bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Referential Horizontal Partitioning Selection Problem in Data Warehouses
Authors: Bellatreche Ladjel , Boukhalfa Kamel , Richard Pascal , Woameno Komla Yamavo
Published: April 2010

Horizontal Partitioning has been largely adopted by the database community, where it took a significant part in the physical design process. Actually, it is supported by most commercial database systems (DBMS), where a native Data Definition Language for decomposing tables/materialized views using various modes is proposed. In traditional databases, horizontal partitioning has been largely studied, where several fragmentation algorithms were proposed to partition tables in isolation. In the relational data warehouse environment, horizontal partitioning consists in decomposing the whole warehouse schema into sub schemas, where each schema contains fragments of dimension and fact tables. Dimension tables are fragmented using the primary partitioning mode, whereas the fact table is divided using referential mode. In this article, the authors first focus on the evolution of horizontal partitioning in commercial DBMS motivated by decision support applications. Secondly, they give a formalization of the referential fragmentation schema selection problem in the data warehouse and they study its hardness to select an optimal solution. Due to its high complexity, they develop two algorithms: hill climbing and simulated annealing with several variants to select a near optimal partitioning schema. Finally, extensive experimental studies are conducted using the data set of APB1 benchmark to compare the quality the proposed algorithms using a mathematical cost model. Based on these experiments, some recommendations are given to advise database administrator for well using horizontal partitioning.
A Dynamic and Semantically-Aware Technique for Document Clustering in Biomedical Literature
Authors: Song Min , Hu Xiaohua , Yoo Illhoi , Koppel Eric
Published: April 2010

As an unsupervised learning process, document clustering has been used to improve information retrieval performance by grouping similar documents and to help text mining approaches by providing a high-quality input for them. In this article, the authors propose a novel hybrid clustering technique that incorporates semantic smoothing of document models into a neural network framework. Recently, it has been reported that the semantic smoothing model enhances the retrieval quality in Information Retrieval (IR). Inspired by that, the authors developed and applied a context-sensitive semantic smoothing model to boost accuracy of clustering that is generated by a dynamic growing cell structure algorithm, a variation of the neural network technique. They evaluated the proposed technique on biomedical article sets from MEDLINE, the largest biomedical digital library in the world. Their experimental evaluations show that the proposed algorithm significantly improves the clustering quality over the traditional clustering techniques including k-means and self-organizing map (SOM).
An Approach to Engineer Communities of Web Services
Authors: Maamar Zakaria , Subramanian Sattanathan , Thiran Philippe , Benslimane Djamal , Bentahar Jamal
Published: April 2010

This article presents an approach that provides the necessary assistance to those who are in charge of engineering communities of Web services. Current practices indicate that Web services providing the same functionality are gathered into one community, independently of their origins and the way they carry out this functionality. The provided assistance manifests itself with the concepts to use, the architecture to select, the operations to script, and the deployment to track. Two protocols frame the interactions in an environment of communities of Web services namely the Web Services Community Development Protocol and the Contract-Net Protocol. The former manages a community in terms of Web services attraction/registration/withdrawal to/with/from this community. The latter satisfies users’ needs in terms of Web services selection/contracting/triggering. Finally, the article presents a prototype illustrating the engineering approach with focus on Web services attraction.
A Semantic Web-Based Approach for Building Personalized News Services
Authors: Frasincar Flavius , Borsje Jethro , Levering Leonard
Published: April 2010

This article proposes Hermes, a Semantic Web-based framework for building personalized news services. It makes use of ontologies for knowledge representation, natural language processing techniques for semantic text analysis, and semantic query languages for specifying wanted information. Hermes is supported by an implementation of the framework, the Hermes News Portal, a tool which allows users to have a personalized online access to news items. The Hermes framework and its associated implementation aim at advancing the state-of-the-art of semantic approaches for personalized news services by employing Semantic Web standards, exploiting domain information, using a word sense disambiguation procedure, and being able to express temporal constraints for the desired news items.
Collaborative Business and Information Systems Design
Authors: Rittgen Peter
Published: April 2010

Collaborative business and information systems design touches a number of issues that lie within the realm of different research areas. It deals with design as such, and in particular with design in and for groups. It is also concerned with socio-technical systems and hence with human-computer interaction as well as IT-mediated human-human interaction. This introduces collaboration issues. The significant complexity of the business and information systems that are in the focus of the design endeavor calls for modeling as an instrument for managing this complexity. This article maps the terrain of collaborative business and information systems design by surveying the contributions that are made by related areas of research.
The Impact of Data Synchronization Adoption on Organizations
Authors: Zucker Susan G. , Wang Shouhong
Published: April 2010

Data synchronization is required for supply chain management in the B2B e-commerce environment. This case study examined the impact of the adoption of data synchronization on three large consumer product goods organizations. The study identified process and structural inadequacies that developed as the result of the implementation, as well as how these organizations recognized benefits and future opportunities after data synchronization adoption. The findings revealed the significance of internal alignment around data cleansing and accuracy, as well as opportunities for improved external alignment from a systems perspective. Synergy created between product item management, data synchronization, and internal champions existed at all three companies. The workflow re-design, process improvements and standards development imposed on these organizations by the clean data requirement of data synchronization provided the greatest benefits from the data synchronization process.
The Impact Analysis of Information Technology on Organizational Success
Authors: Olateju Olawale Ibrahim , Akewushola Raheem Olasupo , Okunnu Mustapha Abiodun , Yusuf Babatunde Rahman
Published: April 2010

Information technology success has been widely discussed in the past two decades. As systems and technologies are being improved and developed, discussions on their effectiveness and evaluation on their success have been continuously debated by researchers, scholars and practitioners throughout the years. Besides the major concern of information technology effectiveness, this study identifies availability of internet facilities and software packages as the major independent variable affecting organization success. A purposive selection was adopted in selecting forty (40) medium scale enterprises from the five (5) divisions of Lagos state. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the distribution of the data collected and co-efficient of multiple determinant (R2) was used to determine the percentage contribution of the enterprises that had access to internet facilities and software packages to the variance that occurred in the profitability, relative market share and innovative strategy the findings revealed that the percentage contribution of the enterprises that had little or no access to internet and software packages to the organizational success is very low.
The Key Organisational Issues Affecting E-Government Adoption in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AL Shehry Abdullah , Rogerson Simon , Fairweather N. Ben , Prior Mary
Published: April 2010

The e-government paradigm refers to utilizing the potential of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the whole government body to meet citizens’ expectations via multiple channels. It is, therefore, a radical change within the public sector and in the relationship between a government and its stakeholders. In the light of that, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a keen interest in this issue and thus it has developed a national project to implement e-government systems. However, many technological, managerial, and organizational issues must be considered and treated carefully before and after going online. Based on an empirical study, this article highlights the key organizational issues that affect e-government adoption in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at both national and agency levels.
How Do We Meta-Govern Policy Networks in E-Government?
Authors: Sørensen Eva , Löfgren Karl
Published: April 2010

Since the late 1990s, an explicit goal of most industrialized states has been to integrate electronic access to government information and service delivery, examples being ‘the 24/7 agency’ or ‘Joined-up governance’. This aim, which goes beyond the establishment of ‘single’ governmental websites, calls for both horizontal, as well as vertical integration of otherwise separate public agencies and authorities who are supposed to collaborate towards ‘joint’ and ‘needs-based’ electronic solutions to the benefit of citizens. While many authors have described this implementation of a policy aim in purely technical interoperability terms, we frame this development as a policy process of metagoverning self-regulating networks. This article is primarily a theoretical think piece in which we will present a systematic framework for the analysis of meta-governing the policy process of electronic government. In addition to the value of framing the process as a metagovernance process, we wish to discuss how the metagovernance approach also sheds light on whether or not the on-going process of vertical and horizontal integration leads to centralization. Our arguments will be supported by empirical illustrations mainly adopted from Scandinavian research.
People-Oriented Enterprise Information Systems
Authors: Bruno Giorgio
Published: April 2010

Current notations and languages do not emphasize the participation of users in business processes and consider them essentially as service providers. Moreover, they follow a centralized approach as all the interactions originate from or end in a business process; direct interactions between users cannot be represented. What is missing from this approach is that human work is cooperative and cooperation takes place through structured interactions called conversations; the notion of conversation is at the center of the language/action perspective. However, the problem of effectively integrating conversations and business processes is still open and this chapter proposes a notation called POBPN (People-Oriented Business Process Notation) and a perspective, referred to as conversation-oriented perspective, for its solution.
The Influence of Content and Trust on Consumers' Intention to Accept Mobile Advertisements
Authors: Westerlund Mika , Rajala Risto , Tuunanen Tuure , Salo Jari
Published: April 2010

A new model for investigating consumers’ behavioral intention in mobile advertising is developed and related to mobile marketing theory and practice. Hypotheses are tested about the hierarchical structure and the effects of the factors that precede consumers’ acceptance of mobile advertisement. The results suggest that attractive content and trust in advertisers are key predictors of mobile device users’ behavioral intention towards mobile advertising. The findings lead to a modification and extension of Fishbein’s behavioral intention model and its application in the research on advertising effectiveness.
Exploring the Factors Behind the Resistance to Mobile Banking in Portugal
Authors: Cruz Pedro , Laukkanen Tommi , Muñoz Pablo
Published: April 2010

M-banking has been highlighted as one of the most promising e-commerce services. However, the adoption of financial mobile services is still far behind market expectations. This study seeks to provide academics and bank managers alike with a better understanding of resistance to m-banking. Based on Ram and Sheth’s (1989) Theory of Innovation Resistance, a SEM model was built to describe resistance barriers. A total number of 3,852 observations, of which 2,344 were effective for SEM analysis, were obtained from an Internet survey at a Portuguese bank. The “functional barriers” revealed more severe barriers than the “psychological” ones. Latent scores were used to compare consumers’ perceptions and behaviour. Results indicate a significantly higher resistance among non-users, and demographic and behavioural profiles were established, promoting wider knowledge and possible enhancement of m-banking adoption. Conclusions and managerial implications are provided.
Location-Based Services (LBS) in Micro-Scale Navigation
Authors: Almasri Suleiman , Alnabhan Muhammad , Hunaiti Ziad , Sedoyeka Eliamani
Published: April 2010

Pedestrians LBS are accessible by hand-held devices and become a large field of energetic research since the recent developments in wireless communication, mobile technologies and positioning techniques. LBS applications provide services like finding the neighboring facility within a certain area such as the closest restaurants, hospital, or public telephone. With the increased demand for richer mobile services, LBS propose a promising add-on to the current services offered by network operators and third-party service providers such as multimedia contents. The performance of LBS systems is directly affected by each component forming its architecture. Firstly, the end-user mobile device is still experiencing a lack of enough storage, limitations in CPU capabilities and short battery lifetime. Secondly, the mobile wireless network is still having problems with the size of bandwidth, packet loss, congestions and delay. Additionally, in spite of the fact that GPS is the most accurate navigation system, there are still some issues in micro scale navigation, mainly availability and accuracy. Finally, LBS server which hosts geographical and users information is experiencing difficulties in managing the huge size of data which causes a long query processing time. This paper presents a technical investigation and analysis of the performance of each component of LBS system for pedestrian navigation, through conducting several experimental tests in different locations. The results of this investigation have pinpointed the weaknesses of the system in micro-scale environments. In addition, this paper proposes a group of solutions and recommendations for most of these shortcomings.
Researching and Developing Serious Games as Interactive Learning Instructions
Authors: Loh Christian Sebastian
Published: April 2010

As serious games gain momentum in the academic arena, no doubt more educators and instructional technologists will begin considering the possibility of making their own games for instruction. As developers of instructional resources, instructional technologists need to steer clear of producing more ‘video’ games, and instead, developing more ‘serious’ games that incorporate both learning and assessment. The research community needs to learn from tested processes and best practices to avoid repeating old mistakes. The model for serious game making presented in this article has been used successfully for the creation of an award winning project, and will now be shared for the benefits of fellow researchers, educators, and instructional technologists.
Utilizing Readily Available and Open Source Libraries to Create a 3D Game Engine
Authors: Stowell Tim , Scoresby Jon , Capell Michael R. , Shelton Brett E.
Published: April 2010

Market 3D engines have all the capabilities needed for developing full-featured 3D simulation and game environments. However, for those in education and small business, it remains a formidable task to acquire the resources needed to purchase or create a development platform with cutting-edge capabilities. Leveraging existing and open-source software libraries can greatly enhance the main application development, freeing developers to focus more on the application concept itself rather than the needed supporting pieces. This article explores the nuances of successfully mixing core code with these third-party libraries in creating a fully functioning development environment. Many steps with accompanying checks-and-balances are involved in creating a game engine, including making choices of which libraries to use, and integrating the core code with third-party libraries. By offering insights into our open source driven process, we help inform the understanding of how game engines may be generated for other educational and small-budget projects.
Exploring Job Migration Technique for P2P Grid Systems
Authors: Lai Kuan-Chou , Wu Chao-Chin , Lin Shih-Jie
Published: April 2010

P2P Grids can potentially solve large-scale scientific problems by using geographically distributed heterogeneous resources. However, a number of major technical obstacles must be overcome before this potential can be realized. One problem critical to the effective utilization of P2P Grids is the efficient scheduling of jobs. This study addresses the above-mentioned problem by describing and evaluating a P2P communication model, a P2P resource monitoring system and a job migration mechanism. In this study, the authors propose a P2P communication mechanism, which is built to deliver various information across heterogeneous Grid systems. Based on this P2P communication mechanism, they can develop job migration technology and then improve the usage of distributed computing resources.
Deep Analysis of Enhanced Authentication for Next Generation Networks
Authors: Gouda Mamdouh
Published: April 2010

Next Generation Networks (NGN) is the evolution of the telecommunication core. The user has to execute multi-pass Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) procedures in order to get access to the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). This causes overhead on the AAA server and increases the delay of authenticating the user and that is because of unnecessary and repeated procedures and protocols. This paper presents an enhanced one-pass AKA procedure that eliminates the repeated steps without affecting the security level, in addition it reduces the Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. The presented mechanism has minimal impact on the network infrastructure and functionality and does not require any changes to the existing authentication protocols.
A Cross-National Study of Mobile Internet Services
Authors: Shin Dong Hee
Published: April 2010

This study surveyed mobile users in the United States and Korea to determine the key differences between the two countries. Survey questions, developed in two languages, were presented in each country to explore the influences of informativeness, entertainment, interactivity, and availability on mobile user dimensions. The study design methods were based on the revision of a uses and gratifications approach, and a relational model of antecedents and consequences was tested with a structural equation modeling approach. Mobile Internet service uses and gratifications were analyzed cross-nationally in a comparative fashion focusing on the differences in the composition of motives in the two countries. Based on the results of this study, practical implications for marketing strategies in mobile service markets and theoretical implications for cross-country studies are recommended accordingly.
Managing Knowledge Transfer in Offshore Software Development
Authors: Aman Aini , Nicholson Brian
Published: April 2010

The aim of this article is to examine the role of copresent interaction and the extent to which this can be supplanted by information and communication technology-based interaction for managing knowledge transferin distributed settings. This study draws on two case studies of small UK firms sourcing software development from India and Bangladesh. Using Nonaka and Konno’s knowledge creation theory, the role of copresent and ICT-based interactions in managing knowledge transfer is explained. The article contributes an extension of the concepts of knowledge creation theory by providing evidence of the role of copresent and ICT-based interaction for knowledge transfer in the context of offshore software development.
An Exploratory Study of Patient Acceptance of Walk-In Telemedicine Services for Minor Conditions
Authors: Serrano Christina I. , Karahanna Elena
Published: April 2010

Though healthcare costs continue to soar, the healthcare industry lags other service industries in applying information technology to improve customer (i.e., patient) service, improve access to healthcare services, and reduce costs. One particular area of concern is overuse and overcrowding of emergency departments for nonurgent care. Telemedicine is one potentially important application of information technology in this realm. The objective of this study is to examine the antecedents of patient acceptance of walk-in telemedicine services for minor ailments. Drawing upon theoretical models in the healthcare and technology acceptance literatures and based on salient beliefs elicited during interviews with 29 potential adopters, the authors develop a conceptual model of antecedents of patient acceptance of walk-in telemedicine services for minor conditions. While relative advantage, informational influences, and relationship with one’s physician emerged as important predictors of acceptance, media richness and e-consultation diagnosticity emerged as central concerns for potential adopters. They discuss the study’s implications for research and practice and offer suggestions for future empirical studies.
The Effects of Web-Enabled Self-Regulated Learning and Problem-Based Learning with Initiation on Students' Computing Skills
Authors: Shen Pei-Di
Published: April 2010

Vocational degree earners represent a major portion of the work force in Taiwan. However, the reality of computing education in Taiwan’s vocational schools is that it’s not so practically oriented, revealing much room for improvement. In this context, we conducted a quasi-experiment to examine the effects of applying web-based self-regulated learning, web-based problem-based learning with initiation, and their combination to enhance students’ computing skills. Four classes in successive years, with a total of 177third-year students, were divided into 2 (SRL vs. non-SRL) × 2 (PBL with initiation vs. PBL without initiation) experimental groups. Results were generally positive. Results revealed that the effects of web-enabled SRL, web-enabled PBL with initiation, and their combinations on students’ computing skills have significant differences. We hope that the online teaching method applied in this study is also useful for those teachers engaged in e-learning, specifically, in vocational schools.
Strategic Metamorphoses of ICT Sector for Human Development in India
Authors: Mathur Meeta , Sharma Sangeeta
Published: April 2010

As Indian economy gets integrated to the global economy and strives to improve in terms of human development indicators, a special role exists for information and communication technologies (ICT) in this process. The strategic metamorphoses and the resultant expansion of ICT linked telecommunication services in India have favorably influenced the effort to accelerate the pace of human development by enabling equality in access to information, creation of employment, improving the quality of life, better livelihood opportunities in rural areas, growth of agriculture, impetus to business development, environmental management and many more. After the initiation of economic planning in India, telecom services were assumed to be natural monopoly and were provided by one entity without competition. The government launched ambitious ICT infrastructure initiatives, radically changing its communication policy framework. The resultant growth of ICT services in India has led to significant improvement in human development levels. It has led to a reduction in information asymmetry between the rich and the poor, improvement in telecom density and ICT accessibility in rural areas, fostering inclusive growth, providing better access to market information to people in remote and rural areas, facilitating technological leapfrogging, enhancing business networking and offering new opportunities from the perspective of human development.
Enhancing Service Quality in Hospitals
Authors: Chakraborty Anirban , Rawat Sonal G , Chhabra Susheel
Published: April 2010

Large organizations use multiple data sources, centralize processing in these organizations require analysis of huge database originating from various locations. Data mining association rules help perform exploration and analysis of large amounts of data to discover meaningful patterns which can facilitate effective decision-making. The objective of this article is to enhance service quality in a hospital using data mining. The improvement in service quality will help to create hygienic environment and enhance technical competence among staff members which will generate value to patients. A weighting model is proposed to identify valid rules among large number of forwarded rules from various data sources. This model is applied to rank the rules based on patient perceived service parameters in a hospital. Results show that this weighting model is efficient. The proposed model can be used effectively for determining the patient’s perspective on hospital services like technical competence, reliability and hygiene conditions under a distributed environment.
Discovery Process in a B2B eMarketplace
Authors: D’Aubeterre Fergle , Iyer Lakshmi S. , Ehrhardt Richard , Singh Rahul
Published: April 2010

In the context of a customer-oriented value chain, companies must effectively address customers changing information needs during the process of acquiring a product or service to remain competitive. The ultimate goal of semantic matchmaking is to identify the best resources (supply) that fully meet the requirements (demand); however, such a goal is very difficult to achieve due to information distributed over disparate systems. To alleviate this problem in the context of eMarketplaces, the authors suggest an agent-enabled infomediary-based eMarketplace that enables semantic matchmaking. They extend and apply the exact, partial, and potential match algorithms developed in Di Noia et al. (2004) to show how partial and potential matches can become full matches. Specifically, the authors show how multi-criteria decision making techniques can be utilized to rank matches. They describe mechanisms for knowledge representation and exchange to allow partner organizations to seamlessly share information and knowledge to facilitate the discovery process in an eMarketplace context.
Genetic Algorithm to Solve Multi-Period, Multi-Product, Bi-Echelon Supply Chain Network Design Problem
Authors: Dhanalakshmi R. , Parthiban P. , Ganesh K. , Arunkumar T.
Published: April 2010

In many multi-stage manufacturing supply chains, transportation related costs are a significant portion of final product costs. It is often crucial for successful decision making approaches in multi-stage manufacturing supply chains to explicitly account for non-linear transportation costs. In this article, we have explored this problem by considering a Two-Stage Production-Transportation (TSPT). A two-stage supply chain that faces a deterministic stream of external demands for a single product is considered. A finite supply of raw materials, and finite production at stage one has been assumed. Items are manufactured at stage one and transported to stage two, where the storage capacity of the warehouses is limited. Packaging is completed at stage two (that is, value is added to each item, but no new items are created), and the finished goods inventories are stored which is used to meet the final demand of customers. During each period, the optimized production levels in stage one, as well as transportation levels between stage one and stage two and routing structure from the production plant to warehouses and then to customers, must be determined. The authors consider “different cost structures,” for both manufacturing and transportation. This TSPT model with capacity constraint at both stages is optimized using Genetic Algorithms (GA) and the results obtained are compared with the results of other optimization techniques of complete enumeration, LINDO, and CPLEX.
Optimal Pricing Strategies for an Inventory System with Perishable Items and Waiting Time Dependent Order Cancellations
Authors: Thangam A. , Uthayakumar R.
Published: April 2010

Although many researchers have studied inventory models for perishable items, the situation of advance sales, spot sales and order cancellations have not been addressed so far. However, this problem arises in a variety of industries including the sales of fashion garments, flight seats and hotel rooms. In this article, we deal with an inventory system in which sales cycle is divided into an advance sales period and a spot sales period. We consider order cancellation effect which depends on the waiting time of the customer orders. The goal is to determine the optimal order quantity and optimal prices in order to maximize the profit. We also show the concavity of the profit function using mathematical lemmas and theorem. Besides we develop a solution procedure which computes optimal policy effectively. Finally we present the results of numerical study for linear and exponential demand functions.
Effects of Online Service Providers for Nonprofits on Fundraising Markets
Authors: Ozcelik Yasin
Published: April 2010

The Internet is transforming the way nonprofits have been disseminating information about themselves, interacting with potential donors, and fundraising. In this article, the authors focus on a special type of online service providers for nonprofits (OSPNs) that bring donors and nonprofits together in an electronic environment to help them find a suitable match. The authors investigate the effects of OSPNs on the outcomes of fundraising markets by developing an economic model. They compare the total net revenues of nonprofits competing for donations in two different settings: while nonprofits in the first market use both the traditional fundraising techniques and the services provided by OSPNs, those in the second market implement the traditional method only. They derive analytical conditions under which the first setting provides better outcomes than the second one can generate.
Mass Customisation Models for Travel and Tourism Information e-Services
Authors: Sigala Marianna
Published: April 2010

Online travel firms exploit current ICT advances for developing mass customization (MC) capabilities and addressing the needs of the sophisticated travellers. However, studies investigating MC in services and specifically in tourism are limited. By adopting a customer-focused approach, this paper addresses this gap by analysing the following issues: a) the ICT and product dimensions that online firms can customise for developing and implementing different MC models; and b) the customer value and benefits provided by the different MC models. After reviewing and illustrating the interrelationships of studies coming from the fields of customer value, MC and IS design, the author proposes a customer value based framework for developing MC models. The applicability and practical implications of this framework are demonstrated by analysing the MC practices of three online travel cyberintermediaries. Finally, the paper summarises the formulation of research propositions investigating the influence of users’ characteristics on the customer value and benefits sought by MC practices and on the design of the IS platforms supporting MC services.
Technology Fears
Authors: Khasawneh Ahmad , Bsoul Mohammad , Obeidat Ibrahim , Al Azzam Iyad
Published: April 2010

The Internet and all other types of networks have changed life in general and doing business in particular, and as a result, many companies are now conducting and transferring their businesses online. In this paper, the authors evaluate whether loyalty issues are the major obstacles to the growth of e-commerce in Jordan. A survey conducted for the study reveals that technology fears are major barriers to loyalty in Internet banking and e-commerce activities among consumers. The results suggest that unless the technology fears of adopters are acknowledged, some of them are not successful.
Adaptability and Adaptivity in The Generation of Web Applications
Authors: Djemaa Raoudha Ben , Amous Ikram , Hamadou Abdelmajid Ben
Published: April 2010

This article proposes a generator for adaptive Web applications called GIWA. GIWA‘s objective is to facilitate the automatic execution of the design and the generation of Adaptable Web Applications (AWA). Characteristically, the effort in this work has to be pursued with special attention to both issues applied to AWA: adaptability and adaptivity. The architecture of GIWA is based on three levels: the semantic level, the conceptual level and the generation one. Using GIWA, designers specifies, at the semantic level the features of Web application. The conceptual level focuses on the creation of diagrams in WA-UML language; the extended UML by our new concepts and new design elements for adaptation. At the generation level, GIWA acquires all information about users’ preferences and their access condition. Consequently, the generated pages are adaptable to all these information. An evaluation and a validation of GIWA are given in this article to prove our adaptation.
A Fast Image Encoding Algorithm Based on the Pyramid Structure of Codewords
Authors: Radwan Ahmed A. , Swilem Ahmed , Gomaa Mamdouh M.
Published: April 2010

This article presents a very simple and efficient algorithm for codeword search in the vector quantization encoding. This algorithm uses 2-pixel merging norm pyramid structure to speed up the closest codeword search process. The authors first derive a condition to eliminate unnecessary matching operations from the search procedure. Then, based on this elimination condition, a fast search algorithm is suggested. Simulation results show that, the proposed search algorithm reduces the encoding complexity while maintaining the same encoding quality as that of the full search algorithm. It is also found that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing search algorithms.
Accurately Determining Self-Efficacy for Computer Application Domains
Authors: Downey James P. , Rainer Jr. R. Kelly
Published: April 2010

Computer self-efficacy (CSE) has been used in many studies as a predictor of individual competence or performance, usage behavior, and a variety of attitudes. Although CSE has been effective in explaining a variety of human computing interactions, there have been a number of studies in which the relationship was weak or nonexistent. One reason for such findings concerns how CSE is operationalized. Many (if not most) leading cognitive theorists (Bandura, 1997; Gist & Mitchell, 1992; Marakas et al., 1998) rather emphatically state that actual tasks must be used to most accurately determine an individual’s perception of ability (i.e., self-efficacy) for some task or domain. They suggest that using tasks, of incremental difficulty level within the intended domain, most accurately presents an individual’s self-efficacy and leads to stronger relationships with outcomes such as competence or performance. Yet one of the most utilized measures of self-efficacy uses levels of assistance (GCSE of Compeau & Higgins, 1995a), and not tasks. This study examines which methodology provides a stronger relationship with competence and performance. Using a sample of 610, self-efficacy (using both methodologies) and competence or performance were measured for six different application domains. Results indicate that for domains in which individual’s had lower ability, actual tasks were superior. For domains of higher ability, however, levels of assistance yielded stronger relationships. This study clarifies the relationship between self-efficacy and performance as an individual moves from low to high ability as a result of training or experience. Implications and suggestions for further study are included.
A Theoretical Investigation and Extension of a Model of Information Technology Architecture Maturity
Authors: Bradley Randy V. , Byrd Terry Anthony
Published: April 2010

Organizations that lack a coherent strategy for managing and evolving their IT platform and resources end up with fragmentation within the organization. Because the need for data sharing and systems integration is not always limited to the internal organization, the boundaries between the organization and its customers, vendors, suppliers, and partners are often blurred. It appears to be evident that organizations must have a clear idea of where they stand in regards to their own Information Technology Architecture (ITA) before preparing to adopt a new, shared ITA. This paper applies the reach and range concept and theory associated with strategic information systems planning to conceptually position ITA as a concept that provides convergence of a variety of frameworks related to IT and business alignment.
Swift Trust in Web Vendors
Authors: Li Xin , Rong Guang , Thatcher Jason B.
Published: April 2010

With the growth of product search engines such as pricegrabber.com, Web vendors have many more casual visitors. This research examines how Web vendors may foster “swift trust” as a means to convert casual visitors to paying customers. We examine whether perceptions of Web sites’ appearance features (normality, social presence and third-party links) and functionality features (security, privacy, effort expectancy and performance expectancy) positively relate to swift trust in a Web vendor. Using a quasi-experimental research design, we empirically test the proposed relationships. Based on an analysis of 224 respondents, we found appearance and functionality features explained 61% of the variance in swift trust. The article concludes with a discussion of findings and implications.
The Socialization of ICTs in Ethiopia
Authors: Gagliardone Iginio
Published: April 2010

This paper addresses how state actors in the developing world have influenced technology adoption and favoured the diffusion of certain uses of ICTs while discouraging others. Drawing upon extensive field research and looking at the evolution of ICTs in Ethiopia, it examines how a semi-authoritarian, yet developmentally oriented regime, has actively sought to mediate the – either real or imagined – destabilising aspects of ICTs while embracing them as a tool for nation-building. A constructivist framework as developed in international relations and history of technology is employed to understand how the introduction of the new ICT framework as promoted by international organizations has been mediated both by the results of the socialization of earlier technologies in Ethiopia and by the national project pursued by the local political elite.
Measuring Textual Context Based on Cognitive Principles
Authors: Fang Ning , Luo Xiangfeng , Xu Weimin
Published: April 2010

Based on the principle of cognitive economy, the complexity and the information of textual context are proposed to measure subjective cognitive degree of textual context. Based on minimization of Boolean complexity in human concept learning, the complexity and the difficulty of textual context are defined in order to mimic human’s reading experience. Based on maximal relevance principle, the information and cognitive degree of textual context are defined in order to mimic human’s cognitive sense. Experiments verify that more contexts are added, more easily the text is understood by a machine, which is consistent with the linguistic viewpoint that context can help to understand a text; furthermore, experiments verify that the author-given sentence sequence includes the less complexity and the more information than other sentence combinations, that is to say, author-given sentence sequence is more easily understood by a machine. So the principles of simplicity and maximal relevance actually exist in text writing process, which is consistent with the cognitive science viewpoint. Therefore, this chapter’s measuring methods are validated from the linguistic and cognitive perspectives, and it could provide a theoretical foundation for machine-based text understanding.
A Dualism Based Semantics Formalization Mechanism for Model Driven Engineering
Authors: Duan Yucong
Published: April 2010

Firstly this article presents a thorough discussion of semantics formalization related issues in model driven engineering (MDE). Then motivated for the purpose of software implementation, and attempts to overcome the shortcomings of incompleteness and context-sensitivity in the existing models, we propose to study formalization of semantics from a cognitive background. Issues under study cover the broad scope of overlap vs. incomplete vs. complete, closed world assumption (CWA) vs. open world assumption (OWA), Y(Yes)/N(No) vs. T(True)/F(False), subjective (SUBJ) vs. objective (OBJ), static vs. dynamic, unconsciousness vs. conscious, human vs. machine aspects, and so forth. A semantics formalization approach called EID-SCE (Existence Identification Dualism-Semantics Cosmos Explosion) is designed to meet both the theoretical investigation and implementation of the proposed formalization goals. EID-SCE supports the measure/evaluation in a {complete, no overlap} manner whether a given concept or feature is an improvement. Some elementary cases are also shown to demonstrate the feasibility of EID-SCE.
The Benefits of (Automated) Dialogue
Authors: Hurling Robert , De Boni Marco , Richardson Alannah
Published: April 2010

The authors compared user evaluation of a text based dialogue system with a simple pick list for the same task. The authors matched the systems in terms of key factors, such as design for Usability, and took into account individual differences between participants that might have influenced their perception, such as Locus of Control, Experience and Personality. They found participants rated the text based dialogue system as being more informative, more credible, less frustrating and more persuasive than the simple pick list system. Participants’ ratings were dependent on their Personality, Locus of Control and reported level of physical activity. Participants did not differentiate between the systems in terms of their ease of use, indicating the other observed differences were not due to a simple difference in Usability. This study demonstrated the benefits of including automated dialogue in a system designed to help people find solutions for their exercise barriers. Further work is required to establish in what other situations dialogue provides a benefit.
Tackling Cognitively-Complex Collaboration with CoPe_it!
Authors: Karacapilidis Nikos , Tzagarakis Manolis , Karousos Nikos , Gkotsis George , Kallistros Vassilis , Christodoulou Spyros , Mettouris Christos
Published: April 2010

CoPe_it! is an innovative Web-based tool that complies with collaborative practices to provide members of communities with the appropriate means to manage individual and collective knowledge during a sense-making and/or decision-making session. In this article, we demonstrate its applicability in tackling cognitively-complex collaboration settings, which are characterized by big volumes of interrelated data obtained from diverse sources and knowledge expressed by diverse participants. We focus on issues related to the representation of such settings and propose an approach to make it easier for participants to follow the evolution of collaboration, comprehend it in its entirety, and meaningfully aggregate data to resolve the issue under consideration.
Effective Teaching with Technology in Adult Education
Authors: Wang Viktor
Published: April 2010

Effective teaching with technology in adult education stems from many factors. Technology is only used to enhance learning. Not only are teachers of adult learners required to study the tools related to the use of technology, but are also required to study the nature of knowledge, the nature of learning, constructivism and various kinds of teaching philosophies. Without thorough knowledge of these factors, effective teaching with technology cannot occur in adult education, let alone other educational fields. This article is comprehensive concerning effective teaching with technology in adult education because it also addresses the interrelationships between the use of technologies and the teaching and learning process.
The Role of Learning Styles and Technology
Authors: Collins Royce Ann
Published: April 2010

Learning style research has informed effective classroom teaching strategies for decades. Technology has allowed faculty and students to move the learning environment from the four-walled classroom to a fluid global virtual space. Knowledge gained through the application of learning style research to online instruction has enhanced practice; however, research demonstrating the alignment of learning styles with current technological resources has been limited. Learning styles and their interrelationship with technology and adult learners is as important today as initial learning style research was in the six decades after its beginnings in the 1940s. Education today must meet the needs of students who are more comfortable in electronic environments, as well as those who need the four-walled classroom. The ability to use learning style research to accomplish both will lead to enhanced student learning and a more productive experience.
Mobilising the Enterprise
Authors: Young Ed
Published: April 2010

The workforce is becoming increasingly dynamic as information demand is everywhere and all the time. Pervasive information is the only way to keep up and the only way to persistently consume this information is high availability through mobility. This article examines current mobile Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) research concerns and presents approaches to the challenges of enterprise support for mobility.
Open Source ESB in Action
Authors: Polgar Jana
Published: April 2010

The author provides a book review of Open Source ESB in Action. This book as one of a few sources of information for IT architects as well as integration developers who wish to use an open source Enterprise Service Bus (ESB). The book provides the introduction to the two open source ESB’s - Mule and Service Mix ESBs - with plenty of examples. In this review we looked at the following points: 1. How the architecture of the ESBs and processing environment are treated, 2. Is the robustness or lack of it highlighted for both products, 3. Are there pointers to appropriate tooling for developers and, 4. Are there pointers and references to the on-line documentation
Adaptation and Recommendation in Modern Web 2.0 Portals
Authors: Nauerz Andreas , Thompson Rich
Published: April 2010

In this paper, we propose a generic recommender framework that allows transparently integrating different recommender engines into a Portal. The framework comes with a number of preinstalled recommender engines and can be extended by adding further such components. Recommendations are computed by each engine and then transparently merged. This ensures that neither the Portal vendor, nor the Portal operator, nor the user is burdened with choosing an appropriate engine and still high quality recommendations can be made. Furthermore we present means to automatically adapt the Portal system to better suit users needs.