Online Information Review

An opinion-based decision model for recommender systems : Table of Contents

Sea Woo Kim, Chin-Wan Chung, DaeEun Kim — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – A good recommender system helps users find items of interest on the web and can provide recommendations based on user preferences. In contrast to automatic technology-generated recommender systems, this paper aims to use dynamic expert groups that are automatically formed to recommend domain-specific documents for general users. In addition, it aims to test several effectiveness measures of rank order to determine if the top-ranked lists recommended by the experts were reliable. Design/methodology/approach – In the approach, expert groups evaluate web documents to provide a recommender system for general users. The authority and make-up of the expert group are adjusted through user feedback. The system also uses various measures to gauge the difference between the opinions of experts and those of general users to improve the evaluation effectiveness. Findings – The proposed system is efficient when there is major support from experts and general users. The recommender system is especially effective where there is a limited amount of evaluation data from general users. Originality/value – This is an original study of how to effectively recommend web documents to users based on the opinions of human experts. Simulation results were provided to show the effectiveness of the dynamic expert group for recommender systems.

Towards a cross-context identity management framework in e-health : Table of Contents

Mina Deng, Danny De Cock, Bart Preneel — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Modern e-health systems incorporate different healthcare providers in one system and provide an electronic platform to share medical information efficiently. In cross-context communications between healthcare providers, the same information can be interpreted as different types or values, so that one patient will be issued different identifiers by different healthcare providers. This paper aims to provide a solution to ensure interoperability so that multiple healthcare providers will be able to collaborate in one e-health system. Design/methodology/approach – This paper primarily focuses on how different healthcare providers, instead of the patients, are able to interact and share information on a common e-health platform. Findings – In the course of the work, it was found that previous e-health solutions mainly have a limited view of patient information, where a user-centric approach for identity management is usually restricted to a single healthcare provider. Interoperability in an e-health system becomes more problematic when more actors collaborate, and hence linkability from one context to another should not be straightforward. However, some form of linkability, such as the possibility to follow up a patient's medical treatment, is desirable in the e-health sector, even when it needs to cross different contexts. Therefore, the authors have designed an identity management mechanism to ensure semantic interoperability when data is exchanged among different authorized healthcare providers. Research limitations/implications – The paper points out that the next generation of e-health will move towards federated e-health and will require user-centricity and transparency properties so that patients are able to specify and verify the disclosure of their medical information. Originality/value – This paper proposes a new service for cross-context identity management in e-health systems, improving interoperability between agencies when context-specific information is transferred from one healthcare provider to another. How the proposed cross-context identity management service can be integrated in an e-health system is explained with a use case scenario.

A unified strategy for search and result representation for an online bibliographical catalogue : Table of Contents

Maayan Zhitomirsky-Geffet, Dror G. Feitelson, Eitan Frachtenberg, Yair Wiseman — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – One of the biggest concerns of modern information retrieval systems is reducing the user effort required for manual traversal and filtering of long matching document lists. Thus, the first goal of this research is to propose an improved scheme for representation of search results. Further, it aims to explore the impact of various user information needs on the searching process with the aim of finding a unified searching approach well suited for different query types and retrieval tasks. Design/methodology/approach – The BoW online bibliographical catalogue is based on a hierarchical concept index to which entries are linked. The key idea is that searching in the hierarchical catalogue should take advantage of the catalogue structure and return matching topics from the hierarchy, rather than just a long list of entries. Likewise, when new entries are inserted, a search for relevant topics to which they should be linked is required. Therefore, a similar hierarchical scheme for query-topic matching can be applied for both tasks. Findings – The experiments show that different query types used for the above tasks are best treated by different topic ranking functions. To further examine this phenomenon a user study was conducted, where various statistical weighting factors were incorporated and their impact on the performance for different query types was measured. Finally, it is found that the mixed strategy that applies the most suitable ranking function to each query type yielded a significant increase in precision relative to the baseline and to employing any examined strategy in isolation on the entire set of user queries. Originality/value – The main contributions of this paper are: the alternative approach for compact and concise representation of search results, which were implemented in the BoW online bibliographical catalogue; and the unified or mixed strategy for search and result representation applying the most suitable ranking function to each query type, which produced superior results compared to different single-strategy-based approaches.

Resource discovery through social tagging: a classification and content analytic approach : Table of Contents

Dion Hoe-Lian Goh, Alton Chua, Chei Sian Lee, Khasfariyati Razikin — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Social tagging systems allow users to assign keywords (tags) to useful resources, facilitating their future access by the tag creator and possibly by other users. Social tagging has both proponents and critics, and this paper aims to investigate if tags are an effective means of resource discovery. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts techniques from text categorisation in which webpages and their associated tags from del.icio.us and trained Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers are downloaded to determine if the documents could be assigned to their associated tags. Two text categorisation experiments were conducted. The first used only the terms from the documents as features while the second experiment included tags in addition to terms as part of its feature set. Performance metrics used were precision, recall, accuracy and F1 score. A content analysis was also conducted to uncover characteristics of effective and ineffective tags for resource discovery. Findings – Results from the classifiers were mixed, and the inclusion of tags as part of the feature set did not result in a statistically significant improvement (or degradation) of the performance of the SVM classifiers. This suggests that not all tags can be used for resource discovery by public users, confirming earlier work that there are many dynamic reasons for tagging documents that may not be apparent to others. Originality/value – The authors extend their understanding of social classification and its utility in sharing and accessing resources. Results of this work may be used to guide development in social tagging systems as well as social tagging practices.

Factors influencing satisfaction and loyalty in online shopping: an integrated model : Table of Contents

Grace T.R. Lin, Chia-Chi Sun — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – Taking into consideration external (technology acceptance factors, website service quality) as well as internal (specific holdup cost) factors, this paper aims to explore how internet customer satisfaction and loyalty can be associated with each other and how they are affected by these dynamics. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts structural equation modelling (SEM) as the main analytical tool. It investigates the shopping experiences of users of the major shopping websites of Taiwan. Findings – The research results point to the following: first, customer e-satisfaction will positively influence customer e-loyalty directly; second, technology acceptance factors will positively influence customer e-satisfaction and e-loyalty directly; third, website service quality can positively influence customer e-satisfaction and e-loyalty directly; and fourth, specific holdup cost can positively influence customer e-loyalty directly, but cannot positively influence customer e-satisfaction directly. Originality/value – This paper draws on the research results for implications for shopping website management and design, then suggests some ways to enhance performance for the website shopping industry.

Culture, identity and information privacy in the age of digital government : Table of Contents

Rowena Cullen — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The emergence of digital government and the requirement for citizens to exchange information with government online have raised a number of issues related to personal information held by government. These include questions about the confidence of citizens concerning the security and privacy of information they provide to government, on- or offline, and whether different cultural attitudes to issues such as personal identity might impact on citizens' attitudes towards privacy. This paper aims to investigate these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports and comments on the experiences and concerns of citizens in both New Zealand and Japan, based on focus groups and interviews. The New Zealand research included indigenous Maori, immigrant Pacific Islands groups and other ethnic communities. Findings – Although all groups had concerns about information privacy, the nature of these concerns varied among the different groups interviewed and among individuals. Explanations of the attitudes and perceptions made in each group reflect cultural values and concepts of personal identity, and illustrate the importance of being aware of the differences between individualist and collectivist cultures. Research limitations/implications – The research was based on a number of small studies, with limited numbers of participants. The findings would be strengthened by expanding the research to include larger numbers of participants. Originality/value – The findings are significant to the development of policies for securing the confidentiality of citizens in the way government handles personal information in the online environment and in the ways in which these policies are communicated to citizens.

Antecedents of internet acceptance and use as an information source by tourists : Table of Contents

J. Alberto Castañeda, Dolores M. Frías, Miguel A. Rodríguez — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to aim to identify the antecedents of both actual acceptance and future use of the internet as a tourism information source. In the tourism sector, the internet is a medium of growing importance. Nonetheless, very few studies have researched the antecedents of internet acceptance and use by tourists. Design/methodology/approach – This purpose was pursued by extending the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and applying it to a broad sample of international tourists. Findings – The main findings concern the antecedent role of actual use with regard to future use, as well as the roles of usefulness and ease of use as drivers of the acceptance of the internet as an information source by the tourist. Research limitations – The study analysed the acceptance of the internet as an information source but not its use as a medium for purchasing tourism products or services. Practical implications – While most research results suggest that businesses and institutions should direct their attention to the usefulness rather than to the ease of use of the internet, the results of this study imply that within the tourism sector ease of use plays an equally vital role in internet acceptance. Furthermore, the results show that the creation of an internet-use habit in the tourist builds a barrier to change of information source. Originality/value – Amidst the rather few existing studies focused on tourist internet use, there is a body of research (including the present work) that identifies significant differences between tourism and other contexts (e.g. work, e-commerce) regarding the importance of the antecedents of internet use. Moreover, there is, to our knowledge, no research to date testing the inclusion of behavioural habit to explain technology use.

Searching locally: a comparison of Yehey! and Google : Table of Contents

Brendan Luyt, Dion Goh, Chei Sian Lee — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the Filipino search engine, Yehey! against what has become the industry standard, Google. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 14 queries were submitted to Yehey! and Google. The top ten sites returned from each were examined for dates created and modified, domain name, the presence of dead or advertising links, the quality of the site as indicated by statements of responsibility and purpose as well as credentials, and overlap. Findings – Despite its promise of providing access to Filipino cyberspace, Yehey! fell short on most of the measures used to evaluate the two search engines. Originality/value – To date, little research has been conducted on local Asian search engines, despite the growth of internet use in the region.

Five-year impact factor data in the Journal Citation Reports : Table of Contents

Péter Jacsó — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the five-year journal impact factor (JIF) score of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR). Design/methodology/approach – The paper looks at one of the important enhancements to the JCR, the new five-year journal impact factor (JIF) score. This element complements the traditional JIF scores and data. The new indicator addresses the criticism against the short citation window for evaluating the performance of nearly 8,000 scholarly and professional journals on a medium term. Findings – It may be feasible that some of the other proposals presented by the best scientometricians for improving the JIF and its alternatives will be implemented in various specialty editions of JCR. Particularly interesting would be the adding of scores computed through diachronous instead of or in addition to synchronous measurement; creating new indicators based on the level of uncitedness of articles in journals; and calculating percentile JIF, JIF point averages and/or JIFs based on article count, with or without self-citations. Originality/value – The five-year mid-term JIF complements very well the short-term two-year JIF for indicating the prestige, reputation and influence of the journals through the prism of the average productivity of journals and the citedness counts of articles published in the journals for a longer time span. As mentioned above, breaking down the various indicators by disciplinary and subdisciplinary categories, or even by the language and the country of publication of the journals (not the country affiliation of the authors) can provide further insight into the landscape of scholarly publishing.

The design of everyday identity : Table of Contents

Eve Maler — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine trends towards “user centricity” in web-based digital identity technologies, and analyse these technologies in light of universal principles of human-centred design and usability in order to recommend future directions. Design/methodology/approach – Web users' habits and relevant usability research are analysed and requirements for identity-enabled online interactions are proposed given this context. Modern identity technologies of various types are then studied to assess their ability to satisfy the requirements. Findings – The results of these analyses point towards a possible explanation for the lack of wide adoption of today's user-centric solutions. Research limitations/implications – Based on the findings of the analyses, practical implications and recommendations are offered. Originality/value – The paper's discussion of usability factors to consider and its set of final recommendations in light of these factors are new work that may be useful to identity management developers and deployers looking to achieve better user adoption, as well as to researchers and innovators in the fields of social networking and vendor relationship management.

Information portal development and practice at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library : Table of Contents

Yi Jin, Jia Peng — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to relate how Shanghai Jiao Tong University Library integrates its resources and services, the functions realised and technologies adopted in order to meet user's information needs in a simple, convenient and personalised way. As information resources become more web-based, disparate and distributed, libraries are facing the challenge of how to provide information efficiently to their users. A promising approach is to integrate resources and deliver services via a portal. Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyses existing portal features, needs and functions, and carries out the approach to meet portal requirements through resource integration and service integration supported by MetaLib, SFX and Web 2.0 technologies. Findings – Portal requirements can be met by resource integration and service integration. Methods to achieve cross searching, ways to enhance resource linking, and integration of library, subject and personalisation services are analysed and concluded. The service framework is depicted in the end. Research limitations/implications – Since the analysis is not based on an exhaustive list of portals and as technologies are always developing rapidly, the methods and functions to achieve information integration and provision presented in this paper perhaps are not complete and may need to be adjusted and amended. Work is also needed urgently to develop and establish related standards and protocols for service collaboration. Practical implications – This paper should be helpful for libraries that plan to provide services to their users via information portals, or to develop or evaluate portal systems or products. Originality/value – This paper analyses and concludes methods and functions to meet portal requirements through resource integration and service integration supported by MetaLib, SFX and Web 2.0 technologies. It discusses the service collaboration and depicts the service framework.

Determinants of e-government extension : Table of Contents

Carlos Serrano-Cinca, Mar Rueda-Tomás, Pilar Portillo-Tarragona — Sun Jun 21 14:15:05 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on research that models factors that favour the extension of e-government. Hypotheses were proposed regarding the role of municipal resources, politicians and environment as elements that stimulate e-government. It aims to argue that larger municipalities have more resources available to implement technological initiatives, that politicians receptive to the use of technology to communicate with citizens encourage e-government, and that the local environment, as measured by citizens' wealth and business activity, is influential. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed model was tested using data from 92 Spanish city councils. A structural equation model, estimated using partial least squares, was employed as an analysis technique. Findings – The data supported the model, emphasising that municipal resources are the most important factor. Research limitations/implications – The researchers analysed only one year of data from one country. Practical implications – The model suggested can be used to improve policy-making and practice. The paper includes a brief case study of the Saragossa City Council, one of the leading councils in Spain, with regard to e-government initiatives. Originality/value – Many recent papers have studied factors explaining the extension of e-government. These studies have analysed the influence of each of the factors separately. Here a structural equation model is proposed that allows analysis of the effects of various factors jointly. The variables employed have been modelled as latent variables, since it is shown that this is the most appropriate way to represent the complex reality of e-government.