Infosys v1n039 (October 6, 1994) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/infosys/infs-v1n039 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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 39 October 6, 1994 * * * * Editor: Dennis W. Viehland, Massey University, New Zealand * * Listowner: Greg Welsh, American University, Washington DC * * * * Current Subscribers = 3,487 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TABLE OF CONTENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS - From EDUPAGE * * ANNOUNCEMENT - connect! (new e-publication) * * ANNOUNCEMENT - The Fuzzy Systems Handbook (book review) * * CONTENTS - Information Systems Research v5 n3 (September 1994) * * REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - International Comparison for IS Trends * * REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - Info on Payback from Quality Improvement * * CONFERENCE - Conference on Software Quality and Productivity * * CONFERENCE - Workshop on Information Technologies and Systems * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Lecturer/Snr Lectr, Information Systems * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Chair, MIS and Decision Sciences * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Visiting Faculty, Information Systems * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Junior-level Faculty, Dec & Info Sciences * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Lecturer, Management Sci or Info Systems * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 0337* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEWS - From EDUPAGE * * Dennis Viehland, Massey University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * IBM RETALIATES AGAINST H-P ASSAULT: Hewlett-Packard's challenge to IBM's AS/400 minicomputer line has drawn a quick response from Big Blue. "We will meet or beat any offer that H-P puts on a customer's table," says a seven-page fact sheet distributed by IBM. "This has been a brilliant move by H-P to make a lot of noise about nothing. You can get 40% off just for breathing," notes a Lehman Brothers spokesman. (Wall Street Journal 9/27/94 B7) TAKING NOTES AT ORACLE: An alliance between Oracle Corp and Lotus Development Corp will enable users of Notes software to access large Oracle databases easily and add a multimedia dimension to work-sharing. Currently, Notes isn't designed to handle lengthy video or large documents. (New York Times 9/27/94 C4)) TEST SCORES ARE IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: Test essays written by hand often are scored higher than those submitted in word-processed versions, concludes a study by the Educational Testing Service. When word-processed essays were converted to handwriting and vice versa, researchers found the hand-written versions of word-processed essays were scored higher than the originals, even though the content was exactly the same. One possible reason is that word- processed essays appear shorter and errors are more obvious. (Chronicle of Higher Education 9/28/94 A25) TECHNOLOGICAL INHERITANCE BELONGS TO ALL OF US: In October's "Technology Review," Gar Alperovitz argues that the $8 billion in Bill Gates' bank account was derived through thousands of links in a chain of technological development, largely funded by government research. "Plainly put, the way we allocate the benefits of present and past economic activity that stem from the technological inheritance is irrational and unjust." Alperovitz calls for a new economic system based on the notion of common inheritance of wealth generated through government-funded R&D. (Technology Review 10/94 p.31) MANAGING DESKTOPS: U.S. businesses spend $17.7 billion each year on PCs, but that's only 20% of the cost of ownership. "The rest is maintenance, management, software distribution and storage management," says the Meta Group. An industry-wide consortium is hoping to solve these problems through system management software, called the Management Information Format file, which will be stored in a chip on the motherboard of a new computer and which will contain data such as the purchase date of the computer, software and peripherals, plus product names and installation dates. System managers will be able to remotely query every computer in the organization for troubleshooting or before purchasing new software. (Investor's Business Daily 9/29/94 A4) COMPUTER LITERACY STARTS AT HOME: Nine out of 10 families report that their children use computers at school, and four out of 10 say their kids use PCs at home, according to a recent Gallup poll. But more than a third of parents polled think schools to a fair-to-poor job of familiarizing their children with computers, due to lack of equipment and poorly trained teachers. (Investor's Business Daily 9/2894 A1) GILDER CALLS HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES "POLITICAL ASSET": Information technology prophet George Gilder says that the high-tech industries formed in the 1980s using venture capital and junk bonds are now the prime fuel of the economy and that the computer and communications segment comprises perhaps 60% of incremental GDP and 48% of exports. Gilder says that Clinton, Gore and FCC Chair Reed Hundt have to understand that these technologies are their "greatest political asset" and act to extricate the politicians and bureaucrats out of the business of impeding the development of such advances as low earth orbit satellites (LEOS) dedicated to computer communications. (Forbes ASAP 10/10/94 p.132) 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 September 27, 29, and October 2, 1994 issues. \EOA 0338* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENT - connect! (new e-publication) * * Jason Smith, * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * connect! is a newsletter for people interested in keeping up with the computer industry. connect! publishes computer industry news, commentary by the editor and publisher and other bits of information of interest to computing professionals. Delivery and Subscriptions: connect! is delivered by e-mail on the Internet. It is issued 48 times a year. Please contact the Editor for a subscription form. Back Issues: Back issues are available on the World Wide Web at the following URL: http://www.io.org/~jwsmith The Publisher and Editor of connect! is: J.W. Smith, Publisher and Editor connect! Internet: jwsmith@io.org eWorld: jwsmith \EOA 0339* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ANNOUNCEMENT - The Fuzzy Systems Handbook (book review) * * Rob Slade, DECrypt and ComNet * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Fuzzy Systems Handbook Earl Cox 1994, ISBN: 0-12-194270-8 US$49.95 The trade media has hyped fuzzy systems as the new and coming thing. Information systems professionals, who have lived through a great number of "coming things" still know little more, basically, than the fact that control systems are supposed to be better with fuzzy logic. The reason for the confidence in this science of imprecision can, in part, be demonstrated in the control realm. Suppose you are building an automatic collision avoidance system for cars. It is fairly straightforward to program in the sequence of actions to be taken to slow the car as it approaches another object. If, however, the system fails, then what happens if you do hit the object? Will the "distance" become a negative number? If so, will the brakes bind or release? Will the drive train stop, accelerate, or go into reverse? This situation is simplistic, but the outcome, in a procedural language, must be accounted for, prepared and tested. Fuzzy systems deal with ranges, and it is much easier to see and understand that the concept of "close" should also include "hit" -- even before you start to build the actions to be taken. It is difficult for the programmer to translate the concepts of fuzzy logic into code to play with. Cox has, therefore, given you code to play with. A high density MS-DOS format floppy contains C++ source code to mess around with. (C programmers should be able to work with most of it, and, since it is source code, Mac devotees should be able to use it, as well.) For those wishing to explore this new field "hands-on", a slightly high-toned, but very useful, introduction. Order information can be obtained from: Josh Mills, Marketing Academic Press, Inc. 955 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 E-mail: jmills@acad.com \EOA 0340* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONTENTS - Information Systems Research v5 n3 (September 1994) * * John L. King, University of California-Irvine * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Information Systems Research Summary Information for Volume 5, Number 3 September 1994 Articles --Basu and Blanning: Model Integration Using Metagraphs --Sen, Vinze and Liou: Role of Control in the Model Formulation Process --Mannino, Rathnam, Choi, and Tseng: Formal Modeling of Complex Commands in Industrial Software Specifications --Dey and Seidman: Benchmarking Decision Models for Database Management --Ramesh and Whinston: Claims, Arguments, and Decisions: Formalisms for Representation, Gaming and Coordination Research Report --Raghunathan and Raghunathan: Adaptation of a Planning System Success Model for Information Systems Planning ISR is an international quarterly journal of The Institute for Management Sciences. The journal publishes the results of outstanding theoretical, analytical, and empirical research in the broad field of information technology and organizations. For additional information on editorial policy, contact John L. King, Editor-in-Chief, at isr@ics.uci.edu. For information on subscriptions contact Candi Gerzevitz at the TIMS headquarters via e-mail at np246003@brownvm.brown.edu. \EOA 0341* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - International Comparison for IS Trends * * Yogesh Malhotra, Univ of Pittsburgh * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I am seeking sources to where one can find countrywide comparative data on Information Systems (IS) or Information Technology (IT) related issues -- for instance number of IS professionals, investment in various types of ITs, indices for IS/IT productivity. Please respond at my e-mail address listed below. Your help will be very appreciated. Thank you. Yogesh Malhotra Doctoral Program Katz Graduate School of Business University of Pittsburgh malhotra@vms.cis.pitt.edu \EOA 0342* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE - Info on Payback from Quality Improvement * * Mark Rabideau, Process Enhancement Partners * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The subject of Return on Investment (ROI) is important for the justification of all quality improvement activities. I am seeking to gather ROI data from any and all software organizations that have been able to quantify the payback from their quality or process improvement activities. I would appreciate any anecdotal or other information that you, or your colleagues, would be willing to share. The data I am most interested in includes: --improvement activity (e.g. configuration management, SQA, etc.) --focus of the improvement (e.g. SEI, ISO9001, TickIT, ITQS, etc.) --scope of effort (money, time, resources, etc.) --unanticipated benefits or pitfalls encountered --any other information you deem appropriate Please DO NOT send me any company confidential information. In return for sending me information, I will send you a compendium of anecdotes and/ or hard data that I gather- summarized, in what I hope will be a useful management format ;^). The major assumption here being that I WILL actually receive information! Please e-mail your information to me at mrabideau@aol.com or if hard copy fax it to me 303-660-9217 or 'overland' mail to: Mark F. Rabideau Process Enhancement Partners, Inc. 711 Nob Hill Trail Franktown, Colorado 80116-8717 USA \EOA 0343* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONFERENCE - Conference on Software Quality and Productivity * * Matthew Lee, City Polytech of Hong Kong * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * First IFIP/SQI International (Asia-Pacific) Conference on Software Quality and Productivity (ICSQP 94') Theory, Practice, Education and Training 5-7 December 1994 City Polytechnic of Hong Kong Hong Kong This conference aims to bring together researchers and practitioners who are interested in the efficient production of quality software, so that views across a variety of issues may be exchanged and a rich perspective on quality and productivity may be obtained. In addition, this conference will bring to the fast growing Asia-Pacific region a much needed focus on software quality and productivity. The conference welcomes contributions in areas of theory, practice, education and training, from (but not restricted to) the following fields: --software process modelling, improvement, and maturity --international standards (e.g. ISO, BS, AS, TQM, etc.) --software product quality specification and evaluation --software metrics and measurements --software engineering environments --software reuse and re-engineering --software testing --software risk assessment --case studies --software quality assurance methods and techniques software --engineering and software quality --impact of development methodologies on quality and productivity Submission Information: Submit four copies of the manuscript (maximum 8 pages) to: Dr. Matthew Lee ICSQP 94' Programme Committee Co-Chair Dept of Information Systems City Polytechnic of Hong Kong 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Hong Kong Voice:: +852 788 7348 Fax: +852 788 8694 E-mail: ismatlee@cphkvx.cphk.hk Submissions should include a separate title page (1 copy) specifying the title, all authors with their affiliations, abstract (maximum 200 words), up to 10 keywords, and the address of the contact author, including a telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address (if available). The title page should also be submitted by e-mail (in plain text) or fax to Dr Matthew Lee . Potential contributors are invited to register immediately with Dr. Lee to indicate their intention to submit a paper. Important Dates: Registration of intention to submit: now Deadline for receipt of papers: 15 May 1994 Notification of acceptance: 15 July 1994 Deadline for camera-ready copies: 15 Sept 1994 \EOA 0344* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONFERENCE - Workshop on Information Technologies and Systems * * Prabuddha De, Univ of Dayton * * Carson Woo, Univ of British Columbia * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 4th Workshop on Information Technologies and Systems (WITS'94) December 17-18, 1994 Hyatt Regency Hotel Vancouver, BC Canada The 4th Workshop on Information Technologies and Systems (WITS'94) will be held in Vancouver, Canada, during December 17-18, 1994, immediately after ICIS. The purpose of the workshop is to promote discussion and interaction among members of the Information Systems community with research interests in cutting-edge information technologies and systems. We are particularly interested in exchanging research ideas and results which will not only contribute to the academic arena, but will also benefit the business community in the foreseeable future. WITS'94 received 151 submissions, significantly more than twice the number in any of the previous years. Only 33 papers and 1 panel proposal were eventually accepted for the workshop. Thus, the competition for acceptance was extremely high, and consequently WITS'94 promises to be a workshop of exceptional quality. In addition to paper presentations and the panel discussion, WITS'94 will include two keynote speeches -- one by John Mylopoulos of the University of Toronto, a leading academician in the IS area, and the other by, Daniel Goter, a senior executive of Schwab, San Francisco, USA. Other information about WITS'94 are available via anonymous ftp from oasis.commerce.ubc.ca under the directory pub/woo/wits94. The files "program.ps", "register.ps", and "hotel.ps" contain the postscript version of the advance program, registration form, and hotel information, respectively. The corresponding ASCII files are "program.ascii", "register.ascii", and "hotel.ascii". Registration Fees (in US. dollars): Received by Nov 15, 1994: $140.00 (Regular) $100.00 (Students) Received after Nov 15, 1994: $200.00 (Regular) $120.00 (Students) Queries about WITS'94 registration should be directed to: Carson Woo Voice: (604) 822-8390 Fax: (604) 822-9574 E-mail: carson.woo@commerce.ubc.ca \EOA 0345* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Lecturer/Snr Lectr, Information Systems * * Peter O'Donnell, Monash University * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Department of Information Systems is one of seven academic departments and two schools within the Faculty of Computing and Information Technology at Monash University (Melbourne, Australia). Its teaching and research programs focus on systems analysis and design, information systems management, strategic systems, decision support systems, knowledge based systems, and human machine interfaces. There is currently a need for staff in the systems design and decision support systems areas, but applications will be considered in any area of interest to the department. Applicants require a relevant PhD, supervision experience, and a record of achievement in teaching. Industry experience is desirable. One appointment will be tenurable and one will be for a fixed term of three years. The level of appointment (lecturer or senior lecturer) and nature of appointment (contract or tenurable) will depend on qualifications and experience. In particular, appointment at senior lecturer requires a good publication record and will involve a significant leadership role in research, course development and department administration. Salary range: Lecturer Level B AUS$41,574 - $49,370 Senior Lecturer Level C AUS$50,928 - $58,724 Enquiries to: Professor D. R. Arnott Voice: (03) 903 2693 E-mail: darnott@ponderosa.is.monash.edu.au Applications including reference number 94A117, curriculum vitae and three referees reports should be sent to Ms E.A. McDowell Executive Officer Department of Information Systems Monash University PO Box 197 Caulfield East, Victoria 3145, Australia Closing date: 14 October 1994. \EOA 0346* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Chair, MIS and Decision Sciences * * Prabuddha De, Univ of Dayton * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Department of MIS and Decision Sciences of the School of Business Administration at The University of Dayton invites applications and nominations for the position of Department Chair effective summer/fall, 1995. Candidates must have a doctoral degree and are expected to have a record of research, teaching, and service commensurate with full professorship. Prior administrative experience is desirable. Current full and senior associate professors with appropriate qualifications will be considered. The position includes administrative responsibilities involved in leading a highly active department within an AACSB-accredited business school. The department currently offers an undergraduate major in MIS and a minor in Decision Sciences, and MBA concentrations in MIS and Manufacturing Management. Candidates are expected to have a primary focus in MIS, with an understanding and appreciation of the other areas supported by the department. They should be willing to help develop faculty members with diverse research and teaching interests. They should also be willing to take a leadership role in strengthening the department's ties with other relevant departments and centers of the university as well as with appropriate external organizations. The search committee will review applications and nominations as they come in and the search will continue until the position is filled. A detailed resume and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references should accompany any statement of interest. All correspondence should be sent to: Professor Prabuddha De Department of MIS and Decision Sciences School of Business Administration University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio 45469-2130 \EOA 0347* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Visiting Faculty, Information Systems * * Bill Chismar, Univ of Hawaii * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Decision Sciences Department in the College of Business Administration at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will have a visiting slot available for an associate or full professor in information systems for the spring semester, January 1 to May 15, 1995. The University of Hawaii at Manoa is located in Honolulu. In addition to an MIS undergraduate program, the Decision Science Department participates in programs offering an MBA and PhD in communications and information science. The visitor would be required to teach two courses: a technical elective in the undergraduate MIS program and an IS elective in the MBA program. Preference will be given to applicants with research overlap with existing faculty in the department. Applicants must currently hold an associate or full professor position. If you are interested in applying for the visiting position, send a statement of interest along with a short bio sketch containing teaching and research experience and interests to: Bill Chismar E-mail: chismar@dscience.cba.hawaii.edu \EOA 0348* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Junior-level Faculty, Dec & Info Sciences * * Dick Elnicki, Univ of Florida * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * The Department of Decision and Information Sciences (DIS) in the College of Business Administration at the University of Florida is seeking applicants for one junior-level tenure-track faculty position. Applicants should hold an earned doctorate degree in MIS or related field. Preference will be given to individuals having a strong background in OR, MS, Decision Science, or Production Management and current skills in MIS. A potential for success in research, teaching, and service is required. The individual will be required to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in MIS and to conduct research in MIS. The position responsibilities also include service to the college, University, and professional community. The DIS Department intends to fill this position for the Fall Semester, 1995. Applications should be received by January 1, 1995. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Applicants for these positions should send a resume and the names of three references (land mail only) to: Professor R. A. Elnicki Recruiting Chair Department of Decision and Information Sciences College of Business Administration University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-7160 \EOA 0349* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT - Lecturer, Management Sci or Info Systems * * Matthew Jones, University of Cambridge * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Applications are now invited for a University Lectureship or Assistant Lectureship in Management Science or Information Systems in the Management Studies Group, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge. Candidates will be expected to be able to make a contribution to teaching at the undergraduate, MPhil and MBA levels. The person appointed will also be encouraged to supervise PhD students. Specifically, candidates should be able to lecture on undergraduate courses in one or more of the following areas: --operations management --operational research/management science --information systems (with an emphasis on their organisational application rather than their technical design) In addition the person appointed may be invited to contribute to graduate taught courses in one of these areas or to offer such a course in their own area of research specialism. Candidates should have a strong research background in some aspect of Management Science or Information Systems, preferably in an area related to those of existing staff. These include: --social and organisational aspects of information system design and use --computer-mediated communication and other communications media --combinatorial optimisation methods in operations management --the use of quantitative information for policy-making. The successful applicant for this post will have a good first degree and a demonstrated record of research excellence. A higher degree is also highly desirable, but not essential. The closing date for applications is 28 October 1994. For further information contact: Edward Anderson Voice: +44 (0)1223 337052 Fax: +44 (0)1223 324009 E-mail: eja2@eng.cam.ac.uk or Matthew Jones Voice: +44 (0)1223 338188 Fax: +44 (0)1223 338076 E-mail: mrj1@eng.cam.ac.uk \EOA * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS * * The INFOSYS Calendar of Upcoming Events is updated fortnightly * * and can be obtained in the following ways: * * * * --E-mail: send the following one-line message to * * listserv@american.edu: get infosys calendar * * --FTP: anonymous FTP to ftp.american.edu; file is \infosys\ * * infosys.calendar * * --Gopher: gopher to auvm.american.edu; choose INFOSYS * * --WWW: forthcoming * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ABOUT INFOSYS * * 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 . * * * * 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dennis W. Viehland d.viehland@massey.ac.nz Senior Lecturer (09) 443-9612 (voice) Department of Information Systems (09) 443-9641 (messages) Massey University - Albany (09) 443-9640 (fax) Private Bag 102 904 country code: 64 North Shore MSC Albany, New Zealand "Each new day begins in New Zealand" * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *