bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Development of a Parallel Ray Launching Algorithm for Wireless Network Planning
Authors: Lai Zhihua , Bessis Nik , De La Roche Guillaume , Kuonen Pierre , Zhang Jie , Clapworthy Gordon J.
Published: October 2011

Propagation modeling has attracted much interest because it plays an important role in wireless network planning and optimization. Deterministic approaches such as ray tracing and ray launching have been investigated, however, due to the running time constraint, these approaches are still not widely used. In previous work, an intelligent ray launching algorithm, namely IRLA, has been proposed. The IRLA has proven to be a fast and accurate algorithm and adapts to wireless network planning well. This article focuses on the development of a parallel ray launching algorithm based on the IRLA. Simulations are implemented, and evaluated performance shows that the parallelization greatly shortens the running time. The COST231 Munich scenario is adopted to verify algorithm behavior in real world environments, and observed results show a 5 times increased speedup upon a 16-processor cluster. In addition, the parallelization algorithm can be easily extended to larger scenarios with sufficient physical resources.
Distributed Adaptive Windowed Stream Join Processing
Authors: Tran Tri Minh , Lee Byung Suk
Published: October 2011

This paper presents an adaptive framework for processing a window-based multi-way join query over distributed data streams. The framework integrates distributed plan modification and distributed plan migration within the same scope by using a building block called the node operator set (NOS). An NOS is housed in each node that participates in the join execution, and specifies the set of atomic operations to be performed locally at the host node to execute its share of the global execution plan. The plan modification and migration techniques presented are for the case of updating the NOSs centralized at a single node and the case of updating them distributed at each node. The plan modification is triggered by the change of stream statistics and adjusts the join execution order and placement greedily to satisfy a cost invariant. The plan migration uses the distributed track strategy to accelerate the migration of window extents to new nodes. The migration of all window extents is synchronized. Experiments confirm the effectiveness of the developed adaptive framework on reducing the join execution cost and indicate a small additional adaptation-overhead for distributing the NOS update.
Semantic Matchmaking and Decision Support System for Dependable Supplier Selection in the Extended Enterprise Supply Chain
Authors: Salam A. F.
Published: October 2011

Increasingly firms are competing through the formation of extended enterprises. An extended enterprise consists of a set of firms within a value chain that collaborate to produce a finished product. The case of dependable supplier selection, in the context of the extended enterprise, is complex where the focal firm has to select the supplier(s) for a specific class of customers depending on the value of those customers to the focal firm and the extended enterprise. This process requires careful consideration of a set of selection criteria to be used in selecting the suppliers. In this article, a semantic intelligent agent-based architecture and decision support system are presented for selecting dependable suppliers in the context of extended enterprise.
Automatic Item Weight Generation for Pattern Mining and its Application
Authors: Koh Yun Sing , Pears Russel , Dobbie Gillian
Published: October 2011

Association rule mining discovers relationships among items in a transactional database. Most approaches assume that all items within a dataset have a uniform distribution with respect to support. However, this is not always the case, and weighted association rule mining (WARM) was introduced to provide importance to individual items. Previous approaches to the weighted association rule mining problem require users to assign weights to items. In certain cases, it is difficult to provide weights to all items within a dataset. In this paper, the authors propose a method that is based on a novel Valency model that automatically infers item weights based on interactions between items. The authors experiment shows that the weighting scheme results in rules that better capture the natural variation that occurs in a dataset when compared with a miner that does not employ a weighting scheme. The authors applied the model in a real world application to mine text from a given collection of documents. The use of item weighting enabled the authors to attach more importance to terms that are distinctive. The results demonstrate that keyword discrimination via item weighting leads to informative rules.
Measuring Lecturers’ Perception of Transition to E-Learning Systems and Digital Divide
Authors: Mercangöz Burcu Adigüzel , Çilan Çigdem Aricigil , Balaban M. Erdal
Published: October 2011

The development of internet technology has affected spread of e-learning programs. Students have been attending e-learning programs worldwide. For example, students in Turkey have increasingly been using this technology to attend e-MBA programs. Due to constraints like lecturers, ability to use technology and the infrastructure of information technologies in current education systems it is not possible to reach high levels of higher education. In this paper, the authors measure lecturers’ behaviors toward e-learning activities. The study gauges their ability to use information technology, perceptions about the advantages of e-learning program, and readiness for the transition. Data are provided from a survey conducted in the School of Business Administration at Istanbul University. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests are used to analyze the data. These tests measure the digital divide between academicians taking into account their academic qualifications, gender and departments.
Innovation in Learning
Authors: Arpaci Ibrahim , Gürbüz Tarkan
Published: October 2011

Innovation is a key for the growth, productivity, competitiveness, survival, and profitability in the today’s competitive world. This paper examines the relevant aspects of literature on invention and innovation concepts, including characteristics of innovation, types of innovation, diffusion of innovation, innovation process, types of innovators, importance of innovation, tools and techniques for innovation. This study forms an extensive review of relevant academic literature through continuous iterative and comprehensive literature study to develop a conceptual framework. Consequently, tools and techniques to generate new ideas for innovation are explored and, to improve learning, how these innovative tools and techniques can be used in educational settings is explained.
Towards an Affordance-Based Theory of Collaborative Action (CoAct)
Authors: Nosek John T.
Published: October 2011

Collaborative Action provides a novel approach to modeling interaction among users and machines and IT-mediated collaboration among people to solve problems. CoAct extends the notions of affordance and moves away from idiosyncratic, subjective mental models of the world to the notion that actors with similar capacities to act can potentially discern similar action possibilities in the world. It changes the direction from discovery and alignment of internal representations to mutual attunement of collaborators to build sufficient capabilities, share informational structures, and calibrate selectivity to achieve shared affordances. CoAct has the potential to influence such diverse areas as usability engineering, information overload, and group decision making. CoAct can be used at multiple levels of granularity, from fine granularity of a single interaction to tracking intermediate progress and results of a set of interactions. Propositions based on CoAct are presented. An initial experiment provides some support for an affordance-based approach to information sharing/design.
Adoption of Social Media by Online Retailers
Authors: Karimov Farhod P. , Brengman Malaika
Published: October 2011

In the online environment, the absence of social presence may prevent consumers from purchasing online, while it can enhance their trust, loyalty and enjoyment toward the e-retailer. Thus, today many online retailers try to create social presence by adopting media-rich technologies. In this paper, the authors assess to what degree social media cues are currently adopted by thriving web-vendors and on that basis speculate about future developments. To this purpose, 210 top B2C e-commerce websites have been content analyzed to identify how they differ in the deployment of diverse social media cues. While a wide range of social media cues are adopted by a majority of top e-retailers, a number of more advanced social media features like avatars, recommendation agents, and video-streams are in their infancy where adoption is concerned. The paper demonstrates that the utilization of social media features differs according to the monetary and symbolic value of products sold by the e-commerce vendors.
Why do eGovernment Projects Fail? Risk Factors of Large Information Systems Projects in the Greek Public Sector
Authors: Loukis Euripidis , Charalabidis Yannis
Published: October 2011

This paper presents an empirical study of the risk factors of large governmental information systems (IS) projects. For this purpose the Official Decisions of the Greek Government Information Technology Projects Advisory Committee (ITPAC) concerning 80 large IS projects have been analyzed and interviews with its members have been conducted. From this analysis 21 risk factors have been identified, and further elaborated and associated with inherent particular characteristics of the public sector, extending existing approaches in the literature. A categorization of them with respect to origin revealed that they are associated with the management, the processes, and the content of these projects. Results show that behind the identified risk factors there are political factors, which are associated with intra-organizational and inter-organizational politics and competition, and can be regarded as ‘second level’ risk sources. The risk factors identified in this study are compared with the ones found by similar studies conducted in Hong Kong, Finland, and the United States, and also with the ones mentioned by OECD reports. Similarities and differences are discussed.
The Environment as Part of the E-Government Agenda
Authors: Gil-Egui Gisela , Vásquez William F. , Mebus Alissa M. , Sherrier Sarah C.
Published: October 2011

This paper explores national governments’ prioritization of environmental matters within their e-government websites, in order to provide empirical evidence related to the way “green” issues are articulated in different countries’ policymaking agendas. Through a multi-pronged methodological approach combining frame analysis, factor analysis, inferential statistics, and qualitative interpretation, explicit and visual allusions related to environmental policies, initiatives, challenges, and agencies in the home page or main portal of the national governments for 189 UN members were coded. Results show that only 39.1% of the analyzed e-government sites included environmental references, and no strong pattern characterized the framing of environmental concerns by governments. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that GDP per capita and contribution to global CO2 emissions have more weight than other variables in a nation’s propensity to highlight environmental issues within their e-government websites. Findings are discussed in light of framing theory, as well as in light of implications for governments’ public image and for actual environmental advocacy.
Diffusion of Personalized E-Government Services among Dutch Municipalities
Authors: Homburg Vincent M.F , Dijkshoorn Andres
Published: October 2011

This article describes the trend of personalization in electronic service delivery, with a special focus on municipal electronic service delivery in the Netherlands. Personalization of electronic services refers to the one-to-one citizen orientation using authentication, profiling and customization techniques. The percentage of Dutch municipalities offering services through personalized electronic counters has increased from 14% (2006) to 28% (2009). Using binary logistic regression analyses of 2008 survey data, it is concluded that personalization is positively associated with size of municipalities but not with e-government and policy innovation statements, nor with explicit political responsibility with respect to e-government development. Based on these findings, alternative explanations for the adoption and diffusion of personalized e-government services are suggested.
Applications of Policy Based Agents in Wireless Body Sensor Mesh Networks for Patient Health Monitoring
Authors: Miller Kevin , Sankaranarayanan Suresh
Published: October 2011

Considerable research interest in using wireless and mobile technologies in patient health monitoring exists, particularly in hospitals and nursing homes. For health monitoring, an intelligent agent based hierarchical architecture was presented in the authors’ previous work. The technique of monitoring and notifying the health of patients using an intelligent agent, to the concerned hospital personnel, was proposed. This paper presents the details of the functioning of four main intelligent agents, i.e., the nurse agent, the sensor agent, the database agent, and the ward boy agent, for intimating the health information to the concerned doctor in the hospital, based on certain policies relevant to the hospital. The policies worked based on the temperature parameter monitored by the nurse agent. This paper considers an example of the physiological parameter i.e., the body temperature monitoring, for policy based agent implementation. The implementation was carried out using JADE-LEAP agent development kit.
Strategic Management of Network Resources
Authors: Antero Michelle , Riis Philip Holst
Published: October 2011

This paper applies the resource-based view (RBV) theory to a case study aimed at identifying the complementary resources among partners in the ERPCorp ecosystem of development and implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Denmark. The paper analyzes these resources in terms of being valuable, rare, inimitable, immobile, and non-substitutable in the ERP solutions market. The study found four key complementary resources that contribute to competitive advantage, namely: (1) ERP core product; (2) horizontal add-ons; (3) vertical add-ons; and (4) customer specific add-ons. The paper examines the potential impact of an ERP vendor’s business development strategy that includes changing the ERP solution from a horizontal to a vertical focus, and increasing the partner certification requirements to be part of the ecosystem. The evidence suggests that the strategy, if implemented successfully, maintains competitive advantage for the ERPCorp ecosystem through effectively combining resources and leveraging lock-in and network effects.
Linking the Impact of IT Investments to Productivity and Profitability
Authors: Rao Mohan P. , Mandal Purnendu
Published: October 2011

Implementing IT (information technology) systems such as ERP (enterprise resource planning) requires huge investments. Measuring the impact of these investments on productivity and profitability is extremely important for business managers. Many studies have failed to show the direct relationship between IT investments, organizational productivity and profitability, a phenomenon known as productivity paradox. The failure might relate to problems with the measurement techniques. This paper describes a measurement model, known as the PPP model (“Profitability = Productivity + Price Recovery”), that can fill the gap and show a link between IT investments, productivity, and profitability. The spreadsheet-based implementation of the PPP model, using multi-period data, generates performance trend charts of productivity, price recovery, and profitability. These performance charts provide a multi-period perspective to managers in identifying and understanding the impact of IT investments. This model is useful to managers considering heavy investments in IT as well as for managers interested in assessing their organizational performance and taking corrective actions in a timely manner.
A Maturity Model of Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP)
Authors: Pita Zijad , Cheong France , Corbitt Brian
Published: October 2011

Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) maturity model is conceptualized as a five-stage maturity model. To identify the maturity stage of SISP, a model for assessment of SISP is developed. The development of these models is based on the ‘Integral Engineering’ approach and a unique implementation of the Analytical Network Process theory (ANP). The SISP assessment model is structured as a multi-order system. High level constructs are presented in this paper. A new approach to SISP offers improving our understanding of the concept of SISP, and a means of structured evaluation and reformlation of SISP. The SISP assessment model can be used as an early warning diagnostic tool to draw attention to particular aspects of the SISP that need improvement or to justify the undertaking of SISP.
Ontology-Based Knowledge Management for Enterprise Systems
Authors: Ahmad Mohammad Nazir , Zakaria Nor Hidayati , Sedera Darshana
Published: October 2011

Companies face the challenges of expanding their markets, improving products, services and processes, and exploiting intellectual capital in a dynamic network. Therefore, more companies are turning to an Enterprise System (ES). Knowledge management (KM) has also received considerable attention and is continuously gaining the interest of industry, enterprises, and academia. For ES, KM can provide support across the entire lifecycle, from selection and implementation to use. In addition, it is also recognised that an ontology is an appropriate methodology to accomplish a common consensus of communication, as well as to support a diversity of KM activities, such as knowledge repository, retrieval, sharing, and dissemination. This paper examines the role of ontology-based KM for ES (OKES) and investigates the possible integration of ontology-based KM and ES. The authors develop a taxonomy as a framework for understanding OKES research. In order to achieve the objective of this study, a systematic review of existing research was conducted. Based on a theoretical framework of the ES lifecycle, KM, KM for ES, ontology, and ontology-based KM, guided by the framework of study, a taxonomy for OKES is established.
The Unintended Consequence
Authors: Nemati Hamid , Latif Amna
Published: October 2011

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are an important factor in the socio-economic development of transitioning and developing countries. Given the importance of ICT in global social and economic development, many researchers have examined its development and growth strategies from national and governmental policy perspectives. However, understanding the consequences of information and communication technologies in developing countries is complex and far from certain. Given the ambiguity, complexity, and diversity of what constitutes ICT, Heeks (2002) suggested the existence of incongruencies between what policy makers envision as ICT and the actuality of what is ultimately manifested, proposing the “design-actuality gap” framework to understand this inconsistency. Baqir et al. (2009) extended the design-actuality gap framework to show that the dimensions of design maybe different than those of the actuality, but did not provide an explanation for this gap. In this paper, the authors posit that the gap can only be explained based on the law of “unintended consequence” (Merton, 1936). This phenomenon can best be seen in developing nations where ICT’s impact on socio-economic development is exaggerated. The authors present the case of the Islamic Republic of Iran and show how the law of unintended consequence can explain the major chasm that exists between ICT development and the actuality of use.
Co-Modeling of Embedded Networks Using SystemC and SDL
Authors: Balandin Sergey , Gillet Michel , Lavrovskaya Irina , Olenev Valentin , Rabin Alexey , Stepanov Alexander
Published: October 2011

Today, SDL and SystemC are two very popular languages for embedded systems modeling. SDL has specific advanced features that make it good for reflection of the multi-object systems and interactions between modules. It is also good for system model validation. The SystemC models are better suitable for tracing internal functions of the modeled modules. The hypothetical possibility of combined use of these two languages promises a number of benefits for researchers. This article specifically addresses and discusses the integration of SDL and SystemC modeling environments, exchange the data and control information between the SDL and SystemC sub-modules and the real-time co-modeling aspects of the integrated SDL/SystemC system. As a result, the mechanisms of SDL/SystemC co-modeling is presented and illustrated for an embedded network protocols co-modeling case study. The article gives an overview and description of a co-modeling solution for embedded networks protocols simulation based on experience and previous publications and research.
Requirements Traceability within Model-Based Testing
Authors: Grosch Vanessa
Published: October 2011

Requirements traceability enables the linkage between all development artifacts during the development process. Within model-based testing, requirements traceability links the original requirements with test model elements and generated test cases. Current approaches are either not practical or lack the necessary formal foundation for generating requirements-based test cases using model-checking techniques involving the requirements trace. This paper describes a practical and formal approach to ensure requirements traceability. The descriptions of the requirements are defined on path fragments of timed automata or timed state charts. The graphical representation of these paths is called a computation sequence chart (CSC). CSCs are automatically transformed into temporal logic formulae. A model-checking algorithm considers these formulae when generating test cases.
Examining Behavioral Intention Toward Mobile Services
Authors: Zarmpou Theodora , Saprikis Vaggelis , Vlachopoulou Maro
Published: October 2011

This study presents a conceptual model that combines perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, innovativeness, trust, demographic characteristics and relationship drivers in order to examine their influence on the mobile services’ adoption intention. The proposed model is empirically tested using data collected from a survey with questionnaires conducted in Greece. The results are analyzed through factor analysis, stepwise regression analysis, and ANOVAs. The findings show that individuals’ innovativeness, their educational level, and the relationship ties between the users and the mobile services are key factors to encourage m-services’ adoption. The results provide interesting insights and useful hints to practitioners and researchers.
Information Technology and Supply Chain Management Coordination
Authors: Carrus Pier Paolo , Pinna Roberta
Published: October 2011

Logistics Service Providers (3PL) have become important players in supply chain management. In a highly competitive context characterized by “time compression”, a successful strategy depends increasingly on the performance of Logistics Service Providers as they play a key integrative role linking different supply chain elements more effectively. However, the role of the information technology capability of these 3PL has not drawn much attention. The research question is: can IT be viewed as a fundamental supply chain management coordination mechanism? If so, does IT capability of third party logistics providers to improve performance in the supply chain and become a bigger factor in a strategic buyer-3PL relationship? By drawing on earlier research on the supply chain management coordination mechanism, the IT capability of third party logistics providers, a case study is conducted.
Research Note
Authors: O’Shea Patrick M. , Dede Christopher , Cherian Matthew
Published: October 2011

This paper describes the results of a formative analysis of a redesigned Augmented Reality (AR) curriculum. The curriculum, Gray Anatomy, was designed based on lessons learned from the design and implementation process of a previous AR curriculum, Alien Contact! The positive and negative impacts of these modifications were evaluated through a qualitative analysis of gameplay and interview videos taken during two implementations of Gray Anatomy. Results are generally positive, showing that the modifications served their intended purpose; however, there were unintended consequences of these changes that warrant additional inspection.
Optimizing the Psychological Benefits of Choice
Authors: Cummings James J. , Ross Travis L.
Published: October 2011

This paper suggests that the paradox of choice can be resolved in game environments by promoting heuristics-based decision-making, thereby maintaining player freedom while also avoiding the potential negative consequences of excessive deliberation. To do this, the informational cues relevant to such decisions must be made transparent, allowing players to employ fast and frugal tools from the brain’s adaptive toolbox to make the same optimal choices that they might otherwise make after extended deliberation. Developers can design for such transparency not only by creating choice experiences in which options can be assessed and compared through clear metrics and attributes, but also by designing social systems in which the choices and successes of others can be easily identified and used for informing one’s own future decisions.
Shear Wave Velocity Investigation for Ten Representative Sites of National Capital Territory, New Delhi, India
Authors: Mahajan A.K. , Shukla A.K. , Pandey Ajit , Chauhan Mukesh , Chauhan Neetu , Rai Nitesh
Published: October 2011

In this paper, shear wave velocity (Vs) investigations are carried out using Multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) method at ten representative sites in the NCT region, New Delhi. The analysis shows that the Vs obtained from the sites located on Alwar quartzites of Delhi Super Group ranges from 770 m/s to 2800 m/s, whereas on other sites located on lake/river sediments (Nazafgarh, Balsava and Akshar Dham) have Vs less than 180 m/s. The sites located on thick sediments shows Vs of the order of 180 m/s to 250 m/s. According to the soil classification, the sites covered can be classified under three categories: Class ‘B’ (Vs30 as >760m/s; JNU site and Asola site), class ‘D’ (Vs30>180 m/sec-360; Bhavana, Suhalpur, Ghazipur and Kirbi cantt. sites), whereas the sites located near lake/river sediments are classified as class ‘E’ (with very soft soil) and will be prone to liquefaction potential during strong earthquake shaking.
Risk Assessment for Cloud-Based IT Systems
Authors: Chou Yuyu , Oetting Jan
Published: October 2011

The use of Cloud Computing services is an attractive option to improve IT systems to achieve rapidly and elastically provisioned capability, and also to offer economic benefits. However, companies see security as a major concern in migrating to the Cloud. To bring clarity in Cloud security, this paper presents a systematic approach to manage the risks and analyzes the full range of risk in Cloud Computing solutions. Furthermore, as a study case, Google App Engine Platform is assessed based on ISO/IEC 27002 and OWASP Top 10 Risk List in this paper. Knowing the risks of Cloud solutions, companies can execute well-informed decisions on going into the Cloud and build their Cloud solutions in a secure way, relying on a robust e-trust relationship.
ACO Based Dynamic Scheduling Algorithm for Real-Time Multiprocessor Systems
Authors: Shah Apurva , Kotecha Ketan
Published: October 2011

The Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms are computational models inspired by the collective foraging behavior of ants. The ACO algorithms provide inherent parallelism, which is very useful in multiprocessor environments. They provide balance between exploration and exploitation along with robustness and simplicity of individual agent. In this paper, ACO based dynamic scheduling algorithm for homogeneous multiprocessor real-time systems is proposed. The results obtained during simulation are measured in terms of Success Ratio (SR) and Effective CPU Utilization (ECU) and compared with the results of Earliest Deadline First (EDF) algorithm in the same environment. It has been observed that the proposed algorithm is very efficient in underloaded conditions and it performs very well during overloaded conditions also. Moreover, the proposed algorithm can schedule some typical instances successfully which are not possible to schedule using EDF algorithm.
Do Cultural Differences Matter in IT Implementation?
Authors: Sherer Susan A. , Kohli Rajiv , Yao Yuliang , Cederlund Jerold
Published: October 2011

As multinational firms increasingly adopt collaborative technology with supply chain partners in other countries, their implementation strategies need to accommodate cultural differences. This paper draws upon Hofstede’s framework for understanding national cultural characteristics to propose differences in implementation timing and strategy. These propositions are tested with a case study involving a large U.S. based multinational’s implementation of Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) with partners in four different countries: U.S., Germany, China, and Poland. This research suggests that cultural differences impact the rollout life cycle for CPFR. The authors recommend that (1) implementation strategies should match national culture, (2) implementation timing can be a function of national culture, and finally (3) customer readiness assessments for CPFR rollout should include an assessment of national cultural differences.
Trust and Perceived Risk of Personal Information as Antecedents of Online Information Disclosure
Authors: Treiblmaier Horst , Chong Sandy
Published: October 2011

Individuals have to disclose personal information in order to utilize the manifold options of the Internet. Online users frequently trade data for benefits (privacy calculus). Trust in both the Internet and the vendor has been identified as an important antecedent to disclosing personal information online. The authors introduce the perceived risk of disclosing specific data types as an additional factor in the field of study. The results from a survey in three countries (Austria, Australia, and Hong Kong) show that the perceived risk of disclosing personal information is a stronger stimulus for the intention to provide personal information than having trust in the Internet or in the online vendor. Several significant differences are found in the relationships between the perceived risk of disclosing personal information, trust, and the willingness to disclose personal information.
Work Practices to Curb Attrition in the Indian Hi-Tech Software Development Industry
Authors: Mathrani Anuradha , Mathrani Sanjay
Published: October 2011

Whilst collaborative knowledge work is gaining momentum across national borders, there are a number of issues associated with management of human resources creating this knowledge. This is especially relevant where IT professionals learn to apply present and prior work contexts together over ICT tools. But the tenure of IT professionals is often limited, leading to loss of specialist skills and continuity of knowledge flow. Indian firms have recognised the importance of human capital as a vital knowledge resource and are making efforts to reduce attrition. This paper sheds light on how hi-tech software firms overcome the challenges associated with the high attrition of IT professionals, and provides new insights on emerging practices for retaining and motivating the agents. Findings reveal that agents have the power to bring about transformation in organisational practices. New organisational routines for retaining professionals have been implemented to motivate professionals and capture contextual knowledge into project repositories. This reduces dependency of IT firms on individuals. The study illustrates empirically the dualism between IT professionals and organisational work structures for enabling each other in knowledge industries.
IT Methods and Techniques Applied to Educational Quality Enhancement
Authors: Siakas Kerstin V. , Gevorgyan Rita , Georgiadou Elli
Published: October 2011

European Union countries aspire to create, through the implementation of the Bologna Process, an open European Higher Education Area, which increases the attractiveness of European higher education and the competitiveness of Europeans in the international labour market. This paper examines the importance of the Bologna Process in countries outside Europe and how effective implementation of a Quality Assurance action plan can enhance education quality. The authors apply Information Technology (IT) methods and techniques, such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Goal Question Metric (GQM) and Balanced ScoreCard (BSC), to Educational Management. The derivation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is discussed, as well as their application to a case study at the Cybernetics Faculty of the State Engineering University of Armenia (SEUA), regarding the implementation of an education quality enhancement strategy. As a result of the effort to align to European Higher Education Standards and the Bologna Process, a degree of Business Process Re-engineering (PBR) was necessary. The results show that the main reason for university strategy development is better relocation of resources and determination of which programmes and services are efficient and consistent with the university’s mission.
Threshold-Based Location-Aware Access Control
Authors: Peeters Roel , Singelée Dave , Preneel Bart
Published: October 2011

Designing a secure, resilient and user-friendly access control system is a challenging task. In this article, a threshold-based location-aware access control mechanism is proposed. This design uniquely combines the concepts of secret sharing and distance bounding protocols to tackle various security vulnerabilities. The proposed solution makes use of the fact that the user carries around various personal devices. This solution offers protection against any set of or fewer compromised user’s devices, with being an adjustable threshold number. It removes the single point of failure in the system, as access is granted when one carries any set of user’s devices. Additionally it supports user-centered management, since users can alter the set of personal devices and can adjust the security parameters of the access control scheme towards their required level of security and reliability.
Evolution of Information Systems and Technologies Maturity in Healthcare
Authors: Rocha Álvaro
Published: October 2011

Information Systems and Technologies (IST) in healthcare have evolved gradually, and theories about IST adoption and maturity are sufficiently established in the literature of organizational management. This paper examines the evolution of IST in healthcare. The author introduces concepts associated with maturity models, addresses the generic maturity model for IST management, and presents the main maturity models, specifically focusing on the management of IST in healthcare. Widespread and detailed maturity models are not fully available, and the opportunity to develop new maturity models that focus on IST management in healthcare still exists.
Organizational Factors Associated with Health Information Technology Adoption and Utilization Among Home Health / Hospice Agencies
Authors: Mitchell Jordan , Bennett Kevin J. , Probst Janice
Published: October 2011

Health information technology (HIT) adoption has been recommended as a method to improve care coordination and promote patient safety. Home health agencies can use HIT to improve coordination of care provided in multiple locations. The purposes of this study are: 1) to determine the EMR adoption rate and use of point of care technology among a US sample of 1,036 home health/hospice facilities, and 2) to identify the organizational factors associated with EMR adoption. Analyses were performed using SAS and SAS-callable SUDAAN. The study found that not-for-profit agencies, regardless of services offered, were more likely to have an EMR system. Use of point of care documentation was associated with not-for-profit status, large patient panels, and having been in business for less than 10 years. This study extends population ecology theory into innovation adoption theories by explaining possible competitive advantages of EMR adoption within home health care.
Team Teaching in the Online Graduate Environment
Authors: Fuller Richard G. , Bail Jean
Published: October 2011

Team teaching has long been thought to have positive benefits for learners and teachers in a variety of educational settings. Using an action research model the authors describe the outcomes of team teaching an online graduate level disaster research and statistics course. Separated geographically, two online instructors taught at a distance over the course of five semesters using an interactive team teaching model that allowed for greater interaction and instructor presence. Data was reviewed from instructor reflective logs and student responses to the team teaching model. Results of the study indicate that there was a positive benefit in developing synergy in content and pedagogies, continued instructor learning and continuous reflection on instructional design. Students also reported greater instructor presence and a greater understanding of the research and statistical process through immediacy of feedback and the added access and clarity that resulted from the team teaching process. The use of an interactive team teaching model provides greater clarity and interaction with students and should be considered as an online pedagogical opportunity.
E-Business in Agribusiness
Authors: Molla Alemayehu , Peszynski Konrad
Published: October 2011

This paper explores the e-readiness of firms in the Australian horticulture supply chain. The paper draws from the perceived e-readiness model (PERM) and relies on data collected from a survey of firms in the horticulture sector in Australia. The results indicate that while horticulture firms demonstrate relative organizational preparation for the conduct of e-business, the value network within which they operate does not appear to encourage and support their endeavour. In particular, government and industry associations do not appear to play supportive roles in encouraging the use of e-business among members of the horticulture supply chain. This paper highlights factors that are likely to facilitate or inhibit e-business in agribusiness, an area lacking in research globally. Practitioners such as governments, horticulture associations, growers and growers’ associations, and digital marketplace operators, through understanding the e-readiness factors affecting e-business, can make effective decisions to develop their support, capabilities and offerings respectively.
Success Factors in Public Access Computing for Development
Authors: Gomez Ricardo
Published: October 2011

An exploratory, qualitative study in 25 countries around the world identifies success factors for centers that offer public access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). The study considered public libraries, telecenters, and cybercafés, and grouped the findings into four types of success factors: (1) understand and take care of local needs first, (2) train info mediaries and users, (3) build alliances with other venues and collaborate with other community services, and (4) strengthen sustainability. Results corroborate the findings of previous studies of libraries and of telecenters which identify success factors that include the four themes presented. However, this is the first systematic comparison across multiple countries to identify success factors in different types of public access venues. The findings highlight critical variables to be considered in policy decisions, funding allocations, and program implementation to reach underserved populations in developing countries with equitable access and meaningful use of ICT. They also provide valuable direction for future research to better understand the interactions between libraries, telecenters, and cybercafés as venues that can contribute to community development through public access to ICT.
An Application of the UTAUT Model for Understanding Acceptance and Use of ICT by Nigerian University Academicians
Authors: Oye N. D. , Iahad N. A. , Rahim Nor Zairah Ab
Published: October 2011

This study examines the acceptance and use of ICT by Nigerian university academicians. The model validated is the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). Using a pilot study, one hundred questionnaires were administered and collected at the University of Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. The construct was significantly correlated with behavioral intention (BI). This implies that the university ICT system makes tasks easier to accomplish, thereby making academicians more productive. The survey shows that 86.5% agree. Effort expectancy (EE) was significantly correlated with BI. The result shows that 84.3% agreed that they could use ICT. Among the four UTAUT constructs, performance expectancy exerted the strongest effect. The UTAUT model shows age effects for older workers and a stronger willingness for the younger workers to adopt new IT products. According to this study age and gender do not have significant effect on acceptance and use of ICT. Performance expectancy (PE) and Effort expectancy (EE) are found to be the most significant predictors of academic staffs’ acceptance of ICT and use.
Leapfrogging the Digital Divide
Authors: Ranganathan Kavitha
Published: October 2011

The leapfrogging theory claims that instead of following the conventional digital trajectory set by the west, emerging regions can straightaway use cutting-edge technology to “leapfrog” the digital-divide. To explore the possibility of digital leapfrogging by an emerging region, this study looks at the three domains of hardware, software and connectivity. In each domain the default technology and its potential is evaluated as a digital inclusion tool while being juxtaposed with the latest “cutting-edge” alternative that could be used instead for “leapfrogging”. Three specific scenarios are developed in telephony, banking and the World Wide Web, which illustrate how a combination of these different technologies help emerging regions ‘leapfrog the digital divide.’ Finally, the paper suggests certain leapfrogging trajectories that ICT4D projects should explore.
Technology Related Trust Issues in SME B2B E-Commerce
Authors: Kumar Muneesh , Sareen Mamta , Chhabra Susheel
Published: October 2011

There is increasing evidence that e-commerce adoption among SMEs is expanding rapidly. In spite of that, SMEs, particularly in developing countries, have not been able to adequately benefit from the new opportunities offered by e-commerce technologies. Previous studies have identified lack of trust as one of the major hurdles in achieving the potential benefits by the SMEs. This paper identifies technology-related trust issues that need to be addressed while building e-commerce infrastructure for SMEs. The evidence offered in the paper is based on a survey of the relevant practices regarding deployment and effective implementation of relevant technology tools to address these issues and enhance the levels of trust in e-commerce infrastructure. The paper also examines the relationship between the perceived level of trust and the level of assurance in respect of various technology-related trust issues. The paper suggests an approach of collaboration among the SMEs while building the e-commerce infrastructure and focusing their attention on the technology-related trust issues.
The Growth of E-Commerce in Developing Countries
Authors: Lawrence Japhet E.
Published: October 2011

The growth of the Internet has opened up a vast arena, providing more opportunities for businesses, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to sell their products and services to a global audience than they would have been able to afford to reach using the traditional methods. SMEs are extremely important to many countries and their contribution to economy cannot be over emphasized. Several researchers have studied the contribution of the Internet and highlight the importance of convenience, satisfaction, quality, and consumer purchase behavior. In this study, it is argued that SMEs stand to benefit significantly from the opportunities and benefits that the Internet offers to businesses. Therefore, the use of the Internet is widely seen as critical for the competitiveness of SMEs in the emerging global market. The study is exploratory in nature and will be conducted in three stages. The findings presented in this paper, argues that SMEs in developing countries must learn from the experiences of developed countries, such as the United States and European countries, and use the Internet more frequently.
The Effect of ICT-Based Market Information Services on the Performance of Agricultural Markets
Authors: Egyir Irene S. , Al-Hassan Ramatu M. , Abakah James K.
Published: October 2011

This study is concerned with how markets of agricultural commodities have responded to the improved ICT-based market information services in Ghana since 2005. The data employed are monthly prices wholesale from 2001-2010, covering four markets in the Northern and Greater Accra regions. The data was used to estimate a threshold autoregressive model to measure the level of spatial price integration between the four markets, and focusing on maize. In addition, data on market structure and conduct was collected from 486 marketers to explain performance indicators. The study finds that, the speed of price transmission in maize markets increased by 6 percent after 2005, however there has not been marked reduction in transactions costs. Despite increased use of the mobile phone, market-based exchanges still rely heavily on visual inspection. The implication is that more should be done to improve transport infrastructure and to ensure enforcement of standardization rules.
Innovations in Mobile Broadband in Japan and its Implications to Developing Countries
Authors: Abu Sheikh Taher
Published: October 2011

Japan has experienced two developmental stages in the mobile telephony innovation since 1979 when the first mobile phone was commercially launched. The stages can be identified as traditional mobile phone with only voice function and mobile phone with IP (Internet Protocol). This paper discusses how mobile phone with IP function offers diversified services, influences people’s daily lives by changing their ways of communication, and interaction by adopting mobile broadband. The paper examines key economic, technology and policy factors based on monthly datasets from 2000-2007 in the provision of both second (2G) and third generation (3G) mobile phones adoption. Particularly, the study uses a linear regression model and presents extended and reduced models using the Pearson correlation method. The results of the empirical study examine how innovations in services contribute to the mobile broadband deployment in Japan. Main findings of this study suggest policy and strategy implications for developing countries which are adopting IP functionality in mobile phones. The paper also presents brief recommendations for India’s 3G mobile phone adoptions in terms of opportunities, challenges, and policies which drive on growth.