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Full-Text Articles in Business

Hypertext And The Docuverse: A Research Memo, Roger A. Lohmann Mar 1995

Hypertext And The Docuverse: A Research Memo, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The term docuverse was first developed by Apple Computer guru Allen Kay in the late 1960’s. The underlying idea can be traced back decades earlier, to the visionary Vannevar Bush and the Memex (Bush, 1945). According to Kay, a docuverse is a set of related documents together with the linkages between them. In this paper, a docuverse is conceived as a collection of related scholarly documents together with the links, ties and bonds that can bring them together into an integrated logical and conceptual whole. Kay who also coined the term hypertext, which refers to an electronic document with existing …


Gdss And Idea Generation: A Theoretical Examination Of Technology Supported Group Creativity, J. Robert Evaristo, Michael A. Eierman Jan 1995

Gdss And Idea Generation: A Theoretical Examination Of Technology Supported Group Creativity, J. Robert Evaristo, Michael A. Eierman

Journal of International Information Management

While the importance of creativity and innovation in organizations continues to grow, many organizations rely on questionable mechanisms such as group brainstorming and other such techniques to facilitate creativity. Group decision support systems (GDSS) promise to provide an effective means of enhancing group creativity. However, much of the research on GDSS focuses on group processes. This paper takes the position that the individual is the primary determinant of group creativity and develops a model of the individual process of idea generation. This model is applied to GDSS to examine the implications of this perspective on group creativity output.


Fast Cycle Time And The Role Of Information Technology: A Framework For Analysis, Amarnath Prakash Jan 1995

Fast Cycle Time And The Role Of Information Technology: A Framework For Analysis, Amarnath Prakash

Journal of International Information Management

Achieving fast cycle time is increasingly becoming an overriding objective for organizations wanting to succeed in the global business environment. In such an increasingly competitive and global environment of declining margins, information technology is both driving and enabling business. The focus of these organizations is the adoption of a fast cycle time (FCT) strategy that achieves increased customer satisfaction and/or cost reduction. This paper examines the organizational processes in the context of interdependence, and indentifies areas where information technology can play a pivotal role in bringing about an effective and responsive transformation. It also, with the help of a framework, …


Social Influence Effects On Remote Group Interactions, Ross Hightower, Constanza Hagmann Jan 1995

Social Influence Effects On Remote Group Interactions, Ross Hightower, Constanza Hagmann

Journal of International Information Management

This paper discusses the results of an experiment exploring the effects of information technology intervention on decision making groups. Specifically, the study examines the effects communication modality {remote vs. face-to-face) and information load on the types of social influence used by group members and the amount of group polarization or choice shift exhibited by group members. The findings suggest that face-to-face groups use more informational influence than remote groups and that this difference increases as information load increases. Also, face-to-face groups experienced greater choice shift than remote groups at high information loads.


A Generalized Methodology For Spreadsheet Applications (Gmsa), Jack T. Marchewka, Joseph L. Sessum Jan 1995

A Generalized Methodology For Spreadsheet Applications (Gmsa), Jack T. Marchewka, Joseph L. Sessum

Journal of International Information Management

Most information system methodologies are intended to be used by information systems (IS) professionals. However, few tools and methodologies have been proposed and developed for the non-IS professional. The methodology presented in this paper is designed to provide the non-IS professional with a set of tools to take advantage of the rich features associated with present spreadsheet software packages. Moreover, the methodology presented in this paper is intended to serve as an education and training device to aid in the identification and subsequent solution of general business problems without requiring total reliance on the features of any specific spreadsheet software …


Solver And Backsolver New Additions To The Manager's Computerized Tool Kit, Richard R. Lebsack Jan 1995

Solver And Backsolver New Additions To The Manager's Computerized Tool Kit, Richard R. Lebsack

Journal of International Information Management

This article describes and illustrates the use of two spreadsheet problem-solving tools— Solver and Backsolver. These tools are available in high-end software spreadsheet packages such as Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows and Excel for Windows. The illustrations and examples provided in this article use 1-2-3 for Windows and Windows 3.1 as the operating platform. Any business owner using a DOS based operating system and the Windows Graphical User Interface has access to the Solver and Backsolver. Both tools utilize a form of what-if analysis. Traditional what-if analysis requires that the business owner manually alter the contents of a spreadsheet cell and …


Management Information Systems Professionals—The Requirement To Be True Renaissance People Within The Organization, Paul Buddy Clark Jan 1995

Management Information Systems Professionals—The Requirement To Be True Renaissance People Within The Organization, Paul Buddy Clark

Journal of International Information Management

Management Information Systems (MIS) is not simply data processing, nor computer science, nor computer services, nor computer information systems, nor computer information services, nor information systems. Management Information Systems is a comprehensive, academic and business discipline requiring a knowledge of business operations as a whole, the human decision making cognitive process, plus automated processing of data into information. This paper suggests that, as opposed to only being highly technical individuals as they are often viewed, MIS professionals must have a knowledge of various business functions and the nature of the related decision making timeframes plus draw on and blend knowledge …


Mosaic: A Dynamic Menu Interface For End Users And System Administrators, Jay M. Lightfoot Jan 1995

Mosaic: A Dynamic Menu Interface For End Users And System Administrators, Jay M. Lightfoot

Journal of International Information Management

The environment for corporate computing has become much more complex than the average end user is willing to comprehend. A solution to this problem is the development of menu shells and user-interface management systems. This paper describes the design and use of a menu shell called Mosaic. In addition to the traditional shell function of running user programs, Mosaic provides security, improves data integrity, furnishes debugging and data usage support, and aids the system administrator in day-to-day tasks. Mosaic was used successfully at a medium- sized electronics corporation for two years.


Top Management Perception Of Strategic Information Processing In A Turbulent Environment, Pien Wang, Peng S. Chan Jan 1995

Top Management Perception Of Strategic Information Processing In A Turbulent Environment, Pien Wang, Peng S. Chan

Journal of International Information Management

Extant strategic management literature provides only partial answer to the important question: What variables affect top managers' ability to process complicated, novel, ambiguous, or dynamic strategic information in a turbulent environment? Drawn upon cognitive psychology, personality theory, management theory, organizational theory, and management information systems literatures, this paper proposes that nine personal attributes and four contextual attributes affect top managers' information processing capability. The nine personal attributes are: cognitive complexity, knowledge, mental model of success, open-mindedness, time orientation, personal values, tolerance for ambiguity, locus of control, and time devoted to environmental scanning. The four contextual attributes are: rewards and incentives, …


Developing An Optimization Model For Two-Operator Data Entry, Roger G. Nibler Jan 1995

Developing An Optimization Model For Two-Operator Data Entry, Roger G. Nibler

Journal of International Information Management

Firms sometimes use two-operator data entry as a method to achieve or maintain database quality. When in-house staff are used, the firm typically selects data entry operators from a pool of junior staff and then assigns them into operator pairs, often on a random basis. Keying discrepan cies between operator pairs are compared to determine incorrect entries, in the same row and column. Because the likelihood of making an error on a given key varies among operators, the objective of this study was to optimize database quality by systematically matching operators. The model was developed by having 32 operators key …


A Study Of End User Anxiety And Attitude In Computer Conferencing, Nabil Alghalith Jan 1995

A Study Of End User Anxiety And Attitude In Computer Conferencing, Nabil Alghalith

Journal of International Information Management

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Computer Conferencing (CC) training and use on end users' computer anxiety level and general attitudes toward computers. The study was conducted for a four-month semester. Forty students from two sections of introductory level Management Information Systems course participated in the study. Participants took the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (CARS) at the beginning and at the end of the semester. Reactions to a Computer Conferencing survey was given at the end of the semester. Participants in each of the two sections were randomly assigned to small groups to do cases …


Theoretical Framework For A Comprehensive Model Of End User Acceptance, Friedrich Jacobi, Karen Forcht, Faye P. Teer Jan 1995

Theoretical Framework For A Comprehensive Model Of End User Acceptance, Friedrich Jacobi, Karen Forcht, Faye P. Teer

Journal of International Information Management

Numerous previous studies in the area of user acceptance have proposed several models of user acceptance. These studies have each investigated different components of the user acceptance model. No significant research has been accomplished to combine factors which influence user acceptance into one overall model, which then could be subject of further validation. The purpose of this paper is to provide the foundation for a comprehensive model of user acceptance by building a theoretical framework that brings together individual models of user acceptance.


The Use Of Quality Function Deployment In Systems Development: A Case Study, Michael D. Myers, Kambiz Maani Jan 1995

The Use Of Quality Function Deployment In Systems Development: A Case Study, Michael D. Myers, Kambiz Maani

Journal of International Information Management

It is now generally recognized that organizations need great flexibility to remain competitive. This paper looks at one company's attempt to mandate flexibility by the use of a technique known as Quality Function Deployment (QFD). QFD is a customer-driven planning and communication process for designing, developing or improving products or services, and is a particular implementation of the Total Quality Management philosophy. The QFD approach is multi-functional-various stakeholders in the design process come together from the project's inception to concurrently plan, design and produce a product or service. In this particular case the company has not only applied the principles …


Microsoft Powerpoint For Windows 4.0, Frank M. Lin Jan 1995

Microsoft Powerpoint For Windows 4.0, Frank M. Lin

Journal of International Information Management

Starting in 1994, professional presentation using presentation graphic programs has become a norm. Everyone began using presentation graphics; Professors give presentations to students on their lectures. Students are also required to give presentations in class.


Emoticons: Breaking Down E-Mail Facilitated Communication, Patrick Mcinturff, Pat Mcinturff Jan 1995

Emoticons: Breaking Down E-Mail Facilitated Communication, Patrick Mcinturff, Pat Mcinturff

Journal of International Information Management

The use of E-Mail expedites the rapid transfer of facts, data and reports, making the Information Super Highway an efficient communicative process. However, E-Mail is not historically well suited for personal, quality, one-on-one communication. The purpose of this article is to discuss devices, techniques and strategies to enhance the personal nature of E-Mail transfers.


Is End User Productivity An Oxymoron?, Barbara A. Schuldt Jan 1995

Is End User Productivity An Oxymoron?, Barbara A. Schuldt

Journal of International Information Management

The primary goal of end user computing is to increase the productivity of the end user. By using information technology the end users have changed the scope and depth of their job tasks, making productivity changes hard to measure.