Enterprise Systems in Transition Economies: An Initial Literature Review

In spite of the fact that enterprise systems have become essential in modern organizations, there is a scarcity of research on this topic in the context of transition economies, defined as countries that are in the process of moving or have recently moved from a centrally planned economic system to a market-driven system. In this initial study, we conduct a review of 27 journal papers on enterprise systems in transition economies published in the years 2004-2014. We examine the research focus, research approach, and theoretical foundation. Based on the analysis of themes and current trends in the existing literature we identify gaps and propose opportunities for future research

IT operational risk awareness building in banking companies: A preliminary research design highlighting the importance of risk cultures and control systems

This research in progress paper introduces a research initiative focusing on bank employee risk behaviour to mitigate IT operational risks in Austrian banks. The study focuses on the role of IT risk culture and internal controls in relation to employee risk behaviour and the effectiveness of different awareness building practices in banking companies in response to international banking regulation. We offer a short introduction to central theoretical concepts, main research assump-tions and a two-staged methodological design to conduct the underlying study. The indicative findings suggest important properties of awareness building methods and guidelines to create a proactive IT risk culture

Internal IT Control Systems and Global Regulation of Organizations: The Rise of Control Assemblages

The encounter between global regulation and IT offers a challenging environment in organizations to investigate how internal control systems (ICS) emerge and social orders are changed. In this research paper, I used the opportunity to investigate assemblages that have coded and territorialized IT in a large organization. Based on a case study, the paper emphasizes that ICS are composed of loosely structured, ever evolving heterogeneous components and systems, which are involved in constant re-conceptualization. In particular, processes leading to the creation of control assemblages, resulting tensions and conflicts, and the roles of the installed base and exteriorized relations are shortly discussed

Innovation capability development in regional entrepreneurship : the case of economies in transition

Purpose: The first purpose of this study is to identify and explore IT professionals’ innovation capability (IC) in terms of two dimensions: organizational and individual, in regional, micro-sized, and small organizations (RMSOs) in Poland, a transition economy. The second goal is to find demographic and organizational factors which may influence IC. Design/Methodology/Approach: The authors unites an analysis comprised multiple-case studies based on mixed methods. The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods such as the method of competent judges, in-depth interviews and a structured survey as well as a combination of random and snowball sampling. On the basis of a survey among 60 IT professionals (supervisors and subordinates) the authors identified individual IC factors such as social competences, knowledge and skills, as well as organizational dimensions, such as the type of innovative change and ICT innovations. Factors influencing IC on an individual basis include position, education, age, and gender, while organizational determinants are related to organization size and location. Findings: The proposed methodology let to find the benefits for management practices in transition economies, an underestimated problem within RMSOs. Practical Implications: The current research expands the existing knowledge stream on ICT innovation capability in relation to individual socio-demographic factors and organizational factors, affecting its development in RMSOs in transition economies. This study adds potential to the implementation of the management practices in transition economies, an underestimated problem within RMSOs. Originality/Value: The authors purpose, as the novelty, the new approach of ICT innovation capability at the organizational and individual levels of an enterprise tool. We developed our previous tool – the Questionnaire of Innovation Capability (QIC). The authors defined its two dimensions, as organizational innovation capability and individual innovation capability. The use of RMSOs in transition economies yielded rich data for further research.peer-reviewe

Vpliv uvedbe informacijskega sistema za večprojektno vodenje

Background: The problems of resources management (human, financial, time) in multi-project companies are inherently complex and need to be addressed systematically, in both small and large organizations. Furthermore, there is a need for transparent communication and collaboration within the organization as well as with partnering organizations. There are many methodologies and tools supporting project management, which are themselves complex and are therefore not widely adopted, especially among small companies. Objectives: The aim of this paper is to analyse impact of the implementation of a flexible cloud-based project management information system (PMIS) from the human resources, financial management, and collaboration points of view. Method: We have conducted a case study in a small Slovenian research and development company, that has implemented the 4PM PMIS. Results: The findings imply the importance of keeping the balance of the creative processes that are unstructured, rule free and even chaotic, with structured processes monitor and control. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that the use of “4PM” in support of multi-project management improves human resources and financial management in a collaborative and transparent way when implemented in an open and highly motivated environmentOzadje: Problemi upravljanja virov kadrov, financ in časa v večprojektni organizaciji so po naravi kompleksni, zato jih moramo obravnavati celovito tako v velikih, kot manjših organizacijah. Pri tem je potrebno zagotoviti odprto komunikacijo med zaposlenimi in med partnerskimi organizacijami. Obstaja več metodologij in orodij za podporo projektnemu delu, vendar so slabo sprejete, predvsem v manjših organizacijah. Razlogi ležijo v prekompleksnosti metod in njihovi naravnanosti na vidik enega projekta. Cilji: Cilj tega prispevka je analizirati vpliv uvedbe prilagodljivega spletnega informacijskega sistema za projektni management z vidika kadrovskega in finančnega managementa ter sodelovanja. Metode: V ta namen smo izvedli študijo primera v manjšem slovenskem raziskovalno-razvojnem podjetju, ki je uvedlo spletno rešitev za večprojektno vodenje 4PM. Rezultati: Rezultati poudarjajo pomembnost ohranjanja ravnovesja med nestrukturiranim kreativnim procesom, ki poteka brez pravil in celo kaotično, in potrebo po strukturiranemu spremljanju in kontroli projektov.Zaključki: Rezultati študije nakazujejo, da uporaba rešitve 4PM učinkovito podpira upravljanje več-projektne organizacije, pozitivno vpliva na zadovoljstvo in sodelovanje zaposlenih ter omogoča preglednejše vodenje financ

Role of e-business in the perception of ICT impact on revenue growth

Perceived gain from the use of e-business information and communication technologies (ICT) represents the main driver that motivates companies to implement them. The study focuses on the perception of e-business ICT applications within companies. On the sample of 11,072 companies from 27 EU states, we have determined which of e-business ICT application the companies use and how they perceive the impact of ICT on their revenue growth. An ordinal regression and decision tree analysis have been used to identify a portfolio of e-business ICT applications. We have also proposed three hypotheses to test whether the perceived impact of ICT is influenced by the number of implemented e-business ICT applications, or by the number of procurement-orientated e- business ICT applications, or even by the number of sales-orientated ones. The research not only helps practitioners to recognize which tools are behind the positive perception regarding the impact of ICT on revenue growth, but it tries to answer the question of whether the quantity of implemented applications really improves the acknowledged influence of ICT on revenue growth

Sustaining the Momentum: Archival Analysis of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (2006–2012)

The domain of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is an enduring paradigm for Information Systems (IS) researchers. The Enterprise System paradigm provides a rich environment to test fundamental concepts like system adoption, system use and system success, while acknowledging changes derived through longer system lifecycles and multiple user cohorts. On the other hand, ERP systems are in the centre of new contemporary radical changes in technologies on cloud computing, mobile platforms and big data. Moreover, ERP Systems provide the context for cross disciplinary research such as change management, knowledge management, project management and business process management research. This article provides a critique of 219 papers published on ERP Systems from 2006–2012, making observations of ERP research and make recommendations for future research directions

Regional Policy in Times of Austerity

The aim of this report is to review recent changes in domestic regional policies across Europe, focusing on policy change over the 2012-13 period. The report has three main sections covering: an analysis of regional economic problems and trends in Europe over different timescales; typologies for understanding the different regional policy responses; and a review of recent changes to regional policies across 30 countries. The report is based on research in individual European countries and presented in a series of county reports that have been provided separately (see EoRPA Paper 13/2). The paper is supported by a series of comparative tables that summarise the main regional policy instruments (see EoRPA Paper 13/3)

Approach for Analysing Capabilities in Latecomer Software Companies

Software development activities have been identified as a 'window of opportunity' for latecomer companies. Notwithstanding the growth of software development activities in the latecomers, there are single exceptional cases of companies that have successfully launched their own products in global software markets. This suggests that most of the latecomer software companies possess limited technological capabilities. This point has not been explored systematically in the literature so far, as the critical literature review reveals. This paper develops an approach for analysing technological capabilities in latecomer software industries. It outlines the specifics in analysing technological capability in latecomer software companies and makes an account of the array of technical and organisational capabilities associated with development of software technological capability. The research also looks at the diverse learning paths pursued by the latecomer companies in developing software activities. The study improves our understanding about the complexity in developing software industries in latecomer context, and the challenges the latecomer companies face in entering and competing in international markets.technological capabilities, software industry, latecomers

Economic and Policy Challenges of the Energy Transition in CEE Countries

With the announcement of the European Green Deal, which defines a set of policy initiatives aimed at achieving a 50–55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and making Europe climate neutral in 2050, the challenge of energy transition becomes even more critical. The transformation of national energy systems towards sustainability is progressing throughout all Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, yet the goals and results are different. Most EU Member States have made substantial progress towards meeting their long-term commitments of emissions reductions. However, some bloc members have struggled to meet their obligations. An effective energy transition requires the introduction of appropriately designed policy instruments and of robust economic analyses that ensure the best possible outcomes at the lowest costs for society. In this context, this Special Issue aims to bring into the discussion the challenges that CEE countries have to face and overcome while undergoing energy transition