Around the world, citizens in local communities are utilising ICTs to underpin the creation of a participatory and democratic vision of the network society. Embedded in the richness and diversity of community practice, a vision of a 'civil network society' is emerging. A society where ICTs are harnessed as tools to improve the quality of life and reflect the diversity of social networks; where people are viewed as citizens, not just as consumers, and where heterogeneity is perceived as a strength rather than a weakness.
Community Practice in the Network Society looks at the broad context in which this is happening, presents case studies of local projects from around the world, and discusses community ICT research methodologies. Not only does it highlight the symbiotic relationship between community ICT practice and research, but it also provides evidence supporting the case for the development of more inclusive and participatory pathways to the network society.

The internet could have been purpose-built for fostering the growth of the social movements and citizen initiatives which have had such a significant impact on the political landscape since the 1990s. In "Cyberprotest" the contributors explore the effects of this synergy between ICTs (Information Communication Technologies) and people power, analysing the implications for politics and social policy at both a national and a global level.;Through a number of different international examples answers are sought to questions such as: to what extent and in what forms do social movements use ICTs?; how do new ICTs facilitate new patterns and forms of citizen mobilization?; how does this use affect the relationship between social movements and their members?; how do ICTs change the way social movement organizations communicate with each other?; and how do they affect the way these movements mobilize and intervene in public debates and political conflicts?

The internet could have been purpose-built for fostering the growth of the social movements and citizen initiatives which have had such a significant impact on the political landscape since the 1990s. In "Cyberprotest" the contributors explore the effects of this synergy between ICTs (Information Communication Technologies) and people power, analysing the implications for politics and social policy at both a national and a global level. Through a number of different international examples answers are sought to questions such as: to what extent and in what forms do social movements use ICTs?; how do new ICTs facilitate new patterns and forms of citizen mobilization?; how does this use affect the relationship between social movements and their members?; how do ICTs change the way social movement organizations communicate with each other?; and how do they affect the way these movements mobilize and intervene in public debates and political conflicts?

In this dynamic book, based on the most effective strategies of IBM and other market leaders, managers will learn to successfully transform their organizations into a business prepared to compete in a networked age.
Mainframes, client servers, PCs, networks, e-business, the Internet, databases, technical management--indeed, in the brave new business world facing today's firms only one thing is certain: change. And when looking for a model for corporate change, one should look no further than IBM. In this decade, IBM has gone from a company with less than $60 billion in unprofitable revenue to a highly profitable $85 billion-plus enterprise. In a company whose major source of revenue was once hardware, services now account for more than a third of its revenue. IBM Global Services, only seven years old and $25 billion strong, draws most of its revenue from helping businesses to do successfully what IBM has done: transform themselves. In five down-to-earth sections, the authors share their vast experience, apply case studies, chart trends and describe in-depth the practices that allowed IBM to transform itself, and to show the way for other firms. The result is an essential handbook for anyone charged with leading their firm in an economy that is global, increasingly reliant on information systems, and teeming with rapidly emerging markets--and competitors.
Written by a staff of experts and renowned business thinkers, Into the Networked Age is today's ultimate guide for success in tomorrow's business world.

Until relatively recently, it was the domestic perspective of business which was the driving force behind information technology applications. But in the age of globalization, there is an increasing need for IT to be more 'global friendly'.
"International" "Business & IT "is a breakthrough text that analyses the relationship between international business operations and information technology. Firstly, it assesses the impact of current developments in IT on the operation of multinational corporations on both a practical and theoretical level and explores how it can improve competitive advantage. Secondly, it investigates how doing business in an international environment affects the design, implementation and management of information systems for global enterprises.
The text offers a much-needed overview of the key trends in IT and global business management, with contributors from the fields of IT, international business, business development and marketing.Taking a multi-disciplinary approach, the text includes unique case studies of global companies to complement and illuminate the theoretical grounding of each chapter and raise the issues that are of real relevance to managers working internationally.
"International Business & IT" is essential reading for academics, students and practitioners working in the fields of IT, International Business and Strategy.

This book is about - but not only about - Napster. The story of Napster is important in its own right, but its legacy even more so. The phenomenon that surrounds Napster has highlighted the extraordinary potential for the mass mobilisation of consumer and community power. This irresistible force - the underground Internet - has blown apart conventional models of doing business.

Merriden charts the birth of Napster and its genesis in Internet music communities. He describes in detail how big businesses felt complacent enough to ignore Napster, only to turn on it when the truth about their business models dawned. As the big companies got nasty, Bertelsmann and Thomas Middelhof broke ranks and did a deal with Napster.

The rapid spread in Napster's popularity has made many businesses sit up and notice. And it wasn't just because of the court room battles highlighted by the media every day. Some estimates put the peak number of Napster users at around 58 million. Hard to ignore the cries of the masses. Through the aftermath of those bloody court rooms, Napster has left a lasting impact on the future of e-business. This legacy affects more than music and record companies. In irresistible forces, Trevor Merriden shows how all businesses who have an interest in the Internet should pay attention. The influence on business of file sharing and peer-to-peer technology will be profound in the years ahead.

Until relatively recently, it was the domestic perspective of business which was the driving force behind information technology applications. But in the age of globalization, there is an increasing need for IT to be more 'global friendly'.
"International" "Business & IT "is a breakthrough text that analyses the relationship between international business operations and information technology. Firstly, it assesses the impact of current developments in IT on the operation of multinational corporations on both a practical and theoretical level and explores how it can improve competitive advantage. Secondly, it investigates how doing business in an international environment affects the design, implementation and management of information systems for global enterprises.
The text offers a much-needed overview of the key trends in IT and global business management, with contributors from the fields of IT, international business, business development and marketing.Taking a multi-disciplinary approach, the text includes unique case studies of global companies to complement and illuminate the theoretical grounding of each chapter and raise the issues that are of real relevance to managers working internationally.
"International Business & IT" is essential reading for academics, students and practitioners working in the fields of IT, International Business and Strategy.

This is the first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age.
The first study of business ethics to take into consideration the plethora of issues raised by the Information Age.
Explores a wide range of topics including marketing, privacy, and the protection of personal information; employees and communication privacy; intellectual property issues; the ethical issues of e-business; Internet-related business ethics problems; and the ethical dimension of information technology on society.
Uncovers previous ignored ethical issues.
Underlines the need for public discussion of the issues.
Argues that computers and information technology have not necessarily developed in the most ethical manner possible.

The 1990s dawned with a belief that the digital revolution would radically transform our traditional notion of cities as places of commerce and industry. Many predicted that digital technology would render cities, or at least their economies, obsolete. Instead, precisely the opposite happened. The IT-intensive firms of the 'new economy' needed to be plugged into a sizeable network of talent, something that established cities like New York and San Francisco provided in abundance. In addition to creating new types of jobs and luring thousands of workers back into the city, new media districts created a new techno-bohemian urban culture. With vignettes of the high-rollers in New York's new media economy and stories of wild parties in downtown lofts, Michael Indergaard introduces us to the players in this new economy, and explores this intersection of commerce and culture in 1992 New York. He also reveals how the dot-com crash laid bare the hidden connections between the so called new economy of new media and the ages old engines of New York wealth: real estate speculators and Wall Street. Chronicling the go-go years and ultimate crash of the new media district, Silicon Alley is a bril

Extensive data on the theoretical and practical aspects of electronic reference services! Digital Reference Services provides an overview of electronic reference services and software, and explores the opportunities that real-time digital reference services can offer in a variety of library settings. Experts in the field convey numerous opinions and theory about the growth of this new approach to answering reference questions. This book teaches librarians new methods and techniques for offering technologically advanced reference services to the public. The first half of Digital Reference Services includes such topics as: real-time or live online reference services the historical development of digital reference services and the role of the reference librarian mediated online searches how to create a virtual-ready reference collection of elite reference Web sitesincludes a list of the top sites available to the public how to start and operate a digital reference desk in your library The second half of Digital Reference Services covers examples of librariesboth large and smallwhich have used revolutionary ideas to bring electronic reference services to their patrons. These ideas include: utilizing ATM-like kiosks in remote locations from library buildings to connect with underserved populations implementing live, interactive web-based reference servicesthe challenges and benefits, cost, training, and workload requirements evaluating your real-time references servicesinvestigating self-assessment and blind reviewing, incorporating your assessment into an existing evaluative program, and obtaining the administrative support essential for an accurate assessment creating a statewide virtual reference systemselecting software, developing policy, marketing, coordinating the project, and staffing and training online reference management for smaller librariesbecause of the smaller staff, smaller budget, and smaller amount of patrons, is it a feasible addition to the library? much more! This well-referenced volume contains case examples, figures, useful Web sites, and case histories to show how the basic principles of digital reference services work. Librarians and students of information and library science will find Digital Reference Services a helpful resource to enhance their library and electronic reference expertise.

Silicon Valley veterans and newbies alike will want to explore this book that delves into the rich history behind the region that birthed the world's most important industry. Technology journalist Ashlee Vance has captured almost every aspect of the area stretching between San Francisco and San Jose, California, starting with the eager radio and electronics enthusiasts of the early 1900s and ending with the computing powerhouses of today such as Google and Apple. Along the way, the book profiles the people and places that have elevated Silicon Valley to an almost mythic pedestal. This book delivers Silicon Valley, taking us from success story to failed startup and back again as we drive the roads from San Francisco to Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and San Jose. It's full of profiles of the larger-than-life characters that pioneered the processor, computer, and Internet revolutions. The book's vibrant design includes "Silicon Valley Soundbytes" packed with insider information and trivia, and "Click Here" sidebars, which suggest places to eat, drink, and shop.Place by place, readers get the inside scoop on all the addresses that count, which include Microsoft research centers; the headquarters of Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle; research powerhouses such as Stanford University, NASA Ames, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory; the Computer History Museum and The Tech Museum; the Shoreline Amphitheater; the Churchill Club; and many more.

Culture and Trust in Technology-Driven Organizations provides insight into the important role that culture and trust can play in the success of high-technology organizations. This book reviews the literature and results of an empirical study that investigated the relationship between mechanistic and organic cultures and the level of trust in technology-based organizations. The book outlines the literature on organizational trust and culture and the role theorists believe they play in the success of a changing domestic and global business environment. It identifies ways of defining culture and trust as well as the survey instruments used to measure them. The book then examines the results of two studies that demonstrate the connection between organizational culture and trust. The two studies were conducted at separate times using data collected from several companies within a three-hour radius of each other. These companies are highly dependent upon the ability to identify, hire, and retain highly skilled knowledge workers. These workers are critical for the companies to successfully compete within the scope of their business and expand into their current and other markets. The book provides a practitioner's guide-based on the literature review and the results of the studies examined-that can be used to assess, diagnose, and improve employees' perception of their work culture and improve trust found in organizations. This guide provides management with actions and activities that should be considered when handling the day-to-day business of the organization. If followed, these activities can be instrumental in designing a culture that leads to success and ease of operation for the organization and its members.

This is the story of Microsoft(R) and how it rose to become the first monopoly of the information Age. The text is assembled from Ted Lewis's columns published in "IEEE Computer" (1994-1998), "IEEE Internet Computing," and "Scientific American," "Microsoft Rising" is a tale of great, emotion, and techno-marketing hype in one of the fastest growing, mainline industries of the world. It is an eye witness account to the changing computer industry and the story of Silicon Valley and how it works, a revisionist history of computing, circa 1990-2000. "Microsoft Rising" is ultimately about Microsoft's domination of the computer industry.

This book reports the author's personal history through the early 1990's to the end of the decade. These stories often try to predict or explain the chaos of Silicon Valley. Lewis analyzes the industry and shows how high-technology industry is constantly changing in turmoil and upheaval. He also examines the art of software development and deals with innovation and the emergence of techno-society. The book does not promise any answers, but rather concludes this short journey into the recent past with a number of provoking ideas about the future of hi-tech.

An accessible and timely guide to increasing female presence and leadership in tech companies Tech giants like Apple and Google are among the fastest growing companies in the world, leading innovations in design and development. The industry continues to see rapid growth, employing millions of people: in the US it is at the epicenter of the American economy. So why is it that only 5% of senior executives in the tech industry are female? Underrepresentation of women on boards of directors, in the C-suite, and as senior managers remains pervasive in this industry. As tech companies are plagued with high-profile claims of harassment and discrimination, and salary discrepancies for comparable work, one asks what prevents women from reaching management roles, and, more importantly, what can be done to fix it? The Future of Tech is Female considers the paradoxes involved in women's ascent to leadership roles, suggesting industry-wide solutions to combat gender inequality. Drawing upon 15 years of experience in the field, Douglas M. Branson traces the history of women in the information technology industry in order to identify solutions for the issues facing women today. Branson explores a variety of solutions such as mandatory quota laws for female employment, pledge programs, and limitations on the H1-B VISA program, and grapples with the challenges facing women in IT from a range of perspectives. Branson unpacks the plethora of reasons women should hold leadership roles, both in and out of this industry, concluding with a call to reform attitudes toward women in one particular IT branch, the video and computer gaming field, a gateway to many STEM futures. An invaluable resource for anyone invested in gender equality in corporate governance, The Future of Tech is Female lays out the first steps toward a more diverse future for women in tech leadership

"Platform Ecosystems" is a hands-on guide that offers a complete roadmap for designing and orchestrating vibrant software platform ecosystems. Unlike software products that are managed, the evolution of ecosystems and their myriad participants must be orchestrated through a thoughtful alignment of architecture and governance. Whether you are an IT professional or a general manager, you will benefit from this book because platform strategy here lies at the "intersection" of software architecture and business strategy. It offers actionable tools to develop your own platform strategy, backed by original research, tangible metrics, rich data, and cases. You will learn how architectural choices create organically-evolvable, vibrant ecosystems. You will also learn to apply state-of-the-art research in software engineering, strategy, and evolutionary biology to leverage ecosystem dynamics unique to platforms. Read this book to learn how to: Evolve software products and services into vibrant platform ecosystemsOrchestrate platform architecture and governance to sustain competitive advantageGovern platform evolution using a powerful 3-dimensional framework

If you re ready to transform platform strategy from newspaper gossip and business school theory to real-world competitive advantage, start right here
Understand how architecture and strategy are inseparably intertwined in platform ecosystems Architect future-proof platforms and apps and amplify these choices through governance Evolve platforms, apps, and entire ecosystems into vibrant successes and spot platform opportunities in almost any-not just IT-industry"

This issue represents a broad synopsis of the past, present, and future of electronic publishing. The contributors explore the opportunities and challenges related to this new distribution channel, and the effect of this change on publishers, authors/editors, distributors, and consumers. Standing with the key to the "new world," publishers will be faced with new opportunities and nagging issues related to new competition, content control, and protection of revenue streams requiring strategies that stress rationalization of distribution systems, cross-promotion, strategic pricing, and leveraging to new revenue sources. In addition, this issue also highlights the objections of consumers to these types of change, the benefits of the new technology for consumers, and the adaptation of the publishing industry as a whole.

An in-depth examination of Google's innovative approach to M&A Semi-Organic Growth presents a unique analysis of Google's distinctive expertise in the area of mergers and acquisitions, derived from more than 150 acquisitions carried out over the company's short history. While organizational growth has traditionally been characterized as organic (internally generated) or inorganic (from acquisition), this book examines Google's semi-organic strategy for accelerating product and service revenue, explained through a unique sector/subsector classification scheme that dynamically maps the media, Internet, and technology platform markets. You'll gain insight into Google's disclosure strategies for private company transactions, and more importantly, their methods for integrating acquisitions into product and service offerings to achieve ecosystem synergy. Unique perspective reveals the lessons learned along the way from both successes and failures, and the companion website gives you access to the tools that help you implement what you've learned. Google's extensive use of M&A as a growth strategy has been in sharp contrast to the practices of rivals like Apple, and further contrasts with the failures of many other companies in corporate business development. This book shows you the thinking behind the company's successful methods, and demonstrates the mechanisms behind the success. * Learn why corporate M&A activity often fails to add value * Delve deep into the complex dimensions of M&A integration * Discover what Google has learned through specific deals * Consider innovative integration methods that foster synergy Google is an iconic, premiere company, and it didn't happen by accident. Their success is driven by their innovative approach to strategy in all areas, and their M&A expertise has been a major contributing factor. Semi-Organic Growth takes you through the core workings of Google M&A to provide insight into successful strategy for the modern market.

Virtual worlds are the latest manifestation of the internet's inexorable appetite for development. Organisations of all kinds are enthusiastically pursuing the commercial opportunities offered by the growth of this phenomenon. But if you believe that there are no laws which govern internet social networks and virtual worlds this book will persuade you otherwise. There is law, and a good deal of it. Why would there not be? As with many other aspects of the world wide web, this new medium is unregulated and offers many opportunities for companies to damage their reputation, run into a whole host of problems relating to intellectual property, trade marks and copyrights, and compromise the rights of individuals participating within the virtual environment. By reading The Law of Virtual Worlds and Internet Social Networks you will gain a good understanding of the legal issues which govern this expanding and fascinating world - are you ready for the leap from internet plaything to meaningful social and business tool? The Law of Virtual Worlds and Internet Social Networks is an essential reference for advertising and media agencies; television broadcast producers; academic institutions including university law, knowledge and information departments. In fact, it has been written for anyone interested in virtual worlds and social networks whether commercially because you want to explore the possibilities such environments present, or for academic curiosity.

This volume of the International Symposia in Economic Theory and Econometrics explores the latest economic and financial developments in Africa and Asia. Chapters cover a range of topics such as: the relationship between good stewardship, agency costs, and performance of South African firms; stock market dynamics in Thailand, including risk & mutual fund clustering and zero-investment portfolios strategies; and a special focus on financial markets in Indonesia such as fundamental indexing with Markowitz mean variance portfolios, a financial performance analysis of highway companies before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, and a credit risk scoring model for consumer financing. Comparative Analysis of Trade and Finance in Emerging Economies also addresses the issue of whether the West African Monetary Zone can form a Currency Union, and, examines the impact of non-tariff measures of China on the export of agricultural products of Laos. These peer-reviewed papers touch on a variety of timely, interdisciplinary subjects such as stock markets and the effects of public policy. Together, ISETE 31, is a crucial resource of current, cutting-edge research for any scholar of international finance and economics.

Severson begins with an introductory chapter in which he presents his model of principled ethics, followed by four chapters on each one of these guiding principles: respect for intellectual property; the principle of fair representation; privacy; and the principle of nonmalfeasance. The book is written in an accessible manner, avoiding the technical jargon of ethics, and making a simple, straightforward case for the supportive value of ethical principles in the sometimes confusing moral world of the information age. Includes many illustrations and case studies.

This text presents the author's model of following principled ethics together with by chapters on each of the guiding principles: respect for intellectual property, principle of fair representation, privacy, and the principle of nonmalfeasance. It avoids the use of technical jargon.

The importance of contemporary television broadcasting for the shaping and development of national cultures and identities is increasingly evident. Television as the privileged medium for the dissemination of information and for mass entertainment has irreversibly altered the manner in which nations perceive themselves and each other. This volume explores the multiple and complex ways in which audiovisual developments in two important European states have impacted on the life styles and attitudes of the population at large and its governing elites. This is the first study that is devoted to the highly significant roles played by France and Britain in the formulation of European audiovisual policy and that provides a truly comparative analysis of the contemporary audiovisual scene in the two countries. It consists of four complementary sections: an overview of the audiovisual landscapes in Britain and France; an analysis of television programming; an account of the new cable and satellite media, and an assessment of European audiovisual integration. Overall, this volume offers a constructive contribution to the continuing debate on national and European broadcasting.

Young children start school already able to do a surprising amount of mathematics. This book examines the nature and origin of subject knowledge and is based on information gathered from observing the interactions between teachers and their first-year pupils. It demonstrates the necessity of the classroom teacher to draw on many kinds of knowledge in order to deal with various issues surrounding classroom learning and teaching. Two important core areas are knowledge of lesson structure and of subject matter; this book address the area of subject matter and, as such, it should be of interest to classroom teachers and lecturers in education.

Building Blocks is the history of Buckeye CableSystem. Buckeye is part of a family empire started in 1900 by the son of an immigrant in upstate New York. This book is a fascinating tale of the family's progression into the fourth generation and through the myriad of daily newspapers, radio and television stations, cablevision firms, a telephone company, a fiber-optic construction company, and other related communications and advertising firms which the family owns or has owned. This book shows some of the trials and tribulations faced by family members as they employ a nimble strategy to compete with the industry behemoths. It also examines the unique factors that have spelled success for 50 years and looks at what the competitive future holds for smaller cable and Internet firms Buckeye's size.

Guerrilla Publicity provides expert advice for how to use publicity in the 21st Century, including Blogs, Podcasting and Social Networking. It is the PR bible and sets the foundation for practical PR campaigns. Within Guerrilla Publicity, PR gurus, Jill Lublin and Rick Frishman, help those in business launch their publicity campaigns into the twenty-first century. This completely updated version of the publicity bible lays out the foundation of practical PR knowledge, while bringing everyone up to date with the latest Web-based publicity strategies. Throughout Guerrilla Publicity, readers learn how to capitalize on low-cost (and sometimes cost free) technologies so they can: Offer expert advice over the internet with podcasts Send out an e-mail blast to quickly reach consumers about the latest products or services Connect with their clients on social networking sites Conduct effective virtual seminars Build out their website in order to build name recognition