1,720,988 research outputs found
Factors affecting the e-business systems adoption process in Saudi small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
No full textElectronic business (e-business) systems are important for SMEs operating in Saudi Arabia. Despite its importance, little is known about how SMEs operating in Saudi Arabia (which has some unique SME characteristics) approach e-business systems adoption process. Much of the current e-business literature focuses on the adoption decision of e-business systems. As e-business systems are complex and inter-organisational in nature, an improved understanding can be developed when adoption process of these systems is considered as a temporal process involving multiple stages. Relatively limited empirical research is however reported that focuses on the multiple stages of the e-business systems adoption process. This is particularly true for Saudi Arabia in which SMEs are expressing an interest in e-business systems adoption. Motivated by these concerns, this study examines the e-business adoption process among Saudi SMEs by developing a three-stage e-business adoption model which is rooted in the ideas borrowed from the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) literature. The model incorporates a total of 19 ‘stage specific’ factors and 10 ‘common’ factors identified from various streams of literature. The model was then evaluated using an online experts panel and a case study in which 20 SMEs from Saudi Arabia participated. The case study findings indicate that a total of 14 ‘stage specific’ factors (i.e. compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, perceived e-business attributes, availability of technical expertise, knowledgeable employee attitude toward technology, communication, customer readiness, security concerns, high competence in IS, perceived e-business value, owner attitude toward technology, and training) are important for Saudi SMEs to adopt e-business systems. In addition, eight ‘common’ factors (i.e. cost, relative advantage, management support, external pressure, owner-manager characteristic, organisational readiness and awareness, trading partners’ readiness, and organisational culture) are important for Saudi SMEs to adopt e-business systems. Interestingly, some differences are noted in the influence of these factors among SMEs across the manufacturing and service sectors. The research model and the case study findings are useful. The model assists researchers in understanding the e-business systems adoption process in SMEs based on the notion of a ‘stage model’ approach. Knowledge of the factors supported through the case study provides useful guidelines for those SMEs which are contemplating the introduction of e-business systems for the first time. These guidelines identify those specific factors which SME management should care for during each of the three stages of the e-business systems adoption initiatives in their companies. This will in turn facilitate eventual implementation success of e-business systems for the SME context. E-business researchers are encouraged to replicate this study to other countries particularly for those in the Arabian Gulf region
UNDERSTANDING E-PROCUREMENT SYSTEM BENEFITS USING ORGANISATIONAL ADOPTION MOTIVATION LENS: A CASE STUDY
No full textFactors Affecting Adoption of B2E E-Business Systems: A Case of the Australian Higher Education Industry
Get PDFIn recent years, there has been a surge in the number of organizations wanting to embrace IT systems that support the notion of business-to-employee (B2E) e-business. Trade magazines are now filled with many short essays and case reports highlighting the benefits of B2E ebusiness systems. However, little is reported in the scholarly academic literature about the adoption of B2E e-business systems. Thus, it is not clearly known what factors facilitate the decision of large organizations to adopt these systems. Given the fact that higher educational institutions maintain a large workforce, it is important to determine the conditions that affect their decisions to adopt B2E systems. This study reports on the employee portal adoption experience of two large Australian universities and identifies the key factors that influenced their decisions to adopt these systems. The implications of the findings are also discussed
Introducing Control and Structure in Software Prototyping
Get PDFSoftware prototyping is emerging as an attractive software
development paradigm in which a series of executable prototypes
are constructed and users are encouraged to exercise with such
prototypes in a live environment in order to solicit their
overall requirements. In spite of these benefits, prototyping
is not free from pitfalls. A major problem of software
prototyping is the lack of explicit guidelines to control
prototype iterations which tend to continue infinitely in a
volatile environment. The problem is further aggravated by the
unavailability of a suitable framework, within which to develop
prototype systems in a manageable and flexible manner.
Therefore, current practice of prototyping lacks in discipline.
This study is directed to address these critical issues of
prototyping. The primary goal is to develop a strategy to
control and to suggest a framework to manage software
prototyping. A scheme called 'User satisfaction Method' which
relates the degree of user satisfaction with the prototype's
capability in clarifying user requirements is developed that
provides rationale guidelines in deciding when to cease
prototype iterations. To complement this scheme, a framework
for structured prototyping, which is called 'State-Structured
Transition' model is also developed. The framework considers
each prototype 'version' as a 'state' and suggests that the
transitions from one state to another need to be performed
using structured principles.
In order to verify the applicability of such a framework
and scheme, a case study has been undertaken. The results
obtained confirm that 'User Satisfaction Scheme' can be
adopted as a surrogate to control prototyping process. The
research findings further establish that the framework of
structured prototyping ensures smooth transition from one
prototype version to another. Therefore, the 'User
Satisfaction Scheme' should be adopted in conjunction with the
framework of 'Structured Prototyping' in order to successfully
control and manage software prototyping
MEDIA CHARACTERISTICS, NATIONAL CULTURE, AND E-GOVERNMENT SERVICES USAGE: DEVELOPING A MODEL AND SURVEY INSTRUMENT
Get PDFWith the increased use of the Internet across the world, government organisations are investing considerable efforts for introducing various types of online services to individuals. However, despite such efforts, many individuals may still prefer to access those services using the traditional channels (e.g. phone, office visits). To find out why this happens, in this research-in-progress paper, we explore the role of media characteristics in determining individuals’ intention to use e-government initiatives for three different services: information access, transaction completions, and participation in policy formulations. In particular, we propose a model that integrates constructs from TAM, media richness and national cultural theory. We further report the development of a survey instrument based on the model. The model has implications for both theory and practice
Understanding Individuals’ Intention to Use E-Government Services: Development of an Integrated Model
Get PDFIn recent years, governments worldwide are acknowledging the importance of delivering services to their citizens using multiple channels. Thus, in addition to letting citizens to access government services via traditional channels, governments are making substantial investments in e-government initiatives. However, the success of these initiatives is largely influenced by the usage intention of individuals to access e-government services. In this research-in-progress paper, we thus report on the development of a theory driven model to understand individuals’ intention to use various types of e-government services. We also indicate the current status of our empirical efforts to evaluate this model. The implications of this model to theory and practice are outlined
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Understanding E-procurement Systems Benefits: A Theoretical Model and Some Evidence
Get PDFE-procurement systems, which represent a core e-supply chain initiative, are intended to revolutionaise the manual procurement function of organisations and promise many benefits. However, realisation of benefits from e-procurement systems implementation is not always guaranteed. Despite many of years of research into e-supply chain, there exists no theoretical model to help management predict the likely benefits that their organisations may experience from implementing an e-procurement system. In this paper, we propose a model for better explaining the benefits that an organisation may expect to experience from these systems. The model identifies four types of relationships which organisations may choose to establish with suppliers while deciding to introduce an e-procurement system, and associates each relationship type with a set of predicted benefits. We further present the e-procurement experience of a government agency, analyse it in terms of the model, and provide empirical support for the applicability of part of the model
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
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