bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Architecture of Information
Authors: Rascão José Poças
Published: August 2015

The information architecture as a discipline of information science has been a fertile ground for disagreement about definitions which are mostly based on practical, devoid of epistemological and scientific grounds, where each ”actor” involved seeks to provide tools, techniques and concepts based on their own perspective and personal training that considers more appropriate. This paper argues that the time for a comprehensive definition is reached, based on the definition of Saul Wurman (1997) to synthesize and express in simple terms a collection of linguistic concepts that influence the perception of reality. The ways and means adopted by the discipline of information architecture in its development have in practice, limited their potential and scope. Its potential applicability to understanding the human experience in general and the phenomena of information in particular, remains to be explored. The research aims to contribute to the construction of the discipline of information architecture in terms required by Haverty (2002). The identification of formal theoretical aspects assist in the understanding of the interaction between the elements that compose it, from a systemic perspective, scientific status and key processes that define the discipline as a practice. We propose a definition based on the epistemological framework of phenomenology, by the analogy with the traditional architecture and methodology concept.
Modeling Architecture of Information
Authors: Rascão José Poças
Published: August 2015

Information Architecture is a design methodology (design) that is applied to any information environment, this being understood as a space located in a particular context, consisting of content streams in serving a community of managers / decision makers / users. In this chapter a generic model is proposed to systematize the concept of Information Architecture with multiple views to illustrate how the epistemological and scientific implications affect its practical dimension. The epistemological bases can be applied to the solution of practical problems that arise in any informational environments, i.e., the space that integrates the context, content and users / managers / decision makers. The model is general and can be applied as such any information space in whichever form, format, content or type of information that constitute it, since a traditional library to a complex organization. Is not tied to people, organizational structure or any technology.
The Roles of Knowledge Management and Organizational Innovation in Global Business
Authors: Kasemsap Kijpokin
Published: August 2015

This chapter explains the roles of Knowledge Management (KM) and organizational innovation in global business, thus describing the theoretical and practical concepts of KM and organizational innovation; the significance of KM in global business; and the significance of organizational innovation in global business. The accomplishment of KM and organizational innovation is vital for modern organizations that seek to serve suppliers and customers, increase business performance, strengthen competitiveness, and attain regular success in global business. Thus, it is necessary for modern organizations to investigate their KM and organizational innovation applications, create a strategic plan to constantly explore their functional advancements, and immediately respond to KM and organizational innovation needs of customers. Applying KM and organizational innovation will significantly enhance organizational performance and achieve strategic goals in the information age.
Innovation Management in Modern Organizations
Authors: Marques João P. C.
Published: August 2015

The present context of the knowledge-based economy and society has brought relevant changes with respect to how innovation has been conceptualized and explained. This chapter discusses the characteristics of learning and uncertainty as intrinsic components of innovation over the course of time. A number of views that explain the innovation process are discussed in terms of evolutionary momentum, from the science-push strategy to the market-pull model, culminating in the holistic, integrating view of innovation. The case study illustrates the path of technological development of a Portuguese footwear company, based on the licensing of technology, the capacity for continuing learning and absorption, and a culture of innovation as key elements for success.
Leaders and Followers
Authors: Figueiredo Paula , Sousa Maria José
Published: August 2015

This study aims to address the perspectives of leaders and followers regarding their perception of leadership styles adopted in various daily situations in organizations. Leaders and followers perceive that the predominant style is the Transformational Leadership. In order to understand the types of competences to be developed by leaders to enhance the different leadership styles, it appears that emotional competencies related to Relationship Management are those that have a linear relationship with transformational leadership. The Relationship Management is the ability to deal with the emotions of others and is composed of social competences, including Inspiration, Influence, Develop others and Change catalyst. According to both perspectives, these competences are also the least practiced by leaders in organizations.
User-Centred Design and Evaluation of Information Architecture for Information Systems
Authors: Salgado André de Lima , Pereira Fabrício Horácio Sales , Freire André Pimenta
Published: August 2015

Information Architecture plays a central role in the usability of Information Systems. It is vital that organisations employ appropriate methods to know their users when designing and evaluating Information Architecture in their systems to make them more effective. This chapter presents concepts and techniques to help organisations apply user-centred methods to design and evaluate Information Architecture in their Information Systems. The discussion is centred on the card sort technique, presenting its main variants and their applicability. The chapter also presents a worked example with the application of the Card sort technique to organise the content of the authors' university website, with data collected from 38 participants. By means of the discussion of the worked example, the chapter presents how to prepare a Card sort, recruit participants, run the study and analyse the results to be applied in the design and evaluation of Information Architecture of Information Systems.
Regional Innovation Systems and Revolutionary Business Modelling
Authors: Soeiro Filipe Castro
Published: August 2015

Mobile gaming and digital music industries' innovation dynamics and growth show high potential of value network and induce new ways of designing and developing competitive value propositions throughout disruptive network-based innovation strategies. These network-based innovative strategies and processes rely on a large number of heterogeneous players that have the potential to lead to design and development of new products and services, throughout a network of capabilities set, by combining games with music contents, revolutionizing the current media entertainment sector and creating value and disruptive innovation. In view of that, mobile gaming sector dynamics and global market potential were analyzed throughout a wide set of analytical frameworks. Finally, there were discussed industrial integration and innovation processes, industrial clustering and agglomeration economics, which drive into regional innovation systems, economic knowledge, and R&D spillovers, that, ultimately, support blue ocean opportunities, while benefiting customers and key stakeholders through and societal impacts for the future.
Internet Technologies and Innovation
Authors: Grützmann André , Zambalde André Luiz , Bermejo Paulo Henrique de Souza
Published: August 2015

The Internet has become ubiquitous in the business environment. Hence, innovative companies need to utilize all the sources that this medium can provide. The voices of consumers are shared by the use of many Web tools and may be advantageous in the innovation process. Information architecture needs conceptual models to facilitate the development of its deliverables in the form of blueprints, sitemaps, wireframes, personas, and so on. Based on the findings of a scoping review of the relevant literature and a case study on Brazilian companies, both a theoretical reference and a framework are presented. This chapter aims to highlight that some Internet technologies should be used throughout the stages in the innovation process. Because each technology has both benefits and limitations, the framework may be used to indicate the technologies that are the most appropriate based on the evidence collected. Finally, some implications of each technology for innovation are discussed.
Information Architecture in Practice
Authors: Rascão José Poças , Briones-Peñalver Antonio-Juan
Published: August 2015

The concept of architecture has been widely used in the context of information and communication technologies (ICT's). It is associated with such diverse terms, such as, business architecture, architecture of knowledge, strategic architecture, governance architecture, information architecture, architecture of competence, ICT's architecture, network architecture, computer architecture, data architecture, and many other examples one could give. Why the term is used in this way? What sets them apart? May it be replaced by a simpler and less catchy term, such as structure? Information architecture is a design methodology (concept) that is applied to any environments, being understood as an area located within a given context, consisting of content in streams that serves a community of managers/decision makers/users. The model can be to any informational environments of any area of knowledge, regardless of media, format, content or type of information that constitutes it, since a traditional library to a complex organization. It is not coupled to people, to the organizational structure or any technology.
Organizational Urbanism
Authors: Anunciação Pedro Fernandes , Nunes Sónia
Published: August 2015

The concept of intelligence in management is gaining relevance in the economic organizations. Intelligence demands to highlight the trinomial «information-knowledge-action» as a determining factor in the economic decision. The great revolution focuses on finding solutions, from a system logic of action based on knowledge and learning, capable of generating organizational intelligence allowing new dynamics of evolution. The organizational intelligence, as a vital condition to the competitiveness and sustainability, should question the organizational dynamics to innovation and value creation. The new challenges associated with network society and collaborative economic logic elicits a reflection about the new concepts and methodologies capable of aggregating the specificity of the multidisciplinary activities of the current economic reality. The aim of this work is to identify the core elements to the creation of organizational intelligence in the hospital sector and validate its applicability in management support and organizational decision.
An Evaluation of Partnership for Productive Development in Brazil's Healthcare
Authors: Magalhães Jorge Lima , Hartz Zulmira , Antunes Adelaide M. S.
Published: August 2015

21st Century brings great challenges in the information and knowledge areas. The public health is intensified in Developing and Less Developed Countries on account of parasitic diseases as well as developed countries because emerging and reemerging diseases. This diseases associated with chronic or acute diseases can intensify causing a serious health problem as drugs resistance, neglected disease and to afford perpetuate poverty. Thus, it is urgent new ways for information management. The management of the Partnership for Productive Development (PDP) have been shown a promising tool to help internalize new technologies and foster R,D&I. This chapter gives an evaluation for Healthcare using the example of the Brazilian PDP whose last way may be considered as a Knowledge Translation. In five years were conducted 103 PDP involving public and private pharmaceutical companies and international producer, promoting the development of local economy and reducing government spending from medicines derived from PDP.
The Comparison of the Shadow Economy in Turkey and European Countries
Authors: Karaca Coskun
Published: August 2015

As informal activities are considered as a crime, that kind of activities are being carried out secretly and their detection is difficult in most cases. Along with difficulties in determining the size of informal economy exactly, recently developed models and opportunities to reach reliable data enable making realistic estimations in regard to shadow economy. This study benefits from 11 different studies estimating informality in European countries and Turkey by using physical input, currency demand, DYMIMIC, and MIMIC methods. Common conclusion acquired from these studies is that informality rate in Turkey is higher than EU15 countries and EU13 countries –except for Hungary, Cyprus, Latvia, Croatia and Bulgaria. In addition to the comparison of these data, the reasons of the emergence of informal economy, measuring methods, and policy proposals in order to hamper informality in Turkey are also discussed.
Resources on the Stage
Authors: Findik Derya , Tansel Aysit
Published: August 2015

This study examines the impact of firm resources on ICT adoption by the Turkish business enterprises using firm level data. The data for this study consists of 3633 firms in manufacturing and services sectors. We investigate the effect of firm resources on the adoption of ICT by using ordered logit model. Adoption of ICT is an index variable including four categories which ranges from single technology ownership to four technology ownership. These technologies are local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), intranet, and extranet. We assume that these technologies are complementary. We find that firms do not need to use same amount of resources while adopting single technology as they would while adopting complementary technologies. In the adoption of complementary technologies, the effect of firm size, trade openness, human capital, purposes of ICT usage and environmental factors such as region and industry increases. On the other hand, full complementarity among technologies does not require the full exploitation of the firm resources. As a result of inefficient use of firm resources, single and two technology owner firms, which are composed of resource-limited small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), do not accomplish the technology adoption benefits of the three and four technology owners. We discuss a set of policy implications to promote the efficient use of firm resources for single and two technology owner firms. The effect of firm resources on the adoption of complementary technologies is analysed in this study which has not been investigated before in this context.
A Comparison of Corporate Sustainability Reporting in Europe and the Mena Region
Authors: Chandan Harish C.
Published: August 2015

Corporate sustainability (CS) is becoming a strategic focus for large corporations globally. This chapter compares CS reporting in the Europe and MENA regions. A content analysis of the CS reports from large corporations in Europe and the MENA region is presented to explore the themes covered in their sustainability reports. More large corporations in Europe have been reporting CS longer than those in the MENA region, and more large corporations in the developed countries of Europe as compared to MENA region publish CS reports. In general, CS reporting in the MENA region and developing European countries is in its infancy. There is evidence of leadership structures being put in place to ensure that the board and senior management are involved in sustainable strategy development and are incentivized to monitor and ensure implementation of that strategy through financial rewards.
Effective Applications of Optimization Methods in the Manufacturing Environment in Turkey
Authors: Yilmaz Omer Faruk , Erbiyik Hikmet
Published: August 2015

In today's manufacturing environment both used equipment and worker resources have become more crucial. Both resource must be used in an effective and appropriate way. Therefore, studies in conjuction with manufacturing environment are actualized under dual resource constrained (DRC). In the extant literature, DRC manufacturing environments place importance on certain dimensions which are surveyed in detail in this study. This literature research is conducted for manufacturing environments where worker planning and product scheduling topics are studied frequently. Our observations reveal that the systems of single conducted do not reflect the real manufacturing environment; hence, hybrid manufacturing systems which consist of functional layout and cells are investigated. The efficiency of hybrid manufacturing systems in the DRC environment are revealed by searching through literature. Therefore, the more effective way of usage of optimization methods are proposed by examining the studies regarding hybrid manufacturing system in terms of usage of optimization methods.
Economic Development, Market Characteristics and Current Business Conditions in Turkey
Authors: Kamasak Rifat , Yavuz Meltem
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a background to the Turkish business environment and market conditions in light of the European Union (EU) Customs Union integration and emerging market characteristics as well as including information about its economic and political dynamics, financial volatility and risks, consumer habits and consumption patterns, ethical issues, and physical and institutional infrastructure. A brief historical overview of Turkey's economic development starting from the early years of the new Turkish Republic will also be provided. Besides its academic contributions, the chapter can also be used as a guide by practitioners and business people who consider conducting business in Turkey.
Differentiation of Skills and Unemployment
Authors: Amine Samir
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this paper is to study an original relationship between the differentiation of jobs and the characteristics of the labor market. Using an original formalization of horizontal and vertical differentiation of workers, this paper shows that an increase in unemployment leads to creating jobs more suited to skilled workers. Introducing a negative income tax system (NIT), the present model shows that this public policy results in a deterioration of the situation of unskilled workers by encouraging firms to create jobs more suited to skilled.
Strategic Positioning of Turkey Agricultural Products on the Agricultural World Market
Authors: Sidibe Hamadoun
Published: August 2015

Applying a strategic management perspective, particularly the BCG tool, this chapter demonstrates that the agricultural products exported by Turkey are distributed unevenly on the four cells of the global agricultural markets matrix: almost of its products (236 products or 85.20% of its portfolio) are Question Marks, two products are a Star, one product is a Cash cow, and 38 products are Dogs. Such a situation creates important strategic choices for the leaders of the country and for its businesses. None of Turkey top ten exports were among the top ten growers in the world. Turkey is world export leader in ten products, but these products are not the world most growing markets, and the country should increase its relative market share in some of its ten top exports, and also consider developing organic product segments, and eliminate tobacco products in its portfolio.
FMIs – Knights in Shining Armour?
Authors: Goerlach Christian , Brehm Anne-Katrin , Lonnen Bradley
Published: August 2015

Great hope is being pinned on FMIs. They lie at the heart of the financial system and enable the post-trading business by successfully completing trades and concentrating as well as mitigating risks. This end of the payment and securities settlement business does not usually attract much attention: It is expected to be there and function. In this respect, it is comparable to oxygen in the air – most people do not think about it, however, if something is wrong with it, things can turn bad extremely quickly. Such was the case with the Lehman crisis of 2008, playing a major role in the unfolding of the global crisis of the late 2000s. It became apparent just how vital these FMIs were in enabling the continuation of the globe's securities & derivatives exchanges. In particular, CCPs played a major role in keeping transaction processing ticking over. It became evident which knock on effects the downturn of one institution can have on the global financial landscape. As such, we all depend on those markets and on the performance of what can only be described as ‘knights in shining armour'.
Overconfidence in the Credit Card Market
Authors: Kriete-Dodds Susan , Maringer Dietmar
Published: August 2015

High credit card debt default has been symptomatic for the U.S. and other countries in the last decades. Different explanations for this situation exist in the literature. One explanation is overconfidence, which has become a key concept in behavioural economics for explaining anomalies in financial markets such as excessive trading volume. There is also the idea that overconfidence is to blame for high credit card debt. In this paper, an agent-based model is presented that examines the effects of overconfidence on credit card usage. Overconfidence is used here to explain why people who never intend to borrow on their credit card(s) do so anyway. The model contains consumption, two means of payment (credit card and cash), and a distortion to agents' income expectations via overconfidence. It was found that overconfidence leads to more “accidental” borrowing and higher interest rates.
CCPs: A Challenge for Practical Oversight
Authors: Pliquett Anna
Published: August 2015

As a first step a short summary of the historical development of CCPs is provided, followed by an outline of the concept and core functions CCPs. Then an illustration of the main risk management safeguards of CCPs is provided. This includes an excursus regarding the hier-archical structure of clearing and regarding procyclical considerations with respect to CCPs. The outline of CCP counterparty risk management is complemented by a brief overview of other risks, including liquidity risk, legal risk, and operational risk. The consideration of the risk profile of CCPs is concluded with some insight into the main factors determining the oversight of CCPs' governance. The full picture of CCPs from an oversight perspective is given by placing the CCPs in the clearing process and the outlining the resulting challenges for regulatory oversight. The chapter concludes with a description of the manifold layers of today's oversight of CCPs.
Mind the Gap: Undercollateralization in the Global and Canadian OTCD Markets
Authors: Lopez Jorge Cruz
Published: August 2015

We provide estimates of the collateral gap in the global and Canadian OTCD markets. Using the latest available data as of December 31 2011, it is estimated that current exposures after netting are $3.9T globally and $71B in Canada. The estimated amount of available collateral after correcting for re-hypothecation in each market is $767B and $48B, respectively. Thence, the current gap in variation margins stands at $3.1T globally and at $23B in Canada. The initial margin that would be required to centrally clear OTCD is estimated at $4T globally and $104B in Canada. The rate of collateralization has increased globally, but specially in Canada. In 2001, 92% of global and 72% of Canadian current exposures were undercollateralized; currently, the figures are 80% for global and 30% for Canadian current exposures. The high level of collateralization and the lack of re-hypothecation could make the Canadian market more resilient to systemic shocks. Further, it is likely that the upcoming regulatory reforms will have a more subtle impact on Canadian banks than on banks elsewhere.
Central Securities Depositories and Securities Clearing and Settlement
Authors: Milne Alistair
Published: August 2015

This chapter describes the emergence of national and international central securities depositories (CSDs) and the systems of tiered account-based security ownership they support. It examines clearing and settlement risks, including principal risk now largely removed by DVP, and liquidity risk reduced but far from fully removed by multilateral netting. Liquidity demand and the complexity of some underlying transactions results in a surprisingly high volume of postponed settlements (trade fails). Systems of clearing and settlement were resilient during the crisis of 2008, but the remarkable complexity of these networks suggests two policy concerns that need further examination. Problems in clearing and settlement could still magnify or transmit systemic financial risk in a future crisis, if firms do not again obtain public sector support; and the sheer complexity of clearing and settlement arrangements may both create operational risks and heighten barriers to entry, hence reducing competition and raising costs to investors.
Students as Designers of Virtual World Learning Environments
Authors: Jacka Lisa , Booth Kate
Published: August 2015

Virtual worlds provide pre-service teachers with the opportunity to study teaching and learning in an immersive 3D computer based environment. The pre-service teacher is able to become a designer of learning environments in ways that were previously impossible in a traditional bricks and mortar classroom. The learning environment that pre-service teachers create can, in turn, inform established educators about the usefulness of virtual worlds for education. In the School of Education at Southern Cross University, Australia, pre-service teachers have been given the opportunity to design and build virtual world learning environments. This chapter presents the story of one pre-service teacher and her tutor as they discuss the design of a virtual world learning environment for maths. This particular design project resulted in virtual worlds being integrated across a number of pre-service teacher courses and extended into the K-6 classroom. An overview of these other projects is also presented.
Trajectory of an Institutional PLE in Higher Education Based on an e-Portfolios System
Authors: Salinas Jesús , Marín Victoria I.
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a study during four academic years (from 2010/11 to 2013/14) on the potential for offering students elements to construct their own personal learning environments, by integrating an institutional virtual learning environment and an e-portfolios system. The study was conducted in the University of the Balearic Islands (Spain) and a total of 232 students enrolled to a graduate compulsory course of the fourth year of the studies of Pedagogy took part in the study. The course was performed using the project-based method, and the study was carried out by phases. The collection of data was done through observation and monitoring the e-portfolio activity, a student questionnaire and the observation of student output. These data showed that this kind of environment is used almost exclusively for academic purposes. Some conclusions are that e-portfolio is a good tool for the organization of academic information and that it is useful for collaborating and working in groups.
Revisiting the Effects and Affordances of Virtual Manipulatives for Mathematics Learning
Authors: Moyer-Packenham Patricia S. , Westenskow Arla
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we revisit the research on virtual manipulatives by synthesizing the findings from 104 research reports, with 46 studies yielding 104 effect size scores reporting the effects of VMs on student achievement. The 104 reports also contributed to a conceptual synthesis analysis that produced categories of affordances that promote mathematical learning. The results of the effect size scores analysis yielded overall moderate effects for VMs compared with other instructional treatments, which was consistent with the first meta-analysis we conducted. There were large, moderate, and small effects when VMs were compared with physical manipulatives, textbooks, and examined by mathematical domains, grade levels, study duration, study quality, year of study publication, and study size. Revisiting the affordance categories confirmed our first analysis which produced five categories of features in the VMs that promoted students' mathematical learning (motivation, simultaneous linking, efficient precision, focused constraint, and creative variation).
Facilitating Communities of Practice in Online Immersive Learning Environments
Authors: Terry Krista , Cheney Amy , Bolt Les , McClannon Terry , Sanders Robert L.
Published: August 2015

This exploratory study is based on survey research involving graduate students using this 3D immersive environment for their coursework. Investigators examined students' perceptions of community and presence via coursework offered in the immersive world. Utilizing the Sense of Community II index and the Communities of Inquiry survey, variables examined include students' time within their graduate programs, time spent in the 3D environment, and their levels of immersion, as well as the relationship between the two instruments. Analysis showed significant results for each of the research questions for both instruments, and allowed for a number of new research directions including that of the correlation of community and presence, along with the potential for design based research informed by systems thinking as a potential new area of interest.
Smaller by Design
Authors: Lyon David , Steele Lynette , Fraser Cath
Published: August 2015

Much of today's higher education landscape, particularly for vocational training providers, is market driven and highly reflexive to consumer needs. Industry and employers who require specific professional credentials have a strong influence on programme design and curriculum development. In this chapter, we will explore New Zealand's first and only qualification for offshore and onshore professionals working with future immigrants. This qualification draws on features of open learning courses, and illustrates a pathway for education delivery that moves beyond traditional models into a 21st Century modality. The student demographic comprises a large number of mature learners, who have enrolled to gain formal credentials in their field, are moving to a new career, or may be seeking additional expertise to complement a suite of skills to offer their organisation, or as self-employed contractors/consultants. This population is a good example of lifelong learning applied to personal and professional lifestyle choices.
Developing a Transdisciplinary Work-Based Learning Curriculum
Authors: Bravenboer Darryll , Workman Barbara
Published: August 2015

Middlesex University's transdisciplinary work-based learning curriculum framework is presented as a coherent and innovative means to provide flexible and open learning opportunities for those in work. The chapter describes the underpinning theory that constitutes the work-based learning field of study as well as the structure and components of the curriculum framework. Through illustrative case studies, the chapter demonstrates how the Middlesex transdisciplinary framework has provided opportunities for a variety of working learners to gain access to higher education qualifications that would otherwise have been closed. Each case study illustrates a different aspect of the framework and how it has operated to create opportunities for open learning and credentialing at the level of the individual, the organisation and, lastly, within an industry sector. This demonstrates the potential for transferability of some of the principles and approaches to other higher education curricular settings.
Toward an Open Empowered Learning Model of Pedagogy in Higher Education
Authors: Smyth Robyn , Bossu Carina , Stagg Adrian
Published: August 2015

This chapter will explore some of the emerging trends in higher education worldwide brought by opening up education, including open educational resources (OER), open educational practices (OEP) and massive open online courses (MOOCs). These trends are transforming and challenging the traditional values and structures of universities, including curriculum design, pedagogies, and approaches to recognise and accredit learning assisted by OEP. We will also reflect on ways in which OEP, open ecosystems and the recognition of open learning experiences can further support learners, educators and educational institutions. In doing so, we will revise and re-work a learner centred model (Smyth, 2011) to incorporate some of the current transformation brought by openness. The revised model, called Open Empowered Learning Model, will prompt discussion on alternative ways in which learners, educators and educational institutions could take full advantage of these new trends.
Equity and Access as Keys for Opening Open Learning
Authors: van der Laan Luke , Neary Liz
Published: August 2015

This chapter adopts a critical perspective of how open education (OE), based on the principles of equity and access, aligns with the mega-drivers of contemporary higher education. These include key drivers of OE such as lifelong learning, self-directed career development and credentialing. The process of synthesising learning, work and transition within what is described as the ‘conceptual age' of work, is daunting to the majority of members of the workforce globally. A combination of regulation, academic dogma underpinning traditional university models and rigid assumptions as to the nature of knowledge frustrate the promotion of OE. This case study explores a work-based learning (WBL) university program designed to broaden access and equity to universities within the context of mega-drivers shaping higher education demand. The model complements rather than competes with traditional university offerings and represents a pragmatic response to the barriers to participation and OE principles.
Entrepreneurship in Sultanate of Oman
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: August 2015

In Startup Rising: The Entrepreneurial Revolution Remaking the Middle East, Schroeder reminds one that the collective GDP of the Arab world is larger than Russia's and India's and nearly twice that of China on a per capita basis. The Middle East has more than 350 million people whose disposable income has grown by 50 percent over the last three years and whose Internet appetite has been expanding at a speed that rivals that of any other region in the world. More than 40 percent of those online denizens say that they would like to start their own businesses. Sultanate of Oman is no exception and eyeing towards more entrepreneurial activities. The government is also keen to facilitate entrepreneurship development. In this backdrop, the aim of this paper is to understand entrepreneurship with reference to Sultanate of Oman, a stable balanced developing economy in Middle East. With rising trends towards entrepreneurship, and hotbeds of entrepreneurial activity emerging therein, the core of the paper is to provide insights of entrepreneurship in Sultanate of Oman through case approach.
Emotional Labor in Commercial Hospitality
Authors: Herath H.M. Hanshika Madushani , Munasinghe Sarath
Published: August 2015

In the face of rapid increase of tourist arrivals, Sri Lankan Tourism is expecting a huge development in accommodation sector. This is quite obvious when one observes the fact that the current room capacity of the country is around 20,000 and Sri Lankan Tourism expects to increase it up to 40,000 in two years to cater for 2.5 million expected tourists in 2016. However, this development should not be limited to the physical facility development, a greater attention should be paid to the aspect of human resource development. Further, it is argued that emotional labor in commercial domain of hospitality is worthy paying attention to. Accordingly, this paper presents the motivations, predictors, behavioral characteristics and positive and negative organizational outcomes of emotional labor in the context of resort hotels in Sri Lanka. Important findings were concluded in relation to customer contact employees in hotels and their motivations and behavioral characteristics.
Telecollaboration in Foreign Language Curricula
Authors: van der Kroon Linda , Jauregi Kristi , ten Thije Jan D.
Published: August 2015

The development of intercultural communicative competence is increasingly important in this globalised and highly digitalised world. This implies the adequate understanding of otherness, which entails a myriad of complex cognitive competences, skills and behaviour. The TILA project aims to study how the use of digital communication means in foreign language education can contribute to the development of intercultural understanding when communicating with peers across borders. Understanding is the result of a collaborative construction of shared knowledge, which can be supported through the use of meta-communicative devices (MCDs) (). This case study investigates how pupils used communication strategies during video communication sessions to achieve intercultural understanding. Results reveal that task-based telecollaboration sessions offer learners the opportunity to achieve mutual understanding by utilizing a variety of meta-communicative devices that help the learners to compare their cultures in relation to time, space and habits, verify meaning and clarify utterances.
Learners of Different Language Proficiency Levels and Incidental Focus on Form in Synchronous Text-based Discussion
Authors: Kung Wan-Tsai , Eslami Zohreh R.
Published: August 2015

This study examined the effectiveness of incidental focus on form in facilitating second language learning for learners of different proficiency levels in a synchronous computer-mediated communication environment. Sixteen native speaker (NS)-nonnative speaker (NNS) dyads and fourteen NNS-NNS dyads were formed. The participants completed two communicative tasks. Language-related episodes (LRE), mini-dialogues in which learners either explicitly or implicitly ask or talk about language or question their own or/and interlocutors' language use, were identified and used as a basis for individualized tailor-made tests to assess the learners' subsequent learning outcome. The results reveled that in the NS-NNS dyads, no significant difference in the frequency of LREs produced was found between the lower- and higher-proficiency learners whereas in the NNS-NNS dyads, the lower-proficiency learners produced significantly more LREs than their higher-proficiency interlocutors. Additionally, the learners of both proficiency groups interacting with NSs produced significantly more LREs than learners interacting with NNSs. However, no significant differences were found in the test performance of learners of different proficiency levels in either dyadic type.
Speech Recognition Software Contributes to Reading Development for Young Learners of English
Authors: Reeder Kenneth , Shapiro Jon , Wakefield Jane , D'Silva Reg
Published: August 2015

Thirty-six English language learners aged 6;8 to 12;6 years received practice with The Reading Tutor, which uses speech recognition to listen to oral reading and provides context-sensitive feedback. A crossover research design controlled effects of classroom instruction. The first subgroup worked with the software for 3.5 months, and following a week's crossover period, the second subgroup worked for a subsequent 3.5 months. Both groups were assessed to obtain comparable gains both in regular classroom with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and in the classroom condition with EAL support plus the Reading Tutor. Oral reading fluency was assessed by the DIBELS measure. Fluency was also calculated by the program, and grade level of materials mastered was assessed by the software's logs. Both groups made significant gains in oral reading fluency and grade level of materials mastered, according to measures internal to the software. For one period, gains in fluency following experience with the program appeared to have been slightly larger than gains with regular classroom instruction and EAL support only.
The Effects of Flipped Classrooms on English Composition Writing in an EFL Environment
Authors: Leis Adrian , Cooke Simon , Tohei Akihiko
Published: August 2015

The authors discuss the empirical results of a study comparing two English composition courses conducted with Japanese university students. One course was taught in a traditional way and the other using the flipped method. The results showed that those studying under the flipped method spent a significantly higher number of hours preparing for class (t(20) = 2.67, p = .014, d = 1.14) and produced a significantly higher number of words in compositions written in the posttest (t(10) = 3.37, p = .007, d = 1.44). The flipped method also appeared to result in significantly greater improvements in the writing proficiency of participants (t(32) = 5.17, p < .001, d = 1.15) and when using a one-way ANCOVA to make a comparison with the traditional method in the posttest (F (1, 63) = 13.50, p < .001, ?2 = .18). The capability to view explanations of the text as many times as participants wished, as well as opportunities for direct and immediate individual feedback from the instructor for participants in the flipped group are discussed as possible reasons for the salient differences.
Practicing the English Present Simple Tense in Active Worlds
Authors: Kruk Mariusz
Published: August 2015

The main purpose of the study was to determine the usefulness of using Active Worlds in teaching the English grammar. Specifically, the study examined the immediate and delayed effectiveness of using the chat feature of the Active Worlds' virtual environment for teaching the English present simple tense. In addition, the study explored the attitudes of students receiving this intervention as compared to a traditional approach. The sample consisted of 22 Polish senior high school students. The learners in the experimental group were subjected to innovative instruction and the students in the control group were taught in a traditional way. The data were obtained by means of a background questionnaire, a grammar test and a post-questionnaire. The results show that both groups benefited from the instruction they received; however, the experimental learners' long-term retention turned out to be much superior when compared with their control counterparts. What is more, the experimental students expressed more positive opinions of the lessons.
Supply Chain-Related Adverse Events and Patient Safety in Healthcare
Authors: Buyurgan Nebil , Farrokhvar Paiman
Published: August 2015

This research investigates adverse events and patient safety in healthcare due to poor supply chain management practices, and inadequate and disorganized product validation procedures. Focusing on commodity medical and surgical products, this research investigates correct product validation points for maximum patient safety. This study also explores benefits of standard product identifying technologies such as HIBC or GS1 data standards as well as automated validation systems such as barcode or Auto ID to minimize workflow interruptions. Site visits and phone interviews are conducted with six healthcare providers to document common product validation practices and procedures. Based on observations and collected data, a simulation model is developed. Different scenarios are compared for patient safety, care delay, and system efficiency. The results show that validation points during PAR picking or bedside product administration, and warehouse picking operations provide optimal overall system performance. The results also indicate that standard product identifying technologies and automated validation systems significantly impact the efficiency of supply chain.
Trends in Information Systems and Long-Term Care
Authors: Rada Roy
Published: August 2015

A review of the literature highlights the ways in which Health Information Technology (HIT) offers opportunities in Long-Term Care (LTC). When no journal article or book could be found that comprehensively reviewed LTC HIT, this author reviewed 8 books about LTC to find evidence of the possibilities for HIT. That led to the hypothesis that quality control, workflow, and telehealth are important topics for the LTC HIT journal literature. A MeSH query about LTC HIT was presented to PubMed and retrieved approximately 700 citations. Patterns in that literature supported the hypothesis. A further experiment examined year-by-year trends over the last quarter century and highlighted the increasing importance of ‘telehealth' and ‘monitoring' in LTC HIT. The trends are consonant with the emergence of computer-assisted life flow as a future topic for LTC HIT.
Implication of Requirements Engineering in ICT4D Project Development
Authors: Hasan M. Mahmudul
Published: August 2015

The idea of Information and Communication Technology for development (ICT4D) has been gathering momentum since last decade. It contributes to the development of social, political, and economic growth of the underprivileged group of populations especially in the context of developing countries. Requirements Engineering (RE) is the most sensitive from all other activities involve in the ICT4D project development. This paper reports on a literature review of published ICT4D research and provides an analysis of the requirements design issues in ICT4D project development in terms of functional requirements, non-functional requirements, and user requirements. The analysis of this paper can serve the ICT4D researchers and practitioners as a means of understanding the requirements design issues in ICT4D project development.
Quantitative Analysis of Amartya Sen's Theory
Authors: Islam Deen , Ashraf Mahfuz , Rahman Azizur , Hasan Rashadul
Published: August 2015

In this article, the authors attempted to evaluate the contribution of Information Communication Technology (ICT) for development (ICT4D) project in a context of developing country: Bangladesh. Though ICT4D is a general term referring to the application of ICT within the fields of development of a country, there are many cases where the potential benefits of ICT linked with the individual, group/community and organizational level. Considering two case studies, the authors have attempted to understand how ICT can be linked with the lives of community in rural areas of Bangladesh. They have adopted Amartya Sen's five freedoms as conceptual framework for this study. Through a quantitative perspective the authors argue that ICT projects can lead to development in general and five freedoms at particular.
Streamlined Alarms for Intrusion Recognition System
Authors: Dhanakoti V. , Nedunchezhian R.
Published: August 2015

A serious blow to the security of World Wide Web is the escalation in synchronized system assaults like Hoax, Blended Threats, Worms, IP Scanning, Trojan Horses, Denial of Service (DOS) and Sniffer assaults. It might not be a wonder that by allowing all the contestants in Intrusion Recognition Systems (IRS) sharing doubtful intellect with one another in order to shape a worldwide view of the existing risks. Since existing Collective Intrusion Recognition System (CIRS) algorithms are not capable of calculating complex attacks in a timely manner, a rationalized multilayered red alarm connection for collective intrusion recognition intelligent algorithm was built for CIRS to tackle these confronts. A multilayered red alarm connection grouping algorithm is used to mine the important intrusion prototypes from unrefined intrusion alarms. Twin phase association algorithms are modified and used, so that it groups alarm at every IRS, before exposing important alarm prototypes to a world wide web.