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Alongside Android other actors have now embraced the OSS model and new initiatives such as Mozilla’s Firefox OS and Canonical’s Ubuntu Touch show real promise. Is the use of Open Source hiding a hidden opportunity in the mobile market? It is claimed it is supporting a new wave of innovation in mobile with customized versions developed by device manufacturers (Samsung TouchWiz, HTC Sense) or community-created alternatives (CyanogenMod, Replicant). Different sectors seem to be benefiting from the OSS model, some of Android’s code finding its way into ebook readers, smart TVs, video game consoles and cars. But this apparent success is not going unchallenged, and concerns exist that the distribution of Open Source Software free of charge is harmful to competition. So are the benefits only available to the suppliers or is there benefit to the wider market in Europe and to the user? Through this Round Table discussion representatives of leading organisations will initially explore the reasons for their attraction to this model, and how it brings value across the value-chain. Via a moderated discussion with invited guests from across the spectrum of views we will then challenge their thinking and test whether there really is a proven case in support of innovation and competition in the market, or whether its disruptive effect merely displaces existing suppliers. status: published

Growth of cloud computing as a concept continues to pose challenges on how to deliver agile, yet secure, IT services to enterprises. While the hype surrounding cloud computing may have peaked, the concept of “cloudwashing” (adding the term “cloud” to an existing service for marketing reasons) continues to cause confusion and inflated expectations with enterprise buyers. This fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD) just slows down the growth of a potentially larger market. This is especially true for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) who turn to IT providers to handle the underlying systems for their businesses. To assist cloud service buyers, a recent communication from the European Commission advocated voluntary certification for cloud service providers. This has sparked a debate as to the relevance and authority of certification bodies in verifying the ability and capability of cloud service providers (CSP). In this research in progress paper, we present the current status of our research on examining what role third party certifiers can play in adoption of cloud by SMEs, with a case study of one certifier in Europe already involved in market adoption to test our framework. ispartof: pages:1-6 ispartof: CONF-IRM 2013 Proceedings pages:1-6 ispartof: CONF-IRM location:Natal, Brazil date:22 May - 24 May 2013 status: published

Dispute settlement in domain names, both for generic top level domain names (gTLDs) (but also for country code top level domain names (ccTLDs)) must be swift and definitive, i.e. with executory force. While there is access to national courts, arbitration or other forms of dispute settlement are needed in view of the time taken in national courts. Suspension of domain names is an integral part of the dispute settlement process, and occurs prior or parallel to transfer of the domain name as a result of a dispute settlement. The proposal for the establishment of a mandatory Uniform Rapid Suspension (URS) system was made in consideration of the introduction of yet new gTLDs as an addition to the Uniform Dispute Resolution System (UDRP), primarily through the work of an Implementation Recommendations Team (IRT) and through further consultations stimulated by the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO), the ICANN supporting organization concerned with domain name system policy. The article, written for e-lawyers and using legal style for this reason, reviews the May 2010 as well as the November 2010 draft, and the past and presently sustained criticism on the URS system proposal as against the goal of swift, enforceable dispute settlement for gTLDs. ispartof: pages:900-907 ispartof: 12th European Conference on eGovernment vol:2 pages:900-907 ispartof: ECEG location:Barcelona, Spain date:14 Jun - 15 Jun 2012 status: published

Since mandating in 2004 that all Belgian citizens carry electronic identification cards (e-ID), Belgium has been at the forefront of trends in electronic identification. As an e- ID card has become a necessity for service provisioning, the government has also started with distribution of e-ID cards to non-Belgians and children under the age of 12. Up until quite recently, the e-ID card only held the basic information of citizenship. This paper will examine the evolution of the e-ID card, and discuss the privacy issues of multi-application data on one card as the recent announcement of data for additional applications reopens the discussion of data linkage and data privacy for a card that is mandatory in usage. ispartof: Sixth International Conference on Digital Society ispartof: ICDS location:Valencia, Spain date:30 Jan - 4 Feb 2012 status: published

Intellectual property rights (IP) are established through the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement (part of the Uruguay Round Agreements creating the WTO) as global and uniform.

This paper explores market process design for multi-criteria markets using the electronic market process design work of Ribbers et al. (2002) and Kambil and van Heck (1998). The study utilizes a case study of a market intermediary in the utilities sector to examine how multi-criteria markets differ from price-only alternatives. The study reveals significant differences in the role of the intermediary in the operation of multi-criteria markets, as well as marked differences in market process design in the areas of authentication, product representation and communications/computing. We conclude that these differences represent a fundamental shift in B2B procurement relationships from those described by Kaplan and Sawhney (2000) towards strategic sourcing.

Organizations have adopted new business channels, such as using electronic markets, to better enhance productivity of their operations through information and communications technology (ICT) enablement for greater reach and range in their transactions. These ICT tools, allowing streamlined processes, can enable new means of competition and coordination, changing how individuals and organizations exchange goods and services. The effectiveness of decision management using these markets depends on the electronic market design. In electronic markets, intermediaries are used as a ?someone?? who provides an added value mechanism for the transaction. This value role can be to mitigate risk, leverage uncertainties and/or reduce certain economic costs in the exchange of information.

The role of higher education in the economic structure of a country is important as it adds value to both the private and public sector, from the provision of educated employees to increased research and development innovation. However, the Intellectual Capital (IC) value of a higher education institution is rarely discussed when cost and efficiency of higher education is debated. Even private institutions tend to focus on production economic methods to visualise the (financial) value of their institution. This paper discusses IC in attempting to understand both the tangible and intangible assets of a university and the value IC brings to such an institution. A case study of a European university is included, with directions for future research on the process approach of valuing IC and its worth in the debate on cost and efficiency of higher education.

Although many electronic markets have opened up, adoption of electronic marketplaces worldwide has been lower than expected. It is still unclear what the exact effects of electronic markets are, how they emerge, and what markets will eventually turn out to be the most successful in the industry. Several consultancy firms, e.g. Forrester, Merrill Lynch, and Morgan Stanley, have made statements on success factors of electronic markets, such as acquiring domain expertise, and a critical mass of users. However, none of those has been empirically studied. Because of the high failure rate of electronic markets, this research tries to identify specific factors that might be crucial for electronic market success. Through a literature review of previous research, an exploratory research model is developed to specify the success factors. Case study examples are used to assess the validity of the research model and illustrate the economic effects that could be experienced by both the electronic market itself, and by buyers and sellers, focusing on the conditions under which electronic markets are likely to fail or are likely to be a success.

This article demonstrates experimentally that in the context of dyadic conflict, patterns of interpersonal communication (PIC), supported by a particular Group Decision Support System (GDSS) technology, affect the quality of decision making. A GDSS technology that supports confrontation of strongly-internalized personal meanings appears less efficient in supporting the resolution of ethical dilemmas than in stimulating interdependent co-construction of shared-meanings between opposing parties. Intersubjectivity and reciprocity are adapted when the conflict is linked to variables of personality and cultural identity. GDSSs are an efficient tool to support intergroup communication and relations. This article discusses the direct implications of our research for the study of intercultural negotiation and conflict resolution.

As economic conditions result in increased exposure to market volatility and margin erosion, banks are looking to exchange fixed IT cost for variable IT cost structures. This has driven a change of internal mindset towards an increased acceptance of outsourcing to achieve IT cost optimisation. This paper examines findings from two industry case studies in outsourcing on cost, risk and technology costing, both from the viewpoints of the bank and the technology provider.

Ever since intellectual property rights (hereinafter: "IPR's") were introduced in the legal system, it has been the objective of both national and international law to grant its beneficiaries a monopoly by means of exclusive rights (i.e. the right of authorizing or prohibiting - eventually under certain conditions - each other person to exploit or utilize everything falling under the scope of protection one has obtained)

The initial chapter of this thesis discusses the background of the research problem, focusing on the role of IS in financial services, particularly in the Belgian banking environment and a discussion on process change and the use of IS in the organization. This chapter also provides an overview of the research methodologies used, and the research questions. This chapter suggests what the scope and assumptions of the research contain, and defines particular terms used within the document to assist the reader in orientation. The second chapter begins the literature review, adding depth to the understanding of the research focus with background on three key areas: the sectorial information on the Belgian banking sector during this timeframe; the role of IS in the financial services community; and the relationship between IS and change process methodologies involved in achieving competitive advantage in banking. The third chapter of the thesis discusses the research methodology and design of the research project. After the introduction, the framework of the research methods is considered, in reference to both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the research design. This section of the thesis addresses the subjects of validity and reliability in the research design, and methods to overcome or redress any areas of concern. The third chapter introduces the proposed model for organizational diagnosis, given the information gathered and analyzed from the case studies and industry data. This chapter defines the components addressed in the model, and discusses the relationship and interaction between these components. The implementation principles and development are also examined, as a function of the research design and methods. The probable level of coordination with other research traditions and paradigms is brought out, and further anticipated challenges from the model implementation are discussed. The fourth chapter of the research thesis provides an industry background on Belgian banking and the internal and external environmental factors that were impacting the market during this period. This chapter provides a backdrop of industry figures and a timeline of mergers and acquisitions to provide the reader with a descriptive setting for the following case study chapters. The fifth chapter of the research thesis discusses the research methodology for the two bank case studies, including case selection and research procedures. The sixth and seventh chapters address the two individual banks that are profiled in the case studies. Each chapter contains a comparison to the overall industry figures, case study information, an organizational analysis, and preliminary conclusions. The discussion of the findings, both quantitative and qualitative, are in chapter eight, followed by a final chapter with conclusion for the research project and with suggestions for further research. These chapters are followed by the references and appendices.