Making history in Mamre: community participation and response in the Mamre History Society Project

Paper presented at the Wits History Workshop: Myths, Monuments, Museums; New Premises? 16-18 July, 199

A Proposed Measure Of IT Infrastructure Flexibility In The Global Networked Firm: Extending The IT Infrastructure Measure Of Reach And Range

In today’s fast paced global business environment, firms need a flexible infrastructure that allows the organization to adapt to rapid change. An important enabler of this flexibility is the IT infrastructure. IT infrastructure flexibility is not a well understood concept and little work has been done on how to measure IT infrastructure flexibility. This paper fills this gap by proposing a measure for IT Infrastructure flexibility based on Keen’s 1991 reach and range

Examining Changes In The Strategic Alignment Models Alignment Factors Over Time: A Case Study

The strategic alignment model of Henderson and Venkatraman (1994) views IS alignment as occurring among four factors: business strategy, organization infrastructure and processes, IS strategy, and IS infrastructure and processes. Henderson and Venkatraman view strategic alignment as occurring via simultaneous or concurrent attention to all four domains. A single case study was conducted to examine how changes in the alignment factors actually occur over time. Our findings suggest that while H& V indicated the SAM is a descriptive model, it explains few of the changes that actually occurred in the case and has limited applicability as a descriptive model

Alignment as a Process of Enabling Organizational Adaptation: Extending the Theory of Alignment as Guided Adaptation

Thesis (PhD) - Indiana University, Business, 2005This dissertation seeks to generalize and extend the theory of alignment as guided adaptation (TAGA) (Ward & Vessey Working Paper). TAGA is a descriptive theory that views alignment from a multilevel, process-oriented prospective. It is based upon the premise that in the short run each alignment factor adapts independently of the others in the alignment system. In the long run, however, the alignment factors are an interdependent system. TAGA was developed based on a small firm that had a non-strategic view of IS. This dissertation therefore seeks to generalize the theory to firms that have a formal IS strategy and planning process and are large in size. The dissertation also extends the theory by examining the role that changes external to the alignment factors play in the alignment factor adaptation process. Three case studies were conducted using semi-structured interviews with 31 high-level business and IS managers as data sources. The data was coded into change episodes demarcated by changes in business strategy (intent and initiatives) and was analyzed using alternative templates, visual mapping, and temporal bracketing strategies (Langley 1999; Ward & Vessey Working Paper). The results indicate that TAGA generalizes to large firms and to firms with a formal IS strategy and planning process. Within these additional contexts, TAGA was able to explain the patterns of change in the alignment episodes while the traditional view of alignment as synchronization could not. The results also indicate that changes in the outer environment such as the level at which the changed occurred in the factor hierarchy, the magnitude of the change initiating adaptation, and the pace at which change occurred influenced the need for change in the internal alignment factors. This research has implications for both academic and practitioner communities. The research shows that TAGA is applicable to firms that have a formal IS strategy and planning process; and that factors such as the level, magnitude, and pace of changes impacts the adaptation process. From a practitioner perspective, this research provides insight into managing the alignment process by redefining how to view alignment

A Model Fourth Grade Science Curriculum based on Multiple Intelligence Theory and Washington State\u27s Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Science

The purpose of this project was to design and develop a model fourth grade science curriculum based on Howard Gardner\u27s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and in line with Washington State\u27s Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Science. Along with this, assessment criteria were to be designed for each learning activity. To accomplish this purpose, current research on Multiple Intelligence Theory, assessment, curriculum development and Washington State\u27s Essential Academic Learning Requirements for Science were reviewed. Finally, student learning objectives, learning activities and corresponding assessment criteria were adapted and developed

Crustal deformation at the Sumatran Subduction Zone revealed by coral rings

Analyses of coral rings grown in the interval 1970–1997 reveal a geographically distinct pattern of interseismic uplift off Sumatra's western coast. At distances less than 110 km from the Sumatran trench, coral reefs are submerging as fast as 5 mm/y. At 130 and 180 km distance from the trench, they are emerging at similar rates. We suggest that a locked, or partially locked patch, located above 30 km depth on the upper surface of the subducting oceanic plate, generates this pattern

Requirement Prioritization Decision Factors for Agile Development Environments

In an agile development environment, project planners continuously prioritize work tasks so requirements that provide the most value are delivered first. This strategy is based on Value Based Software Engineering principles that different requirements deliver different levels of value and diverse stakeholders view the importance of the value of various requirements differently and thus, will prioritize them differently. However, we found that there are several core values that stakeholders have more agreement in terms of relevancy and importance than others. By knowing these core values, project planners have increased insights as to which requirements should be prioritized higher, hence, hopefully increasing overall stakeholder satisfaction and reducing project risk

The Role of Information Systems to Support Improvisation during Emergencies

This paper discusses the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to support improvisation in hospital emergency response. Important characteristics of emergencies and improvisation are identified. Real-time decision support, communication and coordination, and training for improvisation have been identified as three key areas where ICTs can support the use of improvisation. This paper suggests that the documented plans, procedures, and policies to handle emergency situations in hospitals can complement the process of improvisation rather than forbidding or impeding it. Implications for research and practice are discussed

Information System Knowledge Transfer Needs Assessment Instrument

Many companies rely on information systems (IS) that are critical to their business operations. Some of these IS utilize obsolete technology, and often include embedded business rules that are imprecisely documented. There is a risk that crucial knowledge related to maintenance of these IS could leave organizations as a result of the surge in retirement of experienced information technology (IT) professionals. This paper presents design science research, in which a survey and method of analysis was developed to assess and prioritize knowledge transfer needs related to IS. The instrument builds on industry leading practices in knowledge retention and incorporates social network analysis in order to produce a tool that is more comprehensive and efficient than previous tools built for this purpose. The analysis produces a prioritized list of knowledge and skill areas as well as a prioritized list of employees to focus knowledge transfer efforts within a firm