bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Adequacy of Leisure and Recreation Facilities in KFUPM Campus
Authors: Aldosary Adel S. , Nahiduzzaman Kh. Md.
Published: May 2012

Leisure and recreation facilities are strongly intertwined due to their mutual dependencies. Thus, they build up invisible networks. Leisure and recreation facilities are one of the imperative components for socio-cultural, psychological, and economic development. In the spectrum of sustainable development, it is not possible to initiate development process without strategically planning for leisure and recreation activities. KFUPM was developed with specific leisure and recreation facilities for its community members. This paper examines their adequacy and possible set of actions to minimize the inadequacies in relation to growing and changing needs of the diversified-culture based community. Preparation of a proposed alterative (strategic) action plan to improve leisure and recreation facilities is based on conducting an internal assessment of current and forecasting amenities, and the need-gap analysis. The proposed action plan covers the estimated cost and urgency level for each of the alternative leisure and recreation improvement options. KFUPM must be committed to embracing the vision and strategies presented by this study, and allocate resources to implement strategic plans for improving leisure and recreation facilities that foster productivity and help shape systems for human resource development.
Promoting Success in the Introduction of Health Information Systems
Authors: Teixeira Paulo , Brandão Patrícia Leite , Rocha Álvaro
Published: May 2012

The significant number of publications describing unsuccessful cases in the introduction of health information systems makes it advisable to analyze the factors that may be contributing to such failures. However, the very notion of success is not equally assumed in all publications. Based in a literature review, the authors argue that the introduction of systems must be based in an eclectic combination of knowledge fields, adopting methodologies that strengthen the role of organizational culture and human resources in this project, as a whole. On the other hand, the authors argue that the introduction of systems should be oriented by a previously defined matrix of factors, against which the success can be measured.
21st Century Learning Opportunities for SME Success
Authors: King Kathleen P. , Foley John J
Published: May 2012

This chapter informs SME (small and medium enterprise) owners, developers, consultants, and academics with the reasons, means, and possibilities afforded by 21st century technology in helping SMEs to improve their operational efficiencies and discover more effective marketing strategies for their products and services. With the rapid development and broad-based integration of web-based technologies across domains of communication, marketing, e-Commerce, and training, SMEs can benefit greatly by using these inexpensive tools to their advantage. SMEs typically underutilize opportunities to enhance their efficiencies by using more complex e-Business systems, and in so doing under develop the talents of their workforce for innovation and success. This underutilization is not just because of ignorance of technological capabilities, but also from a lack of exposure to leadership and HR development training. Knowing the need to learn must be a strong foundation before technological development can ensue. This chapter provides a synthesis of research and literature across several related, but seldomly connected fields - including, organizational theory, leadership, adult development and learning, 21st century learning, distance learning and human resource management. In developing this chapter, the authors are attempting to communicate the need for SMEs to both develop leadership and technological program developments to implement the changes needed to compete in a marketplace that reflects rapid change and imperfect information.
Analysis of Social Media in Administration
Authors: Ramos Karoll Haussler Carneiro , Lima Joselice Ferreira , Elias de Deus Flávio , Molinaro Luis Fernando Ramos
Published: May 2012

This chapter analyzes some case studies about social media in organizations’ administration. To do this, social media’s epistemological base will be introduced, considering contributions from the subject of organizational behavior. The importance of this discipline is that it brings together social sciences points of view (social psychology, sociology and anthropology). After this, views will be presented regarding the mathematical nature of social media. In this part, the internet’s influence on social media will also be discussed, for it has contributed to a new common sense, and it is responsible for social media popularity. Finally, how social media interferes in organizations will be attested to, as well as how it can be managed. In order to help the understanding of such knowledge, a survey will be introduced, with articles related to organizational practices in social media.
Assessment of Web 2.0 Applications Employed by Human Resource Departments in U.S. Cities
Authors: McDonald Maureen , McDonald J. Scott , Merwin Gerald A. , Merwin Keith A. , Richardson Mathew
Published: May 2012

Most local governments employ an intranet within the organization, to assist in human resources. A telephone survey of local government officials (n=17) found these intranet sites employ few Web 2.0 applications. The survey found most cities have plans to increase their use of Web 2.0 applications for human resources management. However, the recent economic recession has adversely impacted these plans. The chapter forwards recommendations to improve local governments’ use of Web 2.0 applications while maintaining cost efficiencies.
Managing and Motivating
Authors: McAuliffe Eilish , Manafa Ogenna , Bowie Cameron , Makoae Lucy , Maseko Fresier , Moleli Mamello , Hevey David
Published: May 2012

It is now more than a decade since the acknowledgement of the health human resources crisis that exists in many low-income countries. During that decade much attention has focused on addressing the “pull” factors (e.g. developing voluntary international recruitment guidelines and bilateral agreements between recruiting and source countries) and on scaling up the supply of health professionals. Drawing on research conducted in two sub-Saharan African countries, we argue that a critical element in the human resources crisis is the poor working environments in these countries that not only continue to act as a strong “push” factor, but also impact on the motivation and performance of those who remain in their home countries. Unless attention is focused on improving work environments, the human resources crisis will continue in a vicious cycle leading to further decline in the health systems of low-income countries.
Creating the Environment for High Performing Distributed Teams
Authors: Rahschulte Tim , Steele Jim
Published: May 2012

The organizational workforce has always been a complex landscape. The varying personalities, demographics, and needs have challenged organizations to be legal, fair, and just, while simultaneously competing for market share and profit margins. Although these conditions are not mutually exclusive, due to the global reach for market share and use of supporting technologies, workforces have grown increasingly diverse over the past three decades. Organizations have looked to their Human Resource (HR) division to support business strategy, growth, and development. While a few have stepped up to accommodate, many HR divisions have struggled to support business needs in perhaps the greatest time of flux in modern day business. This is creating a serious issue for most organizations who recognize the competitive way forward is through effective Human Resource Development (HRD). Business success has always been about the people and it will continue to be so. Therefore, organizations struggling to develop their workforce to perform in complex, highly distributed situations will continue to lag (often far behind) the effective workforces of their competitors. This chapter offers best and next practices from HRD leaders accommodating the needs of their businesses.
Talent Management
Authors: Luna-Arocas Roberto
Published: May 2012

Talent management is a new concept in the scientific literature, but not in the practitioner arena. In this sense, this chapter underlines the powerful perspective of talent management integrating practices from organizations and providing a scientific approach. Some previous results from different research are expressed in relation to strategy and organizational performance. Talent Management is clearly a concept close to high performance work system, with the difference of a more strategic approach. More than practices are goals for the organization to achieve excellence at work. So Talent Management is clearly linked with a strategic approach to the organization in order to attract, develop, evaluate, and retain professionals with high capacities.
Research and Output Management in Digital Era
Authors: Sekhwela M. B. M.
Published: May 2012

The institutional commitment to research that was hitherto left to individual researchers and few research centres came with the University Strategy, ‘Shape Our Future’. The Strategy, with clear mission and vision of research excellence, provided support for the development of a policy framework, subsequent research, output management infrastructure, and associated processes. This paper has reviewed these developments and emerging challenges posed by resource intensive paper based processes that need to be addressed inline with increasing aspirations for digital scholarship. Efforts to address these challenges are largely to reduce intensity of resource use inline with digital scholarship aspirations that embrace information and communication technology (ICT). However, the dynamism of developments and innovations in ICTs are characterized by high frequency of system obsolesce that could be costly to emerging resource poor Universities, particularly proprietary systems. This leads to the need of embracing the use of open source ware by investing in human resource development for capacity building and sustenance of digital scholarship.
Recruiting, Selecting and Motivating Human Resources
Authors: Zapounidis Konstantinos C. , Kalfakakou Glykeria
Published: May 2012

This paper’s aim is to analyse practices adapted by different enterprises regarding personnel motivation and human resources approaches to increase their productivity and profitability while examining the methodology of human resources recruitment and selection used by different kinds of enterprises, which cannot exist without human manpower. The objective of this paper is to analyse methods and tools used by several enterprises in motivation and in human resources recruitment and selection. Regarding motivation, the basic aim of the process adapted was to define whether each enterprise was closer to the participating or to directive management model. Especially in the recruiting and selecting process IT could add important value since adapted IT processes could lead to quicker and more successful transparent results. IT professionals could organise these processes for every enterprise in order to become standard, formulated, and even more accredited procedures which would lead to successful recruiting and selecting results.
Issues Influencing Electronic Commerce Activities of SMEs
Authors: Zerenler Muammer , Gözlü Sitki
Published: May 2012

This study aims to investigate the issues of electronic commerce activities in small and medium sized enterprises as a consequence of organizational change initiated by the adoption of information technologies. The fundamental issues influencing electronic commerce practices of SMEs are their insufficiency of cognitive learning and organizational strategy, financial and distribution problems specific to SMEs, limitations of supply chain management, reluctance of organizational culture for electronic change, problems of information technologies usage, insufficiency of human resource, resistance of top management to organizational change as required by the adoption of information technologies, integration problems of new technologies with the existing systems, lack of confidence on the side of customers towards electronic commerce. A study of the Turkish Automotive Supplier Industry has revealed that electronic commerce has been adopted and its benefits are accepted. However, the industry has to overcome some technical and managerial difficulties to implement it more efficiently and effectively.
Ethics and Learning Organizations in the New Economy
Authors: Bañón Alexis , Guillén Manuel , Gil Ignacio
Published: May 2012

In order to achieve this, CEOs and Human Resource (HR) policies should potentially contribute to knowledge development by creating authentic learning organizations. The authors propose in this study that learning improvements in organizations are not just a matter of techniques or aptitudes, but also a matter of feelings, attitudes, and, above all, of the moral habits of their members. The authors strongly suggest complementing currently established conceptions of knowledge management and organizational learning through an explicit inclusion of ethics and ethical learning in organizations.
An Empirical Test of the Information Processing Theory
Authors: Zhou Honggeng
Published: May 2012

According to the propositions in the information processing theory, this study tests the relationship between task uncertainty and three organizational design strategies, i.e., creation of lateral relationships, investment in information systems, and creation of self-contained tasks. Data from 125 North American manufacturing firms are used and business environment uncertainty is employed to measure task uncertainty. Sourcing practice and delivery practice measure the creation of lateral relationships, while Information quality measures the investment in information systems. Also, just-in-time production and human resource management measure the creation of self-contained tasks. Regression analysis shows that business environment uncertainty has significant positive influence on sourcing practice, delivery practice, information quality, just-in-time production, and human resource management. While the information processing theory was proposed more than thirty years ago, this study empirically extends the relevance of information processing theory to today’s supply chain environment.
Toward Understanding Ethical Decision Making
Authors: Johnson Jennie , Coyle Tom
Published: May 2012

This paper proposes a step-wise methodology for the development of a scale measuring intent-to-act ethically, which is a step forward in the ethical decision-making process. To test the robustness of the methodology, data from two different populations gathered from 75 students and 181 professionals were examined to ensure reliability in ethical workplace scenarios. This research is relevant to recent issues like the current economic crisis lead by the sub-prime banking failures. The failures of Enron and Tyco are extreme examples of failure of societal members to act ethically. The construction of scale-measuring items was based on a theory of intent, and issues identified from the human resource management literature related to reasons employees do not report perceived unethical behavior in the workplace. Tested for social desirability bias, the results show that the proposed scale offers an improved reliability for assessing behavioral intent related to ethical decision-making. With these findings, this paper provides a tool for research that relies on a measure of ethical intent as a proxy for ethical behavior.
Human Resource Management for the 21st Century Global Economy
Authors: Seely Julianne
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this chapter is to concentrate on Global Human Resource Management (GHRM) by demonstrating how the functional areas of Human Resource Management, such as talent acquisition, leadership capacity, training/development, and compensation/benefits, need to be fused with a higher level of strategic endeavor through cultural intelligence (CQ), system thinking, and the applications of related system archetypes. Understanding the role cultural intelligence plays in the global business community, knowledge of how systems and subsystems operate, and how variables impact the immediate landscape, as well as overall business performance, are the key drivers for competing successfully in the global marketplace.
Expanding the Boundaries of Healthcare Human Resources Planning
Authors: Pate Christopher L. , Leahy Nancy A. , Leos Leonard
Published: May 2012

Human resources are central to healthcare services, yet leveraging these resources to meet strategic operations and operational outcomes can present challenges to leaders and human resources professionals because of the complex and dynamic nature of healthcare delivery. Although the traditional roles of human resources management are necessary in supporting an organization in meeting its goals, economic, strategic, and cultural considerations are becoming increasingly important to human resources management and workforce planning in healthcare settings. This chapter presents several features of these different lenses to assist human resources managers in developing a holistic view of human resources planning in health care.
Anonymous Workblogging and Organizational Coping Strategies
Authors: Schoneboom Abigail
Published: May 2012

In recent years, the rise of blogging has led to debate about whether employees should be free to talk about their employers on the Internet, and whether they should be able to blog on company time. Several high-profile cases of fired bloggers between 2002 and 2006, drew attention to important labor and civil rights issues that led to debate among human resources and employment law experts in the mainstream media. The negative publicity surrounding the cases of fired bloggers has given rise to an alternative management strategy – a cautious embrace of blogging by employers, who saw the practice as a potential opportunity for marketing and professional development. However, efforts by bloggers to retain their right to blog anonymously signify continuing tensions, revealing the contradictions between workplace surveillance and an “enlightened” management doctrine based on openness and trust, indicating a refusal by some employees to align their blogging endeavors with the interests of their employer. This chapter examines the workblogging phenomenon as an intersection of organizations, technology, and trust, and makes some tentative connections between Guerra et al.’s (2003) concept of “trust-tension” and the critical management literature.
Visual Data Mining in Physiotherapy Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Alakhdar Yasser , Martínez-Martínez José M. , Guimerà-Tomás Josep , Escandell-Montero Pablo , Benitez Josep , Soria-Olivas Emilio
Published: May 2012

The basis of all clinical science developments is the analysis of the data obtained from a particular problem. In recent decades, however, the capacity of computers to process data has been increasing exponentially, which has created the possibility of applying more powerful methods of data analysis. Among these methods, the multidimensional visual data mining methods are outstanding. These methods show all the variables of one particular problem on the whole allowing to the clinical specialist to extract his own conclusions. In this chapter, a neural approximation to this kind of data mining is shown by means of the valuation analysis of the knee in athletes in the pre- and post-surgery of the anterior cruciate ligament, studying variables of force and measurements at different distances of the knee.
Medical Critiquing Systems
Authors: Douglas Ian
Published: May 2012

Computer Science has traditionally focused on the functional aspects of design, underemphasizing the human element in the success of any technology. The failure of technologies and the accidents that happen during use require the consideration of the user and the technologies as symbiotic parts of a whole systems approach to improving diagnosis and treatment. This chapter provides an overview of the history of the critiquing approach to knowledge systems that illustrates a more human-centered approach. It is an approach that, unlike traditional knowledge-based systems, aims to provide a check on human reasoning, rather than a replacement for it. The chapter will also discuss future possibilities for research, in particular the use of social networking and recommender systems, as a means to enhance the approach.
Learning Probabilistic Graphical Models
Authors: Alonso-Barba Juan I. , Nielsen Jens D. , de la Ossa Luis , Puerta Jose M.
Published: May 2012

Probabilistic Graphical Models (PGM) are a class of statistical models that use a graph structure over a set of variables to encode independence relations between those variables. By augmenting the graph by local parameters, a PGM allows for a compact representation of a joint probability distribution over the variables of the graph, which allows for efficient inference algorithms. PGMs are often used for modeling physical and biological systems, and such models are then in turn used to both answer probabilistic queries concerning the variables and to represent certain causal and/or statistical relations in the domain. In this chapter, the authors give an overview of common techniques used for automatic construction of such models from a dataset of observations (usually referred to as learning), and they also review some important applications. The chapter guides the reader to the relevant literature for further study.
Professional Development through Web 2.0 Collaborative Applications
Authors: Williams Indi M. , Olaniran Bolanie A.
Published: May 2012

This chapter presents a fresh look at collaborative applications and their use in professional development and informal learning. The chapter addresses some of the cultural challenges impacting collaborative technologies, especially given the fact that these technologies are transplanted from developed countries into regions of the world that are only beginning to understand their significance. Therefore, the chapter points to the importance of and the needs to allow cultural variation and differences in usage. The chapter acknowledges the fact that collaborative technologies possess great potential for both professional development and informal learning, but cautions that external factors, such as culture and community, be taken into account to realize potential benefits.
Turn On Your Mobile Devices
Authors: Hao Shuang
Published: May 2012

The number of mobile devices and active users is growing. Mobile devices expand the reach of technology-mediated communication possibilities for many people. They have become a convenient, and in many instances preferred, way for people to communicate with each other as well as to access the Internet. In terms of learning, this means that people can increasingly access both content and resources from any number of locations. This chapter explores how mobile devices can be used to support informal learning practices, and it provides practical tips for researchers in conducting studies of informal mobile learning.
Developing Professional Competencies through International Peer Learning Communities
Authors: Yakavenka Hanna
Published: May 2012

This chapter utilizes a peer learning community as an example to explore whether and how information exchange, learning, and knowledge creation occur when students undertake professional internships. Observation and analysis of the learners’ views on their interaction are conducted by studying peer-generated blogs to determine if learners working in companies worldwide, but connected via an informal virtual community, can communicate effectively and produce a useful pool of information, thus creating meaningful knowledge and expertise to assist in future career development. The objective is to utilize the lessons learned to incorporate effective elements of the peer learning experience into formal programs of study and so increase the employability focus of business education.
Story-Based Professional Development
Authors: Slabon Wayne A. , Richards Randy L.
Published: May 2012

In this chapter, the authors describe an initiative to create a cross-organization, knowledge building communal network built from the personal workplace stories voluntarily contributed by conflict management practitioners. They identify various wiki adoption and usage issues and provide recommendations and strategies for addressing these issues based on survey data from the wiki target member population. Moreover, the authors compare and contrast their wiki design with recommended practices from the wiki literature and provide some suggestions for future research.
Dermatological Telemedicine Diagnoses and Andragogical Training Using Web 2.0 Mobile Medicine Video Conferencing
Authors: Brandt Richard , Rice Rich
Published: May 2012

Polymorphic innovations of Web 2.0 have both inspired and facilitated a near ubiquitous learning architecture centered on mobility, customization, and collective intelligence in a variety of fields. These reconfigurable pedagogical learning platforms have empowered participants by removing passive, standardized methods of unilateral knowledge delivery established by its Web 1.0 predecessor, and included a multitude of divergent, informal, and participant-driven social networks. These new technological devices and opportunities for self-guided, multidirectional knowledge exchange within newly established informal learning networks are affordable and flexible. Thus, McLoughin and Lee’s (2007) moniker of “Pedagogy 2.0” is apropos (p. 672). The teaching and training of professional medical personnel, aligned with the flexibility and the capability of Web 2.0 platforms in the exchange of collaborative social learning, can be an authentic and productive knowledge-making andragogical approach to healthcare training. Such training must consider, study, and embrace social-constructivism, problem-based learning, andragogy, universal design for learning, media naturalness theory, divergent thinking, and the expanded rhetorical triangle in order to maximize the potential of mobile medicine through expanding the practice of telemedicine.
Occlusion Handling in Object Detection
Authors: Eishita Farjana Z. , Rahman Ashfaqur , Azad Salahuddin A. , Rahman Akhlaqur
Published: May 2012

Object tracking is a process that follows an object through consecutive frames of images to determine the object’s movement relative other objects of those frames. In other words, tracking is the problem of estimating the trajectory of an object in the image plane as it moves around a scene. This chapter presents research that deals with the problem of tracking objects when they are occluded. An object can be partially or fully occluded. Depending on the tracking domain, a tracker can deal with partial and full object occlusions using features such as colour and texture. But sometimes it fails to detect the objects after occlusion. The shape feature of an individual object can provide additional information while combined with colour and texture features. It has been observed that with the same colour and texture if two object’s shape information is taken then these two objects can be detected after the occlusion has occurred. From this observation, a new and a very simple algorithm is presented in this chapter, which is able to track objects after occlusion even if the colour and textures are the same. Some experimental results are shown along with several case studies to compare the effectiveness of the shape features against colour and texture features.
A Multilevel Thresholding Method Based on Multiobjective Optimization for Non-Supervised Image Segmentation
Authors: Djerou Leila , Khelil Naceur , Dehimi Nour El Houda , Batouche Mohamed
Published: May 2012

The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive review of multiobjective optimization in the image segmentation problem based on image thresholding. The authors show that the inclusion of several criteria in the thresholding segmentation process helps to overcome the weaknesses of these criteria when used separately. In this context, they give a recent literature review, and present a new multi-level image thresholding technique, called Automatic Threshold, based on Multiobjective Optimization (ATMO). That combines the flexibility of multiobjective fitness functions with the power of a Binary Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm (BPSO), for searching the “optimum” number of the thresholds and simultaneously the optimal thresholds of three criteria: the between-class variances criterion, the minimum error criterion and the entropy criterion. Some examples of test images are presented to compare with this segmentation method, based on the multiobjective optimization approach with Otsu’s, Kapur’s, and Kittler’s methods. Experimental results show that the thresholding method based on multiobjective optimization is more efficient than the classical Otsu’s, Kapur’s, and Kittler’s methods.
A Survey of Semantic Web Based Architectures for Adaptive Intelligent Tutoring System
Authors: Jabin Suraiya , Mustafa K.
Published: May 2012

Most recently, IT-enabled education has become a very important branch of educational technology. Education is becoming more dynamic, networked, and increasingly electronic. Today’s is a world of Internet social networks, blogs, digital audio and video content, et cetera. A few clear advantages of Web-based education are classroom independence and availability of authoring tools for developing Web-based courseware, cheap and efficient storage and distribution of course materials, hyperlinks to suggested readings, and digital libraries. However, there are several challenges in improving Web-based education, such as providing for more adaptivity and intelligence. The main idea is to incorporate Semantic Web technologies and resources to the design of artificial intelligence in education (AIED) systems aiming to update their architectures to provide more adaptability, robustness, and richer learning environments. The construction of such systems is highly complex and faces several challenges in terms of software engineering and artificial intelligence aspects. This chapter addresses state of the art Semantic Web methods and tools used for modeling and designing intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). Also it draws attention of Semantic Web users towards e-learning systems with a hope that the use of Semantic Web technologies in educational systems can help the accomplishment of anytime, anywhere, anybody learning, where most of the web resources are reusable learning objects supported by standard technologies and learning is facilitated by intelligent pedagogical agents, that may be adding the essential instructional ingredients implicitly.
Creation of Indicators Determining the Work of High-Tech Business Practitioners
Authors: Hepsø Irene Lorentzen , Hepsø Vidar
Published: May 2012

The authors address how performance indicators are configured and engineered in ERP-systems to follow up the activities of the knowledge workers in an oil and gas company. ERP-systems enable the development of new performance indicator systems, and give management simple dashboard tools to follow up and compare the performance of the organizational members across time and space. Decisions in organizations are increasingly taken on the basis of these abstract indicators that work as signs and inscriptions. This makes the development of such accounting indicators an interesting area of research because the representation of such indicators will to a large extent govern the decision making and practices of the organization. Who inscribes and controls the indicators controls the business. The authors discuss the development of such indicators as an inscription and translation process and how the indicators develop as a consequence of negotiations between influential actors. Finally, they address the consequences of these indicators and argue that they are dependent upon three key issues: the validity of the indicators, their reliability, and how indicators are negotiated. The authors’ research question is how do disparate organizational groups interplay with physical and technical elements to create indicators determining the work of high-tech business practitioners?
Innovation Capability in High-Tech Companies
Authors: Ertürk Alper
Published: May 2012

This chapter analyses the influence of organizational culture components, defined in Hofstede’s (1991, 2001) cultural framework (i.e., power distance, individualism/collectivism, assertiveness focus, and uncertainty avoidance), and empowerment on innovation capability, and examines the differentiations in their influence. The hypotheses are tested by applying Structural Equations Modeling (SEM) methodology to data collected from Information Technology professionals from high-tech companies. Results of the analyses have yielded that power distance is found to be negatively associated with both empowerment and innovation capability, whereas uncertainty avoidance is negatively related to innovation capability, but positively related to empowerment. Collectivism is found to be positively related only to empowerment; yet no significant relationship was revealed between collectivism and innovation capability. In addition, no significant relationship was found between assertiveness focus and empowerment or innovation capability. Empowerment is also found to be significantly and positively related to innovation capability. In terms of managerial practice, the study helps clarify the key role played by cultural dimensions in the process of shaping an empowering and innovative work environment. Findings also reveal that managers should focus on participative managerial practices (e.g. empowerment) to promote innovation capability of high-tech companies by considering the cultural tendencies of employees in the organization.
Energy-Efficient Server Selection Algorithms for Distributed Applications
Authors: Enokido Tomoya , Aikebaier Ailixier , Takizawa Makoto
Published: May 2012

A wide range of distributed applications are developed on various types of scalable information systems like Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and cloud computing systems. Various types of distributed algorithms are so far developed to minimize the computation time and response time and to maximize the throughput. On the other hand, it is getting more significant to realize energy-aware information systems for reducing the consumption of natural resources. In order to realize the energy-aware information systems, it is critical to reduce the total electrical power consumption of computers and networks. In this chapter, the authors classify applications on distributed systems into computation, communication, and general types of applications. Then, they define power consumption models of a server to perform each type of application process. Based on the power consumption models, the authors propose algorithms to select one of the servers for each type of application so that the total power consumption of servers can be reduced and also evaluate the algorithms in terms of not only performance but also energy consumption.
Green Computing as an Ecological Aid in Industry
Authors: Avram Oliver , Stroud Ian , Xirouchakis Paul
Published: May 2012

This chapter concerns the use of computing for ecological evaluation in the manufacturing industry. Here, ecological evaluation means identification and quantisation of various manufacturing process characteristics from the point of view of the environment. Manufacturing is a complex process with many different interactions between the parameters controlling the manufacturing machine tools. In the past, manufacturing planners and operators have set these parameters without understanding the consequences, leading to resource waste of energy, cutting fluid, and so on. This chapter presents a computer tool for evaluating and quantifying the effects of different manufacturing choices using chosen criteria. The tool was implemented as part of the work for a European project. It is based on an extensive analysis of machine tools to provide a way of handling the complexities of understanding the use phase of products.
Essential Technologies for Location-Aware Mobile, Online Map Prefetching, and Caching
Authors: Hu Wen-Chen , Kaabouch Naima , Chen Lei , Yang Ming
Published: May 2012

Map navigation is one of the most popular applications used by mobile users. At the same time, it is also one of the time- and resource-consuming applications. Various methods such as most-recently used and first-in, first-out algorithms are used to reduce the map transmission time and delay. One of the popular methods is online mobile map prefetching and caching. However, the mobility and location features of mobile users are usually left out by these methods. Caching and prefetching maps based on a mobile user’s location would greatly reduce the transmission time and hence the battery power consumption. For example, if a user is visiting a town, prefetching the maps of nearby interesting stores and caching the maps of the visited, neighboring landmarks would help the user’s visitation experience and save the transmission time. Online mobile map prefetching or caching is useful, but is not widely employed because it involves several different subjects and developers usually are not familiar with all of them. This chapter intends to relieve the problem by introducing essential technologies for online mobile map prefetching and caching so more developers can start working on this kind of project or research. It consists of four themes: (1) green handheld computing, (2) location-based services and programming, (3) map tile system, and (4) location-aware map prefetching and caching methods. A summary is given at the end of this chapter.
Study of Hybrid Sustainable Energy System Based on PEM Fuel Cells and Photovoltaic-Module Power Generator
Authors: Zerhouni Fatima Zohra , Zerhouni M’hammed Houari , Zegrar Mansour , Stambouli Amine Boudghene
Published: May 2012

The computer is the greatest innovation of the 20th century. It has changed our lives. It executes tasks with precision. There is no limit with what we can do with software. Computers are seductive. Companies and students cannot work without them. They help students to perform mathematical computations. It is very important that mathematical ideas are expressed in computer programs in order to have theoretical results and to verify them practically. Nowadays, the development of new and non-polluting energy producing and energy-storage systems is a great challenge for scientists. An alternative to the nuclear and fossil fuel power is renewable energy technologies. Due to ever-increasing energy consumption, rising public awareness of environmental protection, and steady progress in power deregulation, alternative (i.e., renewable and fuel cell based) distributed generation systems have attracted increased interest. There is an accelerating world demand for environmentally friendly power. Among the renewable energy sources, the Photovoltaic (PV) energy is the most promising candidate for research and development for large scale users. Fuel cells have been receiving a lot of attention lately due to their potential of becoming a new energy source with a large range of applications. Fuel cells can be incorporated with other components to create high efficiency industrial power plants. Fuel cells permit clean and efficient energy production. The purpose of the work is to optimize the system’s operation. The main reason to build described system is to supply stand-alone systems using renewable energy sources. Therefore, the power plant has to produce energy independent of any weather fluctuations. Integrating photovoltaic energy sources with fuel cells, as a storage device replacing the conventional lead-acid batteries, leads to a non-polluting reliable energy source. In this chapter, an energy system comprising different energy sources, namely PV and fuel cells, is proposed. Photovoltaic cells coupled with electrolytic devices can be used to produce hydrogen and oxygen in a sustainable manner. With the produced hydrogen from the electrolysis process, it is possible to generate electricity through fuel cells. Photovoltaic panels in particular can provide a good source of producing green electricity. It is autonomous, its operation does not pollute the atmosphere, and it is an inexhaustible and renewable source with great reliability. The simulation program developed also allows the exportation of different configurations. The experimental system described has permitted the validation of the proposed method.
Moving Forward
Authors: Egbert Joy , Akasha Omran , Huff Leslie , Lee HyunGyung
Published: May 2012

This paper is grounded in the concept that it is the use of the technology to support language learning, not the technology itself, which makes a difference in language learning contexts. From this foundation, this paper provides a brief overview of some of the issues in the field of CALL that currently hold import and may be even more central in the future. It addresses concerns in research, teacher education, classroom practice, independent CALL, and developing technologies. The purpose of this paper is to present one view of where the field is now and where it may go in the future in supporting the achievement of language learners with technology use.
Normalisation Revisited
Authors: Bax Stephen
Published: May 2012

This article revisits the issue of the normalisation of technology in language education, defined as the stage at which a technology is used in language education without our being consciously aware of its role as a technology, as an effective element in the language learning process (Bax, 2003). It draws on the literature relating to the history of sociotechnical innovation (Bijker, 1997) to develop the theoretical basis of the concept and examines normalisation in the light of a neo-Vygotskian conceptual framework, in order to establish a set of central principles by which to understand and interpret the normalisation process. It then considers the implications for the language teacher and other change agents, with proposals for how to introduce new technologies into language education settings with maximum impact.
Online Approaches to Learning Vocabulary
Authors: Stockwell Glenn
Published: May 2012

Examples of learning vocabulary through the computer are appearing with increasing regularity in the recent CALL literature. Much of this learning, however, tends to be teacher-centred in that learners often rely on teachers to select the vocabulary items that they are to study. In the current study, pre-intermediate learners of English studying at a university in Japan were divided into two groups: a teacher-centred (TC) group where the learners were provided with online vocabulary learning activities composed of items selected by the teacher and a learner-centred (LC) group where the learners were required to compile their own vocabulary lists which were then entered by the learners themselves into a specially designed online system that would then create the vocabulary learning activities from these items. Data were collected in the form of pre- and post-testing of vocabulary items that appeared in the teaching materials and through questionnaires regarding their perceptions of the system.
ESAP Students’ Perceptions of Skills Learning in Computer-Mediated Intercultural Collaboration
Authors: Lindner Rachel
Published: May 2012

Reports on computer-mediated intercultural exchanges generally focus on their relevance for acquiring linguistic or intercultural competence, but little research exists on other educational outcomes, such as the development of electronic literacies, academic literacies, or study skills. This article uses a multiliteracies approach to telecollaboration, viewing it as an opportunity to develop different skills sets considered important for studying in the 21st century. The discussion is positioned within the field of English for Specific Academic Purposes and describes an online exchange between Sociology students at the universities of Munich (Germany) and Ljubljana (Slovenia). Qualitative research is used to surface participants’ perceptions of skills learning through the exchange and provide insights into the competences that these learning environments facilitate.
Teachers Acquisition of CALL Expertise
Authors: Sharp Steven
Published: May 2012

Research indicates that teachers need preparation in classroom based technology use, but teacher education programs do not prepare them. Nevertheless some teachers are effective with technology in language classrooms. In this paper, the author examines successes and challenges and documents how teachers succeed in developing their own expertise for technology use in language classrooms. Data collection included teacher interviews to discover successes or contradictions within the planning and implementation of technology in language classrooms. This study investigates how the choices that teachers make influence the way technology motivates student learning. These choices determine how successful they are in creating an environment free of technologically mediated contradictions. The author uses the cultural historical activity theory (CHAT) to examine the ways that teachers use technology to promote language learning. This study found that communities of practice influence how teachers can implement technology in language instruction.
New Digital Media Marketing and Micro Business
Authors: Millman Cindy , El-Gohary Hatem
Published: May 2012

This paper considers innovative marketing within the context of a micro firm, exploring how such firm’s marketing practices can take advantage of digital media. Factors that influence a micro firm’s innovative activities are examined and the development and implementation of digital media in the firm’s marketing practice is explored. Despite the significance of marketing and innovation to SMEs, a lack of literature and theory on innovation in marketing theory exists. Research suggests that small firms’ marketing practitioners and entrepreneurs have identified their marketing focus on the 4Is. This paper builds on knowledge in innovation and marketing and examines the process in a micro firm. A qualitative approach is applied using action research and case study approach. The relevant literature is reviewed as the starting point to diagnose problems and issues anticipated by business practitioners. A longitudinal study is used to illustrate the process of actions taken with evaluations and reflections presented. The exploration illustrates that in practice much of the marketing activities within micro firms are driven by incremental innovation. This research emphasises that integrating Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) successfully in marketing requires marketers to take an active managerial role far beyond their traditional areas of competence and authority.
The Web Site and Brand Trust as Antecedents of Online Loyalty
Authors: Treiblmaier Horst , Neale Larry , Chong Sandy
Published: May 2012

As online business thrives, a company’s Web presence holds enormous importance as a source of information, entertainment, and customer service for Internet users. Besides being user-friendly, a Web site should offer interesting and enjoyable content to attract online visitors in an ever-changing multimedia environment. Companies that operate globally must know how cultural differences influence the way potential customers perceive their sites. This paper presents a model that highlights the importance of ease of use, enjoyment, content, and brand trust for Web site loyalty. The model is subsequently tested in four countries: Australia, Japan, Mongolia, and the USA. The results show that perceptual differences exist: while ease of use is crucial for Web site loyalty in all four countries, the importance of content, perceived enjoyment, and brand trust varies across different cultures.