How do supply chain management and information systems practices influence operational performance?:Evidence from emerging country SMEs

This study first provides a comparative analysis of the impact of supply chain management (SCM) and information systems (IS) practices on operational performance (OPER) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in two neighbouring emerging country markets of Turkey and Bulgaria. Then, we investigate moderating effects of both SCM–IS-linked enablers and inhibitors on the links between SCM and IS practices and OPER of SMEs. To this end, we first empirically identify the underlying dimensions of SCM and IS practices, and SCM–IS-related enabling and inhibiting factors. Second, a series of regression analyses are undertaken to estimate the impact of the study's constructs on OPER of SMEs. The results are discussed comparatively within the contexts of both Turkish and Bulgarian SMEs and beyond. The study makes a significant contribution to the extant literature through obtaining and analysing cross-national survey data of SCM and IS practices in emerging country markets

Electronic data interchange: If A perspective from Taiwan

This study presents findings about perceptions and use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in Taiwan. It was undertaken to help build a framework within which to better understand EDI in a global setting. Findings indicate that there are differences and similarities between perceptions and use of EDI in Taiwan and what we know about EDI use in Western cultures. Possible explanations are offered for these findings. Several research questions arise out of the findings that can guide future research about EDI in a variety of cultures, and sets of propositions for each research question are suggested

Credit Card Fraud: A New Perspective On Tackling An Intransigent Problem

This article offers a new perspective on battling credit card fraud. It departs from a focus on post factum liability, which characterizes most legal scholarship and federal legislation on credit card fraud and applies corrective mechanisms only after the damage is done. Instead, this article focuses on preempting credit card fraud by tackling the root causes of the problem: the built-in incentives that keep the credit card industry from fighting fraud on a system-wide basis. This article examines how credit card companies and banks have created a self-interested infrastructure that insulates them from the liabilities and costs of credit card fraud. Contrary to widespread belief, retailers, not card companies or banks, absorb much of the loss caused by thieves who shop with stolen credit cards. Also, credit card companies and banks earn fees from every credit card transaction, including those that are fraudulent. In addressing these problems, this article advocates broad reforms, including legislation that would mandate data security standards for the industry, empower multiple stakeholders to create the new standards, and offer companies incentives to comply by capping bank fees for those that are compliant, while deregulating fees for those that are not compliant

Managers\u27 Perceived Benefits of Using Electronic Procurement in Taiwan

Facing the competitive pressure from new hospitals and new regulations from the Bureau of National Health Insurance, hospital managers in Taiwan are concentrating on reducing the hospital operation costs and improving the healthcare quality. Practitioners and academic researchers agree that reducing the pharmacy cost is one of the best solutions to sustain competitive advantage. As electronic commerce becomes popular in many industry sectors, e- procurement is growing rapidly in the healthcare industry. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the managers\u27 perceptions of benefits of using electronic procurement system. After surveying 152 hospitals in Taiwan, we find that hospital size and adoption status have significant influence on many perceived benefits. Managers in large hospitals show stronger confidence in the perceived benefits of using e-procurement than their counterparts of small hospitals

Determinants of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Adoption and Integration in the US and Japanese Automobile Suppliers

This paper examines determinants of EDI adoption and integration in the US and Japanese automobile suppliers. The paper constructs several hypotheses based on the transaction-cost and resource- dependence approaches, and tests these hypotheses by using data from the automobile suppliers. Our study shows: (1) the resource-dependence approach seemed more effective in explaining EDI adoption, while the transaction-cost approach seemed more effective in explaining EDI integration; (2) the transaction-cost approach seemed more suited to the US context, while the resource-dependence approach seemed more suited to the Japanese context; (3) EDI adoption and EDI integration had positive impacts on EDI performance in the US, suggesting the higher validity of our framework in the US.Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce, Automotive Industry, Automobile Suppliers, Technology Adoption

The Promise of Health Information Technology: Ensuring that Florida's Children Benefit

Substantial policy interest in supporting the adoption of Health Information Technology (HIT) by the public and private sectors over the last 5 -- 7 years, was spurred in particular by the release of multiple Institute of Medicine reports documenting the widespread occurrence of medical errors and poor quality of care (Institute of Medicine, 1999 & 2001). However, efforts to focus on issues unique to children's health have been left out of many of initiatives. The purpose of this report is to identify strategies that can be taken by public and private entities to promote the use of HIT among providers who serve children in Florida

Payment Card Rewards Programs and Consumer Payment Choice

We estimate the direct effects of rewards card programs on consumer payment choice for in-store transactions. By using a data set that contains information on consumer perceived attributes of payment methods and consumer perceived acceptance of payment methods by merchants, we control for consumer heterogeneity in preferences and choice sets. We conduct policy experiments to examine the effects of removing rewards from credit and/or debit cards. The results suggest that: (i) only a small percentage of consumers would switch from electronic to paper-based payment methods, (ii) the effect of removing credit card rewards is greater than that of removing debit card rewards, and consequently, (iii) removing rewards on both credit and debit cards would reduce credit card transactions, but increase debit card transactions.Consumer Choice; Payment Methods; Rewards Programs; Interchange fees

Strength properties of rice husk ash concrete under sodium sulphate attack

The use of pozzolanic materials in concrete provides several advantages, such as improved strength and durability. This study investigated the strength properties of rice husk ash (RHA) concrete under severe durability (sodium sulphate attack). Four RHA replacement levels were considered in the study: 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% by weight of cement. The durability performance of the RHA blended cement exposed to sodium sulphate solution was evaluated through compressive strength, reduction in strength, and weight loss. Test results showed that RHA can be satisfactorily used as a cement replacement material in order to increase the durability of concrete. Concrete containing 10% and 20% of RHA replacements showed excellent durability to sulphate attack. The results also indicate that the amount of Ca(OH)2 in the RHA blended cement concrete was lower than that of Portland cement due to the pozzolanic reaction of RH

An empirical investigation of the adoption and usage of electronic data interchange in the hotel industry

This dissertation examines the application of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) adoption and use in the hotel industry. EDI is a type of interorganizational information system that facilitates the exchange of business documents in structured, machine processable form. The research model links EDI adoption to four usages: purchasing, accounting, financing and strategic. Based on relevant literature, six theories were selected from which, nineteen hypotheses were proposed for the relationships between EDI adoption and usage; The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was mailed out to 1200 hotel manager with the title of purchasing managers, controllers, and management information systems managers. The managers had the option of mailing in the questionnaire or go to the following Web Site: http://www.unlv.edu/faculty/ramdeen/EDIsurvey.htm and fill out the questionnaire then submit. The usable responses were 287 (23.92 rate); The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. The analysis supports the following hypothesis: (1) EDI purchasing and financing usage is positively related to property size, (2) trading status is positively related to purchasing use, (3) business presence/feedback and quality is positively related to strategic use, (4) uncertainty is positively related to purchases and strategic use, (5) analyzability is positively related to strategic use, and (6) interdependence is positively related to purchase and strategic use; EDI is one of the many ways hotels may exchange information. This study shows that EDI can be use by hotels for purchasing, financing and strategic purposes. For hotels to improve their internal usages of EDI two conditions must be accomplish. First, hotels must improve the information flow between their trading partners. Second, the information flow must be sufficient to stimulate intraorganizational usages. It is anticipated that the role of EDI in hotels will continue to grow in the future. Presently, EDI in hotels are more confine to purchasing (purchase or purchase order processing), and strategic use (long-term procurement contracts and linkages to electronic funds). In the future, EDI could become an important tool for hotels to use in conducting business in both an interorganizational and intraorganizational way; Research on EDI is still in a growth stage. By identifying and testing relevant intraorganizational variables, this study offers insights to practitioners managing internal activities within hotels that are currently using or planning to use EDI. Further, the dissertation provides avenues for future research aimed at understanding the applications of EDI technology and its administrative capabilities that could benefit both practitioners and academics