Infosys v1n023 (June 16, 1994) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/infosys/infs-v1n023 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * IIIII N N FFFFF OOO SSSSS Y Y SSSSS * * I NN N F O O S Y Y S * * I N N N FFF O O SSSSS Y SSSSS * * I N NN F O O S Y S * * IIIII N N F OOO SSSSS Y SSSSS * * * * INFOSYS: The Electronic Newsletter for Information Systems * * Volume 1, Number 23 June 16, 1994 * * * * Editor: Dennis W. Viehland, Massey University, New Zealand * * Listowner: Greg Welsh, American University, Washington DC * * * * Current Subscribers = 2,986 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS - From EDUPAGE * * NEWS - From Bits and Bytes Online (June 13, 1994) * * REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - New Course: Impact of IT on Society * * CONFERENCE - Computers in Southern Africa * * CONFERENCE - Australasian Conference on Information Systems * * CALL FOR PAPERS - IEEE Symposium on Requirements Engineering * * CALL FOR PAPERS - 1995 Office Systems Research Association * * CALL FOR PAPERS - Executive Info Systems (J of Decision Systems) * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Visiting Position, Managemt Info Systems * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Assistant Professor, Information Systems * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Faculty, Computer Science/Info Systems * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Visiting Positions, Information Systems * * CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 0184* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS - From EDUPAGE * * Dennis Viehland, Massey University (d.viehland@massey.ac.nz) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PICKING UP THE CHECK FOR PC SUPPORT: A Gartner Group consultant says that switching from mainframes to PCs "simply shifts costs from the information department to personnel. Nobody should expect to save money." A Gartner report claims that buying and installing a PC network accounts for only 9 percent of a system's total cost to the company, and that with hidden costs PCs can end up costing twice as much as a mainframe. (Newsweek 6/6/94 p.49) LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD: Information technology has changed the way businesses compete, and equal access to market data and business opportunities gives small companies a leg up in capitalizing on rapidly changing market conditions. In addition, cheap computer- aided design and manufacturing software allows small companies to crank out multiple prototypes without having to invest in large product development labs. (Business Week/The Information Revolution 1994, p.108) MS-DOS 6.0 AND 6.2 RECALLED: A federal judge is making Microsoft recall two versions of its MS-DOS operating system because they infringe on data compression technology patents held by Stac Electronics. The judgment won't affect IBM or Compaq, but will mean the recall of a number of systems made by computer manufacturers who use MS-DOS 6.0 or 6.2 without having a license to use it from Stac. (New York Times 6/11/94 A1) NO MORE SEX AT COMDEX: After hearing a year of complaints, the company that hosts Comdex, the largest computer industry trade show, will prohibit sexually explicit software demos. (Atlanta Journal- Constitution 6/10/94) Editor's Note: Edupage, a summary of news items on information technology, is a service of Educom. This is an abbreviated list of news items of interest to the IS community from the June 5, 9, and 12, 1994 issues. \EOA 0185* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS - From Bits and Bytes Online (June 13, 1994) * * Dennis Viehland, Massey University (d.viehland@massey.ac.nz) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CERTIFICATION FOR COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS: There is a growing movement afoot to license IS professionals. Several professional organizations like the IEEE Computer Society and the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) are drafting agendas on competency training and government licensing for computer programmers. Supporters say this will protect the public from buggy software and incompetent employees and consultants, while detractors point out that the technology changes so fast that the tests would have to be updated constantly. Note that these studies are preliminary and that many members of the software development community are strongly opposed to licensing. (Source: ComputerWorld, 5/2/94, p 1) KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: What's the link between information technology investment and profitability? A survey by the Keystone Group, an IT management consultancy recently asked that question of 68 chief executives. . . .Keystone discovered that the companies that were thriving generally had a broader array of measures for judging IT's effectiveness than their less-prosperous counterparts. Those measures included value for expenditures, user satisfaction, and support of business objectives. Measuring techniques were a lot simpler among the not-so-well-off respondees. In fact, 80% of the companies in this group used cost vs. budget as the leading measure of a project's success. The report advises companies to use more quantifiable measures to make fact-based IT implementation decisions and more accurately judge whether a key IT project is on track. For more information, contact Keystone at 708/866-6010. (Source: Information Week 11/22/93) TECHNOLOGY PAYBACK: If economists can't reliably measure whether information technology makes workers more productive, they can at least shed light on how much IT lures more customers. A study by Erik Brynjolfsson of Sloan School of Management examined 367 large companies, and found that manufacturing and service companies had an average gross annual return of 81% on their IT investment. (Source: "What Computers Are For" The Economist, 11/22/94, p 74) \EOA 0186* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - New Course: Impact of IT on Society * * Jane Webster, Penn State University (j1w@psuvm.psu.edu) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The University of Waterloo is designing a new undergraduate course to be taught (by IS faculty) to engineering students on the "Impact of IT on Society". It will not be an introductory IS course; rather, students will take it near the end of their program. This message is to request ideas for the course. Any thoughts on appropriate text(s)? Would anyone share syllabi/teaching materials etc on similar courses? Please reply to: Jane Webster Penn State University 230 Forest Hills Circle Devon, PA 19333 E-mail: j1w@psuvm.psu.edu If anyone would like copies of the responses, I will collate them and send them out to you. Thanks in advance for your help. \EOA 0187* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONFERENCE - Computers in Southern Africa * * Jonathan Miller, Univ of Cape Town (jmiller@uctvax.uct.ac.za) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Computers in Southern Africa Fifth Annual Conference 7-8 July 1994 Peninsula Technicon Cape Town South Africa Keynote: National IT Policy and Plenary Session: Information Technology and the Organisation of the 21st Century by Niels Bjorn Andersen, Copenhagen Business School Registration Full Conference Fee: SA Rands 750 00 (approx US$210) Hotel Accommodation: from SAR 74 00 per person per night sharing Low Cost Campus Accommodation also available Full details can be obtained from the Conference Organizers: Strategic Business Services P O Box 1059 7534 Oakdale South Africa Voice: +2721 9481767 Fax: +2721 9481760 Or send e-mail to the Programme Chair: Dr Jonathan Miller (jmiller@gsb2.uct.ac.za) \EOA 0188* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONFERENCE - Australasian Conference on Information Systems * * Karen Young, Monash Univ (jkyoung@ponderosa.is.monash.edu.au) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS'94) 27-29 September 1994 Monash University Melbourne, Australia ACIS 94 is the 5th annual research conference of Information Systems. The aim is to stimulate the exchange of ideas and information by bringing together information systems researchers from Australia, New Zealand and neighbouring areas. It will include plenary sessions, panel sessions, tutorial sessions and the presentation of refereed papers on most major areas of Information Systems. Keynote speakers include Prof Rudy Hirschheim (Univ of Houston, USA), Prof Guy Fitzgerald (Univ of London, UK) and Mr Steve Ingram (Ernest and Young, USA). ACIS 94 is preceded by a Doctoral Consortium on 26 September 1994. REGISTRATION Early Bird Registration (before 12 August 1994) AUS$375 Late Registration (after 12 August 1994) 410 Full Time Student Registration 208 Doctoral Consortium 25 For more details, activities for accompanying persons, accommodation information and registration form contact: Ms Karen Young Conference Secretary Department of Information Systems Monash University, Caulfield Campus PO Box 197 Caulfield East Victoria, 3145 Australia Voice: +61 3 903 2612 Fax: +61 3 903 2005 E-mail: kyoung@fcit.monash.edu.au \EOA 0189* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALL FOR PAPERS - IEEE Symposium on Requirements Engineering * * Laurence Brooks, University of York (lsb1@unix.york.ac.uk) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * IEEE International Symposium on Requirements Engineering (RE '95) 27-29 March 1995 York, England Requirements engineering is the branch of software engineering concerned with the real-world goals for, functions of, and constraints on software systems. It is also concerned with the relationship of these factors to precise specifications of software behavior, and to their evolution over time and across software families. The program will consist of invited talks, paper presentations, panels, working groups, demonstrations, and a doctoral consortium. Information for Authors Papers on all aspects of requirements engineering are welcome. However, all submitted papers must be classified according to the problems they are addressing and the contributions they are making toward solving them. The official classification scheme for the symposium can be obtained by requesting it from the program chair or by anonymous ftp from host research.att.com (/dist/re95.cfp). Papers will be evaluated according to criteria appropriate for their classifications. We encourage prospective authors to look at the classification scheme early, as it establishes a uniform context and may thus influence the presentation of their work. Papers should not exceed 6,000 words in length, and should be accompanied by full contact information including name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, and fax number. Authors are also requested to submit the title, abstract, and classifications of each paper by e-mail to the program chair a month before the full paper is due (please include full contact information). Authors must submit six copies of each full paper (no e-mail or fax submissions) to the program chair: Program Chair: Pamela Zave AT&T Bell Laboratories Room 2B-413 Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974 USA Voice: (1) 908 582 3080 Fax: (1) 908 582 7550 E-mail: pamela@research.att.com Important dates: 1 August 1994: title, abstract, and classifications requested 1 September 1994: full papers due 1 November 1994: notification of acceptance 15 December 1994: camera-ready copy due Potential demonstrators should submit a description of their tool, not to exceed 500 words, to the general chair by 1 September 1994. For more information about the Doctoral Consortium contact the Consortium Chair: Anthony Finkelstein Department of Computing Imperial College E-mail: acwf@doc.ic.ac.uk \EOA 0190* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALL FOR PAPERS - 1995 Office Systems Research Association * * Bridget O'Connor, New York Univ (oconnorb@acfcluster.nyu.edu) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 1995 Office Systems Research Association Reengineering for Emerging Technologies March 10-12, 1995 Las Vegas, Nevada The 1995 OSRA Conference Committee invites you to submit papers for consideration for its 14th Annual Conference. The conference committee will consider a broad range of Office Information Systems/End-User Information Systems-related topics, including, but not limited to research describing: --Multimedia: Developing multimedia applications, planning for multimedia implementation, productivity enhancement, teaching strategies. --The Information Highway: Ethical issues in networking, using resources on the Internet. --Reengineering: Job and work redesign strategies, overcoming resistance to change, computer support for business process reengineering. --OIS/EUIS Technologies: Image technologies, work flow, group support systems, voice systems. --Ergonomics: Human factors, software hardware, and workplace design issues. --OIS/EUIS Implementation: Strategies and issues, change management, theory development. Submit four double-spaced copies (no more than 15 pages) of your completed paper or detailed panel proposal by September 9, 1994 to: Dr. Charles P. Bilbrey OSRA Call for Papers Coordinator Dept. of Information and Decision Sciences College of Business James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Voice: (703) 568-3064 E-mail: fac_cbilbrey@vax1.acs.jmu.edu \EOA 0191* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALL FOR PAPERS - Executive Info Systems (J of Decision Systems) * * J C Courbon, INT (jean-claude.courbon@galaxie.int-evry.fr) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Call for Papers Executive Information Systems (EIS) Special issue of the Journal of Decision Systems The Journal of Decision Systems publishes articles (in English as well as in French) dealing with the design, implementation and evaluation of decision systems, i.e. computer-based working applications that can replace (partially or totally) or help individuals or groups in their decision tasks. DESCRIPTION Executive Information Systems have somehow become a buzzword among practitioners of decision support for top managers. Software companies heavily use the word EIS to promote products offering various functionalities more or less close to the decision processes followed by top managers. Now seems an appropriate time to try to answer some questions arising from several evolutions in this developing field. This is the reason for a special issue of the Journal of Decision Systems on this subject. This special issue on EIS will welcome articles documenting research done in the following directions : --Experiences with EIS for top managers, as opposed to diffusion of this technology to middle management --Directions for a renewed conceptual framework addressing the nature of decision support for top executives, linking it perhaps with the impact of telecommunication and advanced group support software --Interrogations about a possible shift from DSS to EIS for middle- management observed, meaning a less model-oriented support for these users. Important dates: Full paper due (3 copies) October 31, 1994 Notice of review report December 31, 1994 Final paper due February 28, 1995 Paper proposals should be sent to : J.-C. Courbon Institut National des Tilicommunications 9, rue Charles Fourier 91011 EVRY Cedex Voice: (33-1) 60 76 45 77 Fax: (33-1) 60 76 44 93 E-mail: courbon@galaxie.int-evry.fr \EOA 0192* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Visiting Position, Managemt Info Systems * * Joe F. Alber, Bradley University (jalber@bradley.bradley.edu) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Department of Business Management and Administration at Bradley University invites applications for a visiting faculty position in Management Information Systems (MIS) with responsibilities which include systems design and analysis, data base management, expert systems and PC applications. A PhD or a DBA is preferred but will consider ABD. Rank is visiting instructor/assistant/associate professor and will be commensurate with qualifications, teaching experience and research record. The position is available Fall 1994 and is a visiting position for 1994-95 only. A nation-wide search will be conducted, and the position will be filled with a tenure- track assistant professor for 1995-96. The visiting faculty member will be eligible to be considered for the tenure-track position. Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois, is a private independent comprehensive university with approximately 6,000 students. Both undergraduate and M.B.A. programs are offered, and all programs in business administration and accounting are AACSB accredited. Bradley provides a balance between large research- oriented universities and small colleges. A strong emphasis is placed on quality teaching, and research, publication and service activities are required of all faculty. Interested candidates should apply to: Dr. Fred L. Fry, Chair Department of Business Management and Administration College of Business Administration Bradley University Peoria, IL 61625 Voice: (309) 677-2306 E-mail: ffry@bradley.bradley.edu Applications should include a letter of application, vita, evidence of teaching ability, and names of three references. To assure full consideration, applications should be received prior to June 20, 1994. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. \EOA 0193* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Assistant Professor, Information Systems * * Gavin Finnie, Bond University (gfinnie@bond.edu.au) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Assistant Professor of Information Systems Bond University, Australia The School of Information Technology at Bond University provides instruction and performs research in the areas of Computing Science, Information Systems and Information Analysis. The School has strong undergraduate programs and course work Postgraduate Diploma and Master degrees as well as research masters and PhD degrees. As a participant in the Distributed Systems Technology Centre, a Cooperative Research Centre, the School has a commitment to excellence in research. Applications are invited from suitably qualified women and men for the position of Assistant Professor of Information Systems. Specific areas of interest in the Information Systems field include decision support systems, business expert systems, databases and management of information systems and technology. The School has developed a program in Software Engineering and expertise in this area would be an added advantage. Applicants should possess a PhD or equivalent in a relevant area. The salary paid will be commensurate with skills and experience. Applicants are requested to provide a curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of three referees. Applications should be forwarded to: Ms Jeanette Niehus School of Information Technology Bond University Gold Coast Queensland 4229 Australia The closing date for application is 30 July 1994. For further information, contact Dr Gavin Finnie: Voice: +61 75 953346 Fax: +61 75 953320 E-mail: gfinnie@.bond.edu.au \EOA 0194* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Faculty, Computer Science/Info Systems * * John Venable, Waikato Univ (jvenable@lucifer.cs.waikato.ac.nz) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Computer Science/Information Systems Applications are invited for two positions in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Outstanding candidates in all areas of Computer Science/Information Systems will be considered, but databases and networks and communications are of particular interest. Applicants should hold an advanced degree in Computer Science or Information Systems and must be committed to teaching and scholarly research. The Department of Computer Science has a complement of 28 academic and support staff and is one of the largest departments in the University. Its staff teach and conduct research in both Computer Science and Information Systems areas. There are 2500 student course enrolments, and majors are granted in five undergraduate degrees, 40 students are currently enrolled in graduate study at the masters and doctoral level in the Department. The present salary ranges are as follows: Lecturer: NZ$37,440 - 49,088 per annum Senior Lecturer: 52,000 - 67,080 per annum Associate Professor: 69,680 - 75,920 per annum. Enquiries of an academic nature may be made to: Dr Geoffrey Holmes Chairperson of the Department Voice: 64-7-838-4528 Fax: 64-7- 838-4155 E-mail: geoff@waikato.ac.nz Information on the method of application and conditions of appointment can be obtained from Personnel and Management Services The University of Waikato Private Bag 3105 Hamilton, New Zealand Voice: 64-7-838 4003 Fax: 64-7-856-0135 E-mail: rgtywp4@waikato.ac.nz All applications quoting reference number A94/28 received by 9 September 1994 will be considered shortly thereafter. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. \EOA 0195* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Visiting Positions, Information Systems * * Michael Wybo, McGill University (wybo@management.mcgill.ca) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Faculty of Management at McGill University is recruiting for two 1 to 2 year visiting faculty appointments in Information Systems. These appointments entail teaching in the undergraduate IS program. Teaching load will allow time for individual research activities. Our greatest needs are in the areas of Database and Systems Design. There is the possibility of teaching the MBA IS core course for candidates with experience and interests in this area. These appointments may begin in either September 1994 or January 1995. Interested and qualified candidates should send a vita to: Michael Wybo Faculty of Management McGill University 1001 Sherbrooke Street West Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G5 Canada wybo@management.mcgill.ca \EOA 0196* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS * * Dennis W. Viehland, INFOSYS Editor (d.viehland@massey.ac.nz) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Editor's Note: this is an abbreviated Calendar of Upcoming Events. A full calendar was included in INFOSYS v1 n19 and will be published again in n24. June 20, 1994 Applications deadline Academy of Mgmt, Tech and Innovatn Mgmt Doctoral Student Consortium August 12 - 13, 1994 Loews Anatole, Dallas, USA Contact: gattiker@hg.uleth.ca (see article 0119, INFOSYS v1 n14) June 30, 1994 Call for papers, submission deadline HEURISTICS: The Journal of Knowledge Engineering and Technology Special Issue on the Integration of Digital Multimedia Tech and KBS Contact: mwarkent@research1.bryant.edu (see article 0150, INFOSYS v1 n17) \EOA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * INFOSYS is an electronic newsletter for faculty, students, and * * practitioners in the field of Information Systems. INFOSYS * * publishes news items, requests for assistance, announcements of * * professional meetings and conferences, position notices, a * * calendar of upcoming events, comments on recent publications, * * abstracts of papers that authors are willing to share, and other * * items of interest to the Information Systems community. * * * * INFOSYS is published biweekly, more frequently if volume requires * * it. INFOSYS operates as an electronic mailing list on listserv * * software at American University in Washington, DC. The editor is * * Dennis W. Viehland (d.viehland@massey.ac.nz). * * * * To subscribe to INFOSYS send the following one-line electronic * * mail message to listserv@american.edu (Internet) or listserv@auvm * * (Bitnet): subscribe infosys yourfirstname yourlastname * * (e.g., subscribe infosys John Smith). You will receive a welcome * * letter that will tell you more about INFOSYS and listserv. * * * * Guidelines for submitting articles to INFOSYS are published in * * the Welcome message each new subscriber receives (or e-mail "GET * * infosys welcome" to listserv@american.edu). Send articles to * * infosys@american.edu or d.viehland@massey.ac.nz. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *