Exploiting Reputation in Distributed Virtual Environments

The cognitive research on reputation has shown several interesting properties that can improve both the quality of services and the security in distributed electronic environments. In this paper, the impact of reputation on decision-making under scarcity of information will be shown. First, a cognitive theory of reputation will be presented, then a selection of simulation experimental results from different studies will be discussed. Such results concern the benefits of reputation when agents need to find out good sellers in a virtual market-place under uncertainty and informational cheating

Opinions within Media, Power and Gossip

Despite the increasing diffusion of the Internet technology, TV remains the principal medium of communication. People's perceptions, knowledge, beliefs and opinions about matter of facts get (in)formed through the information reported on by the mass-media. However, a single source of information (and consensus) could be a potential cause of anomalies in the structure and evolution of a society. Hence, as the information available (and the way it is reported) is fundamental for our perceptions and opinions, the definition of conditions allowing for a good information to be disseminated is a pressing challenge. In this paper starting from a report on the last Italian political campaign in 2008, we derive a socio-cognitive computational model of opinion dynamics where agents get informed by different sources of information. Then, a what-if analysis, performed trough simulations on the model's parameters space, is shown. In particular, the scenario implemented includes three main streams of information acquisition, differing in both the contents and the perceived reliability of the messages spread. Agents' internal opinion is updated either by accessing one of the information sources, namely media and experts, or by exchanging information with one another. They are also endowed with cognitive mechanisms to accept, reject or partially consider the acquired information

Gossip for social control in natural and artificial societies

In this work we propose a theory of gossip as a means for social control. Exercising social control roughly means to isolate and to punish cheaters. However, punishment is costly and it inevitably implies the problem of second-order cooperation. Moving from a cognitive model of gossip, we report data from ethnographic studies and agent-based simulations to support our claim that gossip reduces the costs of social control without lowering its efficacy

The Online Laboratory: Conducting Experiments in a Real Labor Market

Online labor markets have great potential as platforms for conducting experiments, as they provide immediate access to a large and diverse subject pool and allow researchers to conduct randomized controlled trials. We argue that online experiments can be just as valid---both internally and externally---as laboratory and field experiments, while requiring far less money and time to design and to conduct. In this paper, we first describe the benefits of conducting experiments in online labor markets; we then use one such market to replicate three classic experiments and confirm their results. We confirm that subjects (1) reverse decisions in response to how a decision-problem is framed, (2) have pro-social preferences (value payoffs to others positively), and (3) respond to priming by altering their choices. We also conduct a labor supply field experiment in which we confirm that workers have upward sloping labor supply curves. In addition to reporting these results, we discuss the unique threats to validity in an online setting and propose methods for coping with these threats. We also discuss the external validity of results from online domains and explain why online results can have external validity equal to or even better than that of traditional methods, depending on the research question. We conclude with our views on the potential role that online experiments can play within the social sciences, and then recommend software development priorities and best practices

Le virtù del pettegolezzo

In this work a theory of gossip as a means for social control is proposed. Exercising social control roughly means to isolate and/or to punish cheaters. However, punishment is costly and it inevitably implies the problem of second-order cooperation. Moving from a cognitive model of social control and gossip, data from ethnographic studies and agent-based simulations are reported on to support the claim that gossip reduces the costs of social control without lowering its efficacy. Considerations about the enticement of gossip, and the contribution of the two genders to its provision are included

Semantic discovery and reuse of business process patterns

Patterns currently play an important role in modern information systems (IS) development and their use has mainly been restricted to the design and implementation phases of the development lifecycle. Given the increasing significance of business modelling in IS development, patterns have the potential of providing a viable solution for promoting reusability of recurrent generalized models in the very early stages of development. As a statement of research-in-progress this paper focuses on business process patterns and proposes an initial methodological framework for the discovery and reuse of business process patterns within the IS development lifecycle. The framework borrows ideas from the domain engineering literature and proposes the use of semantics to drive both the discovery of patterns as well as their reuse

Proceedings of 2012 Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business-US North East Chapter: Business Without Borders

Proceedings of the 2012 Academy of International Business-US North East Chapter Fairfield, Connecticut, October 11-13, 2012. Business Without Borders. Host, John F. Welch College of Business, Sacred Heart University. Editor, Jang\u27an Tang. AIB-NE 2012 Conference Co-Chairs, Khawaja Mamun, Ph.D. and Jang\u27an Tang

Perspectives and Experiences of Off-field Problematic Behaviour Among Elite New Zealand Athletes

In recent years, the off-field problematic behaviour of elite athletes has received considerable media interest and attention. However, such behaviour has been investigated largely in college/university athlete populations and has focused predominantly on specific sports and on-field behaviours. This qualitative study examined perspectives and experiences of off-field problematic behaviour among elite New Zealand athletes. Semi-structured interviews with 10 athletes (five female and five male) from seven sporting codes were completed. Interview transcripts were analysed and interpreted using thematic analysis. Five key themes emerged from the data, which provided insight into the development of off-field problematic behaviour in the current context and the wider consequences such behaviour has for athletes and others. The findings suggest that a range of off-field problematic behaviour is present within the elite New Zealand sporting environment. Alcohol misuse was the most prevalent type of behaviour discussed. A number of other problematic behaviours were also reported, such as risk-taking, violence, inappropriate sexual behaviour, disordered eating, and psychological manipulation. Participants’ definitions of ‘problematic behaviour’ were broad and included a number of less severe behaviours that were considered to be problematic within the elite sporting context. The main factors that appeared to increase the likelihood of off-field problematic behaviour were the influence of the media, pressures associated with professionalism, and the impact of management-athlete relationships. Having an elite public profile and the influence of drinking culture were identified as added pressures for participants, specific to the New Zealand sporting context. Furthermore, being on tour or competing overseas appeared to exacerbate potential vulnerabilities and provided unique opportunities for athletes to engage in off-field problematic behaviour. Numerous stressor factors appeared to have dual functions and, at times, also had protective value. Having stable support networks and positive athlete-coach relationships were protective factors central to the current study. Barriers to seeking help in relation to off-field problematic behaviour were also identified as an interesting finding in this study. Mistrust of professionals and breaches of confidentiality greatly impacted athletes’ willingness to seek help. Participants also made a number of recommendations to address off-field problematic behaviour that are highly relevant to professionals working within elite sporting environments. Overall, this study confirmed that off-field problematic behaviour of elite athletes was present in New Zealand; however, there were perceived differences as to whether such behaviour was increasing or decreasing in the current climate. Further research is needed to validate these findings and to better understand the experiences of elite athletes within the New Zealand sporting context

Internationalisation of higher education: lived experiences of international students and perspectives on the global university

This thesis critically analyses the concept of internationalisation in HE based on the perceptions and lived experiences of a group of postgraduate students and staff in a post-1992 university in the United Kingdom. Specifically, it discusses the implications of the spatial nature of internationalisation practices and the extent to which marketised consumerist discourses affect academic life and shape the student experience. Drawing on empirical data collected using participant observation and in-depth interviews, my thesis presents three main findings. First, analysis of the views and experiences of staff and students highlights the existence of a conceptual spectrum according to which internationalisation is projected and understood by both the institution and its staff/students. While the institution is driven by abstract contractual practices that make it look machinic, staff and students see it more as an ecological process (living organism). Second, a spatial examination of the environment underlines substantial conflicts between the institution and students provoked by their distinct and incompatible needs and interests. For example, in the process of protecting its reputation, instead of working proactively and wholeheartedly on the lived experiences of students, the organisation has the tendency to shape its prospective students’ perceptions with an idealistic self-image. The institution thus works more to attract students in meeting external marketing demands, and, I argue, fails to account for the diversity of students’ experiences. This invites forms of discrimination with subtle characteristics that go beyond the traditional forms of racism and evoke types of xeno-racism which the thesis examines in depth. Finally, drawing on my participants’ perspectives, positions, and recommendations, I develop an ambitious model of internationalisation which aims to redefine the university’s machinic views and practices in line with a more organic counterpart. My analysis of the data describes a simple, but sustainable, model with a powerful, meaningful approach that can bring stakeholders together through ongoing communication and intercultural dialogu