bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
En marge de la révolution égyptienne : écrire l’histoire ou sauver la mémoire ?
Authors: Farag Iman
Published: May 2011

Résumé Cet article livre quelques éléments sur la révolution du 25 janvier 2011 en Égypte. Écrire pendant que l’événement se passe, en s’interdisant toute prospective, et ne point avoir à documenter des faits qui n’ont pas encore été établis, est tout à la fois contraignant et libérateur. L’article revient notamment sur la production au jour le jour des traces de la révolution, et la manière dont elles semblent marquer, tant le cours de l’événement que ses écritures à venir.
Maroc : une révolution royale ?
Authors: Tourabi Abdellah , Zaki Lamia
Published: May 2011

Résumé Les revendications de réforme constitutionnelle et de réduction des inégalités portées par le mouvement du 20 février se sont focalisées de façon inédite sur la monarchie. Ces revendications sont toutefois affaiblies par la fragmentation du champ politique, tandis que se recompose une expression protestataire. Les horizons marocains sont contrastés, entre anticipation d’une contagion des révoltes, négociation avec les acteurs et répression. Ils doivent être resitués dans une double particularité dans le monde arabe : l’importance de longue date du champ associatif et des mobilisations et les essais d’ouverture démocratique.
Les politiques euro-méditerranéennes à la lumière du printemps arabe
Authors: Schäfer Isabel
Published: May 2011

Résumé Dès le lancement du Processus de Barcelone en 1995, le Partenariat euro-méditerranéen s’était donné comme objectif de réduire le fossé politique, économique et culturel entre les deux rives de la Méditerranée. Quinze ans plus tard, du haut de la « forteresse Europe », nous regardons interloqués les sociétés arabes se soulever et s’emparer d’une souveraineté longtemps confisquée, mais sans recourir à notre aide et presque malgré nous, trop occupés que nous étions à nous barricader contre clandestins et terroristes. Cet aveuglement trouve son origine dans l’échec d’un projet original que les politiques n’ont pourtant pas su ni voulu faire fructifier.
Les États-Unis face aux révolutions démocratiques arabes
Authors: Golub Philip S.
Published: May 2011

Résumé Dans un discours important prononcé au Caire le 4 juin 2009, Barack Obama tendait la main au monde arabo-islamique en appelant à mettre un terme « au cycle de suspicion et de discorde » entre les États-Unis et les sociétés plurielles islamiques. Soulignant que les tensions du présent « étaient enracinées dans des forces historiques » telles que le colonialisme et la guerre froide, il en appelait à un « effort soutenu d’écoute (...) et de respect mutuel ». Aujourd’hui, les États-Unis, puissance externe dominante au Moyen-Orient et dans le Golfe depuis 1945, tentent de s’adapter aux révolutions démocratiques arabes afin de préserver leurs positions. Or l’héritage est lourd et les révolutions ébranlent l’ordre régional américain.
Revolta escrava e política da escravidão: Brasil e Cuba, 1791-1825
Authors: Marquese Rafael , Parron Tâmis
Published: May 2011

El artículo examina el impacto político del activismo esclavo, en Brasil y Cuba, de 1790 a 1825, esto es, desde el inicio de la Revolución de Saint-Domingue al otorgamiento de la Constitución del Brasil (1824) y al decreto de facultades omnímodas para los capitanes generales de Cuba (1825), en el contexto inmediato del término de las guerras de independencia en el continente. En lugar de discutir y clasificar en un orden tipológico el carácter específico de las diversas expresiones de resistencia esclava colectiva, el artículo intenta comprender el efecto de esas acciones en la dinámica macropolítica de los dos espacios, verificando en qué medida aquéllas conformaron el cuadro político e institucional de la esclavitud en Brasil y en Cuba.

[pt] O artigo examina o impacto político do ativismo escravo, no Brasil e Cuba, de 1790 a 1825, isto é, do início da Revolução de Saint-Domingue à outorga da Constituição do Brasil (1824) e à decretação das faculdades onímodas para os capitães generais de Cuba (1825), no contexto imediato do término das guerras de independência no continente. Ao invés de discutir e classificar em uma ordem tipológica o caráter específico das diversas expressões de resistência escrava coletiva, o artigo procura compreender o efeito dessas ações na dinâmica macro-política desses dois espaços, verificando em que medida elas conformaram o quadro político e institucional da escravidão no Brasil e em Cuba.
Abolição no Brasil: resisténcia escrava, intelectuais e política (1870-1888)
Authors: Salles Ricardo
Published: May 2011

La abolición de la esclavitud en Brasil plantea las siguientes preguntas históricas: ¿Cuál es el carácter social del abolicionismo? ¿Cuál es su sentido histórico? ¿Fue una revolución o apenas un episodio en la transición al capitalismo? ¿Qué intereses defendía el movimiento abolicionista? ¿Qué grupos sociales protagonizan este movimiento? ¿Cuál es el papel de los esclavos en el proceso? O, ¿qué defendían y qué representaban los intelectuales abolicionistas? Son estas cuestiones las que guían el presente artículo, en el sentido de pensar la relación entre el lugar de los intelectuales abolicionistas y las posibilidades y los límites de la formación, o el «acontecimiento», de la población esclava y liberta en cuanto clase nacional en el periodo del final de la esclavitud en Brasil.

[pt] A Abolição da Escravidão no Brasil coloca as seguintes questões históricas: qual o caráter social do abolicionismo? Qual seu sentido histórico? Foi uma revolução ou apenas um lance na transição para o capitalismo no país? Que interesses defendia o movimento abolicionista? Que grupos sociais protagonizaram o movimento? Qual o papel dos escravos no processo? O que defendiam e quem representavam os intelectuais abolicionistas? São estas indagações que guiam esse artigo no sentido de pensar a relação entre o lugar dos intelectuais abolicionistas e as possibilidades e os limites de formação, ou o «acontecimento» da população escrava e liberta enquanto uma classe nacional no período final da escravidão no Brasil.
Presentación
Authors: Piqueras José A. , Marquese Rafael
Published: May 2011

El actual número de Revista de Indias selecciona un número de temas que tienen como eje la renovación y conservación de la esclavitud entre finales del XVIII y comienzos del XIX, las resistencias y vías de emancipación dentro del sistema, las condiciones demográficas y de producción que subsisten en una coyuntura distinta a la del esplendor de la economía esclavista, que antecede y anuncia la abolición. En sus páginas, de una u otra forma, están presentes a cada momento las políticas de la esclavitud, menos como disposiciones legales y orientaciones de gobierno como en su construcción cotidiana a través de una combinación de normas jurídicas, prácticas sociales y reclamos materiales. Los artículos aquí reunidos ofrecen distintas perspectivas metodológicas sobre temas que apuntan a la convergencia de la trayectoria histórica de la esclavitud negra en Brasil y en Cuba. Con este volumen esperamos estimular a los investigadores que se ocupan de esos dos espacios a integrar, en un cuadro de análisis unificado, el examen de los dos últimos imperios esclavistas de Occidente. Es una tarea que, ciertamente, corresponderá antes a esfuerzos colectivos que a iniciativas aisladas de investigación.
Simulation Tools Used in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems. A Case Study on a Non-Conventional SOI-MEMS Structure
Authors: Ravariu Cristian R , Babarada Florin
Published: May 2011

The MEMS structures represent a milestone in the actual bioengineering and micro-fluidics area. Si-mulators are necessary for the students training or for specialists at the design stage. This paper presents some tools and their applications for the simulation of an integrated micropump, achievable in the SOI technology. The simulations results intend to emphasize the tools performances and functions with example on the proposed SOI-MEMS structure. Furthermore, the paper is focused on the software facilities and possible lab them as a contribution to the learning technologies.
Computer Networks E-learning Based on Interactive Simulations and SCORM
Authors: Gil Pablo , Candelas Francisco Andrés , Jara Carlos Alberto
Published: May 2011

This paper introduces a new set of compact interactive simulations developed for the constructive learning of computer networks concepts. These simulations, which compose a virtual laboratory implemented as portable Java applets, have been created by combining EJS (Easy Java Simulations) with the KivaNS API. Furthermore, in this work, the skills and motivation level acquired by the students are evaluated and measured when these simulations are combined with Moodle and SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) documents. This study has been developed to improve and stimulate the autonomous constructive learning in addition to provide timetable flexibility for a Computer Networks subject.
Quantifying Learning Creativity through Simulation and Modeling of Swarm Intelligence and Neural Networks
Authors: Mustafa Hassan Mohammed H. , Al-Somani Turki F. , Al-Hamadi Ayoub
Published: May 2011

This research work presents a systematic investigational study of a challenging phenomenon observed in natural world. Mainly, the study is concerned with conceptual interdisciplinary analysis and evaluation of quantified learning creativity phenomenon. In association, it deals with diverse aspects of measurable behavioral learning performance and is observed by two diverse natural biological system models (i.e. human and non-human creatures). Specifically, the studies of two biological models consider the comparison of quantified learning creativity phenomenon. The first model involves the human interactive tutoring/learning processes with environment while the other modal presents the ecological behavioral learning of swarm intelligence agents (i.e. ants) in performing the foraging process. Furthermore, a comparative study is presented which is inspired by naturally realistic models of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Swarm Intelligence. The obtained simulation and modeling results shows that the learning performance curves of both models behave with close similarity to each other. Precisely, the analysis and evaluation of learning performance curves of two diverse biological models revealed that both obey exponentially decayed learning curves; following least mean square (LMS) error algorithm.
CODAR
Authors: Tari Zahir , Tari Abdelkamel , Setiawan Surya
Published: May 2011

Connecting heterogeneous databases through the World Wide Web (WWW) is crucial for most business organizations. The underlying complex problem is the handling of heterogeneity and communication between different data repositories (or database systems). Such interoperability is crucial as it enables the integration of business processes across different business organizations, and therefore becomes a key issue within the new generation of Web-based business applications (called Web Services). CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) provides protocols and components that allow interoperability between different software platforms (Tari & Bukhres, 2001), such as C++ and Java. However, CORBA does not deal with WWW-based interoperability. In this paper we propose an extension of one of the core elements of CORBA, called Portable Object Adapter (POA), to deal with persistency of business information. The proposed extension, called CODAR, manages the whole life cycle of persistent objects, including activation, deactivation, instantiation, and deletion. At the end of this paper we describe an extension of CODAR to deal with performance by including advanced caching and prefetching techniques.
Models for Cooperative Activities over the Web
Authors: Czejdo Bogdan D. , Zakrzewicz Maciej , Sathyamoorthi Govindarao
Published: May 2011

The Chapter discusses the need and the problems associated with WEB based cooperative activities in which several team members work in parallel on a common task. Models for software systems supporting such cooperative activities are discussed. Our models describe structure of the cooperation object, cooperation modes and the network message synchronization, that are of prime importance when the system members work at different places and communicate over the Internet. We introduce and describe a component requirements graph and show how to translate it into an interaction graph. The state diagrams and the design graphs are the basis for the WEB software design. The discussion of software architecture for implementing cooperative activities over the Web is also provided.
Using GIS to Unveil Distance Effects on Hospitalizations in Victoria
Authors: Lin Ge
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we examine travel distance and its effect on total and avoidable hospitalizations using data from the capital health region in British Columbia, Canada. We developed a GIS procedure to connect distance-to-hospital with socioeconomic contexts of patient locations. The procedure includes geo-coding hospital locations and patient locations to determine travel distance for each hospitalization, generating several geographic barriers, such as mountain crossing, to assess their impedance, and linking patient neighborhood locations to socioeconomic variables of their locations. It was found that the overall hospitalization rates have an inverse relationship with distance-to-hospital, and living too close to a hospital may encourage utilization of hospital resources. Even though low-income patients are more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable conditions, the income effect influences different dimensions to those affected by the distance effect. Thus, it explicitly confirms the two aspects of the inverse of healthcare law that work simultaneously: those with lower socioeconomic status and those living in greater distance to hospitals tend to be less likely to access hospital care. Furthermore, the inclusion of physical barriers to our evaluation enhanced our understanding of local conditions and how they may affect hospitalizations.
E-Learning is a Social Tool for E-Commerce at Tertiary Institutions
Authors: Parker Marlon
Published: May 2011

This chapter sets out to inform the reader about the background of e-Learning. It starts with a brief introduction to the concept of e-Learning, presenting a compelling case why institutions implement e-Learning and describes the difference between technology-delivered e-Learning and technology-enhanced e-Learning. The discussion includes some advantages and disadvantages of technology-enhanced e-Learning and then examines some learner, facilitator and technology aspects of technology-enhanced e-Learning. It continues with a brief discussion on technology-enhanced e-Learning at the Cape Technikon. This project further assesses the perceptions of learners using an online survey to address the issues and concerns that learners experienced with regard to technology-enhanced e-Learning. This chapter also inspects the efficiency usage of e-Learning tools within a technology-enhanced e-Learning environment and concludes with some significant findings of the survey, which includes the importance of computer literacy, interaction and communication in the technology-enhanced e-Learning environment.
Impersonal Trust in B2B Electronic Commerce
Authors: Pavlou Paul A.
Published: May 2011

Although the notion of impersonal trust is not new, its significance has dramatically increased with the emergence of interorganizational eCommerce. Two types of trust are usually distinguished in interfirm exchange relations–an impersonal type created by structural arrangements, and a familiarity type arising from repeated interaction. This chapter contributes to the emerging body of knowledge regarding the role of trust in B2B eCommerce, which is primarily impersonal. The nature of trust is examined, and credibility and benevolence are defined as its distinct dimensions. Impersonal trust-primarily arising from credibility-focuses on institutional structures that B2B exchanges enable through signals and incentives to facilitate interfirm relations. Following the economic, sociological and marketing literature on the sources and processes under which trust engenders, a set of three cognitive processes that generate impersonal trust is determined. Applied to B2B exchanges, four antecedents of impersonal trust are proposed to trigger these processes: accreditation, feedback, monitoring and legal bonds. In addition, impersonal trust is proposed to increase satisfaction, reduce risk, encourage anticipated continuity and promote favorable pricing. A theoretical framework is then proposed that specifies the interrelationships between the antecedents, underlying processes and consequences of impersonal trust in B2B eCommerce. The theoretical and managerial implications of this study on B2B eCommerce are discussed, and directions for future research are proposed.
Using Narratives to Convey Knowledge in Decision Making Support Systems
Authors: Freeman Lee A.
Published: May 2011

Information systems, and specifically decision making support systems, present information to users in a variety of modes—raw data, tables, graphs, and others. Rarely, if ever, does an information system present information to users in a narrative or story-based format. The last three decades have seen a variety of research articles that have presented an argument, an example, or a reference to what can be termed narrative-based information systems (NBIS). This chapter traces this history as they contribute to the development of NBIS. This chapter traces this history as they contribute to the development of NBIS. Previous work has come from multiple disciplines and multiple streams within Information Systems. To date, there has been very little work done in this area, and it is hypothesized that the reason is in part due to the multi-disciplinary approach and the lack of a unified effort. In order to further the efforts of this area of research, a conceptual model of the history is developed. The paper concludes with areas for future research.
Web Breeds Services Apart-But How to Get Them Right?
Authors: Kemppainen Katariina , Vepsalainen Ari P.J.
Published: May 2011

Since the recognition of IT as a source of competitive weapon—the links to customers and suppliers as the main artillery—the emphasis has been on early movers. But when viewed from the vantage point of the market, i.e., the efficiency of services, the heroic efforts and temporary success of the pioneers appear more like an episode of a survival game as opposed to a brutal war that would lead to the acquisition of new territories. The exciting part of the process—the attack with new weapons—has been exercised but without any deliberate strategy to ensure subsequent productivity and administrative stability. This chapter reiterates some experiences since the mid-80s when the technological dominance pursued by the companies often led to staggering investments never to be recovered. We use an established business model to outline the paths for evolutionarily sound development. The model of Services and Channels is used to illustrate the premises of a balanced diffusion of IT into different services. The main message is that the application of IT creates opportunities to diverge the existing services into new types of channels. This breeding process creates new generations of services, some of which add value to the customers and some destroy the profits of more conventional competitors. We are particularly interested if the Internet as an open network has had (or will have) any different impact on the services and channels than did the dedicated ICT. For illustration, we use some of the service innovations described in this book, which also provide prime examples of more detailed mechanisms by which the new services have been organized. The assumption is that the different types of services differ inherently by the integration and coordination of the service relationships. We propose a framework for analyzing the mechanisms of integration and coordination of service processes, including different scope (the parties involved) and media (joint routines, shared resources and common interests) that contribute to such mechanisms. We conclude that the validity of the model of Services and Channels extends well into the era of the internet, but also that the correct application of the model calls for better understanding of the mechanisms of integration of channels and coordination of services.
Scheduling and Latency-Addressing the Bottleneck
Authors: Oudshoorn Michael J.
Published: May 2011

As e-business applications become more commonplace and more sophisticated, there is a growing need to distribute the server side of the application in order to meet business objectives and to provide maximum service levels to customers. However, it is well known that the effective distribution of an application across available resources is difficult, especially for novices. Careful attention must be paid to the fact that performance is critical – business is likely to be lost to a competitor if potential customers do not receive the level of service they expect in terms of both time and functionality. Modern globalised businesses may have their operational units scattered across several countries, yet they must still present a single consolidated front to a potential customer. Similarly, customers are becoming more sophisticated in their demands on e-business systems and this necessitates greater computational support on the server side of the transaction. This chapter focuses on two performance bottlenecks: scheduling and communication latency. The chapter discusses an adaptive scheduling system to automatically distribute the application across the available resources such that the distribution evolves to a near-optimal allocation tailored to each user, and the concept of Ambassadors to minimize communication latency in wide-area distributed applications.
Data Mining for Web-Enabled Electronic Business Applications
Authors: Nayak Richi
Published: May 2011

Web-enabled electronic business is generating massive amounts of data on customer purchases, browsing patterns, usage times, and preferences at an increasing rate. Data mining techniques can be applied to all the data being collected for obtaining useful information. This chapter attempts to present issues associated with data mining for Web-enabled electronic-business.
E-Business Transaction Management in Web-Integrated Network Environment
Authors: Murthy V. K.
Published: May 2011

This chapter describes the Operational Models, Programming Paradigms and Software Tools needed for building a Web- integrated network computing environment. We describe the various interactive distributed computing models (client server-CS, code on demand, remote evaluation, mobile agents, three and N-tier system), different logical modes of programming (imperative, declarative, subjunctive, and abductive), transaction and workflow models (that relax atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability and serializability properties), new protocols, and software tools (PJava/JDBC) that are needed. Some important application areas of these models are for telediagnosis and cooperative problem solving.
Guiding Knowledge Discovery Through Interactive Data Mining
Authors: Ceglar Aaron , Roddick John , Calder Paul
Published: May 2011

Knowledge discovery is the process of eliciting interesting knowledge from data repositories. Due to the inability of computers to understand abstract concepts, present mining algorithms do not adequately constrain the generation of rules to those that are of interest to the user. Interactive mining techniques aim to alleviate this problem by involving the user in the mining process, so that the user’s understanding of abstract semantic concepts and domain knowledge can guide the discovery process, resulting in accelerated mining with improved results. This chapter presents a discussion of the current state of interactive data mining research.
Data Mining for Optimal Combination Demand Forecasts
Authors: Chan Chi Kin , Wong Heung , Pang Wan Kai , Troutt Marvin D.
Published: May 2011

This chapter is a case study in combining forecasts for inventory management in which the need for data mining in combination forecasts is necessary. The need comes from selection of sample items on which forecasting strategy can be made for all items, selection of constituent forecasts to be combined and selection of weighting method for the combination. A leading bank in Hong Kong consumes more than 300 kinds of printed forms for its daily operations. A major problem of its inventory control system for such forms management is to forecast their monthly demand. The bank currently uses simple forecasting methods such as simple moving average and simple exponential smoothing for its inventory demands. In this research, the individual forecasts come from well-established time series models. The weights for combination are estimated with quadratic programming. The combined forecast is found to perform better than any of the individual forecasts. Some insights in data mining for this context are obtained.
Online Learning for the Real World
Authors: Khursheed Bridget
Published: May 2011

This chapter examines usability evaluation in the context of the Diploma in Computing via the Internet offered by the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education and, to some extent, its on-site course partner. This ongoing online course is aimed at adult non-university (the “real world” of the chapter title) students. The chapter follows the usability evaluation process through the life cycle of course development, delivery and maintenance, analysing the requirements and actions of each stage and how they were implemented in the course. It also discusses how pedagogical evaluation must be considered as part of this process, as well as the more obvious software considerations, and how this was achieved within the course. Finally it draws some conclusions concerning the enhancements to course usability of the virtual classroom and how this atypical evaluation material can and should be integrated into an overall usability evaluation picture.
The Next Generation of Internet Portals
Authors: Jafari Ali
Published: May 2011

Today’s portals bring together existing technologies in useful, innovative ways, but they don’t scratch the surface of what is possible. The constant build-up of information and resources on the World Wide Web demands a smarter more advanced portal technology that offers dynamic, personalized, customized, and intelligent services. This chapter discusses next-generation portals and the requirement that they come to know their users and understand their individual interests and preferences. It describes a new generation of portals that have a level of autonomy, making informed, logical decisions and performing useful tasks on behalf of their members. The chapter highlights the role of artificial intelligence in framing the next generation of portal technology and in developing their capabilities for learning about their users.
Technology in the Fine Arts Classroom
Authors: Narey Marilyn J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter of Teaching With Technology Across the Curriculum assists the educator in understanding the valuable role of art and technology in the classroom and seeks to convey the potential of this “dynamic duo” to motivate, instruct, and inspire students and teachers. It also explores the long history of technology in the fine arts discipline and introduces past and current uses of instructional technology in the classroom. Several evaluation rubrics are included to determine appropriate fine arts software and Web sites as well as provide criteria for lesson design when incorporating art and technology into a subject area.
Work Design in the Coal Industry
Authors: Mumford Enid
Published: May 2011

Once you have obtained a reasonably good understanding of the problem to be tackled, the next step is to decide what to do and how to do it. This requires developing a strategy for action. Ideally strategies should be simple rather than complex and should be capable of being implemented without too much difficulty and stress. They should also fit with the culture of an organization as well as with its problems. Participative design can play a useful part here, both by getting ideas from groups with different roles and responsibilities and by ensuring that there is general agreement on what is to be changed before this change takes place. This will enable the change to take place in a favourable environment. However with major decisions that affect the running of a company, it is usually desirable that top management makes the final decision. Strategy also needs to be continually reviewed as it can easily lose its relevance if the environment changes or if a closer acquaintance with the problem leads to greater understanding of the problem situation. Increasing knowledge will help identify those factors in the change situation which will be easiest to reform and those which are likely to prove more difficult (Markides, 2001). It must also be recognised that while change is desirable it is also disruptive. This fact will influence the “how” factor. How can this change be introduced without impeding normal production activities and without disturbances that lower morale? Strategy should also take account of the future as well as the present. What kinds of circumstances are like to alter and may require a total rethink of strategy. Once again, I suggest that this case study is very relevant for students and practitioners working in areas such as information technology where human factors are sometimes neglected by those responsible for change. As this book is focusing on organizational problems, many of which arrive through the introduction of new technology, it is often wise to start the learning process by considering solutions that have already been tried and proved successful in similar situations. One of these might work again in the new situation, although it must be recognised that every change environment is different, modifications will almost certainly be needed and failure is always a possibility. The next case study incorporates a review of previous strategies. Looking at the past will also bring a recognition that the new situation differs in important aspects from the old and that a different approach is required. This, in itself, is an important lesson.
The Uses and Impact of Academic Listservs in University Teaching
Authors: McFann Julie-Ann M.
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact academic listservs were making on teaching at Temple University when used in conjunction with face-to-face courses. Since the study was the first of its kind, an exploratory qualitative design was used to see if themes or patterns emerged. Results indicated that listservs were primarily used for housekeeping activities, although instructors voiced their desire to tap into the potential of listserv technology. The overriding discovery was that most instructors were using listservs without a predetermined teaching goal. A demographic profile of professors likely to use listservs is also included.
Digital Government and Criminal Justice
Authors: Holland J. William
Published: May 2011

This chapter outlines the history of digital government in criminal justice, starting with the Johnson Administration’s findings concerning automation in its report, “The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society,” the development of the national criminal justice network, and the creation of SEARCH Group, a consortium of states that led the effort to create computerized criminal histories of individual offenders. A brief discussion of the issues these efforts attempted to solve will be developed. The narrative will describe how these initial activities created the basic parameters for all subsequent developments in the area of criminal justice automation. Several major problems and controversies of criminal justice automation will be described and placed in their historical context. Examples of criminal justice initiatives will be provided and their success in solving some of the problems discussed will be described. The chapter concludes that it is time to rethink the older criminal justice digital government paradigm from the 1960s and create a new model more in tune with today’s developments in a highly mobile, digital and integrated society. Questions about the impact of this new model on traditional constitutional safeguards, including individual liberty and privacy will be raised.
Digital Government
Authors: Richardson Carole
Published: May 2011

The modern focus on the application of business principles to the running of government is unique due to an escalated emphasis on divesting the public sector of as many service provision responsibilities as possible. This divestiture is being accomplished through an array of arrangements alternatively described as privatization, contracting out, outsourcing and public/private partnerships. There are three fundamental challenges to this process: (1) defining those responsibilities which cannot and should not be turned over to the private sector, (2) ensuring that such arrangements balance both the risks and rewards between the parties involved, and (3) getting the best deal for the public. This chapter focuses on the second point: achieving a reasonable balance that should, if implemented successfully, result in that elusive “best deal.”
Citizens' Trust in Ministries
Authors: Harisalo Risto , Stenvall Jari
Published: May 2011

Citizens have many roles in our contemporary liberal democracies. From these roles one is to trust or mistrust governmental agencies. They must trust them, at least to a certain extent, because they experience in their own lives deleterious consequences of badly-designed public policies. They must distrust them, again to a certain extent, because a fear of distrust keeps policy-makers on alert about how their policy ideas might change public opinion. This chapter is the infrequent empirical analysis of citizens’ trust and mistrust in ministries as central policy-makers in Finland. It is based on the national survey. It shows that citizens are suspicious of most of the ministries in terms of developing public services, regulation, financial transfers, and citizen orientation. According to the empirical results ministries should be aware of public failure and quickly rethink their priorities and policy-styles. This chapter stresses the need to reinvent policy-making and its political culture. Democracy will severely deteriorate if public authorities will not take on this challenge.
Mining Meaning
Authors: Tullar William L.
Published: May 2011

This chapter focuses on the pattern detection and extraction step in text data commonly called text data mining. I examine some of the literature on natural language processing and propose a method of recovering value from the text of virtual group discussions based on methods derived from the communication field. Then, I apply the method in a case using data from 216 different groups from a virtual group experiment. The results from the case show that higher performing groups are characterized by higher frequencies of acts of dominance and higher frequencies of terms concerning cognition, communication and praise. Higher performing groups were also characterized by lower frequencies of acts of equivalence and lower frequencies of leveling terms and numerical terms. Ways to use this knowledge to improve the groups’ performance are discussed.
A Multitrait-Multimethod Analysis of the End User Computing Satisfaction and Computer Self-Efficacy Instruments
Authors: Masterson Michael J. , Rainer R. K.
Published: May 2011

Researchers are employing confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) matrices to estimate parameters representing trait, method, and error variance, as well as parameters representing the correlations among traits (or factors). This study utilizes CFA with MTMM matrices to assess the convergent validity, discriminant validity, and the presence and effects of method variance in the end-user computing satisfaction instrument (EUCSI) and the computer self-efficacy instrument (CSE). The results of the study indicate that, in these samples, the two instruments demonstrate adequate convergent and discriminant validity, but that method variance is present and accounts for a large proportion of the variance in both models. Further, the proposed factor structure of the EUCSI appears to be unstable as a result of the effects of multiple methods, while the proposed factor structure of the CSE remains stable in the presence of the methods.
Constructive and Dysfunctional Personal Web Usage in the Workplace
Authors: Anandarajan Murugan , Simmers Claire A.
Published: May 2011

In order to better understand how people work in the Web-enabled workplace, we examined the phenomenon of personal Web usage (PWU). We analyzed 316 responses from those with Web access at work to the question, “Do you think it’s ok for a person to use the Web for non-work purposes during working hours in the workplace.” The responses were coded into 19 themes and four categories. Using correspondence analysis, concept maps were generated which revealed that personal Web usage in the workplace is a complex issue with not only a potentially dysfunctional dimension, but also a potentially constructive one. Organizational position was an important variable with top, middle, lower-level managers, as well as professionals, and administrators positioning in different spaces on the conceptual map. Further analysis using Q-methodology reinforced the dual nature of PWU and the importance of position. Drawing on our results, an extension of the social contract theory and a model of personal Web usage in the workplace were suggested.
Monitoring Strategies for Internet Technologies
Authors: Urbaczewski Andrew
Published: May 2011

Managers are faced with many decisions regarding monitoring. For an electronic monitoring effort to be successful, it is important to match the correct monitoring strategy with a complimentary monitoring technology and implementation. This chapter lists many of the potential goals for monitoring, strategies to accomplish those goals, technologies which match the strategies, and implementation plans. Managers can consult this chapter to assist in ensuring that unintended effects do not occur from a haphazard approach to electronic monitoring.
KABISA
Authors: Clarebout Geraldine , Elen Jan , Lowyck Joost , Van de Ende Jef , Van de Ende Erwin
Published: May 2011

This chapter focuses on the last phase of the systematic instructional design approach, ADDIE. This evaluation phase is illustrated through means of a case study, namely the evaluation of a computer-based training program, KABISA. The leading evaluation questions were whether students followed a criterion path and whether students used the embedded help functions. Ninety-seven physicians following post-graduate training in tropical medicine participated in this evaluation. Log files were kept of the students and 21 students participated in thinking-aloud sessions. Results indicate that students do not follow the criterion path and that only poor use is made of help functions. This evaluation study shows that a systematic approach to instructional design remains highly valuable.
E-Pricing for Intelligent Enterprises
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S.
Published: May 2011

Setting the right price has a lot to do with assessing value. Understanding value is a direct result of understanding customers. Intelligent enterprises should use the power of the Internet to collect and process information to rethink their pricing strategy and gear it to customer perception of value. This chapter explores the impact of the Internet on pricing and demonstrates that rather than pushing prices universally downward and squeezing margins, the Internet provides unique opportunities in pricing to enhance margins and generate growth. It expounds on the low-online pricing myth and the dimensions of e-price improvement. Some models of real time and dynamic pricing are explored and implications for theory and practice are discussed.
What is Soft Knowledge?
Authors: Hildreth Paul
Published: May 2011

In order to further inform the notion of soft knowledge, in this chapter we will explore three areas of literature with different views of how work is supported by knowledge: Distributed Cognition, Common Ground, and Communities of Practice. The different views show, to a greater or lesser degree, that the capture-codify-store approach is probably the wrong metaphor. The exploration of these views also indicates that the simple soft-hard distinction is not as simple as it appears.
Toward Integration of Artifacts, Resources and Processes for Virtual Teams
Authors: Dustdar Schahram
Published: May 2011

Over the last years most business processes changed in various dimensions (e.g., flexibility, interconnectivity, coordination style, autonomy) due to market conditions, organizational models, and usage scenarios of information systems. Virtual teams are under heavy pressure to increase time-to-market of their products and services and lower their coordination costs. A fundamental need for distributed virtual teamwork is to have access to contextual information, i.e., to see a “knowledge trail” of who did what, when, how, and why. In this chapter, we discuss underlying conceptual issues and one implemented information system (Carambaâ) to support the integration of artifacts, resources, and business processes for virtual teams.
Information Systems and Business Information Technology
Authors: Stahl Bernd Carsten
Published: May 2011

This first content chapter of the book is meant to clarify the notions involved in the responsible management of information systems. The focus of this book is the concept of reflective responsibility, which will be developed in the subsequent chapters. However, the application of this theory will be the area of information systems. In order to develop what responsibility means in the context of information systems, we will therefore have to define the notion. This is not an easy task, as “information system” can mean many things. On the one hand there is the academic discipline, sometimes called information systems, computer information systems, management information systems, etc., and on the other hand there is the physical artefact. This artefact, be it a computer, a network, or some other type of ICT, becomes an information system by being used in social settings. Information systems have been defined as “an amalgam of hardware, software, procedures, and activities” (Lyytinen & Hirschheim, 1988, p. 19). This chapter will use another route to introduce the concept of information systems. It will look at three of the constitutive aspects of information systems, namely at business, information, and technology. By analysing these three terms and their composition, it will show what information systems are, and more importantly, why the theory of reflective responsibility is a promising approach to addressing the normative problems raised by them.
Modular Web-Based Teaching and Learning Environments as a Way to Improve E-Learning
Authors: Kamin Oliver , Hagenhoff Svenja
Published: May 2011

This chapter can be assigned to the main fields of new and innovative educational paradigms and learning models, innovative modes of teaching and learning based on technological capabilities and strengths and weaknesses of technologies as effective teaching tools. It covers the construction of e-learning materials using a modular design approach in order to meet the technical and didactical requirements for the optimum operation of distance learning scenarios. First, it addresses the development path and substantial deficits of conventional e-learning materials. After this, it gives an overview of the requirements the supplier thinks necessary to develop high quality and state-of-the-art e-learning materials. In the following section, the customer’s needs with regard to the e-learning materials will be addressed. Accommodating both parties and securing high quality requires a high flexibility for configuration of a Web-based learning and teaching environment. The next section introduces the respective concept based on modular structures. The content-related design of study modules will be shown with the support of an example taken from the education network WINFOLine.
QoS-Oriented Medium Access Control for All-IP/ATM Mobile Commerce Applications
Authors: Markasin Alexander , Olariu Stephan , Todorova Petia
Published: May 2011

The main contribution of this chapter is a novel paradigm for future m-commerce multimedia communications and applications that can be integrated with other multifunctional multimedia e-applications (e.g., e-learning, e-health, e-culture, e-work, etc.) in a cost-effective manner. We also propose an implementation of this paradigm based on our novel QoS-oriented medium access control (MAC) technology and the fully distributed all-IP/ATM architecture. The proposed QoS-oriented MAC technology, along with the all-IP/ATM architecture, will provide cost-effective broadband communication multiservice for mobile and geographically distributed users anytime and anywhere.
Setting the Scene-Defining and Understanding ERP Systems
Authors: Sammon David , Adam Frédéric
Published: May 2011

This introduction chapter briefly retraces the emergence of the concept of enterprise-wide system and provides a complete overview of the definitions that have been proposed for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. It then presents the commonly accepted rationale for ERP including the much publicised benefits that organisations can expect from them. Following this, an overview of the ERP market and, in particular, of its leading player SAP is proposed, leading to a conclusion that sets the scene for the other chapters in this book.
The Road to ERP-Has Industry Learned or Revolved Back to the Start?
Authors: O’Gorman Bill
Published: May 2011

Current thinking and usage of materials management is not to view any individual materials management technique singularly as a panacea in itself, but rather to view the merits of using combinations of these techniques in an effective integrated manner: for example use MRPII at the top level MPS planning stage, JIT at the next level and Kanban (which utilises stock replenishment technique) at the operations level, while at the same time using EOQ and ABC analysis to control the cost of expensive component usage. This chapter traces the development of materials management techniques from the time of the industrial revolution to present day ERP systems. It examines the role and function of the more significant materials and inventory control techniques and explains how each has emerged and has been used as the basis for the development of successive improved techniques. This chapter also comments on the stand-alone nature of each of the techniques. The chapter however concludes with the suggestion that it is only by focusing on an enterprise as a complete system, and not as series of independent sub-systems, and to plan accordingly, that will lead organisations to the next higher level of materials management—Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
An Examination of an ERP Software Selection Process
Authors: Sammon David , Lawlor Daivd
Published: May 2011

In this chapter a case study of a world-class manufacturing organisation implementing SAP is purposefully used to demonstrate the influence of bias over requirements in the decision making process. Furthermore, this research highlights the difficulties in determining if the ERP package selected by an organisation is in fact the right software package, to fulfil the functional requirements of the organisation.