bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile User Data Mining and Its Applications
Authors: Goh John , Taniar David
Published: May 2011

Mobile user data mining is the process of extracting interesting knowledge from data collected from mobile users through various data mining methodologies. As technology progresses, and the current status of mobile phone adoption being very high in developed nations, along with improvements on mobile phones with new capabilities, it represents a strategic place for mobile user data mining. With such advanced mobile devices, locations that mobile users visit, time of communications, parties of communications, description of surrounding locations of mobile users can be gathered, stored and delivered by the mobile user to a central location, in which it have the great potential application in industries such as marketing, retail and banking. This chapter provides a general introduction on mobile user data mining followed by their potential application. As the life of mobile users are mined, general patterns and knowledge such as the sequence of locations they tend to visit, groups of people that they tends to meet, and timing where they generally active can be gathered. This supports marketing, retail and banking systems through the use of knowledge of behavior of mobile users. However, challenges such as privacy and security are still a main issue before mobile user data mining can be implemented.
ICT, CoLs, CoPs, and Virtual Communities
Authors: Cartelli Antonio
Published: May 2011

Every day, information and communication technologies (ICT) are extending their influence on knowing and transmitting knowledge. They act on humankind at different levels: the individual, the society, and the community/organization. The Internet more than other instruments in the past is changing human customs and knowledge strategies mostly due to the online information systems developed during last few years.
Development Methodologies and Users
Authors: Singh Shawren , Kotzé Paula
Published: May 2011

There are various development methodologies that are used in developing ISs, some more conventional than others. On the conventional side, there are two major approaches to systems development methodologies that are used to develop IS applications: the traditional systems development methodology and the object-oriented (OO) development approach. The proponents of HCI and interaction design propose life cycle models with a stronger user focus than that employed in the conventional approaches. Before the researcher looks at these approaches, he or she needs to ponder about the method of comparing and assessing the various methodologies. There are always inherent problems in comparing various development methodologies (The Object Agency, 1993). It is, in many instances, difficult to repeat the results of a methodology comparison with any accuracy. Since few (if any) of the comparisons cite page references indicating where a particular methodology comparison item (e.g., a term, concept, or example) can be found in the methodology under review, it is difficult, if not impossible, to verify the accuracy of these methodology comparisons. The researchers did not compare the methodologies step-by-step, but rather in terms of whether and when they address the human element. Researchers have to acknowledge that methodologies are always in a state of flux. In theory, one thing happens, and in practice the methodologies are modified to suit individual business needs.
Meeting the Demands of Wide- Audience End Users
Authors: Peffers Ken
Published: May 2011

This chapter identifies seven problems associated with requirements elicitation, where the intended users are external to the firm; it proposes characteristics for requirements elicitation methods to resolve the problems and tells the story of a new method that supports the resolution of six of the seven problems. Diverse, external users with little relationship to the organization present special problems for requirements elicitation. We identify seven problems for requirements elicitation with wide audience end users (WAEU): context, reach, modeling, model aggregation, presentation, consensus building, and the requirements-design interface. We also identify seven characteristics for requirements elicitation methods to support solutions for these problems. We develop the critical success chains (CSC) method to support six of the seven characteristics and demonstrate its use to develop applications for mobile financial services at Digia, Inc, a Helsinki-based software development firm. Current research efforts are addressing the seventh problem.
An Adaptive Feedback Framework to Support Reflection, Guiding and Tutoring
Authors: Gouli Evangelia , Gogoulou Agoritsa , Papanikolaou Kyparisia A. , Grigoriadou Maria
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, an adaptive feedback framework (AFF) is proposed for the provision of personalized feedback accommodating learners’ individual characteristics and needs in the context of computer-based learning environments. Multiple informative, tutoring, and reflective feedback components (ITRFC) are incorporated into the framework, aiming to stimulate learners to reflect on their beliefs, to guide and tutor them towards the achievement of specific learning outcomes and to inform them about their performance. The proposed framework adopts a scheme for the categorization of learners’ answer, introduces a multi-layer structure and a stepwise presentation of the ITRFC and supports adaptation of the provided feedback both in the dimensions of adaptivity and adaptability. The adaptivity of the AFF is based on the gradual provision of the ITRFC and on the adaptive presentation of the ITRFC according to the learner’s knowledge level, preferences and interaction behaviour. The adaptability of the AFF enables learners to have control over the feedback presentation in order to guide the adaptive dimension of the framework. In the context of the Web-based concept map assessment tool referred to as COMPASS, the proposed framework has been adopted for the provision of personalized feedback in concept mapping tasks. A preliminary evaluation of the framework in the context of COMPASS showed that the AFF led the majority of the learners in reviewing their maps, reconsidering their beliefs and accomplishing successfully the underlying concept mapping task.
Trust in E-Commerce
Authors: Wang Ye Diana , Emurian Henry H.
Published: May 2011

The design of the interface for e-commerce transactions is one source of influence that can affect an online shopper’s trust in the merchant. This paper undertook a confirmatory factor analysis involving 14 trust-inducing interface design features that populated a conceptual framework proposed in our previous study. The factor analysis of self-reported ratings of the features, which were illustrated on a synthetic e-commerce interface by 181 survey respondents, revealed the following three underlying dimensions: (1) visual, (2) content, and (3) social-cue design dimensions. All 14 features were found to contribute to the composition of the three dimensions. The social-cue dimension was rated as less important than the other two dimensions, and shoppers who had been cheated by an online merchant showed lower overall trust ratings in comparison to the remaining shoppers. Qualitative reports by the survey respondents yielded additional insights about the importance of the interface. The results of this study may contribute to an appreciation of interface design features that may influence a user’s perception of the trustworthiness of an online merchant’s Web site.
End-User Perceptions of the Benefits and Risks of End-User Web Development
Authors: McGill Tanya , Klisc Chris
Published: May 2011

The development of applications by end users has become an integral part of organizational information provision. It has been established that there are both benefits and risks associated with end-user development, particularly in the areas of spreadsheets and databases. Web development tools are enabling a new kind of end-user development. The fact that Web page creation may impact, not only locally but also globally, significantly raises the importance of this type of end-user application development. This article reports on the extent of Web page development amongst end users and investigates their perceptions of the benefits and risks of end-user Web development relative to those associated with spreadsheet development and explores approaches to reducing the risks.
The Decision Making Process of Integrating Wireless Technology into Organizations
Authors: Lawson-Body Assion , Rotvold Glenda , Rotvold Justin
Published: May 2011

With the advancement of wireless technology and widespread use of mobile devices, many innovative mobile applications are emerging (Tarasewich & Warkentin, 2002; Varshney & Vetter, 2002; Zhang, 2003). Wireless technology refers to the hardware and software that allow transmission of information between devices without using physical connections (Zhang, 2003). Understanding the different technologies that are available, their limitations, and uses can benefit companies looking at this technology as a viable option to improve overall organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
Motivation for Using Microcomputers
Authors: de Souza Dias Donaldo
Published: May 2011

Information technology implementation is an intervention we make in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a sociotechnical system. Using microcomputers to help individuals perform their jobs and tasks is one of the most important actions we take when implementing this technology effectively. Information systems effectiveness has been extensively studied using, mainly, user satisfaction and quality of information constructs to evaluate users’ acceptability (Iivari & Ervasti, 1994; Ives et al., 1983; Neumann & Segev, 1979). However, sometimes, the result of this intervention is not successful and may even generate difficulties related to people participation in the process. This leaves us with a question: What motivates individuals to use microcomputer technology in their daily activities?
User Acceptance of Virtual Technologies
Authors: Sun Heshan , Xiao Xue
Published: May 2011

Driven by market competitiveness enhancement, service improvement, and working effectiveness promotion, more and more organizations have realized their potentials and paid a lot of attentions to them (Chau & Hu, 2002). As estimated, about 50% of new capital investment has been put in information technology (Westland & Clark, 2000). Despite its great potentials, users’ acceptance or adoption of these technologies does not live up to the initial expectations (Sun & Zhang, 2004). It is obvious that ITs are useless unless users accept and subsequently use them. Therefore, user technology acceptance becomes a hot topic and much effort has been made in order to obtain a deep understanding of how and why users accept certain technologies. Several models have been proposed in the last 2 decades and subsequent studies tested them (Table 1). New virtual technologies, especially collaborative technologies, enable some new forms of interaction. For example, members in virtual teams can work simultaneously on a document together as a distributed team, remotely access shared information from anywhere, or record team activities (Majchrzak et al., 2000). Virtual technologies, like other types of technology, have to be accepted and used by users first. However, virtual technologies, while sharing certain characteristics with other technologies, have special features. Therefore, this article is an attempt to identify the structure and factors influence user acceptance of virtual technologies based on existing user technology acceptance models. In general, the existing technology acceptance models can still be used for virtual technologies. Prior studies have confirmed that users accept virtual technologies in a similar way as other technologies (Moon & Kim, 2001; Yager, 1999; Chen et al., 2002). For example, Moon and Kim (2001) studied the acceptance of the World Wide Web (WWW). According to their study, the results about key factors in extant models are consistent with prior studies, which means that the factors influencing user acceptance of general technologies, although a little different, are also suitable for virtual technologies. Another example is Yager’s study (1999), in which many factors, such as usefulness, ease of use that are traditionally considered to be important for technology acceptance in general, are still valid for virtual technologies. Therefore, we can borrow factors from existing models. However, virtual technologies have their own characteristics. Therefore the factors contributing to user acceptance are likely to be different (Moon & Kim, 2001). So we need to propose new factors pertaining to the new type of technology. For example, playfulness is considered as an additional factor that is especially influential for virtual technologies (Moon & Kim, 2001). In summary, we can refer to existing models while considering the characteristics of virtual technologies. Actually, it is a highly valid approach (Chen et al., 2002).
The Role of Internet Self-Efficacy in the Acceptance of Web-Based Electronic Medical Records
Authors: Ma Qingxiong , Liu Liping
Published: May 2011

The technology acceptance model (TAM) stipulates that both perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) directly influence the end user’s behavioral intention (BI) to accept a technology. Studies have found that self-efficacy is an important determinant of PEOU. However, there has been no research examining the relationship between self-efficacy and BI. The studies on the effect of self-efficacy on PU are also rare, and findings are inconsistent. In this study, we incorporate Internet self-efficacy (ISE) into the TAM as an antecedent to PU, PEOU, and BI. We conducted a controlled experiment involving a Web-based medical record system and 86 health care participants. We analyzed both direct and indirect effects of ISE on PEOU, PU, and BI using hierarchical regressions. We found that ISE explained 48% of the variation in PEOU. We also found that ISE and PEOU together explained 50% of the variation in PU, and the full model explained 80% of the variance in BI.
Trusting Computers Through Trusting Humans
Authors: Adam Alison , Spedding Paul
Published: May 2011

This article considers the question of how we may trust automatically generated program code. The code walkthroughs and inspections of software engineering mimic the ways that mathematicians go about assuring themselves that a mathematical proof is true. Mathematicians have difficulty accepting a computer generated proof because they cannot go through the social processes of trusting its construction. Similarly, those involved in accepting a proof of a computer system or computer generated code cannot go through their traditional processes of trust. The process of software verification is bound up in software quality assurance procedures, which are themselves subject to commercial pressures. Quality standards, including military standards, have procedures for human trust designed into them. An action research case study of an avionics system within a military aircraft company illustrates these points, where the software quality assurance (SQA) procedures were incommensurable with the use of automatically generated code.
Educating Our Students in Computer Application Concepts
Authors: Mykytyn Peter P.
Published: May 2011

Colleges of business have dealt with teaching computer literacy and advanced computer application concepts for many years, often with much difficulty. Traditional approaches to provide this type of instruction, that is, teaching tool-related features in a lecture in a computer lab, may not be the best medium for this type of material. Indeed, textbook publishers struggle as they attempt to compile and organize appropriate material. Faculty responsible for these courses often find it difficult to satisfy students. This paper discusses problem-based learning (PBL) as an alternative approach to teaching computer application concepts, operationally defined herein as Microsoft Excel and Access, both very popular tools in use today. First, PBL is identified in general, and then we look at how it is developed and how it compares with more traditional instructional approaches. A scenario to be integrated into a semester-long course involving computer application concepts based on PBL is also presented. The paper concludes with suggestions for research and concluding remarks.
Understanding the Nature of Task Analysis in Web Design
Authors: Farmer Rod , Gruba Paul
Published: May 2011

Designing usable web-based interfaces challenges practitioners to carefully consider end-user behaviour and requirements. Unfortunately, in meeting this challenge, human-computer interaction task analysis is often poorly understood and applied during web design activities. Rather than purely evaluating usability against prescriptive guidelines, we argue that designing for web-based interaction requires a more holistic and descriptive approach. This chapter provides an overview of cognitive and postcognitive human-computer interaction task analysis frameworks, and their respective abilities to capture a systemic view of stakeholder requirements. As such, this chapter provides a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners alike.
Adaptation Engineering in Adaptive Concept-Based System
Authors: Houben Geert-Jan , Aroyo Lora , De Bra Paul , Dicheva Darina
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents main issues and the state of the art of research on adaptation engineering in adaptive concept-based systems. Adaptive concept-based systems are characterised by the prominent role of concept structures, which makes content classification and conceptualisation play central roles in engineering. On top of these concept structures, adaptation is engineered in order to achieve personalisation of both the content and their presentation. For this presentation many systems use hypermedia structures, as that nicely supports the Web-based application. As a consequence, navigation adaptation is also a central issue in system design. Next to modelling domain and adaptation, it is necessary to model the user and what the system knows or assumes of the user. To discuss different approaches to these issues, we have identified three main classes of adaptive concept-based systems. Adaptive Web information systems build the more general class of data-intensive applications. We use the Hera design methodology to explain the properties of this class. The second class of systems is that of adaptive hypermedia systems. On the basis of the AHAM reference model and the AHA! system, we illustrate this class. The third class consists of adaptive task-based systems, for which we present AIMS as a representative.
Intentions to Use Information Technologies
Authors: Thompson Ron , Compeau Deborah , Higgins Chris
Published: May 2011

An integrative model explaining intentions to use an information technology is proposed. The primary objective is to obtain a clearer picture of how intentions are formed, and draws on previous research such as the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, Bagozzi and Warshaw, 1989) and the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behavior (Taylor and Todd, 1995a). The conceptual model was tested using questionnaire responses from 189 subjects, measured at two time periods approximately two months apart. The results generally supported the hypothesized relationships, and revealed strong influences of both personal innovativeness and computer self-efficacy.
Validating the End-User Computing Satisfaction Survey Instrument in Mexico
Authors: Heilman George E. , Brusa Jorge
Published: May 2011

This study assesses the psychometric properties of a Spanish translation of Doll and Torkzadeh’s End-User Computing Satisfaction (EUCS) survey instrument. The study provides evidence that the EUCS Spanish version can be used as a valid and reliable measure of computing satisfaction among computer users in Mexico. The study also adds support to the use of the EUCS instrument in the investigation of the perceptions of computer users in countries other than the United States (U.S.) and in languages other than English.
An Examination of Consumer Behavior on eBay Motors
Authors: Sena Mark P. , Braun Gerald
Published: May 2011

With annual sales of $7.5 billion, eBay Motors has become one of the most important online marketplaces. For several years, researchers have used eBay transactions as a mechanism for examining consumer behavior and economic relationships in Internet auctions. As automobiles have emerged as the leading product category on eBay, research focused specifically on eBay Motors is an important extension to this line of research. This study builds on past research by examining research questions using a sample of 126 eBay Motors exchanges along with benchmark pricing data from Kelley Blue Book. The findings of the study suggest that, within selected data ranges, such factors as seller feedback ratings, number of pictures in item description, and seller type (dealer vs. individual) may affect the percentage of retail value that sellers are able to earn in eBay Motors auctions.
Gender Differences and Hypermedia Navigation
Authors: Fan J. P.
Published: May 2011

Adaptive hypermedia learning systems can be developed to adapt to a diversity of individual differences. Many studies have been conducted to design systems to adapt to learners’ individual characteristics, such as learning style and cognitive style to facilitate student learning. However, no research has been done specifically regarding the adaptation of hypermedia learning system to gender differences. This chapter therefore attempts to fill this gap by examining the published findings from experimental studies of interaction between gender differences and hypermedia learning. Analysis of findings of the empirical studies leads to a set of principles being proposed to guide adaptive hypermedia learning system design onthe basis of gender differences in relation to (i) adaptive presentation and (ii) adaptive navigation support.
E-Government in the Information Society
Authors: Zacher Lech W.
Published: May 2011

The information society (IS), which nowadays is the emerging form of the organization of advanced societies (see e.g., Castells, 1996; May, 2002; Zacher, 2000a, 2000b), is governed more and more by the use of electronic devices and systems. That is why the concept of e-government was introduced and practically implemented. (For a historical perspective, see the article on Historical Perspective of E-Government).
From E-Government to E-Governance
Authors: Costake Nicolae
Published: May 2011

The purpose of the present article is twofold: (a) to support the definitions of e-government (eGvt) and e-governance (eG) based on content (and not on technology only); (b) to analyze the relationship between eGvt and eG.
E-Governement, Democratic Governance and Integrative Prospects for Developing Countries
Authors: Roy Jeffrey
Published: May 2011

The objectives of this chapter are threefold: first, to first provide a conceptual framework for understanding e-government as a set of four, interrelated dimensions of public sector change; secondly, to consider the relevance and applicability of this framework for both developed and developing nations; and thirdly, to explore the interface between domestic and transnational governance reforms in an increasingly digital era. The world in the twenty-first century needs a globally federated governance architecture, the design of which must include social, economic, political and technological considerations. This strengthened focus on transnational governance systems must also be joined by the recognition of the dysfunctional nature of the present system of bilateral international assistance programs among countries. With improved governance conditions of transparency and trust transnationally – facilitated in part by a much more politically creative and aggressive use of new technologies, the resources allocated by each country across their various recipients would serve both developing nations and the world as a whole if they were pooled and coordinated through new transnational mechanisms.
E-Government Issues in Switzerland
Authors: Chappelet Jean-Loup
Published: May 2011

This short article gives an overview of e-government in Switzerland about 10 years after its introduction at the municipal, cantonal and federal levels. It outlines the technical and political difficulties recently encountered for the further development of online services at all levels and presents some good examples of what has been achieved so far. Opportunities for e-participation are also presented as a growing trend based on a few e-voting experiments at cantonal level. Since Switzerland is a multicultural country with four national languages, some of its e-government experiences and “lessons learned” can be useful in neighbouring countries with the same cultural background (i.e., Austria, France, Germany, and Italy).
Applications of Geographical Information System in E-Government
Authors: Yongling Yao , Junsong Wang
Published: May 2011

Geographical information system (GIS) is one kind of information system that handles spatial data. It is difficult to give one definitive definition about GIS (Heywood, Cornelius, & Carver, 2002; Maguire, Goodchild, & Rhind, 2001). This variety of definitions can be explained by the fact that any definition of GIS will depend on who is giving it, and their background and viewpoint (Pinkles, 2002). The complete definition of GIS is selected here as: “a set of tools for collecting, storing, retrieving at will, transforming, and displaying spatial data from the real world for a particular set of purposes”(Burrough, 1986, p. 6). As an important part of e-government, is that it has functions of cartography, manages spatial data and spatial analysis.
Foundation for Citizen-Oriented E-Governance Models
Authors: Keskinen Auli , Kuosa Tuomo
Published: May 2011

The present knowledge era needs new democratic practices. The use of information and communications technology (ICT) has been considered the potential tool for rethinking democracy and political action. Working with research and development (R&D) on this potential means whole new sets of concepts, and practical solutions need to be innovated. This article describes and compares several new ICT-aided models—tested, in use, or under research—that emphasize citizens’ needs as the fundamental approach to societal decision making and that regard citizens as collaborative decision makers. The new citizen-oriented approach is fundamentally transformative and calls for new innovative approaches in order to employ ICT for governance and empowerment of citizens. E-governance is considered to be an integrative concept for governance and democracy, while the focus of this article is on e-democracy.
Design of Government Information for Access by Wireless Mobile Technology
Authors: Ally Mohamed
Published: May 2011

As the world becomes mobile, the ability to access information on demand will give individuals a competitive advantage and make them more productive on the job and in their daily lives (Satyanarayanan, 1996). In the past, government information was presented by government employees who verbally communicated with citizens in order to meet their information needs. As print technology improved, government information was, and still is in many countries, communicated to citizens using paper as the medium of delivery. Because of the cost of printing and mailing printed documents and the difficulty of updating information in a timely manner, governments are moving to electronic delivery of information using the Web. Currently, governments provide digital service to their citizens using the Web for access by desktop or notebook computers; however, citizens of many countries are using mobile devices such as cell phones, tablet PCs, personal digital assistants, Web pads, and palmtop computers to access information from a variety of sources in order to conduct their everyday business and to communicate with each other. Also, wearable mobile devices are being used by some workers for remote computing and information access in order to allow multitasking on the job. It is predicted that there will be more mobile devices than desktop computers in the world in the near future (Schneiderman, 2002). The creation of digital government will allow the delivery of government information and services online through the Internet or other digital means using computing and mobile devices (LaVigne, 2002). Also, there will be more government-to-citizen and government-to-business interactions. Digital government will allow citizens, businesses, and the government to use electronic devices in order to communicate, to disseminate and gather information, to facilitate payments, and to carry out permitting in an online environment (Wyld, 2004). Digital government will allow citizens to access information anytime and anywhere using mobile and computing devices (Seifert & Relyea, 2004).
The E-Government Development, IT Strategies, and Portals of the Hong Kong SAR Government
Authors: Ho Kevin K.W.
Published: May 2011

This case describes the development of information technology (IT) and electronic government (e-Government) projects of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (the HKSARG) from the late 1990s to 2005. During this period, the HKSARG launched its first IT Strategic Plan, Digital 21 IT Strategy, which provides the roadmap for the IT development for the city. In this eight-year period, the HKSARG committed about US$1,100M on various types of e-government projects. New e-Government applications and portals, such as Electronic Service Delivery (ESD) and Central Cyber Government Office (CCGO), were developed and rolled out from 2000 onwards to facilitate electronic transactions between the HKSARG and its external (business firms and citizens) and internal (government departments and employees) customers.
Architecture-Driven Service Discovery for Service Centric Systems
Authors: Kozlenkov A. , Spanoudakis G. , Zisman A. , Fasoulas V. , Sanchez F.
Published: May 2011

Service discovery has been recognized as an important aspect in the development of service-centric systems, i.e., software systems which deploy Web services. To develop such systems, it is necessary to identify services that can be combined in order to fulfill the functionality and achieve quality criteria of the system being developed. In this paper, we present a framework supporting architecture-driven service discovery (ASD)—that is the discovery of services that can provide functionalities and satisfy properties and constraints of systems as specified during the design phase of the development lifecycle based on detailed system design models. Our framework assumes an iterative design process and allows for the (re-)formulation of design models of service-centric systems based on the discovered services. The framework is composed of a query extractor, which derives queries from behavioral and structural UML design models of service-centric systems, and a query execution engine that executes these queries against service registries based on graph matching techniques. The article describes a prototype tool that we have developed to demonstrate and evaluate our framework and the results of a set of preliminary experiments that we have conducted to evaluate it.
E-Government in Transition Economics
Authors: Gatautis Rimantas
Published: May 2011

In December of 2002, the Lithuanian government approved the concept of e-government. The objective of the e-government concept is to develop effective means that will allow for adapting of public administration to modern needs. To achieve this purpose, the Lithuanian government identified e-government’s implementation as one of political priorities. One step toward this purpose is the development of e-government, which ensures democracy, the promotion of e-business, the computerization of society, and the use of the Internet. Following the e-government concept’s adoption, the Ministry of Interior affairs has been obliged to prepare a plan of measures necessary for implementation of the concept. The e-government concept describes the official approach towards the electronic government’s phenomena in Lithuania.
Incident Preparedness and Response
Authors: Wylupski Warren , Champion David R. , Grant Zachary
Published: May 2011

One of the emerging issues in the field of digital crime and digital forensics is corporate preparedness in dealing with attacks on computer network security. Security attacks and breaches of an organization’s computer network can result in the compromise of confidential data, loss of customer confidence, poor public relations, disruption of business, and severe financial loss. Furthermore, loss of organizational data can present a number of criminal threats, including extortion, blackmail, identity theft, technology theft, and even hazards to national security. This chapter first examines the preparedness and response of three southwestern companies to their own specific threats to corporate cyber-security. Secondly, this chapter suggests that by developing an effective security policy focusing on incident detection and response, a company can minimize the damage caused by these attacks, while simultaneously strengthening the existing system and forensic processes against future attacks. Advances in digital forensics and its supporting technology, including intrusion detection, intrusion prevention, and application control, will be imperative to maintain network security in the future.
Electronic Voting Machine
Authors: Santhias Paulo Roberto , Cabral Regis
Published: May 2011

Electronic voting, as well as Internet voting, is in the process of being incorporated into most democracies in the world. The literature on the topic is abundant as well as the technologies offered. Most of the work, nevertheless, seems to bypass the actual origins of the modern (and current) electronic voting systems (Oudenhove et al., 2001).
Radio Frequency IdentificationTechnology in Digital Government
Authors: Pang Les
Published: May 2011

Following technical strides in radio and radar in the 1930s and 1940s, the 1950s were a period of exploration for radio frequency identity (RFID) technology as shown by the landmark development of the long-range transponder systems for the “identification, friend or foe” for aircraft. Commercial use of RFID appeared in the 1960s, such as electronic article surveillance systems in retail stores to prevent theft. The 1970s were characterized by developmental work resulting in applications for animal tracking, vehicle tracking, and factory automation. RFID technology exploded during the 1980s in the areas of transportation and, to a lesser extent, personnel access and animals. Wider deployment of RFID tags for automated toll collection happened in the 1990s. Also, there was growing interest of RFID for logistics and having it work along side with bar codes. In the beginning of the 21st century, the application of RFID technology has been ubiquitous and now it is practically part of everyday life (Landt, 2001).
A Comprehensive Framework Towards Information Sharing Between Government Agencies
Authors: Bajaj Akhilesh , Ram Sudha
Published: May 2011

Recently, there has been increased interest in sharing digitized information between government agencies, with the goals of improving security, reducing costs, and offering better quality service to users of government services. The bulk of previous work in interagency information sharing has focused largely on the sharing of structured information among heterogeneous data sources, whereas government agencies need to share data with varying degrees of structure ranging from free text documents to relational data. In this work, we explore the different technologies available to share information. Specifically, our framework discusses the optional data storage mechanisms required to support a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). We compare XML document, free text search engine, and relational database technologies and analyze the pros and cons of each approach. We explore these options along the dimensions of information definition, information storage, the access to this information, and finally the maintenance of shared information.
A Web Query System for Heterogeneous Government Data
Authors: Wiegand Nancy , Cruz Isabel F. , Zhou Naijun , Sunna William
Published: May 2011

This paper describes a Web-based query system for semantically heterogeneous government-produced data. Geospatial Web-based information systems and portals currently are being developed by various levels of government along with the GIS community. Typically, these sites provide data discovery and download capabilities but do not include the ability to pose DBMS-type queries. One of the main problems in querying distributed government data sources is the difference in semantics used by various jurisdictions. We extend work in schema integration by focusing on resolving semantics at the value level in addition to the schema or attribute level. We illustrate our method using land use data, but the method can be used to query across other heterogeneous sets of values. Our work starts from an XML Web-based DBMS and adds functionality to accommodate heterogeneous data between jurisdictions. Our ontology and query rewrite systems use mappings to enable querying across distributed heterogeneous data.
Applying ICTs in Juridicial Decision Making by Government Agencies
Authors: Groothuis Marga
Published: May 2011

Electronic government is developing throughout Europe. Increasingly, central, regional, and local governments use ICT applications to perform their tasks. In the 1970s and 1980s, computers were mainly used to perform administrative tasks (including word processing). In the 1990s, juridical expert systems were introduced within government organizations: software programs which can solve juridical problems, either without any human interference or with limited human interference, by means of a reasoning mechanism and a “knowledge database” (Groothuis, 2004). Furthermore, government agencies started to use new ICT applications such as the Internet and e-mail to communicate electronically with citizens. This article examines the juridical aspects of automatic decision making and electronic communication by government agencies in The Netherlands and addresses the following questions: 1. What is the legal framework for automatic decision-making by government agencies in The Netherlands? 2. What is the juridical quality of decisions made by expert systems in practice? 3. What is the legal framework for electronic communication between government agencies and citizens in The Netherlands? 4. To what extent does electronic government exist in The Netherlands and what are its prospects for the period 2005-2007?
Level-Based Development of E-Government Services
Authors: Markellou Penelope , Panayiotaki Angeliki , Tsakalidis Athanasios
Published: May 2011

As the Web is growing exponentially, the way of provision governmental information and services has been changed by the newly supplied technological capacities and digital channels. More and more governments all over the world are trying to acquire an electronic profile, in order to offer advanced services to their users (citizens and businesses). Two basic factors have significant contribution to this direction. The first considers the continuous increase of the users’ daily needs (e.g., information searching, certificate requesting). Traditionally, the completion of these tasks implies a lot of valuable time to be lost in the tracking of responsible actor and in the waiting in queues. The second one refers to the ongoing access of the users with the Internet. This new way of communication facilitates the transactions and helps in providing better public services. It is clear that e-government’s successful development and operation demands proper design, which will comprise the basis for its application. Information and communication technologies (ICT) may contribute essentially to this direction, as long as government and users adopt them under the framework of a broader reorganization of the public sector. This adaptation can be implemented gradually in levels, which will enable the unobstructed data flow from/to government and will give the opportunity to citizens and businesses to obtain the highest access to the provided governmental services. Only under these circumstances, this transition will lead to a series of strategic, administrative and operational benefits (NOIE, 2003; OGC, 2003), for example, best coverage of users’ needs, cost and time savings, and so forth. This article is intended to present a level-based approach for the development of e-government services, starting from the lowest one to the highest and more complicated. Following gradually this sequence of technological levels and incorporating with strategy, coordination, and know-how, an organization can realize the vision of e-government, provide reliable online information and services to their users and improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
A Secure Wireless Data Access Service for the Government of Canada
Authors: Macumber Howie , Cheung Bing
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines work conducted by Public Works and Government Services Canada, a department of the Government of Canada (GoC), to assess the potential for a Secure Wireless Data Access Service (SWDAS) that is envisaged to be provided as a common service to departments and agencies of the GoC. The main focus of the work has been on Wi-Fi, especially the IEEE 802.11b standard, and its application. Areas examined include technology, security, spectrum management, user surveys, applications, business, ?nance, service trial, future trends, and recommendations for the implementation of Wi-Fi in government. It is demonstrated that the application of Wi-Fi technology in the GoC would be bene?cial for the government workforce from both a ?nancial and a technological perspective.
Horizontal Process Integration in E-Government
Authors: Choudrie Jyoti , Weerrakody Vishanth
Published: May 2011

This article examines how horizontal integration between the various departments of a local authority in the United Kingdom (UK) occurs. Following that the aim of this article is to extract the “success factors” in government intervention that support horizontal and vertical integration based on the strategies pursued in the UK in order to render favourable results if applied elsewhere. The research methodology consisted of an in-depth case study that used the research tools of interviews and referring to archival documents. This research is timely as the maturity of e-government increases the issues of integrating processes and systems across various government departments becomes pertinent. The conclusion and lessons that can be learnt from this research is that e-government integration on a horizontal level obtains significant ef- ficiency and effectiveness as more and more public services are being centralized.
Organisational Challenges of Implementing E-Business in the Public Services
Authors: Andreescu Francesca
Published: May 2011

Underpinning £136 billion of economic activity in the United Kingdom, Britain’s National Mapping Agency is a commercialising public sector organisation having trading fund status and existing in the intersection of two different spheres—the public and the private. Recognised as a leading participant in the geographic information industry, within which it is forging partnerships with key private sector companies, the organisation has enthusiastically grasped e-business as an all-embracing phenomenon and implemented a new strategy that transformed the way it did business. Drawing on longitudinal data gathered over a period of four years, this article explores the processes of strategic and organisational transformation engendered by e-business implementation in this organisation and discusses the successful elements, as well as some of the challenges to its change efforts.
The Impact of M-Government on Organisations
Authors: Kushchu Ibrahim , Arat Seda , Borucki Chet
Published: May 2011

Adoption of mobile technologies by government organizations not only bene?ts the parties who use these services, but also has positive impact on the internal workings of the public sector. Those government entities which initiated mobile applications have visible gains in productivity and cost and operational savings. This new way of performing tasks also undoubtedly has some repercussions on the organizational structure, civil worker, and the business processes. This chapter tries to underline some of the issues that might arise in these areas by examining some ongoing mobile government projects.
Electronic Surveillance for the Public Good
Authors: Lee-Kelley Liz , Kolsaker Ailsa
Published: May 2011

The central government in the UK is determined to employ new surveillance technology to combat the threat of terrorist activities. This chapter contributes to the important debate on the relationship between citizens and the government, by discussing not whether electronic surveillance should be used, but rather, when it is acceptable to the populace. From our analysis, we conclude that a reconciliation of state-interest and self-interest is critical for the success of e-governance; as such, electronic surveillance’s mission has to be about serving the law-abiding majority and their needs, and its scope and benefits must be clearly understood by the visionaries, implementers and the citizenry.
Legislative Based for Personal Privacy Policy Specification
Authors: Yee George , Korba Larry , Song Ronggong
Published: May 2011

The growth of the Internet has been accompanied by a proliferation of e-services, especially in the area of e-commerce (e.g., Amazon.com, eBay.com). However, consumers of these e-services are becoming more and more sensitive to the fact that they are giving up private information every time they use them. At the same time, legislative bodies in many jurisdictions have enacted legislation to protect the privacy of individuals when they need to interact with organizations. As a result, e-services can only be successful if there is adequate protection for user privacy. The use of personal privacy policies to express an individual’s privacy preferences appears best-suited to manage privacy for e-commerce. We first motivate the reader with our e-service privacy policy model that explains how personal privacy policies can be used for e-services. We then derive the minimum content of a personal privacy policy by examining some key privacy legislation selected from Canada, the European Union, and the United States.
User Help and Service Navigation Features in Government Web Sites
Authors: Stowers Genie N.L.
Published: May 2011

This article examines the user help and service navigation features in government Web sites and compares them across levels of government. These features are critical to ensuring that users unfamiliar with government are able to successfully and easily access e-government services and information. The research finds clear patterns in the use of similar help and navigation features across governments, leading to a conclusion that these features are diffusing in the public sector Web development field. The article concludes by stating that Web developers should work to overcome a second digital divide, one of a lack of knowledge of Web site organization and government structure. Users need to be actively assisted to find information by Web developers.