Context-Sensitive Access Control Model for Government Services

During the past two decades, e-government information systems have become less paper-based and more computer-based. Those information systems usually take the form of workflow systems. Due to the large social impact of e-government systems, computer security plays a pivotal role in ensuring its efficiency and effectiveness. Access control is one of the key aspects of computer security. Current access control models do not take into account the context of the system and its environment. In this article, we argue that a formal context-sensitive access control model can improve the development of e-government workflow systems and present a particular context-sensitive access control model. The subject of the article is a specification of the context-sensitive access control model for business processes (COBAC). By using a context-sensitive access control, it is possible to define more sophisticated access control policies that cannot be implemented by existing access control models. The COBAC's context is modeled using Web Ontology Language (OWL) in order to provide formal representation of context, rich representation of diverse contextual information, semantic interoperability between various context-aware systems, and a high degree of inference making. The presented model is applicable in different e-government systems, and supports the definition of access control policies for both simple and complex business processes. The model's prototype is verified by a case study on a real e-government business process—the national petty offense trial proceedings.     

The Effects of Locus of Control on Word‐of‐mouth Communication

Word‐of‐mouth can be a powerful tool for and against marketing a brand. The effect of personality can have a significant effect on an individual's word‐of‐mouth behaviour. One of the most popular personality constructs is the locus of control. This research studied the influence of the locus of control on consumer word‐of‐mouth communications. The results showed that individuals who scored high on their internal locus of control were more likely to engage in word‐of‐mouth communication with their out‐groups. In addition, individuals who scored high on their external locus of control were more likely to engage in word‐of‐mouth communication with their in‐group. Out‐groups are defined as people with a weaker ties relationship, while in‐groups are defined as people with a stronger ties relationship (i.e. close friends and family). These findings would help marketers in directing their promotional programmes more effectively.     

Outsourcing,Intellectual Property Rights and Corporate Hollowing Concerns

ABSTRACT

As lower priced competition continues to grow in the global arena, firms are increasingly turning to outsourcing, both in the manufacturing and service sectors. This article explores the long-term costs which may occur as a result of outsourcing: a firm's loss of control of its intellectual property, and even more debilitating, the loss or dilution of the core competencies which made the firm a success. Outsourcing of numerous key functions can actually lead to a “hollowing” of the corporation, which is a difficult phenomenon to reverse. Additionally, this article takes a look at how intellectual property protection is becoming a competitive advantage for those countries trying to attract outsourcing contracts. Finally, the authors suggest ideas for future research.     

Emerging Interaction of Political Processes

Abstract

The emerging interaction of political processes sets the stage for the level of macro uncertainty and specific risk events that may occur in an international relationship. Strongly defined social control in Cuba, formal and informal, dominates the dynamics of the relationship, while simultaneously government, formal, action in the U.S. dominates the ability of American individuals to further the relationship. This study examines the development of a long-term relationship between two universities from the U.S. and Cuba. Over a period of eight years the relationship changes considerably as events on the macro stage play out and the environment for détente shifts. The key focus of this relationship lies with developing the study abroad program, taking students from the U.S. to Cuba.     

The Impact of Personality Variables,Prior Experience,and Training on Sales Agents' Internet Utilization and Performance

ABSTRACT

Emerging literature on the impact of the Internet on business-to-business (B2B) marketing has primarily focused on examining this issue from the perspective of manufacturers and buyers. This study focuses on the sales agent, a third prominent actor in B2B markets, and tests a conceptual model that relates a sales agent's personality, demographic, and user-situational constructs to that sales agent's Internet utilization for selling activities. Further, the model tested in this study relates a sales agent's Internet utilization to perceived sales performance. Findings in this study indicate that internal locus of control, learning orientation, and sales related Internet training relate positively to a sales agent's Internet utilization, and that a sales agent's age relates negatively to Internet utilization. Further, the results support a positive relationship between a sales agent's Internet utilization and sales performance. This study emphasizes that the Internet can be a productive tool for sales agents. The implications of the results of this study for sales agents with respect to training and recruitment are discussed and avenues for future research are suggested.     

大股东资金占用与盈余管理

本文以深沪两市2000-2002年所有A股公司作为样本,研究了大股东的资金侵占与上市公司盈余管理的关系。实证结果表明,大股东及其附属公司对上市公司的资金侵占越严重,上市公司进行盈余管理的程度越高,说明大股东的资金占用不仅可能影响上市公司的经营业绩,还会降低上市公司会计信息质量。     

基于互联网的财务控制研究

计算机应用科学的不断发展,为企业提供了信息网络管理这一覆盖全面、信息准确、反馈及时的现代管理手段,使全方位、全员化财务控制职能的充分发挥成为可能。网络财务推动财务管理从桌面走向网络,从局部走向全部,财务控制的加强必将促进企业快速持续发展。     

成本控制认识的误区及解决对策的探讨

传统的成本控制认识存在着不少的误区,导致了企业成本控制失效,竞争力下降。基于价值链的理论基础和知识经济对企业成本控制的要求,从成本控制的主体、客体、控制方式以及控制目标四个方面来探讨这一问题并提出了解决对策。     

我国企业在南南直接投资中的竞争优势分析

改革开放以来,我国吸引外商直接投资规模逐年增加,处于世界领先地位,但对外直接投资方面则处于世界落后地位。截至2004年,我国对外直接投资存量为449亿美元,仅占全球对外直接投资存量的0.55%。根据我国企业在对外直接投资方面的竞争力水平,很难在短期内大规模进入欧美等发达国家的投资市场,但在对其他发展中国家的直接投资———南南直接投资中,我国企业无论与发展中国家的竞争对手相比还是与发达国家的竞争对手相比,均有一定的竞争优势。我国企业应当正确认识自身的竞争优势,以南南直接投资为突破口,培植国际竞争力,推动“走出去”战略。     

航空客运收益管理中的渠道管理问题研究

传统的存量控制研究的解决方案是以直接面对最终顾客为前提的,没有将销售渠道的需求分布考虑在内,因而也就不能把分配给各个销售渠道的机票数量进行科学控制和优化。不同的销售渠道对同种类型机票的需求分布不同,并且给航空公司带来的最终收入不同,因此,随着联网售票系统的完善和电子商务的发展,如何更好地管理销售渠道,给那些能给航空公司带来更多收益的销售渠道预留足够的座位,已经成为航空公司不容忽视的问题。