International Center for Applied Studies in Information Technology

Director
Stephen Ruth
ruth@gmu.edu

Website
http://policy-icasit.gmu.edu

Center Description
George Mason School of Public Policy's International Center for Applied Studies in Information Technology (ICASIT) focuses on delivering high yield, low-unit-cost results from information and communications technology, especially in the context of developing nations. Averaging over $200,000 annually in grants from out-of-state sources over the past 15 years, the center has worked with nearly 100 businesses, associations, government agencies, and multilateral organizations in 30 countries on projects that included knowledge management, electronic commerce, distance learning, and web site development. The center is committed to combining information technology with better management of institutional knowledge to change organizational cultures so that increased collaboration yields more efficient operations and performance.

The center, directed by Professor Stephen Ruth, helps deliver Internet connectivity to cities in developing nations in ways that encourage entrepreneurship and economic development. A recent success in Nepal is described below. It has worked with Northern Virginia companies to advance Internet enterprise in the region, and its Knowledge Management Roundtables, sponsored in conjunction with the Defense Contract Management Agency, were aimed at helping businesses harness the power of KM tools and approaches.

ICASIT has been funded largely by grants and contracts, through partnerships with foundations, research centers, businesses, and universities on five continents. Current focus is the return on investment from university-based online learning programs, made possible initially by a generous grant from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation. ICASIT has also been actively studying the yield on telework in the public and private sectors and has established a Telework Research Center to continue this effort.

Areas of Research

• Ruth, S., Pun, M and Stone, S. "Nepal Wireless Revisited-a paradigm to explain why global growth is now led by developing nations." Information Technology in Developing Countries--International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) 23 (4), February 2013.
• S. Ruth. One Year Trip Through the Bible--Readings and Reflections:A Layman's Fresh Perspective on the Complete Old and New Testaments (Portland, Oregon, Bookbaby, 2012).
• Ruth, S., and S. Stone "Hactivism--A Legislator's Dilemma." IEEE Internet Computing 16 (6), (November - December 2012).
• Ruth, S. "Can MOOC’s and existing e-learning paradigms help reduce college costs?" International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 8 (1), 21-32.
  
• Ruth, S. "Is There a Digital Divide? Check the Numbers." IEEE Internet Computing 16 (4) (July-August 2012).
• Ruth S. "Nepal Wireless – The Power of Innovative Action." Global Studies Review, 7 (3) (Spring 2012).
• Ruth, S., "The Import/Export Paradigm for High-Quality College Courses An Answer to Tuition’s Through-the- Roof Cost Spiral?" IEEE Internet Computing 16 (2) (March-April 2012).
• Ruth, S. E-Learning is Only Part of the Solution to Soaring Tuition Costs - Four Challenging, Implementable Approaches Toward an Alternate Universe Where College Becomes Affordable Again (December 8, 2011). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1969915 or doi:10.2139/ssrn.1969915
• Ruth, S (2011) The Dark Side of Telecommuting - Is a Tipping Point Approaching? (July 7, 2011). GMU School of Public Policy Research Paper No. 2012-02. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1880895 or doi:10.2139/ssrn.1880895
• Ruth, S. "Reducing ICT-Related Carbon Emissions—An Exemplar For Global Energy Policy?" IETE Technical Review 29 (3) (May-June, 2011): 201-211.
• Ruth, S. "By the Numbers - A Researcher's Bonanza of ICT Policy-Level Information." IEEE Internet Computing 15 (2) (March-April 2011): 76-80.

• Ruth, S. "ICT Development Resources for Researchers-Is Free a Good Price to Pay?" Information Technology in Developing Countries 21 (1) (February 2011).
• Ruth, S. "Can ICT do more to reduce higher Ed costs? A return on investment perspective." International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning, 6 (2) (2011): 103-115.
• Ruth, S. "Bumps on the Road to the National Broadband Plan." IEEE Internet Computing 14 (6) (November/December 2010): 76-80.
• Ruth, S. "Is E Learning Really Working? The Trillion Dollar Question." IEEE Internet Computing 14 (2) (March April 2010): 80-85.
• Ruth, S. "Green IT More Than a Three Percent Solution?" IEEE Internet Computing 13 (4) (July August 2009): 80-84. Also appears in Understanding and Implementing Green IT, (IEEE, 2010).

• Ruth, S. and Schware, R. "Pursuing Truly Successful e-Government Projects: Mission Impossible?" I-Ways Journal of Government Policy and Regulation, vol. 32 no 2 (2) 2009; 93-98, Information Technology in Developing Countries 18 (3) (2008): 2-6. http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/egov/ifip/oct2008/stephen-ruth.htm
• Ruth, S. and Choudhury, I. "Telework: A Productivity Paradox?" IEEE Internet Computing 12 (6) (2008): 80-83.
• Ruth, S., and J. Giri. "Defying the Odds: A Success Story from the Mountains of Nepal." Information Technology in Developing Countries - International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP) 17 (4) (2007).
• Ruth, S., and A. Pizzato. "Is the World Still Flat? An Update." IEEE Internet Computing 11 (5) (2007): 85-87.
• Ruth, S., and J. Mercer. "Voting from Home or Office? Don't Hold Your Breath." IEEE Internet Computing 11 (3) (2007): 84-87.
• Ruth, S., and S. Doh. "Is E Government Ready for Prime Time?" IEEE Internet Computing 11 (1) (2007): 80-82.
• Ruth, S. , M. Sammons, and L. Poulin. "E-Learning at the Crossroad-What Price Quality?" Educause Quarterly 30 (2) (2007): 33-39.
• Sammons, M., and S. Ruth. "The Invisible Professor and the Future of Virtual Faculty." International Journal of Teaching and Technology 4 (1) (2007).
• Gibbons, J. and S. Ruth "Municipal WiFi--Big Wave or Wipeout." IEEE Internet Computing 10 (3) (2006): 52-57.
• E. Bertino and S. Ruth "Policies and IT Technologies: A Puzzle of Two Pieces." IEEE Internet Computing 10 (1) (January February 2006): 65-67.
• Ruth, S. "E-Learning: A Financial and Strategic Perspective." Educause Quarterly 29 (1) (2006): 22-30.
• M. Norton and S. Ruth "Spectrum and its Influence on 3G and WiFi Architectures." Annual Review of Communications 2005, Volume 57 (Chicago, IEC, 2006): 272-282.
• Ruth S., S. Booppanon, T. Zhang, "Using Accessible Data Sources to Determine Telecom Diffusion Capabilities of Developing Nations: a MENA Perspective." Annual Review of Communications 2004, Volume 57 (Chicago,IEC,2004), pp 485-496.
• S. Ruth, "Measuring the Yield of On-Line Telemedicine Training: Methods and Challenges"; invited paper for Europacs-MIR 2004 Scientific Conference Trieste, September 17th, 2004.