bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Airborne Measurements of CO2 Column Concentration and Range Using a Pulsed Direct-Detection IPDA Lidar
Authors: Abshire James , Ramanathan Anand , Riris Haris , Mao Jianping , Allan Graham , Hasselbrack William , Weaver Clark , Browell Edward
Published: December 2013

We have previously demonstrated a pulsed direct detection IPDA lidar to measure range and the column concentration of atmospheric CO2. The lidar measures the atmospheric backscatter profiles and samples the shape of the 1,572.33 nm CO2 absorption line. We participated in the ASCENDS science flights on the NASA DC-8 aircraft during August 2011 and report here lidar measurements made on four flights over a variety of surface and cloud conditions near the US. These included over a stratus cloud deck over the Pacific Ocean, to a dry lake bed surrounded by mountains in Nevada, to a desert area with a coal-fired power plant, and from the Rocky Mountains to Iowa, with segments with both cumulus and cirrus clouds. Most flights were to altitudes >12 km and had 5–6 altitude steps. Analyses show the retrievals of lidar range, CO2 column absorption, and CO2 mixing ratio worked well when measuring over topography with rapidly changing height and reflectivity, through thin clouds, between cumulus clouds, and to stratus cloud tops. The retrievals shows the decrease in column CO2 due to growing vegetation when flying over Iowa cropland as well as a sudden increase in CO2 concentration near a coal-fired power plant. For regions where the CO2 concentration was relatively constant, the measured CO2 absorption lineshape (averaged for 50 s) matched the predicted shapes to better than 1% RMS error. For 10 s averaging, the scatter in the retrievals was typically 2–3 ppm and was limited by the received signal photon count. Retrievals were made using atmospheric parameters from both an atmospheric model and from in situ temperature and pressure from the aircraft. The retrievals had no free parameters and did not use empirical adjustments, and >70% of the measurements passed screening and were used in analysis. The differences between the lidar-measured retrievals and in situ measured average CO2 column concentrations were <1.4 ppm for flight measurement altitudes >6 km.
Flavivirus Entry Receptors: An Update
Authors: Perera-Lecoin Manuel , Meertens Laurent , Carnec Xavier , Amara Ali
Published: December 2013

Flaviviruses enter host cells by endocytosis initiated when the virus particles interact with cell surface receptors. The current model suggests that flaviviruses use at least two different sets of molecules for infectious entry: attachment factors that concentrate and/or recruit viruses on the cell surface and primary receptor(s) that bind to virions and direct them to the endocytic pathway. Here, we present the currently available knowledge regarding the flavivirus receptors described so far with specific attention to C-type lectin receptors and the phosphatidylserine receptors, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain (TIM) and TYRO3, AXL and MER (TAM). Their role in flavivirus attachment and entry as well as their implication in the virus biology will be discussed in depth.
Learning Languages via Social Networking Sites
Authors: Brick Billy
Published: December 2013

This chapter reports on a study of seven learners who logged their experiences on the language learning social networking site Livemocha over a period of three months. The features of the site are described and the likelihood of their future success is considered. The learners were introduced to the Social Networking Site (SNS) and asked to learn a language on the site. They were positive about two aspects of the site: the immediate peer-feedback available and the ability to converse synchronously and asynchronously with native speakers of their target language. However, there was universal criticism of the “word-list”-based language learning materials, and several participants complained about the regular cyber-flirting they encountered. Other aspects of the site including accessibility, ease of use, syllabus, activities, and relationships with other members are also considered. The potential for integrating some of the features of SNSs for language learning into the Higher Education (HE) curriculum and the implications of this for educators are also discussed.
Assessing Learning with Web 2.0 Tools
Authors: Coutinho Clara Pereira
Published: December 2013

The emergence of new skills to better fit the networked information economy presses higher education institutions to invest in digitally rich environments that allow learning to be personalized, taking place in multiple locations and at time that suits the learner. Social Web tools prioritize collaboration, participation, and reflection, offer new opportunities for knowledge construction and sharing, but they also demand new pedagogical strategies and assessment methods that are not consistent with standards that value what is taught instead of what is constructed, what is pre-established instead of what is democratically agreed. In this chapter, the author presents the results of a research project where different Web 2.0 technologies were used as tools for assessing learning in teacher education programs at the University of Minho, Braga, Portugal between 2006 and 2012. In order to provide rationale for embracing Web 2.0 tools as well as recommend alternative methods to create, capture, and assess learning outcomes that result from the integration of authoring tools in teaching and learning activities, the authors discuss the evidence obtained and reflect on the affordances and challenges of setting up authentic tasks that engage students in the learning process and that provide inferences to assess learning outcomes.
A Hybrid Analysis of E-Learning Types and Knowledge Sharing Measurement Indicators
Authors: Qorbani Davood , Vanani Iman Raeesi , Sohrabi Babak , Forte Peter
Published: December 2013

E-learning as a method of effective transference of knowledge is being widely used. This chapter introduces a conceptual model that shows administrators/directors of e-learning environments how to recognize and utilize different sets of knowledge sharing indicators (a combination of individual, social, organizational, and technical indicators) to enhance the quality of learning in e-learning environments. A model in which different types of e-learning can be employed is introduced and elaborated. Then, several knowledge-sharing indicators that have the potential of facilitating and enhancing the e-learning environment are presented. Finally, the conceptual model of knowledge sharing indicators to facilitate different types of e-learning environments is provided and discussed.
Improving the Perception of Technology-Supported Learning Situations
Authors: Mabed Metwaly S. K. , Köhler Thomas
Published: December 2013

The majority of educational institutes have adopted some kind of technology, especially a Learning Management System (LMS), to facilitate the ways of learning in classrooms. Indeed, the investment in technology with the expectation of fostering learning relies on students’ response toward such technology. Therefore, it is essential not only to predict students’ behavior toward a LMS but also to grasp how students make a decision to use a particular system. This chapter explores the potential factors that have the most significant influence on the adoption of LMSs in Egypt as well as the relationships between these factors. The proposed model extends the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to include self-efficacy and system quality, with the expectation that they significantly shape the use of LMS. The data shows that most of the causal relationships between technology acceptance factors are well supported. The results also indicate that the system quality has a direct effect on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. One interesting observation is the strong influence of perceived ease of use on LMS usage, much stronger than the influence of perceived usefulness on the use of LMS.
The Application of Affective Computing Technology to E-Learning
Authors: Thompson Nik , McGill Tanya Jane
Published: December 2013

This chapter discusses the domain of affective computing and reviews the area of affective tutoring systems: e-learning applications that possess the ability to detect and appropriately respond to the affective state of the learner. A significant proportion of human communication is non-verbal or implicit, and the communication of affective state provides valuable context and insights. Computers are for all intents and purposes blind to this form of communication, creating what has been described as an “affective gap.” Affective computing aims to eliminate this gap and to foster the development of a new generation of computer interfaces that emulate a more natural human-human interaction paradigm. The domain of learning is considered to be of particular note due to the complex interplay between emotions and learning. This is discussed in this chapter along with the need for new theories of learning that incorporate affect. Next, the more commonly applicable means for inferring affective state are identified and discussed. These can be broadly categorized into methods that involve the user’s input and methods that acquire the information independent of any user input. This latter category is of interest as these approaches have the potential for more natural and unobtrusive implementation, and it includes techniques such as analysis of vocal patterns, facial expressions, and physiological state. The chapter concludes with a review of prominent affective tutoring systems in current research and promotes future directions for e-learning that capitalize on the strengths of affective computing.
A Software Platform for Enhancing Integrity in Online Testing
Authors: Westin Stu
Published: December 2013

This chapter describes a software platform that is designed to facilitate the integrity of Web-based exams and assessments. The purpose of the chapter is to share the success of the approach and to promote its further development and use in the e-learning environment. The custom software application, which is named eTAP (electronic Test Administration Platform), has been developed by the author for use in his own courses and is designed in response to his perceived needs in this setting. In addition to e-cheating mitigation, the software addresses the issues of real-time attendance monitoring and activity logging, while providing a well-structured, consistent experience for the students and for the instructor. The assessment platform provided by eTAP uses a software sandbox mechanism to control the examination process. That is, once the application is started, the examinee is limited to specific sanctioned computer functionality and is restricted to a well-defined, relevant region of the Web.
Online Courses and the Job Satisfaction of University Professors
Authors: Reid Scott
Published: December 2013

This chapter presents findings related to job satisfaction and the adoption of online courses from a qualitative study involving interviews with 32 university professors. Professors were able to identify things they like and dislike about teaching online. The findings indicate that while work satisfaction is a very personal judgment, there are some patterns and themes that did emerge. For example, many professors were concerned about the lack of personal interaction with students, while others were getting job satisfaction from experimentation with new ways of teaching. Opinions ranged from professors who enjoyed teaching online and would like to teach all their courses in that manner to those who did not want to teach online again. The study also examines how professors’ views changed over time.
The Agile Hour in a Virtual World
Authors: Parsons David , Stockdale Rosemary
Published: December 2013

Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) are the subject of increasing interest for educators and trainers. In the context of software development, they are beginning to see increasing use both as learning spaces and as a richer means of collaboration for virtual teams. This chapter reflects on a project that developed and evaluated a virtual agile software development workshop hosted in the Open Wonderland MUVE, designed to help learners to understand the basic principles of some core agile software development techniques. The work took a design-based research approach, following a reflective path of development through two major iterations. The authors trace the research process from a real world implementation of the “agile hour” workshop to its virtual incarnation, describing the design philosophy and the constructed virtual artifacts. They conclude by reflecting on the insights into learner perceptions and practical implementations gained from building and evaluating the Open Wonderland workshop.
The Role of Strategic Management Simulation as a Tool for Teamwork KSA Learning
Authors: Pérez Víctor Martín , Cruz Natalia Martín
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of strategic management simulations as a learning-by-doing tool so that university students can learn to work in a team, that is, they can enhance their Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) for effective teamwork. The authors carry out an analysis of the effect of strategic management simulation on the teamwork KSA with a group of undergraduates studying in the School of Business. The results show that teamwork KSA can improve and that the initial knowledge of that teamwork KSA, at the individual level, is the only factor that conditions their learning. Initial knowledge of the teamwork KSA and the spread of this knowledge within the team are not determinant influences on the learning-by-doing of the individual. Surprisingly, neither are features such as intelligence, personality, attitude to teamwork, and teamwork self-efficacy, both of the individual and the team.
Environmental Science Education in the 21st Century
Authors: McLaughlin Jacqueline S. , Baker Rose
Published: December 2013

Technology is helping biology instructors redefine their pedagogical “toolboxes” for the 21st century classroom. Indeed, online multimedia learning tools are evolving to fill the niche to assist student transition from simple inquiry-based learning (textbooks, less student responsibility, rote memorization of facts) to professional science practice (higher-end inquiry, more student responsibility, higher order thinking). Moreover, these tools are creating interactive classrooms, empowering motivated instructors to be facilitators of learning who allow students opportunities to construct their own knowledge while exciting the next generation of thinkers, doers, and global-minded citizens. This chapter reviews one example of an online multimedia learning tool—the CHANCE research module—that is being used in high school and undergraduate classrooms in the United States, China, and other international locations to transform environmental science education by exposing students to international environmental issues and problems through the analysis and evaluation of real-research data from factual ecosystems, highlighting evidentiary support for the benefits and successes of these research-based modules, and showcasing what is being learned, through assessment research, about the use of these modules in Chinese undergraduate classrooms.
Insights into the Search Behavior of Non-Medical Professionals Based on Task Difficulty and an Evaluation against New Generation Medical Information Retrieval Strategies
Authors: Inthiran Anushia , Alhashmi Saadat M. , Ahmed Pervaiz K.
Published: December 2013

Medical information searching is amongst the most common type of search performed on the Internet. The accessibility and availability of publicly available medical domains has made medical domains a popular destination to perform medical type searches. However, non-medical professionals may find performing a medical type search difficult due to limited knowledge and expertise. Thus, medical information retrieval strategies are key in assisting non-medical professionals experience a productive search session. In this chapter, the authors review information retrieval strategies and introduce new generation information retrieval strategies. They then analyze search behavior of non-medical professionals when searching across varying levels of task difficulty. This is followed by an evaluation on how new generation medical information retrieval strategies support a non-medical professional’s medical search session when searching across varying levels of task difficulty. Results of this research study provide a better understanding of the search behavior of non-medical professionals when searching across varying levels of task difficulty. The results also provide suggestions on how information retrieval strategies can better assist non-medical professionals when searching across varying levels of task difficulty.
Health Care Reform Requires IT Solutions to Influence Consumer Perception at a Health Care Payer
Authors: Bhaskar Rahul , Vo Au
Published: December 2013

Recent health care reform is one of the biggest changes that the health care industry has ever faced. This reform represents paradigm changing opportunities and challenges for the company providing health insurance in a managed care environment. The CIO of a premier managed care health insurance provider (ABC Company) wants to take advantage of the new environment using Information Technology. He and his management teams have determined, using primary research, that the customer perception of the health care company’s cost and accessibility to quality health care are the most important factors to their customers in the new market. They are aware that even though they have been able to use information technology to predict customer reaction to changes in cost and perception of quality, it will be very difficult to deliver new systems and processes that support ABC Company’s exposure to the new realities it faces in the market.
A Cognitive Machine-Learning System to Discover Syndromes in Erythemato-Squamous Diseases
Authors: Gagliardi Francesco
Published: December 2013

A syndrome is a set of typical clinical features that appear together often enough to suggest they may represent a single, as yet unknown, disease. The discovery of syndromes and relative taxonomy formation is the critical early phase of the process of scientific discovery in the medical domain. The author proposes a machine learning system to discover syndromes (seen as prototypes of clinical cases) that is based on the Eleanor Rosch’s prototype theory on how the human mind categorizes and infers prototypes from observations. A comparison on a case study in erythemato-squamous diseases of the proposed system against three hierarchical clustering algorithms shows that the system obtains performances which are averagely better. The system implemented can be considered a “scientific discovery support system” because it can discover unknown syndromes to the advantage of research activities and syndromic surveillance.
E-Collaboration in Biomedical Research
Authors: Gray Kathleen , Sanchez Fernando Martin , Bright Gabrielle , Cheng Ardis
Published: December 2013

There are compelling arguments for using emerging Web technologies to facilitate research in the biomedical sciences. This chapter reviews current research and current technologies for e-collaboration in biomedical research. This chapter presents four case studies examining the use of Web-based tools to support the teamwork of geographically distributed biomedical researchers. It then reviews case study findings in light of the Web 2.0 e-collaboration enablers that are available. It concludes with surprising and concerning reflections about current practices in biomedical research collaboration as well as some promising future directions through the use of biomedical informatics to advance these practices by addressing human factors.
Migrant Women
Authors: Fitzpatrick Jane
Published: December 2013

Women across the world migrate for a wide range of reasons. Some gravitate to towns and cities in their own countries seeking safety, education, health care, and employment opportunities. Others cross international boundaries, fleeing from the atrocities of war and extreme poverty. Migration within countries is also on the rise, as people move seeking resources, services, education, and employment opportunities. In addition, they may want to escape from violence or natural disasters. This movement of people from rural to urban areas has resulted in an explosive growth of cities around the globe. Women migrate to enhance their life experiences and that of their children and kinsfolk. This chapter draws on a research case study undertaken with the Kewapi language group in Port Moresby and the Batri Villages of the Southern Highlands in Papua New Guinea. It highlights the perspectives of women migrating from their home communities in order to seek education and health care. It explores the implications for developing user-focused health care systems designed to meet the needs of mobile and vulnerable women. The study suggests that if women and their families from remote rural communities participate in health promoting initiatives, they can dramatically improve their life and health experiences and that of their community.
Diffusion of Innovations
Authors: Weigel Fred K. , Hazen Benjamin T.
Published: December 2013

In this chapter, the authors discuss the use of diffusion of innovations as a foundational theory for research in the medical informatics discipline. They performed a meta-analysis to examine the enduring efficacy of the tenets of diffusion of innovations. Then, they performed a content analysis to examine over 2,000 journal articles from the fields of medical informatics, medicine, and information systems. The authors found that tenets of diffusion of innovations theory were prevalent in much of the literature and that the relationships proposed by diffusion of innovations theory have remained significant in the empirical literature. Although several theories are useful in explaining phenomenon in the domain of medical informatics, diffusion of innovation is one such theory that can be applicable to a vast amount of medical informatics research focused on new technologies or work processes, and the authors suggest that scholars use and/or synthesize it with additional theory to provide a foundation for future research in this area.
Modeling the Diffusion of Psychological Stress
Authors: Cipresso Pietro , Serino Silvia , Gaggioli Andrea , Riva Giuseppe
Published: December 2013

Stress reduces quality of life and causes many diseases. Nevertheless, it is not completely clear whether stress transmission may involve acquaintances and other people in addition to lovers, friends, and relatives. More generally, it is not clear how stress spreads among the population and how its diffusion in a society can be estimated. This chapter presents a set of mathematical and computational models that can be used to approach the modeling of psychological stress diffusion.
Cloud Bioinformatics in a Private Cloud Deployment
Authors: Chang Victor
Published: December 2013

This chapter describes service portability for a private cloud deployment, including a detailed case study about Cloud Bioinformatics services developed as part of the Cloud Computing Adoption Framework (CCAF). The Cloud Bioinformatics design and deployment is based on Storage Area Network (SAN) technologies, details of which include functionalities, technical implementation, architecture, and user support. Bioinformatics applications are written on the SAN-based private cloud, which can simulate complex biological sciences and present them in a way that anyone without prior knowledge can understand. Several bioinformatics results are discussed, particularly brain segmentation, which demonstrates different parts of the brain simulated by the private cloud. In addition, benefits of CCAF are illustrated using several bioinformatics examples such as tumour modelling, brain imaging, insulin molecules, and simulations for medical training. The Cloud Bioinformatics solution offers cost reduction, time-saving, and user friendliness.
Application of the Cloud Computing for the Effective Implementation of the Medical Information System
Authors: Kldiashvili Ekaterina
Published: December 2013

The field of healthcare informatics is rapidly evolving. The new models and protocols of Medical Information System (MIS) are developed. Despite obvious advantages and benefits, practical application of MIS in everyday practice is slow. Cloud computing have emerged as an important new field, distinguished from conventional distributed computing by its focus on large-scale sharing, innovative applications, and, in some cases, high-performance orientation. “Cloud computing” is defined as flexible, secure, coordinated resource sharing among dynamic collections of individuals, institutions, and resources. Cloud computing is a new way of delivering computing resources and services. It is plausible that this technology has more potential and can improve health care services, benefit health care research, and change the face of health information technology. This can be a solution for widespread and effective implementation of the medical information system. The present chapter discusses the application of cloud computing for the medical information system practical usage. The ideal of healthcare in the information age must be to create knowledge from medical information and less time managing medical information and data. The application of easily available and adaptable technology and improvement of the infrastructure conditions is the basis for medical informatics applications. The usage of MIS holds the potential to improve, develop, and realize medical service in the effective and comprehensive mode.
Personal Blog Marketing
Authors: Mutum Dilip S. , Ghazali Ezlika M.
Published: December 2013

This chapter looks at the commercialization of personal blogs and also defines some of the key terms that have emerged as a result of this phenomenon, including “sponsored posts.” Despite their importance, the authors feel that not enough attention has been paid by academics to the development of marketing in the blogosphere. The chapter also examines the concerns that marketing communications on blogs may be contributing to the shadow economy around the world. The uniqueness of this new form of advertising medium is emphasized, and it is hoped that this chapter will also add to the understanding of why the study of blogs and their commercialization is absolutely essential.
G2C Marketing
Authors: Sohrabi Babak , Khanlari Amir
Published: December 2013

Public administration has been challenged by “new public management” and “government redesign” paradigms. In addition, the relationship between government and citizen has been changed dramatically based on the mentioned paradigm shift. Customer orientation in the public sector is one of the changes originated from the private sector’s principles and paradigms. Nowadays, scholars emphasize applying concepts and techniques of customer orientation in e-government. In this text, firstly, customer orientation and its importance in government activities, especially e-government, is described. Then, principles, applications, and experiences of citizen relationship management as a technique of customer-oriented governments are described.
B2C Market
Authors: Demo Gisela
Published: December 2013

Given the strategic relevance of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) as a way to improve customer relations in the cyber era and also the lack of instruments customized for the Business-to-Consumer (B2C) market in general, the main objective of this study is to develop and validate a reliable and valid scale to measure customers’ perceptions regarding aspects they consider relevant in their relationship with companies in general that might influence their shopping experiences. A study has been conducted with an American sample for the development and validation of the Customer Relationship Management Scale (CRMS) by using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). The result was a one-factor model with high-reliability. This research is a starting point to provide a comprehensive measure of customer relationship management based on customers’ perspectives.
Tourism Marketing
Authors: Adapa Sujana
Published: December 2013

Tourism is an important service sector in many countries across the world as this particular sector generates significant amounts of revenue that adds up to the country’s national economy. Given the significance of this sector, it is important to consider how this sector can be promoted to the end users and what type of marketing strategies should be formulated in order to achieve maximum market share. Therefore, this chapter highlights the ever-changing needs and wants of customers in terms of their destination choices. Moreover, this chapter provides information related to the important factors that will influence customers’ choices of destinations and elicit the relevance of the various marketing strategies that are evident as part of accessing and promoting online modes. These differential marketing strategies are important to consider as they cater to the needs of varied customer segments. Challenges associated with tourism marketing are discussed, and furthermore, relevant tourism-based examples are included that reflect the changes in the tourism marketing space.
Online Customer Experience
Authors: Yarimoglu Emel Kursunluoglu
Published: December 2013

Internet has become one of the strongest components of commerce. The number of online customers continues to rise day to day and satisfying them is a vital issue in order for online companies to survive. Customer experience is important in e-commerce as well as in traditional commerce. Online customer experience is a unique subject that should be analyzed for gaining sustainable competitive advantage in e-commerce, since there are more intangible elements for online retailers than brick and mortar retailers. The main aim of this chapter is to identify the formation of online customer experience and to show the importance of online customer experience. If online customer experience is created by online retailer, customer satisfaction and loyalty can be developed later. For such reasons, factors that affect online customer experience and designing a Website for creating online customer experience are discussed in this chapter.
Recovery Strategies in On-Line Service Failure
Authors: Ozuem Wilson , Lancaster Geoff
Published: December 2013

Despite a proliferation of a number of studies on service failures and recovery in e-service settings, there is a paucity of knowledge of ways in which service failures and recovery practices are implemented in the fashion industry. Drawing on constructivist perspective, this study offers a new perspective on an effective relational mechanism that would bridge the rupture between consumers and companies particularly in the on-line fashion sector. The analysis adds to studies on service failures and recovery by elucidating recovery strategies relevant to retailers’ operations in on-line environments. This analysis advances knowledge of on-line service failures and recovery in the UK fashion industry. Findings indicate that consumer expectations of service failures and recovery are context driven, which requires companies to fine-tune their recovery strategies to improve recovery satisfaction.
Halal Branding
Authors: Shahnazari Ali
Published: December 2013

Muslim and Islamic marketing is very important on the global level. This chapter investigates Muslim's food market. In the first section, the foundations of Halal food are explained, and the roots of the concept of Halal and the challenges facing it are described. The second section includes Islamic branding and the foundations of Islamic branding. The Islamic foundation of Halal is a subject that comes together with the description of Halal food in the Holy Quran and is the subject of the third section. In the fourth section, Halal branding is explored, and in the fifth section, the legal and practical issues of Halal branding are analyzed. The final section includes models of Halal food and brand in which six models are put forward. The most recent of these models includes all the essential concepts of the previous models.
Online Customer Satisfaction at Point-of-Purchase and Post-Purchase Phases
Authors: Nawi Noorshella Che , Tatnall Arthur , Fong Michelle W.L.
Published: December 2013

Consumers worldwide are showing great interest in e-commerce and many believe that e-commerce plays a significant part in the global economy. Selling apparel online is one example of this e-commerce impact. Although many studies investigated satisfaction in an online shopping setting, none of these studies examined it distinctly at point-of-purchase and post-purchase phases. Hence, this study proposes an improved model for measuring customer satisfaction by considering it at point-of-purchase phase and post-purchase phase.
Cross-Cultural Management
Authors: Alavi Shirin
Published: December 2013

This chapter seeks to impart understanding of cross-cultural management, so as to be able to relate it to managerial activity in the new geoeconomy. The contents provide exposure to the diverse management styles across the globe and impart understanding of different approaches to comparative analysis of each management style. It provides knowledge of mechanics of doing business abroad. This chapter also introduces the importance of business ethics and how it pertains to social responsibility of cross-cultural managers and the role ethics play in the management of transnational companies. In today’s world, it is imperative that the managers possess the ability to integrate and apply concepts about managing in different work cultures. Cross-cultural management has significant applications with regard to influencing the customer experience. Cross cultural management and customer experience management can hence be mutually collaborative disciplines for organizations and these twin concepts can further become organizational assets. Online communities can be useful tools for cyber marketing and customer experience management by being good collaboration enablers.
How Similar or Different are We?
Authors: Picherit-Duthler Gaelle
Published: December 2013

Global virtual teams are becoming vastly popular amongst public and private organizations. This prevalent way of organizing can be used for students to gain experience in working with various cultures using technology. GlobCom is a global communication project that provides students with this opportunity but also presents them with challenges such as cultural barriers. This chapter explores students’ perceptions of diversity in their global virtual teams. It provides insight as to how students overcome issues of cultural differences by working in an online environment.
Mixing Metaphors
Authors: Wang Kevin Y.
Published: December 2013

This chapter explores the theoretical and conceptual assumptions underlying the notion of virtual community. Drawing from relevant literature, the author first examines the fundamental properties of the Internet as both technological and cultural artifact and argues that the Internet can embody different technological, functional, and symbolic meanings that will have direct implications for how communities are formed and experienced. Building on that framework, the second part of the chapter focuses on the sociological and psychological bases of community and explores how such conceptions change with the emergence of the Internet. The author concludes that studies of virtual communities must be contextualized according to historical and existing patterns of social life and offers a discussion on new challenges and questions facing mass communications research in this increasingly interdisciplinary area.
Understanding Culture and its Implications for E-Learning
Authors: Serradell-López Enric , Casado-Lumbreras Cristina , Castillo-Merino David
Published: December 2013

Universities around the world are facing the task of adapting to a changing environment. In a contemporary global context, universities must respond to new educational needs, leading to a global process of enhancing lifelong learning. In addition, they must add new demands not only by students but also from other stakeholders who see the university as a core institution of training for adults. In the highly competitive and global environment of universities, traditional elements such as geographic location are less important in favour of other more intangible factors, such as the image of universities, prestige, and ability of adaptation to the training needs of people. Moreover, the phenomenon of e-learning leads to an increase in the competition between universities, where previous intangibles are increasingly important, as well as those that emphasize cultural aspects. This chapter presents how cultural dimensions are related to higher education, particularly from the work of Hofstede and the Globe project, as well as some cultural elements to consider in virtual environments.
Fostering Global Literacies among Pre-Service Teachers through Innovative Transdisciplinary Projects
Authors: Yildiz Melda N. , De Abreu Belinha S.
Published: December 2013

This chapter investigates the role of global literacy skills in teacher education while integrating multiple literacies as a means of further developing pre-service teachers’ global competencies and 21st century skills1 while designing innovative transdisciplinary curriculum projects with limited resources and equipment in the global education context. The goal is to: a) introduce the role of multiple literacies (e.g., information, technology, geography, media literacy) in developing global competencies and 21st century skills among pre-services teachers; b) showcase pre-service teachers’ Universal Design of Learning (UDL)2 model lessons across content areas (e.g., math, geography, cultural studies, physical education) in P-12 curriculum; and c) demonstrate creative strategies and possibilities for engaging pre-service teachers in project-based global literacy activities integrating new technologies.
Selection of the 3rd/4th Party Logistics Provider
Authors: Nikolaos Voulgarakis , Dimitris Aidonis , Charisios Achillas , Dimitrios Triantafillou , Nicolas Moussiopoulos
Published: December 2013

Logistics’ role in today’s global and competitive markets is critical for enterprises’ viability, since it can provide the grounds for firms to become leaders of the markets by simultaneously achieving performance maximization and cost minimization. Towards improving competitiveness and achieving their targets enterprises mostly paid attention to production and generally developing their core business. In a way to also achieve high performances in their logistics workload, enterprises often outsource non-core business, such as transportation, warehousing, et cetera. In this light, outsourcing has become lately a very common practice. However, nowadays there are numerous competitive firms that offer such services and decision-making towards selection of the most effective one is usually challenging. Towards this direction, a multi-criteria analysis approach has been developed for the selection of the optimal outsourcing strategy involving a number of service logistics providers. The approach follows the path of an outranking multi-criteria method, namely ELECTRE III. The approach is illustrated through two case studies.
Theoretical Frameworks and Models Supporting the Practice of Leveraging Workforce Diversity
Authors: Zaballero Aileen G. , Kim Yeonsoo
Published: December 2013

This chapter will include a brief description of the history of diversity; advantages of being culturally competent; paradigms/perspectives of diversity management; and a summary of the business case for diversity. In addition, theories and models of organization development and change management are further explained as a way to understand the organizational context surrounding diversity interventions.
The Theory of Cultural Dimensions
Authors: Hartmann Andreas Michael
Published: December 2013

The theory of cultural dimensions constitutes the foundation of a significant portion of comparative cross-cultural business research. From Kluckhohn and Strodtbeck (1961) to the GLOBE study (2004), researchers have refined its conceptualization and empirical methods. Even though the theory of cultural dimensions can be criticized from several points of view, it has shown its usefulness for both research and as a teaching tool. Opportunities exist both in a more rigorous application and in the further development of cultural dimensions.
A Social Capital Approach to Inter-Cultural Differences
Authors: Presutti Manuela , Zambelli Lucrezia
Published: December 2013

This work examines to what extent cultural differences at a level both of intra-organizational multinational network and inter-organizational multinational network are associated with liability of foreignness. The authors propose a conceptual framework where the different dimensions of social capital improve the exchange and combination of resources and knowledge in different subsidiaries localized in dissimilar cultural contexts, by mitigating the inter and intra organizational cultural differences. This in turn reduces the liability of foreignness. The chapter empirically applies this conceptual framework to one of the world’s largest tour operators. It focuses on different moments of foreign growth of selected tour operator, performing an exploratory longitudinal case study. The findings presented have important implications for research in multinational literature because the chapter proposes to originally study the liability of foreignness and cultural differences topics according to a social network perspective of analysis.
Leading Global Virtual Teams
Authors: Phebus Alicia M. , Gitlin Beth , Shuffler Marissa L. , Wildman Jessica L.
Published: December 2013

Given the recent focus on team process and outcome improvements, shared leadership is a promising avenue of research for Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) in terms of its potentially mitigating effects on performance decrements often associated with virtual teamwork. However, effective shared team leadership can be difficult to achieve in global and virtual environments because the geographic distribution of members reduces the ability of individuals to exhibit such influence. Therefore, understanding the factors that may improve the likelihood of successful shared team leadership in these environments is critical. Thus, the purpose of this chapter is to discuss how shared leadership in GVTs can improve team performance. In doing so, the authors define GVTs, discuss how shared leadership can be implemented in a GVT setting, address specific challenges GVTs might encounter in the implementation of shared leadership, and present recommendations for practice drawing on team cognition models and trust research.
Practising Language Interaction via Social Networking Sites
Authors: Orsini-Jones Marina , Brick Billy , Pibworth Laura
Published: December 2013

This chapter reports on the evaluation of language learning SNSs carried out by “expert students” who are training to become Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. While stressing the positive features available on these sites and novel ways in which they can enable personalised language learning, this study also focuses on some troublesome aspects that occur when learners engage with Web 2.0 tools. It discusses how initial motivation towards these tools can turn into frustration, mirroring the results of a previous autoethnographic study carried out on SNSs. It also illustrates how these global ubiquitous platforms pose a dilemma for language practitioners who work within institutional teaching settings. Teachers recognize the language learning potential of these tools, but are also worried by the ethical threat they can pose, which can normally be avoided, or at least moderated, within institutional proprietary and “less exciting” platforms.
Intercultural Education with Indigenous Peoples and the Potential of Digital Technologies to make it Happen
Authors: Ovide Evaristo
Published: December 2013

Internet and the technologies linked to it (ICTs) have greatly expanded the linguistic and cultural domains of the most widely spoken languages in our global world. At the same time, endangered languages that were already excluded from the traditional media have an even smaller presence in this larger world. However, the Web also offers a great opportunity for these languages to have a voice and a presence, as it would have not been possible before, though it is normally rather difficult for numerous reasons. This chapter seeks to create a theoretical and practical framework consisting of five steps: Documentation, Dissemination, Community, Education, and Monetization. Each of these steps considers traditional methods and tries to improve their efficiency and effectiveness by using ICTs in an interdisciplinary and holistic approach.
Teaching and Learning in English as the Medium for Instruction for International Students
Authors: Corrigan Paul C.
Published: December 2013

Early signs of a systemic shift in higher education towards significant use of English can be seen across some continents where English is not the usual spoken language. Such a shift derives from universities’ efforts to internationalize and capitalize as they navigate the currents of globalization. The use of English as the Medium of Instruction (EMI) as pedagogy should be examined more closely in the context of the concurrent growth of higher education around the world and the increase in the number of international (and local) students who are studying in English as a Second Language (ESL). A robust model of EMI as pedagogy is presented, which can be useful in supporting an internationalizing institution’s EMI policy.
The Customer Relationship Management as an Element of the Acceleration of Society Evolution
Authors: Ramandimbiarison Lova Mirella Rakotomalala
Published: December 2013

Globalization and the rapid advance of information technology and communication have led to the emergence of new trends like postmodernity and hypermodernity. Madagascar, a future emerging economy, chosen as the research field, has not been immune to these phenomena. It is integrated into the global cultural system, although it is known for its specific traditional culture. Therefore, this work has demonstrated how the chosen tool of relationship marketing, which is Customer Relationship Management (CRM), can be an element of accelerated societal change and how CRM can cause changes in the Malagasy culture. The research presented in this chapter examines the four major roles of CRM as used in Madagascar to determine whether it is suitable for Malagasy consumers. This study may help service marketers of international companies in using new marketing tools as innovative means in emerging economies and increase their customer loyalty.