bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Market Potential of Network-Enabled 3G M-Business Services
Authors: Samuelsson Mats , Dholakia Nikhilesh
Published: May 2011

Argued in this chapter is that the key differentiators of m-business comprise a set of the experience/function parameters that set m-offerings apart from e-business. “Network-enabling” of m-business by taking advantage of new network-based services that can seamlessly handle many of the service features can add great value to m-business offerings. In network-enabled m-business, business adopters and their end users in the field are freed from the burden of constantly dealing with the challenges of designing, redesigning, configuring, integrating, upgrading, troubleshooting, maintaining, and billing for m-service offerings. A constellation of m-business service offerings that could take advantage of new network-based services is presented. Finally, an approach is suggested to add value and differentiate m-service offerings so that they continue to remain profitable.
Data and Application Secutiry for Distributed Application Hosting Services
Authors: Lin Ping , Candan K. Selçuk
Published: May 2011

The cost of creating and maintaining software and hardware infrastructures for delivering web services led to a notable trend toward the use of application service providers (ASPs) and, more generally, distributed application hosting services (DAHSs). The emergence of enabling technologies, such as J2EE and .NET, has contributed to the acceleration of this trend. DAHSs rent out Internet presence, computation power, and data storage space to clients with infrastructural needs. Consequently, they are cheap and effective outsourcing solutions for achieving increased service availability and scalability in the face of surges in demand. However, ASPs and DAHSs operate within the complex, multi-tiered, and open Internet environment and, hence, they introduce many security challenges that have to be addressed effectively to convince customers that outsourcing their IT needs is a viable alternative to deploying complex infrastructures locally. In this chapter, we provide an overview of typical security challenges faced by DAHSs, introduce dominant security mechanisms available at the different tiers in the information management hierarchy, and discuss open challenges
A Textual Warehouse Approach
Authors: Khrouf Kaïs , Soule-Dupuy Chantal
Published: May 2011

An enterprise memory must be able to be used as a basis for the processes of scientific or technical developments. Indeed, it was proven that information useful to these processes is not found solely in the operational bases of companies; it is also found in textual information and exchanged documents. For that reason, we propose the design and implementation of a documentary memory for business document warehouses. Its main characteristic is to allow the storage, retrieval, interrogation and analysis of information extracted from disseminated sources and, in particular, from the Web.
Development of Agent-Based Electronic Catalog Retrieval System
Authors: Nagano Shinichi , Tahara Yasuyuki , Hasegawa Tetsuo , Ohsuga Akihiko
Published: May 2011

Heavy electric machinery industry is currently developing electronic market places of product and parts. PLIB is the standard of dictionary model and content model for describing both commercial specifications and technical specifications of the parts and products used in the heavy electric machinery industry. This chapter represents development of an agent-based electronic catalog retrieval system using a multi-agent framework Bee-gent, in order to exchange PLIB catalog data between existing heterogenous electronic catalog servers. This chapter also gives qualitative discussion of the developed system.
Client and Server Side Programming Concepts Incorporating Macromedia Flash
Authors: Barone Robert
Published: May 2011

This chapter demonstrates the usefulness of Macromedia Flash MX as a medium for providing interactive content. The motivation for using Flash is presented first. This is followed by an overview of Flash, a brief illustration of Flash’s animation ability, and a straightforward example of data communication from a Flash movie to an external server-side script. Furthermore, basic concepts of object-oriented programming are introduced within the context of the application. The similarity of Flash’s ActionScript to other object-oriented scripting languages is mentioned, and the important non-linear aspect of program development using Flash is pointed out. It is intended that an understanding of Flash’s underlying principles make it more accessible to a larger audience of web designers and developers.
The Emotionally Intelligent IT Organization
Authors: Kaluzniacky Eugene
Published: May 2011

At this point it may be useful to hypothesize how a typical North American IT organization might evolve in psychological awareness/emotional intelligence. Such a vision may be useful in showing IT managers, in encapsulated form, what may indeed be possible. In 1974, Richard Nolan identified six stages of data processing growth within an organization: initiation, contagion, control, integration, data administration, and maturity. Here, a similar attempt is made to identify and describe growth stages in enhanced emotional intelligence within an IT organization.
Understanding the Benefits and Impact of Communities of Practice
Authors: Fontaine Michael A. , Millen David R.
Published: May 2011

Organizations are increasingly providing Communities of Practice with resources to improve the exchange and flow of knowledge and information. However, as with any other significant investment, managers are naturally interested in, and are frequently called upon to justify, the impact that these communities have on individual performance, overall productivity and the bottom line. In this chapter, we present the results of work with thirteen Communities of Practice, focusing on how managers can collect community benefits via serious anecdotes and measure the impact that communities have on time use in knowledge work activities and on individual, community and organizational benefits.
Cultivating a Community of Practice Between Business and IT
Authors: Martin Valerie A. , Hatzakis Tally , Lycett Mark
Published: May 2011

There is a perceived gap between the Information Technology (IT) and the Business function in many organizations, which can lead to poor working relationships and a loss of organizational effectiveness. In this chapter, we discuss an effort to bridge this gap through a program of Relationship Management (RM). The approach is based on the concept of cultivating a Community of Practice (CoP) and relies on facilitating relationships between people in order to share and leverage knowledge. This chapter describes a case study of a large financial services company and shows how the boundaries between Business and IT were spanned through a Relationship Management Community of Practice (RM CoP). The outcomes of the work are embodied in a maturity model that provides a framework for practice and acts as a ‘boundary object’ enabling the gap to be bridged. The chapter illustrates how cultivating a CoP between Business and IT can be a holistic way to manage the dynamics of knowledge sharing in organizations.
Investigating the Influence that Media Richness has on Learning in a Community of Practice
Authors: Schenkel Andrew
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the influence that rich media has on learning in a Community of Practice (CoP) at a large multi-billion dollar infrastructure project, the bridge between Sweden and Denmark. The findings show that an increase in the number of deviations from customer requirement was associated with an organizational change that impeded the community from communicating through face-to-face interaction. In turn, it is suggested that the CoP studied could not reduce equivocality through collaborative narratives because of the absence of rich media. Thus it is argued that rich media are essential for effective learning in Communities of Practice (CoPs). The author hopes that the understanding of how communication influences learning will assist managers, through providing an understanding of the central role that communication has on learning, and researchers, through introducing the concept of equivocality and media richness into the domain of CoPs.
CoPs for Cops
Authors: de Laat Maarten , Broer Wim
Published: May 2011

Managing knowledge in large organizations is a challenge in itself. Modern views on Knowledge Management (KM) focus not only on finding ways to capture and distribute corporate knowledge but also provide ways through which knowledge can be shared, discussed and created. Different types of organizations have different approaches to KM. From general descriptions of these approaches, parallels to the Dutch police will be presented. This chapter discusses how KM within the Dutch police is an integral part of the organization and how explicit and tacit knowledge is shared to create new corporate knowledge. The authors present examples of how Communities of Practice (CoPs) within the Dutch police play a role in both sustaining and developing their own practice, and how these communities are crucial to the learning organization.
E-Commerce as a Business Enabler for Small and Medium Size Enterprises
Authors: Him Leo Tan Wee , Subramaniam R.
Published: May 2011

The new economy is posing challenges for countries to enhance their competitiveness through IP-based business initiatives. A key strategy is to get small and medium-size enterprises to be part of the e-commerce ecosystem. Singapore has put in place an advanced digital telecommunications network as well as the necessary regulatory and policy frameworks for the support of e-businesses. In this chapter, the status of e-commerce developments among small and medium size enterprises in Singapore is assessed. It is noted that, whilst these enterprises still have quite a way to go in terms of emulating e-business practices, market developments will force many of them to adopt e-commerce practices in due course. State intervention strategies are also especially imperative in getting promising enterprises as well as others in growth sectors to come on board the e-commerce platform.
EU E-Commerce Policies
Authors: Wiggins Anne
Published: May 2011

This chapter not only presents an overview of the theoretical awareness and understanding of innovation, but also identifies and discusses existing EU innovation policy initiatives for SMEs, deliberating on the impact such policy initiatives have on their specific considerations. This chapter examines the strategic implications of the adoption and implementation of e-commerce by two successful start-up SMEs in the UK presented against a backdrop of relevant EU policy initiatives. SMEs, and start-ups particularly, find themselves having to operate without role models and tested business plans within an increasingly complex and competitive environment.
Comparison of Factors Pertaining to the Adoption and Non-Adoption of Electronic Commerce in Formally Networked and Non-Networked Regional SMEs
Authors: MacGregor Robert , Vrazalic Lejla , Bunker Deborah , Carlsson Sten , Magnusson Monika
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the adoption and non-adoption of electronic commerce (EC) by formally networked and non-networked small to medium enterprises (SMEs) using the findings from a study of 339 Swedish SMEs. The results of the study indicate that there are no considerable differences between formally networked and non-networked SMEs in terms of EC adoption. This raises a number of questions concerning the nature and role of formal networks in the small business arena, and how these impinge upon the perception of the benefits, usefulness and problems of adopting and using EC.
Effective Virtual Teamwork
Authors: Millward Lynne J. , Kyriakidou Olivia
Published: May 2011

While much of the work on virtual teams is grounded in the assumptions that teams are concrete entities, this chapter conceptualizes teams as psychological entities, existing in the minds of teams’ members and stakeholders. Drawing from interviews with 40 experts in virtual team building and two focus groups, we offer four principles for the existence of a virtual team: the awareness of its members that they are a “team,” identification with the team, commitment to the team goals, and accountability for team success. We then build upon that base to discuss how teams can be made more “intelligent.”
Understanding Composition and Conflict in Virtual Teams
Authors: Potter Richard , Balthazard Pierre
Published: May 2011

Drawing from several years of empirical research, in this chapter, we look at the impact of the personalities of individual team members on the performance and process outcomes of virtual teams. Our studies showed that both too few and too many extroverts in a virtual team may result in low performance. While conventional wisdom says that teams should be set up on the basis of expertise, we argue that the resulting interaction styles of the members must be considered when establishing a virtual team. We offer suggestions for managers on assessing the potential for constructive interaction styles.
Newcomer Assimilation in Virtual Team Socialization
Authors: Picherit-Duthler Gaelle , Long Shawn D. , Kohut Gary F.
Published: May 2011

Socialization of newcomers in traditional organizations has been given considerable attention in the literature. However, little attention has been paid to how individuals are socialized in virtual teams. Examined in this chapter is the critical stage of organizational assimilation for newcomers in virtual teams and how this stage differs for traditional organizational socialization. Specifically, we address newcomer relationship development and virtual team metamorphosis. Recommendations for effective virtual team socialization are offered as well as areas for future research.
Technology and Virtual Teams
Authors: Ferris Sharmila Pixy , Minielli Maureen C.
Published: May 2011

Explored in this chapter are available technological tools for virtual teams. Beginning with asynchronous messaging systems, the technology of e-mail, discussion lists, electronic bulletin boards, Web logs, and short message service are reviewed. Next, synchronous messaging systems, including chat, instantaneous interactive messaging, and videoconferencing are examined. Then, the chapter turns to information-exchange/data-management systems and focuses on tools like the Internet, File Transfer Protocol, Gopher, Telnet, the World Wide Web, and Internet alternatives. Commercial (proprietary) groupware packages and specialized conferencing tools conclude our exploration.
Intelligent Agents for Competitive Advantage
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh , Nugent John H.
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a high-level model for employing intelligent agents in business management processes, much like has been successfully accomplished in complex telecommunications networks, in order to gain competitive advantage by timely, rapidly, and effectively using key, unfiltered measurements to improve cycle-time decision making. The importance of automated, timely, unfiltered (versus “end of period” filtered) reports is highlighted, as are some management issues relative to the pressures that may result concerning an organization’s employees who must now take action in near real time. Furthermore, the authors hope that understanding the underlying assumptions and theoretical constructs through the use of employing intelligent agents in business management processes as a sub element of, or tool within Business Intelligence (BI), will not only inform researchers of a better design for studying information systems, but also assist in the understanding of intricate relationships between different factors.
Text Mining in Business Intelligence
Authors: Sullivan Dan
Published: May 2011

As the demand for more effective Business Intelligence (BI) techniques increases, BI practitioners find they must expand the scope of their data to include unstructured text. To exploit those information resources, techniques such as text mining are essential. This chapter describes three fundamental techniques for text mining in business intelligence: term extraction, information extraction, and link analysis. Term extraction, the most basic technique, identifies key terms and logical entities, such as the names of organizations, locations, dates, and monetary amounts. Information extraction builds on terms extracted from text to identify basic relationships, such as the roles of different companies in a merger or the promotion of a chemical reaction by an enzyme. Link analysis combines multiple relationships to form multistep models of complex processes such as metabolic pathways. The discussion of each technique includes an outline of the basic steps involved, characteristics of appropriate applications, and an overview of its limitations.
Expanding Business Intelligence Power with System Dynamics
Authors: Casado Edilberto
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the opportunities to expand the forecasting and business understanding capabilities of Business Intelligence (BI) tools with the support of the system dynamics approach. System dynamics tools can enhance the insights provided by BI applications — specifically by using data-mining techniques, through simulation and modeling of real world under a “systems thinking” approach, improving forecasts, and contributing to a better understanding of the business dynamics of any organization. Since there is not enough diffusion and understanding in the business world about system dynamics concepts and advantages, this chapter is intended to motivate further research and the development of better and more powerful applications for BI.
E-CRM Analytics
Authors: Nemati Hamid R. , Barko Christopher D. , Moosa Ashfaaq
Published: May 2011

Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) Analytics is the process of analyzing and reporting online customer/visitor behavior patterns with the objective of acquiring and retaining customers through stronger customer relationships. To better understand the role of data integration in achieving the goals of e-CRM, the authors conducted a study by means of a survey. The results of this study propose that although online, offline and external data integration has its complexities, the value added is significant. This survey of CRM professionals is composed of two parts. The first part investigated the nature of the data integrated and the data architecture deployed. The second part analyzed the technological and organizational value added with respect to the e-CRM initiative. The findings suggest that organizations that integrate data from various customer touch-points have significantly higher benefits, user satisfaction and return on their investment (ROI) than those that do not. Additional insights are also presented exploring the role of data integration in e-CRM projects at both business to business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) firms. For organizations implementing e-CRM, this study reveals that data integration is worth their time, money and efforts.
Indexing Techniques for Web Access Logs
Authors: Manolopoulos Yannis , Morzy Mikolaj , Morzy Tadeusz , Nanopoulos Alexandros , Wojciechowski Marek , Zakrzewicz Maciej
Published: May 2011

Access histories of users visiting a web server are automatically recorded in web access logs. Conceptually, the web-log data can be regarded as a collection of clients’ access-sequences, where each sequence is a list of pages accessed by a single user in a single session. This chapter presents novel indexing techniques that support efficient processing of so-called pattern queries, which consist of finding all access sequences that contain a given subsequence. Pattern queries are a key element of advanced analyses of web-log data, especially those concerning typical navigation schemes. In this chapter, we discuss the particularities of efficiently processing user access-sequences with pattern queries, compared to the case of searching unordered sets. Extensive experimental results are given, which examine a variety of factors and illustrate the superiority of the proposed methods over indexing techniques for unordered data adapted to access sequences.
Developing Secure E-Commerce in China
Authors: Fong Michelle
Published: May 2011

The Chinese government has been keen to develop electronic commerce (e-commerce) as a source of economic growth and modernization. While B2B (business-to-business) online transactions are boosted by state-owned enterprises or government-affiliated businesses, B2C (business-to-consumer) online transactions constitute a very minor proportion of e-commerce activities. Several obstacles have deterred consumers from embracing the Internet for B2C online trading and payment, such as inconvenient electronic payment systems, low public confidence in the insecure electronic networks and inadequate regulatory frameworks. It is imperative for the progress of e-commerce in China that electronic systems are secure, and operating frameworks transparent and stable. Otherwise, this emerging market economy will lag behind in enjoying the economic benefits of e-commerce, an emerging key facet in the World Trade Organization (WTO) environment.
Security and the Importance of Trust in the Australian Automotive Industry
Authors: Ratnasingam Pauline
Published: May 2011

E-commerce–which is the sharing of business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions by means of telecommunication networks–is growing at an exponential rate. The hype and growth of the Internet has attracted the growth of online B2B relationships. Internet business, in the United States alone, is forecast to increase as high as $7.3 trillion in 2004 (Gartner Group, 2000). Alternatively, the spatial and temporal separation between business partners generates an implicit uncertainty around online transactions. Uncertainties may arise when trading partners encounter barriers in communication (such as incompatible e-commerce systems, or lack of uniform standards) that may lead to conflicts. E-commerce adoption, unlike traditional information systems adoption, demands high levels of negotiation, cooperation and commitment from participating organizations. Selecting transaction sets, negotiating legal matters and defining performance expectations can burn up hours of staff time and also demand financial and technological resources. Managers have often cited a lack of trust as the main reason for failed business relationships. O’Hara-Deveraux and Johansen state that “trust is the glue of global work space and technology does not do much to create relationships” (1994, pp. 243-244). One way to ensure security and success of e-commerce is to establish trustworthy business relationships. This chapter aims to discuss the importance of trustworthy business relationships as a means to mitigate risks in EDI in the Australian automotive industry.
The Healthcare Cost Dilemma
Authors: Danstrom Russ , Nicola Jeff
Published: May 2011

The current state of the healthcare industry is one of flux and change. Countless articles and books have been written about the topic, and most suggest either putting control of healthcare into the hands of the consumer — much like we did with retirement planning — or government-based care rationing to a much greater degree than we already do today. So many factors have contributed to the rising costs of healthcare that one can barely grasp the grave realities of what the future holds. Projections of healthcare cost inflation have revealed future increases from 12% to 15% year-over-year into the foreseeable future. While quite disturbing, is this really surprising? Is there any other industry where purchase criteria does not include price? Can you imagine going to the grocery store, filling your cart, taking your groceries home and then getting the bill a few weeks later? Would you shop differently if you did not know the price? Who would buy the generic store brand, the larger size package, or wait for a sale? Nothing would ever go on sale. It would be difficult to make value decisions when benefits are known but not the price.
Chief Information Officers
Authors: Schelin Shannon H. , Garson G. David
Published: May 2011

Information Technology has fundamentally altered many aspects of daily life, including interactions with public and private sectors. The role of the Internet continues to increase as more citizens use it to find pertinent information, purchase goods and services, and to participate in virtual communities. By capitalizing on the Internet revolution, governments can create new channels of communication and new methods for participation via e-government. The changing environment, coupled with citizen and business demands, encourages government involvement in e-government initiatives and related uses of information technologies.
Building Competitive Advantage through E-CRM Analytics and Data Integration
Authors: Nemati Hamid R. , Barko Christopher D. , Moosa Ashfaaq
Published: May 2011

Electronic Customer Relationship Management (e-CRM) Analytics is the process of analyzing and reporting online customer/visitor behavior patterns with the objective of acquiring and retaining customers through stronger customer relationships. To better understand the role of data integration in achieving the goals of e-CRM, the authors conducted a study by means of a survey. The results of this study propose that although online, offline and external data integration have their complexities, the value added is significant. This survey of CRM professionals is composed of two parts. The first part investigated the nature of the data integrated and the data architecture deployed. The second part analyzed the technological and organizational value added with respect to the e-CRM initiative. The findings suggest that organizations who integrate data from various customer touch-points enjoy a competitive advantage through significantly higher benefits, user satisfaction and return on their investment (ROI) than those who do not. Additional insights are also presented exploring the role of data integration in e-CRM projects at both business to business (B2B) and business to consumer (B2C) firms. For organizations implementing e-CRM, this study reveals that data integration is worth their time, money and efforts in creating a competitive advantage.
Pushing Elusive Alliances into the Light - Discovering the Value of Informal Networks on the Internet
Authors: van der Merwe Rian , Pitt Leyland F.
Published: May 2011

Sociologists have for many years explored the value of social capital, or the resources embedded in social relations and social network structures. In recent years, organizational forms such as strategic alliances and network organizations have been an important new form of entrepreneurial venture, particularly in business markets. An important and often overlooked type of alliance on the Internet is what we call the “elusive alliance”. These alliances are not formally acknowledged, they are difficult to identify and can often be unknown, even to the members of the alliance themselves. They consist of informal links and social networks on the Internet—unspoken connections and codes of conduct that are extremely valuable because of the social capital embedded in them. This chapter aims to find ways to formally identify and expand these alliances in entrepreneurial ways that will improve their effectiveness, usefulness and ultimately, their social capital, translated into financial returns. We use Social Network Theory as the framework to study these networks.
An Empirical Examination of the Impact Organizational Culture Has on Employees' Computer Self-Efficacy
Authors: Sheng Yihua , Pearson J. Michael , Crosby Leon
Published: May 2011

IT-based business initiatives, such as ERP and BPR, require high computer self-efficacy among employees because such changes require large-scale use of computers. Computer self-efficacy is affected by many internal and external factors; for instance, personality or organizational culture. While extensive literature exists on how psychological and sociological factors affect a person’s self-efficacy, almost no research has been done on how organizational culture could influence employees’ computer self-efficacy. This chapter examines the relationship between organizational culture and employees’ self-efficacy for a sample of 352 subjects. The results, from multiple regression and discriminant analysis, show teamwork and information flow contribute most to employees’ computer self-efficacy.
A Knowledge Base for Information Systems Success Research
Authors: Hwang Mark I.
Published: May 2011

A knowledge base representing the state of information systems success research in the MIS formative period of 1981-87 was published previously. The knowledge base relates five independent variables (organizational environment, user environment, IS operations environment, IS development environment and information systems) to information systems success. This chapter enhances the knowledge base by presenting it in different views. The summary views provide a big picture view of the relationship between an independent variable and information systems success, whereas the detailed views allow researchers to drill down to individual studies that investigated such a relationship. The chapter also illustrates how the knowledge base can be updated to facilitate the ongoing research of information systems success.
Matching Facilitator Style and Agenda Structure in Group Support Systems
Authors: Hostager Todd J. , Lester Scott W. , Ready Kathryn J. , Bergmann Marilyn
Published: May 2011

A 2x2 factorial controlled experiment was conducted to examine the effects of agenda structure and facilitator style on participant satisfaction and output quality in meetings employing group support systems (GSS). Participants were assigned to one of four conditions: (1) relationship style/relationship agenda; (2) task style/task agenda; (3) task style/relationship agenda; and (4) relationship style/task agenda. As expected, satisfaction with the agenda, process, and outcomes was higher in the matched style/agenda conditions (1) and (2). Surprisingly, satisfaction with facilitation and task was higher in the relationship style conditions (1) and (4). Two expert raters were used to judge the quality of group outputs. As predicted, groups in the matched conditions produced higher quality outputs than groups in the mismatched conditions. Implications of the study for practice and future research are provided. This study is part of an ongoing program of research into the effectiveness of GSS as a tool for conducting meetings and other forms of group activity.
The Effects of Synchronous Collaborative Technologies on Decision Making
Authors: Baker Gary
Published: May 2011

Technological advances have an ever-increasing impact on our society. Globalization and the changing structures of organizations have created virtual work groups that are distributed across space (different sites) and time. Collaboration among workers is vital to both ongoing organizational activities and project-based activities. Communication is often seen as the most important factor contributing to the success of individuals, project teams, and organizational growth. Improved connectivity together with the increase in groups and teams has resulted in increased interest in extending the usefulness of IT at the individual level to support the issues faced by dispersed teams. This study compares the performance of sixty-four virtual teams utilizing four different collaborative technologies; text-only, audio-only, text-video and audio-video. While the results of the study found no significant difference between the quality of the decisions for teams using text-only versus audio-only communication, the addition of video to audio-only communication resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of teams’ strategic decisions.
The Effect of Task and Tool Experience on Maintenance CASE Tool Usage
Authors: Dishaw Mark T. , Strong Diane M.
Published: May 2011

Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools have been advocated for improving maintainer productivity and the quality of maintained software. While there is evidence that such benefits can accrue to organizations adopting maintenance-oriented CASE tools, a key problem in achieving the desired benefits from CASE tools is low usage of these tools by programmers. The previously tested Maintenance Tool Utilization Model was a first step in investigating the factors that affect whether maintainers choose to use CASE tools during maintenance projects. We test the addition of experience with software maintenance tools and with the software maintenance task to the Maintenance Tool Utilization Model. The role of experience is important because managers can provide training to increase experience and they can ensure that project teams have some members experienced with the tools or with the task. Data for the test are collected from software maintainers working on their organization’s normal maintenance project backlog. Tool experience is significant as both a main and interaction effect, but task experience adds little to the explanatory power of the Maintenance Tool Utilization Model. These results support the value of improved CASE tool training programs.
The Impact of Informal Networks on Knowledge Management Strategy
Authors: Jewels Tony , Underwood Alan
Published: May 2011

The application of a knowledge management strategy does not take place in a vacuum. Successfully meeting objectives of a knowledge management strategy may depend not only on the efficacy of the strategy itself or of the team that is responsible for its implementation, but also on the environment into which it is being introduced. Research carried out with an application service provider (ASP) indicates that existing informal communication networks will continue to operate independently of any formal strategy introduced. The significance of informal knowledge sharing activity may be in its incompatibility, or possible conflict, with any formal structures that are introduced. The success of any formally instigated knowledge management strategy might therefore depend on an understanding of the existence and nature of already active informal knowledge sharing structures. It is important for management to recognize the existence of such informal networks and to understand how they might affect the success of any formally introduced knowledge management strategy. In this paper the existence and reasons for informal networks and their subsequent effects on formal knowledge management policy are examined.
Amalgamating Ontological Modeling with Bluetooth Service Discovery
Authors: Lee Maria R.Y. , Lee Ching
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces ontology conceptual modeling for discovering Bluetooth Services in m-commerce. Discovery services in a dynamic environment, such as Bluetooth, can be a challenge because Bluetooth is unlike any wired network, as there is no need to physically attach cables to the devices you are communicating with. Regular Bluetooth service discovery protocol may be inadequate to match different service naming attributes. To support the matching mechanism and allow more organized service discovery, service relation ontology is proposed to extend and enhance the hierarchical structure introduced in the Bluetooth specification. Frame-based and XML-based approaches are used to codify the service relation ontology, which represents the relations of service concepts. A semantic matching process is introduced to facilitate inexact matching, which leads to a situation in which a simple positive or negative response can be meaningful. The Bluetooth ontology modeling represents a broad range of service descriptions and information. The semantic matching process improves the quality of service discovery. We believe that Bluetooth wireless networks’ amalgamation with the ontology conceptual modeling paradigm is a necessary component of creating a new path in the field of m-commerce infrastructures.
Using Web Services in Business-to-Business Integration
Authors: Goethals Frank , Vandenbulcke Jacques , Lemahieu Wilfried
Published: May 2011

The Web services paradigm promises well for the future of Business-to-Business integration (B2Bi). Currently, however, this paradigm is still in its infancy and organizations investing in Web services are facing many challenges. In this chapter we discuss some important B2Bi issues and examine how Web services could play their part in these. Nowadays, many Web services standards are being drawn up, but most of these are still immature and do not fully answer the proposed challenges. This chapter presents some rather mature standards. The goal of the authors is to show the importance of a flexible and cheap integration technology, and to discuss how the idea behind Web services fits in this vision, as well as to clarify the role of some important Web services standards.
Protection of Minors from Harmful Internet Content
Authors: Sandy Geoffrey A.
Published: May 2011

The Internet provides access to speech both conventional and unconventional. Some speech is considered harmful to minors. This chapter discusses the important social issue of how to best protect minors from such speech without violating the free speech rights of adults. It examines the Australian experience, one that has relevance to other relatively open societies like those found in North America and Europe. It concludes that the Australian regulatory framework has limited success in protecting minors from harmful Internet content and it risks compromising the free rights of adults.
The Effect of Different Payment Terms on Order Variability in a Supply Chain
Authors: Pujawan I. Nyoman
Published: May 2011

Literature on supply chain management has acknowledged the effects of forecasting techniques, lot sizing rules, centralising information system, vendor managed inventory, and various biases and noises on order variability or bullwhip effect. We will show in this chapter that order variability from a buyer is also affected by the payment terms offered by the supplier. We develop mathematical models to accommodate different payment terms into the lot sizing techniques. The models are then simulated under uncertain demand situations over a range of parameter values. The results suggest that payment terms have substantial impacts on order variability passed by a supply chain channel onto its upstream channel.
A Proposed Framework for Making Decisions Dynamically in a Global Organisation
Authors: Chhai Sokkien L. , Lan Yi-chen
Published: May 2011

A proposed framework for making decisions dynamically in a global organisation has been developed. This framework enables data to be retrieved and analysed dynamically with the aid of technology. This chapter starts with the discussion of various types of global organisational and departments within a global organisation. It is followed by the investigation and identification of organisational data and decisions that make up the global organisation; it also examines the different enabling technologies that can be applied for information retrieval. The chapter concludes with a proposed framework for making decisions dynamically in a global organisation.
Web Services and Their Impact in Creating a Paradigm Shift in the Process of Globalization
Authors: Unhelkar Bhuvan
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the impact of Web services in creating a paradigm shift in the way businesses strive to globalize. This fundamental shift in the paradigm of the globalization process occurs due to the fact that with Web services, it is not one single organization that starts dealing with its clients electronically but, rather, a number of organizations (a cluster) with common needs and complimentary services to offer that start dealing with each other electronically. Web services enable business applications to talk directly with each other without human intervention, resulting in rapid interactions among businesses at a global level. This opens up doors to the interesting phenomena of a group, or “cluster,” of businesses globalising simultaneously, as studied in this chapter.
Quantitative Modeling in Introducing and Managing New Information Technology in Global Business Operations
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Somnath , Bagchi Kallol
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the concept of using mathematical models to select international markets for global business operations. It uses predictive modeling of the Internet growth of many international countries as examples. The authors hope that it will help multinational enterprises and policy makers of any nation to study the importance of using quantitative planning models in introducing and managing new information technologies to new markets.
Kantian Inquiring Systems
Authors: Mahfouz Ahmed Y. , Paradice David B.
Published: May 2011

Kantian inquiring systems can be used as a model for learning organizations. Based on Churchman’s (1971) inquiring systems and Courtney, Croasdell, and Paradice’s (1998) inquiring organizations, this chapter discusses the Kantian inquiring system and applies it to an organization in the retail industry. Kantian systems take input, process the input using multiple models, and interpret the data in terms of the best fitting model. Accepted output from the system is integrated into the system’s fact net. The guarantor of the system is the fit between the data and the model. The authors make recommendations in light of the Kantian inquiring system to the retail organization.
Supporting the Complexity of Inquiring Organizations
Authors: Hall Dianne J. , Guo Yi
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the issue of technological support for inquiring organizations and suggests that the complexity of these organizations is best supported by a technology of equal complexity—that is, by agent technology. Agents and the complex systems in which they are active are ideal for supporting not only the activity of Churchman’s inquirers but also those components necessary to ensure an effective environment. Accordingly, a multiagent system to support inquiring organizations is introduced. By explaining agent technology in simple terms and by defining inquirers and other components as agents working within a multiagent system, this chapter demystifies agent technology, enables researchers to grasp the complexity of inquiring organization support systems, and provides the foundation for inquiring organization support systems design.
Using Inquiring Practice and Uncovering Exformation for Information Systems Development
Authors: Lundin Martina S. , Vendelo Morten T.
Published: May 2011

One of the oldest themes in information systems (IS) research concerns the relationship between developers and users of information systems. Over the years, IS scholars and IS practitioners have addressed the problem in a variety of ways, often focusing on how the use of social techniques can improve understanding between the two parties. Users, however, still find themselves working with systems, which do not match their requirements, needs, and expectations. We suggest that the problematic developer-user dynamic can be addressed by introducing an inquiring practice approach to information systems development. Consequently, this chapter conceptualizes a new way of understanding information systems development through the lenses of inquiring practice, Socratic dialogue, and the uncovering of exformation. We show that by applying this approach, we can enhance the inquiring capabilities of organizations, and thereby facilitate design and development of better information systems.
Inquiring Organizations and the Wisdom of Tacit Knowledge for a Heideggerian Inquiring System
Authors: Haynes John D.
Published: May 2011

C. West Churchman’s five inquiring systems are considered in the light of Polanyi’s distinction between tacit knowing and practical thinking. It is suggested that the five inquiring systems, as distinct and crucial elements of the learning organization, can be divided into two perspectives: the modes of tacit knowing and the levels of practical thinking. While practical thinking is of great importance to the day-to-day management and the analysis of past events of an organization, tacit knowing critically contributes to the sustainable growth and future direction of an organization through its connection with (1) intuition, (2) holism, and (3) ethics. As an example of tacit knowing, particularly in terms of ethics and intuition, a sixth inquiring system is proposed, namely, a Heideggerian inquiring system (HIS). What characterizes a HIS is, together with traditional methods of analysis of what is known, an organizational culture directed to the aim of discovering what is unknown in terms of products, markets, and competitive strategies and, most particularly, the capacities of organizational members. An existing real-world organizational example of an HIS is provided, examined, and discussed.
Information Technology Infrastructure for Inter-Organizational Systems
Authors: Eom Sean B. , Lee Choong Kwon
Published: May 2011

An IOS is an information and management system that transcends organizational boundaries via electronic linkages with its trading partners. The electronic linkage is established by information and communication technologies. Extranets1 are the core technology for building IOSs. There are a host of other technologies that serve as the infrastructure for managing IOSs. They include coordination technologies, monitoring technologies, filtering and negotiating technologies (intelligent agents), and decision-making and knowledge-management technologies. In this chapter, a brief overview of each of these technologies is presented.
Business Associations as Hubs of Inter-Organizational Information Systems for SMEs - The 2Cities Portal
Authors: Pigni Federico , Ravarini Aurelio , Sciuto Donatella , Zanaboni Carlo Angelo , Burn Janice
Published: May 2011

This chapter is a first contribution to the study of the role of a business association (BA) in managing inter-organizational (IO) relationships among its members. The authors describe a model (the Virtual Association Platform, VAP) of an ICT-based platform supporting BA activities and interactions with members. The design of a VAP requires performing a detailed analysis of information flows between the BA and the agents related to its activities. The authors propose a general framework (the IOR4VAP framework) for the design of a VAP, where they identify seven categories of agents, describe the potential information flows exchanged among the parties, and indicate opportunities for the BA to provide innovative services. Finally, the IOR4VAP framework is applied to the case of a VAP established in Western Australia: 2Cities.com.
Brief Summary and Future Trends
Authors: Galindo Jose , Urrutia Angelica , Piattini Mario
Published: May 2011

Fuzzy logic (Chapter I) allows us to bring the operation of information systems closer to the working methods of humans. People frequently deal with fuzzy concepts (for example, terms such as “almost all,” “the majority,” “approximately 8,” “high,” or “low”), which include a certain vagueness or uncertainty and which traditional information systems do not understand and therefore cannot use.