Using an Online Virtual Server to Simulate Network Administration

Participants in the rapidly changing computer networking arena face the significant challenge of keeping up with technologies that are often expensive to deploy, making it particularly difficult to gain hands-on experience. A survey of current job descriptions indicates that Microsoft systems continue to experience strong interest among employers. Learning alternatives are considered with a focus on a new solution to the problem of hands-on experience that has been provided by Microsoft, a virtual server lab that is available on-line and is free. Features of this virtual lab are explained, and the results of an experiment to integrate this lab into a networking course are discussed

Improving the Effectiveness of End-User Training Outcomes

End-user training (EUT) does not deliver the expected value to the organisations when end users do not transfer the skills learned to their workplace. Training effectiveness occurs when end users not only have the ability but are willing to transfer the skill learned to improve their job. This study proposes a model of EUT effectiveness which explicitly considers training effectiveness outcomes and incorporates attitude and motivation as two key antecedents. We propose a longitudinal field experiment to examine the influence of persuasive communication and goal-matching on EUT effectiveness. The proposed theoretical framework is based on a thorough review of literature from multiple disciplines such as Psychology, Education, Organisational Behaviour and Information Systems

Examining the perceptions of information technology in an elite sporting organization

Copyright © 2016 International Business Information Management Association In recent years, technology has enabled sporting organisations to become innovators in the global sports arena. Elite sporting teams and bodies are becoming increasingly dependant on technology for daily operations and subsequently these organisations are more and more reliant on technological developments in sport. Player training and management technologies and team performance tools have given sporting organizations the avenues to become more competitive. Organizations invest in information technology for many reasons, for example cutting costs, increase in production and services without increasing costs, improving the quality of services or products and sporting organizations and bodies are no different in looking to technology to gain competitive edges as well as improvement of athlete preparation. However, in spite of these innovations and the potential to gain competitive edges, some seem to struggle with technology resulting in an ambiguous and sometimes negative perceptions of IT services. This work examines the building of credibility in sporting organizations through education and the development of positive perceptions of information technology. The findings provide a basis for further studies and possible trials of differing education formats in technology to further develop both the positive acceptance of sports related technologies and assist in improving the sporting organization's environment

Developing of information system users knowledge and competence in technical services

Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on selvittää miten tietojärjestelmäkäyttäjien tietoa ja osaamista voidaan lisätä. Ongelmaa lähestytään tutkimuksen kohteena olevan organisaation tietohallinto-osaston, sekä sen tukiryhmän näkökulmasta ja painopiste on niissä asioissa, joihin tietohallinto-osastolla on oman toimintansa puitteissa mahdollisuus vaikuttaa. Näitä ovat tietohallinto-osaston oman tukiryhmän toiminta ongelmanratkaisutilanteissa sekä käyttäjäkoulutukset pitäen sisällään luokkaopetuksen ja verkkokoulutuksen sekä tietojärjestelmien työohjeistuksen. Tutkimuksessa ongelmaa lähestytään tukiryhmän toiminnan osalta tiedon luomisen ja jakamisen näkökulmasta, sekä pyritään todentamaan tukiryhmän keskeinen rooli tiedon kauttakulkupaikkana. Koulutuksen osalta ongelmaa lähestytään oppimisstrategian ja koulutusstrategian käsitteiden kautta. Tutkimuksen aineisto koostuu tutkimuksen tekijän havainnoista viiden vuoden työskentelyn aikana organisaation tukiryhmässä sekä organisaation avainkäyttäjien haastatteluista. Haastatteluissa käytettiin menetelmänä teemahaastattelua. Tutkimuksen perusteella organisaation tukiryhmä voi edistää tiedon ja osaamisen kasvua organisaatiossa keskittymällä tarjoamaan käyttäjille perusteltuja ratkaisuja heidän ongelmiinsa sekä dokumentoimalla paitsi ratkaisut, niin myös ratkaisun syntyprosessi. Lisäksi organisaation tietomäärän kasvattamiseksi, sekä tukiryhmän työkuorman vähentämiseksi, organisaation tulisi luoda itselleen organisaation strategioita tukeva oppimisstrategia sekä sen vaatimat koulutusstrategiat.The purpose of this research is to study the means of developing the knowledge and competence of information system users. The study approaches the problem through the information technology department of the research organization and its support group as well as through the means that are available for the department. The means available are the support activity performed by the support group and the information systems training, including classroom sessions, eLearning and user instructions. The research material of this study consists of researcher's perceptions cumulated during the five years of employement in the organizations support group and of theme interviews performed with organization's super users. The research implies that the support group has a unique position in the organization regarding to knowledge and information flows. Through this position it can assist users in developing their knowledge by explaining the given solutions to the problems and by documenting not only the solutions but also the process that had led to the solution. To increase the organizations knowledge base the organization should create and implement a learning strategy that supports organizational strategies as well as create appropriate training strategies to meet the goals set in the learning strategy

Measuring the Effect of E-Learning on Job Performance

E-learning is becoming a leading delivery method in workplace-learning settings across organizations of various sectors and of varying sizes. The ultimate goal is to drive business results. Managers need to provide evidence of a positive impact on corporate strategy and investment objectives. If the business goal cannot be identified, there should be a query on why it is there in the first place. Transfer of the knowledge learned in the training session to the work situation is not built into most skills training delivery, especially those provided through e-learning. The outcomes and the effects of training on job performance are not measured because no method currently exists for credible evaluation. This problem exists across the Information Technology (IT) industry. Constant IT innovation makes technical competencies a fundamental requirement and continuous IT skills training a necessity. The trainee may have acquired the appropriate new skill, but the work environment to which the employee returns may make practicing what was learned counterproductive. The goal of the dissertation was to produce a valid and reliable instrument to measure the alignment of IT e-learning with corporate and departmental strategies. The instrument will be valuable to industries with IT departments. The methodology for this study followed the Kirkpatrick Model, specifically Level 3, an evaluation that measures behavioral change on the job. The evaluation included specific application of the special knowledge or skills learned in the training. IT employees were surveyed after the completion of an online training class. The results indicated the frequency and effectiveness of the on-the-job application. In addition, open-ended questions provided feedback on the survey instrument and the training. Utilized by corporations, the balanced scorecard approach was followed to track the argument of online training with organizational goals. This approach includes a method to develop a measure such as strategy maps that depict overall organization strategic themes to improve the link between training and corporate strategy

Factors Influencing Customer Satisfaction towards E-shopping in Malaysia

Online shopping or e-shopping has changed the world of business and quite a few people have decided to work with these features. What their primary concerns precisely and the responses from the globalisation are the competency of incorporation while doing their businesses. E-shopping has also increased substantially in Malaysia in recent years. The rapid increase in the e-commerce industry in Malaysia has created the demand to emphasize on how to increase customer satisfaction while operating in the e-retailing environment. It is very important that customers are satisfied with the website, or else, they would not return. Therefore, a crucial fact to look into is that companies must ensure that their customers are satisfied with their purchases that are really essential from the ecommerce’s point of view. With is in mind, this study aimed at investigating customer satisfaction towards e-shopping in Malaysia. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed among students randomly selected from various public and private universities located within Klang valley area. Total 369 questionnaires were returned, out of which 341 questionnaires were found usable for further analysis. Finally, SEM was employed to test the hypotheses. This study found that customer satisfaction towards e-shopping in Malaysia is to a great extent influenced by ease of use, trust, design of the website, online security and e-service quality. Finally, recommendations and future study direction is provided. Keywords: E-shopping, Customer satisfaction, Trust, Online security, E-service quality, Malaysia

Metodología de implantación de modelos de gestión de la información dentro de los sistemas de planificación de recursos empresariales. Aplicación en la pequeña y mediana empresa

La Siguiente Generación de Sistemas de Fabricación (SGSF) trata de dar respuesta a los requerimientos de los nuevos modelos de empresas, en contextos de inteligencia, agilidad y adaptabilidad en un entono global y virtual. La Planificación de Recursos Empresariales (ERP) con soportes de gestión del producto (PDM) y el ciclo de vida del producto (PLM) proporciona soluciones de gestión empresarial sobre la base de un uso coherente de tecnologías de la información para la implantación en sistemas CIM (Computer-Integrated Manufacturing), con un alto grado de adaptabilidad a la estnictura organizativa deseada. En general, esta implementación se lleva desarrollando hace tiempo en grandes empresas, siendo menor (casi nula) su extensión a PYMEs. La presente Tesis Doctoral, define y desarrolla una nueva metodología de implementación pan la generación automática de la información en los procesos de negocio que se verifican en empresas con requerimientos adaptados a las necesidades de la SGSF, dentro de los sistemas de gestión de los recursos empresariales (ERP), atendiendo a la influencia del factor humano. La validez del modelo teórico de la metodología mencionada se ha comprobado al implementarlo en una empresa del tipo PYME, del sector de Ingeniería. Para el establecimiento del Estado del Arte de este tema se ha diseñado y aplicado una metodología específica basada en el ciclo de mejora continua de Shewhart/Deming, aplicando las herramientas de búsqueda y análisis bibliográfico disponibles en la red con acceso a las correspondientes bases de datos