(2000). Doing research in Business and Management: An Introduction to process and method. European Journal of Information Systems: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 201-202.

Doing research in Business and Management: An Introduction to process and method

Purpose – Change receptivity is recognised as an important factor in successfully implementing organizational change strategies. The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of change in the initial stages of a change agenda within a public sector organization and analyze the communication of change. It traces the resultant receptivity to organizational change. The paper investigates whether organizational change communication is a crucial element in employees' receptivity to change. 
Design/methodology/approach – A case study design is employed and the multiple methods employed include surveys, focus groups, archival data and participant observation. 
Findings – The findings indicate that the initial change communication is problematic. The employees respond to a lack of instrumental change communication with a constructivist communication approach in order to manage the implications of continuous change. 
Research limitations/implications – This research provides an overview of the first 100 days of change in a public sector organization only, and so the limitations of single case studies apply. However, the close investigation of this phase provides further research directions to be addressed. 
Practical implications – The findings suggest managers need to align employees' expectations of the change communication with understanding of the change goal. 
Originality/value – The primary value of the paper is in using a communicative lens to study the change process.

First steps: linking change communication to change receptivity

Internet banking is a form of self service technology. The numbers of Internet users have increased dramatically, but most of them are reluctant to provide sensitive personal information to websites because they do not trust e-commerce security. This paper investigates the factors which are affecting the acceptance of e-banking services among adult customers and also indicates level of concern regarding security and privacy issues in Indian context. Primary data was collected from 200 respondents, above the age of 35, through a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis, descriptive statistics was used to explain demographic profile of respondents and also Factor and Regression analyses were used to know trend of internet use and factors affecting e-banking services among adult customer in India. The finding depicts many factors like security & privacy, trust, innovativeness, familiarity, awareness level increase the acceptance of ebanking services among Indian customers. The finding shows that in spite of their security and privacy concern, adult customers are willing to adopt online banking if banks provide him necessary guidance. Based on the results of current study, Bank’s managers would segment the market on the basis of age group and take their opinion and will provide them necessary guidance regarding use of online banking.

/pdf/acceptance-of-e-banking-among-adult-customers-an-empirical-29ja46hy16.pdf

Acceptance of E-banking among Adult Customers:An Empirical Investigation in India

One of the biggest changes in the employment scene in the second half of this century has been the rising participation of women in the labour market.

/pdf/women-in-science-and-engineering-3el6pqoq2r.pdf

Women in science and engineering

Purpose




The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of motivation on job satisfaction and organizational performance in the context of container shipping companies in Taiwan. Four motivation dimensions were identified based on an exploratory factor analysis, including remuneration, job achievement, job security and job environment. In addition, five job satisfaction dimensions were identified, namely: job policy, job autonomy, job workload, job performance and job status. Organizational performance dimensions included financial and non-financial performance.




Design/methodology/approach




Factor analysis was used to summarize a large number of motivation, job satisfaction and organizational performance attributes to identify the crucial factors. Reliability tests based on Cronbach’s alpha and corrected item-total correlation coefficients was used to test the internal consistency of questionnaire responses. ANOVA tests were subsequently used to test for differences in respondents’ perception of these factors according to selected demographics. Finally, a multiple regression model analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between motivation, job satisfaction and organizational performance.




Findings




Results indicated that remuneration and job performance had a positive effect on financial performance dimensions such as return on assets, turnover growth rate and profitability while job environment and job autonomy had a positive effect on non-financial performance dimensions, such as customer service, employee productivity and service quality.




Originality/value




This study has drawn attention to the importance of the relationships between motivation, job satisfaction and organizational performance in the container shipping context. The findings have significant implications for researchers and shipping practitioners. Despite the existence of research on the inter-relationships between motivation, job satisfaction and organizational performance in other disciplines, no empirical study was discussed in previous shipping or transportation-related research.

/pdf/organizational-motivation-employee-job-satisfaction-and-w6iibvraio.pdf

Organizational motivation, employee job satisfaction and organizational performance: An empirical study of container shipping companies in Taiwan

Factors affecting e-commerce adoption in SMEs in the GCC: An empirical study of Kuwait

Computer networks have played a major role in expanding the operational boundaries in organizations today. Until now traditional methods of networking, which involves computers, wired directly to a hub or switch are the norm. Recent advances in networking technology have made it possible for devices to communicate using various light and wave emitting technologies. WiFi is a perfect example of one of these emerging technologies, which has enabled computers to communicate with each other without the use of traditional cables. The implementation of WiFi with respect to future market opportunities in the Kingdom of Bahrain will be discussed in this study. Finally, an analysis of various demographics will be outlined with particular concentration on the acceptance of WiFi by society in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Some concerns along with recommendations, which need to be taken into account when using WiFi are also outlined.

/pdf/wifi-technology-future-market-challenges-and-opportunities-3n07koqyyv.pdf

WiFi Technology: Future Market Challenges and Opportunities

SmartCards are one of the latest additions to the continuing list of advancements and innovations in the world of information and communication technology. A SmartCard resembles in size and shape to a normal credit card or bank ATM card, with a microprocessor chip implanted into the plastic card. These cards are used not just as identity cards, like the earliest versions of such cards, but hold a relatively huge amount of editable information including the card holder's bank data, e-purse, finger print, health record, blood type, traffic and license details and other such vital information. The purpose of this study was to present a general overview of SmartCards, a brief history, features and applications of SmartCards and the introduction of SmartCards in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This study collects some information about the features and related issues regarding the SmartCards which are to be issued to the public. A total of 513 questionnaires were distributed to students of the University of Bahrain. The questions asked included questions to check the acceptance of the people to replace their current cards with a SmartCards and their awareness of the new National SmartCard in Bahrain. It also evaluates the efforts taken by the government to create awareness among the public about the usage and features of the SmartCards.

Young Generation Attitudes and Awareness Towards the Implementation of Smart Card in Bahrain: An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the levels of knowledge, attitude, and behavior of the end-user regarding Information Systems Security Awareness (ISSA) in higher education, specifically Kuwait University (KU), and to identify the areas which require attention. Factors such as knowledge, attitude and behavior affecting human awareness were identified and the Value-Focus-Thinking was used to identify Information Systems Security (ISS) focus-areas. The six ISS Focus-Areas were obtained such as commitment to ISS policy; effective use of passwords; safe usage of Internet and e-mail; being aware of ISS threats; backing up the important files; and required updates for operating system and antivirus programs. Furthermore, a questionnaire was designed based on the human awareness factors and the ISS focus-areas. The research population included the end-users of KU colleges. The study presents useful results for decision-makers in the field of ISS, to identify recent findings regarding the level of ISSA among end-users, and in order to develop better strategies to implement the required solutions such as training programs. In addition to the organizations, this study through concentrating on ISSA may assist individuals to protect their personal data privacy during their use of computers. The study recommends few relevant actions to improve the long term levels of knowledge, attitude and behavior, with the priority for improving attitude due to its identified poor level. Regarding the KU colleges, the study recommends giving priority to improvements to the seven colleges that had poor levels of ISSA.

/pdf/evaluation-of-information-systems-security-awareness-in-2loyhdffpn.pdf

Evaluation of Information Systems Security Awareness in Higher Education: An Empirical Study of Kuwait University

The purpose of this paper is to explore barriers to the change management in the public sector of educational institutions such as public schools of the Ministry of Education in the GCC countries. The exploration of the research is based on the ADKAR change management model that consists of five key elements, which are awareness, desire, knowledge, ability and reinforcement. The ADKAR model was used for many reasons, among these reasons is that it allows management to separate the change process into parts, pinpointing where change is failing and addressing that impact point.,Five public schools and employees from the educational directorate were taken as samples in this study. The unit of analysis was the employees, and data on these change drivers were collected from questionnaires and interviews.,The study findings were articulated through strengths and weaknesses. The strengths were the desire to change and networking. The weaknesses were the knowledge element such as the absence of predetermining guideline for the implementation of the system; another observed weakness was in the leader’s authority, where leaders do not have clear definition of authority and responsibility to take a decision; and finally the deficiency in performance appraisal for not being taken on regular basis and the rewarding system for not being linked to performance appraisal.,The information and feedback collected from the questionnaire may not represent all of the facts of the questionnaire subject; therefore, the researchers may have to use an unstructured interview to enhance the quality of information obtained. Due to the long bureaucratic procedures for issuance of permission from the higher research authorities (Scientific Research Directorate) to apply the questionnaire in the Ministry of Education, this took nearly three weeks, which was long considering the time available to end the research and resulted in a significant change in the project schedule.,This study provides an empirical evidence that gives a deep insight about the elements that act as barriers to change in the public sector of educational institutions, as there are certain elements that are tied to the nature and characteristics of the public sector itself that act as barriers to change.,Knowledge development is an essential part of the public sector development scheme. Effective training programs are the most important means to develop knowledge, considering that it has to be properly designed and delivered. Training programs should also be structured in a way that fills the knowledge gaps that exist between the present state and the future state. One useful technique for filling and assessing the gaps between the current state and future state requirements is by writing new job descriptions for employees, which should include details of knowledge and skills needed to perform that role during and after the transition.

Adel Ismail Al-Alawi

Papers

Factors affecting e-commerce adoption in SMEs in the GCC: An empirical study of Kuwait

WiFi Technology: Future Market Challenges and Opportunities

Young Generation Attitudes and Awareness Towards the Implementation of Smart Card in Bahrain: An Exploratory Study

Evaluation of Information Systems Security Awareness in Higher Education: An Empirical Study of Kuwait University

Investigating the Barriers to Change Management in Public Sector Educational Institutions.