Information Systems and Health Care-II: Back to the Future with RFID: Lessons Learned - Some Old, Some New

Healthcare facilities face limited resources and expanding expenses. Emerging information technologies offer a means for healthcare to measure and control their resources and workflow processes, and ultimately improve patient care. The usefulness of one emerging information technology, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), is examined in a proof of application study conducted at a Level-1 trauma unit. Results from the study suggest not only that RFID technology can assist in the measurement and ultimate control of workflow processes, but also that traditional and non-traditional IS practices are necessary for successful RFID implementation. Lessons learned about the idiosyncrasies of RFID implementation and the cleansing and analysis of RFID-generated data are reported

Cognitive Stopping Rules for Terminating Information Search in Online Tasks

Online search has become a significant activity in the daily lives of individuals throughout much of the world. The almost instantaneous availability of billions of Web pages has caused a revolution in the way people seek information. Despite the increasing importance of online search behavior in decision making and problem solving, very little is known about why people stop searching for information online. In this paper, we review the literature concerning online search and cognitive stopping rules, and then describe specific types of information search tasks. Based on this theoretical development, we generated hypotheses and conducted an experiment with 115 participants each performing three search tasks on the Web. Our findings show that people utilize a number of stopping rules to terminate search, and that the stopping rule used depends on the type of task performed. Implications for online information search theory and practice are discussed

Simulation modeling and analysis: A collateral application and exposition of RFID technology

RFID technology provides in-depth, real-time visibility into the status of assets throughout the supply chain. However, the deployment of RFID technology may have collateral value in the high-quality data generated by these assets. This study explores the potential value of RFID data for tactical and strategic purposes and the redesign of processes within supply chain through the deployment of simulation modeling and analysis. We present a simulation study conducted at a regional hospital for which data related to trauma patient movement was collected with an RFID-based system. We find that not only does this data serve as the basis for successful simulation modeling, but that RFID technology may address several data-related challenges previously identified in the simulation literature. © 2007 Production and Operations Management Society

Reactions to recruitment web sites : visual and verbal attention, attraction, and intentions to pursue employment

Purpose We investigate job seeker visual and verbal attention, and perceptions regarding company web sites in the applicant generation phase of recruitment. Design/Methodology/Approach We report three studies using varied methodological approaches including eye-tracking, verbal protocol analysis (VPA), and survey data. Findings Eye-tracking results suggest Web-based job seekers focus visual attention on information containing hyperlinks and on text more than graphic images or navigation tools. VPA suggests Web-based job seekers focus verbal attention on content more than design, especially job opening information. Survey results suggest content, design, and communication features are all related to applicant attraction. Design explains the most incremental variance in web site evaluation, while perceptions of communication features explain the most incremental variance in attitude toward the organization and intentions to pursue employment. Implications We provide multi-method evidence concerning features that attract applicant visual and verbal attention, and influence attraction and intentions to pursue employment. The findings also provide practical implications for designing recruitment web sites. Originality/Value We report three methodologically distinct perspectives on an important and timely issue: Web-based recruitment. We are aware of no other psychomotor eye-tracking studies in the recruitment literature, and only one other VPA. Combining multiple methods in this way provides unique perspective

Differences in perceptions of web site characteristics by IT experts and non-experts

An important aspect of web site design involves anticipating and understanding consumer reactions to various web site attributes and using this information to make web sites more useful and satisfying for them. Unfortunately, IT professionals may not be well suited for this task. Through their training and employment experiences, IT professionals are likely to adopt perspectives and evaluation standards different from those used by consumers. As a result, they may lose touch with consumer wants and needs concerning web site design and content. This working paper examines differences in these two groups’ perceptions of design features, website content, and convenience, and examines how their perceptions affect overall evaluations and satisfaction with web site