Information System Capabilities Research Articles

A constructability assessment method (CAM) for sustainable division of land parcels

Historically the land development process has lacked a decision support structure for evaluating undeveloped parcels of land for compatibility with land use policy and engineering constraints. This paper demonstrates an applied multi-criteria decision support structure for characterizing the spatial distribution and classification of a parcel’s potential to support residential lot construction. This support structure is based on parcel attributes quantified in a typical site feasibility report, to include: potential house yield, wetlands area, soil types, streams (surface drains), and steep slope areas. The analytical capabilities of geographic information system (GIS) are employed in the decision support structure named the constructability assessment method (CAM). CAM integrates a dynamic multi-criteria attribute assessment method, based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), for a given set of administrative requirements, and engineering constraints and judgment.The results of a case study using CAM characterized the approximate location of ideal lots for homes construction in an R-1 zoning district located on a 1290 acre land parcel in Loudoun County, VA, while avoiding existing hydric soils, floodplains, steep slopes, and forested areas. The number of ideal lots for a given set of engineering and administrative constraints represented a 65% reduction from the maximum lots permitted by regulatory constraints alone. The methodology used in this case study provides a consistent and repeatable land parcel analysis technique for undeveloped land parcels, and can be adapted and/or extended to a number of similar publicly available geographic datasets and constraint. In estimating optimal development density, CAM meets the needs of zoning administrators as well as the developers, thus offering a demand-driven market-based solution for sustainable land development.

HEALTHCARE INFORMATION SYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

Despite the active reformation and informatization of healthcare, healthcare establishments of different levels feature a different degree of access to information resources. The situation is also characterized by parallel development of information collection flows, different level of development of different regions, poorly developed infrastructure. These aspects complicate operative information exchange for the purposes of managerial decision-making. We need to determine the degree of compliance of healthcare information systems and subsystems with user needs, as well as assess the capabilities of information systems to provide timely and quality healthcare information to all users of all levels for the purposes of managerial decision-making. The article presents results of a comprehensive assessment of the current state of healthcare informatization in the Kyrgyz Republic using HMN-developed (Health Metrics Network) analytical tools. We demonstrate significant differences in healthcare information system management in the Kyrgyz Republic and note the heterogenous use thereof, especially in regions and districts.

Effectiveness of evacuation facilities in Honiara City, Solomon Islands: a spatial perspective

Urban areas in South Pacific island countries are experiencing the effects of natural disasters related to extreme weather events, cyclones and flooding. The aim of this study was to evaluate 27 existing evacuation facilities in Honiara City and nearby areas from a spatial perspective. We use the concept of “service areas” to determine whether a given facility, or all facilities taken collectively, is accessible to the populations within its geographic proximity. To determine geographic proximity, we use the network analysis capabilities of a geographic information system (GIS) to establish service areas. Service areas are defined as the area within which people can reach a facility along a road network in a given amount of time based on the cost, or impedance, of travel along the network. Using this approach, we use the overlay capabilities of the GIS to estimate the percentage of each facility’s service area that “captures” the populations, or areas, in greatest need. With GIS census data, road network data, flood hazard data and evacuation facility data from the recent April 2014 extreme weather event, we examine the relative effectiveness of the existing facilities. We focus on disasters associated with severe weather, especially flooding and storm surge. Our analysis suggests that the 27 existing evacuation facilities in Honiara and nearby areas taken collectively provide reasonably good coverage of those populations in greatest need in a flooding or storm-surge event. However, we also find some facilities are poorly located and subsequently under used.

BUILDING SPATIAL DATABASE FOR CUTTACK MUNICIPAL CORPORATION: A GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH

Decentralized governance necessitates participatory approach which is crucial for realizing sustainable development. Accordingly, the concerned government as well as non-government agencies assume responsibility to plan, execute, manage and monitor social welfare schemes in a coordinated manner. This in turn, relies on integrated information in the form of database which plays a vital role in the process of decision making. Despite significant improvements made in the field of database creation and management, problems of availability and organization of accurate data in the country continue to persist. In this context, the present study is taken up for building a reliable and accurate geo-database for Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Odisha. The database thus created will enable information flow for planning and monitoring of various government schemes. The study involves acquisition and integration of spatial and non-spatial data derived from multiple sources. More often than not, data from these sources suffer from various types of errors embedded in it. Lack of availability of cutting edge technologies within government enterprises as well as absence of appropriate manpower with specialized expertise are the underlying reasons of errors in existing databases of Cuttack Municipal Corporation. The present study proposes a methodological framework towards removal of these errors in spatial information. The study is based on geospatial technologies of Remote Sensing, Geographic Information System and Global Positioning System in generating a desired accurate and common geo-database for planning and implementation of social welfare schemes. While Global Positioning System and Remote Sensing imageries can help enhance the positional accuracies of spatial entities, data management, analysis and visualization capabilities of Geographic Information System can help build the standard geo-database which can be shared by policy makers for better implementation of the schemes.

Effective 3-D surface modeling for geographic information systems

Abstract. In this work, we propose a dynamic, flexible and interactive urban digital terrain platform with spatial data and query processing capabilities of geographic information systems, multimedia database functionality and graphical modeling infrastructure. A new data element, called Geo-Node, which stores image, spatial data and 3-D CAD objects is developed using an efficient data structure. The system effectively handles data transfer of Geo-Nodes between main memory and secondary storage with an optimized directional replacement policy (DRP) based buffer management scheme. Polyhedron structures are used in digital surface modeling and smoothing process is performed by interpolation. The experimental results show that our framework achieves high performance and works effectively with urban scenes independent from the amount of spatial data and image size. The proposed platform may contribute to the development of various applications such as Web GIS systems based on 3-D graphics standards (e.g., X3-D and VRML) and services which integrate multi-dimensional spatial information and satellite/aerial imagery.

Management Information Systems in Public Institutions in Jordan

Six constructs were utilized in this study to explore the factors affecting MIS implementation in Jordanian public institutions and to investigate the impact of MIS implementation on organizational (operational) performance. They were human factors, organizational factors, technological factors, environmental factors, MIS implementation components and organizational performance. The required data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire developed based on the literature review. Human factors were conceptualized as users’ computer skills and experience, IS usefulness and IS ease of use. Organizational factors were assessed using three sub-indicators, which were top-management support, user training and IS confidentiality. Technological factors were evaluated by systematic quality, information quality and service quality. The overall industry, industry environment and external pressure were three indicators used to measure the environmental factors. Two variables were selected to measure MIS implementation: IT/IS capability and technological aspects related to information service quality. Since the current study tackled public institutions, the indicators of organizational performance were limited to operational ones. The questionnaire was distributed to 125 informants from IT/IS departments. The findings of the study indicated the acceptance of the hypothesis that the factors in question are significantly and positively related to MIS implementation, which in turn, when measured by IT/IS capability and information service quality, significantly and positively affect organizational performance. The main contribution provided by this study is that MIS implementation is not limited to information technology and systems capabilities and usefulness. Other factors should be considered, particularly when examining the impact of MIS implementation on organizational performance.

The impact of social information system governance, utilization, and capabilities on absorptive capacity and innovation: A case of Austrian SMEs

The study aims to understand the influence of social information systems (SIS) on absorptive capacity (AC) and innovation in Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For this purpose, a framework was developed and empirically tested using a nationwide, mixed-mode survey on a random sample of 138 SMEs of knowledge-intensive industries. The results show that the backbone of SIS utilization is SIS governance. SIS capabilities mediate the positive effects of SIS utilization on AC components, which build on each other and mediate the positive effects of SIS capabilities on innovation. Our findings provide a number of useful implications for research and industry.

The Role of Spatial Decision Support System in Regional Business Spatial Community

Decision support systems are tools that extend the functionality of management information systems. Similarly, spatial decision support systems (SDSS) enhance the capabilities of geographic information systems (GIS) with analytical modelling capabilities and support processes of spatial decision making. SDSS offer many kinds of spatial analyses, from processing data (as well spatial as other data residing in databases), do intelligent maps and models of different types of phenomena. Regional Busines Spatial Community (RBSC) is the concept of community gathering units responsible for building infrastructure networks and supplying utilities for citizens of a region.The authors try to create the community on the basis of companies and institutions from the territory of the City of Częstochowa. A commonality of all the aforementioned stakeholders is to be the possibility to participate in the shared SDSS with the purpose of planning infrastructure investments on the territory of the city. This paper aims to examine the functionality of accessible GIS and to indicate how they can be enhanced with analytical modeling capabilities for the needs of the considered community.

Hydrologic and hydrodynamic modelling of extreme flood events to assess the impact of climate change in a large basin with limited data

AbstractFlood modelling of a large basin like the Fitzroy is a difficult task due to its large catchment size, the long duration of flood events, the non‐uniform spatial distribution of rainfall and a lack of required data for modelling purposes. This paper presents a systematic methodology for the flood modelling of the Fitzroy Basin using hydrologic and hydrodynamic modelling approach with Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities. This study developed five flood scenarios analysing historical flood events and considering three impacts of climate change: upstream subcatchments flooding, local rainfall fluctuations and sea level rise. A hydrologic model was developed within the wider Fitzroy Basin with the five upstream subcatchments and the upper Fitzroy subcatchment in order to simulate discharge data for these scenarios at the Gap measurement location. An integrated hydrologic–hydrodynamic model was developed for the lower Fitzroy subcatchment where output discharges of the hydrologic model were considered as the upstream boundaries. The peak flood levels, peak flow rates and flood inundation durations at Rockhampton city were identified using this integrated model. GIS capabilities were specially used for automatic watershed delineation and river cross‐section extraction from Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data. The methodology proposed here is a case study and can be applied to other similar basins or catchments.

Do Privacy and Privilege Converge? Thoughts on the Coming Storm of Privilege-Based Privacy Affordance

The extraordinary capabilities of networked information systems increase and amplify social, political and economic inequities by collecting damning information about people and groups, permanently storing it, and making it available for replication and ongoing analytics. Information systems and data sets reflect the biases of the people who create them, and as such, are inscribed with their socio-cultural baggage and worldviews. The people most harmed by information systems are those with the least social power, or “privilege,” because their hardships are meticulously documented and judged by state and commercial surveillant assemblages and associated scoring and profiling systems. Those with privilege experience fewer harms and enjoy a range of digital affordances to enhance and preserve their social and economic power. States of privilege are reified and social divides worsened by information technology that disadvantages “unprivileged” people, and contributes to their continued marginalization, while sheltering and entrenching the socially dominant. In this paper I argue that ICT capabilities, political trends, and market forces working together amplify preexisting inequalities through the enablement of selective and discriminatory privacy invasion. These trends are expressed through the previously impossible depth, granularity, and ubiquity of commercial and state surveillance, supported by immense computing power and widespread technology adoption. Those with greater social power (“privilege”) are better positioned to avoid unwanted surveillance and are the likely beneficiaries of the tracking and sorting of those with less privilege. “Weblining,” or the offering/withholding of services and opportunities based on discriminatory user profiling, is just one increasingly evident artifact. Through the availability of “boutique” data tools and services, and the power of linked data and algorithmic processing, power and privilege are not merely transferred to the online/networked world, they are reified and amplified in ways that increase existing inequalities, signifying deeper social divisions and greater injustices in the years to come.

Geospatial analytics for federally managed tourism destinations and their demand markets

Abstract Understanding geospatial demand for destinations can improve management decisions affecting destination planning, marketing, natural preservation, and resident as well as visitor experiences. Visualization and analysis of demand markets are significantly enhanced by the capabilities of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology and help to support management objectives. This study implements traditional desktop GIS as well as a free, web-delivered decision-support tool for tourism planning and marketing to assess ~7.5 million overnight accommodation reservations made for federal recreational facilities between 1999 and 2007. Visitor origin frequency and median travel distance for overnight accommodations are summarized by visitor zip code and by facility. National results indicate: (1) facilities in the west, the Great Lakes and the southern Appalachians regions draw overnight visitors from the greatest median distances; (2) residents in the Northeast have the lowest per-capita utilization; (3) residents within the south-central Midwest and central-west Southern States have the highest percapita utilization and tend strongly toward local overnight reservations. Three selected national park regions are used to illustrate destinations characterized by highly localized utilization (Hot Springs National Park, AR), both local and regional utilization (Yosemite National Park, CA) and regionally to nationally dispersed utilization with few local residents reserving overnight accommodations (Canyonlands National Park, UT). Market profiling derived from local, regional and national customer origin markets can help any tourism destination, including national parks and their gateway communities, make smarter management and marketing decisions.

Travel patterns of cancer surgery patients in a regionalized system

BackgroundRegionalization of complex surgeries has increased patient travel distances possibly leaving a substantial burden on those at risk for poorer surgical outcomes. To date, little is known about travel patterns of cancer surgery patients in regionalized settings. To inform this issue, we sought to assess travel patterns of those undergoing a major cancer surgery within a regionalized system. Materials and methodsWe identified 4733 patients who underwent lung, esophageal, gastric, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal resections from 2002–2014 within a multihospital system in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Patient age, race and/or ethnicity, and insurance status were extracted from electronic health records. We used Geographical Information System capabilities in R software to estimate travel distance and map patient addresses based on cancer surgery type and these characteristics. We used visual inspection, analysis of variance, and interaction analyses to assess the distribution of travel distances between patient populations. ResultsA total of 48.2% of patients were non-white, 49.9% were aged >65 y, and 54.9% had private insurance. Increased travel distance was associated with decreasing age and those undergoing pancreatic and esophageal resections. Also, black patients tend to travel shorter distances than other racial and/or ethnic groups. ConclusionsThese maps offer a preliminary understanding into variations of geospatial travel patterns among patients receiving major cancer surgery in a Mid-Atlantic regionalized setting. Future research should focus on the impact of regionalization on timely delivery of surgical care and other quality metrics.

Siting Carbon Conversion Energy Facilities With Spatial Multicriteria Decision Analysis

Wyoming is known for its abundance of fossil fuels, and has a significant infrastructure to support the production of these traditional energy resources. With increased demand for more diverse energy sources, a need has emerged to pursue new, innovative energy development approaches. This article describes the application of spatial multicriteria analysis to explore potential for carbon conversion energy facilities in Wyoming. Spatial multicriteria analysis is an important capability of geographic information systems, applying multiple criteria evaluation to place-based problems such as facilities siting. Two cases are presented concerning synthetic gas production—the siting of a small-scale coal gasification facility to support a public–private research partnership, and development of a statewide suitability model for commercialization of high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor technology. Results demonstrate that success and challenges with multicriteria techniques are influenced by the availability of quality geospatial data, accessibility of computational processing resources, and committed engagement and utilization of domain experts.

The Role of IS Capabilities in the Development of Multi-Sided Platforms: The Digital Ecosystem Strategy of Alibaba.com

Multi-sided platforms (MSP) are revolutionizing the global competitive landscape in the new networked economy. Yet, although these MSPs are underpinned by information systems (IS), there is currently little research on how the IS capabilities of the platform sponsor can influence, and co-evolve with, the development of the platform over time. The lack of knowledge in this area may account for the difficulties faced by a significant number of platform sponsors in developing their MSPs effectively. Using a case study of Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest and most commercially successful online MSP, we inductively derive a process theory of MSP development from an IS capability perspective to address this knowledge gap. The process model reveals that the role of IS capabilities in MSP development is evolutionary in nature, and the antecedent IS capabilities, nature, and outcomes of MSP development can be dramatically different in the various stages of development.

KINERJA SISTEM INFORMASI YANG DIDUKUNG OLEH MANAJEMEN PUNCAK

This study aimed to examine the effect of top management support and the ability of users of accounting information systems on the performance of accounting information systems using system user satisfaction measure. The methods used to collect research data is a survey method data obtained by distributing questionnaires to the respondents. Research data based on user perceptions of respondents accounting information system by 30 respondents from bank bjb Cabang Suci. In this study, the test data used method is validity, reliability testing, and classical assumption. Then multiple linear regression analysis was used to test the hypothesis. Results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the support of top management and accounting capabilities of information systems users significant positive effect on the performance of accounting information systems either partially or simultaneously.

Organizational Competencies and Dynamic Accounting Information System Capability: Impact on AIS Processes and Firm Performance

ABSTRACTAccounting information systems (AIS) capture and process accounting data and provide valuable information for decision makers. However, in a rapidly changing environment, continual management of the AIS is necessary for organizations to optimize performance outcomes. We suggest that building a dynamic AIS capability enables accounting process and organizational performance. Using the dynamic capabilities framework (Teece 2007) we propose that a dynamic AIS capability can be developed through the synergy of three competencies: having (1) a flexible AIS, (2) a complementary business intelligence system, and (3) accounting professionals with IT technical competency. Using survey data, we find evidence of a positive association between a dynamic AIS capability, accounting process performance, and overall firm performance. The results suggest that developing a dynamic AIS resource can add value to an organization. This study provides guidance for organizations looking to leverage the performance outcomes of their AIS environment.

Organization’s Performance, Customer Value and the Functional Capabilities of Information Systems

This study investigates how the functional capabilities of information systems, such as workforce management, innovation, and monitoring, affect the creation of customer value that leads to organizational performance. A cross-sectional field study (i.e., survey questionnaire) was conducted with 104 small- and medium-sized enterprises in the service industry in Malaysia. Results from the study suggest that information systems functional capabilities do influence the creation of customer value and ultimately organizational performance.

Decision Support Systems (DSS) Capabilities and Competencies Impact on Firm Performance: A Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity

The study emphasizes the importance of Decision support systems (DSS) for corporate performance. Prior studies have been reviewed to validate theories that explain how Decision support systems (DSS) affect corporate performance. Decision support systems (DSS) provides information that is valuable to take decisions and reflects current economic, and financial state of the company: efficiency, output rates, information on the effect of different events, that relate to the impact that the employees’ decision has on the performance of other departments. Furthermore, greater management information system capability leads to a higher degree of strategic performance. These and many other factors are suggested to be critical features of DSS that have a direct influence on the financial and strategic performance of companies. This paper uses resource based view in order to explain the importance of DSS capabilities and their direct influence on firm performance. In other words, the main idea behind the paper involves the analysis of company performance based on how information system capabilities are used. For this purpose, this paper formulates conceptual framework which explains the link of DSS capabilities to absorptive capacity through the interaction of market access competency, integrated related competency, functionality related competency. Finally, the influence of DSS capabilities is described in terms of their influence on companies market based and operation performance.

Decision Support Systems (DSS) Capabilities and Competencies Impact on Firm Performance: A Mediating Role of Absorptive Capacity

The study emphasizes the importance of Decision support systems (DSS) for corporate performance. Prior studies have been reviewed to validate theories that explain how Decision support systems (DSS) affect corporate performance. Decision support systems (DSS) provides information that is valuable to take decisions and reflects current economic, and financial state of the company: efficiency, output rates, information on the effect of different events, that relate to the impact that the employees’ decision has on the performance of other departments. Furthermore, greater management information system capability leads to a higher degree of strategic performance. These and many other factors are suggested to be critical features of DSS that have a direct influence on the financial and strategic performance of companies. This paper uses resource based view in order to explain the importance of DSS capabilities and their direct influence on firm performance. In other words, the main idea behind the paper involves the analysis of company performance based on how information system capabilities are used. For this purpose, this paper formulates conceptual framework which explains the link of DSS capabilities to absorptive capacity through the interaction of market access competency, integrated related competency, functionality related competency. Finally, the influence of DSS capabilities is described in terms of their influence on companies market based and operation performance.

Achieving an Information System's Capability through C2

The authors present a literature review of command and control, linking sociological elements of academic research to military research in a novel way. They will discuss task modeling literature (seen in human machine interaction studies), general aspects of collectives and military and academic research on command and control, studies of autonomous systems and considerations of interactions between humans and autonomous agents. Based on the survey and associations between aspects from these fields, the authors compose a recommendation list for aspects crucial to building of information systems capable of achieving their true capability, through command and control.