Suchergebnisse

Abstract
Background and Purpose: While there are many studies regarding the adoption of Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID), only a few of them deal with RFID subcutaneous microchip (RFID-SM) usage by individuals. After the first in vivo tests conducted on volunteers from 1998 to 2000, the use of RFID-SM in healthcare remains limited. This study examines the likelihood of adopting RFID-SM in healthcare from the end user's point of view. Design/Methodology/Approach: The aim of this paper is to develop and evaluate the model for analysing the acceptance of RFID-SM adoption. An extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) for RFID-SM adoption is proposed and empirically tested in a cross-sectional study. Online survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 531 respondents. In addition to the three original components of TAM (Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, and Behavioural Intentions to Use), three external variables (Health Concerns, Perceived Trust, and Age) were also included in the model. The model was validated with confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques. Results: Perceived Usefulness has a significant impact on behavioural intentions to adopt RFID-SM in the future, while the influence of Perceived Ease of Use is not significant. The most influential external variable is Perceived Trust, indicating the lack of confidence in personal data security ensured by the state and other institutions. As expected, Health Concerns factor has a negative effect on the Perceived Trust and Perceived Usefulness of RFID-SM. Conclusion: The results of the empirical study prove that all external variables considered in the model significantly influence the RFID-SM adoption. The Perceived Ease of Use is irrelevant to the attitude towards the RFID-SM adoption. In addition to the proposed model, the analysis of gathered data shows that the positive attitude toward the use of RFID-SM in healthcare is rising.

Data Envelopment Analysis - Basic Models and their Utilization
Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a decision making tool based on linear programming for measuring the relative efficiency of a set of comparable units. Besides the identification of relatively efficient and inefficient units, DEA identifies the sources and level of inefficiency for each of the inputs and outputs. This paper is a survey of the basic DEA models. A comparison of DEA models is given. The effect of model orientation (input or output) on the efficiency frontier and the effect of the convexity requirements on returns to scale are examined. The paper also explains how DEA models can be used to assess efficiency.

Implementation of the Scheduling Domain Description Model
This paper presents the problem of auniform scheduling domain description. It was established that the algorithm used for scheduling is general, disregarding the type of scheduling domain. On the basis of five different scheduling domains, a general description model was developed. The research is focused on the programming application of the resource scheduling model, presented as a UML class diagram. Diverse meta-languages for the model description were considered. Of these XML, an EAV model and object oriented languages have shown to be the most effective. Even though Java is not widely used as a description language, it has proved effective as a meta-language for the description of the extensible scheduling model.

Abstract

Background: The students' progression towards completing their higher education degrees possesses stochastic characteristics, and can therefore be modelled as an absorbing Markov chain. Such application would have a high practical value and offer great opportunities for implementation in practice.

Objectives: The aim of the paper is to develop a stochastic model for estimation and continuous monitoring of various quality and effectiveness indicators of a given higher education study programme.

Method: The study programme is modelled by a finite Markov chain with five transient and two absorbing states. The probability transition matrix is constructed. The quantitative characteristics of the absorbing Markov chain, like the expected time until absorption and the probabilities of absorption, are used to determine chosen indicators of the programme.

Results: The model is applied to investigate the pattern of students' enrolment and their academic performance in a Slovenian higher education institution. Based on the students' intake records, the transition matrix was developed considering eight consecutive academic seasons from 2008/09 until 2016/17. The students' progression towards the next stage of the study programme was estimated. The expected time that a student spends at a particular stage as well as the expected duration of the study is determined. The graduation and withdrawal probabilities were obtained. Besides, a prediction on the students' enrolment for the next three academic years was made. The results were interpreted and discussed.

Conclusion: The analysis presented is applicable for all higher education stakeholders. It is especially useful for a higher education institution's managers seeing that it provides useful information to plan improvements regarding the quality and effectiveness of their study programmes to achieve better position in the educational market.

Background: The students' progression towards completing their higher education degrees possesses stochastic characteristics, and can therefore be modelled as an absorbing Markov chain. Such application would have a high practical value and offer great opportunities for implementation in practice. Objectives: The aim of the paper is to develop a stochastic model for estimation and continuous monitoring of various quality and effectiveness indicators of a given higher education study programme. Method: The study programme is modelled by a finite Markov chain with five transient and two absorbing states. The probability transition matrix is constructed. The quantitative characteristics of the absorbing Markov chain, like the expected time until absorption and the probabilities of absorption, are used to determine chosen indicators of the programme. Results: The model is applied to investigate the pattern of students' enrolment and their academic performance in a Slovenian higher education institution. Based on the students' intake records, the transition matrix was developed considering eight consecutive academic seasons from 2008/09 until 2016/17. The students' progression towards the next stage of the study programme was estimated. The expected time that a student spends at a particular stage as well as the expected duration of the study is determined. The graduation and withdrawal probabilities were obtained. Besides, a prediction on the students' enrolment for the next three academic years was made. The results were interpreted and discussed. Conclusion: The analysis presented is applicable for all higher education stakeholders. It is especially useful for a higher education institution's managers seeing that it provides useful information to plan improvements regarding the quality and effectiveness of their study programmes to achieve better position in the educational market. ; Izhodišča: Proces napredovanja študentov do zaključka visokošolskega študija kaže stohastične značilnosti, zato ga lahko popišemo z Markovsko verigo. Taka aplikacija ima veliko praktično vrednost, saj zaradi enostavnosti teoretičnega modela nudi številne priložnosti za implementacijo v praksi. Namen: Namen prispevka je razviti stohastični model za ocenjevanje in spremljanje različnih kvantitativnih indikatorjev kakovosti in učinkovitosti izbranega visokošolskega študijskega programa. Metodologija: Študijski program modeliramo s končno Markovsko verigo s petimi prehodnimi stanji in dvema ponornima stanjema. Predstavljena je prehodna matrika, ki podaja verjetnosti prehodov med posameznimi stanji. Za izračun izbranih indikatorjev študijskega programa uporabimo kvantitativne karakteristike razcepne Markovske verige, kot sta povprečni čas do absorpcije in verjetnost za absorpcijo. Rezultati: Model smo aplicirali na izbrani študijski program slovenske visokošolske institucije. Na osnovi vpisnih podatkov smo oblikovali prehodno matriko, pri čemer smo upoštevali osem zaporednih študijskih let, od vpisnega leta 2008/09 do 2016/17. Ocenili smo delež študentov, ki redno napreduje v naslednji letnik (nivo) študijskega programa. Določili smo povprečni čas zadrževanja študenta na posameznem nivoju študija ter povprečno trajanje študija. Izračunali smo verjetnost, da bo študent uspešno zaključil študij (diplomiral) ali opustil študij. Poleg tega smo napovedali število študentov na posameznem nivoju študijskega programa, ki jih v danih razmerah lahko pričakujemo v naslednjih treh študijskih letih. Prikazane rezultate smo komentirali in diskutirali o možnostih nadaljnjih raziskav. Zaključek: Predstavljena analiza je uporabna za vse deležnike, ki krojijo politiko visokošolskega izobraževanja. Predvsem je uporabna za vodstvo obravnavane visokošolske ustanove, saj nudi pomembne in koristne informacije za načrtovanje izboljšav glede kakovosti in učinkovitosti študijskega programa s ciljem zasesti čim boljšo pozicijo na tržišču visokošolskih izobraževalnih ustanov.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Despite their clear relevance to human life, microchip implants are still widely viewed as negative, threatening our privacy and raising growing concerns about our health. This paper aims to investigate the important factors influencing people's perception of microchip implants and their willingness to use them for different purposes.

Methodology: The cross-sectional study was conducted in three European countries and the data were analysed using the group Structural Equation Modeling approach. Only complete answers to the online survey questionnaire items were used representing a convenience sample of 804 respondents.

Results: The results show that perceived ease of use, usefulness and perceived trust are significant predictors of intention to use microchip implants. Perceived trust is influenced by privacy and technology safety. Concerns about painful procedures and other health concerns reduce the perceived usefulness of microchip implants. Apart from the predictor health concerns, the results were similar in all countries.

Conclusion: Based on the presented results, researchers interested in investigating the actual use of microchip implants can establish a solid foundation for their research. The results may assist policy makers in developing the regulations to ensure the safe use of microchip implants and allow for a higher level of security. As a follow-up, investigation of changes in the acceptance of microchip implants following the threat of a global pandemic is proposed.

Abstract
Background: This study draws upon the use of Information Systems in support of achieving sustainability, known as Green IS. Furthermore, this study builds on the premise that Green IS offers the opportunity for organizations to act proactively in terms of environmental preservation as well as to mitigate the effects of global climate change and other environmental problems.
Aim: In particular, this study aims to assess the extent of awareness among managers regarding the use and the acceptance of Green IS in Slovenian enterprises.
Method: Using empirical data based on a large-scale survey among senior managers within Slovenian enterprises this study utilized several statistical methods (such as t-test, analysis of variance and multiple linear regression) to analyse the research questions.
Results: In general, findings seem to suggest that institutional mechanisms might be a plausible explanation for differences regarding the attitude towards Green IS adoption. For instance, enterprises with at least one implemented sustainability related certificate expressed higher levels of willingness to use Green IS in order to facilitate the achievement of sustainable development. Moreover, the results of the regression analysis revealed that both Institutional Mimetic pressure and Internal Environment Impact has positive impact on Green IS adoption.
Conclusion: The main conclusion is that the internal environmental impact is considered the most influential factor of the attitude towards Green IS adoption. The culture or individual perception of managers and employees play an important role in the Green IS adoption. Indeed, enterprises that have no intention of improving their environmental performance, but adopt Green IS by the means of seeking legitimacy among external stakeholders, cannot provide a sustainable improvement in environmental management.