Electronic Information Delivery Research Articles

Testing Structuration Theory in E-Government System Assimilation: Mediating Role of Pakistani Cotton Ginners’ Absorption Capacity

Electronic Government (e-government) is a significant and vital application of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) to enable functional relations and communication with key government stakeholders. Governments have launched E-Government system for the basic objective of delivery and transfer of electronic information as well as services to their targeted citizens and for enhancing interaction with businesses and commerce. Therefore, assimilation and integration of E-Government systems in organizations is a strategic need. However, existing literature on E-Government system assimilation and meta-structures of organization (signification, domination, and legitimization) is limited. Therefore, in this paper, based upon structuration theory, we have developed a theoretical model with the aim to investigate the effect of organizational meta-structures of signification, domination, and legitimization on E-Government system assimilation with mediating effect of E-government absorption capacity. To test the proposed model, data collected from 292 ginning firms listed in the Pakistan Cotton Ginning Association (PCGA). The results confirm the direct relation between organizational meta structures and E-Government system assimilation and also support the mediating relationship of E-Government absorption capacity between the E-Government system assimilation and organizational meta structures. Moreover, the theoretical and managerial implications along with limitations and direction for future research also have been discussed in this study.

Evaluating Engagement in a Digital and Dietetic Intervention Promoting Healthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy: Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundEarly excess and inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) have been associated with negative outcomes for mother and child. The use of digital media to deliver pregnancy lifestyle interventions is increasing, but there is little data on participant engagement. The Pregnancy Lifestyle Activity and Nutrition (PLAN) intervention pilot study was an electronic health and dietetic-delivered intervention program promoting healthy GWG in early pregnancy.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the interactions of participants with the program and to assess its acceptability.MethodsThis study uses both quantitative and qualitative methods using data from parent randomized controlled trial (ACTRN12617000725369). Quantitative data from 22 participants in the intervention arm who completed the study provided measures of the interactions participants had with the digital components of the program and with dietetic consultations. A descriptive qualitative analysis employed semistructured interviews with 9 participants to elicit views on the acceptability of the intervention and its components.ResultsThe electronic delivery of information and recording of weight from 8 to 20 weeks of gestation were universally accepted. Component (face-to-face dietitian, weight tracker, website information delivery, and SMS goal prompting) acceptability and engagement differed between individuals. A total of 4 key themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: supporting lifestyle change, component acceptability and value, delivery platforms, and engagement barriers.ConclusionsThe PLAN intervention and its delivery via a blend of personal dietetic consultations and digital program delivery was found to be acceptable and valuable to pregnant women. Individuals responded differently to various components, emphasizing the importance of including women in the development of lifestyle interventions and allowing participants to choose and tailor programs. Larger randomized controlled trials using these insights in a broader section of the community are needed to inform the iterative development of practical, time-efficient, and cost-effective ways of supporting optimal GWG with the potential to optimize outcomes for pregnant women and their child.

Developing the Tourism Management Information System and Decision Support Framework for Selection Trip in Kayah State

Tourism Management Information System is the electronic delivery of market research information and decision support tools for the tourism management. It is a platform for tourism associations to exchange data/ information/ knowledge. The decision makers or travelers have to face and take attention with a lot of criteria; such as cost, place type, time taken, transportation type and star rate while choosing the best successful trip in their vacations. Tourism in Myanmar is a slowly developing sector. Although Myanmar possesses great tourist potential and attractions in many fields, much of the industry remains to be developed. The first step of this research is developing the tourism management system and then selection of trip based on decision support framework for desire state or country by using AHP method(case study is Kayah State in Myanmar). The objective of this research is to test the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) applicability with the process for decision making in the selection of trip program. AHP helps to figure out the best outcome which features that the travelers need and how to select the successful trip that really want.

E-Delivery Training System using Agile Technology

E-learning represents a wide range of methods in order to provide education or online training of the electronic delivery of information. E-Learning provides interactive technologies and announcement systems to improve the learning experience. It has the potential to transform the way that teach and learn across the board. It cannot replace teachers and lecturers, but alongside existing methods it can enhance the quality and reach of their teaching. Normally speaking, this type of education is carried out during the average of the World Wide Web where the instructive organization construct its programs and materials obtainable on a special website in such a way that students are capable to make use of them and interrelate with effortlessness during closed or shared, networks, or the Internet, and during utilize of e-mail and online discussion groups. This work proposed the Agile technique development process as an iterative method based on collaboration. Agile would focus on version, growing development, hasty prototyping, and constant feedback and evaluation.

Electronic Services for Business Environment

According to the EU definition, e-government implies smaller but smarter back-office and bigger and better front-office. Enhanced, cost-effective and efficient delivery of information and services is the e-government substance, when it is perceived by citizens and organizations. There has been a significant demonstration effect of the productive difference that e-government has made in developed economies in the delivery of services, provision of information and internal efficiency of the public administration. In developing countries, including Romania, governance reform agendas have included e-government projects that aim to reduce corruption, increase transparency and quality of service. Still, lot of initiatives happen at the local level of administration – in Romania we witnessed a competition between counties in moving forward in e-government implementation.This paper is based on a survey and examines organizations’ (1) attitude towards information and communication technologies, (2) relationship with the local public administration of Timis County, and (3) attitude and response on electronic delivery of information and services of local government. Organizations express their openness and interest in the electronic services, on one hand, and the lack of attraction for the local government website, on the other hand, therefore we will try to justify and find answers that may lead to a better delivery of government services and improved interactions.Overall, the study confirms that the delivery of qualitative information and services, user-orientation regarding information and services, efficiency and responsiveness of local public government and contributions of public organizations to the environmental sustainability are the critical factors that can improve e-government.

Networked Collaboration: The Emerging Paradigm in Information Science

From the 1994 CAIS Conference: The Information Industry in Transition McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. May 25 - 27, 1994.Rather than in the access it gives us to vast libraries of information, the fruits of information science are found, we suggest, in the unprecedented ways we find ourselves collaborating in our work. The old paradigm of information science--electronic delivery of information--is giving way to new embodiments of electronically-aided networked collaboration. We use some CAIS history, and two contemporary examples to illustrate.

"New Frontiers of Research in Creativity, Scientific Discovery, and Innovation"

Research on creativity, scientific discovery, and innovation is growing exponentially in the management literature. This growth is a result of a convergence of at least three major drivers: 1) the increasing perception by managers that innovation is one of, if not the, most important competitive levers for their organizations, 2) rapid increases in availability of new large datasets on innovation activities or outcomes due to digitization and electronic delivery of information (e.g., electronic datasets on patents, alliances, drug approvals, licensing deals, citation databases), and 3) rapid growth in the availability of sophisticated new tools with which to collect and examine such data (e.g., network analysis tools, web crawlers/scrapers, fuzzy matching algorithms, fMRI techniques). As a result, research in innovation has not only grown in quantity, but also in diversity, with new technological trajectories being pioneered, and increasingly sophisticated methods of data collection and analysis emerging. The intensity of research activity in this area makes it challenging to create a mental map of where we have been, and where the most fruitful areas of future inquiry might be. In this panel, five innovation scholars will take a step in this direction by summarizing some of the key takeaways of prior research, highlighting what they have learned and found most intriguing. They will then discuss what they believe are some of the key trajectories for future research on creativity, scientific discovery, and innovation, while describing some of the projects they currently have underway.

Jocelyn Anne Rankin, PhD, FMLA, 1946–2010

Jocelyn Anne Rankin, PhD, FMLA, 1946–2010

Consortia of Electronic Journals among Veterinary College Libraries in India: A Model

The present approach towards partnership, networking, consortia and resource sharing adopted by Indian libraries need radical changes to evolve responsive partnerships in order to achieve best performance in service. The current practices of journal acquisition in most of the veterinary college libraries in India are print based; in which each library is an island with regard to access of information. Moreover, there is wide disparity in the availability and use of information among different universities and colleges. But, consortia based acquisition and electronic desktop delivery of information can eliminate this gulf and increase the access and use considerably. This paper depicts the benefits of library consortia, analyses the present trend in the formation of consortia in India and suggests a new model of library consortia in which all veterinary college libraries could participate. The formation of such an unique consortia under the direction and full support by the ICAR, New Delhi is stressed. This paper proposes to form consortia of veterinary college libraries in India. Also discusses major consortia initiatives of India, elements of resource consortia and proposed model of consortia. To develop these libraries and to put in to more use at maximum extent there is a need of resources consortia of e-journals for the academic benefit.

Interoperability in Cooperative Environments for Public Administration: Metadata and Intelligent Document Issues and Applications

Tod ay, e-Government is an emergent multidisciplinary research field that has the aim to support the delivery of electronic information and services to citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders. This vision should be based on an effective cooperation between Public Administrations (PAs) that need to be more and more organized to delivery value-added e-Government services. Such cooperative environments should interconnect several PAs using interoperability architectures exploiting the service-oriented paradigm. In this paper we would highlight the role that metadata plays in applicative cooperation presenting some guidelines and an architecture able to assure interoperability between informative systems to favor the modernization of Public Administrations reducing time and costs for its functioning.

In Memoriam: Jocelyn Anne Rankin (1946–2010)

Jocelyn Anne Rankin, PhD, (figure) chief of the Information Center at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), died on September 19, 2010, at age 63 in her Florida home. Similar to the health professionals in the organization Medecins Sans Frontieres, Jocelyn was a humanitarian and a librarian sans frontieres. Although some make a difference by what they do, others, like Jocelyn, also make a difference by how they do it. She was a true leader and a mentor to many librarians (and not only to librarians but also to scientists and public health professionals) throughout the nation. These colleagues will remain profoundly grateful for her contributions to the world of information science, and will, just as deeply, cherish memories of how she made her professional mark—quietly, respectfully, and selflessly, yet with clear vision, determination, and passion. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, Dr Rankin achieved an education without borders as well: high school in Germany, a diploma in liberal arts from the American College in Paris, a BA cum laude in English from Hollins College in Virginia, an MLn in librarianship from Emory University in Atlanta, and a PhD in educational leadership from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Dr Rankin's career began at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, and continued at Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, and at Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia. She designed and led the Georgia Interactive Network for Medical Information, the oldest statewide network of its kind in the nation. At CDC, she led in the creation of a state-of-the-art information center; guided implementation of an integrated, electronic information delivery system; helped create the US Department of Health and Human Services Library Consortium; and most recently, helped build the foundation for CDC’s Science Clips, a weekly digest of selected news pertinent to the public health community. Dr Rankin’s contribution as book review editor for Emerging Infectious Diseases was also highly valued. She leaves behind many who feel privileged to have known her. We offer our condolences to her husband, William Rankin; daughters, Stephanie Smith and Kimberley Macdonald; son, William Rankin III; brother, Howell Cobb; and 2 grandchildren. Figure Jocelyn Anne Rankin

The Future of SLEEP at www.journalsleep.org

THE JOURNAL SLEEP CONTINUES TO HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CITATIONS, IMPACT FACTOR, AND ARTICLE INFLUENCE SCORE AMONG ORIGINAL science journals that focus on sleep (the 2009 impact factor is 5.402 and the 5-year impact factor is 5.949). The journal remains committed to adapting to the changing landscape of scientific techniques and standards, to the global expansion of sleep medicine and public health demands for evidenced-based practices, and most recently, to the tremendous expansion of technologies that permit electronic publishing and electronic access to scientific information. SLEEP remains the preeminent journal for the sleep science and sleep medicine fields. However, increasingly the operational costs of SLEEP outweigh revenue. This is a reality faced by many biomedical journals, and SLEEP is not an exception. The costs associated with printing and mailing publications continue to rise each year—for example, the U.S. Postal Service recently announced it will institute an 8% increase to periodical postage for 2011. Over the past three years, efforts have been made to economize SLEEP: reduced margins, lighter paperweight, and supplemental online figures and tables. During the same time period, revenue from advertising decreased substantially. To deal with these economic realities and take advantage of new options for electronic information delivery, SLEEP, beginning in January 2011, will be offered online as a benefit to members of the AASM and SRS as well as subscribers. An option for a fee-based print subscription will also be available starting with the January 2011 issue. To ensure that SLEEP online serves the needs of our readers, we have redesigned and rebuilt www.journalsleep.org. Beginning 2011, the website will include a great deal more journal content, along with improved navigation and organization to make it faster and easier for readers to find the essential information that they want. New options will be provided that deliver the latest research on sleep in a convenient on-screen format. The website will also allow for continued expansion as we explore integration of new technologies that improve the reader's experience. The following are some of the improvements that will be available at www.journalsleep.org in the coming months. The SLEEP website is HTML-based, which integrates content better. The new website has a clean design, and includes improved functions so readers can access information easier. Tabs within an article allow readers to move easily from the abstract to full text, to references, and to the PDF version of a paper. Figures and tables are easy to enlarge and read. References within an article are hyperlinked. An improved search engine provides the most comprehensive results, making for easier access to the most relevant articles on a topic. The My CME Credits system allows access to a comprehensive list of available credits and to credits already earned. A table of contents sent via e-mail keeps AASM and SRS members abreast of science published every month. We believe that users will find the new www.journalsleep.org useful, attractive, and efficient. The updated SLEEP website is the first step toward improved access to the journal. We expect the site will undergo additional changes as needs develop and new capabilities emerge through electronic innovation. The new website is the latest in a line of improvements made to ensure SLEEP presents easy access to leading science. Consistent with this goal, we have made other changes in recent years that include SLEEP being listed in PubMed Central; providing free public access to electronic copies of SLEEP articles 6 months after publication (SRS and AASM members have immediate access from the website); and improved handling of manuscripts to reduce the time to decision.1 We recognize that the continued proliferation of electronic delivery modes that replace traditional paper-based systems requires thoughtful adaptation relative to scientific journals. The updated SLEEP website is just one part of our continuing commitment to adapt to important and useful changes in information technology that can facilitate the delivery of our scientific information. There is no denying that social networks, intranets, mobile applications, handheld computers, e-readers, text messaging, etc. are changing how people communicate and acquire information as scientists, physicians, trainees, students, patients, policy makers, media, and consumers. SLEEP must embrace the optimal utilization of appropriate electronic technologies as part of its commitment to excellence and global dissemination of scientific knowledge. The updated website is the first step in that process.

Providers' perspectives on challenges to contraceptive counseling in primary care settings.

Although three quarters of reproductive-age women see a health provider annually, less than half receive recommended contraceptive counseling services. We sought to explore providers' perspectives on the challenges to contraceptive counseling in primary care clinics to develop strategies to improve counseling services. A qualitative, focus group (n = 8) study was conducted in November and December 2007; 48 of 90 providers practicing in four primary care clinics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center participated. Providers included physicians, nurses, and pharmacists working in these clinics' multidisciplinary teams. Discussions explored perceived barriers to the provision of counseling services. All groups were audiorecorded, transcribed, and entered into Atlas.Ti, a qualitative data management software. The data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach to content analysis. Perceived patient, provider, and health system barriers to contraceptive counseling were identified. Perceived patient barriers included infrequent sexual activity, familiarity with a limited number of methods, desire for pregnancy despite medical contraindications, and religious beliefs. Provider barriers included lack of knowledge, training, and comfort; assumptions about patient pregnancy risk; negative beliefs about contraceptive methods; reliance on patients to initiate discussions; and limited communication between primary care providers (PCPs) and subspecialists. Health system barriers included limited time and competing medical priorities. PCPs vary widely in their knowledge, perceived competence, and comfort in providing contraceptive counseling. General efforts to improve integration of contraceptive counseling into primary care services in addition to electronic reminders and efficient delivery of contraceptive information are needed.

Transitioning from Print to Electronic Information Delivery: An Update from the National Research Council Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information

Canada's national science library, the National Research Council Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, is in the process of transforming its traditional document delivery services to meet the emerging needs of users. As such, the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information has developed a suite of Web-based services, partnerships, and collaborations to better serve its users. These components have been brought together to create new service offerings such as Discover, and the National Research Council Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information Standards Store. Quicker, more flexible and convenient access to the world's scientific, technical, and medical information from the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information and from sites where users congregate across the Web is the goal of Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information's new breed of information delivery services.

Biometry and the IBS—Strength through Diversity

The International Biometric Society (IBS) brings together members from a diversity of cultural backgrounds, organized into geographically based Regions and National Groups, and covering a diverse range of interests, in terms of both methodological topics and application areas. We briefly reflect on how the historical development of our science, society, and international conferences reflects this diversity, with a focus on the history of the British and Irish Region of the IBS. Then, by considering the cultural/geographical diversity of the society, and the scientific diversity of the society and biometricians, we identify both some strengths of the society (diverse topics for meetings arranged across the world, application of biometrical methods to diverse application areas, management of the society by members from a diversity of backgrounds) and also some current challenges (electronic delivery of journals and other information, the diversity of application areas addressed by members of the society, improving links with the scientific societies of those who motivate our research). Finally, we illustrate the diversity of scientific problems that each of us face in our roles as biometricians.

Assessment of the Level of Interactivity of E-Government Functions

ABSTRACT Electronic delivery of information and services has been a key element of many e-government efforts. Interactive e-government functions allow two-way communication and facilitate information exchange and service delivery in a timely manner. This paper presents the findings of a content analysis of 242 local government Web sites about their e-government practices, and considers whether the content of these sites is related to higher levels of computer and Internet use by citizens in those jurisdictions. E-government functions are examined in terms of the level of user control and system responsiveness, which range from one-way, semi-interactive to two-way interactive. This study also develops an index to assess the level of interactivity of e-government functions. Major findings indicate that local governments tend to offer more interactive e-government services on their Web sites in areas where the number of households with computer(s) and Internet connection athome is higher. With knowledge of t...

Recent Trends in Electronic Information Delivery at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Library

The paper analyses the trends of information delivery at the Knust library. It reviews the history of cooperation, conventional practices in information delivery, and current trends in Ghana. CD-ROM and online facilities, which are the two main tools for electronic information delivery, are highlighted. The paper reveals that there is a general acceptance among members of the academic community that electronic information delivery services have had considerable impact on their work. The paper looks into the future of document delivery and proposed possible ways of enhancing and sustaining the existing facilities.

The Choice for Learning

We are building conventional library space without making the paradigm shift our digital environment requires. The chief obstacles to change lie in our conception of readers as information consumers, in our allegiance to library operations as the drivers of library design, and in the choice made between foundational and non-foundational views of knowledge. We have the choice of focusing on the delivery of electronic information and abandoning many of our claims on physical space or of designing library space for learning. The latter choice is illustrated by a thought experiment involving the reference desk.

The impact of electronic information delivery on reference enquiries

PurposeThis paper seeks to examine the impact of greater access to electronic information, both free and fee‐based, on reference enquiries.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology included an extensive literature review and interviews with reference services librarians both in Australia and overseas.FindingsThe assumption that greater internet access and use equal a decline in public and state library reference enquiries is not proven.Originality/valueThe paper concludes with a summary of trends, predictions and scenarios of usage of state and public library reference services in an increasingly electronic age, paying special attention and emphasis to the Australian environment.

Delivering smoking cessation information in the workplace using Quit Online

The Tobacco and Health Branch and Online Service Development at the NSW Department of Health have developed a web-based smoking cessation tool, Quit Online, for the use of NSW Health employees. This article introduces Quit Online, describes its main features and discusses the evidence supporting the electronic delivery of smoking cessation information.