The Influence of Usage Experience on Adoption of Successive ICT Products

When a new version of an information technology product or service appears in the market, consumers’ usage experience with the prior version may influence their adoption patterns. However, this important determinant has been ignored in current research. This study uses mobile services to examine the role of usage experience. We empirically test our hypotheses by using actual field data from China. We find that, in addition to perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment, usage experience with the prior version, that is the 2G service, has a significant influence on intentions to adopt the 3G service. Understanding the influence of usage experience is an important finding given that ICT vendors deliver successive versions of their products, and with this knowledge they could promote faster adoption and diffusion of new products. We discuss some practical implications, highlight factors that influence the adoption of newer generations of products, and delineate future research avenues

What can be learned from a Knowledge-intensive System?

The paper aims at describing what can be learned from a Knowledge-intensive Sys-tem (KIS) by a manager of an Indonesian SME Garment Manufacturer (ISGM).For this purpose, we use the system LIA (Leading to Information Access). LIA isa system that (1) handles financial related transactions, (2) processes them accordingto Indonesian accounting standard procedures, and (3) gives the interpretation of theprocess results to the financial analysis. By learning from the interpretation of thecompany’s historical data, an owner’s understanding of critical financial factors ingarment industry may increase and let the company flourish.Keywords: Knowledge-intensive System, Financial Analysis, Learning Process,Indonesia SME Garment Manufacturers, Business Administratio

A Preliminary Examination of the Factors for Knowledge Sharing in Technology Mediated Learning

Affective commitment and intrinsic motivation to share knowledge are important issues in developing successful technology-mediated learning (TML) and knowledge management (KM) systems. This paper investigates an individual’s social/self identities and affective commitment as important identity factors for perceived enjoyment to share knowledge by email and knowledge sharing attitude in the TML environment. An empirical test of the proposed model was conducted in the pilot test (n = 155) as well as the main test (n = 411). Identity factors (social/self identities and affective commitment) influence perceived enjoyment (R² = 0.52), and perceived enjoyment influences knowledge sharing attitude (R² = 0.51) in TML. The results of this study will help us understand the antecedents of effective knowledge sharing intervention in the TML environment, based on the integrated model of social identity theory, social influence theory, and self determination theory. Furthermore, information systems practitioners and educators will be able to understand the roles of identity factors in developing and designing TML and KM systems

Analytical Customer Relationship Management Untuk Restoran

Bisnis restoran merupakan suatu bisnis yang cukup kompetitif. Dewasa ini, persaingan dalam bisnis ini bukan hanya berdasarkan rasa dan tampilan dari produk (makanan atau minuman) yang ditawarkan, tetapi juga berdasarkan keunikan konsep yang membangun keunggulan tersendiri dari restoran tersebut di mata konsumen. Dengan keunggulan tersebut, restoran berharap untuk dapat menarik konsumen untuk menjadi pelanggan. Untuk mencapai tujuan ini, salah satu pendekatan yang sering digunakan adalah Customer Relationship Management (CRM).Tantangan yang muncul adalah bagaimana menyusun suatu CRM yang dapat membantu restoran untuk menganalisa proses bisnisnya, termasuk menganalisa bagaimana perilaku pelanggan. Dengan hasil analisa yang mendalam, pramusaji dan kasir dari restoran dapat mempunyai peluang yang lebih besar dalam menciptakan hubungan emosional yang positifdengan pelangan. Analisa seperti ini tidak dihasilkan oleh operational CRM yang sudah umum diimplementasikan dalam bisnis restoran. Pertanyaan yang muncul adalah bagaimana membangun suatu analytical CRM yang mampu menjawab kebutuhan para pelaku di bisnis restoran.Penelitian ini bersifat eksploratif dengan menggunakan kombinasi data kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Studi kasus terhadap tiga restoran menjadi dasar dari penelitian ini. Dengan menggunakan kombinasi pendekatan wawancara, studi dokumen, observasi, dan kuesioner, formula CRM yang sesuai dengan karakteristik restoran dan konsumen di Indonesia diharapkan dapat dihasilkan. Penelitian ini mengusulkan konsep analytical CRM untuk diterapkan di ketiga restoran tersebut. Adapun tujuan penerapan analytical CRM adalah agar pebisnis dapat mendapatkan hasil yang lebih optimal dalam menerapkan CRM

Compartilhamento de conhecimento em um sistema: fatores individuais e usabilidade

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-graduação em Engenharia e Gestão do Conhecimento, Florianópolis, 2011A massificação dos aplicativos colaborativos como meio de comunicação, pesquisa e comparação de informações, dentre outros, tem acelerado sensivelmente a aquisição, disseminação e, especialmente, o compartilhamento de informações e conhecimentos entre indivíduos. Desta forma, compreender os aspectos que influenciam este processo é crucial para o sucesso de um software que se baseia na contribuição das pessoas. Nesta pesquisa, dentre os diversos fatores analisados, identificou-se que a usabilidade e as características dos indivíduos são determinantes para avaliar o compartilhamento de conhecimento em um sistema baseado em conhecimento, neste caso, o software social PreçoPúblico. Optou-se por utilizar questionário com 23 itens como instrumento de avaliação que, baseado em outros dois já existentes, foi remodelado e validado por meio de pré-testes e técnica estatística. Sendo 19 perguntas fechadas (medidas categóricas) e 4 abertas (descritivas), estas últimas em busca da obtenção de informações adicionais àquelas disponíveis nas alternativas da escala de respostas categóricas. Aplicado o questionário, os resultados demonstraram que os usuários têm predisposição em compartilhar seus conhecimentos e informações sobre preços de produtos no software. Ainda, comprovou-se que o sistema possui alto grau de usabilidade, apesar de algumas dificuldades encontradas pela maioria dos respondentes decorrentes do fato de se tratar do primeiro acesso deles ao sistema. Os comentários coletados nas questões abertas sugerem o aprimoramento do sistema, levantam dúvidas quanto às regras de negócio, além de relatarem pequenos erros que ainda não haviam sido percebidos até então pelos usuários

Modelling a conversational agent (Botocrates) for promoting critical thinking and argumentation skills

Students in higher education institutions are often advised to think critically, yet without being guided to do so. The study investigated the use of a conversational agent (Botocrates) for supporting critical thinking and academic argumentation skills. The overarching research questions were: can a conversational agent support critical thinking and academic argumentation skills? If so, how? The study was carried out in two stages: modelling and evaluating Botocrates' prototype. The prototype was a Wizard-of-Oz system where a human plays Botocrates' role by following a set of instructions and knowledge-base to guide generation of responses. Both stages were conducted at the School of Education at the University of Leeds. In the first stage, the study analysed 13 logs of online seminars in order to define the tasks and dialogue strategies needed to be performed by Botocrates. The study identified two main tasks of Botocrates: providing answers to students' enquiries and engaging students in the argumentation process. Botocrates’ dialogue strategies and contents were built to achieve these two tasks. The novel theoretical framework of the ‘challenge to explain’ process and the notion of the ‘constructive expansion of exchange structure’ were produced during this stage and incorporated into Botocrates’ prototype. The aim of the ‘challenge to explain’ process is to engage users in repeated and constant cycles of reflective thinking processes. The ‘constructive expansion of exchange structure’ is the practical application of the ‘challenge to explain’ process. In the second stage, the study used the Wizard-of-Oz (WOZ) experiments and interviews to evaluate Botocrates’ prototype. 7 students participated in the evaluation stage and each participant was immediately interviewed after chatting with Botocrates. The analysis of the data gathered from the WOZ and interviews showed encouraging results in terms of students’ engagement in the process of argumentation. As a result of the role of ‘critic’ played by Botocrates during the interactions, users actively and positively adopted the roles of explainer, clarifier, and evaluator. However, the results also showed negative experiences that occurred to users during the interaction. Improving Botocrates’ performance and training users could decrease users’ unsuccessful and negative experiences. The study identified the critical success and failure factors related to achieving the tasks of Botocrates

L'apport d'une approche multidimensionnelle de gestion des connaissances à la performance décisionnelle des organisations

La prise de décisions est une activité à forte intensité de connaissances, nécessitant la création et utilisation des connaissances pour l'amélioration de la qualité des décisions, soit la performance décisionnelle (PD). La PD est un défi pour tous les gestionnaires, peu importe le secteur industriel dans lequel ils œuvrent, car les décisions deviennent plus complexes, moins structurées, et fondées sur les connaissances organisationnelles. Bien que la GC soit soulignée pour sa contribution à la PD, les liens entre ces deux concepts n’ont pas été établis dans les recherches précédentes. L’objectif de cette thèse comble cette lacune en investiguant l’apport d’une approche multidimensionnelle de la GC à la PD, considérant des facteurs touchant les dimensions technologiques, humaines, organisationnelles, et une culture reconnaissant la valeur de la connaissance pour l’organisation. Les dimensions traitées, soit les moyens et outils, les processus, la structure et la culture de la GC sont les plus fréquemment mentionnées dans la littérature, mais traitées de manière isolée. Notre recherche vise à corriger cette faille, portant une attention particulière aux effets d’interaction entre les dimensions de la GC, et ce, dans un contexte réel. Pour ce faire, une recherche-action menée dans une entreprise du secteur forestier, traitant des opérations forestières. Ce terrain nous a offert de riches résultats, car des problématiques semblables se retrouvent dans d’autres secteurs d’activités. Nos résultats suggèrent qu’une approche multidimensionnelle de la GC est fructueuse pour l’amélioration de la PD, notamment quant à la productivité, l’agilité, l’innovation et la réputation des décisions. Nos résultats illustrent aussi la connexion entre les dimensions de la GC pour une meilleure PD, nous permettant de valider empiriquement qu’elles sont toutes importantes à prendre en compte et sont interreliées. Des mécanismes et des initiatives mis en place ont permis de illustrer ces liens. Par exemple, l’adoption d’outils de GC requiert des activités de la GC adaptées, une structure les soutenant, et une culture favorisant le partage, l’utilisation, et la création de connaissances en vue d’une meilleure PD. La démarche utilisée dans le cadre de notre recherche-action peut être mise à profit d’autres organisations qui cherchent à améliorer la PD. Mots-clés : gestion des connaissances; performance décisionnelle; recherche-action; cartographie des connaissances; planification forestière; réseau d’approvisionnement forestier.Improving decision performance (DP) is a challenge for all managers, regardless of the industry in which they work. This challenge is even more important in the current business environment where decisions become more complex, less structured, and increasingly based on organizational knowledge. Although KM is underlined for his contribution to the PD, recent research indicates the relationship between these two concepts needs more investigation in order to be better exploited in the management of organizations. To fill this gap, the objective of this thesis was to investigate the contribution of a multidimensional approach of KM to better support DP. Our approach considers factors from organizational, technological and human dimensions, and a culture that recognizes the value of knowledge. These dimensions of KM are mentioned in the literature, and are often investigated separately. However, in this thesis we pay special attention to interaction effects between them, to provide a holistic perspective in a real context. We conducted an action research in a company in the forestry sector; particularly we studied planning and forecasting of forest operations processes. This fieldwork provided rich data and interesting results, as well as highliighting problems that can be found in other sectors. Our results provide a deeper understanding and a holistic view of the KM based on a multidimensional approach to better support DP within organizations. Our results show that organizational, technological and cultural dimensions of the KM are all important and are deeply interrelated. We put in place mechanisms and initiatives that allowed us to validate this empirically. The approach used in the context of our action research can be exploited in other companies that seek to improve the DP, whether the forestry sector or elsewhere. Key words: Knowledge management; Decision performance; Multidimensional approach of KM; Action research; Knowledge mapping; Business process mapping; Forestry operations; Wood supply network