Maria Kamariotou

Bio: Maria Kamariotou is an academic researcher from University of Macedonia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Information system & Strategic planning. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 51 publications receiving 359 citations.

Artificial Intelligence and Business Strategy towards Digital Transformation: A Research Agenda

Abstract: In the past decade, current literature and businesses have drawn attention to Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and in particular to the advances in machine learning techniques. Nevertheless, while the AI technology offers great potential to solve difficulties, challenges remain implicated in practical implementation and lack of expertise in the strategic usage of AI to create business value. This paper aims to implement a systematic literature review analyzing convergence of the AI and corporate strategy and develop a theoretical model incorporating issues based on the existing research in this field. Eighty-one peer-reviewed articles were discussed on the basis of research methodology from Webster and Watson (2002). In addition to gaps in future research, a theoretical model is developed, discussing the four sources of value creation: AI and Machine Learning in organizations; alignment of AI tools and Information Technology (IT) with organizational strategy; AI, knowledge management and decision-making process; and AI, service innovation and value. These outcomes lead to both theoretical and managerial viewpoints, with extensive possibilities to generate new methods and types of management practices.

Corporate Sustainability Strategies and Decision Support Methods: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract: Sustainability is becoming an increasing issue for decision-makers and scholars worldwide and many managers understand the significance of the strategic approach of corporate sustainability. However, they face difficulties in aligning sustainable development and strategic management as well as to implement it in practice. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to conduct a bibliometric analysis exploring the integration of strategic management, decision-making and corporate sustainability, providing a framework of interrelated issues according to the current literature in this area. 72 peer-reviewed papers were analyzed based on Webster’s and Watson’s (2002) methodology. The results of this review revealed that the number of publications in this domain has increased in the last decade, and there is a need to foster research (especially empirical) in this field because managers should find out ways to implement, in action, corporate sustainability strategies and integrate their action plans with their business strategy. This review concludes with a framework that includes the most commonly addressed issues of this topic and provides opportunities and challenges for further research.

Business strategy modelling based on enterprise architecture: a state of the art review

Abstract: Enterprise architecture (EA) is a means of a high level of abstraction of a business’ levels which helps organise planning and taking better decisions. Evidence has shown that the scope of EA is not restricted to technology planning, but the lack of business strategy and processes is the most common problem of EA frameworks. Consequently, a challenge stems from the fact that the formulation of strategy should not be modelled separately but as a holistic approach. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contemporary problems in existing EA modelling frameworks concerning the optimisation of business strategy concepts and to identify areas for improvement.,Studies were spotted using a three phased literature review methodology which was suggested by Webster and Watson (2002).,Although, previous studies have attempted to use tools and models to visualise the technological business planning, limited previous study has focussed on modelling strategic planning. Due to issues concerning the lack of guidelines for modelling business strategy, a holistic approach is needed to be made.,The paper contributes to the existing literature by assessing the current EA modelling languages and their skilfulness to modelling strategy. Moreover, it contributes to the determination of difficulties in modelling, as well as to the examination of ease of use of language in the context of strategy. Second, this paper provides an overview to practitioners who would like to develop effective EA modelling projects, as well as to architects who try to solve the problems of business complexity.

Mapping new service development: a review and synthesis of literature

Abstract: This paper presents the state of the art in new service development (NSD) by analyzing 178 papers that have been categorized by discipline and method, implementing a structured methodological frame...

Business Models for Open Data Ecosystem: Challenges and Motivations for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Abstract: Open data provide many opportunities for businesses, such as the development of new products and services. A significant challenge for businesses and governments is the collaboration among actors who provide data, actors who consume data and actors who create new services and applications around the data. These actors synthesize a collaborative environment-called ecosystem. Open data ecosystems face many obstacles and researchers have focused their interest in establishing and validating them. The existing knowledge about the open data ecosystem from the business perspective is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the actors of open data ecosystem and their relationships, their motivations in order to increase entrepreneurial activities as well as the business model elements which are required in open data based business. 6 interviews were carried out with actors from open data ecosystem so as to receive up-to-date information directly from actors and estimated how the current ecosystem enables new business opportunities for actors providing data and for actors utilizing data. The analysis of findings is based on the Business Model Canvas and results are presented according to the perspective of each actor of the ecosystem. Findings show that although actors are highly interested in using open data, there is a need for a new kind of business ecosystem that makes a win-win condition possible for all the actors in the open data ecosystem. The interviews disclosed many motives and benefits of the open data ecosystem. Nevertheless, there are also barriers that should be carefully examined and resolved.

The impact of online user reviews on hotel room sales [Summary]

Abstract: Despite hospitality and tourism researchers’ recent attempts on examining different aspects of online word-of-mouth [WOM], its impact on hotel sales remains largely unknown in the existing literature. To fill this void, we conduct a study to empirically investigate the impact of online consumer-generated reviews on hotel room sales. Utilizing data collected from the largest travel website in China, we develop a fixed effect log-linear regression model to assess the influence of online reviews on the number of hotel room bookings. Our results indicate a significant relationship between online consumer reviews and business performance of hotels.

The impact of entrepreneurship education in higher education: A systematic review and research agenda

Abstract: Using a teaching model framework, we systematically review empirical evidence on the impact of entrepreneurship education (EE) in higher education on a range of learning outcomes, analysing 159 published articles from 2004-2016. The teaching model framework allows us for the first time to start rigorously examining relationships between pedagogical methods and specific outcomes. Re-confirming past reviews and meta-analyses, we find that EE impact research still predominantly focuses on short-term and subjective outcome measures and tends to severely under-describe the actual pedagogies being tested. Moreover, we use our review to provide an up-to-date and empirically rooted call for less obvious, yet greatly promising, new or underemphasised directions for future research on the impact of university-based entrepreneurship education. This includes, for example, the use of novel impact indicators related to emotion and mindset, focus on the impact indicators related to the intention-to-behaviour transition, and explore the reasons for some of the contradictory findings in impact studies including person-, context- and pedagogical model-specific moderators.

A systematic literature review on entrepreneurial intentions: citation, thematic analyses, and research agenda

Abstract: Entrepreneurial intention is a rapidly evolving field of research. A growing number of studies use entrepreneurial intention as a powerful theoretical framework. However, a substantial part of this research lacks systematization and categorization, and there seems to be a tendency to start anew with every study. Therefore, there is a need to take stock of current knowledge in this field. In this sense, this paper carries out a review of the literature on entrepreneurial intentions. A total of 409 papers addressing entrepreneurial intention, published between 2004 and 2013 (inclusive), have been analyzed. The purpose and contribution of this paper is to offer a clearer picture of the sub-fields in entrepreneurial intention research, by concentrating on two aspects. Firstly, it reviews recent research by means of a citation analysis to categorize the main areas of specialization currently attracting the attention of the academic community. Secondly, a thematic analysis is carried out to identify the specific themes being researched within each category. Despite the large number of publications and their diversity, the present study identifies five main research areas, plus an additional sixth category for a number of new research papers that cannot be easily classified into the five areas. Within those categories, up to twenty-five different themes are recognized. A number of research gaps are singled out within each of these areas of specialization, in order to induce new ways and perspectives in the entrepreneurial intention field of research that may be fruitful in filling these gaps.

Strategic decision making.

Abstract: In challenging times, all leaders would like to improve their strategic decision-making capabilities. I make an effort to read widely in the management literature, including the McKinsey Quarterly. A recent piece1 in that publication caught my attention, and I would like to summarize aspects of it for our readers. A handful of well-regarded techniques to improve strategic decision making are used by global companies, and, perhaps, one or more of these techniques might work in your organization. Let me elucidate a few of them. Experts agree that in any complex human endeavor we need to harness bias; that is, rather than trying to tune out bias, we might encourage it and attempt to balance it with effective decision making. A tool to further this notion is the balance sheet, whereby a leader might ask his direct reports to “Tell me what is good about this particular opportunity, tell me what is bad about it, do not tell me your judgment yet; I don’t want to know.”1 This starts the evaluation process without having to justify and, thereby, frees opinions. Internal leaders are allowed to give their best insights and fully consider the ideas of others. The balance sheet process “mitigates a lot of the friction that typically arises when people marshal the facts that support their case, while ignoring those that don’t.”1 Another technique is creating a culture where failure is not a wrong answer. This process starts with an acknowledgement that Plan A “probably is based upon flawed assumptions and that certain leap-of-faith questions are fundamental to arriving at a better answer.”1 Even in moderate-sized organizations, there is often a sense that Plan A is going to succeed because it’s well analyzed, it’s vetted, it’s crisp, it looks great on the spreadsheet — and it’s the one that everybody has to execute. The reality is that it may not work, and having a corporate culture that recognizes that Plan B might be pretty good gets people off the blame game and rewards those who are able to make a mid-course correction. Yet another technique might be listening to the little voice. This is very difficult for leaders, because no matter how important these individuals are, they may find it difficult to grapple with diverse opinions, especially among their direct reports. Leaders who can change their opinion based on the strength of the arguments around the table are going to be more successful on average than those who cannot. Facing tough people choices is another important skill set for improving strategic decision making. Often, leaders tend to compromise. “It’s very easy to close your eyes and say warm bodies are better then no bodies,”1 but it turns out that it’s best to be unyielding regarding the hiring decision. One should always look for good listeners who are capable of adapting. This is the single most important leadership trait outside of pure competence in one’s field. Another important tool is knowing when to let go, which could mean shutting down a particular drug development program or outsourcing part of another. These are often the hardest decisions to make and the ones that don’t get nearly enough focus. The most difficult decisions are the legacy ones — “the historical investments, the things that are just easier to chip away at rather than make a tough decision.”1 It’s best to have no preconceived commitment to a legacy business. Lastly, a leader’s ability to strike the right balance between decisiveness and timeliness is critical. The best management brains believe that timeliness trumps perfection; to translate, sometimes “the most damaging decisions are the missed opportunities, the decisions that didn’t get made in time. If you are creating a category of bad decisions you’ve made, you need to include all the decisions you didn’t get to make because you missed the window of time that existed to take advantage of an opportunity.”1 This is a skill that can be developed over time. Cultivating internal critics, facing tough people choices, and knowing when to let go are important components of the toolkit that comprises strategic decision making. Healthcare is no different than any other complex business. We can all improve our strategic decision making as we seek to utilize resources parsimoniously and derive the greatest benefit from the people power that our organizations represent. As always, I am interested in your views. You can reach me by e-mail at «ude.nosreffej@hsan.divad». Also, please visit my blog at: «http://nashhealthpolicy.blogspot.com».