Knowledge is a broad and abstract notion that has defined epistemological debate in western philosophy since the classical Greek era. In the past few years, however, there has been a growing interest in treating knowledge as a significant organizational resource. Consistent with the interest in organizational knowledge and knowledge management (KM), IS researchers have begun promoting a class of information systems, referred to as knowledge management systems (KMS). The objective of KMS is to support creation, transfer, and application of knowledge in organizations. Knowledge and knowledge management are complex and multi-faceted concepts. Thus, effective development and implementation of KMS requires a foundation in several rich literatures.

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Review: Knowledge management and knowledge management systems: conceptual foundations and research issues

According to W. Edwards Deming, American companies require nothing less than a transformation of management style and of governmental relations with industry. In Out of the Crisis, originally published in 1982, Deming offers a theory of management based on his famous 14 Points for Management. Management's failure to plan for the future, he claims, brings about loss of market, which brings about loss of jobs. Management must be judged not only by the quarterly dividend, but by innovative plans to stay in business, protect investment, ensure future dividends, and provide more jobs through improved product and service. In simple, direct language, he explains the principles of management transformation and how to apply them.

Out of the Crisis

Purpose: This paper discusses partial least squares path modeling (PLS), a powerful structural equation modeling technique for research on international marketing. While a significant body of research provides guidance for the use of covariance-based structural equation modeling (CBSEM) in international marketing, there are no subject-specific guidelines for the use of PLS so far.Methodology/approach: A literature review of the use of PLS in international marketing reveals the increasing application of this methodology.Findings: This paper reveals the strengths and weaknesses of PLS in the context of research on international marketing, and provides guidance for multi-group analysis.Originality/value of paper: The paper assists researchers in making well-grounded decisions regarding the application of PLS in certain research situations and provides specific implications for an appropriate application of the methodology.

The Use of Partial Least Squares Path Modeling in International Marketing

We will review some of the major results in random graphs and some of the more challenging open problems. We will cover algorithmic and structural questions. We will touch on newer models, including those related to the WWW.

Random graphs

The ability to detect and accurately estimate the strength of interaction effects are critical issues that are fundamental to social science research in general and IS research in particular. Within the IS discipline, a significant percentage of research has been devoted to examining the conditions and contexts under which relationships may vary, often under the general umbrella of contingency theory (cf. McKeen et al. 1994, Weill and Olson 1989). In our survey of such studies, the majority failed to either detect or provide an estimate of the effect size. In cases where effect sizes are estimated, the numbers are generally small. These results have led some researchers to question both the usefulness of contingency theory and the need to detect interaction effects (e.g., Weill and Olson 1989). This paper addresses this issue by providing a new latent variable modeling approach that can give more accurate estimates of interaction effects by accounting for the measurement error that attenuates the estimated relationships. The capacity of this approach at recovering true effects in comparison to summated regression is demonstrated in a Monte Carlo study that creates a simulated data set in which the underlying true effects are known. Analysis of a second, empirical data set is included to demonstrate the technique's use within IS theory. In this second analysis, substantial direct and interaction effects of enjoyment on electronic-mail adoption are shown to exist.

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A Partial Least Squares Latent Variable Modeling Approach for Measuring Interaction Effects: Results from a Monte Carlo Simulation Study and an Electronic-Mail Emotion/Adoption Study

Portnet is a successful EDIS in Singapore. This study examines the impact of several controllable organizational factors on the orgaliizational and interorganizational productivity of Portnet participants. A survey was conducted ainong Portnet participants. Results show that Portnet participants with a strong need for high quality information and strong CEO support benefitted greatly in terms of organizational and interorganizational productivity. Initiators also gained more in terms of organizational productivity than reactors. EDIS sponsors could better promote their systems by targeting potential participants with a strong need for high quality information and by generating strong CEO interest in EDIS. EDIS participaxits could leverage their benefits by assessing their situation and planning ahead for adoption.

Leveraging EDIS to Improve Organizational and Interorganizational Productivity: Findings from the World's Busiest Port

Organisations in the post–industrial era are confronted with a turbulent and complex environment where competition is intense. To thrive in such an environment, information technology has been harnessed in the form of strategic information systems by many organisations to gain competitive edge over their competitors. Although strategic information systems promise high returns in successful cases, they involve a tremendous amount of risk during their introductory stages. The effective management of risk requires the identification of factors facilitating the use of strategic systems in organisations. From a literature review, such factors identified in previous studies are placed into an integrated framework. Successful exploitation of information technology necessitates effective planning for the use of strategic systems. Corporate planning issues which address such factors in the integrated framework are discussed.

Maximizing the gains from strategic information systems through an integrated planning approach

Based on the International Conference on Information Systems’ (ICIS) 2014 senior scholars’ forum, we share insights on the relationship between evolving university business models and the adoption of electronic pedagogy. In recent years, particularly with the initiation of MOOCs, the potential for delivering high-quality and widely distributed coursework has expanded. However, particular instances of MOOCs and other electronic pedagogies do not guarantee equally high-quality educational outcomes for all participants. For example, some studies have suggested that most individuals completing MOOC coursework already have baccalaureate degrees, which contrasts with the idea that individuals undertake such coursework as a substitute for traditional degree programs. With this paper, we present varied experiences and views on using electronic pedagogy and report on both the conclusions and new questions raised about adopting these technologies for universities.

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Electronic Pedagogy and Future University Business Models

A new breed of workers has emerged in this age in which knowledge is considered the key driver of wealth creation. Knowledge workers now constitute a significant portion of the workforce. However, there has been very little literature on managing knowledge workers. This research attempts to throw some light on the distinctive features of knowledge workers with a view to drawing out the implications of managing knowledge workers better. It also looks at current technological trends and suggests techniques for managing knowledge workers with the use of technology. Examples from organizations are used to illustrate how these concepts can be applied to knowledge workers.

Managing Knowledge Workers: A Technological Perspective

Web aesthetics is advocated as one of the key factors influencing consumers’ attitude and behavior in the websites they visited. However, its real effects on the sales performance of websites remain largely unknown. This study is one of the first empirical studies to evaluate web aesthetics quantitatively and directly measure its effects on sales performance by using real-life transaction data. In this study, we identify the representative factors of three primary determinants of web aesthetics (unity, complexity, and intensity) in online marketplaces. Drawing on cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias theory, we further investigate how the influence of web aesthetics on sales performance is contingent on different levels of the seller’s reputation. A set of interaction relationships were proposed and will be tested using real-life transaction data collected from Taobao.com (the largest online marketplace in China). Potential theoretical implications are discussed and potential practical implications are offered for practitioners.

https://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1333&context=icis2013

Bernard C. Y. Tan

Papers

Leveraging EDIS to Improve Organizational and Interorganizational Productivity: Findings from the World's Busiest Port

Maximizing the gains from strategic information systems through an integrated planning approach

Electronic Pedagogy and Future University Business Models

Managing Knowledge Workers: A Technological Perspective

Web Aesthetics: How Does it Influence the Sales Performance in Online Marketplaces