bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Service impact analysis using business continuity planning processes
Authors: Wan Stewart 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims at improving the service‐oriented IT management by adopting relevant business continuity planning processes for service impact analysis in handling resource event. The paper also proposes a framework for implementation.Design/methodology/approachA framework was developed from the study of literatures in IT service management and business continuity management. It was implemented to a real IT operations environment to evaluate its effects and benefits.FindingsMany organisations in the IT service industry drive the service‐oriented IT management rapidly in the region. For fault management and service continuity management, one relies heavily on the experience of experts in handling the event for realising the relationships between service and resource. Knowledge retention and information base for service management are the new challenges in the area of service management.Research limitations/implicationsFurther optimisation and ongoing maintenance works are required to refine the correlation processes.Practical implicationsThe framework was implemented using existing IT service management portal and network system monitoring tools with minimal modification effort.Originality/valueThis paper highlighted the value of adopting business continuity planning processes in service management. It also presented a way to implement a service management information base in practice.
Web‐assisted instruction in upper division communication studies curriculum
Authors: Olaniran Bolanle , Austin Katherine A. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the incorporation of technologies into two upper division Communication Studies courses at Texas Tech University.Design/methodology/approachThe article discusses the methodological and pedagogical rationale used to select the appropriate technologies and to effectively incorporate them into the classroom. An early semester survey and then a post‐semester survey were administered. The survey results and implications are reported and discussed.FindingsThere are more technologies available to teachers today than in the past. Therefore, the decision to use these technologies will continue to be intricate, but instructors must make the decision based on a fundamentally sound rationale in order to succeed and attain the course goals.Originality/valueThe paper offers both qualitative and quantitative observations and suggestions for instructional technology in the traditional classroom.
E‐learning adoption: the role of relative advantages, trialability and academic specialisation
Authors: Mohamad Hsbollah Hafizah , Kamil  
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) lecturers' perception of the decision regarding adopting e‐learning as a teaching tool.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 244 lecturers in Universiti Utara Malaysia. Internal consistency using Cronbach alpha and exploratory factor analysis with Varimax rotation was conducted to confirm the measurement used. Logistic regression was run to examine factors influencing the adoption of e‐learning as a teaching tool among lecturers in UUM.FindingsAfter performing reliability and validity tests of the instrument, only six factors were included in the framework out of nine factors affecting adoption. The research model showed a reasonably good fit with the data and empirical results confirm that only relative advantages, trialability and academic specialisation positively influence the adoption decision. Thus, the findings have provided evidence of the importance of relative advantages, trialability and academic specialisation in understanding the adoption decision before introducing new online technology and instructional delivery in education.Research limitations/implicationsThe measurement of perception was accessed after the adoption process might contribute to post‐adoption experience, and the findings are limited to a specific sample that somewhat minimises the generalisability of the result. Future research should aim at examining the proposed framework in a broader range of public higher learning institutions that use e‐learning application in delivering knowledge.Originality/valueThe research provides a new perspective on lecturers' adoption of new technology and focuses on the substance of the instrumentation.
Understanding the appeal of user‐generated media: a uses and gratification perspective
Authors: Shao Guosong 
Published: January 2009

PurposeUser‐generated media (UGM) like YouTube, MySpace, and Wikipedia have become tremendously popular over the last few years. The purpose of this paper is to present an analytical framework for explaining the appeal of UGM.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is mainly theoretical due to a relative lack of empirical evidence. After an introduction on the emergence of UGM, this paper investigates in detail how and why people use UGM, and what factors make UGM particularly appealing, through a uses and gratifications perspective. Finally, the key elements of this study are summarized and the future research directions about UGM are discussed.FindingsThis paper argues that individuals take with UGM in different ways for different purposes: they consume contents for fulfilling their information, entertainment, and mood management needs; they participate through interacting with the content as well as with other users for enhancing social connections and virtual communities; and they produce their own contents for self‐expression and self‐actualization. These three usages are separate analytically but interdependent in reality. This paper proposes a model to describe such interdependence. Furthermore, it argues that two usability attributes of UGM, “easy to use” and “let users control,” enable people to perform the aforementioned activities efficiently so that people can derive greater gratification from their UGM use.Originality/valueUGM are an extremely important topic in new media scholarship, and this study represents the first step toward understanding the appeal of UGM in an integrated way.
Collective intelligence for idea management with Internet‐based information aggregation markets
Authors: Bothos Efthimios , Apostolou Dimitris , Mentzas Gregoris 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the use of information aggregation markets (IAMs) for community‐based idea management and to present IDeM, a novel Internet‐based software tool that can be used for generating and evaluating new ideas utilizing the concept of IAMs.Design/methodology/approachStarting with a review of existing methods for collective intelligence, IAMs are identified as a prominent method for collective intelligence. Specific requirements for exploring IAMs for idea management are derived. Based on these requirements, a software tool for implementing IAMs in the context of idea management is developed (IDeM). IDeM has been evaluated and evaluation results are used to identify IDeM's benefits and limitations. A review of related work points out the innovative characteristics of IDeM.FindingsEvaluation results indicate that IAMs is an efficient method for idea generation and evaluation. Moreover IDeM is perceived both as easy to use and efficient in supporting idea generation and evaluation.Practical implicationsIDeM can be used by commercial or other organizations for supporting generation and evaluation of new ideas.Originality/valueIDeM's innovative aspects are: in addition to trading, it allows users involvement by means of new idea submission, rating of ideas and commenting on ideas; it confronts the uncertainty of new idea related events by offering an expert based valuation mechanism.; and it extends the typical output of IAM tools – which is price of idea‐stocks – by calculating the volume weighted average price.
Social ties and online word of mouth
Authors: Steffes Erin M. , Burgee Lawrence E. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe power of word of mouth (WOM) communication and its influence on consumer decision making is well established in academic literature. The recent adoption of online communication by many consumers has facilitated a fundamental change to the structure of many WOM interactions by exposing consumers to electronic WOM (eWOM) from virtual strangers. The current study seeks to uncover whether traditional findings on social ties and WOM communication hold for eWOM information.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 482 college students with varying levels of expertise with eWOM forums, specifically RateMyProfessors.com in the USA. Participants completed a 20‐question survey related to university professor and class choice.FindingsThe study finds that students seeking information on which professor to take weight the information they obtain from eWOM forums to be equally influential in their decision as their own primary experience with the professor. Furthermore, the information gained from the eWOM forum is more influential in their decision than speaking with friends in person (WOM). While existing research suggests that strong tie referral sources are more influential than weak tie information sources on decision making, this research finds that some weak tie information sources are rated as more influential.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation of the study is the focus on one eWOM forum, RateMyProfessors.com. Future research would benefit from expanding the number and type of eWOM forums.Originality/valueWhile the emergence of the Internet and social networking has spawned an interest in the overall study of eWOM, this study is the first to evaluate eWOM in the context of tie strength, homophily and decision making. The study also investigates whether existing theories of interpersonal communication hold in an online context.
Collaborative attack on Internet users' anonymity
Authors: Puzis Rami , Yagil Dana , Elovici Yuval , Braha Dan 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to model and study the effectiveness of an attack on the anonymity of Internet users by a group of collaborating eavesdroppers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an analysis of the Internet topology. The study is based on two methods for choosing nodes that contribute the most to the detection of as many communicating Internet users as possible.FindingsThe paper illustrates that it is possible to compromise the anonymity of many Internet users when eavesdropping on a relatively small number of nodes, even when the most central ones are protected from eavesdropping.Research limitations/implicationsIt is assumed that the Internet users under attack are not using any anonymity enhancing technologies, but nodes can be protected from eavesdropping. It proposes a measure of the success of an attack on Internet users' anonymity, for a given deployment of collaborating eavesdroppers in the Internet.Practical implicationsThe paper shows that several, and not necessarily the most prominent, collaborating nodes can compromise the anonymity of a considerable portion of Internet users. This study also emphasizes that when trying to completely compromise the anonymity of Internet users, an eavesdroppers' deployment strategy that considers eavesdroppers' collaboration can result in substantial resource saving compared to choosing a set of the most prominent nodes.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a new measure of anonymity level in the network, based on the linkability of the Internet users. This paper is the first to present results of a non‐trivial Group Betweenness optimization strategy in large complex networks.
Homepage not enough when evaluating web site accessibility
Authors: Hackett Stephanie , Parmanto Bambang 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine if the homepage of a web site is representative of the whole site with respect to accessibility.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents an intraclass correlation (ICC) between homepage web accessibility barrier (WAB) scores and the WAB scores of web site levels 1 through 3 for 33 popular web sites.FindingsThe paper finds that the homepage is not sufficient to detect the accessibility of the web site. ICC of the homepage and average of levels 1‐3 is 0.250 (p=0.062) and ICC of levels 1, 2, and 3 is 0.784 (p<0.0001). Evaluating the homepage and first‐level pages gives more accurate results of entire site accessibility.Originality/valueThis is first study correlating homepage accessibility with web site accessibility.
A review of trust modeling inad hocnetworks
Authors: Mejia Marcela , Peña Néstor , Muñoz José L. , Esparza Oscar 
Published: January 2009

PurposeMobilead hocnetworks rely on cooperation to perform essential network mechanisms such as routing. Therefore, network performance depends to a great extent on giving participating nodes an incentive for cooperation. The level of trust among nodes is the most frequently used parameter for promoting cooperation in distributed systems. There are different models for representing trust, each of which is suited to a particular context and leads to different procedures for computing and propagating trust. The goal of this study is to analyze the most representative approaches for mobilead hocnetworks. It aims to obtain a qualitative comparison of the modeling approaches, according to the three basic components of a trust model: information gathering, information scoring and ranking, and action execution.Design/methodology/approachThe paper identifies the different tasks required by a trust system and compares the way they are implemented when the system model itself is based on information theory, social networks, cluster concept, graph theory and game theory. It also provides a common nomenclature for the models. The study concentrates exclusively on the trust models themselves, without taking into account other aspects of the original articles that are beyond the scope of this analysis.FindingsThe study identifies the main components that a trust model must provide, and compares the way they are implemented. It finds that the lack of unity in the different proposed approaches makes it difficult to conduct an objective comparison. Finally, it also notices that most of the models do not properly manage node reintegration.Originality/valueThe best of our knowledge, the study is the first that uses information scoring and ranking as classification key. According to this key, approaches can be classified as based on information theory, clusters and social network theory, and cooperative and non‐cooperative game theory. It also provides a common nomenclature for all of them. Finally, the main contribution of the paper is to provide an analysis of the most representative approaches and present a novel qualitative comparison.
The role of experiential value in online shopping
Authors: Won Jeong So , Fiore Ann Marie , Niehm Linda S. , Lorenz Frederick O. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether Pine and Gilmore's four experience realms (4Es) are affected by web site features; the 4Es affect consumer emotional components of pleasure and arousal; and pleasure and arousal lead to enhanced web site patronage intention.Design/methodology/approachFor the main experiment, two stimulus web sites reflecting high experiential value and low experiential value were developed. Data were collected in a laboratory setting from 196 participants. An analysis of the causal model was conducted using the maximum‐likelihood estimation procedure of Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) for hypotheses testing.FindingsUsing AMOS, the results indicated that web site features affected the 4Es and three of the 4Es (entertainment, escapist and esthetic experiences) influenced pleasure and/or arousal. Pleasure, arousal, entertainment, and esthetic experiences had direct effects on web site patronage intention.Practical implicationsThe results present an effective way to offer experiential value, which enhances web site patronage intention, to online retailers.Originality/valueThis is the first empirical research to investigate the holistic process of the effects of product presentation on consumer responses towards an apparel web site that there is a clear need for further study.
Managing enterprise risk: why a giant failed
Authors: Zand Dale E. 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThis case aims to chronicle the dismantling of Tenneco – a large, prosperous diversified firm. Because it failed to manage risk, its best assets ultimately had to be sold to allow its survival. Behind its actions of problematic acquisitions and questionable financial policies, are underlying dynamics that offer lessons for other companies.Design/methodology/approachThe study is are based on extensive interviews of management, board members, and review of documents and publications. The paper focuses on decisions that cumulatively contributed to enterprise‐wide risk.FindingsThe paper finds that Tenneco management's blind spot was its failure to consider the interaction of its decisions and implicit assumptions over time.Practical implicationsSix principles of enterprise‐risk management are distilled from the Tenneco case.Originality/valueAlthough Tenneco's financial crisis occurred decades ago, the lesson for present‐day management is clear: independent board oversight is crucial. Moreover, the enterprise risks inherent in some decisions are only apparent if the board takes a system‐wide view.
How teams can capitalize on conflict
Authors: Flanagan Tim , Runde Craig 
Published: January 2009

PurposeTeams inevitably face conflict. Their challenge is to take advantage of the opportunities inherent within conflict while at the same time lessening its potentially harmful effects. Learning how to create a climate that fosters open, candid communications and that uses constructive communications techniques enables teams to meet this challenge. This paper aims to look at these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper discusses the nature of team conflict and address specific areas where teams need to develop norms for handling conflict.FindingsThe paper finds that teams usually focus on the substantive tasks for which they are formed but often fail to develop norms and processes for addressing the inevitable conflicts that can derail their progress.Originality/valueThe paper shows how teams can get the best out of conflict by: starting early to develop norms for how they will address conflicts that arise; creating a climate of trust, collaboration, and emotions to foster open communications about issues; and using constructive communication techniques to keep their focus on creatively resolving problems.
Strategic thinking about disruptive technologies
Authors: Evans Nick , Ralston Bill , Broderick Andrew 
Published: January 2009

PurposeA company's strategy work is not complete without a consideration of the ongoing emergence of disruptive technologies from laboratories around the globe. This paper aims to offerone such methodology – the opportunity‐discovery process – to systematically look at a full range of emerging technologies, see the commercialization possibilities, and lay the foundation for understanding what to do.Design/methodology/approachAll of the steps in the opportunity‐discovery process are demonstrated in a project done for the US government. The challenge was to identify the most important civilian technologies disruptive to the US interests up to 2025.FindingsIn this paper, biogerontechnology is used to show the product of the analysis methodology. For biogerontechnology, the disruptive potential comes in the form of new treatment modalities and shifts in the cost, allocation, and use of health‐care resources.Research limitations/implicationsMore research needs to be done to examine the commercial opportunities of biogerontechnology.Practical implicationsThe task of analyzing disruptive technologies is also critically important because making the uncertainties about the future explicit is the key to understanding the possibilities and making good choices about where and when to invest the company's precious time and resources.Originality/valueThis is the first case study of the SRI‐BC opportunity analysis, and it highlights the scenario approach to understanding disruptive technology.
The new demography of the 21st century: part 2 – gender gaps and population bulges – what demography means to the corporate planner
Authors: Walker Martin 
Published: January 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reveal a surprising global drama now unfolding across the world: unpredicted demographic trends portend unexpected social transformations.Design/methodology/approachUsing recent research, the paper considers the startling implications of some current demographic trends.FindingsMarketers and strategists need to radically rethink their mindsets based on new trends. For examples, the world population is aging in an unprecedented way.Research limitations/implicationsIt is important to note that trends in demography can be particularly misleading and can reverse suddenly.Practical implicationsMany widespread assumptions based on previous demographic trends now seem to be misguided. For example, India seems very likely to become the world's most populous country by 2030.Originality/valueSurprising current trends and factors include: by 2020 the global middle class will swell by as many as 1.8 billion, a third of them in China alone; Beijing expects that it may have as many as 40 million frustrated bachelors by 2020; and the population of the 50 least developed countries is expected by the UN to grow from 800 million to 1.7 billion by 2050.
How visionary nonprofits leaders are learning to enhance management capabilities
Authors: Stid Daniel , Bradach Jeffrey 
Published: January 2009

PurposeWhereas the strength of most for‐profit enterprises is their management practice, a Bridgespan survey showed that non‐profits are best in visionary leadership, but often significantly under‐managed. This paper aims to describe how a few charismatic leaders recognize the crucial importance of improving their management capabilities so the organization will deliver great results over time.Design/methodology/approachExamples of five leading non‐profits are presented to show how management strengths can be added.FindingsKey points learned by successful non‐profits are: understand the tension between leadership and management; get strategic clarity to make it easier to see how to achieve the desired impact by setting priorities, establishing performance measures, and making tradeoffs; anchor strategic clarity in a few key metrics, to keep everyone focused; build and align the team; and actively manage the change process.Practical implicationsImplementing this agenda in the context of nonprofit leadership is difficult. A framework is offered that illustrates the shift that many non‐profits need to work through in order to become a high performing organization.Originality/valueWhen asked, non‐profit leaders profess that visionary leadership (with a compelling case for a cause) drives fundraising and recruitment of volunteers. But their management to deliver long‐term results is not as strong. Organizations must find a balance, with the goal of becoming both strongly led and strongly managed.