Information Management Infrastructure Research Articles

Responsible Research Assessment and Research Information Management Systems

In the context of open science, universities, research-performing and funding organizations and authorities worldwide are moving towards more responsible research assessment (RRA). In 2022, the European Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) published an agreement with ten commitments, including the recognition of the “diversity of contributions to, and careers in, research”, the “focus on qualitative evaluation for which peer review is central, supported by responsible use of quantitative indicators”, and the “abandon (of) inappropriate uses in research assessment of journal- and publication-based metrics”. Research assessment (RA) is essential for research of the highest quality. The transformation of assessment indicators and procedures directly affects the underlying research information management infrastructures (also called current research information systems) which collect and store metadata on research activities and outputs. This entry investigates the impact of RRA on these systems, on their development and implementation, their data model and governance, including digital ethics.

The socio-technical organization of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in child welfare

ABSTRACT In this article we use institutional ethnography to investigate the intersection between provincially mandated digital technologies intended to streamline decision-making, improve communication, and create efficiencies and the development and implementation of strategies to institutionalize Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (or EDI) in child welfare contexts. These two moves collide in the Child Welfare Redesign – a state-led initiative that organizes the convergence of data and diversity work in local Children’s Aid Societies in the Canadian province of Ontario. Drawing on 38 interviews with child welfare directors, supervisors, and managers coupled with extensive documentary research, our findings show how the Ontario Child Welfare Redesign goal to make child welfare services more “inclusive” and “culturally appropriate” for Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities who are overrepresented among those receiving child welfare services is undermined by the continued use of provincial information management infrastructure and the provincially mandated Child Protection Standards and Tools.

Modern complexes of monitoring and alerting of events: ensuring optimum use of resources and functioning of information systems and processes

The article discusses modern monitoring and event notification systems: ensuring optimal use of resources and functioning of information systems and processes. Purpose of the study. Determine the monitoring system available under the GPL license, which would be the least expensive in terms of resources and at the same time would have the greatest configuration flexibility, full functionality and a clear interface. It is noted that effective management of information infrastructure and prompt response to events, such as failures in the operation of servers or network devices, have become key aspects of the successful activities of organizations. An overview of modern monitoring and warning systems is given, which provide continuous monitoring of the IT environment and provide a prompt response to events. Discusses methods for collecting and analyzing data, integration with other systems, and the importance of efficient use of resources. A comparison of the Prometheus + Grafana and Zabbix monitoring systems was carried out in order to analyze the installation and system requirements of each of these systems in order to gain a more complete understanding of their features. The main elements that make up the infrastructure of monitoring systems are listed. An analysis of the potential functions of monitoring systems was carried out, which helped determine which of them are most important for an organization or project. Several popular and most suitable monitoring systems have been selected to meet the requirements and needs. An empirical study was conducted that provided practical insight into which monitoring systems are most suitable for specific tasks and conditions. It is concluded that Prometheus and Grafana have the lowest resource load and high configuration flexibility, especially for containerized and highly dynamic environments. Zabbix is suitable for organizations with larger and more complex infrastructures where extensive monitoring functionality is important. However, the choice between these systems must be consistent with the specific needs and resources of the organization, as well as the level of technical expertise available to install and configure the monitoring system.

Подходы к управлению информационной инфраструктурой предприятия на основе интеграции моделей качества и дизайна программного обеспечения

The article discusses approaches to forming and managing the enterprise’s information infrastructure. The choice of approaches to the information infrastructure formation and management should be based on a comprehensive analysis of the organization’s needs, its goals and resources, and should be adapted to the organization’s specific conditions and requirements. It is noted that the successful management of an enterprise’s information infrastructure doesn’t only require the right approach, but also competence and experience in the field of IT management. Regardless of the chosen approach, the efficiency of the infrastructure depends on using modern technologies and management methods, as well as taking into account the specifics of the company’s activities. To ensure the management process effectiveness, it is necessary to apply modern tools and methods, such as management process automation, data monitoring and analysis, risk management and information security. The article discusses various approaches to managing the enterprise’s information infrastructure, such as the ITIL standard, COBIT and SWEBOK. It is stated that an effective solution for enterprises is an individual approach that allows considering various quality models and KPIs. The importance of using modern technologies and methods of information infrastructure management to improve the efficiency of business processes, to ensure information security and confidentiality, as well as to reduce the cost of its processing and storage is emphasized.

Optimization of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Infrastructures, and Events Correlation / Regression Analysis for Optimal Cyber Security Posture

This work integrates logical and physical security processes, and simplifies the manageability of the security infrastructure. The process increases visibility to resources, which makes it easier to prevent security incidents, and provides a platform to manage the response and recovery after an incident occur. Log collection is the heart and soul of a SIEM. Log correlation is employed to identify particular sequences of log events from devices. The comparison between network level and host level events automatically perform initial validation that would not normally be performed. It considers movement of data between systems where it would not normally accounts logging on at unusual times or from unusual places, these may not generate specific security alerts, but can be much more easily spotted and flagged by a log correlation solution that sees everything in the environment. It shows some enhancements to event log normalization and significantly improves correlation rule execution. The event monitoring algorithm and SIEM correlation rules result in false positives or false negatives. Security managers, therefore, may waste time and resources that could be used to respond to real threats and assaults if there are too many false positives. This study hereby, strikes a compromise between lowering false positive alerts and not ignoring any potential abnormalities that could indicate a cyberattack when establishing SIEM correlation rules. In order to decide which data is pertinent and which data is irrelevant in an event pipeline, this research employs the use of filters. Through this examination, it can be inferred that the conditions are advantageous for promoting investment in the growth and enhancement of this technology as an essential component of industrial control systems with security operation centers, as well as offering cyber security management for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with restricted security expertise and capabilities.

Obstacles and opportunities to implement the IPBES Framework in Iran

To make a significant contribution to halt global biodiversity losses, a worldwide breaking down of the IPBES findings at national scales is indispensable. So far, in some world regions and countries, this process is at the very beginning. Iran is a country with many different ecosystem types and high biodiversity. Still, the concept of ecosystem services (ES) has not yet been introduced as the main concept for policy and decision-making. We investigated the implementation of IPBES-oriented ES and biodiversity assessments for this country with desktop research. Based on a thorough literature review of Iranian publications, we answered this question “How can the IPBES framework be implemented in Iran?”. Our finding showed that there is a need to address the status of ES in the ecosystems of Iran using internationally accepted methods and frameworks. In order to facilitate the implementation of IPBES, we offer a main strategy as evaluation of ES for development programs in Iran. Based on the result, several organizations can contribute to IPBES capacity-building. Additionally, Iranian NGOs and local communities presenting the deliverables, activities and outputs to target audiences are under development to ensure implementation of comprehensive ES projects. Thus, we can improve communications and outreach for target stakeholders in ES projects in Iran. Based on this, we suggest the establishment of an Iranian stakeholders network (ISN) using a web-based infrastructure for ES assessment performance, participatory exercises, data sharing and information management in Iran. It seems that almost none of the stakeholders are aware of ES concepts, theories and policies, and this is a fundamental challenge in the implementation of the IPBES framework in Iran. Advanced work on policy support tools, methodologies, scenarios and models needs to develop a policy support web portal. In Iran, some non-governmental companies have sufficient capacity to perform it. The following organizations can help implement the strategy in different stages: Environmental organizations, local governments, science and technology ministry, power ministry, agricultural organizations, natural resources organizations, universities and research institutes. Also, local knowledge could be recognized and implemented as a participatory mechanism for strengthening the knowledge foundations of ES assessment in Iran.

Implementation of the planning function in libraries of selected military universities in Poland in the light of own research

The article aims to present a part of the research results on implementing the management function in selected libraries of Polish military higher education institutions concerning the planning function. In an organization such as a scientific library, planning is the most crucial management function, especially in such a specific one as a military university library. The analysis of information infrastructure factors made it possible to evaluate the implementation of individual management functions in the analyzed military libraries, including the planning function as the most important for information resources management. The assessment of the implementation of the planning function shows significant implications that may contribute to the optimization of information infrastructure management in a modern military higher education institution library.

The implementation of an e-archive to facilitate open data publication and the use of common specifications: A case of three Swedish agencies

The study investigated how three agencies in Sweden were pursuing the implementation of an electronic archive (e-archive). The e-archive was seen by the Swedish National archives as a pre-requisite to the effective management of government information and would help the agencies to comply with the Swedish Public Sector Information (PSI) law which requires them to publish open data. It was also seen as an important component of an efficient e-government. The study further had two objectives: to establish whether the common specifications were being used and how the implementation of the PSI-law was being pursued. Interviews and a literature review were used as data gathering techniques. The Records Continuum Model (RCM) was applied to enhance an understanding of how the agencies were dealing with the publication of open data. Two of the agencies had implemented an e-archive but the third agency lacked one. All the three were publishing open data. The agency that did not have an e-archive was publishing open data that suited its existing information management infrastructure. This has implications since the PSI-law requires full publication of all PSI which has no restrictions. The common specifications were not being used by the agencies.

Using video consultation technology between care homes and health and social care professionals: a scoping review and interview study during COVID-19 pandemic

Backgroundthe COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected care home residents’ and staffs’ access to health care and advice. Health and social care professionals adapted rapidly to using video consultation (videoconferencing) technology without guidance. We sought to identify enablers and barriers to their use in supporting care home residents and staff.Methodsa scoping review of the evidence on remote consultations between healthcare services and care homes. Interviews with English health and social care professionals about their experiences during the pandemic. Findings were synthesised using the non-adoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, sustainability framework.Results18 papers were included in the review. Twelve interviews were completed. Documented enablers and barriers affecting the uptake and use of technology (e.g. reliable internet; reduced travelling) resonated with participants. Interviews demonstrated rapid, widespread technology adoption overcame barriers anticipated from the literature, often strengthening working relationships with care homes. Novel implementation issues included using multiple platforms and how resident data were managed. Healthcare professionals had access to more bespoke digital platforms than their social care counterparts. Participants alternated between platforms depending on individual context or what their organisation supported. All participants supported ongoing use of technologies to supplement in-person consultations.Conclusionsthe evidence on what needs to be in place for video consultations to work with care homes was partly confirmed. The pandemic context demolished many documented barriers to engagement and provided reassurance that residents’ assessments were possible. It exposed the need to study further differing resident requirements and investment in digital infrastructure for adequate information management between organisations.

The Potential of Blockchain Applications in Urban Industrial Symbiosis

In many cities and their surrounding environments, materials are wasted and underutilized. As a result, waste and energy recovery can play a critical role. The concept of circularity can be applied to urban environments and their areas of influence in order to stimulate Urban Industrial Symbiosis (UIS). As such, it is vital for cities to have a robust and trustworthy information management infrastructure. A blockchain-based system can provide the accountability the UIS networks need to become traceable, transparent and unchangeable for all the parties involved. Similar to the benefits that blockchain can provide supply chain networks, UIS could benefit from blockchain as well. In this article, we look at blockchain and Smart Contracts as a way to benefit UIS, what they can be used for, what the goals and potential limitations for their implementation are, and how those goals and limitations might influence UIS. Finally, through the implementation of modular blockchain architecture, an UIS blockchain model based on smart contracts is proposed.

SCIENTIFIC AND APPLIED COMPONENTS OF THE FORMATION OF THE STRATEGY OF INSTITUTIONAL-ORIENTED DIVERSIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES

Information systems play an increasing role in achieving the strategic goals of organizations, as they not only provide information processing for departments and end users in the internal environment, but also directly generate products and services based on information and provide a competitive advantage in the market. In modern business conditions, the choice of effective competitive strategy of the enterprise are especially relevant. The proposed approach to the choice of competitive strategy of the enterprise on the criteria of "level of product / technological innovation", "level of demand in the market / segment" provides a choice of hybrid strategies that combine strategic solutions to minimize costs and differentiation. The formed basic provisions and the built conceptual model of processes of formation, choice and realization of competitive strategy of the enterprise which are presented in the form of interrelation of certain subprocesses, allow to increase efficiency of achievement of strategic purposes of enterprise by strengthening efficiency of its strategic process. The variety of existing strategic approaches and methods determines the multivariate formation of enterprise strategies in general and competitive strategy in particular. Given the importance of information management infrastructure of the organization for its operation and development, a model of its construction is proposed.

Transformation of traditional assembly lines into interoperable CPPS for MES: an OPC UA enabled scenario

The exploitation of I4.0 paradigm requires the availability of adequate information across all engineering and production value chains, which is the result of aggregation and fusion of data from various heterogeneous sources, often under real-time conditions. On the one hand, this comprises a challenge for the provision of an efficient, secure and dependable information management infrastructure. On the other hand, system architects must find solutions to assure interoperability on both syntactical and semantic level with reasonable engineering costs. In this paper authors present the research outcomes related to the conceptualization of a generalized information model and a service architecture, for the transformation and integration of typical third-party, stand-alone industrial equipment - FESTO prolog-factory in the specific - into an OPC UA enhanced, Industry 4.0 interoperable CPPS for new generations of Manufacturing Execution Systems. Aim of the discussed approach is to define basic but general guidelines of applicability for the definition, modelling and provision of standardized, Industry 4.0 compliant, CPPS-based industrial services, starting off from a typical legacy industrial environment.

Large-scale multiple criteria decision-making with missing values: project selection through TOPSIS-OPA

Nowadays, with the development of information management infrastructures in organizations and the improvement of the data storage process, managers are looking for appropriate decision-making methods based on large volumes of data. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right approach to make the right decisions based on the volume of available data. The present study seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for the decision-making process using big data, even when it is incomplete. The framework of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) consists of criteria and alternatives, whereas in real-world cases, decision-makers may face several criteria and alternatives. In this study, the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) approach was selected for the criteria clustering. Later, the K-means algorithm is used to cluster the alternatives, which estimates the optimal number of clusters using the Elbow method. The Fuzzy TOPSIS (TOPSIS-F) and Ordinal Priority Approach (OPA) have been used to rank clusters. Ultimately, the best alternative in the top cluster has been identified with the aid of the OPA, which has a unique function to solve MCDM problems with incomplete data. For evaluating the performance of the proposed approach, first, a pilot testing has been executed on a real-world case, and then a practical study was conducted at a refinery equipment manufacturing company with a project-oriented organizational structure. The approach is flexible, interactive, intelligent, and integrative, and significantly reduces the time and computation costs for the decision-makers. The results confirmed the soundness of the proposed approach, which can be used by managers of different companies with confidence.

Methods Used in Researching the Information Infrastructure of a Military University Library

Purpose: The aim of the paper was to present the research methods used in scientific research projects led by M. Poplawski, PhD entitled Modeling of socio-economic in Polish regions (Project No: 119/WZA/72/DzS financed in 2019 by the Ministry of National Defense), Multifactorial model of socio-economic security (Project No: 108/WZA/61/DzS financed in 2018 from the statutory funds the Gen. T. Kościuszko Military Academy of Land Forces and partly by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education) as well as Multifactorial system for managing the economic of Lower Silesia (Project No: 69/WZA/45/DzS financed in 2016-2017 from statutory funds of the Gen. T. Kościuszko Military Academy of Land Forces) in the part concerning research on the information infrastructure of a military university library. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the introduction to this paper, the justification for the need to undertake research in relation to the research problem posed was presented, and then the research methodology used in the above-mentioned projects was presented in the following order: goal, research hypotheses, scope and sources of work. The last part of the paper presents the research methods in detail together with the justification for their application. The paper ends with summary, where it is indicated how the selected research methods allowed to solve the research problem, and thus to achieve the aim of the work and verify the hypotheses. Findings: The research problem was solved in the conducted scientific process, which referred to its material scope – the library of military universities, the subject – the management and management system, and space-time – data from domestic and foreign military university libraries from the past. The use of selected research methods allowed for the achievement of the research goal and confirmation of research hypotheses, which were verified through the obtained results of comparative and index analysis carried out in the analyzed libraries of selected military universities. Practical Implications: The comparative analysis made it possible to indicate which specific elements of the information infrastructure have the most important impact on the functionality of a given library. Originality/value: As a result of the research undertaken, using the methods presented in the paper, on the one hand – in the cognitive sense, contributed to the enrichment of knowledge in the discipline of management and quality sciences, on the other – in the normative sense, the issues of key information resources for the library of a military university were identified, and on the other hand, the third – in the axiological sense, a useful tool was created in the form of the resulting diagram, which can be used to improve the management of information infrastructure.

Information infrastructure management for decision support in libraries of selected military universities in Poland in the light of own research

ABSTRACT The purpose of the article is to present the model of information infrastructure management for decision support in libraries of military universities. The model is the effect of the research conducted in the project“Information infrastructure management in the library of a military university” implemented at the Gen. T. Kościuszko Military University of Land Forces. The topic taken up in the project is important because proper management of the information infrastructure of military university libraries has a decisive impact on the management decision crucial for the development of this type of organization. So far, no information infrastructure management model as a decision support tool has been created in the library of the military university, but only the information infrastructure has been measured in various ways. In the research project, selected libraries of military universities were analyzed in terms of functional indicators strictly related to their information infrastructure.

Infrastructure management of software systems of modern “IT” in the automation of production processes

The article examines the methodology, describing the concept of information infrastructure management companies focused on their need, a comparison of models of information systems. The authors investigate the possibility of their joint use for maximum effect from the introduction of software systems. Process management of IT infrastructure of the enterprise has a number of advantages. Thus, in determining the types of activities, inputs, outputs, standards and requirements, an increase in the efficiency, the rationality of work can be achieved and quality management tools can be achieved. There are different methodologies for describing the achievement of business goals instruments with a high level of reliability of the information system. The most common was the British Library IT Infrastructure Library.

ФОРМУВАННЯ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНОЇ СИСТЕМИ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ В УМОВАХ ЦИФРОВОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ


 
 
 The article reveals the role and importance of information, which is a dominant resource, acquires comprehensive significance for the life of society in a digital economy, determining its political, socio-economic and cultural development. In any organization, the aggregation of data into a single digital information space is important for the management system, which creates such an information infrastructure of the organization (IIO) that allows solving the tasks and is a kind of management loop through the prism of technological innovations. Therefore, the author has developed and proposed a model of the organization’s information infrastructure architecture, which contributes to the constant updating of innovations, methods and approaches to the information environment in the digital economy. The information management infrastructure of organizations is becoming a priority management object, requires consideration of its properties and specifics, due to the processes of digital modernization of the economy. The organization’s information infrastructure is a comprehensive system that covers information, personnel, a set of applied, technological and technical solutions to provide information support for the organization’s work in accordance with the rules and concept, mission and strategy of the organization, its business model and management approaches.
 
 

TRC-PAD: Accelerating Recruitment of AD Clinical Trials through Innovative Information Technology

BackgroundThe Trial-Ready Cohort for Preclinical/ Prodromal Alzheimer’s Disease (TRC-PAD) Informatics Platform (TRC-PAD IP) was developed to facilitate the efficient selection, recruitment, and assessment of study participants in support of the TRC-PAD program.ObjectivesDescribe the innovative architecture, workflows, and components of the TRC-PAD IP.DesignThe TRC-PAD IP was conceived as a secure, scalable, multi-tiered information management platform designed to facilitate high-throughput, cost-effective selection, recruitment, and assessment of TRC-PAD study participants and to develop a learning algorithm to select amyloid-bearing participants to participate in trials of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.SettingTRC-PAD participants were evaluated using both web-based and in-person assessments to predict their risk of amyloid biomarker abnormalities and eligibility for preclinical and prodromal clinical trials. Participant data were integrated across multiple stages to inform the prediction of amyloid biomarker elevation.ParticipantsTRC-PAD participants were age 50 and above, with an interest in participating in Alzheimer’s research. MEASUREMENTS: TRC-PAD participants’ cognitive performance and subjective memory concerns were remotely assessed on a longitudinal basis to predict participant risk of biomarker abnormalities. Those participants determined to be at the highest risk were invited to an in-clinic screening visit for a full battery of clinical and cognitive assessments and amyloid biomarker confirmation using positron emission tomography (PET) or lumbar puncture (LP).ResultsThe TRC-PAD IP supported growth in recruitment, screening, and enrollment of TRC-PAD participants by leveraging a secure, scalable, cost-effective cloud-based information technology architecture.ConclusionsThe TRC-PAD program and its underlying information management infrastructure, TRC-PAD IP, have demonstrated feasibility concerning the program aims. The flexible and modular design of the TRC-PAD IP will accommodate the introduction of emerging diagnostic technologies.

Information technology in the digital document management in the tourism industry as a perspective tool in increasing effectiveness of a tourist enterprise

The article is dedicated to the problem of development of information technology in the digital document management in the tourism industry. The authors analyzed the information system “Electronic voucher” and assessed the level of electronic flow of documents in the tourism industry in the Russian Federation. The authors emphasize that the required implementation of this system, as well as its further improvement, will significantly increase the efficiency of management in tourism. It is supposed to lead to the work development of tourist enterprises. Increasing the capitalization of tourism enterprises is very important for development of regional and international tourism in the Russian Federation. So, implementation and development of information and communication management infrastructure promote the realization of two government programs such as the concept of tourism development in the Russian Federation and the programs for the country’s transition to the digital economy by 2024

Processes of managing information infrastructure of a digital enterprise in the framework of the «Industry 4.0» concept

A study of the management of the information infrastructure of a digital enterprise is conducted within the framework of the “Industry 4.0” concept. It is determined that modern digital technologies cause an exponential growth of data flows, for the effective functioning of which the need arises to transform a classic enterprise into digital. There are new business models, network structures based on collective methods of production and consumption, which transform traditional market relations and require the development of new solutions in the field of digital enterprise management. It is noted that the use of all elements (mobility; sociality; BPM, electronic document management system ERP finance and accounting; Big Data Analytics, business analytics) of modern information and communication technologies will increase the productivity and value of enterprises. It is determined that information and communication technologies allow to effectively interact with each other in certain sectors of production and ensure the optimization of any business processes using consumerization. Modern trends in the development of digital enterprises are identified and the prerequisites for the introduction of digitalization in the business space are marked. The constituent elements of the management process of the information infrastructure of a digital enterprise are structured, on the basis of which a model of the information infrastructure management process is proposed. The objectives of the digital infrastructure are substantiated, which are indicated: to increase the speed of decision-making, to increase the variability of processes depending on the needs and characteristics of the client, to reduce the number of employees involved in the process. The methodological foundations of the process of managing the information infrastructure of a digital enterprise are deepened in the context of the “Industry 4.0” concept