TAOWEN LE

PROFESSOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGIES

Taowen Le

CONTACT

PHONE: 801.626.8829
EMAIL: let@weber.edu
OFFICE: WB 230

ABOUT

Taowen Le is a professor of information systems and technologies at Weber State University with a PhD in information systems from BYU in 1991.

Prior to full-time teaching, he worked at KDSI and Dynix (US software companies) from 1990 to 1995, including serving as development manager for Dynix. In 1995, he joined Southern Utah University as an assistant professor of information systems. In 1998, he joined WSU as an assistant professor in the former Department of Information Systems & Technologies (which merged with the Department of Business Administration in 2011 and became part of the Department of Management Information Systems & Supply Chain Management in 2017). He was promoted to associate professor in 2000 and full professor in 2006. From 2000 to 2002, he served as acting chair and co-chair of the former IST department.

In June 2002, he took a one-year leave and served as deputy director general of the Provincial Department of IT Industry for Liaoning Province, China. From June 2003 to June 2017, his career was parallel-pathed. While continuing academic services at WSU, he acted as a provincial representative in the U.S. for Liaoning Province.

Le is very active in university, community, and professional services. He served as faculty senator at Southern Utah University and WSU, and he currently serves on the Board of China Overseas Friendship Association and on the Utah State Transcontinental Railroads 150th Celebration Commission. He is the chairman of the board for the Utah Chinese Civic Center and an advisor for the Chinese Association for Science & Technology in Utah.  He is also the business division chair for Utah Academy of Science, Arts & Letters. Le has been teaching mainly in the area of systems development. His primary research interests include IT Industry Issues & Policies, Software Development, & IT Education.

EDUCATION

Ph.D., Information Systems - Brigham Young University, 1991 

MLS, Brigham Young University, 1985

BS, Information Science - Wuhan Univsity, China, 1983

HOBBIES

Volleyball, table tennis, distance running

PUBLICATIONS

JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

  1. Yiming Zhao, Linrong Wu, Jin Zhang, Taowen Le: “How Question Characteristics Impact Answer Outcome on Social Question-and-Answer Websites”, Journal of Global Information Management, pp. 1-21, No. 6, Vol. 29, 2021. 
  2. Taowen Le: “Global Challenges of Mobile Communication”, in: Salvendy G., Wei J. (eds) Design, Operation and Evaluation of Mobile Communications. HCII 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pp. 243-253, vol 12796. Springer, Cham. 2021.
  3. Jin Zhang, Yuehua Zhao, Xin Cai, Taowen Le, Wei Fei, Feicheng Ma: “A Comparison of Retrieval Result Relevance Judgments between American and Chinese Users”, Journal of Global Information Management, pp148-168, No. 3, Vol. 28, 2020.      
  4. Yiming Zhao, Jin Zhang, Xue Xia, Taowen Le: "Evaluation of Google question- answering quality", Library Hi Tech, pp. 312-328, No. 2, Vol. 37, 2019. 
  5. Jin Zhang, Xin Cai, Taowen Le, Wei Fei, Feicheng Ma: “A Study on Effective Measurement of Search Results from Search Engines”, Journal of Global Information Management (JGIM), pp. 196-221, No. 1, Vol. 27, 2019. 
  6. Taowen Le, Jin Zhang, Wayne Huang: “An Exploratory Investigation of Gender and Cross-Major Differences in Business Student Success in an IT Course”, Journal of Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, pp. 119-143, vol. 92, 2015. (Received 2015 Utah Academy Best Paper Award) 
  7. Jin Zhang, Wei Fei, Taowen Le: “A Comparative Analysis of the Search Feature Effectiveness of the Major English and Chinese Search Engines”, Online Information Review, pp. 217-230, No. 2, Vol. 37, 2013. 
  8. Taowen Le, Jin Zhang, Ed Harris: “An Exploratory Investigation of the Impact of Surprise Interviews with Former Graduates on Online Students Learning in an Introductory IT Course”, International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management, PP. 388-400, No. 4, Vol. 7, 2011. 
  9. Taowen Le, Wayne Huang, Jin Zhang: “An Analytical View of China as a Software Outsourcing Outlet”, Journal of Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters, PP. 64-90, Vol. 88, 2011. (Received 2011 Utah Academy Best Paper Award)
  10. Jin Zhang, Wei Fei, Taowen Le: “Evaluation of Six Google Search Features”, Online, PP24-28, November/December, 2010.
  11. Taowen Le, Wayne Huang, Jin Zhang: “China as a Software Outsourcing Outlet: Status, Enabling Factors, International Impact, and Growth Determinants”, Proceedings of 2007 International Conference on Wireless Communications, Networking, and Mobile Computing (Sponsored by IEEE, etc.; Shanghai, China, September 21-25, 2007), PP 6115-6121. 
  12. Wayne Huang, Taowen Le, X. Li, S. Gandha: “Categorizing Web Features and Functions to Evaluate Commercial Websites: An Assessment Framework and an Empirical Investigation of Australian Companies”, Industrial Management & Data Systems (a SCI Index journal), PP 523-539, No. 4, Vol. 106, 2006.
  13. Lori Klamo, K.L. Wang, Taowen Le, Wayne Huang: “Successfully Implementing e-Government: Fundamental Issues and a Case Study in USA”, Electronic Government: An International Journal, PP 158-173, No. 2, Vol. 3, 2006.           
  14. Taowen Le, “Software Industry in China: Challenges & Strategies”, Proceedings of the Pre-ICIS 2004 International Symposium (Sponsored by ICIS; Washington D.C., December 11, 2004), PP 121-134.
  15. Taowen Le: “Achieving Breakthroughs in Both Quantity and Quality of Foreign Investment in the IT Industry of Liaoning Province”, Liaoning Work, PP 20-22, No. 1, 2003. (This article received national recognition in China and was selected by two of China’s national organizations, Ba Jin Literature Academy & China Development Series Editing Office, to be included in their joint series publication On Modern China.)
  16. Wei Lu, Jia Du, Jin Zhang, Feicheng Ma, Taowen Le: “Internet Development in China”, Journal of Information Science (JIS), PP207-223, No. 3, 2002.
  17. Taowen Le: “Recalling the Days of Dynix”, Trade Wind, PP 63-67, No. 1, 2001.
  18. Taowen Le: “A Few Thoughts on Western China Development”, Highlights of China, PP 48-49, No. 5, 2001.
  19. Taowen Le: “A Look at Western China Development from the Perspective of Utah’s Economic Growth”, Trade Wind, PP 32-37, No. 2, 2000.
  20. Taowen Le: “Economic Development Strategies of Utah State in the Western United States”, Journal of Western Returned Scholars Association, PP 30-32, No. 4, 2000.
  21. Taowen Le: “Where Would Systems Analysts Fit in an Open Source Environment?” Journal of the Utah Academy, PP176-184, Vol. 76, 1999.
  22. Taowen Le: “Utah and Religion”, Trade Wind, PP 13-14, No. 2, 1999.
  23. Taowen Le: “Conversion of Scientific and Technological Findings in a Knowledge-Based Economy”, Information Forum (Quarterly), PP 2-6, No. 1, 1999, March 1999.
  24. Taowen Le: “Information Systems Development in China: Challenges and Opportunities”, Journal of the Utah Academy, PP101-110, Vol. 75, 1998.
  25. Taowen Le, Yong Xia, & Guanyuan Xu: "On Privatization of Libraries", Library Information Service of Zhejiang Universities and Colleges Quarterly, PP 1-4, No. 4, 1997, December 1997.
  26. Taowen Le: "Selecting a Library Automation System", Journal of Academic Libraries, PP 29-34, No. 5, Vol. 15, September 1997.
  27. Taowen Le: "Union Catalog: On or Off the Network", Journal of Library and Information Science of Shanghai Colleges and Universities, PP 1-5, No.3, Vol. 7, September 1997.
  28. Taowen Le: “Seven Ways to Motivate Apathetic Students”, Teaching for Success: the Journal of Critical Success Factor Teaching, No. 5, Vol. 9, 1997.
  29. Taowen Le: “Are You Teaching Up to Your Principles?” Teaching for Success: the Journal of Critical Success Factor Teaching, No. 4, Vol. 9, 1997
  30. Taowen Le: “Sharpening the Ax Improves Woodcutting”, Teaching for Success: the Journal of Critical Success Factor Teaching, No. 2, Vol. 9, February 1997. 

RESEARCH-BOOK CHAPTERS

  1. Taowen Le: “Global Issues of Information Technologies”, pp. 1-33, double-blind-refereed chapter in research-collection book Global Information Diffusion and Management in Contemporary Society published by IGI Global.

GENERAL BUSINESS PUBLICATIONS

  1. Taowen Le: “How Safe Are Your Information Systems?” Spectrum, December 22, 1996. 
  2. Taowen Le: “Teamwork Drives Business Success”, Spectrum, May 16, 1996. 
  3. Taowen Le: “Managing Changes: A Must for Business”, Spectrum, March 10, 1996.

PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE & GENERAL BOOK PUBLICATIONS

  1. Taowen Le: “An Oversea Perspective of China’s Political Consultative Conference”, Children of China, April 2010. 
  2. Taowen Le: “Reflection upon the Attendance of the National Celebration Ceremony of China’s 60th Anniversary”, Children of China, November 2009.
  3. Taowen Le: “Thoughts on China’s 30 Years’ of Open-Door Policy”, in book “In Commemoration of China’s 30 Years of Open Doors”, 2008. 

OTHER RESEARCH

  1. Taowen Le: “Overseas Chinese and China’s Science and Technology Development”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, May 2021.
  2. Taowen Le: “On Long-Term Solutions to the Problem of Poverty”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, April 2020.
  3. Taowen Le: “On China Higher Education”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, August 2019.
  4. Taowen Le: “Battle Against Agricultural Environment Pollution in China”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, August 2018.
  5. Taowen Le: “On Deepened Education Reformation and Improved Coordination of Research, Production, and Application,” China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, June 2017.
  6. Taowen Le: “On Utilizing Science, Technology, and Talents in Poverty Relief,” China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, June 2016. 
  7. Taowen Le, “On Perfecting the Mechanism of Renovation Cooperation Among Companies, Universities, and Research Institute and Improving Technology Innovation Abilities”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, June 2015. 
  8. Taowen Le, “On Cooperation of Companies, Universities, and Research Institutes in Technology Transfers”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, June 2014. 
  9. Taowen Le, “On Renovation & Protection of China’s Rural Environment”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, June 2013. 
  10. Taowen Le, “On Independent Innovation and Development of New Strategic Industries”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, June 2011. 
  11. Taowen Le, “On Returned Scholars and Scientific & Technological Innovations”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, October 2010. 
  12. Taowen Le, “On Information Security Education”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, June 2009. 
  13. Taowen Le, “Enhancing Management of Government Funding”, China’s National Political Consultative Conference, Beijing, China, March 2008. 

KEYNOTE SPEECHES

  1. Keynote speech titled “Opportunities in China” at Annual Conference of Chinese Association for Science & Technology in Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, December 4, 2004. 
  2. Keynote speech at IT Face-to-Face Conference, Shenyang, China; October 21, 2002 (Speech was published in Sm@rtPartner Computer Products and Logistics, P 4, No. 18, Vol. 2, November 11, 2002). 
  3. Keynote presentation titled “NBA and Computers: On American Computer Software Education” at Annual Conference of Computer Software Association of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning, China, August 17, 2002. 
  4. Keynote speech at the Opening Ceremony of Dalian Aerospace Data Resource Research Center, Dalian, China; July 26, 2002 (Speech was referenced with photo on P19 of Dalian Informatization, No. 8, 2002). 
  5. Keynote speech at World-class Manufacturing and Business Informatization Conference, Shenyang, China, June 6, 2002. 

INVITED SEMINARS TAUGHT

  1. “Challenges of Information Age”, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang, China; May 4, 2017.
  2. “Global Issues in IT”, Shenyang Aerospace University, Shenyang, China; May 24, 2016.
  3. “The Role of Citizen Diplomacy in Global IT & China-US Relations”, Peking University, Beijing, China; June 11, 2015.
  4. “Technological Innovation in an Information Age”, Liaoning Vocational College, Tieling, China; April 28, 2014. 
  5. “Nourishing Scientific &Technological Creativity in an Information  Age”, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China; June 21, 2013. 
  6. “Higher Education and Technological Innovations in an Information Age”, Liaoning Technical University, Huludao & Fuxin, China; June 18-19, 2013.
  7. “Essence of Chinese Culture”, Goldman Sachs, Salt Lake City, Utah; February 15, 2013.
  8. “Societal & Cultural Images of China in a Connected World”, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; November 26, 2012.
  9. “Information Technology with You and Me”, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; August 27, 2012.
  10. “Information Security in an Information Age”, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; April 29, 2010.
  11. “What Do We Know about Information Technology”, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; January 22, 2010.
  12. “Informationalization and Contemporary College Students”   , Guangzhou Institute of Engineering and Technologies, Guangzhou, China; May 19, 2009. 
  13. “Expanding Strengths and Overcoming Shortcomings: Secrets to Success of Studying Abroad”, Wuhan University of Technologies, Wuhan, China; May 14, 2009. 
  14. “Informationalization and Contemporary College Students”, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China; May 14, 2009. 
  15. “Information Technology & Information Industry”, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; September 11, 2008.
  16. “NBA and IT: An Observation and Analysis of American IT Education”, Wuhan University of Technologies, Wuhan, China; June 12, 2007.
  17. “Career Building for International Students”, Chinese Students & Scholars Association at University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; July 15, 2006.
  18. “A Look at China’s Software Industry Development from the Perspective of US Software Industry History”, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; May 29, 2006. 
  19. “IT Trends 2005”, Dalian University of Technologies, Dalian, China; June 24, 2005.
  20. “Contemporary Trends of the IT Industry”, Dalian University of Technologies, Dalian, China; June 30, 2004.
  21. “Business Writing for International Professionals”, Chinese Association for Science and Technology, Salt Lake City, Utah; 1999. 
  22. “Information Services in the Information Age”, “Acquiring an Information System” , “Database Publishing on the Web”, Fujian Province Steering Committee of Library and Information Services, Fuzhou, China; July 30-31, 1998.
  23. “Database Publishing on the Web”, “Principles of Successful Systems Development”, Xiamen University,   Xiamen, China; July 27-28, 1998.
  24. “Information Services in the Information Age”, “Principles of Successful Systems Development”, Eastern China Normal University, Shanghai, China; July 23-24, 1998.
  25. “Information Industry and the Future of Our Society”, Wuxue City Education Committee, Wuxue, China; June 27, 1998.
  26. “Marketing on the Internet” ,   “Characteristics & Service Scopes of Internet Service Providers”, “File Transfer Across the Net”, “Principles and Techniques of Systems Analysis & Design”, Beijing Document Services, Beijing, China; June 23-27, 1997.
  27. “Union Cataloging: On or Off the Network”, “Acquiring a Library Automation System”, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; June 11-12, 1997.
  28. “Acquisition and Development of Library Automation Systems”, “Internet and Library”, “Homepage Design and HTML”, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, June 9-11, 1997. 
  29. “Systems Analysis and Design”, “Computer Programming Using 4th-Generation Languages”, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; April 1987.