bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Semiotic Model of Multimedia
Authors: Purchase Helen C. , Naumann Daniel
Published: May 2011

Models of multimedia communication are attempts to classify the numerous types of media objects available, and to provide a basis for the use of unambiguous terminology in a new and expanding field. Many of these models are products of theory, rather then practical investigation, and few have been empirically studied to assess their suitability. This chapter firstly presents a novel multimedia model (called TOMUS) which is based on a common classification of semiotic representational systems, and uses three dimensions of sign, syntax and modality. By separating the classification of the nature of the text to be communicated from the nature of the technology or interaction, the model provides a focussed terminology for consistent and appropriate discussion about multimedia texts. The chapter also reports on an experiment which investigated the understandability of the dimensions comprising TOMUS. The experiment entailed subjects classifying various media objects according to the TOMUS model. Error and perceived difficulty data were collected; analysis of this data revealed which of the categories are the most difficult to comprehend. Suggestions are made as to the causes of these difficulties, and recommendations as to how the model might be correspondingly altered are proposed.
Software Agents in Today's Digital Economy
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S.
Published: May 2011

One of the most discussed topics in the information systems literature today is software agent/intelligent agent technology. Software agents are high-level software abstractions with inherent capabilities for communication, decision making, control, and autonomy. They are programs that perform functions such as information gathering, information filtering, or mediation (running in the background) on behalf of a person or entity. They have several aliases such as agents, bots, chatterbots, databots, intellibots, and intelligent software agents/robots. They provide a powerful mechanism to address complex software engineering problems such as abstraction, encapsulation, modularity, reusability, concurrency, and distributed operations. Much research has been devoted to this topic, and more and more new software products billed as having intelligent agent functionality are being introduced on the market every day. The research that is being done, however, does not wholeheartedly endorse this trend. The current research into intelligent agent software technology can be divided into two main areas: technological and social. The latter area is particularly important since, in the excitement of new and emergent technology, people often forget to examine what impact the new technology will have on people’s lives. In fact, the social dimension of all technology is the driving force and most important consideration of technology itself. This chapter presents a socio-technical perspective on intelligent agents and proposes a framework based on the data lifecycle and knowledge discovery using intelligent agents. One of the key ideas of this chapter is best stated by Peter F. Drucker in Management Challenges for the 21st Century when he suggests that in this period of profound social and economic changes, managers should focus on the meaning of information, not the technology that collects it.
SAFER E-Commerce
Authors: Zhu Fangming , Guan Sheng-Uei
Published: May 2011

As electronic commerce (e-commerce) booms, the demands for intelligent tools to streamline transactions are increasing. This motivates the development of the next generation of e-commerce, agent-based e-commerce. This chapter proposes a Secure Agent Fabrication, Evolution, & Roaming (SAFER) architecture for agent-based e-commerce. SAFER provides services for agents in e-commerce and establishes a rich set of mechanisms to manage and secure them. The definitions and functions of the various components in the SAFER architecture are elaborated. This chapter also illustrates three main aspects in the SAFER architecture: agent fabrication, agent evolution, and agent roaming.
Cognitive Aspects on the Representation of Dynamic Environmental Phenomena Using Animations
Authors: Ogao Patrick J. , Blok Connie A.
Published: May 2011

Measurements from dynamic environmental phenomena have resulted in the acquisition and generation of an enormous amount of data. This upsurge in data availability can be attributed to the interdisciplinary nature of environmental problem solving and the wide range of acquisition technology involved. In essence, users are dealing with data that is complex in nature, multidimensional and probably of a temporal nature. Also, the frequency by which this data is acquired far exceeds the rate at which it is being explored, a factor that has accelerated the search for innovative approaches and tools in spatial data analysis. These attempts have seen both analytical and visual techniques being used as aids in presentation and scientific data exploration. Examples are seen in techniques as in: data mining, data exploration and visualization.
Environmental Monitoring and Management of Protected Areas through Integrated Ecological Information Systems - An EU Perspective
Authors: Blaschke Thomas
Published: May 2011

Integrated ecological information systems are characterized by a broad range of thematic spatial data layers and a variety of specific application areas. Monitoring and management tasks differ widely and cover scales from local to continental. In European Nature Conservation the implementation of the habitat directive (92/43/EEC), the bird directive (79/409/EEC) and the Natura 2000 network requires a harmonized monitoring and management of the designated protection areas. This task challenges local authorities responsible for the individual sites as well as authorities on the national and EU level that are in charge of the assessment and channelling of the huge data flow arising with observation, documentation, and control mechanisms from the local sites. Environmental information systems with integrated Earth Observation (EO) will provide an essential contribution to the monitoring of NATURA 2000 sites and other protected areas of European importance beyond established mapping and classification approaches. Data streams from EO data processing and field ecological work will converge in an operational Geographic Information System (GIS) with a harmonized design but open to regional specifications. First case studies across Europe highlight the enormous stimulus of EU legislation on the development and harmonization of environmental monitoring and management procedures.
An Integrated Approach for the Planning and Control of Flexible Retro-Production Systems
Authors: Hesselbach Jurgen , Westernhagen Karsten V.
Published: May 2011

While in the past only the product phases of development, production, distribution as well as use and service were considered, today, more complete consideration up to the end of a product life is common. Along with the demand for an environmentally-friendly handling of important resources, recycling of worn-out products, for example, in the automotive sector, electrical and electronic equipment, or industrial goods, will gain crucial importance in the near future. In addition, comprehensive environmentally-related legal demands force the industry to take recycling of products into consideration (BMU, 1999; EU, 1999; Griese, 1997; Seliger et al., 1997; Thierry et al., 1995). Additionally this includes several processes (Figure 1) of the post-usage phase, such as: • systematic take-back of used products to specific facilities, • definition of adequate recycling strategies, • dismantling of products, • reprocessing of components, • mechanical treatment, • reuse of components and utilization of materials as well as • redistribution of the recycled goods into production and secondary raw material market.
Bringing It All Together (Data Mining on an Enterprise Level)
Authors: Kudyba Stephan , Hoptroff Richard
Published: May 2011

Up to now we have presented the fundamental building blocks to understanding the concept of data mining and addressed the prevailing applications within the corporate environment including both the “brick and mortar” style and e-commerce spectrums. The process does not stop here however. In order to implement mining on an enterprise basis, firms must overcome some potentially serious obstacles and address key issues. The more complex nature of data mining generally limits its use to a smaller population of individuals in a given firm, (although this is not always the case). Because of this, a common drawback to the process of effective Mining is the communication of value-added model results to corresponding users of this information. Just as there exists a gap between IT personnel, (those who know the technical side of systems) and the business user, (those who require IT systems to help solve their problems), there also exists a communication gap between the “data miners” and those who need to apply the resulting models to help solve their business problem. Other issues which must be considered before implementing an organization wide mining approach entails the development of total mining solutions instead of limiting applications to a few business problems. Decision makers must also avoid the trap of relying too heavily on mining results and must remember that these models are not crystal ball providers of perfect knowledge. Because of this, they must therefore monitor actual business performance against projected measures to maintain model effectiveness and accuracy.
Data Modeling and UML
Authors: Shah Devang , Slaughter Sandra
Published: May 2011

Over the past two decades, the Entity-Relationship (ER) method has become the most popular and widely used method for conceptual database design. On the other hand, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) is widely used in the object-oriented analysis and design world. Despite the dominance of object-oriented techniques during the software development design and development phase, object-oriented databases are still not in widespread use. Software designers and developers often turn to the relational databases to make their application objects persistent. This adds one more task in the ‘to-do’ list of the designer: to map objects into entities. Considering the fundamental differences between the two methods, this task could be a non-trivial task. The purpose of this chapter is to describe a process that can be used to map a class diagram into an ER diagram, and to discuss the potential of using the UML notation to draw the ER diagrams. An example of an actual systems design is used throughout to illustrate the mapping process, the associated problems encountered and how they could be resolved.
Linking UML with Integrated Formal Techniques
Authors: Liu Jing , Song Jin
Published: May 2011

The challenge for complex systems specification is how to visually and precisely capture static, dynamic and real-time system properties in a highly structured way. In particular, requirement specifications for composite systems often involve capturing concurrent interactions between software control parts and physical system components/devices. The requirement specifications of such systems need to capture the structure and behavior of each individual physical/software components and their communications. In this chapter, we investigate the links between the graphical notation UML and an integrated formal notation. We present an effective combination of UML and an integrated formal method for the requirement specification of a light control system. This work is supported in part by the research grant (Integrated Formal Methods) from National University of Singapore (No. RP3991615).
The Choice of Qualitative Methods in IS Research
Authors: Trauth Eileen M.
Published: May 2011

In this introductory chapter I set the stage for the remaining chapters by discussing factors that influence the choice of qualitative methods for information systems research. In doing so, I provide examples from my own work as well as that of other qualitative researchers in the IS field. I consider these influencing factors in order to highlight the interplay between methodological choices and the context within which they occur. Just as decisions about information systems need to be considered within their contexts of use, so too do choices about qualitative methods for information systems research.
An Encounter with Grounded Theory
Authors: Urquhart Cathy
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the practical and philosophical issues of applying the grounded theory approach to qualitative research in Information Systems. Over the past decade, we have seen a substantial increase in qualitative research in general (Klein, Nissen and Hirschheim, 1991; Walsham, 1995; Markus, 1997; Myers, 1997; Myers and Walsham, 1998; Klein and Myers, 1999; Walsham and Sahay, 1999; Trauth and Jessup, 2000; Schultze, 2000) and also an increase in the use of grounded theory (Toraskar, 1991, Orlikowski, 1993, Urquhart, 1997, 1998, 1999a, 1999b; Adams and Sasse, 1999, Baskerville and Pries-Heje, 1999, Trauth, 2000). Over the past three years, the most frequent request I have had from postgraduates is for some insight into the ‘how-to’ of coding and grounded theory
Privacy and the Internet
Authors: Chapman Scott , Dhillon Gurpreet S.
Published: May 2011

With the advent of the Internet, a number of issues have surfaced that are affecting our society positively, negatively and confusingly at breakneck speeds. The issues surrounding an individual’s right to privacy on the Internet are one such example. Affording an individual a right to privacy is most definitely a unique right preserving the quality of the Constitution of the United States. Certainly the Internet has blurred an already gray line that courts have fought hard and long to preserve and define over the past 225 years.
Manufacturing Social Responsibility Benchmarks in the Competitive Intelligence Age
Authors: Orton James Douglas
Published: May 2011

The themes explored elsewhere in this volume, on the intersection between information technology and social responsibility, take on new shapes when considered in the context of competitive intelligence. Using the (probably) apocryphal Thomson-Raytheon story as a launching point, this chapter will explore the emergence of social responsibility benchmarks in the competitive intelligence age. This analysis is heavily flavored by my own experiences trying to understand the French approach to competitive intelligence. The paper reviews attempts by competitive intelligence agents in the US and France to manufacture Social Responsibility benchmarks in the contexts of covert operations, competitive strategy, corporate intelligence, economic security, economic intelligence, and economic warfare. The conclusion of the paper will argue that the construction of social responsibility is a local-level human accomplishment, not a global-level rational standard. Furthermore, the paper implies that the burden of social responsibility lies more heavily on the successful economic oppressor than the unsuccessful economic resistance.
E-Capital Budgeting
Authors: Ahmed Parvez
Published: May 2011

Over the last five years, firms with strong presence on the Internet have seen increases in the value of their firms to what some consider obscene levels. The “new era” economy has led to “irrational exuberance” in the stock market. This era of uncertainty has also unleashed numerous valuable opportunities for firms. The world in general and e-commerce ventures in particular are dominated by strategic investments with lots of uncertainty that require huge capital outlays. Moreover, these projects must have the ability to adapt to changing conditions that evolve as new information becomes available. The failure of traditional discounted cash flows (DCF), such as NPV, in valuing e-commerce projects is partially due to meager cash flows relative to required investments and high discount rate due to unknown risk in the projects. This chapter will show how techniques used in valuing financial options can be used to value project or firms under conditions of extreme uncertainty.
Cross-Fertilizing Logic Programming and XML for Knowledge Representation
Authors: Boley Harold
Published: May 2011

The simplicity of Web-based data exchange is beneficial for nonformal, semiformal and formal documents. For formal specifications and programs the Web permits distributed development, usage and maintenance. Logic programming (LP) has the potential to serve as a uniform language for this. Meanwhile, however, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C; http://www.w3.org/) has enhanced HTML–for nonformal and semiformal documents–into the Extensible Markup Language (XML) (Harold, 1999)–for semiformal and formal documents. This raises the issue of the relationships between XML and LP. Will logic programming have the chance, despite, or perhaps precisely because of XML, to become a ‘Web technology’ for formal documents? Could the HTML-like syntax of XML be replaced by a Prolog-like syntax, or could it be edited or presented over a standardized stylesheet—in such a Prolog syntax? Is SLD resolution a suitable starting point for the interpreter semantics of an XML query language like XQL (http://www.w3.org/TandS/QL/QL98/pp/xql.html) or should an LP-oriented, inferential query language be developed in the form of an XML-based Prolog? In the following text, such questions will be discussed, and possible interplays between XML and LP—in both directions—will be presented.
A Semantically Advanced Querying Methodology for Medical Knowledge and Decision Support
Authors: Kapetanios Epaminondas
Published: May 2011

A large part of all activities in healthcare deals with decision making regarding which examinations and tests need to be done or, on the basis of earlier examinations, which further tests need to be ordered. Recently, guidelines for an appropriateness and necessity indication of medical interventions have been elaborated and consulted in order to evaluate the quality of decisions in specific medical domains such as cardiology and hysterectomy.
Using On-Line Medical Knowledge to Support Evidence-Based Practice
Authors: Moody Daniel L. , Shanks Graeme G.
Published: May 2011

This paper describes a successful knowledge management project in one of Australia’s state health departments. The objective of the project was to provide medical staff with on-line access to the latest medical knowledge at the point of care in order to improve the quality of clinical decision making. We believe this represents an important case study from both a theoretical and practical viewpoint:
Structured Content and Connectivity of Medical Information - The Medical Data Web
Authors: Fierz Walter
Published: May 2011

To a large extent, medicine is an information-processing endeavor. It is all the more surprising, therefore, that computer technology has not yet developed very far in successfully supporting this activity. The areas where computer support is most advanced in medicine are signal processing and ‘data’1 generation, as well as in the administrative domain. However, the huge area that encompasses the main part of the physician’s clinical activity has only marginally been touched upon by information-processing systems. The reason for this might well lie with the problem that medical ‘information’ is mainly a matter of connecting pieces of data together. The sheer complexity of these connections is, however, beyond classical database technology. The best and easiest way to express such complex information has been written (and spoken) text, until now. A long tradition of how written medical reports are formulated and stored in patient records and how scientific reports are published in medical journals has been built up.
An Extensible Approach for Modeling Ontologies in RDF(S)
Authors: Staab Steffen , Erdmann Michael , Maedche Alexander , Decker Stefan
Published: May 2011

The development of the World Wide Web is about to mature from a technical platform that allows for the transportation of information from sources to humans (albeit in many syntactic formats) to the communication of knowledge from Web sources to machines. The knowledge food chain has started with technical protocols and preliminary formats for information presentation (HTML–HyperText Markup Language) over a general methodology for separating information contents from layout (XML–eXtensible Markup Language, XSL–eXtensible Stylesheet Language) to reach the realms of knowledge provisioning by the means of RDF and RDFS.
Towards a Semantic Web of Evidence-Based Medical Information
Authors: Grutter Rolf , Eikemeier Claus , Steurer Johann
Published: May 2011

It is the vision of the protagonists of the Semantic Web to achieve “a set of connected applications for data on the Web in such a way as to form a consistent logical Web of data” (Berners-Lee, 1998, p. 1). Therefore, the Semantic Web approach develops languages for expressing information in a machine-processable form (“machine-understandable” in terms of the Semantic Web community). Particularly, the Resource Description Framework, RDF (Lassila & Swick, 1999), and RDF Schema, RDFS (Brickley & Guha, 2000), are considered as the foundations for the implementation of the Semantic Web. RDF provides a data model and a serialization language; RDFS a distinguished vocabulary to model class and property hierarchies and other basic schema primitives that can be referred to from RDF models, thereby allowing for the modeling of object models with cleanly defined semantics. The idea behind this approach is to provide a common minimal framework for the description of Web resources while allowing for application-specific extensions (Berners-Lee, 1998). Such extensions in terms of additional classes and/or properties must be documented in an application-specific schema. Application-specific schemata can be integrated into RDFS by the namespace mechanism (Bray, Hollander & Layman, 1999). Namespaces provide a simple method for qualifying element and attribute names used in RDF documents by associating them with namespaces identified by URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) references (Berners-Lee, Fielding, Irvine & Masinter, 1998).
The OSI Model and Switching
Authors: Siris Vasilios A.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we give the motivation and basic concepts of the OSI reference model, discuss its seven-layer architecture, the communication between systems using the OSI model, and finally the relationship between the OSI model and multilayer switching.
Virtual Local Area Networks
Authors: Cullen Cam
Published: May 2011

With the availability of so many high-density, wire-speed Layer 3 switches, why would a network administrator choose to implement Virtual LANs (VLANs) today? The first (and most obvious) answer is cost. Layer 3 switches cost more than Layer 2 switches, and usually have less density, making them a natural fit at the very core of the network, leaving Layer 2 switches to handle Distribution Layer aggregation of wiring closet switches or Data Center switching. Layer 2 switches are often much simpler to implement, and can be implemented with less technical difficulty than routing. VLANs have also recently been reborn in Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) based upon Ethernet technology as a Virtual Private Networking (VPN) solution. VLANs are now a required feature in any switched LAN solution. The increasing capacity and performance of switches has enabled users to dedicate switch ports to every user on the network, increasing the need for control over broadcast and multicasts throughout the network. To best understand VLANs, it is useful to study how networks evolved into needing VLANs.
Managing Security in Modern Enterprise Networks
Authors: Rajagopalan S. Raj
Published: May 2011

Security is one of the most pressing and expensive problems in the management of modern enterprise networks. The objective of this chapter is to persuade the reader to consider security from an entirely new perspective from the traditional one. We argue here that the current view of security management needs to be modified and propose a new business-friendly view that treats security as a process that is an integral part of network management and operations. For completeness, this article reviews some of the current security technologies and methodologies and examines which problems have been satisfactorily addressed and which still need a lot of research, development and operationalization. We finish with a brief overview of a current research project on automatic management of network security, which the author is involved in and addresses some of these issues.
Internet User Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction and Internet Background
Authors: Simmers Claire A. , Anandarajan Murugan
Published: May 2011

The relationships among Internet user satisfaction (IUS), job satisfaction, and user’s Internet background are examined. Internet user satisfaction and job satisfaction are positively correlated. There are significant differences in IUS (but not job satisfaction) based on demographic factors (age, gender, and organizational position). Usage and general Internet experience differentiate levels of IUS and job satisfaction. Self-training is a key variable in both IUS and job satisfaction.
Reducing Legal, Financial, and Operational Risks
Authors: Simmers Claire A. , Bosnian Adam
Published: May 2011

The increased reliance on the Internet exposes organizations to a number of legal, financial, and operational risks through inappropriate workplace information technology (IT) behaviors. This article explores these IT workplace behaviors and how Web and e-mail usage can be effectively aligned with business priorities while allowing for some personal use. The development of alignment is explored through the discussion of eight organizations, six small/mid-sized and two large. The organizational responses converged in policies and processes for controlling actual or potentially detrimental IT workplace behaviors, thus reducing the risks. Alignment is achieved through Internet policy management (IPM), which integrates an enterprise-wide written Internet usage policy (IUP), effective communication of the IUP and enforcement through Web and e-mail content monitoring/filtering software.
Introduction to Electronic Government
Authors: Gronlund Ake
Published: May 2011

The concept of electronic government (eGov), sometimes electronic governance, is about to emerge from a practitioners’ concept to one that also attracts research. Conferences abound, and research scales up from individual researchers and projects to institutes, both those governed by industry, such as IBM’s Institute for Electronic Government1 and those governed by universities, such as the Center for Technology in Government at Albany University.2 Research and development programs such as the EU Information Society Technologies and Government Online are focusing on developing strategic and transferable IT (information technology) uses in government. Research institutes with the focus on policies and development focus increasingly on IT use, such as the Institute for Development Policy and Management at the University of Manchester.3 Countries and states establish ”Task Forces” in the field, and there is a rich supply of Web pages with titles like ”Electronic Government Resources,” where electronic services are offered.4
Post-Modern Decision Making
Authors: Janlert Lars-Erik
Published: May 2011

The modern ideals for decision and action are hard pressed by doubts on their continued validity and by new difficulties in their implementation that emerge just as old difficulties seem to become more tractable. Here I present some questions and reflections on problems and possibilities when the information technological conditions are changed while at the same time modern values are called in question.
Internet Voting
Authors: Riera Andru , Sanchez Jordi , Torras Laia
Published: May 2011

Through time, electoral processes have been incorporating more and more technology. The voting methods in the U.S., for example, have evolved from lever machines to punch cards, optical scanning and Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) machines. (A good survey of different voting technologies currently used in the U.S. can be found in Cranor (2001.) Even in those countries where paper ballots and traditional ballot boxes are used, the ballot tabulation process is likely to be using some form of computerized transmission or processing at some point.
Technology to Support Participatory Democracy
Authors: Macintosh Ann , Davenport Elisabeth , Malina Anna , Whyte Angus
Published: May 2011

This chapter focuses on the development, application and impact of information and communication technology on civic representation and participation in the democratic process. Governments, at local and national levels, need to restore public confidence and interest in the democratic process. They need to improve the turn out at elections and, importantly, they need to address the underlying sense that, except during election campaigns, the views of the public are not actively sought or, importantly, listened to and taken into account. This chapter gives practical guidance on how parliaments and governments can develop, apply and manage information and communication technology (ICT) to address this concern and to support the public to participate in setting agendas, establishing priorities and making policies–to strengthen public understanding and participation in democratic decision making. However, the question is still unanswered as to whether ICT will enable more open, democratic and effective government. In this chapter we will explore this question and consider the positive and negative affects of technology on the democratic process.
Online Courses
Authors: Cooper Linda
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides instructors who are interested in offering online classes with various strategies used and found successful in the instruction of an online Business Computer Applications course. Topics such as the importance of an initial class meeting, providing diverse instructional materials, the value of student course evaluations, and the dilemma of student assessment procedures will be addressed. Although a course management system (CMS) is used to manage the online Business Computer Applications course discussed in this chapter, many of the procedures incorporated can be effective in the facilitation of any online course. The advantages of using a CMS to implement and manage online courses will also be discussed later in this chapter.
Quality Assurance of Online Courses
Authors: Ryan Richard
Published: May 2011

Based upon the author’s experience, the convenience of Internet delivery and anytime online class availability are often the primary reasons students enroll in online courses. The quality of the online educational experience is often a secondary consideration to the student. Many times these students are willing to miss the in-class experience and interaction in order to receive credit for online coverage of certain required subject matter. Because of this attitude, there is also the potential for students and potential employers to perceive an online class or degree program as an “alternative” or the “next best thing” to attending traditional lecture classes. This attitude needs to be minimized if students are to utilize online and traditional classes equivalently in their degrees. The same level of quality for the class experience and content should be expected if online and traditional lecture classes are to be considered equivalent. Making an online class as engaging as a lecture class using the Internet is a worthy goal. “Jumping in with both feet is not for timid souls. Internet offerings require large amounts of time in the preparation of course materials. Everything must be viewed in a global sense for an entire semester at the offset.” (Kubala, 1998).
Web Organizations in the Professional Services Sector
Authors: Meijers Hugo
Published: May 2011

This chapter covers a specific type of Web organization in the professional service sector. Due to the knowledge-intensive, project-based and service-centric characteristics, it acts as a prime example of possible new organization models. A general overview of all system elements is based on theoretical and practical experience out of three cases. Theoretical systemic models, academic literature and personal involvement as business architect in Web formation form the basis of this chapter. Many challenges lie ahead in developing the described Web organization form. Its limitations are not yet clear. The first signs are hopeful; its application in other sectors may well turn out to be limited.
Applying a Core Competencies Approach in Virtual Enterprise Formation
Authors: Bremer Carlos Frederico , Moraes Siqueira Jairo Eduardo , Moraes Marques Luis Fernando
Published: May 2011

The process of core competencies identification has been incorporated by the enterprises within strategic planning. The virtual enterprise, which is a form of cooperation between enterprises, is one of the most benefited with this new process, mainly in its formation stage. The identified core competencies, which are deployed in products, process and technology, may support a more agile gathering of the virtual enterprise partners. This chapter presents a method to identify core competencies, supported by a practical case of successful virtual enterprise formation, where the method was applied and validated.
Estimation of Distribution Algorithms for Feature Subset Selection in Large Dimensionality Domains
Authors: Inza Inaki , Larranaga Pedro , Sierra Basilio
Published: May 2011

Feature Subset Selection (FSS) is a well-known task of Machine Learning, Data Mining, Pattern Recognition or Text Learning paradigms. Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are possibly the most commonly used algorithms for Feature Subset Selection tasks. Although the FSS literature contains many papers, few of them tackle the task of FSS in domains with more than 50 features. In this chapter we present a novel search heuristic paradigm, called Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDAs), as an alternative to GAs, to perform a population-based and randomized search in datasets of a large dimensionality. The EDA paradigm avoids the use of genetic crossover and mutation operators to evolve the populations. In absence of these operators, the evolution is guaranteed by the factorization of the probability distribution of the best solutions found in a generation of the search and the subsequent simulation of this distribution to obtain a new pool of solutions. In this chapter we present four different probabilistic models to perform this factorization. In a comparison with two types of GAs in natural and artificial datasets of a large dimensionality, EDAbased approaches obtain encouraging results with regard to accuracy, and a fewer number of evaluations were needed than used in genetic approaches.
A Heuristic Algorithm for Feature Selection Based on Optimization Techniques
Authors: Bagirov A. M. , Rubinov A. M. , Yearwood J.
Published: May 2011

The feature selection problem involves the selection of a subset of features that will be sufficient for the determination of structures or clusters in a given dataset and in making predictions. This chapter presents an algorithm for feature selection, which is based on the methods of optimization. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm we applied it to a number of publicly available real-world databases. The results of numerical experiments are presented and discussed. These results demonstrate that the algorithm performs well on the datasets considered.
Cost-Sensitive Classification Using Decision Trees, Boosting and MetaCost
Authors: Ting Kai Ming
Published: May 2011

This chapter reports results obtained from a series of studies on costsensitive classification using decision trees, boosting algorithms, and MetaCost which is a recently proposed procedure that converts an errorbased algorithm into a cost-sensitive algorithm. The studies give rise to new variants of algorithms designed for cost-sensitive classification, and provide insights into the strength and weaknesses of the algorithms. First, we describe a simple and effective heuristic of converting an error-based decision tree algorithm into a cost-sensitive one via instance weighting. The cost-sensitive version performs better than the error-based version that employs a minimum expected cost criterion during classification. Second, we report results from a study on four variants of cost-sensitive boosting algorithms. We find that boosting can be simplified for costsensitive classification. A new variant which excludes a factor used in ordinary boosting has an advantage of producing smaller trees and different trees for different scenarios; while it performs comparably to ordinary boosting in terms of cost. We find that the minimum expected cost criterion is the major contributor to the improvement of all cost-sensitive adaptations of ordinary boosting. Third, we reveal a limitation of MetaCost. We find that MetaCost retains only part of the performance of the internal classifier on which it relies. This occurs for both boosting and bagging as its internal classifier.
GlobeRanger Corporation
Authors: Hanebeck Hanns-Christian L. , Kroder Stanley L. , Nugent John H. , Raisinghani Mahesh S.
Published: May 2011

This case traces the dynamic evolution/revolution of an e-commerce entity from concept through first-round venture financing. It details the critical thought processes and decisions that made this enterprise a key player in the explosive field of supply chain logistics. It also provides a highly valuable view of lessons learned and closes with key discussion points that may be used in the classroom in order to provoke thoughtful and meaningful discussion of important business issues.
Education, Learning, and Technology
Authors: Donaldson J. Ana , Knupfer Nancy Nelson
Published: May 2011

This chapter posits that technology can be used successfully in schools, but that it will be more likely to enhance learning if certain considerations are addressed and appropriate guidelines are followed. After positioning technology within the historical framework of evolving learning theory, the chapter explores some of the issues, controversies, and problems surrounding the use of technology in schools, then discusses some of the current trends and delineates some ideas for the future success of technology-enhanced education.
Designing Discussion for the Online Classroom
Authors: Muilenburg Lin Y. , Berge Zane L.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter of the section is to provide some background information on “discussion teaching” as it relates to online discussion. Suggestions are made for a systematic design model that can be used in planning a course, or an individual lesson, that is based primarily on asynchronous, online discussion. The model, with some slight modifications, may also be used to design other types of technology-enhanced learning materials.
What To Do With a C.O.W. in the Classroom
Authors: Krey Cynthia L. , Stormer Christopher , Winsand Janet
Published: May 2011

The Computers on Wheels project began at the College of St. Catherine as a collaborative venture between the Dean of Education and the McGlynn Computer and Technology Center. We in Computing Services were interested in finding out how a wireless network (LAN) could function in a classroom building. Faculty members in the Education Department were interested in experimenting with the use of laptop computers in teaching and learning. At the same time, we made the decision to set up similar equipment in the library for checkout from the Circulation Desk to use within the building to do a variety of research related tasks such as word processing, printing, and Internet access.
Multimedia and Multi-Stream Synchronization
Authors: Lin Fuhua
Published: May 2011

Synchronization is an important aspect of the design and implementation of distributed multimedia database systems. In this chapter, we first examine the models that have been proposed in the literature to specify multimedia and multi-stream synchronization and the methods to implement synchronization mechanisms in distributed multimedia database systems. Their strengths and limitations have been compared, and the issues about time uncertainty and interactivity in multimedia and multi-stream synchronization specification and implementation are discussed. Moreover, we use an example to show how to incorporate a synchronization agent into a distributed multimedia database system. Finally, we discuss the trend of future research and development of this topic.
Comparing Conventional and Artificial Neural Network Models for the Pricing of Options
Authors: Lajbcygier Paul
Published: May 2011

The pricing of options on futures is compared using conventional models and artificial neural networks. This work demonstrates superior pricing accuracy using the artificial neural networks in an important subset of the input parameter set.
Using Action Learning in GSS Facilitation Training
Authors: Yoong Pak , Gallupe Brent
Published: May 2011

Although electronic face-to-face meetings are increasingly being used by organizations to improve the productivity of their strategic planning teams, design task forces, quality circles, sales management, and other organizational groups (Alavi, 1993; Dishman & Aytes, 1996), the rate of adoption of the technologies to support these meetings appears to be slowing (Grise & Gallupe, forthcoming). A possible reason for this reduced rate of adoption may be the difficulty in training competent electronic meeting facilitators. These facilitators play a key role in electronic meetings that use computer-based group technologies or group support systems (GSS) to assist the group in tasks such as generating ideas, evaluating alternatives and developing action plans. The purpose of this chapter is to describe how an action learning approach was used to train traditional meeting facilitators in the tools, techniques and processes of electronic meeting facilitation. This chapter begins with a description of action learning, in particular the three schools of action learning. The second section explains the nature of the “experiential” school of action learning and the GSS facilitation training program used in a research project in which 15 facilitators, already experienced in conventional meetings, were trained to become facilitators of electronic meetings. The final sections describe some lessons learned and implications for organizations training their electronic meeting facilitators.
The Framework for a Cross-Cultural Communication Process Efficiency and Cost in a Global Economy
Authors: Targowski Andrew , Metwali Ali
Published: May 2011

In this millennium, global organizations will increasingly focus on the critical value of the cross-cultural communication process, efficiency, competence and the cost of doing business. In order to successfully communicate cross-culturally, knowledge and understanding of cultural factors such as values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors should be acquired. Because culture is a powerful force that strongly influences communication behavior, culture and communication are inseparably linked. The objective of this chapter is to define the framework for a cross-cultural communication process, efficiency, and cost of doing business in a global economy. This task is very important for the promoting of global peace through trade, since it aims at understanding how to communicate successfully among different cultures from different civilizations. This understanding should minimize conflicts, increase international trade and investment, and facilitate the development of the global economy. The research method is based on the architectural design of a cross-cultural communication process and system and their quantitative analysis. Their attributes are estimated in a normative way on a scale from 1 to 5, where 5 is the best value. The attributes for two selected cultures (Western-West and Egyptian) are estimated by expert opinions.
The Camfield Estates - MIT Creating Community Connections Project
Authors: Pinkett Randal
Published: May 2011

This chapter is a case study of a community-university partnership that is investigating strategies to bridge the “digital divide” by examining the role of community technology for the purpose of community building in a low- to moderate-income housing development. Since January 2000, the Camfield Estates-MIT Creating Community Connections Project, a partnership between the Camfield Tenants Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has taken place at Camfield Estates, a 102-unit, low- to moderate-income housing development in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and its surrounding environs. This chapter includes the history and background of the project, the theoretical frameworks guiding the initiative, the project methodology that has been employed to integrate community technology and community building, early results, and a set of recommendations and lessons learned for other initiatives.
The Challenge of Teaching Research Skills to Information Systems and Technology Students
Authors: Hope Beverley G. , Fergusson Mariam
Published: May 2011

As the information systems discipline grows, so do the number of programs offering graduate research degrees. These include one-year post-graduate (honors) programs, masters by research, and doctoral degrees. Graduate students entering their first research degree are faced with a quantum leap in expectations and required skills. The burden is significant: they need to find a referent discipline, select a research method and paradigm, defend the research relevance, and fulfill the requirements of adding to a body of knowledge. The purpose of this chapter is to inform discussion on the issue of teaching and learning graduate research skills. We identify the core research skills needed and present three pragmatic models for teaching them. This provides a basis for a shared knowledge and discourse based on lessons learned.
e-ERP
Authors: Ash Colin G. , Burn Janice M.
Published: May 2011

The chapter reports on the results of research carried out over the last two years on the state of e-business developments within ERP environments worldwide. Structured interviews were used to collect data in two stages. The first group of organisations was drawn from Australia and the results from this stage used to refine the data collection instrument. The second group consisted of relatively mature ERP based organisations from a range of industries around the world. The findings were analysed according to an established research framework from Business Process Change. This showed that while facilitators in aspects of e-business change management such as cultural readiness, knowledge and learning capabilities and relationship building were recognised by organisations, the extent to which they were incorporated as part of the implementation varied greatly. This suggests a rich field for future research study regarding the success of e-ERP projects.
Integrity Issues in the Web
Authors: Aladana Montes Jose F. , Yague del Valle Mariemma I. , Gomez Lora Antonio C.
Published: May 2011

Issues related to integrity in databases and distributed databases have been introduced in previous chapters. Therefore, the integrity problem in databases and how it can be managed in several data models (relational, active, temporal, geographical, and object-relational databases) are well known to the reader. The focus of this chapter is on introducing a new paradigm: The Web as the database, and its implications regarding integrity, i.e., the progressive adaptation of database techniques to Web usage. We consider that this will be done in a quite similar way to the evolution from integrated file management systems to database management systems.