44 research outputs found
Modelling Resource Configurations in Ict-Enabled Service Systems
No full textTelehealth, the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) to support care delivery at a distance, is increasingly used in health systems worldwide. A service system is defined as a configuration of people, technologies, and other resources that interact with other service systems to create mutual value. Adopting a service system perspective thus allows understanding a telehealth service as an ICT-enabled service system.
Adequately configuring resources, both tangible (e.g., hardware) and intangible (e.g., knowledge), is key to co-creating value through service systems. However, existing service system engineering methods and tools are not yet able to comprehensively capture the nature, role, and status of resources within service systems. In particular, while conceptual modelling is recognized as an excellent tool of understanding, designing, and monitoring for service engineering, existing conceptual modelling notations have limited abilities to express configurations of resources.
In order to address this gap, the following research objectives are proposed: 1) Develop a conceptual framework of resource configurations as the basis for further developing a metamodel of resource configurations; 2) Develop a metamodel of resource configurations in ICT-enabled service systems that can formally express the constructs, relationships, and constraints within the domain of resource configurations; 3) Demonstrate and evaluate the metamodel by conducting a multiple-case study in the field of telehealth. This study will focus on telehealth as a representative instance of ICT-enabled service systems.
The research design is guided by the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM). DSRM provides a well-structured process for developing and evaluating information systems artifacts, such as the proposed metamodel, that can solve practical problems while contributing to a knowledge base. A multiple-case study of telehealth services at a Canadian hospital will support the evaluation and refinement of the metamodel.
The results of this research project include both conceptual and practical contributions. The metamodel of resource configurations derived from the reviewed literature and conceptual framework will provide a formal understanding of resource configurations in ICT-enabled service systems. The metamodel may also be adopted as a tool for professionals to capture and analyze resource configurations in the domain of ICT-enabled services such as telehealth
Knowledge Management Systems Support for Value Co-Creation in KIBS Engagement
No full textCollaborative value creation (otherwise known as value co-creation) is a concept that has been explored over the years in the context of knowledge - intensive business services (KIBS) such as management consulting, engineering services, etc. A body of studies has investigated how to foster value co-creation among KIBS providers, clients, and partners during KIBS engagements. Knowledge processes have been identified as an important enabler of value co-creation. In organizations more generally, knowledge management systems and related ICT tools (referred to as KM tools in this research) have been identified to support knowledge processes. However, the support provided to knowledge processes in the specific context of KIBS engagements is yet to be explored. Through the development of a conceptual framework that examines the linkages between KM tools, knowledge processes, and value co-creation in the context of KIBS engagements, this research investigates how knowledge management systems provide support to value co-creation in KIBS engagements. We adopt a multiple case study research design. Using eight semi-structured interviews, we obtained data on knowledge processes and KM tools in KIBS engagements. The result is a refined framework that illustrates the type of KM tools currently used in KIBS engagements, the knowledge processes they support, and their relationship to value co-creation. We also present a discussion of how this framework can be applied practically. At a conceptual level, this study contributes to the field of KIBS by identifying how exactly knowledge processes provide support to value co-creation processes in KIBS engagements, and how KM tools provide support to knowledge processes. At a practical level, this study contribute s to the field of knowledge management systems design by providing guidance on the KM tools that can meet the specific needs of service providers, clients, and partners in the domain of knowledge-intensive services
Refining and validating modeling requirements for improved value creation in KIBS engagements
No full textRefining and validating modeling requirements for improved value creation in KIBS engagements
No full textKnowledge Management Systems Support for Value Co-Creation in KIBS Engagement
No full textCollaborative value creation (otherwise known as value co-creation) is a concept that has been explored over the years in the context of knowledge - intensive business services (KIBS) such as management consulting, engineering services, etc. A body of studies has investigated how to foster value co-creation among KIBS providers, clients, and partners during KIBS engagements. Knowledge processes have been identified as an important enabler of value co-creation. In organizations more generally, knowledge management systems and related ICT tools (referred to as KM tools in this research) have been identified to support knowledge processes. However, the support provided to knowledge processes in the specific context of KIBS engagements is yet to be explored. Through the development of a conceptual framework that examines the linkages between KM tools, knowledge processes, and value co-creation in the context of KIBS engagements, this research investigates how knowledge management systems provide support to value co-creation in KIBS engagements. We adopt a multiple case study research design. Using eight semi-structured interviews, we obtained data on knowledge processes and KM tools in KIBS engagements. The result is a refined framework that illustrates the type of KM tools currently used in KIBS engagements, the knowledge processes they support, and their relationship to value co-creation. We also present a discussion of how this framework can be applied practically. At a conceptual level, this study contributes to the field of KIBS by identifying how exactly knowledge processes provide support to value co-creation processes in KIBS engagements, and how KM tools provide support to knowledge processes. At a practical level, this study contribute s to the field of knowledge management systems design by providing guidance on the KM tools that can meet the specific needs of service providers, clients, and partners in the domain of knowledge-intensive services
A Double-Loop Patient-Oriented Learning Cycle for Therapy Decision-Making
No full textTherapy decision-making for patients with chronic diseases can be difficult. Such patients usually live with their illness(es) all their life, and therapies can only help them improve their condition by managing symptoms, not curing them. Patient-oriented approaches are common to caring for people with chronic conditions because patients’ priorities become relevant means of prioritizing therapies in the absence of a cure. While such type of approach is shown to be effective, it does not leverage evidence on the success of given therapies to achieve specific similar patient goals in the past. Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) is a concept that was introduced to the medical field in the early 90s to invalidate previously accepted tests and therapies and replace them with new, more powerful, more accurate, more efficacious, and safer ones. Unfortunately, despite the prevalence of patient-oriented approaches for patients with chronic diseases, data collected on patients is not systematically leveraged to support therapy decisions. Combining evidence-based decision-making and patient-oriented approaches could potentially further improve patient outcomes by leveraging the most up-to-date data to recommend and discuss therapy options for patients with chronic conditions.
The development and implementation of Learning Health Systems (LHS) is another solution to improving patient outcomes, one that the US Institute of Medicine strongly recommends. The development and implementation of a LHS to support therapy choice for patients with chronic conditions could improve related decisions by fostering continuous learning regarding which therapy may help better achieve which patient goals. However, a learning process that systematically leverages a relevant basis of evidence to support patient-oriented approaches has yet to be defined. As such, this study aims at articulating a learning process for therapy decision-making in the context of chronic conditions. The result is framework and a demonstration of its application using the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) and synthetic data
Towards a Framework for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Collaborative Learning Health Systems
No full textThis scoping review aimed to explore how Collaborative Learning Health Systems (CLHSs) are being monitored and evaluated. The research questions are: (1) “What dimensions are used to monitor and evaluate CLHSs?” and (2) “What metrics are used to operationalize the dimensions for monitoring and evaluating CLHSs?” A search strategy was applied to multiple databases, LHS scoping reviews, and reference lists of included records. Records focused on CLHS monitoring and evaluation studies, frameworks, and tools were included. Thematic analysis, informed by a performance measurement lens, was conducted to synthesize and organize the results. Among the 1,122 records screened, there were 45 records included in the analysis. The results were synthesized into 24 dimensions and grouped into six perspectives: Enablers, Collaboration, Practice to Data, Data to Knowledge, Knowledge to Action, and Health System Outcomes. There were 20 frameworks and tools that were proposed or used by the records to monitor and evaluate CLHSs. Most of them were only used once, indicating that there has yet to be a dominant or widely used CLHS monitoring and evaluation framework. The dimensions identified in this study are more comprehensive than those in the included frameworks and more tailored to CLHS needs than existing LHS or performance measurement frameworks. To illustrate how these results can be used, they were applied to an existing CLHS, RESPECT. This study provides a foundation for further empirical research toward developing a CLHS monitoring and evaluation framework. Advancing this research can guide healthcare leaders and researchers in planning, monitoring, and evaluating CLHSs
Designing Information Systems to Support Habit Formation : From Theories to Design Principles
No full textSustaining behaviour change is fundamental for the effective uptake of policies and practices aimed at improving individual and collective health, yet it can be very difficult for individuals to adhere to new desired health-related behaviours. A prospective solution is to focus on instilling these behaviours as a habit. Once instilled as a habit, behaviours are performed automatically given specific cues, and they relieve the cognitive stress of having to make a volitional decision towards performing the behaviour - making it more resistant to relapse. Several information systems (IS) are being proposed to help individual users instil target behaviours as habits so that they can be performed even when intentions shift. However, these systems tend to be designed in an ad hoc manner and, as a result, their effectiveness can vary substantially.
To better guide the design of information systems that can support users in forming health-related behaviours as a habit, we define a subclass of systems called Habit Formation Support Systems (HFSS) and adopt the design science research approach to develop two artifacts: (1) a design-relevant theory explaining and predicting how IS-supported habit formation can be achieved called the Theory for the Formation of IS-Supported Habits (T-FISSH); and (2) a suite of design principles to guide the design of systems that can effectively support users in forming a desired health-related behaviour as a habit.
We contend that habit theory and IS continuance theory can be used to anchor the development of the two artifacts. The T-FISSH was refined and validated using exploratory and confirmatory focus groups with academics and health behaviour change practitioners respectively. The design principles were refined with systems design and development professionals and validated through a reusability check that involved a design activity and reusability questionnaire.
The theoretical contribution of the thesis lies in moving the habit formation knowledge base into the design realm through the development of a design-relevant explanatory/predictive theory. From a practical perspective, this research presents a suite of theory-anchored design principles that are intended to guide the design and development of systems that can support users in forming desired health-related behaviours as a habit
Knowledge Management Practices in DevOps
No full textDevOps, a portmanteau of Development and Operations, is the collection of principles and practices that try to improve cooperation between IT Development and IT Operations teams in the software development domain. The DevOps paradigm, thus, promises to overcome the traditional boundaries between development and operations teams and to improve collaboration across teams through a culture that is conducive to shared goals and accountability.
Responding to the recent call for a better understanding of DevOps Knowledge Management (KM), this study aims to explore the role of knowledge management in advancing DevOps performance outcomes. Toward this, the study adopts a practice perspective of KM, and aims to answer the following research questions: 1) What are the enablers of KM practices in DevOps teams? 2) What are the distinctive characteristics of KM practices that underpin positive DevOps performance outcomes?
Using an inductive research design and qualitative data collection and analysis procedures, this study followed a multiple case study approach, and collected and analyzed data from nine in-depth interviews with DevOps professionals across three organizations. Using grounded theory coding procedures, an emergent theoretical model of DevOps KM is presented and discussed, along with various propositions that outline how DevOps teams acquire, capture, share and apply knowledge, and how their KM practices can drive positive DevOps performance.
Key insights from this study indicate that technology leaders need to foster greater awareness about the significance of KM in DevOps teams. This can be done by highlighting challenges associated with a lack of effective KM practices, and best practices followed by other companies. Furthermore, DevOps teams should adopt a mix of people-centered and technology-centered KM practices that enable effective personalization and codification of knowledge. Lastly, DevOps managers need to encourage alternative-bridging KM practices through regular use of KM tools and features within DevOps technologies while investing in dedicated knowledge sharing platforms.
Through a discussion of the enablers of KM practices in DevOps; typical configuration of people-centered, technology-centered, and alternative-bridging KM practices in DevOps; and the linkages between KM practices and DevOps performance outcomes, this study aims to contribute to the extant research literature on DevOps KM, and provide practical guidelines for institutionalizing KM practices that can support the fast-paced nature of DevOps teams
Competitive Advantage of KIBS Providers: Influence of Knowledge Processes
No full textKIBS providers are organizations that perform knowledge intensive business activities mainly for other organizations and in the present age have become key components of industrialized economies. The primary purpose of KIBS providers is to deliver customized solutions to clients through the implementation of three core knowledge processes: knowledge acquisition, knowledge recombination, and knowledge diffusion. Existing research has predominantly focused on understanding the importance of these providers in creating a competitive edge for their clients. However, little is known in terms of how such providers can create an improved competitive position for themselves. This research helps to understand whether the use of knowledge processes influences the competitive advantage¬ of KIBS providers. A guiding framework developed from literature posits that such generic knowledge processes may provide competitive advantage for a given provider if they are transformed into valuable, rare, inimitable, and well-exploited resources (VRIO). The study follows a holistic multiple case research design of three IT service providers to refine the existing theory on the influence of knowledge processes on the competitive advantage of KIBS providers. Data was collected through interviews of employees occupying different roles in a company to provide their perspectives on the various parts of the framework. The findings of this study reveal that participants perceive knowledge processes to provide competitive advantage to their companies. However, data analysis using the VRIO framework indicates that knowledge processes do not confer competitive advantage by themselves, but rather through an emerging theme called delivery. Findings also indicate that delivery influences other factors of competitive advantage. The study contributes to the existing literature as it leads to a refined understanding of the relationship between knowledge processes and competitive advantage by highlighting the importance of delivery as a dynamic capability. The study has practical implications for managers as it informs them that delivery improves brand name, reduces costs, and helps to achieve client satisfaction
