Length of Cloud Application Use on Functionality Expectation, Usability, Privacy, and Security: A Case of Google Docs

Background: Newcomers to cloud applications typically have to overcome concerns of privacy (confidentiality control) and security (safekeeping). On the one hand, end-users may be accustomed to cloud applications’ privacy and security (habituation). On the other hand, these applications quickly adapt to end-user needs on those concerns (reciprocal habituation). Does the old proverb “Custom makes all things easy” apply to privacy and security concerns about cloud application use? Method: This study focuses on Google Docs as an example of standardized, common cloud applications and collects data from 211 of its users. Results: The results show that length of use has significant associations with better usability perception and increased functionality expectation. In turn, improved usability perception leads to decreased security risk concern, while increased functionality expectation increases privacy concerns. Interestingly, usefulness perception is not influenced by privacy concern. Conclusions: Overall, the length of Google Docs use is associated with higher usefulness and increased adoption through greater usability and decreased security concern. Thus, when it comes to standardized, common cloud applications, the old proverb is valid with some exception. Also, “custom” is mutual between cloud applications and their users. Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/pajais/vol11/iss3/2

Affective and Social Factors Influencing the Continuance Intention of Using Social Technology for the Case-based Learning

The proliferation of social technology poses both a threat and an opportunity for the delivery of traditional case method learning in business schools. This paper extends the expectation confirmation model (ECM) to examine the possibility of delivering the case method learning via social technology. A total of 90 students in a public university in Thailand were formed into teams, and spent two weeks in discussing a Harvard business case via the social technology Edmodo. After the experiment, an online survey is conducted with these participants to assess the influence of affective and social factors on their continuance intention. Our regression analysis shows that in addition to affective factors the social factor of information and knowledge sharing can help improve the accuracy of predicting a student’s continuance intention of using social technology in case method learning. The analysis result leads to theoretical and empirical findings for business schools to consider adopting social technology as the next-generation tool for case method teaching

Trust In Online Medical Tourism Information: Having Cosmetic Surgery In South Korea

Medical tourism continues to expand globally. Many consumers have to rely heavily on online information, given geographical distances and unfamiliarity of a different healthcare system. Yet the quality of information is mixed at best. Few studies have examined factors that can impact trust in healthcare websites, organizations and doctors. In light of the popularity in having a cosmetic surgery in South Korea, we conducted lab experiments using 80 business school students in Bangkok, Thailand. Given the uncertainty of information accuracy and credibility, medical tourists are strongly influenced by social influence, especially by those close to them. Social influence also affects their trust in cosmetic surgery hospitals, doctors, and websites. Furthermore, certain website features and self-efficacy of online searching influence the trust in hospitals, doctors, and websites

Using System Dynamics Approach to Construct a Performance Measurement Model for Pharmacy Supply Chain Management

A credible performance measurement system is imperative to evaluate SCM systems effectiveness. However, commonly accepted measurements for evaluating pharmacy supply chain management (SCM) are yet to be developed. This study models the dynamic behavior of pharmacy supply chains to include managerial policies and performance measuring systems based on a well-established theoretical framework. The system dynamics methodology is adopted to simulate three scenarios: (1) demand forecasting policy, (2) market need, and (3) manufacturing errors. Simulation results lead to important policy implications of pharmacy SCM

Digital and Non-Digital Distractions for IT Professionals’ Remote Work

The pandemic has forced many firms to adopt remote work practices. However, recent surveys show that remote work productivity is mixed. Primary negative factors against productivity are digital and non-digital distractions at home. Considering that IT professionals heavily rely on digital devices, how is their remote work productivity affected by digital and non-digital distractions? The survey data from 60 IT professionals shows that IT professionals’ productivity is not significantly affected by digital distractions compared to those in their office work. On the other hand, non-digital distractions at home lower their productivity. However, their work/life goal commitment counters distractions at home. Implications and future research agendas are discussed

THE COGNITIONS AND AFFECTS OF MORAL ATTITUDE TOWARD SOFTWARE PIRACY INTENTION

Internet proliferation and ubiquity are easing the process for individuals to copy, download, share, sell and distribute copyrighted software without purchasing a legal license. The prevalent piracy issue has not only caused a tremendous loss of revenues for legal software makers, but also raised piracy ethicality. The current study shows that moral attitude is one of important predictors for piracy intention. The purpose of this study is to increase its predictive power by including two planned behaviour constructs from the perspective of cognitive and affective beliefs. Based on Kohlberg’s theory of moral development, a conceptual framework is proposed to include perceived likelihood of punishment and perceived benefit as cognitive beliefs and perception of shame, happiness and excitement as affective beliefs

Virtual Group Learning Effectiveness via eLearning Mediums

Online learning provides the potential for more differentiated, integrated, and open learning environments to solve team project assignments. We argue that although it is feasible to increase information richness via adopting multimedia technologies, the effectiveness to promote interpersonal skills, critical thinking, and cognitive learning processes via virtual group discussion is uncertain. To substantiate the argument, we invited 156 subjects, divided into 46 groups, to resolve decision- and intellective-tasks in text-messaging and audio-conferencing e-learning environments. A pedagogical interpretation of how we can use these two e-learning systems to improve effectiveness for group-based tasks was posited

Open Source Software for Economically Developing Countries: A Free IT Solution for Success

The cost of licensing proprietary or Closed Source Software (CSS) can be prohibitively high for Economically Developing Countries (EDCs). In contrast, Open Source Software (OSS), which is free of charge, is often touted as a panacea for bridging the digital divide between EDCs and industrialized nations. This paper reviews the literature to identify determinant factors for OSS adoption in industrialized nations and identifies OSS adoption differences between EDCs and industrialized nations using three case studies from Ethiopia. The paper concludes that while the OSS movement holds potential for EDCs, the determinant factors for its adoption are different from those in industrialized nations; if the potential of OSS is to be realized for EDCs, further study is needed to understand the full extent of these differences

Challenges and Status on Design and Computation for Emerging Additive Manufacturing Technologies

The revolution of additive manufacturing (AM) has led to many opportunities in fabricating complex and novel products. The increase of printable materials and the emergence of novel fabrication processes continuously expand the possibility of engineering systems in which product components are no longer limited to be single material, single scale, or single function. In fact, a paradigm shift is taking place in industry from geometry-centered usage to supporting functional demands. Consequently, engineers are expected to resolve a wide range of complex and difficult problems related to functional design. Although a higher degree of design freedom beyond geometry has been enabled by AM, there are only very few computational design approaches in this new AM-enabled domain to design objects with tailored properties and functions. The objectives of this review paper are to provide an overview of recent additive manufacturing developments and current computer-aided design methodologies that can be applied to multimaterial, multiscale, multiform, and multifunctional AM technologies. The difficulties encountered in the computational design approaches are summarized and the future development needs are emphasized. In the paper, some present applications and future trends related to additive manufacturing technologies are also discussed