TY - JOUR
T1 - Delineating pervasiveness in pervasive information systems
T2 - A taxonomical framework and design implications
AU - Kourouthanassis, Panos E.
AU - Giaglis, George M.
AU - Karaiskos, Dimitrios C.
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - Pervasive Information Systems (IS) exemplify a paradigm where Information Technology is embedded in the physical environment, capable of accommodating user needs and wants when desired. Pervasive IS differ from IS that are based on the desktop paradigm in that they encompass a complex, dynamic environment composed of multiple artifacts, capable of perceiving contextual information and supporting user mobility. Building on the novel properties of pervasive IS, we propose a taxonomical framework assessing the level of pervasiveness in a given information system. The framework consists of three interweaving dimensions, namely ubiquity (encompassing mobility and heterogeneity), diffusion (encompassing invisibility and interactivity) and contextual awareness. The framework may be employed either to prospectively inform the design of pervasive IS (by pointing towards pertinent design considerations) or to retrospectively assess the pervasiveness of a system and identify improvement opportunities. We demonstrate both uses, firstly by discussing design priorities for ex ante IS evaluation and secondly by showcasing ex post assessments of a domestic and a corporate pervasive IS.
AB - Pervasive Information Systems (IS) exemplify a paradigm where Information Technology is embedded in the physical environment, capable of accommodating user needs and wants when desired. Pervasive IS differ from IS that are based on the desktop paradigm in that they encompass a complex, dynamic environment composed of multiple artifacts, capable of perceiving contextual information and supporting user mobility. Building on the novel properties of pervasive IS, we propose a taxonomical framework assessing the level of pervasiveness in a given information system. The framework consists of three interweaving dimensions, namely ubiquity (encompassing mobility and heterogeneity), diffusion (encompassing invisibility and interactivity) and contextual awareness. The framework may be employed either to prospectively inform the design of pervasive IS (by pointing towards pertinent design considerations) or to retrospectively assess the pervasiveness of a system and identify improvement opportunities. We demonstrate both uses, firstly by discussing design priorities for ex ante IS evaluation and secondly by showcasing ex post assessments of a domestic and a corporate pervasive IS.
KW - assessment framework
KW - context-awareness
KW - design considerations
KW - invisibility
KW - mobility
KW - pervasive information systems
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77956368210&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1057/jit.2009.6
DO - 10.1057/jit.2009.6
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77956368210
SN - 0268-3962
VL - 25
SP - 273
EP - 287
JO - Journal of Information Technology
JF - Journal of Information Technology
IS - 3
ER -