bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Individuals and Social Capital in POSIX Standardization
Authors: Isaak Jim
Published: February 2011

While standards are issued by organizations, individuals do the actual work, with significant collaboration required to agree on a common standard. This article explores the role of individuals in standards setting as well as the way these individuals are connected to one another through trusting networks and common values. This issue is studied in the context of the IEEE POSIX set of standards, for which the author was actively involved for more than 15 years. This case study demonstrates that the goals and influence of individual participants are not just that of their respective employers but may follow the individual through changes of employment. It also highlights changes in the relative importance of individual and corporate influence in Unix-related standardization over time. Better understanding of the interaction between individuals and organizations in the context of social capital and standardization can provide both a foundation for related research and more productive participation in these types of forums.
A Diffusion Model for Communication Standards in Supply Networks
Authors: Stockheim Tim , Schwind Michael , Weiss Kilian
Published: February 2011

This article presents a simulation framework that analyzes the diffusion of communication standards in different supply networks. We show that agents’ decisions depend on potential cost reduction, pressure from members of their communication network, and implementation costs of their communication standards. Besides focusing on process-specific market power distributions, the impact of relationship stability and process connectivity is analyzed as determinants of the diffusion of communication standards within different supply network topologies. In this context, two real-world scenarios from the automotive and paper/publishing industries are used as examples for different network topologies. The results support the thesis that increasing relationship dynamics and process connectivity lead to decreasing competition of communication standards. In certain circumstances, local communication clusters appear along the value chain, enabling these clusters to preserve their globally inferior standardization decision.
The Performance of Standard Setting Organizations
Authors: Soininen Aura
Published: February 2011

Multiple cases have been reported in which patents have posed dilemmas in the context of cooperative standard setting. Problems have come to the fore with regard to GSM, WCDMA, and CDMA standards, for example. Furthermore, JPEG and HTML standards, as well as VL-bus and SDRAM technologies, have faced patent-related difficulties. Nevertheless, it could be argued that complications have arisen in only a small fraction of standardization efforts, and that patents do not therefore constitute a real quandary. This article assesses the extent and the causes of the patent dilemma in the ICT sector through a brief analysis of how ICT companies’ patent strategies and technology-licensing practices relate to standard setting and by exemplifying and quantifying the problem on the basis of relevant articles, academic research papers, court cases and on-line discussions. Particular attention is paid to so-called submarine patents, which bear most significance with respect to the prevailing policy concern regarding the efficacy of the patent system.
Education about Standardization
Authors: de Vries Henk J. , Egyedi Tineke M.
Published: February 2011

The purpose of this article is to provide insight in standardization education by presenting the results of an international workshop organized by the International Committee for Education about Standardization (ICES) together with findings from literature. The main topics are: needs for standardization education, audiences and learning objectives, contents of an academic curriculum, and available materials for academic teaching. We found an enormous gap between manifest and latent needs for standardization education. The lesson to be learnt from some Asian countries is that this gap can be bridged. First, by a strong national policy which may be part of a regional policy. Secondly, by cooperation between government, industry, national standards body, academia and other educational institutions. The increasing number of initiatives and activities of the last three years indicates that there is a momentum for education on standardization. Our paper provides a structured approach for using this momentum to further develop and implement standardization education. It challenges researchers in the field to interrelate research and education.
Developing a Basis for Global Reciprocity
Authors: Crawford Lynn , Pollack Julien
Published: February 2011

Professional standards are a significant issue for professions such as IT and Project Management, where certification and licensure are either necessary to practice or to demonstrate individual competence and capability. In many professions there is no basis for international reciprocity of professional standards. This paper documents the development of a standard for global reciprocity between already existing professional standards in the field of Project Management. Data are based on personal involvement by the authors and interviews with participants. This discussion addresses different approaches to standardisation, how common issues in the standardisation process have been addressed, and how the hindering influence of the professional associations’ proprietorial interest was avoided. Significantly different standards of development processes have been used compared to those typical in Project Management standards development, including: an emphasis on negotiation and joint modification rather than market dominance, and an open access approach, rather than one based on exclusion and gate-keeping.
Foundations and Future Prospects of Standards Studies
Authors: Kurihara Shiro
Published: February 2011

The standards world has radically changed over the past two decades, especially in international standardization, with an increased impact on business and society, although the essential characteristic of standardization in general; namely, to achieve the optimal order in a given context, remains unchanged. In this article, such evolution of international standardization, caused by its structural adaptation to changes in its environment as well as the origin and history of standardization and standards, are reviewed initially. Subsequently, “standard studies” is advocated as a new academic discipline to comprehensively analyze the problems of standardization and standards from a broader perspective, transcending predominantly technological concerns. Finally, the need to invest in standards research and education is highlighted.
Structural Effects of Platform Certification on a Complementary Product Market
Authors: Tarnacha Ankur , Maitland Carleen
Published: February 2011

This article examines the structural effects of platform certification on the supply of complementary products. Drawing on the exploratory case of mobile application markets, the article highlights the broader market effects of competing platforms and their certifications on a platform-based complementary product market. The case suggests that platform certifications influence market intermediation, entry barriers, and deployment fragmentation. We present these market effects in a conceptual model that can be applied to understand similar complementary product markets. As such, the article contributes to the literature on compatibility standards by emphasizing some of the complementary product market effects of employing certification in enhancing compatibility.
An Exploratory Analysis of the Relationship Between Organizational and Institutional Factors Shaping the Assimilation of Vertical Standards
Authors: Mendoza Rubén A. , Ravichandran T.
Published: February 2011

Vertical standards describe products and services, define data formats and structures, and formalize and encode business processes for specific industries. Vertical standards enable end-to-end computing, provide greater visibility of the organization’s supply chain, and enable transactional efficiencies by automating routine tasks, reducing errors, and formally defining all parameters used to describe a product, service, or transaction. Research on standards diffusion has explored either firm-level and institutional variables, without integration of the two areas. This study develops scales for 11 constructs based on concepts culled from diffusion of innovations theory, organizational learning theories of technology adoption, institutional theory and network effects theory. The scales are validated with data collected from the membership of OASIS, a leading international standards-developing organization for electronic commerce technologies. Using data cluster analysis, relationship patterns between the 11 constructs are investigated. Results show that low fit between vertical standards and existing organizational business processes and data formats, low levels of anticipated benefits, and inadequate momentum with critical business partners contribute to slower vertical standards assimilation. However, organizational involvement with influential standards-development organizations, and the right set of technologies, skills, and structures to readily benefit from vertical standards spur their assimilation.
High Performance Scheduling Mechanism for Mobile Computing Based on Self-Ranking Algorithm
Authors: Ali Hesham A. , Farrag Tamer Ahmed
Published: February 2011

Due to the rapidly increasing number of mobile devices connected to the Internet, a lot of research is being conducted to maximize the benefit of such integration. The main objective of this article is to enhance the performance of the scheduling mechanism of the mobile computing environment by distributing some of the responsibilities of the access point among the available attached mobile devices. To this aim, we investigate a scheduling mechanism framework that comprises an algorithm that provides the mobile device with the authority to evaluate itself as a resource. The proposed mechanism is based on the “self ranking algorithm” (SRA), which provides a lifetime opportunity to reach a proper solution. This mechanism depends on an event-based programming approach to start its execution in a pervasive computing environment. Using such a mechanism will simplify the scheduling process by grouping mobile devices according to their self-ranking value and assigning tasks to these groups. Moreover, it will maximize the benefit of the mobile devices incorporated with the already existing Grid systems by using their computational power as a subordinate value to the overall power of the system. Furthermore, we evaluate the performance of the investigated algorithm extensively, to show how it overcomes the connection stability problem of the mobile devices. Experimental results emphasized that the proposed SRA has a great impact in reducing the total error and link utilization compared with the traditional mechanism.
Applying Social Network Analysis Techniques to Community-Driven Libre Software Projects
Authors: López-Fernández Luis , Robles Gregorio , Gonzalez-Barahona Jesus M.. , Herraiz Israel
Published: February 2011

Source code management repositories of large, long-lived libre (free, open source) software projects can be a source of valuable data about the organizational structure, evolution, and knowledge exchange in the corresponding development communities. Unfortunately, the sheer volume of the available information renders it almost unusable without applying methodologies which highlight the relevant information for a given aspect of the project. Such methodology is proposed in this article, based on well known concepts from the social networks analysis field, which can be used to study the relationships among developers and how they collaborate in different parts of a project. It is also applied to data mined from some well known projects (Apache, GNOME, and KDE), focusing on the characterization of their collaboration network architecture. These cases help to understand the potentials of the methodology and how it is applied, but also shows some relevant results which open new paths in the understanding of the informal organization of libre software development communities.
Multimodal Modeling, Analysis, and Validation of Open Source Software Development Processes
Authors: Scacchi Walt , Jensen Chris , Noll John , Elliott Margaret
Published: February 2011

Understanding the context, structure, activities, and content of software development processes found in practice has been and remains a challenging problem. In the world of free/open source software development (F/OSSD), discovering and understanding what processes are used in particular projects is important in determining how they are similar to or different from those advocated by the software engineering community. Prior studies have revealed that development processes in F/OSSD projects are different in a number of ways. In this article, we describe how a variety of modeling perspectives and techniques are used to elicit, analyze, and validate software development processes found in F/OSSD projects, with examples drawn from studies of the software requirements process found in the NetBeans.org project.
A Prediction-Based Flexible Channel Assignment in Wireless Networks Using Road Topology Information
Authors: Sivaradje G. , Nakkeeran R. , Dananjayan P.
Published: February 2011

In this article, a novel prediction technique is proposed, which uses road topology information for prediction. The proposed scheme uses real-time positioning information and road topology information, which matches with the real environment. The scheme uses flexible channel assignment to maintain a better tradeoff between forced termination and call blocking probabilities. For reservation of resources in advance, the information about future handoffs is obtained from the road topology prediction technique. To show the effectiveness of the prediction scheme and flexible channel assignment scheme, this work aims at simulation of other channel assignment strategies—fixed and dynamic channel assignment strategy with and without incorporating the prediction based on road topology information. It gives accurate prediction results, which helps to maintain a better QoS and resource management.
Secure Online DNS Dynamic Updates
Authors: Wang Xunhua , Rine David
Published: February 2011

Domain Name System (DNS) is the Internet infrastructure for mapping human-friendly domain names into IP addresses. To provide data-origin authentication for DNS, the DNS Security Extension (DNSSEC) standard was developed. In this article, we point out two drawbacks of DNSSEC in its handling of DNS dynamic updates: 1) creating a single point of attack with the on-line storage of a zone security key, and 2) violating the role separation principle by mixing up the roles of zone security managers and DNS name server administrators. To address these issues, we propose an alternative secure DNS architecture based on threshold cryptography. To demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed architecture, we developed a toolkit and built a proof-of-concept prototype. Our running results show that the performance of our architecture ranges from one to four times of DNSSEC’s performance. Thus, through small performance overhead, our architecture could achieve very high level of security.
Image Mining
Authors: Sun Wei , Taniar David , Torabi Torab
Published: February 2011

Advances in image acquisition and storage technology have led to tremendous growth in very large and detailed image databases. These images, once analysed, can reveal useful information to our uses. The focus for image mining in this article is clustering of shoe prints. This study leads to the work in forensic data mining. In this article, we cluster selected shoe prints using k-means and expectation maximisation (EM). We analyse and compare the results of these two algorithms.
Experiences with Software Architecture Analysis of Usability
Authors: Folmer Eelke , Bosch Jan
Published: February 2011

Software engineers and human computer interaction engineers have come to the understanding that usability is not something that can be “added” to a software product during late stage, since to a certain extent it is determined and restricted by architecture design. Cost effectively developing a usable system must include developing an architecture, which supports usability. Because software engineers in industry lacked support for the early evaluation of usability, we defined a generalized four-step method for software architecture level usability analysis called SALUTA. In this article, we report on a number of experiences and problems we observed when performing architecture analysis of usability at three industrial case studies performed in the domain of Web-based enterprise systems. Suggestions or solutions are provided for solving or avoiding these problems so organizations facing similar problems may learn from our experiences.
Context-Aware Recommender Systems in Mobile Scenarios
Authors: Woerndl Wolfgang , Brocco Michele , Eigner Robert
Published: February 2011

In this article, we give an overview of ideas for integrating context in recommender systems in general and specifically in various mobile application domains. Our main case study is an approach for vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs). The system recommends gas stations based on driver preferences, ratings of other users and context information such as the current location and fuel level of a car. We explain the main design issues behind our recommender. Our approach first filters items based on preferences and context, and then takes ratings of other users and additional information into account, which can be relayed from car to car in a VANET. We also outline other mobile scenarios for contextualized recommender systems: a system for recommending mobile applications based on user context, an approach to find relevant resources in mobile semantic personal information management and a decentralized recommender system for personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Mining Protein Interactome Networks to Measure Interaction Reliability and Select Hub Proteins
Authors: Cho Young-Rae , Zhang Aidong
Published: February 2011

High-throughput techniques involve large-scale detection of protein-protein interactions. This interaction data set from the genome-scale perspective is structured into an interactome network. Since the interaction evidence represents functional linkage, various graph-theoretic computational approaches have been applied to the interactome networks for functional characterization. However, this data is generally unreliable, and the typical genome-wide interactome networks have a complex connectivity. In this paper, the authors explore systematic analysis of protein interactome networks, and propose a $k$-round signal flow simulation algorithm to measure interaction reliability from connection patterns of the interactome networks. This algorithm quantitatively characterizes functional links between proteins by simulating the propagation of information signals through complex connections. In this regard, the algorithm efficiently estimates the strength of alternative paths for each interaction. The authors also present an algorithm for mining the complex interactome network structure. The algorithm restructures the network by hierarchical ordering of nodes, and this structure re-formatting process reveals hub proteins in the interactome networks. This paper demonstrates that two rounds of simulation accurately scores interaction reliability in terms of ontological correlation and functional consistency. Finally, the authors validate that the selected structural hubs represent functional core proteins.
Assessing Knowledge Management Success
Authors: Jennex Murray , Olfman Lorne
Published: February 2011

This article proposes a framework for assessing knowledge management system (KMS) success models. The framework uses three criteria: how well the model fits actual KMS success factors, the degree to which the model has a theoretical foundation, and if the model can be used for both types of KMSs. The framework is then applied to four KMS success models found in the literature and is determined to be a useful framework for assessing KMS success models.
Knowledge Management System Success
Authors: Liu Shih-Chen , Olfman Lorne , Ryan Terry
Published: February 2011

This article presents the empirical testing of a theoretical model of knowledge management system success. The Jennex and Olfman model of knowledge management system success was developed to reflect the DeLone and McLean model of information systems success in the knowledge management context. A structural equation model representing the Jennex and Olfman theoretical model is developed. Using data from a prior study aimed at knowledge management system use and individual learning, this model is tested. The overall fit of the model to the data is fair, although some interpretation of the estimated model parameters is problematic. The results of the model test provide limited support for the Jennex and Olfman theoretical model, but indicate the value of continued investigation and refinement of it. Suggestions for future research are provided.
Developing and Analyzing Core Competencies for Alignment with Strategy
Authors: Sawyer Keith , Gammack John
Published: February 2011

Although it is widely accepted that alignment of knowledge with corporate strategy is necessary, to date there have been few clear statements on what a knowledge strategy looks like and how it may be practically implemented. We argue that current methods and techniques to accomplish this alignment are severely limited, showing no clear description on how the alignment can be achieved. Core competencies, embodying an organisation’s practical know-how, are also rarely linked explicitly to actionable knowledge strategy. Viewing knowledge embedded in core competencies as a strategic asset, the paper uses a case study to show how a company’s core competencies were articulated and verified for either inclusion or exclusion in the strategy. The study is representative of similar studies carried out across a range of organisations using a novel and practically proven method. This method, StratAchieve, was used here in a client situation to show how the core competencies were identified and tested for incorporation or not in the strategy. The paper concludes by considering the value of the approach for managing knowledge.
A Case-Classification-Conclusion 3Cs Approach to Knowledge Acquisition
Authors: Vazey Megan , Richards Debbie
Published: February 2011

In this paper, we postulate that the problem solving process in many domains involves identifying the class of problem on hand, identifying an appropriate solution, and recognising opportunities for its reuse. We suggest a solution that builds up knowledge of a given domain by recording observations, diagnoses and actions in a “3Cs form” of Cases, Classifications, and Conclusions. Our solution allows knowledge workers in any domain where heuristics are relied on to form classifications, and then apply generalised conclusions on the basis of the given classification, to collaboratively refine and expand a topic by consistently asking users to confirm, add to, or refine the presented knowledge in the context of the current case being classified. Our solution is presented in the context of the corporate call centre and is a significant extension of the Multiple Classification Ripple Down Rules algorithm. We present a 3Cs Logic Wiki that takes the best features of current collaborative knowledge exchange mechanisms, and captures a logic structure on top of that which provides for rapid indexing of acquired knowledge.
Assessing Knowledge Management
Authors: Asoh Derek Ajesam , Belardo Salvatore , Crnkovic Jakov ("Yasha")
Published: February 2011

With growing interest in knowledge management (KM)-related assessments and calls for rigorous as-sessment tools, the objective of this study was to apply structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques to refine and cross validate the KM index (KMI), a metric to assess the degree to which organizations are engaged in KM. Unlike previous KM metrics research that has focused on scales, we modeled the KMI as a formative latent variable, thereby extending knowledge on formative measures and index creation from other fields into the KM field. The refined KMI metric was tested in a nomological network and found to be robust and stable when cross validated; thereby demonstrating consistent prediction results across independent data sets. The study also verified the hypothesis that the KMI is positively correlated with organizational performance (OP). Research contributions, managerial implications, limitations of the study, and direction for further research are discussed.
Mapping the Knowledge Management Domain of Ideas
Authors: Hornett Andrea , Stein Eric W.
Published: February 2011

This article adds to our understanding of the field of knowledge management as an evolving body of concepts, relationships, strategies, and practices. Using qualitative research methods, we examined the activities of a community of practice for knowledge management professionals operating in a large metropolitan U.S. city. Through the analysis, we produced an organizing framework that maps KM topics according to the tactical-strategic orientation of the KM issue and level of analysis (individual-group-enterprise). We constructed and populated the framework based on a content analysis of 44 presentations made from 2001-2005, from survey data, from interviews conducted with key informants, and from data collected as participant-observers. The work provides insight into the decision-making processes regarding the selection of KM topics and adds to our understanding of collective sense making (Weick, 1995) based on the differing needs, values, and perceptions of the multiple stakeholders in this KM community of practice.
Impacts from Using Knowledge
Authors: Jennex Murray E.
Published: February 2011

This is a longitudinal case study that explored the relationship between use of organizational memory and knowledge, knowledge management, and knowledge worker productivity within the engineering group at a nuclear power plant. Three data points were taken over 5 years. The group used a knowledge management system (KMS) and it was found that the system improved effectiveness/productivity of the organization. The organization had not identified measures for determining productivity improvements, so the key results of the case study are models showing the impact of knowledge use on productivity.
Semantic Search of Unstructured Knowledge using Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Hazarika Jshyamanta M , Roy Bibha
Published: February 2011

This article describes semantic search of unstructured knowledge/data through a qualitative preprocessor. Using the spatial representation language Region Connection Calculus, qualitative relationships inherent in the background knowledge is made explicit. The preprocessor obtained by exploiting such qualitative information can overcome some fundamental problems associated with information retrieval and is an efficient approach to retrieve relevant results.
Virtual Communities Practice
Authors: Gammelgaard Jens , Ritter Thomas
Published: February 2011

In geographically dispersed organizations, like multinational corporations (MNCs), contextual gaps exist between senders and receivers of knowledge. Employee socialization resulting from physical proximity facilitates contextualization of the transferred knowledge. However, in MNCs most knowledge transfers take place through virtual communication media. We investigate the phenomenon of virtual communities of practice, and propose them to be efficient for individual’s knowledge retrieval as participation in such communities reduces the contextual gaps between senders and receivers of knowledge. However, the organization must provide a knowledge-sharing friendly culture, and an institutional protectionism, in order to establish the required level of swift trust within the virtual community.
Introducing Elasticity for Spatial Knowledge Management
Authors: Gadish David A.
Published: February 2011

The internal validity of a spatial database can be discovered using the data contained within one or more databases. Spatial consistency includes topological consistency, or the conformance to topological rules. Discovery of inconsistencies in spatial data is an important step for improvement of spatial data quality as part of the knowledge management initiative. An approach for detecting topo-semantic inconsistencies in spatial data is presented. Inconsistencies between pairs of neighboring spatial objects are discovered by comparing relations between spatial objects to rules. A property of spatial objects, called elasticity, has been defined to measure the contribution of each of the objects to inconsistent behavior. Grouping of multiple objects, which are inconsistent with one another, based on their elasticity is proposed. The ability to discover groups of neighboring objects that are inconsistent with one another can serve as the basis of an effort to understand and increase the quality of spatial data sets. Elasticity should therefore be incorporated into knowledge management systems that handle spatial data.
What is Knowledge Sharing from the Informer's Perspective?
Authors: Ford Dianne P. , Staples D. Sandy
Published: February 2011

Knowledge sharing is a popular research topic; however, the construct has not been well defined theoretically or in terms of how to operationalize it, as there appears to be little consistency. This apparent lack of consistency is problematic for developing a cumulative understanding of the predictors and outcomes of this behavior. In this study, we examine how other researchers have operationalized knowledge sharing, and conduct a qualitative study to further understand this construct. A knowledge sharing and hoarding classification system is developed, and six knowledge sharing behavioral categories are identified. Finally, recommendations are made for future research in knowledge management.
A Simulation System for Evaluating Knowledge Management System (KMS)Implementation Strategies in Small to Mid-Size Enterprises (SME)
Authors: Judge Robert
Published: February 2011

Companies create and use information and knowledge every day. The problem all companies have is figuring out how to efficiently discover that knowledge, capture it, share it, and use it to gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. This article describes a simulation model designed to provide small to midsized enterprises (SME) with a means to understand the impact of barriers and value accelerators on the flow of organizational information. The simulation model reports the throughput of information (number of information packets received per day) and its timeliness (average duration until packet arrival) and provides for sensitivity analysis of the parameters describing a strategy. Comparisons among model instantiations allow an organization to determine the appropriate strategy for current and future KMS efforts.
Reaching for the Moon
Authors: Allan Mark B. , Korolis Anthony A. , Griffith Terri L.
Published: February 2011

Transactive memory systems (TMS) support knowledge sharing and coordination in groups. TMS are enabled by the encoding, storage, retrieval, and communication of knowledge by domain experts—knowing who knows what. The NASA Ames Intelligent Robotics Group provides an example of how TMS theoretical boundaries are stretched in actual use. This group is characterized as being highly innovative as they routinely engage in field studies that are inherently difficult due to time and technology resource constraints. We provide an expanded view of TMS that includes the technology support system available to this group, and possible further extensions to NASA’s or other such dynamic groups’ practice.
Organization of Lessons Learned Knowledge
Authors: Iyer Subramanian Rama , Sharda Ramesh , Biros David , Lucca Joyce , Shimp Upton
Published: February 2011

With knowledge management systems (KMS) containing large repositories, a major issue is content organization. The ease of finding relevant information depends on the effectiveness of knowledge organization. Ontology, thesauri, and taxonomy are some of the key words that relate to knowledge organization. In this article we propose a schema for organizing knowledge that represents lessons learned from prior experience. Such knowledge from lessons learned has distinct characteristics so that it can be organized in specific ways for ease of discovery, retrieval, and also possible incorporation in formal learning. The proposed taxonomy includes concepts from domain related hierarchy, sources of lessons learned, formal learning, and collaborative inputs (Web 2.0). We describe the proposed taxonomy for organizing the lessons learned knowledge (also termed as knowledge nuggets) and provide details of a specific implementation of this taxonomy in a military organization. Such approaches to knowledge organization have the potential to be useful in many other knowledge management (KM) projects.
Utilizing the Rasch Model to Develop and Evaluate Items for the Tacit Knowledge Inventory for Superintendents (TKIS)
Authors: Mueller Christian E. , Bradley Kelly D.
Published: February 2011

Tacit knowledge was originally introduced into the professional literature by Michael Polanyi and later made popular by researchers in a variety of domains. Measuring this implicit form of procedural knowledge requires multiple approaches to adequately “capture” what is often known, but not easily articulated. The present study combines use of Sternberg et al.’s framework for capturing domain-specific tacit knowledge with that of Rasch modeling to develop and validate items for use on a newly developed tacit knowledge inventory. Development of the Tacit Knowledge Inventory for Superintendents (TKIS) occurred in three phases, including two phases of piloting and Rasch analysis. For illustrative purposes, presentation of results is limited to the Rasch analyses conducted on interpersonal tacit knowledge items. However, the methodology extends its usefulness to researchers and practitioners to guide the development process of similar assessments.
Knowledge Management
Authors: Zyngier Suzanne
Published: February 2011

Knowledge Management (KM) governance is the implementation of authority through a framework to ensure the delivery of anticipated or predicted benefits of KM strategy development and implementation in an authorized and regulated manner. KM governance also relies on measurement and evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of all aspects of KM, particularly the outcomes of strategy implementation to ensure that strategic benefits are realized. This paper examines the results of a global survey of people involved in the development and implementation of KM strategies. Responses came from 34 countries across every continent. Using descriptive and inferential statistics, this paper finds clear evidence of the measurability of KM outcomes through KM governance. These research findings strengthen the proposition that KM governance supports the capacity of KM governance to realize and reveal the value from, or the return on investment (ROI) of KM strategy development and implementation; the selection of KM tools and techniques is less of a consideration in this regard.
A Change Management Framework to Support Software Project Management
Authors: Masekela Belinda , Nienaber Rita
Published: February 2011

In today’s global marketplace, organizations are continually faced with the need to change their structures and processes to attain a competitive advantage. Implementation of new technology and information management systems results in inevitable changes in organizational procedures impacting on the people involved. Resistance to change may impact on this process and contribute to failure of this system. Managing change in an effective and efficient manner may negate this impact. This paper compiles a set of guidelines to support change which involves the incorporation of technology in an organization. These guidelines were mapped to a model, the GIC (Guidelines Implementing Change) model comprising all identified factors. These guidelines are utilized to guide the implementation of a new system, while simultaneously evaluating the success of these set guidelines. This research is cross disciplinary, affecting the areas of organizational behaviour, software project management, and human factors.
A Formalised Approach to the Management of Risk
Authors: Brownsword Mike
Published: February 2011

Taking pragmatic, systems engineering approach, this paper identifies a number of fundamental issues that presently arise in risk management, primarily as a result of the overly complex approach conventionally taken in process definition and a lack of coherence within the current risk management vocabulary. The aim of the paper is to enable a fundamental simplification of the risk management process and an improved understanding of the associated terminology. The outcome of this work is a formalised but pragmatic approach to risk management resulting in the development of a conceptual framework and an associated ontology, which emphasises the understanding of people and their environment as part of risk management. The approach has been validated in a number of case studies of varying depth and breadth from the IT domain, defence, rail industry, and education, covering health and safety, business, project and individual needs.
Fast Vector Quantization Encoding Algorithms for Image Compression
Authors: Swilem Ahmed
Published: February 2011

Vector quantization (VQ) is a well-known compression method. In the encoding phase, given a block represented as a vector, searching the closest codeword in the codebook is a time-consuming task. In this article, two fast encoding algorithms for VQ are proposed. To reduce the search area and accelerate the search process, the first algorithm utilizes three significant features of a vector that are, the norm, andtwo projection angles to two projection axes. The second algorithm uses the first two features as in the first algorithm with the projection value of the vector to the second projection axe. The algorithms allow significant acceleration in the encoding process. Experimental results are presented on image block data. These results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
A Cross-Layer Model for Video Multicast Based TCP-Adaptive FEC over Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: AL-Suhail Ghaida A. , Tan Liansheng , Kennedy Rodney A.
Published: February 2011

In this article, we present a simple cross-layer model that leads to the optimal throughput of multiple users for multicasting MPEG-4 video over a heterogeneous network. For heterogeneous wired-to-wireless network, at the last wireless hop there are bit errors associated with the link-layer packets that are arising in the wireless channel, in addition of overflow packet dropping over wired links. We employ a heuristic TCP function to optimize the cross-layer model of data link and physical (radio-link) layer. An adaptive Forward-Error-Correction (FEC) scheme is applied at the byte-level as well as at the packet-level. The corresponding optimal video quality can be evaluated at each client end. The results show that a server can significantly adapt to the bandwidth and FEC codes to maximize the video quality of service (QoS) in terms of temporal scaling when a maximum network throughput for each client is reached.
Evaluating E-Communities of Wireless Networks Worldwide
Authors: Kavaliotis Theodoros I. , Economides Anastasios A.
Published: February 2011

Many people communicate among themselves using wireless networks. They have developed e-communities in order to discuss issues about their network development, problems, opportunities, and wireless technology advances among others. The purpose of this article is to present an evaluation framework and analyze the current status of such Electronic Communities of Wireless Networks (ECWNs) in four continents: Africa, America, Europe and Oceania. The evaluation framework contains fifty criteria categorized into four categories: 1) Usability, 2) Technical Characteristics, 3) Community’s Commitment, and 4) Members’ Commitment. Then, fifty-seven ECWNs were evaluated using these criteria. The results show that there are large differences among ECWNs with respect to the forum structure, archives accessibility, interactivity, services, members’ commitment, participation and relationships. In most ECWNs, two major drawbacks are the lack of online forums and a newsletter service. Finally, suggestions are made in order to improve current ECWNs.
The Accuracy of Location Prediction Algorithms Based on Markovian Mobility Models
Authors: Fülöp Péter , Imre Sándor , Szabó Sándor , Szálka Tamás
Published: February 2011

The efficient dimensioning of cellular wireless access networks depends highly on the accuracy of the underlying mathematical models of user distribution and traffic estimations. The optimal placement/deployment of e.g. UMTS, IEEE 802.16 WiMAX base stations or IEEE 802.11 WLAN access points is based on user distribution and traffic characteristics in the service area. In this paper we focus on the tradeoff between the accuracy and the complexity of the mathematical models used to describe user movements in the network. We propose a novel Markov chain based model capable of utilizing user’s movement history thus providing more accurate results than other models in the literature. The new model is applicable in real-life scenarios, because it relies on information effectively available in cellular networks (e.g. handover history). The complexity of the proposed model is analyzed, and the accuracy is justified by means of simulation.
Performance Enhancement of Routing Protocols in Mobile Ad hoc Networks
Authors: Mnif Kais , Kadoch Michel
Published: February 2011

This article proposes to use virtual backbone structure to handle control messages in ad hoc networks. This structure is effective in reducing the overhead of disseminating control information. In the first part, the approach to build the virtual backbone on the setup phase is presented. The construction of backbone is based on the Minimum Connected Dominating Set (MCDS). The novelty is in the way on finding the MCDS. A Linear Programming approach is used to build a Minimum Dominating Set (MDS). Then, a spanning tree algorithm is applied to provide the MCDS. A theoretical analysis based on probabilistic approach is developed to evaluate the size of MCDS. Different techniques of diffusion in ad hoc networks are presented and compared. The flooding technique is simple and efficient, but it is expensive in term of bandwidth consumption and causes broadcast storm problem. Simulation results show that technique using virtual backbone performs flooding and it is compared to MPR (Multipoint Relay). The second part of this article presents a distributed procedure to maintain the backbone when the mobility of terminals is introduced. A maintenance procedure will be executed by the node which changes its position. This procedure is distributed and guarantees the node connectivity to the backbone. The authors believe that the maintenance of the backbone with small size will be more effective. Simulation results show the performance of this procedure when mobility and scalability are considered.
Buffer Management in Cellular IP Network using PSO
Authors: Anbar Mohammad , Vidyarthi Deo Prakash
Published: February 2011

Cellular IP networks deal with the concepts of micro-mobility. Buffer management in Cellular IP networks is very crucial as its proper usage not only increases the throughput of the network but also results in the reduction of the call drops. This article proposes a model for buffer management in Cellular IP network using Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), an evolutionary computational method often used to solve hard problems. The model considers two kinds of buffers; Gateway buffer and Base Station buffer. In the proposed two-tier model, the first tier applies a prioritization algorithm for prioritizing real-time packets in the buffer. In the second tier PSO algorithm is used on a swarm of cells in the network. PSO is applied for a given time slot, called window. In each window period the swarm can store number of packets depending on the window size and the total number of packets. The effect of various parameters e.g. number of packets, size of packets, window size, and a threshold value on buffer utilization has been studied by conducting the simulation experiments.
An Inter-Domain Agent Based Secure Authorization and Communication for Mobile Clients in Wireless AdHoc Networks
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Patel R. B.
Published: February 2011

Wireless mobile adhoc network (MANET) is a dynamic network. Nodes in a MANET have high degree of mobility from one domain to another in a particular time interval. In such a dynamic network, security is a major concern. In this paper, the authors propose an inter domain agent based secure authorization and communication for mobile clients/nodes (MCs) in MANET. Mobile agents (MAs) are software programs that support the mobility of clients in different domain and provide necessary resources to the clients for safe execution. It also shares the key with MCs in different domains. An algorithm for secure authorization and communication between MCs having mobility in different domains is proposed. The scheme is evaluated on ns-2 w.r.t. metrics such as overall cost in terms of overhead generated, admission and traceability cost, and itinerary chosen by MAs w.r.t. mobility of MCs.
Network Layer Mobility Management Schemes for IP-Based Mobile Networks
Authors: Upadhyay Paramesh C. , Tiwari Sudarshan
Published: February 2011

Mobility is a natural phenomenon in cellular networks. The worldwide popularity of mobile communications and Internet has necessitated the merger of the two fast growing technologies to get their fullest advantages. The Internet protocol (IP) was designed for static hosts only. Therefore, in order to add mobility in Internet, the Internet protocol needs to be redefined. This paper is intended to present an overview of various mobility management schemes, available in literature, for IP-based mobile networks.
Appropriating Heuristic Evaluation for Mobile Computing
Authors: Bertini E. , Catarci T. , Dix A. , Gabrielli S. , Kimani S. , Santucci G.
Published: February 2011

Heuristic evaluation has proven popular for desktop and web interfaces, both in practical design and as a research topic. Compared to full user studies, heuristic evaluation can be highly cost-effective, allowing a large proportion of usability flaws to be detected ahead of full development with limited resource investment. Mobile computing shares many usability issues with more conventional interfaces. However, it also poses particular problems for usability evaluation related to aspects such as limited screen real estate, intermittent user attention, and contextual factors. This article describes a modified collection of usability heuristics that are designed to be appropriate for evaluation in mobile computing. They have been systematically derived from extensive literature and empirically validated. They therefore offer a sound basis for heuristic-based evaluation in mobile computing. Besides introducing the reader to the practical use of heuristic evaluation, the article also closes with a description of potential future research in the area.