157 research outputs found
Query Processing in a P2P Network of Taxonomy-based Information Sources
In this study we address the problem of answering queries over a peer-to-peer system of taxonomy-based sources. A taxonomy states subsumption relationships between negation-free DNF formulas on terms and negation-free conjunctions of terms. To the end of laying the foundations of our study, we first consider the centralized case, deriving the complexity of the decision problem and of query evaluation. We conclude by presenting an algorithm that is efficient in data complexity and is based on hypergraphs. We then move to the distributed case, and introduce a logical model of a network of taxonomy-based sources. On such network, a distributed version of the centralized algorithm is then presented, based on a message passing paradigm, and its correctness is proved. We finally discuss optimization issues, and relate our work to the literature
Achieving Rigor in Literature Reviews: Insights from Qualitative Data Analysis and Tool-Support
It is important for researchers to efficiently conduct quality literature studies. Hence, a structured and efficient approach is essential. We overview work that has demonstrated the potential for using software tools in literature reviews. We highlight the untapped opportunities in using an end-to-end tool-supported literature review methodology. Qualitative data-analysis tools such as NVivo are immensely useful as a means to analyze, synthesize, and write up literature reviews. In this paper, we describe how to organize and prepare papers for analysis and provide detailed guidelines for actually coding and analyzing papers, including detailed illustrative strategies to effectively write up and present the results. We present a detailed case study as an illustrative example of the proposed approach put into practice. We discuss the means, value, and also pitfalls of applying tool-supported literature review approaches. We contribute to the literature by proposing a four-phased tool-supported methodology that serves as best practice in conducting literature reviews in IS. By viewing the literature review process as a qualitative study and treating the literature as the “data set”, we address the complex puzzle of how best to extract relevant literature and justify its scope, relevance, and quality. We provide systematic guidelines for novice IS researchers seeking to conduct a robust literature review
A co-evolutionary framework to reducing the gap between business and information technology.
Over the past few years information technology (IT) and business alignment has become a great concern to organizations. To achieve alignment has become a daunting task for organizations due to rapid changes in business environment and lack of IT support. In business organizations business processes and IT are interrelated and interact with each other where one entity influences to another entity i.e. evolution in business processes requires evolution in IT and vice versa. When this co-evolution is not well aligned, a gap is created due to wrong configuration between business requirements and IT deployment.
Organizations usually strive to bridge the gap by implementing business and IT strategies (i.e. top-down planning) and tend to ignore other aspects of the co-evolution. Alignment is a continuous co-evolutionary process in which all components of business and IT are interrelated and enhance organization performance. The co-evolution between business and IT is not restricted to a level but it occurs at all levels and therefore, it is necessary to understand and study co-evolution at all levels within organizations. This thesis presents a co-evolutionary framework that helps to study and understand the co-evolution at three levels i.e. strategic level, operational level and individual level in an integrated fashion. The three levels need to co-evolve so that all components at each level co-evolve. This framework will speed up the alignment in organizations. We argue that the lack of knowledge of business among IT people and IT knowledge among business executives may cause the gap; therefore, a need arises to have a knowledgeable mediator between the domains that could help in the co-evolution. A K-mediator (i.e. knowledge mediator) has been used in the proposed co-evolutionary framework that facilitates the co-evolution at each level. Finally the thesis presents a case study in financial domain in order to evaluate and validate the framework
Casas partilhadas monetizadas: a experiência turística e seus efeitos na autenticidade percebida, no apego ao destino e na lealdade
The emergence of the shared peer-to-peer accommodation (SP2PA) has
attracted the attention of practitioners and academics, given this new business
model’s increasing popularity amongst travellers. It is therefore suggested that
this type of accommodation can offer a differentiated, eventually more
authentic, experience to its guests, introducing new values and meanings to
the hospitality provided at destinations. To sustain this argument, it is
important to enhance the understanding of guest experiences while staying in
such a SP2PA, while also the impact of these new tourist behaviour patterns
on destinations is worthwhile exploring. Taking into account the relevance of
understanding the tourist experience associated with the SP2PA, this study
aims to gain theoretical and empirical understanding of the SP2PA guest
experience by proposing and testing a theoretical model that estimates the
relationships between the dimensions of the tourist experience (the SP2PA
guest experience) and the constructs of ‘destination attachment’, ‘perception of
authenticity’, ‘destination attitudinal loyalty’ and ‘SP2PA attitudinal loyalty’. To
achieve this goal, two complementary methodology stages were undertaken:
(i) an ‘exploratory qualitative approach’ by conducting focus group discussions
and passive netnography; and (ii) a ‘quantitative approach’ by applying a
survey to a convenience sample of SP2PA guests. Statistical analysis of data
used descriptive and inferential methods, with the Partial Least Squares (PLSSEM)
as the main method for testing the hypotheses. A total of 409 valid
responses were used to test the proposed conceptual model. Findings confirm
the ‘aesthetic’, ‘escape’, ‘entertainment’, ‘educative’, ‘affective’, ‘social
interaction’, and ‘sharing experience’ dimensions as appropriated dimensions
to analyse the SP2PA guest experience. Amongst these dimensions, the
‘educative’, ‘social interaction’, ‘aesthetics’, ‘sharing’, and ‘affective’ are, in this
order, the dimensions that most influence the SP2PA guest experience.
Regarding the influence of the SP2PA guest experience on the tourist
experience outcomes, this study demonstrates that this experience positively
influences the ‘perception of destination authenticity’ and ‘destination
attachment’ formation. In turn, destination attachment mediates the
relationship between the ‘SP2PA guest experience’ and ‘destination loyalty’,
while the SP2PA guest experience predicts the ‘SP2PA attitudinal loyalty’.
Besides, the ‘perception of authenticity’ positively influences ‘destination
attachment’ formation and ‘SP2PA attitudinal loyalty’. The results contribute to
the tourist experience theory by providing an empirically-based insight into its
dimensionality in the hospitality sharing economy context. This study also
provides an analytical framework to understand the effects of the SP2PA guest
experience on constructs such as the perception of authenticity, destination
attachment and tourist loyalty. Furthermore, results may help design management strategies for both SP2PA platforms and SP2PA hosts to
develop and implement an experience-oriented service strategy in order to
achieve a memorable experience for SP2PA guests and create positive future
behavioural intentions. Limitations of the study and suggestions for further
research complete the picture.O surgimento do alojamento partilhado pessoa para pessoa (SP2PA) tem
vindo a atrair a atenção de profissionais e acadêmicos uma vez que esse
novo modelo de negócio tem ganho crescente popularidade entre os
viajantes. Sugere-se, portanto, que esse tipo de alojamento ofereça aos seus
hóspedes uma experiência diferenciada, eventualmente mais autêntica,
introduzindo novos valores e significados à hospitalidade proporcionada nos
destinos. Para sustentar esse argumento, é importante melhorar a
compreensão das experiências dos hóspedes durante a permanência em um
SP2PA, ao mesmo tempo em que vale a pena explorar o impacto desses
novos padrões de comportamento turístico nos destinos. Tendo em vista a
relevância de compreender a experiência turística associada ao SP2PA, este
estudo tem como objetivo desenvolver uma compreensão teórica e empírica
da experiência dos hóspedes no SP2PA, propondo e testando um modelo
teórico descritivo que estima as relações entre as dimensões da experiência
turística (a experiência dos hóspedes no SP2PA) e os construtos de ‘apego
de destino', 'percepção de autenticidade', 'lealdade atitudinal ao destino' e
'lealdade atitudinal ao SP2PA'. Para atingir esse objetivo, duas etapas
metodológicas complementares foram realizadas: (i) uma "abordagem
exploratória qualitativa", conduzindo as técnicas de grupos focais e
netnografia passiva; e (ii) uma "abordagem quantitativa", administrando uma
pesquisa a uma amostra conveniente de hóspedes do SP2PA. A análise
estatística dos dados utilizou métodos descritivos e inferenciais, sendo o
principal método para testar as hipóteses a modelagem de mínimos
quadrados parciais - PLS-SEM. Assim, 409 questionários foram utilizados
para testar o modelo conceitual proposto. Os resultados confirmam a
"estética", "escape", "entretenimento", "educativa", "afetiva", "interação social"
e "experiências de partilha" como dimensões apropriadas para analisar a
experiência dos hóspedes no SP2PA. Entre essas dimensões, "educativa",
"interação social", "estéticas", "partilha" e "afetivas" são, nessa ordem, as
dimensões que mais influenciam a experiência dos hóspedes no SP2PA. Com
relação à influência da experiência dos hóspedes no SP2PA nos resultados
analisados da experiência turística, este estudo demonstra que a experiência
dos hóspedes no SP2PA influencia positivamente a ‘perceção da
autenticidade’ do destino" e a formação do ‘apego ao destino’. Por sua vez, o
‘apego ao destino’ media a relação entre a "experiência dos hóspedes do
SP2PA’ e a "lealdade ao destino", enquanto a experiência dos hóspedes do
SP2PA condiciona positivamente a “lealdade atitudinal ao SP2PA". Além
disso, a "perceção da autenticidade" influencia positivamente a formação do
"apego ao destino" e a "lealdade atitudinal ao SP2PA". Os resultados
contribuem para a teoria da experiência turística, especificamente em
contexto de alojamento turístico partilhado, monetizado, fornecendo uma visão baseada empiricamente em sua dimensionalidade no contexto da
economia da partilha na hospitalidade. Este estudo também fornece uma
estrutura analítica para a compreensão dos efeitos da experiência dos
hóspedes no SP2PA em constructos como a perceção de autenticidade, o
apego ao destino e a lealdade do turista. Além disso, poderá auxiliar o
gerenciamento de plataformas SP2PA e aos anfitriões do SP2PA a
desenvolver e implementar uma estratégia de serviço orientada à experiência,
a fim de obter uma experiência memorável para os hóspedes no SP2PA e
criar intenções comportamentais futuras positivas. Limitações do estudo e
sugestões para futuras pesquisas completam o quadro.Programa Doutoral em Turism
Emerging trends proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Theorem Proving in Higher Order Logics: TPHOLs 2004
technical reportThis volume constitutes the proceedings of the Emerging Trends track of the 17th International Conference on Theorem Proving in Higher Order Logics (TPHOLs 2004) held September 14-17, 2004 in Park City, Utah, USA. The TPHOLs conference covers all aspects of theorem proving in higher order logics as well as related topics in theorem proving and verification. There were 42 papers submitted to TPHOLs 2004 in the full research cate- gory, each of which was refereed by at least 3 reviewers selected by the program committee. Of these submissions, 21 were accepted for presentation at the con- ference and publication in volume 3223 of Springer?s Lecture Notes in Computer Science series. In keeping with longstanding tradition, TPHOLs 2004 also offered a venue for the presentation of work in progress, where researchers invite discussion by means of a brief introductory talk and then discuss their work at a poster session. The work-in-progress papers are held in this volume, which is published as a 2004 technical report of the School of Computing at the University of Utah
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