bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing an e‐learning strategy in higher education
Authors: Tucker Jan P. , Gentry Gary R. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to clarify the challenges faced by higher education institutions such as budget cuts and the pressure to offer accessible, affordable anytime/anyplace learning and offer a solution in the form of the development of an e‐learning strategy.Design/methodology/approachThe paper explores recent research on higher education and e‐learning strategies in an effort to offer a participatory pedagogy coupled with cost effective technology as a solution to overcoming the increase in market demand and socioeconomic pressures facing higher education institutions.FindingsThe paper provides pragmatic insights about the five stages of developing an e‐learning strategy, including determining the delivery method and technology, making curriculum and development decisions, integrating implementation and roll out strategies and monitoring and evaluating the new e‐programs.Research limitations/implicationsThe chosen research offers an approach as a starting point for developing an e‐learning strategy. Further research may be needed to generalize and apply the suggestions to individual higher education institutions.Practical implicationsThe paper includes implications for higher education institutions and other organizations wishing to explore the option of e‐learning as a delivery system for knowledge, training and instruction.Originality/valueThis paper fulfils an identified need to study the implications of technology on learning.
Deciding on exit strategies: using foresight in problem resolution
Authors: Richardson Jacques 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show, with concrete cases, how to forgo or substantially moderate strategy that is structured within action plans: moves to alleviate coping with obstacles encountered in programme execution.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents a series of real‐life examples of planned withdrawal – or not – from situations clearly uneconomic, unable to meet their original purposes, counterproductive, or otherwise a futile allocation of resources and effort.FindingsThe paper finds that studied protection can spell out beforehand, with foresight and determination (and often, due expression of trust), the success of an undertaking.Research limitations/implicationsGetting the future right often seems more difficult than getting it wrong.Originality/valuePlanners, strategists and designers should profit from the types of examples reviewed to confirm the solidity of their own procedural foresight.
An empirical study about the status of business process management
Authors: Neubauer Thomas 
Published: April 2009

PurposeRecently, business process management (BPM) is among the most important managerial topics because it allows companies an agile adaptation to changing business requirements. Consultants and researchers are regularly proposing new methods and concepts based on BPM for further increasing the efficiency of corporate processes. However, from an empirical point of view it is crucial to determine the current status in practice and derive goals for research and technology transfer. This paper aims to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachFor this reason the survey “Status Quto Business Process Management” is carried out in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland on a yearly basis. This survey aims at identifying current trends and strategic plans of companies as well as its realization in practice and highlights the remaining steps towards the process (‐focused) organization (PFO). The paper summarizes the results of the survey carried out in 2006 among 185 decision makers and shows a comparison with the results of the previous years as well as comparable surveys.FindingsThis paper analyzes the current state of BPM in the market, analyzes the strategic, organizational and technical aspects of BPM in the participating companies. The survey shows that although the majority of the participating companies are involved with BPM initiatives, only a very small number of companies follows holistic approaches and has reached the status of a PFO.Research limitations/implicationsAs the survey especially focused on IT‐driven companies a limitation of this survey could be seen in the fact that it does not exactly cover the branch distribution of the population, e.g. the financial sector is over‐represented due to the fact that the survey included branch specific questions for the financial sector (note that these questions are not part of this paper). However, the comparison with the surveys “BP Report” and “State of BPM” shows that these surveys come with similar distributions of the branches.Practical implicationsThis paper provides a very useful source for companies in benchmarking their status regarding BPM. It provides them with information that allows to compare their status on the way towards a PFO with their competitors.Originality/valueThis paper provides a very useful source for companies in benchmarking their status regarding BPM. The survey does not only investigate what is being done by the participating companies but also interested in the reasons why it is done. Compared to existing surveys it: investigates connections between processes and business strategy, process risk handling, references models, as well as methods for evaluating the contributions of IT to the business processes; uses statistical methods for measuring the significance of the results and; has a specific focus on companies in the Germany‐speaking countries Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Process redesign: reengineering core process at computer department – a case of SWCC
Authors: Al‐Hudhaif Sulaiman A. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to expose and discuss the problems and suggests solutions for software development process in a large organization.Design/methodology/approachA case study approach was adopted in this paper. The case studies reengineering project in computer department at large organization. The structured analysis and design methodology used in this case included dynamic monitoring of qualitative and quantitative performance measures set for this purpose.FindingsThis paper addressed fundamental issues governing analysis and redesign of a software development process. Conceptual breakthroughs of new process were suggested. The success of implementing the project was based on infrastructure requirements for the new process and possible changes including positions and their required job skills. The paper suggests some software tool(s) that can capture the requirements and provide both backward and forward traceability.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcome of this work has implications for both practitioners and researchers. For researchers, the conventional, software development methodology should be amended to take into account the discussed issues in more details. For researchers, there is a need for substantial research into good practice in requirements and software development.Originality/valueThe original work of this project can be considered as detailed guidelines to help business process reengineering team members to successfully complete some critical activities associated with analysis and redesign of software‐development processes.
An integrated framework for understanding the driving forces behind non‐sequential process of internationalisation among firms
Authors: Osarenkhoe Aihie 
Published: April 2009

PurposeIs non‐sequential internationalization process solely technology enabled or a product of mutually interdependent forces? This paper aims to show that even though the sequential approach in the process model is intuitively appealing, not all firms follow such a path. Hence, integrated framework to explain how the international market entry process has changed with respect to the sequential approach is presented.Design/methodology/approachThe data banks of the Swedish Trade Council and the Chambers of Commerce are used to identify small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) with between 50 and 250 employees (in compliance with European Union's definition of SMEs). Data are collected through the use of questionnaires and in‐depth interviews from 60 Swedish SMEs operating in other countries and foreign SMEs operating in Sweden that tends not to develop in incremental stages with respect to their international.FindingsSome of the findings are: that the sequential model is by no means reflective of, or appropriate for all firms' approaches to international business; the usefulness gained by using an international network approach to study the international activity of a firm; and the interplay between the identified driving forces behind a non‐sequential internationalization process.Research limitations/implicationsEven though market entry patterns of firms investigated demonstrate a non‐sequential internationalization process, they are still within the general theoretical framework where the basic assumption of the sequential internationalization model can maintain its validity. Firms are indeed exposed to irrecoverable transaction costs that hamper their behaviours and complicate export supply responses in international markets. However, the magnitude of the costs and speed of internationalization is dependent on the ability of the firms to take advantage of the enablers of non‐sequential internationalization pattern. This is particularly important for firms to and from developing countries and emerging markets and their propensities to succeed in their internationalization endeavours.Originality/valueKnowledge acquired from the empirical study of firms that tend not to develop in incremental stages with respect to their international activities, and therefore start international activities by entering very distant markets and multiple countries right from birth without prior experience, is used to develop an integrated framework which aptly depicts that non‐sequential internationalization process is not solely enabled by technology, as commonly envisaged in literature, but a product of mutually interdependent forces. Consequently, this study provides a holistic view on the driving forces behind the rapid internationalization process encountered by many SMEs today.
Personal knowledge management
Authors: Pauleen David 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe author aims to introduce this themed issue on personal knowledge management.Design/methodology/approachThe author discusses some of the issues surrounding personal and organisational knowledge management, and then introduces the papers in this themed issue.FindingsPersonal knowledge management is an under‐researched area. This themed issue contributes both technical and theoretical papers to the field.Originality/valueThe paper provides an introduction to this themed issue.
Personal knowledge management through communicating
Authors: Jones Rachel 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to emphasise the importance of a complex view of communication for the development of personal knowledge management (PKM) and for the technology that supports PKM.Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual paper uses complex responsive process theory (CRP) to understand the communication and knowing processes that underpin PKM.FindingsPKM could potentially avoid some of the problems of knowledge management by being open to interdisciplinarity. This paper introduces a theory that sees communication as a complex, adaptive process of relating. Applying CRP to PKM, this paper suggests how web and internet technology might support individuals in managing their knowing and communicating processes, as well as their accumulation of knowledge and information.Practical implicationsUnderstanding knowing and communicating as a complex process of relating offers a fresh perspective on the way that organisations might support PKM.Originality/valueThis paper offers a new way of thinking about PKM by introducing CRP's view of communication and how it relates to knowledge. In doing so it provides information scholars with ideas outside of their typical paradigm that invite a reconsideration of the role of technology in PKM.
Crossings
Authors: Cranefield Jocelyn , Yoong Pak 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how online communities of practice facilitate the embedding of personal professional knowledge in a complex online environment.Design/methodology/approachThis research consisted of exploratory, interpretivist case research, using qualitative methods. Forty‐one individuals from five online communities in a national professional development programme were interviewed. Additional data were drawn from diverse online records. Data were coded via text analysis. A wiki was used for participant feedback.FindingsEmbedding of new knowledge was facilitated by individuals' crossings between different engagement spaces – communication and sense‐making contexts. Community members repeatedly crossed between online and offline, visible and invisible, formal and informal, and reflective and active engagement spaces as they sought to meet diverse needs. As they did this, they had to continually recontextualise knowledge, adapting, varying and personalising it to fit the function, genre and conventions of each engagement space. This promoted the embedding of professional knowledge. The complex online environment in which they operated can be seen as providing a situation of enhanced polycontextuality, within which multiple boundary crossings facilitated strong personalisation. At the community level, knowledge convergence was fostered by the recurrence of dominant, powerful mnemonic themes.Research limitations/implicationsAn opportunity exists to investigate the applicability of these findings in other online professional contexts.Originality/valueThe paper extends the concept of boundary crossing to crossings in a polycontextual online environment. It updates literature on communities of practice by outlining the dynamics of a complex online community system. It provides an explanation for how personal knowledge evolves to fit emerging trends and considers how information systems can support deep knowledge transfer.
Predictors of diverse usage behaviour towards personal knowledge management systems
Authors: Doong Her‐Sen , Wang Hui‐Chih 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThis paper aims to argue that individuals' use of personal knowledge management systems (PKMS) differs significantly as a result of their underlying innovativeness and involvement traits. Based on the literature, this paper seeks to propose that while more involved users utilise PKMS more frequently, more‐innovative users utilise more functions of PKMS.Design/methodology/approachA field survey was conducted to collect data. Correlation techniques and regression analysis were used to test the proposed relationship between constructs.FindingsThe findings indicated that while both traits were significantly associated with PKMS usage behaviours, users' involvement was the primary predictor of PKMS use frequency, while users' innovativeness predominated in the prediction of the number of PKMS functions they used. That is, although more involved users may use fewer functions compared with more innovative users, they are more likely to become long‐term supporters of PKMS because their use frequency is significantly higher than that of more innovative users.Practical implicationsThe paper informs scholars and managers that using a single approach – that is, only using frequency or the number of functions used – to evaluate the performance of a PKMS may lead to a biased result.Originality/valueAfter half a century of development of information technology, this paper addresses the importance of taking a step further and verifying the behaviours related to the use of PKMS with different approaches, such as use frequency and the number of functions used. In particular, the paper presents a pioneering piece of research in the information systems discipline, revealing that individuals' underlying innovativeness and involvement contribute to different PKMS use behaviours.
The effective use of technology in personal knowledge management
Authors: Agnihotri Raj , Troutt Marvin D. 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to further explore the emerging concept of personal knowledge management (PKM) and to bring researchers’ attention to this notion. Specifically, this paper aims to address issues related to the effective utilisation of technology in PKM practices.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical framework incorporating PKM skills, technology tools, user context and skills‐tools fit is proposed. Arguments are built on the task‐technology fit theory, which explores the link between technology tools and task characteristics (PKM skills).FindingsThe impact of effective PKM will depend increasingly on skills‐tools fit.Practical implicationsThe success of technology utilisation resides not simply in whether individuals use technology, but if this usage actually improves effectiveness. For their own benefit, individuals should consider and assess the technology tools in the context of how they will be aligned with specific PKM skills.Originality/valueProposing a conceptual framework of PKM, this paper suggests that the core focus is individual inquest, that is, the effort to discover, share, learn and explore through combinations of technology and information skills. The importance of the user's context in the PKM process is also discussed
Establishing business integrity in an online environment
Authors: Hooper Tony , Vos Marta 
Published: April 2009

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which New Zealand business web sites conform to the provisions of the New Zealand Privacy Act, 1993 as an articulation of the national values on the rights of individuals to information privacy. The secondary aim is to assess whether adherence to these values might be used as criteria that can reflect on the business integrity of the web site sponsor.Design/methodology/approachThe privacy notices and information‐handling practices of New Zealand business web sites were analysed using a content analysis methodology. The analysis was carried out on a sample of 200 companies, selected at random from a published list of the top 800 companies in New Zealand in 2005. Government web sites were excluded.FindingsThe first research hypothesis – that New Zealand business web sites demonstrate awareness of the privacy concerns of customers by posting a privacy notice – was not supported. Similarly, the privacy notices on New Zealand business web sites did not reflect the principles of the New Zealand Privacy Act, 1993 as a basis for establishing “value congruence” with customers. Consequently the use of the principles of the Privacy Act to assess business integrity was not demonstrated sufficiently by the investigation.Practical implicationsThe lack of a usable convention for evaluating privacy notices on New Zealand business web sites may lead to a loss of value congruence between businesses and their customers, leading to less‐than‐optimal commercial transactions. The principles of the New Zealand Privacy Act 1993 define the national values and privacy rights of online customers. The use of the Privacy Act to assess the information handling practices of New Zealand businesses online could ensure more ethical business practice, demonstrate business integrity and promote customer confidence.Originality/valueThe use of legislated privacy principles as a reflection of established national values on the rights of citizens could provide a useful measure of value congruence and possibly business integrity. The variety of privacy legislation worldwide reflects a global lack of agreement on acceptable principles. Nevertheless, businesses wishing to establish their integrity and value congruence would be advised to ensure that their web sites provide for the growing sensitivity to privacy issues and the way that personal information is gathered and used online.
Increasing the authoritativeness of web recommendations using PageRank‐based approaches
Authors: Yang Wan‐Shiou , Jan Yuan‐Shuenn 
Published: April 2009

PurposeWeb content has been widely used for recommending personal webpages. Despite its popularity, the content‐based approach regards a webpage simply as a piece of text, thereby often resulting in less authoritative recommendations of webpages. This paper aims to propose novel approaches that utilise other sources of information pertaining to webpages to facilitate the automatic construction of an authoritative web recommender system.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, four approaches that exploit hyperlink structure, web content and web‐usage logs for making recommendations are proposed. The proposed approaches have been implemented as a prototype system, called the authoritative web recommender (AWR) system. An evaluation using the web‐usage logs and the corresponding pages of a university web site was performed.FindingsThe results from the evaluations using empirical data demonstrate that the four proposed approaches outperform the traditional content‐only approach.Originality/valueThis paper describes a novel way to combine information retrieval, usage mining and hyperlink structure analysis techniques to find relevant and authoritative webpages for recommendation.