EDITORIAL

This is the first issue of volume 3 of the Australian Journal of Information Systems. As editor, I am pleased to
report over the past six months there has been on-going interest in the journal, both from authors and
subscribers, and recently we have developed a home page on the world wide web (see below). In this issue we
have four papers from Australia, together with an article from the USA and Norway.
Our first paper 'Evaluating the Factors that Facilitate a Deep Understanding of Data Analysis' - by Oliver
Burmeister. Centre for Information Systems Research, Swinburne University of Technology - explores the
important issue of the need for deep understanding, to successfully carry out the task of data analysis. The paper
shows that despite the apparent decline of deep learning in tertiary course, deep learning can be enhanced
through an increase in intrinsic motivation, assessment which seeks integrated, developed yet comprehensive
understanding of the analytical concepts, and knowledge of student learning preferences.
The next paper - 'Quality Management Systems in Australian Software Houses: Some Problems Sustaining
Creativity in the Software Process' - by Liisa A. von Hellens, School of Computing and Information
Technology, Griffith University, examines the effect of implementing quality management systems and
certification to international quality standards. The paper suggests that the introduction of standards to less
structured tasks such as pre-sales or research appears to be stifling the creativity needed to complete these tasks
successfully.
Daniel L. Moody and Graeme C. Simsion. Simsion Bowles and Associates, contribute a paper entitled
'Justifying Investment in Information Resource Management'. The paper suggests that while many
organisations have introduced information resource management functions, few have developed formal
measurements of their effectiveness. The paper identifies key criteria for the measurement program and
proposes some candidate metrics.
The next paper is 'Software Quality Management and Organizational Fit' - by S.H. Nielsen, School of
Computing and Information Technology, Griffith University. This paper suggests that after an initial period of
staff acceptance of prescribed quality management procedures, certain features of organisational culture, power
and structure have an effect on continued conformance. The paper suggests that by using a pluralist approach to
organisational analysis, the nature and extent of changes to the quality management system can be revealed.
Sarah M. North, Max M. North and Nazir A. Warsi, Human Computer Interaction Group and Virtual Display
Laboratory, Computer and Information Science Department, Clark Atlanta University contribute a paper
entitled 'Visual Navigation of Complex Information Spaces'. This paper lay the foundation for the introduction
of visual navigation aids to assist computer users in direct manipulation of complex information spaces. The
authors introduce a visualisation interface called Visual-X which incorporates icons, dynamic slider and
bindable attributes.
The final paper in this issue is Tailor Made Concurrency Control - Distributed Transactions as a Case' - by
Mads Nygard, The Database Technology Section, Sintef Delab, The Norwegian Institute of Technology,
Trondheim. This paper applies a model for distributed databases and transactions with a distinction between
global and local correctness criteria. The paper suggests that commonly used criteria for concurrency control
tend to be very strict. A more relaxed set of criteria (allowing more true parallel behaviour) is demonstrated.
Once again I would like to pass on my thanks to the authors and consulting editors for the high quality of
material in this issue. I would like to especially thank Mr Ted Gould who took the role of editor for the previous
edition of the journal and Mr David Dodds, without whose help, this journal would not have been produced.

R.MacGregor
Editor

Home Page: HTTP://www.uow.edu.au/public/faculties/Commerce/business/ajis/ajis.html

September 1995