Chris Barry

A survey of multimedia and Web development techniques and methodology usage

The authors present survey results which suggest that no uniform approach exists for multimedia systems development and that practitioners are not using the multimedia models cited in the literature. It is concluded that developers need new techniques that capture requirements and integrate them within a systems development framework.

A comparison of 'traditional' and multimedia information systems development practices

Abstract As multimedia information systems begin to infiltrate organizations, there arises a need to capture and disseminate knowledge about how to develop them. Little is thus far known about the realities of multimedia systems development practice, or about how the development of multimedia systems compares to that of ‘traditional’ information systems. Herein are discussed the findings of a survey of multimedia developers in Ireland. Practitioners generally agree that systematic approaches are desirable in order to beneficially add structure to development processes, but they are predominantly using their own in-house methods rather than those prescribed in the literature.

Fuzzy, Distributed, Instance Counting, And Default Artmap Neural Networks For Financial Diagnosis

This paper shows the potential of neural networks based on the Adaptive Resonance Theory as tools that generate warning signals when bankruptcy of a company is expected (bankruptcy prediction problem). Using that class of neural networks is still unexplored to date. We examined four of the most popular networks of the class — fuzzy, distributed, instance counting, and default ARTMAP. In order to illustrate their performance and to compare with other techniques, we used data, financial ratios, and experimental conditions identical to those published in previous studies. Our experiments show that two financial ratios provide highest discriminatory power of the model and ensure best prediction accuracy. We examined performance and validated results by exhaustive search of input variables, cross-validation, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and area under curve metric. We also did application-specific cost analysis. Our results show that distributed ARTMAP outperforms the other three models in general, but the fuzzy model is best performer for certain vigilance values and in the application-specific context. We also found that ARTMAP outperforms the most popular neural networks — multi-layer perceptrons and other statistical techniques applied to the same data.

In Search of Search Engine Marketing Strategy Amongst SME’s in Ireland

Researchers have identified the Web as a searchers first port of call for locating information. Search Engine Marketing (SEM) strategies have been noted as a key consideration when developing, maintaining and managing Websites. A study presented here of SEM practices of Irish small to medium enterprises (SMEs) reveals they plan to spend more resources on SEM in the future. Most firms utilize an informal SEM strategy, where Website optimization is perceived most effective in attracting traffic. Respondents cite the use of ‘keywords in title and description tags’ as the most used SEM technique, followed by the use of ‘keywords throughout the whole Website’; while ‘Pay for Placement’ was most widely used Paid Search technique. In concurrence with the literature, measuring SEM performance remains a significant challenge with many firms unsure if they measure it effectively. An encouraging finding is that Irish SMEs adopt a positive ethical posture when undertaking SEM.

Perceptions of Low-Cost Carriers’ Compliance with EU Legislation on Optional Extras

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) market their flights as low cost and, so, aim to garner as much additional revenue as possible from ancillary services such as baggage and priority boarding. The airlines therefore encourage purchase of these services by their customers. As a result of this and other practices by airlines, the European Union has introduced legislation to deal with various areas of concern in order to protect the consumer. Airlines have responded to the legal requirement that all optional extras should only presented to the consumer on an ‘opt-in’ basis by using ‘grey’ Web design patterns such as the ‘must-opt’ presentation of optional extras, whereby the user must choose to accept or reject the item before continuing with the interaction. This study examines user perceptions of the level of compliance of two airlines with the relevant European legislation.

Techniques and Methodologies for Multimedia Systems Development: A Survey of Industrial Practice

This paper tries to answer the question, how are multimedia systems being developed in practice? Herein are reported the findings of a preliminary postal survey of the top 1,000 companies from general industry and the principal 100 companies from the multimedia industry in Ireland, which reveal that there is no uniform approach to multimedia systems development and that approaches prescribed by the literature are not being used in practice. Nonetheless, the findings are clear that practitioners are favorably inclined toward the use of systematic methods and techniques for multimedia development. This survey paves the way for more detailed and insightful qualitative research into development practices.

Tricks and Clicks: How Low-Cost Carriers Ply Their Trade Through Self-Service Websites

Ethics on the Internet has been a widely debated topic in recent years covering issues that range from privacy to security to fraud. Little, however, has been written on more subtle ethical questions, such as the exploitation of web technologies to inhibit or avoid customer service. Increasingly some firms are using websites to create distance between them and their customer base in specific areas of their operations, while simultaneously developing excellence in sales transaction committal via self-service. This chapter takes a magnifying glass with an ethical lens to one sector – the low-cost, web-based, self-service airline industry, specifically in Ireland. It is noted that the teaching of information systems development (ISD) and, for the most part its practice, assumes ethicality. Similarly, marketing courses focus on satisfying customer needs more effectively and efficiently within the confines of an acceptable ethos. This chapter observes that while these business disciplines are central to the success of self-service websites, there is a disconnect between the normative view and the actuality of practice.

A Study of First Click Behaviour and User Interaction on the Google SERP

Firms use Search Engine Marketing (SEM) to drive users to their Website. Some are prepared to pay for placement; others use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) hoping their result percolates up the organic SERP. Despite extensive SEM efforts, firms can only speculate over the first critical interaction between the first SERP and a user’s first click. This study sheds some light on users’ first click behaviour on Google and the early interaction thereafter. The research reveals that users evaluate the SERP from the top downwards, deciding instantly whether to click into each link, while first clicks are predominantly at the top of the SERP, especially towards organic links. For certain queries top sponsored links received almost as many clicks as organic links despite what users profess. Recommendations to firms include advice that strategies should be primarily SEO focused and that paid search campaigns should maintain a position in the top sponsored links section of the Google SERP.

Transforming Healthcare Through Information Systems: Proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Information Systems Development

This book introduces ongoing reflections within the research community on established information systems development topics and emerging concepts, approaches and ideas in the field of healthcare information systems. By promoting research on theoretical and methodological issues related to both information systems development in general and healthcare information systems in particular, it presents current research in order to promote improved practice. It comprises a selection of the best papers presented at the 24th International Conference on Information Systems Development (ISD) held in Harbin, China, August 25 27, 2015.

‘Calling Passengers’ — An Ethical Problem in the Design of Self-Service Web Sites Amongst Low-Cost Airlines in Ireland

Ethics on the Internet has been a widely debated topic in recent years covering issues that range from privacy to security to fraud. Little, however, has been written on more subtle ethical questions such as the exploitation of Web technologies to inhibit or avoid customer service. Increasingly, it would appear, some firms are using Web sites to create distance between them and their customer base in specific areas of their operations, while simultaneously developing excellence in sales transaction completion via self-service. This chapter takes a magnifying glass with an ethical lens to just one sector — the low-cost, Web-based self-service airline industry, specifically in Ireland. The chapter notes the teaching of information systems development (ISD) and, for the most part, its practice assumes ethicality. Similarly, marketing courses focus on satisfying customer needs more effectively and efficiently within the confines of an acceptable ethos. This chapter observes that while these business disciplines are central to the success of self-service Web sites, there seems to be a disconnection between the normative view and the actuality of practice. What follows begins with an analysis of the normative approach to information systems (IS) design and marketing. A review of questionable ethical practices used by low-cost carriers (LCCs) is then conducted, followed by a discussion on the phenomena. The chapter concludes with a look at the implications for research, teaching and practice.