2001 Capstone Abstracts
Telehealth: An Overview of Benefits and Barriers in Patient Care Delivery
Ann Alexander
The growth of telehealth is fueled by the advancement in data communication technologies, the Internet and continuing cost pressures in healthcare. A review of selected literature from January 1996 to July 2001 of the larger area of telehealth identifies benefits and barriers of telehealth use in patient care delivery. Conclusions and recommendations are presented for healthcare providers and IT professionals to help build awareness of telehealth issues and guide decisions prior to telehealth project implementation.
Issues Surrounding Usability Factors of Hypertext in Web Pages: Recommendations for Managers Who Oversee Web Site Development
John Barrow
When corporate Web site style guides do not address usability issues, Web managers and designers risk losing potential customers because of inadequate Web site design. Web navigation and hypertext design are particularly important usability issues to be addressed. A review of five selected usability studies published between 1989 to 2001 reveals nine issues related to the usage and development of hypertext. Recommendations include to: avoid secondary browser windows, group information clearly, and provide complete cross-referenced links.
Alignment of Business and Information Technology: A Summary of Alignment Elements for the Improvement of Information Technology Effectiveness within Organizations
Chris Buhle
Management of alignment between business and information technology (IT) has become a primary strategic objective within many organizations in order to maximize the value from technology-related investments. To facilitate understanding of alignment at the component level, a review of selected literature published between 1994 and 2001 identifies 60 conditions that contribute to an increase in business and IT alignment. Findings are presented as annotated lists to aid business leaders in formulation of organizational strategy.
An Examination of Six Vendor Single Sign-On Products: The Costs and Benefits of Integration into the Portland Community College Computing Environment
Gary Eaton
This study examines six single sign-on products for integration into Portland Community College's heterogeneous computing environment. Products include Computer Associates' Etrust, Evidian's AccessMaster, Passlogix' v-GO, Novell's NSSO, RSA's Keon Desktop, and Oblix' NetPoint. Using conceptual analysis, this study examined vendor and independent data from documents published from November 1998 through June 2001. Results include a descriptive summary and a feature/cost product comparison table for use by those considering the adoption of this kind of product.
Definitions of Anti-Patterns in Software Development Project Management
David Frackelton
This study discriminates among existing definitions of antipatterns, one subset of object-oriented pattern languages. Emphasis is placed on the relationship to software development project management processes. A review and content analysis of selected literature published since January 1995 identifies four conceptualizations of antipattern definitions, including (1) generative, (2) non-generative, (3) metaphoric, and (4) pictorial. The definitions of antipatterns were coded for these conceptualizations and recommendations were made concerning the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Digital Asset Management Strategy: A Study of Issues Related to Planning for Marketing Communications Professionals
Lynda Gansel
Companies are looking for ways to manage their digital assets, both to contain costs and to enable cross-media publishing, which utilizes the same assets for all media. This study examined ideas found in literature published from 1996 through 2001 by professionals involved in electronic or print publishing. Results are presented as annotated concept maps (Trochim, 2001), to be used by marketing communications professionals to assist them in planning a digital asset management strategy.
Document Imaging Standards for Migration of Student Records from a Paper to a Digital System
Dave Karlson
In Oregon, public schools maintain permanent student records on paper. Document imaging technology can change this by migrating them to a computerized system that provides several benefits. A review and content analysis of selected literature published between March 1993 and May 2001 identifies the technical criteria for each of the five components of an effective document imaging system. Criteria are presented as a guideline for selecting a system to be used in a K-12 environment.
This author of this study is a co-recipient of the 2001 AIM Director's Capstone Award.
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Simulation Modeling within the Systems Thinking Discipline: Evaluation Criteria for Simulation Modeling Tools
Erin Kleinke
Systems thinking involves looking at the interrelatedness among parts of a system and then synthesizing those parts into a unified whole. Simulation modeling is critical to systems thinking, as it enables the practice of making decisions and observing the impact of decisions before actual implementation. This study uses literature review to produce a set of evaluation criteria for selecting a simulation modeling tool. A pilot test of the criteria, using Hyperion Essbase, is included.
Technical Architecture Prerequisites and Selection Criteria for an Enterprise Information Portal
Maya Konaka
In order to evaluate enterprise information portal (EIP) software, organizations need effective EIP evaluation criteria. A review and content analysis of selected literature published between July 1999 and September 2001 identifies the technical architecture prerequisites for an EIP product necessary for full realization of operational goals in four core functional areas: (1) Content management/aggregation, (2) Index/search, (3) Personalization and (4) Data/application integration. Results are presented as a guideline for evaluating an EIP for implementation in an organization.
A Study of Prerequisites for Successful ERP Implementation from the Project Management Perspective
John Lian
Difficulties with implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software are widely documented. A review of selected literature published between January 1995 and May 2001 identifies fifteen prerequisite elements that can facilitate successful ERP implementation. These elements are related to specific project management problem areas, using grounded theory coding analysis and constant comparison. Results of the analysis are presented for project mangers as a list of recommendations related to project scope, quality, time, cost and expectations.
This author of this study is a co-recipient of the 2001 AIM Director's Capstone Award.
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A Study of Factors that Limit Wireless Web Use in the United States
Keith Lim
This paper identifies factors that lead to the low level of wireless web use in the US. Particular attention is paid to use of the wireless web in an e-commerce context, including m-commerce (Charnoff, 2001). Selected literature published between 1998 and 2001 is subjected to concept analysis (Carney, 1972). Results indicate there are thirteen distinct factors that hinder wireless web adoption in the US. Factors fall into these three general categories: legalistic, technological, and societal.
A Study of Knowledge Transfer Methods: Identifying 'Best Practice' Methods for use in a Manufacturing Environment
Ryan Northam
Knowledge management and knowledge transfer methods are significant in fulfilling key strategic business goals for high-tech manufacturing corporations as ways to maximize advantage in their marketplace. A literature review and comparative analysis was conducted to define •best practicesê of knowledge transfer methods. Results were categorized by type of knowledge transfer method, including Serial, Near, Far, Strategic and Expert. Using this categorization scheme, managers can better select a knowledge transfer method for a given situation.
The Role of Student Workers by Information Technology Help Desks at Institutions of Higher Education
Jerilyn Prescott
An electronic survey and content analysis of case profiles were performed to examine if and how student workers were employed by information technology help desks at institutions of higher education. The survey indicated that student workers were employed by help desks and had roles at all levels of support. Content analysis of 23 case profiles from the years 1994–2000 found five emergent categories concerning student workers: management, hiring, training, retaining, and roles.
A Study of Information Technology Strategies to Prepare for Implementation of Multi-Function Devices in a Large Office Environment
Dave Ryan
Digital technology has transformed traditional copiers and printers into a new class of office products referred to as Multi-Function Devices (MFDs) which combine the features of copiers, printers and facsimile machines into a single, networked device. An exploratory review and content analysis of selected literature published between 1995 and 2001, along with an analytical review of a survey of IT professionals, identifies common approaches and strategies to prepare for implementation of this new technology.
Advice to Managers on the Use of Software Design Patterns
Richard Temple
While object-oriented software construction offers many potential benefits, the concepts and best techniques of the programming style remain elusive to many information technology (IT) professionals. This conceptual analysis study reviewed documents published from 1995 to 2001 in order to demonstrate to IT managers how to best use design patterns. Results indicate that design patterns can greatly help software designers incorporate object-oriented techniques by simplifying complex software solutions, enabling higher quality designs and more maintainable software.
A Study of Rate Control Policies that Specify Bandwidth Allocated to Applications on Frame Relay Networks
Eric Tooley
When bursty traffic causes lost data or poor performance for mission-critical applications on frame relay networks, a bandwidth management system that supports TCP rate control policies can be deployed to prioritize application traffic, based on application protocol. A review and content analysis of selected literature published between January 1995 and January 2001 identifies four types of rate control policies with predictable effects on application traffic, and suggests a seven-step procedure to implement rate control policies.
