M-Business: Economy Driver or a Mess?

Reports about mobile wireless technology in the media may be confusing. While we know that the telecommunication industry is in distress, we also observe a phenomenal, indeed unprecedented explosion of the use of mobile wireless devices and services all over the globe. This paper presents a balanced introduction to wireless technology including devices, mobile operating systems, and communication protocols. It discusses standardization efforts, technology evolution paths, and several new and potentially disruptive technologies, some still in the research stage. The paper lists leading global wireless service providers in terms of the number of domestic subscribers and presents an analysis of the six U.S. national operators including their strengths and weaknesses. Only four of them are profitable now. Although the consumer market currently dictates technology evolution, several examples of successful business applications of wireless mobile technology are presented. Finally, the question presented in the title is addressed

Electronic Commerce: A Half-Empty Glass?

This article introduces an electronic commerce paradox by observing that while electronic commerce grows rapidly it is, at the same time, based on unsettled foundations. It describes how 22 constraints for global electronic commerce were identified, and analyzes them in depth. The constraints fall into four themes: 1. Building trust for users and consumers 2. Establishing ground rules for the digital marketplace 3. Enhancing information infrastructure 4. Maximizing benefits. Each of these themes contains a number of critical issues. The first theme--building trust for users and consumers--involves privacy protection, security, consumer protection, authentication and confidentiality, and access blocking. The second theme includes legal framework, acceptance of electronic transactions, taxation, tariffs, intellectual property protection, commercial policy, and payment systems. Enhancing information infrastructure covers the needed infrastructure enhancements and includes Internet infrastructure and governance, interconnectivity and technical convergence, technical standards, bandwidth and accessibility, and the question of how to further the competition. The last theme is about maximizing the benefits of electronic commerce and includes the understanding of digital economy, its measurement, seamless globalization, and involvement of small businesses. At the time that this paper was written (February 2000) none of these 22 issues had been resolved. Yet, they need to be worked out if electronic commerce is to be successful in both the developed and the underdeveloped world

Twitter, Google, iPhone/iPad, and Facebook (TGIF) and Smart Technology Environments: How Well Do Educators Communicate with Students via TGIF?

This article is a summary of a 2011 Association for Information Systems Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) panel discussion regarding current issues and future directions in the use of mobile technologies and social networks in education. The invited panelists are four faculty members from the United States specializing in Information Systems. The covered topics included evolution and history of e-learning, use of smartphones and tablets in education, development of social network services, and the use of social media (i.e., teaching with blogs and wikis) in the classroom. We discuss future directions in Twitter, Google, iPhone/iPad, and Facebook technology environments. Several resources for social media for college instructors are provided in the Appendix

Wireless Telecommunications Issues: Cell Phone TV, Wireless Networks in Disaster Management, Ubiquitous Computing, and Adoption of Future Wireless Applications

This paper is a summary of a 2007 Association for Information Systems Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) panel discussion regarding current mobile wireless issues and technologies. The invited panelists are four faculty members specializing in information systems from the United States. The covered topics included cell phone TV and misconceptions surrounding it, wireless networks in disaster management, ubiquitous computing including anatomy of a mote and sensors, and the adoption of future wireless applications. First, we present wireless cell phone TV as a functioning multipurpose computer, or a Swiss army knife, of media devices. The misconceptions are stated, influenced by preconceived notions by the media critics as well as users. Next we discuss a range of wireless technologies including wearable computing, ad hoc and mesh wireless networks as a means of providing communications for first respondents during a natural or man-made disaster. Then we examine the anatomy of motes and RFIDs, including sensors, in an era of ubiquitous computing and a world of (inter-)connected objects. Finally, we discuss the socio-cultural constructs impacting users\u27 intentions to adopt future wireless applications

Social Networking and Social Media in the United States, South Korea, and China

This article summarizes the panel discussion at Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) 2012 on the social media environment around the world, particularly the United States, South Korea, and China. The panelists discussed the current status of social networking and social media in the aforementioned countries. The first section begins with United States, with social networking pertaining to the population at large, the use of social networks in the business environment, and observed overuse and addictive behavior of wireless mobile devices (WMD) among users. The second section covers South Korea, with the discussion addressing social networking sites (SNS) and its history; the collectivism of Asian culture and how it affects users’ behavior toward SNS; current trends, which include privacy concerns; and the future direction of SNS in Korea. Finally, in China, social media is further explored in the business models of SNS providers, followed by the customer base comparison between the United States and China

Social Media Around the World

Over the past decade, there has been a burgeoning virtual explosion with social media. However, there are cons along with concerning aspects of the technology-based device; for instance, issues include distractions caused by Internet or text messages, and unreliability. The invited panelists will discuss the current status, issues (privacy, ethics, security), pros/cons, and future of social media. The panelists will also discuss current issues and future directions in North America, Europe, and Asia

Current Mobile Wireless Services and Technology: Trend

The purpose of this panel is to invite academicians and practitioners who have “expertise” in the area of wireless and mobile themes and to deliver current mobile and wireless issues and trend. These themes include mobile commerce and services, wireless information systems, cellular and DMB phone services, consolidation and M & A of cellular service providers, among others. While e-business continues to impact the global business environment, the focus has been directed towards wireless mobile computing. Telecommunication is perhaps the key to all interconnection, information systems, and mobile devices. While countries such as Japan, Korea, and many European nationals are moving quickly and successfully in developing and establishing mobile business markets in the telecommunications industry, the United States has found itself somewhat behind in the race to establish a functional and supportive infrastructure for m-business. The purpose of this special session is to present “mobile wireless services and technology.” Invited panelists will deliver various topics