bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data Warehouse Testing
Authors: Golfarelli Matteo , Rizzi Stefano
Published: October 2011

Testing is an essential part of the design life-cycle of a software product. Although most phases of data warehouse design have received considerable attention in the literature, not much research has been conducted concerning data warehouse testing. In this paper, the authors introduce a number of data mart-specific testing activities, classify them in terms of what is tested and how it is tested, and show how they can be framed within a reference design method to devise a comprehensive and scalable approach. Finally, the authors discuss some practical evidences emerging from a real case study.
Finding Associations in Composite Data Sets
Authors: Khan M. Sulaiman , Muyeba Maybin , Coenen Frans , Reid David , Tawfik Hissam
Published: October 2011

In this paper, a composite fuzzy association rule mining mechanism (CFARM), directed at identifying patterns in datasets comprised of composite attributes, is described. Composite attributes are defined as attributes that can take simultaneously two or more values that subscribe to a common schema. The objective is to generate fuzzy association rules using “properties” associated with these composite attributes. The exemplar application is the analysis of the nutrients contained in items found in grocery data sets. The paper commences with a review of the back ground and related work, and a formal definition of the CFARM concepts. The CFARM algorithm is then fully described and evaluated using both real and synthetic data sets.
Future Developments of E-Modules
Authors: Christova Alina
Published: October 2011

E-learning tools can be found on an occasional basis in higher education, in particular regarding social sciences. This paper concentrates on envisaged future developments of E-Modules, the innovative e-learning platform on European Union matters created by the Institute for European Studies, which is an autonomous department of the Free University Brussels. First, it provides an overview of the strategy and the concept of E-Modules as well as content, structure and main features of the e-learning tool including best practices and current challenges. The author also explores in depth the role interactive tools and multimedia can play in enhancing the transfer of knowledge and skills to the users of the E-Modules.
Supporting Online Collaborative Mathematical Exploration
Authors: Roulet Geoffrey
Published: October 2011

Math-Towers is a collaborative mathematics environment for pupils in grades 7 to 9. Using a fantasy adventure game context, students are presented with a mathematical challenge, given online tools for working on the problem, and provided with a messaging system by which they may exchange ideas and partial solutions. This paper presents the philosophy behind the design of Math-Towers and, using a complexity science framework, explores the extent to which it has been successful in meeting goals. The technical and social problems encountered and revisions made to address these are also described.
Intranet as a Quality Manual in Higher Education
Authors: Kettunen Juha
Published: October 2011

This study describes how the Intranet of a higher education institution can be used as a quality manual. The study is based on process management. The process architecture can be used as a structure for the Intranet. This Intranet also includes detailed process descriptions and makes them available for management, personnel, and students. The flow charts and process cards provide managers with more awareness and control over their responsibilities and ensure that the objectives and high quality can be achieved. The results of this study are useful for those who want to develop quality manuals for higher education institutions.
The Improvement of Governance Decision Making Using XBRL
Authors: Ahmadpour Ahmad
Published: October 2011

eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) has the potential to influence users’ processing of financial information and their judgments and decisions. XBRL is an eXtensible Markup Language (XML)-based language, developed specifically for financial reporting. XBRL, as a search-facilitating technology, contributes to direct searches and simultaneous presentation of related financial statement, and facilitates processing footnote information which could help financial statements’ users. XBRL is more than a distribution mechanism for data or facilitating technology. XBRL has the potential to significantly improve corporate governance. Putting that potential into practice requires an XBRL taxonomy model that is data based instead of document based. This paper hypothesizes that in the presence of search-facilitating technology, users’ judgments of financial statement reliability will be influenced by the choice of recognition versus disclosure of stock option compensation than in the absence of search-facilitating technology. When the stock option accounting varies between two firms, the search technology helps in both acquiring and integrating relevant information. The paper suggests the implementation of XBRL improves transparency of financial information and managers’ choices for reporting that information.
The Influence of Information Technology Utilization (ITU) on Supply Chain Integration (SCI)
Authors: Jitpaiboon Thawatchai , Sharma Sushil
Published: October 2011

The key to competitiveness in most industries has moved beyond the traditionally confined single organization. In today’s global competitive business environment, competitiveness is heavily influenced by the ability of the multiple organizations in a supply chain to synchronize and integrate their business activities and processes. Supply chain integration, (SCI) which links the activities, functions, processes, and systems of a firm with its customers and suppliers, can reduce uncertainty, enhance responsiveness, reduce costs, and improve customer service. Empirical studies have explored SCI and reported that information technology (IT) is a key ingredient for the success of the integrated supply chain. While the research on SCI has been reported in OM literature, empirical studies that investigate the impact of different levels of IT utilization (ITU) – strategic, operational, and infrastructural - on SCI are not available. This research also explores the impact of top management support (TMS) on the relationship between ITU and SCI. Based on data collected from 220 manufacturing firms, this study indicates that ITU will have a positive impact on the success of an integrated supply chain when top management is personally involved in the technology implementation process.
When Parameterized Model Driven Development Supports Aspect Based SOA
Authors: Monfort Valérie , Hammoudi Slimane
Published: October 2011

Service-Oriented Architectures (SOA) are widely used by companies to gain flexibility. Web services are the fitted technical solution used to support SOA by providing interoperability and loose coupling. Basic Web services are being assembled to composite Web services in order to directly support business processes. However, there is much to be done to obtain a genuine flawless Web service, and current market implementations do not provide adaptable Web service behavior depending on the service contract. This paper proposes two different approaches to increase adaptability of Web services and SOA. The first approach is based on Aspect Oriented Programming (AOP) as a new design solution for Web services. The authors have implemented an infrastructure to enrich services with aspects and to dynamically reroute messages according to changes, without redeployment. The second approach combines Model Driven Development (MDD) and Context-Awareness to promote reuse and adaptability of Web services behavior depending on the service context. Parameterized transformation techniques are proposed to bind context with business logic implemented by a service. The aim is to merge the two approaches to abstract and reduce the technical complexity of aspect based service solution.
Creating Competitive Markets for Small Businesses with New Media and E-Business Strategy
Authors: Kung Mabel T. , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2011

The innovative and dynamic nature of E-business enables small companies to compete with multinational corporations via online marketing. This paper serves as a guide from a practitioner’s perspective to embark in E-business while traditional marketing strategies are diminished. Three E-business adoption models for small enterprises are discussed. Planning involving new media, Internet technological capabilities and marketing strategies are examined. A literature review on new media gives a comprehensive study of online marketing. To evaluate the effectiveness of the E-business approach, a case study of a family chain of hotels is presented.
Using WarpPLS in e-Collaboration Studies
Authors: Kock Ned
Published: October 2011

This is a follow-up on a previous article (Kock, 2010b) discussing the five main steps through which a nonlinear structural equation modeling analysis could be conducted with the software WarpPLS (warppls.com). Both this and the previous article use data from the same e-collaboration study as a basis for the discussion of important WarpPLS features. The focus of this article is on specific features related to saving and analyzing grouped descriptive statistics, viewing and changing analysis algorithm and resampling settings, and viewing and saving the various minor and major results of the analysis. Even though its focus is on an e-collaboration study, this article contributes to the broad literature on multivariate analysis methods, in addition to the more specific research literature on e-collaboration. The vast majority of relationships between variables, in investigations of both natural and behavioral phenomena, are nonlinear; usually taking the form of U and S curves. Structural equation modeling software tools, whether variance- or covariance-based, typically do not estimate coefficients of association based on nonlinear analysis algorithms. WarpPLS is an exception in this respect. Without taking nonlinearity into consideration, the results can be misleading; especially in complex and multi-factorial situations such as those stemming from e-collaboration in virtual teams.
Factors Associated with the use of Personal Internet Banking in Thailand
Authors: Winley Graham Kenneth
Published: October 2011

Based on a review of previous studies, important variables associated with the use of personal Internet Banking services are identified in this paper. Using data collected through a questionnaire, statistically significant associations among these variables are determined. The findings of the study confirm significant associations reported in previous studies and identify significant associations among an individual’s work position; personal characteristics of users; the influence of peers on users; the importance of trust; and the emphasis placed by users on personal relationships with banks. Conclusions are drawn which are of practical use for those responsible for the development of personal Internet Banking services.
Call U Back
Authors: Li Xining , Lin Jiazao
Published: October 2011

Mobile commerce (M-commerce) is an attractive research area due to its relative novelty, rapid growth, and great potential in business applications. Over the last decade, various M-commerce applications have been geared to target mobile users and achieved great success. However, most M-commerce applications are developed by different retailers for special purposes and thus lack fully automated business processes to integrate various existing services. This paper presents a novel infrastructure, Call U Back (CUB), for M-commerce applications. The proposed scheme integrates concepts of agent and context-aware workflow to implement automated trading tasks and compose services dynamically. The context awareness is based on ontology and logic models which derive from a set of descriptive contextual attributes for knowledge sharing and logical inference. Based upon the context-aware workflow analysis, the system will generate automated intelligent agents to conduct commerce transactions on behalf of mobile users. The middleware layer of the CUB server has been implemented. An experimental prototype of the system is under development and testing.
Reality Mining, Location Based Services, and E-Business Opportunities
Authors: Montes José Antonio Ariza , Gutiérrez Alfonso Carlos Morales , Fernández Emilio Morales , Romeo Alfredo
Published: October 2011

The use of internet along with other technologies that enable wireless connectivity and the expansion and dissemination of the real-time positioning (GPS) in all countries and levels of the population is a great opportunity for entrepreneurship in the field of information technology. This paper shows how the effective channeling of the available information would place decision making at different levels and, regarding different concerns of today’s society, connect the online world of the Internet with the physical world. This paper has three parts. The first part shows characteristics of some applications that emerge from individual needs –geosocial networking- and those that arise to improve the functioning of society and of the public interest– like collaborative mapping and augmented reality. In the second part an example of e-enterprise–City 2020 Ltd–is described as well as its use of these sources of opportunities. Finally, the third part analyzes the main socio-ethical problems and some opportunities of location based services.
Necessity Entrepreneurship and Job Insecurity
Authors: Fayolle Alain
Published: October 2011

Who would dream of associating the figure of the entrepreneur with poverty and precariousness? Traditionally, society and literature paint a very different picture of the entrepreneur, who embodies such values as risk and initiative-taking, a strong sense of responsibility, action- and result-orientation, and even opportunism, etc. The author argues in this paper that present (and past) measures intended, in the French context, to encourage the creation of new jobs and new ventures by job seekers and/or individuals in precarious situations contributes greatly to the development of some forms of ’forced’ entrepreneurship, which may have dramatic consequences for the individuals concerned and society at large. The objective of this paper is to shed some light on these particular forms of entrepreneurship, which are likely to increase in the current context of uncertainty and change.
Entrepreneurship in the European Union
Authors: Potts Mark , Puia George M.
Published: October 2011

Entrepreneurship research posits that high potential new firms are the leading source of employment growth (Acs et al., 2008), wealth creation (Venkataraman, 1997), and economic development (EC, 1999). The European Union’s Lisbon Strategy recognized the significant role of entrepreneurs in creating employment (EC, 2000). The authors posit that a “Unified Europe” is not the same as a “Uniform Europe.” Using states in the United States as a comparative unit of analysis, the authors demonstrate ways in which differences in endowments (e.g., human capital, support for entrepreneurship, and regulatory environment) dynamically influence entrepreneurial outcomes. This analysis identifies challenges faced by local entrepreneurs in the context of Europe 2020.
Innovative Behaviour of Rural Small Enterprises
Authors: Sandberg Karl W. , Öhman Gerth
Published: October 2011

Small enterprises play an important role in developing sustainable employment and economic growth in rural areas. The role of innovation that can mobilise to render enterprises more dynamic and competitive is well known. The purpose of the study is to assess how responsible owners/managers of SEs relate to innovation. Managers were sampled from two categories: size and sector of rural SEs. The authors proposed a research model that suggested five factors that were found influential in previous research in the perception of innovative activity in rural SEs relating to product and process innovation development, market product, marketing methods, process technology and innovation, and ICT use. Empirical evidence is drawn from a survey of 40 SEs in Sweden. The research discusses implications emerging from the research factors and portrays a course for future research.
The Diffusion of Innovative Practices Among Meat Retailers in Northern Greece
Authors: Papadopoulos Philippos
Published: October 2011

This paper investigates the degree to which Greek butchers try to come to grips with the implications of long term modern trends. The “traditional butcher versus modern supermarket” conceptual dichotomy is a dead-end for the former. In order to meet the long term challenges of contradictory consumer behavior trends, Greek butchers must embrace them and use them to their own advantage, rather than resist them. The paper deals with issues of innovation adoption by the sector, emphasising the role of the sectoral collective institutions that act as the collective consciousness of their constituents and can hinder or facilitate innovation diffusion.
Identifying Barriers to e-Government Services for Citizens in Developing Countries
Authors: Ray Subhajyoti
Published: October 2011

Although the use of ICT by government has demonstrated its potential in improving government services, worldwide there are more failures than successes of e-Government projects. In the context of developing countries, including India, authors have observed equally high failure rates. Therefore, it is important to understand the barriers to implementation of e-Government, especially in developing countries. This paper develops a comprehensive understanding of barriers to e-Government services for citizens in developing countries. This study was carried out in India, a developing country with a massive commitment to e-Government at policy and implementation levels. Based on variables identified from research, a survey of the key practitioners in e-Government was conducted to generate evidence on perceptions of barriers to e-Government. Even though a relatively small number of responses were received, the responses could be evaluated using principal component analysis to understand the latent structure of the barriers. Finally, 7 critical factors with 30 items are extracted that describe the latent structure of barriers to e-Government in development.
Enterprise Systems Outsourcing “Behind the Curtain”
Authors: Svejvig Per , Pries-Heje Jan
Published: October 2011

Outsourcing is now a feasible means for enterprise systems (ES) cost savings, but does however increase the complexity of coordination substantially when many organizations are involved. We set out to study ES outsourcing in a large Scandinavian high-tech organization, SCANDI, a case setting with many inter-organizational partners, trying to answer the question: Why does SCANDI engage in these very complex outsourcing arrangements? To answer this question we have analyzed documents, observed meetings and gathered data from interviews in four parts of SCANDI. The first data analysis found just the rational front stage cost-saving explanation; but then, with a more careful analysis focusing on institutional factors, other backstage explanations “behind the curtain” were uncovered, such as management consultants with a “best practice” agenda, people promoting outsourcing, thereby being promoted themselves, and a belief in outsourcing as a “silver bullet”: a recipe to success, solving everything
An Investigation of Enterprise Resource Planning Implementation in a Small Firm
Authors: Abdel-Kader Magdy , Nguyen Thu Phuong
Published: October 2011

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been recognized as complex and costly, which limited their implementation in large organizations. However, an increasing number of small organizations have recently gained interest in this system. This paper investigates the implementation process of ERP in a small firm. The investigation focused on two perspectives of ERP implementation: successes achieved and problems encountered. Despite many problems encountered in the firm, the ERP system still exists. This gives evidence that small organizations are more flexible and motivated to adapt to change and implement an ERP system. Most problems were encountered at early stages of implementation, which can be minimized if deliberate decision making of ERP implementation and proper selection processes were in place. Further, ERP is a good solution for small organizations if they are able to build a relevant in-house system.
A Maturity Model of Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP)
Authors: Pita Zijad , Cheong France , Corbitt Brian
Published: October 2011

In this paper Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) maturity models are empirically validated in Australian environment. A research instrument used to determine the degree of SISP maturity in Australian organisations is described. While empirical testing of a five-stage SISP model has only confirmed the existence of three levels of SISP maturity, statistical methods confirmed the adequacy of the establishment of the SISP assessment model as a third-order system. The study also opens the way for SISP thinking beyond the conventional approaches by introducing the Analytic Network Process and the Analytic Hierarchy Process methods to reduce complexity of SISP measurement in a natural and structural way. By using these methods, it was possible to obtain a single overall measure of SISP maturity, thus overcoming a problem of result synthesis measured by different scales.
A McKinsey 7S Model-Based Framework for ERP Readiness Assessment
Authors: Hanafizadeh Payam , Ravasan Ahad Zare
Published: October 2011

Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is a complex, lengthy and expensive process which usually faces serious challenges and failures. Thus, it is necessary to perform a readiness assessment at the initial stage of an ERP implementation project to identify weakness areas which may encounter the project with failure. This paper proposes a new framework for assessing readiness of an organization to implement the ERP project on the basis of McKinsey 7S model using confirmatory factor analysis. Through this method, the construct of ERP readiness is proposed based on 7 dimensions namely “structure”, “strategy”, “systems”, “skills”, “style/culture”, “staff”, and “shared values/ superordinate goals”. Using the framework, the current situation of the organization can be determined and necessary changes can be made prior to system implementation. The proposed framework is then applied to 2 real Iranian banking cases and the advantages of the framework over available frameworks are illustrated.
Gender Issues in the Diversity and Practice of Public Relations in the UAE Case Study of P.R. Male Managers and Female P.R. Practitioners
Authors: Al-Jenaibi Badreya
Published: October 2011

This paper evaluates the feminization of Public Relations (P.R.) and how that may shape the role of P.R. in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). One goal is to highlight the implications for the unique females’ functions between male managers and female P.R. practitioners. Research questions include: What are the common challenges and gender issues in public relations in the UAE? Do P.R. managers encourage the recruitment of female workers and leaders in the P.R. field? Therefore, the findings of the research are based on qualitative primary data derived from semi-structured in-depth interviews with the P.R. managers and P.R. female practitioners. The paper concludes that UAE public relations staff members continue to execute their main roles. Therefore, male and female workers differed significantly in their views about gender fairness in work locations, roles, status, ranks and tasks, responsibilities, and work-life balance.
ERP Implementation Across Cultures
Authors: Romm Livermore Celia , Rippa Pierluigi
Published: October 2011

Implementing an ERP project is a political process. This paper starts with a literature review of organizational politics and its implications to the implementation of ERP systems. The Political Strategies Framework which categorizes different ePolitics strategies in the cases is introduced. The framework is applied in the later sections of the paper to case study data from two companies, one in the US and one in Italy, that both implemented a SAP Enterprise Planning Systems (ERP) with very different outcomes. The discussion highlights the political dynamics in each case and the way in which the framework can help us understand these differences. The conclusion section discusses the differences between the political dynamics in each case and the implications from the findings to broader issues of research on ERP implementation and politics.
The Impact of the Internet on Politics
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Weiss Randy
Published: October 2011

The Internet is now one of the most popular media outlets for campaigning and elections, and may soon be used for electronic voting. The scope of this paper is to examine the impact of the Internet on American politics relative to campaigns and elections by conducting the relevant literature review and synthesis. It will attempt to follow the progression of the Internet’s role in politics, and identify both positive and negative impacts. It will assess what the Internet has changed, and conversely, what it has not changed and study the impact of the Internet in terms of candidates, strategists, media, citizens, and activists.
Cost-Based Topology Optimization of Embedded Ethernet Networks
Authors: Sommer Jörg , Doumith Elias A. , Reifert Andreas
Published: October 2011

During past decades, Ethernet progressively became the most widely used Local Area Network (LAN) technology. Apart from LAN installations, Ethernet also became attractive for other application areas such as industrial control, automotive, and avionics. In traditional LAN design, the objective is to minimize the network deployment cost. However, in embedded networks, additional constraints and ambient conditions add to the complexity of the problem. In this paper, the authors propose a Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm to optimize the physical topology of an embedded Ethernet network. The various constraints and ambient conditions are modeled by a cost map. For networks with small number of nodes and/or switches, the authors were able to find the optimal solutions using adapted algorithms. These solutions will serve as a lower bound for the solutions obtained via the SA algorithm. However, the adapted algorithms are time consuming and application specific. The paper shows that the SA algorithm can be applied in all cases and finds (near-) optimal solutions.
Model-Based Testing of Highly Configurable Embedded Systems in the Automation Domain
Authors: Streitferdt Detlef , Kantz Florian , Nenninger Philipp , Ruschival Thomas , Kaul Holger , Bauer Thomas , Hussain Tanvir , Eschbach Robert
Published: October 2011

This article reports the results of an industrial case study demonstrating the efficacy of a model-based testing process in assuring the quality of highly configurable systems from the automation domain. Escalating demand for flexibility has made modern embedded software systems highly configurable. This configurability is often realized through parameters and a highly configurable system possesses a handful of those. Small changes in parameter values can account for significant changes in the system’s behavior, whereas in other cases, changed parameters may not result in any perceivable reaction. This case study addresses the challenge of applying model-based testing to configurable embedded software systems to reduce development effort. As a result of the case study, a model-based testing process was developed and tailored toward the needs of the automation domain. This process integrates existing model-based testing methods and tools, such as combinatorial design and constraint processing. The testing process was applied as part of the case study and analyzed in terms of its actual saving potentials, which reduced the testing effort by more than a third.
Optimized Communication Architecture of MPSoCs with a Hardware Scheduler
Authors: Zhang Diandian , Zhang Han , Castrillon Jeronimo , Kempf Torsten , Vanthournout Bart , Ascheid Gerd , Leupers Rainer
Published: October 2011

Efficient runtime resource management in multi-processor systems-on-chip (MPSoCs) for achieving high performance and low energy consumption is one of the key challenges for system designers. OSIP, an operating system application-specific instruction-set processor, together with its well-defined programming model, provides a promising solution. It delivers high computational performance to deal with dynamic task scheduling and mapping. Being programmable, it can easily be adapted to different systems. However, the distributed computation among the different processing elements introduces complexity to the communication architecture, which tends to become the bottleneck of such systems. In this work, the authors highlight the vital importance of the communication architecture for OSIP-based systems and optimize the communication architecture. Furthermore, the effects of OSIP and the communication architecture are investigated jointly from the system point of view, based on a broad case study for a real life application (H.264) and a synthetic benchmark application.
Implementation and Evaluation of Skip-Links
Authors: Hollis Simon J. , Jackson Chris
Published: October 2011

The Skip-link architecture dynamically reconfigures Network-on-Chip (NoC) topologies in order to reduce the overall switching activity in many-core systems. The proposed architecture allows the creation of long-range Skip-links at runtime to reduce the logical distance between frequently communicating nodes. This offers a number of advantages over existing methods of creating optimised topologies already present in research, such as the Reconfigurable NoC (ReNoC) architecture and static Long-Range Link (LRL) insertion. This architecture monitors traffic behaviour and optimises the mesh topology without prior analysis of communications behaviour, and is thus applicable to all applications. The technique described here does not utilise a master node, and each router acts independently. The architecture is thus scalable to future many-core networks. The authors evaluate the performance using a cycle-accurate simulator with synthetic traffic patterns and compare the results to a mesh architecture, demonstrating logical hop count reductions of 12-17%. Coupled with this, up to a doubling in critical load is observed, and the potential for 10% energy reductions on a 16×16 node network.
Asymmetric Geographic Forwarding
Authors: Mitra Pramita , Poellabauer Christian
Published: October 2011

Geographic Forwarding (GF) algorithms typically employ a neighbor discovery method to maintain a neighborhood table that works well only if all wireless links are symmetric. Recent experimental research has revealed that the link conditions in realistic wireless networks vary significantly from the ideal disk model and a substantial percentage of links are asymmetric. Existing GF algorithms fail to consider asymmetric links in neighbor discovery and thus discount a significant number of potentially stable routes with good one-way reliability. This paper introduces Asymmetric Geographic Forwarding (A-GF), which discovers asymmetric links in the network, evaluates them for stability (e.g., based on mobility), and uses them to obtain more efficient and shorter routes. A-GF also successfully identifies transient asymmetric links and ignores them to further improve the routing efficiency. Comparisons of A-GF to the original GF algorithm and another related symmetric routing algorithm indicate a decrease in hop count (and therefore latency) and an increase in successful route establishments, with only a small increase in overhead.
Identifying the Direct Effect of Experience and the Moderating Effect of Satisfaction in the Greek Online Market
Authors: Giannakos Michail N. , Pateli Adamantia G. , Pappas Ilias O.
Published: October 2011

The scope of this paper is to examine the perceptions which induce the Greek customers to purchase over the Internet, testing the direct effect of experience and the moderating effect of satisfaction. A review of research conducted in the Greek online market demonstrates that satisfaction, self-efficacy, and trust keep a prominent role in the Greek customers’ shopping behavior. To increase understanding of this behavior, two parameters of the UTAUT model, performance expectancy and effort expectancy, are incorporated. The findings demonstrate that customers’ perceptions about all of the parameters do not remain constant, as the experience acquired from past purchases increases. Moreover, the relationship of experience with self-efficacy and intention to repurchase changes, as satisfaction gained from previous purchases increases. The implications of this study are interesting not only for the Greek but also for the Meditterranean researchers and e-retailers, since the Mediterranean ebusiness market shares several cultural similarities with the Greek market.
Measuring Interoperability Readiness in South Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean
Authors: Markaki Ourania I. , Charalabidis Yannis , Askounis Dimitris
Published: October 2011

This paper introduces the Interoperability Observatory, a structured research effort for measuring interoperability readiness in the regions of South Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, supported by the Greek Interoperability Centre. The motivation for this effort derives from the fact that, although interoperability is a key element for public administration and enterprises effective operation, and an important enabler for cross-country cooperation, a standard framework for benchmarking interoperability developments at country level is currently not in place. Interoperability-related information is highly fragmented in different ICT, e-Government and e-Business reports. In this context, in the core of the Interoperability Observatory lies the definition of a structured collection of metrics and indicators, associated with the dimension of interoperability-governance, and a mechanism for gathering with regard to the latter suitable information for a number of countries from various sources. The ultimate goal is the use of this information towards the directions of raising awareness on the countries’ interoperability status, promoting best practice cases and benchmarking.
Behavioral Intention Towards Mobile Banking in India
Authors: Selvan N. Thamarai , Arasu B. Senthil , Sivagnanasundaram M.
Published: October 2011

The rapid growth of mobile technologies and devices makes it possible for the customers of banking services to conduct banking at any place and at any time. Today, most of the banks in the world provide mobile access to its customers for banking as mobile banking systems improve their efficiency and reduce transaction costs. Banks invested heavily in the mobile banking system hoping that its customers would embrace it with open arms. Contrary to the expectation, the lukewarm patronage to mobile banking makes it crucial to understand the factors that contribute to users’ intention to use mobile banking. This study extends the applicability of technology acceptance model (TAM) to the mobile banking context. Based on the review of literature, few additional constructs were added to the TAM. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the casual relationships proposed. Findings of the study support the proposed model’s ability of explaining the users’ intention to adopt mobile banking.
Green Enterprise Architecture using Environmental Intelligence
Authors: Unhelkar Bhuvan
Published: October 2011

This paper discusses Green Enterprise Architecture (GEA), which is an extension and application of Enterprise Architecture in the environmental domain. A GEA makes strategic use of the green IT systems otherwise also known as CEMS – Carbon Emission Management Software – that results in an all-encompassing approach to the greening effort that incorporates carbon data, information, processes, and knowledge in the organization’s decision making. This paper highlights the significance of such a strategic approach to carbon control in practice. The challenges associated with implementing Green IT in organizations can be handled through a carefully construed green IT systems architecture that will not only enable implementation of dedicated system for carbon measures but also facilitate upgrade and integration of existing suite of ERP applications that incorporate carbon measures.
Digital Dome versus Desktop Display in an Educational Game
Authors: Jacobson Jeffrey
Published: October 2011

A visually immersive display can make an educational game more effective, if concepts are embodied in an information-rich space and the interaction/perception design exploits the egocentric view that the display affords. For example, ancient Egyptian temples juxtapose language and symbol in an architecture meant to be understood from the inside. In this study, students, ages 11 through 14, played an educational game based on a virtual temple. In an unstructured test in which students produced their own guided tours of the temple, those who played the game in a digital dome showed better factual recall (P < 0.05) than those who used a standard desktop.
Virtual Learning Environments. The oLTECx
Authors: D’Alba Adriana , Najmi Anjum , Gratch Jonathan , Bigenho Chris
Published: October 2011

The rapid development in new technologies and media and widespread access to the Internet is changing how people teach and learn. Recognizing the potential of technology, schools and universities are placing more content online from fully deliverable courses to course catalogs, course registration, and college admissions. People are able to gain access to a multitude of information with one click. Online learning environments range from authentic, real-time environments to simulations, as well as 2D and 3D virtual environments. This paper explores the use of a 2-dimensional, narrative-based, virtual learning environment (VLE) created by doctoral students to orient potential students to their university departments’ degree programs, faculty, and course offerings. After exploring the environment, participants were surveyed about their experiences. Findings include validation of the instrument, possible correlations relating to learning through games, engagement, and game design. Emerging themes and suggestions for future research are presented in this paper.
Virtual Tutor Training
Authors: Mason Lee L. , Jeon Tae , Blair Peter , Glomb Nancy
Published: October 2011

In this study, the experiences and beliefs of volunteer tutors using a multi-user virtual environment to teach literacy instruction are examined to get a better understanding of the benefits and challenges of learning within this environment. Literacy tutors who were teaching adults with poor reading skills served as participants. During the study, participants delivered direct instruction reading lessons to researchers in Second Life and adult learners during live face-to-face tutoring sessions. Immediately following each session in Second Life, tutors were provided with corrective feedback on specific teaching behaviors. Data on rate of acquisition and generalization from the virtual environment to the natural environment was collected for each participant. At the conclusion of the study, tutors were asked to describe their experiences of learning to teach in a multi-user virtual environment. Results indicate that effective teaching behaviors trained in a virtual environment generalize to face-to-face instruction. However, tutors tended to disagree with the researchers’ perceptions of what constitutes effective teaching practices.
Learning to Become Citizens by Enacting Governorship in the Statecraft Curriculum
Authors: San Chee Yam , Gwee Susan , Tan Ek Ming
Published: October 2011

Citizenship education is important in developing nations, where establishing a vital sense of statehood, belonging, and common purpose amongst citizens presents political leaders with significant challenges. This paper examines the enactment of an innovative citizenship education learning program based on the Statecraft X curriculum. The authors hold that it is essential for student learning to be engaged in and studied performatively, in the everyday context of students’ situated action and participation in discursive practices. Consequently, the curriculum involves school students using a 24/7 mobile learning game played on Apple iPhones—Statecraft X—to enact governorship in the game world Velar. In addition, students construct their ideal, but fictional, world Bellalonia via the “play of imagination” as part of a Play-between-Worlds curriculum model. Empirical findings show that (a) dispositional shifts on several values and beliefs related to governance and citizenship were significantly “better” for intervention group students compared with control group students, and (b) intervention group students demonstrated significantly improved learning gains, compared with control group students, in respect of a summative essay writing task on governance and citizenship, evaluated on the criteria of relevance, perspective, and voice.
Research Note
Authors: Anagnostou Kostas
Published: October 2011

In this paper, the author outlines a framework for videogames in History education. The author analyzes the genre’s features and investigates potential mappings to specific didactic approaches in the context of History education. To guide the analysis, the author briefly reviews didactic approaches for History and identifies qualities that can be projected into game features and systems. Based on the characteristics of those didactic approaches and their requirements for narration and interaction, the author evaluates each videogame genre’s potential for narration and simulation as well as the reflection and assessment opportunities supported. The paper concludes by discussing the implications on serious game design and the integration of games for History education in school environments.
Television, Games, and Mathematics
Authors: Crespo Sandra , Melfi Vincent , Fisch Shalom M. , Lesh Richard A. , Motoki Elizabeth
Published: October 2011

Research has shown that educational media, such as television series or interactive games, can promote significant learning. However, it is quite common for producers to create several interconnected media, such as a television show and an associated web site, under the assumption that multiple platforms elicit greater learning than a single medium would. The research reported in this paper uses Cyberchase media as the setting in which to investigate the effectiveness of multiple media as a tool for mathematical learning for elementary school children. The study includes both a naturalistic phase, which mirrors children’s typical use of the media, and an experimental phase, which allows for causal inference to be drawn about their learning outcomes.
Impacts of Forced Serious Game Play on Vulnerable Subgroups
Authors: Heeter Carrie , Lee Yu-Hao , Magerko Brian , Medler Ben
Published: October 2011

Three vulnerable subgroups of players (non-gamers, resistant players, and females) were studied to understand how each approaches and plays serious games. The authors explore forced (required) play using four different online casual games. Their research strongly suggests that the most important threat to a serious game’s impact is when players dislike the game. Serious games are less effective for players who dislike a game and most effective for those who like the game. Non-gamers were at a distinct disadvantage as far as gameplay performance. They experienced a more negative effect in two of the four games. Finally, males tended to seek more difficult challenges in games than females. The optimal amount of challenge may be the most important gender difference to consider when designing serious games.
Videogames and the Ethics of Care
Authors: Murphy John , Zagal José
Published: October 2011

Videogames have the potential to create ethical experiences and encourage ethical reflection. Usually, this potential is understood in the context of the dominant moral theories: utilitarianism and Kantianism. However, it has been argued that a complete moral theory must also include the concept of an ethics of care. This paper utilizes the ethics of care as an alternative lens for examining the ethical frameworks and experiences offered by videogames. The authors illustrate how this perspective can provide insights by examining Little King’s Story and Animal Crossing: City Folk. Little King’s Story’s fictive context, gameplay, and asymmetrical power relationships encourage the player to care for the citizens of his or her kingdom. In Animal Crossing: City Folk, the player is a member of a community that encourages him or her to care for his or her neighbors as part of a larger interconnected social ecosystem. Both games encourage players feeling an emotional attachment to the game’s characters, and the value placed in these relationships becomes the motivation for further ethical player behavior. The conclusion outlines future research questions and discusses some challenges and limitations of a care ethics perspective.
Estimation of Peak Ground Acceleration and Its Uncertainty for Northern Indian Region
Authors: Joshi Girish Chandra , Sharma Mukat Lal
Published: October 2011

In the present study the authors evaluate uncertainties in the seismic hazard assessment for the Northern Indian region, based on the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA). The newly compiled earthquake data has been treated for the quality, consistency, and homogeneity in a systematic manner to find out the uncertainties in every step of calculations. Based on the geological and tectonic setup, seismicity and other geophysical anomalies, a seismotectonic model of the region has been developed. The seismic hazard parameters are calculated based on giving proper weight to specific region. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) is estimated for various return periods for the Northern Indian region using a logic tree approach. The variation at the input level in terms of the source models and different Ground Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs) is used. To examine into the effect of source modelling and GMPEs, the Coefficient of Variation (COV) maps have been generated. To encompass the region and for better resolution, the peak ground acceleration (PGA) is estimated at 15 minute intervals. The COV values due to all branch points in the logic tree decrease with distance from the source and conspicuous increase toward fault boundaries are observed.
Dynamic Characterization of Settled Pond Ash Using Measured Shear Wave Velocity (Vs) and SPT-N Values
Authors: Jakka Ravi Sankar , Ramaiah B. Janaki , Ramana G. V.
Published: October 2011

Reclamation of abandoned ash ponds for the construction of engineered facilities like gas based power plants, light weight structures, or parking lots often requires site specific response analysis to assess associated seismic hazards in seismically active areas. This requires dynamic site characterization of the ash ponds. In the present study, shear wave velocity measurements (Vs) from SASW technique are used for in-situ dynamic site characterization of the ash ponds. Measuring Vs on the ash ponds is difficult compared to the soils, as the ash deposited in the ponds is often in a very loose state and in swampy conditions. Shear wave velocities measured at three hydraulically deposited ash ponds in Delhi are presented. An empirical correlation between SPT (N) value and measured Vs is also developed. The authors observe that the developed correlation between N and Vs is significantly different than those reported for the soils, which signifies the importance of dynamic characterization of ash ponds using shear wave measurements rather than using empirical relations developed for soils.