Emerald | Journal of Enterprise Information Management

The adoption of ICT in project-based and traditional organizations: Evidence from Finnish and Swedish companies

Maqsood Sandhu, Mian Ajmal — 2011-12-30 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – This research aims to investigate the adoption of electronic communication tools and seeks to shed more light on their diffusion process, a challenging task for project-based (PBO) and traditional business organizations (TBO). Design/methodology/approach – The data for the study were collected through three surveys, one total population survey in the Finnish and Swedish house building industries representing traditional business organizations, together with a focused and a total population survey in project-based organizations. Findings – The main findings from the survey indicate a difference in attitude between the employees of TBOs and PBOs. Moreover, electronic document management and scheduling were more prominent among PBOs, because these firms exhibit more inter-organizational communication. Research limitations/implications – The findings are limited to project-based and traditional business organizations. The research emphasises the fact that PBOs make more inter-firm collaboration efforts and thus require more extensive communication systems for inter-organizational links. Further research is needed in other industries to validate the present findings. Practical implications – By looking at the use of ICT, the aim was to determine which e-communication tools are more tightly coupled to management and how firms can benefit most from these tools for organizational governance. Originality/value – This is one of the few studies to have examined the uses of ICT in a PBO and TBO context and especially in Finnish and Swedish background.

Deciding the level of information systems outsourcing: Proposing a framework and validation with three Indian banks

Umesh Gulla, M.P. Gupta — 2011-12-30 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest a framework that would guide the practicing manager to decide the degree of information systems (IS) outsourcing. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed framework has been derived from the findings of a previous empirical study and qualitative inputs. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is then used to apply the framework. The framework is finally validated in three India-based banks. Findings – The proposed framework helps in creating a strategic alignment between the business strategy and information system strategy. The application of the framework shows the preference of managers towards high IS outsourcing. Strategic alignment and medium term impact emerge the important factors in IS outsourcing. The validity of the framework is proved in three banks. Research limitations/implications – The validation exercise has been done on a small sample due to resources constraints and a study involving a larger sample is desired. Further, it is advised to review the framework on regular intervals and make suitable changes in decision factors. Practical implications – The framework is helpful to managers in identifying the critical factors which can act as useful inputs in taking informed decisions on the degree of IS outsourcing. Originality/value – The paper fills some of the gaps in IS outsourcing by suggesting a practice- oriented framework that guides the decision maker to undertake a systematic and structured approach in arriving at an outsourcing decision. The framework has evolved from the practices of banks in India for which there does not exist any similar research.

Factors affecting ERP system implementation effectiveness

Dimitrios Maditinos, Dimitrios Chatzoudes, Charalampos Tsairidis — 2011-12-30 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems enhance productivity and working quality by offering integration, standardization and simplification of multiple business transactions. The present study seeks to introduce a conceptual framework that investigates the way that human inputs (top management, users, external consultants) are linked to communication effectiveness, conflict resolution and knowledge transfer in the ERP consulting process, as well as the effects of these factors on ERP system effective implementation. Design/methodology/approach – The examination of the proposed conceptual framework was made with the use of a newly developed questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to a group of 361 Greek companies that have implemented an ERP system. Information technology (IT) managers were selected as the key respondents of the questionnaire. After the completion of the four month research period (September to December 2008), 108 usable questionnaires were returned (response rate=31 percent approximately). The empirical data were analyzed using the structural equation modelling technique (Lisrel 8.74). Findings – The main findings of the empirical study can be summarized in the following categories: the assistance provided by external consultants during the ERP implementation process is essential; knowledge transfer is an extremely significant factor for ERP system success; knowledge transfer concerning technical aspects of ERP systems is more important than effective handling of communication, as well as conflict resolution among organizational members; the role of top management support seems to be of less importance that the one provided by users. Research limitations/implications – The present study is limited by the poor definition of its population (due to lack of available data) and the relatively small size of the sample. Practical implications – The paper points out areas that adopting companies should emphasize in order to successfully implement an ERP system and, therefore, harvest its potential benefits. Originality/value – The paper proposes an enhanced conceptual framework that examines vital issues concerning ERP system effective implementation, thus, providing valuable outcomes for decision makers and academics. The originality of the paper lies in its three dimensional approach.

Retrieving relevant information: traditional file systems versus tagging

Thomas W. Jackson, Stephen Smith — 2011-12-30 00:00:00.0

Abstract

Purpose – The aim is to determine, in a business context, if tagging is a more effective method of discovering relevant information when compared to traditional hierarchical filing systems. Design/methodology/approach – A five-step interpretive hybrid approach of using both a focus group, questionnaires and SWOT analysis was used to test the proof of concept of tagging files compared to a traditional hierarchical filing system. The approach taken was chosen because of the difficulties and tradeoffs that had to be made between the number of champions and people available to take part in the research; the time that they could allow; and because transcription or recording of the participants was not permitted. The participants were encouraged to use the questionnaires and the SWOT analysis to record their thoughts anonymously whilst the focus groups allowed elaboration and discussion to help understand the true feelings and thoughts of the group collaboratively. Findings – Traditional hierarchical filing systems can lead to the retrieval of irrelevant information, or to none at all, even though the information exists. The study shows that tagging could provide a cost-effective solution by providing a better structured filing system that can help reduce duplication and the retrieval of irrelevant information. Research limitations/implications – One limitation of the study was the limited number of participants from just one organisation. Thus, generalisation of the results of this study to the wider population must be done with great care. Practical implications – Organisations should evaluate the functionality of their chosen operating system and information store software in light of the potential benefits offered by tagging, and costly limitations of traditional file stores. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the information retrieval and information overload literature by studying the effect tagging files has on an organisation. It provides an insight to the future of filing systems for management and triggers future empirical work into reducing information overload in the workplace.

Editorial

2011-12-30 00:00:00.0