Monica J. Garfield

Research Report: Modifying Paradigms--Individual Differences, Creativity Techniques, and Exposure to Ideas in Group Idea Generation

In todays networked economy, ideas that challenge existing business models and paradigms are becoming more important. This study investigated how individual differences, groupware-based creativity techniques, and ideas from others influenced the type of ideas that individuals generated. While individual differences were important (in that some individuals were inherently more likely to generate ideas that followed the existing problem paradigm while others were more likely to generate paradigm-modifying ideas that attempted to change the problem paradigm), the exposure to paradigm-modifying ideas from others and the use of intuitive groupware-based creativity techniques rather than analytical groupware-based creativity techniques were found to increase the number of paradigm-modifying ideas produced.

The creative process: the effects of group memory on individual idea generation

To compete in todays rapidly paced business environment, many companies are increasingly relying on their employees to generate creative solutions to business problems. Specifically, through the use of idea-generation techniques, business owners hope to promote creative idea generation by their employees. Several leading corporations (and, concomitantly, researchers) have become interested in the use of group support systems (GSS) to enhance idea generation. A key component of the GSS-based idea-generation process is group memory, a repository of ideas created by users of GSS. Group memory provides stimuli, in the form of ideas, to the individuals using the software. This study seeks to better understand the manner in which the contents of the group memory influence the type of ideas generated by individuals in the group. We report the results of a laboratory experiment that investigated whether the stimuli contained within a GSS group memory (i.e., ideas) systematically influenced the extent of paradigm shift represented in the ideas generated by individuals. A GSS simulator designed for this study was used to allow for the manipulation of the stimuli in the group memory. The results suggest that individuals tend to generate ideas that match the paradigm-relatedness of ideas provided to them as stimulation.

Acceptance of Ubiquitous Computing

Abstract With portability similar to a spiral notebook, the tablet PC enables new ways of working. This study investigates user acceptance of this new technology through interviews with employees in four industries who participated in three-month trials.

Managing conflict in software testing

Conflict between software testers and developers is inevitable, but mindful managers minimize its effect on development projects through communication, mutual respect, even social interaction.

Research Report: The Effectiveness of Multiple Dialogues in Electronic Brainstorming

Members of brainstorming groups often pursue the same set of ideas rather than considering a wide and diverse range of ideas, which may reduce the number of ideas they produce. One way to reduce this cognitive inertia may be to encourage groups to engage in several simultaneous discussions or dialogues. This experiment, which studied groups brainstorming electronically, found that groups generated more ideas, more high-quality ideas, and more novel ideas when using multiple dialogues than when using single dialogues.

Differences in national information infrastructures: the reflection of national cultures

Abstract This paper reports on the different paths seven countries (the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Singapore and China) each took in forming a National Information Infrastructure (NII). While many factors play a role in the development of an NII, this paper examines the pervasive role national culture had in the policy decisions and formation of the various NIIs. The main lesson from observing these seven countries is that when a country is forming an NII it should look to similar countries, in terms of national culture, for guidance in the creation of an NII.

Quality attributes in telemedicine video conferencing

Video conferencing is used increasingly in many telemedicine applications, including medical personnel education, peer consultation, patient education, and direct patient care. Advances in technology and changes in medical care delivery have enhanced the ability to develop effective telemedicine video conferencing systems. Measures of effectiveness for technology systems rely on identified requirements,for system quality. In this research, we propose a comprehensive model of quality attributes for telemedicine video conferencing systems. The quality attribute model is developed from an extensive literature review, direct observations of telemedicine encounters, and structured interviews with telemedicine experts. The model contains four quality attribute groups: Technical, Usability, Physical Environment, and Human Element. Interview citations are used to justify the importance of these individual quality attributes. Both researchers and practitioners can make use of the model to understand, design, and evaluate telemedicine video conferencing systems.

Crossing the telemedicine chasm: have the U.S. barriers to widespread adoption of telemedicine been significantly reduced?

Barriers have challenged widespread telemedicine adoption by health care organizations for 40 years. These barriers have been technological, financial, and legal and have also involved business strategy and human resources. The article canvasses recent trends—events and activities in each of these areas as well as US health reform activities that might help to break down these barriers. The key to telemedicine success in the future is to view it as an integral part of health care services and not as a stand-alone project. Telemedicine must move from experimental and separate to integrated and equivalent to other health services within health care organizations. Furthermore, telemedicine serves as vital connective tissue for expanding health care organization networks.

PLANNING FOR INTERNET SECURITY

A sound home design plan begins with a solid foundation and a supporting frame and proceeds to the addition of windows, doors, and, sometimes, superior-grade support beams. Using an analogy to home design, this article presents a framework for understanding the issues involved in Internet security and assessing available security options.

Telemedicine: Technology mediated service relationship, encounter, or something else?

PURPOSE Service interactions between service providers and health care consumers happen daily in health care organizations, and can occur face-to-face or through mediating technology. We use the demanding and rich environment of telemedicine to better understand the nature of the real time service-encounter interactions among the human and technology actors engaged in the process and to inform telemedicine providers about key factors to consider in telemedicine design. METHODS We conducted a case study of medical video conferencing (MVC) for the delivery of patient healthcare (a form of telemedicine) using multiple data collection and analysis techniques involving a range of telemedicine stakeholders. RESULTS The research reveals that telemedicine requires a new kind of service relationship, an Advanced Encounter, with unique relationships between the telemedicine service providers, presenters, patients, and technology. Seven facilitating factors for the Advanced Encounter of telemedicine are identified and discussed, including the telemedicine servicescape: a set of supporting structures that are critical to telemedicine success. CONCLUSIONS Key contributions are a deep understanding of the relationships between telemedicine actors, and the organizational actions needed to deploy a technology-mediated telemedicine service.