bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversification in response to ICT convergence – indigenous capabilities versus R&D alliances of the Finnish telecom industry
Authors: Palmberg Christopher , Martikainen Olli 
Published: July 2006

PurposeWhile the ICT industry as a whole is undergoing a potentially disruptive phase of development due to the convergence between information and telecom technologies and the rapid diffusion of internet‐related applications. Against this background the purpose of the paper is to analyse recent patterns of internal/indigenous and external diversification of prominent Finnish telecom firms using data on patents and strategic R&D alliances.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology comprises of statistical analyses of patterns of patenting of Finnish telecom firms to capture the internal/indigenous nature of diversification, compared with patterns of external diversification based on a new database of alliances of Finnish firms.FindingsThe results indicate that the Finnish telecom industry has diversified its technological base in recent years. The industry appears internally/indigenously weak in internet‐related “new” telecom technologies and related applications. However, telecom firms have also extensively engaged themselves in complementary R&D alliances in these fields.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper carries important implications for policymakers and managers alike related to the sustainability of previous success of Finnish telecom. Limitation related to the use of Finnish patent data that might to capture software technologies sufficiently, and does not aim to/cannot capture the diversified technological competencies of Nokia on a global level.Originality/valueThe originality of the paper lies in the combination of patent and R&D alliances data, as well as the development of a concordance table to link technology classes to broader developments in the industry, for a novel and systematic analysis of the responsiveness of the Finnish telecom industry to ICT convergence
The Danish ICT sector in an international perspective: a mismatch between demand and supply
Authors: Pedersen Christian R. , Dahl Michael S. , Dalum Bent 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo analyse the past developments and future challenges of the Danish ICT industries with a focus on the mobile communications industry.Design/methodology/approachData on ICT employment and usage is analysed from an innovation system perspective in a case study of the Danish ICT industries.FindingsThe Danish ICT sector is characterised by high skill levels and advanced demand while the supply side is lacking behind. However, opportunities is found in the emerging next generation mobile communication network standard due to a combination of a broad skill base, influence of US firms and relatively lesser vested interests in previous generation networks, standards and business models.Originality/valueThis paper is a part of a special issue on next generation mobile telecommunications networks – challenges to the Nordic ICT industries. This paper presents the past development and future challenges of the Danish ICT industries emerging from the mismatch between demand and supply.
Implementing BPM systems: the role of process orientation
Authors: Reijers Hajo A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe presentation and validation of a checklist that can be used to determine an organization's process orientation prior to a business process management systems (BPMS) implementation. Its aim is to help predict the success of BPMS implementation on the basis of the identified process awareness within an organization.Design/methodology/approachThe checklist has been developed on the basis of relevant literature and augmented with practical experience from staff of one of the world's largest BPM system vendors. The study of three BPM System implementations at different client sites have been used to validate the checklist.FindingsThe study suggests that a lack of process orientation may be related to all kinds of problems that affect the speed and cost of a BPMS implementation. The checklist seems useful to predict those problems at sites where process orientation is insufficient.Research limitations/implicationsThe number of cases used (3) is quite small. Furthermore, the retrospective assessment of the situation prior to BPM system implementation limits the reliability of the findings. Current results seem a good basis for further refinement and validation.Practical implicationsA very practical, easy to use instrument that can directly be applied by organizations that are expected to be involved in multiple BPM system implementations (e.g. large banks, consultancies, system integrators, etc.).Originality/valueThis paper presents an instrument that does not yet exist to measure a relation often hypothesized upon in existing research.
Business process orientated holonic (PrOH) modeling
Authors: Clegg Ben 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe how the application of systems thinking to designing, managing and improving business processes has resulted in a new and unique holonic‐based process modeling methodology know as process orientated holonic modeling.Design/methodology/approachThe paper describes key systems thinking axioms that are built upon in an overview of the methodology; the techniques are described using an example taken from a large organization designing and manufacturing capital goods equipment operating within a complex and dynamic environment. These were produced in an 18 month project, using an action research approach, to improve quality and process efficiency.FindingsThe findings of this research show that this new methodology can support process depiction and improvement in industrial sectors which are characterized by environments of high variety and low volume (e.g. projects; such as the design and manufacture of a radar system or a hybrid production process) which do not provide repetitive learning opportunities. In such circumstances, the methodology has not only been able to deliver holonic‐based process diagrams but also been able to transfer strategic vision from top management to middle and operational levels without being reductionistic.Originality/valueThis paper will be of interest to organizational analysts looking at large complex projects whom require a methodology that does not confine them to thinking reductionistically in “task‐breakdown” based approaches. The novel ideas in this paper have great impact on the way analysts should perceive organizational processes. Future research is applying the methodology in similar environments in other industries.
Telecommuting's past and future: a literature review and research agenda
Authors: Siha Samia M. , Monroe Richard W. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTelecommuting continues to be a topic of interest for practitioners and researchers alike. There are significant numbers of employees currently involved in telecommuting around the globe. Organizational implications, global workforce implications and the scarcity of scholarly publications make this research topic one that warrants our further investigation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature to identify the substantive work, examine the state of this phenomenon as of to date, particularly the failure and success factors, provide valuable insight to the practitioners and research directions to researchersDesign/methodology/approachAn extensive literature review was conducted in an effort to identify the significant, substantive work to date. We reviewed two major business data bases and limit our review to refereed journals because of the rigorous review process that these articles go through before publication.FindingsA schema was identified to help categorize topics found in the literature. A framework model is proposed to further explore the relationships between the motivating factors for telecommuting and the resulting outcomes from telecommuting programs.Practical implicationsThe literature review and the model should be useful information for both practitioners and researchers in a variety of disciplines including management, communication, and information technology.Originality/valueFew published papers have attempted to thoroughly review the telecommuting literature. Many of the articles concentrate solely on the individuals who telework. This review, looks at many facets of the telecommuting phenomenon like the workers, their managers, the organization as well as the technological and environmental issues.
Success factors in dealing with significant change in an organization
Authors: Chrusciel Don , Field Dennis W. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeAs organizations attempt to deal with change that is transforming, research has identified factors that need to be present in order to optimize the change transformation. The purpose of this research paper is to focus on those critical success factors.Design/methodology/approachAfter presenting a summary of the identified success factors, a combined quantitative and qualitative research methodology focusing on a single case study examines these critical factors in more depth.FindingsPresented are identified factors of previous research, and two additional critical factors are revealed: flexible curriculum – the need for a comprehensive action plan having a prescribed curriculum; and perception of personal gain – the need to present a clear understanding addressing the aspirations and individual personal goals of those who are both involved and affected by the significant change.Research limitations/implicationsBeyond the limitations inherent in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research on a single case study, the emphasis of this investigation was at one end of a success continuum. While the focus was on the critical and important factors (one end), that leaves the discussion of any other factors and the continuum itself for future research.Practical implicationsBy having an action plan that addresses the critical factors for dealing with significant change, the organization increases its chances of a successful transformation, and it may also become a more flexible organization able to deal with future change.Originality/valueThrough this research, two new critical success factors are identified that have impact upon organizations attempting to go through a major significant change transformation.
Exploring the interdependency between reengineering and information technology by developing a conceptual model
Authors: Akhavan Peyman , Jafari Mostafa , Ali‐Ahmadi Ali R. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe main objective of this paper is to investigate the role of information technology (IT) in business process reengineering (BPR) and their interdependency in the organization, and also to provide a framework for facilitating BPR efforts through IT tools for leading the organization towards knowledge‐based organization.Design/methodology/approachBased on review of recent literature, this is a conceptual paper that examines current perspectives of BPR regarding IT and provides a general framework for the study of BPR and IT.FindingsProvides a conceptual framework that clarifies the interdependency between IT and BPR and also presents the major IT functions in different areas in the organization during the change program.Research limitations/implicationsSuggests further research studies in case‐based studies implementations and analysisPractical implicationsProvides a very helpful guideline for practitioners in implementing IT tools for change programs. They can also understand to take into account both the emergent nature of change itself and the role of IT in BPR efforts through this paper. Meanwhile organization development researchers, knowledge management practitioners, IT consultants and change leaders may benefit this paper very much.Originality/valueThe paper may be of value to researchers in the change management field and to practitioners involved with BPR and IT. This study further opens up new lines of research and highlights implications for process redesign considering IT necessities, including issues associated with leading adoption of change program through IT tools. The paper also provides a synthesis and analysis of the viewpoints as reflected in the literature on various dimensions of BPR efforts and IT.
Supply chain risk mitigation: modeling the enablers
Authors: Nishat Faisal Mohd , Banwet D.K. , Shankar Ravi 
Published: July 2006

PurposeSupply chain risk management assumes importance in the wake of organizations understanding that their risk susceptibility is dependent on other constituents of their supply chain. The purpose of this paper is to present an approach to effective supply chain risk mitigation by understanding the dynamics between various enablers that help to mitigate risk in a supply chain.Design/methodology/approachUsing interpretive structural modeling the research presents a hierarchy‐based model and the mutual relationships among the enablers of risk mitigation.FindingsThe research shows that there exists a group of enablers having a high driving power and low dependence requiring maximum attention and of strategic importance while another group consists of those variables which have high dependence and are the resultant actions.Practical implicationsThis classification provides a useful tool to supply chain managers to differentiate between independent and dependent variables and their mutual relationships which would help them to focus on those key variables that are most important for effective risk minimization in a supply chain.Originality/valuePresentation of enablers in a hierarchy and the classification into driver and dependent categories is unique effort in the area of supply chain risk management.
Transdisciplinary case studies as a means of sustainability learning
Authors: Scholz Roland W. , Lang Daniel J. , Wiek Arnim , Walter Alexander I. , Stauffacher Michael 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims at presenting the theoretical concepts of the transdisciplinary case study approach (TCS), which is a research and teaching approach developed and elaborated at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), as a means of transition support.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reveals the historical roots of case studies, transdisciplinarity and sustainable development as teaching and research paradigms. The TCS approach is presented, which has been developed at ETH for supporting transition management of regional, urban, and organizational systems. This approach is entrenched by an ontology that reveals the basic characteristics of ill‐defined transition problems, an epistemology that refers to Probabilistic Functionalism and distinguishes between multi‐layered systemic and normative epistemics, a methodology that includes a set of methods for case representation (including modelling and projection), assessment, and strategy building, and a project management model that refers to more than a dozen TCSs in the field of sustainable development. Problems of validity of TCSs as a research methodology are discussed.FindingsThree major strengths of the TCS approach presented in the paper are: that it is based on three sound paradigms, which focus on different, relevant characteristics of complex, human‐environment systems; i.e. the case study approach, transdisciplinarity and sustainable development, that it is strictly organized according to an elaborated and consistent theoretical framework that includes ontological, epistemological, methodological, and organizational considerations, and that it is itself subject to an ongoing inquiry and adaptation process. All theoretical considerations of the paper are clarified be elaborated examples from the more than 10 years experience with TCS of the authors.Practical implicationsThe paper gives a comprehensive overview of the theoretical foundation of TCS that might assist other scientists engaged in case study research and teaching to further develop their approaches. Additionally, relevant topics for further research in the field of TCS are presented which hopefully induce an inspiring discussion among case study researchers.Originality/valueAs far we know, this paper is one of the first that presents a comprehensive and theoretically sound overview of applying transdisciplinary case studies as means of sustainability learning. Thus, it can be seen as a first, crucial step for establishing the new research field of TCS research and a sound research community of complex, transdisciplinary problem solving towards sustainability learning.
Learning to research environmental problems from a functional socio‐cultural constructivism perspective
Authors: Stauffacher M. , Walter A.I. , Lang D.J. , Wiek A. , Scholz R.W. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the transdisciplinary case study (TCS) as a learning framework based on what we call functional socio‐cultural constructivism and project‐based learning (PBL). In doing so, the paper attempts to illustrate the applicability of TCS to learn competencies and skills necessary to research problems of sustainable development.Design/methodology/approachTCS is considered a learning framework based on the principle of self‐regulated learning; i.e. students must actively deal with the requirements as well as plan and execute their project work within their own worldviews and goals. TCS methods are essential as we tackle complex real‐world problems.FindingsThe paper discusses challenges and obstacles of such an approach and present lessons learned since 1994, on both the viewpoints of students and of teachers. It conclude that case study learning is a demanding task, especially in a transdisciplinary context where more challenges emerge than in PBL, since goals of teachers, case agents, and students have to be balanced.Practical implicationsTCS or courses like it are important for universities at the present time. Under present budget restrictions and a wide‐ranging mistrust of society toward universities, there is a necessity for a new contract between society and research: students should learn to take over responsibility in societal contexts and be able to communicate beyond the “ivory tower”.Originality/valueThe learning goals of TCS differ from the goals of most university courses. They are more comprehensive and include complex problem solving, societal context, and group processes. The ambitious goal is that students become enabled to tackle complex, real‐world problems.
Integrating research and teaching on innovation for sustainable development
Authors: Posch Alfred , Steiner Gerald 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to point out the necessity of implementing more appropriate approaches instead of the traditional single disciplinary approaches, in order to be able to cope with the ill‐defined, highly complex problem of sustainable development in systems such as organizations or regions.Design/methodology/approachBased on empirical data concerning expert and stakeholder preferences, it is argued that research and teaching on innovation for sustainability need to be both inter‐ and transdisciplinary.FindingsHere, the approach of transdisciplinary case studies, developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, allows appropriate integration of research and teaching activities and thus leads to mutual learning between the case study actors.Practical implicationsIn the second part of the paper, these conceptual considerations are illustrated with the so‐called Erzherzog Johann case study, an integrative research and teaching project at the University of Graz.Originality/valueIn the paper the very complex task to integrate research and teaching on sustainability‐related innovation is described and illustrated with the first transdisciplinary case‐study conducted in Austria according to the ETH approach.
Initiating transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching
Authors: Muhar Andreas , Vilsmaier Ulli , Glanzer Michaela , Freyer Bernhard 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe experiences with the initiation of transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching with special reference to regional planning, based on the case study “Leben 2014 (Life 2014) – perspectives for regional development in the national park region Ober‐pinz‐gau, Salzburg”.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used, was the evaluation of process steps of the project, based on the general project concept, protocols and questionnaires.FindingsA key for successful transdisciplinary cooperation is the integration of non‐academic actors at an early stage of the project. Important principles are the implementation of a structure of communication and networking in the case study region and the definition of rules of collaboration. The establishment of personal relations and network building is indispensable in order to guarantee a constant and broad exchange between all participants. Joint decision‐making processes are essential for stable cooperation, which includes a joint problem definition process at the outset of the case‐study phase as well as joint responsibility for decisions and joint ownership of ideas during and after the case‐study phase.Practical implicationsTransdisciplinarity in case‐study teaching also requires thorough preparation of academics. A constant discussion of different approaches to inter‐ and transdisciplinarity, the adaptation of existing conceptual frameworks to the specific requirements of the current case, the building of a committed teaching team and joint teaching of classes are all important. The careful selection of students and their specific preparation with respect to methodology and content are prerequisites for a successful outcome of a transdisciplinary case study.Originality/valueThe paper describes the experience of initiating transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching.
System experts and decision making experts in transdisciplinary projects
Authors: Mieg Harald A. 
Published: July 2006

PurposeThis paper aims at a better understanding of expert roles in transdisciplinary projects. Thus, the main purpose is the analysis of the roles of experts in transdisciplinary projects.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis of the ETH‐UNS case studies from the point of view of the psychology of expertise and the sociology of professions is based on findings and considerations from the psychology of expertise and the sociology of professions – as both lines of research are concerned with experts and the use of expertise. This paper focuses on projects in the framework of the so‐called transdisciplinary case study approach that has been developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich in the 1990s.FindingsIt is claimed that, firstly, system experts provide important information on the local human‐environmental system and have to be regarded as serious experts, that is knowledge specialists with a certain responsibility for information. Secondly, decision‐making experts run into problems integrating other professionals into transdisciplinary projects and should, therefore, professionalize themselves.Practical implicationsThe paper encourages the use of residents, etc. as system experts in transdisciplinary projects.Originality/valueThe roles of experts in transdisciplinary project are clarified.
Is too much of our work in organizations remedial? Do we have to pay more attention to how children and young people learn?
Authors: Cunningham Ian 
Published: July 2006

PurposeTo make the case for those involved in organizational learning to take an interest in (and do something about) the problems with schooling.Design/methodology/approachThink piece based on experienceFindingsThe need is for adults to take action on behalf of young people.Practical implicationsOrganizations will run better if schools did a better job in providing a rounded education for young people.Originality/valueLinking organizational needs with schooling.