Information Systems Theory Research Articles

Book Reviews

In Book Reviews, we review an extensive and diverse range of books. They cover theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems. In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. The editor will be pleased to receive an email from those willing to review a book, with an indication of specific areas of interest. If you are aware of a specific book that you would like to review, or that you think should be reviewed, please contact the editor. The following books are reviewed in this issue of Interfaces, 43(5), September–October, 2013: Optimization for Industrial Problems, Patrick Bangert; Quantitative Problem Solving Methods in the Airline Industry, Cynthia Barnhart and Barry Smith; Introduction to Probability and Stochastic Processes with Applications, Liliana Blanco Castañeda, Viswanathan Arunachalam, and Selvamuthu Dharmaraja; Humanitarian Logistics: Cross-Sector Cooperation in Disaster Relief Management, Alessandra Cozzolino; Enterprise Analytics: Optimize Performance, Process, and Decisions Through Big Data, Thomas H. Davenport; Automation in Warehouse Development, Roelof Hamberg and Jacques Verriet; Data Processing for the AHP/ANP, Kou Gang, Daji Ergu, Yi Peng, and Yong Shi. Modeling with Stochastic Programming, Alan J. King and Stein W. Wallace.

Application of Behavioral Theory in Predicting Consumers Adoption Behavior

A society produces some values, ideas, intentions, and speculations about the human personality. These perceived psychological phenomena depend on rules, regulations, relationships, culture, tradition, etc. Depending on cultural factors, the behavioral intention to adopt online system operated through information and communication technology (ICT) can be affected vividly. Since adoption of ICT potentially depends on citizens’ beliefs and attitude toward technology, adoption behavior of users should be revealed considering citizens behavioral differences. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by Davis et al. (1989) is a strong information system theory that models how users come to accept and use a technology. However, the foundation of TAM including many other ICT adoption models has been developed from the deep insight of two popular and widely used behavioral theories named Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). To understand ICT adoption behavior, these two theories can provide generalized concept of human behavioral attitude and different beliefs which ultimately lead to behavioral intention to adopt ICT. This study has set its first objective to explore TRA and TPB as the theoretical foundation of behavioral attitude toward ICT-based online adoption. Then, based on that theoretical paradigm, our second objective focuses on developing a theoretical framework of revealing generalized ICT adoption and diffusion behavior.

Eco-service value evaluation based on eco-economic functional regionalization in a typical basin of northwest arid area, China

Ecosystem services are the basis of human living and development. Land use has significant effects on the ecosystem structure and functions, even its services. Using the remote sensing (RS), geographical information system and ecological economy theory, this paper analyzed land use changes of different eco-economic functional areas in Manas River Basin during the period 1958–2006 using different stage RS images. This paper selects the evaluation method obtained by Costanza et al. and Xie Gaodi, and the ecological sensitivity coefficient analysis, which analyzed the variation characteristics of eco-service values of different eco-economic functional areas. The results showed that the land use pattern has changed greatly from 1958 to 2006. The area of farmland and industrial area increased rapidly, while the forest area, grassland, water area and unutilized area decreased greatly. The total eco-service value of the river basin decreased from 3,529.64 US$ × 106 in 1958 to 2,559.88 US$ × 106 in 2006. There was 27.47 % net loss of 969.76 US$ × 106. The eco-service values of various land use types in the study area were close to the regional real values and the results were credible. There existed apparent temporal and spatial changes in the eco-service values of different eco-economic functional areas, and this significant change in the eco-service values was driven by economic development. Consequently, in view of eco-economic characteristics and ecological issues of various eco-economic functional areas, relevant strategies of ecological conservation were proposed for enhancing the general eco-service value of the river basin and realizing the regional sustainable development. The ‘‘yuan’’ is Chinese money unit (¥), US$1 = ¥6.27 (yuan).

From Use to Effective Use: A Representation Theory Perspective

Information systems must be used effectively to obtain maximum benefits from them. However, despite a great deal of research on when and why systems are used, very little research has examined what effective system use involves and what drives it. To move from use to effective use requires understanding an information system's nature and purpose, which in turn requires a theory of information systems. We draw on representation theory, which states that an information system is made up of several structures that serve to represent some part of the world that a user and other stakeholders must understand. From this theory, we derive a high-level framework of how effective use and performance evolve, as well as specific models of the nature and drivers of effective use. The models are designed to explain the effective use of any information system and offer unique insights that would not be offered by traditional views, which tend to consider information systems to be just another tool. We explain how our theory extends existing research, provides a rich platform for research on effective use, and how it contributes back to the theory of information systems from which it was derived.

Research on Technical Support Management Information System of RFID-Based Some Certain Equipment

In recent years, with a rapid development of some certain equipment, the level of technical support capabilities has become the key point to restricting the development of combat capability of armed forces. Based on the characteristics of technical support work of some certain equipment, this paper uses the theory of management information system (MIS) to discuss the design program of technical support management information of RFID-based some certain equipment from the basic functions of the system, architecture, hardware and software design and key technologies of system realization.

Green IS

While in the past information technology was mostly seen as a contributor to environmental degradation, recent studies suggest that information systems (IS) can indeed enable sustainable processes, products, and services. Specifically, information systems are expected to create an impact on individual beliefs about environmental sustainability, enable more sustainable work practices through virtualization and remote work, enable organizations to meet compliance imperatives and social norms, or increase resource efficiency. In this context, notions such as energy informatics or green business process management have emerged. The IS discipline is thus challenged to explore the potential of information systems to contribute to the betterment of the natural environment by enabling more sustainable work practices at individual, organizational, and societal levels. This special focus issue invites rigorous studies employing various research designs. The focus is on solution-oriented studies that show how the transformative power of IS can be leveraged in order to lessen our impact on the natural environment, which is under imminent pressure. Prospective studies thus range from the development and testing of new theory that explains how IS can support environmentally friendly behavior to design-oriented studies on the development of solutions for environmental sustainability. At this, we see one specific challenge in understanding how sustainability-related IS phenomena are different to “conventional” areas of investigation, typically focusing on mere economic imperatives including time, cost, and quality. Contributions from research and business practice on the following (and related) topics are invited: Information systems designs for sustainable work practices IT-enabled sustainability transformation The application of IS theories to sustainability-related phenomena Research methods for the investigation of sustainability-related phenomena Information systems and beliefs about environmental sustainability Supply chain management and sustainability Business intelligence and performance management for sustainability Systems approaches towards ITenabled environmental sustainability Sustainability solutions Energy informatics Green business process management 2 Submission

Book Reviews

In Book Reviews, we review an extensive and diverse range of books. They cover theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems. In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. The editor will be pleased to receive an e-mail from those willing to review a book, with an indication of specific areas of interest. If you are aware of a specific book that you would like to review, or that you think should be reviewed, please contact the editor. The following books are reviewed in this issue of Interfaces, 43(4), July–August, 2013: Value-Added Decision Making for Managers, Kenneth Chelst and Yavuz Burak Canbolat; Risk Analysis in Stochastic Supply Chains: A Mean-Risk Approach, Tsan-Ming Choi and Chun-Hung Chiu; In Pursuit of the Traveling Salesman, William J. Cook; Recent Advances in System Reliability: Signatures, Multi-state Systems and Statistical Inference, Anatoly Lisnianski and Ilia Frenkel, eds.; Dynamic Fleet Management for International Truck Transportation, Steffen Schorpp; and Operative Transportation Planning: Solutions in Consumer Goods Supply Chain, Thorben Seiler.

Applications of Stakeholder Theory in Information Systems and Technology

Abstract. Stakeholder theory has its origins in management literature. Preston (1999) traces the notion of stakeholders back to the great depression in the United States (1929-1941), when the General Electric company defined four major stakeholder groups - shareholders, employees, customers, and the general public. Stakeholder management has become an important tool to transfer ethics to management practice and strategy. Few management topics have generated more debate in recent decades than the underlying notion, the model and the theories surrounding stakeholders (Donaldson and Preston, 1995; Gibson, 2000; Wolfe and Putler, 2002; Friedman and Miles, 2006). The visual power of the stakeholder model and its high simplicity are seen as contributors to the success of the stakeholder concept (Fassin, 2008). An increasing interrelation is observed between the concepts of stakeholder theory, corporate responsibility, and business ethics (Valor, 2005; Garriga et al., 2004). The stakeholder approach in the organization integrates stakeholder relationships within a company’s resource base, industry setting, and socio-political arena into a single analytical framework (Susniene and Sargunas, 2009). Mumford (1979) is one of the early researchers in supporting the involvement of end-users as a component of effective information systems development and implementation, using essentially the stakeholder concept in this domain. It has been proved that end-users and managers are very important towards successful system implementation. As more interorganizational information systems are developed which usually involve strategic decisions, a yet wider range of stakeholders needs to be involved (Pouloudi, 1999). In these systems the attention may switch from end-users and focus on those parties that are external to the organization, but who can also be associated in decision making at a managerial or strategic level (Pouloudi and Whitely, 1997). One of the most thorough investigations of the stakeholder concept in information systems research that relates information systems stakeholders with implementation failure was made as an early work by Lyytinen and Hirschheim (1987, 1988). They argue that failure is conditional on the capability of information system to meet the expectations of different stakeholders - i.e. to say an information system may be considered successful by some stakeholder but a failure by others. The concept of stakeholder represents a progression from developer – and user – centered problems to organization-wide and inter organizational information system problems. This is a sign of maturity of information systems research to show how holistic representation of the parties involved in the more complex systems currently developed (Pouloudi, 1999). Stakeholder theory proposes an ethical use of stakeholder concept in Information systems as ethical considerations and professional conduct is a significant issue in information system. The stakeholder theory is extensively used in management in investigating organizational ambiance, strategic management, ethical concerns, business planning process, e-government, project management, environment management, etc. Recently stakeholders are also seen as means to more successful information and communication technologies and information system development and implementation issues. The paper presents stakeholder theory, its origin and applications in Information Systems (IS) field in the literature. The main objective of this research is to build up the knowledge body of stakeholder applications in information systems and technology areas.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.24.3.4618

Book Reviews

In Book Reviews, we review an extensive and diverse range of books. They cover theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems. In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. The editor will be pleased to receive an email from those willing to review a book, with an indication of specific areas of interest. If you are aware of a specific book that you would like to review, or that you think should be reviewed, please contact the editor. The following books are reviewed in this issue of Interfaces, 43(3), May–June 2013: The Signal and the Noise, Nate Silver; Switchpoints for the Future of Logistics, Ingo Wieck, Martin Streichfuss, Thorsten Klaas-Wissing, and Wolfgang Stölzle; Calculating Catastrophe, Gordon Woo; Handbook of Healthcare System Scheduling, Randolph Hall; Hybrid Algorithms for Service, Computing and Manufacturing Systems: Routing and Scheduling Solutions, Jairo R. Montoya-Torres, Angel A. Juan Luisa, Huaccho Huatuco, Javier Faulin, and Gloria L. Rodriguez-Verjan; Calculating Success, Carl Hoffman, Eric Lesser, and Tim Ringo.

信息几何理论与应用研究进展

Information geometry is the fundamental and cutting-edge discipline that explores statistical problems on Riemannian manifolds of probability distributions using the methods of differential geometry. It has been identified as the second generation of modern information theory pioneered by Shannon, and exhibits great potential in developing the field of information science and systems theory. This paper begins defining the scientific content of information geometry from the intrinsic geometrical structures of parameterized families of probability distributions as well as geometric properties of information; it points out theoretical advantages and methodological innovations of information geometry compared with classical statistics and information theory. Next, the paper briefly introduces connections between information geometry and differential geometry, and elaborates the history of information geometry as well as its applications to various areas such as neural networks, statistical inference, communications and coding, systems and control theory, physics and medical imaging, among others. In particular, the applications of information geometry to signal processing, including the latest results of geometric methods of signal detection, nonlinear parameter estimation, and filtering, are comprehensively introduced. The basic ideas and methods of information geometry are also summarized. Finally, by viewing prospects for the development of information geometry, several open problems of information geometry in applications to signal processing are proposed.

Speech Information Processing: Theory and Applications [Scanning the Issue

The articles in this special issue are devoted to the topic of speech information processing, key technologicial and systems theories, and applications for its use.

Book Reviews

In Book Reviews, we review an extensive and diverse range of books. They cover theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems. In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. The editor will be pleased to receive an e-mail from those willing to review a book, with an indication of specific areas of interest. If you are aware of a specific book that you would like to review, or that you think should be reviewed, please contact the editor. The following books are reviewed in this issue of Interfaces, 43(2), March–April 2013: Decision Support: An Examination of the DSS Discipline, David Schuff, David Paradice, Frada Burstein, Daniel Power, and Ramesh Sharda, eds.; Quantitative Methods in Supply Chain Management Models and Algorithms, Ioannis T. Christou; Multi-Criteria Analysis in the Renewable Energy Industry (Green Energy and Technology), José Ramón San Cristóbal Mateo; Decision Policies for Production Networks, Dieter Armbruster and Karl G. Kempf, eds.; Taming the Big Data Tidal Wave, Bill Franks; and Demand Flexibility in Supply Chain Planning, Joseph Geunes.

Exploring the Antecedents to Learning Continuance in Virtual Worlds

Many education institutes are planning to use virtual worlds to offer distance education programs and to reach potential students globally. However, the success of such programs depends on students’ willingness to use virtual worlds for learning continuously. Students’ learning continuance helps to decrease the drop-out rate of the programs. Motivated thus, this study uses the lenses of the balanced thinking-feelings model and socio-constructivism to model how students’ personal learning and social learning experiences influence virtual world learning continuance. Our results show that the utilitarian and hedonic values are critical to learners’ continuous intention of virtual world learning, and they are influenced by learners’ social learning experiences. Social learning factors are also found to interact with students’ personal learning factors to influence their perceived utilitarian and hedonic values of virtual world learning. The findings provide theoretical implications by integrating information systems theories and education psychology to understand the factors influencing the virtual world learning continuance in a systematic way. The findings also provide educators empirical evidence on what influences users’ learning continuance in virtual worlds.

Book Reviews

In Book Reviews, we review an extensive and diverse range of books. They cover theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems. In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. The editor will be pleased to receive an e-mail from those willing to review a book, with an indication of specific areas of interest. If you are aware of a specific book that you would like to review, or that you think should be reviewed, please contact the editor. The following books are reviewed in this issue of Interfaces, 43(1), January–February 2013: Supply Chain Simulation: A System Dynamics Approach for Improving Performance, Francisco Campuzano and Josefa Mula; Models Behaving Badly, Emanuel Derman; Design of Modern Heuristics, Franz Rothlauf; Deterministic Global Optimization: Geometric Branch-and-Bound Methods and Their Applications, Daniel Scholz; Project Management with Dynamic Scheduling—Baseline Scheduling, Risk Analysis and Project Control, Mario Vanhoucke; Optimal Control Theory with Applications in Economics, Thomas A. Weber.

Wireless Power and Information Synchronous Transmission Technology Based on Magnetic Resonance

In order to solve the problem that electromagnetic induction widely used now is just suited to short distance transmission, and study on the transmission characteristics of wireless power transmission system based on magnetic resonant coupling, a novel method that the two separate-coupling coils achieve wireless power and information synchronous transmission is proposed. The basic theory of wireless power transmission and information system is introduced. The condition that resonant frequency splitting phenomenon is produced of a contact-less power transmission system has been deduced, and it depend on the length of distance between the two coils. The principle prototype of transmission system is designed, and transmission characteristics of the system are analyzed by simulation and experiment. Based on circuit formulation, maximum efficiency is found to exist. The results show that the method of wireless power and information synchronous transmission system is in agreement with theoretical analysis.

A Framework for Rapid Impact Assessment with special reference to wildfires

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology is a powerful tool that can support decision-making in all the facets of disaster risk management. Being at the centre of all disaster risk management functions, GIS activities such as data acquisition, processing, analysis and visualisation should be seamless from planning to prediction, preparation, response and recovery. A case study of devastating wildfires that destroyed thousands of hectares of agricultural land during August 2011 in the North-West province, South Africa, identifies the lack of a comprehensive framework within which information-based disaster impact assessments are undertaken and which is integrated with the larger context of disaster risk management. Problems relating to the availability, quality and integration of data are typical of the ad hoc approach to the implementation of information technologies, indicating the need for an integrated and coordinated approach. The aim of this paper is to establish a framework for rapid impact assessment, with specific reference to geospatial data management. The framework is put into the theoretical context of disaster risk management and information management, with data acquisition and processing functions being anchored in the principles of information systems theory.

An empirical investigation of 3D-based information systems success for online retailers

Using the theory of information systems (IS) and theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study aims to investigate the three dimensional (3D) based product presentations success for the online retailers. Particularly, this article is implementing the 3D technology in the laptops industry. In order to test our model, we designed a hypothetical retailer website which presents a variety of laptops. The way we have designed our website allows users to see the presented product from different angles, rotate the product and custom design the colours of the laptops. Further, the designed website allows participants to control the content and form of the 3D flashes. Also the 3D site allows participants to get information about the laptops’ attributes and prices. Our results indicate strong support for the research model. We found that 3D information and system quality are significant determinants for satisfaction and trust which in return impact purchase intention.

Pengaruh Partisipasi Pemakai Terhadap Kepuasan Pemakai Dalam Pengembangan Sistem Informasi Dengan Faktor Kontinjensi Dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Kinerja Pemakai Pada Perusahaan Menengah Di Kalimantan Timur

This study examines behavioral accounting on the basis of the theory of information systems. Respondents in this study were 200 respondents of the users of information systems in medium enteprise in East Kalimantan. The results indicate that user participation in the development of information systems influence user satisfaction in information system development, although the magnitude of the effect is 9%. The result indicates that user - developer communication, task complexcity, system complexcity, user influence, organisation culture moderated the effect of user’s participation on user’s satisfaction in information system development. It was also found that top management support acts as independent predictor on user’s satisfaction in information system development. User-developer communication having positive effetc on user’s satisfaction in information system development. User influence having negative effect on user’s satisfaction in information system development. Task complexcity and system coplexcity having negative effect on user’s satisfaction in information system development. Organizational culture having positive effect on user’s satisfaction in information system development. User’s satisfaction having positif effect on user’s performance in information system development.Keywords: User’s Participation, Top Management Support, Communication User-Developer, Task Complexity, System Complexity, User’s Influence, Organizational Cul-ture, User’s Satisfaction and User’s Performance.

Book Reviews

In Book Reviews, we review an extensive and diverse range of books. They cover theory and applications in operations research, statistics, management science, econometrics, mathematics, computers, and information systems. In addition, we include books in other fields that emphasize technical applications. The editor will be pleased to receive an email from those willing to review a book, with an indication of specific areas of interest. If you are aware of a specific book that you would like to review, or that you think should be reviewed, please contact the editor. The following books are reviewed in this issue of Interfaces, 42(6), November–December 2012: Not for Free: Revenue Strategies for a New World, Saul J. Berman; Queueing Networks: A Fundamental Approach, Richard J. Boucherie and Nico M. Van Dijk, eds.; Rational Decision Making, Franz Eisenführ, Martin Weber, and Thomas Langer; Trends in Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis, Salvatore Greco, Matthias Ehrgott, and José Rui Figueira, eds.; You're Next!, Terry Green; Multiple Criteria Decision Making: From Early History to the 21st Century, Murat Köksalan, Jyrki Wallenius, and Stanley Zionts; A Strategy for Using Multicriteria Analysis in Decision-Making: A Guide for Simple and Complex Environmental Projects, Nolberto Munier.

An analysis on communication theory and discipline

This research explores the structure and status of theories used in Communication as an alternative for Communication discipline identity research and characteristics evaluation. This research assumes that communication theories are not only ongoing practices of intellectual communities, but also discourse about how theory can address a range of channels, transcend specific technologies and bridge levels of analysis. It examines widely-cited theoretical contentions among academic articles and the connections among these theories. Network analysis suggests that framing theory is the most influential of the identified theories (ranking first in frequency and degree, closeness, betweenness and eigenvector centrality) and serves to link other communication theories and theory groups. While mass communication and technology theories exhibited the highest centrality, interpersonal, persuasion and organization communication theories were grouped together, integrating sub-theories of each group. Framing theory was the most popular and influential communication theory bridging not only mass communication theories, but also interpersonal, technology, information system, health, gender, inter-cultural and organizational communication theories.