Beverly K. Kahn

AIMQ: a methodology for information quality assessment

Information quality (IQ) is critical in organizations. Yet, despite a decade of active research and practice, the field lacks comprehensive methodologies for its assessment and improvement. Here, we develop such a methodology, which we call AIM quality (AIMQ) to form a basis for IQ assessment and benchmarking. The methodology is illustrated through its application to five major organizations. The methodology encompasses a model of IQ, a questionnaire to measure IQ, and analysis techniques for interpreting the IQ measures. We develop and validate the questionnaire and use it to collect data on the status of organizational IQ. These data are used to assess and benchmark IQ for four quadrants of the model. These analysis techniques are applied to analyze the gap between an organization and best practices. They are also applied to analyze gaps between IS professionals and information consumers. The results of the techniques are useful for determining the best area for IQ improvement activities.

Information quality benchmarks: product and service performance

Information quality (IQ) is an inexact science in terms of assessment and benchmarks. Although various aspects of quality and information have been investigated [1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12], there is still a critical need for a methodology that assesses how well organizations develop information products and deliver information services to consumers. Benchmarks developed from such a methodology can help compare information quality across organizations, and provide a baseline for assessing IQ improvements.

Typing Biometrics: Impact of Human Learning on Performance Quality

The use of stolen personal-identifying information, like Social Security numbers, to commit identity fraud continues to be a major problem. The fact that an impostor can pass as the genuine user by possession of stolen identification information is a weakness in current authentication systems. Adding a biometric layer to the traditional knowledge and token-based authentication systems is one way to counter this problem. Physical biometrics, such as fingerprint systems, are highly accurate; hence, they would be the first choice for such applications but are often inappropriate. Behavioral biometrics, like biometric typing patterns, have the potential to fill this gap as another level of security but this research identified some deficiencies in performance quality. Two research streams for improvements have emerged. The first approach attempts to improve performance by building better classifiers, while the second attempts to attain the same goal by using richer identifying inputs. Both streams assume that the typing biometric patterns are stable over time. This study investigates the validity of this assumption by analyzing how students’ typing patterns behave over time. The results demonstrate that typing patterns change over time due to learning resulting in several performance quality challenges. First, the changing patterns lead to deteriorating authentication accuracy. Second, the relevancy of the reference biometric template created during training becomes questionable. Third, the deterioration in accuracy compromises the security of the whole system and fourth, the net effect brings to question whether the biometric keypad is no longer “fit for use” as an authentication system. These are critical data quality issues that need to be addressed if behavioral biometrics are to play a significant role in minimizing authentication fraud. Possible solutions to the problem, including biometric template updating and choice of uncorrelated PIN combinations, are suggested as potential topics for future research.

KaBloom!: Revolution in the Flower Industry

David Hartstein started KaBloom in 1998 with the goal of creating “the Starbucks of Flowers.” He successfully built brand recognition for the gardenlike shops, but problems plagued the young organization. Nearly three years and one recession later, KaBloom failed to live up to Hartsteinʼs forecast of exponential growth. This case has been designed for a graduate-level course in entrepreneurship/innovation. Students can compare franchising with other business models, examine the impact of organizational structure and leadership styles on business effectiveness, relate issues of supply chain management and logistics to environmental changes, and recognize the impact of innovation on business sustainability.

Where is Information Quality in Information Systems Education

Improving the Information Quality (IQ) skill level of Information Systems (IS) professionals has become critical as organizational success increasingly depends on the availability of high-quality information. Using an IQ framework from the literature on data and information quality and recent IS curriculum models, the authors identify gaps between the information quality skills needed by organizations and the skills taught by universities to future IS professionals. The authors suggest improvements to the IS curriculum models to close this gap and thus to improve information quality teaching and learning.