bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond the digital divide: a conceptual framework for analyzing knowledge societies
Authors: Sharma Ravi S. , Ng Elaine W.J. , Dharmawirya Mathias , Keong Lee Chu 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe research reported in this ongoing study aims to investigate the notion of knowledge assets developed within digital communities in the course of their economic or leisure activities. Ideally, the resulting knowledge is universal, affordable and relevant; this inclusiveness is a hallmark of any information or knowledge society.Design/methodology/approachThe authors first synthesize the related research literature covering the areas of knowledge‐based economies, knowledge societies and knowledge policies. A model using 13 dimensions is then developed, which the authors claim is critical for creating a knowledge community in the digital economy. The model is validated against critique from a Delphi panel of researchers in the area.FindingsWhile creating a knowledge society encompasses dimensions pertaining to infrastructure, governance, talent and culture,intangible assetsare key to sustaining such societies. Governance and culture are instances of such intangibles. Talent may seem to be tangible but the human capacity for learning and development, which leads to an innovative culture, is less so. In any case, time is the essential ingredient for a knowledge culture to come about.Research limitations/implicationsKnowledge societies are not measurable constructs that can be described quantitatively and benchmarked with weighted summations of scores along prescribed dimensions. It would be a fallacy to treat the notion of a knowledge index as a socio‐economic measure of success.Practical implications. conclude with a practical view of how the dimensions may be best exploited in the course of a policy discussion on sustainable knowledge societies.Originality/valueIt is hoped that the research will provide a framework for policy makers and analysts to conduct qualitative discussions on creating and sustaining knowledge societies.
The role of trust in the governance of business process outsourcing relationships
Authors: Sue Greenberg Penelope , Greenberg Ralph H. , Lederer Antonucci Yvonne 
Published: September 2008

PurposeBusiness process outsourcing (BPO) has become so prevalent that a new term, the extended enterprise, has arisen to describe this approach to structuring an organization. The purpose of this paper is to integrate the information systems and the interfirm governance literatures to develop a framework for the role of trust in the governance of extended enterprises.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses transaction cost economics (TCE) to identify the elements and stages of BPO relationships. This paper then integrates those elements with the types of trust identified in the information systems (IS) literature to develop a framework.FindingsTCE identifies three elements that influence the design and function of interfirm relationships: the transaction, the transaction environment and the parties (the client and the vendors). TCE also recognizes three stages in the transaction: contact, contract, and control. The IS literature identifies three types of trust: trusted systems, trusted institutions, and trusted partners. The paper links the two literatures into a framework identifying the type of trust related to each of the TCE elements; it then uses these linkages to identify the types of trust appropriate for each stage of the BPO relationship.Originality/valueThis paper integrates the IS and interfirm governance literatures concerning trust in interorganizational relationships in an effort to offer a framework for building and sustaining trust between BPO vendors and clients and to identify potential directions for future research.
Business process reengineering, empowerment and work monitoring
Authors: Kien Sia Siew , Siong Neo Boon 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThis paper aims to clarify the apparent confusion on the work impacts of business process re‐engineering (BPR), specifically, the level of empowerment and work monitoring, through the conceptual lens of Panopticon.Design/methodology/approachAn intensive case study at the Singapore Internal Revenue Services was conducted. Ninety‐nine employees were also surveyed on their perceived empowerment and work‐monitoring pre‐ and post‐BPR.FindingsThe findings revealed intense work monitoring in the post‐BPR environment. For the redesign of routine processes, tighter work monitoring is coupled with continuous efforts to formalize behaviors, leaving little need or scope for real empowerment. Greater empowerment is evident only in the redesign of non‐routine processes, through a Panopticon‐like combination of greater empowerment and higher work monitoring.Research limitations/implicationsThe research suggests the applicability of Panopticon as a conceptual lens in understanding and reconciling the apparent contradictions greater empowerment and heightened work monitoring in reengineered workplace. It suggests the need for future research to begin bridging the disparate empowerment and control literature.Practical implicationsThe study shows practitioners how they can leverage the discipline of visibility to orchestrate control creatively in a reengineered environment. The glimpses of post‐BPR workplace also help managers to better anticipate change management issues.Originality/valueThe paper addresses an important issue of BPR work impacts. Its suggestion of Panopticon as a conceptual lens also provides a refreshing look at the traditional issues in BPR.
A model for improving the role of IT in BPR
Authors: Eardley Alan , Shah Hanifa , Radman Andrea 
Published: September 2008

PurposeExtensive literature on business process management suggests that organisations could enhance their overall performance by adopting a process view of business. However, there is a lack of empirical research in this field. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the understanding of the process view and process maturity levels in a transition economy and to test the impact of process orientation maturity level on organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical investigation combined an exploratory‐confirmatory approach using factor analysis and structural equation modelling.FindingsThe investigation confirms the impact of business process orientation on organisational performance in a transition economy. The link is even stronger than in the original investigation. The results show that business process orientation leads to better non‐financial performance and indirectly to better financial performance.Practical implicationsThe research confirms that business process orientation is advantageous for companies since it has a positive influence on organisational performance. The finding that the impact on financial performance is indirect through non‐financial performance suggests that the companies have to take that view of performance into consideration as well.Originality/valueThe paper is valuable for academics and practitioners because the impact of business process orientation on organisational performance has been confirmed for a transitional economy. Its originality is in the measurement of organisational performance, for which a more detailed specification of organisational performance based on the balanced scorecard concept that includes non‐financial performance measures has been used.
A metric for collaborative networks
Authors: Parung Joniarto , Bititci Umit S. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to provide a metric that could be used to define success in a collaborative network.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology of this research consists of four stages: Review, Constructing, Testing and Description. Review stage comprised of a critical review of the literature in order to understand the characteristics of collaborative network organisations and the reasons behind the successes and failures in collaborative networks. Construction stage resulted in development of a metric for collaborative networks. Testing stage tested the model through case study in a collaborative networks organisation. The outcome of the case study was discussed at the description stage to assess usability and usefulness of the metric for participants in turn to generate conclusions.FindingsThe result clearly demonstrated the need for measuring all perspectives of collaboration and highlights the potential pitfalls of measuring perspectives that can be measured easily.Research limitations/implicationsThe case study of the research is limited to a single collaborative network. The fact that this collaboration has been engaged for more than a year in order to develop a particular product with lack of mutual understanding represents the usual limitations of the new “organisation”. Further research is required with larger sample sizes and with longer time in collaboration to confirm and enhance the conclusions of this paper.Practical implicationsThe model provides a practical way of assessing three networks' measurements with respect to their objectives. It also provides a useful mechanism for facilitating a discussion between partners in a network.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the body of knowledge by developing a methodology for measuring partners' contribution, involvement and outcome in the collaborative network as a system within IDEF0 functional modelling. The contribution measurement uses analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach to measure partners' contribution. Likert scale is also applied to measure the health of the relationships based on key performance indicators of relationship attributes. Analytical with mathematical approach is employed to measure the partners' outcome of the collaborative network
An empirical study of enterprise resource management systems implementation
Authors: Chuang Ming‐Ling , Shaw Wade H. 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the significant variables leading to successful implementation of enterprise resource management (ERM) and its predecessor concepts of enterprise resource planning, supply chain planning, electronic commerce, and radio frequency identification systems. An implementation roadmap is presented using four stages for implementing ERM systems: planning, development, implementation, and testing. The roadmap indicates when and where the significant success variables would appear and how a firm might manage the implementation process.Design/methodology/approachIn the research, the key success criteria and key implementation drivers uncovered by literature, case studies, and interviews were used. A survey instrument was constructed and the survey hosted on a web site where practitioners from industry were invited to supply opinions. The data were analyzed by using correlation models and one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to develop cause‐effect diagrams (CE) for overall ERM systems and each component of ERM. Based on the controlled error of the ANOVA process, the CE diagram was used to depict the degree to which variables influence implementation success.FindingsThe research results have helped uncover the key significant variables that contribute to successful ERM implementation.Originality/valueThe proposed implementation roadmap indicates when and where the significant success variables would appear and how a firm might manage the implementation process.
Process management tasks: a conceptual and practical view
Authors: Paim Rafael , Mansur Caulliraux Heitor , Cardoso Rodolfo 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to defining the tasks necessary to process management, considering both conceptual and practical views.Design/methodology/approachBibliographic review for tasks mentioned as typically necessary to process management, plus a field survey involving professionals working in process management.FindingsThe bibliographic review yielded a set of tasks that were grouped conceptually into “designing processes”, “managing processes from day to day” and “fostering process‐related learning”. These groups were then validated with practioners as valid constructs. The field survey produced two major findings: the first underlining the practical importance of the tasks identified as necessary to process management and the second demonstrating that most organizations where the study participants work are structured functionally, but have practices for managing cross‐functional processes or “end‐to‐end process”. The conceptual and practical comparison brings to light gaps between authors and professionals.Research limitations/implicationsThere is significant variation in the job positions and sectors occupied by the group studied and the sample is not random, given that all are enrolled in postgraduate process management programs and thus share an interest in the subject.Practical implicationsOrganizations can identify tasks that are necessary and important to process management and have an instrument (the questionnaire) for deciding how best to manage processes. Where functional management of cross‐functional processes is found, this recommends developing organizational solutions to upgrade the capacity for coordination among activities without necessarily introducing changes in organizational structure.Originality/valueThe paper describes an unprecedented study and helps clarify what needs to be done to manage processes.
The impact of business process orientation on financial and non‐financial performance
Authors: Škrinjar Rok , Bosilj‐Vukšić Vesna , Indihar‐Štemberger Mojca 
Published: September 2008

PurposeExtensive literature on business process management suggests that organizations could enhance their overall performance by adopting a process view of business. However, there is a lack of empirical research in this field. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the understanding of the process view and process maturity levels in a transition economy and to test the impact of process orientation maturity level on organizational performance.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical investigation combined an exploratory‐confirmatory approach using factor analysis and structural equation modeling.FindingsThe investigation confirms the impact of business process orientation on organizational performance in a transition economy. The link is even stronger than in the original investigation. The results show that business process orientation leads to better non‐financial performance and indirectly to better financial performance.Practical implicationsThe research confirms that business process orientation is advantageous for companies since it has a positive influence on organizational performance. The finding that the impact on financial performance is indirect through non‐financial performance suggests that the companies have to take that view of performance into consideration as well.Originality/valueThe paper is valuable for academics and practitioners because the impact of business process orientation on organizational performance has been confirmed for a transitional economy. Its originality is in the measurement of organizational performance, for which a more detailed specification of organizational performance based on the balanced scorecard concept that includes non‐financial performance measures has been used.
E‐business financing: preliminary insights from a developing economy context
Authors: Hinson Robert , Boateng Richard , Jull Sorensen Olav 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe deployment and strategic use of e‐business, from basic e‐mail utilization to total enterprise integration, involves the commitment of financial and technical resources. The resources have to be financed. The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the views of trade promotion organizations, donors, export associations and banks on e‐business financing in Ghana's non‐traditional export (NTE) sector, with the view to making policy contributions to the e‐business financing phenomenon in a developing economy (DE) context.Design/methodology/approachThe research design is qualitative since this is an exploratory study and deep preliminary insights were sought about a hitherto under‐researched information systems topic from a developing country perspective. Officials from the trade promotion; export association, donor and financial communities were interviewed to generate insights to help understand the phenomenon under investigation.FindingsSome banks find it difficult financing e‐business in NTE firms because it is considered a new area with relatively higher risks and uncertainties. Banks would rather grant small loans to a few select small and medium enterprise exporters in an attempt to limit their default risk. The trade promotion organization is helping (albeit in a moderate manner) with up‐skilling for the improvement in e‐competencies in Ghana's NTE sector. The export product association in collaboration with the donor interviewed is in the throes of designing e‐business interventions in Ghana's NTE sector after recently completing an e‐readiness survey in the same sector.Originality/valueThis paper presents a modest contribution to the export firm‐electronic business literature from a resource‐centered perspective, in a DE context. Studies on e‐business financing in DEs are virtually non‐existent and the policy prescriptions could apply with minor modifications to other related contexts in respect of e‐business financing.
Love on the internet: a framework for understanding Eros online
Authors: Briggle Adam 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework to aid in understanding and evaluating love online. The framework maps the territory of online love by identifying important issues and providing a mechanism for combining relevant theoretical perspectives.Design/methodology/approachInterdisciplinary literature is reviewed and related through normative and descriptive conceptual analysis.FindingsA diverse and complex set of practices, technologies, intentions, and behaviors comprise love online. Theoretical works on love and mediation can be combined to improve conceptual clarity.Practical implicationsThe framework provides a simple but powerful tool for making sense of and critiquing the existing literature as well as outlining avenues for future research.Originality/valueThe framework puts diverse strands of scholarly work into an interdisciplinary discussion about an important phenomenon in new media societies.
Rethinking the concept of the right to information privacy: a Japanese perspective
Authors: Murata Kiyoshi , Orito Yohko 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reconsider the concept of the right to information privacy and to propose, from a Japanese perspective, a revised conception of this right that is suitable for the modern information society.Design/methodology/approachFirst, the concept of privacy and personal information protection in the information society is briefly explained. After that, confused situations in Japan caused by the enforcement of Act on the Protection of Personal Information are described followed by the analysis of the Japanese socio‐cultural circumstances surrounding privacy. Based on these, the effectiveness of the concept of the right to information privacy in the Japanese socio‐cultural and economic context is examined and the need to rethink the concept of the right to information privacy discussed. Finally, a revised conception of the right is proposed.FindingsIn view of the circumstances in Japan, the concept of the right to information privacy, defined as “an individual's right to control the circulation of information relating to him/herself”, as well as the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development's eight principles already become outdated in today's sophisticated information‐communication society. There is a need to control/restrict use of personal information so that individuals' autonomy and freedom is ensured in the current situation and to revise the concept of the right to information privacy based on this idea.Originality/valueThis paper proposes a revision of the concept of the right to information privacy focused on control of, not access to, use of personal information. The revised concept is defined so that individuals' autonomy and freedom is ensured even in the “informational transparent” society.
Good computing: a pedagogically focused model of virtue in the practice of computing (part 1)
Authors: Huff Chuck , Barnard Laura , Frey William 
Published: September 2008

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a four component model of ethical behavior (PRIMES) that integrates literature in moral psychology, computing ethics, and virtue ethics as informed by research on moral exemplars in computing. This is part 1 of a two‐part contribution.Design/methodology/approachThis psychologically based and philosophically informed model argues that moral action is: grounded in relatively stable PeRsonality characteristics (PR); guided by integration of morality into the self‐system; shaped by the context of the surrounding moral ecology; and facilitated by morally relevant skills and knowledge (S).FindingsThe model seeks to explain the daily successful (and unsuccessful) performance of moral action by computing professionals and to provide groundwork for a pedagogy that emphasizes ethically effective performance.Practical implicationsThe model has significant implications for how ethical action might be taught to computer professionals and other design professionals. It also makes recommendations about what is needed to measure to construct a complete picture of sustained ethical action in a profession.Originality/valueMost accepted models of ethical behavior are unidimensional, emphasizing either principled reasoning or a simplistic model of integrity/character. This model brings together a variety of disparate literatures in the light of its emphasis on sustained moral action in the profession. It thereby provides researchers and educators with a picture of what is needed to construct a complete understanding of moral action in the profession.