title: Towards a TIP 3.0 service-oriented architecture: Interaction design.

authors: Hinze, Annika

subjects: computer science

abstract: This paper describes our experience when applying formal methods in the design of the tourist information system TIP, which presents context-sensitive information to mobile users with small screen devices. The dynamics of this system are very complex and pose several challenges, firstly because of the sophisticated interaction of several applications on a small screen device and the user, and secondly because of the need for communication with highly asynchronous event-based information systems. UML sequence diagrams have been used to capture the requirements and possible interactions of the system. In a second step, a formal model has been created using discrete event systems, in order to thoroughly understand and analyse the dynamics of the system. By verifying general properties of the formal model, several conceptual difficulties have been revealed in very early stages of the design process, considerably speeding up the development. This work shows the limitations of typical methods for interaction design when applied to mobile systems using small screen devices and proposes an alternative approach using discrete event systems.

text: Towards a TIP 3.0 service-oriented architecture: Interaction design. This paper describes our experience when applying formal methods in the design of the tourist information system TIP, which presents context-sensitive information to mobile users with small screen devices. The dynamics of this system are very complex and pose several challenges, firstly because of the sophisticated interaction of several applications on a small screen device and the user, and secondly because of the need for communication with highly asynchronous event-based information systems. UML sequence diagrams have been used to capture the requirements and possible interactions of the system. In a second step, a formal model has been created using discrete event systems, in order to thoroughly understand and analyse the dynamics of the system. By verifying general properties of the formal model, several conceptual difficulties have been revealed in very early stages of the design process, considerably speeding up the development. This work shows the limitations of typical methods for interaction design when applied to mobile systems using small screen devices and proposes an alternative approach using discrete event systems.

year: 2005-01-01

title: Improving Corporate Internet Reporting in China

authors: Liu, George

subjects: Corporate Internet Reporting

abstract: For decades companies have disseminated information through traditional paper-based methods such as annual reports. This traditional method of reporting is limited by numerous issues and so cannot properly reflect the current state of the business world. Corporate Internet Reporting (CIR), however, differs from paper-based reporting in that it offers various benefits such as wide coverage and unlimited information capacity. Currently, there is an increasing trend for companies to utilise CIR to disclose information to stakeholders. In China, however, firms are lagging behind in the uptake of this technology. With limited CIR literature in the Chinese context, and no CIR practice model to guide Chinese companies, the provision and quality of their CIR practices are low.

The aim of this research is to develop and apply a CIR practice model for Chinese public listed companies and, further, to make recommendations as to the improvement of Chinese CIR practice. To achieve this purpose, a disclosure index was constructed with the support of 25 panel experts, 46 questionnaire survey participants, and 40 interviewees from various stakeholder groups. The index was then applied to three groups of the largest 25 Chinese companies that are listed in either A shares, A+B shares, or A+H shares on the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. The collected data were quantified and analysed to determine the extent and quality of Chinese firms’ CIR practices; in addition, several factors that may influence the level of CIR practices of Chinese listed companies were examined. 

The research outcome indicated that the current level of Chinese CIR was poor in both extent and quality, and an extensive information gap between the expectations of Chinese stakeholders and the actual practices of Chinese corporations was identified. It is contended that factors such as low recognition of the organisation-stakeholder relationship and a lack of generally accepted CIR theoretical framework and practice guidelines have contributed to the current level of Chinese CIR practices. It was also found that A and A+H shares groups report significantly more than the A+B shares group, and firms in finance and insurance industry tend to disclose and offer significantly more information and website features than corporations in the other two business sectors (manufacturing and others). Lastly, a significant correlation was found in factors such as firm size, profitability-PAT and institutional ownership, and profitability-ROE. However, no significant relationship was identified for the other two determinants (state ownership and public ownership). It is believed that the findings of this research can assist in the improvement of current Chinese CIR as well as the development of CIR practice guidelines applicable to the Chinese context.

text: Improving Corporate Internet Reporting in China For decades companies have disseminated information through traditional paper-based methods such as annual reports. This traditional method of reporting is limited by numerous issues and so cannot properly reflect the current state of the business world. Corporate Internet Reporting (CIR), however, differs from paper-based reporting in that it offers various benefits such as wide coverage and unlimited information capacity. Currently, there is an increasing trend for companies to utilise CIR to disclose information to stakeholders. In China, however, firms are lagging behind in the uptake of this technology. With limited CIR literature in the Chinese context, and no CIR practice model to guide Chinese companies, the provision and quality of their CIR practices are low.

The aim of this research is to develop and apply a CIR practice model for Chinese public listed companies and, further, to make recommendations as to the improvement of Chinese CIR practice. To achieve this purpose, a disclosure index was constructed with the support of 25 panel experts, 46 questionnaire survey participants, and 40 interviewees from various stakeholder groups. The index was then applied to three groups of the largest 25 Chinese companies that are listed in either A shares, A+B shares, or A+H shares on the Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. The collected data were quantified and analysed to determine the extent and quality of Chinese firms’ CIR practices; in addition, several factors that may influence the level of CIR practices of Chinese listed companies were examined. 

The research outcome indicated that the current level of Chinese CIR was poor in both extent and quality, and an extensive information gap between the expectations of Chinese stakeholders and the actual practices of Chinese corporations was identified. It is contended that factors such as low recognition of the organisation-stakeholder relationship and a lack of generally accepted CIR theoretical framework and practice guidelines have contributed to the current level of Chinese CIR practices. It was also found that A and A+H shares groups report significantly more than the A+B shares group, and firms in finance and insurance industry tend to disclose and offer significantly more information and website features than corporations in the other two business sectors (manufacturing and others). Lastly, a significant correlation was found in factors such as firm size, profitability-PAT and institutional ownership, and profitability-ROE. However, no significant relationship was identified for the other two determinants (state ownership and public ownership). It is believed that the findings of this research can assist in the improvement of current Chinese CIR as well as the development of CIR practice guidelines applicable to the Chinese context.

year: 2014

title: Te Mata Ono-The six faces of Māori broadcasting

authors: Kaire-Melbourne, Kimiora

subjects: Māori broadcasting

abstract: Māori have always been involved in media communication and from a traditional viewpoint karanga, whaikōrero, taonga pūoro, haka, waiata and mōteatea are all mediums used to share messages across a mass audience. Since the arrival of European settlers, we have seen Māori content disseminated through platforms such as newspaper, radio, and more recently via the medium of television. This particular study is concerned with the way that Māori are represented and information is shared via indigenous broadcaster, Māori Television. Using a theoretical model made up of six key components, this thesis asserts that Te Mata Ono could not only help to improve the production of Māori content but also reshape and modify the medium of television itself, to become more culturally appropriate. Ultimately, this model could guide Māori Television, outlining a Māori specific approach to broadcasting. This study is one part of a two-part study. Due to the limitations of a four-paper masters thesis, I will only be examining three elements of Te Mata Ono, which are Mata Māori, Mata ō-tua and Mata Pākehā. Another thesis that was conducted simultaneously by Te Aorere Pewhairangi explores the remaining three elements of the same model, Mata Iwi, Mata Ako and Mata Tikanga. Te Mata Ono could be applied to Māori Television, making a positive contribution to the future development of Māori broadcasting.

text: Te Mata Ono-The six faces of Māori broadcasting Māori have always been involved in media communication and from a traditional viewpoint karanga, whaikōrero, taonga pūoro, haka, waiata and mōteatea are all mediums used to share messages across a mass audience. Since the arrival of European settlers, we have seen Māori content disseminated through platforms such as newspaper, radio, and more recently via the medium of television. This particular study is concerned with the way that Māori are represented and information is shared via indigenous broadcaster, Māori Television. Using a theoretical model made up of six key components, this thesis asserts that Te Mata Ono could not only help to improve the production of Māori content but also reshape and modify the medium of television itself, to become more culturally appropriate. Ultimately, this model could guide Māori Television, outlining a Māori specific approach to broadcasting. This study is one part of a two-part study. Due to the limitations of a four-paper masters thesis, I will only be examining three elements of Te Mata Ono, which are Mata Māori, Mata ō-tua and Mata Pākehā. Another thesis that was conducted simultaneously by Te Aorere Pewhairangi explores the remaining three elements of the same model, Mata Iwi, Mata Ako and Mata Tikanga. Te Mata Ono could be applied to Māori Television, making a positive contribution to the future development of Māori broadcasting.

year: 2019