Robert G. Brookshire

An integrative approach to assess qualitative and quantitative consumer feedback

The increasing availability of consumer feedback on the web provides a wealth of information that organizations can use for product and service improvement. Many consumer feedback sites allow users to enter both a quantitative rating and a qualitative critique. Previous research has used this information disjunctively. This work proposes an innovative approach that integrates the two types of information to identify words that are related to positive or negative consumer ratings. A case study shows that this approach does raise some issues not identified using existing analytical approaches.

Building a B.S. Degree Program in E-Business

An assortment of courses, minors, majors, degree and certificate programs, and “centers” addressing internet marketing, e-commerce, and e-business is emanating from colleges and universities globally. Theres no debate regarding the appropriateness of incorporating into curricula “digital” content, nor does there seem to be contention regarding relevant topical coverage. Whether to integrate digital content into existing course work or create a dedicated curriculum is a “hot button.” This article describes the authors’ experience in addressing these matters as they work to implement a B.S. degree program in e-business at their state supported institution.

Student Success in a University Introductory Networks and Telecommunications Course: Contributing Factors

Students at a large southeastern university typically find the introductory networking and telecommunications course difficult. This study examines the factors that contribute to the success of undergraduate technology support and training management students in this required course. College transcripts and academic student files provided the data, which were analyzed using multiple regression. In contrast to previous research, only performance in an introductory technology prerequisite course significantly predicted success. These findings have implications for faculty designing or organizing curricula who want to improve the success students in networking and telecommunications courses.

High school computer camps: an "early in the pipeline" step to meet the demand for diverse information technology workers

From 2001 to 2006, newly declared computer science majors have declined from a robust 16,000 to 8,000 by the fall of 2006, based on data reported by the Computing Research Association. Enrollments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have declines 16%. Information technology (IT) programs have responded with a variety of outreach efforts directed at high school students to attempt to interest them in studying IT subjects, declaring IT majors, and pursuing IT careers. Several colleges and universities have created computer camps, weekend or summer experiences for younger students designed to introduce them to computer technology in a fun and exciting way. We propose to create a panel discussion at the ACM SIGMIS/CPR Conference featuring two universities that have operated such camps

A bidirectional perspective of trust and risk in determining factors that influence mobile app installation

Abstract The purpose of this research is to consider how trust in and perceived risk of a mobile marketplace impact a consumer before installing a mobile application. In particular, trust is considered from the perspective of institutionalized trust, where consumers faced with ignorance rely on institutionalized mechanisms for personal safety. A bidirectional research model is presented based on trust and perceived risk as antecedents to the intent to install a mobile application. Data is collected from a survey of 214 participants and is analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results suggest that institutional loyalty plays a significant role in consumers’ intent to install mobile apps. Trust and its antecedent, security, had strong significant positive relationships with the intention to install mobile apps, while risk and its antecedent, privacy, had weak and insignificant relationships. The bidirectional model’s relationship between trust and risk was also insignificant in both directions, further suggesting that perception of risk is an insignificant factor in the intent to install mobile apps.