bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information Systems and Small Business
Authors: Hunter M. Gordon
Published: May 2011

The subject area of the application of information systems to small business is a thoroughly interesting, yet relatively under-researched topic. Small business is an important part of any economy. In the United Kingdom, 25% of the gross domestic product is produced by small business, which employs 65% of the nation’s workers (Ballantine et al., 1998). In Canada, 43% of economic output is accounted for by small business, employing 50% of private sector employees (Industry Canada, 1997). Further, governments view the small business sector as that component of the economy that can best contribute to economic growth (Balderson, 2000). Given the importance of this sector of the economy, it is incumbent upon researchers and managers of small business to develop a better understanding of how information systems may contribute to the operation and growth of individual businesses as well as the overall sector. The objective of this article is to provide an overview of information systems used by small business. Research projects are presented that describe the current situation. Recommendations are then proffered for various stakeholders who should contribute to a more effective use of information systems by small business.
E-CRM
Authors: Llamas-Alonso María Rosa , Jiménez-Zarco Ana Isabel
Published: May 2011

As competition and the cost of acquiring new customers continue to increase, the need to build and enhance customer relationships has become paramount for businesses. The building of strong customer relationships has been suggested as a means for gaining competitive advantage (Mckenna, 1993) so, in today’s marketplace, a growing number of firms seek to develop profound, close and long-lasting relationships with their customers since it is much more profitable to keep and satisfy current customers than to manage an ever-changing customer portfolio (Reinartz & Kumar, 2003; Ross, 2005; Llamas-Alonso et al. 2009). This one is a consequence of many paradigmatical changes in the marketing field during the past decades, such as a transition from a focus on the product, transactional marketing, acquiring clients (responsive marketing approach) and market share towards a customer centric approach, relationship marketing, two-way communication, retaining customers (proactive and holistic marketing approaches) and share of customer. Thus, in this fastmoving and highly competitive scenario Customer Relationship Management (hereafter referred to as CRM) emerges as a business philosophy devoted to enhance customer relationships and consequently create value for both the company and the customer.
Developing Efficient Processes and Process Management in New Business Creation in the ICT-Sector
Authors: Juntunen Arla
Published: May 2011

In this study, a Finnish telecommunication company is analyzed from 1990-2007. Discussing the major developments in technology, society and firm-level decisions, this study focuses on the R&D process development and changes due to these exogenous and endogenous factors that have occurred. These factors have also caused changes in the company’s competitive advantage, organizational structure, product- and service portfolio. It has required adaptation skills and capabilities to manage change in order to survive in a rapidly changing competitive environment. This chapter will describe the changes in the R&D process from the in-house development to a multi-partner R&D network. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can be considered both a strategic catalyst and enabler of business process reengineering (BPR). In summary, the chapter discusses how a competitive advantage in mobile and multimedia business was created by efficient process changes and network management capabilities.
Multi-Agent Architecture for Knowledge-Driven Decision Support
Authors: Singh Rahul
Published: May 2011

Organizations use knowledge-driven systems to deliver problem-specific knowledge over Internet-based distributed platforms to decision-makers. Increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques for knowledge representation are being used to deliver knowledge-driven decision support in multiple forms. In this chapter, we present an Architecture for knowledge-based decision support, delivered through a Multi-Agent Architecture. We illustrate how to represent and exchange domain-specific knowledge in XML-format through intelligent agents to create exchange and use knowledge to provide intelligent decision support. We show the integration of knowledge discovery techniques to create knowledge from organizational data; and knowledge repositories (KR) to store, manage and use data by intelligent software agents for effective knowledge-driven decision support. Implementation details of the architecture, its business implications and directions for further research are discussed.
Enterprise Resource Planning System
Authors: Chen Edward T.
Published: May 2011

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is the method of trying to unify all processes within an organization into one software system or database. Enterprise Resource Planning Projects should not be entered into lightly. Not only are ERP projects a new software program to learn, but they are a new way of thinking. This chapter provides a brief history of ERP; follows by the advantages and disadvantages of ERP for organizations considering the adoption of ERP. The next section introduces various strategies of ERP implementation with a list of ERP software vendors. ERP is a long-term IT investment. The total cost of ownership is analyzed and discussed with several cases of ERP implementation.
Enterprise Architecture Modeling with the Unified Modeling Language
Authors: Sousa Pedro , Caetano Artur , Vasconcelos André , Pereira Carla , Tribolet José
Published: May 2011

Organizations make extensive use of information systems to support planning, decision making, controlling and to leverage competitive advantage. Organizations are also complex entities that integrate contrasting concepts such as strategy, people, processes, technology and information. These concepts must be aligned towards the same purpose to ensure that the organization is able to evolve while maximizing the usage of its resources. However, misalignment issues often occur despite large investments on management, organizational and technological infrastructures. Misalignment also hinders change since it makes difficult understanding the organization and seamlessly communicating its concepts. This chapter describes the key concepts for modeling an organization’s enterprise architecture using the Unified Modeling Language. Enterprise architecture consists on defining and understanding the different elements that shape the organization and how these elements are inter-related with the purpose of understanding and facilitating organizational evolution and change. To achieve this goal, the chapter proposes an enterprise architecture model that separates core organizational concerns as different architectural views, allowing both the modeler and the model user to focus in isolation on Organizational, Business, Information, Application and Technological aspects.
Extending Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) with Mobile and Web Services Technologies
Authors: Ghanbary Abbass , Unhelkar Bhuvan
Published: May 2011

Web Services (WS) technologies, generally built around the ubiquitous Extensible Markup Language (XML), have provided many opportunities for integrating enterprise applications. However, XML/Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), together with Web Services Definition Language (WSDL) and Universal Description Discovery and Integration (UDDI), form a comprehensive suite of WS technologies that have the potential to transcend beyond mere application integration within an organization, and to provide capabilities of integrating processes across multiple organizations. Currently, the WS paradigm is driven through parameters however; the paradigm shift that can result in true collaborative business requires us to consider the business paradigm in terms of policies-processes-standards. This chapter, based on experimental research carried out by the authors, demonstrates how the technologies of WS open up the doors to collaborative Enterprise Architecture Integration (EAI) and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) resulting in Business Integration (BI). The chapter also provide a quantitative investigation based on organization’s adaptation to mobile and Web Services technologies.
Delivering the Whole Product
Authors: Feller Joseph , Finnegan Patrick , Hayes Jeremy
Published: May 2011

It has been argued that competitive necessities will increasingly require OSS companies to participate in cooperative business networks in order to offer the complete product/service (whole product) demanded by customers. It is envisaged that these business networks will enhance the business models of participant firms by supplementing their value-adding activities and increasing responsiveness to customers. However, while such propositions have intuitive appeal, there is a lack of empirical research on such networks. This article examines Zea Partners, a network of small open source companies cooperating to deliver the ‘whole product’ in the area of content management systems (CMSs). It investigates how participation in the network augments the business models of participant companies and identifies the business agility challenges faced by the network. The article concludes that reconciling the coordination needs of OSS networks with the operational practices of participant firms is a critical issue if such networks are to achieve adaptive efficiency to deliver whole products in a ‘bazaar-friendly’ manner.
Clinical Decision Support Systems in Nursing
Authors: Dowding Dawn , Randell Rebecca , Mitchell Natasha , Foster Rebecca , Lattimer Valerie , Thompson Carl
Published: May 2011

Increasingly, new and extended roles and responsibilities for nurses are being supported through the introduction of clinical decision support systems (CDSS). This chapter provides an overview of research on nurses’ use of CDSS, considers the impact of CDSS on nurse decision making and patient outcomes, and explores the socio-technical factors that impact the use of CDSS. In addition to summarising previous research, both on nurses’ use of CDSS and on use of CDSS more generally, the chapter presents the results of a multi-site case study that explored how CDSS are used by nurses in practice in a range of contexts. The chapter takes a socio-technical approach, exploring the barriers and facilitators to effective CDSS use at a level of the technology itself, the ways people work, and the organisations in which they operate.
Data Mining Applications in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Kim Soo
Published: May 2011

Some people say that “success or failure often depends not only on how well you are able to collect data but also on how well you are able to convert them into knowledge that will help you better manage your business (Wilson, 2001, p. 26).” It is said the $391 billion restaurant industry generates a massive amount of data at each purchase (Wilson, 2001), and once collected, such collected data could be a gigantic tool for profits. In the hospitality industry, knowing your guests in terms of where they are from, how much they spend money, and when and what they spend it can help hospitality managers formulate marketing strategies, enhance guest experiences, increase retention and loyalty and ultimately, maximize profits. Data mining techniques are suitable for profiling hotel and restaurant customers due to their proven ability to create customer value (Magnini, Honeycutt, & Hodge, 2003; Min, Min & Emam, 2002). Furthermore, if the hospitality industry uses such data mining processes as collecting, storing, and processing data, the industry can get strategic competitive edge (Griffin, 1998). Unfortunately, however, the hospitality industry and managers are behind of using such data mining strategies, compared to the retail and grocery industries (Bogardus, 2001; Dev & Olsen, 2000). Therefore, there is a need for learning about such data mining systems for the hospitality industry. The purpose of this paper is to show the applications of data mining systems, to present some successes of the systems, and, in turn, to discuss some benefits from the systems in the hospitality industry.
Interactive Customer Retention Management for Mobile Commerce
Authors: Möhlenbruch Dirk , Dölling Steffen , Ritschel Falk
Published: May 2011

Mobile Commerce is of growing interest for vendors and customers and with that its importance within the mix of marketing and distributing channels increases. This is of particular significance when customer retention and improved service are essential success factors. Because of their focus on customer integration the instruments of Web 2.0 offer new interactive possibilities for customer retention management. With a systematization of the new web-based applications linked to an evaluation of existing possibilities of customer retention this chapter offers a reasonable frame of reference for the utilization of Web 2.0 within the success chain of customer retention management in Mobile Commerce. Combined with existing studies of the acceptance of Web 2.0 recommendations for a successful timely order of introduction are offered to reach optimal diffusion and retention rates.
Internet, Reengineering and Technology Applications in Retailing
Authors: Rajagopal Dr.
Published: May 2011

The rapid growth in computer technology and commercial needs have allowed significant changes in the information management systems. There emerged in early nineties many commercial network backbones to link with the NSFnet to provide market information to the business firms. The Internet today is a combination of NSFnet and commercially available backbone services disseminating information on the decentralized networks all over the world. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 computer networks connecting over 2 million computers with each other on the Web. In view of the increasing use of electronic information sources through the networks the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) has been designed and made essential for each user networks to abide with the protocol standards which enables the data transfer and retrieval at source.
The Impact of Information Technologies on the US Beef Industry's Supply Chain
Authors: Neureuther Brian D. , Kenyon George N.
Published: May 2011

Historically, the growth of the beef industry has been hampered by the various entities (breeders, cow-calf producers, stockers, backgrounders) within the beef industry’s supply chain. The primary obstacles to growth are the large number of participants in the upstream partners and the lack of coordination between them. Over the last decade significant advances have been made in information technologies. Many new companies have been founded to promote these technical advances. This research looks at the upstream participants, primarily the buyer agencies and principles between the cow-calf producers and the meat packing companies, to determine the degree to which information technologies are currently being utilized and the degree to which these new technologies have driven improvements within the beef industry’s supply chain. We find through our survey that, by and large, the beef industry does not use information technologies to their benefit and that the U.S. beef supply chain is not yet strategically poised to enable the use of these technologies.
Intelligent Networking and Business Process Innovation
Authors: Gershon Richard A.
Published: May 2011

Today, innovation is much more about much than just developing new products. It is about reinventing business processes and building entirely new markets to meet untapped customer needs. This chapter will examine the subject of business process innovation which involves creating systems and methods for improving organizational performance. Special attention is given to the topic of intelligent networking which represents the combination of software, technology, and electronic pathways that makes business process innovation possible for both large and small organizations alike. A central tenet is that the intelligent network is not one network, but a series of networks designed to enhance world-wide communication for business and residential users. Two very different kinds of intelligent networks are discussed in this chapter. The first involves satellite-to-cable television networking where the emphasis is on program distribution to the end consumer. The second is a supply chain management network where the emphasis is on just-in-time manufacturing. Each of the said networks represents a highly innovative business process and share the common goal of improving organizational performance. The information presented in this chapter is theory-based and supported by a case-study analysis of Home Box Office, Inc. and Dell Computers.
Taking Information Systems Business Process Outsourcing Offshore
Authors: Beverakis Georgia , Dick Geoffrey N. , Cecez-Kecmanovic Dubravka
Published: May 2011

As Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) moves offshore and now includes Information Systems (IS) Processes, there is a need to consider a combination of the two. This article explores the factors that a multinational organisation considered when it “offshored” its IS business processes to lower-cost destinations. It focuses on determining the driving factors and challenges faced during the offshore sourcing project. A single, in-depth interpretive case study approach was used to explore this research topic. The results of this study show that the organisation under investigation was primarily driven to offshore its IS business processes in order to become more competitive in the marketplace. This was assisted by the organisation reducing its operational costs, and establishing a global presence in many lower-cost locations offshore. A model was developed, which illustrates the interrelationships that exist between these concepts.
A Framework Describing the Relationships among Social Technologies and Social Capital Formation in Electronic Entrepreneurial Networking
Authors: Burke Kelly , Calton Jerry M.
Published: May 2011

E-commerce technologies—including online exchanges—focus heavily on transaction support. They are designed primarily to reduce transaction costs between suppliers, producers, distributors, and customers. Entrepreneurs however are not likely to realize the full business potential of ecommerce unless the transaction technologies are simultaneously supported by technology-enabled social learning networks used to stimulate the formation of social capital in its three primary manifestations. Toward that end this article argues that a number of Internet-based social technologies (e.g., email, chat, blogs, wikis, podcasts, etc.) can be used more effectively when it is understood that each technology offers different characteristics in support of the formation of different dimensions of social capital. This article presents a conceptual framework describing the capacities of various social technologies for supporting the formation of social capital. A primary thrust of the article is that alignment of a social technology infrastructure with the social capital requirements in entrepreneurial communities will facilitate the formation of electronic learning networks, enabling more collaborative and therefore more successful entrepreneurial communities.
Enterprise Information Systems for Business Integration in Global International Cooperations of Collaborating Small and Medium Sized Organisations
Authors: Osanna P. H. , Durakbasa N. M. , Yurci M. E. , Bauer J. M.
Published: May 2011

The importance of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is today far beyond any discussion in countries all over the world - in European countries as well as in Asia and in USA, in Africa as well as in Latin America. To meet market demands in the present and future global industrial world, manufacturing enterprises of any kind and any size must be flexible and agile enough to respond quickly to product demand changes. With the support of artificial intelligence and modern information technology, it is possible to realise modern cost-effective customer-driven design and manufacturing taking into account the importance and basic role of quality management and metrology. This will be especially possible on the basis of the innovative concept and model for modern enterprises the so-called “Multi-Functions Integrated Factory – MFIF” that makes possible an agile and optimal industrial production in any kind of industry and especially in up-to-date SMEs.
Context in Decision Support Systems Development
Authors: Gachet Alexandre , Sprague Ralph
Published: May 2011

Finding appropriate decision support systems (DSS) development processes and methodologies is a topic that has kept researchers in the decision support community busy for the past three decades at least. Inspired by Gibson and Nolan’s curve (Gibson & Nolan 1974; Nolan, 1979), it is fair to contend that the field of DSS development is reaching the end of its expansion (or contagion) stage, which is characterized by the proliferation of processes and methodologies in all areas of decision support. Studies on DSS development conducted during the last 15 years (e.g., Arinze, 1991; Saxena, 1992) have identified more than 30 different approaches to the design and construction of decision support methods and systems (Marakas, 2003). Interestingly enough, none of these approaches predominate and the various DSS development processes usually remain very distinct and project-specific. This situation can be interpreted as a sign that the field of DSS development should soon enter in its formalization (or control) stage. Therefore, we propose a unifying perspective of DSS development based on the notion of context. In this article, we argue that the context of the target DSS (whether organizational, technological, or developmental) is not properly considered in the literature on DSS development. Researchers propose processes (e.g., Courbon, Drageof, & Tomasi, 1979; Stabell 1983), methodologies (e.g., Blanning, 1979; Martin, 1982; Saxena, 1991; Sprague & Carlson, 1982), cycles (e.g., Keen & Scott Morton, 1978; Sage, 1991), guidelines (e.g., for end-user computer), and frameworks, but often fail to explicitly describe the context in which the solution can be applied.
Business Process Management as a Critical Success Factor in EIS Implementation
Authors: Modrák Vladimír
Published: May 2011

Nowadays, the implementation of business process management modern tools in companies becomes a mater of acceptation of an effective organization management. The first ultimate precondition for achieving this goal is a properly structured company. An attention in the study is placed on business process reengineering due to preparing preconditions for smooth implementation of enterprise information system (EIS). Since there are differences between tools of business processes redesign and information systems development, then a main focus was on overcoming existing semantic gaps. With aim to solve this problem the specific modeling method has been used that was clear for company’s staff and usable for EIS designers. Used modeling approach was supported by QPR software.
Electronic Customer Relationship Management and SME Marketing Practice
Authors: McMahon Fiona , O’Donnell Aodheen
Published: May 2011

Evidence suggests that small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have failed to capitalize on the Internet to facilitate the management of customer relations (e-CRM) and the creation of competitive advantage (Chen & Popovich, 2003; Geiger & Martin, 1999; McGowan et al., 2001; O’Toole, 2001). This is attributed to a lack of influence, time, finance and specialised knowledge, (Carson & Gilmore, 2003) coupled with the reality that most Information Systems and Technology models and tools have been developed from the perspective of the large firm (Maguire et al., 2007; Poon & Swatman, 1999). Despite such constraints, it is posited that by exploring the components of e-CRM in the unique context of SME business and marketing practice that a natural synergy exists between e-CRM and SME marketing in the creation of value propositions. Specifically this is addressed through the two contributing constructs of SME marketing; namely entrepreneurial marketing and network marketing (Carson & Gilmore, 2000).
The Importance of Data Within Contemporary CRM
Authors: Luck Diana
Published: May 2011

In recent times, customer relationship management (CRM) has been defined as relating to sales, marketing, and even services automation. Additionally, the concept is increasingly associated with cost savings and streamline processes as well as with the engendering, nurturing and tracking of relationships with customers. Much less associations appear to be attributed to the creation, storage and mining of data. Although successful CRM is in evidence based on a triad combination of technology, people and processes, the importance of data is unquestionable. Accordingly, this chapter seeks to illustrate how, although the product and service elements as well as organizational structure and strategies are central to CRM, data is the pivotal dimension around which the concept revolves in contemporary terms. Consequently, this chapter seeks to illustrate how the processes associated with data management, namely: data collection, data collation, data storage and data mining, are essential components of CRM in both theoretical and practical terms.
Evolving e-Business Systems
Authors: Caro Denis
Published: May 2011

This chapter posits that transgenic governance forces are evolving and will engage future international e-business professionals in a multi-polar world of 2050. Social governance will be a cogent and compelling force in a tomorrow’s internationalized world community. This is a call to e-business professionals and academicians to understand and engage themselves in the underlying different perceptions and paradigms, or Weltanschauung, of diverse sectors in a world of rising new cultures. They must become “transgenic” in their perspective and seize every opportunity to develop and sensitize themselves to the socio-political dynamics that influence future growth and development of international e-business systems. An understanding of strategic socio-political forces serves as an inter-organizational learning paradigm that fosters innovation and social responsibility for the betterment of humankind internationally.
Intellectual Property Systems in Software
Authors: Rejas-Muslera Ricardo , Davara Elena , Abran Alain , Buglione Luigi
Published: May 2011

Support for research and development in information technology is considered today as critical by most governments in the industrially advanced countries. Traditionally the way of stimulating research has been to ensure to the investor the appropriability of the returns generated. Such appropriability is typically implemented by means of the Intellectual Property Rigths. Nevertheless the protection of such rights is heterogeneous worldwide. Today two different legal systems for the protection of software coexist: the system of patents and the system of author's copyrights. Chapter 8 explains these two main systems of ‘intellectual property’ to provide legal protection to a software, including the licenses to transfer rights on software. The end of the chapter presents the most recent trends of the EU government to replace the current European software protection system, including a discussion onf the software patents and the  legal initiatives on the subject. In addition, legal issues linked with new ways in software comercialization are presented.
Privacy in Pervasive and Affective Computing Environments
Authors: Pitt Jeremy , Bhusate Arvind
Published: May 2011

Pervasive computing aims to saturate ambient environments with sensors and processors; affective computing aims to infer emotive and intentional states from physiological readings and physical actions. The convergence of pervasive and affective computing offers genuine promise for creating ambient environments which (re-)configure themselves according to user’s emotive states. On the down-side, there is a real risk of privacy invasion if emotions, behaviours, and even intentions are recorded and subject to the same content-access rules as telephone calls, IP logs, and so on. Based on an experiment to enhance Quality of Experience (QoE) in a visit to a public collection enhanced with pervasive and affective computing, chapter 11 discuss the subtle interactions and requirements of enhanced service provision vis-à-vis privacy rights. The outcome will contribute to the discussion on ensuring an effective relationship between technologists and application developers on the one hand, and those concerned with privacy rights, ethical computing and formulation of social policy on the other, to promote and protect the rights and interests of citizens.
Between Scylla and Charybdis
Authors: Pina Pedro
Published: May 2011

As a reaction to the challenges of digitization, recent developments of international copyright law are characterized not only by its strengthening and proliferation but also by the protection of technological protection measures against circumvention acts. Consequently, in the digital context, copyright is being deconstructed and converted into a mere access right to legally and technologically protected information. Considering that copyright must represent a compromise between holders and users interests, the desired balance has been lost to the disadvantage of the users, potentially harming fundamental and human rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of access to information. In chapter 13, the author describes the conflict between copyright and freedom of expression, how the classic compromise achieved by the conflict’s internalization within copyright law and the provision of copyright exemptions may no longer exist and how the users tend to find legal protection externally, outside copyright law. 
Natural Hazards
Authors: Zemp Helena
Published: May 2011

The growing importance of mass media in the ‘information society’, combined with society’s increased dependence on electronic modes of information is important to the perception, regulation and management of risk at a local, national and international level. However, media organisations have their own logic and goals that are not necessarily compatible with the logic and goals of disaster planning and assistance agencies. Using a detailed study of the media coverage of floods in Switzerland from 1910 to 2005, we will illustrate the salient features of disaster reporting and how these relate to issues of risk perception and risk prevention behaviour in the public sphere. The findings are used to discuss the traditional media’s shortcomings for the goal of risk reduction, the public’s information seeking behaviour, and the opportunities and limitations arising from the emergence of digital, internet-based information and communication technologies (ICT) for disaster communication.
Efficient Deployment of ICT Tools in Disaster Management Process
Authors: Sagun Aysu
Published: May 2011

This chapter will emphasize that efficient integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in disaster management process can help mitigation of impacts of disasters on people and the environment, minimizing the failures and maximizing the collaboration. It summarizes the nature of information flow and management processes during disasters and the potential of recent ICT at three stages of disaster management. The requirements and problems faced during their deployment at different stages of disaster management process are stated. The solutions for common constraints are discussed as well as the critical factors that should be considered in efficient deployment of ICT in the disaster management process.
POP-C++ and Alpine3D
Authors: Kuonen Pierre , Bavay Mathias , Lehning Michael
Published: May 2011

In the developed world, an ever better and finer understanding of the processes leading to natural hazards is expected. This is in part achieved using the invaluable tool of numerical modeling, which offers the possibility of applying scenarios to a given situation. This in turn leads to a dramatic increase in the complexity of the processes that the scientific community wants to simulate. A numerical model is becoming more and more like a galaxy of various sub-process models, each with their own numerical characteristics. The traditional approach to High Performance Computing (HPC) can hardly face this challenge without rethinking its paradigms. A possible evolution would be to move away from the Single Program, Multi Data (SPMD) approach and towards an approach that leverages the well known Object Oriented approach. This evolution is at the foundation of the POP parallel programming model that is presented here, as well as its C++ implementation, POP-C++.
Computer Security Practices and Perceptions of the Next Generation of Corporate Computer Users
Authors: Kruck S. E. , Teer Faye P.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to present the results of an empirical study of the computer security practices and perceptions of the next generation of corporate computer users, undergraduate university students. The authors surveyed undergraduate university students who represented 42 different majors. The findings relate to the students’ usage of antivirus programs, firewalls, password security, and security patches. Student perceptions of computer security and its importance are also reported. Research in this area is important for two reasons. First, potential employers may find the results useful in assessing their vulnerability to unsafe practices from entry level employees. Secondly, research in this area can give those responsible for providing computer security education a better understanding of students’ computer security training needs.
SEACON
Authors: Yadav Surya B.
Published: May 2011

The extent methods largely ignore the importance of integrating security requirements with business requirements and providing built-in steps for dealing with these requirements seamlessly. To address this problem, a new approach to secure network analysis and design is presented. The proposed method, called the SEACON method, provides an integrated approach to use existing principles of information systems analysis and design with the unique requirements of distributed secure network systems. We introduce several concepts including security adequacy level, process-location-security matrix, datalocation- security matrix, and secure location model to provide built-in mechanisms to capture security needs and use them seamlessly throughout the steps of analyzing and designing secure networks. This method is illustrated and compared to other secure network design methods. The SEACON method is found to be a useful and effective method.
Gastrointestinal Motility Online Educational Endeavor
Authors: Au Shiu-chung , Gupta Amar
Published: May 2011

Medical information has been traditionally maintained in books, journals, and specialty periodicals. A growing subset of patients and caregivers are now turning to diverse sources on the internet to retrieve healthcare related information. The next area of growth will be sites that serve specialty fields of medicine, characterized by high quality of data culled from scholarly publications and operated by eminent domain specialists. One such site being developed for the field of Gastrointestinal Motility provides authoritative and current information to a diverse user base that includes patients and student doctors. Gastrointestinal Motility Online leverages the strengths of online textbooks, which have a high degree of organization, in conjunction with the strengths of online journal collections, which are more comprehensive and focused. Gastrointestinal Motility Online also utilizes existing Web technologies such as Wiki-editing and Amazonstyle commenting, to automatically assemble information from heterogeneous data sources.
Ambient Intelligence and Pervasive Architecture Designed within the EPI-MEDICS Personal ECG Monitor
Authors: Atoui Hussein , Télisson David , Fyan Jocelyne , Rubel Paul
Published: May 2011

Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in developing personalized and nonhospital based care systems to improve the management of cardiac care. The EPI-MEDICS project has designed an intelligent, portable Personal ECG Monitor (PEM) embedding an advanced decision making system. We present two of the ambient intelligence models embedded in the PEM: the neural-network based ischemia detection module and the Bayesian-network risk stratification module. Ischemia detection was expanded to take into account the patient ECG, clinical data, and medical history. The neural-network ECG interpretation module and the Bayesian-network risk factors module collaborate through a fuzzy-logic-based layer. We also present two telemedicine solutions that we have designed and in which the PEM is integrated. The first telemedical architecture was created to allow the collection of medical data and their transmission between healthcare providers to get an expert opinion. The second one is intended for improving healthcare in old peoples homes.
Deconstructive Design as an Approach for Opening Trading Zones
Authors: Allhutter Doris , Hofmann Roswitha
Published: May 2011

This paper presents a critical approach to software development that implements reflective competences in software engineering teams. It is grounded within qualitative research on software engineering and critical design practice and presents conceptual work in progress. Software development is a socio-technological process of negotiation that requires mediation of different approaches. Research on the co-construction of society and technology and on the social shaping of technological artefacts and processes has highlighted social dimensions such as gender and diversity discourses that implicitly inform development practices. To help design teams implement reflective competences in this area, we introduce ‘deconstructive design’—a critical-design approach that uses deconstruction as a tool to disclose collective processes of meaning construction. For this purpose, the idea of value-sensitive design is linked to approaches of practice-based, situated and context-sensitive learning and to the concepts of ‘trading zones’ and ‘boundary objects’.
Scientific Authorship and E-commons
Authors: Schneider Luc
Published: May 2011

This contribution tries to assess how the Web is changing the ways in which scientific knowledge is produced, distributed and evaluated, in particular how it is transforming the conventional conception of scientific authorship. After having properly introduced the notions of copyright, public domain and (e-)commons, I will critically assess James Boyle's (2003, 2008) thesis that copyright and scientific (e-) commons are antagonistic, but I will mostly agree with the related claim by Stevan Harnad (2001a,b, 2008) that copyright has become an obstacle to the accessibility of scientific works. I will even go further and argue that Open Access schemes not only solve the problem of the availability of scientific literature, but may also help to tackle the uncontrolled multiplication of scientific publications, since these publishing schemes are based on free public licenses allowing for (acknowledged) re-use of texts. However, the scientific community does not seem to be prepared yet to move towards an Open Source model of authorship, probably due to concerns related to attributing credit and responsability for the expressed hypotheses and results. Some strategies and tools that may encourage a change of academic mentality in favour of a conception of scientific authorship modelled on the Open Source paradigm are discussed.
Computing, Philosophy and Reality
Authors: Brenner Joseph
Published: May 2011

The conjunction of the disciplines of computing and philosophy implies that discussion of computational models and approaches should include explicit statements of their underlying worldview, given the fact that reality includes both computational and non-computational domains. As outlined at ECAP08, both domains of reality can be characterized by the different logics applicable to them. A new “Logic in Reality” (LIR) was proposed as best describing the dynamics of real, non-computable processes. The LIR process view of the real macroscopic world is compared here with recent computational and information-theoretic models. Proposals that the universe can be described as a mathematical structure equivalent to a computer or by simple cellular automata are deflated. A new interpretation of quantum superposition as supporting a concept of paraconsistent parallelism in quantum computing and an appropriate ontological commitment for computational modeling are discussed.
Challenges of Complex Systems in Cognitive and Complex Systems
Authors: Mainzer Klaus
Published: May 2011

After an introduction (1) the article analyzes complex systems and the evolution of the embodied mind (2), complex systems and the innovation of embodied robotics (3), and finally discusses challenges of handling a world with increasing complexity: Large-scale networks have the same universal properties in evolution and technology (4). Considering the evolution of the embodied mind (2), we start with an introduction of complex systems and nonlinear dynamics (2.1), apply this approach to neural self-organization (2.2), distinguish degrees of complexity of the brain (2.3), explain the emergence of cognitive states by complex systems dynamics (2.4), and discuss criteria for modeling the brain as complex nonlinear system (2.5). The innovation of embodied robotics (3) is a challenge of complex systems and future technology. We start with the distinction of symbolic and embodied AI (3.1). Embodied robotics is inspired by the evolution of life. Modern systems biology integrates the molecular, organic, human, and ecological levels of life with computational models of complex systems (3.2). Embodied robots are explained as dynamical systems (3.3). Self-organization of complex systems needs self-control of technical systems (3.4). Cellular neural networks (CNN) are an example of self-organizing complex systems offering new avenues for neurobionics (3.5). In general, technical neural networks support different kinds of learning robots (3.6). Embodied robotics aims at the development of cognitive and conscious robots (3.7).
Knowledge Transfer in Project-Based Organisations
Authors: Wiewiora Anna , Trigunarsyah Bambang , Murphy Glen
Published: May 2011

Effective knowledge transfer between infrastructure projects plays a significant role in organisational success and discovery of new technologies, helping to achieve and maintain competitive advantage and, in effect, sustainable infrastructure development. Knowledge is recognised as an important organisational asset that adds value while being shared. To date, research on knowledge transfer has focused on traditional (functional) types of organisations. However, existing knowledge transfer approaches fail to address the issue of unique characteristics of project-based organisations, and the fact that functional and project-based organisations significantly differ in terms of structure, processes, and characteristics. Therefore, there is a need for a different, separate approach for managing knowledge in the project environment. The aim of this chapter is to highlight this need. An extensive literature review is provided on the areas of project management, knowledge management, and organisational structure; this is further supported by empirical evidence from interviews with project management practitioners. Conducting a ‘cross-field’ literature review provides a better understanding of the knowledge transfer mechanisms and its application to projects, and of the importance of knowledge transfer across projects. This research is crucial to gaining a better understanding of knowledge transfer in the project environment. It stresses that there are dissimilarities between project-based organisations and functional organisations in terms of organisational structure, duration of processes, viewpoint of time, response to change, and mobility of people, and that there is a need for a unique strategic approach in order to achieve effective transfer of knowledge. Furthermore, findings presented in this chapter reveal key elements that play an important role in across project knowledge transfer. These elements include: social communication, lessons learned databases, and project management offices.
Perspectives of Multivariable Fuzzy Control
Authors: Albertos Pedro , Sala Antonio , Ramírez Mercedes
Published: May 2011

In this work, the situation and trends in the application of fuzzy logic control to multivariable systems are analyzed. The basic steps in designing a control system are considered. The discussion is carried out first on heuristic and reasoning approaches and, later, on function-approximation fuzzy paradigms. In both cases, apart from general considerations, some specific issues arising when considering multivariable setups are considered.
Adapting Multimedia Streaming to Changing Network Conditions
Authors: Kanellopoulos Dimitris
Published: May 2011

Providing a satisfactory multimedia service in networking environments requires an effective media delivery mechanism. However, the Internet does not provide a guaranteed network bandwidth to accommodate multimedia service in a reliable fashion. The Internet is a heterogeneous networking environment, in which resources available to multimedia applications are changing. In the last decade, the research community has proposed both networking techniques and application layer techniques, which adapt to the changes in network conditions. This chapter focuses on the application level techniques, including methods based on compression algorithm features, layered encoding, rate shaping, adaptive error control, and smoothing. The chapter also discusses operating system methods to support adaptive multimedia.
Scalable Video Delivery over Wireless LANs
Authors: Li Maodong , Chuah Seong-Ping , Chen Zhenzhong , Tan Yap-Peng
Published: May 2011

Recent advances in wireless broadband networks and video coding techniques have led the rapid growth of wireless video services. In this chapter, we present a comprehensive study on the transmission of scalable video over wireless local area networks (WLAN). We analyze first the mechanisms and principles of the emerging scalable video coding (SVC) standard. We then introduce the IEEE 802.11 standards for WLAN and related quality of service (QoS) issues. We present some studies of SVC over WLAN using cross-layer design techniques. We aim to exploit the unique characteristics of the scalable video coding technology to enhance personalized experience and to improve system performance in a wireless transmission system. Examples and analyses are given to demonstrate system performances.