How can SMEs benefit from big data? Challenges and a path forward

Big data is big news, and large companies in all sectors are making significant advances in their customer relations, product selection and development and consequent profitability through using this valuable commodity. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have proved themselves to be slow adopters of the new technology of big data analytics and are in danger of being left behind. In Europe, SMEs are a vital part of the economy, and the challenges they encounter need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. This paper identifies barriers to SME uptake of big data analytics and recognises their complex challenge to all stakeholders, including national and international policy makers, IT, business management and data science communities. The paper proposes a big data maturity model for SMEs as a first step towards an SME roadmap to data analytics. It considers the ‘state-of-the-art’ of IT with respect to usability and usefulness for SMEs and discusses how SMEs can overcome the barriers preventing them from adopting existing solutions. The paper then considers management perspectives and the role of maturity models in enhancing and structuring the adoption of data analytics in an organisation. The history of total quality management is reviewed to inform the core aspects of implanting a new paradigm. The paper concludes with recommendations to help SMEs develop their big data capability and enable them to continue as the engines of European industrial and business success. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Compliance Using Metadata

Everybody talks about the data economy. Data is collected stored, processed and re-used. In the EU, the GDPR creates a framework with conditions (e.g. consent) for the processing of personal data. But there are also other legal provisions containing requirements and conditions for the processing of data. Even today, most of those are hard-coded into workflows or database schemes, if at all. Data lakes are polluted with unusable data because nobody knows about usage rights or data quality. The approach presented here makes the data lake intelligent. It remembers usage limitations and promises made to the data subject or the contractual partner. Data can be used as risk can be assessed. Such a system easily reacts on new requirements. If processing is recorded back into the data lake, the recording of this information allows to prove compliance. This can be shown to authorities on demand as an audit trail. The concept is best exemplified by the SPECIAL project https://specialprivacy.eu (Scalable Policy-aware Linked Data Architecture For PrivacyPrivacy, TransparencyTransparency and ComplianceCompliance). SPECIAL has several use cases, but the basic framework is applicable beyond those cases

Mapping Scholarly Communication Infrastructure: A Bibliographic Scan of Digital Scholarly Communication Infrastructure

This bibliography scan covers a lot of ground. In it, I have attempted to capture relevant recent literature across the whole of the digital scholarly communications infrastructure. I have used that literature to identify significant projects and then document them with descriptions and basic information. Structurally, this review has three parts. In the first, I begin with a diagram showing the way the projects reviewed fit into the research workflow; then I cover a number of topics and functional areas related to digital scholarly communication. I make no attempt to be comprehensive, especially regarding the technical literature; rather, I have tried to identify major articles and reports, particularly those addressing the library community. The second part of this review is a list of projects or programs arranged by broad functional categories. The third part lists individual projects and the organizations—both commercial and nonprofit—that support them. I have identified 206 projects. Of these, 139 are nonprofit and 67 are commercial. There are 17 organizations that support multiple projects, and six of these—Artefactual Systems, Atypon/Wiley, Clarivate Analytics, Digital Science, Elsevier, and MDPI—are commercial. The remaining 11—Center for Open Science, Collaborative Knowledge Foundation (Coko), LYRASIS/DuraSpace, Educopia Institute, Internet Archive, JISC, OCLC, OpenAIRE, Open Access Button, Our Research (formerly Impactstory), and the Public Knowledge Project—are nonprofit.Andrew W. Mellon Foundatio

Re-alignment of German car producers in times of profound changes

This research analyzes and assesses emerging macro-environmental trends in the automotive industry and their evolutionary effect on the competitive advantage of major premium car manufacturers in Germany. To answer this question, the historical key drivers for the success of the German car makers are explored. Furthermore, the probable core competencies and the resulting competitive advantage of the future are examined in order to propose new business strategies for OEMs. Also, the impact of COVID-19 on the companies within the scope of this thesis represents a research object. In order to anser these questions appropriately, in-depth interviews are conducted with five top-level managers from German OEMs and are subjected to a content-analysis. In addition to that, academic literature and business reports are supplemented to critically reflect both sources of knowledge and to get a holistic view on the topic. Also, in order to clarify current industry and market trends, Porter’s five forces and the PESTEL analysis were applied. Building upon the outcome of these frameworks, a TOWS anlysis and Confrontation matrix are conducted to be able to propose new strategies for the underlying companies. OEMs should strive for a stronger customer focus and a faster subsequent adaptability for changing customer needs which they make possible through a even higher innovative power than they had in the past. This enables OEMs to stay ahead of the stiff competition from Asia and China and help them to win the race of sustainability. To create these core competencies, OEMs are urged to engage cross-industry collaborations to avoid the threat of new entrants, increasing the innovative power and ensure sustained competitive advantage. The strong political, social, legal and environmental pressure to decrease CO2 emissions needs to be adressed quickly through the production of electric cars, further optimization of internal combustion engines and the use of lightweight materials.Esta investigação analisa e avalia as tendências macro-ambientais emergentes na indústria automóvel e o seu efeito evolutivo sobre a vantagem competitiva dos principais fabricantes de automóveis premium na Alemanha. Para responder a esta pergunta, são explorados os factores históricos fundamentais para o sucesso dos fabricantes alemães de automóveis. Além disso, são examinadas as prováveis competências nucleares e a vantagem competitiva resultante do futuro, a fim de propor novas estratégias de negócio para OEMs. Além disso, o impacto da COVID-19 sobre as empresas no âmbito desta tese representa um objecto de investigação. A fim de responder adequadamente a estas questões, são realizadas entrevistas aprofundadas com cinco gestores de topo de OEMs alemães e são submetidos a uma análise de conteúdo. Além disso, a literatura académica e os relatórios empresariais são complementados para reflectir criticamente ambas as fontes de conhecimento e para obter uma visão holística sobre o tema. Também, a fim de clarificar as tendências actuais da indústria e do mercado, foram aplicadas as cinco forças de Porter e a análise PESTEL. Com base no resultado destes quadros, é realizada uma matriz de análise e de confrontação TOWS para se poder propor novas estratégias para as empresas subjacentes. Os OEM devem esforçar-se por uma maior concentração no cliente e uma adaptabilidade subsequente mais rápida para a mudança das necessidades do cliente, que tornam possível através de um poder inovador ainda maior do que no passado. Isto permite aos OEM manterem-se à frente da dura concorrência da Ásia e da China e ajudá-los a vencer a corrida da sustentabilidade. Para criar estas competências centrais, os OEM são instados a envolverem-se em colaborações intersectoriais para evitar a ameaça de novos participantes, aumentando o poder inovador e assegurando uma vantagem competitiva sustentada. A forte pressão política, social, legal e ambiental para diminuir as emissões de CO2 precisa de ser rapidamente abordada através da produção de carros eléctricos, de uma maior optimização dos motores de combustão interna e da utilização de materiais leves

Experimental analysis of nanostructured PEEK, African giant snail shell, and sea snail shell powder for hydroxyapatite formation for bone implant applications

This experimental research focuses on the nanostructure analysis of three materials; polyether ether ketone (PEEK), African land giant snail shell (ALGSS), and sea snail shell (SSS) powder, for the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings in bone implant applications. The study aimed to evaluate these materials’ surface characteristics, furrow depth, density, and other relevant parameters to assess their suitability as bone implant materials. The nanostructure analysis revealed distinct characteristics for each material. PEEK exhibited shallow furrows and a high density of furrows, making it a favourable substrate for hydroxyapatite coating formation. The ISO 25178 roughness analysis further characterised surface roughness and topography. African land giant snail shell powder, displayed a high material ratio, indicating a potential for hydroxyapatite conversion for biomedical application. The sea snail shell powder demonstrated intermediate furrow depth and density, warranting further investigation for optimisation as a precursor for hydroxyapatite coatings. The findings emphasise the significance of nanostructure properties in bone implant materials. The tailored nanostructure of materials such as PEEK, the synthesized powder can influence their biocompatibility, osseointegration, and long-term performance. The novelty of this research lies in the comprehensive analysis of the nanostructure properties of these materials, contributing to the understanding of their potential for bone implant applications. Overall, this experimental research is significant and provides valuable insights into the nanostructure characteristics of PEEK, African land giant snail shell powder, and sea snail shell powder and they all demonstrated the potential of forming hydroxyapatite coatings.</p

Mobile Learning: location, collaboration and scaffolding inquiry

Critiques of mobile learning pedagogy are concerned with whether such approaches are technology led. This chapter discusses how the particular features of mobile learning can be harnessed to provide new learning opportunities in relation to collaboration, inquiry and location-based learning. Technology supported inquiry learning is a situation rich with possibilities for collaboration. In particular, mobile learning offers new possibilities for scaffolding collaboration together with its other better-known features such as scaffolding the transfer between settings and making learning relevant by making use of the possibilities of location-based learning. These features are considered as part of mobile learning models, in particular mobile collaborative learning models

Making Institutional Repositories Work

Making Institutional Repositories Work takes novices as well as seasoned practitioners through the practical and conceptual steps necessary to develop a functioning institutional repository, customized to the needs and culture of the home institution. The first section covers all aspects of system platforms, including hosted and open-source options, big data capabilities and integration, and issues related to discoverability. The second section addresses policy issues, from the basics to open-source and deposit mandates. The third section focuses on recruiting and even creating content. Authors in this section will address the ways that different disciplines tend to have different motivations for deposit, as well as the various ways that institutional repositories can serve as publishing platforms. The fourth section covers assessment and success measures for all involved—librarians, deans, and administrators. The theory and practice of traditional metrics, alt metrics, and peer review receive chapter-length treatment. The fifth section provides case studies that include a boots-on-the-ground perspective of issues raised in the first four sections. By noting trends and potentialities, this final section, authored by Executive Director of SPARC Heather Joseph, makes future predictions and helps managers position institutional repositories to be responsive to change and even shape the evolution of scholarly communication.https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/purduepress_ebooks/1040/thumbnail.jp

3D Visualisation - An Application and Assessment for Computer Network Traffic Analysis

The intent of this research is to develop and assess the application of 3D data visualisation to the field of computer security. The growth of available data relating to computer networks necessitates a more efficient and effective way of presenting information to analysts in support of decision making and situational awareness. Advances in computer hardware and display software have made more complex and interactive presentation of data in 3D possible. While many attempts at creation of data-rich 3D displays have been made in the field of computer security, they have not become the tool of choice in the industry. There is also a limited amount of published research in the assessment of these tools in comparison to 2D graphical and tabular approaches to displaying the same data. This research was conducted through creation of a novel abstraction framework for visualisation of computer network data, the Visual Interactive Network Analysis Framework (VINAF). This framework was implemented in software and the software prototype was assessed using both a procedural approach applied to a published forensics challenge and also through a human participant based experiment. The key contributions to the fields of computer security and data visualisation made by this research include the creation of a novel abstraction framework for computer network traffic which features several new visualisation approaches. An implementation of this software was developed for the specific cybersecurity related task of computer network traffic analysis and published under an open source license to the cybersecurity community. The research contributes a novel approach to human-based experimentation developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and also implemented a novel procedure-based testing approach to the assessment of the prototype data visualisation tool. Results of the research showed, through procedural experimentation, that the abstraction framework is effective for network forensics tasks and exhibited several advantages when compared to alternate approaches. The user participation experiment indicated that most of the participants deemed the abstraction framework to be effective in several task related to computer network traffic analysis. There was not a strong indication that it would be preferred over existing approaches utilised by the participants, however, it would likely be used to augment existing methods