Iranian Journal of Information Processing & Management
Year:2009 | Volume:24 | Issue:3 (57)|Papers Count:9

In the past several decades, perception of usefulness and ease of use had been the most important factors in recognition of new technologies in the field of information systems. Nevertheless, by themselves, these two factors could not describe user behavior within emerging environments such as the internet banking. From the standpoint of technology acceptance at an individual level, the present paper has expanded the technology acceptance model (TAM) by introducing the characteristics of the internet banking environment. In this study, the most important models offered within individual technology acceptance were reviewed and two constructs, perceived self efficacy and confidence in TAM, have been added. A survey method was employed using a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The sample surveyed was 310 bank customers.

The present study attempts to investigate the nature of information seeking behavior in the sample population of 158 graduate students and examine the role of personality factors in their information seeking behavior. Two questionnaires were used. Pearson correlation analysis and multi-valued regression analysis were employed in analyzing the data. Findings indicate that there is a positive significance between students' extroversion and relevance judgment, positing of new ideas, time as a motivating factor, and effort to seek out information. A similar indication was observed between interpolation of experience and time slated for searching for information. Generally it could be deduced that there is a significant relationship between personality features and information seeking behavior of graduate students.

E-learning has now become an accepted and popular method of education and large numbers of universities and other higher education institutions are offering online courses to their students. The present study was carried out with the aim of investigating Barriers of developing e-learning in agricultural higher education. The study was based on descriptive-survey research method and a questionnaire was developed to gather the data. The study population was postgraduate students (M.Sc. and PhD) of faculty of agriculture who were selected by applying purposive sampling technique. Sample size for students was 120 persons. Data were analyzed by using SPSSIWIN software and descriptive and inferential methods were used for the data analysis. The results of the research indicated that four major factors explained 54.38% of variances of barriers of developing e-learning. These factors were executive barriers, human barriers, technical and educational barriers and financial barriers.

The present study would initially investigate and review the history and various definitions associated with Infometrics. It would later study the current status of this term in ISI databases. Findings indicate that by the end of 2007 there are 215 records available on infometrics. 107 articles, or 49.1% of the total, were written by 10 authors.  Egghe is ranked first in this field by authoring 27 papers. United States holds the first rank with 42 papers followed by Belgiun with 40 articles. However when considering universities and other institutes of higher learning’s, University of Instelling in Antwerp Belgium holds the highest rank with 18 papers. 96% of the papers are in English Language, while only 8 papers are in German. Production of scientific output peaks in the year 2005 with 27 papers. With 63 papers published, Scientometric Journal ranks first. The highest number of research in infometrics has been carried out by librarians and information professionals followed by computer scientists.

In-Service training is among the important tools for updating the professional capabilities of librarians and skilled manpower working in research and educational institutions. Agriculture Scientific Information and Documentation Center (ASDIC), during the 2000-2004 periods, offered forty in-service courses. The present paper investigates the views of the instructors and learners participating in these courses. Findings indicate that 79% of instructors were satisfied with courses scheduling while 36% were dissatisfied with lighting, acoustics and air conditionings in the classes. 80% of the learners were satisfied with Courses notifications while 38% were dissatisfied with extracurricular activities. However there was an 85% satisfaction rate regarding the command and preparedness of instructors. The instructors proposed more specialized courses with shorter schedules, higher coordination with specialist groups within ASIDC in design and implementation of courses, as well as coordination with instructors for course scheduling. Learners proposed course follow-ups as well as instruction courses being offered in provinces that are equipped for it.

Information Management is the process of information identification, production, classification, storage, dissemination and utilization considering the organizational, cultural, social as well as technological components. Given this, information management would require teamwork and well-defined task description for each and every individual. In order to fulfill their special tasks to secure the four pillars of information management (Production, Organization, Storage and Dissemination and finally application) Information managers are at the mercy of crucial factors such as technology, organization and social-cultural makeup of corporations. The present paper explores the concept of information management and would delve further into strategic information management, personal information management, interpersonal information management as well as effective information management. In the conclusion it would make a case from the standpoint of information ecology.

Within Information centers, productivity is the result of optimal and effective use of information resources, service quality improvement, and increased user satisfaction, pleasantness of working environment, increased motivation and enthusiasm of staff to work better. All contribute to the growth and development of information centers. Thus these centers would need to be familiar with methods employed in productivity measurement. Productivity is one of the criteria for evaluating system performance. In the past decades particular emphasis has been placed on measurement and improvement of human resource, creativity, innovation and expert analysis. Contemplation and efforts made towards identification of problems and issues and new means to make more useful and better resource management is the very definition of productivity. Simply put, productivity is the relationship between system output and the elements garnered to produce these outputs. The causality between variables and factors impacting on productivity is very complex. In information centers, given the large volume of elements involved, it seems necessary to increase efficiency and productivity.