In-person only event

Event program

Thursday, 5/23/2024 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Leut I, Hotel Admiral, Opatija 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Papers  1. J. Valacich (The University of Arizona, Tucson, United States), J. Jenkins (Brigham Young University, Provo, United States), D. Wilson (Brigham Young University, Provo, United States), D. Kim (The University of Arizona, Tucson, United States), P. Weisgarber (The University of Arizona, Tucson, United States), M. Kumar (Northeastern University, Boston, United States) Navigating Ethical Oversight in Computing Research: A Case for Umbrella Protocols  2. F. Lin, L. Brandimarte, S. Brown, H. Chen (University of Arizona, Tucson, United States) Examining the Effect of Personalized PII Exposure Alerts on Individuals' Privacy Protection Motivation  Innovative solutions to increase awareness of information privacy risks are essential for encouraging individuals and at-risk populations (e.g., the elderly or teenagers) to take protective actions. However, whether providing individuals with information about the extent of their PII exposure can trigger them to take privacy protection actions requires further investigation. In this study, grounded in Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), we examine whether receiving privacy alerts in the form of threat and countermeasure information will trigger senior citizens to engage in privacy protection behaviors. We also examine whether providing personalized threat and countermeasure information moderates the relationship between information and individuals’ perception. We employ a factorial survey method for studying user behavior and perceptions. We manipulate the presence and absence of personalized threat and countermeasure information and measure their effect on senior citizens’ privacy protection perceptions and behaviors. We find that personalization positively moderates the effect of threat (countermeasure) information on threat (countermeasure) awareness, offering insights into the intricate cognitive processes involved in privacy protection intentions. 3. S. Demir (University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany), C. Schneider (IESE Business School, Barcelona, Germany), M. Weinmann (University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany) Order Effects in Multidimensional Rating Systems  Online rating systems are an important source of information in online consumer decision-making. However, the effects of the design of the rating systems on raters’ evaluations are only partially understood. In the context of multidimensional rating systems—i.e., systems that ask users to provide ratings on individual dimensions of a product or service, often in addition to an overall rating—we examine the mutual effects of dimensional ratings on each other. Drawing on the accessibility-diagnosticity framework, we seek to determine how far ratings on earlier dimensions influence subsequent ones. In an online experiment of movie ratings, we found that people gave a 14.83% higher score to a negative aspect when this rating was preceded by more positively-valenced dimensions. These results suggest that rating-system providers should adjust rating presentation to account for these biases. 4. D. Bačić (Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, United States) Exploring the User Impact of Gestalt Laws of Human Perception in Business Information Visualization Context: An Eye-Tracking Study  The study explores empirical verification of Gestalt laws, such as proximity, continuity, similarity, and connectedness, which are fundamental in understanding how we perceive and process information. While these principles have been widely theorized and have led to various design standards and best practices in the context of business information visualization, there's a lack of empirical evidence supporting them. More specifically, there's a lack of evidence collected through physiological data, particularly those obtained through eye-tracking, To bridge this gap, this research investigates the effects of several Gestalt laws on the viewing behavior (measured through eye-tracking metrics) and performance of users engaging with data visualizations. This controlled, within-subject experiment requires participants to complete specific tasks while their eye movements are recorded. Using eye-tracking devices, we collected eye fixation count, duration, and scan-path metrics, which serve as indicators of visual attention and cognitive effort. Additionally, the experiment measures the accuracy and speed of participants' responses. The findings are analyzed, offering practical and research implications. This research not only contributes to the field by providing empirical data but also offers insights into the effectiveness of data visualization design principles and best practices. 5. C. Gilstrap (University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, United States), D. Bacic (Loyola University, Chicago, United States), C. Gilstrap (University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, United States) Understanding the Adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence Within Communities of Practice: A Cross-Practice, Machine Learning-Based Lexical Study  Communities of Practice (CoPs) groups share knowledge and expertise across disciplinary collectives and industrial sectors. This theoretical construct assumes learning occurs in and across societal contexts where individuals mutually engage in collective, symbolically shared repertoires. Of late, CoPs have been explored regarding the use of technology platforms to enhance learning and to extend symbolically collective learning activities. However, the extensive and recent saturation of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) calls for inquiry into how CoPs understand and adopt this ubiquitous technology discussion relative to shared repertoires. This is especially true given the lack of Human Computer Interaction (HCI) research into GenAI adoption at scale. The present study seeks to uncover how the prominent CoPs of Finance, Art, and Software Development understand GenAI as they discuss their technology adoption practices in online forums. Specifically, more than 2.1 million words of community discussion were examined lexically to reveal the manner by which varied CoPs generate shared repertoires for their community members. Findings indicate that types of practice disciplines relate to the lexical dialectics of Practice/Technology, People/Replacements, and Authenticity/Inauthenticity, as well as insightful discourses regarding what counts as work and adoption. A first for HCI, CoPs, and GenAI research, this study provides additional suggestions for future CoPs symbolically shared repertoires relative to new technologies, as well as how GenAI may be implicated in the adoption, work, and learning-based praxes of heterogeneous disciplinary communities. 6. E. Rakovac Bekeš (I. gimnazija Osijek, Osijek, Croatia), V. Galzina, E. Berbić Kolar (Faculty of Education Osijek, Osijek, Croatia) Using Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education to Improve the Literacy of Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Children  In contrast to hearing children and deaf children born to deaf parents, deaf children born to hearing parents have limited exposure to language continuously, which impairs their working memory. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and human-computer interaction (HCI), we designed a children's picture book for helping deaf and hearing-impaired children become literate in both sign language and spoken language. Our goal was to establish a technological environment that is more inclusive by enhancing the functionalities of sign language-dependent young children's senses. By combining sign language and spoken language in the picture book, we aimed to bridge the communication gap between deaf and hearing-impaired children and their peers. The AI and AR-driven solution not only facilitated language learning but also fostered social inclusion by enabling seamless interaction with both sign language users and non-sign language users. The objective was to stimulate extensive dialogues regarding the authentic and efficient collaboration between future educators, educators and researchers to improve academic achievements for young deaf students, as well as to stimulate comprehensive discussions regarding how to involve educators in the planning and creation of educational digital content. 7. E. Hall, T. Egloff, B. Thaman, N. Caporusso (Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, United States) A Blink Detection Algorithm for Eye-Tracking Applications Based on Facial Geometry  Blinking is an inherent and involuntary physiological process in humans that poses significant challenges in eye-tracking applications Blink-related interruptions can introduce artifacts and inaccuracies into eye-tracking datasets, potentially skewing the interpretation of results and hindering the effectiveness of eye-tracking technology in various applications, such as cognitive research, human-computer interaction, and clinical diagnostics. Developing effective strategies to detect and mitigate the influence of blinking is essential to enhance the precision and applicability of eye-tracking systems across a wide range of fields. The paper illustrates a novel method for blink detection that involves calculating the three-dimensional area of the eye. The proposed method utilizes facial geometry landmarks extracted from the image of the user. Furthermore, the paper compares the accuracy and performance of the proposed method with two other blink detection algorithms based on two-dimensional data such as the distance between the eyelids and the calculation of the area of the eye. According to our findings, the proposed blink detection methodology can efficiently be utilized in data pre-processing as well as to label frames, and it sets the foundation for future developments in the context of eye-tracking applications. 8. M. Doan, A. Tran, N. Le (Nothern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, United States), N. Caporusso (Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, United States), G. Sanders (University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, United States) Analyzing the Potential User Adoption of Video Podcasts for Scholarly Research Dissemination  With the rapid growth of digital media and the widespread accessibility of online platforms, video podcasts have emerged as a powerful tool for researchers to bridge the gap between academia and the broader public. The paper presents the findings of a study aimed at understanding the role and impact of video research podcasts in bridging the gap between academia and the general public, especially concerning the challenges of accessibility and comprehension of scholarly research. A 10-question survey was administered to evaluate the effectiveness, utility, and acceptance of video recordings in research presentations. The survey also aimed to gather insights into the motivations, challenges, and benefits of using video podcasts for research dissemination. Results were then analyzed using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model. Additionally, survey respondents were interviewed to gain insight into their responses and provide context to quantitative analysis. Video research podcasts hold the potential to enhance accessibility and comprehension of scholarly research, providing a promising solution to the existing barriers between academia and the general public. However, understanding and addressing the motivational factors and potential barriers is crucial for their broader adoption and impact. 9. O. Kennedy, N. Caporusso (Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, United States) Patient and Therapist Adoption Criteria for Mental Health Applications   Worldwide, approximately one in six people experienced a mental disorder within the past year, and approximately 19% of adults in the United States suffered from any mental illness. Unfortunately, as demand rises, mental health care is at a continuous service gap. According to a recent survey of mental health professionals, 52% reported their care was not up to their standards due to the high demand, and 44% said their workload was unmanageable. From the patient's perspective, high monetary costs and the time commitment associated with treatment can prevent the appropriate care. Recently, mental health apps have become a potential solution to address these accessibility issues. Over 10,000 mental health apps are currently available to the public. However, the quality and effectiveness of mental health apps vary. Accessing what qualities of a mental health app are essential to proper care, from a therapist and patient perspective, can help alleviate the strain in the mental health field. To achieve this, a systematic review of scholarly articles pertaining to mental health app feedback and design was conducted. The articles were evaluated following the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use Technology (UTAUT) model’s categories of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and self-efficacy. 10. N. Caporusso, Q. Roa, B. Thomas, M. Tilley (Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, United States) Tactile Network Topologies: Facilitating Inclusive Learning for Visually Impaired Students in Computer Networking Education  Network topology diagrams present a visual representation of how different devices and components are interconnected and they are often used in combination with network software emulators such as GNS3. These diagrams not only convey the physical layout but also often impart logical connections and data flow pathways between network components. Therefore, the spatial arrangement, hierarchy, and links within these diagrams are vital to grasping fundamental networking concepts, especially in the context of a foundation course. Unfortunately, there is a lack of educational resources that provide students who are blind with an alternative and accessible way to understand the spatial and relational information in a network topology diagram. In this paper, we introduce Tactile Network Topologies (TNT), an innovative educational tool designed to improve accessibility in teaching network topology concepts for students with visual impairments. TNT employs 3d printed tactile symbols that represent common network components. The symbols are designed to be easily perceivable by touch for blind students, while remaining visually recognizable for sighted individuals, fostering an inclusive learning environment. Simultaneously, TNT integrates an intelligent user interface that helps translate the network topology represented by the physical symbols into its digital counterpart, so it can be easily imported and used in network software emulators. 11. H. Kam, C. Zhong (University of Tampa, Tampa, United States), A. Johnston (University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, United States), W. Soliman (University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway) When Harry Met Sally: The Interactivities between Cybersecurity Professionals and Generative AI  The emergence of Generative AI (GAI) further extends the capabilities of cybersecurity software, thereby augmenting overall cybersecurity defense mechanism. This research examines the intricacies inherent in the interactions between human agents, specifically cybersecurity professionals, and AI agents within the cybersecurity domain. In particular, the investigation delves into the phenomenon of “complexity meets complexity”, elucidating how the interplay between the sophisticated algorithms of GAI and the intricate tasks performed by cybersecurity professionals constitutes a focal point of this study. In general, the paper relies on Activity Theory as a theoretical framework and a phenomenology approach in our research design. By observing the interactions between cybersecurity professionals and GAI, the preliminary findings of this study suggest that cybersecurity professionals strategically leverage GAI for knowledge exploitation, thereby enhancing productivity. Moreover, the interactions between humans and AI engender a form of augmentation termed human-AI augmentation, grounded in the dynamic interrelationship between AI algorithms and human inquiries. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the interactions between human and AI agents, as identified in this study, do not inherently imply knowledge creation through innovative processes. 12. M. Juric, N. Peša Pavlović, P. Valerjev, F. Pehar (University of Zadar, Zadar, Croatia) Banner Features That Attract Visual Attention: An Eye-Tracking Study of Email Signatures  Broad research in both human-computer interaction and psychology has revealed that visual attention is frequently drawn to either salient or inherently appealing stimuli. In this eye-tracking study with 40 university students, we examined how banner features in email signatures affect viewer attention and engagement, focusing on the most effective features for capturing visual attention. In the laboratory experiment, participants were instructed to read short emails with a banner in the lower section. In the second stage of the study, banners varied in specific design features: color (pastel vs neon), brightness (bright vs dark), the presence of a call-to-action button, animation (dynamic vs static), and the inclusion or exclusion of a human face. We monitored the participants' visual attention to these banners and collected their click preferences and preference ratings using a five-point Likert scale. The study's results showed that banners with pastel colors, lower brightness, animation, call-to-action buttons, and including a human face received more attention and higher preference, except for dynamic animation. These outcomes suggest that incorporating these specific features in email banners can effectively enhance recipient attention and engagement, with implications that could be extended to encompass broader aspects of digital communication and user interface design. 13. F. Wintmölle, M. Meier, P. Platis, C. Maier (University of Bamberg, Bamberg, Germany) Up in the Clouds: Explaining Gamer Resistance Towards Cloud Gaming  Cloud gaming is transforming the gaming experience by using cloud servers to stream compute-intensive games to gamers over the internet. Despite the numerous benefits it offers, such as ubiquitous access and the elimination of the need for expensive hardware, many gamers are hesitant to adopt it. To encourage gamers to take advantage of cloud gaming, it is crucial to comprehend the reasons behind this resistance behavior. Using inhibitor theory, we analyze interviews with 31 gamers who resist cloud gaming to identify the inhibitors that explain their behavior. Our contribution to resistance research is the identification of context-specific and context-independent inhibitors that influence gamers’ resistance behavior. We also extend cloud gaming research by explaining users’ resistance behavior towards cloud computing, rather than focusing only on the technological characteristics and benefits of cloud gaming. 14. A. Periola (Cape Peninsula University of Technology , Cape Town, South Africa), A. Alonge, O. Kingsley (University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa) Intelligent Approach to Reduce Overstimulation for Multi-Screen Computing Systems   The use of computing systems is expected to significantly increase with the rapid proliferation of high-speed computing networks, and their use in modern internet integrated power systems. The increased adoption of computing entities and systems is accompanied with associated usage-related cognitive concerns. An important concern in this regard is that of cognitive overstimulation. Cognitive overstimulation arises in this case when the eyes execute roaming thereby accessing content from multiple web pages. The execution of eye roaming in this manner results in a visual sensory load. The concerned visual sensory load becomes significant when the concerned user utilizes a multi-screen computing system for enhancing individual productivity. The presented research proposes an intelligent mechanism to enable selective web page minimization, maximization, and migration between screens to reduce the visual sensory load. In addition, the proposed intelligent mechanism executes selective activation and deactivation based on the number of mouse click related activities. Performance evaluation shows that the proposed mechanism reduces the visual sensory load by (44 – 70)% on average. Thursday, 5/23/2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Leut I, Hotel Admiral, Opatija 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Papers  1. T. Orehovački, G. Oreški, R. Šajina (Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Croatia) Driving Habits and the Need for Fatigue and Attention Monitoring Devices: Insights from Croatian Drivers  Road safety is of paramount importance as traffic accidents claim numerous lives annually, particularly among young drivers. Recognizing this, an empirical study was conducted to explore the habits, experiences, and behaviors of drivers in Croatia, specifically focusing on the necessity of devices monitoring driver attention and fatigue. The study involved surveying 156 licensed drivers, who actively participate in traffic, about their daily driving practices. Key findings revealed a general adherence to traffic rules among participants, including seat belt usage. However, instances of speeding and inattention to other road users were noted. The study highlighted the occasional involvement of drivers in dangerous situations due to their own inattention, though most had not caused accidents. Notably, drivers reported decreased concentration and increased fatigue during longer drives, but many were able to maintain adequate attention levels after a day's work. The study also found that emotional factors like stress and frustration had a limited impact on the drivers' behavior. The results underscore the potential utility and demand for attention and fatigue monitoring devices in vehicles. Such devices could play a crucial role in enhancing road safety, indicating a significant opportunity for development and implementation in modern vehicles. 2. I. Čabraja, D. Vuk, T. Orehovački (Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Pula, Croatia) Comparative Quality Assessment of Cammeo and Uber Taxi Services in Urban Transportation  This paper reports the results of an assessment of Cammeo and Uber taxi services, highlighting their contribution to the urban transport network. It tackles the important issue of aligning taxi availability with passenger needs, essential for effective service provision. The evaluation, based on surveys from active users of Cammeo and Uber, examines key factors such as application ease of use, usefulness, and users' intention to utilize these services. Additionally, the study offers an in-depth comparison of the ride experience, driver professionalism, and vehicle standards of both providers. Although participants tended to favor the Cammeo app, the findings indicate comparable user experience quality for both Cammeo and Uber. The objective of this study is to deliver insights that can be used to improve service quality and enhance customer satisfaction, by identifying and contrasting the strengths and weaknesses of each service. 3. M. Koren (ŠC Ptuj, Ptuj, Slovenia) Graphic User Interface as a Method of Encouragement in the Beginning of Learning Programming.  Navigating the initial steps of programming proves universally challenging due to the novelty of the learning approach. Those new to software development often struggle without proper guidance. In subjects like OOP, students faced difficulties explaining code flow, displaying resistance to the technical field. Conversely, in NRSA - 'Design and Development of Web Applications,' students showed substantial progress and greater interest, attributed to the tangible product, a website, contrasting with non-graphical console applications in other subjects. This implies that a graphical user interface (GUI) contributes to heightened student engagement and performance. This seminar investigates the validity of this claim, expanding on multiple hypotheses and addressing whether it holds true. Focusing on high school students specializing in computer technology (aged 16-19), the paper comprises theoretical, empirical sections, and results analysis. Initial topics guided hypothesis formulation, and a questionnaire informed by these hypotheses was administered to respondents. Real-time analysis of a student sample was conducted, leading to the paper's conclusion summarizing the findings' overall significance. 4. A. Kordiš (Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia), O. Rafajac (Veleučilište u Rijeci , Rijeka, Croatia), D. Ogrizović (Pomorski fakultet u Rijeci, Rijeka, Croatia) Analiza komunikacije KBC-a Rijeka s krajnjim korisnicima  Primjenom metode ispitivanja pomoću upitnika (N=174), istraživanjem se analizira kvalitetu komunikacije Kliničkog bolničkog centra Rijeka s krajnjim korisnicima. Empirijski rezultati pokazuju da čak 38.5% ispitanika procjenjuje da su vrlo nezadovoljni ili nezadovoljni načinom na koji ih KBC Rijeka informira o važnim pitanjima i dostupnim uslugama. Dodatne analize potvrđuju da su žene (MR=103.59) zadovoljnije načinom na koji KBC Rijeka informira korisnike o važnim pitanjima i dostupnim uslugama od muškaraca (MR=69.86), U=2312, z=-4.546, p<.05. Prikupljeni rezultati sugeriraju da bi KBC Rijeka trebao značajno unaprijediti metodologiju usmjeravanja korisnika u unutarnjim i vanjskim prostorima jer je čak 46% ispitanika vrlo nezadovoljno ili nezadovoljno informativnim pločama i oznakama u zgradama i okolišu. Analiza je pokazala da postoji statistički značajna pozitivna veza između percipirane razine zadovoljstva informiranja o bitnim pitanjima i percipiranog zadovoljstva informativnim pločama i oznakama u zgradama i okolišu KBC-a Rijeka (τb=.469, p<.05). 85.1% ispitanika preferira digitalne oblike komunikacije, a među komunikacijske kanale koje korisnici najviše preferiraju ubrajaju se video (62.1%), e-pošta (50%), telefon (42.5%) i mobilne aplikacije (31.6%). Iako je prikupljanje povratnih informacija temelj upravljanja kvalitetom, rezultati sugeriraju da 54.6% ispitanika nikad ne koristi dostupne kanale za slanje povratnih informacija o kvaliteti usluga u KBC-u Rijeka.

Basic information:

Joe Valacich (United States), Dinko Bačić (United States), Dragan Čišić (Croatia), Dario Ogrizović (Croatia)

Laura Brandimarte (United States), Constantinos K. Coursaris (Canada), John D’Arcy (United States), Soussan Djamasbi (United States), Dennis Galletta (United States), Nenad Jukić (United States), Bart Knijnenburg (United States), Nicholas Roberts (United States), Christian Maier (Germany), Fiona Nah (Hong Kong SAR), Saonee Sarker (United States), Christoph Schneider (Spain), Ali Sunyaev (Germany), Chee-Wee Tan (Denmark), Jason Thatcher (United States), Markus Weinmann (Germany), Manuel Wiesche (Germany)

Dinko Bačić (United States), Dragan Čišić (Croatia), Jeffrey L. Jenkins (United States), Božidar Kovačić (Croatia), Dario Ogrizović (Croatia), Joe Valacich (United States), David Wilson (United States)

The discount doesn't apply to PhD students.

NOTE FOR AUTHORS: In order to have your paper published, it is required that you pay at least one registration fee for each paper. Authors of 2 or more papers are entitled to a 10% discount.

Joe Valacich
University of Arizona
Eller College of Management
McClelland Hall Rm 430L, PO Box 210108
Tucson, AZ 85721, United States

Phone: +1 520 621 0035
E-mail: valacich@arizona.edu 
 

Dragan Čišić
University of Rijeka
Radmile Matejčić 2
HR-51000 Rijeka, Croatia

GSM: +385 98 219 600
E-mail: dragan.cisic@inf.uniri.hr

The best papers will get a special award.
Accepted papers will be published in the ISSN registered conference proceedings. Papers presented at the conference will be submitted for inclusion in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library.
.............
There is a possibility that the selected scientific papers with some further modification and refinement are being published in the following journals: Journal of Computing and Information Technology (CIT), MDPI Applied Science, MDPI Information Journal, Frontiers and EAI Endorsed Transaction on Scalable Information Systems.

Opatija is the leading seaside resort of the Eastern Adriatic and one of the most famous tourist destinations on the Mediterranean. With its aristocratic architecture and style, Opatija has been attracting artists, kings, politicians, scientists, sportsmen, as well as business people, bankers and managers for more than 170 years.

The tourist offer in Opatija includes a vast number of hotels, excellent restaurants, entertainment venues, art festivals, superb modern and classical music concerts, beaches and swimming pools – this city satisfies all wishes and demands.

Opatija, the Queen of the Adriatic, is also one of the most prominent congress cities in the Mediterranean, particularly important for its ICT conventions, one of which is MIPRO, which has been held in Opatija since 1979, and attracts more than a thousand participants from over forty countries. These conventions promote Opatija as one of the most desirable technological, business, educational and scientific centers in South-eastern Europe and the European Union in general.

For more details, please visit www.opatija.hr and visitopatija.com.