bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ontology-Supported Web Service Composition
Authors: Chen Ye , Zhou Lina , Zhang Dongsong
Published: May 2011

Web service composition can enhance the efficiency and agility of knowledge management by composing individual Web services together for complex business requirements. There are two main research streams in knowledge representation for Web service composition: the syntactic-based approach and the semantic-based approach. Despite the promises brought by each approach, the two streams are largely separated from each other. In this article, we propose an integrated ontology-supported Web service composition framework, which provides a novel solution to organizational knowledge management. By synergistically leveraging both syntactic-based and semantic-based approaches, this framework provides dual modes to perform service composition. Ontologies are employed to enrich semantics at both the service description and composition levels. The proposed conceptual framework has been implemented in the corporate financial services domain. It is demonstrated that the shared ontology helps to fulfill automated and on-the-fly service composition in particular and knowledge management in general.
Knowledge Management Metrics
Authors: Kankanhalli A. , Tan B. C.Y.
Published: May 2011

Metrics are essential for the advancement of research and practice in an area. In knowledge management (KM), the process of measurement and development of metrics is made complex by the intangible nature of the knowledge asset. Further, the lack of standards for KM business metrics and the relative infancy of research on KM metrics points to a need for research in this area. This article reviews KM metrics for research and practice, and identifies areas where there is a gap in our understanding. It classifies existing research based on the units of evaluation such as user of knowledge management systems (KMS), KMS project, KM process, KM initiative, and organization as a whole. The article concludes by suggesting avenues for future research on KM and KMS metrics based on the gaps identified.
Opportunities for Open Source eLearning
Authors: Dewever Fanuel
Published: May 2011

eLearning is often conceived as a single product. In reality, however, the market offering is very heterogeneous with a large product variety. Think of Learning Management Systems, Virtual Classrooms, Authorware, Test and Assessment Tools, Simulators, and many more. Each of these eLearning applications is available from multiple vendors and middlemen. Next to more than 250 providers of commercial Learning Management Systems, more than 40 Open Source LMS offerings can be identified. In this article, I discuss if open source applications for eLearning offer an alternative to commercial offerings today, specifically in the context of education. The lessons drawn here also apply to other (public) organizations and applications.
Researching Distance Education and E-Learning
Authors: Naidu Fanuel
Published: May 2011

An overview of the distance learning (DE) literature from the past few decades shows a great deal of attention being focused on “descriptive” research, which was work that aimed to describe the DE phenomenon. This focus led to some interesting and groundbreaking work on defining the nature of distance education, and theorizing about learning and teaching at a distance (see Keegan, 1996). With more experience, both in the practice of DE and its study, there has been growing interest on evaluating the quality of learning and teaching at a distance, and on the influences of various forms of technology in this regard. This research has drawn from what we know about human cognition, learning, and teaching, and about the effects of educational technology, including how to go about ascertaining their effects validly and reliably. One of the most noteworthy contributions to educational practice of distance education has been the awareness and interest in learning and instructional design processes, and course design and development more generally. Mostly because of the need to pay greater attention to distance learners, educators have come to realize that “shoveling” lecture notes and class schedules (known as “shovel ware”) into printed study guides and online learning environments is not going to be enough. A lot more is necessary to engage learners and support them in their learning.
Issues in Delivering Course Material Via the Web
Authors: Nantz Karen S.
Published: May 2011

Web-based courses (Mesher, 1999) are defined as those where the entire course is taken on the Internet. In some courses, there may be an initial meeting for orientation. Proctored exams may also be given, either from the source of the Web-based course or off site at a testing facility. The Internet-based course becomes a virtual classroom with a syllabus, course materials, chat space, discussion list, and e-mail services (Resmer, 1999). Navarro (2000) provides a further definition: a fully interactive, multimedia approach. 2002 figures suggest that over two million students are taking at least one Web course (Thornton, 1999). According to E-Learning (2001), more than 3,000 universities will offer substantial Web courses by 2004.
Web-Based Education Accountability System and Organizational Changes
Authors: Ma Xueguang , Rada Roy
Published: May 2011

The learning and accountability needs in a teacher education department drove the development of a novel, Web-based education accountability system (EAS). To fit the EAS with the organization, actor-network theory (ANT) was used to guide the social and technological development. In the course of this fitting, a novel multi-dimensional perspective to ANT was formalized. Four dimensions of organizational culture, power/politics, process/operation and profession were used. Participant observation, field notes and interviews were used to surface negotiations during periods of controversy to reveal how standard teacher education practices were created and recreated. Detailed translations occurring at multiple levels provided insight into the technical agency of the EAS and how its inscriptions shaped the emergence of a socio-technical information systems (IS) solution for a teacher education program.
Hyper Video for Distance Learning
Authors: Bochicchio Mario , Fiore Nichola
Published: May 2011

In general, the production of hypermedia applications is a complex and expensive task, requiring both technical skills and communicative abilities (Bochicchio, Paiano & Paolini, 1999a, 1999b). Nevertheless, some specific kinds of multimedia production can give good quality results, even without specialized IT skills, at a low cost. We have concentrated on this particular field, with the goal of supplying a valid tool to teachers who want to publish their educational material easily and at a low cost.
Electronic Reading Programs
Authors: Masterson-Smith Julie
Published: May 2011

Administrators, classroom teachers, technology specialists, and library media specialists must be knowledgeable and ready to create and maintain strong, individualized reading programs for their students. They must also know the components of strong literacy programs and be proactive in the creation of such at the schools in which they work. Electronic reading programs are gaining in popularity as well as in controversy. Numerous companies are producing programs that have students read books, then take a computerized quiz to check for comprehension. These programs claim to provide an educationally sound tool for teachers to use as part of classroom reading instruction, with the result of increased student test scores. These programs, if used, must be carefully considered and supported with appropriate staff development. They can be a large expense and may actually do the opposite of their claim to help create lifelong learners.
Information Retrieval in Virtual Universities
Authors: Puustjarvi Juha , Poyry Päivi
Published: May 2011

Information retrieval in the context of virtual universities deals with the representation, organization, and access to learning objects. The representation and organization of learning objects should provide the learner with an easy access to the learning objects. In this article, we give an overview of the ONES system, and analyze the relevance of two information retrieval models for virtual universities. We argue that keywords based search (i.e., the Boolean model), though well suited for Web searches, is overly coarse for virtual universities. Instead, the vector model, on which our implemented search engine is also based on, seems to be more appropriate as it provides similarity measure (i.e., the learning object having the best match is presented first). We also compare the performance of four algorithms for computing the similarities (matching).
ePortfolio and Educational Change in Higher Education in the Netherlands
Authors: Aalderink M. W. ("Wijnand") , Veugelers M. H.C.H. ("Marij")
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the important role that the concept of ePortfolio plays in new pedagogical paradigms in The Netherlands. ePortfolio can be seen both as a consequence of and a stimulus for the movement towards student-centered, competence-based learning in Dutch higher education. The authors present lessons learned in ePortfolio implementation, derived from experience from the past five years in the Low Countries, both in local institutional projects and in large-scale national projects. They then describe the cases of their own universities, being Windesheim University for Professional Education and the University of Amsterdam. The chapter ends with conclusions and future developments in the field of ePortfolio in The Netherlands.
Facilitating Students with Special Needs in Mainstream Schools
Authors: Khek Claire , Lim John , Zhong Yingqin
Published: May 2011

Assistive Learning Technologies (ALT) have increasingly become pertinent in developing the technology literacy in education for supporting physically-disadvantaged learners in realizing their potential in the teaching-learning process. This chapter reports on a multiple-case study that sought to explore the underlying mechanisms (i.e., the how and why issues) relating to the role of ALT in helping students with special needs to circumvent their disabilities and integrating them into the mainstream schools. It is found that the use of ALT enables the subjects to access the electronic learning environment, as well as improve their time management. The end result is that these students can perform their everyday (learning) tasks on par with their peers in school. The study has also unveiled moderating factors influencing the usage of ALT; examples are the ease of use of ALT, and the subjects’ desire to enhance their academic and social competency.
A Socio-Technical Analysis of Factors Affecting the Integration of ICT in Primary and Secondary Education
Authors: Angeli C.
Published: May 2011

We live in a world that is constantly impacted by information and communication technology (ICT). ICT is considered an important catalyst and tool for inducing educational reforms and progressively extending and modifying the concept of literacy. With the extensive use of ICT in schools and everyday life, the term computer literate has already been established. Schools are open systems that interact with their environment, and the effective use and integration of technology is directly associated with the role of various socio-technical factors that may impact the integration of ICT in schools. In this chapter, we report on an exploratory study undertaken in Cyprus schools to examine the status of using ICT from the perspective of socio-technical systems. Specifically, teachers’ knowledge of ICT, frequency of using ICT for personal purposes, frequency of using ICT for instructional purposes in different subject matters, attitudes toward ICT, self-confidence in using ICT in teaching and learning, and school climate were examined. The findings provide useful guidance to policymakers for planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating the integration of ICT in schools. Implications for the concept of computer literacy are discussed.
How Distance Programs will Affect Students, Courses, Faculty and Institutional Futures
Authors: Turoff Murray , Discenza Richard , Howard Carolin
Published: May 2011

Designed properly, distance education classes can be at least as effective and, in some ways, even more effective than face-to-face courses. The tools and technologies used for distance education courses facilitate learning opportunities not possible in the face-to-face classroom. Distance programs are accelerating changes that are challenging students, faculty, and the university, itself. Currently, most faculty are rewarded for the quality of instruction, as well as their external funding and their research. Often, university administrators focus more attention on the efficiency of teaching than on its effectiveness. In the future, as the quality of distance learning increases, the primary factor for success will be the faculty’s commitment to excellence in teaching. Many institutions will be forced to reevaluate the quality of teaching as the institution becomes more visible to the public, to legislators who support higher education, and to prospective students.
Staffing the Transition to the Virtual Academic Library
Authors: Chavez Todd
Published: May 2011

The revolutionary changes in the educational curriculum for schools of library and information science being evinced by the exponential expansion of computer-based technologies require a reexamination of the skills and expertise needed to be acquired by the next wave of academic librarians. This is critical in order that they may continue to be able to provide information services and resources to the academic communities within which those librarians will practice their profession. In addition, it is important to meet emerging educational needs in terms of various multiculturalism and diversity issues that are arising today as well as a thorough understanding of research theory and practice. Implicit in these examinations is a need to review the way library school faculty will be teaching, using newer technologies including Web-delivery of courses, and how faculty should exhibit the skills needed in order to be able to deliver courses using the new technology-centered methods. Finally, this chapter will emphasize the importance of continuing education for future academic librarians and current professionals.
Future Directions of Course Management Systems
Authors: David D.
Published: May 2011

Course management systems will unquestionably become one of the most critical enterprise systems in higher education. This is because these systems are more closely aligned with the core mission of teaching and learning than any others. Although these systems have already undergone extraordinary transformation in just a few short years, we are at only the very beginning of the evolutionary process. It is critical that CMS vendors look to the students, educators, and administrators that interact with these systems to identify what new tools and features they need. Consequently, the next stage of innovation in course management systems should therefore focus more on features specifically related to promoting better and more efficient processes for teaching and learning online. More flexible administration options should make these systems easier to maintain. Emerging standards will continue to simplify communications and data exchange with other systems. Finally, the infusion of sound principles of instructional design and learning theory into the tools themselves promises to transform today’s course management systems into tomorrow’s expert systems for teaching and learning.
Audio Watermarking
Authors: Acevedo Andrés Garay
Published: May 2011

The recent explosion of the Internet as a collaborative medium has opened the door for people who want to share their work. Nonetheless, the advantages of such an open medium can pose very serious problems for authors who do not want their works to be distributed without their consent. As new methods for copyright protection are devised, expectations around them are formed and sometimes improvable claims are made. This chapter covers one such technology: audio watermarking. First, the field is introduced, and its properties and applications are discussed. Then, the most common techniques for audio watermarking are reviewed, and the framework is set for the objective measurement of such techniques. The last part of the chapter proposes a novel test and a set of metrics for thorough benchmarking of audio watermarking schemes. The development of such a benchmark constitutes a first step towards the standardization of the requirements and properties that such systems should display.
The Central Problem in Cyber Ethics and How Stories Can Be Used to Address It
Authors: Artz John M.
Published: May 2011

The central problem in Cyber Ethics is: how do you establish ethical standards in a professional field that is defined by a rapidly evolving technology where the consequences of the technology and the impact of any ethical standards cannot be known in the time frame in which the standards must be established? Stories play a very important role in addressing this issue. This chapter explores the role of stories in Cyber Ethics.
Leadership Style, Anonymity, and the Discussion of an Ethical Issue in an Electronic Context
Authors: Kahai Surinder S. , Avolio Bruce J.
Published: May 2011

A laboratory experiment was conducted with 42 student groups to evaluate the effects of transactional vs. transformational leadership styles and anonymity when groups supported by an Electronic Meeting System (EMS) discussed the ethical issue of copying copyrighted software. A confederate leader displayed either transformational or transactional behaviors. Transformational leaders motivate effort by raising the awareness of followers to make them aspire to higher-order needs and values and by developing them to fulfill their aspirations. Transactional leaders motivate effort by highlighting the contractual exchange involved in a relationship. Participants working with a transformational confederate were more likely to make arguments that challenged the copying of copyrighted software than those working with one who was more transactional. These arguments, in turn, caused groups exposed to such arguments to have greater deviation among its members in intentions to copy the software. Participants working with a transactional confederate were more likely to make arguments in favor of copying copyrighted software. These arguments, in turn, caused groups exposed to such arguments to have a greater mean of intentions to copy the software. Implications for practice and future research on ethics and leadership in the electronic context are discussed.
Extending Security in Agile Software Development Methods
Authors: Siponen M. , Baskerville R. , Kuivalainen T.
Published: May 2011

Software developers can use agile software development methods to build secure information systems. Current agile methods have few (if any) explicit security fea-tures. While several discrete security methods (such as checklists and management standards) can supplement agile methods, few of these integrate seamlessly into other software development methods. Because of the severe constraints imposed by agile methods, these discrete security techniques integrate very poorly into agile approaches. This chapter demonstrates how the security features can be integrated into an agile method called feature driven development.
Identifying Security Requirements Using the Security Quality Requirements Engineering (SQUARE) Method
Authors: Mead N. R.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we describe general issues in developing security requirements, methods that have been useful, and a method (SQUARE) that can be used for eliciting, analyzing, and documenting security requirements for software systems. SQUARE, which was developed by the CERT Program at Carnegie Mellon University’s Soft-ware Engineering Institute, provides a systematic approach to security requirements engineering. SQUARE has been used on a number of client projects by Carnegie Mellon student teams, prototype tools have been developed, and research is ongoing to improve this promising method.
Secure Data Dissemination
Authors: Bertino Elisa , Carminati Barbara , Ferrari Elena
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we present the main security issues related to the selective dissemination of information (SDI system). More precisely, after provided an overview of the work carried out in this field, we have focused on the security properties that a secure SDI system (SSDI system) must satisfy and on some of the strategies and mechanisms that can be used to ensure them.  Indeed, since XML is the today emerging standard for data exchange over the Web, we have casted our attention on Secure and Selective XML data dissemination (SSXD).  As a result, we have presented a SSXD system providing a comprehensive solution to XML documents. In the proposed chapter, we also consider innovative architecture for the data dissemination, by suggesting a SSXD system exploiting the third-party architecture, since this architecture is receiving growing attention as a new paradigm for data dissemination over the web. In a third-party architecture, there is a distinction between the  Owner  and the Publisher of information. The Owner is the producer of the information, whereas Publishers are responsible for managing (a portion of) the Owner information and for answering user queries. A relevant issue in this architecture is how the Owner can ensure a secure dissemination of its data, even if the data are managed by a third-party. Such scenario requires a redefinition of dissemination mechanisms developed for the traditional SSXD system. Indeed, the traditional techniques cannot be exploited in a third party scenario. For instance, let us consider the traditional digital signature techniques, used to ensure data integrity and authenticity. In a third party scenario, that is, a scenario where a third party may prune some of the nodes of the original document based on user queries, the traditional digital signature is not applicable, since its correctness is based on the requirement that the signing and verification process are performed on exactly the same bits.
Privacy and Trust in Agent-Supported Distributed Learning
Authors: Korba Larry , Yee George , Xu Yuefei , Song Ronggong , Patrick Andrew S. , El-Khatib V
Published: May 2011

The objective of this chapter is to explore the challenges, issues, and solutions associated with satisfying requirements for privacy and trust in agent-supported distributed learning (ADL). Accordingly, the first section will present the background, context, and challenges. The second section will delve into the requirements for privacy and trust as seen in legislation and standards. The third section will look at available technologies for satisfying these requirements. The fourth section will discuss an often-ignored area—that of building trustworthy user interfaces for distributed-learning systems. Finally, the chapter will end with conclusions and suggestions for further research.
Determining the Intention to Use Biometric Devices
Authors: James Tabitha , Pirim Taner , Boswell Katherine , Reithel Brian , Barkhi Reza
Published: May 2011

Protection of physical assets and digital information is of growing importance to society. The need for development and use of security technologies is ever increasing. As with any new technology, user acceptance of new software and hardware devices is often hard to gauge and policies to introduce and ensure adequate and correct usage of such technologies are often lacking. Security technologies have widespread applicability to different organizational contexts that may present unusual and varied adoption considerations. This study adapts the technology acceptance model and extends it to study the intention to use security devices, more specifically biometrics, across a wide variety of organizational contexts. Due to the use of physiological characteristics, biometrics present unique adoption concerns. The extension of the technology acceptance model for biometrics is useful, as biometrics encompass many of the same adoption concerns as traditional security devices, but include a level of invasiveness that is obvious to the user. Through the use of vignettes, this study encompasses a systematically varied set of usage contexts for biometric devices to provide a generalizable view of the factors impacting intention to use over all categories of situational contexts of the device’s use. The technology acceptance model is extended in this study to include constructs for perceived need for privacy, perceived need for security and perceived physical invasiveness of biometric devices as factors that influence intention to use. The model is shown to be a good predictor of intention to use biometric devices and implications of the results for biometric and security technology acceptance is discussed.
Ethics and Privacy of Communications in the E-Polis
Authors: Dodig-Crnkovic Gordana , Horniak Virginia
Published: May 2011

The electronic networking of physical space promises wide-ranging advances in science, medicine, delivery of services, environmental monitoring and remediation, industrial production and the monitoring of persons and machines. It can also lead to new forms of social interaction. However, without appropriate architecture and regulatory controls, it can also subvert democratic values. Information technology is not, in fact, neutral in its values; we must be intentional about design for democracy (Pottie, 2004). Information and communication technology (ICT) has led to the emergence of global Web societies. The subject of this article is privacy and its protection in the process of urbanization and socialization of the global digital Web society referred to as the e-polis. Privacy is a fundamental human right recognized in all major international agreements regarding human rights, such as Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 1948), and it is discussed in the article “Different Views of Privacy”. Today’s computer network technologies are sociologically founded on hunter-gatherer principles. As a result, common users may be possible subjects of surveillance and sophisticated Internet-based attacks. A user may be completely unaware of such privacy breaches taking place. At the same time, ICT offers the technical possibilities of embedded privacy protection obtained by making technology trustworthy and legitimate by design. This means incorporating options for socially acceptable behavior in technical systems, and making privacy protection rights and responsibilities transparent to the user. The ideals of democratic government must be respected and even further developed in the future e-government. Ethical questions and privacy of communications require careful analysis, as they have far-reaching consequences affecting the basic principles of e-democracy.
Authorization Service for Web Services and its Application in a Health Care Domain
Authors: Indrakanti Sarath , Varadharajan Vijay , Hitchens Michael
Published: May 2011

In this paper, we discuss the design issues for an authorization framework for Web Services. In particular, we describe the features required for an authorization policy language for Web Services. We briefly introduce the authorization service provided by Microsoft .NET MyServices and describe our extended authorization model that proposes extensions to the .NET MyServices authorization service to support a range of authorization policies required in commercial systems. We discuss the application of the extended authorization model to a health care system built using Web Services. We use the XML Access Control Language (XACL) in our implementation to demonstrate our extended authorization model. This also enables us to evaluate the range of authorization policies that XACL supports.
Does Public Access Imply Ubiquitous or Immediate? Issues Surrounding Public Documents Online
Authors: Miller David W. , Urbaczewski Andrew , Salisburg Wm. David
Published: May 2011

In the information age, various entities (e.g., citizens or business concerns) are now able to access and gather large amounts of publicly available information online, which has obvious benefits. However, there are perhaps unfavorable consequences to this information gathering, and little attention has been paid to these. This chapter highlights the various issues that are created by having unfettered access to documents online, as well as the ability of citizens and investigators to compile databases of personal information on individuals. We cite existing laws to support the position of having limits on the freedom of access, and we propose several strategies for consideration in balancing the rights of the public to access public information while yet protecting and celebrating individual privacy. While the majority of this paper deals with American laws and history, international examples are also noted. In the post-9/11 world, a great deal of reasonable concern has been raised by governmental information gathering. We suggest that equal attention should be paid to ubiquitous access to public records, even by individuals and non-government agencies, and potential concerns for individual privacy that this access might raise.
Information Quality
Authors: English Larry P.
Published: May 2011

Information Quality Management is critical for national security not just because of the myriad information types, including textual, audio, video and other complex information types and to the difficulties in collecting intelligence information, but because of the consequences of failure of national security caused by low-quality information. The diversity and breadth of the number of autonomous or semi-autonomous agencies create complexity in aggregating data from disparately defined databases. Federal laws, an open society, human rights and privacy further hinder the ability to collect, access, aggregate and use certain information. The collection of intelligence information requires rigorous procedures and technologies to error-proof the collection processes, to assure information quality and techniques for analyzing less-than-optimum-quality information. Data definition and database design for information required across multiple agencies can and must be standardized to prevent misinterpretation and analysis failure. Standard Information Quality Management processes with specific considerations applied to address the nature of intelligence information. Cultural transformation within various intelligence community organizations will enable agencies to sustain a level of information quality to minimize the risks of national security process failure.
Does Protecting Databases Using Perturbation Techniques Impact Knowledge Discovery?
Authors: Wilson Rick L.
Published: May 2011

Data perturbation is a data security technique that adds noise in the form of random numbers to numerical database attributes with the goal of maintaining individual record confidentiality. Generalized Additive Data Perturbation (GADP) methods are a family of techniques that preserve key summary information about the data while satisfying security requirements of the database administrator. However, effectiveness of these techniques has only been studied using simple aggregate measures (averages, etc.) found in the database. To compete in today’s business environment, it is critical that organizations utilize data mining approaches to discover information about themselves potentially hidden in their databases. Thus, database administrators are faced with competing objectives: protection of confidential data versus disclosure for data mining applications. This chapter empirically explores whether data protection provided by perturbation techniques adds a so-called Data Mining Bias to the database. While the results of the original study found limited support for this idea, stronger support for the existence of this bias was found in a follow-up study on a larger more realistic-sized database.
Culture and Technology
Authors: Herdin Thomas , Hofkirchner Wolfgang , Maier-Rabler Ursula
Published: May 2011

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the mutual influence between culture and technology on a broad inter- and transcultural level. Especially, how does information culture shape the meaning of information, communication, and knowledge, and consequently, the design, spread, and usage of ICTs in certain societies? Vice versa, we are interested in the ways in which the spread and usage of ICTs affect the predominating culture. We aim for a model that incorporates cultural as well as technological factors in order to provide a basis for future ICT research that goes beyond both technological determinism and social constructivism. We believe that new technologies indeed can contribute to more justice in the world in terms of access to knowledge and wealth, if sociocultural factors are taken into account more seriously. Current developments in the context of the UN World Summit on the Information Society raise awareness in this direction. At the same time, we are well aware that the loose notion and imprecise definition of the concept of culture allows for the exploitation of the term in empty political and technoeconomical policies. Culture degenerates to an indispensable buzzword in the current ICT debate. This chapter is an attempt to introduce the concept of culture into the socioresponsible ICT research on equal terms with technology, economy, and society.
A Model for Monitoring and Enforcing Online Auction Ethics
Authors: Wang Shouhong , Kao Diana
Published: May 2011

The online auction has become an important form of e-commerce. Although using a different mode for conducting auction activities, online auctions should abide by the same code of ethics outlined in the face-to-face auction environment. Yet, ethics-related issues for online auctions have not been fully discussed in the current literature. The unique features of online auctions present an opportunity to address how ethical conduct could be supported, monitored, and enforced in an online auction environment. With technology being the backbone of the online auction, information systems appear to be a useful tool in facilitating ethics enforcement. This article summarizes ethics-related issues that are particularly relevant in online auctions, and recommends a code of ethics that could be applied to online auctions. Based on this set of ethics, this article proposes a model for an information system that will support and enhance ethical conduct in an online auction environment.
Distance Learning in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Elvis Wai Chung , Li Qing
Published: May 2011

In response to the government’s push toward a “knowledge-based economy society”, the development and applications of e-learning technologies have become more and more popular in Hong Kong. E-learning provides a student-centered learning environment and delivers knowledge on-demand with up-to-the-minute information. However, a high student-dropout rate and low satisfaction with the learning processes remain to be the drawbacks currently. In this paper, we review several universities’ initiatives in launching e-learning programs and/or conducting projects in this direction. We also look at some of the trendy directions in addressing the current problems of existing e-learning systems.
The Role of Organizational, Environmental and Human Factors in E-Learning Diffusion
Authors: Gwebu Kholekile L. , Wang Jing
Published: May 2011

Improvements in technology have led to innovations in training such as Electronic Learning (E-learning). E-learning aims to help organizations in their training initiatives by simplifying the training process and cutting cost. It also attempts to help employees in their learning processes by making learning readily accessible. Unfortunately, the diffusion of this innovation has not been as successful as was initially predicted. In this article we explore the drivers behind the diffusion of e-learning. Apart from the factors investigated by previous research, we believe that one more dimension—human factors—should be taken into account when evaluating the diffusion of a training innovation, since learners are, to a large extent, the central issue of training. In the case of e-learning we believe that motivation plays a key role in the diffusion of e-learning.
Client-Vendor Relationships in Offshore Applications Development
Authors: Mirani Rajesh
Published: May 2011

This article presents an evolutionary framework for the establishment and progression of client-vendor relationships in the context of offshore applications development. It is argued that such a relationship typically begins as a cost-reduction exercise, with the client contracting out simple, structured applications to one or more offshore vendors. Over time, the client assigns increasingly complex applications to selected vendors and cultivates loose, trust-based, networklike relationships with them. As offshore applications continue to evolve and become business-critical, the client may seek to regain control by establishing a command-based hierarchy. This may be achieved through part or full ownership of a vendor organization or by starting a captive offshore subsidiary. Thus, the initial client objective of cost reduction ultimately is displaced by one pertaining to risk control. Pertinent prior research is used to justify the proposed framework. This is followed by a case study that describes how a specialty telecommunications company is pursuing just such an evolutionary path.
How to Compete in a Global Education Market Effectively
Authors: Huang Wayne
Published: May 2011

Computer-aided instruction (CAI) has existed for decades. Its third generation system using Internet and Web technologies to deliver university education (so called virtual universities) has been a hot research topic in recent years. However, few such virtual universities have been as successful as expected. Why didn’t eEducation systems turn out to be a silver bullet for virtual universities as expected? What are components and elements that have been missed in current eEducation systems? How can we learn from past experience and lessons so that a conceptual framework could be proposed to design a better next generation eEducation system that could help universities and corporations to gain competitive advantages in a global education market? This research paper tries to explore these important issues. Based upon a comprehensive literature review, a conceptual framework is proposed with the aim of guiding the design of a next generation eEducation system.
SeMoPS
Authors: Karnouskos Stamatis , Vilmos András , Ramfos Antonis , Csik Balázs , Hoepner Petra
Published: May 2011

Many experts consider that efficient and effective mobile payment solutions will empower existing e- and m-commerce efforts and unleash the true potential of mobile business. Recently, different mobile payment approaches appear to the market addressing particular needs, but up to now no global mobile payment solution exists. SEMOPS is a secure mobile payment service with an innovative technology and business concept that aims to fully address the challenges the mobile payment domain poses and become a global mobile payment service. We present here a detailed description of the approach, its implementation, and features that diversify it from other systems. We discuss on its business model and try to predict its future impact. The aim is to provide an insight of a new mobile payment service and discuss implementation decisions and scenarios.
Theoretical Framework for CRM Outsourcing
Authors: Gupta Babita , Iyer Lakshmi S.
Published: May 2011

Customer service is emerging as a key differentiator among competitors as the explosive growth of e-commerce is changing the nature of competition among companies. This has changed the customer-related business requirements for all types of companies. With firms increasing their online operations, customers now have the ability to contact organizations through a variety of interactive and noninteractive means (such as e-mail, fax, call centers, FAQs, online chats, newsletters, snail mail, retail stores, and Web-based forums). This has led companies to consider customer relationship management (CRM) as an important part of their competitive strategy. As the focus is shifting to retention rather than acquisition of customers, companies are looking for ways to identify and engage their most profitable customers.
Developing Medium and Small Technological Enterprises in China
Authors: Huang Zhimin , Cai Shuqin
Published: May 2011

The 20-year economic reform in China has bred a new group of medium- or small-sized enterprises whose businesses are largely based on scientific and technological development. After China joined the World Trade Organization, these enterprises have had to seek strategies of informatization to survive and develop when facing challenges of economic globalization and rapid expansion of information technology. This paper attempts to examine in detail the necessity and importance of informatization of these enterprises within the context of China’s national economic system, identify issues crucial to the informatization process, and, by relating to the useful experience of enterprise informatization in the United States, propose some practical strategies of adopting advanced means and procedures through integration of essential information technology into enterprise management and operations.
E-Business in the Global Automotive Industry
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Herwick Lisa Bari , Pullamsetti Ramesh , Gunther Thomas Hegel , Caisan Vanessa , Wang An , Koszut Andrzej
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews the components of e-business from a procurement perspective in order to explore the key value propositions of e-business practices in the global automotive industry. It is easy to simply state that a product or service “adds value” to a firm’s operations. It is critical that the value proposition of e-business be analyzed from a rational perspective by any organization competing in the “post-irrational exuberance” era of the digital economy. Using an exploratory case study of the automotive industry, the key questions for identifying a true value proposition of e-business are identified, including their e-procurement, e-catalog order processing, e-auction and e-capacity systems. We intend this chapter to be helpful to practitioners, researchers, and students who either are contemplating updating their legacy e-business systems and/or trying to gain insight into the value proposition of these systems. It is undisputed that e-business will bring at least some level of benefit to a vast majority of organizations, regardless of size or industry. We intend this chapter to be valuable for evaluating and implementing a successful e-business strategy, structure, and solution.
Creating Value with Regional Communities of SMEs
Authors: Mason Cecily , Castleman Tanya , Parker Craig
Published: May 2011

This article provides a conceptual argument that the knowledge management (KM) approach of communities of practice (CoPs), and their virtual equivalents (VCoPs), can create value for clusters of regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The article firstly shows that value creation in regional clusters occurs by encouraging collective learning and reciprocal knowledge exchange. The article then shows that CoPs, and VCoPs in particular, have been the most successful value creation mechanism in large organisations. We argue that VCoPs hold considerable potential for value creation in regional clusters of SMEs by promoting innovation, more effective knowledge sharing, and recognising the value of VCoPs as capital. The strategic integration of SMEs in regional clusters is analogous to large organisations’ global operations. In this environment VCoPs combine industry-specific knowledge with firm specific knowledge and emerge as a new source of social capital.
Global Enterprises
Authors: Lan Yi-chen , Unhelkar Bhuvan
Published: May 2011

Successful globalization requires good strategic vision and its implementation. Strategic vision refers to what an enterprise expects to be its ideal image in the long-term future. In the context of globalization, this ideal image is a primary driver for the enterprise’s planning and implementation of GET. The guidelinefor such an envisioning process will be the planning of a strategic vision for the enterprise’s future position. In this regard, it is worth noting what Tregoe and Tobia (1990) have to say: “In the companies we know that are successfully making the transition to a more collaborative organization, the key to success is developing and then living by a common strategic vision. When you agree on an overall direction, you can be flexible about the means to achieve it. …. Really powerful visions are simply told. The Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, a Winston Churchill World War II speech — all present messages that are so simple and direct you can almost touch them. Our corporate strategies should be equally compelling.” It is vital for the success of GET that we develop a strategic vision of a global organization that is as palpable as some of the visions in day-to-day lives.
Interpretive Flexibility Along the Innovation Decision Process of the UK NHS Care Records Service (NCRS)
Authors: Papazafeiropoulou Anastasia , Gandecha Reshma
Published: May 2011

Interpretive flexibility is a term used to describe the diverse perspectives on what a technology is and can or can not do during the process of technological development. In this article, we look at how interpretive flexibility manifests through the diverse perceptions of stakeholders involved in the diffusion and adoption of the NHS Care Records Service (NCRS). Our analysis shows that while the policy makers acting upon the application of details related to the implementation of the system, the potential users are far behind the innovation decision process, namely at the knowledge or persuasion stages. We use data from a local heath authority from a county close to London. The research explores, compares, and evaluates contrasting views on the systems implementation at the local as well as national level. We believe that our analysis is useful for NCRS implementation strategies, in particular, and technology diffusion in large organisations, in general.
Comprehensive Impact of Mobile Technology on Business
Authors: Vaghjiani Somnath , Teoh Kallol
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we explore the concept of enterprise, or organisational mobility. We examine how mobility in a business can provide a competitive advantage and enhanced sustainability. Potential industry applications for mobile technology are discussed. We delve further by exploring the growth areas of mobile technologies and outline key success factors for the stakeholders in the mobile technology arena. We assess the many opportunities mobile technology brings to various businesses. Furthermore the impacts of mobile technology on organisations and society are evaluated. We then conclude by outlining various competing mobile technologies available to the market both today and in the future.