Richard Vidgen, Diane Francis, Philip Powell and Maria Woerndl
Web‐based technologies are becoming an important way for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to acquire information systems capabilities to support business transformation…
Abstract
Web‐based technologies are becoming an important way for small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) to acquire information systems capabilities to support business transformation. This paper investigates the business, technology, and IS drivers for component‐based applications. Web service technology is identified as a key driver for SMEs to gain operational and strategic benefit from net‐sourced information systems. The role of Web services in SMEs is explored through application of Venkatraman's business transformation model. The Web‐service transformation model is applied to a case study of a SME that is adopting Web service technology. The case identifies the potential benefits for SMEs of Web service technology and considers the factors that enable successful Web service adoption.
Details
Keywords
Randy K. Lippert, Stefan Treffers and Thomas Bud
This chapter seeks to classify condominium crime, explain its neglect in light of the growth of condo living in cities and closely consider the prospects for greater visibility…
Abstract
This chapter seeks to classify condominium crime, explain its neglect in light of the growth of condo living in cities and closely consider the prospects for greater visibility and legal regulation of these acts. We deploy traditional dichotomies of white-collar/street crime and insiders/outsiders to construct a two-dimensional typology of condo crime and illustrate each type using empirically grounded examples from extensive qualitative research in Ontario and New York State entailing analysis of media accounts, condo owner association and corporation websites, and numerous interviews with owners, board directors and industry actors. We argue that the condo form retains peculiar characteristics that tend to prevent public reporting of condo crimes and leaves the ‘usual suspects’ (i.e. street criminals) in the spotlight while other, potentially more damaging, acts are neglected. We conclude by discussing barriers to knowing the extent of condo crime and their relationship to legal regulation.
Details
Keywords
Part I: Introduction This seems an interesting and exciting time to be thinking about and discussing the role and impact of science. The good luck is mine because when I agreed to…
Abstract
Part I: Introduction This seems an interesting and exciting time to be thinking about and discussing the role and impact of science. The good luck is mine because when I agreed to contribute this small paper, I had no idea that current events would conspire in the way they have.
Imprisonment has the potential to significantly impact mothering (Lockwood, 2017). For some women, imprisonment may present the opportunity to repair and rebuild fractured…
Abstract
Imprisonment has the potential to significantly impact mothering (Lockwood, 2017). For some women, imprisonment may present the opportunity to repair and rebuild fractured relationships with their children; however, for many, being separated from their children is constructed as the most difficult aspect of imprisonment (Crewe, Hulley, & Wright, 2017), with the potential to severely alter, disrupt or even terminate mothering (Lockwood, 2017; 2018). Available research highlights the importance of mothering in relation to women's adjustment to and experiences of imprisonment and upon their rehabilitation, resettlement and potential reunification (Baldwin, 2017; Lockwood, 2017, Lockwood, 2018). However, consistent with prison policy and practice, available research tends to rely on narrow definitions that often construct motherhood in relation to younger children, under the age of 18 (Caddle & Crisp, 1997). Consequently, the stories, experiences and needs of mothers in prison with older adult children often remain unheard.
Focussing on the individual stories of mothers in prison and those who have recently been released from prison, within this chapter, I consider the way in which women story motherhood in relation to older adult children. Presenting three interrelated narratives, ‘Mothering from a distance: stories of missing out on children's transitions to adulthood’; ‘“Motherwork”: stories of participating in mothering adult children’ and ‘“Role reversal”: stories of receiving support from adult children’, I consider the specific challenges and opportunities for mothers in prison with older adult children.
Details
Keywords
Ekta Shokeen, David Weintrop, Anthony James Pellicone, Peter Francis Moon, Diane Ketelhut, Michel Cukier and Jandelyn Dawn Plane
The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of perplexity in young players’ experiences within an educational videogame and how reflective thinking can help them to get…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the role of perplexity in young players’ experiences within an educational videogame and how reflective thinking can help them to get out of perplexing scenarios.
Design/methodology/approach
We used a constructivist grounded theory approach and the lenses of Dewey’s conceptualization of perplexity and reflective thinking to examine young players’ in-game experiences.
Findings
We find that perplexity in gameplay is an experience that occurs when players encounter uncertainty about where to go or what to do next in the game. Findings reveal that while playing an educational game players engaged in two forms of perplexity – exploration-based and puzzle-based. Additionally, we unpack how players overcome these perplexing scenarios by reflecting on the information provided in the game.
Research limitations/implications
While in a state of perplexity, reflecting on the in-game information aids players to think and make meaning, thus supporting learning. We provide suggestions for how to better utilize perplexity as an in-game design mechanism to encourage young players to reflect on in-game information.
Originality/value
This empirical study is original in its context of studying the phenomenon of perplexity in videogames and young players’ in-game reflection experiences.
Details
Keywords
Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Tenn. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are…
Abstract
Communications regarding this column should be addressed to Mrs. Cheney, Peabody Library School, Nashville, Tenn. 37203. Mrs. Cheney does not sell the books listed here. They are available through normal trade sources. Mrs. Cheney, being a member of the editorial board of Pierian Press, will not review Pierian Press reference books in this column. Descriptions of Pierian Press reference books will be included elsewhere in this publication.
Ann Davis, Tom Cox and Diane Beale
The implementation of new technology in the workplace has producedsome negative responses from employers. Two field surveys investigatingthe prevalence of repetitive VDU work in…
Abstract
The implementation of new technology in the workplace has produced some negative responses from employers. Two field surveys investigating the prevalence of repetitive VDU work in the UK are discussed and responses from four categories of workers – data entry operators, administrators, programmers and supervisors – are analysed. Critical psychological variables show that in all cases data entry operators gave more extreme (worse) responses than any other group. It is concluded that there appears to be widespread evidence of more routine menial tasks having been created as a result of the introduction of new technology. Guidelines regarding the use of VDUs, especially over protracted periods, are advocated, with the introduction of timely rest breaks.
Details
Keywords
Alistair Gibb, Sophie Hide, Roger Haslam, Diane Gyi, Trevor Pavitt, Sarah Atkinson and Roy Duff
This paper presents tools and equipment aspects of the results from a three‐year United Kingdom Government funded research project investigating accident causality (ConCA). The…
Abstract
This paper presents tools and equipment aspects of the results from a three‐year United Kingdom Government funded research project investigating accident causality (ConCA). The project has used focus groups and studied in detail 100 construction accidents site audits, interviews with involved persons and follow‐up along the causal chain. This paper concentrates on the influence of construction tools and equipment which were found to be important contributory factors identified by the research. They have largely been overlooked by previous studies and are not typically acknowledged as accident contributors. This paper argues for further work to confirm these links and for the inclusion of tools and equipment in the list of categories in statutory reporting procedures. This would also require an increased acknowledgement by construction managers of their influence, leading to better design and management of their supply and care on site.