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Article
Publication date: 1 January 1993

H. van de Haar and R. von Solms

Top management is responsible for the wellbeing of theorganization. Most organizations nowadays are dependent totally on theavailability and effectiveness of their information

1547

Abstract

Top management is responsible for the wellbeing of the organization. Most organizations nowadays are dependent totally on the availability and effectiveness of their information service resources. For this reason it is imperative that top management gets involved and stays involved in the protection of the information service assets of the organization. This can only be accomplished through a process of continuous information security evaluation and reporting. An information security evaluation and reporting tool, representing the information security status in a concise, clear manner, will help a great deal in ensuring top management involvement. Suggests implementation of an information security management model by means of an evaluation tool. This tool will provide top management with information security status reporting in a clear, non‐technical format.

Details

Information Management & Computer Security, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-5227

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Vaughan C. Judd, Lucy I. Farrow and Betty J. Tims

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the attempt to find an evaluation instrument for undergraduate students to use to evaluate public web sites, the analysis of the variety of…

2356

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the attempt to find an evaluation instrument for undergraduate students to use to evaluate public web sites, the analysis of the variety of instruments discovered, the subsequent development of an appropriate instrument, and the application of the instrument in workshops with students.

Design/methodology/approach

The instrument was created based on the following criteria that the authors determined would meet the students' needs. It focuses exclusively on the information aspect of a web site, has some basis in theory or is based on an accepted model, is parsimonious, is quantitative, with both absolute and relative measures, and indicates whether or not the information should be accepted or rejected. The instrument was also developed with the goal of focusing on the process rather than the outcome.

Findings

Although a number of diverse evaluation instruments from the literature and from web‐based sources were examined, none was deemed suitable for students to use so the authors developed their own.

Originality/value

The authors concurred that, based on their assessment of the learning environment, the focus of an instrument should be on evaluation as a process.

Details

Reference Services Review, vol. 34 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0090-7324

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 June 2021

Hamid Keshavarz, Amir Vafaeian and Ali Shabani

User behavior in online information evaluation is the result of a multitude of factors related to social, cultural, personal and psychological issues. The present study aimed to…

Abstract

Purpose

User behavior in online information evaluation is the result of a multitude of factors related to social, cultural, personal and psychological issues. The present study aimed to examine the effects of three important psychological variables including personality, self-efficacy and attitude on online information evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

Four validated measures were administrated in person and online among 355 postgraduate students at Shahed University, Tehran, Iran. For testing the possible relationships among the variables, the reliability, normality and Pearson correlation tests were performed by using SPSS 24.0. Moreover, to test the ten hypotheses of the research, the structural equation modeling was considered using AMOS 26.0.

Findings

The findings confirmed the first five research hypotheses indicating the direct positive relationships among the four variables except for the impact of self-efficacy on attitude. The mediated effects of the variables were not supported except for the mediating role of attitude in the impact of personality on online evaluation behavior. The variable personality was found to be fundamental among the tested paths because it influenced the information evaluation behavior, both directly and indirectly.

Originality/value

The study showed the impacts of the three variables, which demonstrates that online information evaluation is greatly affected by psychological factors.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 November 2006

Sudatta Chowdhury, Monica Landoni and Forbes Gibb

The main objective of this paper is to review work on the usability and impact of digital libraries.

7210

Abstract

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to review work on the usability and impact of digital libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

Work on the usability and impact of digital libraries is reviewed. Specific studies on the usability and impact of digital libraries in specific domains are also discussed in order to identify general and specific usability and impact measures.

Findings

The usability studies reviewed in this paper show that a number of approaches have been used to assess usability. In addition to the technical aspects of digital library design (e.g. architecture, interfaces and search tools), there are a number of usability issues such as globalisation, localisation, language, culture issues, content and human information behaviour. Digital libraries should, however, be evaluated primarily with respect to their target users, applications and contexts.

Research limitations/implications

Although a digital library evaluation study may have several objectives, ranging from the evaluation of its design and architecture to the evaluation of its usability and its impact on the target users, this paper focuses on usability and impact.

Originality/value

This paper provides insights into the state‐of‐the art in relation to the usability and impact of digital libraries.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1999

Dan Remenyi and Michael Sherwood‐Smith

Proposes a continuous participative evaluation process built on the formative evaluation paradigm. The benefits of this approach are that all the primary or core stakeholders…

4296

Abstract

Proposes a continuous participative evaluation process built on the formative evaluation paradigm. The benefits of this approach are that all the primary or core stakeholders, i.e. the users, top management and the technical specialists involved in the task of delivering information systems benefits, participate in the evaluation and the subsequent decision making associated with the project. These stakeholders are consequently involved in moulding and realising an information system which is targeted to meet real business needs rather than just investment and project management criteria. This approach ensures that high quality information systems that deliver direct business benefits with which the user community can identify are implemented. It implies a new focus that encompasses concentrating on and understanding the business issues and how the information system will deliver real value to the organisation. It is the view of the authors that formative evaluation can help to maximise business value from information systems.

Details

Logistics Information Management, vol. 12 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-6053

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2021

Chunnian Liu, Qi Tian and Xiaogang Zhu

This study aimed to analyze existing problems in the dissemination and management of emergency information on social media platforms, improve social media users' experience…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze existing problems in the dissemination and management of emergency information on social media platforms, improve social media users' experience regarding such information, increase the efficiency of emergency information dissemination and curb the spread of misinformation.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the emergency information quality on social media platforms was examined. Based on the evaluation principles of the quality of mature information, social media information characteristics and the rules of emergency information dissemination, combined with relevant academic research results, an index to evaluate the quality of emergency information on social media was constructed. In addition, the authors have introduced cloud theory as an information quality evaluation method and used social media users' emotional characteristics to assess information quality evaluation results. A comprehensive system for evaluating emergency information quality, including indexes, methods and detection strategies was established. Based on a comprehensive system, a case study was conducted on the forest fires in Sichuan Province and the African swine fever events as reported on the Zhihu platform. In accordance with the results of the case study, the authors expanded the research and introduced the emotional characteristics of social media users as an independent evaluation dimension to evaluate the quality of emergency information on social media.

Findings

The comprehensive system's effectiveness was verified through the case study. Further, it was found that users' emotional characteristics (reflected in their information behavior) are inconsistent with their evaluation of websites' information quality regarding major emergencies. Integrating users' emotional characteristics into the information evaluation system can enhance its effectiveness following major emergencies.

Originality/value

First, an evaluation index system of emergency information quality on social media about major emergencies was offered. Unlike the commonly available index system for information quality evaluation, this proposed evaluation index system not only accounted for the characteristics of social media, such as massive disordered information, multiple information sources and rapid dissemination, but also for the characteristics of emergency events, such as variability and the absence of precursors. This proposed evaluation index system enhances the pertinence of the information quality evaluation and compensates for the shortcoming that the current research only focuses on evaluating social media information quality in a broad context, but pays insufficient attention to major emergencies. Second, cloud theory was introduced as a method to evaluate the emergency information quality found on social media. Existing research has primarily included the use of traditional statistical methods, which cannot transform numerical values into qualitative concepts effectively. Various indeterminate factors inevitably affect the quality of emergency information on social media platforms, and the traditional methods cannot eliminate this uncertainty in the evaluation process. The method to assess emergency information quality based on cloud theory can effectively compensate for the gaps in the research and improve the accuracy of information quality assessment. Third, the inspection and the dynamic adjustment of assessment results are absent in the research on information quality assessment, and the research has relied principally on the information users' evaluation and has paid insufficient attention to their attitudes and behaviors toward information. Therefore, the authors incorporated users' emotional characteristics into the evaluation of emergency information quality on social media and used them to test the evaluation results so that the results of the information quality assessment not only include the users' explicit attitudes but also their implicit attitudes. This enhances the effectiveness of the information quality assessment system. Finally, through this case study, it was found that an inconsistency exists between user evaluation and user emotional characteristics after major emergencies. The reasons for this phenomenon were explained, and the necessity of integrating user emotional characteristics into information quality assessment was demonstrated. Based on this, the users' emotional characteristics were used as a separate evaluation dimension for assessing the quality of emergency information on social media. Compared with assessing the quality of general information, integrating the user's emotional characteristics into the evaluation index system can lead the evaluation results to include not only the users' cognitive evaluation but also their emotional experience, further enhancing their adaptability.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 July 2021

Yating Li, Chi Zhou, Di Wu and Min Chen

Advances in information technology now permit the recording of massive and diverse process data, thereby making data-driven evaluations possible. This study discusses whether…

Abstract

Purpose

Advances in information technology now permit the recording of massive and diverse process data, thereby making data-driven evaluations possible. This study discusses whether teachers’ information literacy can be evaluated based on their online information behaviors on online learning and teaching platforms (OLTPs).

Design/methodology/approach

First, to evaluate teachers’ information literacy, the process data were combined from teachers on OLTP to describe nine third-level indicators from the richness, diversity, usefulness and timeliness analysis dimensions. Second, propensity score matching (PSM) and difference tests were used to analyze the differences between the performance groups with reduced selection bias. Third, to effectively predict the information literacy score of each teacher, four sets of input variables were used for prediction using supervised learning models.

Findings

The results show that the high-performance group performs better than the low-performance group in 6 indicators. In addition, information-based teaching and behavioral research data can best reflect the level of information literacy. In the future, greater in-depth explorations are needed with richer online information behavioral data and a more effective evaluation model to increase evaluation accuracy.

Originality/value

The evaluation based on online information behaviors has concrete application scenarios, positively correlated results and prediction interpretability. Therefore, information literacy evaluations based on behaviors have great potential and favorable prospects.

Book part
Publication date: 28 September 2015

Md Shah Azam

Information and communications technology (ICT) offers enormous opportunities for individuals, businesses and society. The application of ICT is equally important to economic and…

Abstract

Information and communications technology (ICT) offers enormous opportunities for individuals, businesses and society. The application of ICT is equally important to economic and non-economic activities. Researchers have increasingly focused on the adoption and use of ICT by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as the economic development of a country is largely dependent on them. Following the success of ICT utilisation in SMEs in developed countries, many developing countries are looking to utilise the potential of the technology to develop SMEs. Past studies have shown that the contribution of ICT to the performance of SMEs is not clear and certain. Thus, it is crucial to determine the effectiveness of ICT in generating firm performance since this has implications for SMEs’ expenditure on the technology. This research examines the diffusion of ICT among SMEs with respect to the typical stages from innovation adoption to post-adoption, by analysing the actual usage of ICT and value creation. The mediating effects of integration and utilisation on SME performance are also studied. Grounded in the innovation diffusion literature, institutional theory and resource-based theory, this study has developed a comprehensive integrated research model focused on the research objectives. Following a positivist research paradigm, this study employs a mixed-method research approach. A preliminary conceptual framework is developed through an extensive literature review and is refined by results from an in-depth field study. During the field study, a total of 11 SME owners or decision-makers were interviewed. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed using NVivo 10 to refine the model to develop the research hypotheses. The final research model is composed of 30 first-order and five higher-order constructs which involve both reflective and formative measures. Partial least squares-based structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) is employed to test the theoretical model with a cross-sectional data set of 282 SMEs in Bangladesh. Survey data were collected using a structured questionnaire issued to SMEs selected by applying a stratified random sampling technique. The structural equation modelling utilises a two-step procedure of data analysis. Prior to estimating the structural model, the measurement model is examined for construct validity of the study variables (i.e. convergent and discriminant validity).

The estimates show cognitive evaluation as an important antecedent for expectation which is shaped primarily by the entrepreneurs’ beliefs (perception) and also influenced by the owners’ innovativeness and culture. Culture further influences expectation. The study finds that facilitating condition, environmental pressure and country readiness are important antecedents of expectation and ICT use. The results also reveal that integration and the degree of ICT utilisation significantly affect SMEs’ performance. Surprisingly, the findings do not reveal any significant impact of ICT usage on performance which apparently suggests the possibility of the ICT productivity paradox. However, the analysis finally proves the non-existence of the paradox by demonstrating the mediating role of ICT integration and degree of utilisation explain the influence of information technology (IT) usage on firm performance which is consistent with the resource-based theory. The results suggest that the use of ICT can enhance SMEs’ performance if the technology is integrated and properly utilised. SME owners or managers, interested stakeholders and policy makers may follow the study’s outcomes and focus on ICT integration and degree of utilisation with a view to attaining superior organisational performance.

This study urges concerned business enterprises and government to look at the environmental and cultural factors with a view to achieving ICT usage success in terms of enhanced firm performance. In particular, improving organisational practices and procedures by eliminating the traditional power distance inside organisations and implementing necessary rules and regulations are important actions for managing environmental and cultural uncertainties. The application of a Bengali user interface may help to ensure the productivity of ICT use by SMEs in Bangladesh. Establishing a favourable national technology infrastructure and legal environment may contribute positively to improving the overall situation. This study also suggests some changes and modifications in the country’s existing policies and strategies. The government and policy makers should undertake mass promotional programs to disseminate information about the various uses of computers and their contribution in developing better organisational performance. Organising specialised training programs for SME capacity building may succeed in attaining the motivation for SMEs to use ICT. Ensuring easy access to the technology by providing loans, grants and subsidies is important. Various stakeholders, partners and related organisations should come forward to support government policies and priorities in order to ensure the productive use of ICT among SMEs which finally will help to foster Bangladesh’s economic development.

Details

E-Services Adoption: Processes by Firms in Developing Nations
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-325-9

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 August 2014

Jurgita Rudžionienė and Jaroslav Dvorak

The purpose of this paper is to define the problem and to initiate discussion on library evaluation as significant part of institutional evidence-based management from public…

3789

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define the problem and to initiate discussion on library evaluation as significant part of institutional evidence-based management from public administration approach.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to fulfilling the purpose, special attention to present the concepts of valuing information, library performance evaluation, measurement, etc. is drawn, main evaluation functions are analysed. Economic aspects of information services vs intellectual ones are discussed. Consistent patterns and principles of public administration as well as possibilities of public administration influence in creation of systematic base of library performance evaluation as well as of information services impact to the user are analysed.

Findings

The paper provides insights about different aspects of information services evaluation. Results of analysis of economic aspects of information services vs intellectual ones are presented, consistent patterns and principles of public administration, possibilities of public administration influence in creation of systematic base of library performance evaluation as well as of information services impact to the user possibilities are presented.

Originality/value

The paper fulfills need to study how public administration could involve library evaluation as tool for evidence-based decision making.

Details

Library Management, vol. 35 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 April 2020

Zhao Xu, Xiang Wang, Ya Xiao and Jingfeng Yuan

There is often a lack of accurate performance evaluation in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects. It is a challenging issue to effectively use Building Information Modeling…

1049

Abstract

Purpose

There is often a lack of accurate performance evaluation in Public–Private Partnership (PPP) projects. It is a challenging issue to effectively use Building Information Modeling (BIM) for PPP project performance evaluation. The objective of this study is to develop a PPP project performance evaluation model based on Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) and an enhanced matter-element method to more precisely evaluate PPP project performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The performance evaluation of PPP projects in the construction and operation period was explored. The PPP project performance evaluation indicator system was first established based on a literature review and PPP project practice. Then, the evaluation indicator information was expressed through IFC mapping and extension. After that, an IFC-based PPP project performance evaluation model was developed, and a case study was provided to validate the use of the proposed performance evaluation model.

Findings

The results of the case study show that the proposed approach can accurately and efficiently evaluate PPP projects, and it could favorably contribute to performance evaluation in PPP projects.

Research limitations/implications

This study only concerns the performance evaluation of one type of PPP project. Further research is required to study different types of PPP projects; the model needs to be more efficient and intelligent.

Originality/value

The performance evaluation of PPP projects utilizing IFC extension and the enhanced matter-element method provides guidance for the government and private parties to accurately and efficiently evaluate PPP project performance.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 27 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 168000