Perception and expectation gaps of information systems provider skills: the impact on user satisfaction

Abstract.  Past research indicates that expectations play a crucial role in the final satisfaction of users of information systems (IS). This includes expectations regarding the skill levels exhibited by the providers of the IS services and products. Typically, the expectations are examined as gaps from perceived performance or as gaps from realistic expectations. The interaction of these gaps has not been thoroughly explored in past research, although recent theories anticipate both gaps are crucial in meeting the desires of the users. A matched pair sample of IS users and IS providers is used to collect data on expected skill levels and perceived delivery of the skills demanded. Gaps, both between these two stakeholder groups regarding expectations and within the user group regarding perceived delivery, are found to impact user satisfaction in a two-way analysis. The results indicate that expectations should be managed to higher levels and commonly understood across the user and provider groups.     

Junk Computing

Junk computing, the use of information systems in a way that does not directly advance organizational goals, can both diminish productivity and add value to a work environment. Results of a year-long study of the types and causes of junk computing can help managers reduce performance losses without stifling employee creativity.     

Neurophysiological development in premature infants following stimulation.

Tactile kinesthetic stimulation was given to 15 premature infants to determine effects on neurophysiological development. The mothers of the Ss were trained to administer the treatment for 15 min 4 times a day for 1 mo, beginning the day the S arrived home from the hospital. When Ss and 14 control Ss were 4 mo old (CA), they were examined by a pediatrician, a psychologist, and a pediatric nurse who had no knowledge of whether the S was experimental or control. The Ss' neurological development, weight, length, head circumference, and mental and motor development (as determined by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development) were assessed. Results indicate that experimental Ss made significant gains in neurological development, in weight gain, and in mental development. Findings suggest that the early and systematic stimulation provided by the mothers can enhance development of premature infants. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Properties of carboxymethylated cotton prepared in nonaqueous media

Mercerized cotton printcloth was converted to sodium cellulosates of various degrees of substitution by reaction with sodium methoxide in methanol. These sodium cellulosates were reacted with sodium monochloroacetate in dimethyl sulfoxide at room temperature. The sodium hydroxide pretreatment affected not only the yield of the sodium cellulosate but also the degree of conversion of cellulosate to carboxymethyl (CM) cellulose. The nonaqueously prepared CM cottons had fabric properties that differed from the properties of CM cottons prepared by conventional aqueous methods. By the nonaqueous method, CM cottons of increased capacity, or degree of substitution (D.S.), were obtained by a one-treatment procedure. These CM cottons in the sodium salt or acid form were insoluble in water and in 23% NaOH. Those of D.S. of about 0.3, when in the acid form, possessed improved wrinkle recovery angles. The salt form of CM cotton acts as a built-in catalyst for the reactions of cotton with methylolated ureas such as dimethylolurea (DMU) and dimethylolethyleneurea (DMEU). However, only DMU was effective in imparting improved conditioned and wet wrinkle recovery to CM cotton. Initial replacement of Na⁺ ions of CM cotton by H⁺ was easily accomplished. After replacement of approximately half of the Na⁺ ions, it was more difficult to replace the remaining half of Na⁺ from CM cottons that had been prepared in nonaqueous media. Affinity of carboxylate ions in CM cottons prepared nonaqueously for cations did not decrease with size of cation even though affinity for H⁺ ions was greatest.     

A 3-degree of freedom binary search pose estimation technique

This paper describes a novel, binary search pose estimation (BSPE) technique for poses constrained to 3 degrees of freedom (DOF). The technique requires three fiduciary marker points and operates by minimising the angular DOF through a binary search driven algorithm. The technique is less computationally intensive than the standard closed form solutions and quickly converges to a solution which can be verified if additional fiduciary points are available. Evaluation for the technique is presented through a comparison to pose from orthography and scaling with iterations (POSIT) using synthetic data and a real-world application, where the technique is used for pose estimation of a mobile robot with respect to a motor vehicle for inspection purposes.     

Growth and feeding efficiency of wild and aquaculture genotypes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) common to Lake Huron,Canada

Selective breeding of salmonid fishes for the purpose of commercial aquaculture has resulted in domesticated strains possessing a divergent physiological and behavioral phenotype from that of wild conspecifics. Freshwater production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has been occurring in regions of Lake Huron, Canada, for decades yet the growth and performance of domestic (aquaculture) versus wild (naturalized) strains are poorly understood. We conducted two trials to examine growth differences between size-matched wild and domestic strains of juvenile rainbow trout: (1) reared separately and fed to satiation; and (2) reared together and fed a reduced ration to induce competition. Additionally, we used bioenergetics models to assess strain-specific growth rates across a range of water temperatures (5, 10, 15 and 18 °C) as well as Lake Huron temperatures during the open-water season. Domestic rainbow trout showed a growth advantage throughout the 102 d trials, and by the end of the study had achieved a mass > two-fold that of the wild strain and had greater fork length, condition, and thermal growth coefficient (TGC) under both treatments. Rapid growth of domestic strain fish was achieved through the combination of enhanced feed consumption (by ~ 40%) and feeding efficiency (up to 60% lower feed conversion ratio) relative to wild fish. Divergence in growth rates between strains was most pronounced (> 3 ×) when modeled with Lake Huron open-water temperatures. We demonstrate that the growth and feed-conversion efficiency differ significantly between these two strains of rainbow trout under laboratory conditions, suggesting that differences could be even greater in nature.     

Asian-American cultural identity and attitudes toward mental health services.

557 Asian-American students (263 Chinese Americans, 185 Japanese Americans, and 109 Korean Americans) completed a survey consisting of a demographic questionnaire, a modified version of the Suinn-Lew Asia Self-Identity Acculturation Scale, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPHS). A 3?×?2?×?2 multivariate analysis with main effects of ethnicity, gender, and level of acculturation and the 4 subscales of the ATSPHS as the dependent variables resulted in a significant F value for acculturation effect and nonsignificant F values for all other main and interaction effects. Regardless of ethnicity and gender, the most acculturated students were: (a) most likely to recognize personal need for professional psychological help, (b) most tolerant of the stigma associated with psychological help, and (c) most open to discussing their problems with a psychologist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)