In many countries, small businesses comprise over 95% of the proportion of private businesses and approximately half of the private workforce, with information technology being used in over 90% of these businesses. As a result, governments worldwide are placing increasing importance upon the success of small business enterpreneurs and are providing increased resources to support this emphasis. Managing Information Technology in Small Business: Challanges and Solutions presents research in areas such as IT performance, electronic commerce, Internet adoption, and IT planning methodologies and focuses on how these areas impact small businesses.

"Addressing questions raised by managers and researchers over the last decade on the business value of information technology (IT), this book provides business professionals with a more precise rationale for making IT investments by detailing how computerization does not automatically create business value, but is one essential component that should be coupled with organizational changes such as new strategies, new business processes, and new organizational structures."

"This book presents quality articles focused on key issues concerning technology in business"--Provided by publisher.

"This guide presents the most current research and findings about the challenges governments around the world are now placing on small business IT entrepreneurs and how they are providing increased resources to support this emphasis. Described are how organizations and society rely heavily on virtual technologies for communication and how information management has presented government officials and information resource management practitioners alike with a variety of challenges associated with managing resources and applications in the world economy. Topics covered include federal agency intranets, concerns and solutions for electronic voting systems adoption, using the web for enhanced decision making, and the role of the virtual

Enhances libraries worldwide through top research compilations from over 250 international authors in the field of e-business.

Software process reengineering has become highly visible over the past several years. Efforts are being undertaken by organizations of all types and sizes as they attempt to deal with the challenges of quality, complexity and competitiveness. As an emerging technology, the effectiveness and potential impact of process improvement efforts have been debated, but not fully tested or validated. At the very core of this technological evolution is the idea that the quality of a software product is highly dependent on the quality of the process used for its development. Successful Software Reengineering examines the most recent theories, models, approaches and processes involved with the concept of software improvement and reengineering.

Multimedia technology has the potential to evolve the paradigm of end user computing, from the interactive text and graphics model that has developed since the 1950s, into one more compatible with the digital electronic world of the next century. Decreasing hardware costs, a relatively inexpensive storage capacity and a rapid increasing computing power and network bandwidth, all major requirements of multimedia applications, have contributed to the recent tremendous growth in production and use of multimedia contents. Interactive Multimedia Systems addresses these innovative technologies and how they can positively impact a variety of areas.

In a world of earthquakes, tsunamis, and terrorist attacks, it is evident that emergency response plans are crucial to solve problems, overcome challenges, and restore and improve communities affected by such negative events. Although the necessity for quick and efficient aid is understood, researchers and professionals continue to strive for the best practices and methodologies to properly handle such significant events. Emergency Management and Disaster Response Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships bridges the gap between the theoretical and the practical components of crisis management and response. By discussing and presenting research on the benefits and challenges of such partnerships, this publication is an essential resource for academicians, practitioners, and researchers interested in understanding the complexities of crisis management and relief through public and private partnerships.

Advanced Topics in End User Computing features the latest research findings dealing with end user computing concepts, issues, and trends. It provides a forum to both academics and information technology practitioners to advance the practice and understanding of end user computing in organizations. Empirical and theoretical research concerned with all aspects of end user computing including development, utilization and management are included.

"Addressing the ongoing quest for teaching excellence in an increasingly technological society, the information presented in this volume addresses how to effectively implement teaching technologies across disciplinary boundaries. The scholarly dimensions of belief, inquiry, argument, and reflection in information systems are presented with attention to educational theories of metacognition, technology literacy, and community informatics. Training for e-business and public agency work are discussed to better equip instructors for the distinctive information needs of these sectors."