bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From EDI to Internet Commerce in Supply Chain Management
Authors: Gwee Seng Kwong , Tan Albert Wee Kwan
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an overview on the use of business-to-business (B2B) eCommerce by Singapore companies as a means of streamlining their procurement and transportation activities. Specifically, it addresses how Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Internet have proliferated in Singapore from 1990 to the present, and the efforts needed to sustain its growth. Challenges in implementing B2B eCommerce in procurement and transportation are also discussed, so that companies can avoid similar pitfalls when planning to implement these technologies with their business partners.
Understanding Social Responsibility Issues in the Information Age
Authors: Dhillon Gurpreet S.
Published: May 2011

So, you are taking a trip and have booked your flight, paid your bills, bought a travel insurance and made hotel bookings–all without talking to a single person. Of course, you used the Internet to accomplish your tasks. But how can you be sure that your personal information used to book flights, buy a travel insurance and make hotel bookings would not be used by the concerned companies to send you junk email or it is not sold to some direct marketers without your consent? How can you be sure that your personal information and credit card details were transmitted in a secure mode? How can you be sure that online businesses have proper high integrity business processes to handle your private information with due care? You may also have worries that if something does go wrong, i.e., your personal information is stolen, misused or abused, what recourse would you have. These are all legitimate social responsibility concerns which have surfaced more so in the information age because of technological advances and our growing reliance on information and communication technologies to carry out our daily work.
Electronic Commerce and Data Privacy
Authors: Henderson Sandra C. , Snyder Charles A. , Byrd Terry A.
Published: May 2011

Electronic commerce (e-commerce) has had a profound effect on the way we conduct business. It has impacted economies, markets, industry structures, and the flow of products through the supply chain. Despite the phenomenal growth of e-commerce and the potential impact on the revenues of businesses, there are problems with the capabilities of this technology. Organizations are amassing huge quantities of personal data about consumers. As a result, consumers are very concerned about the protection of their personal information and they want something done about the problem. This study examined the relationships between consumer privacy concerns, actual e-commerce activity, the importance of privacy policies, and regulatory preference. Using a model developed from existing literature and theory, an online questionnaire was developed to gauge the concerns of consumers. The results indicated that consumers are concerned about the protection of their personal information and feel that privacy policies are important. Consumers also indicated that they preferred government regulation to industry self-regulation to protect their personal information.
E-Commerce in the Financial Services Industry
Authors: Holowczak Richard
Published: May 2011

The financial services industry consists of retail financial services such as retail banking, consumer lending and mortgage banking, insurance (life, health, property) and financial markets. Each of these sectors has seen tremendous growth in the services and products delivered over public internetworks such as the Internet. The recent signing into law (November 1999) of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in the U.S. has enabled firms such as retail banks to provide an unprecedented array of financial services. As competition within the industry increases, firms of all sizes are looking to achieve competitive advantage through Electronic Commerce (EC). According to a recent study by the Securities Industry Association and the TowerGroup, securities firms in North America spent $3.9 billion on Internet-related information technology (21% of their total IT spending) in 1998, and this is expected to double by 2002 (SIA, 1999).
Towards Improved Representation and Communication of Pharmaceutical Expert Information
Authors: Wagner Markus
Published: May 2011

The main concern of healthcare management has ever been embodied by two conflicting goals. These are improving care quality while reducing care costs. Information technology already has proven its positive impact on both goals. While general administrative tasks are being performed more efficiently for some decades, expert-oriented systems are entering the medical domain with increasing support capabilities for domain-specific therapeutic procedures, leading to more secure and efficient therapy planning, monitoring and control.
Managing Real-Time Distributed Multimedia Applications
Authors: Kalogeraki Vana , Melliar-Smith Peter Michael , Moser Louise E.
Published: May 2011

Distributed multimedia applications are characterized by timing constraints and end-to-end quality of service (QoS) requirements, and therefore need efficient management mechanisms to respond to transient changes in the load or the availability of the resources. This chapter presents a real-time distributed multimedia framework, based on the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA), that provides resource management and Quality of Service for CORBA applications. The framework consists of multimedia components and resource management components. The multimedia components produce multimedia streams, and combine multimedia streams generated by individual sources into a single stream to be received by the users. The resource management components provide QoS guarantees during multimedia transmissions based on information obtained from monitoring the usage of the system’s resources.
A Model for Dynamic QoS Negotiation Applied to an MPEG4 Applications
Authors: Giordano Silvia , Cremonese Piergiorgio , Le Boudec Jean-Yves , Podesta Marta
Published: May 2011

The traffic generated by multimedia applications presents a great amount of burstiness, which can hardly be described by a static set of traffic parameters. The dynamic and efficient usage of the resources is one of the fundamental aspects of multimedia networks: the traffic specification should first reflect the real traffic demand, but optimize, at the same time, the resources requested. This chapter presents: a model for dynamically renegotiating the traffic specification (RVBR), how this can be integrated with the traffic reservation mechanism RSVP and an example of application able to accommodate its traffic to managing QoS dynamically. The remainder of this chapter focuses on the technique used to implement RVBR) taking into account problems deriving from delay during the renegotiation phase and on the performance of the application with MPEG4 traffic.
Introduction to Multicast Technology
Authors: Hosszu Gabor
Published: May 2011

The multimedia communication over the Internet needs the multicasting delivery scheme. In this chapter the sophisticated group management and routing protocols required for multicasting are presented. The different kinds of transport protocols for satisfying the special requirements of the multimedia applications are also included. Finally the current design principles of the multicast-based multimedia applications are discussed.
Multilayered Quality of Service
Authors: DaSilva Luiz A.
Published: May 2011

Today’s networks support applications that deliver text, audio, images and video, often in real time and with a high degree of interactivity, using a common infrastructure. More often than not, traffic is carried over packet-switched networks that treat all data the same, under what is known as best-effort service. Packet switching can achieve very high efficiency through statistical multiplexing of data from numerous sources; however, due to the very nature of packet switching, one should expect fluctuations in throughput, delay, reliability, etc., for any given flow. The greater the statistical multiplexing capabilities, the greater the efficiency and also the greater the variability of achieved performance; in this sense, best-effort service provides maximum efficiency with highly unpredictable service quality. Clearly, not all traffic flows are created equal. Interactive web-based applications tend to be very sensitive to throughput, while real-time voice and video are sensitive to delay and jitter, and traditional data applications such as e-mail and file transfers are fairly insensitive to fluctuations in performance. The concept of quality of service (QoS) has evolved from the realization that in networks that carry heterogeneous traffic it makes sense to treat specific classes of traffic according to their specific needs.
Voiceover IP
Authors: Hassan Mahbub , Jha Sanjay
Published: May 2011

As the name suggests, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) refers to the technology that allows transmission of voice over IP networks. Using VoIP, we can make telephone calls over the Internet or any IP-based corporate networks. With VoIP in place, the Internet does not remain a data-only network; it becomes a telephone network as well. So, what is the motivation for VoIP? There are several appealing reasons why we want this technology. The most compelling reason behind the emergence of this technology is the enormous cost savings through integration of both voice and data, two large revenue-making media for telecommunication companies, over the same communication infrastructure. The other major motivation for VoIP is the widespread adoption of IP platform. Today IP is a well-entrenched technology which is deployed in servers, routers, desktop PCs, laptops, and in many hand-held mobile devices, such as palmtops and PDAs. If voice signals could be transported over IP, then voice could be delivered to all these devices, making these devices much more useful than they already are. This chapter discusses several aspects of VoIP: (1) Advanced applications powered by VoIP, (2) the technical challenges and solutions for making VoIP a reality, (3) various VoIP configurations, and (4) the protocols and standards for VoIP. We conclude the chapter by discussing the future of VoIP.
Interactive Video on Enterprise Networks
Authors: Perey Christine
Published: May 2011

Historically, interactive video has been reserved for circuit-switched networks (e.g., ISDN) using the H.320 standard protocol for video signaling, encoding, decoding and media synchronization. Due to the high costs and complexity of bringing ISDN to individual users or facilities in certain regions of the world, the desire to leverage an expanding IP infrastructure, and to take advantage of the new management features in the latest interactive video servers, many network managers are planning to deploy multimedia over IP. Network architects recognize that multimedia over IP implementation details will vary from site to site, depending on a combination of internal business requirements and the unique conditions in a network at the time multimedia communications support goes in. This chapter will assist those who seek to introduce interactive video to their corporate IP network users as a first step towards network convergence. It will give the reader the benefit of lessons learned in past tests and trials, on howto deploy a network with state of the art technologies, capabilities that match user needs and the ability to evolve over time as user needs change.
Linux Systems as Network Infrastructure Components
Authors: Mancill Tony
Published: May 2011

LinuxTM has made a lot of noise in the media recently, but wide-scale corporate adoption has been cautious. This chapter introduces the reader to some of the reasons that Linux is going to play an important role as an Internet/network device in the coming years and why corporate technology strategists should consider it for their own environment. First, the term “Linux” is defined via a brief history lesson, and then examples of Linux deployment at each level of the OSI model are given. The reader will recognize the impetus for its rapid development and the explosive growth in its usage.
Fuzzy Boundaries, Strange Negotiations
Authors: Wenn Andrew
Published: May 2011

In 1997, attempting to focus attention on the imploding boundaries between organism and machine Mizuko Ito wrote about multi-user dungeons (MUDs). These are communities where people who have created online personae come together as a virtual community and act out roles in ways that they imagine this person would. Whilst others have extolled the virtualness of these online worlds (Benedikt, 1991; Heim, 1991; Rheingold, 1995), Ito showed us that there are other ways of seeing that reveal these worlds as a “complex interaction between a network of various ‘real world’ material technologies as well as the cultural capital of its users and designers” (Ito 1997, p. 91). Whilst much of Turkle’s (1996) book focuses on life beyond the screen and people’s behavior in what many see as the virtuality of cyberspace, towards the end of the book, she hints that there is a physical world that these “cyberplayers” are bound to and will ultimately die in (1996). In a rather more pragmatic vein, Cringley reminds us that some one has to do the wiring, that there is a complex material technology beneath all this. It is this interplay between the virtual and material technologies that I wish to explore here.
Towards a Framework for Government Portal Design
Authors: Detlor Brian , Finn Kim
Published: May 2011

This chapter identifies and describes factors that inhibit and promote successful electronic government portal design. These factors are based on a review of recent research on both electronic government initiatives and corporate portal implementations. The result is a generalized framework for government portal design. To test its viability, the framework is used as a lens to analyze a current case study, specifically a portal project led by the Government of Canada to support Canadian youth citizens. The framework offers an effective preliminary construct by which to focus and pinpoint pertinent issues surrounding government portal design.
e-Government in Sweden
Authors: Wiberg Mikael , Gronlund Ake
Published: May 2011

The Internet has often been envisioned to have decentralizing effects. Not only should the technology in theory have the potential for making it easier to live and run companies in rural areas, but also this is in fact supposed to happen on such a scale that the countryside would achieve a development similar to that in urban areas. In Europe, and certainly in Sweden, governments–long before Internet use became widespread–established policies to help development in rural areas. It seems then that the Internet would come as a welcome gift, as it is supposed to facilitate such policies; indeed rather make them obsolete if it in fact were true that Internet use would inherently lead to decentralization. This chapter reviews a study concerned with how Swedish government agencies used IT during the period of 1985-1999–to centralize or to decentralize?
Distance Education
Authors: Matthews Diane A.
Published: May 2011

Technology-based distance education is emerging as an increasingly visible feature of post-secondary education in the United States (U.S. Department of Education, 1999). Educators have the opportunity to define, design, and manage effective and robust teaching and learning systems, programs, and courses. As distance learning becomes a serious alternative to the standard classroom environment, enormous opportunities and dilemmas present themselves for the players. This chapter examines the technology used in distance education; the type of student utilizing distance education; advantages and disadvantages for the student, the instructor, and the institution in the use of distance education; and the players involved—including higher education institutions, virtual universities, states, and consortia.
Establishing Successful Online Distance Learning Environments
Authors: Schrum Lynne , Benson Angela
Published: May 2011

This chapter looks at factors that promote development and implementation of successful online distance learning environments from the perspectives of educators and learners. It provides an overview of current tensions between the requirements of the faculty, the needs of the students, and the forces driving the development of online programs. The work is based on the authors’ current research as well as past experiences in the design, development, and delivery of online distance learning environments.
From e-Commerce to m-Commerce
Authors: Tan Clarence N.W. , Teo Tiok-Woo
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an overview of prevailing trends and developments shaping m-Commerce (mobile commerce) and the wireless economy. A detailed roadmap of the evolving mobile technology landscape is first presented. An intuitive review of the many basic underlying building blocks attempts to demystify the alphabet soup that wireless telecommunications infrastructure is often deemed to be. Interesting mobile Internet deployment and adoption demographics are highlighted. Commercial ramifications of actual and potential wireless application implementations are emphasized. Pertinent issues serving to promote or impede m-commerce take-off are examined. A case study is also included, profiling an industry-leading m-Commerce Web portal.
Only Connect? The Impact of the Internet on Lived Experience
Authors: Turnbull Neil
Published: May 2011

Those of us who live in the ‘late-modern’ developed world live in a world that is increasingly technological in character. This is not a new insight by any means; and it is usual to begin discussions of the likely personal, social or cultural impacts of new technologies with some acknowledgment of this fact. However, the commonplace nature of this observation should not be allowed to disguise its significance; and a mere cursory examination of the recent history of our involvement with some of the most significant and broadly used technologies reveals a truly startling state of affairs.
The Internet
Authors: Paul Ray J.
Published: May 2011

Problem formulation, data collection, modeling, testing running, analyzing and results–these are the pre-Internet staged approaches to decision aiding, when the modeling time allowed to the analyst was to some extent determined by the fact there were few alternative approaches that were either better and/or faster. It is possible that the Internet now facilitates “cut-and-paste” modeling, the development of an acceptable approximate model, suitable for the immediate decision, constructed from bits of programs from anywhere on the Web. It is this possibility that is examined in this chapter. First we look at classical decision modeling, then at a hypothesized Internet alternative approach and lastly mention some dangers of the Internet approach, which is, what might happen to the benefits of mental activity?
Managing Dynamic Virtual Enterprises Using FIPA Agents
Authors: Ouzounis Vaggelis
Published: May 2011

Virtual enterprises (VEs) enable the deployment of distributed business processes among different partners in order to shorten development and manufacturing cycles, reduce time to market and operational costs, increase customer satisfaction, and operate on global scale and reach. Dynamic virtual enterprises are an emerging category of VE where the different partners are being selected dynamically during business process execution based on market-driven criteria and negotiation. In this chapter, we present an agent-based platform for the management of dynamic VEs. The main contributions of this approach are the distributed, autonomous agent-based business process management, the XML-based business process definition language, the flexible ontologies, and the dynamic negotiation and selection of partners based on virtual marketplaces. The presented platform has been fully developed using emerging agent and Internet standards like FIPA, MASIF, and XML.
Evaluating the Success of Virtual Corporations With CONECT
Authors: Wohlgemuth Oliver , Hess Thomas
Published: May 2011

A fundamental condition precedent to strategic decisions of virtual corporations and their partners is a profound knowledge of the cooperation’s success. This paper discusses different evaluation methods and elaborates a specific technique for multidimensional appraisals of success. It reports the first outcomes and implications of its practical use at a consultancy network.
Designing Component-Based Heuristic Search Engines for Knowledge Discovery
Authors: Howard Craig M.
Published: May 2011

The overall size of software packages has grown considerably over recent years. Modular programming, object-oriented design and the use of static and dynamic libraries have all contributed towards the reusability and maintainability of these packages. One of the latest methodologies that aims to further improve software design is the use of component-based services. The Component Object Model (COM) is a specification that provides a standard for writing software components that are easily interoperable. The most common platform for component libraries is on Microsoft Windows, where COM objects are an integral part of the operating system and used extensively in most major applications. This chapter examines the use of COM in the design of search engines for knowledge discovery and data mining using modern heuristic techniques and how adopting this approach benefits the design of a commercial toolkit. The chapter describes how search engines have been implemented as COM objects and how representation and problem components have been created to solve rule induction problems in data mining.
Clustering Mixed Incomplete Data
Authors: Ruiz-Shulcloper Jose , Sanchez-Diaz Guillermo , Abidi Mongi A.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we expose the possibilities of the Logical Combinatorial Pattern Recognition (LCPR) tools for Clustering Large and Very Large Mixed Incomplete Data (MID) Sets. We start from the real existence of a number of complex structures of large or very large data sets. Our research is directed towards the application of methods, techniques and in general, the philosophy of the LCPR to the solution of supervised and unsupervised classification problems. In this chapter, we introduce the GLC and DGLC clustering algorithms and the GLC+ clustering method in order to process large and very large mixed incomplete data sets.
Inca Foods
Authors: Santana J. Martin , Serida Jaime , Diaz Antonio
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the evolution of electronic commerce at Inca Foods, the largest supermarket chain in Peru. In 1997, it launched its virtual store as an additional way to improve customer service. The new service represented a challenge to the firm because Peru has a low Internet penetration rate and Peruvian people are used to shopping only in stores through face-to-face interactions. However, an unanticipated consequence of going online has been the response Inca Foods has been getting from Peruvian communities overseas. Because of the difficult economic situation in Peru, many people have left the country in search for new opportunities. Most of these people regularly send money to support their families in Peru. Now, Inca Foods provides them with an alternative way to do that. Inca Foods expects to achieve a high level of sales through this channel and is getting ready for it. This will help the firm to consolidate its leading position in the market, and it will constitute a new model for physical distribution of goods sold worldwide through the Web.
Turning E-Commerce Theory into Action in Ireland
Authors: Yermish Ira , Bondanza Dale A.
Published: May 2011

E-Europe is not a place or a group of countries but the philosophy of an emerging region within the scope of a technological revolution. E-Europe can be viewed from many perspectives including Euro currency makeup, European Union membership, or technological contributions to the region. Ireland, the “Celtic Tiger,” presents an interesting opportunity of entrepreneurial activity. As Evans and Wurster (2000) have pointed out, the traditional value chains may be redefined. The availability of the Internet as an enabling communications technology has markedly changed the possibilities for countries far from the centers of economic power. On the other hand, the realities of the Internet have been obvious. Porter (2001) and Kanter (2001) have identified many of the realistic strategies for traditional and new businesses. Yet there will always be room for new ventures provided, of course, that entrepreneurs understand these issues and this challenging environment. Joshi and Yermish (2000) have summarized the challenges facing the entrepreneur in this kind of environment.
E*Trade Securities, Inc., Pioneer Online Trader, Struggles to Stay on Top
Authors: Elegant Adam T. , Montealegre Ramiro
Published: May 2011

E*Trade revolutionized the securities brokerage industry by “creating” Internet trading. E*Trade’s original strategy was to deliver cost savings to customers while amortizing fixed costs over a greater number of accounts. In 1997, several competitors established Internet sites and E*Trade was dethroned as the price leader. Its management team introduced a strategic initiative to transform the company into a financial, one-stop shop for investors. The initiative included expanding its information technology, improving its marketing and advertising program, and developing new strategic alliances. By early 1999, E*Trade had established a popular Web site offering the convenience and control of automated stock, options, and mutual fund order placement at low commission rates. E*Trade’s success pleased management but was challenged by fierce competition and emerging ethical and operational problems.
Nothing but the Blues
Authors: Chao Tracy , Stovel Bruce
Published: May 2011

Too often, computers become the focus of a technological integration endeavor in education. Instructors may well be excited about the potential uses of computer-assisted education, but at the same time feel lost in a high-tech jungle. However, computer technology is just a means to an end. The real question for instructors and course designers is how to understand a course holistically, including its goals, content, structure, teaching methods, and even the underlying theories of learning. This holistic analysis helps determine the best way to incorporate technology, or a variety of technologies, to deliver a course effectively. This chapter describes, through a case study, this holistic approach towards course design and presents the implications for using educational technologies in a conventional classroom setting.
Concepts of Emergence Index in Image Databases
Authors: Deb Sagarmay , Zhang Yanchun
Published: May 2011

Emergence is a phenomenon where we study the implicit or hidden meaning of an image. We introduce this concept in image database access and retrieval of images using this as an index for retrieval. This would give an entirely different search outcome than ordinary than search where emergence is not considered, as consideration of hidden meanings could change the index of search. We discuss emergence, emergence index and approach how to apply this concept in image retrieval in this chapter.
Video Abstraction Techniques for a Digital Library
Authors: Kang Hang-Bong
Published: May 2011

The abstraction of a long video is often useful to a user in determining whether the video is worth viewing or not. In particular, video abstraction guarantees users of digital libraries with the fast, safe and reliable access of video data. Two approaches, such as summary sequences and highlights are possible in video abstraction. The summary sequences are good for documentaries because they give an overview of the contents of the entire video, whereas highlights are good for movie trailers because they contain only the most interesting video segments. The video abstraction can be generated by three steps: analyzing video, selecting video clips, and synthesizing the output. In the analyzing video step, salient features, structures, or patterns in visual information, audio information, and textual information are detected. In the selecting step, meaningful clips are selected from detected features in the previous step. In the output synthesis step, the selected video clips are composed into the final form of the abstract. In this chapter, we will discuss various video abstraction techniques for digital libraries. In addition, we will also discuss a context-based video abstraction method in which contextual information of the video shot is computed. This method is useful in generating highlights because the contextual information of the video shot reflects semantics in video data.
Broadcasting Approaches for VOD Services
Authors: Yang Ming-Hour , Tseng Yu-Chee
Published: May 2011

A VoD system is typically implemented by a client-server architecture supported by certain transport networks such as telecom, CATV, or satellite networks. The simplest scheme is to dedicate a channel to each client. Many VCR-like functions may be provided (e.g., forward, rewind, pause, search, etc.). Since video is an isochronous medium, the video server has to reserve a sufficient amount of network bandwidth and I/O bandwidth for each video stream before committing to a client’s request. Apparently, such systems may easily run out of channels because the growth of the number of channels can never keep up with the growth of the number of clients. To solve this problem, many schemes have been proposed to resolve the bandwidth problem. In this chapter, we review two kinds of broadcasting schemes. The first one is the batching scheme, in which a set of viewers arriving close in time will be collected and grouped together. Then the video server will serve them altogether with one channel. The second one is the periodic broadcasting approach. The server uses multiple dedicated channels to cooperatively broadcast one video. Each channel is responsible for broadcasting some portion of the video. Each client follows some reception rule to grab data from appropriate channels so as to play the whole video continuously. The server’s broadcasting activity is independent of the arrivals of requests. Such an approach is more appropriate for popular or “hot” videos that may interest many viewers during a certain period of time.
A Multimedia Database Supports Internet-Based English Learning
Authors: Wang Ying-Hong
Published: May 2011

This work presents a novel English distance learning system that was developed through multimedia database and Internet technologies called English Multimedia Corpus. The system includes English articles, dialogs, and videos. A student can study English writing and reading as well as view Web browser listings to connect the Corpus server. In the system, semantic query and “Link grammar” are applied to construct the English Multimedia Corpus system. Furthermore, it promotes the query level from keyword-base and content-based query to a semantic level. The main function of this system is to query the English sentence pattern through keywords from the English Multimedia Corpus. The other function is to detect grammatical errors in written English. Thus, the system not only teaches English grammar, but also, due to its database, allows teachers to understand the most frequent mistakes.
Use of the Frame Synchronization Technique to Improve the Visualization Realism on the Web
Authors: Huang Jiung-Yao
Published: May 2011

Along with the popularity of the World Wide Web (WWW), merging the virtual reality technique into the WWW environment is a popular area of research in recent years. The emerging of the VRML standard is the result of such effort. The panoramic image viewer is another achievement of this type of research. However, these two types of browsers have their own merits and faults, and these differences are revealed in the discrepancy of their respective user interfaces. This chapter presents a frame synchronization technique so that the display on the VRML browser can harmonize with the picture of the panoramic image viewer. This chapter first presents an in-depth full comparison of these two browsers, and then draws out the issues that are essential to synchronize the frame displays on these two browsers. The equations and mechanisms to enable such synchronization then follow. Finally, the frame synchronization mechanism that was implemented with experiments to demonstrate its effectiveness is also given. The frame synchronization mechanism provides a simple yet effective method to increase visualization realism inside the virtual world without sacrificing the freedom of navigation.
Future Multimedia Databases and Research Directions
Authors: Chang Chin-Chen , Hung Yi-Ping , Shih Timothy K. , Hwang Ren-Junn
Published: May 2011

Distributed Multimedia Databases will be a trend for future information repository. With the growing popularity of the Internet and the improvement of its bandwidth, the accessibility, diversity, mobility, and scalability of multimedia information retrieval will accelerate information exchange in our global society. Previous chapters presented in this book cover most of the recent issues in distributed multimedia systems. This final chapter points out some research issues and challenges of the underlying new technologies.
Multirate Systems and Filterbanks
Authors: Saramaki Tapio , Bregovic Robert
Published: May 2011

During the last two decades, multirate filter banks have found various applications in many different areas, such as speech coding, scrambling, adaptive signal processing, image compression, signal and image processing applications as well as transmission of several signals through the same channel (Malvar, 1992a; Vaidyanathan, 1993; Vetterli and Kovacevic, 1995; Fliege, 1994; Misiti, Misiti, Oppenheim and Poggi, 1996). The main idea of using multirate filter banks is the ability of the system to separate in the frequency domain the signal under consideration into two or more signals or to compose two or more different signals into a single signal.
A/D Conversion Applications
Authors: Fischer Godi
Published: May 2011

We begin our excursion into the field of data conversion by reviewing the most frequently applied conversion principles. The next section explains the fundamentals of delta-sigma modulation. This paves the way for the section which provides a case study of a delta-sigma based high-resolution ADC system intended for a sonar application. This design example not only illustrates the various trade-offs on the architectural level but also addresses practical implementation issues on the physical level. Finally, the last section summarizes our findings and contains some concluding remarks.
Credit Rating Classification Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Tan Roger P.G.H. , van den Berg Jan , van den Bergh Willem-Max
Published: May 2011

In this case study, we apply the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) technique to a financial business problem. The case study is mainly written from an investor’s point of view giving much attention to the insights provided by the unique visualization capabilities of the SOM. The results are compared to results from other, more common, econometric techniques. Because of limitations of space, our description is quite compact in several places. For those interested in more details, we refer to Tan (2000).
Assessing the Risks of IT-Enabled Jobs
Authors: Lally Laura
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides a managerially oriented analysis of the risk factors involved as Information Technology becomes a more integral part of jobs on both an operational and managerial level. The chapter will summarize the human side risks of IT-enabled jobs, especially in organizations that have used IT to restructure more traditional jobs. Topics will include the following categories of risk. First, the risks of using IT to create combined “case manager” jobs, recommended by reengineering advocates (Davenport & Nohria, 1994) will be examined. Employees in these positions must assume greater accountability for their work and often find their jobs more stressful and demanding than their predecessors. Another problem with combined jobs is the loss of separation of duties that arises when jobs are combined. Secondly, the risks of using IT to reduce the numbers of levels of management will be examined. Reengineering advocates call for organizations to eliminate levels of middle management and create flatter, more efficient structures. As a result, managers in reengineered organizations are also likely to suffer from the information overload, rising job demands, and stress that operational level employees do. Internal control theory also expresses concern about the potential for managerial fraud and warns organizations to be on the lookout for “pressures and opportunities” that would drive an individual in a position of trust to do serious damage (Cushing & Romney, 1999).
Computer-Mediated Communication - The Power of Email as a Driver for Changing the Communication Paradigm
Authors: Willis Dianne
Published: May 2011

Email has been with us now for a long time and is being increasingly adopted as a major communication tool in UK Higher Education (HE) establishments (colleges of Higher and Further Education and universities). As the use of email grows, the effect on communication patterns needs to be established. This chapter looks at current communication and working practices within a Higher Education institution in the UK (the author’s own). A survey has been conducted to elicit people’s feelings about the use of email and how they see future patterns of communication developing within the establishment. The questions that the survey set out to answer were as follows: • Preferred methods of communication; • Advantages and disadvantages of each of the communication methods utilized at Leeds Metropolitan University (LMU); • Efficiency of email; • Items not suitable for email transmission; • Ethical considerations in using email; • Who is contacted using email; and • Increase or decrease of email usage in the future. The specific focus of the survey was to elicit how staff feel about the increasing dependence on the use of email within the institution, and these findings are discussed in the results section. The chapter will present a literature review of the area, the framework for the study, the methodology utilized, the results of the questionnaire, conclusions and future trends.
A Strategic Systems Perspective of Organizational Learning
Authors: Neece Olivia Ernst
Published: May 2011

Organizational learning is an “umbrella” term that connects a variety of topics including: learning curves, organizational memory, organizational forgetting, knowledge transfer, knowledge sharing, knowledge assets, dynamic capabilities, knowledge management, and knowledge creation. This chapter will review some of these theories and extend Huber’s taxonomy of organizational learning literature. Several systemic theories of learning organizations and knowledge-based organizations are discussed and then the literature is linked to a process model of learning. In conclusion, implications are evoked for further research at a variety of organizations toward a generalizable theory of innovative environments and their organizational learning practices. A short case study of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, its organizational learning based policies, and how these policies relate to the process model is included.
Cultural Characteristics of IT Professionals
Authors: Gerulat Robert W.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to present data and analysis from research that focused on the human side of IT. In an effort to determine the potential effects of outsourcing on the shared norms, values, beliefs, and assumptions of IT professionals, a two-part study was conducted using ethnographic research methods. Its first goal was to identify the cultural characteristics of IT professionals as an occupational group. The second goal was to determine how the cultural characteristics might potentially be affected by the phenomenon of outsourcing. The data and analysis that follow pertain to the first part of the study.
The Development of IT/Community Partnerships at a Small Regional University
Authors: Borton John , Lassila Kathy
Published: May 2011

Lacking the resources and national recognition of large universities, small regional universities and state colleges must employ different strategies in the formation of IT partnerships with community organizations. Opportunities for mutually beneficial relationships with K-12 students and parents, current CIS students and alumni, CIS faculty, local businesses, the local IT industry, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and current and prospective employers of program graduates are plentiful. These relationships can lead to stronger curriculum, improved student job opportunities, increased enrollments, high quality adjunct faculty, private funding sources, and enhanced reputation of the IT program and the university within the region.
Strategies for Consultancy Engagement for E-Business Development - A Case Analysis of Australian SMEs
Authors: Bode Shirley , Burn Janice
Published: May 2011

It is estimated that there are 1,004,200 private sector small businesses in Australia, of which almost 900,000 were non-agricultural businesses, and 104,500 in the agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses (DEWRSB, 1997). It is also estimated that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)1 employ 51% of the private sector workforce (SBDC, 1999) and so make a substantial contribution to the nation’s economy and employment. This pattern is not unique to Australia but reflected in many developed and developing economies around the world. In general, therefore, SMEs have been strongly encouraged by government to embrace the new e-business environment and expand their global reach with enhanced productivity. However, the relationship between SMEs and e-business has been found to be an uncomfortable fit. SMEs have been reluctant to adopt electronic commerce principles and practices in their day-to-day business transactions (Beer, 1999; DIST, 1998; Shern, 1998; SBI, 1998; Yen, 1998) for a wide variety of reasons.
Options for Business-to-Consumer E-Commerce in Developing Countries
Authors: Klepper Robert , Carrington Andrew
Published: May 2011

Business-to-consumer electronic commerce in the developing world is hampered by a host of technological, cultural, economic, political and legal problems (Davis, 1999; Enns and Huff, 1999; Janczewski, 1992). Viewed from the perspective of consumers, the most fundamental requirement–Internet access–is unavailable to many. For example, Africa has the lowest rate of Internet access in the world–less than 1% in a population of nearly 800 million (Dunphy, 2000). As dramatic as measures of the digital divide may be, one can easily argue that investment priorities in the areas of health and education should rightfully come before investment in a larger Internet infrastructure for Africa or other developing areas of the world (Verhovek, 2000). Nonetheless, Internet access does exist for the few, and Internet access will grow in the future for a market of literate users in medium and large cities. Certainly this has been the pattern in Asia and Latin America where Internet cafes and kiosks or their equivalent have sprung up offering relatively inexpensive access, even for those who do not own microcomputers or have telephone service in their homes (Davis, 1999; Richtel, 2001).
Enterprise Resource Planning and Knowledge Management Systems
Authors: Huang Jimmy C. , Newell Sue , Galliers Robert D. , Pan Shan-Ling
Published: May 2011

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and knowledge management (KM) promise organizations the benefits of enhancing competitiveness and continuous revitalization. This chapter compares the characteristic differences and similarities between the two initiatives and examines how they influence organizational efficiency and flexibility when implemented within a global engineering firm. We suggest that the two initiatives are conceptually complementary but can only create a synergy when the design of organizational routines and practices fits into the metaroutines imposed by ERP and KM, and the social processes are nurtured within functions and cross-functionally.
Integrity Constraints in an Active Database Environment
Authors: Ale Juan M. , Espil Mauricio Minuto
Published: May 2011

This chapter surveys the interaction between active rules and integrity constraints. First, we analyze the static case following the SQL-1999 Standard Committee point of view which, up to date, represents the state of the art. Then, we consider the case of dynamic constraints for which we use a temporal logic formalism. Finally, we discuss the applicability, limitations and partial solutions found when attempting to ensure the satisfaction of dynamic constraints.
Success Factors in Leveraging the Corporate Information and Knowledge Resource Through Intranets
Authors: Breu Karin , Ward John , Murray Peter
Published: May 2011

The chapter presents the empirical findings of two large organizations’ attempts at competitively leveraging the knowledge and information sharing capabilities of intranets. The work sought to identify the organization and management requirements that are critical to the realization of business benefits of intranet investments. The qualitative analysis suggests that intranets do provide a communications infrastructure that enables communities to exploit their information and knowledge resources for improved business performance provided a number of enabling changes is implemented. Next to the provision of continual user training, the user community must compile the business case, appoint the content manager, and negotiate guidelines for use. Unless these organizational and management changes constitute an integral part of the implementation strategy, the intranet will fail to deliver its investment objectives.
Knowledge Acquisition and Management
Authors: Johnson Jean L.
Published: May 2011

This chapter provides an integrative review and synthesis of the knowledge acquisition and management literature. As a starting point, the role of the individual in organizational learning processes is discussed and reconciled. This issue is extended and discussed for the virtual setting. In following sections, the author derives three major theoretical principles from the literature synthesis. These include the knowledge types, knowledge acquisition processes, and organizational memory. Again, each of these principles are extended to the virtual setting. Based on the integration of these principles, a number of conceptual refinements are offered and important strategic implications elaborated. Subsequently, the strategic implications are contrasted and developed for the virtual setting. Communication constraints inherent to the virtual organization bring a unique and likely problematic set of issues with regard to the development and management of organizational knowledge.
Group Support Systems and the Removal of Barriers to Creative Idea Generation within Small Groups
Authors: Klein Esther E.
Published: May 2011

This chapter explores the use of group support systems (GSSs) with anonymous interaction capability as a means of enhancing creativity in small groups by inhibiting normative influence. GSS anonymity provides an environment in which social cues (e.g., social presence, status, gender, seniority) are masked, thus ensuring merit-based evaluation of ideas and equalizing participation rates. The central argument of this chapter is that anonymity-featured GSSs inhibit the exertion of normative influence on lower-status, junior, shy or female members and thereby removes barriers to creative idea generation. The author applies this argument to organizational small task-oriented groups, focus groups and classrooms, where GSSs have the potential for encouraging all participants to propose creative ideas by allowing all participants an equal voice.