Competitiveness of Manufacturing SMEs and eCommerce Strategies: An Exploratory Empirical Research in Mexico

Faced with the rapid development of electronic commerce in Mexico and in many parts of the world, it becomes increasingly necessary to rely on theoretical-empirical studies that include both qualitative and quantitative analysis, to help us understand the many faces of electronic trading activity. As SME’s are playing a very important role in the world economy, this research is aimed to analyze the relationship between the TOE model by Tornatzky & Fleisher (1990), and the competitiveness of manufacturing SME’s Electronic Commerce (EC) strategy. This research is divided into three parts: The first part reviews the Resource Based View (RBV); the TOE model for innovations’ adoption; and how concepts on competitiveness create a framework to support analysis on EC strategies’ competitiveness - and discusses the link between them. The second parte discusses the results of an exploratory empirical study aimed to identify key factors and variables involved in the success of the SME’s EC strategies. A Probit model was used to evaluate the relationship between the TOE factors and the ability of the company to develop effective EC strategies, preceded by a confirmatory factor analysis to specify the most important variables embedded in these three factors

Millennial cultural consumers : Co-creating value through brand communities

The purpose of this paper is to conceptualise millennial cultural consumers (MCCs) to bring together strands of consumer theory with branding theory to consider how to attract and retain younger audiences in arts organisations. With that the authors single out for attention how 'brand community' theory might apply.This paper contributes to the knowledge development of such concepts as value and brand communities. It also provides an explanation of these concepts connecting academic thought on value with pressing management challenges for arts organisations, suggesting ways to apply brand community thinking to innovatively conceptualised MCCs.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Mobile GIS: The Development of Spatial Analysis Tools in an Integrated Environment for Emergency Responders

Bringing GIS to the field has many limitations to the end user due to currently available mobile computing and connectivity shortcomings. Of major concern is the lack of spatial analysis and querying abilities currently available in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software for mobile applications. Current mobile GIS offers mapping and visualization capabilities, while providing no analytical means to discover the data spatially. Adding spatially-based analysis tools will enable emergency responders to more accurately record the state of a particular area and better understand their surroundings while collecting important field assessments. This allows for more timely and accurate assessments by emergency planners to better allocate resources in the field. This paper outlines the development of both connected or server run, and disconnected analysis tools for emergency responders in a mobile framework. The proposed tools were developed with ESRI‟s ArcGIS Server Mobile Software Development Kit utilizing server technology. They leverage the mobile application based data and internet-based services to perform these tasks. This project is focused on the development, and subsequent inclusion into, an enterprise emergency response system: PREACT

User Perspectives on the Implementation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Emergency Management Organizations: A Case Study

Recent natural and technological disasters have highlighted the need for a regional approach to emergency management. Technological advancements have the potential to increase both the efficiency and effectiveness of emergency planning, response, and recovery, while also supporting a regional approach. However, a number of factors suppress the diffusion of technologies, including varying access to resources and expertise. The purpose of this study is to identify end-user perspectives of barriers that exist associated with the implementation of GIS within emergency management. Comparative analysis of Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton Counties in Tennessee and Crittenden County in Arkansas form the basis of this effort. Data were collected from surveys, interviews, After Action Reports, and participant observations within the context of a regional GIS development project. Results reveal perceived benefits and limitations of utilizing GIS in the complex practice of emergency management and lead to recommendations for addressing perceived and actual barriers to implementation

Detecting malicious URLs using binary classification through adaboost algorithm

Malicious Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a frequent and severe menace to cybersecurity. Malicious URLs are used to extract unsolicited information and trick inexperienced end users as a sufferer of scams and create losses of billions of money each year. It is crucial to identify and appropriately respond to such URLs. Usually, this discovery is made by the practice and use of blacklists in the cyber world. However, blacklists cannot be exhaustive, and cannot recognize zero-day malicious URLs. So to increase the observation of malicious URL indicators, machine learning procedures should be incorporated. This study aims to discuss the exposure of malicious URLs as a binary classification problem using machine learning through an AdaBoost algorithm