Constructing comparable business process models with domain specific languages - An empirical evaluation

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the semantic building block-based approach as a means for improving comparability in business process modelling. It is described whether and why the semantic building block-based approach reduces the variations in comparison to traditional modelling approaches. Our argumentation is grounded on the assumption that business process modelling projects in large organisations have to be conducted in a distributed manner. However, the goal of these projects is to integrate single models into a consistent process landscape. This allows the organisation to mine the processes for potential improvements. A lack of comparability could deteriorate the quality of the process landscape and the analysis performed on its basis. In a laboratory experiment the variations of distributed process modelling in the traditional and the building block-based approach have been compared. Results indicate that the semantic building block-based approach leads to considerably fewer variations between business process models and, thus, improves the comparability of them

A Continuum of Electronic Commerce Maturity – From Buying a Computer to Business Transformation

In this paper a model is developed from work by Earl and also the National Office for the Information Economy (NOIE). The model seeks to provide a framework to place small businesses on a continuum of maturity in their use of the Internet from 1. Computerisation, 2. Getting Wired, 3. Corporate Home Page, 4. Corporate Intranet, 5. Buying and Selling Online, 6. Adding Key Capabilities, 7. Decision by Wire, to 8. Let’s Drop the “E” and transform. This model is then examined in light of case studies undertaken in four small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The model is useful both in placing a business of any size on the continuum and assisting in identifying the next stage of potential development for a company’s systems. The model has been extended through insights gained in the analysis of the case studies

Language history : A tale of two countries

This paper looks at the relationships between industry computer languages and those taught in universities. By considering the differences between two of the first countries to embrace programmable computers (USA and Australia) we find patterns that seem culturally independent. History shows a set of recurring problems for academics in choosing languages. This study shows that academics should be informed by history when making those decisions.2nd IFIP Conference on the History of Computing and EducationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Applied Learning with the Virtual Teaching Assistant

The relevance of a university degree depends upon the ability of graduates to apply their learning in complex problemsolving situations. This ability should be taught and practiced wherever possible in the curriculum, but often requires asubstantial commitment of face-to-face instructor time. However, in many disciplines software systems can be constructed toprovide or supplement relevant learning environments. This paper describes a system developed through the use of the designand development research technique. The case shows how collaborative, intentional, and project-based learning can beincorporated in and stimulated by design decisions informed by the research technique. The paper provides details about asystem built around realistic role playing and supported by a range of tools. The combination of a scenario with a real-worldcontext, along with a software system that evaluates student work as well as interactively mentoring students, provides theservices of a virtual teaching assistant

How E-Mental Health Services Benefit University Students with ADHD: A literature Review

E-mental health is an area within e-health in which the key role of IS/IT has not been well established. Both clinicians and scholars are uncertain as to the role of IS/IT and its potential benefits. This research review is introduced to assist in understanding the enabling role in e-mental health and it focused on one area of mental health, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in university students. ADHD is estimated to affect approximately 6% of university students by negatively impacting students' academic performance and social life; hence, fewer of these students complete their degrees as compared to their peers. This review outlines the potentials of using IS/IT in the treatment of ADHD in university students. It also serves to greatly contribute to e-mental health development and thereby to help to uncover further possibilities of IT/IT to support broad areas within mental health disorders and services.Comment: Research-in-progress ISBN# 978-0-646-95337-3 Presented at the Australasian Conference on Information Systems 2015 (arXiv:1605.01032

e-Government and the Elderly: A Two Country Comparison

This paper first identifies characteristics of aging populations across two countries: the USA and Australia. Government websites of special interest to the elderly are then identified at three levels of government: National, State and Local. A randomsample of these sites is tested for readability. Results show that reading levels of web sites are harder than thoserecommended and that this design flaw occurs across all levels of government and between the two countries. It is arguedthat the simple mistake of making material too hard for the elderly to read inhibits the transformative ability of e-governmentfor this citizen group with special needs

Birth, life and death of the Victorian Education Ultranet

This article examines the development and ultimate demise of the Ultranet, a major ICT infrastructure project in the education system of the Australian State of Victoria. The case is interesting as it was a very large project, intended for 1500 schools and funded to $180 m (Au). The study traces the design and implementation of the project as a socio-technical innovation in education. Although there are examples of how this project worked very well, its uptake was less than anticipated. The study found that potential benefits from a very large project like this can be nullified by a number of factors including: change in sponsorship of the project, an over emphasis on security concerns, failure to enrol crucial stakeholders and a naive assumption by technologists that technology with potential benefits will always be accepted. The study also found that technology projects must be delivered where a need exists and one that, most importantly, is recognised by the stakeholders. This will also be the case in other education systems around the world. If resources are not to be wasted the problem must be clearly identified and its need accepted before a solution is proposed. The Victorian Government finally abandoned the Ultranet in June 2013

Early computer awareness courses in australian secondary schools : Curricula from the late 1970s and early 1980s

Today there is no need to introduce secondary school students to computer technology, but in the early 1980s, the situation was quite different. In Australia in the late 1970s and early 1980s considerable importance was put on the introduction of Computer Awareness courses in secondary schools. The justification for such courses was the perceived need for children to be prepared for living in a society which was fast becoming dependant on the widespread application of computer technology, and that few people then understood the use and implications of this technology. Unlike in parts of the United States, no distinction was made in Australia between Computer Awareness and Computer Literacy, with the Australian curricula involving elements of each. This paper outlines the reasons for the development of Computer Awareness courses in Australia and describes their content. It discusses the consequences of these courses and why they were prominent in the 1980s.2nd IFIP Conference on the History of Computing and EducationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

The Ultranet: an eGovernment Project Management Failure?

The Education Ministry in the Australian State of Victoria undertook a major project: building the Ultranet, between 2005 and its release in August 2010. The possibilities offered by the Ultranet were considerable, but up take by schools was not. The Ultranet is not yet dead, but it is certainly not in a good state of health. An analysis of communications shows that user needs were not assessed adequately, and that the poor handling of the system-wide launch was sufficient to disenchant even those who had expressed initial support. This eGovernment project is studied as an example of project failure, particularly in regard to its human aspects. The existence of small pockets of dedicated users points to the possibility of resurrection of those parts of the business case where the users continue to value the feature. Suggestions are made for a possible means of project recovery that would address the problems in this case, and a framework is proposed for anticipating other e-Government project failure points