This paper presents a distributed and open ICT infrastructure that is being developed in the ECOLEAD IST IP project to help members of Collaborative Networks in doing businesses and collaborations more efficiently. ICT-I design relies on the service oriented architecture paradigm, and it is implemented with web-services. ICT-I services are to be used on demand and pay-per-use models. It is flex...

This paper presents the results of a study to determine factors influencing perceptions and attitudes of nurses towards the use of ICT in 16 hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province, South Africa. Data were collected through a survey questionnaire and factor analysis performed to extract relevant variables. Overall, results revealed positive dispositions of nurses towards the use of ICT. Resul...

Welcome to this special issue of Wireless Personal Communications on Research Trends and Challenges for Network-based ICT Systems. This special issue provide an in-depth research study of the latest trends and challenges for network-based ICT systems. The convergence of information and communication technologies (ICT), have resulted into significant changes for our network infrastructures. We h...

This paper points out the need of advanced collaborative business ICT infrastructures (CBI) for CNOs, the requirements for the development of CBIs, and the technologies and trends considering CNO issues. The CBI devised in the ECOLEAD Project is also presented, showing how most of these requirements and emergent ICTs have been incorporated in it. This CBI – called ICT-I – is a distributed, open...

The ever rising complexity of the historically grown architecture of nowadays cars leads to massive problems concerning reliability, costs and development time. The observable trend to electric cars offers the opportunity to redesign the information and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure of cars to encounter these problems. Within this paper, we present an evaluation platform for i...

This paper is based on a research project currently being undertaken. The aim of the project is to find, and validate, possible explanations for the differential level, manner and patterns of use of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) as learning tools in the New Zealand Secondary School classroom both within and between schools. Currently the government, and our schools, are spend...

This paper points out the need of advanced collaborative business ICT infrastructures (CBI) for CNOs, the requirements for the development of CBIs, and the technologies and trends considering CNO issues. The CBI devised in the ECOLEAD Project is also presented, showing how most of these requirements and emergent ICTs have been incorporated in it. This CBI – called ICT-I – is a distributed, open...

As envisaged by developers, economic actors or politicians, advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) should be utilized in electricity infrastructures to an unprecedented level, mainly to enhance the capability to handle the more volatile power supply by renewable energy sources. However, the extended use of ICT can also be a source of additional risks, due to the increased “op...

A vision for the requirements of a CRIS in 2020 is presented. It forms part of an e-infrastructure ICT environment for the whole domain of research. The history of CRIS is analysed to pick out key developments and the barriers to achieving the vision are addressed. A plan is proposed to meet the vision, overcoming the barriers and utilising expected developments in ICT. The key is CERIF used as...