bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empowering Modern Managers
Authors: Vahidov Rustam
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses recent advances in the use of agent technology in Decision Support Systems (DSSs) and introduces a model for an agent-based DSS. The chapter analyzes the modern requirements for the nature of decision support and argues in favor of adopting active situated paradigm as the basis for building DSS. The benefits of agent technology are highlighted in relation to the desired features of DSS and the past research in this direction is reviewed and systematically categorized. The description of an agent-based DSS elaborating on the architecture of the system and the potential use of data mining techniques is then introduced. The approach is illustrated with an agent-based DSS for investment decisions. The chapter informs the readers about the state of art in agent-based DSS, and provides a framework that can be used as a reference model in future research in the area.
Adding a Course to the Curriculum
Authors: Porter Lynnette R.
Published: May 2011

An academic curriculum is a series of courses related by themes and skills development. The individual courses within the curriculum help learners progress from basic, introductory levels of knowledge and skills to higher-level objectives for critical thinking, mastery of skills, and demonstration of knowledge common to a discipline. Completing specified courses within a curriculum leads to a degree, and the degree program may involve courses in several different departments or disciplines.
Structures, Processes and Relational Mechanisms for IT Governance
Authors: Van Grembergen Wim , De Haes Steven , Guldentops Erik
Published: May 2011

In many organisations, Information Technology (IT) has become crucial in the support, the sustainability and the growth of the business. This pervasive use of technology has created a critical dependency on IT that calls for a specific focus on IT Governance. IT Governance consists of the leadership and organisational structures and processes that ensure that the organisation’s IT sustains and extends the organisation’s strategy and objectives. This introductory chapter records and interprets some important existing theories, models and practises in the IT Governance domain and aims to contribute to the understanding of IT Governance and its structures, processes and relational mechanisms.
Integration Strategies and Tactics for Information Technology Governance
Authors: Peterson Ryan R.
Published: May 2011

Amidst the challenges and changes of the 21st century, involving hyper-competitive market spaces, electronically-enabled global network businesses, and corporate governance reform, IT Governance has become a fundamental business imperative. IT Governance is a top management priority, and rightfully so, because it is the single most important determinant of IT value realization. IT Governance is the system by which an organization’s IT portfolio is directed and controlled. IT Governance describes (a) the distribution of IT decision-making rights and responsibilities among different stakeholders in the organization, and (b) the rules and procedures for making and monitoring decisions on strategic IT concerns. The objective of this chapter is threefold. First of all, to describe past developments and current challenges complex organizations are facing in governing the IT portfolio of IT applications, IT development, IT operations and IT platforms. Based upon the lessons we’ve learned from the past, one of the key objectives is to move beyond ‘descriptives’, and discuss how organizations can diagnose and design IT Governance architectures for future performance improvement and sustained business growth. The final objective of this chapter is to provide a thorough understanding and holistic picture of effective IT Governance practices, and present a new organizing logic for IT Governance.
An Emerging Strategy for E-Business IT Governance
Authors: Patel Nandish V.
Published: May 2011

A critical aspect of global e-business information technology (IT) governance is ensuring that it is integrated and that it enables economic viability of a company. Poorly thought through purposes will result in poor IT Governance. The aim is to improve IT Governance and business efficiency and effectiveness. A framework for global e-business IT Governance is developed. It is based on fundamental re-directions in global e-business IT Governance thinking and it applies to companies that seek to integrate Internet, intranet and WWW technologies into their business activities in some form of an e-business model. Such integration is termed the fusion of IT and business into an e-business. The framework explains and elaborates e-business strategies for coping with emergent organisations and planned aspects of IT. The basic premise of the proposed framework is that organisation, especially virtual organisation, is both planned and emergent, diverging from the dominant premise of central control in IT Governance.
Technical Issues Related to IT Governance Tactics
Authors: Xenos Michalis
Published: May 2011

This chapter deals with some technical aspects of the strategies for IT Governance described in most of the other chapters of this book. The practical application of IT Governance techniques and tactics requires the collection and analysis of measurable data that guide estimation, decision-making and assessment, since it is common sense that one can control and manage better what one is able to measure. This chapter aims at introducing the reader to product metrics and measurements, proposing methods relating to the implementation of a measurements program and analyzing how product metrics can be used to control IT development. Focus is placed on product metrics, measurements and process control techniques. Such instruments can aid significantly in monitoring the development process and making IT-related tasks more transparent to IT managers. They also aid in design, prediction and assessment of the IT product quality. They provide data used for decision-making, cost and effort estimation, fault prevention, and testing time reduction. Moreover, the use of product metrics and process control techniques can direct the standardization of IT products and IT development process, as well as the assessment of the process maturity of outsourcing partners. The most commonly used metrics are presented and the reader is introduced to measurement techniques and automation tools. This chapter also discusses the application of metrics along with statistical process control tools. Finally, it provides suggestions on how product metrics can aid towards IT Governance not only in large IT companies, but also in the smaller ones.
Using Groupware to Build a Scenario-Based Early Warning System
Authors: van Mullekom Theo , Vennix Jac A.M.
Published: May 2011

Scenario analysis has been used as a technique to support strategy formulation for several decades. During scenario analyses, the effects of different possible futures (scenarios) on the performance of an organization are assessed. Moreover, actions are formulated to deal with these effects. This analysis may help organizations to prepare themselves to take effective actions when one of these futures manifests itself. A scenario approach to strategy formulation depends on intelligence gathering: one should (1) have relevant environmental information to build effective scenarios, and once a set of scenarios has been defined, one should (2) continuously monitor the environment to determine in what direction the future is moving. The usefulness of scenario analysis to focus intelligence activities—specifically the direction and analysis stages of the intelligence cycle—has been noted by several authors (e.g., Ellis, 1993; Tessun, 1997). In this chapter we will focus on scenario analysis as a tool to support the direction stage. In particular, scenario analysis may lead to a set of relevant early warning variables. Specific attention will be paid to the role of ICT tools (specifically groupware tools) to support the construction of scenarios and to derive a set of relevant early warning indicators.
Updating Ethnography to Investigate Contemporary Organizational Forms
Authors: Rennecker Julie
Published: May 2011

The emergence of innovative organizational configurations enabled by recent advances in information and communication technology represent new and expanding venues for information systems research. At the same time, the distributed, dynamic nature of these new work forms challenge the premises and practices of traditional information systems research approaches. In this chapter, I advocate ethnography as a somewhat counterintuitive but valuable approach to the study of virtual work groups or, more specifically, virtual project teams. While the speed, fluidity, and physical distribution of virtual project teams pose unique challenges to ethnographic inquiry, it is these very characteristics that beg for the in situ scrutiny that only ethnography can provide. The mission of this chapter is three-fold: I intend to contribute to prior efforts to demystify ethnographic research generally, to illustrate its applicability to emerging venues of IS research, and to advocate for more ethnographic studies of virtual project teams as an essential step in understanding the socio-technical infrastructure needed to support them. Topics covered include the rationale for adopting an ethnographic approach to the study of virtual project groups, modifications to traditional practice, and the challenges, risks, and benefits one can expect to meet along the way. In addition, the chapter discusses different models for conducting multi-site studies and their advantages and limitations with respect to studying virtual project teams.
Simulation in IS Research
Authors: Vitolo Theresa M. , Coulston Chris
Published: May 2011

Simulation has been a fundamental research approach in the social and physical sciences. Through the modeling, experimentation, and analysis processes of simulation, the functional dependencies in systems can be probed statistically. The approach has enabled social and physical science researchers to examine dynamically complex systems. Even though information systems (IS) can fall into both of categories of social or physical systems—depending upon the aspect of the system being analyzed – IS researchers have not embraced the paradigm. The reasons for simulation not being more common in IS research can be attributed to four points: the structure of IS curriculums, the level of modeling sophistication driving the research, the separation of the field’s IS developments from the physical reality of the usage of the systems, and the level of maturity with the field. The chapter presents the basic concepts for the construction and use of simulation, the need and potential for simulation in IS research, the reasons why IS research has not utilized simulation, and the way IS research can embrace simulation in the future.
When Work Morphs into Play
Authors: Oravec Jo Ann
Published: May 2011

Organizations have become more permeable — integrating more influences from the outside world — as participants engage in such online diversions as trading stocks, engaging in multiplayer games, or viewing images of their children in daycare. Availability of these activities has brought the potential for abuse but also new opportunities. Constructive uses of online recreation and play can enhance many workplaces (especially high-tech and information-saturated ones) and perhaps ultimately make them more productive. Human resource (HR) professionals can become active in exploring and tailoring constructive recreation strategies for specific workplace contexts. Many organizational roles today demand high levels of creativity and mental flexibility, and constructive uses of online recreation can help individuals gain fresh perspectives. This chapter proposes that these complex issues be resolved through participatory approaches, involving workgroups and HR professionals in discussions as to what constitutes “constructive recreation,” as well as in development and dissemination of effective and fair organizational policies.
Convergence or Divergence? Web Usage in the Workplace in Nigeria, Malaysia, and the United States
Authors: Simmers Claire A. , Anandarajan Murugan
Published: May 2011

This study sets out to examine whether employee web usage patterns, attitudes toward web usage in the workplace, and organizational policies are more similar (convergence thesis) or less similar (divergence thesis) in three countries: Nigeria (n = 224), Malaysia (n = 107), and the United States (n = 334). Our results show general support for the divergence thesis. We found strong differences in employee usage patterns by country, even after controlling for differences in several demographic variables. However, there is less support for the divergence thesis in attitudes and organizational policies. In half of the eight indicators of employee attitudes, there were no differences among the three countries. Agreement that personal web usage at work is acceptable behavior is widespread. Other common perceptions are that companies tolerate personal web searches and that Internet usage policies are not enforced.
Designing and Reusing Learning Objects to Streamline WBI Development
Authors: Northrup Pam T. , Rasmussen Karen L. , Dawson David B.
Published: May 2011

Reusable Learning Objects (RLOs) and reusable information objects (RIOs) are tools that facilitate quick, systematic, and effective design and development of Web-based instruction. Learning objects form the basis of an online professional development program targeted toward teachers who must learn and implement new strategies and approaches for teaching in a convenient and flexible environment. Using learning objects, following the Cisco model, to develop instructional components for repurposing provides designers with the flexibility to meet different goals and instructional needs of a variety of education and training settings.
Integrating ICT in Universities
Authors: Dagdilelis Vassilios
Published: May 2011

Universities adopt the most progressive, technologically speaking, methods of research and education. Nevertheless, the adoption of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) appears to be necessarily accompanied by a deep shift in the organization of work, and this adoption must to be included in a wider teaching and learning strategy. We present some of the problems arising when ICT systems are integrated in universities and some suggestions to deal with these problems.
Professional Development Recommendations for Online Courses
Authors: Hinson Janice M. , Bordelon Sellers Rachel
Published: May 2011

The Internet is redesigning the delivery of instruction, and, consequently, time, space and distance are no longer constraints to teachers and students. Harrison and Berge (2000) state that “Internet access is becoming more widespread and its capabilities for delivering multimedia lessons are improving daily; the Internet is becoming the vehicle of choice for distributing learning across distances” (p. 57). However, teaching online is a relatively new concept and effective professional development is needed to help educators learn to organize content for online delivery, convert instructional materials to online formats, use advanced multimedia tools, and integrate technology resources in online learning environments. This chapter addresses standards for technology-supported instruction and staff development; models of effective face-to-face professional development, along with adaptations for online educators; and professional development programs currently available to online educators. Recommendations for effective professional development have also been provided.
Video Content-Based Retrieval Techniques
Authors: Farag Waleed E. , Abdel-Wahab Hussein
Published: May 2011

The increasing use of multimedia streams nowadays necessitates the development of efficient and effective methodologies and systems for manipulating databases storing these streams. These systems have various areas of application such as video-on-demand and digital libraries. The importance of video content-based retrieval (CBR) systems motivates us to explain their basic components in this chapter and shed light on their underlying working principles. In general, a content-based retrieval system of video data consists of the following four stages: (1) Video Shot Boundary Detection, (2) Key Frames (KFs) selection, (3) features extraction (from selected KFs), and (4) retrieval stage (where similarity matching operations are performed). Each one of the above stages will be reviewed and expounded based on our experience in building a Video Content-based Retrieval (VCR) system that has been fully implemented from scratch in JAVA Language (2002). Moreover, current research directions and outstanding problems will be discussed for each stage in the context of our VCR system.
Object-Based Video Analysis and Interpretation
Authors: Luo Ying , Hwang Jeng-Neng , Wu Tzong-Der
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we present a novel scheme for object-based video analysis and interpretation based on automatic video object extraction, video object abstraction, and semantic event modeling. In this scheme, video objects (VOs) are first automatically extracted, followed by a video object abstraction algorithm for identifying key frames to reduce data redundancy and provide reliable feature data for the next stage of the algorithm. Semantic feature modeling is based on a temporal variation of low-level features of video objects. Dynamic Bayesian networks (DBNs) are then used to characterize the spatio-temporal nature of the video objects. The system states in the proposed DBNs directly correspond to the physical concepts. Thus, the decoding of the DBN system states from observable variables is a natural interpretation of the behavior of the video objects. Since the video objects are generally considered as the dominant semantic features of video clips, the proposed scheme provides a powerful methodology for content description, which is critical for large scale MPEG-7 applications.
Advances in Digital Home Photo Albums
Authors: Mulhem Philippe , Lim Joo Hwee , Leow Wee Kheng , Kankanhalli Mohan S.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we study the needs of digital home photo albums and the different components that are required to provide effective and efficient computer-based tools to match the users’ expectations for such systems. We focus mainly on indexing and retrieval of photographic images using symbolic descriptions of image contents. We describe how symbolic labeling of image regions can be achieved, how the representation of image content is achieved using two different kinds of representations supporting different needs, and how the retrieval is performed on these image descriptions. Other features of digital home photo management are also described, and our proposal is evaluated on a genuine collection of 2,400 home photographs.
A Spatial Relationship Method Supports Image Indexing and Similarity Retrieval
Authors: Wang Ying-Hong
Published: May 2011

The increasing availability of image and multimedia-oriented applications markedly impacts image/multimedia file and database systems. Image data are not well-defined keywords such as traditional text data used in searching and retrieving functions. Consequently, various indexing and retrieving methodologies must be defined based on the characteristics of image data. Spatial relationships represent an important feature of objects (called icons) in an image (or picture). Spatial representation by 2-D String and its variants, in a pictorial spatial database, has been attracting growing interest. However, most 2-D Strings represent spatial information by cutting the icons out of an image and associating them with many spatial operators. The similarity retrievals by 2-D Strings require massive geometric computation and focus only on those database images that have all the icons and spatial relationships of the query image. This study proposes a new spatial-relationship representation model called “Two Dimension Begin-End boundary string” (2D Be-string). The 2D Be-string represents an icon by its MBR boundaries. By applying “dummy objects,” the 2D Be-string can intuitively and naturally represent the pictorial spatial information without any spatial operator. A method of evaluating image similarities, based on the modified “Longest Common Subsequence” (LCS) algorithm, is presented. The proposed evaluation method can not only sift out those images of which all icons and their spatial relationships fully accord with query images, but for those images whose icons and/or spatial relationships are similar to those of query images. Problems of uncertainty in the query targets and/or spatial relationships thus solved. The representation model and similarity evaluation also simplify the retrieval progress of linear transformations, including rotation and reflection, of images.
Digital Divide Challenge
Authors: Papazafeiropoulou Anastasia , Pouloudi Athanasia
Published: May 2011

Following an initial euphoria about the power of the information superhighway to provide better access to information and wealth for all, what we have experienced in reality instead is that information and communication technologies have created further inequalities at individual, business, national and international level. To ease the effects of this “digital divide,” policy makers have taken up the role of change agencies, influencing the public in using innovative information technologies. This chapter focuses on the role of these change agencies for technology diffusion and the elimination of the digital divide. It is argued that examining the interest of change agencies and the other stakeholders involved in the diffusion process from a normative perspective can help in the preparation of effective information technology diffusion policies.
B2B E-Commerce Diffusion
Authors: Andersen Kim Virborg , Henriksen Helle Zinner
Published: May 2011

The chapter explores the role of institutional discourse on B2B e-commerce diffusion. Using the case of EDI in the Danish business environment, the analysis demonstrates a lack of active industry involvement and severe implications of the absence of large users in the policy forum for the national EDI-strategy. Government branches and business associations formulated by and large the visions and strategies without direct involvement of the successful EDI-players or companies that were the intended adopters. As a possible consequence, the EDI diffusion has evolved by the same companies exchanging still more messages and type of documents whereas the number of new companies adopting EDI has been fairly limited. The policy implications of the Danish EDI-case could be to have a more focused involvement of intended adopters of similar and future technologies that has high policy saliency.
Socially Desirable Development of M-Commerce
Authors: Heikkilä Jukka , Laine Juha
Published: May 2011

We address the recent development in European m-commerce related regulation in the light of socially desirable information society. We define the socially desirable m-commerce as follows: the majority of citizens can access services from anywhere at an affordable price. The deployment of regulatory measures in setting the arena of development for m-commerce is highly dependent on the vision of the future. We illustrate that in the mobile communications market, the vision of regulator is to guarantee ensure effective competition between networks and services. Some argue that the effective competition would require a common infrastructure, whereas some others would rely on the competition between proprietary networks. Against this backdrop, we explain the scope of current European legislation relevant to mobile commerce and discuss it in three different scenarios developed in the MobiCom research project. Our analysis emphasizes the importance of competing at the level of services instead of at the level of propriety network infrastructures. This could mean extensive merging of networks and improving the relative position of service developers.
The Macroeconomic Benefits of Intelligent Enterprises
Authors: Siems Thomas F.
Published: May 2011

New information technologies, including e-commerce and the Internet, have brought fundamental changes to 21st century businesses by making more and better information available quickly and inexpensively. Intelligent enterprises are those firms that make the most from new information technologies and Internet business solutions to increase revenue and productivity, hold down costs, and expand markets and opportunities. In this chapter, the macroeconomic benefits that intelligent enterprises can have on the U.S. economy are explored. We find that the U.S. economy has become less volatile, with demand volatility nearly matching sales volatility, particularly in the durable goods sector. Evidence also suggests that firms are utilizing new information technologies to lower inventory levels relative to sales, leading to higher productivity growth, lower prices, and more competitive markets.
Building Adaptive E-Business Infrastructure for Intelligent Enterprises
Authors: Zhang Liang-Jie , Chung Jen-Yao
Published: May 2011

With the advancement of information technology and business transformation, an enterprise has to be adaptive to expand its infrastructure and collaborate with its internal and external business processes to make more profits from its value chain. As an enabling technology, Web services provide a standard means to allow heterogenous applications to communicate with each other using Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP). The standard interface description language and communication mechanism of Web services are the keys to build a modularized and adaptive e-business infrastructure that can adjust to the changing environments. In this chapter, we will introduce how to use Web services and Grid services to build adaptive e-business infrastructure for intelligent enterprise. Specifically, we will introduce a conceptual architecture of building adaptive e-business infrastructure using Web services. Then we will present an overview of Web services creation and invocation, federated Web services discovery and Web services flow composition. After that, a concept of universal Grid service is introduced for enabling Open Grid Services Architecture to support business process integration and management. At the end of this chapter, we will conclude by introducing our vision on the future adaptive e-business infrastructure for intelligent enterprise.
A Framework of Intelligence Infrastructure Supported by Intelligent Agents
Authors: Tang Zaiyong , Walters Bruce A. , Zeng Xiangyun
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we establish a conceptual framework for intelligence infrastructure, which is an indispensable foundation to intelligent enterprises. Intelligence infrastructure is defined as information technology based facilities, systems, and services that support effective and efficient decision making at all levels of an organization. Intelligent agents, or autonomous computer programs, have emerged in recent years as a key component to organizational intelligence infrastructure. We review intelligent agents research and applications, identify their role in intelligence infrastructure, discuss the concepts and issues behind the intelligent agent supported intelligence infrastructure, and point out future developments.
An Interactive System for the Collection and Utilization of Both Tacit and Explicit Knowledge
Authors: Neville Karen , Powell Philip
Published: May 2011

This chapter outlines the proposed development of a “Knowledge Base Support Environment” for a university. The system is completely interactive allowing every end user the opportunity to extract from and add to the system. As well as providing a support system for both students and staff alike, the system or environment (see Figure 1) will profile both the academic and technical interests of its end-users. The environment will test student’s problem-solving skills with “real world” simulations and cases providing feedback to both lecturers and students. The environment will grow and change as both staff and students collaborate to add and extract material from the system. Duplication of work by staff will be dramatically reduced, freeing staff to concentrate on other tasks. The environment itself can be used by organizations in training, and in the management and creation of knowledge.
Virtual Communities as Role Models for Organizational Knowledge Management
Authors: Montano Bonnie Rubenstein
Published: May 2011

Knowledge management serves to create value from an organization’s intangible assets. Many organizations have adopted knowledge management practices in recent years. Some of those organizations have achieved success at knowledge management, but others have not. The focus of this chapter is on those organizations that have not been as successful at knowledge management as they originally planned. This chapter posits that organizations can look to virtual communities as role models for successful knowledge management because many of the features that have been identified in the literature as important for successful knowledge management are present in virtual communities. The very nature of virtual communities — their sense of community, the desire they create to share knowledge, the automatic archiving of knowledge for future use, etc. — are used in this chapter to support the claim that virtual communities can serve as role models for knowledge management in organizations.
The Multi-Faceted Nature of Virtual Teams
Authors: Dube Line , Pare Guy
Published: May 2011

Despite their growing popularity in organizations, our understanding of virtual teams is still at an embryonic stage. As of today, the term “virtual team” has been loosely defined in the academic press, and empirical findings have been generalized across all types of virtual teams. Based on an extensive review of the literature and a series of in-depth interviews with more than 40 experienced virtual team members and leaders, we identified the key characteristics of virtual teamwork as well as those characteristics that distinguish among various virtual team configurations. We posit that researchers must now adopt a multidimensional view of virtual teams in order to adequately compare empirical findings, build a cumulative tradition in this field of research, and provide practitioners with a framework to help them manage virtual teams effectively. Researchers and practitioners must not only recognize the diversity of possible virtual team arrangements but also identify strategies and draw lessons that are contingent upon particular virtual team configurations.
Trust and the Trust Placement Process in Metateam Projects
Authors: Fernandez Walter D.
Published: May 2011

Metateams are temporary organizations composed of two or more geographically and organizationally dispersed teams that are commercially linked by project-specific agreements. In a global business environment demanding innovation, flexibility, and responsiveness, metateams represent a major change in the way organizations and practitioners conduct IT development projects. However, as we found in a recently concluded theory-building study of a real-life metateam, managing metateams presents unique difficulties due to conflicting demands arising from multiple realities. Argued in this chapter is that the effectiveness of the trust placement process (rather than just the exhibition of high levels of trust) significantly affects project success.
Long Distance Leadership
Authors: Connaughton Stacey L. , Daly John A.
Published: May 2011

Because virtual teams are becoming more common in global organizations, research that explicates issues related to this emergent organizational phenomenon is necessary. One major topic is the leadership of virtual teams. Drawing on data from a series of in-depth interviews with project leaders, senior managers, and executives of six global organizations, in this chapter, what virtual team leaders perceive to be effective communicative tactics in virtual settings will be illustrated. Specifically, tactics related to two leadership challenges commonly cited in the academic and popular press are explored: (a) overcoming virtual team members’ feelings of isolation—feelings of disconnectedness, lack of cohesiveness, and limited identification with the virtual team leader and the organization; and (b) building and maintaining trust. Also presented in the chapter are some strategies for managing cross-cultural communication issues, and tips are offered on the use of communication technologies in distanced settings.
Effective Virtual Teams
Authors: Hertel Tammie D.
Published: May 2011

It is likely that employees will work on a virtual team at some point in their careers. However, it is questionable how effectively organizations, training, and technology support the needs of virtual teams. Organizations must communicate what collaborative and knowledge-sharing behaviors are expected, establish reward and recognition systems that reinforce those behaviors, ensure that employees have the skills and tools required to fulfill those expectations, and develop managers that role model and reinforce the desired behaviors. Collaborative technologies must also become more self-managing, provide more compelling asynchronous capabilities, and consider that individuals may be part of many teams, thereby requiring better data aggregation and visualization.
Prelude to Virtual Groups
Authors: Griffith Terri L. , Meader David K.
Published: May 2011

A study of 76 more and less virtual investment clubs examines the relationships between communication technologies used for club business (from face-to-face to more highly technologically enabled), group leadership role behaviors, and club portfolio value. The results are interesting, with more and less virtual clubs benefiting from different forms of leadership behaviors. Clubs using fewer technologies seem to benefit from a greater focus on socioemotional role (communication) behaviors, while the opposite is found in clubs using more technologies. The effect for procedural role behaviors (agenda setting and the like) appears to run in the opposite direction: clubs using more technologies seem to benefit from a greater focus on procedural role behaviors, while the opposite is found in clubs using fewer technologies. Managers take into account obvious and subtle differences between more and less virtual groups.
Factors Contributing to Knowledge Sharing and Communications in a Large Virtual Work Group
Authors: Neece Olivia Ernst
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we discuss an eight-factor process model of large virtual groups. A team has been defined as a small group of people that work very closely on a project or process. We define a large work group as a larger group of people who are more loosely connected to one another than a team by a shared work process, project, or strategic goal. The eight factors are organizational support and purpose; egalitarian structure; team culture, trust, collaboration, and relationships; people—skills, expertise, and capabilities; motivation and rewards; communication processes; communication tools; and knowledge sharing. These factors to a greater or lesser degree have been shown to contribute to the effectiveness of communication in a large virtual work group during a two-phase study at Nortel Networks. Qualitative and quantitative results of this study are presented in the chapter. We discuss issues related to communication and knowledge sharing in the chapter as well as recommendations for successful organization and communication in large work groups.
Copyright Law in the Digital Age
Authors: Blanke Jordan M.
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses the current state of copyright law with respect to works contained on different media. It traces the history and purpose of the law, while focusing on how digital technology has shaped its evolution. It describes how recent legislation and court cases have created a patchwork of law whose protection often varies depending upon the medium on which the work lies. The author questions whether some of the recent legislation has lost sight of the main purpose behind the copyright law, the promotion of learning and public knowledge.
Digital Orphans
Authors: Kieler Mark , West Michael J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines rapid technological obsolescence, and the potential impact on retrieval of intellectual creations by future generations. The authors define “intellectual creations” as human expressions embodied in text, music or art. Increasingly, we encode these creations in digital formats that have extremely short life cycles. Eventually, backward compatibility is lost. Thus, after very little time, a digital encoding format becomes obsolete, and intellectual works encoded in the format may become irretrievable. In contrast, the cultural worth of an intellectual creation may not be realized for generations. Additionally, future generations must access artifacts, including intellectual creations, to understand a culture in historical context. The authors contend that technology—intensive storage and manipulation of data may result in an inability to gain this access. Technology creators have some responsibility to facilitate future retrieval through careful documentation, and by selective maintenance of hardware that may be required to access archival media.
Reflective Responsibility
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten
Published: May 2011

What is “reflective responsibility”? The idea behind it is to see whether the concept as discussed so far is applicable to itself and what consequences result from the self-application. It is an attempt to clarify the notion by referring to the term itself without using any other theories. The self-application of concepts is an old tool used by philosophers for centuries, sometimes with great success. The probably best-known example which demonstrates that reflexivity can be highly successful and plausible is the refutation of scepticism. Scepticism, understood as the doctrine that there is no truth, has been part of the philosophical discourse ever since humans started discussing truth. Given the difficulties of defining truth and the obvious fallibility of our knowledge, it is an attractive position that allows the speaker to avoid many pitfalls. However, scepticism has one big problem, which becomes obvious as soon as one applies the idea onto itself. If scepticism is true and consequently there is no truth, then scepticism cannot be true. Scepticism can thus be shown to be self-contradictory. Self-reference on the other hand is also a dangerous game to play because it can create serious logical and practical problems. One example is the mathematical class of all classes that contain themselves. This has led to logical problems that have kept the mathematicians in work for a greater part of the 20th century. A rather practical problem is that of self-fulfilling prophecies. These are created by applying a theory to itself, and they can have a considerable social impact (cf. Watzlawik, 2001b).
Computer-Mediated Progressive Inquiry in Higher Education
Authors: Muukkonen Hanni , Hakkarainen Kai , Lakkala Minna
Published: May 2011

With the introduction of new learning technology into universities, schools and classrooms, there is the potential to change educational practices in the direction of collaborative knowledge advancement. Yet, fundamental change in educational practices necessitates re-examining the foundations and goals of the prevailing learning culture in higher education. This chapter will describe the theoretical background of a pedagogical model of progressive inquiry and provide an overview of how this model has been implemented in the structure of a collaborative learning environment, the Future Learning Environment (FLE). We will take a brief look at studies of implementation of the model of progressive inquiry in university education. In conclusion, we discuss the challenges of changing educational settings and students’ study practices, how they may be encouraged to go beyond using individualistic knowledge acquisition skills, towards employing metaskills that are central in academic literacy, knowledge creation and developing expertise.
Methods for Analyzing Collaboration in Online Communications
Authors: Ingram Albert L. , Hathorn Lesley G.
Published: May 2011

With many educational institutions now making use of the Internet for the delivery of courses, many educators are showing interest in non-standard methodologies for teaching and learning — methodologies such as the use of online group collaborative or cooperative work. It is clearly beneficial for educators keen to introduce group learning into a tertiary environment to first familiarize themselves with the existing literature. However, much of the literature conflates the two terms, hence implementation methods and research results are hard to assess. This chapter attempts to clearly distinguish the two terms “collaborative” and “cooperative” so that they can be used appropriately and unambiguously, briefly describes the advantages and shortcomings of each, and concludes with some remarks as to the application of such methods in an online environment.
How Distance Programs will Affect Students, Courses, Faculty and Institutional Futures
Authors: Turoff Murray , Discenza Richard , Howard Caroline
Published: May 2011

Designed properly, distance education classes can be at least as effective and, in some ways, even more effective than face-to-face courses. The tools and technologies used for distance education courses facilitate learning opportunities not possible in the face-to-face classroom. Distance programs are accelerating changes that are challenging students, faculty, and the university, itself. Currently, most faculty are rewarded for the quality of instruction, as well as their external funding and their research. Often, university administrators focus more attention on the efficiency of teaching than on its effectiveness. In the future, as the quality of distance learning increases, the primary factor for success will be the faculty’s commitment to excellence in teaching. Many institutions will be forced to reevaluate the quality of teaching as the institution becomes more visible to the public, to legislators who support higher education, and to prospective students.
Looking for Indicators of Success for Distance Education
Authors: Martz Jr. Wm. Benjamin , Reddy Venkateshwar K. , Sangermano Karen
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to identify key components of distance education satisfaction. The distance education environment is an expanding market driven by several market forces. A working list of potential variables for satisfaction can be developed from the previous research done to compare the traditional to the distance education environments. A questionnaire was developed using these variables and administered to 341 distance students in a successful, top 26, M.B.A., distance education program. The results of the questionnaire are factored into five constructs that ultimately correlate well with the satisfaction ratings of the subjects. Using these factors as guidance, some operational and administrative implications of those findings are discussed.
Online Assessment in High Education
Authors: Buchanan Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2011

This chapter acknowledges the challenges surrounding assessment techniques in online education at the higher education level. It asks specifically, “How do we know our online students are learning?” To get closer to answering this question with confidence, various strategies ranging from participation techniques to online group work, peer and self-assessment, and journals and portfolios are described. The role of online mentoring as a supplementary strategy is also introduced. The chapter concludes with a survey of advantages and disadvantages of the various strategies.
Education Networks
Authors: Hagenhoff Svenja , Knust Michaela
Published: May 2011

Discussions about virtual universities, teleteaching or Internet-based learning usually concentrate on pedagogical or technical topics. Ideas and concepts about management, organization or profitability of Internet-based co-operations between universities are missing. This is remarkable due to the ongoing discussion about the efficiency of universities, especially in Germany. This chapter gives an example of an inter-university education network and presents the expected effects of co-operational activities. Both cost-oriented and market-oriented benefits are mentioned. Further on, actual cost- and market-oriented advantages are explained by using the case study of the education network WINFOLine. Finally the authors mention some problems and open questions about how to manage (open) education networks to initiate further discussion about this topic.
A Framework for Knowledge Management
Authors: Lehaney Brian , Clarke Steve , Coakes Elayne , Jack Gillian
Published: May 2011

Previous chapters have discussed the importance of systems and knowledge management. This is especially important with the shifts from traditional, highly structured organisations, to more fluid businesses in areas as diverse as manufacturing, healthcare, entertainment, and education.
Knowledge Discovery in Mobile Business Data
Authors: Nayak Richi , Seow Lawrence
Published: May 2011

The increasing number of mobile device users is creating a huge amount of useful data for the providers. These data are valuable and can help a business with further developments and strategies if turned into knowledge with the use of data mining. The mindful use of data mining allows organisations to increase customer satisfaction, to determine new consumer groups for marketing purposes, to detect fraudulent activities, and to find future usage of mobile technology. This chapter explores the examples of usage and the process of data mining in the m-business domain. Some of the forthcoming problems to apply data mining in the m-business domain and their possible solutions are also discussed.
Mobile Banking-A Strategic Assessment
Authors: Marche Sunny , Watters Carolyn
Published: May 2011

The banking industry has enjoyed excellent success in the application of sophisticated information technologies. It has the capital resources to make significant investments in technology infrastructure, and over the years this investment has paid major dividends in reduced costs and extended service offerings. Information technologies have actually reshaped the nature and size of the financial industry sector. In developed economies this has most recently translated into Internet-based banking, including transactions for equities trading, account enquiry, transfers between accounts, bill presentment, bill payment, as well as transfers between people. Digital wireless technologies to a variety of terminal devices have now enabled wireless and mobile Internet access. Mobile banking seems a natural extension. This chapter examines the strategic considerations of mobile banking from technical, business, and regulatory perspectives. We conclude that there are very different challenges influencing the evolution of this application, depending on the particular economy and culture in which the opportunity is located.