bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EMMO
Authors: Westermann Utz , Zillner Sonja , Schellner Karin , Klaus Wolfgang
Published: May 2011

Current semantic approaches to multimedia content modeling treat the content’s media, the semantic description of the content, and the functionality performed on the content, such as rendering, as separate entities, usually kept on separate servers in separate files or databases and typically under the control of different authorities. This separation of content from its description and functionality hinders the exchange and sharing of content in collaborative multimedia application scenarios. In this chapter, we propose Enhanced Multimedia MetaObjects (Emmos) as a new content modeling formalism that combines multimedia content with its description and functionality. Emmos can be serialized and exchanged in their entirety — covering media, description, and functionality — and are versionable, thereby establishing a suitable foundation for collaborative multimedia applications. We outline a distributed infrastructure for Emmo management and illustrate the benefits and usefulness of Emmos and this infrastructure by means of two practical applications.
Communitites of Practice
Authors: Coakes Elayne , Clarke Steve
Published: May 2011

This article looks at the concept of communities of practice (CoPs) in the workplace. The theories surrounding these types of communities are still very new and in the process of development. The practice and the importance of these communities for knowledge transfer are also still to be explored as to the best methods for establishing such communities and how to support and encourage them. Below we discuss the background and main threads of theory that are under development. This is very much a short introduction to the concept. Further discussions can be found in Coakes (2004), Coakes and Clarke (in press), and Lehaney, Clarke, Coakes, and Jack (2003).
Computational Experimentation
Authors: Nissen Mark E. , Levitt Raymond E.
Published: May 2011

Systematic development of new knowledge is as important in the developing field of knowledge management (KM) as in other social science and technological domains. Careful research is essential for the development of new knowledge in a systematic manner (e.g., avoiding the process of trial and error). The problem is, throughout the era of modern science, a chasm has persisted between laboratory and field research that impedes knowledge development about knowledge management.
External and Internal Knowledge in Organizations
Authors: Andreu Rafael , Sieber Sandra
Published: May 2011

In this article we discuss how knowledge and learning contribute to developing sustainable competitive advantages in firms. We argue that effective knowledge management (KM) initiatives for this purpose should support appropriate learning initiatives (which we define in terms of learning trajectories [LTs] of individuals and groups within the firm) in order to ensure that knowledge needs are adequately covered over time.
Integration of Knowledge Management and E-Learning
Authors: Xu Dongming , Wang Huaiqing
Published: May 2011

Knowledge management (KM) and e-learning are two concepts that address the requirements of lifelong learning. Over the past several years, there has been an increasing focus on the integration of knowledge management and e-learning systems. By 2003, 70% of organizations implementing knowledge management were linking it with e-learning technically and organizationally (Gartner, 2000). The integration of knowledge management and e-learning enables the creation of great synergies in organizations and business applications. In this article, these two concepts will be presented and their integration will be discussed in detail.
Knowledge Calibration
Authors: Goldsmith Ronald E. , Pillai Kishore Gopalakrishna
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this article is to describe the concept of knowledge calibration within the context of knowledge management. Knowledge calibration is a concept borrowed from the psychology of decision making. It refers to the correspondence between knowledge accuracy and the confidence with which knowledge is held. Calibration is a potentially important concept for knowledge management because it describes one of the subtle errors that can lead to poor decisions. Where the correspondence between the accuracy of one’s knowledge and the confidence in that knowledge is high, decisions are described as well calibrated; but poor correspondence implies miscalibrated decisions. Since one concern of the field of knowledge management is the best use of knowledge for decision-making purposes, this topic is relevant.
Object-Process Methodology
Authors: Dori Dov
Published: May 2011

Capturing the knowledge about existing systems and analysis and design of conceived systems requires an adequate methodology, which should be both formal and intuitive. Formality is required to maintain a coherent representation of the system under study, while the requirement that the methodology be intuitive stems from the fact that humans are the ultimate consumers of the knowledge. Object-Process Methodology (OPM) is a vehicle for knowledge representation and management that perfectly meets the formality and intuition requirements through a unique combination of graphics and natural language.
Assimilation by Communities of Internet Technologies
Authors: Erwin Geoff , Taylor Wal
Published: May 2011

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are posing fundamental questions for society, government and commerce in economic, social, educational, cultural and democratic processes within and across nation states in terms of access, equity and security. Electronic networks which can operate both inside and outside of nation states with hitherto unknown volume and velocity are challenging and changing the architecture of governance, power and culture (Bollier, 2003; Coleman & Gotze, 2002; Rheingold, 2004).
Choosing Online Learning Communities or Collaborative Learning
Authors: Teghe Daniel , Knight Bruce Allen
Published: May 2011

The adoption and innovative use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) technology can have positive outcomes for regional development (Ashford, 1999; Harris, 1999; Mitchell, 2003). Especially when it involves the use of online environments, CMC can lead to what Gillespie, Richardson, and Cornford (2001) refer to as the “death of distance,” and is likely to boost opportunities for growth in e-commerce, e-business, and e-learning in the regions. Although such growth depends on continuous learning and innovation (Rainnie, 2002), actual opportunities for learning and training can be affected by approaches to the provision of online learning that are unnecessarily rigid and inflexible. Online education and training methods that include strict participation requirements can have the effect of marginalizing and excluding those learners who cannot engage with inflexible and regimented learning contexts. This represents an important problem in regions, because of limited access to other learning contexts.
Citizen-Oriented Decision Making
Authors: Keskinen Auli , Kuosa Tuomo
Published: May 2011

The potential of information communication technology (ICT) opens up whole new sets of concepts and practical solutions to be developed when working with research and development (R&D) on new democratic praxis in the knowledge era (OECD, 2001; Keskinen, 2001). It is not sufficient to try to use ICT as a voting tool without first ensuring universal access to data, information, and knowledge for citizens in order for them to build their knowledge base and, second, to empower citizens to become independent decision-making collaborators. This interactive decision-making approach calls for new models that will complement, evolve, and reform the current representative democracy to better suit the modern needs of rapidly moving and changing societies (Becker, 1995; Keskinen, 1997; Becker & Slaton, 1997).
Cognitive Theories and the Design of E-Learning Environments
Authors: Gillani Bijan B.
Published: May 2011

The explosive growth of the Internet and the dramatic advances in the design and development of online technological tools in recent years have revolutionized the way students and teachers view technology in education. These technical advances have made it possible to produce educational materials and transmit them over the Web. Parallel to these technological advances, the field of instructional design has made phenomenal contributions to curriculum planning. A synergy of these two fields would enable educators to produce effective electronic educational materials.
Convergence of ICT and Culture
Authors: Mitchell Matthew
Published: May 2011

Participants in development projects and programs that strategically utilize information communication technologies (ICT) are engaged in activities that have culturally-relevant impacts. At local and regional levels, there may be approaches to implementing ICT-based development projects that are appropriately contextualized for different socio-cultural systems. Such approaches need to look beyond short-term outputs and mid-term outcomes and give adequate focus on long-term impacts. It is possible to analyze the long-term impacts of ICT-based development projects through a number of different lenses, one of which is the concept of “convergence.”
Crossing the Digital Divide and Putting ICT to Work to Improve People's Lives
Authors: Peters Teresa
Published: May 2011

Information and communications technology (ICT) is a key weapon in the war against world poverty. When used effectively, it offers huge potential to empower people in developing countries to overcome development obstacles, address the most important social problems they face, and strengthen communities, democratic institutions, a free press, and local economies. But, a “digital divide” separates those who can access and use ICT to gain these benefits, and those who do not have access to technology or cannot use it for one reason or another.
Developing Regional Destination Marketing Systems
Authors: Hornby Glen
Published: May 2011

Many regional and rural centres in Australia view tourism as an increasingly important area of economic opportunity (Commonwealth of Australia, 2002). With the Internet as an increasingly important source of information for travelers (Zhou, 2004), destination marketing systems have an important role in distributing this information. Destination marketing systems store and distribute information about a diverse and comprehensive range of tourism suppliers, visitor attractions, and events in a particular destination region (Crichton & Edgar, 1995; Frew & O’Connor, 1998). Tourists require a wide variety of information on geographical regions, facilities, attractions, and activities at destinations (Buhalis & Spada, 2000), which destination marketing systems collate and deliver.
Digital Libraries and Development for the Illiterate
Authors: Trujillo Maria F.
Published: May 2011

Even though the information revolution is usually traced back to the 1960s in the United States with the convergence of ICT, it was only in the last two decades that these technologies diffused to most developing societies around the globe, allowing interactive and simultaneous transfer of information in real time. And it was not until the mid-1990s that the Internet became a worldwide phenomenon.
E-Commerce Challenges for Caribbean Businesses
Authors: Escalante Richard M.
Published: May 2011

The global environment of e-commerce is revolutionizing business practices and reshaping traditional business transactions over “computer-mediated networks” (Schmitz et al., 2001). Although fairly well-established in developed countries, e-commerce in Caribbean developing countries remains in the early stages of development. Put it simply, given the peculiar set of social, economic, technical, and legal issues affecting these economies, e-commerce is viewed as a complex but challenging business issue. Admittedly, both local and regional businesses have realized that e-commerce can “accelerate economic development” (Schmitz et al., 2001) in their respective economies. As a result, they have hastily attempted to “leap-frog” into the global networked economy. Yet, several challenges remain to be faced by these businesses. This article is concerned specifically with Internet-based Business-to-Consumer (B2C) e-commerce, unlike other e-commerce forms, such as Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G).
Extended Democratic Space for Citizens' E-Participation
Authors: Pazyuk Andriy
Published: May 2011

Having appeared and rapidly developed in all human environments, the computer and telecommunication sphere considerably changed the structure and organization of social institutions and interaction between social actors.
ICT and Developing Social Capital
Authors: Sutcliffe Kate
Published: May 2011

The Gulf Savannah region (Invest Australia and Gulf Savannah Development, 2003) of north Queensland covers 186,000 square kilometers, an area 80% the size of Victoria. The population of 8,000 live in small towns or Aboriginal communities dispersed across the re
ICT in Regional Development
Authors: Borbora Saundarjya , Dutta Mrinal Kanti
Published: May 2011

Economic development and information and communication technology (ICT) are found to move together in the present day era of globalization. ICT can contribute significantly in economic development of a region by providing adequate information at the minimum of time and cost, thereby enhancing productivity in different sectors of an economy. This fact is substantiated by several studies (Kraemer & Dedrick, 2001; Pohjola, 2001). Some country specific studies like that of Singapore (Wong, 2001) also highlighted similar results. ICT diffusion in the world has been quite rapid since the mid 1990s. While the developed countries have benefited substantially from the ICT growth, the developing countries could not reap similar benefits out of it which has resulted in emergence of a digital divide across the countries (Economist, 2000; Nkrumah, 2000; Norris, 2001). This divide is noticed not only across countries but also within a country and this is more prominent in developing economies like India. ICT diffusion is another area which needs more attention in India as it will lead to ICT access and application of ICT in real sectors to increase productivity and output. During the past one decade India has made rapid advances in ICT growth as reflected in the increase in the number of Internet connections and users. The growth of Internet connections and users in the country is shown in Table 1.
Leveraging Digital Multimedia Training for At-Risk Teens
Authors: Shea Timothy , Davis Craig
Published: May 2011

The digital divide exists in poor countries and wealthy countries, the country side and cities, and across age groups. Useful solutions when trying to “bridge” the digital divide should include collaboration with local groups in order to better understand and meet their needs (Eglash, 2004). The most far-reaching examples of these community-oriented, information and communication technology (ICT) products and services result in social and economic impacts beyond just the use of technology—sometimes referred to as community informatics. This paper offers one such solution where an extremely cost—effective, community-based ICT program was successfully piloted in order to improve the computer and digital multimedia literacy of at-risk teenagers, provide job skills, open up new career opportunities, and begin to improve the overall economic capital of the community. While piloted in an inner-city, the program represents a best practice that is equally applicable to a small rural setting or to a regional educational initiative. More specifically, this paper describes the project, the curriculum, and— through the use of a questionnaire and video interviews —the students’ experiences taking the class.
NetTel@Africa
Authors: Mitchell Matthew
Published: May 2011

NetTel@Africa (NetTel) is a transnational capacity development program focused on improving the policy and regulatory environment for the information communication technologies (ICT) and telecommunications (telecom) sectors. Originally, NetTel was developed as a programmatic response by USAID’s Leland Initiative to a request for human resource development by the Telecommunications Regulators Association of Southern Africa. NetTel is aligned with the USAID. During the development of the program, it became evident that an expansion of NetTel beyond the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region would greatly improve the quality of capacity development in formulating policies and regulation. Recently, NetTel has expanded to priority Western and Eastern African nations.
New Frontiers for The New Australian Institute of Music
Authors: Whateley Greg , Bofinger Ian , Calvo Peter
Published: May 2011

Universities, both public and private, in Australia (firmly encouraged by higher education authorities) are currently concerned with the mind-set, mechanisms, and practices that are necessary for universities to reinvent and reengineer themselves in order to become successful, surplus-making organizations. The Australian Institute of Music is no exception. Given the context of current economic pressures, this surplus-making exercise is fundamental to future growth, quality provision, and student/staff morale. Important matters such as changing mind-set from a “scarcity” to “abundance” mentality; encouraging new venture units (“skunk works”) within elements; changing management style at all levels to facilitate entrepreneurial activities; effectively using outsourcing for teaching and administrative purposes; developing strategic alliances and networks; and developing the notion of thinking globally even though working locally; and requiring exploration.
Pedal Powered Wireless Internet in the Laotion Jungle
Authors: Anderson Neil
Published: May 2011

A chance meeting with Jhai foundation founder, Lee Thorn, over breakfast during the 2003 “UN World Summit on the Information Society” in Geneva has led to the author becoming very interested in an exciting, innovative project currently being trailed in Laos. This project aims to bring wireless Internet connectivity to remote villages that lack access to electricity and other services generally regarded as prerequisites for entering the digital age. The project is based on cooperative development with local people to produce and develop a system based on a rugged, long lasting, and weather-proof Linux-based computer connected to the Internet via antenna, a repeater station and a link through an ISP located in the nearest large centre. This article will outline the technical features of the project, the advantages currently arising from the project, and an overview of the personnel currently involved and their roles in the project. This will be followed by a discussion of broader and diverse issues associated with bringing new technologies to people living in isolated and poverty affected areas like Laos. These include ethical issues around perceived cultural imperialism, prioritised allocation of resources, unequal access and effects of globalisation. Issues of a more practical nature also arise with respect to sustainability, advantages and disadvantages, and future directions.
Information and Computer Security
Authors: Janczewski Lech J. , Colarik Andrew M.
Published: May 2011

The current state of the information security domain in the United States and much of the rest of the industrialized world can best be characterized as overly optimistic. The protection of computing systems and telecommunication infrastructures from unauthorized usage, manipulation, and sabotage faces serious challenges to ensure ongoing serviceability. This is especially true when we consider our growing dependence on these infrastructures. The state of affairs regarding the security aspects of these systems is even worse. Peter G. Neumann of the Computer Science Laboratory at SRI International in Menlo Park, California states:
Business Continuity Management
Authors: Janczewski Lech J. , Colarik Andrew M.
Published: May 2011

Business continuity management is a process aimed at reducing disruptions caused by disasters and security failures that could be the results of natural phenomena, accidents, failure of equipment, or deliberate human acts. Among the last of the results are cyber-terrorist attacks or acts of information warfare. A long time ago, it was proven that the present level of technology allows for the elimination of pilots from the cockpits of large commercial jets. A huge jumbo jet is able to take off, fly to the opposite side of the globe, and land safely without human intervention. With this knowledge, we must wonder why airline pilots spend so much time on flight simulators, and why pilots are still needed in the front of the plane. The answer is really quite simple: they are rigorously trained to handle emergency situations.
European Mobile Services Industry
Authors: Vesa Jarkko
Published: May 2011

“We don’t believe that a business model, where mobile operator takes a large proportion of our subscription revenue, is going to a viable long-term option.” Andy Bird, former CEO of Turner International (2003) Europe is an extremely difficult market for any type of service-related business, and an even bigger challenge for mobile service providers due to various regulatory issues, as we will discuss later on. The reason for this is that Europe is not a single market (despite the hard effort by the European Union with its directives and guidelines), but a man-made and culturally fragmented economic region. As Whalley and Curwen (2003) point out in their analysis of licence acquisition strategies in the European mobile communications industry, Europe must be defined before it can be analyzed. They define Europe as “encompassing the member states of the European Economic Free Trade Area (EFTA), the European Union (EU), those countries that have applied to join the European Union and all other sovereign countries within the post-Communist era understanding of Europe” (p. 2). Based on this definition, Whalley and Curwen found 41 countries to be included in the European mobile market. Albeit it is possible to cluster these countries to some extent according to common language (e.g., Germany, Austria, and the German-speaking part of Switzerland), culture, or some other factors (e.g., the close cooperation between the Nordic countries that include Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden), the fact is that the European mobile services market easily consists of over 20 different markets. No wonder that academic research and business analyses are typically done on a country-by-country basis.
Virtual Team Maturity Curve
Authors: Jones Robert , Oyung Rob , Pace Lisa Shade
Published: May 2011

Imagine that you live Chicago, and your best friends live in Texas, Florida, California, and Paris. Overall, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing? Some people might think, “It’s a bad thing because I can’t see my friends whenever I want, and we can’t get together and do things as often as I’d like. We can only talk on the phone and write to each other.” Other people might think, “Well, I don’t get to see them all the time, but now when I want to go on vacation, I have people in four different places I can visit and maybe even stay with.” This is an example of the level of comfort—of preference—that an individual has in a particular situation. For virtual teams, we characterize the level of comfort and readiness to operate in a virtual environment on the “virtual team maturity curve.”
E-Learning and Virtual Science Centers
Authors: Falco John , Barbanell Patricia , Newman Dianna , Dewald Suzanne
Published: May 2011

A model for partnership with virtual science content providers creates technology-infused science curriculum using interactive videoconferencing technologies and supporting Web resources. The model, based on the work of Project VIEW, demonstrates the viability of videoconferencing and the integration of interactive digital technologies in K-12 classrooms as means to accessing unique science resources for the classroom to engage students in dynamic, self-constructed learning. By bringing enriched content to schools, new structures for pedagogy are emerging that motivate students to learn more, both with and without teacher assistance, effectively promoting increased cognitive development. The chapter offers research results confirming the progress of the model.
The Development of Science Museum Web Sites
Authors: Bowen Jonathan P. , Angus Jim , Bennet Jim , Borda Ann , Hodges Andrew , Filippini-Fantoni Silvia , Beler Alpay
Published: May 2011

Science museums have embraced the technology of the Web to present their resources online. The nature of the technology naturally fits with the ethos of science. This chapter surveys the history, development and features of a number of contrasting pioneering museum Web sites in the field of science that have been early adopters of the technology. This includes case studies of Web sites associated with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford, the Science Museum in London and the completely virtual Alan Turing Home Page. The purpose is to demonstrate a diverse set of successful scientifically-oriented Web sites related to science museums and the history of science, giving an insight into Web developments in this area over the past decade.
What is an Authentic Learning Environment?
Authors: Herrington Anthony , Herrington Jan
Published: May 2011

Recent research and learning theory provides a wealth of thought, ideas and strategies to inform the design and implementation of learner-centered, realistic and effective learning environments. This chapter proposes guidelines for designing authentic learning environments for higher education that can be applied across a range of disciplines and in a variety of modes. Characteristics of the approach are explored in depth, and the chapters of the book are introduced as examples of authentic learning environments in diverse subject areas and contexts. The chapter provides a practical framework for teachers wishing to break away from traditional, teacher-centered approaches in higher education, and who are willing to create learning environments where students are motivated to learn in rich, relevant and real-world contexts.
Authentic Graduate Education for Personal and Workplace Transformation
Authors: Laiken Marilyn
Published: May 2011

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the creation of authentic learning environments in the light of adult education and transformative learning theory, using a graduate course as a case example. Authentic learning environments and authentic workplaces have much in common. They tend to be ones in which collaborative partnerships prevail over hierarchical power relationships; leadership is enabling rather than controlling; differences are viewed as rich resources for learning rather than challenges to be “managed”; reflection and critical thinking are encouraged through the development of vibrant communities of practice; conflicting ideas are surfaced through genuine dialogue; and wholeness is valued — both in the individual as a whole person, and in the understanding of groups and organisations as living systems. Traditional universities are challengingplaces in which to create learning environments that fit this description. Through an analysis of the design and implementation of Course 1130, the chapter attempts to provide specific ideas for how graduate education can contribute to significant personal change in the values, attitudes and behavior of adult learners.
Creating an Authentic Learning Environment in Economics for MBA Studies
Authors: Parry Greg , Reynoldson Clive
Published: May 2011

This chapter discusses a postgraduate economics program that forms a core part of a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree course. The program has been structured so as to create a learning environment in which students construct an understanding of economics through a semester-long, authentic learning task — specifically the development of a competitive strategy for a business in which they have a personal interest. The curriculum, teaching and learning activities and assessment are aligned in such a way that they all contribute to the achievement of this task. The authors have observed that this approach has resulted in greater student engagement and a deeper conceptualisation of the role of economics in business as compared to the traditional approaches to teaching economics in MBA programs.
Using Characters in Online Simulated Environments to Guide Authentic Tasks
Authors: Agostinho Shirley
Published: May 2011

The use of characters to present tasks and critical information in a simulated environment has proven to be a useful strategy in the creation of more authentic learning environments online. Such characters can not only perform the role of setting and structuring tasks within the fictitious scenario, but also that of providing useful and realistic guidance. This chapter describes a learning environment designed to create an authentic context for learning evaluation skills and strategies appropriate to technology-based learning settings. The subject in which this approach was adopted was a masters-level course in evaluation of technology-based learning environments. The chapter focuses on the use of a fictitious CEO (chief executive officer) who requests certain evaluation tasks of “employees.” Students are given realistic jobs with realistic parameters, and in this way the subject is dealt with in a much more authentic manner than if presented in a more decontextualised way. The rationale for adopting the approach is described together with a description of how it was implemented and summary findings of an evaluation of the approach.
Applying Adult Education Principles to an Undergraduate Subject
Authors: Jerram Cate
Published: May 2011

This chapter is a presentation of an adult educator’s experience in teaching computer mediated communication to undergraduate students. An “adult learner” profile is presented and compared to classroom experiences of undergraduate learners. The chapter discusses the application of adult education principles to the reshaping and new delivery and assessment of the subject. It outlines the fundamental changes wrought in the subject to meet adult education standards and approaches, including course program goals, learning outcomes, delivery format, method, and assessment activities. The specific methods applied and the student responses and some startling results are described and discussed. The account does not present a structured research project, and offers no empirical evidence, but is rather a presentation of an experience in “best practice,” applying adult education principles of authentic learning to an undergraduate class, and depicting results that challenge a need to research potential for change in undergraduate subject delivery.
Authentic Cases and Media Triggers for Supporting Problem-Based Learning in Teacher Education
Authors: Keppell Mike
Published: May 2011

Within teacher education problem-based learning (PBL) has the potential to enrich teaching and learning across the curriculum. It is suggested that PBL may offer a means of providing authentic scenarios for assisting pre-service teachers before encountering teaching practice. The use of media-based educational triggers and authentic scenarios may form a bridge between their studies and real-world teaching practice. Five media-rich educational triggers are described in early childhood education, physical education, educational technology, project management and inclusive education. Reusable media-based educational triggers may also provide potential resources for other educators within teacher education.
Professional Development for the Online Teacher
Authors: Herrington Jan , Oliver Ron
Published: May 2011

While telecommunications and telematics have been available in schools and universities for decades, the speed of adoption of the Internet into general use has been unprecedented. This has placed a great deal of pressure on university teachers to re-evaluate their roles in the light of new teaching and learning opportunities. The Internet has opened up possibilities beyond the simple acquisition of information, and has created teaching and learning challenges that many teachers feel ill-equipped to meet. This chapter examines the impact of the Internet on the teacher’s role and explores the types of skills and strategies that teachers will need to be effective and efficient in online learning environments. The professional development needs for the new role of online teacher will be discussed within the context of a Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning designed to encapsulate authentic approaches to learning.
Objectives of Search and Combination of Information Channels in Electronic Consumer Markets
Authors: Oorni Anssi
Published: May 2011

Internet-based commerce is expected to radically affect many consumer markets. Present knowledge of the forthcoming transformations is based largely on the principle of value maximization; in standard economic theories of search, consumers are assumed to be both able and motivated to rationally weigh the costs and benefits they expect to ensue from search. High search costs are offered to explain why consumers evidently do not fully inform themselves about the available options. Electronic media are expected to lower search costs and, thus, radically enhance consumer search. However, little empirical evidence exists in support of these assumptions. The combination of information sources consumers prefer to use is largely unexplored in relation to electronic information sources. Likewise, our knowledge of the objectives related to the procurement decision that leads consumers to adopt electronic sources for product information is still lacking. In this chapter, we examine the determinants of using Internet-based information sources, particularly the World Wide Web.
Envisioning the Future of a Multi-Channel World By 2020
Authors: Tinnila Markku , Lauraeus-Niinivaara Theresa
Published: May 2011

Envisioning the future is always challenging, and the multi-channel environment is no exception to that rule. The objective of this study was to hypothesize upon the kind of digital services that will likely develop by the year 2020 in a networked, multi-channel business environment. Our starting point was to approach the analysis from a business perspective; in other words, we tried to avoid the typical technology-focused e-business forecasting, which charts the development of new technologies and devices. Instead, we tried to survey for services that would be available across different electronic channels and meet customer needs in the future, as well as what types of businesses would develop around these services. Consequently, this study gives answers to questions like, what will be the future of e-services, who needs and uses them, how will the customer want to buy such services, who will produce e-services and what will the earnings logic be based upon?
Interface Design Issues
Authors: Khan Badrul
Published: May 2011

Interface design refers to the overall look and feel of an e-learning program (Hall, 1997). User interface design is the creation of a seamless integration of content and its organization, together with the navigational and interactive controls that learners use to work with the content (Jones & Farquhar, 1997). The design of an e-learning interface is critical because it determines how learners interact with the presented information (Brown, Milner & Ford, 2001). In an e-learning environment, all e-learning interfaces should be designed to accommodate the tasks of learners while they access information. Lohr (2000) states that learning interfaces are defined as those where communication cues take place between a learner and a learning system.
Confidence in E-Government
Authors: Chatillon Georges
Published: May 2011

Since the 1990s, governments have been exploring, and in many cases implementing, e-government in an effort to expand their budgeted services and efficiency. However, the desire to address these needs has often been offset with a basic lack of experience in the field of e-government, forcing governments to act relatively slowly and cautiously to migrate some of the services traditionally offered by paper-based government to e-government. In this new phase of government creation, new rules are being applied, major investments are being made, and the government agencies involved are reorganizing — not without difficulty. This chapter examines the cases of France, Belgium, Canada, the United States and Ireland and how each of these countries is extremely attentive to an important aspect of the successful acceptance of e-government — the protection of personal data — through new regulations, policies and creative, legal innovations.
Paradigm and Practice
Authors: Mele Valentina
Published: May 2011

The contribution starts from assessing the reciprocal influence between organizational change and the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in Public Administrations. ICTs cannot work without a proper organizational change, but at the same time, ICTs are usually one of the main drivers of such change in public administrations, as they provide the political momentum and act as catalyzer or enabler. After reviewing the role that New Public Management experts granted to the ICT in fueling, or rather in following public sector reforms, the work identifies a possible evolution of the model from New Public Management to Innovative Public Management. This model is based on the adoption of technological and organizational innovation at three levels, namely the operational choice, the collective choice and the institutional choice levels. Thereby, the chapter presents some of the current and future impacts of ICTs on institutional configuration, on policy and decision making, and on the organizational/managerial structure. Finally, the ecosystem for an innovative public administration is re-interpreted in the light of recent ICT changes.
What Skills are Needed in an E-World
Authors: Settles Alexander
Published: May 2011

The transition to e-government applications for public service delivery and management involves significant changes to the traditional systems of public management. E-government applications modify the internal interaction between government units and private sector providers of public services and the external relations between government, citizens, and other members of the public. The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in combination with significant policy changes and systems of operation, has the potential to provide greater transparency and democracy. By reducing information transaction, storage, and dissemination costs, ICTs allow for greater access to information and records. The evolution of interactive communication technologies has opened additional channels for the public to access public sector information, comment on public decisions, and interact with their elected officials.
Network Robustness for Critical Infrastructure Networks
Authors: Dekker Anthony H. , Colbert Bernard
Published: May 2011

Events of the past few years have shown how today’s modern technological society is critically dependent on critical infrastructure networks such as telecommunications, transport and power. In this chapter, we examine the robustness of critical infrastructure networks and describe some simulation studies exploring this issue. These studies use an extension of data farming we call “network farming,” implemented within the CAVALIER network analysis tool suite. We then survey some historical data on actual terrorist attacks and show that the distribution of these attacks in time can be modeled by a Poisson statistical distribution. This fact can then be used to plan robust network architectures. We alsoexamine “scale-free networks,” and show how they relate to the robustness of physical and organizational networks. In particular, we study the implications for law-enforcement personnel responding to terrorist organizations, using two historical case studies. Finally, we briefly survey emerging trends in network modeling and intelligent software agents that may influence the robustness of future networks.
Realized Applications of Positioning Technologies in Defense Intelligence
Authors: Michael Katina , Masters Amelia
Published: May 2011

Spurred by the recent escalation of terrorist attacks and their increasingly devastating outcomes, defense intelligence in the context of homeland security has been drawn into the spotlight. The challenge, at both national and global levels, of managing information in order to offensively resist attack or defensively keep citizens safe from further harm has never been greater. In meeting this challenge, the tools and strategies used by relevant defensive powers are a key factor in the success or failure of all activities, ranging from small-scale, homeland security administration through to large-scale, all-inclusive war. In all areas within this wide scope, the adoption of positioning technologies has played an important role. Of special significance are the global positioning system (GPS), second-generation (2G) and beyond mobile telephone networks (includingwireless data networks), radio-frequency identification (RFID) and geographic information systems (GIS). Since most positioning technology has been developed or released for use within the commercial sector, however, concerns beyond technological feasibility are raised when applications are harnessed solely for defense. The integration between commercial and military sectors and public and private needs must be considered and, primarily, this involves ensuring that the enforcement of homeland security does not compromise citizen rights.
E-Commerce Links for SMEs within the Industry Value Chain
Authors: Feindt Sylvie , Jeffcoate Judith , Chappell Caroline
Published: May 2011

The objective of this chapter is to evaluate the use of e-commerce across the value chains of several companies. In order to fulfil this objective, two different types of supply chain are analysed: the first type consists of buyer groups in the consumer goods sector; the second is dynamic networks in the manufacturing sector. Having identified what value activities are automated, the chapter examines the level of ICT and how value activity interactions between organisations are supported with e-commerce. Building on the analysis of e-commerce technology usage, the development of virtual structures is examined and the roles that SMEs can play in these. The chapter seeks to demonstrate that, with the introduction of e-commerce technologies in value activities across companies, the role of the current players is changing. Finally, the extent to which the traditional supply chain tiers change into more virtual value chain structures is evaluated.
Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Charles Darryl , Fyfe Colin , Livingstone Daniel , McGlinchey Stephen
Published: May 2011

The methods in this chapter were developed in response to the need for general purpose methods for solving complex optimisation problems. A classical problem addressed is the Travelling Salesman Problem in which a salesman must visit each of n cities once and only once in an optimum order - that which minimises his travelling. While not typical of a problem encountered in a computer game context, the problem of optimising responses or strategies clearly is applicable.
Ant Colony Optimisation
Authors: Charles Darryl , Fyfe Colin , Livingstone Daniel , McGlinchey Stephen
Published: May 2011

Ants are truly amazing creatures. Most species of ant are virtually blind; some of which have no vision at all, yet despite this, they are able to explore and find their way around their environment, discovering and ‘remembering’ routes between their nest and food sources. Ants exhibit complex social behaviours, with different roles assigned to different ants, and they are able to perform organised operations, even, for example, relocating their entire nest. Even a casual observer of an ant colony can see the efficiency and organisation with which they perform tasks such as foraging food. They are able to find and follow shortest paths between locations, negotiating obstacles between them, and this problem is an active area of interest in computer science, particularly in computer game AI.
Turing's Test and Believable AI
Authors: Charles Darryl , Fyfe Colin , Livingstone Daniel , McGlinchey Stephen
Published: May 2011

It is very evident that current progress in developing realistic and believable game AI lags behind that in developing realistic graphical and physical models. For example, in the years between the development of Neverwinter Nights by Bioware and the release of its sequel Neverwinter Nights 2 by Obsidian in collaboration with Bioware there were obvious and significant advances in the graphics. The character models in the first game are decidedly angular, the result of having limited resources to expend on the polygons required for simulating the appearance of natural curves and body shapes. No such problems now. A few years, and the difference is remarkable.
Goal-Oriented Requirement Engineering for XML Document Warehouses
Authors: Nassis Vicky , Dilon Tharam S. , Rahayu Wenny , Rajugan R.
Published: May 2011

extensible Markup Language (XML) has emerged as the dominant standard in describing and exchanging data amongst heterogeneous data sources. The increasing presence of large volumes of data appearing creates the need to investigate XML document warehouses (XDW) as a means of handling the data for business intelligence. In our previous work (Nassis, Rajugan, Dillon, & Rahayu, 2004) we proposed a conceptual modelling approach for the development of an XDW with emphasis on the design techniques. We consider important the need of capturing data warehouse requirements early in the design stage. The elicitation of requirements and their use for data warehouse design is a significant and, as yet, an unaddressed issue. For this reason, we explore a requirement engineering (RE) approach, namely the goal-oriented approach. We will extract and extend the notion of this approach to introduce the XML document warehouse (XDW) requirement model. In order to perform this, we consider organisational objectives as well as user viewpoints. Furthermore, these are related to the XDW particularly focussing on deriving dimensions, as opposed to associating organisational objectives to the system functions, which is traditionally carried out by RE.
Building an Active Content Warehouse
Authors: Abiteboul Serge , Nguyen Benjamin , Ruberg Gabriela
Published: May 2011

Non-quantitative content represents a large part of the information available nowadays, such as Web pages, e-mails, metadata about photos, etc. In order to manage this new type of information, we introduce the concept of content warehousing, the management of loosely structured data. The construction and maintenance of a content warehouse is an intricate task, involving many aspects such as feeding, cleaning and enriching semi-structured data. In this chapter, we introduce the Acware (for active content warehouse) specification language, whose goal is to help all sorts of users to organize content in a simple manner. The problem we are faced with is the following: The data are semi-structured, and the operations to be executed on this data may be of any sort. Therefore, we base our approach on XML to represent the data, and Web Services, as genericcomponents that can be tailored to specific applicative needs. In particular, we discuss the specification of mappings between the warehouse data and the parameters/results of services that are used to acquire and enrich the content. From the implementation point of view, an Acware specification of a content warehouse is compiled into a set of Active XML documents, i.e., XML documents with embedded Web service calls. These Active XML documents are then used to build and maintain the warehouse using the Active XML runtime environment. We illustrate the approach with a particular application drawn from microbiology and developed in the context of the French RNTL e.dot project.