The International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) is a non-profit umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information processing. It was founded in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO. It is organized into several technical committees. This book represents the proceedings of the 2006 conference of technical committee 8 (TC8), which covers the field of information systems. This conference formed part of IFIP's World Computer Congress in Chile. The occasion celebrated the 30th anniversary of IFIP TC8 by looking at the past, present and future of information systems. The proceedings reflect not only the breadth and depth of the work of TC8, but also the international nature of the group, with authors from 18 countries being represented in the 21 papers (including two invited papers) and 2 panels. All submissions were rigorously refereed by at least two reviewers and an associate editor and following the review and resubmission process nearly 50% of submissions were accepted. This paper introduces the papers and panels presented at the conference and published in this volume. It is never straightforward to classify a set of papers but we have made an attempt and this classification is also reflected in the sessions of the conference itself. The classification for the papers is as follows: the world of information systems - early pioneers; developing improved information systems; information systems in their domains of application; the discipline of information systems; issues of production; IT impacts on the organization; tools and modeling and new directions.

Introduction The International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) is a non-profit umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information processing. It was founded in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO. It is organized into several technical c- mittees. This book represents the proceedings of the 2008 conference of technical committee 8 (TC8), which covers the field of infor- tion systems. TC8 aims to promote and encourage the advancement of research and practice of concepts, methods, techniques and issues related to information systems in organisations. TC8 has established eight working groups covering the following areas: design and evaluation of information systems; the interaction of information systems and the organization; decision support systems; e-business information systems: multi-disciplinary research and practice; inf- mation systems in public administration; smart cards, technology, applications and methods; and enterprise information systems. Further details of the technical committee and its working groups can be found on our website (ifiptc8. dsi. uminho. pt). This conference was part of IFIP's World Computer Congress in Milan, Italy which took place 7-10 September 2008. The occasion celebrated the 32nd anniversary of IFIP TC8. The call for papers invited researchers, educators, and practitioners to submit papers and panel proposals that advance concepts, methods, techniques, tools, issues, education, and practice of information systems in organi- tions. Thirty one submissions were received.

It is a great pleasure to share with you the Springer CCIS proceedings of the First International Conference on Reforming Education, Quality of Teaching and Technology-Enhanced Learning: Learning Technologies, Quality of Education, Educational Systems, Evaluation, Pedagogies--TECH-EDUCATION 2010, Which was a part of the World Summit on the Knowledge Society Conference Series. TECH-EDUCATION 2010 was a bold effort aiming to foster a debate on the global need in our times to invest in education. The topics of the conference dealt with six general pillars: Track 1. Quality of Education--A new Vision Track 2. Technology-Enhanced Learning--Learning Technologies--Personalization-E-learning Track 3. Educational Strategies Track 4. Collaborative/ Constructive/ Pedagogical/ Didactical Approaches Track 5. Formal/ Informal/ and Life-Long Learning Perspectives Track 6. Contribution of Education to Sustainable Development Within this general context the Program Committee of the conference invited contributions that fall in to the following list of topics. Track 1: Quality of the Education--A new Vision * Teaching Methodologies and Case Studies * Reforms in Degrees * The European Educational Space * Academic Curricula Designs * Quality of Teaching and Learning * Quality and Academic Assessment * The School / University of the Future * Challenges for Higher Education in the 21st Century * New Managerial Models for Education * Financing the New Model for Education of the 21st Century * The Quality Milestones for Education of the 21st Century * Evaluation in Academia * The Role of Teachers * International Collaborations for Joint Programs/Degrees * Industry-Academia Synergies * Research Laboratories Management

It is a great pleasure to share with you the Springer LNCS proceedings of the Second World Summit on the Knowledge Society, WSKS 2009, organized by the Open - search Society, Ngo, http: //www.open-knowledge-society.org, and held in Samaria Hotel, in the beautiful city of Chania in Crete, Greece, September 16-18, 2009. The 2nd World Summit on the Knowledge Society (WSKS 2009) was an inter- tional scientific event devoted to promoting dialogue on the main aspects of the knowledge society towards a better world for all. The multidimensional economic and social crisis of the last couple of years has brought to the fore the need to discuss in depth new policies and strategies for a human centric developmental processes in the global context. This annual summit brings together key stakeholders involved in the worldwide development of the knowledge society, from academia, industry, and government, including policy makers and active citizens, to look at the impact and prospects of - formation technology, and the knowledge-based era it is creating, on key facets of l- ing, working, learning, innovating, and collaborating in today's hyper-complex world. The summit provides a distinct, unique forum for cross-disciplinary fertilization of research, favoring the dissemination of research on new scientific ideas relevant to - ternational research agendas such as the EU (FP7), OECD, or UNESCO. We focus on the key aspects of a new sustainable deal for a bold response to the multidimensional crisis of our times.

It is a great pleasure to share with you the Springer LNCS proceedings of the Second World Summit on the Knowledge Society, WSKS 2009, organized by the Open - search Society, Ngo, http: //www.open-knowledge-society.org, and held in Samaria Hotel, in the beautiful city of Chania in Crete, Greece, September 16-18, 2009. The 2nd World Summit on the Knowledge Society (WSKS 2009) was an inter- tional scientific event devoted to promoting dialogue on the main aspects of the knowledge society towards a better world for all. The multidimensional economic and social crisis of the last couple of years has brought to the fore the need to discuss in depth new policies and strategies for a human centric developmental processes in the global context. This annual summit brings together key stakeholders involved in the worldwide development of the knowledge society, from academia, industry, and government, including policy makers and active citizens, to look at the impact and prospects of - formation technology, and the knowledge-based era it is creating, on key facets of l- ing, working, learning, innovating, and collaborating in today's hyper-complex world. The summit provides a distinct, unique forum for cross-disciplinary fertilization of research, favoring the dissemination of research on new scientific ideas relevant to - ternational research agendas such as the EU (FP7), OECD, or UNESCO. We focus on the key aspects of a new sustainable deal for a bold response to the multidimensional crisis of our times.

It is a great pleasure to share with you the Springer CCIS proceedings of the First World Summit on the Knowledge Society - WSKS 2008 that was organized by the Open Research Society, NGO, http://www.open-knowledge-society.org, and hosted by the American College of Greece, http://www.acg.gr, during September 24-27, 2008, in Athens, Greece. The World Summit on the Knowledge Society Series is an international attempt to promote a dialogue on the main aspects of a knowledge society toward a better world for all based on knowledge and learning. The WSKS Series brings together academics, people from industry, policy makers, politicians, government officers and active citizens to look at the impact of infor- tion technology, and the knowledge-based era it is creating, on key facets of today's world: the state, business, society and culture. Six general pillars provide the constitutional elements of the WSKS series: * Social and Humanistic Computing for the Knowledge Society--Emerging Te- nologies and Systems for the Society and Humanity * Knowledge, Learning, Education, Learning Technologies and E-learning for the Knowledge Society * Information Technologies--Knowledge Management Systems--E-business and Enterprise Information Systems for the Knowledge Society * Culture and Cultural Heritage--Technology for Culture Management--Management of Tourism and Entertainment--Tourism Networks in the Knowledge Society * Government and Democracy for the Knowledge Society * Research and Sustainable Development in the Knowledge Society The summit provides a distinct, unique forum for cross-disciplinary fertilization of research, favoring the dissemination of research that is relevant to international re-

Introduction The International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) is a non-profit umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information processing. It was founded in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO. It is organized into several technical c- mittees. This book represents the proceedings of the 2008 conference of technical committee 8 (TC8), which covers the field of infor- tion systems. TC8 aims to promote and encourage the advancement of research and practice of concepts, methods, techniques and issues related to information systems in organisations. TC8 has established eight working groups covering the following areas: design and evaluation of information systems; the interaction of information systems and the organization; decision support systems; e-business information systems: multi-disciplinary research and practice; inf- mation systems in public administration; smart cards, technology, applications and methods; and enterprise information systems. Further details of the technical committee and its working groups can be found on our website (ifiptc8. dsi. uminho. pt). This conference was part of IFIP's World Computer Congress in Milan, Italy which took place 7-10 September 2008. The occasion celebrated the 32nd anniversary of IFIP TC8. The call for papers invited researchers, educators, and practitioners to submit papers and panel proposals that advance concepts, methods, techniques, tools, issues, education, and practice of information systems in organi- tions. Thirty one submissions were received.

The International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) is a non-profit umbrella organization for national societies working in the field of information processing. It was founded in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO. It is organized into several technical committees. This book represents the proceedings of the 2006 conference of technical committee 8 (TC8), which covers the field of information systems. This conference formed part of IFIP's World Computer Congress in Chile. The occasion celebrated the 30th anniversary of IFIP TC8 by looking at the past, present and future of information systems. The proceedings reflect not only the breadth and depth of the work of TC8, but also the international nature of the group, with authors from 18 countries being represented in the 21 papers (including two invited papers) and 2 panels. All submissions were rigorously refereed by at least two reviewers and an associate editor and following the review and resubmission process nearly 50% of submissions were accepted. This paper introduces the papers and panels presented at the conference and published in this volume. It is never straightforward to classify a set of papers but we have made an attempt and this classification is also reflected in the sessions of the conference itself. The classification for the papers is as follows: the world of information systems - early pioneers; developing improved information systems; information systems in their domains of application; the discipline of information systems; issues of production; IT impacts on the organization; tools and modeling and new directions.