Dedicated Information System Research Articles

Practice of the systematization and centralization of archive fund materials of the PJSC ALROSA geological exploration complex

Effective usage of information accumulated over decades of geological exploration requires a tool that allows cataloging, describing, and providing access to both paper and electronic versions of the materials. Despite gradual digitalization of all the major geological exploration processes, there still remains large volume of the materials from previous years on paper media (technical reports, projects, etc.). They continue to be systematically digitized, while new reporting materials are generated in digital form. In addition, thematic scientific articles and publications are annually published. How to combine all the materials and to ensure quick and convenient access to them? There exist various ways to achieve this goal. The Vilyuisk Geological Exploration Expedition (VGRE) of PJSC ALROSA has taken the path of developing a dedicated information system «EFB GRK» designed to store and get access to the information on geological reports, scientific works, articles, etc. Each type of the documents is provided by its own attribute information; several types of the documents are grouped into thematic sections. The system allows one to obtain information on the availability of the projecting and reporting documentation in the archive funds with ability to order and receive and to trace the movement of such documentation.

An Interactive Method for Detection of Process Activity Executions from IoT Data

The increasing number of IoT devices equipped with sensors and actuators pervading every domain of everyday life allows for improved automated monitoring and analysis of processes executed in IoT-enabled environments. While sophisticated analysis methods exist to detect specific types of activities from low-level IoT data, a general approach for detecting activity executions that are part of more complex business processes does not exist. Moreover, dedicated information systems to orchestrate or monitor process executions are not available in typical IoT environments. As a consequence, the large corpus of existing process analysis and mining techniques to check and improve process executions cannot be applied. In this work, we develop an interactive method guiding the analysis of low-level IoT data with the goal of detecting higher-level process activity executions. The method is derived following the exploratory data analysis of an IoT data set from a smart factory. We propose analysis steps, sensor-actuator-activity patterns, and the novel concept of activity signatures that are applicable in many IoT domains. The method shows to be valuable for the early stages of IoT data analyses to build a ground truth based on domain knowledge and decisions of the process analyst, which can be used for automated activity detection in later stages.

Incentive Contract Design and Employee‐Initiated Innovation: Evidence from the Field*

ABSTRACTThis study examines how the design of incentive contracts for tasks defined as workers' official responsibilities (i.e., standard tasks) influences workers' propensity to engage in employee‐initiated innovation (EII). EII corresponds to innovation activities that are not formally assigned to workers but are nonetheless encouraged and considered to be important for the company's success. Like other extra‐role behaviors, EII is difficult to incentivize directly. Therefore, it is important to understand whether and how explicit incentive contracts designed for the workers' standard tasks may indirectly influence their EII activity. We use field data from a manufacturing company that uses a dedicated information system to track workers' EII idea submissions. We find theory‐consistent evidence that, compared to workers receiving fixed pay, employees rewarded for their standard tasks with variable compensation contracts exhibit a lower propensity to engage in EII. This result is concentrated among ideas benefiting other constituents and activities beyond the proponents' standard task (i.e., broad‐scope ideas). In contrast, we find no difference attributable to standard task incentive design in the proposal of innovation ideas narrowly focused on the proponent's standard task (i.e., narrow‐scope ideas). Our findings suggest that variable pay narrows employees' conceptual focus around the standard task and hinders employee engagement in broad‐scope innovation activities compared to fixed compensation contracts. We contribute to the literature on incentives for innovation by showing that standard task compensation contracts have spillover effects on EII behavior. We also contribute to the nascent literature on EII by showing that innovation types, defined based on their relation with the proponent's standard task, matter. Our results are relevant for practitioners in that managers relying on variable pay contracts to incentivize standard task performance should expect lower employee engagement in broad‐scope EII.

Analysis of surveillance and prevention plan for African Swine Fever in Italy in 2020.

BackgroundAfrican Swine Fever (ASF) is a challenge for pig health worldwide. The disease has spread to multiple countries on five continents. ASF‐free countries need to apply effective strategies to prevent the introduction of infection.MethodsItaly implemented a surveillance and prevention plan for ASF in 2020, supported by a dedicated information system. Several pillars for action have been identified: passive surveillance in both domestic pigs and wild boar populations, verification of the implementation of biosecurity measures on farms and an awareness campaign for all involved stakeholders.ResultsThere were some regional differences in the management of passive surveillance. In order to identify all critical points and apply corrective measures, regional authorities were called to carry out a gap analysis exercise in July 2020. There were an adequate number of samples collected from wild boar but the number of samples collected from domestic pigs was below the target in most regions. Furthermore, sample distribution within the country was not homogeneous.ConclusionsDuring the forthcoming year, some issues must be addressed in order to establish an effective early detection system in Italian ASF‐free regions.

BCU Imaging Biobank, an Innovative Digital Resource for Biomedical Research Collecting Imaging and Clinical Data From Human Healthy and Pathological Subjects

BCU Imaging Biobank (BCU-IB) is a non-profit biorepository aimed at the collection, storage and retrieval of diagnostic images, derived descriptors and clinical data. The main scope of BCU-IB is to foster scientific advances in imaging and analysis, opening up new ways for biomedical research to diagnose, treat and potentially prevent diseases. BCU-IB collects a vast amount of images of the human body, including healthy and pathological subjects. Diagnostic images, clinical, anamnestic and demographic data are made available to study the associations between imaging phenotypes, diagnostic and prognostic factors. Curated datasets are stored and organized in a secure and reliable dedicated information systems based on the Extensible Neuroimaging Archive Toolkit (XNAT), hosted by Bio Check Up Srl.

Benefits of large-scale energy storage systems in French islands

This study presents the benefits obtained with large-scale energy storage systems (ESS) in French islands. The authors focus on two projects. PEGASE demonstrator project (territory of la Reunion): By (i) setting-up a dedicated information system, (ii) elaborating innovative generation forecast methods, and (iii) developing energy management systems, the authors combine successfully a large-scale 1 MW battery-type storage system and renewable energy (RE) farms in order to smooth an intermittent generation and inject into the grid a controlled power. The efficiency score obtained on dozens of days, close to 90%, for photovoltaic and wind smoothing, demonstrates the relevance of the developments carried out during the project. ‘Non-interconnected zones frequency containment reserve (FCR) storage’ project (territories of Martinique, Guadeloupe, and la Reunion). We present the interest of using 5 MW ESS as FCR in several French islands. The results obtained with dedicated simulation tools developed by Electricite De France R&D show that centralised ESS, installed on dedicated feeders that cannot be shed, efficiently provide power in case of frequency drops. Benefits from a quality of supply and economical point of view are generated. Finally, the possibility of increasing the RE share in the electricity generation mixes is discussed.

Empowering Wageseekers? The Computerisation of India's NREGA in Andhra Pradesh

Silvia Masiero and Diego Maiorano recently visited Andhra Pradesh to study the computerisation of NREGA, India’s largest workfare scheme. They argue that the provision of open data through a dedicated information system increases transparency, but does not automatically result in wageseekers’ empowerment.

Complexity as contingency in sales and operations planning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to test whether complexity interacts with Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) practices by positively moderating the impact of S&OP practices on manufacturing operational performance dimensions of quality, flexibility and delivery. Design/methodology/approach – Three hypotheses are developed on the relationships between S&OP practices, task complexity and process complexity and manufacturing operational performance. Scales are validated with structural equation modelling. The hypotheses are tested through a hierarchical regression analysis using data from a sample of 725 manufacturing plants from 21 countries. Findings – S&OP practices of organizational management, technological integration, measurement systems and integration of plans impact positively on manufacturing operational dimensions of quality, delivery and flexibility. Process complexity moderates the effect of S&OP practices, amplifying its impact upon all three performance dimensions. Product complexity moderates the effect on quality, but not on delivery and flexibility. Practical implications – S&OP practices of organizational and technological coordination of manufacturing and new product design; information technology to measure information sharing and planning; dedicated information systems do impact upon manufacturing operational performance. Results are amplified by process complexity. The more complex are the manufacturing processes the larger the gains of S&OP. Originality/value – This research applies contingency theory to S&OP and empirically demonstrates its impact on manufacturing operational performance and the moderator role of complexity.

Relapse prevention in drug addiction: addressing a messy problem by IS Action Research

After primarily successful drug-dependency rehabilitation, relapses occur frequently. There is a tremendous lack of drug-specific outpatient psychotherapy and self-help groups especially in rural areas. Therefore, new approaches must be integrated to reduce relapse rates after inpatient addiction treatment, especially in case of drug dependence. The present paper aims to address this complex problem using an Action Research (AR) methodology. In addition to the systematic literature search, we show the results of interviews with patients and therapists as key stakeholders. After that, the iterative cyclical nature of AR reinforced our research, including the role of adequate ripening concerning inpatient care, the macroeconomic perspective on the insurance companies' patient allocation, the importance of external structure and skills in outpatient aftercare and specific impulses for dedicated information systems (ISs). We finally develop the hypothesis that a mobile technology-based IS could (a) be successfully implemented for patients recovering from drug dependence and (b) improve their outcome.

The harmonised data model for assessing Land Parcel Identification Systems compliance with requirements of direct aid and agri-environmental schemes of the CAP

The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies to farmers are administered through dedicated information systems, a part of which is the GIS-based Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). The requirement to map and record land eligible for payments has led to a situation where the agricultural administrations have acquired a large amount of geographic data. As the geospatial community of data producers, custodians and users has grown during the last decades, so has the need to assess the quality and consistency of the LPIS towards the EU regulations on the CAP as well as for cross compliance with environmental legislation. In view of this, a LPIS Conceptual Model (LCM) is presented in this paper in order to address harmonisation and data quality needs. The ISO 19100 series standards on geoinformatics were used for LCM development, including an UML modelling approach and the handling of the quality of geographical information. This paper describes the core elements of the LCM and their integration with data supporting management of agri-environment schemes. Later, the paper shows how the LCM is used for conformity and quality checks of the member states' LPIS system; an Abstract Test Suite (ATS) for mapping the LCM model against existing system implementations was developed and tested in collaboration with several member states.

Facilitating educators’ knowledge sharing with dedicated Information Systems

The process of knowledge sharing can be seen as the lifeblood for the establishment of a true Knowledge Society. Such a society must be grounded on an iterative process whereby existing knowledge is constantly shared, consolidated and – crucially – enriched with new knowledge. And knowledge sharing is the means by which that enrichment can take place. Without doubt, these processes play a vital role in the context of education, which ultimately has a strong bearing on the formation of the Knowledge Society. In this paper, knowledge sharing among educators is discussed within the context of long-term research work that the authors have carried out in the field. The paper reports on the design and development of a series of Information Systems conceived for the sharing of practices among educational practitioners. It discusses the thinking behind these different but related systems and examines how this is borne out in the implementation of key system features.

A Framework of Successful Executive Information System Development for Education Domain

Problem statement: Education management is a centralized process of planning, monitoring and controlling entities involved in education affairs so that they align with educational aspirations. It normally concerns several layers of administration that requires different types of information from various operational units. Operational units in education however are scattered and managed independently. As a result, most information is isolated where it is not easily and readily available. This hinders executives from making good judgment since a holistic view about the operations cannot be obtained instantly. Approach: This issue can be resolved, for instance, by having an Executive Information System (EIS). EIS is a dedicated information system that has the capacity to not only retrieving and storing information but also performing comparative analyses through its mapping and merging feature. EIS however does not depend entirely on technology. To succeed, an EIS should be developed based on concrete underlying bases that consider both operational and business aspects. The bases are called Critical Success Factors (CSF). This study discusses the CSF that influence EIS development for education domain. The factors were identified through reviews of related work and two iterations of field work that used semi-structured interviews as the means of data collection. The study adopted qualitative approach where the data were analyzed by using content analysis. Results: The collated CSF form a framework of successful EIS development, which can be employed by education stakeholders as a guideline for developing EIS in the institution. Conclusion: The framework is seen as feasible and practical to be applied in education domain as it considers the necessary elements of education business.

EU Research and Innovation (R&I) in renewable energies: The role of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan)

The SET-Plan established a strategy to use Research and Innovation (R&I) to green the EU energy sector while ensuring a secure supply and increasing EU competitiveness. The strategy sets clear objectives and programming plans and takes stock of existing initiatives in the energy sector, fosters a cooperative approach to R&I, introduces a high-level steering group (the SET-Plan Steering Group) to monitor progress, creates a dedicated information system (the SETIS) to fill the void in policy information and produces estimates of financial needs over the programming period. In this respect, the SET-Plan could serve as a blueprint for R&I strategies to tackle other societal challenges. To be effective, such strategies should further clarify the hierarchy of existing objectives and instruments, introduce specific instruments to pull the demand of new technologies, strengthen links with education and training policies and formalize links with the governance structures of existing initiatives.

Successful use of e‐procurement in supply chains

PurposeElectronic support of internal supply chains for direct or production goods has been a major element during the implementation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems that has taken place since the late 1980s. However, supply chains to indirect material suppliers were not usually included due to low transaction volumes, low product values and low strategic importance of these goods. Dedicated information systems for streamlining indirect goods supply chains have emerged since the late 1990s and subsequently have faced a broad diffusion in practice. The concept of these e‐procurement solutions has also been described broadly in the literature. However, studies on how companies use these e‐procurement solutions and what factors are critical to their implementation are only emerging. This research aims to explore the introduction of e‐procurement systems and their contribution to the management of indirect goods supply chain.Design/methodology/approachChooses a two‐part qualitative approach. First, summarizes the results of a benchmarking study that was conducted by a consortium of 12 multinational companies. During the benchmarking process 120 questionnaires were distributed, ten phone‐based interviews were conducted, and finally five successful practice companies were selected and analyzed in detail. Second, draws together the success factors identified in the benchmarking study and maps them against the successful practice companies.FindingsAlthough e‐procurement has substantially streamlined the procurement and coordination processes for indirect goods, many companies operate multiple e‐procurement solutions. For integrated procurement solutions, the paper recognizes the need of an overall procurement strategy and organization, an alignment of various e‐procurement solutions along the procurement process and the need for integrated system architectures. Companies also have to realize that a no standardized e‐procurement solutions exists and that important success factors are “non‐technical” in nature.Originality/valueThis paper presents a first step towards a systematic analysis of factors that may guide companies in the implementation of e‐procurement solutions. Besides providing a direct contribution to the project work in companies it may stimulate further research in e‐procurement success factors.

Principles and Core Functions of Integrated Child Health Information Systems

Infants undergo a series of preventive and therapeutic health interventions and activities. Typically, each activity includes collection and submission of data to a dedicated information system. Subsequently, health care providers, families, and health programs must query each information system to determine the child's status in a given area. Efforts are underway to integrate information in these separate information systems. This requires specifying the core functions that integrated information systems must perform.

Exploitation of renewable energy sources and sustainable management of the territory

The need to enhance the exploitation of renewable energy resources marked the starting point in the development of wind farms, also in Regione Liguria. However, the Ligurian sites that are suitable from an anemometric point of view are very exposed and are also of outstanding natural value. In order to simplify procedures and to apply high environmental protection levels, some project requirements and requested mitigation and compensation actions were fixed. Some criteria were stated to identify the areas that are unsuitable to wind installations because of their landscape or wildlife characteristics. By using the GIS of the Regione Liguria, a dedicated information system describing the unsuitable areas was produced; the system is made by a synoptic layer that merges all the areas where at least one of the penalising factors is fulfilled, in addition to single layers that keep their own information content. The map is available on the Internet (www.regione.liguria.it), and it represents an essential reference for any upcoming measures in the field of wind energy exploitation.

Von Massenproduktion zu Co-Produktion Kunden als Wertschöpfungspartner

The idea of integrating users into the design and production processes is a promising strategy for companies being forced to react to the growing individualization of demand. Many of the new models of industrial value creation refer to customer integration as a distinctive principle. The paper argues that modern information technologies play an important part to implement customer centric structures in mass markets. The combination of flexible manufacturing with modern interaction technologies allows only today to fulfill many of the promises that were discussed in the CIM context already decades ago. The objective of this paper is to lay a foundation for creating modern, customer orientated manufacturing concepts by dedicated information systems and processes. After discussing some new forms of value creation in manufacturing, we identify information structures and processes for customer integration. The paper ends with an agenda for further research from a business informatics perspective.

ESRD in the geriatric population: the crisis of managed care and the opportunity of disease management.

The geriatric population with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is placed at risk with regards to the quality and extent of medical coverage because of the rapidly changing financial environment. Managed care organizations (MCOs) are generally for-profit companies that must focus on the bottom line. While the verbal commitment to quality care is voiced, the financial pressures on MCOs have led to a decrease in coverage of many services and outright denial for some necessary treatments. While denying services, the MCOs have also reduced payments to providers for services rendered. The coverage crisis is compounded by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) quitting Medicare because the reimbursement from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is less than their costs. Because of the above issues which can potentially impact on the quality of care delivered to the ESRD geriatric population, a new approach to disease management has created the opportunity to improve total patient care to a level not yet achieved in the United States. Disease management encompasses integrated care across all disciplines. Every component of care can be tracked by a dedicated information system. Improvement in outcomes has far exceeded the U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) benchmark performance measurements with a disease management model approach. The key to success is the health service coordinator (HSC), a senior nurse with many years of ESRD experience. This individual coordinates care across all disciplines and expedites necessary referrals. With rapid attention to patient needs there has been a significant reduction in hospital admissions, hospital length of stay, and emergency room visits. Patient care will steadily improve as the disease management system matures as a consequence of understanding the patients total physical and psychosocial needs.

Electronic Publication Maintenance Systems

A review of technologies designed to maintain dedicated information systems called electronic publications is given. Requirements upon the software implementing these technologies is formulated and approaches to the development of such software are proposed and discussed.

Considerations in selecting a laboratory information management system for the small laboratory

Although there are many laboratory information management systems (LIMS) available, not all of these systems will satisfy the needs of small to mid-size laboratories. These laboratories have different requirements than the larged laboratories. Smaller laboratories must place an emphasis on a LIMS that is easy to use, flexible, inexpensive and expandable. An ideal LIMS is used right from the box without reading manuals or making extensive modifications (Chudzicky, R&D, 31 (1989) 26–27). One LIMS, Sample Master ®, was designed with these requirements in mind. Because of the lack of dedicated information systems personnel, smaller laboratories must select a LIMS that is easy for the laboratory to learn, modify and maintain. These requirements demand a graphical user interface (GUI). The users must be able to answer questions through context sensitive, on-line help while using the LIMS. Small laboratories have broader job requirements than large, well defined organizations so the LIMS must be flexible. This flexibility is accomplished with a relational structured query language (SQL) data base and the ability to import and export data to popular word processors and spreadsheets. Even with all of these sophisticated requirements, the LIMS must be inexpensive. An excellent solution for laboratories is a local area network (LAN) with the LIMS installed on the LAN file server. This allows the laboratory to utilize PCs that have already been purchased for instrument controllers with all of the data in one location. This paper will discuss the benefits of a LAN-based LIMS running under windows on a PC.