Business Commons^™

Computer Ethics And Type Of Computer Used, Wallace A. Wood

Journal of International Information Management

The widespread use of microcomputers has introduced the issue of computer ethics to a larger and more diverse population than was the case with traditional mainframe computing. An ever-increasing larger number of people must now deal on a daily basis with ethical issues involving the use of information technology. This paper addresses the question of whether the ethical views of computer users is dependent on the type of computer used. The results should be of value in focusing institutional efforts on addressing the ethical uses of technology.

The Impacts And Benefits Of Using Case Tools In The System Development Life Cycle, Charles Necco, Nancy Tsai, Shyh-Jen Chang

Journal of International Information Management

The basic idea underlying computer-aided software engineering (CASE) technology is to increase a systems developer's productivity by providing a set of well-integrated, labor-saving tools that transform computer-based information systems (CBIS) development into an automated process. Two major issues of interest are addressed by this article. The first issue includes subjects related to the corporate data processing environment when adopting CASE technology for developing CBIS applications. The second issue includes subjects related to examining the impacts and benefits of using CASE technology as an automated development CBIS application tool within the system development life cycle.

Computer Abuse And Computer Ethics, A Framework To Guide Research And Practice^, Margret Anne Pierce, John W. Henry

Journal of International Information Management

The focus of the current research is to identify factors which can be used in constructing a theoretical framework to guide research and practice; those factors explored are categories of computer abuses, organizational factors, the application of professional and organizational codes, and the frequency of ethical decisions faced by practicing managers. A mailed survey of over5000 Data Processing Management Association members revealed patterns of differences in the frequency with which various types of computer abuse (hardware, data, services, and programs) are observed by industry as well as by position within the organization. Knowledge of computer ethics codes were reported by …

Effectiveness Considerations For End-User Computing Applications In Multiple-Location Environments, Joseph L. Sessum

Journal of International Information Management

Critical distinctions can be made between broad classifications of end user computing applications known as enterprise-wide computing situations and the more focused requirements for dispersed or multiple-location environments. Attaining efficiency in administrative information management systems is the objective in both cases. This paper discusses the coordination, design, programming and training efforts associated with a management information system which spans geographically dispersed offices (multiple-locations) of an enterprise. The focus of the application development project was to eliminate the requirement for each of the offices to have specialized application packages and to help ensure uniformity in reporting.

Offshore Outsourcing Of Help Desk Device To The Carribean, John E. Gochenourer, Michael J. Paul

Journal of International Information Management

The cost of maintaining a domestic help desk facility is quite expensive. Companies may also have to sacrifice the time of valuable software employees to help maintain these services. Qualified software employees represent a scarce resource and, as a result, many domestic help desk operations are understaffed and overworked. By taking advantage of today's improved communication systems and the economic advantages of foreign labor, it can be shown that outsourcing help desk services to English-speaking Caribbean countries can be a customer friendly, efficient, and economical solution.

The International Standards Organization (Iso) 9000 Series: A Competitive Pressure For U.S. Business, P. Candace Deans, Elizabeth K. Eldridge

Journal of International Information Management

ISO 9000 is becoming an increasingly significant issue for U. S. companies engaged in international business activity. Certification is fast becoming a requirement for companies doing business in Europe and other parts of the world

A Neural Network Driven Fuzzy System Approach To Decision Making, Mirza B. Murtaza, Vipul K. Gupta

Journal of International Information Management

It is necessary to model and manage uncertainties efficiently and effectively in solving decision-making problems. Fuzzy reasoning and logic offers a natural means of handling uncertainty. This paper discus.'ses the development of an architecture that utilizes the advantages of fuzzy logic and neural networks that can be used in decision-making. The present paper outlines the reasons that motivate development of models that integrate fuzzy logic and neural networks. This discussion is followed by a brief overview of fuzzy logic and its concepts that are essential in understanding the application presented in the paper. The paper then describes the classification procedure …

The Use Of Information Technology And Computer Mediated Communication Systems In A Downsized Corporation, Lutfus Sayeed, Robert H. Moorman

Journal of International Information Management

Information technology and computer mediated communication system usage was measured in a large, technology driven downsized corporate division. Specific interest was given to the ways in which current computer usage may differ from reviews written in the 1980s. Our results suggest that, though some similarities exist between the earlier reviews and our survey, differences in IT usage also exist. Additionally, we found the inclusion of CMCS questions in our measure significantly changed the degree to which computers are used by all levels and departments within an organization. Reasons for the similarities and differences in our descriptions of computer usage in …

Production Planning In Flexible Manufacturing Systems Using An Expert System, Shivaji B. Khade, Eleftherios G. Tsacle

Journal of International Information Management

This paper deals with generating a near optimal production plan for Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). The production plan is one of the most important aspects for the efficient operation of FMS. First, we define the scope of the production planning problem. Then we develop a set of production rules to be used in an expert system approach to the problem. The expert system has been implemented in Guru 2.0, an expert system development tool. The performance of this expert system is evaluated using a set of small to medium-size problem data. Based on the test results, the expert system approach …

Information Control And Security Policy In Health Care Information Systems, Binshan Lin, Lawrence Clark

Journal of International Information Management

The reliance on information systems forces the health care organizations to consider two security management issues: information control and security policy. The objective of this article is to examine a direction to effectively support and enhance the health care delivery through information systems in hospitals. An integrated focus is provided through an information control framework for analyzing the three control elements: accessibility, confidentiality, and integrity. The security policy involves three aspects: prevention of unauthorized access into the system, controlling the input and output of the system, and monitoring the health care information systems. The framework has implications for research beyond …

Telecommuting: A New Business Work Style, Santosh S. Venkatraman

Journal of International Information Management

Advances in computer and networking technologies now permit organizations to allow employees to work from home and thus relieve them of the daily commute. This new work style is known as telecommuting. This paper introduces the concept of telecommuting, and discusses its advantages and disadvantages to both employees and organizations. We finally suggest methods by which an employer can develop and manage a successful telecommuting program.

Computers And Schools, Larry Arnoldsen

Journal of International Information Management

In an elementary school in a small Idaho town in 1969 a ten-year-old boy suggested the use of a computer to answer a difficult historical question: What was the major cause of the American Civil War?

Impact Of The Microcomputer On Student Attitudes In The First Mis Course, Tim Duffy, Khalid Razaki, Wayne E. Thomsen

Journal of International Information Management

This article examines various learning styles relative to computer use. The learning theories discussed are: (1) Productive thinking, (2) Creative thinking, (3) Attention directing, (4) Learning strategies, (5) Non

Software Review: Novell Dos 7, Robert D. Wilson

Journal of International Information Management

The claims that DOS is dead, like those regarding the health of COBOL, are still premature but gaining credence. Still, criticisms of DOS remain and are warranted.

Challenges To Global Information Systems Technology In Post Industrial Societies And Prospects For Democracy, Stanley Soles

Journal of International Information Management

This paper addresses two topics: post industrial society and global international information systems technology. It asks one question: "What has been their impact on the prospects for global democratization processes?" The paper has four parts: First post industrial society; second, global information systems in finance within a context of changing corporate models; third, prospects for global democratization processes; and fourth, global vision and local action.

End Users' Perceptions Concerning Computer Applications Implemented In Broadcast Stations, Barbara A. Schuldt, Judith M. Thorpe

Journal of International Information Management

In an era of limited resources, organizations must scrutinize every purchase carefully. A critical and sometimes very expensive purchase is for computer hardware and software. The reasons for the purchase are generally given as productivity improvements or personnel reductions. However, assessment of why computer applications are really implemented from the end users' perspective has not been reported. In order to answer questions to justify expenditures it would be helpful to understand how end users perceive the reasons for implementation of computer applications in their stations. To this end a questionnaire was sent to all broadcast radio and TV stations in …

A Clustering Algorithm To Identify Information Subsystems, Prafulla Joglekar, Madjid Tavana, Snehamay Banerjee

Journal of International Information Management

This paper presents an algorithm to cluster the entities and relationships identified by database designers into a set of internally cohesive subsystems. Our algorithm is based on the calculation of a distance score that is inversely related to the similarity of interactions of a pair of entities with the relationships in a binary entity-relationship matrix. Our algorithm avoids manual manipulation of rows and columns required by some of the available approaches (Feldman et al, 1986; Teorey, et al, 1989). It has been implemented on a PC, and does not require a super computer as the Wei and Gaither (1990) method …

A Case Study In Multiple Criteria Decision Support Systems, Madjid Tavana, Snehamay Banerjee

Journal of International Information Management

Evaluation of strategic alternatives is an important task for strategic managers. This is a difficult task due to inherent complexities of the evaluation process and lack of structured information. The evaluation process must consider external opportunities and threats, and internal strengths and weaknesses. This paper presents a case study in multiple criteria decision support systems. The decision support system presented in this paper utilizes the model presented in the appendix along with several computer systems including EXPERT CHOICE and Spreadsheets to enhance and aid the decision maker's- intuition in evaluating potential alternatives.

End-User Computing Support And Management: A Status Report, Tor Guimaraes, Gary C. Pickett

Journal of International Information Management

As company investment in end-user computing (EUC) grows so does the need for the organization to provide end-user support and training, to encourage resource sharing, to establish mechanisms for management and operational control over data resources, systems quality assurance, and resource acquisition. To satisfy these needs, many organizations have established information centers (IC). ICs have been shown to be very dynamic organizations which are continuously evolving and vary dramatically from company to company in terms of location, resources available, and the types of services provided. This study surveyed 156 organizations to assess present shifts in EUC and IC activities, as …

The Role Of Organizational Factors In Influencing Payoffs From Computerization, Jay Umeh, Suzanne Wild

Journal of International Information Management

The prevailing understanding of information technology (IT) resources, especially computers, is that their use can independently lead organizations to achieve high levels of performance and result in large productivity payoffs. This notion has been fueled by findings of several studies that examined only the impact large financial investments in IT have on productivity, while neglecting the effi;ct of the larger organizational context.

A Formalized Object Oriented User Driven Approach Using Business Forms, Ric Jentzsch

Journal of International Information Management

Although object-orientation exhibits many promises, there exists many fundamental areas that need to be addressed. Two of these areas are the widespread acceptance of the object mindset, and interactive user involvement in the object oriented business system development process. First, the mindset must grow and be extended not only by the engineering industry but also by the ever expanding service industry. Second, effective, efficient, flexible user driven tools must be developed, in the form of development approaches to reduce the reliance on scarce human resources. In order to accomplish both areas, the technology user is the key element. This research …

A Case History Of An Unsuccessful Submission To A Research Journal In The Information-Systems Discipline: The Nolan Stage Hypothesis, Falsifiability, And Hermeneutics, Allen S. Lee

Information Systems Publications

This case history of an unsuccessful submission to a research journal in the information-systems discipline consists of the papers that were submitted, the review packages received, and correspondence with the editors. The research topic was the Nolan Stage Hypothesis and how it was unfalsifiable.

A Framework For Assessing Product Innovation Strategies In A Competitive Context, Patrick Rondeau, B. J. Bhatt

Scholarship and Professional Work - Business

The development of new products capable of satisfying customer demands on a timely basis has become a priority for firms seeking to improve their competitive advantage in a global context. However, this challenge has become highly complex due to a growing diversity of both products and processes, higher costs, and unprecedented considerations for quality and service. Despite knowing a great deal about both the characteristics of successful firms and new product development processes, little is known regarding requisite guidelines for successful strategies in product development.

Bulletin 4270 - Meat Quality In Beef Cattle, Brian Mcintyre

Bulletins 4000 -

Meat quality is the sole concern of the consumer once the product reaches the supermarket shelf. Breeding, feeding or any other factors that may have been important to the beef producer have no influence over the buyer's choice. Meat quality can be divided into two components — appearance and eating quality.

Translation Of Semantic Aspects Of Oodini Graphical Representation To Onto Oodb Data Definition Language, Xiaoyong Wang

Theses

In this thesis we present a system to translate the semantic elements in the graphical schema language of OODINI from API of OODAL to the Type definition of ONTOS DB. To translate semantic constraints of the graphical language, we patch more information to existent class data structure in API of OODAL. After a brief review of OODINI, ONTOS DB and the existent translator without the ability to translate semantic constraints, we describe in detail the methods to translate the essential relationship. dependent relationship, multi-valued essential relationship and multi-valued dependent relationship. We employ an Inverse Reference to a "Set of" Type …

Managing Risks In Information Technology Projects, Boon Siong Neo, Kwong Sin Leong

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The development and implementation of IT (Information Technology) projects are plagued with problems of cost and time overruns. technical inadequacy, inability to meet user requirements. lack of utilization. and failure to achieve anticipated benefits. These problems occur to some projects and not to others because I) IT projects have different profiles of risk. and 2) IT project risks have been managed more or less effectively. This paper synthesizes the literature into four classes of risks. and applies it to evaluate TradeNet. an EDLbased trading system implemented in Singapore in I989. Through a case study of TradeNet. we derived a typology …

Implementing Information Systems With Stakeholder Analysis: A Case Study, Michael D. Myers

Journal of International Information Management

Despite the proliferation of information technology, the implementation of information systems remains problematic. While some organizations have been successful in implementing information systems, many systems fail to live up to expectations and some end up as disasters. This article describes how stakeholder analysis was used in the successful implementation of a decision support system in the Nev/ Zealand army. The system gives legal advice to New Zealand Army commanders about the laws of armed conflict.

Information Requirements For The Air Force Institute Of Technology Under A Fee-For-Service Concept, Jerry A. Cole, Patricia C. Cruz

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the current shift in national defense strategy, the DoD is going to have to perform new roles and missions with major reductions in resources. One of the major initiatives committed to achieving savings is Corporate Information Management, a broad program designed to help the DoD operate more efficiently by application of successful private sector business practices and better application of information technology. To meet the challenge of operating in a business-like environment AFIT must be able to maximize its competitiveness to provide customers with the quality and types of services they desire. To accomplish this task, information technology …

Department Of Fisheries Annual Report 1992/93, Department Of Fisheries, Western Australia

Department of Fisheries Annual Reports

In accordance with Section 62 of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, I submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of the Fisheries Department for the financial year ending 30 June 1993.

The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985 and Sections 57 and 35M of the Fisheries Act 1905.

From this year the State of the Fisheries report will be incorporated into the Annual Report. It is also intended that the State of Fisheries be published as an extract of the Annual Report, …

Fisheries Management Paper No 53 - Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee - Report To The Minister For Fisheries And Management Arrangements For 1992/93, Fisheries Department Of Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

The Minister for Fisheries announced the 1992/93 fishing season management arrangements for West Coast Rock Lobster Fishery on 11 August 1992. These arrangements arose as a result of the Minister's consideration of the Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee's recommendations outlined in Fisheries Management Paper no.46.

Following this announcement, on 28 August 1992, the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council Sub-Committee on rock lobster submitted a range of alternative management proposals.

The Rock Lobster Industry Advisory Committee (RLIAC) met in Perth on the 9 September 1992 at the request of the Minister for Fisheries to further examine and report on management arrangements.