This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 12th IFIP WG 5.5 Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises, PRO-VE 2011, held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in October 2011. The 61 revised papers presented were carefully selected from numerous submissions. They provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in various collaborative network (CN) domains and their applications with a particular focus on adaptation of the networks and their value creation, specifically emphasizing topics related to evolution from social networking to collaborative networks; social capital; value chains; co-creation of complex products; performance management; behavioral aspects in collaborative networks; collaborative networks planning and modeling; benefit analysis and sustainability issues, as well as including important technical and scientific challenges in applying CNs to areas such as advanced logistics networks, business process modeling, service orientation, and other emerging application domains such as ageing, tourism, crisis, and emergency scenarios.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 13th IFIP WG 5.5 Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises, PRO-VE 2012, held in Bournemouth, UK, in October 2012. The 61 revised papers presented were carefully selected from numerous submissions. They provide a comprehensive overview of identified challenges and recent advances in various collaborative network (CN) domains and their applications with a particular focus on the Internet of Services. The papers are organized in topical sections on service enhanced products; service composition; collaborative ecosystems; platform requirements; cloud-based support; colllaborative business frameworks; service design; e-governance; collaboration in traditional sectors; collaboration motivators; virtual organization breeding environments; collaboration spaces; designing collaborative networks; cost, benefits and performance; identification of patterns; co-innovation and competitiveness; collaborative behavior models; and risks, governance, trust.

Organizations are the business world’s central actors, employing multiple people who pursue collective goals while linked to an external environment. This volume is the first of two books dedicated to defining current theories of organizations and their practices. The text is filled with contributions by alumni of the ESB Business School at Reutlingen University. Part I discusses contemporary organizational forms and properties, including team aspects. Part II provides a detailed overview of key themes in modern leadership and coaching, as well as organizational intervention.

Addresses an Emerging Shift in Developing CountriesThe authors and contributors of Ambient Assisted Living have recognized that the demographic profile is changing in many developing countries and have factored in an inversion of the demographic pyramid. The technology of ambient assisted living (AAL), supports the elderly and disabled in their dai

Identifying Emerging Trends in Technological Innovation Doctoral programs in science and engineering are important sources of innovative ideas and techniques that might lead to new products and technological innovation. Certainly most PhD students are not experienced researchers and are in the process of learning how to do research. Nevertheless, a number of empiric studies also show that a high number of technological innovation ideas are produced in the early careers of researchers. The combination of the eagerness to try new approaches and directions of young doctoral students with the experience and broad knowledge of their supervisors is likely to result in an important pool of innovation potential. The DoCEIS doctoral conference on Computing, Electrical and Industrial En- neering aims at creating a space for sharing and discussing ideas and results from doctoral research in these inter-related areas of engineering. Innovative ideas and hypotheses can be better enhanced when presented and discussed in an encouraging and open environment. DoCEIS aims to provide such an environment, releasing PhD students from the pressure of presenting their propositions in more formal contexts.

Information System Development—Improving Enterprise Communication are the collected proceedings of the 22nd International Conference on Information Systems Development: Improving Enterprise Communication—ISD 2013 Conference, held in Seville, Spain. It follows in the tradition of previous conferences in the series in exploring the connections between industry, research and education. These proceedings represent ongoing reflections within the academic community on established information systems topics and emerging concepts, approaches and ideas. It is hoped that the papers herein contribute towards disseminating research and improving practice. The conference tracks highlighted at the 22nd International Conference on Information Systems Development (ISD 2013) were: Applications Data and Ontologies End Users Enterprise Evolution Industrial cases in ISD Intelligent Business Process Management Model Driven Engineering in ISD New Technologies Process Management Quality

Rural tourism is not a new phenomenon in many parts of the world, but it has only recently received increased attention from researchers, politicians and managers as a result of new market trends, the recognition of the “rural crisis” and the urge to solve it. However, there is also evidence that rural tourism is not a miraculous antidote for this crisis, certainly not in all places and under all conditions. Despite some recent studies examining the critical factors of success for rural tourism, there is still a need for a deeper understanding of the rural tourism phenomenon, the nature of the tourism experience and how it could be optimized to the benefit of all, while making the best use of endogenous resources and competences, yielding sustainable destination development. This book contributes to the debate, focusing on the tourist experience, here conceptualized as “co-created” between hosts and guests, based on destination-specific elements of “countryside capital” and aiming at sustainability. It contains both conceptual and empirical chapters, with diverse and new perspectives, methodological approaches and cases from several countries.

In recent years, our world has experienced a profound shift and progression in available computing and knowledge sharing innovations. These emerging advancements have developed at a rapid pace, disseminating into and affecting numerous aspects of contemporary society. This has created a pivotal need for an innovative compendium encompassing the latest trends, concepts, and issues surrounding this relevant discipline area. During the past 15 years, the Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology has become recognized as one of the landmark sources of the latest knowledge and discoveries in this discipline. The Encyclopedia of Information Science and Technology, Fourth Edition is a 10-volume set which includes 705 original and previously unpublished research articles covering a full range of perspectives, applications, and techniques contributed by thousands of experts and researchers from around the globe. This authoritative encyclopedia is an all-encompassing, well-established reference source that is ideally designed to disseminate the most forward-thinking and diverse research findings. With critical perspectives on the impact of information science management and new technologies in modern settings, including but not limited to computer science, education, healthcare, government, engineering, business, and natural and physical sciences, it is a pivotal and relevant source of knowledge that will benefit every professional within the field of information science and technology and is an invaluable addition to every academic and corporate library.

Businesses consistently work on new projects, products, and workflows to remain competitive and successful in the modern business environment. To remain zealous, businesses must employ the most effective methods and tools in human resources, project management, and overall business plan execution as competitors work to succeed as well. Advanced Methodologies and Technologies in Business Operations and Management provides emerging research on business tools such as employee engagement, payout policies, and financial investing to promote operational success. While highlighting the challenges facing modern organizations, readers will learn how corporate social responsibility and utilizing artificial intelligence improve a company’s culture and management. This book is an ideal resource for executives and managers, researchers, accountants, and financial investors seeking current research on business operations and management.

As the age of Big Data emerges, it becomes necessary to take the five dimensions of Big Data- volume, variety, velocity, volatility, and veracity- and focus these dimensions towards one critical emphasis - value. The Encyclopedia of Business Analytics and Optimization confronts the challenges of information retrieval in the age of Big Data by exploring recent advances in the areas of knowledge management, data visualization, interdisciplinary communication, and others. Through its critical approach and practical application, this book will be a must-have reference for any professional, leader, analyst, or manager interested in making the most of the knowledge resources at their disposal.