Formation and Action of a Learning Community with Collaborative Learning Software

2023 | Journal of Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Eryilmaz, Evren; Thoms, Brian; Ahmed, Zafor; Lee, Howard

Abstract: This paper explores the formation of a learning community facilitated by custom ... Expand

Abstract: This paper explores the formation of a learning community facilitated by custom collaborative learning software. Drawing on research in group cognition, knowledge building discourse, and learning analytics, we conducted a mixed-methods field study involving an asynchronous online discussion consisting of 259 messages posted by 50 participants. The cluster analysis results provide evidence that the recommender system within the software can support the formation of a learning community with a small peripheral cluster. Regarding knowledge building discourse, we identified the distinct roles of central, intermediate (i.e., middle of three clusters), and peripheral clusters within a learning community. Furthermore, we found that message lexical complexity does not correlate to the stages of knowledge building. Overall, this study contributes to the group cognition theory to deepen our understanding about collaboration to construct new knowledge in online discussions. Moreover, we add a much-needed text mining perspective to the qualitative interaction analysis model. Collapse

Topics: recommender system collaborative filtering pandemic online learning system open source

Methods: qualitative content analysis descriptive statistic sociometry synthesis mixed method

Theories: cognitive theory

Cluster Analysis in Online Learning Communities: A Text Mining Approach

2022 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 6

Authors: Eryilmaz, Evren; Thoms, Brian; Ahmed, Zafor

Abstract: This paper presents a theory-informed blueprint for mining unstructured text da ... Expand

Abstract: This paper presents a theory-informed blueprint for mining unstructured text data using mixed-and multi-methods to improve understanding of collaboration in asynchronous online discussions (AOD). Grounded in a community of inquiry theoretical framework to systematically combine established research techniques, we investigated how AOD topics and individual reflections on those topics affect the formation of clusters or groups in a community. The data for the investigation came from 54 participants and 470 messages. Data analysis combined the analytical efficiency and scalability of topic modeling, social network analysis, and cluster analysis with qualitative content analysis. The cluster analysis found three clusters and that members of the intermediate cluster (i.e., middle of three clusters) played a pivotal role in this community by expressing uncertainty statements, which facilitated a collective sense-making process to resolve misunderstandings. Furthermore, we found that participants' selected discussion topics and how they discussed those topics influenced cluster formations. Theoretical, practical, and methodological implications are discussed in depth. Collapse

Topics: social network online learning system open source social presence big data

Methods: topic model mixed method cluster analysis sociometry qualitative content analysis

Process fragmentation and port performance: Merging SNA and text mining

2020 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 0

Authors: Aloini, Davide; Benevento, Elisabetta; Stefanini, Alessandro; Zerbino, Pierluigi

Abstract: This paper investigates the role of process coordination dynamics and informatio ... Expand

Abstract: This paper investigates the role of process coordination dynamics and information exchanges in maritime logistics. To this aim, a case study in a mid-sized port supported by a Port Community System (PCS) was developed. Exploiting data retrieved from the PCS, the methodology combined three data-driven techniques – Process Mining (PM), Social Network Analysis (SNA) and Text Mining – to draw handover social networks among the port logistics players, and to assess the export process efficiency and significant process deviations. Then, two sets of regression models were developed to explore the effects of network dynamics on process performances. Preliminary results point out that the process fragmentation and the frequent communication switching among the port actors could negatively affect the export process efficiency and effectiveness. Finally, the study proposes practical solutions for reducing process fragmentation and improving information exchange among port actors. Collapse

Topics: logistics management social network information exchange information management process mining

Methods: regression analysis method case study natural language processing event log computational algorithm

Research Commentary—Diversity of the Information Systems Research Field: A Journal Governance Perspective

2017 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 0

Authors: Burgess, Thomas F.; Grimshaw, Paul; Shaw, Nicky E.

Abstract: Diversity has attracted much attention within the information systems (IS) field ... Expand

Abstract: Diversity has attracted much attention within the information systems (IS) field, with literature concentrating on diversity in topics and methods. These constitute two of three identified areas of research field diversity; the little-investigated third area includes demographic and social diversity of researchers. This study explores this gap for researchers comprising the editorial advisory boards (EABs) of 52 IS journals and links the underexplored types of diversity to topic diversity. The journals are categorized into seven intellectual communities, using topic affinity of journal content, and a social network of EAB members constructed from board interlocks. The network structure appears to reflect the topic-based community links. Journal communities are aggregated into two components of the social network: a business-school-related core set of journals and a more diverse computing- and engineering-related periphery. The strong ties at the network center do not necessarily reflect journal status. The observed combination of focus and diversity is consistent with a polycentric view of the IS field. Findings suggest low demographic diversity in the field and that demographic diversity correlates with other types of diversity. The field’s separation into business core and computing periphery is highlighted as potentially challenging to the IS field’s identity. Collapse

Topics: social network website information management reference discipline

Methods: parametric test Student's t-test descriptive statistic cross sectional research sociometry

Applying network analysis to investigate interpersonal influence of information security behaviours in the workplace

2017 | Information & Management | Citations: 0

Authors: Dang-Pham, Duy; Pittayachawan, Siddhi; Bruno, Vince

Abstract: As organisations are developing people-centric security workplaces, where proact ... Expand

Abstract: As organisations are developing people-centric security workplaces, where proactive security behaviours are fostered, it is important to understand more about the sources of security influence. This research applied social network analysis methods to investigate security influence within a large interior contractor in Vietnam. The findings revealed that security influence occurs between employees in the same department, particularly those in senior positions, have longer tenure or younger age. Engagement in daily work and security-related activities can also increase the likelihood of influencing security behaviours. Moreover, the security influence network is transitive and has a hierarchical structure. Collapse

Topics: data security network effect personality IT workforce misinformation

Methods: statistical hypothesis test network analysis social network analysis survey Markov chain Monte Carlo

Theories: social network theory

Social Media Exploitation by Covert Networks: A Case Study of ISIS

2017 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Freeman, Lee A.; Schroeder, Robert; Everton, Sean F.

Abstract: Social media has quickly become a dominant mode of professional and personal com ... Expand

Abstract: Social media has quickly become a dominant mode of professional and personal communication. Unfortunately, groups who intend to perform illegal and/or harmful activities (such as gangs, criminal groups, and terrorist groups) also use it. These covert networks use social media to foster membership, communicate among followers and nonfollowers, and obtain ideological and financial support. This exploitation of social media has serious political, cultural, and societal repercussions that go beyond stolen identities, hacked systems, or loss of productivity. There are literal life-and-death consequences of the actions of the groups behind these covert networks. However, through tracking and analyzing social media content, government agencies (in particular those in the intelligence community) can mitigate this threat by uncovering these covert networks, their communication, and their plans. This paper introduces common social media analysis techniques and the current approaches of analyzing covert networks. A case study of the Syrian conflict, with particular attention on ISIS, highlights this exploitation and the process of using social media analysis for intelligence gathering. The results of the case study show that covert networks are resilient and continually adapt their social media use and presence to stay ahead of the intelligence community. Collapse

Topics: social media Twitter armed conflict cloud computing Google+

Methods: case study sociometry literature sample spatial analysis

Network Structure and User Roles of a Crowdsourcing Community _ The Context of Social Innovations for a Development Project

2017 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Fuger, Simon; Schimpf, Robert; Fueller, Johann; Hutter, Katja

Abstract: The principles of crowdsourcing are increasingly applied in social contexts like ... Expand

Abstract: The principles of crowdsourcing are increasingly applied in social contexts like development projects. In this study we explore a crowdsourcing community, which aims to enhance conditions in low income communities. We investigate the network structures of the community and detect behavioral pattern and user roles based on participation behavior for this specific context. Overall, the observed community shows a high level of collaboration and reciprocal dialogue. On the individual level we located four different user roles distinct in their interaction and contribution behavior. So called “collaborators” are considered as unique user role in an online community within a social context. We contribute to the theory of crowdsourcing by illustrating that context and purpose of crowdsourcing initiatives may influence the behavioral pattern of users. Further we add insights to the junctures between crowdsourcing and social innovation in the context of open development. Collapse

Topics: crowdsourcing innovation management user behavior usability website

Methods: cluster analysis parametric test ANOVA theoretical contribution descriptive statistic

Applications of Cohesive Subgraph Detection Algorithms to Analyzing Socio-Technical Networks

2017 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Suthers, Dan

Abstract: Socio-technical networks can be productively modeled at several granularities, i ... Expand

Abstract: Socio-technical networks can be productively modeled at several granularities, including the interaction of actors, how this interaction is mediated by digital artifacts, and sociograms that model direct ties between the actors themselves. Cohesive subgraph detection algorithms (CSDA, a.k.a. “community detection algorithms”) are often applied to sociograms, but also have utility in analyzing graphs corresponding to other levels of modeling. This paper illustrates applications of CSDA to graphs modeling interaction and mediated association. It reviews some leading candidate algorithms (particularly InfoMap, link communities, the Louvain method, and weakly connected components, all of which are available in R), and evaluates them with respect to how useful they have been in analyzing a large dataset derived from a network of educators known as Tapped In. This practitioner-oriented evaluation is a complement to more formal benchmark based studies common in the literature. Collapse

Topics: chat room Python online community social media Java

Methods: computational algorithm case study cluster analysis sociometry design artifact

Theories: socio technical theory actor network theory

Exploring social network interactions in enterprise systems: the role of virtual co-presence

2013 | Information Systems Journal | Citations: 0

Authors: Subramaniam, Niran; Nandhakumar, Joe; Baptista (John), João

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of social media interactions on the use conte ... Expand

Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of social media interactions on the use context of enterprise systems (ES) at a global telecommunications company based in Europe. We conducted a detailed field study of users in three countries who execute tasks collectively using social media capabilities within their ES. The findings provide rich insights into these social media interactions, their influence on ES users' sense of ‘presence’ and their impact on the completion of tasks. Our key research contribution is to introduce the idea of ‘virtual co-presence’ as a means of understanding the digitally mediated presence of ES users. In addition, we demonstrate how virtual co-presence and the relationships afforded by social media shape ES users' interactions and collective completion of tasks in a dispersed work context. Drawing on the insights gained from the effect of virtual co-presence on ES users, the paper outlines some implications for the theory and practice of collective work in ES use. Collapse

Topics: social media business process management co-located IT supported collaboration social network organizational context

Methods: qualitative interview field study personal interview literature study case study

Digitising the R&D social network: revisiting the technological gatekeeper

2013 | Information Systems Journal | Citations: 0

Authors: Whelan, Eoin; Golden, Willie; Donnellan, Brian

Abstract: This paper examines how the digitisation of the social network, and the resultin ... Expand

Abstract: This paper examines how the digitisation of the social network, and the resulting interplay between its online and offline components, has impacted the role of the technological gatekeeper in research and development (R&D) settings. Previous studies have firmly established the technological gatekeeper to be a key node in the innovation process – acquiring, translating and disseminating novel information throughout the R&D social network. Drawing on social network analysis and interview evidence from a software R&D group, we find that the gatekeeper role has undergone a division of labour. Theoretically, we contribute to the body of knowledge by developing an updated technological gatekeeper conceptual framework. For practitioners, we identify the competencies exhibited by the small number of communication specialists who are largely responsible for diffusing novel information. We then advise practitioners how to maximise the contribution of these ‘stars’ to the information flow network. Collapse

Topics: social network research and development communication service infrastructure information overload anonymity

Methods: qualitative interview case study survey theory development social network analysis