The Process of Building Patient Trust in Health Information Exchange (HIE): The Impacts of Perceived Benefits, Perceived Transparency of Privacy Policy, and Familiarity

Exchange technologies such as health information exchanges (HIE) currently lack acceptance theories that consider not only cognitive beliefs that result in adoption behavior but also emotional factors that may influence adoption intention. Based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), the technology-adoption literature, and the trust literature, I theoretically explain and empirically test the impact that perceived benefits, perceived transparency of privacy policy, and familiarity have on cognitive trust and emotional trust in HIE. Moreover, I analyze the effect that cognitive trust and emotional trust have on individuals’ intention to opt into HIE and their willingness to disclose health information. I conducted an online survey using data from individuals who knew about HIE through experiences with providers that participated in a regional consumer-mediated HIE network. In my SEM analysis, I found empirical support for the proposed model. My findings indicate that, when patients know more about HIE benefits, HIE sharing procedures, and privacy guidelines, they feel more in control, more assured, and less at risk. The results also show that patient trust in HIE may take the forms of intentions to opt in to HIE and patients’ willingness to disclose personal health information that providers exchange through the HIE. I discuss the implications my results have for both academics and practitioners

Modeling cost saving and innovativeness for blockchain technology adoption by energy management

In developed nations, the advent of distributed ledger technology is emerging as a new instrument for improving the traditional system in developing nations. Indeed, adopting blockchain technology is a necessary condition for the coming future of organizations. The distributed ledger technology provides better transparency and visibility. This study investigated the features that may influence the behavioral intention of energy experts to implement the distributed ledger technology for the energy management of developing countries. The proposed model is based on the Technology Acceptance Model construct and the diffusion of the innovation construct. Based on a survey of 178 experts working in the energy sector, the proposed model was tested using structural equation modeling. The findings showed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, attitude, and cost saving had a positive and significant impact during the blockchain technology adoption. However, innovativeness showed a positive effect on the perceived ease of use whereas an insignificant impact on the perceived usefulness. The present study offers a holistic model for the implementation of innovative technologies. For the developers, it suggest rising disruptive technology solutions

Intra-organizational knowledge transfer process in Vietnam's information technology companies

Intra-organizational knowledge transfer has attracted much attention of researchers and practitioners in recent years since knowledge transfer has been considered as a critical determinant of an organization’s capacity to confer sustainable competitive advantage. Despite extensive research on knowledge transfer issues, the effect of knowledge transfer on organizational performance still has not been fully examined or attracted adequate empirical testing. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate organizational factors influencing intra-organizational knowledge transfer, and examine the relationship between knowledge transfer process, its antecedents and organizational performance. Drawing on several theoretical streams, an integrated theoretical model of intra organizational knowledge transfer together with 13 hypotheses were developed and tested in the context of IT companies in Vietnam. To achieve the objectives, a triangulation of quantitative and qualitative studies was applied. A quantitative survey was employed to test hypotheses in the conceptual model derived from relevant literature. Data were collected from a survey of 218 managers and technical staff working in 36 IT companies located in Hanoi and HoChiMinh City. Multiple regression techniques were used to analyze the data. A case study research was conducted with the aim of illustrating the intra organizational knowledge transfer process within a company operating in a transition economy like Vietnam. Data for case study were mainly collected by interviewing managers and technical staff during a one-month field study in the FPT Software Solutions Company. The main findings showed that intra-organizational knowledge transfer is most affected by organizational culture, incentive system and organizational structure. Adaptability and solidarity are two culture values enabling the transfer process. A transparent and flexible incentive system motivates individuals to exchange and apply knowledge in their daily work. High level of centralization creates difficulties for social interaction and reduces autonomy and active involvement of employees, vi which are essential for successful knowledge transfer. High formalization facilitates the knowledge transfer process by providing a clear direction for employees and enhancing communication flow through an extensive monitoring and reporting requirement. The frequency of using IT tools did not significantly influence the intra organizational knowledge transfer process after other independent variables were added in the regression model. This suggests either that IT tools may not directly itself is not enough to ensure successful knowledge transfer. Therefore, to facilitate knowledge transfer process, it is important to foster knowledge-sharing attitude through providing greater opportunities for deeper involvement of users in the system. Although the knowledge transfer process was found not to mediate the relationship between its antecedents and organizational performance, the process itself moderately predicts organizational performance. This suggests that intra organizational knowledge transfer process should be considered as one of the factors contributing to company performance. The research has filled gaps in existing literature in several ways. Firstly, it extends our understanding of the important facilitators of intra-organizational knowledge transfer process. Secondly, it attempts to integrate both soft and hard organizational factors to create a comprehensive model of intra-organizational knowledge transfer. Thirdly, it clarifies the role of the intra-organizational knowledge transfer process in improving the company’s performance in a transition economy. Overall, the results of the study contribute to the advancement of research in the area of intra-organizational knowledge transfer and provide practical implications for managers of IT companies in Vietnam by shedding light on determinant factors of knowledge transfer process and examining the link between knowledge transfer process and firm performance

Designing Incentives Enabled Decentralized User Data Sharing Framework

Data sharing practices are much needed to strike a balance between user privacy, user experience, and profit. Different parties collect user data, for example, companies offering apps, social networking sites, and others, whose primary motive is an enhanced business model while giving optimal services to the end-users. However, the collection of user data is associated with serious privacy and security issues. The sharing platform also needs an effective incentive mechanism to realize transparent access to the user data while distributing fair incentives. The emerging literature on the topic includes decentralized data sharing approaches. However, there has been no universal method to track who shared what, to whom, when, for what purpose and under what condition in a verifiable manner until recently, when the distributed ledger technologies emerged to become the most effective means for designing a decentralized peer-to-peer network. This Ph.D. research includes an engineering approach for specifying the operations for designing incentives and user-controlled data-sharing platforms. The thesis presents a series of empirical studies and proposes novel blockchains- and smart contracts-based DUDS (Decentralized User Data Sharing) framework conceptualizing user-controlled data sharing practices. The DUDS framework supports immutability, authenticity, enhanced security, trusted records and is a promising means to share user data in various domains, including among researchers, customer data in e-commerce, tourism applications, etc. The DUDS framework is evaluated via performance analyses and user studies. The extended Technology Acceptance Model and a Trust-Privacy-Security Model are used to evaluate the usability of the DUDS framework. The evaluation allows uncovering the role of different factors affecting user intention to adopt data-sharing platforms. The results of the evaluation point to guidelines and methods for embedding privacy, user transparency, control, and incentives from the start in the design of a data-sharing framework to provide a platform that users can trust to protect their data while allowing them to control it and share it in the ways they want

Exploring Latent Factors Influencing the Adoption of a Processed Food Traceability System in South Korea

Several recalls of dietary supplements and infant formula not only caused direct economic loss to processors but also created distrust of food traceability systems(FTSs) initiated by government. In Korea, mandatory FTS regulations on infant formula and dietary supplements were enacted at the end of 2014, allowing the government to collect electronic traceability data to cope with food outbreaks. The aim of this study is to examine the influence and process of latent factors by developing a theoretical model and testing empirical data from the Korean processed food sector. The particular value of this study is to identify the latent factors influencing the diffusion ofan electronic FTS. Three external factors (organizational adaptability, validity and awareness of FTS) were incorporated into a technology acceptance model (TAM) based on previous studies, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used as a tool for confirmatory analysis. The validity of FTSs has a prominent effect on attitudes toward FTSs and compliance intentions. Contrary to the findings of previous studies, organizational adaptability does not influence a positive effect on attitudes toward FTS. Furthermore, subgroup analysis showedthat retailers reacted significantly to the different influences than manufacturers. The findings of this paper have implications for both policy makers and regulatory authorities. The results of this theoretical and practical study contribute to establishing a conceptual framework and motivate additional researches on FTS adoption and diffusion in processed food sectors

Managing ubiquitous eco cities: the role of urban telecommunication infrastructure networks and convergence technologies

A successful urban management system for a Ubiquitous Eco City requires an integrated approach. This integration includes bringing together economic, socio-cultural and urban development with a well orchestrated, transparent and open decision making mechanism and necessary infrastructure and technologies. Rapidly developing information and telecommunication technologies and their platforms in the late 20th Century improves urban management and enhances the quality of life and place. Telecommunication technologies provide an important base for monitoring and managing activities over wired, wireless or fibre-optic networks. Particularly technology convergence creates new ways in which the information and telecommunication technologies are used. The 21st Century is an era where information has converged, in which people are able to access a variety of services, including internet and location based services, through multi-functional devices such as mobile phones and provides opportunities in the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities. This paper discusses the recent developments in telecommunication networks and trends in convergence technologies and their implications on the management of Ubiquitous Eco Cities and how this technological shift is likely to be beneficial in improving the quality of life and place. The paper also introduces recent approaches on urban management systems, such as intelligent urban management systems, that are suitable for Ubiquitous Eco Cities

Organizational communication on devolved governance: a case of kisii county executive

In the year 2010, Kenya promulgated a new constitution that advocated for a devolved system of governance. This led to the establishment of 47 County governments in the country that are charged with the responsibility of providing services to the local people. Devolution, being a new phenomenon in Kenya, the capacity of the counties to face up with communication challenges and potential structural complexities to ensure that they are managed sustainably is a concern. County Government‟s capacity to entrench communication to ensure proper service delivery remains an area of concern. The purpose of this study was to assist in understanding how organizational communication contribute to the general performance of county governments in Kenya and possibly stimulate the exchange of ideas among public and private experts, policy makers and implementers on policy guidelines for optimal implementation of devolved governance. The specific objectives were to establish how organizational communication channels affect devolved governance in Kisii County, determine the effect of employee communication skills on devolved governance in Kisii County and examine the effect of organizational communication structure on devolved governance in Kisii County. The study targeted 620 employees and a sample size of 86 respondents was used for the study. The location of the research was limited to the county headquarters at the former Municipal building along Kisii-Daraja Mbili road. The study adopted a descriptive research design and also used stratified sampling technique. The study used questionnaires and observation in the collection of primary data while secondary data was obtained through published documents such as books, journals, periodicals, magazines and reports to supplement the primary data. Data was analyzed and presented in tables and column charts. Based on the study findings, the study concludes channels of communication, employee communication skills and organizational communication structure as the major factors that mostly affect devolved governance. The study recommends for improvement in the way the county executive conducts its management operations and activities by communicating to other employees properly besides equipping them with necessary communication skills through training to enhance and support devolved governance. It also recommends for an establishment of an internal communication policy in Kisii County government to guide the communication processes

CHORUS Deliverable 2.2: Second report - identification of multi-disciplinary key issues for gap analysis toward EU multimedia search engines roadmap

After addressing the state-of-the-art during the first year of Chorus and establishing the existing landscape in multimedia search engines, we have identified and analyzed gaps within European research effort during our second year. In this period we focused on three directions, notably technological issues, user-centred issues and use-cases and socio- economic and legal aspects. These were assessed by two central studies: firstly, a concerted vision of functional breakdown of generic multimedia search engine, and secondly, a representative use-cases descriptions with the related discussion on requirement for technological challenges. Both studies have been carried out in cooperation and consultation with the community at large through EC concertation meetings (multimedia search engines cluster), several meetings with our Think-Tank, presentations in international conferences, and surveys addressed to EU projects coordinators as well as National initiatives coordinators. Based on the obtained feedback we identified two types of gaps, namely core technological gaps that involve research challenges, and “enablers”, which are not necessarily technical research challenges, but have impact on innovation progress. New socio-economic trends are presented as well as emerging legal challenges

Investigating User Satisfaction: An Adaptation of IS Success Model for Short-term Use

Research investigating the acceptance of information systems mostly focuses on systems designed for long-term use, rather than one-time or short-term use. However, short-term use systems are part of the health information technology portfolio. We propose a theoretical model inspired by the D&M IS Success Model to investigate user satisfaction, as a measure of acceptance, with a web-based decision aid designed for short-term decision-making. We hypothesize that media richness affects perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, learnability, information quality, perceived social presence, and trust, which eventually affect user satisfaction. We propose a mixed method to test hypotheses using eye-tracking, surveys, and interviews. As a pilot qualitative study (N=8), the survey outcomes indicated that constructs performed well (mean 7-point Likert scores >= 5.15 and mean system usability scale = 75). The eye-tracking and interview results showed that participants prefer multimedia, and pictures and visual designs drew their attention to the decision aid website