Ethical considerations of using information obtained from online file sharing sites

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 256-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee van Wynsberghe ◽  
Jeroen van der Ham
Keyword(s):  
Data Sharing ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
File Sharing ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Internet Security ◽  
Value Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Novel Approach

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel approach for the ethical analysis of data collected from an online file-sharing site known as The PirateBay. Since the creation of Napster back in the late 1990s for the sharing and distribution of MP3 files across the Internet, the entertainment industry has struggled to deal with the regulation of information sharing at large. Added to the ethical questions of censorship and distributive justice are questions related to the use of data collected from such file-sharing sites for research purposes. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is based on previous work analysing the use of data from online social networking sites and involves value analysis of the collection of data throughout the data’s various life cycles. Findings – This paper highlights the difficulties faced when attempting to apply a deontological or utilitarian approach to cases like the one used here. With this in mind, the authors point to a virtue ethics approach as a way to address ethical issues related to data sharing in the face of ever-changing data gathering and sharing practices. Practical implications – This work is intended to provide a concrete approach for ethical data sharing practices in the domain of Internet security research. Originality/value – The approach presented in this paper is a novel approach combining the insights from: the embedded values concept, value-sensitive design and the approach of the embedded ethicist.

scholarly journals Transitions towards omni-channel retailing strategies: a business model perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milan Jocevski ◽  
Niklas Arvidsson ◽  
Giovanni Miragliotta ◽  
Antonio Ghezzi ◽  
Riccardo Mangiaracina
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Consumer Electronics ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Italian Market

Purpose Digitalisation has been identified as a driving force behind retail sector transformation. The purpose of this paper is to provide a deeper understanding of how omni-channel strategies link to the digitalisation phenomenon. The study is explorative in nature and aims to expand existing knowledge by using a business model (BM) perspective. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a qualitative approach. Data collection involved a questionnaire answered by 13 firms from three retail segments (i.e. fashion, consumer electronics and bookstores and media) and a group discussion with senior managers. The data were complemented with information from websites, applications and available online reports. Findings The findings present empirical insights about different strategic and BM approaches to omni-channel retailing and highlight examples of pioneering retailers from the Italian market. The proposed framework consolidates earlier studies and puts forward three dimensions for a successful transition to omni-channel retailing BMs: a seamless customer experience, an integrated analytics system and an effective supply chain and logistics. Practical implications Managers can employ an overview of mobile commerce usage to manage the process of integrating channels, within their BMs, alongside the customer journey. Particular attention should be paid to development and the use of data analytics tools as one of the dimensions with a significant impact on omni-channel management. Originality/value First, this paper applies a BM perspective as a novel approach for analysing a transition to omni-channel retailing. Second, it is based on empirical analysis of three retail segments, which provide new insights into omni-channel strategies in the retailing literature.

Improving the use of analytics and big data by changing the decision-making culture

2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 2074-2088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Elisabeth Frisk ◽  
Frank Bannister
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Support Organizations ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Using Data

Purpose Evolving digital technologies continue to enable new ways to collect and analyze data and this has led some researchers to claim that skillful use of data analytics and big data can radically improve a company’s performance, but that in order to achieve such improvements managers need to change their decision-making culture and to increase the degree of collaboration in the decision-making process. The purpose of this paper is to create an increased understanding of how a decision-making culture can be changed by using a design approach. Design/methodology/approach The paper presents an action research project in which the authors use a design approach. Findings By adopting a design approach organizations can change their decision-making culture, increase the degree of collaboration and also reduce the influence of power and politics on their decision-making. Research limitations/implications This paper proposes a new approach to changing a decision-making culture. Practical implications Using data analytics and big data, a design approach can support organizations change their decision-making culture resulting in better and more effective decisions. Originality/value This paper bridges design and decision-making theory in a novel approach to an old problem.

scholarly journals On the ethics of social network research in libraries

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Mannheimer ◽  
Scott W.H. Young ◽  
Doralyn Rossmann
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Library Science ◽  
Ethical Framework ◽  
Ethical Practice ◽  
Social Networking Service ◽  
Value Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conducting Research

Purpose In this paper, faculty librarians at an academic institution explore the ethical dimensions of conducting research with user-generated social networking service (SNS) data. In an effort to guide librarian-researchers, this paper first offers a background discussion of privacy ethics across disciplines and then proposes a library-specific ethical framework for conducting SNS research. Design/methodology/approach By surveying the literature in other disciplines, three key considerations are identified that can inform ethical practice in the field of library science: context, expectation, and value analysis. For each of these considerations, the framework is tailored to consider ethical issues, as they relate to libraries and our practice as librarian-researchers. Findings The unique role of the librarian-researcher demands an ethical framework specific to that practice. The findings of this paper propose such a framework. Practical implications Librarian-researchers are at a unique point in our history. In exploring SNSs as a source of data to conduct research and improve services, we become challenged by conflicting and equally cherished values of patron privacy and information access. By evaluating research according to context, expectations, and value, this framework provides an ethical path forward for research using SNS data. Originality/value As of this paper’s publication, there is no existing ethical framework for conducting SNS research in libraries. The proposed framework is informed both by library values and by broader research values, and therefore provides unique guidelines for the librarian-researcher.

Content and compliance of pharmaceutical social media marketing

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 977-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Huhmann ◽  
Yam B. Limbu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Initial Attempt ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Direct To Consumer ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore ethical issues related to pharmaceutical marketers’ social media efforts including the prevalence and forms of direct-to-consumer web 2.0 advertising (eDTCA) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) messages across social networking sites (SNSs). One goal is to determine if these eDTCA posts comply with draft guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Design/methodology/approach Content analysis of ten pharmaceutical marketers’ SNS posts documented the frequency and types of posts devoted to eDTCA, drug risks and benefits, CSR, and other purposes. Findings eDTCA represents about 35 percent of all pharmaceutical firm SNS posts and primarily communicates help-seeking messages via Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Firms also promote their ethical image through CSR-related posts. These posts primarily highlight employee-focussed and community-focussed initiatives. Analysis of consumer behavior in response to each post shows that eDTCA affects only liking of YouTube videos, but CSR increases behavior responses on all SNSs except LinkedIn. Social implications Despite absence of final guidance, pharmaceutical marketers seem to abide by FDA draft social media guidance. In line with the FDA’s draft fair-balance regulations, almost all product-claim eDTCA posts state both benefit and risk information. Nevertheless, the FDA should issue final eDTCA guidance without delay consistent with traditional media direct-to-consumer advertising guidance. This should benefit consumers through consistency with their existing advertising literacy competencies. Originality/value The study represents an initial attempt to document ethical issues in the current state-of-the-practice of pharmaceutical social media marketing related to eDTCA and CSR.

Hotel daily occupancy forecasting with competitive sets: a recursive algorithm

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zvi Schwartz ◽  
Muzaffer Uysal ◽  
Timothy Webb ◽  
Mehmet Altin
Keyword(s):  
Revenue Management ◽  
Data Sharing ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Individual Property ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
The Absolute

Purpose – This paper aims to improve the accuracy of hotel daily occupancy forecasts – an essential element in the revenue management cycle – by proposing and testing a novel approach. The authors add the hotel competitive-set’s predicted occupancy as an input of the individual property forecast and, using a recursive approach, demonstrate that there is a potential for significant reduction in the forecasting error. Design/methodology/approach – The paper outlines the theoretical justification and the mechanism for this new approach. It applies a simulation for exploring the potential to improve the accuracy of the hotel’s daily occupancy forecasts, as well as analysis of data from a field study of two hotel clusters’ daily forecasts to provide empirical support to the procedure’s viability. Findings – The results provide strong support to the notion that the accuracy could be enhanced. Incorporating the competitive set prediction by using either a genetic algorithm or the simple linear regression model improves the accuracy of the forecast using either the absolute or the absolute percentage as the error measure. Research limitations/implications – The proliferation of data sharing practices in the hotel industry reveals that the timely data sharing-aggregation-dissemination mechanism required for implementing this forecasting paradigm is feasible. Originality/value – Given the crucial role of accurate forecasts in revenue management and recent changes in the hotels’ operating environment which made it harder to achieve or maintain high levels of accuracy, this study’s proposed novel approach has the potential to make a unique contribution in the realm of forecasting daily occupancies.

The application of causality to construction business ethics

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 550-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byung Gyoo Kang ◽  
Francis Edum-Fotwe ◽  
Andrew Price ◽  
Tony Thorpe
Keyword(s):  
Business Ethics ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethics Training ◽  
Development Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethics Management ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Long Term Observation ◽  
The Right

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate two causality concepts, sphere of control (SOC) and agent–action–results (AAR), and their potential applications to construction business ethics. SOC is used in ethics training, and AAR is applied to ethical decision-making (EDM). Design/methodology/approach – A framework of ethics training and a framework of EDM for construction companies have been developed. Interviews were conducted with experienced construction engineers and PhD ethicians to test the validity of the EDM framework. Findings – Literature review has been conducted in ethical issues, ethics training and EDM, leading to the developments of the frameworks. The framework of ethics training incorporates SOC to reflect the ethicality and personality traits. The framework of EDM is based on AAR, combined with a stakeholder approach and Kohlberg’s cognitive moral development theory, with a review from EDM models in business. Both frameworks include project-level component to reflect the unique feature of the construction industry. The framework of EDM showed a good practicality through the interviews on an ethical dilemma example. Research limitations/implications – For the ethics training framework, a long-term observation or survey should be accompanied to evaluate the framework in detail, tracing the improvement of ethicalness of course participants. Practical implications – The customized ethics training will be more efficient and effective, as it considers individual ethicality. The scoring system of the EDM framework is simple and practical. This is particularly relevant for construction ethics management, considering that most of construction practitioners are engineers, not philosophers or psychologists. Originality/value – Applying causality concepts, SOC and AAR, to construction ethics is a novel approach in construction management. This research has made a good advancement in construction ethics management by providing the right directions to be explored in these new areas.

A cell-based smoothed point interpolation method (CS-PIM) for 2D thermoelastic problems

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 1249-1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yijun Liu ◽  
Guiyong Zhang ◽  
Huan Lu ◽  
Zhi Zong
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stresses ◽  
Interpolation Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Convergence Results ◽  
Point Interpolation Method ◽  
Point Interpolation ◽  
Thermoelastic Problems ◽  
Gradient Smoothing ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Due to the strong reliance on element quality, there exist some inherent shortcomings of the traditional finite element method (FEM). The model of FEM behaves overly stiff, and the solutions of automated generated linear elements are generally of poor accuracy about especially gradient results. The proposed cell-based smoothed point interpolation method (CS-PIM) aims to improve the results accuracy of the thermoelastic problems via properly softening the overly-stiff stiffness. Design/methodology/approach This novel approach is based on the newly developed G space and weakened weak (w2) formulation, and of which shape functions are created using the point interpolation method and the cell-based gradient smoothing operation is conducted based on the linear triangular background cells. Findings Owing to the property of softened stiffness, the present method can generally achieve better accuracy and higher convergence results (especially for the temperature gradient and thermal stress solutions) than the FEM does by using the simplest linear triangular background cells, which has been examined by extensive numerical studies. Practical implications The CS-PIM is capable of producing more accurate results of temperature gradients as well as thermal stresses with the automated generated and unstructured background cells, which make it a better candidate for solving practical thermoelastic problems. Originality/value It is the first time that the novel CS-PIM was further developed for solving thermoelastic problems, which shows its tremendous potential for practical implications.

Transdural herniation of the thoracic spinal cord: untethering via a posterolateral transpedicular approach

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryder Gwinn ◽  
Fraser Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Posterior Approach ◽  
Thoracic Spinal Cord ◽  
Dural Repair ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transpedicular Approach ◽  
Thoracic Spinal ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Spinal Cord Herniation ◽  
Thoracic Cord

✓ Anterior spinal cord herniation is a well-documented condition in which the thoracic cord becomes tethered within a defect in the anterior dura mater. Typical procedures have involved a posterior approach with direct manipulation of the thoracic cord to expose and blindly release its point of tethering. The authors report three cases in which a novel approach for the treatment of anterior thoracic cord herniation was performed, cord manipulation and traction are minimized, and direct dural repair of the defect is performed.

Chiasmatic optic glioma treated with chemotherapy

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 862-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey G. Rosenstock ◽  
Roger J. Packer ◽  
Larissa Bilaniuk ◽  
Derek A. Bruce ◽  
Jerri-Lynne Radcliffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Progressive Disease ◽  
Actinomycin D ◽  
Initial Therapy ◽  
Optic Glioma ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Clinical Stabilization

✓ Chiasmatic optic glioma is a rare tumor with an erratic natural history, usually seen in young children. A prior study from this institution demonstrated that these lesions were frequently lethal, despite initial clinical stabilization following radiation therapy, and that visual, intellectual, and late endocrinological disabilities were prevalent. A novel approach was developed in 1977, when an initial clinical response to vincristine was recorded in a child with a recurrent optic glioma. Since then, all children with recurrent optic glioma and all children aged 6 years old and under with newly diagnosed optic glioma have been offered a program of initial therapy with vincristine and actinomycin D for six cycles over 18 months. The four children with recurrent tumor who were treated with that regimen remain clinically stable 13 to 115 months after chemotherapy. Twelve children (eight under 24 months old) with newly diagnosed optic glioma have been treated with this program, and three are still on therapy. Four developed progression while on therapy, and five remain stable from 1 to 60 months posttherapy. The four children who developed progressive disease have been treated with radiation therapy and remain stable. Six of the 12 children showed shrinkage of their tumor on computerized tomography while receiving chemotherapy. This program may serve as an alternative to initial radiation therapy in young children.

Building holistic and agile collection development and assessment

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheri Jeanette Duncan ◽  
Genya Morgan O'Gara
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Assessment Model ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Collection Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Institutional Goals ◽  
Scholarly Output ◽  
Use Of Data

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of a flexible collections assessment rubric comprised of a suite of tools for more consistently and effectively evaluating and expressing a holistic value of library collections to a variety of constituents, from administrators to faculty and students, with particular emphasis to the use of data already being collected at libraries to “take the temperature” of how responsive collections are in supporting institutional goals. Design/methodology/approach – Using a literature review, internal and external conversations, several collections pilot projects, and a variety of other investigative mechanisms, this paper explores methods for creating a more flexible, holistic collection development and assessment model using both qualitative and quantitative data. Findings – The products of scholarship that academic libraries include in their collections are expanding exponentially and range from journals and monographs in all formats, to databases, data sets, digital text and images, streaming media, visualizations and animations. Content is also being shared in new ways and on a variety of platforms. Yet the framework for evaluating this new landscape of scholarly output is in its infancy. So, how do libraries develop and assess collections in a consistent, holistic, yet agile, manner? Libraries must employ a variety of mechanisms to ensure this goal, while remaining flexible in adapting to the shifting collections environment. Originality/value – In so much as the authors are aware, this is the first paper to examine an agile, holistic approach to collections using both qualitative and quantitative data.

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