ITFG

In this chapter we present results of a project in the field of groupware systems. Munich University of Applied Sciences has set up an initiative called IT-Forum to coordinate IT activities across its 14 different departments. As part of this initiative a groupware system was developed on the basis of the Web application server ZOPE and the database mySQL. The objective of this project was to use the groupware systems operatively as communication platform within the IT-Forum and in project-orientated student courses. Furthermore the development and use of the application has been accompanied by some research work in the field of groupware systems. The main focus of this chapter is to describe this groupware system and report some experience of the use of it.

Strategic Use of Virtual Organization

This chapter investigates strategic use of virtual organizations in the context of the new premise, desocialization. Desocialization refers to the alternative way of socialization because traditional interaction with other human players become less frequent in virtual space and re-illuminates the meaning of ontological and epistemological existence of virtual organizations. Drawn from the literature review, the three-stage model of virtual organizations (lifecycle) is proposed to entail the ontological and epistemological meaning to virtual organization. Dynamic interactions between stages (dynamic view) are also described to intensify the importance of each stage for virtual organizations to mature as meaningful organizations. Then, the dynamic view of virtual organization is examined in terms of resource heterogeneity and immobility (VRIO analysis) to gain insight into how virtual organizations are developed to sustain competitive advantages. Implication and conclusion of our endeavor are discussed at the end.

Knowledge Sharing Infrastructure and Methods for Virtual Enterprises

The world is witnessing a dramatic increase in the availability of knowledge and information due to the proliferation of the Internet. Virtual enterprises are new collaboration models, which enable the sharing of knowledge within and across organizations over the Internet. The chapter is concerned with both providing a knowledge-sharing infrastructure to facilitate collaborative work in virtual enterprises, as well as introducing a methodology for designing groupware for enhancing collaboration in virtual enterprises. The chapter reviews a number of existing Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) techniques, such as groupware and workflow and their role in supporting such an infrastructure. It then introduces a methodology for the analysis and design of collaborative information systems with a specific objective of maintaining a shared awareness among knowledge workers in virtual enterprises. This methodology includes as its main analytical tool a conceptual model called Collaborative Process Model for analyzing knowledge-sharing requirements of the actors in enterprise environments. Finally, the chapter presents an application of the methodology to a network management/trouble-shooting case study and discusses a NOTES prototype implementation.

Successful Virtual Organizations as Collaboration Networks

This chapter describes two successful virtual organizations and tries to extract features that may have a role in their success. The first, TESA, is the oldest and was on the height of activity in the 80s. The second, RKK, is still increasing its activities. The chapter describes the lifecycle and recognized conditions for both cases. TESA is a network of private companies working for enhancing the competitiveness of the members, where RKK is a network of public schools working as a virtual vocational training vendor and enterprise. These cases seem to suggest that a “change agent” combined with a strategy of “open door” policy, relationship building, and shared benefit is important. ICT was never an issue with TESA but has an increasing importance for RKK, enabling a higher frequency of collaboration. Both cases seem to have an extensive relationship with surrounding infrastructure and mutual benefits.

Peer-to-Peer Corporate Resource Sharing and Distribution with Mesh

Peer-to-peer (or “P2P”) computing has aggressively moved to the center-stage of the computing field in recent years. “P2P computing” emphasizes the shift away from centralized and client/server models of computing to a fully decentralized, distributed model of computing and content distribution. In the P2P mode of thinking, a “peer” system can be almost any computing device connected to a network – whether it is a computer, a printer, a facsimile machine, a video camera or an e-mail server. This idea has great ramifications in the way people work, learn, collaborate and share resources in organizations. In this chapter we present the design and architecture of Mesh, which is a centrally enhanced peer-to-peer resource sharing grid. Mesh is a prototype hybrid resource sharing system. It encompasses and advances the currently available solutions in the areas of “pure” P2P computing. The chapter describes a complete implementation of Mesh with directions for future work.

Impact of Activities in the Virtual Environment

The Internet has brought a new dimension to the way we communicate and exchange information and collaborate in work processes. Although this medium has positive outcome in economic growth such as e-commerce, it may bring about undesirable negative consequences if it is not managed properly. There is a need for government and policy makers to address the impact of Internet on society and to take into account the externalities generated in the cyberspace. This chapter identifies the positive potential and impact of the Internet and some of the negative externalities created by Internet users as a result of their actions. In addition, present and future measures undertaken to combat negative externalities in the cyberspace are briefly discussed.

Virtualization as a Process of Transformation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Global Virtual Organization

The chapter is devoted to the subject the transformation of SMEs due to the application of Information Technology (IT). These enterprises, despite their significant position in local economies, had limited possibilities while competing with large-scale enterprises (LSE) on the global market. Consequently, their role more and more often was reduced to the role of satellites. The use of IT has allowed SMEs to transform into virtual organizations and in this form succeed in the global market. The author has focused on the analysis of the following problems: virtualization as a direction of the development of SME, analysis of its strengths and weaknesses, and new opportunities and risks face medium-scale small construction enterprise that, by using information technology and creating a virtual organization, was able to defeat a large-scale enterprise (LSE) in an international tender for construction of a hotel complex.

Using Web Services in Business-to-Business Integration

The Web services paradigm promises well for the future of Business-to-Business integration (B2Bi). Currently, however, this paradigm is still in its infancy and organizations investing in Web services are facing many challenges. In this chapter we discuss some important B2Bi issues and examine how Web services could play their part in these. Nowadays, many Web services standards are being drawn up, but most of these are still immature and do not fully answer the proposed challenges. This chapter presents some rather mature standards. The goal of the authors is to show the importance of a flexible and cheap integration technology, and to discuss how the idea behind Web services fits in this vision, as well as to clarify the role of some important Web services standards.

Workplace e-Collaboration in Practice

This chapter delivers results of ongoing research activities regarding workplace e-collaboration and is based on theoretical findings, analysis of software tools, as well as findings from a research project at the University of St. Gallen. The main objective of this chapter is to present theoretical foundations as well as practical implications for implementing workplace e-collaboration in organizations. After providing an overview of the state-of-the-art, background and need for action, a holistic model for e-collaboration is presented. Based upon this model, technological functionalities to be found in software tools for e-collaboration will be elaborated, described and categorized. Additionally, cultural and organizational aspects to be taken into consideration for e-collaborating team leaders and members will be defined and analyzed, both from a theoretical as well as from a practical point of view. Finally, findings from evaluating the elaborated model will be presented and the chapter concludes with a general discussion and future trends.

E-School Administration Systems

This chapter argues that traditional school administration systems should change and adopt more sophisticated electronic school administration systems. The past decade has seen several attempts to develop such systems. Some of these systems have found their way to the marketplace. However, these systems need to be scientifically studied and critically evaluated to improve their role in the education process. We present a survey of the widely available systems and describe their features and limitations. Our own e-School Administration System is also discussed. The main goal of our system is to bridge the gap between home and school. It comprises several modules such as a messaging center to overcome communication barriers; course system to adapt students’ learning styles; tools to handle notes, tutorials, assignments and quizzes; personal organizers to help users maximize their time planning; and a performance assessment system to help keep track of students’ grades. The implementation and evaluation of our system is presented and discussed, and some enhancements are proposed at the end of this chapter.