bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Network-Based View of Enterprise Architecture
Authors: Iyer B. , Dreyfus D. , Gyllstrom P.
Published: May 2011

Traditional notions of architecture have focused on the components and (or domains of interest—process, data, and infrastructure) aspects of architecture. Their goal is to separate concerns into modules and provide interfaces between modules. This view helps designers understand the ideal or espoused view of architecture. In our work, we view architecture from a dependency perspective. These dependencies evolve over time, creating an emergent architecture. The emergence is influenced by both technical and social factors. Dependencies occur during the design, production, and use of enterprise components. This leads us to use network-based analysis techniques in order to understand the emerging dependency networks. In order to provide architects with support tools to communicate and make decisions about architecture, we describe the data requirements and algorithms that can be used to build a decision support system that enable enterprises to incorporate a network perspective in their decision making process. We present our approach and methods in the context of a case study
A Semantic Service-Oriented Architecture for Business Process Fusion
Authors: Bouras Athanasios , Gouvas Panagiotis , Mentzas Gregoris
Published: May 2011

Most enterprises contain several heterogeneous systems, creating a fuzzy network of interconnected applications, services, and data sources. In this emerging business context, a clear need appears to link these former incompatible systems by using enterprise application integration (EAI) solutions. We propose a semantically enriched service-oriented business applications (SE-SOBA) framework that will provide a dynamically reconfigurable architecture enabling enterprises to respond quickly and flexibly to market changes. We also propose the development of a pure semantic-based implementation of the universal description, discovery, and integration (UDDI) specification, called pure semantic registry (PSR), which provides a flexible, extendable core architectural component allowing the deployment and business exploitation of Semantic Web services. The implementation of PSR involves the development of a semantic-based repository and an embedded resource definition framework (RDF)-based reasoning engine, providing strong query and inference capabilities to support effective service discovery and composition. We claim that when SE-SOBAs are combined with PSR and rule-based formalizations of business scenarios and processes, they constitute a holistic business-driven semantic integration framework, called FUSION, applied to intra- and inter- organizational EAI scenarios.
Ontology Exchange and Integration via Product-Brokering Agents
Authors: Guan Sheng-Uei , Zhu Fangming
Published: May 2011

Agent-based e-commerce has been booming with the development of the Internet and agent technologies. However, little effort has been devoted to exploring the learning and evolving capabilities of software agents. This chapter addresses the issues of evolving software agents in e-commerce applications. An agent structure with evolutionary features is proposed with a focus on internal hierarchical knowledge. We argue that the knowledge base of an intelligent agent should be the cornerstone for its evolution capabilities, and the agent can enhance its knowledge base by exchanging knowledge with other agents. In this chapter, product ontology is chosen as an instance of knowledge base. We propose a new approach to facilitate ontology exchange among e-commerce agents. The ontology exchange model and its formalities are elaborated. Product-brokering agents have been designed and implemented, which accomplish the ontology exchange process from request to integration.
Semantic Knowledge Transparency in E-Business Processes
Authors: D’Aubeterre Fergle , Singh Rahul , Iyer Lakshmi
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces a new approach named semantic knowledge transparency, which is defined as the dynamic on-demand and seamless flow of relevant and un-ambiguous, machine-interpretable knowledge resources within organizations and across inter-organizational systems of business partners engaged in collaborative processes. Semantic knowledge transparency is based on extant research in e-business, knowledge management (KM), and the Semantic Web. In addition, theoretical conceptualizations are formalized using description logics (DL) and ontological analysis. As a result, the ontology will support a common vocabulary for transparent knowledge exchange among inter-organizational systems of business partners of a value chain, so that semantic interoperability can be achieved. An example is furnished to illustrate how semantic knowledge transparency in the e-marketplace provides critical input to the supplier discovery and selection decision problem while reducing the transaction and search costs for the buyer organization.
The Case for Centralized IT Contract Management
Authors: Briggs Anthony , Walden Eric , Hoffman James J.
Published: May 2011

n this chapter a model is developed that describes four forces that move organizations toward centralized IT contract management. Specifically, the model illustrates how centralizing IT contract management enhances organizational performance in four areas. First, centralizing IT contract management allows for a corporate level view of technology, which supports not only interoperability, but also optimizes software license inventory. Second, it combats vendor opportunism by creating a set of contract negotiators who have as much knowledge as the vendor’s contract negotiators. Third, it enhances information retrieval, but locates the physical contracts in a central location, which allows the legal department, project managers, and senior managers to quickly and reliably locate contract details. Fourth, it provides the proper motivation to project managers and contract negotiators by rewarding each job separately rather than by lumping the rewards for timely project completion together with the rewards for efficient contract negotiation.
A Goal Programming Model for Evaluating Outsourcing Partners on a Global Scale
Authors: Hoffman James J. , Walden Eric , Delgadillo Francisco , Bremer Ronald
Published: May 2011

A critical concern for firms that decide to outsource their information technology (IT) functions (or other operational functions for that matter) is the evaluation on a global scale of potential outsourcing partners. In order for outsourcing to be successful, corporations must identify outsourcing partners that offer a good fit with the firm’s overall outsourcing strategy. Unfortunately, little has been written to aid corporations in making complex decisions involving the evaluation of potential outsourcing partners. This chapter presents a goal programming model that combines the concepts of global outsourcing, the management science technique of goal programming, and microcomputer technology to provide managers with a more effective and efficient method for evaluating potential IT outsourcing partners. The chapter extends the existing literature on outsourcing by applying a computer optimization model to outsourcing partner selection in a way that has not been done before.
Real Option Appraisal in R & D Outsourcing
Authors: Cao Qing , Leggio Karyl B.
Published: May 2011

This chapter will stress MIS’ strides in R&D outsourcing, and it will also detail the risks and uncertainty associated with the process of outsourcing core areas of the business such as R&D. Moreover, the chapter will propose the use of real option analysis to assist in the decisions of: “Why should a firm outsource R&D?” and “How does a company select a viable vendor using a two-stage process?” The purposes of this chapter include: a discussion of the cutting edge usage of outsourcing for R&D; and, to alleviate the R&D outsourcing risks, we will explore the two-stage vendor selection approach in information technology outsourcing using real options analysis.
Object-Oriented Modeling and Simulation of Optical Burst Switched Mesh Networks
Authors: Rodrigues Joel J.P.C. , Freire Mário M.
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents an object-oriented approach for the development of an optical burst switching (OBS) simulator, called OBSim, built in Java. Optical burst switching (OBS) has been proposed to overcome the technical limitations of optical packet switching and optical circuit switching. Due to the high costs of an OBS network infrastructure and a significant number of unanswered questions regarding OBS technology, simulators are a good choice for simulation and estimation of the performance of this kind of networks. OBSim allows the simulation and evaluation of the performance of IP over OBS mesh networks. A detailed description of the design, implementation and validation of this simulation tool is presented.
Using Natural Language Modeling for Business Simulation
Authors: Bollen Peter
Published: May 2011

Natural language modeling (NLM) is a conceptual modeling language that can be used for requirements determination for business application systems. In this chapter we will show how the NLM methodology for requirements determination can be extended to serve as a blueprint for business (or management) simulation by providing an initial model for creating a business simulation. We will do this by defining the content of the communication documents for runtime management and we will subsequently show how this meta-UoD can be incorporated into an application UoD. This allows us to capitalize on conceptual models in a business that have been created for requirements determination by extending them with the conceptual model of runtime management. Subsequently, we will incorporate the simulation requirements into the latter UoD and we will give some guidelines on how the conceptual models for the “real life” runtime application can serve as a starting point for the conceptual sub-models for the simulation UoD.
The Objects Model and the Class Diagram
Authors: Shoval Peretz
Published: May 2011

The objects model (or object oriented [OO] model) is a conceptual-application model that is used to define a database schema representing a certain reality. The model views the world as consisting of objects belonging to classes. The objects of these classes have attributes, behavior (i.e., functions), and various relationships with other objects. The objects model can be presented as a class diagram (also termed OO diagram or objects diagram). Like an entity relationship diagram (ERD), the class diagram has two main goals: 1. To serve as a communication medium between the developers (analysts/ designers) and the users or their representatives. The diagram is created as a result of the interactions between the two parties, during which they discover and define the users’ information needs; the diagram serves like a contract between these two sides which summarizes the users’ needs. 2. To be the basis for further development of the information system (IS). Based on the diagram, it should be possible to design the database schema of the application, and (partially) the functions that it will have to perform. For that, it is necessary to transform the class diagram into an equivalent verbal description—an objects schema. This is done using an object definition language (ODL), similar to data definition language (DDL) in the relational model. In principle, all components of the class diagram are mapped to the objects schema. However, the objects schema includes more details which are not included in the diagram. For example, in the diagram each attribute has a name, and some attributes may have specific constraint definitions (e.g., key, unique); in the objects schema there are more detailed definitions, including the attributes’ domains or data types (e.g., numeric, char., real, etc.) and lengths. Another example, in the class diagram, we only write the names of the classes’ functions, while in the objects schema we specify the parameters of the functions. As aforementioned, there is a great deal of similarity between the OO and ER models and diagrams, since the ER model is one of the sources from which the objects model originated. But there are differences between the two models, which we will review later on. One of these differences is that the ER model is “static,” that is, it only deals with the data structure, while the objects model also includes “behavior,” that is, the functions that operate on the data. The rest of this chapter is dedicated to describing the components of the objects model and the class diagram. The description is organized in four main categories: objects and classes, attributes, relationships, and functions.
Object Oriented Methodologies and the UMI
Authors: Shoval Peretz
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews the evolution of object oriented (OO) methodologies and unified modeling language (UML). Most of the chapter is dedicated to presenting and demonstrating the various techniques and diagrams which make up UML, and then it provides a detailed example of information system (IS) modeling using a UML-based methodology.
Transactions and TheirTop-Level Design
Authors: Shoval Peretz
Published: May 2011

This chapter starts with an overview of the design phase according to the functional and object oriented methodology (FOOM) and presents the subphases and their products. Then, the chapter focuses on the design of transactions. First it describes what transactions are and how they can be identified and extracted from the object oriented data flow diagrams (OO-DFD). Afterwards, it explains how to map transaction diagrams to top-level descriptions, which detail their components and process logic. The transactions’ top-level descriptions will eventually become detailed descriptions of respective class methods. The chapter ends with additions to the data dictionary (DD) the class diagram due to the definition of the transactions.
A Frame Analysis of Privacy Regulation in an International Arena
Authors: Agarwal V.
Published: May 2011

The conceptualization of privacy has been the subject of much debate for more than a century in scholar-ship ranging from social philosophy and sociology to law, finance, and medicine. Legal issues concerning the right to privacy, moreover, are part of a complex web of state and national laws. This chapter examines the international legal issues resulting from the European Union’s 1998 Data Protection and Privacy Directive and its effects on online interactions in a global context. The authors believe this focus will help individuals interacting in international cyberspace understand and adapt to varying cultural and national perspectives of privacy in such contexts.
An Integrated Approach to Design Patterns Formalization
Authors: Taibi Toufik
Published: May 2011

A Design pattern describes a set of proven solutions for a set of recurring design problems that occur within a context. As such, reusing patterns improves both quality and time-to-market of software projects. Currently, most patterns are specified in an informal fashion, which gives rise to ambiguity, and limits tool support and correct usage. This chapter describes balanced pattern specification language (BPSL), a language intended to accurately describe patterns in order to allow rigorous reasoning about them. BPSL incorporates the formal specification of both structural and behavioral aspects of patterns. Moreover, it can formalize pattern composition and instances of patterns (possible implementations of a given pattern).
An Ontology Based Representation of Software Design Patterns
Authors: Dietrich Jens , Elgar Chris
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces an approach to define Design patterns using semantic Web technologies. For this purpose, a vocabulary based on the Web ontology language OWL is developed. Design patterns can be defined as RDF documents instantiating this vocabulary, and can be published as resources on standard Web servers. This facilitates the use of patterns as knowledge artefacts shared by the software engineering community. The instantiation of patterns in programs is discussed, and the design of a tool is presented that can x-ray programs for pattern instances based on their formal definitions.
Formalizing Patterns with the User Requirements Notation
Authors: Mussbacher Gunter , Amyot Daniel , Weiss Michael
Published: May 2011

Patterns need to be described and formalized in ways that enable the reader to determine whether the particular solution presented is useful and applicable to his or her problem in a given context. However, many pattern descriptions tend to focus on the solution to a problem, and not so much on how the various (and often conflicting) forces involved are balanced. This chapter describes the user requirements notation (URN), and demonstrates how it can be used to formalize patterns in a way that enables rigorous trade-off analysis while maintaining the genericity of the solution description. URN combines a graphical goal language, which can be used to capture forces and reason about trade-offs, and a graphical scenario language, which can be used to describe behavioral solutions in an abstract manner. Although each language can be used in isolation in pattern descriptions (and have been in the literature), the focus of this chapter is on their combined use. It includes examples of formalizing Design patterns with URN together with a process for trade-off analysis.
Contiguous Placement on Hierarchical Storage Systems
Authors: Tse Phillip K.C.
Published: May 2011

The contiguous placement is the most common method to place traditional data files on tertiary storage devices. The storage space in the media units is checked. The data file is stored on a media unit with enough space to store the data file. When tertiary storage devices are used to store multimedia objects, the objects are stored and retrieved similar to traditional data files. Since the main application of the tertiary storage devices is to back up multimedia objects from computers, the objectives of the contiguous method are: 1. supporting back up of multimedia objects efficiently, and 2. reducing the number of separate media units that are used to store an object. We will describe in the next sections the simple contiguous placement method. Afterwards, the log structured placement method is explained before we summarize this chapter.
Scheduling Methods for Disk Requests
Authors: Tse Phillip K.C.
Published: May 2011

Disk scheduling changes the sequence order to serve the requests that are waiting in the queue. While data placement reduces the access time of a disk request, scheduling reduces the waiting time of a request. Thus, the response time is found as: Response time = Waiting time + Access time The longer the waiting queue, the more useful is the scheduling method. When there is no waiting queue, any scheduling methods perform the same. Expected waiting time and queue length can be found using queueing theory. The queueing theory is out of the scope of this book. In general, a disk scheduling policy changes the service order of waiting requests. A disk scheduling policy accepts the waiting requests and serves them in the new service sequence. Notice that the service sequence may or may not be the same as the incoming order of the waiting requests. In this chapter, we shall describe two common disk scheduling methods. First, we shall describe the simple first-in-first-out method. After that, we shall describe the efficient SCAN algorithm in the following sections.
Cooperative Web Caching
Authors: Tse Phillip K.C.
Published: May 2011

Most clients are placed behind the proxy servers on the Internet. Proxy servers have the disk cache space, network bandwidth, and availability to cache part of the objects for clients. In addition, the number of proxy servers can be increased or decreased dynamically according to the anticipated server workload, making them good candidates to alleviate the bottleneck problem. We have described in the last two chapters how the caching methods provide better performance for continuous request streams in individual proxy servers. In this chapter, we show how the proxy servers may work together to improve the overall performance in delivering objects. At present, large multimedia objects are not cached or only partially cached in current proxy servers mainly for two reasons. First, the owner of the multimedia objects needs to ensure security and control of access of the objects before they are willing to let any proxy servers cache their objects. Thus, any new methods need to allow the content owner have complete control over the objects’ security. Second, the owner of the proxy server wishes to have full autonomy control over its own cache content so that the proxy server may maximize the cache efficiency for its own clients.
Implications of the Planned-Situational Interactive IR Model
Authors: Xie Iris
Published: May 2011

The planned-situational model of interactive IR not only clarifies some of the important issues of information retrieval but also sets up a foundation for researchers to further explore the nature of interactive IR.
Understanding Key Intelligence Needs (KINs)
Authors: Toit A.
Published: May 2011

This chapter explains how to translate an organization’s strategic aims into key intelligence needs (KINs) and how to prioritize and categorize the needs. It argues that an essential aspect for any competitive intelligence (CI) professional is to gain the confidence of management to determine what information about the environment should be collected in order to produce intelligence. Furthermore the author hope that understanding how to determine a set of KINs as derived from an organization’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives and how to break down KINs into general and specific KINs will assist CI professionals to understand what their internal customers want to know about, need to know about and should know about and why, when they need to know it, and who needs to know it by identifying KINs. The application of KINs in a practical situation is illustrated in a case study of a South African company in the furniture industry.
Bibliometry Technique and Software for Patent Intelligence Mining
Authors: Dou H. , Dou J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the bibliometry treatment techniques as a way to obtain elaborated information for competitive intelligence experts. It presents various bibliometry treatments using software able to analyze patent databases as well as commercial database extracts or Web information. With the growing complexity of science, technology, and economy it is of a prime importance for decision makers and strategists to have the best possible view of their environment. The bibliometry analysis provides different ways to cross information, build lists, charts, matrices, and networks. In the process of knowledge creation the bibliometry analysis can be used to provide new set of information from large mount of data. This information can be used for brain storming, SWOT analysis, and expert evaluation.
Design Methods for Experience Design
Authors: Jefsioutine Marie , Knight John
Published: May 2011

The following chapter describes an approach to web design and evaluation where the user experience is central. It outlines the historical context in which experience design has evolved and describes the authors’ Experience Design Framework (EDF). This is based on the principles of user-centred design and draws on a variety of research methods and tools to facilitate the design, development and evaluation of user experiences. It proposes that to design usable, accessible, engaging and beneficial web sites, effort needs to focus on visceral, behavioural, reflective and social factors, while considering contexts such as the ‘who and why’, ‘what and how’, ‘when and where’ and ‘with what’ of web site use. Research methods from a variety of disciplines are used to support exploration, communication, empathy and speculation. Examples of the application of the EDF, to various stages of the web design process, are described.
User-Centered Evalutation of Personalized Web Sites
Authors: Alpert Sherman R. , Vergo John G.
Published: May 2011

In addition to traditional usability issues, evaluation studies for personalized Web sites and applications must consider concerns specific to these systems. In the general case, usability studies for computer-based applications attempt to determine whether the software, in actual use, meets users’ needs, whether users can accomplish their goals in using the software, whether users can understand and use the application (whether they comprehend what they can do, and how), the rate, frequency, and severity of user errors, the rate of, and time duration for, task completion, and so on. But in the case of user-centered evaluations of personalized Web sites, there are additional questions and issues that must be addressed. In this paper, we present some of these, based on our experience in us-ability studies of a personalized eCommerce site.
Automated Object Detection and Tracking for Intelligent Visual Surveillance Based on Sensor Network
Authors: Aguilar-Ponce Ruth , Kumar Ashok , Tecpanecatl-Xihuitl J. Luis , Bayoumi Magdy , Radle Mark
Published: May 2011

The aim of this research was to apply an agent approach to wireless sensor network in order to construct a distributed, automated scene surveillance. Wireless sensor network using visual nodes is used as a framework for developing a scene understanding system to perform smart surveillance. Current methods of visual surveillance depend on highly train personnel to detect suspicious activity. However, the attention of most individuals degrades after 20 minutes of evaluating monitor-screens. Therefore current surveillance systems are prompt to failure. An automated object detection and tracking was developed in order to build a reliable visual surveillance system. Object detection is performed by means of a background subtraction technique known as Wronskian change detection. After discovery, a multi-agent tracking system tracks and follows the movement of each detected object. The proposed system provides a tool to improve the reliability and decrease the cost related to the personnel dedicated to inspect the monitor-screens
Multi-Level Modeling of Multi-Mobile Agent Systems
Authors: Lopez-Mellado Ernesto
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with the modelling of mobile agent systems evolving within structured environments using a multi-level Petri net based formalism, called n-LNS. In a n-LNS model the tokens of a net can be symbols or other nets allowing representing the behaviour of mobile entities. The chapter introduces the formal definition of n-LNS and its application to the modelling of various kinds of discrete event systems, namely batch manufacturing systems, mobile robot communities, urban traffic micro-simulation, and software agents for e-commerce. A case study is included regarding the coordination of an e-market place.
Evaluation of Knowledge Management
Authors: Kankanhalli Atreyi , Pee Loo Geok , Tan Bernard Cheng Yian
Published: May 2011

Evaluation methods are essential for the advancement of research and practice in an area. In knowledge management (KM), the process of measurement, evaluation, and development of metrics is made complex by the intangible nature of the knowledge asset. Further, the lack of standards for KM business metrics and the relative infancy of research on KM evaluation point to a need for research in this area. This chapter reviews KM evaluation methods for research and practice and identifies areas in which there is a gap in our understanding. It classifies existing research based on the units of evaluation such as user of knowledge management system (KMS), KMS, project, KM process, and organization as a whole. The importance of considering differences across industries in assessing KM is also discussed. The chapter concludes by suggesting avenues for future research in KM and KMS evaluation based on the gaps identified.
Knowledge Acquisition and Transfer in Developing Countries
Authors: Seleim Ahmed , Ashour Ahmed , Khalil Omar
Published: May 2011

This investigation explored knowledge acquisition and transfer practice in Egyptian software firms. It used a combination of a cross-sectional field survey of 38 firms and an in-depth qualitative analysis of 14 firms. Although most of the firms in the sample recognize the importance of knowledge, their idiosyncrasies appear to affect the way knowledge is acquired and transferred. The firms were found to have a limited use of their software developers’ initiatives, R&D, and the academic and research institutions as sources for knowledge acquisition. They also were found to have limited capabilities in transferring and sharing knowledge. The Egyptian culture is rich in social and emotional capital, which can play an important role in building relationships, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, and sharing experience. The Egyptian software firms should develop and implement KM strategies that attract expert software developers, capitalize on trust and social relationships, and build IT-based KM systems in order to enable knowledge acquisition and transfer.
A Practioner-Centered Assessment of a User-Experience Framework
Authors: Wright Peter , McCarthy John , Meekison Lisa
Published: May 2011

In this paper we outline a relational approach to experience, which we have used to develop a practitioner-oriented framework for analysing user experience. The framework depicts experience as compositional, emotional, spatio-temporal, and sensual, and as intimately bound up with a number of processes that allow us to make sense of experience. It was developed and assessed as part of a participative action research project involving interested practitioners. We report how these practitioners used the framework, what aspects of experience they felt that it missed, and how useful they found it as a tool for evaluating Internet shopping experiences. A thematic content analysis of participants’ reflections on their use of the framework to evaluate Internet shopping experiences revealed some strengths and some weaknesses. For example, certain features of the framework led participants to reflect on aspects of experience that they might not otherwise have considered e.g. the central role of anticipation in experience. The framework also captured aspects of experience that relate to both the sequential structure of the activity and its subjective aspects. However it seemed to miss out on the intensity of some experiences and participants sometimes found it difficult to distinguish between some of the sense making processes, for example, interpreting and reflecting. These results have helped to refine our approach to deploying the framework and have inspired an ongoing programme of research on experience-centered design.
The Sociotechnical Nature of Mobile Computing Work
Authors: Sawyer Steve , Tapia Andrea
Published: May 2011

In this paper we discuss the sociotechnical nature of mobile computing as used by three policing agencies within the United States. Mobile devices, access and service was provided via a third generation wireless network to a focal application, Pennsylvania’s Justice NETwork (JNET), a secure web-based portal connecting authorized users to a set of 23 federated criminal justice and law enforcement databases via a query-based interface. In this study we conceptualize mobility and policing as a sociotechnical ensemble that builds on the social-shaping of technology perspective and the tradition of sociotechncial theorizing focusing on the co-design of work practices and technologies to support work. Drawing from the social informatics tradition, we turn a critical, empirical, and contextual lens on the practices of mobility and work. Our analysis of the data leads us to find that the social and the technical are still separate in this mobile work context. This simple view of social and technical as related, but distinct, often leads to problems with collecting and interpreting evidence of ICT-based system’s design and use. We further note this over-simplification of sociotechnical action is likely to continue unless more viable analytic approaches are developed and the assumptions of the current techno-determinist approaches challenged more explicitly.
Sociotechnical Spaces
Authors: Clausen Christian , Yoshinaka Yutaka
Published: May 2011

The chapter addresses how insights from the social shaping tradition and political process theory may contribute to an understanding of the sociotechnical design and implementation of change. This idea is pursued through the notion of “sociotechnical spaces” and its delineation, with respect to the analysis of two distinct cases, namely, Business Process Reengineering (BPR), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the light of “film-less” radiological prac-tice, respectively. The chapter elaborates on sociotechnical space as being an occasioning as well as a result of sociotechnical choices and processes, and points to how socio-material and discursive practices may render such spaces open to problematisation and action. It is sug-gested that the notion of sociotechnical spaces helps generate a sensitising guide for research-ers and practitioners, and thus may serve as a constructive means with which to localise poten-tial political concerns in processes of change. The paper tentatively points to some analytical implications and to challenges and possibilities for the “bridging” between spaces, which may otherwise be rendered analytically distinct.
Introduction to Data Mining Techniques via Multiple Criteria Optimization Approaches and Applications
Authors: Shi Yong , Peng Yi , Kou Gang , Chen Zhengxin
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an overview of a series of multiple criteria optimization-based data mining methods, which utilize multiple criteria programming (MCP) to solve data mining problems, and outlines some research challenges and opportunities for the data mining community. To achieve these goals, this chapter first introduces the basic notions and mathematical formulations for multiple criteria optimization-based classification models, including the multiple criteria linear programming model, multiple criteria quadratic programming model, and multiple criteria fuzzy linear programming model. Then it presents the real-life applications of these models in credit card scoring management, HIV-1 associated dementia (HAD) neuronal dam-age and dropout, and network intrusion detection. Finally, the chapter discusses research challenges and opportunities.
Personalization of Web Services
Authors: Maamar Zakaria , Mostéfaoui Soraya K. , Mahmoud Qusay H. , Mostéfaoui Ghita K. , Benslimane Djamal
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a context-based approach for personalizing Web services so that user preferences are accommodated during the performance of Web services. Preferences are of different types varying from when the execution of a Web service should start to where the outcome of this execution should be delivered. Besides user preferences, this chapter argues that the computing resources on which the Web services operate have an impact on their personalization. Indeed, resources schedule the execution requests that originate from multiple Web services. To track this personalization, three types of contexts are devised, namely user context, Web service context, and resource context. A fourth type of context denoted by security enables protecting the content of each of these three contexts. The objective of the security context is to report on the strategies, which permit protecting, overseeing, and assessing the content of the contexts subject to management operations.
Authentication Techniques for UDDI Registries
Authors: Bertino Elisa , Carminati Barbara , Ferrari Elena
Published: May 2011

A Web service is a software system designed to support interoperable application-to-application interactions over the Internet. Web services are based on a set of XML standards, such as Web services description language (WSDL), simple object access protocol (SOAP) and universal description, discovery and integration (UDDI). A key role in the Web service architecture is played by UDDI registries, i.e., a structured repository of information that can be queried by clients to find the Web services that better fit their needs. Even if, at the beginning, UDDI has been mainly conceived as a public registry without specific facilities for security, today security issues are becoming more and more crucial, due to the fact that data published in UDDI registries may be highly strategic and sensitive. In this chapter, we focus on authenticity issues, by proposing a method based on Merkle hash trees, which does not require the party managing the UDDI to be trusted wrt authenticity. In the chapter, besides giving all the details of the proposed solution, we show its benefit wrt standard digital signature techniques.
Dynamically Adaptable Web Services Based on the Simple Object Access Protocol
Authors: Curran Kevin , Gallagher Brendan
Published: May 2011

Dynamic protocol stacks enable a developer to select a particular protocol profile at bind time where each protocol profile is built from a rich library of protocol modules including UDP, packet loss detection, data encryption, TCP, Multicast among others. Communicating objects can be represented as object graphs that together realise the required behaviour built upon the IP service offered by the host computer. All protocols down to device driver level can be implemented at the user level, providing the maximum potential for configurability. The simple object access protocol (SOAP) is a lightweight remote procedure calling (RPC) protocol for the exchange of structured data in a decentralized environment. SOAP enables programs to run and interoperate with other SOAP applications (called Web services) in a distributed environment. The SOAP protocol is based on extensible markup language (XML) and hypertext transmission protocol (HTTP), which, it is claimed, makes it a language and platform neutral vehicle for RPC over the Internet and through firewalls. This chapter describes a SOAP Web service deployed which enables clients to download protocol stack components as simple MIME attachments.
Metadata-Based Information Management Framework for Grids
Authors: Jie Wie , Zang Tianyi , Hung Terence , Turner Stephen , Cai Wentong
Published: May 2011

Information service is a key component of a Grid environment and crucial to the operation of Grids. This chapter presents an information management framework for a Grid virtual organization (VO). This information management framework is a hierarchical structure which consists of VO layer, site layer and resource layer. We propose different models of information data organization for information management in Grids and simulation experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of these models. Based on the experimental results, we further introduce the data organization model for our information management framework. A performance evaluation conducted on a cross-domain Grid testbed indicates that our information management framework presents good scalability with large number of concurrent users and large amount of information aggregated. In this chapter some application experiences of using the information management framework are also presented.
E-Government in Canada
Authors: Roy Jeffrey
Published: May 2011

The objectives of this chapter are first, to examine the main conceptual dimensions of electronic government and second, to critically assess Canada’s public sector. The following definition of e-government is a starting point: the continuous innovation in the delivery of services, citizen participation, and governance through the transformation of external and internal relationships by the use of information technology, especially the Internet. For some, e-governance is distinguishable from e government in that the former comprises a more fundamental sharing and reorganizing of power across all stakeholders and the citizenry, whereas the latter is more focused on modernizing existing state processes to improve performance with respect to existing services and policies. In the short term, digital technologies continue to serve primarily as a platform for incremental changes to the service and security architectures. Yet, broader pressures and questions about transparency and trust continue to build. A key question is whether or not a new government is prepared to embrace a more holistic redesign of political institutions predicated on information openness and public engagement.
Electronic Democracy at the American Grassroots
Authors: Norris Donald F.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, I examine the delivery of electronic democracy (e-democracy) by U.S. local governments through their e-government activities. In particular, I examine three issues related to local e-democracy through data from focus groups with officials from 37 municipal and county governments across the U.S. The issues are: (1) why local governments decided to adopt e-government, and whether e-democracy was among the reasons for its adoption; (2) whether e-government has produced or affected local e-democracy; and (3) what plans, if any, local governments have with respect to e-democracy in coming years. My principal findings are that e-government at the local level was adopted principally to deliver governmental information and services and to provide citizen access to governmental officials; that e-government does not operate in a manner that either produces or impacts local e-democracy (at least as the term is broadly defined herein); and that e-democracy is not on the radar screens of most American local governments for future deployment.
E-Government Research
Authors: Andersen Kim Viborg , Henriksen Helle Zinner
Published: May 2011

A comprehensive analysis of 110 peer-reviewed journal papers suggests that the conceptual domains and application areas covered by e-government research focus predominately on capabilities and interactions, whereas value distributions and policy orientations are largely ignored. Onwards, e-government research is more concerned with conceptualizing government and e-services, than exploring the governmental role in technology diffusion and the role IT plays in democracy and participation. The orientation of the e-government research is an indicator that the legacy of IS-research themes dominates the e-government research body. Interdisciplinary research involving core public administration research along with IS-research is yet to emerge. It is proposed that the field could be more unified if considering both the “e” and “government” of e-government.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Information Security Policies
Authors: Doherty Neil F. , Fulford Heather
Published: May 2011

Ensuring the security of corporate information assets has become an extremely complex, challenging and high-priority activity, due partly to their growing organizational importance, but also because of their increasing vulnerability to attacks from viruses, hackers, criminals, and human error. Consequently, organizations are having to prioritise the security of their computer systems, to ensure that their information assets retain their accuracy, confidentiality, and availability. Whilst the importance of the information security policy (InSPy) in ensuring the security of information is widely acknowledged, there has, to date, been little empirical analysis of its impact or effectiveness in this role. To help fill this gap an exploratory study was initiated that sought to investigate the relationship between the uptake and application of information security policies and the accompanying levels of security breaches. To this end a questionnaire was designed, validated, and then targeted at IT managers within large organisations in the United Kingdom. The findings, presented in this chapter, are somewhat surprising, as they show no statistically significant relationships between the adoption of information security policies and the incidence or severity of security breaches. The chapter concludes by exploring the possible interpretations of this unexpected finding, and its implications for the practice of information security management.
Supporting the Full BPM Life-Cycle Using Process Mining and Intelligent Redesign
Authors: van der Aalst Wil M.P. , Netjes Mariska , Reijers Hajo A.
Published: May 2011

Business process management (BPM) systems provide a broad range of facilities to enact and manage operational business processes. Ideally, these systems should provide support for the complete BPM life-cycle: (re)design, configuration, execution, control, and diagnosis of processes. However, based on an extensive evaluation of the FileNet P8 BPM Suite, we show that existing BPM tools are unable to support the full life-cycle. There are clearly gaps between the various phases (e.g., users need to transfer or interpret information without any support) and some of the phases (e.g., the redesign and diagnosis phases) are not supported sufficiently. This chapter shows that techniques for process mining and intelligent redesign can be used to offer better support for the (re)design and diagnosis phases and, thus, close the BPM life-cycle. We also briefly report on the work done in the context of the ProM tool, which is used as framework to experiment with such techniques.
Cover Stories for Key Attributes—Expanded Database Access Control
Authors: Jukic Nenad , Nestorov Svetlozar , Vrbsky Susan V. , Parrish Allen
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we extend the multi-level secure (MLS) data model to include nonkey related cover stories so that key attributes can have different values at different security levels. MLS data models require the classification of data and users into multiple security levels. In MLS systems, cover stories allow information provided to users at lower security levels to differ from information provided to users at higher security levels. Previous versions of the MLS model did not permit cover stories for key attributes because the key is used to relate the various cover stories for a particular entity. We present the necessary model changes and modifications to the relational algebra, which are required to implement cover stories for keys. We demonstrate the improvements made by these changes, illustrate the increased expressiveness of the model, and determine the soundness of a database, based on the described concepts.
Global Programs of Research
Authors: Straub Detmar W. , Loch Karen D.
Published: May 2011

This is the second part of a two-part chapter that describes and analyzes a program of research (PR) in international IT studies that began in the fall of 1992. The first part spans the years 1992 through 2000 and discusses the concept of a PR, the inception of our PR, and its maturation in terms of theory and methodology, research team dynamics, and program implementation. Part II focuses on the time frame of 2000 to 2004. The work undertaken during this second period is distinctive in two areas: the examination in detail of the full range of all constructs in the final research model; and grantsmanship, which was essential to the life of the PR. Specifically, a multi-year NSF grant funded the core of in-depth work undertaken between 2000 and 2003. A second NSF grant permitted us to work with domain experts from around the world to push the stream of research forward. In Part II, we also offer a retrospective analysis, based on our experience, on the PR effort. Pros and cons are articulated and then extrapolated into practical lessons learned that will be useful to others in similar undertakings. We offer guidelines for initiating and maintaining programs of research, highlighting the inevitable trade-offs that occur when high administrative work loads and intensive data gathering in the global setting, often involving long periods of time abroad, have to be balanced with the ability to carry out the research at all and the rarity of the data. Finally, we look forward to what we term Stage 4—the period of redirection—which is the bridge to the next program of research.