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1 – 10 of over 57000Omotayo Farai, Nicole Metje, Carl Anthony, Ali Sadeghioon and David Chapman
Wireless sensor networks (WSN), as a solution for buried water pipe monitoring, face a new set of challenges compared to traditional application for above-ground infrastructure…
Abstract
Purpose
Wireless sensor networks (WSN), as a solution for buried water pipe monitoring, face a new set of challenges compared to traditional application for above-ground infrastructure monitoring. One of the main challenges for underground WSN deployment is the limited range (less than 3 m) at which reliable wireless underground communication can be achieved using radio signal propagation through the soil. To overcome this challenge, the purpose of this paper is to investigate a new approach for wireless underground communication using acoustic signal propagation along a buried water pipe.
Design/methodology/approach
An acoustic communication system was developed based on the requirements of low cost (tens of pounds at most), low power supply capacity (in the order of 1 W-h) and miniature (centimetre scale) size for a wireless communication node. The developed system was further tested along a buried steel pipe in poorly graded SAND and a buried medium density polyethylene (MDPE) pipe in well graded SAND.
Findings
With predicted acoustic attenuation of 1.3 dB/m and 2.1 dB/m along the buried steel and MDPE pipes, respectively, reliable acoustic communication is possible up to 17 m for the buried steel pipe and 11 m for the buried MDPE pipe.
Research limitations/implications
Although an important first step, more research is needed to validate the acoustic communication system along a wider water distribution pipe network.
Originality/value
This paper shows the possibility of achieving reliable wireless underground communication along a buried water pipe (especially non-metallic material ones) using low-frequency acoustic propagation along the pipe wall.
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Christina Fuchs and Astrid Reichel
This chapter examines how increased digitalisation shapes employee voice behaviour through informal digital channels. A growing body of literature found positive effects of…
Abstract
This chapter examines how increased digitalisation shapes employee voice behaviour through informal digital channels. A growing body of literature found positive effects of employee voice on organisational outcomes, and companies are offering various formal and informal channels for employees to speak up. However, despite the vast literature on employee voice, research on the role of the voice channel is limited. With digital voice channels gaining popularity since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, investigating how the interaction of employees with communication technologies affects their willingness to speak up digitally is ever more important. To do so, the authors chose a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews. Adaptive structuration theory (AST) guided the qualitative content analysis. Findings indicate that the shift from analogue to digital informal voice channels influences employees’ willingness to speak up. Despite an effort to mimic analogue face-to-face conversations through advanced technologies, employees perceive a missing spark when communicating digitally, which discourages them from speaking up through informal digital channels. In this chapter, the authors analyse which factors constitute the missing spark.
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Considers the development of the content industry in Europe by 2005, with the anticipation of new applications such as tele‐education, tele‐medicine, tele‐detection and…
Abstract
Considers the development of the content industry in Europe by 2005, with the anticipation of new applications such as tele‐education, tele‐medicine, tele‐detection and tele‐surveillance. Examines the interplay of the various political and industrial interests involved, using the technique of “scenario‐mapping” in particular.
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Digital asset management as a technology for handling electronic material is used in different contexts for various technical purposes. Explores the effects of this technology on…
Abstract
Digital asset management as a technology for handling electronic material is used in different contexts for various technical purposes. Explores the effects of this technology on the marketing supply chain, being a new application area of digital asset management solutions. A conceptual framework is provided to describe marketing processes in the world of information technology and marketing communication logistics. Based on a literature review, possible benefits of digital asset management in this setting are presented. Anticipated benefits are evaluated in an indicative case study. The description of marketing supply chains leads to new insights for supply chain management.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential applications of stratospheric communication platforms (SCP), which have been recently introduced as an alternative for…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the potential applications of stratospheric communication platforms (SCP), which have been recently introduced as an alternative for satellite communications.
Design/methodology/approach
Various applications, solutions and services are planned by using aircraft or airship SCP, which could be classified as digital narrowband or broadband, depending on the broadband required. The platforms as base stations can provide service for fixed and mobile applications, with commercial and military solutions. Subscribers will use uplink to the platform for transmitting and receiving information, where onboard SCP switching devices will downlink to the ground station and route traffic directly to other subscribers within the same platform coverage, to another platform via optical inter‐platform links, trough heterogeneous networks including satellite or to the terrestrial telecommunications network. Each SCP can deploy an antenna for large coverage area or a multibeam antenna capable of projecting numerous spot beams within its potential coverage area.
Findings
This paper outlines the findings of fixed and mobile applications, features, testing and some specific development programs of SCP using aircraft solutions, such as SkyTower and airship solutions, such as CRL/TAO/NAL.
Research limitations/implications
Particular consideration is given to the use of SCP for delivery of future broadband, broadcast and multimedia wireless communications including research for new communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) implications.
Practical implications
SCP will provide communication facilities that can exploit the best features for both terrestrial and satellite schemes.
Originality/value
Emerging solutions of voice, data and video over IP are offered by SCPs operating in the stratosphere at altitudes of up to 25 km.
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Joanne Jin Zhang, Yossi Lichtenstein and Jonathan Gander
Digital business models are often designed for rapid growth, and some relatively young companies have indeed achieved global scale. However, despite the visibility and importance…
Abstract
Digital business models are often designed for rapid growth, and some relatively young companies have indeed achieved global scale. However, despite the visibility and importance of this phenomenon, analysis of scale and scalability remains underdeveloped in management literature. When it is addressed, analysis of this phenomenon is often over-influenced by arguments about economies of scale in production and distribution. To redress this omission, this paper draws on economic, organization, and technology management literature to provide a detailed examination of the sources of scaling in digital businesses. We propose three mechanisms by which digital business models attempt to gain scale: engaging both non-paying users and paying customers; organizing customer engagement to allow self-customization; and orchestrating networked value chains, such as platforms or multi-sided business models. Scaling conditions are discussed, and propositions developed and illustrated with examples of big data entrepreneurial firms.
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Maria Trinidad García Leiva, Michael Starks and Damian Tambini
The purpose of this paper is to review current policy and practice in management of analogue‐digital switch in broadcasting.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review current policy and practice in management of analogue‐digital switch in broadcasting.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a case study approach.
Findings
The paper finds that with regard the objectives of switch‐off, the broad policy aims of clearing spectrum, modernising infrastructure, and improving the services to the consumer are shared across the major countries studied. Uncertainty about the cash value and potential alternative uses of spectrum is natural given rapid technological change, but the common potential broadcasting uses include mobile television, high definition digital terrestrial television, and more digital broadcasters and channels, including regional and local developments.
Research limitations/implications
The study is restricted to Europe, Japan and North America.
Practical implications
The study has implications for assessment of European switchover strategies and role of Digital Terrestrial.
Originality/value
There are some overviews, but none of so up to date, nor with this geographical coverage.
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The purpose of this paper is to discuss what the beginning of the Internet Age means for the functions and structures of scholarly information and communication by looking at and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss what the beginning of the Internet Age means for the functions and structures of scholarly information and communication by looking at and evaluating today's usability and usage of the digital information infrastructure for and by academic scholarship.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper gives an overview of the current state of development of digital information in the scholarly cultures and stresses the importance of data as the crucial – and considerably extended – basis of scholarly work. The central role of the publishing world for the academic rewards system is analyzed to consider continuities and discontinuities in scholarly publication.
Findings
The paper advances the thesis first coined by Christine Borgman that today we have an information infrastructure of, but not for, scholarly information. Some ideas and proposals of what should be done to move towards an information infrastructure for scholarly work conclude the paper.
Originality/value
The paper tries to bridge the gap between information professionals as producers and scholars as users of information and communication technologies and shows that a joint debate on these issues is necessary.
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C. Ross, M. Terras, C. Warwick and A. Welsh
To date, few studies have been undertaken to make explicit how microblogging technologies are used by and can benefit scholars. This paper aims to investigate the use of Twitter…
Abstract
Purpose
To date, few studies have been undertaken to make explicit how microblogging technologies are used by and can benefit scholars. This paper aims to investigate the use of Twitter by an academic community in various conference settings, and to pose the following questions: Does the use of a Twitter‐enabled backchannel enhance the conference experience, collaboration and the co‐construction of knowledge? and How is microblogging used within academic conferences, and can one articulate the benefits it may bring to a discipline?
Design/methodology/approach
This paper considers the use of Twitter as a digital backchannel by the Digital Humanities (DH) community, taking as its focus postings to Twitter during three different international 2009 conferences. The resulting archive of 4,574 “Tweets” was analysed using various quantitative and qualitative methods, including a qualitative categorisation of Twitter posts by open coded analysis, a quantitative examination of user conventions, and text analysis tools. Prominent Tweeters were identified and a small qualitative survey was undertaken to ascertain individuals' attitudes towards a Twitter‐enabled backchannel.
Findings
Conference hashtagged Twitter activity does not constitute a single distributed conversation, but rather multiple monologues with a few intermittent, discontinuous, loosely joined dialogues between users. The digital backchannel constitutes a multidirectional complex space in which the users make notes, share resources, hold discussions and ask questions as well as establishing a clear individual online presence. The use of Twitter as a conference platform enables the community to expand communication and participation in events amongst its members. The analysis revealed the close‐knit nature of the DH researcher community, which may be somewhat intimidating for those new to the field or conference.
Practical implications
This study has indicated that, given that Twitter is becoming increasingly important for academic communities, new, dedicated methodologies for the analysis and understanding of Tweet‐based corpora are necessary. Routinely used textual analysis tools cannot be applied to corpora of Tweets in a straightforward manner, due to the creative and fragmentary nature of language used within microblogging. In this paper, a method has been suggested to categorise Tweets using open coded analysis to facilitate understanding of Tweet‐based corpora, which could be adopted elsewhere.
Originality/value
This paper is the first known exhaustive study that concentrates on how microblogging technologies such as Twitter are used by and can benefit scholars. This data set both provides a valuable insight into the prevalence of a variety of Twitter practices within the constraints of a conference setting, and highlights the need for methodologies to be developed to analyse social media streams such as Twitter feeds. It also provides a bibliography of other research into microblogging.
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