Showing papers in "Industrial Management and Data Systems in 2011"
TL;DR: The research revealed that relative advantage, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure characteristics have a significant effect on the adoption of cloud computing.
Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the adoption of cloud computing by firms belonging to the high‐tech industry. The eight factors examined in this study are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, firm size, technology readiness, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure., – A questionnaire‐based survey was used to collect data from 111 firms belonging to the high‐tech industry in Taiwan. Relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by logistic regression analysis., – The findings revealed that relative advantage, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure characteristics have a significant effect on the adoption of cloud computing., – The research was conducted in the high‐tech industry, which may limit the generalisability of the findings., – The findings offer cloud computing service providers with a better understanding of what affects cloud computing adoption characteristics, with relevant insight on current promotions., – The research contributes to the application of new technology cloud computing adoption in the high‐tech industry through the use of a wide range of variables. The findings also help firms consider their information technologies investments when implementing cloud computing.
995 citations
TL;DR: EC adoption within SMEs is affected by perceived relative advantage, perceived compatibility, CEO's innovativeness, information intensity, buyer/supplier pressure, support from technology vendors, and competition.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors within the technology‐organization‐environment (TOE) framework that affect the decision to adopt electronic commerce (EC) and extent of EC adoption, as well as adoption and non‐adoption of different EC applications within small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire‐based survey was conducted to collect data from 235 managers or owners of manufacturing SMEs in Iran. The data were analyzed by employing factorial analysis and relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by multiple and logistic regression analysis.Findings – EC adoption within SMEs is affected by perceived relative advantage, perceived compatibility, CEO's innovativeness, information intensity, buyer/supplier pressure, support from technology vendors, and competition. Similarly, description on determinants of adoption and non‐adoption of different EC applications has been provided.Research limitations/implications – Cross‐sectional data ...
450 citations
TL;DR: The findings support the hypothesized relationships between employee satisfaction, intrapreneurship and growth.
Abstract: Purpose – Organizational performance, growth and development may depend considerably on entrepreneurship in existing organizations (intrapreneurship) and intrapreneurship employee‐related antecedents. The purpose of this study is to focus on employee satisfaction (composed of four dimensions: general satisfaction with work; employee relationships; remuneration, benefits and organizational culture; and employee loyalty), intrapreneurship and firm growth. The model's underlying hypotheses were conceptually developed and empirically tested.Design/methodology/approach – Using data collected via a structured questionnaire sent by e‐mail to 149 firms from Slovenia, the model's hypotheses were tested by applying structural equation modeling.Findings – The findings support the hypothesized relationships between employee satisfaction, intrapreneurship and growth. The influence of the control variables was also assessed in the model and firm age was found to be influential.Research limitations/implications – Firm g...
224 citations
TL;DR: The authors find that champions in public sector organizations should demonstrate HRIS benefits before their adoption can succeed and find that broader environmental factors can have a deep impact on the success of HRIS adoption by creating urgency in adoption intentions.
Abstract: – Human resources information systems (HRIS) are becoming increasingly important in helping modern organizations manage their human assets effectively. Yet, HRIS adoption remains an under‐researched phenomenon. The purpose of this paper to isolate the factors that influence the organizational adoption of HRIS in public sector organizations., – Adopting the technology‐organization‐environment model as an analytical framework, the paper draws on qualitative evidence from 16 interviews across 11 Australian public sector organizations., – The authors find that champions in public sector organizations should demonstrate HRIS benefits before their adoption can succeed. With standardization trends adopted by HRIS vendors, complete organizational fit between adopted HRIS and business processes may be elusive for adopters suggesting that post‐adoption vendor support must be negotiated if costly customizations are to be minimized. In addition to various organizational factors, including management commitment and human capability, the authors also find that broader environmental factors including regulatory compliance can have a deep impact on the success of HRIS adoption by creating urgency in adoption intentions., – There is paucity of research concerning HRIS adoption in the public sector which presents unique challenges due to its idiosyncrasies. This paper contributes to the existing body knowledge by investigating the role of technological, organizational, and environmental factors and their interactions. It provides an improved understanding of the challenges related to HRIS adoption in public sector organizations.
204 citations
TL;DR: Empirical results showed that knowledge sourced from engagement with internal and external stakeholders contributes to a firm's sustainable innovation orientation, but that this knowledge has to be managed by the firm internally in order to be converted into new ideas for innovation.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on the contribution of stakeholder engagement to firms' innovation orientation within the context of sustainable development. It investigates whether engagement with different stakeholders promotes sustainable innovation.Design/methodology/approach – The empirical analysis is based on an international sample of 656 large companies, drawn from the annual assessment for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. A logistic regression analysis was performed in order to test the hypothesized relationships between stakeholder interaction, knowledge management and sustainable innovation orientation.Findings – Empirical results showed that knowledge sourced from engagement with internal and external stakeholders contributes to a firm's sustainable innovation orientation, but that this knowledge has to be managed by the firm internally in order to be converted into new ideas for innovation.Research limitations/implications – Since the present study represents one of the ...
199 citations
TL;DR: The results from the paper have helped develop policy initiatives for Department of Industrial Work in Thailand such as tax scheme and incentives for R&D spending, promotion of university partnerships for R &D, and training for more effective knowledge management practices.
Abstract: – The aim of this paper is to raise an awareness of intangible assets among large manufacturing firms in Thailand. As a result, the research is to examine empirically the effects of intellectual capital (IC), and its key components (e.g. human capital, structural capital, and innovation capital) on a manufacturing firm's industrial operations and performance., – The required data for this research are collected from leading manufacturing firms' annual reports. These firms are listed in stock exchange of Thailand 100. The value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) is adapted to measure IC. Then, the co‐relation analysis and multi‐regression model are applied to learn more about the roles of VAIC and its impacts on a manufacturing firm's performance., – IC positively and significantly affects a manufacturing firm's performance. It impacts all four performance indicators under study, i.e. return on equity, return on assets, revenue growth, and employee productivity. In addition, based on the relatively high adjusted R2, human capital exhibits the relationships with employee productivity., – The findings highlight the role of IC in strengthening a manufacturing firm's long‐term competitiveness advantage. The results from the paper have helped develop policy initiatives for Department of Industrial Work in Thailand such as tax scheme and incentives for R&D spending, promotion of university partnerships for R&D, and training for more effective knowledge management practices.
185 citations
TL;DR: The results show that SCM practices in both the upstream and downstream supply chain have a direct and significant impact on organizational and innovation performance of Malaysian firms.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically test a framework which identifies the relationships between supply chain management (SCM) practices, operational performance and innovation performance of Malaysian manufacturing and service firms.Design/methodology/approach – Data for the study were collected from a sample of 163 Malaysian manufacturing and service firms. The research model was tested using structural equation modeling.Findings – The results show that SCM practices in both the upstream and downstream supply chain have a direct and significant impact on organizational and innovation performance of Malaysian firms. Innovation improvement caused by SCM also results in better organizational performance. The findings also reveal that manufacturing and service firms in Malaysia do not have a significant difference in their SCM practices.Research limitations/implications – The time sequence of the association between the variables could not be concluded given that cross‐sectional data were u...
177 citations
TL;DR: There is a strong relationship between ESL in a branch of a public sector Social Security Institution in Turkey and there is a positive relationship between working conditions and satisfaction, according to a satisfaction and loyalty survey of employment factors within the Turkish public sector.
Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors which determine the level of public employees' job satisfaction and as result help to have effective and efficient management system in the public sector, in developing countries such as Turkey., – Based on theoretical considerations, a model was proposed linking the employee satisfaction and loyalty (ESL) constructs. The paper exhibits the findings of a satisfaction and loyalty survey of employment factors within the Turkish public sector. The survey was conducted in 2009 and covered 220 employees within the Istanbul Branch of a Social Security Institution in Turkey. A model was developed by including effecting factors of employee satisfaction, their relations and effects of employee satisfaction on employee loyalty. Partial least squares structural equation model was employed to test the model in the public insurance sector in Turkey., – Data analysis reveals that there is a strong relationship between ESL in a branch of a public sector Social Security Institution in Turkey. Training and personal development was found the most effecting factor of customer satisfaction. The study also finds a positive relationship between working conditions and satisfaction., – The paper reveals the relationship between the employee satisfaction and affecting factors in the public sector in Turkey. These factors are developed only incidentally in the public sector in Turkey. Human resource management (HRM) applications such as measuring employee satisfaction, performance development are widely used in private sector. Specifically, in developing countries such as Turkey, these applications are rarely used in the public sector. Therefore, the paper advocates the use of HRM applications in the public sector in a developing country.
168 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that privacy concern also has a significant effect on user adoption of LBS, and among four dimensions of privacy concern, collection and secondary use are the main factors affecting perceived risk, whereas errors are themain factor affecting trust.
Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of privacy concern on user adoption of location‐based services (LBS)., – Based on the data collected from a survey, structural equation modeling was employed to examine the research model., – The results indicate that among four dimensions of privacy concern, collection and secondary use are the main factors affecting perceived risk, whereas errors are the main factor affecting trust. Trust affects perceived risk, and both factors determine usage intention., – Mobile service providers need to alleviate users' privacy concern and perceived risk in order to encourage their adoption and usage of LBS., – Extant research has mainly examined LBS user behavior from the perspectives of technology acceptance model, task technology fit and unified theory of acceptance and usage of technology. The results provided in this paper indicate that privacy concern also has a significant effect on user adoption of LBS. This advances our understanding of LBS user behavior.
136 citations
TL;DR: The employees' meditation experience significantly and positively influenced employees' SDL readiness, companies' OI capability and OP; and the study found that SDL has a direct andificant impact on OI, and that OI has direct and significant influences on OP.
Abstract: Purpose – This study attempts to investigate: the effect of meditation experience on employees' self‐directed learning (SDL) readiness and organizational innovative (OI) ability as well as organizational performance (OP); and the relationships among SDL, OI, and OP.Design/methodology/approach – An empirical study of 15 technological companies (n=412) in Taiwan is conducted, utilizing the collected survey data to test the relationships among the three dimensions.Findings – The results show that: the employees' meditation experience significantly and positively influenced employees' SDL readiness, companies' OI capability and OP; and the study found that SDL has a direct and significant impact on OI, and that OI has direct and significant influences on OP.Research limitations/implications – The generalization of the present study is constrained by: the existence of possible biases of the participants; the variations of length, type, and form of meditation demonstrated by the employees in these high tech com...
126 citations
TL;DR: The study found that modular design, product innovation, and internal coordination are positively correlated with the supplier and customer involvement and lead to better new product performance.
Abstract: Purpose – Recent studies have found inconsistent findings on the impact of supplier and customer involvement on new product development. This study thus aims to explore what contextual factors affect supplier and customer involvement altogether and how such involvement affects new product performance.Design/methodology/approach – The study used structural equation modelling to analyze empirical survey data from 251 manufacturers in Hong Kong.Findings – The study found that modular design, product innovation, and internal coordination are positively correlated with the supplier and customer involvement. Such involvement and product innovation lead to better new product performance.Research limitations/implications – The study is limited to the use of cross‐sectional data and a single key informant approach, and the industry structure of the sampled industries.Practical implications – The study examines the contextual factors of supplier and customer involvement and how such involvement relates to new produ...
TL;DR: A methodology to help managers in evaluating and selecting the most suitable policy for materials delivery to the shop floor is proposed and includes the possibility of hybrid policies.
Abstract: – Assembly systems require uninterrupted components' availability to feed workstations. This paper aims to propose a methodology to help managers in evaluating and selecting the most suitable policy for materials delivery to the shop floor. The analysis focuses on three basic policies, namely kitting, just in time kanban‐based continuous supply and line storage, even including class‐based hybrid policies., – Descriptive models are developed to design components' delivery systems and to compute their performances. Empirical criteria are utilized to associate specific policies to components classes in order to implement customized hybrid line feeding policies. A case study is then included to exemplify the method application and to show its capabilities as a decision making tool., – Hybrid feeding policies may be preferable to a single feeding policy common to all components. This is shown in a representative case study. However, in general there is a priori superior method and only a comparison of alternative feeding policies based on objective performance measures can determine the best approach in specific industrial applications., – The methodology is aimed at preliminary sizing and selection of alternative line feeding systems in deterministic environments. It is not intended for detailed performance analysis of assembly systems., – Production managers are given quantitative decision tools to properly select the components' delivery method at an early decision stage. This allows trade‐offs between alternatives to be explored in order to deploy customized feeding policies differentiated on components basis to better fit specific company requirements., – The paper extends previous descriptive models for line feeding systems and includes the possibility of hybrid policies.
TL;DR: This paper aims to analyse the effect of critical success factors (CSFs) on information technology governance performance in public sector organizations in a developing country by identifying winners and losers in the IT governance process.
Abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of critical success factors (CSFs) on information technology (IT) governance performance in public sector organizations in a developing ...
TL;DR: Three of the four dimensions of the modified E‐S‐QUAL scale are confirmed, and all have a positive impact on customer satisfaction, which, in turn, significantly influences e‐loyalty.
Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether ISO 9001 certification by banks affects customers' perceptions of e‐service quality (and hence customer satisfaction and loyalty) in online banking services. In pursuit of this objective, the study also investigates: the validity of a modified scale for measuring e‐service quality in online banking services; and the factors that might influence customer satisfaction and loyalty in the context of online banking services (and the possible mediating/moderating effects of customer satisfaction on the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty)., – An online survey is conducted among 428 customers of online banking services in Spain. Exploratory factor analyses, multi‐regression analyses, and Mann‐Whithney U‐tests are utilised to assess the proposed modification of the E‐S‐QUAL scale; the relationships among the constructs of service quality, satisfaction, and loyalty; and whether ISO 9001 certification affects customers' perceptions of e‐service quality (and hence satisfaction and loyalty)., – Three of the four dimensions of the modified E‐S‐QUAL scale are confirmed, and all have a positive impact on customer satisfaction, which, in turn, significantly influences e‐loyalty. The mediating/moderating role of satisfaction on the relationship between service quality and loyalty is confirmed. Contrary to the research hypothesis, ISO 9001 certification does not seem to influence customers' perceptions of e‐service quality., – Managers should consider ISO 9001 certification, even if only for the internal benefits that it promises to provide. Managers must ensure superior e‐service quality (especially with regard to “efficiency”) if they wish to promote customer satisfaction and loyalty., – This paper is one of the first to investigate the impact of ISO 9001 certification on customers' perceptions of e‐service quality. However, the study is limited to a particular sector in a particular country.
TL;DR: By monitoring and evaluating suppliers' CO2 emissions performance, a focal company may avoid carbon‐related risk and retain competitiveness based on its supply chain by developing a carbon footprint measurement and evaluation program in the supply chain.
Abstract: – The purpose of this paper is to explore and investigate the measurement of a carbon footprint and environmental program in supply chain management., – The study uses a case study methodology and employs the qualitative methods of interviews and document analysis to collect data on Hyundai Motors Co. (HMC) and its key first‐tier supplier, referred to here as Supplier A, in the Korean automobile industry., – The results of the study show that a key strategic action to implement carbon management is to identify and measure the carbon footprint of products and processes within the supply chain. A carbon footprint measurement framework and different levels of CO2 adoption categories developed at HMC are presented. By monitoring and evaluating suppliers' CO2 emissions performance, a focal company may avoid carbon‐related risk and retain competitiveness based on its supply chain., – Developing a carbon footprint measurement and evaluation program in the supply chain provides a track record to improve carbon and energy efficiency. This may lead companies to develop and exploit greater energy efficiency to tackle carbon emission challenges in the supply chain., – This paper provides academics and managers with a new approach to consider carbon management and green supply chain management.
TL;DR: This paper aims to enhance the current understanding and knowledge of the demand-supply chain management concept by determining its elements, benefits, and requirement requirements.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to enhance the current understanding and knowledge of the demand-supply chain management (DSCM) concept by determining its elements, benefits, and requirement ...
TL;DR: The purpose of this paper is to form an understanding of how new product development (NPD) relates to supply chain management (SCM), why the two fields should be coordinated, and how this ...
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to form an understanding of how new product development (NPD) relates to supply chain management (SCM), why the two fields should be coordinated, and how this ...
TL;DR: There is significant evidence to support the hypothesized model in which information technology resources have a direct impact on related quality management capabilities and their effect on a firm's quality performance.
Abstract: Purpose – The present study aims to draw on operations management and information technology literature to examine the effect of three information technology resources (electronic data interchange (EDI), computer‐aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems) and three related quality management capabilities (customer and supplier relations, product and process management, and quality data and workforce management) and their effect on a firm's quality performance.Design/methodology/approach – Hypotheses derived from the key features of quality management and information technology presented by previous authors are tested using structural equation modeling through field research on a sample of 229 manufacturing companies in Spain.Findings – Findings from this study indicate that there is significant evidence to support the hypothesized model in which information technology resources (EDI, ERP systems, and CAD/CAM systems) have a direct impact on related quality ma...
TL;DR: The paper provides a general understanding of CRM processes in customer‐oriented perspective and proposes a measurement tool that addresses seven main processes which are: targeting management, customer information management, production/service customization, expansion management, referrals management, termination management and win back.
Abstract: Purpose – Customer relationship management (CRM) projects have a low success rate, which can be solved by better measurement of CRM process. The purpose of this paper is to define the CRM processes within a company and propose a tool for CRM measurement.Design/methodology/approach – An empirical study is conducted in industrial organizations in Turkey. The research is designed according to scale development literature. The responses from various industries (manufacturing, information technologies, tourism, service, retail, finance, logistics) were collected. Using exploratory factor analysis, 167 valid responses are analyzed.Findings – The paper provides a general understanding of CRM processes in customer‐oriented perspective and proposes a measurement tool that addresses seven main processes which are: targeting management, customer information management, production/service customization, expansion management, referrals management, termination management and win back.Practical implications – The result...
TL;DR: In this article, a set of specific factors and subfactors aimed at operationalizing the ISO 9001 internalization construct are proposed, and it has been ascertained that the concept of internalization is a clearly relevant one, as in previous works found in the literature in other countries.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop the operational definition of the concept of internalization of ISO 9001, a theoretical construct which until recently had not received the attention it deserves in research on quality management.Design/methodology/approach – Extensive exploratory fieldwork based on both in‐depth interviews of general managers, middle managers and employees – 65 in total – as well as on intensive participant observation – e.g. 139 direct field‐consults and 240 documents analyzed – was carried out in eight Spanish organizations that adopted the standard a long time ago.Findings – A set of specific factors and subfactors aimed at operationalizing the ISO 9001 internalization construct are proposed. Moreover, it has been ascertained that the concept of internalization is a clearly relevant one, as in previous works found in the literature in other countries, the conclusion is drawn that organizations do not adopt ISO 9001 homogeneously.Practical implications – The conclusions...
TL;DR: The results indicate that individuals possessing a greater stock of human capital, as well as those who are highly involved in broad social network... seem to have greater opportunities for creating a business.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is twofold. First, it intends to analyze the influence of human capital and social capital on the second of the stages in the process of entrepreneurial creation established by Shane and Venkataraman, the discovery of opportunities for creating a business. Second, it aims to analyze the existence of gender differences both in the discovery of opportunities and in the stock of human and social capital possessed by men and women.Design/methodology/approach – The authors use data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Spanish Project. From a random sample of 28,888 individuals, which is representative of the whole of the Spanish population between the ages of 18 and 64, the opinion of 1,473 active entrepreneurs has been gained. Also, logistic regressions were used as a statistical method to test the hypotheses proposed.Findings – The results indicate that individuals possessing a greater stock of human capital, as well as those who are highly involved in broad social network...
TL;DR: The purpose of this paper is to expose and research external factors which have influence on ERP users in the operation phase of ERP lifecycle and to investigate the impact of those factors onERP system use.
Abstract: Purpose – Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have been implemented in most organizations for a few years. ERP solutions go through three phases of lifecycle: selection, implementation and operation phase; the operation phase consists of the stabilization stage and the routine stage. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ERP system use in the operation phase, organizations need to research the factors that have impact on users' satisfaction. A literature shows that few published studies have examined users' adoption of ERP systems through a technological acceptance model (TAM) or examined external factors that have influence the intention to use an ERP system, or ERP use in the stabilization stage. The purpose of this paper is to expose and research external factors which have influence on ERP users in the operation phase of ERP lifecycle and to investigate the impact of those factors on ERP system use.Design/methodology/approach – The TAM proposed by Davis has been the most widely‐used mo...
TL;DR: The results show that the diffusion of ISO 9001 follows a logistic curve in all sectors, although the current stage of diffusion differs between different sectors of activity.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of the world‐wide diffusion, according to industrial sectors of activity, of the ISO 9000 family of quality standards.Design/methodology/approach – Using data provided by the ISO itself, the evolution of the world‐wide diffusion of the ISO 9000 family of standards from 1998 to 2008 is studied. Using two indices of instability, these data are then analysed in terms of individual industrial sectors to assess the heterogeneity of diffusion across different sectors of activity.Findings – The results show that the diffusion of ISO 9001 follows a logistic curve in all sectors, although the current stage of diffusion (in terms of initial stage, expansion stage, and saturation stage) differs between different sectors of activity. The sectors have been classified into three groups according to their possible future evolution.Research limitations/implications – Because the analysis of prediction is based on mathematical models, the validity of the data...
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that consumers' perception on illusion control in price determination and advantageous lateral consumer relationship significantly affect price fairness perception in both the online auction and group buying environments.
Abstract: Purpose – This study aims to adopt illusion of control and lateral consumer relationship in order to investigate their effects on price fairness in online auction and group buying context. These two variables have been known to have strong influences in fairness perception on consumers' decision‐making processes and outcomes.Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw their conceptual foundations from previous studies, supplement this from the electronic commerce literature, and test the model through laboratory experiments.Findings – The study demonstrates that consumers' perception on illusion control in price determination and advantageous lateral consumer relationship significantly affect price fairness perception in both the online auction and group buying environments.Research limitations/implications – The findings are expected to provide researchers with useful insights to conduct future studies on uncovering the nomological networks associated with price fairness perception.Practical implicati...
TL;DR: The results obtained show that support from top managers will directly influence the organizational learning process and technological distinctive competencies (TDCs) (antecedents of corporate entrepreneurship) and that corporate entrepreneurship finally influences organizational performance.
Abstract: Purpose – The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of different technological aspects of organizations on Spanish high‐technology firms' performance.Design/methodology/approach – The relationships studied are confirmed empirically using a structural equation model to demonstrate our hypotheses. The sample was selected from the database “Dun & Bradstreet Espana” in the year 2005 and includes 201 Spanish firms. CEOs were our main informants.Findings – The results obtained show that support from top managers will directly influence the organizational learning (OL) process and technological distinctive competencies (TDCs) (antecedents of corporate entrepreneurship) and that corporate entrepreneurship finally influences organizational performance.Research limitations/implications – The paper is exploratory in character, and its goal is to show whether interrelations exist between the variables. The main limitations are: the sectors chosen refer only to Spain; the analysis is cross‐sectional in char...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a framework for assessing and changing the IT readiness of a small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based on a literature review, which is illustrated and investigated by three case studies.
Abstract: Purpose – Several studies have documented that information technology (IT) projects often do not successfully meet defined objectives regarding time, budget, and functionality. There can be multiple causes for this, and an important factor in this context is the extent to which a company is ready for an IT project. To help understand this dynamic, this paper seeks to present a framework for analyzing “IT readiness” in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review, the paper defines a framework for assessing and changing the IT readiness of a SME. The framework is illustrated and investigated by three case studies.Findings – The case studies show that the framework of IT readiness in SMEs is useful for assessing company readiness and supporting the management of a project.Research limitations/implications – The framework and case studies provide an improved understanding of how to evaluate the readiness of a SME for an IT project.Practical implication...
TL;DR: A framework of the multidimensional concept of one master data is provided to help business managers to understand the extent of the concept and to see that master data management is not only an IT issue.
Abstract: – This paper aims to provide a framework of the multidimensional concept of one master data. Preconditions required for successful one master data implementation and usage in large high‐tech companies are presented and related current challenges companies have today are identified., – This paper is qualitative in nature. First, literature was studied to find out the elements of one master data. Second, an interview study was carried out in eight high‐tech companies and in three expert companies., – One master data management framework is the composition of data, processes and information systems. Accordingly, the key challenges related to the data are that the definitions of master data are unclear and overall data quality is poor. Challenges on processes related to managing master data are inadequately defined data ownership, incoherent data management practices and lack of continuous data quality practices. Integrations between applications are fundamental challenge to tackle when constructing an holistic one master data., – Studied companies are vanguards in the area of master data management (MDM), providing good views on topical issues in large companies. This study offers a general view of the topic but not describes special company situations as companies need to adapt the presented concepts for their specific case. Significant implication for future research is that MDM can no more be classified and discussed as only an IT problem but it is a managerial challenge which requires structural changes on mindset how issues are handled., – This paper provides a better understanding over the issues which are impacting on the implementation of one master data. The preconditions of implementing and executing one master data are: an organization wide and defined data model; clear data ownership definitions; pro‐active data quality surveillance; data friendly company culture; the clear definitions of roles and responsibilities; organizational structure that supports data processes; clear data process definitions; support from the managerial level; and information systems that utilize the unified data model. The list of preconditions is wide and it also describes the incoherence of current understanding about MDM. This list helps business managers to understand the extent of the concept and to see that master data management is not only an IT issue., – The existing practical research on master data management is limited and, for example, the general challenges have not been reported earlier. This paper offers practical research on one master data. The obtained results illustrates the extent of the topic and the fact that business relevant data management is not only an IT (application) issue but requires understanding of the data, its utilization in organization and supporting practices such as data ownership.
TL;DR: The traditional supplier selection methods are changed by shifting the emphasis from using a single model to using multiple models in the unstructured decision‐making context and to provide a tool for decision makers to make informed decisions of supplier selection in the multiple perspectives.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to change the traditional supplier selection methods by shifting the emphasis from using a single model to using multiple models in the unstructured decision‐making context and to provide a tool for decision makers to make informed decisions of supplier selection in the multiple perspectives.Design/methodology/approach – There are various supplier selection models available in the literature. However, using the result of a single model as a basis for making the final decision could lead to a biased decision given the fact that any model has its limitations. The qualities of the decision‐making process and the decision itself increase by applying a multiple perspectives approach rather than a single model. The multiple perspectives decision‐making allows collaboration and knowledge sharing among the participants which leads to a less‐biased decision. This study examines commonly applied supplier selection models, formulates general perspectives of these models, and pr...
TL;DR: The results indicated that the fuzzy analytical network process is a simple, suitable, and effective method of identifying the primary measures that influence the effectiveness of e‐learning, specifically in the context of interdependent measures and varying linguistic preferences.
Abstract: – Electronic learning (e‐learning) has gradually become an important part of university education. There is a trend among universities in Taiwan to offer more and more e‐learning courses. The effectiveness of teaching or learning in an e‐learning system can be quantified by multi‐criteria measures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching or learning in an e‐learning system measures in linguistic preferences., – A generalized quantitative evaluation model that considers both the interdependence among measures and the fuzziness of subjective perception is currently lacking in the literature. The results indicated that the fuzzy analytical network process is a simple, suitable, and effective method of identifying the primary measures that influence the effectiveness of e‐learning, specifically in the context of interdependent measures and varying linguistic preferences., – The most significant measures of e‐learning effectiveness were the quality of the e‐learning system and learner attractiveness. Enhanced usage of multimedia features can attract learner attention and may eventually increase learner attractiveness. Reducing the waiting time for learning materials to load may improve the quality of the system. Furthermore, the management should actively maintain and improve the responsiveness of instructors to learner inquiries., – The main contributions of this study are twofold. First, the evaluation can be considered as a complex‐dependence, hierarchical decision‐making problem. This study contains a review of the literature and identifies 21 criteria and five aspects to measure e‐learning system effectiveness. Second, this study integrates fuzzy set theory and the ANP to develop an evaluation model that prioritizes the relative weights of the proposed measures. The proposed method can be used to handle dependence within a set of measures and to construct a hierarchical structure.
TL;DR: Examination of variations in perceptions of a number of environmental and human resource constructs that are operationalized and measured in the field at Mexican maquiladoras to examine differences between organizations with a certified EMS, informal EMS, and no EMS.
Abstract: Purpose – Over the last several years, there has been a significant increase worldwide in the implementation of environmental management systems (EMS). Yet, few studies have provided feedback on managerial views of key components and performance of these systems. The purpose of this paper is to examine variations in perceptions of a number of environmental and human resource constructs that are operationalized and measured in the field at Mexican maquiladoras. Differences between organizations with a certified EMS, informal EMS, and no EMS are examined.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was administered to 220 manufacturing organizations in Mexico. The survey instrument was self‐report format with attitudinal variables. Items were adopted from previously published scales. A global hypothesis was proposed in order to test the difference between groups across multiple dependent variables. A MANCOVA and post hoc MANOVA were used to simultaneously evaluate the difference among the multiple metric dependen...