of numbers, another sees a market opportunity. In the latter case, information is used in an entrepreneurial way to create a business opportunity. Advances in technology have created opportunities to do this by creating information systems that can support business decision-making activities. Such decision support systems are playing an increasingly important role in determining not only the efficiency of businesses but also as business opportunities themselves through the design and implementation of such systems for other markets and businesses. However all is not easy as it may first seem. Quality decision making and effective decision support systems require high quality information. The implicit assumption in talking about decision support systems is that the required information is always available. It is somewhere “out there” and must just be collated to make use of it. However, very often this is not the case. Information that is scarce or inaccessible is often more valuable and can be the very reason for many firm’s existence. The importance for firms to process information to do with its business environment on issues such as, market trends, events, competitors, and technological innovations relevant to their success is prevalent in the management and IS literature.1 The theme of this article is to analyse the role information plays in managerial decision making at individual, group, and firm level from an economics perspective. We argue that access to information is essential for effective decision making and look at problems associated with insufficient information; the effects that such information deficits have in shaping and designing markets are then explored. We start by exploring the nature of information and the issue of asymmetric information. We examine the different solutions put forward to address information deficits, such as advertising, licensing, and regulation. Finally we conclude by outlining likely future research in markets with information deficits.