Mircea Georgescu

Social Media – The New Paradigm of Collaboration and Communication for Business Environment

Abstract We are currently witnessing a phenomenon of constant and quick growth in the use of the Internet for communication and collaboration between people. The 2.0 version of World Wide Web has become the medium for collaborative projects, blogs and microblogs, virtual communities, socializing networks, group games – all united under the so called “Social Media” concept. The high level of use and interaction of Social Media influences greatly the business environment which is thus exposed to a paradigm shift, where hierarchies fall apart and the communication and colaboration create wider and wider networks for the employees and all the partners of the organisations. In this spirit, the purpose of this article is to briefly review the impact of the Social Media on business, based on the analysis of the relevant literature in the field. There is mentioned the creation of virtual proximities which rely on the transfer of knowledge, production of positive network externalities, increase of business information capital as well as the social and ethical implications related to Social Media.

Social Networks Security in Universities: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract Nowadays, information flows are powerfully augmented by Social Media. This situation brings along the adjustment of the traditional information security threats to this new environment, as well as the emergence of new characteristic dangers. The purpose of this study is to learn about Generation Y students’ attitude to risks and security measures when using Social Networks (SN). The correct identification of their behavior is, in our opinion, essential for the academic community. Firstly, we need to understand what their real knowledge in the field is. Then, a serious and consistent adaptation of our courses in Information Security and other subjects and a redefinition of universities’ security policies and procedures is necessary. On this basis, in an empirical study, we try to determine how much our students know about security threats and subsequent protection measures in SN.

Multimedia for Learning in Economy and Cybernetics

The use of many multimedia channels in order to bring information to target groups is not something new. What is new is related to how these channels are exploited by mixing techniques and technologies. We realized an online questionnaire to identify the multimedia techniques/tools that have impact on user’s satisfaction. We used comparative statistical analyses (Levene’s test) to observe if there are any significant differences between multimedia users and non-multimedia users. We identified that the preferred techniques are: the presence of a narrator, the existence of some suggestive images, slides and demos. These are only some factors that we identified. We studied also the influence of features as: access to, scenario type, interactivity, flexibility, additional options and effects and time dependency. We determined that the existence of useful links is an important factor for overall satisfaction of the user with multimedia materials.

The Particularity of the Banking Information System

Abstract In this article our purpose is to emphasize the characteristic feature of banking information systems from an integrative, multidisciplinary perspective, including elements related to economic informatics and also organizational management, marketing and international affairs, applied in the context of banking institutions by identifying and reasoning their place, role, evolutions and perspectives. Banking information systems’ architectural analysis integrates multiple delimitations, bringing together different perspectives which underline the high level of complexity requested by the nature and diversity of those activities performed by banking institutions, outlining some characteristic models according to aspects regarding applications localization, connectivity type and operation environment. There have been emphasized especially banking activities having the highest complexity in information transfer, namely, banking payments and settlements activities, underlining their mechanisms, as well as the specific architecture of Romanian electronic payment system.

Social Media Literacy in Romanian Universities – Are we Ready Yet?

Abstract Nowadays, we all witness a process of transformation of universities from ivory towers into collaborative networks. Cooperation and interconnectivity become more and more important in the research-and-development and educational areas. In this trend, while the potential of Social Media seems immense, some inherent risks create uncertainty in using them in an appropriate way. There seems to be a mismatch between the logic of participatory media and the still-reigning centralized-reminiscent model of Romanian universities, with its emphasis on inflexible processes and control. By its nature, Social Media encourages horizontal collaboration and more relaxed conversations that travel in random paths across professors and students. It there by short-circuits established power dynamics and traditional lines of communication and may affect the traditional image of the university. This article discusses some challenges and opportunities that emerge from the contemporary Social Media evolution for universities, and provides structure to better understand the benefits and pitfalls of using Social Media in this field. We begin by focusing on some relevant traits in the profiles of the innovating and performer employees from Romanian universities, in order to approximate their Social Media readiness. After that, we analyze profoundly, in a study based on a questionnaire, the new dimensions added by Social Media to these traits – as noticed in a very recent McKinsey study, which looks at the individual as a producer, distributor, recipient, advisor architect and analyst in order to consider him a Social Media–literate. Based on this analysis, we then derive a set of observations about Social Media literacy in Romanian academic environment.

SOA – the link between modern educational technologies and mobile learning in the Higher Education Landscape

Abstract Modern educational technologies encompass a variety of variables such as people, processes, assets, environments, technology. These variables are part of a complex system which has some important properties and a final purpose: delivering learning material and keeping track of the recipient’s evolution and development. The purpose of this paper is to define the system of modern educational technologies with the help of its variables and internal or external processes as well as to find where mobile learning fits in this large system. From a technical point of view we want to analyze whether Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is enough or proper to integrate mobile learning in this system. At the end we should be able to decide if dedicated mobile apps, or mobile friendly sites or a combination of those two are suited to deliver the results we are looking for with the support of SOA, if we consider the variety of devices and operating systems we are trying to integrate.

The Importance of Internet of Things Security for Smart Cities

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an extensive overview of security-related problems in the context of smart cities. The impressive heterogeneity, ubiquity, miniaturization, autonomous and unpredictable behaviour of objects interconnected in Internet of Things, the real data deluges generated by them and, on the other side, the new hacking methods based on sensors and short-range communication technologies transform smart cities in complex environments in which the already-existing security analyses are not useful anymore. Specific security vulnerabilities, threats and solutions are approached from different areas of the smart cities’ infrastructure. As urban management should pay close attention to security and privacy protection, network protocols, identity management, standardization, trusted architecture, etc., this chapter will serve them as a start point for better decisions in security design and management.

Students in Social Media: Behavior, Expectations and Views

The purpose of this study is to learn about Generation Y students’ traits, habits, needs and expectations when using Social Media (SM). The correct identification of their behavior is, in our opinion, essential for the academic community. Firstly, we need to understand what their real profile is. Then, a serious and consistent adaptation of our attitudes, teaching materials and ways of providing information and a redefinition of universities’ policies and procedures are necessary. On this basis, in an empirical study, we try to determine why do Generation Y students use SM, what are their preferences for one media or another, how/for how long/from where do they use SM tools, and what do they expect from universities and professors.

Projects as Knowledge Swirls in the Technological Innovation Romania’s Situation

The present paper uses as research basis a new way of thinking regarding the relation between innovation and knowledge - the Knowledge Flow Percolation Model (KFPM). In this model’s center, human beings are seen as thinking electrons, both consuming and generating knowledge flows. Through the interdependent actions of individuals, knowledge circulates inside organizations, allowing them to innovate in order to obtain competitive advantages. But there is a wide range of barriers which impede the creation and movement of flows in the model grid and consequently, hinder their change into innovation. The solution proposed by this paper as one of the most adequate instruments to make KFPM more spreadable is the project. On this basis, in an empirical study, we try to demonstrate the hypothesis of the positive influence of projects, as knowledge swirls, on the development of innovative skills which will help solving problems in the organization, creating and widening of knowledge and reducing the barriers in knowledge transfer.

Support Management Decisions In Small And Medium Companies

Abstract A system built to support management decisions and not only needs to be accurate and well adapted to the requirements of the decision and the variables involved in it, and this happens because a decision is still a human act in any type of business and institution. We can say that a decision support system has a part in it that cannot be determined by any software: the human decision which is not a determinist act. It depends on a lot of variables but also still involves the decision maker intuition and experience. This is why an important problem emerged to be discussed in this paper: the need to implement and develop an in house solution to help management decisions and not only, using existing tools and this with no additional fees. This can be a good opportunity to discover models and solutions. An identified solution using Microsoft Excel and Access is discussed in this paper and a model applied on a case study will be presented. The results of the case study showed a real support in making decisions and a better transparency in manipulating the data, improving also the time needed to collect, transform and present data. The model can be applied in any type of problem that needs a visual presentation of data as well as in situations that need working with a large amount of data, but especially in small and medium size companies.