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Article
Publication date: 10 August 2015

Randy Connolly and Alan Fedoruk

This paper aims to demonstrate that computing social issues courses are often being taught by articulating the social impacts of different computer technologies and then applying…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate that computing social issues courses are often being taught by articulating the social impacts of different computer technologies and then applying moral theories to those impacts. It then argues that that approach has a number of serious drawbacks.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric analysis of ETHICOMP papers is carried out. Papers from early in the history of ETHICOMP are compared to recent years, so as to determine if papers are more or less focused on social scientific examinations of issues or on ethical evaluations of impacts of technology. The literature is examined to argue the drawbacks of the impact approach.

Findings

Over time, ETHICOMP papers have moved away from social scientific examinations of computing to more philosophic and ethical evaluations of perceived impacts of computing. The impact approach has a number of drawbacks. First, it is based on a technological deterministic style of social explanation that has been in disrepute in the academic social sciences for decades. Second, it uses an algorithmic approach to ethics that simplifies the social complexity and uncertainty that is the reality of socio-technological change.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology used in this paper is limited in several ways. The bibliometric analysis only examined five years of ETHICOMP papers, while the literature review focused on published computing education research. It is possible that neither of these forms of evidence reflects actual common teaching practice.

Practical implications

It is hoped that the arguments in this paper will convince teaching practitioners to modify the way they are teaching computing social issues courses: that is, the authors hope to convince educators to add more focus on the social context of computing.

Originality/value

The use of bibliometric analysis in this area is unique. The paper’s argument is perhaps unusual as well.

Details

Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society, vol. 13 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-996X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 March 2020

Luiz Antonio Joia and Gustavo Marchisotti

This study aims to identify the social representation of cloud computing from the perspective of Information Technology (IT) professionals in emerging countries, comparing it with…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the social representation of cloud computing from the perspective of Information Technology (IT) professionals in emerging countries, comparing it with the extant literature on this subject.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from IT professionals in Brazil, which was used as a proxy for the emerging countries’ context related to cloud computing. Social Representation Theory was then applied to analyze the data.

Findings

Mismatches between theory and practice on cloud computing make it clear that most of the current scientific literature on cloud computing is, to a great extent, based on the context of developed countries rather than on the context of emerging ones.

Research limitations/implications

Errors of inference may have been made during the categorization of the words evoked. Furthermore, Brazil was used as a proxy for the emerging countries’ context related to cloud computing.

Practical implications

IT professionals in emerging countries have quite an operational view of cloud computing. Thus, companies in these countries have to align cloud computing better with new business models and corporate strategies in order to take advantage of the transformational impacts of cloud computing.

Originality/value

IT professionals in emerging countries have failed to notice the strategic value of cloud computing, the new business models enabled by same, the privacy issues related to it and the impact cloud computing adoption can have on the IT costs of an organization. Moreover, mobility can be a paramount issue related to cloud computing in emerging countries – a fact thus far overlooked by academia.

Details

Internet Research, vol. 30 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1989

Rob Kling and Suzanne Iacono

Examines how important social and technical choices become part ofthe history of a computer‐based information system (CBIS). Argues thatCBIS should be developed in terms of their…

Abstract

Examines how important social and technical choices become part of the history of a computer‐based information system (CBIS). Argues that CBIS should be developed in terms of their social, as well as their information‐processing characteristics. Demonstrates that developing CBIS as an institutional system is important because: the useability is more critical than the technology; a well‐used CBIS with a stable structure is more difficult to replace than an unstable, ill‐used one; and CBIS vary from one social setting to another. Illustrates with a case study of a failed attempt at conversion.

Details

Office Technology and People, vol. 5 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0167-5710

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2008

Corina Pascu, David Osimo, Geomina Turlea, Martin Ulbrich, Yves Punie and Jean‐Claude Burgelman

The purpose of this paper is to assess the main implications for innovation and competitiveness of social computing trends that promote swift social and economic relations. They

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the main implications for innovation and competitiveness of social computing trends that promote swift social and economic relations. They are increasingly being considered by policymakers, both as tool and object for policymaking (i.e. how social computing could play a role in information society policies). Therefore, a general issue for the paper is represented by the lessons to be learned in terms of policy‐related consequences for Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on an extensive desk‐based survey of secondary data available from reports, studies and most recent statistics, from internet audience measurement companies, international research companies, research projects of non‐profit centers, international firms or the industry itself.

Findings

The diffusion and usage of social computing applications have been growing at an exponential rate. A powerful feature emerges, i.e. the new user as supplier, co‐producer or innovator of the service. New areas of innovation lie at the crossroads of an increasingly complex process of both tacit and codified knowledge production. They affect the way people find information, learn, share, communicate and consume and the way business is done. New players and markets provide significant threats and opportunities for the ICT and media industries. New players have a smaller cost base, viable business models and a real market.

Research limitations/implications

Comparative and systematic research of the fast growing social computing trends is needed over longer periods of time.

Practical implications

The paper provides the first evidence on the size and weight of these trends, as well as on their social and economic relevance. It raises the need for more research, e.g. on the areas that would be most impacted and to what extent, as well as a wealth of policy‐related research questions.

Originality/value

Since social computing is an emerging phenomenon, the work is innovative and novel because it attempts to draw a first solid overall picture of the development of these trends.

Details

Foresight, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 October 2021

Jiabao Sun, Ting Yang and Zhiying Xu

The increasing demands for customized services and frequent market variations have posed challenges to managing and controlling the manufacturing processes. Despite the…

Abstract

Purpose

The increasing demands for customized services and frequent market variations have posed challenges to managing and controlling the manufacturing processes. Despite the developments in literature in this area, less consideration has been devoted to the growth of business social networks, cloud computing, industrial Internet of things and intelligent production systems. This study recognizes the primary factors and their implications for intelligent production systems' success. In summary, the role of cloud computing, business social network and the industrial Internet of things on intelligent production systems success has been tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Intelligent production systems are manufacturing systems capable of integrating the abilities of humans, machines and processes to lead the desired manufacturing goals. Therefore, identifying the factors affecting the success of the implementation of these systems is necessary and vital. On the other hand, cloud computing and the industrial Internet of things have been highly investigated and employed in several domains lately. Therefore, the impact of these two factors on the success of implementing intelligent production systems is examined. The study is descriptive, original and survey-based, depending on the nature of the application, its target and the data collection method. Also, the introduced model and the information collected were analyzed using SMART PLS. Validity has been investigated through AVE and divergent validity. The reliability of the study has been checked out through Cronbach alpha and composite reliability obtained at the standard level for the variables. In addition, the hypotheses were measured by the path coefficients and R2, T-Value and GOF.

Findings

The study identified three variables and 19 sub-indicators from the literature associated that impact improved smart production systems. The results showed that the proposed model could describe 69.5% of the intelligence production systems' success variance. The results indicated that business social networks, cloud computing and the industrial Internet of things affect intelligent production systems. They can provide a novel procedure for intelligent comprehensions and connections, on-demand utilization and effective resource sharing.

Research limitations/implications

Study limitations are as below. First, this study ignores the interrelationships among the success of cloud computing, business social networks, Internet of things and smart production systems. Future studies can consider it. Second, we only focused on three variables. Future investigations may focus on other variables subjected to the contexts. Ultimately, there are fewer experimental investigations on the impact of underlying business social networks, cloud computing and the Internet of things on intelligent production systems' success.

Originality/value

The research and analysis outcomes are considered from various perspectives on the capacity of the new elements of Industry 4.0 for the manufacturing sector. It proposes a model for the integration of these elements. Also, original and appropriate guidelines are given for intelligent production systems investigators and professionals' designers in industry domains.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 51 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 October 2017

Elisha Ondieki Makori

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors promoting innovation and application of internet of things in academic and research information organizations.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate factors promoting innovation and application of internet of things in academic and research information organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative research design involved survey of selected academic and research information organizations in public and private chartered institutions. Information professionals, digital content managers, information systems and technologists that normally consume big data and technological resources were involved in the process of data collection using structured questionnaire and content analysis. Information organizations and information practitioners were selected from public and private academic and research institutions.

Findings

Innovation of internet of things has increasingly transformed and changed academic and research information organizations as the source of knowledge in addition to expanding access to education, data, information and communication anywhere anytime through hyperconnectivity and networking. Internet of things technologies such as mobile of things, web of things, digital information systems and personal devices are widely applied by digital natives in academic and research information organizations. Mobilization platform and devices is the single biggest provider of data, information and knowledge in academic and research organizations. Modern trends in education and knowledge practices in academic institutions and information organizations depends upon internet of things, digital repositories, electronic books and journals, social media interfaces, multimedia applications, information portal hubs and interactive websites, although challenges regarding inadequate information communication technology infrastructure and social computing facilities still persist.

Research limitations/implications

Information organizations in public and private chartered academic and research institutions were adopted in the study. Respondents handling and supporting information management, planning and decision-making provided the necessary data. Information professionals, digital content managers, information systems and technologists are proactively involved in data and information analytics.

Practical implications

Academic and research information organizations are powerhouses that provide knowledge to support research, teaching and learning for sustainable development and the betterment of humanity and society. Innovation of internet of things and associated technologies provides practical aspects of attaining sustainable information development practices in the contemporary knowledge society. Internet of things technologies, principles of economies of scale and investment and customer needs entail that information organizations and practitioners should provide appropriate and smart systems and solutions.

Social implications

Modern academic and research information organizations have the social corporate responsibility to offer technological innovations to heighten access to knowledge and learning in academic and research institutions. Economically, innovation and application of internet of things provide unlimited access to big data and information in organizations all the time anywhere anytime.

Originality/value

Data management is a growing phenomenon that information practitioners need to fully understand in the digital economies. Information professionals need to embrace and appreciate innovation and application of internet of things technologies whose role in sustainable development practices is critical in academic and research organizations.

Article
Publication date: 25 November 2013

Alberto Rosi, Marco Mamei and Franco Zambonelli

The key purpose of this paper is to overview the many issues related to the integration of social sensing and pervasive sensing in the support of adaptive context-aware services…

Abstract

Purpose

The key purpose of this paper is to overview the many issues related to the integration of social sensing and pervasive sensing in the support of adaptive context-aware services.

Design/methodology/approach

From the analysis of existing proposals and prototypes, the authors found out that the process of integrating social and pervasive sensing can follow a limited number of approaches, which enables the authors to properly frame the proposals existing in the literature (and/or available as prototype infrastructures) according to a simple taxonomy, which is very useful to make the survey much more effective than a simple list of systems and proposals.

Findings

The taxonomy shows that, when integrating social sensing with pervasive sensing, it is possible, at one extreme, to exploit social network as a mere source of information and have such information flow towards the infrastructure supporting the execution of pervasive computing services. At the other extreme, it is possible exploiting a social network as an infrastructure for the integration, by having data from pervasive devices flow towards social networks. In between the extremes, different means can consider to have social networks and pervasive infrastructures converge towards each other to enable the integration of social and pervasive sensing.

Originality/value

Besides introducing the main concepts related to social sensing and framing the key approaches that can be undertaken to pursue the integration with traditional pervasive sensing, the authors go further discussing open issues and key research challenges behind their seamless integration.

Details

International Journal of Pervasive Computing and Communications, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-7371

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2005

Roberta Lamb and Steve Sawyer

To extend the work of Rob Kling, whose research interests, and advocacy were at the center of a movement in analytical inquiry and empirical research now known as “social…

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Abstract

Purpose

To extend the work of Rob Kling, whose research interests, and advocacy were at the center of a movement in analytical inquiry and empirical research now known as “social informatics”.

Design/methodology/approach

Reviews the work of those who engage in social informatics research to strengthen and further the conceptual perspective, analytical approaches, and intellectual contributions of social informatics.

Findings

The vibrant and growing international community of active social informatics scholars has assembled a social informatics resource kit that includes: perspective lenses through which research data can be viewed critically; techniques for building theory and developing models from socially rich empirical data; and a common body of knowledge regarding the uses and effects of ICTs.

Originality/value

The paper identifies opportunities to engage new scholars in social informatics discussions, and suggests new venues for promoting and extending the work of scholars already enrolled in the social informatics movement.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 May 2022

Nastaran Hajiheydari, Mohammad Kargar Shouraki, Hamed Vares and Ayoub Mohammadian

How to respond to social and environmental concerns while pursuing economic goals remained a dilemma for today’s businesses. Besides, the digital revolution has profoundly changed…

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Abstract

Purpose

How to respond to social and environmental concerns while pursuing economic goals remained a dilemma for today’s businesses. Besides, the digital revolution has profoundly changed people's lifestyles, turning out the challenge of how to present products and services to the new generations of consumers through emerging digital channels. To overcome these challenges, a business needs to rely on its internal capabilities but must make them dynamic and modify them, when necessary, in response to or anticipation of external changes. This study aims to propose a model for business model innovation (BMI) with the goal of pursuing sustainability and adapting to the changes of the digital age pursuing dynamic capabilities principles.

Design/methodology/approach

This study followed a mixed-method design, using meta-synthesis in its first phase (qualitative) and interpretive structural modelling in its second phase (quantitative).

Findings

The proposed model consists of four layers including approach, aspect, dimension and component. Based on quantitative results, the 16 dimensions were categorised in four main levels of “sustainable computing”, “sustainable execution”, “sustainable engagement” and “sustainable results”. Considering sustainability and digital transformation as main change drivers for contemporary businesses, this paper proposes a novel framework in the field of BMI.

Originality/value

The results of this study suggest that BMI requires not only proper business design based on social and environmental sustainability and digital transformation requirements but also attention to a new component called sustainable engagement, which represents the need for engaging with social and environmental issues in addition to customers.

Details

foresight, vol. 25 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6689

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1990

David Phillips

The main focus of this paper is upon the use of computers and other elements of Information Technology (IT) in the daily practice of social work, specifically in relation to the…

Abstract

The main focus of this paper is upon the use of computers and other elements of Information Technology (IT) in the daily practice of social work, specifically in relation to the impact which it has upon the service user and the social workers and upon the outcome of service delivery. But it is also necessary to stray into other territories; notably management uses of computing in social work agencies, and to the more abstract area of the relationship between service‐users, social work and society.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 10 no. 4/5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

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