bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Principles, Foundations & Issues in Enterprise Systems
Authors: Loonam John , McDonagh Joe
Published: May 2011

The objective of this chapter is to provide a detailed review of the core principles, foundations and issues of enterprise systems (ES). Since the late 1990s, enterprise systems have promised to seamlessly integrate information flowing through the organisation. They claim to lay redundant many of the integration problems associated with legacy systems. These promises are timely considering the current trends of globalization, virtual organisations, and constant business and technological changes, features of many strategy agendas. In an effort to better understand the nature of these packages this chapter reviews the ES evolutionary process, and generic software characteristics are also identified, followed by system benefits and limitations. A review of current approaches to ES implementation allows for a critique of system outcomes and identification of challenges facing today’s ES implementations. The chapter concludes with suggestions for overcoming some of these challenges.
The e-ERP Transformation Matrix
Authors: Ash Colin G. , Burn Janice M.
Published: May 2011

A model of e-business transformation is developed for ERP enabled organisations, based on the findings of a longitudinal multiple case study analysis of SAP sites. The model is represented as a matrix along three stages of e-business growth. The theory embedded within the matrix recommends that successful e-business transformation with ERP systems occurs when B2B value propositions are realized through integration and differentiation of technologies, used to support new business models for delivering products and services online. In addition, the management focus evolves through employee self-service and empowerment towards extensive relationship building with e-alliances. The matrix can be used by ERP business managers to guide their strategies for organisational transformation but also highlights critical stages of change.
A Critical Success Factor's Relevance Model for SAP Implementation Projects
Authors: Esteves José , Pastor Joan
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a unified model of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) for ERP implementation projects and the analysis of the relevance of these CSFs along the typical phases of a SAP implementation project. The Accelerated SAP implementation methodology (ASAP) is used as the SAP implementation reference method. Using Process Quality Management method, we derived a matrix of CSFs versus ASAP processes. Then, we evaluated the CSFs relevance along the five ASAP phases, specifically of those ones related with the organizational perspective. The main advantage of our approach is that we unified previous lists of CSFs for ERP implementation projects and we establish the CSFs relevance according to the implementation processes that should be made in a typical SAP implementation project. These findings will help managers to develop better strategies for supervising and controlling SAP or other similar ERP implementation projects.
Collaborative Engineering
Authors: Contero Manuel , Vila Carlos
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the importance of information technologies for the integrated product and process development within the framework of manufacturing excellence models. It argues that the success of the interaction between different activities holds on the necessity of an appropriate product data quality. The authors present a description of the evolution of concurrent engineering to extended enterprise collaborative engineering and introduce basic mainstays where computer tools and technologies enabling virtual workgroups will suppose a key element for these environments. The expansion of enterprise architectures using extended and virtual models is possible due to the advances of communication tools and the capabilities of computer-aided tools that heavily depend on the digital product representation. It is expected that focus on the product data quality not only will solve the intrinsic problems related to CAD model structure data exchange but also will simplify the integration of downstream applications in the collaborative engineering design chain.
Quadtree-based Image Representation and Retrieval
Authors: Manouvrier Maude , Rukoz Marta , Jomier Geneviève
Published: May 2011

This chapter is a survey of quadtree uses in the image domain, from image representation to image storage and content-based retrieval. A quadtree is a spatial data structure built by a recursive decomposition of space into quadrants. Applied to images, it allows representing image content, compacting or compressing image information, and querying images. For 13 years, numerous image-based approaches have used this structure. In this chapter, the authors underline the contribution of quadtree in image applications.
Management of Large Moving Objects Databases
Authors: Abdessalem Talel , du Mouza Cédric , Moreira José , Rigaux Philippe
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with several important issues pertaining to the management of moving objects datasets in databases. The design of representative benchmarks is closely related to the formal characterization of the properties (that is, distribution, speed, nature of movement) of these datasets; uncertainty is another important aspect that conditions the accuracy of the representation and therefore the confidence in query results; finally, efficient index structures, along with their compatibility with existing softwares, is a crucial requirement for spatio-temporal databases, as it is for any other kind of data.
Smart Organizations in the Digital Age
Authors: Filos Erastos
Published: May 2011

The chapter aims to present and explain the concept of the smart organization. This concept arose from the need for organizations to respond dynamically to the changing landscape of a digital economy. A smart organization is understood to be both internetworked and knowledge-driven, and therefore able to adapt to new organizational challenges rapidly. It is sufficiently agile to respond to opportunities of the digital age. The three networking dimensions of smart organizations, ICT-enabled virtuality, organizational teaming, and knowledge hyperlinking, are elaborated. This networking capability allows smart organizations to cope with complexity and with rapidly changing economic environments. The paper also shows how managing the smart organization requires a more “fuzzy” approach to managing smart resources: people, information, knowledge, and creativity. Research is also presented, mainly from the European perspective. It has been key to creating the conditions for organizations to become smart.
The HUB as an Enabling IT Strategy to Achieve Smart Organizations
Authors: Molina Arturo , Mejia Ricardo , Galeano Nathalíe , Najera Teresa , Velandia Marcela
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the concept of virtual enterprise broker (VEB) supported by the use of a “HUB” of integrated e-services as an enabling IT strategy to design and create smart organizations. The VEB model is described in terms of core processes, success measures, and supporting ICT (information and communication technologies). The VEB is a business entity that enables the design, configuration, creation, and operation of smart organizations. VEB core processes are supported by e-services integrated in a “HUB” (The concept of HUB refers to a proposed centre of integrated e-services for virtual business) that is supported by Web-based applications and technologies. Six integrated e-services have been defined, based on the concept of on-demand services for value added industrial networks: e-marketing, e-brokerage, e-planning, e-engineering, e-supply, and e-productivity. The conjunction of these e-services improves industrial networks performance. A description of the e-services and HUB architecture is presented in detail.
Multimedia, Cognitive Load and Pedagogy
Authors: Doolittle Peter E. , McNeill Andrea L. , Terry Krista P. , Scheer Stephanie B.
Published: May 2011

The current emphasis, in education and training, on the use of instructional technology has fostered a shift in focus and renewed interest in integrating human learning and pedagogical research. This shift has involved the technological and pedagogical integration between learner cognition, instructional design, and instructional technology, with much of this integration focusing on the role of working memory and cognitive load in the development of comprehension and performance. Specifically, working memory, dual coding theory, and cognitive load are examined in order to provide the underpinnings of Mayer’s (2001) Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. The bulk of the chapter then addresses various principles based on Mayer’s work and provides well documented web-based examples.
Interactive Learning in Engineering Education
Authors: Tannous Katia
Published: May 2011

In the process of teaching and learning, computers as a tool help the students to develop their reasoning and intelligence. In engineering education, computational packages are usual but somewhat didactic and require specific knowledge on the part of the student. Motivation, creativity and autonomy are important for success in chemical engineering courses. This chapter presents novel experience of a chemical engineering education, including a technique and object-oriented programming system applied mainly to undergraduate and graduate students.
Causal Mapping for the Investigation of the Adoption of UML in Information Technology Project Development
Authors: Larsen Tor J. , Niederman Fred
Published: May 2011

This research project gathered data about the use of UML and object-oriented analysis and design as the approach to the development of information systems. The data collection method consisted of interviews with information systems application developers with wide ranging differences in background. The authors used causal mapping for analysis of the data gathered. This chapter focuses on the authors’ experiences with causal mapping as a method for exploring issues and relationships. Causal mapping was also used to document tips on its use illustrating these with findings regarding UML and object-oriented analysis and design in particular.
Strategic Implications of Causal Mapping in Strategy Analysis and Formulation
Authors: Micklich Douglas L.
Published: May 2011

The formulation and implementation of effective strategy at every level within an organization requires that those involved in the process have not only a good overall understanding of the present situation, but also an understanding of the underlying cause and effect relationships which underpin strategy at those levels. This includes understanding the interactions, which occur between the levels of strategy in an organization as well as the benefits of a firm’s executive information system. Using various mapping techniques, e.g., concept mapping, cognitive mapping, causal mapping, we investigate the factors that made WorldCom, Inc., a one-time leader in the telecommunications industry, implode and find itself fighting in courts for its very survival.
Techniques and Methods of GIS for Business
Authors: Greene Richard P. , Stager John C.
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews some standard techniques and methods of geographic information systems for business applications. Characteristics of spatial databases are first reviewed and discussed. Methods of displaying spatial data are compared and contrasted and GIS overlay procedures are described. Two case studies showcase many of the techniques introduced. The first case study illustrates the use of GIS for analyzing an urban labor market while the second demonstrates the integration of modeling functions into a GIS with an application of the gravity model.
Costs and Benefits of GIS in Business
Authors: Pick James
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines the costs and benefits of geographic information systems (GIS). It focuses on the research questions of what components to include in GIS cost-benefit (C-B) analysis, what distinguishes GIS C-B analysis from non-spatial C-B analysis, what methods to use, and how to invest in GIS systems in order to obtain net payoffs over time. It categorizes costs and benefits of GISs. It considers the topics of systems analysis sub-steps in cost-benefit analysis, the feasibility decision, stakeholders and externalities, and the importance of timing and timeliness in investing in GIS and assessing payoffs. It examines the C-B aspects of a well-known GIS case study of Sears Roebuck’s delivery system. The literature on the value of investment in IT and productivity paradox is analyzed for its relevance to GIS investment. The major findings are, first, that the costs and benefits of a GIS can be estimated through modifications of standard non-spatial IS methods. Second, the key factors that differentiate GIS cost-benefit analysis from that of non-spatial IS are more extensive analyses of the costs of data acquisition, need to pro-rate the GIS costs and benefits for tightly linked combinations of GIS and other systems and technologies, and need for improved techniques to estimate the costs and benefits of the GIS’s visualization features.
Contributions to an Electronic Institution Supporting Virtual Enterprises' Life Cycle
Authors: Rocha Ana , Cardoso Henrique L. , Oliveira Eugénio
Published: May 2011

Electronic commerce competitiveness, due to market openness and dynamics, enabled the arising of new organizational structures, as it is the case with virtual enterprises. The virtual enterprise (VE) concept can effectively answer to new demanding market requirements, as it combines the core competencies of independent and heterogeneous enterprises that collaborate in a temporary and loosely linked network, thereby presenting high flexibility and agility. However, institutional and social laws must be introduced here to enforce and regulate individual enterprises’ behavior. An electronic institution is a framework that enables through a communication network automatic transactions between electronic business parties, according to sets of explicit institutional norms and rules. This chapter presents and discusses tools for automatic negotiation and operation monitoring that make an electronic institution a suitable framework for helping in the two most important stages of a VE’s life cycle: formation and operation. Moreover, the electronic contract concept is defined and discussed.
Use of Situation Room Analysis to Enhance Business Integration Aspects of a Virtual Enterprise
Authors: Roberts Bob , Koumpis Adamantios
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we present recent results of a wider research work in defining a methodological framework for situation room analysis (SRA) and its deployment for complex (business enterprise) systems study. Within this remit, we also consider virtual organizations as dynamic value constellations with certain challenges involved for realizing both business efficiency and technology integration. In our approach, we propose the use of ontologies as a powerful means to support the implementation of multiparty collaboration and decision-making activities that build on the paradigm of a situation room (SR). The approach described places heavy emphasis on the notion of Web technologies and their adaptation for achieving the IT enabled shift to this more efficient process orientation.
Virtual Enterprise Coalition Strategy with Game Theoretic Multiagent Paradigm
Authors: Kaihara Toshiya , Fujii Susumu
Published: May 2011

Nowadays, virtual enterprise (VE) is a crucial paradigm of business management in an agile environment. VE exists in both service and manufacturing organizations, although the complexity of each enterprise in a VE may vary greatly from industry to industry. Obviously, there is a need for a mechanism through which these different functions can be integrated together transparently. In this contribution, we focus on the negotiation process in VE formulation as a basic research to clarify its effective management in terms of partner search. Each enterprise in VE is defined as an agent with multiutilities, and a framework of multiagent programming with game theoretic approach is newly proposed as a negotiation algorithm among the agents. Each unit is defined as an agent in our VE model, and their decision making is formulated as a game theoretic methodology. We develop a computer simulation model to form VEs through multiple negotiations among several potential members in the negotiation domain, and finally clarify the formulation dynamism with the negotiation process.
Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning in Higher Education
Authors: Roberts Tim S.
Published: May 2011

The rapidly increasing use of computers in education, and in particular the migration of many university courses to web-based delivery, has caused a resurgence of interest among educators in non-traditional methods of course design and delivery. This chapter provides an introduction to the field of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL). First, some of the major benefits are listed. Then, some of the common problems are described, and solutions are either given or pointed to in the literature. Finally, pointers are given to some of the more recent research in this area.
The Collective Building of Knowledge in Collaborative Learning Environments
Authors: Okada Alexandra Lilaváti Pereira
Published: May 2011

The intention of this chapter is to investigate how collaborative learning environments (CLEs) can be used to elicit the collective building of knowledge. This work discusses CLEs as lively cognitive systems and looks at some strategies that might contribute to the improvement of significant pedagogical practices. The study is supported by rhizome principles, whose characteristics allow us to understand the process of selecting and connecting what is relevant and meaningful for the collective building of knowledge. A brief theoretical and conceptual approach is presented and major contributions and difficulties about collaborative learning environments are discussed. New questions and future trends about the collective building of knowledge are suggested.
Steps Toward a Design Theory for Virtual Worlds
Authors: Goguen Joseph A.
Published: May 2011

Virtual worlds, construed in a broad enough sense to include text-based systems, as well as video games, new media, augmented reality, and user interfaces of all kinds, are increasingly important in scientific research, entertainment, communication, commerce, and art. However, we lack scientific theories that can adequately support the design of such virtual worlds, even in simple cases. Semiotics would seem a natural source for such theories, but this field lacks the precision needed for engineering applications, and also fails to addresses interaction and social issues, both of which are crucial for applications to communication and collaboration. This chapter suggests an approach called algebraic semiotics to help solve these and related problems, by providing precise application-oriented basic concepts such as sign, representation, and representation quality, and a calculus of representation that includes blending. This chapter also includes some theory for narrative and metaphor, and case studies on information visualization, proof presentation, humor, and user interaction.
Analysis of Document Viewing Patterns of Web Search Engine Users
Authors: Jansen Bernard J. , Spink Amanda
Published: May 2011

This chapter reviews the concepts of Web results page and Web page viewing patterns by users of Web search engines. It presents the advantages of using traditional transaction log analysis in identifying these patterns, serving as a basis for Web usage mining. The authors also present the results of a temporal analysis of Web page viewing, illustrating that the user — information interaction is extremely short. By using real data collected from real users interacting with real Web information retrieval systems, the authors aim to highlight one aspect of the complex environment of Web information seeking.
Identifying Purchase Perceptions that Affect Consumers' Internet Buying
Authors: Dillon Thomas W. , Reif Harry L.
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines how purchase perceptions influence consumers’ Internet buying practices. Using traditional, pre-Internet era buying motivators as a starting point, a survey is developed specifically for Internet consumers. With the goal of developing a better understanding of Internet buyers, 16 influencers falling within four general categories—product perception, shopping experience, customer service, and consumer risk—are examined. Results are reported for each category and related to demographic variables. The survey instrument described in this chapter, along with the results of the survey, are important tools for furthering the understanding of the growth in electronic retailing. Successful electronic retailers, merchants, and e-commerce systems developers must understand and acknowledge the effects that consumers’ perceptions about the marketplace in general and about each vendor’s website in particular play in consumer’s decisions to buy or not to buy.
UniFrame
Authors: Olson Andrew M. , Raje Rajeev R. , Bryant Barrett R. , Burt Carol C. , Auguston Mikhail
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces the UniFrame approach to creating high quality computing systems from heterogeneous components distributed over a network. It describes how this approach employs a unifying framework for specifying such systems to unite the concepts of service-oriented architectures, a component-based software engineering methodology and a mechanism for automatically finding components on a network in order to assemble a specified system. UniFrame employs a formal specification language to define the components and serve as a basis for generating glue/wrapper code that connects heterogeneous components. It also provides a high level language for the system developer to use for inserting code in a created system to validate it empirically and estimate the quality of service it supports. The chapter demonstrates how a comprehensive approach, which involves the practicing community as well as technical experts, can lead to solutions of many of the difficulties inherent in constructing distributed computing systems.
Service-Oriented Computing Imperatives in Ad Hoc Wireless Settings
Authors: Sen Rohan , Handorean Radu , Roman Gruia-Catalin , Gill Christopher
Published: May 2011

Service-oriented computing is the latest step in a progression of programming paradigms containing, among others, the object-oriented computing and component-oriented computing paradigms. The service-oriented computing paradigm is characterized by a minimalist philosophy, in that a user needs to carry only a small amount of code in its local storage, and exploits other services by discovering and using their capabilities to complete its assigned task. While the paradigm was born and reached a certain level of maturity in wired networks, we examine the imperatives for service-oriented computing in ad hoc wireless networks. An ad hoc wireless network is a dynamic environment by necessity, which exhibits transient interactions, decoupled computing, physical mobility of hosts, and logical mobility of code. The motivation for this chapter is to understand the imperatives for a viable service-oriented computing framework in ad hoc wireless settings.
Security in Service-Oriented Architecture
Authors: Padmanabhuni Srinivas , Adarkar Hemant
Published: May 2011

This chapter covers the different facets of security as applicable to Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) implementations. First, it examines the security requirements in SOA implementations, highlighting the differences as compared to the requirements of generic online systems. Later, it discusses the different solution mechanisms to address these requirements in SOA implementations. In the context of Web services, the predominant SOA implementation standards have a crucial role to play. This chapter critically examines the crucial Web services security standards in different stages of adoption and standardization. Later, this chapter examines the present-day common nonstandard security mechanisms of SOA implementations. Towards the end, it discusses the future trends in security for SOA implementations with special bearing on the role of standards. The authors believe that the pragmatic analysis of the multiple facets of security in SOA implementations provided here will serve as a guide for SOA security practitioners.
Applications of Web Services in Bioinformatics
Authors: Li Xin , Gangopadhyay Aryya
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces applications of Web services in bioinformatics as a specialized application of peer-to-peer (P2P) computing. It explains the relationship between P2P and applications of Web service in bioinformatics, states some problems faced in current bioinformatics tools, and describes the mechanism of Web services framework. It then argues that Web services framework can help to address those problems, and gives a methodology to solve the problems in terms of composition, integration, automation, and discovery.
The eQual Approach to the Assessment of E-Commerce Quality
Authors: Barnes Stuart J. , Vidgen Richard
Published: May 2011

Understanding the customer is a key aspect of developing any e-commerce offering. In doing so, organizations can improve their offerings over time and benchmark against competitors and best practice in any industry. eQual is a method for assessing the quality of Web sites. The eQual instrument has evolved via a process of iterative refinement in different e-commerce domains. Two of the studies conducted have examined online bookshops as a domain for e-commerce quality evaluation, one based on eQual 2.0 and the other on eQual 4.0. In this chapter we aim to examine these studies, and, as a result, to evaluate the use of the instrument and the benchmarking of the bookshops on two separate occasions. Of particular note are whether the findings are consistent across the two studies and the implications of the findings for e-commerce practice. Finally, the paper rounds off with some conclusions and directions for further research.
E-Recruiting
Authors: Lee In
Published: May 2011

Since the mid-1990s, a number of e-recruiting methods such as job boards, corporate career Web sites, and e-recruiting consortia have been introduced into the labor market. Recruiting through the corporate career Web site has been touted as the most efficient and cost-effective recruiting method among them. While most large and medium-sized organizations have deployed corporate career Web sites, many of them have failed to achieve the maximum benefits because they do not have the appropriate e-recruiting practice in place. After identifying six categories of e-recruiting sources, this study analyzes the corporate career Web sites of the Fortune 100 companies. Thirty-three attributes that characterize the corporate career Web sites were identified, named, and analyzed around four major categories: recruiting methods, job search tools, job application tools, and information on organizational attributes.
Web Portals in Government Service
Authors: Aitkenhead Tony
Published: May 2011

Government portals are not dissimilar to business enterprise portals, although many of these are the entry point to the organisation’s intranet and thus internally facing. The purpose of a portal is to increase the volume of available information, and government portals are becoming gateways or central access points for many e-government initiatives around the globe. They perform this task well as they provide a consistent and easy-to-use interface that allows citizens access to a range of government services. This chapter presents the findings of a review of two Victorian government portals, each of which has implemented different operational models.
Educational Portals
Authors: Bajec Marko
Published: May 2011

Portal-based solutions have been proved in practice to be a promising technology that offers companies a way to transform and integrate their information systems more effectively and at lower cost. The main point of this paper is to discuss the use of portals in institutions of higher education. We examine the motivating factors that drive higher-education institutions to use portal-based solutions. As an example, we explain how the University of Ljubljana is taking advantage of portal technology and what benefits are to be expected from the use of portals as core components of the university’s new user-centric information system.
Development of Indonesia's National Digital Library Network
Authors: Fahmi Ismail
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes various technical and social issues in the development of the Indonesia’s National Digital Library Network (IndonesiaDLN). The success of the network was attributed to the use of the Protocol for Metadata Posting (PMP) to allow member institutions without a permanent Internet connection to join the digital library (DL) network, the use and distribution of open source software, and the application of the Network of Networks concept that motivated and permitted communities to develop their own DL networks that are integrated to the IndonesiaDLN. Such a network model and lessons learned should prove invaluable when shared with third-world or developing countries on similar journeys to develop national DLs.
Information Filtering and Personalization Services
Authors: Xing Chunxiao , Zeng Chun , Zhang Zhiqiang , Zhou Lizhu
Published: May 2011

Personalization service is becoming one of the core services in digital libraries, and an exciting and challenge research area. In this chapter, we analyze several key technologies and the related works in information filtering and personalized services, and then present a content-based personalized searching algorithm and a probabilistic model to represent user interests, which is more effective than the vector space model by the experiments. To solve the data sparsity and scalability problems in collaborative filtering, we present new methods for similarity computation and instance selection. The experiments show it is higher predicted precision and performance than the others. Based on the above research results, we design and develop a prototype, TH-PASS, which provides personalized searching and recommending services.
Implementation of Next Generation Digital Libraries
Authors: Lim Ee-Peng , Hwang San-Yih
Published: May 2011

To implement the next generation digital libraries, one has to examine both the data and functional aspects of the digital library requirements and understand the existing available technologies. In this chapter, we outline the major implementation issues of next generation digital libraries and review existing standards, tools and related research topics. Due to new kinds of content and metadata, as well as domain- and task-specific usage, the next generation digital libraries will need to handle the representation and storage scheme of metadata and content. Unlike the brick-and-mortar libraries, there are new challenges in metadata harvesting, search and retrieval that require standardized protocols to be adopted across different digital libraries. Finally, some advanced digital library services are also discussed.
Cross-Lingual Information Retrieval
Authors: Yang Christopher , Li Kar W.
Published: May 2011

Structural and semantic interoperability have been the focus of digital library research in the early 1990s. Many research works have been done on searching and retrieving objects across variations in protocols, formats, and disciplines. As the World Wide Web has become more popular in the last ten years, information is available in multiple languages in global digital libraries. Users are searching across the language boundary to identify the relevant information that may not be available in their own language. Cross-lingual semantic interoperability has become one of the focuses in digital library research in the late 1990s. In particular, research in cross-lingual information retrieval (CLIR) has been very active in recent conferences on information retrieval, digital libraries, knowledge management, and information systems. The major problem in CLIR is how to build the bridge between the representations of user queries and documents if they are of different languages.
Digital Libraries and Society
Authors: Witten Ian H.
Published: May 2011

Digital libraries are large, organized collections of information objects. Well-designed digital library software has the potential to enable non-specialist people to conceive, assemble, build, and disseminate new information collections. This has great social import because, by democratizing information dissemination, it provides a counterbalance to disturbing commercialization initiatives in the information and entertainment industries. This chapter reviews trends in today’s information environment, introduces digital library technology and explores the use of digital libraries for disseminating humanitarian information in developing countries, a context that is both innovative and socially motivated. We demonstrate how currently available technology empowers users to build and publish information collections. Conventional public libraries are founded on the principle of open access, and extending this to digital libraries presents a challenge to human-computer interaction—a challenge that is magnified if open access is extended to those who create library collections too.
From GeogDL to PAPER
Authors: Goh Dion H.L. , Then Yin-Leng , Lim Ee-Peng
Published: May 2011

This chapter traces the evolution of GeogDL, a digital library of geography examination resources. The initial version of the system was evaluated with a group of secondary school student design partners through the use of scenario-based design and claims analysis to identify areas of refinement. The findings from this study led to the development of a second-generation system with a redesigned user interface and a new module named PAPER (Personalized Adaptive Pathways for Examination Resources) that provides mock exams and personalized recommendations of examination questions. A second study involving teacher design partners generated positive feedback that generally concurred with the goals and features of PAPER. Implications for the future development of GeogDL are also discussed in the context of these studies.
Designing a Music Digital Library
Authors: Bainbridge David , Cunningham Sally J. , McPherson John , Downie Stephen , Reeves Nina
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes a set of techniques that have been successfully employed in eliciting user needs for a music digital library. Our focus has been on discovering the types of music information that users would hope to find in a music digital library, the browsing and searching strategies that users “natively” employ, the attributes that are used to describe music information needs, and the purpose for which the music information is sought. We concentrate on studying authentic music information needs—that is, we analyze the information seeking behavior of real people engaged in attempting to satisfy real music-related questions, outside of a lab. Once a rich understanding is reached of what people really want, then the lessons learned can be applied to designing the contents, interface, and search interactions for a music digital library.
Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluations of the Singapore National Library Board's Digital Library
Authors: Theng Yin-Leng , Chan Mei-Yee , Khoo Ai-Ling , Buddharaju Raju
Published: May 2011

As part of the Singapore National Library Board’s (NLB) on-going efforts to improve the usefulness and usability of the eLibraryHub in meeting users’ needs, this chapter reports two empirical studies – a quantitative and a qualitative study – conducted on the eLibraryHub, the NLB Digital Library. In the quantitative study, we evaluated the effectiveness of the eLibraryHub from users’ perspectives. Results show that users rated favorably their satisfaction of the overall effectiveness, usefulness and ease of use of the eLibraryHub. They also perceived it as generally quite useful and easy to use. In the qualitative study, we made use of Scenario-Based Design and Claims Analysis, to determine the usability of the eLibraryHub. Findings indicate that most usability problems occurred during the interpretation and evaluation stages of navigational actions. It concludes with recommendations on design refinement of the eLibraryHub. The chapter illustrates the rich interplay of quantitative and qualitative data crucial in helping designers/developers to better understand users, uses and usability of deployed systems, to address the dilemma of Carroll’s task-artifact cycle of changing user needs and design possibilities.
Geographic Surveillance of Crime Frequencies in Small Areas
Authors: Rogerson Peter A.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, I describe a system for monitoring crime frequencies for a set of small areas. The objective is to detect as quickly as possible any increase in any area’s crime frequency, relative to a specified expected frequency. The system uses a cumulative sum approach, cumulating differences between the observed and expected frequencies of crime in each area. The approach is illustrated using 1996 burglary data from Buffalo, which is available by census tract. Computer code associated with the geosurveillance program is provided in the appendix.
Simulating Crime Events and Crime Patterns in a RA/CA Model
Authors: Liu Lin , Wang Xuguang , Eck John , Liang Jun
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents an innovative approach for simulating crime events and crime patterns. The theoretical basis of the crime simulation model is routine activities (RA) theory. Offenders, targets and crime places, the three basic elements of routine activities, are modeled as individual agents. The properties and behaviors of these agents change in space and time. The interactions of these three types of agents are modeled in a cellular automaton (CA). Tension, measuring the psychological impact of crime events to human beings, is the state variable of the CA. The model, after being calibrated by using a real crime data set in Cincinnati, is able to generate crime patterns similar to real patterns. Results from experimental runs of the model conform to known criminology theories. This type of RA/CA simulation model has the potential of being used to test new criminology theories and hypotheses.
Electronic Monitoring in the Workplace
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten , Prior Mary , Wilford Sara , Collins Dervla
Published: May 2011

This chapter will start with a discussion of three different pieces of research concerning surveillance. The first study looks at the perception of surveillance by some of those people who supervise and implement it; namely, information systems or information technology professionals. The next study investigates students’ perception of surveillance in their university, while the last one is an in-depth study of two organisations with regard to surveillance. The combining factor of these three studies is that the subjects do not necessarily see surveillance as problematic. Given this surprising finding, this chapter will recount the arguments for and against surveillance as found in the literature. This will lead to a discussion of the reasons why individuals often do not seem to mind surveillance, despite good evidence that it may be psychologically, morally, socially, and even economically harmful. The chapter will end with a discussion of what these findings can mean for people interested in surveillance.
Moving to an Online Framework for Knowledge-Driven Healthcare
Authors: Shadbolt Bruce , Wang Rui , Craft Paul S.
Published: May 2011

The acquisition of knowledge in healthcare is mostly piecemeal and irregular. Consequently, we believe that the integration of science and patient care into a seamless framework is the key to establishing widespread knowledge-based healthcare organizations. Over the last five years, we have developed a dynamic methodology that completes the full information cycle using a generic online framework that merges science with clinical practice over the continuum of care. Called Protocol Hypothesis Testing (PHT), the framework is an extremely flexible web-enabled system that provides authors (expert groups) with the ability to instantly modify the structure of the system to meet the changing needs of clinical practice and incremental knowledge generation. The fully relational, centralised approach caters to the diversity of local needs whilst providing a global focus. The PHT System: • helps drive collaboration between clinicians, researchers, patients, and healthcare organizations to continually improve and use the latest and best evidence; • interfaces between clinical practice and bio-technology research;conducts randomised clinical trial research; centrally runs local clinical investigations and health service research;provides clinicians and patients with user-generated, decision-support algorithms and evidence-based summaries that are applicable to specific patients and their treatment choices; manages individual patient’s information, automatically distributing information to where it is needed, and providing patients with probable paths their treatment may follow; and provides a process to explore improvements in cost-effectiveness.In sum, the PHT system creates a centralised, seamless framework between research and clinical practice that is responsive to instant change based on hypothesis testing (science), data mining (exploration & thresholds) and expert opinion (authors) — all in the context of the needs of different diseases, clinical specialties and healthcare organisations.
Aligning Multiple Knowledge Perspectives in a Health Services System
Authors: Castleman Tanya , Swatman Paul , Fowler Danielle
Published: May 2011

This chapter reports the results of a feasibility study into electronic collection of service data at “point of delivery” for disability programs. The investigation revealed that while the proposed system would have produced more fine-grained data, it would not have improved any actor’s knowledge of service delivery. The study illustrated the importance of context in the transition from data to knowledge; the diffused and fragmented organisational structure of social service administration was shown to be a major barrier to effective building and sharing of knowledge. There was some value in the collection of detailed service data but this would have damaged the web of relationships which underpinned the system of service delivery and on which the smooth functioning of that system depended. The study recommended an approach to managing the informal and tacit knowledge distributed among many stakeholders, which was not especially technologically advanced but which supported, in a highly situated manner, the various stakeholders in this multi-organisational context.
Temporary Communication Infrastructures for Dynamic KM in the Complex and Innovative Environment of Palliative Care
Authors: Davison Graydon
Published: May 2011

Research in Australia on the management of innovative practices in multidisciplinary palliative care teams reveals the central role of knowledge as an enabler of holistic care in an environment where sometimes little, apart from the result of the end of life process, is operationally predictable. While palliative care organisations provide, and regulators require, opportunities for formal exchange, recording and review of patient-based information and patient care processes; the members of care teams require and construct more frequent opportunities for the exchange of information and the generation and application of knowledge. Multidisciplinary patient care teams are resourced to and capable of constructing real-time temporary communication infrastructures between the team’s different disciplinary representatives, between teams as necessary and between teams and the organisation, for individual patient situations. This chapter describes the organisational capabilities and levers necessary for providing an environment within which these infrastructures can be created and the individual behaviours and team tools that are used in the process, based on a wide ranging literature review and the results of research interviews.
Managing Knowledge to Improve Healthcare Quality in Banner Health
Authors: Burdick Twila , Hensing John , Kirkman-Liff Bradford , Nenaber Pamela , Silverman Howard , Simington Maire
Published: May 2011

In 2001 Banner Health launched Care Management and Organizational Performance as a system-wide, collaborative and team-based effort to improve the performance consistency of the organization’s core product: patient care. Functional Teams are composed of recognized knowledgeable clinical leaders who were viewed by peers as being experts with profound knowledge. Functional Teams have created more than 36 Work Groups that cut across organizational boundaries.
Learning to Become a Knowledge-Centric Organization
Authors: Stonehouse George , Pemberton Jonathon D.
Published: May 2011

The importance of knowledge to an organization’s competitive performance is widely recognized. A knowledge-centric organization is one within which the creation and management of knowledge are at the heart of its strategic thinking, operations, and activities. Knowledge-centricity can only be achieved if knowledge, and the behaviors and systems associated with its creation and management, are deeply embedded within the organization. In fact, given the dynamism of organizations and their environments, knowledge-centricity is likely to be a holy grail that organizations seek but may never find. Similarly, knowledge-centricity will evolve as a concept, as knowledge of the processes of learning, knowledge creation, and management develops over time. This chapter, therefore, represents a snapshot of the current status of the concept and offers advice on how organizations can begin to make progress towards becoming knowledge-centric. On the basis of research, the chapter identifies the primary characteristics of a knowledge-centric organization, and the tools and techniques necessary for knowledge-centric organizational development.
Metaphore, Self-Reflection, and the Nature of Mind
Authors: Barnden John A.
Published: May 2011

This chapter speculatively addresses the nature and effects of metaphorical views that a mind can intermittently use in thinking about itself and other minds, such as the view of mind as a physical space in which ideas have physical locations. Although such views are subjective, it is argued in this chapter that they are nevertheless part of the real nature of the conscious and unconscious mind. In particular, it is conjectured that if a mind entertains a particular (metaphorical) view at a given time, then this activity could of itself cause that mind to become more similar in the short term to how it is portrayed by the view. Hence, the views are, to an extent, self-fulfilling prophecies. In these ways, metaphorical self-reflection, even when distorting and inaccurate, is speculatively an important aspect of the true nature of mind. The chapter also outlines a theoretical approach and related implemented system (ATT-Meta) that were designed for the understanding of metaphorical discourse but that incorporate principles that could be at the core of metaphorical self-reflection in people or future artificial agents.