bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Snakes and Ladders Game in E-Business
Authors: Ranganathan C. , Seo Dong Back
Published: May 2011

American Hardware Depot (AHD), a retailer of hardware and home improvement products, sells over 65,000 products through its network of 4,500 stores nationwide that are operated by ownerdealers. While rivals such as Home Depot were quick to launch their e-business efforts, AHD was late to embrace technology as well as electronic retailing. Though some of the AHD’s e-business efforts met with moderate success, others faced severe challenges. AHD invested over $5 million as a minority equity stake in Americanhome. com in return for this dot-com firm acting as an online front-end store for AHD—however, this effort failed within a year. AHD was at a critical inflexion point. AHD seeks to enhance its ebusiness efforts in at least three major areas: (1) to connect its dealers who had varied business processes and technologies, (2) to market and sell its products through the Web, and (3) to streamline its supply chain operations. A newly appointed vice president of e-business has to find solutions to the challenges facing AHD.
E-Supply Chain System at Valvex and Its Integration with ERP Systems
Authors: Pal Raktim , Bose Indranil , Ye Alex
Published: May 2011

ERP and SCM systems have been used in China for some time. Although these two systems complement each other, the integration of these two systems is challenging. We present a case on a leading Chinese manufacturer of industrial valves named Valvex that successfully integrated the ERP systems from Entreplan and the SCM system from Excelvision. The project improved the operations at Valvex and resulted in many benefits. This chapter describes the implementation of the e-SCM system at Valvex and its integration with the existing ERP system. The process of implementation and integration was marked by many challenges, and some of them were unique to a Chinese manufacturing organization. Using several smart strategies the project team was able to overcome these challenges and complete the project successfully. Several lessons can be learned from the experience of Valvex which may be useful for organizations that plan to undertake similar projects.
The BIZEWEST Portal
Authors: Pliaskin Alex
Published: May 2011

In June 2000, the Western Region Economic Development Organisation (WREDO), a notfor- profit organisation sponsored by the six municipalities that make up the western region of Melbourne, received a state government grant for a project to set up a business-to-business portal. The project was to create a “horizontal portal”—BIZEWEST—that would enable small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in Melbourne’s west to engage in an increased number of e-commerce transactions with each other. The western region of Melbourne contains around 20,000 businesses, and is regarded as the manufacturing, transport, and distribution hub of South-eastern Australia (Tatnall, Burgess, & Singh, 2004). Traditionally, this region had encompassed much of the industry in metropolitan Melbourne.
A Communications Model for Knowledge Sharing
Authors: Beck Charles E.
Published: May 2011

An integrative, systems-based model of knowledge sharing can provide a way of visualizing the interrelated elements that comprise a knowledge management system. This original model, building on a rhetorical process model of communication, includes both the objective and subjective elements within the human cognition. In addition, it clarifies the purpose and method elements at the center for any effective knowledge system. The model centers on the purpose elements of intentions and audience, and the method elements of technical tools and human processes. The output of knowledge sharing includes objective products and subjective interpretations. Feedback verifies the timeliness and efficiency in the process of building both information and knowledge.
Managing Knowledge in SMEs
Authors: Desouza Kevin C. , Awazu Yukika
Published: May 2011

In this chapter we discuss seven peculiarities about knowledge management practices at smallto medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We draw our findings from a nine-month investigation of knowledge management practices at 25 SMEs. Managing knowledge is a critical capability for SMEs to master because it helps them leverage their most critical resource. Organizational knowledge is the most salient resource at the disposal of SMEs in terms of availability, access, and depth. Successful SMEs are those who can leverage their knowledge in an effective and efficient manner, so as to make up for deficiencies in traditional resources, like land, labor, and capital. In our research, we discovered that SMEs do not manage knowledge the same way as larger organizations do. Viewing SME knowledge management practices as scaled down versions of the practices found in larger organizations is incorrect. SMEs have understandable resource constraints, and hence have to be creative in working around these limitations in order to manage knowledge. Therefore, the goal of this chapter is to describe peculiarities in SME knowledge management practices, with the hope of enticing scholars and practitioners to follow-up with more detailed research undertakings.
A Security Blueprint for E-Business Applications
Authors: Du Jun , Jiao Yuan-Yuan , Jiao Jianxin (Roger)
Published: May 2011

This chapter develops a security blueprint for an e-business environment taking advantage of the three-tiered e-business architecture. This security blueprint suggests best practices in general. It involves (1) security control by layers — from physical access, to network communication, to operating systems, to applications, and (2) different stages of the management process, including planning, deployment, administration, and auditing. Also reported is a case study of the implementation of the proposed security blueprint in a Singapore multinational corporation. Such issues as security control analysis, management process analysis, and cost-benefits analysis are discussed in detail
A Roadmap for Ambient E-Service
Authors: Hwang Yuan-Chu , Yuan Soe-Tsyr
Published: May 2011

Most of the existing mobile services were designed based on the client/server architecture. Those mobile services neither paid much attention to mobile users’ interactions with their environments nor considered the collective efforts between the mobile users in a dynamic peer group. In this article, the notion of ambient e-service is so defined as to identify a new scope of mobile e-service, which address dynamic collective efforts between mobile users (enabled by mobile peer-to-peer technology), dynamic interactions with ambient environments (envisioned by location-based service), the moment of value (empowered by wireless technologies), and low cost service provision. The notable features of ambient e-services are the exhilarated linkage based on social context and significantly rapid growth of connections. We also present an ambient e-service framework that characterizes ambient e-services with three dimensions (value stack, environment stack, and technology stack), followed by several exemplars of ambient e-service applications. Moreover, we present the ambient e-service embracing model (ASEM) that addresses the integrated consideration of trust, reputation, and privacy required for fostering the growth of ambient e-services and steers the directions of future fruitful relevant research.
Automatically Extracting and Tagging Business Information for E-Business Systems Using Linguistic Analysis
Authors: Conlon Sumali J. , Lukose Susan , Hale Jason G. , Vinjamur Anil
Published: May 2011

The Semantic Web will require semantic representations of information that computers can understand when they process business applications. Most Web content is currently represented in formats such as text, that facilitate human understanding, rather than in the more structured formats, that allow automated processing and computer understanding. This chapter explores how natural language processing (NLP) principles, using linguistic analysis, can be employed to extract information from unstructured Web documents and translate it into extensible markup language (XML)—the enabling currency of today’s e-business applications, and the foundation for the emerging Semantic Web languages of tomorrow. Our prototype system is built and tested with online financial documents.
Utilizing Semantic Web and Software Agents in a Travel Support System
Authors: Ganzha Maria , Gawinecki Maciej , Paprzucki Marcin , Gasiorowski Rafal , Pisarek Szymon , Hyska Wawrzyniec
Published: May 2011

The use of Semantic Web technologies in e-business is hampered by the lack of large, publiclyavailable sources of semantically-demarcated data. In this chapter, we present a number of intermediate steps on the road toward the Semantic Web. Specifically, we discuss how Semantic Web technologies can be adapted as the centerpiece of an agent-based travel support system. First, we present a complete description of the system under development. Second, we introduce ontologies developed for, and utilized in, our system. Finally, we discuss and illustrate through examples how ontologically demarcated data collected in our system is personalized for individual users. In particular, we show how the proposed ontologies can be used to create, manage, and deploy functional user profiles.
Global Trends of Payment Systems and the Next-Generation RTGS Project in Japan
Authors: Nakajima Masaki
Published: May 2011

This chapter investigates the evolutionary process of the payment system against the background of structural changes. At the early stage, most payment systems were Designated-Time Net Settlement (DTNS) systems. Then, Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) systems were introduced, which had the merit of reducing settlement risks. This first trend was followed by the deployment of Hybrid systems and Integrated systems. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is proceeding with the Next-Generation RTGS (RTGS-XG) project. This project is regarded as a typical enhancement of payment systems following the global trend. The features and benefits of the RTGS-XG are closely analyzed.
Evolving E-Health System Symbiosis
Authors: Caro Denis H.J.
Published: May 2011

The 21st century continues to witness the transformation of organizational systems globally through the deployment of information and communication technologies (ICT). The emerging future is witnessing the convergence of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nomadic information systems, and nano-technology. This promises to further compel inter-organizational and inter-sectorial interactive transformations. The health care sector is no exception to the interorganizational dynamic imperatives driven with ICT innovative advances. This article proposes a conceptual model of symbiotic e-health networks in a meta-cultural domain that goes beyond the realm of extant literature on dyadic relationships. The model dimensions are posited on a key informant approach and content analysis of the strategic perceptions of international ICT and health care executives interacting through dyadic partnerships. The findings and implications of the study for the model and further information management research are underscored. The underlying meta-cultural frame is characterized by public governance values and the article explores its perceived role in sustaining symbiotic e-health networks in Canada and Sweden.
Philosophical Foundations of Information Modeling
Authors: Artz John M.
Published: May 2011

First we begin with a brief description of the process of information modeling followed by a very brief discussion of earlier attempts to address the philosophical foundations. Then we introduce four concepts from metaphysics that are highly relevant to information modeling. These four concepts are as old as philosophy itself and yet when applied to information modeling, they are as relevant to database design as they were to philosophers over the past few millennia. These four concepts are (a) the concept of identity, (b) the problem of universals, (c) teleology, and (d) the correspondence vs. coherence views of truth. Each concept will be explained in turn, as will its implications for information modeling. Each of these concepts also provides a foundation from which a theory of information modeling and, eventually, a theory of information systems can be built. So, following the introduction of the concepts, we will explain how they were identified.
Integrating Mobile-Based Systems with Healthcare Databases
Authors: Jiao Yu , Hurson Ali R. , Potok Thomas E. , Beckerman Barbara G.
Published: May 2011

In this chapter, we discuss issues related to ehealth and focus on two major challenges in distributed healthcare database management: database heterogeneity and user mobility. We designed and prototyped a mobile-agent-based mobile data-access system framework that can address these challenges. It applies a thesaurus- based hierarchical database federation to cope with database heterogeneity and utilizes the mobile-agent technology to respond to the complications introduced by user mobility and wireless networks. The functions provided by this system are described in detail and a performance evaluation is also provided.
Open Source Database Technologies
Authors: Udoh Emmanuel
Published: May 2011

In the contemporary software landscape, the open source movement can no longer be overlooked by any major players in the industry, as the movement portends a paradigm shift and is forcing a major rethinking of strategy in the software business. For instance, companies like Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM now offer the lightweight versions of their proprietary flagship products to small—to-medium businesses at no cost for product trial (Samuelson, 2006). These developments are signs of the success of the OSS movement.
A Scalable Middleware for Web Databases
Authors: Bouguettaya Athman , Malik Zaki , Rezgui Abdelmounaam , Korff Lori
Published: May 2011

The emergence of Web databases has introduced new challenges related to their organization, access, integration, and interoperability. New approaches and techniques are needed to provide across-the-board transparency for accessing and manipulating Web databases irrespective of their data models, platforms, locations, or systems. In meeting these needs, it is necessary to build a middleware infrastructure to support flexible tools for information space organization, communication facilities, information discovery, content description, and assembly of data from heterogeneous sources. In this paper, we describe a scalable middleware for efficient data and application access that we have built using the available technologies. The resulting system is called WebFINDIT. It is a scalable and uniform infrastructure for locating and accessing heterogeneous and autonomous databases and applications.
MMIR
Authors: Chen Min , Chen Shu-Ching
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces an advanced content-based image retrieval (CBIR) system, MMIR, where Markov model mediator (MMM) and multiple instance learning (MIL) techniques are integrated seamlessly and act coherently as a hierarchical learning engine to boost both the retrieval accuracy and efficiency. It is well-understood that the major bottleneck of CBIR systems is the large semantic gap between the low-level image features and the high-level semantic concepts. In addition, the perception subjectivity problem also challenges a CBIR system. To address these issues and challenges, the proposed MMIR system utilizes the MMM mechanism to direct the focus on the image level analysis together with the MIL technique (with the neural network technique as its core) to real-time capture and learn the objectlevel semantic concepts with some help of the user feedbacks. In addition, from a long-term learning perspective, the user feedback logs are explored by MMM to speed up the learning process and to increase the retrieval accuracy for a query. The comparative studies on a large set of real-world images demonstrate the promising performance of our proposed MMIR system.
Transaction Management in Mobile Databases
Authors: Abdul-Mehdi Ziyad Tariq , Mamat Ali Bin , Ibrahim Hamidah , Dirs Mustafa M.
Published: May 2011

Recent advances in wireless communications and computer technology have provided users the opportunity to access information and services regardless of their physical location or movement behavior. In the context of database applications, these mobile users should have the ability to both query and update public, private, and corporate databases. The main goal of mobile software research is to provide as much functionality of network computing as possible within the limits of the mobile computer’s capabilities. Consequently, transaction processing and efficient update techniques for mobile and disconnected operations have been very popular. In this article, we present the main architecture of mobile transactions and the characteristics with a database perspective. Some of the extensive transaction models and transaction processing for mobile computing are discussed with their underlying assumptions. A brief comparison of the models is also included.
A Data Visualization and Interpretation System for Sensor Netwroks
Authors: Fan Fengxian
Published: May 2011

With the increase in applications for sensor networks, data manipulation and representation have become a crucial component of sensor networks. This chapter explores an implementation to process and interpret the data gathered by sensor networks. In a project supported by SensIT program at DARPA, we have built wireless sensor networks deployed to monitor rare plants or other endangered species. The environmental data, such as temperature, rainfall, and sunlight, around the plants are sent by the wireless sensor networks to a base station. The system presented in this chapter combines database management technology, geographic information system, and Web development technology to visualize the data gathered by the wireless sensor networks. The integration of our data visualization tools and the online collaborative discussion environment makes the system useful to different communities of potential users.
Approximate Range Querying over Sliding Windows
Authors: Buccafurri Francesco , Caminiti Gianluca , Lax Gianluca
Published: May 2011

In the context of Knowledge Discovery in Databases, data reduction is a pre-processing step delivering succinct yet meaningful data to sequent stages. If the target of mining are data streams, then it is crucial to suitably reduce them, since often analyses on such data require multiple scans. In this chapter, we propose a histogram-based approach to reducing sliding windows supporting approximate arbitrary (i.e., non biased) range-sum queries. The histogram is based on a hierarchical structure (as opposed to the flat structure of traditional ones) and it results suitable to directly support hierarchical queries, such as drill-down and roll-up operations. In particular, both sliding window shifting and quick query answering operations are logarithmic in the sliding window size. Experimental analysis shows the superiority of our method in terms of accuracy w.r.t. the state-of-the-art approaches in the context of histogram-based sliding window reduction techniques.
A Deterministic Approach to XML Query Processing with Efficient Support for Pure and Negated Containments
Authors: Che Dunren
Published: May 2011

This article reports the result of the author’s recent work on XML query processing/optimization, which is a very important issue in XML data management. In this work, in order to more effectively and efficiently handle XML queries involving pure and/or negated containments, a previously proposed deterministic optimization approach is largely adapted. This approach resorts to heuristic-based deterministic transformations on algebraic query expressions in order to achieve the best possible optimization efficiency. Specialized transformation rules are thus developed, and efficient implementation algorithms for pure and negated containments are presented as well. Experimental study confirms the validity and effectiveness of the presented approach and algorithms in processing of XML queries involving pure and/or negated containments.
Security Threats in Web-Powered Databases and Web Portals
Authors: Evdoridis Theodoros , Tzouramanis Theodoros
Published: May 2011

It is a strongly held view that the scientific branch of computer security that deals with Web-powered databases (Rahayu & Taniar, 2002) than can be accessed through Web portals (Tatnall, 2005) is both complex and challenging. This is mainly due to the fact that there are numerous avenues available for a potential intruder to follow in order to break into the Web portal and compromise its assets and functionality. This is of vital importance when the assets that might be jeopardized belong to a legally sensitive Web database such as that of an enterprise or government portal, containing sensitive and confidential information. It is obvious that the aim of not only protecting against, but mostly preventing from potential malicious or accidental activity that could set a Web portal’s asset in danger, requires an attentive examination of all possible threats that may endanger the Web-based system.
A Roadmap on Updates
Authors: Flores Fernando Zacarías , Flores Dionicio Zacarías , Canto Rosalba Cuapa , Guzmán Muñoz Luis Miguel
Published: May 2011

Updates, is a central issue in relational databases and knowledge databases. In the last years, it has been well studied in the non-monotonic reasoning paradigm. Several semantics for logic program updates have been proposed (Brewka, Dix, & Knonolige 1997), (De Schreye, Hermenegildo, & Pereira, 1999) (Katsumo & Mendelzon, 1991). However, recently a set of proposals has been characterized to propose mechanisms of updates based on logic and logic programming. All these mechanisms are built on semantics based on structural properties (Eiter, Fink, Sabattini & Thompits, 2000) (Leite, 2002) (Banti, Alferes & Brogi, 2003) (Zacarias, 2005). Furthermore, all these semantic ones coincide in considering the AGM proposal as the standard model in the update theory, for their wealth in properties. The AGM approach, introduced in (Alchourron, Gardenfors & Makinson, 1985) is the dominating paradigm in the area, but in the context of monotonic logic. All these proposals analyze and reinterpret the AGM postulates under the Answer Set Programming (ASP) such as (Eiter, Fink, Sabattini & Thompits, 2000). However, the majority of the adapted AGM and update postulates are violated by update programs, as shown in(De Schreye, Hermenegildo, & Pereira, 1999).
3-D Virtual Worlds in Education
Authors: Eschenbrenner Brenda , Nah Fiona Fui-Hoon , Siau Keng
Published: May 2011

Three-dimensional virtual world environments are providing new opportunities to develop engaging, interactive experiences in education. These virtual worlds are unique in that they allow individuals to interact with others through their avatars and with objects in the environment, and can create experiences that are not necessarily possible in the real world. To assess the impact that these virtual worlds are currently having on education, a literature review is conducted to identify current applications, benefits being realized, as well as issues faced. Based on this review, virtual world capabilities, experiences, and factors associated with educational opportunities are presented as well as gaps in meeting pedagogical objectives. Practical and research implications are then addressed. Virtual worlds are proving to provide unique educational experiences, with its potential only at the cusp of being explored.
Free Software Philosophy and Open Source
Authors: Vainio Niklas , Vadén Tere
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces and explains some of the most relevant features of the free software philosophy formulated by Richard M. Stallman in the 1980s. The free software philosophy and the free software movement built on it historically preceded the open source movement by a decade and provided some of the key technological, legal and ideological foundations of the open source movement. Thus, in order to study the ideology of open source and its differences with regard to other modes of software production, it is important to understand the reasoning and the presuppositions included in Stallman’s free software philosophy.
Handling of Software Quality Defects in Agile Software Development
Authors: Rech Jörg
Published: May 2011

Software quality assurance is concerned with the efficient and effective development of large, reliable, and high-quality software systems. In agile software development and maintenance, refactoring is an important phase for the continuous improvement of a software system by removing quality defects like code smells. As time is a crucial factor in agile development, not all quality defects can be removed in one refactoring phase (especially in one iteration). Documentation of quality defects that are found during automated or manual discovery activities (e.g., pair programming) is necessary to avoid wasting time by rediscovering them in later phases. Unfortunately, the documentation and handling of existing quality defects and refactoring activities is a common problem in software maintenance. To recall the rationales why changes were carried out, information has to be extracted from either proprietary documentations or software versioning systems. In this chapter, we describe a process for the recurring and sustainable discovery, handling, and treatment of quality defects in software systems. An annotation language is presented that is used to store information about quality defects found in source code and that represents the defect and treatment history of a part of a software system. The process and annotation language can not only be used to support quality defect discovery processes, but is also applicable in testing and inspection processes.
Domain-Specific Language for Describing Grid Applications
Authors: Afgan Enis , Bangalore Purushotham , Gray Jeff
Published: May 2011

Grid computing environments are dynamic and heterogeneous in nature. In order to realize application- specific Quality of Service agreements within a grid, specifications at the level of an application are required. This chapter introduces an XML-based schema language (called the Application Specification Language, ASL) and a corresponding modeling tool that can be used to describe applications in grid computing environments. Such application descriptions allow derivation of guided and autonomic service developments for installation and invocation routines throughout the grid. In order to promote the language and ease the application description process, a domain-specific tool is also introduced. Based on our experience, the ASL in combination with higher level models improves, simplifies and promotes the grid application deployment process while simultaneously minimizing tedious and error-prone tasks such as manual application description composition.
Performance Analysis of a Web Server
Authors: Lu Jijun , Gokhale Swapna S.
Published: May 2011

With the rapid development and widespread use of the Internet, Web servers have become a dominant source of information and services. The use of Web servers in business and critical application domains imposes stringent performance requirements on them. These performance requirements cast a direct influence on the choice of the configuration options of the hardware and the software infrastructure on which a Web server is deployed. In addition to the selection of configuration options, for a given level of load and a particular hardware and software configuration, it is necessary to estimate the performance of a Web server prior to deployment.
Ontology Based Object-Oriented Domain Modeling
Authors: Evermann Joerg , Wand Yair
Published: May 2011

An important step in developing the requirements for an information system is analyzing the application domain. In this step, conceptual models are used for representing an application domain. However, while languages for software design are available and widely used, no generally accepted language exists for conceptual modeling. This work suggests the use of object-oriented software modeling languages also for conceptual modeling. Such use can support a more accurate transition from domain models to software models. As software-modeling languages were not intended for modeling application domains, their constructs lack the required semantics. While previous papers addressed the representation of structural elements of domains using object concepts, this paper addresses behavioral aspects, related to change and interaction. The proposed semantics are based on a mapping between ontological concepts that describe behavior and object-oriented constructs related to dynamics. Based on these mappings, modeling rules are proposed to guide the modeler in creating ontologically well-formed models. The mappings and rules are exemplified using UML and are demonstrated using a case study.
Social Structure Based Design Patterns for Agent-Oriented Software Engineering
Authors: Kolp Manuel , Faulkner Stéphane , Wautelet Yves
Published: May 2011

Multi-agent systems (MAS) architectures are gaining popularity over traditional ones for building open, distributed, and evolving software required by today’s corporate IT applications such as e-business systems, Web services, or enterprise knowledge bases. Since the fundamental concepts of multi-agent systems are social and intentional rather than object, functional, or implementationoriented, the design of MAS architectures can be eased by using social patterns. They are detailed agent-oriented design idioms to describe MAS architectures composed of autonomous agents that interact and coordinate to achieve their intentions, like actors in human organizations. This article presents social patterns and focuses on a framework aimed to gain insight into these patterns. The framework can be integrated into agent-oriented software engineering methodologies used to build MAS. We consider the Broker social pattern to illustrate the framework. An overview of the mapping from system architectural design (through organizational architectural styles), to system detailed design (through social patterns), is presented with a data integration case study. The automation of creating design patterns is also discussed.
Riki
Authors: Rech Jörg , Ras Eric , Decker Björn
Published: May 2011

Many software organizations have a reputation for producing expensive, low-quality software systems. This results from the inherent complexity of software itself as well as the chaotic organization of developers building these systems. Therefore, we set a stage for software development based on social software for knowledge and learning management to support reuse in software engineering as well as knowledge sharing in and between projects. In the RISE (Reuse in Software Engineering) project, we worked with several German SMEs to develop a system for the reuse of software engineering products such as requirement documents. The methodology and technology developed in the RISE project makes it possible to share knowledge in the form of software artifacts, experiences, or best practices based on pedagogic approaches. This chapter gives an overview of the reuse of knowledge and so-called Learning Components in software engineering projects and raises several requirements one should keep in mind when building such systems to support knowledge transfer and reuse.
Constructivist Learning During Software Development
Authors: Rajlich Václav , Xu Shaochun
Published: May 2011

This article explores the non-monotonic nature of the programmer learning that takes place during incremental program development. It uses a constructivist learning model that consists of four fundamental cognitive activities: absorption that adds new facts to the knowledge, denial that rejects facts that do not fit in, reorganization that reorganizes the knowledge, and expulsion that rejects obsolete knowledge. A case study of an incremental program development illustrates the application of the model and demonstrates that it can explain the learning process with episodes of both increase and decrease in the knowledge. Implications for the documentation systems are discussed in the conclusions.
Issues and Aspects of Open Source Software Usage and Adoption in the Public Sector
Authors: Laszlo Gabor
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces L-PEST model as the proposed tool for better understanding the fields are influenced by motivations and adaptation policy on FLOSS of public authorities and governments. Software usage in the public sector is a highly complex topic. In the confines of this chapter the selected case studies will show consideration to the vastly different needs and capacities and the different approaches and motivations towards the utilization of FLOSS by governments and/or local authorities. The primary objective of this chapter is to identify and describe the actors associated to the usage of FLOSS within and by the public sector. This chapter has made an attempt to fill this research gap and place the different actors into one complex model. It is hoped the proposed model assists better clarifying the intricate relationship between relevant factors. Nevertheless, much more research work is needed in the years to come. According to Michel Sapin, French Minister in charge of Public Administration and e-Government (2001), “The next generation e-government has two requirements: interoperability and transparency. These are the two strengths of open source software. Therefore, I am taking little risk when I predict that open source software will take a crucial part in the development of e- Government in the years to come.”
Dimensions of UML Diagram Use
Authors: Dobing Brian , Parsons Jeffrey
Published: May 2011

The UML is an industry standard for object-oriented software engineering. However, there is little empirical evidence on how UML is used. This article reports results of a survey of UML practitioners. We found differences in several dimensions of UML diagram usage on software development projects including; frequency, the purposes for which they were used, and the roles of clients/users in their creation and approval. System developers are often ignoring the “use case-driven” prescription that permeates much of the UML literature, making limited or no use of either use case diagrams or textual use case descriptions. Implications and areas requiring further investigation are discussed.
Social Network Structures in Open Source Software Development Teams
Authors: Long Yuan , Siau Keng
Published: May 2011

Drawing on social network theories and previous studies, this research examines the dynamics of social network structures in open source software (OSS) teams. Three projects were selected from SourceForge.net in terms of their similarities as well as their differences. Monthly data were extracted from the bug tracking systems in order to achieve a longitudinal view of the interaction pattern of each project. Social network analysis was used to generate the indices of social structure. The finding suggests that the interaction pattern of OSS projects evolves from a single hub at the beginning to a core/periphery model as the projects move forward.
Applying Social Network Analysis Techniques to Community-Driven Libre Software Projects
Authors: López-Fernández Luis , Robles Gregorio , Gonzalez-Barahona Jesus M. , Herraiz Israel
Published: May 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.
Investing in Open Source Software Companies
Authors: Puhakka Mikko , Jungman Hannu , Seppänen Marko
Published: May 2011

This chapter studies how venture capitalists invest in open source-based companies. Evaluation and valuation of knowledge-intensive companies is a challenge to investors, and while many methods exist for evaluating traditional knowledge-intensive companies, the rise of open source companies with new hard-to-measure value propositions such as developer communities brings new complexity to deal-making. The chapter highlights some experiences that venture capitalists have had with open source companies. The authors hope that the overview of venture capital process and methodology as well as two case examples will provide both researchers and entrepreneurs new insights into how venture capitalists work and make investments.
How to Create a Credible Software Engineering Bachelors Program
Authors: Frezza Stephen , Tang Mei-Huei , Brinkman Barry J.
Published: May 2011

This chapter presents a case study in the development of a Software Engineering (SE) Bachelor’s Degree program. It outlines issues in SE program development, various means to address those issues, and explains how the issues were addressed in the initial and ongoing development of an undergraduate SE program. By using SEEK and SWEBOK as requirements sources to define what an undergraduate software engineer needs to know, the authors walk through the creation of a sample curriculum at a small, comprehensive university in the United States. Both the current and initial curricula are presented. The article discusses many items to consider in the process of planning and launching a new BSSE program, such as accreditation, curriculum guidelines, sources of information, and potential problems.
The Influence of Computer-Based In-Class Examination Security Software on Students' Attitudes and Examination Performance
Authors: Baker-Eveleth Lori , Eveleth Daniel M. , O’Neill Michele , Stone Robert W.
Published: May 2011

Expectancy theory is applied to the use of software that secures the testing environment of in-class examinations. This security software prohibits students from viewing unauthorized material during an examination. The empirical study collected 60 student questionnaire responses completed after using the security software. These responses were used to develop measures for a model derived from expectancy theory. Using structural equation modeling, the model was estimated twice for two different variables. These dependent variables were student attitude towards the security software and the student’s examination grade. The empirical results indicated that student attitudes were positively impacted by self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, and the software’s ease of use. However, student grade was not influenced by any measures in the model. It is concluded that the security software is neutral with regard to student performance, while there are manageable actions faculty can take to positively impact student attitude towards security software.
A Survey of Competency Management Software Information Systems in the Framework of Human Resources Management
Authors: Urquiza Alfonso
Published: May 2011

One of the greatest surprises of the Internet economy is that far from replacing people, the use of advanced technology is confirming that talent is the most valuable asset in today’s organizations. In this context, competency management (CM) software automation practices become the most valuable business approach to define, measure, and manage talent needs, the human capital of the organization.This chapter’s position is that CM process automation in competitive, knowledge- intensive e-business oriented organizations requires that information technology (IT) address software strategy in a comprehensive human resources management (HRM) framework. Core competency management-related applications are deployed in current corporate e-business transformation processes in association with the use of innovative employee—facing relations management technology and reengineering most HR transactional domain type of applications in place.The chapter shows the CM software evolution from a previous fragmented market situation to a much more integrated scenario in which best-of-breed single-function oriented products preferences are now swiftly moving to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) type of architecture.
Business Modeling in Process-Oriented Organizations for RUP-Based Software Development
Authors: Fernandes João M. , Machado Ricardo J.
Published: May 2011

Several organizations nowadays are not particularly comfortable with their internal structuring based on a hierarchical arrangement (sub-divided in departments), where collaborators with a limited view of the overall organization perform theiractivities. Those organizations recognize the need to move to a model where multi-skilled teams run horizontal business processes that cross the organization and impact suppliers and clients. To develop software systems for any organization, the development process must always be appropriate and controlled. Additionally, for organizations that want to migrate to a horizontal business processes view, it is required to model the organizational platform where the organizational processes will run. This necessity is also true when the organization under consideration is a software house. In this chapter, a proposal of a generic framework for process-oriented software houses is presented. The way of managing the process model and the instantiation of their processes with the rational unified process (RUP) disciplines, whenever they are available or with other kind of processes, is recommended as a way to control and define the software development process. To illustrate the usefulness of the proposal, the chapter presents how the generic reference framework was executed in a real project called “Premium Wage” and shows, in some detail, the created artifacts (which include several UML models) during the development phases following the RUP disciplines, especially the artifacts produced for business modeling.
Improvement of Software Engineering by Modeling Knowledge-Intensive Business Processes
Authors: Fröming Jane , Gronau Norbert , Schmid Simone
Published: May 2011

The Knowledge Modeling and Description Language (KMDL®) allows analysts to identify process patterns, which leads to improvements in knowledge-intensive processes. After modeling the business processes, knowledge and process potentials in daily business processes can be unleashed. The following contribution presents a specification of KMDL® for software engineering (KMDL®-SE). A real-life example is used to explain KMDL®-SE.
Channel Optimization for On Field Sales Force by Integration of Business Software on Mobile Platforms
Authors: Kalra Rishi , Nanchahal Amit
Published: May 2011

Marketing and sales channels are a significant lifeline for the sales force of a business. Sales professionals work on the concept of creating and widening channels that are then fed by the supply chain and distribution network of the businesses. Sales teams are constantly pushed to meet customer expectations while generating revenue for the company. As companies grow, these pressures increase. Sales teams are now looking at Mobile Sales Force Automation technologies to handle the ever increasing customer demands. Companies want to keep costs low, increase productivity and efficiency through mobile devices for the much needed edge on the field. This chapter is based on literature review of channel optimization as well as mobile software platforms and challenges faced by the sales force. This chapter discusses the need for integrating business software on mobile platforms that will optimize and enhance the performance of sales processes.
Integration of Libre Software Applications to Create a Collaborative Work Platform for Researchers at GET
Authors: Berger Olivier , Bac Christian , Hamet Benoît
Published: May 2011

Libre software provides powerful applications ready to be integrated for the build-up of platforms for internal use in organisations. We describe the architecture of the collaborative work platform which we have integrated and designed for researchers at GET. We present the elements we have learned during this project in particular, with respect to contribution to external libre projects, in order to better ensure the maintainability of the internal applications, and to phpGroupware as a framework for specific applications development.
Activity-Oriented Computing
Authors: Sousa João Pedro , Schmerl Bradley , Steenkiste Peter , Garlan David
Published: May 2011

This chapter introduces a new way of thinking about software systems for supporting the activities of end-users. In this approach, models of user activities are promoted to first class entities, and software systems are assembled and configured dynamically based on activity models. This constitutes a fundamental change of perspective over traditional applications; activities take the main stage and may be long-lived, whereas the agents that carry them out are plentiful and interchangeable. The core of the chapter describes a closed-loop control design that enables activity-oriented systems to become self-aware and self-configurable, and to adapt to dynamic changes both in the requirements of user activities and in the environment resources. The chapter discusses how that design addresses challenges such as user mobility, resolving conflicts in accessing scarce resources, and robustness in the broad sense of responding adequately to user expectations, even in unpredictable situations, such as random failures, erroneous user input, and continuously changing resources. The chapter further summarizes challenges and ongoing work related to managing activities where humans and automated agents collaborate, human-computer interactions for managing activities, and privacy and security aspects.
Adaptive Computation Paradigm in Knowledge Representation
Authors: Gavrilova Marina L.
Published: May 2011

The constant demand for complex applications, the ever increasing complexity and size of software systems, and the inherently complicated nature of the information drive the needs for developing radically new approaches for information representation. This drive is leading to creation of new and exciting interdisciplinary fields that investigate convergence of software science and intelligence science, as well as computational sciences and their applications. This survey article discusses the new paradigm of the algorithmic models of intelligence, based on the adaptive hierarchical model of computation, and presents the algorithms and applications utilizing this paradigm in data-intensive, collaborative environment. Examples from the various areas include references to adaptive paradigm in biometric technologies, evolutionary computing, swarm intelligence, robotics, networks, e-learning, knowledge representation and information system design. Special topics related to adaptive models design and geometric computing are also included in the survey.