An information technologies and information systems industry-based classification in small and medium-sized enterprises: An institutional view

IT/IS assimilation in organizations has been analyzed mainly by large companies, where its greatest adoption is observed. However, studies that analyze the effects IT/IS have on SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) have also begun to appear. The institutional theory offers an approach to understanding IT/IS diffusion and the adoption process caused by isomorphism within the institutional environment, mainly industry. One of its main postulates is the institutionalization of organizations can be an answer to the pressures that organizations receive to be similar. With the purpose of analyzing this postulate, we have identified an IT/IS adoption typology through a sample of organizations coming from main industries, using multivariant analysis. This typology has allowed us to evaluate IT/IS institutionalization in SMEs, and to analyze the explanatory potential of the institutional theory in order to evaluate IT/IS assimilation in organizations.     

Evaluating IT/IS investments: A fuzzy multi-criteria decision model approach

IT/IS represents a substantial financial investment for many organizations. Whether or not to invest in new IT/IS is, therefore, a difficult decision. Simply considering human resource cost saving criteria is not enough, especially when a corporation has had many information systems. What kind of criteria should we consider when we evaluate IT/IS? How can a new IT/IS project be evaluated in an easy, cost-effective, and collective manner? We need a tool that will help decision-makers evaluate potential new investment projects. Apart from evaluating the new project per se, its compatibility and ability to integrate with an existing IT portfolio must also be considered. Hence, we propose a new approach based on the fuzzy multi-criteria decision model (FMCDM), featuring a 2-stage evaluation process with 26 criteria for IT/IS investment. All stakeholders in a corporation can decide the relative weights they give to the criteria when they evaluate a new IT/IS project by using linguistic values. Experts can also use linguistic values to evaluate all candidates easily. Only an Excel worksheet is needed to obtain an evaluation result. It is cost-effective and efficient. We conduct a case study to show how this model can be used and discuss the results.     

Investigating and comparing the dynamic patterns of the business value of information technology over time

The long-debated issue of the business value of information technology (IT) to the firm (country) has received a great deal of attention in the literature. But the studies have rarely examined the dynamic patterns of the IT value as measured by the firm’s productive efficiency over time. The objective of this paper is to apply the three-factor constant elasticity of substitution (CES) time-varying stochastic production frontier models and use the same data set as used in several previous studies to investigate the dynamic patterns of IT value over time in connection with the issues of inputs substitution and complement and the productivity paradox. This paper adopts two analytical skills, collective and individual, to analyze the empirical results. Collectively, we find that the dynamic patterns of IT value are closely related to the substitution and complement of three inputs and the IT productivity paradox. Individually, we identify five common dynamic patterns of the IT value measured by productive efficiency and interpret their implications for the productivity paradox as summarized in a two by two matrix of practical applications and strategies. This matrix accounts for four different scenarios of the relationship between the average productive efficiency and the IT productivity paradox, illustrates some practical applications by the analytical results, and provides some business insights and managerial strategies for IT decision makers and PO/IS managers. This represents a new contribution to the understanding of the dynamic influence of IT investments upon the value of IT over time.     

IS/IT项目选择决策的灰色逼近理想解排序法

IS/IT项目选择决策是一个多属性决策问题.针对传统逼近理想解排序法(TOPSIS)在确定属性权重系数上的缺陷,并考虑到在实际IS/IT项目选择决策过程中部分决策信息的不足,提出了基于灰色TOPSIS改进算法.算法运用区间灰数表达指标权重和指标评价值,定义备择项目与正、负理想解的灰色关联度,依此计算各备则项目的贴近度并实现最终排序.仿真实例验证了该方法的合理和有效性.     

Linking routines to the evolution of IT capability on agent-based modeling and simulation: a dynamic perspective

IT capability as an important source of competitive advantage has been strongly emphasized in the strategic management literature, yet the formation and evolution of IT capability in the ever-changing business environment are not well explained. To fill this gap, this paper takes routine as the unit of analysis, depicts a micro-interpretation of the formation and evolution of IT capabilities from the routine-based and dynamic perspective, and uses the agent-based simulation methodology to simulate the evolutionary process of IT capability as well as to identify the underlying principles. In order to provide a better presentation of the evolutionary process, a routine-based view of the enterprise explicitly recognizes relationships of IT resources and capabilities. The simulation results show that the evolution of IT capability is a dynamic adaption and learning process. From the routine-based view, the evolution of IT capability is indeed the process of variation, selection, and retention for IT routines.     

In search of information technology productivity: Assessment issues

Despite the massive investments in Information Technology (IT) in the developed economies, the IT impact on productivity and business performance continues to be questioned. The paper critically reviews this ‘IT productivity paradox’ debate. It suggests that important elements in the uncertainty about the IT payoff relate to deficiencies in measurement at the macroeconomic level, but also to weaknesses in organisational evaluation practice. The paper reports evidence from a 1996 UK survey pointing to such weaknesses. Focusing at the more meaningful organisational level, an integrated systems lifecycle approach is put forward as a long term way of strengthening evaluation practice. This incorporates a cultural change in evaluation from ‘control through numbers’ to a focus on quality improvement. The approach is compared against 1995–96 research findings in a multinational insurance company, where senior managers in a newly created business division consciously sought related improvements in evaluation practice, and IT productivity.     

The relationships among virtual enterprise,information technology,and business performance in agile manufacturing: An industry perspective

Agile Manufacturing (AM) is a manufacturing paradigm that focuses on smaller scale, modular production facilities, and agile operations capable of dealing with turbulent and changing environments. From several enablers of AM, Virtual Enterprise (VE) and Information Technology (IT) were chosen. This empirical study explored the impact of the alignment between VE and IT on business performance in an AM setting for five different industries. Extensive data collection strategy and several tests were used to establish the reliability and validity of the data collected. Extensive analyses of the data using Structural Equation Modeling were performed for five hypotheses across five different industries. The results indicate that both VE and IT had positive influences on business performance for all industries. It was also established that the alignment between VE and IT had a positive impact on business performance for all industries. Further, it was shown that the impact of the alignment between VE and IT on business performance was more significant than the impact of VE and IT on business performance individually for all industries. The statistical analyses and results showed that there were no significant differences among the industries surveyed. At the bivariate level of analysis, some minor differences for one industry were highlighted. In conclusion, the assessment of the results along with future research directions is provided.     

Enterprise resource planning: A taxonomy of critical factors

This paper presents a novel taxonomy of the critical success factors in enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation process. ERP benefits cannot be fully realised unless a strong alignment and reconciliation mechanism is established between technical and organisational imperatives based on the principles of process orientation. It is suggested in the taxonomy that measurement takes place in a balanced perspective, and for the purpose of providing useful information that can enable the decision making process and, which can help deliver the corporate objectives and therefore lead the business competitively forward. Upon this premise, the taxonomy is based on a comprehensive analysis of ERP literature combining research studies and organisational experiences. The taxonomy reflects the essential features of ERP systems, as being built based on the principles of business process management. Furthermore, it illustrates that ERP benefits are realised when a tight link is established between implementation approach and business process performance measures.     

Broadening the boundaries: an application of critical systems thinking to IS planning in Colombia

Most current information systems (IS) planning methodologies are focused on achieving plans that provide competitive advantage to business and solve the problems of information needs by using the latest technologies available. This paper presents an alternative approach to IS planning based on critical systems thinking—a research perspective that encourages the analysis of stakeholders' understandings of social contexts prior to the selection and/or design of planning methods. The approach is underpinned by a combination of the systems theories of autopoiesis and boundary critique, and it enables participants to reflect on different concerns and values during IS planning. This approach was applied in a project with a Colombian University, and it helped participants to uncover and address important human issues not usually seen as relevant by traditional approaches to IS planning. In addition, it led the authors to undertake further research on ethics after the project had been concluded.     

The application of information and communication technologies in transport

This paper examines the possibilities that are opened today and for the whole decade from the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in the field of Transport. The various applications are examined, under the following three headings: operation and management of networks (all modes), information and guidance to the users (of the transport systems), operation and management of freight transport systems.For each of these, a concise and critical review is made of the various technologies that exist today in their final stages of development or at the stage of commercial implementation, and their applications. The review refers to various sub-categories of the above main three.The paper proceeds then to examine the prospects for the future with a medium time horizon of 2010. These prospects show that a number of areas of applications have well established technologies and are secured of commercial viability so that we can predict safely their full scale application in the course of this decade. Examples of such areas of applications are: traffic data information collection and dissemination systems, network control and traffic management strategies, vehicle control and driver assistance, systems for (Electronic or other) fee collection.And specifically for freight: freight resource management; terminal and port information and communication systems, freight and vehicle tracking and tracing, and “front” or “back-office” logistics systems.     

A technological,organisational, and environmental analysis of decision making methodologies and satisfaction in the context of IT induced business transformations

Although Operational Research (OR) has successfully provided many methodologies to address complex decision problems, in particular based on the rationality principle, there has been too little discussion regarding their limited consideration in IT evaluation practice and associated decision making satisfaction levels in an organisational context. The aim of this paper is to address these issues through providing a current account of diffusion and infusion of OR methodologies in IT decision making practice, and by analysing factors affecting decision making satisfaction from a Technological, Organisational, and Environmental (TOE) framework in the context of IT induced business transformations. We developed a structural equation model and conducted an empirical survey, which supported four out of five developed research hypotheses. Our results show that while Decision Support Systems (DSSs), holistic IT evaluation methods, and management support seem to positively affect individual satisfaction, legislative regulation has an adverse effect. Results also revealed a persistent methodology diffusion and infusion gap. The paper discusses implications in each of these aspects and presents opportunities for future work.     

Reliabilist Justification: Basic,Easy, and Brute

Process reliabilists hold that in order for a belief to be justified, it must result from a reliable cognitive process. They also hold that a belief can be basically justified: justified in this manner without having any justification to believe that belief is reliably produced. Fumerton (1995), Vogel (2000), and Cohen (2002) have objected that such basic justification leads to implausible easy justification by means of either epistemic closure principles or so-called track record arguments. I argue that once we carefully distinguish closure principles from transmission principles, and epistemic consequences from epistemic preconditions, neither version of this objection succeeds.

Exploring Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping for IS Evaluation

Existing IS Evaluation (ISE) techniques tend to focus on modeling individuals, teams, organization, or systems, in relation to process and environmental boundaries. Whilst such approaches are noteworthy and of merit, they do not necessarily provide insights into those causal interdependencies that are inherent within decision-making task. As has been noted by the extant literature in the field, the ISE task is dependent upon many factors the resulting outputs of which may be tangible or intangible. The implicit level of uncertainty associated with modeling such decision-making tasks and behaviors, are therefore difficult to comprehend and impart via wholly Quantitative and/or Qualitative analyses. The authors therefore present and propose supporting and on-going research into the application of Fuzzy Logic, in the guise of Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) simulations, as a means to model tangible/intangible aspects of the ISE decision-making task. Such a Fuzzy Information Systems Evaluation (F-ISE) is shown via the application of the FCM technique, in terms of three models of investment appraisal that are aligned to an ISE task within a UK manufacturing organization. In doing so, it is anticipated that such a technique may be a useful addition to the plethora of ISE techniques available to both researcher and practitioner alike.     

Macroscopic models for fibroproliferative disorders: A review

In this paper we review some mathematical modelling of organ reparative processes (wound healing) for both the physiological and pathological case. The natural process of healing consists in a series of overlapping phases involving cells, chemicals, extracellular matrix (ECM) and the environment surrounding the wound site. Sometimes the healing process fails and the reparative mechanism produces pathological conditions which are commonly termed fibrosis or fibroproliferative disorders. Biological insight into the pathogenesis, progression and possible regression of fibrosis is lacking and many issues are still open. Mathematical modelling can surely play its part in this field and this paper is aimed at showing what has been done so far and what has still to be done to achieve a unified framework for studying these kinds of problems. Due to the high complexity of this phenomenon, multi-scale modelling is certainly the appropriate approach that should be used for studying these kinds of problems. Unfortunately most of the mathematical literature on this topic consists of macroscopic continuous models which fail to investigate processes occurring at smaller length scales (cellular, sub-cellular). We present a review of some of the mathematical literature, showing the widely used approaches, focusing on the interpretation of results and indicating possible developments in the study of these highly complex systems.     

Putting Soft OR Methods to Work: Information Systems Strategy Development at Richards Bay

The development of an information systems (IS) strategy for a mineral extraction and processing plant operated by Rio Tinto Zinc (RTZ) in South Africa is described. The participative approach used was developed from soft OR and systems thinking. The aim of the Richards Bay project was to test commercially whether the Participative Information Management Strategy (PIMS) methodology could be used as a standard method to be applied to the development of an information systems strategy at any mine site. The paper describes the implementation of the process and the problems encountered. More generally it discusses the diffusion of new ideas in an international company, illustrated by the use of the participative approach for other activities including systems development. Conclusions are drawn about the value of participative approaches based on soft OR in this context.     

Selecting most efficient information system projects in presence of user subjective opinions: a DEA approach

Information System (IS) project selection is a critical decision making task that can significantly impact operational excellence and competitive advantage of modern enterprises and also can involve them in a long-term commitment. This decision making is complicated due to availability of numerous IS projects, their increasing complexities, importance of timely decisions in a dynamic environment, as well as existence of multiple qualitative and quantitative criteria. This paper proposes a Data Envelopment Analysis approach to find most efficient IS projects while considering subjective opinions and intuitive senses of decision makers. The proposed approach is validated by a real world case study involving 41 IS projects at a large financial institution as well as 18 artificial projects which are defined by the decision makers.     

Control and system-theoretic identification of the supply chain dynamics domain for planning,analysis and adaptation of performance under uncertainty

The analysis of how to achieve planned economic performance in a real-time, uncertain and perturbed execution environment is a vital and up-to-date issue in many supply chains. Although it is intuitive that uncertainty is likely to have impacts on performance, the research on systematic terminology and quantitative analysis in this domain is rather limited as compared with the well-established domain of supply chain optimal planning. This study is among the first to address the operative perspective of the supply chain dynamics domain. The methodology of this conceptual paper is based on the business and technical literature analysis and fundamentals of control and systems theory. In contributing to the existing studies in this domain, the paper proposes a possible systemization and classification of related terminology from different theoretical perspectives, and important practical problems. For the supply chain dynamics domain, the paper identifies and groups possible problem classes of research, corresponding quantitative methods, and describes the general mathematical formulations. The results of this study may be of interest to both academics and practitioners.     

Simulation for business process re-engineering: case study of a database management system

This paper describes the use of discrete event simulation in the resource, throughput and content analysis and improvement of a business process in the Iranian Information and Documentation Centre (IRANDOC). The process was initially mapped using Data Flow Diagrams (DFD), and the objectives of the study for a range of users were captured using the Delphi method. The time taken for the tasks in the process were estimated by work study, and the simulation was developed in ServiceModel?. The simulation was valuable in understanding why the current systems were not performing satisfactorily and led to a number of proposals for improvement. This mixed use of hard (simulation) and soft (Delphi) methods proved a fruitful way to gain process improvements and could be employed in other organisations.     

Artificial intelligence for decision support systems in the field of operations research: review and future scope of research

Operations research (OR) has been at the core of decision making since World War II, and today, business interactions on different platforms have changed business dynamics, introducing a high degree of uncertainty. To have a sustainable vision of their business, firms need to have a suitable decision-making process at each stage, including minute details. Our study reviews and investigates the existing research in the field of decision support systems (DSSs) and how artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities have been integrated into OR. The findings of our review show how AI has contributed to decision making in the operations research field. This review presents synergies, differences, and overlaps in AI, DSSs, and OR. Furthermore, a clarification of the literature based on the approaches adopted to develop the DSS is presented along with the underlying theories. The classification has been primarily divided into two categories, i.e. theory building and application-based approaches, along with taxonomies based on the AI, DSS, and OR areas. In this review, past studies were calibrated according to prognostic capability, exploitation of large data sets, number of factors considered, development of learning capability, and validation in the decision-making framework. This paper presents gaps and future research opportunities concerning prediction and learning, decision making and optimization in view of intelligent decision making in today’s era of uncertainty. The theoretical and managerial implications are set forth in the discussion section justifying the research questions.

     

An agent-based investigation into the new product development capability

The capability to bring products to market which comply with quality, cost and development time goals is vital to the survival of firms in a competitve environment. New product development comprises knowledge creation and search and can be organized in different ways. In this paper, we study the performance of several alternative organizational models for new product development using a model of distributed, self-adapting (learning) agents. The agents (a marketing and a production agent) are modelled via neural networks. The artificial new product development process analyzed starts with learning on the basis of an initial set of production and marketing data about possible products and their evaluation. Subsequently, in each step of the process, the agents search for a better product with their current models of the environment and, then, refine their representations based on additional prototypes generated (new learning data). Within this framework, we investigate the influence of different types of new product search methods and generating prototypes/learning according to the performance of individual agents and the organization as a whole. In particular, sequential, team-based Trial & Error and House of Quality guided search are combined with prototype sampling methods of different intensity and breadth; also, the complexity of the agents (number of hidden units) is varied. It turns out that both the knowledge base and the search procedure have a significant impact on the agents' generalization ability and success in new product development. Andreas Mild was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1973. He studied business administration in Vienna, in 2000 he received his Ph.D. from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU). Since 2003 he is associated professor at the WU. He has been guest professor in Frankfurt, Germany, Sydney, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand. Previous research appeared in Journals such as MIS Quarterly, Management Science and Marketing Science. His research interests currently include agent-based models, new product development and recommender systems. Alfred Taudes was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1959. He studied business administration and management information systems (MIS) in Vienna (doctorate 1984), in 1991 he received his Ph.D. from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration (WU). He was assistant professor at the WU (1986–1991) and professor for MIS at the German Universities of Augsburg (1991), Münster (1991/92) and Essen (1992/93). Since 1993, he has been professor for MIS at the WU and Head of the Department for Production Management. Since 2000, Dr. Taudes has been speaker for the Special Research Area SFB # 010 (Adaptive Information Systems and Modelling in Economics and Management Science). His research interests currently include agent-based models of industry structures, management of innovation, technology management and business strategy.