bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Stochastic Model for Improving Information Security in Supply Chain Systems
Authors: Al Kattan Ibrahim , Al Nunu Ahmed , Saleh Kassem
Published: May 2011

This article presents a probabilistic security model for supply chain management systems (SCM) in which the basic goals of security (including confidentiality, integrity, availability and accountability, CIAA) are modeled and analyzed. Consequently, the weak points in system security are identified. A stochastic model using measurable values to describe the information system security of a SCM is introduced. Information security is a crucial and integral part of the network of supply chains. Each chain or driver requires a different security level according to the services it contributes to the overall SCM system. Different probabilistic weights are assigned to the four goals CIAA of security depending on the SCM driver’s mission. A Semi-Markov chain model is used to describe the probabilistic nature of different security levels for each driver in the system. A comparison of the steady-state security for a multi-driver model with different levels of attack is performed, and the results analyzed. Enhanced supply chain security could be achieved by identifying the effects of attacks on the security goals of an organization. The use of this model helps to identify weak points in supply chain system security, and offers hints on how to strengthen them. The model is tested by considering intrusion scenarios representing different levels of attack on the SCM system. An analysis of the results is performed using an interactive application.
Process Mapping for Electronic Resources
Authors: Afifi Marianne
Published: May 2011

The number of electronic resources is continually growing and the processes associated with managing them are ever more complex. Consequently, completely new ways of managing these resources efficiently and effectively must be invented or borrowed from industries that also must manage complex processes. This chapter describes how a method generally employed in business and industry can be applied in managing electronic resource-related processes in libraries. Specifically, a technique called process mapping and its potential application to electronic resource management in libraries is described. Existing electronic resource management guidelines are conceptually linked to actual management situations. A case study is presented which is intended to illustrate the process.
Symbiotic Data Miner
Authors: Athappilly Kuriakose
Published: May 2011

Symbiotic data mining is an evolutionary approach to how organizations analyze, interpret, and create new knowledge from large pools of data. Symbiotic data miners are trained business and technical professionals skilled in applying complex data-mining techniques and business intelligence tools to challenges in a dynamic business environment.
Antitrust Applied to ICT
Authors: Estella Fernando Díez Díez
Published: May 2011

Chapter 6 analyses how Antitrust is applied to ICT, in order to grant access to so-called “essential facilities”, promote consumers’ welfare and enhance undertakings’ R&D investments. Our contentions are underscored by the recent Microsoft ruling. First the authors summarize the basic principles underlying Article 82 EC Treaty, and the way in which European antitrust authorities are trying to “reshape” it in order to achieve a more economic understanding of abusive practices, specifically refusals to deal. The the authors focus on the protection of IPRs, essential to the pivotal role ICT plays in our modern and developed world, and –closely linked to it- the consequences of this landmark case in incentives for innovation and investment. In addition to these, there is the always-present concern for consumers’ welfare, which of lately has become the cornerstone for antitrust decisions; which is also addressed here.
Trusted Computing or Distributed Trust Management?
Authors: Tomaiuolo Michele
Published: May 2011

Nowadays, in contrast with centralized or hierarchical certification authorities and directory of names, other solutions are gaining momentum. Federation of already deployed security systems is considered the key to build global security infrastructures. In this field, trust management systems can play an important role, being based on a totally distributed architecture. The idea of distributed trust management can be confronted with the concept of trusted computing. Though having a confusingly similar denomination, the different interpretation of trust in these systems drives to divergent consequences with respect to system architectures and access policies, but also to law, ethics, politics. While trusted computing systems assure copyright holders and media producers that the hosting system will respect the access restrictions they defined, trust management systems, instead, allow users to grant trust to other users or software agents for accessing local resources, as discussed in chapter 24.
An Elusive Formula
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: May 2011

One approach to understanding transformative learning is to see it as a strong shift in basic understandings that changes how an individual and people interact with each other and the world; ultimately, this culminates in the power to make positive changes—to promote self-actualization and social justice. Change occurs in a multi-step process—from becoming aware of one’s own thinking and actions, to understanding a need for positive change, and then developing the skills, emotional readiness, and tools to make those changes. This may involve the institutionalization of that change through habituation. The ability to create change through online learning and information technology has implications for many knowledge domains. This chapter summarizes some of the research and practices in behavior change technologies in public health. An inductive argument will be made for some design approaches to the use of IT for behavior change in public health, a critical issue of social justice and equity.
Trust-Based Usage Control in Collaborative Environment
Authors: Yang Li , Phuong Chang , Novobilski Andy , Ege Raimund K.
Published: May 2011

Most access control models have formal access control rules to govern the authorization of a request from a principal. In pervasive and collaborative environments, the behaviors of a principal are uncertain due to partial information. Moreover, the attributes of a principal, requested objects, and contexts of a request are mutable during the collaboration. A variety of such uncertainty and mutability pose challenges when resources sharing must happen in the collaborative environment. In order to address the above challenges, we propose a framework to integrate trust management into a usage control model in order to support decision making in an ever-changing collaborative environment. First, a trust value of a principal is evaluated based on both observed behaviors and peer recommendations. Second, the usage-based access control rules are checked to make decisions on resource exchanges. Our framework handles uncertainty and mutability by dynamically disenrolling untrusted principals and revoking granted on-going access if access control rules are no longer met. We have applied our trust-based usage control framework to an application of file sharing.
Towards Process-of-Care Aware Emergency Department Information Systems
Authors: Ceglowski Andrzej S. , Churilov Leonid
Published: May 2011

The critical role of emergency departments (EDs) as the first point of contact for ill and injured patients has presented significant challenges for the elicitation of detailed process models. Patient complexity has limited the ability of ED information systems (EDIS) in prediction of patient treatment and patient movement. This article formulates a novel approach to building EDIS Activity Views that paves the way for EDIS that can predict patient workflow. The resulting Activity View pertains to what is being done, rather than what experts think is being done. The approach is based on analysis of data that is routinely recorded during patient treatment. The practical significance of the proposed approach is clinically acceptable, verifiable, and statistically valid process-oriented clusters of ED activities that can be used for targeted process elicitation, thus informing the design of EDIS. Its theoretical significance is in providing the new middle ground between existing soft and computational process elicitation methods.
Gender and ICT Policy
Authors: Rhima Tracy Efe
Published: May 2011

This chapter is devoted to discussion of ICT and gender policy. It explores the need for gender consideration in ICT policy, gender issues in ICT policy, adoption of gender perspective in ICT policies, challenges for the adoption of a gender perspective in the formulation and implementation of ICT policies, case studies of gender and ICT policies in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean and Australia, gender approaches to ICT policies and programs, guidelines for policy-making and regulatory agencies. It was concluded that various national government have started addressing gender issues in their policies. Recommendation was given that policy makers should ensure that Gender considerations are truly included in national ICT policy.
How to Account for Information
Authors: Floridi Luciano
Published: May 2011

In Floridi (2005), I argued that a definition of semantic information in terms of alethically-neutral content – that is, strings of well-formed and meaningful data that can be additionally qualified as true or untrue (false, for the classicists among us), depending on supervening evaluations – provides only necessary but insufficient conditions: if some content is to qualify as semantic information, it must also be true. One speaks of false information in the same way as one qualifies someone as a false friend, i.e. not a friend at all. According to it, semantic information is, strictly speaking, inherently truth-constituted and not a contingent truth-bearer, exactly like knowledge but unlike propositions or beliefs, for example, which are what they are independently of their truth values and then, because of their truth-aptness, may be further qualified alethically.
Creation of a Process Framework for Transitioning to a Mobile Enterprise
Authors: Unhelkar Bhuvan
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents the creation of a process framework that can be used by enterprises in order to transition to mobile enterprises. This framework facilitates adoption of mobile technologies by organizations in a strategic manner. A mobile enterprise transition framework provides a process for transition that is based on the factors that influence such transition. The Mobile Enterprise Transition (MET) framework, outlined in this chapter, is based on the four dimensions of economy, technology, methodology, and sociology. These four dimensions for MET have been identified based on an understanding of people, processes, and technologies. A research project undertaken by the author validates these four dimensions.
Information Technologies as a Vital Channel for an Internal E-Communication Strategy
Authors: Lastres-Segret José A. , Núñez-Gorrín José M.
Published: May 2011

The use of traditional marketing tools with the purpose to increase effectiveness and efficacy within organizations has been studied among different authors. This topic known as internal marketing (IM) starts defining employees as internal clients to whom the organization must satisfy a group of needs and expectations to achieve their engagement and motivation on work, looking forward to increased productivity and competitively within the organization. Among the most important aspects and maybe the least discussed on IM are the information technologies (IT), in first place, as a method to ease the work increasing the labor life quality (LLQ). Furthermore, the information technologies are a vital channel to develop an internal e-communication (internal electronic communication) effective strategy. In both cases, the new technologies give enormous possibilities as supporting strategies to IM, allowing the organization to have a direct and permanent relationship with its workers in any place, important aspect to have a successful integration, and participation on the global economy. The present article talks about the challenges and possibilities that offer the IT as IM support, mainly, being an important channel to the internal e-communication.
Indonesian Legal Perspectives on Biotechnology and Intellectual Property Rights
Authors: Litaay Theofransus , Prananingrum Dyah Hapsari , Krisanto Yakub Adi
Published: May 2011

The authors focus their attention on the structure of Indonesian law and policies on biotechnology issues; they also address some issues related to bioethics and research activities and economic activities, such as the issue of bioprospecting and biopiracy on Indonesian biodiversity, and how the legal and governance structure within Indonesia are designed to cope with this issue. An issue that looms large is about intellectual property rights.
Geochemia
Authors: Christozov Dimitar
Published: May 2011

In Bulgaria, mineral resources are property of the State. The State’s Committee of Geology (SCG) executes control and supervision and supports on geological researches. The last includes access to information and laboratory services. SCG has established a system, whit the following functions: • Distribution of soil samples among the laboratories; • Execution of quality control on the chemical analytical methods used in laboratories; • Maintenance of the information fund (archive). The enterprise, responsible to the performance of the system is “Geochemia”. The case specifies the functions of “Geochemia”, information systems and technologies used to support execution of its activities in the time of transition to market economy. It provides basis for development of course projects in three areas: • Design of database and TPS; • Design of a MIS for quality control; • Development of DSS: Statistical Inference Procedures for usability and calibration of chemical analytical methods.
Selecting and Implementing an ERP System at Alimentos Peru
Authors: Santana J. Martin , Serida-Nishimura Jaime , Morris-Abarca Eddie , Diaz-Baron Ricardo
Published: May 2011

The case describes the implementation process of an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system at Alimentos Peru, one of the largest foods manufacturing companies in Peru. It discusses the organization’s major concerns during the mid-90’s, including increasing competition, inefficiency of business processes, and lack of timely and accurate information. To address these concerns Alimentos Peru launched several projects, one of which involved the implementation of an ERP system. The case explains the criteria used to evaluate and select the system, as well as the main issues and problems that arose during the implementation process. More specifically, the case focuses upon a set of implementation factors, such as top management support, user participation, and project management. Finally, the case concludes with a discussion of the benefits obtained from the introduction of the system as well as the new organizational challenges.
Evaluating Mobile Human-Computer Interaction
Authors: Baber Chris
Published: May 2011

In this chapter the evaluation of human computer interaction (HCI) with mobile technologies is considered. The ISO 9241 notion of ‘context of use’ helps to define evaluation in terms of the ‘fitness-for-purpose’ of a given device to perform given tasks by given users in given environments. It is suggested that conventional notions of usability can be useful for considering some aspects of the design of displays and interaction devices, but that additional approaches are needed to fully understand the use of mobile technologies. These additional approaches involve dual-task studies in which the device is used whilst performing some other activity, and subjective evaluation on the impact of the technology on the person.
Kinetic User Interfaces
Authors: Pallotta Vincenzo , Bruegger Pascal
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a conceptual framework for an emerging type of user interfaces for mobile ubiquitous computing systems, and focuses in particular on the interaction through motion of people and objects in physical space. We introduce the notion of Kinetic User Interface as a unifying framework and a middleware for the design of pervasive interfaces, in which motion is considered as the primary input modality.
Utilizing Web Tools for Computer-Mediated Communication to Enhance Team-Based Learning
Authors: Avery Gomez Elizabeth , Wu Dezhi , Passerini Katia , Bieber Michael
Published: May 2011

Team-based learning is an active learning instructional strategy used in the traditional face-to-face classroom. Web-based computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools complement the face-toface classroom and enable active learning between face-to-face class times. This article presents the results from pilot assessments of computer-supported team-based learning. The authors utilized pedagogical approaches grounded in collaborative learning techniques, such as team-based learning, and extended these techniques to a Web-based environment through the use of computer-mediated communications tools (discussion Web-boards). This approach was examined through field studies in the course of two semesters at a US public technological university. The findings indicate that the perceptions of team learning experience such as perceived motivation, enjoyment, and learning in such a Web-based CMC environment are higher than in traditional face-to-face courses. In addition, our results show that perceived team members’ contributions impact individual learning experiences. Overall, Web-based CMC tools are found to effectively facilitate team interactions and achieve higher-level learning.
Podcastia
Authors: Cohn Jonathan
Published: May 2011

While podcasting has become a valuable advertising tool for many companies, it has also become a major way in which geographically spread out communities have been able to stay connected. Podcasts, like many other new Internet genres, are thought to be listened to mainly by an affluent audience who create podcast themselves. By looking at the various institutional and production issues and audiences of the podcast medium, this chapter will show how this genre works to create and sustain mass communities of “prosumers” and mobile audiences. Also, this chapter will historically contextualize the podcast by showing ways in which it is not simply a reiteration of earlier technologies, but also a distinct new medium with a unique, prosumer-friendly mode of transmission and reception.
Multilayered Approach to Evaluate Mobile User Interfaces
Authors: de Fátima Queiroz Vieira Turnell Maria , de Queiroz José Eustáquio Rangel , de Sousa Ferreira Danilo
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a method for the evaluation of user interfaces for mobile applications. The method is based upon an approach that combines user opinion, standard conformity assessment, and user performance measurement. It focuses on the evaluation settings and techniques employed in the evaluation process, while offering a comparison between the laboratory evaluation and field evaluation approaches. The method’s presentation and the evaluation comparison will be supported by a discussion of the results obtained from the method’s application to a case study involving a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). This chapter argues that the experience gained from evaluating conventional user interfaces can be applied to the world of mobile technology.
Desktop Distance Education
Authors: Norman Kent L.
Published: May 2011

Many instructors are quickly turning to the World Wide Web (WWW) to host the materials and interactions for both distance education and classroom-bound courses. Desktop hosting of WWW-based course materials is becoming a feasible alternative to institutionally provided central servers. Moreover, emerging software is making personal hosting easier and more cost effective than hosting with large courseware shells on central servers. The pros and cons of the institutional versus personal approaches involve pragmatics, academic freedom, intellectual property rights, and interface design. It is argued that desktop hosting provides instructors with a greater sense of control over and ownership of the course and a greater flexibility to design their own course at all levels from the organization of the materials to the layout of the interface. HyperCourseware™ provides a case in point.
Web-Based Support of a Programming Class
Authors: Burd Stephen D.
Published: May 2011

Programming classes present a unique set of instructional and student support problems. These problems can be addressed with a combination of readily available Internet and Web-based technologies including communication via e-mail, classroom materials distribution via a Web site, and file transfer via a Web and/or FTP server. Application of these technologies can improve many aspects of student support including technical support for completing programming assignments. Successful implementation of Web-based support requires specific attention to many details including creating and maintaining Web content, administering server resources and specific Web standards and software. Resource requirements are not large, but administrative resources are required and instructor activity patterns differ from those of a traditional class.
Learning Variables in Distance Learning
Authors: Belanger France , Jordan Dianne H.
Published: May 2011

Chapter one introduced distance learning definitions and concepts as applied to education and training. An important consideration when choosing among DL technologies is the potential effect of DL technology use on the learning experience. This chapter provides a discussion of key learning variables in the learning process and outcome. These variables characterize and differentiate the DL technologies and are used in the course evaluation and media selection process. After the learning variables are presented in this chapter, the instructional technologies are discussed and evaluated in chapter three. Finally, readers will find the details of the screening process for distance learning described in depth in chapter four.
System and Training Design for End-User Error
Authors: Lazar Jonathan K. , Norcio Anthony F.
Published: May 2011

Errors are a major problem for users. In the distant past, the users of computer technology often were limited to computer professionals with extensive technical training. With the growth of personal computers and the Internet, millions of people without technical backgrounds use computer technology on a daily basis, both at work and for leisure activities. Because errors can be such a problem for the end user, it is important to examine the causes of error, as well as different approaches for assisting the end user. This chapter presents definitions of error, as well as a taxonomy of user error. There are two general approaches for assisting the end user in responding to errors: system design and training design. Both of these are discussed in-depth in this chapter. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the current situation of end-user error and suggest ways to improve the end -user experience.
Building on Structured Design Techniques in the Object Oriented Environment
Authors: Nelson H. James , Nelson Kay M. , Ghods Mehdi , Lee Holly E.
Published: May 2011

The term structured methods refers to a philosophy of software development which emphasizes an adherence to a set of consistent rules or methods throughout a project (Yourdon, 1989). These methods include broad programs such as Systems Development Lifecycles and Methods and Information Engineering as well as individual techniques such as structured programming, data flow diagramming, data modeling, and Object Oriented methodologies. Perhaps the newest, most visible, but least understood of these methodologies are the Object Oriented methods. The specific set of rules or methods that organizations use can come from a variety of sources. Organizations often implement their own methodologies for software development, using tools and techniques borrowed from a variety of formalized methodologies. Commercially produced methodologies are also widely used, usually obtained from software vendors and consultants. The primary objectives of traditional structured methodologies can be summarized as follows: (Martin and McClure, 1988) • Achieve high-quality programs of predictable behavior • Achieve programs that are easily modifiable (maintainable) • Simplify the development process • Control the development process • Speed up system development • Lower the cost of system development
Distributed Object Business Engineering
Authors: Patton David H.
Published: May 2011

Tomorrow’s business environment will make it increasingly difficult for businesses to operate efficiently. To gain the needed edge, in the global economy, many businesses are looking towards information technology. By utilizing technology as a conduit, companies are able to leverage their greatest asset: their internal knowledge base. This chapter presents a framework for architecting enterprise-wide object based information systems. These next-generation systems maximize information value throughout the enterprise, while reducing development time and effort throughout the system lifetime. By presenting a complex concept in a pragmatic fashion this chapter should provide benefit for both information architects and business managers.
Institutional Dilemma in ICT Standardization
Authors: Egyedi T. M.
Published: May 2011

The effect of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on our daily life needs no explanation. That standardization reduces diversity, facilitates interoperability and thus plays an important role in diffusing ICT uses is clear. Standardization matters to the ICT market. Less evident is the way in which standardization influences the kind of ICTs that become available to customers. In the past it was common to view committee standardization as a locus for collective learning and exchange of technological knowledge. New standards were expected to embody state-of-the art ideas on technology. But practitioners, i.e. ICT standards developers and implementers, as well as standardization watchers repeatedly voice disappointment about the technical content of new standards and the process of committee standardization. They criticize the formal standards bodies for furthering a politicized mode of standardization, and point to the greater use of standards that stem from other arena (e.g. consortia, user groups, and practitioner organizations). These other institutional settings of standardization are held to produce more applicable standards and standards of better quality technology-wise. Are they barking up the wrong tree? In this chapter I explore whether this is the case.
A Standards-Based Common Operational Environment
Authors: Blaha Jaroslav
Published: May 2011

NATO as an international organization consists of representatives from 19 nations and has to satisfy the political, operational and technical requirements of all members. In addition to the development of specific NATO information systems, it has to consider and support means for interoperability with national systems. Taking into account the life-cycle-cost aspects, it becomes clear that a standardization policy must consider the cost-effective maintenance, upgrade and replacement of system components and their interfaces. Standardization of NATO specific interfaces is a well-established process, which results in ‘Standardization Agreements’ (STANAGs). Those are specifications of proprietary standards or of adaptations of international (e.g. ITU, ISO) standards. STANAGs have two major disadvantages: First, the process to develop a new or to modify an existing standard is lengthy; the process to get the specification ratified by the relevant nations is even longer. This can result in STANAGs, which do not reflect the state-of-the-art of standards. Second, as STANAGs often specify standards that are different from international or commercial standards, there is very little market and product support. This leads naturally to increased development and procurement costs. In military terms a Command, Control and Information System (CCIS) is the equivalent to a Management Support and Information System (MSS/MIS) in the commercial domain.
The Selection and Implementation of a Web Course Tool at the University of Texas at Austin
Authors: Decker Mark Lowry , Schulman Morrie , Blandy Christopher
Published: May 2011

For the past 10 years, the University of Texas at Austin has pursued the goal of integrating information technology into instruction. Through the Center for Instructional Technologies and its parent organization, Academic Computing and Instructional Technology Services, the University has recently developed a centralized approach to Web course development by selecting and implementing a tool for voluntary use by the faculty. This case study illustrates some of the challenges encountered and the lessons learned in initiating such a plan, given the institutional and personnel constraints of a large, historically decentralized research university. Educators from universities of all sizes realize that technological change has created a new reality for higher education both by intensifying the need for ongoing education and training and by creating tools that have changed the teaching and learning process. This study indicates that a small staff, even without overt institutional support, can have a large impact on this process by choosing an appropriate tool, actively promoting it, and conducting effective training.
The Politics of Information Management
Authors: Petrides Lisa A. , Khanuja-Dhall Sharon , Reguerin Pablo
Published: May 2011

Developing, sharing, and working with information in today’s environment is not an easy task. With today’s technological advancements, the management of information appears to be deceivingly easier. However, building and maintaining an infrastructure for information management involves complex issues, such as group consensus, access and privileges, well-defined duties, and power redistribution. Furthermore, higher education institutions are continuously faced with the need to balance the politics of information sharing across departments, whether the administration operates in a centralized or decentralized manner. The need to develop, share, and manage information in a more effective and efficient manner has been proven to require a challenging shift in the norms and behavior of higher education institutions as well. This shift does not have as much to do with the actual use of technology as it does with the cultural environment of the institution. Davenport notes: Information cultures determine how much those involved value information, share it across organizational boundaries, disclose it internally and externally, and capitalize on it (Davenport, 1997, p. 35). Depending on the history, people, and cultural environment, each organization faces its own dilemmas around the task of compiling and sharing information. This case details one institution’s attempts, at a departmental level, to develop an information system for planning and decision-making. It looks at the department’s effort to manage and track students and to design a management tool that would help departmental faculty to function more effectively. It examines the challenges faced in managing information and the behaviors that drive new information management processes with the increased use of technology.
Business Action and Information Modeling - The Task of the New Millennium
Authors: Agerfalk Par J. , Goldkuhl Goran
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we discuss the importance of considering the action character of information when modeling information in business processes. The Language Action Perspective (LAP) is described and proposed as the perspective of choice for information modeling – now and for the future. It is emphasized that two of the most important research areas in the new millennium are to further develop LAP and to operationalize it into systems development methods. Furthermore, the generic business framework of Business Action Theory (BAT) and the requirements engineering method VIBA/SIMM (Versatile Information and Business Analysis according to the Situation adaptable work and Information Modelling Method), as representatives of LAP, are both described and positioned within LAP. This positioning is achieved by elaborating different LAP approaches and their relationships to BAT and VIBA/SIMM.
On the Convergence of Analysis and Design Methods for Multi-Agent, Component-Based and Object-Oriented Systems
Authors: Moulin Bernard
Published: May 2011

The general trend of the information technology evolution towards component-based and software agent-based systems calls for an integration of the analysis and design methods proposed up to now. As a step towards such an integration, we propose changing the paradigm on which analysis and design methods rely, shifting from the individual-centered notion of a “service” to the group-centered notion of a “game”. Instead of designing a system on the basis of the services that each object or component can provide, we propose considering the whole game in which agents, components and users can play various roles in order to perform some common task. We first review the recent evolution of analysis and design methods used to develop object-oriented, component-based, knowledge-based and multiagent systems. We propose an approach to specify the service game of a system based on the use of an extended form of use case maps. We show how this simple technique could help to the convergence of analysis and design methods used to specify systems using object-oriented, component-based, knowledge-based and multiagent approaches.
Cyber Terrorism and the Contemporary Corporation
Authors: Warren Matthew , Hutchinson William
Published: May 2011

During the last ten years there has been a growth of Information Systems and related Internet technology. In recent years the Internet has grown from a solely military/academic network to one that can be used by business or individuals. In the years since the first World Wide Web (WWW) applications were developed, there has been an explosion in the global use of the Internet. With this growth has come an increasing usage of the medium by criminal and terrorist groups.This chapter will explain why and how cyber-terrorists attack these services. The aims of the chapter are to: describe the background of cyber-terrorism; describe what cyber-terrorism is; describe the vulnerabilities of electronic commerce to cyber-terrorism; discuss the future of electronic commerce and cyber-terrorism.
Network Implementation Project in the State Sector in Scotland
Authors: McCready Ann , Doswell Andrew
Published: May 2011

This case study, about the introduction of networked PCs in a local government office in Perth, Scotland, focuses on the importance of organizational and social factors during the implementation process. The implementation of the network in this case study is not a straightforward progression from one stage to the other, as may be inferred from the systems development life cycle “waterfall” model but a circular, stop-and-start process with moves back to previous stages and is more like a “spiral” approach of dynamic and unfolding processes. The case study highlights the links between technical and nontechnical aspects of implementation and the complicated process of project management in which a balance is continually being sought between technical and nontechnical issues. But although social processes may reduce technical as well as social problems, not all problems can be solved by attention to social factors. Organizational constraints may limit the success of the implementation process, and there are also dangers in including users who, if their views are disregarded, may become disillusioned and adversely affect future development of the network.
Am I Doing What's Expected? New Member Socialization in Virtual Groups
Authors: Galvin John E. , Ahuja Manju K.
Published: May 2011

The small miracle of telecommunications that Alexander Graham Bell brought to society in 1876 continues to transform our lives today. A technology that business was reluctant to embrace in the 1880s has now been embedded in the very fabric of organization life to such an extent that to exclude it is next to impossible. Today, communication technology allows people to work together even when they are physically far apart. In its most extreme use, businesses can operate without the employees ever meeting each other or their customers, thus creating a “virtual workplace” where time, space, and structure become tools for the individual rather than constraints of the organization.
Play's the Thing … on the Web!
Authors: Chidambaram Laku , Zigurs Ilze
Published: May 2011

when we indulge in virtual leisure, the two ends of the spectrum—unwanted social influences and desirable social outcomes—are evident from the scenarios outlined above. A goal for society would be to promote the latter and reduce the former. However, no clear or easy answers exist for this and related dilemmas, but the issues they raise have been and continue to be examined via public discourse. Our goal in this chapter is to continue this discourse and provide an analysis of how our virtual world has affected and is likely to affect leisure at a societal level.
The CAME Environment's Basic Component Services
Authors: Dahanayake Ajantha
Published: May 2011

In Chapter 2 an object model-based concept, the service object for the specification of basic services of a CAME environment, is given. The focus of this chapter is to identify the composition of such an environment. The basic service objects and relevant service object primitives of a service-based model of a CAME environment is presented in this chapter by mapping the services and primitives to an example problem domain. This example problem is used to formulate a generic architectural representation for a CAME service description of an information modeling support environment. Such a representation should be capable of providing a flexible and extendable mechanism for information systems design processes. An informal description of the basic CAME service framework is presented in the remainder of the chapter.
Barriers to IT Industry Success
Authors: Raisinghani Mahesh S. , Rahman Mahboob
Published: May 2011

Information technology (IT), which has evolved from the merger of computers, telecommunications and office automation technologies, is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world. In Bangladesh, IT use is still in a backward stage in terms of information generation, utilization and applications. A dependable information system has not been developed for the management and operation of the government machinery and large volume of data transactions in the public/private sector organizations. There is a lack of locally and externally generated information needed for the efficient performance of the government, production, trading, service, education, scientific research and other activities of the society. This case study of the IT scenario in Bangladesh discusses the challenges, analyzes the key issues that may be barriers to thesuccess of its IT industry and discusses the inherent strengths which can be used as the launching pad for making Bangladesh a potential offshore source of software and data processing services. Recommended actions have been proposed under ‘short term’ and ‘medium term,’ depending on the priority and importance, and categorized by the fiscal, human resource development, infrastructure and marketing functional areas. The necessary ingredients to become a potential exporter of computer software and data processing services do not currently exist in the required quantum in Bangladesh. If Bangladesh wants to enter into this market, it needs to cross a number of hurdles within a very short time span. Concerted efforts from everybody concerned have to be put in on a war-footing basis, as this sector has the potential to generate the highest revenue for the country.
Internet Commerce and Exporting
Authors: Karavdic Munib , Gregory Gary D.
Published: May 2011

A host of new products and services are now available to more than a half-billion consumers. Firms now have greater opportunities to customize their product/service offerings as well as rely on standardized offerings as a preference. Global firms have the opportunity to customize their advertising and sales promotion messages to specific customer segments without the significant cost once involved in developing numerous messages for numerous markets. This communication segmentation strategy allows firms to achieve real dissemination strategies because of the elimination of wasted audience coverage and better-targeted messages aimed at the core benefits sought by various consumer segments. This is the new business world created by the Internet. As a result of recent technological advances in market entry, many firms are now beginning to increase their marketing and export functions. An emerging part of new technologies development involves electronic transactions over the open network, the Internet. An important Internet characteristic is its global coverage. Using the Internet as an access to the international market, firms generate significant revenues. For example, the music CD distributor CDNow, as a pure on-line company generated 21 percent of its total revenue from international markets in the first quarter of 1998; Dell, a computer manufacturer, generated 20 percent; and FastParts, an electronic components distributor, generated 30 percent. With other numerous examples of generating international revenue on-line, the Internet has already been proven a strategic tool in the exporting process. In this chapter we examine Internet marketing strategy for exporting and possible implications for firms using electronic technologies. The first part of this chapter presents Internet commerce as a specific entry mode to global markets using advanced technologies, represented by the Internet. Part Two introduces a model for Internet exporting strategies utilizing key components in the marketing mix (i.e., product, promotion, place, and price). The focus of this model is on the interaction between Internet commerce activities and software agents, and the potential impact on the exporting process. Applying the model of Internet-based exporting strategy to businesses, Part Three develops a strategic matrix that classifies firms based on the degree of product transferability and their capitalization on Internet technologies in exporting. Particular emphasis is given to the role of software agents in the electronic exporting process at different stages in strategy development. Finally, we summarize the impact of Internet commerce on exporting activities and highlight the benefits of incorporating new technologies into an exporting strategy.
Toward a "Virtual Laboratory" to Support Forest Fire Behaviour Modelling and Metrology
Authors: GuarnierI F. , Olampi S. , Napoli A.
Published: May 2011

In forest fire research, it is now accepted that computational simulation and databases have become essential components of the scientific process, in order to combine theory and experiments. Although computers and software tools play a crucial role in the conduct of forest fire science today, scientists lack adequate software engineering tools to ease the construction, maintenance and reusability of modelling and database software. Usually, scientific models are implemented using a general-purpose programming language, such as Fortran C or C++. But since this type of general-purpose language is not specifically customised for scientific modelling problems, the scientist is forced to translate scientific constructs into general-purpose programming constructs in order to implement the model. This “manual’’ translation process can be very complicated, labor-intensive and error-prone. Furthermore, the translation process obfuscates the original scientific intent behind the model, and buries important assumptions in the program code that should remain explicit. The resulting code is often complex and difficult to understand for anyone but the original developers.
Material Flow Management in the Machine Building Industry
Authors: Steinaecker Jorg V. , Jurgens Gunnar
Published: May 2011

Within Germany’s industry the issue of environmental protection has increased in importance within recent years. A distinct indicator to support this thesis is the voluntary participation in the implementation of the EMAS by more than 2000 company sites. One reason for this is a shift in the perception of industrial environmental protection over the past years. Previous environmental protection was mostly sensed as a bureaucratic burden. Today, the enterprises take an active part in using environmental protection successfully for achieving company business aims by setting-up environmental management systems. This chapter focuses on the issue of material flow management as an approach to optimise a company’s economical and environmental performance. Material flow management comprises the identification, analysis and optimisation of procurement, usage, handling, transformation and disposal of all physical goods within a company. A physical good in the context of material flow management does not only comprise raw materials and semi-finished products but especially all those materials that have not been dealt with in common management and information systems such as waste, energy, commodities, etc. This chapter describes contents and potentials of material flow management. It especially contains a description of the specification and introduction of an Environmental Management Information Systems (EMIS) which offers special support in the area of material flow management to a machine building company.
A Closer Look at Marketing/Advertising, Promotions and Pricing Policies Using Econometric Based Modeling
Authors: Kudyba Stephan , Hoptroff Richard
Published: May 2011

Two core business strategies throughout the realm of commerce, which take their root from traditional economic theory, involve the incorporation of marketing, advertising and pricing policies for corresponding products and services. The determination of optimal strategies for each of these concepts is crucial since they account for the success or failure for a particular product or products and potentially the well being of the organization. As you well know, even the best product or service that has been mismarketed or inappropriately priced has little chance to achieve success in the market place. This is illustrated by the recent success of Ford Motor Company and their implementation of smart pricing.
Choosing Qualitative Methods in IS Research
Authors: Trauth Eileen M.
Published: May 2011

This book is about the use of qualitative methods in the conduct of information systems research. As the title suggests, it is concerned both with trends in the choice of qualitative methods and with issues with the use of these methods. The issues have been addressed on two levels. The section on individual issues considers specific issues encountered by individual researchers in the conduct of particular research projects. The section on issues for the profession considers issues that the IS profession is currently confronting and those it will have to address in the future.