Stephen Ruth

Evolution of attitudes toward computers: a retrospective view

Abstract This article reviews three previous factor analysis based studies of aggregate attitudes concerning the computer milieu and compares them with a recent one done by the authors; the four studies span almost twenty years. While providing a useful basis for making generalizations about current perceptions of the computers role, the latest study also sought to determine whether there was a group of persons who were fearful or anxious about the computer, whose concerns were masked in studies of aggregate attitudes. By using an instrument that was evaluated by an expert in phobic behaviour, it was possible to identify a populationthat was significantly different from the general population in attitude toward computers. The value of the current study, then, is two-fold. It makes possible a retrospective view of aggregate perceptions of the general population about computers and also offers a glimpse of the attributes of those computer phobic or anxious persons who have not yet adapted to computer techn...

The Effect of Subsidized Housing on Values of Adjacent Housing

This is a case study of the effect of subsidized housing on the value of adjacent non-subsidized housing. Four townhouse clusters in Fairfax County, Virginia, were selected for study because of the high degree of homogeneity between clusters. The clusters are all in the same community but vary in distance from subsidized housing. Sale prices were analyzed using a regression model which included distance from subsidized housing as an independent variable. Based on the results of the regression analysis, the authors conclude that the subsidized housing had a negative impact on the values of adjacent properties. Copyright American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.

Is E-Learning Really Working? The Trillion-Dollar Question

In the world of Web 2.0, Internet 2, and open systems, most learning is still done in traditional classrooms. As education costs continue to grow far faster than inflation, this paper discussed the role of e-learning.

Reducing ICT Related Carbon Emissions – An Exemplar for Global Energy Policy?

While controversy swirls globally about carbon emissions and electricity use, the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has achieved significant, positive results already, especially in developed nations. Some central processing units have reduced power use by 90 percent or more, and data centers are achieving previously unimaginable results in decreasing the use of electrical power. Several of the leading approaches to this improvement, sometimes called “Green IT”, are discussed, including E Waste mitigation, data center economies – like virtualization and PUI improvement – telework and telepresence, smart grid devices, power management technologies, cloud computing, and dematerialization. In addition, several ICT power rating systems and return-on-investment methodologies are examined. Finally, as a brief example of a national agenda for ICT-specific focus on energy management, the case of Australia is described. Even though ICT represents only about 3-5 percent of the world’s electrical use, its aggressive, successful, and continuing pursuit of reduced electricity use and lower carbon footprint is a model for other sectors.

Telework: A Productivity Paradox?

Telework could potentially offer significant savings on fuel, office space, and carbon emissions, improve productivity and morale and even reduce the outflow of US jobs overseas. Many companies have enthusiastically embraced it, but pitfalls loom. It appears that the public sector, especially the federal government, is behind on deploying telework opportunities. The challenges of setting up office system replicas in homes or telecenters are significant. Yet the payoffs, measured in productivity gains and real estate savings alone, could make the investment pay off handsomely.

Knowledge Management Education: An Overview of Programs of Instruction

This chapter provides a broad overview of university-based and other KM training worldwide, with particular emphasis on courses that can assist students in qualifying for Chief Knowledge Officer and other jobs in organizations that have KM programs. First, an overview of KM teaching categories is presented, showing the breadth of approaches that are possible. Second, we provide sample data on graduate KM courses at universities in the US and abroad, concentrating on schools of business and engineering, the two units where KM teaching predominates. Third, we summarize the current offerings of non-university KM training courses and KM certification programs. Finally, we outline the roles, qualifications, and responsibilities of jobs in the knowledge-based organization.

A university-based approach to the diffusion of knowledge management concepts and practice

This paper addresses the diffusion of Knowledge Management concepts, principles, and cases into university courses. Although we are now living in a world of gigabit transmission systems and terabyte storage, there are still long delays that often occur before industry practice finds its way into university courses. Knowledge Management practices have been elaborated in books, articles, cases, and symposia for almost a decade, with particular acceleration during recent years. Yet only a small number of universities offer KM courses, and few are offered at top business schools. In order to speed the assimilation of KM courses to universities, we describe the essential tools and resources needed in order to give our colleagues a head start in the preparation for KM courses. We also hope to facilitate the university’s traditional role as an agent for diffusing best practices and sound principles to a broader audience. To achieve this, we present an approach that brings together the intellectual territory, books, resources, and a few early lessons we have learned into a “toolkit” that should aid teachers in several disciplines in planning and delivering KM courses at the university level. The resources for KM teaching are abundant and include dozens of books, hundreds of articles, extensive WWW resources, and a fast-growing group of cases. We provide samples of the most suitable resources. The crucial question for preparing a KM course is the intellectual territory that can be covered. We present eight recommended modules, including: Knowledge Creation, History of KM Theory/Concepts, The Importance of Trust, Knowledge Coding, and Hardware/ Software/Systems, KM ROBEvaluation. Since many approaches or emphases for KM courses are possible, we suggest four examples, each including different proportions of the core modules. These course approaches are: Current Industry Practice, KM History, Concepts and Theory, HumaniPersonnel Factors, and Hardware, Software,

Technology-Driven Long-Range Planning

As innovations in computer technology continue to accelerate, a better approach to long-range planning–one that integrates this changing technology–is required. This article focuses on the technological aspect of the long-range IS planning process, which is the most crucial and the most costly in many large organizations. The article also describes a new approach – technology-driven planning–to help MIS managers prepare and plan for the technological future of their organizations.

Measuring long term effects of technology transfer in developing nations: the case of Internet training at the Romanian Academy of Science

Abstract Technology diffusion in developing nations is dependent on a continuous flow of good training for all users and potential users. Yet relatively little analysis of the results of this training has been done beyond cursory post‐course evaluations. Despite the extensive investments in IT training by donors, multilateral organizations and the national governments, the return on investment for these courses and programs is not clear. This study aims to give a more explicit, long term perspective on IT training in developing nations by employing a popular evaluation model used widely in industry. The Kirkpatrick model treats the training event as only a first step in a process that ultimately involves changing attitudes, behaviors and even life styles. The Romanian Internet Academy case is a pilot study aimed at exploring longer term changes in attitudes and behaviors. While many predictor variables are appropriate, only age, gender, academic productivity and academic discipline were used in this preliminary study. Results indicate that this process can yield useful results for determining the true value of these courses and, just as important, can lead to establishing policies for improving results significantly.

A knowledge-based expert system for planning and design of agroforestry systems

Computer-based Expert Systems that use knowledge, facts, and reasoning techniques to solve problems, normally requiring the abilities of human experts, are increasingly being used in many activities. The United Nations University (UNU) Agroforestry Expert System (AES) is a first attempt to apply this technique to agroforestry. UNU-AES is a prototype Knowledge-Based Expert System (KBES) designed to support land-use (agricultural, forestry, etc.) officials, research scientists, farmers, and individuals interested in maximizing benefits gained from applying agroforestry management techniques in developing countries. This prototype addresses the options for alley cropping, a promising agroforestry technology which has potential applicability when used under defined conditions in the tropics and subtropics. Alley cropping involves the planting of crops in alleys or interspaces between repeatedly pruned hedgerows of fast-growing, preferably leguminous, woody perennials. The primary benefits from this technique include nutrient enrichment, soil improvement, and erosion control. UNU-AES, which is the first known attempt at the application of expert system procedures in the field of agroforestry, uses a total of 235 decision rules to develop its recommendations. With the inclusion of more climatic and socio-economic data and improved advisory recommendations, UNU-AES can be expanded to provide advice on alley cropping in more diverse geographical and ecological conditions and eventually address other agroforestry techniques.