bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information Systems Security Assurance Management at Municipal Software Solutions, Inc.
Authors: Kleist Virginia Franke , Morris Bonnie , Denton James W.
Published: February 2011

Based on an actual company, this case focuses on Business Continuity Planning issues for a small but growing software company, Municipal Software Solutions, Inc. (MSS). The firm experienced a catastrophic fire which completely eliminated all aspects of the information systems infrastructure, including the software product code repository, the client access infrastructure, the hardware operations center, and the software design facility. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and the firm survived despite the fact that it did not have a formal disaster recovery plan in place. MSS was very lucky. The case can be used in conjunction with coverage of risk assessment concepts in the context of the availability component of systems reliability and trust of services management. Accordingly, it is appropriate for use in courses covering information systems security, accounting information systems, or IT audit.
Information Technology Security Concerns in Global Financial Services Institutions
Authors: Ifinedo Princely
Published: February 2011

Practitioners in Global Financial Services Institutions (GFSI) know that they must concern themselves with protecting customer data and thwart emerging threats in their industry. The objective of this study is to provide a level of understanding and insight not apparent in a recent survey that investigated Information Technology (IT) security concerns across GFSI. This research builds on that prior effort and aims to investigate whether socio-economic factors differentiate IT security concerns across GFSI. It has been suggested that security concerns vary by socioeconomic contexts. The authors analysis of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) data showed that perceptions of IT security issues across surveyed GFSI varied on a few security concerns, but remained unchanged on a majority of issues when grouped according to selected socio-economic measures. This finding permitted us to suggest that IT security threats and risks in the financial sector compare reasonably well across socio-economic contexts. As a consequence, managers of GFSI may avail themselves of this information as they develop and propose measures (and counter-measures) for managing security concerns in their industry. Further, the attention of managers is alerted to areas where differences were noticed.
Information Security by Words Alone
Authors: Arnett Kirk P. , Templeton Gary F. , Vance David A.
Published: February 2011

Effective information security extends beyond using software controls that are so prominently discussed in the popular and academic literature. There must also be management influence and control. The best way to control information security is through formal policy and measuring the effectiveness of existing policies. The purpose of this research is to determine 1) what security elements are embedded in Web-based information security policy statements and 2) what security-related keywords appear more frequently. The authors use these findings to propose a density measure (the extent to which each policy uses security keywords) as an indicator of policy strength. For these purposes, they examine the security component of privacy policies of Fortune 100 Web sites. The density measure may serve as a benchmark that can be used as a basis for comparison across companies and the development of industry norms.
The Integrated Privacy Model
Authors: Majdalawieh Munir
Published: February 2011

This paper discusses the challenges that faced in the “DigNet” age in terms of privacy and proposes a framework for privacy protection. This framework is integral in ensuring that personal data protection is impeded part of business processes of any systems that are involved in collecting, disseminating, and accessing an individual’s data. The cooperation and partnership between nations in passing privacy laws is essential and requires some building blocks. In this paper, the author argues that the building blocks should be integrated into the business processes and take into consideration three main domains: governments’ legislation, entity’s policies and procedures, and data protection controls. The proposed conceptual framework helps organizations develop data protection in their business processes, assess the privacy issues in their organization, protect the interests of their customers, increase their value proposition to customers, and make it easier to identify the impact of privacy on their business.
Goals and Practices in Maintaining Information Systems Security
Authors: Erlich Zippy , Zviran Moshe
Published: February 2011

With the rapid growth of information systems and networks, security is a major concern of organizations. The main goals of information systems security are confidentially, integrity, and availability. The cornerstone of an organization’s security lies in designing, developing and implementing proper information systems’ security policy that balances security goals with the organization’s needs. In this paper, the authors discuss the goals of information systems security and the techniques to achieve them. Specifically, the paper focuses on access control and the various authentication approaches, as well as intrusion detection and prevention systems. As attacks become more frequent and devastating, ongoing research is required to adapt and improve security technologies and policies to reflect new modes of attack to keep information systems secure.
A Game Theoretic Approach to Optimize Identity Exposure in Pervasive Computing Environments
Authors: Zhu Feng W. , Carpenter Sandra , Zhu Wei , Mutka Matt
Published: February 2011

In pervasive computing environments, personal information is typically expressed in digital forms. Daily activities and personal preferences with regard to pervasive computing applications are easily associated with personal identities. Privacy protection is a serious challenge. The fundamental problem is the lack of a mechanism to help people expose appropriate amounts of their identity information when accessing pervasive computing applications. In this paper, the authors propose the Hierarchical Identity model, which enables the expression of one’s identity information ranging from precise detail to vague identity information. The authors model privacy exposure as an extensive game. By finding subgame perfect equilibria in the game, the approach achieves optimal exposure. It finds the most general identity information that a user should expose and which the service provider would accept. The authors’ experiments show that their models can reduce unnecessary identity exposure effectively.
Formal and Informal Learning Flows Cohesion in Web 2.0 Environment
Authors: Ivanova Malinka , Popova Anguelina
Published: February 2011

This paper presents the results of an exploratory study examining bachelor degree students’ experiences of learning with a new generation learning management system Edu 2.0 combined with Web 2.0 applications. The authors discuss students’ perceptions of formal and informal activities within this environment as captured through a collection of surveys, activities’ tracking, and assessment. The main functional characteristics and available social tools of Edu 2.0 are examined in the context of students learning support. A model of Learning area is developed to analyze the formal and informal learning flows from the point of view of learning enhancement.
Creating a Personalized Artificial Intelligence Course
Authors: Popescu Elvira , Badica Costin
Published: February 2011

This paper illustrates the use of WELSA adaptive educational system for the implementation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) course which is individualized to the learning style of each student. Several of the issues addressed throughout this paper are describing similar approaches existing in literature, how the AI course is created, and what kind of personalization is provided in the course including the underlying adaptation mechanism. The authors also focus on whether the course is used effectively by the stakeholders (teachers and students respectively). Results obtained in the paper confirm the practical applicability of WELSA and its potential for meeting the personalization needs and expectations of the digital native students.
ELIxIR
Authors: Rubens Neil , Kaplan Dain , Okamoto Toshio
Published: February 2011

In today’s knowledge-based economy, having proper expertise is crucial in resolving many tasks. Expertise Finding (EF) is the area of research concerned with matching available experts to given tasks. A standard approach is to input a task description/proposal/paper into an EF system and receive recommended experts as output. Mostly, EF systems operate either via a content-based approach, which uses the text of the input as well as the text of the available experts’ profiles to determine a match, and structure-based approaches, which use the inherent relationship between experts, affiliations, papers, etc. The underlying data representation is fundamentally different, which makes the methods mutually incompatible. However, previous work (Watanabe et al., 2005a) achieved good results by converting content-based data to a structure-representation and using a structure-based approach. The authors posit that the reverse may also hold merit, namely, a content-based approach leveraging structure-based data converted to a content-based representation. This paper compares the authors’ idea to a content only-based approach, demonstrating that their method yields substantially better performance, and thereby substantiating their claim.
When Does RFID Make Business Sense for Managing Supply Chain?
Authors: Ozelkan Ertunga C. , Galambosi Agnes
Published: February 2011

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is believed to change how supply chains operate today. While RFID’s promise for improved inventory visibility and automation in inventory management is making many supply chain players hopeful for increased sales and reduced operating costs, these benefits do come at a cost and involve risks. This article presents a financial returns analysis that captures RFID’s costs and benefits, and quantifies the financial risks of implementing RFID for various business sizes and products with different unit profits to understand when RFID makes business sense. More precisely, the returns analysis is performed using an econometric model to understand how break-even sales volumes, unit profits, tag prices, return on investment, and risks vary between a manufacturer and a retailer in a supply chain. The results are extended to multiproduct cases as well. A sensitivity analysis is also performed to understand the returns in pessimistic and optimistic scenarios.
Effectiveness of Distribution Network
Authors: Sreenivas M. , Srinivas T.
Published: February 2011

The distribution professionals verify their operations on a daily basis. The modern logistic leader, use the tips like competitive pressures, mergers, acquisitions, new product lines and greater customer expectations, and so forth. This change is a cost of doing business in the latest “new economy”. This research investigates the auction properties that influence efficiency (ability to maximize price and profit) as the distribution link of the supply chain. Also focuses on different key areas that are the roadmap to an effective, flexible and proactively responsive distribution operation.
Cooperative Pricing Under Forecasting Sharing in the Manufacturer-E-Retailer Supply Chain
Authors: Yan Ruiliang , Ghose Sanjoy
Published: February 2011

With the rapid development of the Internet, many retailers and individuals nowadays use this technology to engage in direct e-retailing sales. In this article, we investigate the value of demand-forecast information sharing in a manufacturer-e-retailer supply chain. The value of market information depends not only on its accuracy, but also on the e-retailer’s market power and the product’s Web compatibility. We develop a theoretical approach to examine the value of information sharing for the manufacturer and the e-retailer first, and then we further check to see how information sharing is moderated by the e-retailer’s market share and the product’s e-market-base demand. Our results suggest that under some conditions, both the manufacturer and the e-retailer can be better off from information sharing. Especially when the e-retailer’s market share is larger and the product’s e-market-base demand is higher, information sharing is more valuable for the supply chain players. Using our analysis findings, we indicate marketing strategies that the manufacturer and the e-retailer may want to adopt.
An Exploratory Study to Identify Complementary Resources to the Implementation of Web-Based Applications in a Paint Supply Chain
Authors: Lee Yootaek , Kim Jay , Miller Jeffery G.
Published: February 2011

This study focuses on identifying (a) the complementary resources that influence the successful implementation of Web-based applications for supply chain management, and (b) the degree to which certain types of complementary resources function to support the successful implementation of Web-based applications. An exploratory case study is employed to identify potential complementary resources that are required for the successful implementation of Web-based applications that support various portions of the supply chain management task. The utility of a potential complementary resource to each Web-based application for a supply chain task is evaluated to determine the relative value of the resource to the Webbased application. A matrix is then developed to show the degree to which a particular complementary resource is utilized to implement Web-based applications. The contribution of this study is to enhance our understanding of how Web-based applications and complementary resources can work together to create competitive advantages in supply chains.
A Strategic Framework for Managing Failure in JIT Supply Chains
Authors: Balakrishnan Jaydeep , Bowne Frances , Eckstein Astrid L.H.
Published: February 2011

Supply chains can be disrupted at both local and global levels. Just-In-Time (JIT) companies should be particularly interested in managing supply chain failure risk as they often have very little inventory to buffer themselves when their upstream supply chain fails. We develop previous research further and present a strategic framework to manage supply chain failure in JIT supply chains. We identify two dimensions along which the risks of failure can be categorized: location and unpredictability. We go on to identify strategies which companies can use either before (proactive) or after (reactive) the failure to manage supply chain failure. We support our framework with examples of actual responses to supply chain failures in JIT companies. It is also hoped that our strategic framework will be validated empirically in the future leading to specific guidance for managers.
Coordination of a Supply Chain with Demand Stimulation and Random Demand Disruption
Authors: Xiao Tiaojun , Luo Jia , Jin Jiao
Published: February 2011

This article develops a dynamic game model of a supply chain consisting of one manufacturer and one retailer to study the coordination mechanism and the effect of demand disruption on the coordination mechanism, where the market demand is sensitive to retail price and service. We assume that the supplier and the retailer only know the distribution of the disrupted amount after the demand disruption and they share the quantity deviation costs. We find that an all-unit wholesale quantity discount-subsidy mechanism can coordinate the supply chain. We give the coordination mechanism of the supply chain after the demand disruption and find that the demand disruption remarkably influences the price-service level decisions of the centralized supply chain and the coordination mechanism of the decentralized supply chain. In particular, the expected quantity differs from the planned quantity although the penalty costs prevent from this deviation.
Exploring the Behaviour of a Centralised Supply Chain at Draeger Safety UK
Authors: Niu Mu , Sice Petia , French Ian , Mosekilde Erik
Published: February 2011

This article presents analysis of the behaviour of a model of a centralised supply chain. The research was conducted within the manufacturing sector and involved the breathing equipment manufacturer Draeger Safety, UK. A simplified model of the Draeger Safety, UK centralised supply chain has been developed and validated. Simulation and analysis have been performed using System Dynamics, non-linear dynamics and control theory. The findings suggest that destructive oscillations of inventory could be generated by internal decision making practices. A management microworld has been developed allowing managers to experiment with different decision policies and learn how the supply chain performs.
Recognizing RFID as a Disruptive Technology
Authors: Soon Chin-Boo , Gutiérrez Jairo A.
Published: February 2011

Recognizing radio frequency identification (RFID) as a disruptive technology unearths interesting facts that could help managers decide how to approach their RFID projects. RFID for the supply chain (RFID/SC) has attracted global attention and the adoption pace is quickening. It has characteristics resembling that of a disruptive technology. To better understand RFID/SC, we use Christensen’s principles of disruptive technology and the motivation/ability framework to illustrate the uniqueness of RFID/SC. The principles provide valuable information for managers steering their RFID projects toward success. We provide cases studies as vignettes to support the applications of the theories. The objectives of this paper are: (1) to equip managers with the knowledge of disruptive technology in the context of RFID/SC, (2) to highlight the need to assess an organization’s motivation and ability for adopting RFID/SC, and (3) to propose further research areas in RFID/SC in the IS field.
A Relative Comparison of Leading Supply Chain Management Software Packages
Authors: Wang Zhongxian , Yan Ruiliang , Hollister Kimberly , Xing Ruben
Published: February 2011

Supply Chain Management (SCM) has proven to be an effective tool that aids companies in the development of competitive advantages. SCM Systems are relied on to manage warehouses, transportation, trade logistics and various other issues concerning the coordinated movement of products and services from suppliers to customers. Although in today’s fast paced business environment, numerous supply chain solution tools are readily available to companies, choosing the right SCM software is not an easy task. The complexity of SCM systems creates a multifaceted issue when selecting the right software, particularly in light of the speed at which technology evolves. In this paper, we use the approach of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to determine which SCM software best meets the needs of a company. The AHP approach outlined in this paper can be easily transferred to the comparison of other SCM software packages.
Supply Chain Coordination by Contracts with Inventory Holding Cost Share
Authors: Gomez-Padilla Alejandra
Published: February 2011

In this document it is analyzed the importance of contracts for coordination between two companies in a supply chain. In the studied situation, one company, or supplier, supplies one product to the other company, who is a retailer. The companies are going to coordinate by two types of decisions: economic (concerning prices fixed on a contract), and physical exchange (concerning the inventory to be held). Two types of contracts will be presented: one contract with a simple pricing scheme and two contracts with inventory holding cost shared among the companies of the supply chain. The objective is to show that contracts with inventory holding cost share allow the two companies to efficiently coordinate the chain they form.
A Comparison of Information Technology Usage across Supply Chains
Authors: Kenyon George. , Neureuther Brian D.
Published: February 2011

Historically, the growth of the beef industry has been hampered by various entities, i.e., breeders, cow-calf producers, stockers, backgrounders, processors, etc..., within the beef industry’s supply chain. The primary obstacles to growth are the large numbers of participants in the upstream side of the supply chain and the lack of coordination between them. Over the last decade significant advances have been made in information and communication technologies, and many new companies have been founded to promote these technical advances. This research looks at both the upstream and downstream participants to determine the degree to which information technologies are currently being utilized and the degree that these new technologies have driven performance improvements in the beef industry’s supply chain. Through surveys, the authors find that the beef industry does not use information technologies to their benefit and that the US beef supply chain is not yet strategically poised to enable the use of these technologies.
Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization for Solving Balanced Allocation Problem of Third Party Logistics Providers
Authors: Rajesh R. , Pugazhendhi S. , Ganesh K.
Published: February 2011

Third party logistics (3PL) service providers play a growing responsibility in the management of supply chain. The global and competitive business environment of 3PLs has recognized the significance of a speedy and proficient service towards the customers in the past few decades. Particularly in warehousing, distribution, and transportation services, a number of customers anticipate 3PLs to improve lead times, fill rates, inventory levels, etc. Therefore, the 3PLs are under demands to convene a range of service necessities of customers in an active and uncertain business environment. As a consequence of the dynamic environment in which supply chain must operate, 3PLs should sustain an effective distribution system of high performance and must make a sequence of inter-related decisions over time for their distribution networks. Warehouses play an important role in sustaining the continual flow of goods and materials between the manufacturer and customers. The performance of the 3PL supply chain network can be effortlessly enhanced by a balanced allocation of customers to warehouses. In this paper, the authors develop a genetic algorithm and a particle-swarm-optimisation algorithm for solving the balanced allocation problem and the results are encouraging.
An Empirical Test of the Information Processing Theory
Authors: Zhou Honggeng
Published: February 2011

According to the propositions in the information processing theory, this study tests the relationship between task uncertainty and three organizational design strategies, i.e., creation of lateral relationships, investment in information systems, and creation of self-contained tasks. Data from 125 North American manufacturing firms are used and business environment uncertainty is employed to measure task uncertainty. Sourcing practice and delivery practice measure the creation of lateral relationships, while Information quality measures the investment in information systems. Also, just-in-time production and human resource management measure the creation of self-contained tasks. Regression analysis shows that business environment uncertainty has significant positive influence on sourcing practice, delivery practice, information quality, just-in-time production, and human resource management. While the information processing theory was proposed more than thirty years ago, this study empirically extends the relevance of information processing theory to today’s supply chain environment.
Customer Perceived Value of Travel and Tourism Web Sites
Authors: Lexhagen Maria
Published: February 2011

The continuing development and growth of the Internet imply that business and customers perceive that the Internet provides them with some kind of value. The Internet has also seen an increasing importance of user-generated content and utilisation of the Internet as a social medium. In this study the concept of customer value, based on the typology of consumer value (Holbrook, 1994; 1999) and the value hierarchy model (Woodruff & Gardial, 1996; Woodruff, 1997), is used to identify dimensions and expressions of what customer-perceived value is in travel and tourism web sites and how it is created. Moderately structured in-depth interviews are used to collect data. In the analysis connections between different types of value are presented and the lack of certain types of value is discussed.
The Architecture of Service Systems as the Framework for the Definition of Service Science Scope
Authors: Targowski Andrew
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this study is to define generic service processes, their system, and a scope of service science developed originally by the author. In the presented approach, the main criterion is the class of serviced users, since this leads to the six kinds of process recognition and eventually helps in planning e-service systems’ architecture. E-service system (e-SS) is defined as a mission-goal-strategy-driven configuration of technology, organizational processes and networks designed to deliver HTservicesTH that satisfy the needs, wants, or aspirations of customers. Marketing, operations, and global environment considerations have significant implications for the design of an e-service system. Four criteria which impact e-service systems’ architecture have been defined as: service business model, customer contact and level of involvement (Service User Interface), service provider’s enterprise complexity (Enterprise Systems and Networks), and scope of goods involved in service. It was proved that the e-service system is the intermediary layer between Service User Interface and Enterprise Systems and Networks. Two examples of e-SS have been modeled.
Service Registry Design
Authors: Pires Luís Ferreira , van Oostrum Arjen , Wijnhoven Fons
Published: February 2011

A service registry is a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) component that keeps a ‘catalogue’ of available services. It stores service specifications so that these specifications can be found by potential users. Discussions on the design of service registries currently focus on technical issues, while service registries should take into consideration information needs of business domain users. In this regard, the authors consider service registries as information services and develop a comprehensive framework for designing service registries. This framework introduces aspects that determine a design space for service registries. In this design space, the authors identify views, requirements, processes, and means in the design of a service registry that supports the lifecycle information of a service. A vital part of these requirements is further implemented and demonstrated in a prototype built as a ‘proof-of-concept’ for the framework. This paper also discusses a case study used to evaluate the prototype. In this case study, a registry prototype has been populated with realistic services of a large insurance company, and 21 experienced IT and business professionals from a consultancy organization evaluated the prototype for its user satisfaction.
Using the Critical Incident Technique to Identify Factors of Service Quality in Online Higher Education
Authors: Martínez-Argüelles María J. , Castán José M. , Juan Angel A.
Published: February 2011

Information technologies are changing the way in which higher education is delivered. In this regard, there is a necessity for developing information systems that help university managers measure the quality of online services offered to their students. This paper discusses the importance of considering students’ perception of service quality. The authors then identify key factors of service quality, as perceived by students, in online higher education. To this end, the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) is proposed as an effective qualitative methodology. Some benefits of this methodology are highlighted and an exploratory research is carried out in a real environment to illustrate this approach. Results from this research explain which quality dimensions are considered the most valuable to online students. Information provided by this methodology can significantly improve strategic decision-making processes in online universities worldwide.
Sustainability in Service Operations
Authors: Wolf Frank , Mujtaba Bahaudin G.
Published: February 2011

This paper aims to set the stage for the development of an index that measures progress towards sustainability in the service sector. A review of the academic literature reveals history and theories on the subject, while a look at the trade literature describes what is happening in each of 13 different service sector industries. A framework for the development of a sustainability index for a commercial enterprise is developed. This framework is aligned with triple bottom line corporate reporting, and measures progress towards sustainability in terms of profit, people, and planet on the principle of continuous improvement.
A Review of Service Frameworks Analyzing Strategic Repositioning
Authors: Tinnilä Markku
Published: February 2011

In manufacturing operations it is important to recognise the capabilities of the firm and established ways to position the current and expected manufacturing capabilities. The most recognised tool is the Product-Process matrix of Hayes and Wheelwright. Similarly, in service business there is a growing need to position the capabilities of firms. Many tools analysing services have also been proposed, but no generally accepted framework has so far emerged as a basis for service classification and strategic service positioning. This paper focuses on strategic positioning of services with special focus on analyzing and measuring the repositioning of services. Banking services are used as the main example, which have been analyzed in several studies of service repositioning. The author reviews the service classifications proposed and the dimensions used. Strategic repositioning and its dimensions are illustrated in banking services, and some trends in services are recognized and discussed. Some elements of a more generic service positioning framework are presented for the purpose of summarizing and consolidating the findings of reviewed frameworks.
The Influence of Travel Experience on Mature Travelers’ Quality of Life
Authors: Wang Yawei , McGuire Francis A. , Zhou Bin
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of past travel experience (i.e., number of trips and number of days away from home in last year), and on mature travelers’ quality of life (i.e., self-perceived health and global life satisfaction). A total number of 217 respondents (50+) in a southern state were used in this study. Path analysis (PROC CALIS in SAS) was performed to test the proposed model. An estimation of the proposed theoretical model revealed that the model fit the data. However, the model should be further examined and applied with caution.
A Conceptual Model for Aligning IT Valuation Methods
Authors: Silvius J. Gilbert
Published: February 2011

The relationship between IT and value is complex and often disputed. Researchers and practitioners have created numerous models and valuation methods to capture this value. Although payoffs from IT investment are a function of strategic alignment, most of these models do not address the alignment of business and IT as a factor that influences or creates value. This paper explores the role of business and IT alignment in the valuation methods of IT assets and investments. It focuses on the impacts resulting from the use of IT assets, considering the function and nature of the impacts. It also explores the alignment of IT valuation and business strategy. The paper is concluded with the construction of a comprehensive selection model that provides guidance for aligning the IT valuation method with the specific characteristics, impacts and organizational context of an IT asset or investment.
Time-Based Confidentiality Enhancement Scheme for Mobile Wireless Networks
Authors: Zheng Qunwei , Hong Xiaoyan , Liu Jun , Tang Lei
Published: February 2011

A multi-hop wireless network with highly dynamic members and mobility is vulnerable to many attacks. To address this problem, we propose a novel time-based approach that exploits mobility. In our scheme, the source sends shares at different times. Due to node mobility, these shares will be routed through different intermediate nodes. It is highly unlikely that a particular intermediate node is able to be on many of these routes and to collect enough shares to reconstruct the original message. The scheme is particularly suitable for applications that can tolerate long message delays, as studied in Delay Tolerant Networks. The article focuses on analyzing the feasibility of this scheme. We describe a general approach to calculate the probability of intercepting enough shares by arbitrary nodes, together with simulations. The results show that the probability is small. The scheme provides a valuable alternative for delay tolerant applications to enhance message confidentiality.
Error Probability for Coherent Modulations in Rician Fading Channel
Authors: Chandra A. , Bose C.
Published: February 2011

Simple closed-form solutions for the average error rate of several coherent modulation schemes including square M-QAM, DBPSK and QPSK operating over slow flat Rician fading channel are derived. Starting from a novel unified expression of conditional error probability the error rates are analysed using PDF based approach. The derived end expressions composed of infinite series summations of Gauss hypergeometric function are accurate, free from any numerical integration and general enough, as it encompasses as special situations, some cases of non-diversity and Rayleigh fading. Error probabilities are graphically displayed for the modulation schemes for different values of the Rician parameter K. In addition, to examine the dependence of error rate performance of M-QAM on the constellation size, numerical results are plotted for various values of M. The generality of the analytical results presented offers valuable insight into the performance evaluation over a fading channel in a unified manner.
On Peer-to-Peer Location Management in Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Mo Zhaomin , Zhu Hao , Makki Kia , Pissinou Niki , Karimi Masoumeh
Published: February 2011

Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) have been gained importance for the inter-vehicle communication that supports local communication between vehicles without any expensive infrastructure and considerable configuration efforts. How to provide light-weight and scalable location management service which facilitates geographic routing in VANETs remains a fundamental issue. In this paper we will present a novel peer-to-peer location management protocol, called PLM, to provide location management service in VANETs. PLM makes use of high mobility in VANETs to disseminate vehicles’ historical location information over the network. A vehicle is able to predict current location of other vehicles with Kalman filtering technique. Our theoretical analysis shows that PLM is able to achieve high location information availability with a low protocol overhead and latency. The simulation results indicate that PLM can provide fairly accurate location information with quite low communication overhead in VANETs
Distributed Algorithms for Delay Bounded Minimum Energy Wireless Broadcasting
Authors: Çiftlikli Serkan , Öztoprak Figen , Erçetin Özgür , Bülbül Kerem
Published: February 2011

In this article, we investigate two different distributed algorithms for constructing a minimum power broadcast tree with a maximum depth ? which corresponds to the maximum tolerable end-to-end delay in the network. Distributed Tree Expansion (DTE) is based on an implementation of a distributed minimum spanning tree algorithm in which the tree grows at each iteration by adding a node that can cover the maximum number of currently uncovered nodes in the network with minimum incremental transmission power and without violating the delay constraint. In Distributed Link Substitution (DLS), given a feasible broadcast tree, the solution is improved by replacing expensive transmissions by transmissions at lower power levels while reserving the feasibility of the tree with respect to the delay bound. Although DTE increases the message complexity to O(n3) from O(n2?) in a network of size n, it provides up to 50% improvement in total expended power compared to DLS.
Processes in R&D Collaboration
Authors: Bor Sanne , Boersma Kees
Published: February 2011

This paper examines the process leading to a formalised co-operation. A comparative case study of Research and Development (R&D) collaborations illustrates how, during the process of formalising, the creation of shared understanding of the co-operation is supported or hindered. When participants are involved in setting goals, writing work plans, and creating the rules for the co-operation, each participant will have a better understanding of their relationship with others, their own role and responsibility and those of the others. In this study, the authors identify five possible factors that encourage or discourage the partners to use the process of formalising for the purpose of sensemaking.
Issues in Electronic Procurement Project Implementation in Local Government
Authors: Hashim Rugayah
Published: February 2011

Implementing an e-procurement system is a challenge for local government; however, lessons learned through the identification of these challenging issues allow local government ICT project managers to checklist these issues and ensure a successful e-procurement system rollout in their respective organization. For this study, qualitative research design and analyses were used to identify and rank the emergent issues. Through pattern-coding analyses of the interview transcriptions, twelve key issues emerged to be found as the common barriers of successful e-procurement rollout. In this regard, the author’s research is significant given that the return of investment is crucial to a local government’s administrative functions as well as for effective and efficient service delivery.
Runaway Information Technology Projects
Authors: Wright M. Keith , Capps Charles J.
Published: February 2011

This paper presents an in-depth insider’s case study of a “runaway” information systems (IS) project in a U.S. State government agency. Because such projects are politically sensitive matters and often obscured from public view, details of how such projects operate are not well understood. This case study adds new details to the body of knowledge surrounding IS project escalation and de-escalation. The authors’ resulting project narrative details how this project went out of control for so long, raising important questions for future research in theory development for both IS project escalation and de-escalation. The paper argues that a punctuated equilibrium approach to analyzing “runaway” IS projects are a more fruitful area to explore than are “stage models.”
Snapshot of Personnel Productivity Assessment in Indian IT Industry
Authors: Natarajan Thamaraiselvan , Rajah Saraswathy R. Aravinda , Manikavasagam Sivagnanasundaram
Published: February 2011

Measuring the productivity of employees has been one of the concerns of IT organisations globally. It is indispensable to calculate the cost of the project vis-a-vis the time estimate. While calculating the lines of coding (Loc) has generally been the common criteria for programmers, it is not always considered an effective measure of the actual work done. The time spent on activities like attending training programmes, participating in meetings, co-coordinating with colleagues, or conceptualising, is presumably unaccounted. Questions lurking unanswered relate to the effective criteria and international benchmarks. Amusingly most companies have their own home-grown productivity calculators to track the progress of their projects. Productivity measurement is equally important for an organisation as well as an IT worker. Awareness of productivity paves way-for mutual progress-self and the organization. This paper, through illustrative-case examples, provides a holistic perspective of personnel productivity assessment methods used in Indian IT industry.
A Generic Framework for Bluetooth Promoted Multimedia on Demand (BlueProMoD)
Authors: Fouliras Panayotis , Samaras Nikolaos
Published: February 2011

In recent years many technologies have converged to integrated solutions and one of the hottest topics has been the deployment of wireless personal area networks (WPANs). In this article we present a generic architecture scheme that allows voice and other real-time traffic to be carried over longer distances. The proposed scheme is a novel framework that combines a wired backbone network including Bluetooth access points (APs) with the mobile Bluetooth-enabled devices of the end users. This scheme is called Bluetooth Promoted Multimedia on Demand (BlueProMoD). BlueProMoD is a hybrid network and provides freeof- charge communication among customers, multimedia advertisements, as well as location-based and other value-added services.
Agile Software Processes for the 24-Hour Knowledge Factory Environment
Authors: Denny Nathan , Crk Igor , Sheshu Ravi
Published: February 2011

The growing adoption of outsourcing and offshoring concepts is presenting new opportunities for distributed software development. Inspired by the paradigm of round-the-clock manufacturing, the concept of the 24-hour knowledge factory (24HrKF) attempts to make similar transformations in the arena of IS: specifically to transform the production of software and allied intangibles to benefit from the notion of continuous development by establishing multiple collaborating sites at strategically selected locations around the globe. As the sun sets on one site, it rises on another site with the day’s work being handed off from the closing site to the opening site. In order to enable such hand offs to occur in an effective manner, new agile and distributed software processes are needed, as delineated in this article.
Transformation from the Information Age to the Conceptual Age
Authors: Patki A.B. , Patki Tapasya , Kulkarni Mahesh
Published: February 2011

The previous decades have seen the emergence of the Information Age, where the key focus was on knowledge acquisition and application. With the emergence of cross-domain disciplines like outsourcing, we are witnessing a trend towards creative knowledge, rational application, and innovation. We are now progressing from an era that was information-dependent towards the era that revolves around concept development. This age, referred to as the Conceptual Age, will be dominated by six new senses--design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning--creating a need to diverge from the current reliance on linear and sequential algorithmic practices in outsourcing and to adopt cognition based engineering and management approaches. This article lays the foundation for offshore engineering and management (OEM) and discusses estimation issues in OEM that have their roots in software engineering. Also, this article identifies the limitations of the current methodologies from an outsourcing point of view, and delineates how they can be deployed effectively for an outsourced environment.
Analysis and Modelling of Hierarchical Fuzzy Logic Systems
Authors: Mohammadian Masoud
Published: February 2011

In this article the design and development of a hierarchical fuzzy logic system is investigated. A new method using an evolutionary algorithm for design of hierarchical fuzzy logic system for prediction and modelling of interest rates in Australia is developed. The hierarchical system is developed to model and predict three months (quarterly) interest rate fluctuations. This research study is unique in the way proposed method is applied to design and development of fuzzy logic systems. The new method proposed determines the number of layer for hierarchical fuzzy logic system. The advantages and disadvantages of using fuzzy logic systems for financial modelling is also considered. Conclusions on the accuracy of prediction using hierarchical fuzzy logic systems compared to a back-propagation neural network system and a hierarchical neural network are reported.
Flexible Negotiation Modeling by Using Colored Petri Nets
Authors: Bai Quan , Zhang Minjie , Sim Kwang Mong
Published: February 2011

In multi-agent systems, negotiations are important activities for solving agent conflicts and forming agent cooperation. Nowadays, many applications require multi-agent systems to work in open and dynamic environments. In such working environments, agents need to face various changeable factors in negotiations The dynamic features of open environments make the need of a flexible mechanism to handle agent negotiations that can involve various negotiation protocols and to allow agents to form dynamic negotiation relationships. In this article, we bring some advantages of Colored Petri Net techniques to capture dynamic and concurrent features of agent negotiations, and propose a Colored Petri Net based approach to model and handle agent negotiation activities. In this approach, agents can choose different protocols, which are represented in Colored Petri Net models, to operate negotiations. In addition, this approach supports flexible negotiations that involve different number of negotiation partners.
Integration of Knowledge Resources in R&D Organizations
Authors: Janev Valentina , Vraneš Sanja
Published: February 2011

This article presents the process of design and implementation of a holistic knowledge management infrastructure for R&D organizations from human resources (HR) perspective. The approach addresses HR challenges such as support for an open and flexible organizational structure, support for managing the specific assets of an R&D organization, supports for analysis and reporting, both internally and towards research funding bodies, as well as integration into the semantic web community space. Using an illustrative case study of a concrete research intensive establishment, the Mihajlo Pupin Institute, this article shows how the latest semantic technologies (ontologies, SPARQL, Semantic Wiki) could be used on the top of the commercial SAP® Enterprise Resource Planning system and the open-source Alfresco Enterprise Content Management system in order to ensure meaningful search and retrieval of the expertise for inhouse users as well as the integration in European research space and beyond.
Templates for the Development of Business Technology Strategies
Authors: Andriole Stephen J.
Published: February 2011

At Villanova University, there are several courses that focus on the role that technology plays in business. At the graduate level, it is required that students develop business technology strategies for their companies. This task is placed in context of the best practices around the development of business technology strategies. Part of the learning process is for students to understand all of the components of a useful strategy. In this regard, the author has developed templates that help students organize and develop their strategies. The templates form the basis for both the “theory” and “practice” of business technology strategy, and are presented in this paper to provide a framework for understanding the strategy development process and a lens through which the strategies in this special issue can be assessed.