Analytics in the Pursuit of Knowledge: Adapting the Knowledge Pyramid

Advances in storage leading to the Internet of Things (IOT) and Big Data has exponentially increased the Data aspect of the traditional Knowledge Pyramid - Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW). This paper presents an adaptation of the Knowledge Pyramid as an Analytics Pyramid in which Time is posited to represent Wisdom as the pinnacle achievement when pursuing knowledge. Analogies of the DIKW are presented from the Analytics Pyramid as Description-Aggregation-Modeling-Time. Implementing the premise of the Analytics Pyramid focuses on an interative/repetitive movement of both individuals and organizations through all Description-Aggregation-Modeling-Time stages in order to build and obtain the Wisdom pursued in the traditional Knowledge Pyramid. This model reinforces organizational learning and the importance of adaptability when pursuing knowledge. In addition, the wisdom gained from analytics is only recognized when monitored business processes are longitudinal in nature. Organizational analytics must rely on the recognition of a changing environment (Time) in order to adapt

Improved resins and novel materials and methods for solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) has grown to be one of the most widely used methods for isolation and preconcentration of a vast range of compounds from aqueous solutions. By modifying polymeric SPE resins with chelating functional groups, the selective uptake of metals was accomplished. By reducing the size of the resin beads and optimizing reaction conditions, resins were produced which had excellent capacities both in the packed-column and the suspension mode. By reducing bead sizes to 1 [mu]m, direct injection of the beads into an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch was possible. The resin, along with adsorbed metals, was vaporized in the ICP and detection of the metals was then possible using either mass or emission spectroscopy;Drug analyses in biological fluids have received heightened attention as drug testing is on the increase both in sports and in the work environment. The analysis of drugs in biological fluids usually involves time consuming pretreatment steps for the removal of the drugs from the biological matrix before analysis with HPLC. By using a direct-injection technique, biological fluids can be injected directly into the liquid chromatographic system with no pretreatment;A new surfactant, a sulfonated form of Brij-30 (Brij-S) is shown to prevent the uptake of serum proteins on commercial HPLC columns by forming a thin coating on the silica C18 surface. Small analyte molecules chromatograph normally on these precoated columns. Excellent separations of eight or more drugs with a wide range of retention times were obtained. The separations had sharper peaks and lower retention times than similar separations performed with the surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). Quantitative recovery of a number of drugs with limits of detection near 1 ppm with a 5 [mu]l injection volume were obtained. A gradient system resulted in sharper peaks and reduced retention times;Finally, membrane-based micro solid-phase extraction (MMSPE) is introduced. The system greatly reduced the volume of solvent required to elute adsorbed analytes from the SPE bed while providing a semi-automated setup. MMSPE consists of a very small bed of resin-loaded membrane packed into a GC or HPLC syringe. After extraction, elution was performed with just a few [mu]l of solvent. This small elution volume allowed injection of the eluent directly from the syringe into the chromatographic system, eliminating the handing problems associated with such small volumes

ERP Knowledge: Enhancing Program Growth for Workforce Impact

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems foundationally enable organizations to perform day-to-day operations in an integrated, efficient, and compliant manner. More and more organizations are implementing or have implemented ERP systems. ERP systems are robust, but do come with complexity and a significant learning curve for the entire organization. The need for new workforce talent that understands and knows how to use an ERP system is prevalent. To aid in developing the workforce talent, a southern university has developed an in-depth ERP program. To measure the knowledge of the upcoming workforce, this study initiates a longitudinal analysis that focuses on the ERP program’s knowledge map development. Business knowledge and business knowledge gaps of ERP concepts are the goal of the study with the intent to improve the pace of the knowledge map development. The initial study findings showed that the knowledge map is refined with course/program progression

In-Memory and Column Storage Changes IS Curriculum

Random Access Memory (RAM) prices have been dropping precipitously. This has given rise to the possibility of keeping all data gathered in RAM rather than utilizing disk storage. This technological capability, along with benefits associated with a columnar storage database system, reduces the benefit of Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) and eliminates the need for Online Transactional Processing (OLTP) and Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) activities to remain separate. The RDBMS was a required data structure due to the need to separate the daily OLTP activities from the OLAP analysis of that data. In-memory processing allows both activities simultaneously. Data analysis can be done at the speed of data capture. Relational databases are not the only option for organizations. In-Memory is emerging, and university curriculum needs to innovate and create skills associated with denormalization of existing database (legacy) systems to prepare for the next generation of data managers

Building Knowledge Capabilities in Education

The capability to manage knowledge is built, practiced and improved by many organizations. The study of Knowledge Management Capability (KMC) in single organizations is needed to further the understanding of how improvements can be made with effective Knowledge Management. Specifically, educational organizations can benefit from KMC improvement due to the strategic value of knowledge identified across various institutes of learning. This research exploits a prior KMC investigation in a manufacturing organization to investigate potential benefits in an educational setting. Educational settings, viewed as organic organizations, can realize benefits through KMC improvement that include: identified improvements to the management of knowledge in an organic (educational) vs. mechanistic (manufacturing) organization, understanding of how different knowledge types are viewed in the different settings, and greater understanding of how KMC is formed in organic organizations. We hypothesize that KMC factors and areas exist in educational organizations, and that organizational culture affects the knowledge management process. We expect the research to provide industry specific insight into the unique structure and process requirements for effective knowledge management in education

Knowledge Process Support: A Business Process Study of a Knowledge Management System

Although it seems intuitive that Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) should have a positive impact on the management of knowledge, research has not focused on establishing empirical evidence of this relationship and the subsequent theoretical implications. The management of knowledge encompasses multiple organizational entities and an established KMS must support the knowledge work for each entity. Knowledge processes (generation, codification, and transfer) are embedded in business processes. An application of KMS is needed in order to facilitate these knowledge processes, therefore supporting the business processes. We present evidence of the relationship between a KMS and Knowledge Processes by describing two organizational entities in terms of their different knowledge needs. We provide evidence of how the KMS is utilized by both entities. Survey data was collected from a large semiconductor manufacturer. Results indicate the KMS supports Knowledge Processes in different degrees according to each entity’s knowledge needs. Despite this difference, the two entities have a positive perception of how the KMS impacts Knowledge Processes

Geographic Data Informs Funding and Management of Metro Bike Share System

Geographic data is often used to supplement business data, but geographic location (GeoLocation) data has business value in its own right. This geo-spatial study presents a midwestern town’s use of location analytics to infer the purpose for bike trips (usage purpose) and perform what-if analysis to enhance transportation options. The study applies spatial data analysis of bikeshare within transit management and public planning to address funding sources and public good. This case includes GeoExtension of the Metro Bike Share source data by utilizing U. S. Census data. The overall Metro Transit operational goal is to effectively manage the rideshare program to maximize community benefits, particularly in offering optimal transit options. Analysis to inform business operations are 1) inferring likely purpose for bike rides to differentiate between transportation and leisure; 2) determine if bike use integrates with other transit offerings, and 3) to provide transportation options to residents in low-income areas