Artificial Intelligence for Managerial Information Processing and Decision-Making in the Era of Information Overload

In the big data era, managers are exposed to an increasing amount of structured and unstructured information that they must process daily to make decisions. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities can support managerial information processing (IP), which forms the basis of managers’ decision-making. To date, little is known about the themes that managers face when integrating AI into their IP and decision-making. The present paper identifies these through three focus group interviews with managers from the financial industry, validates them through a survey and derives organizational implications. The results imply that organizations should (1) evaluate managerial IP tasks and matching AI systems, (2) (re)define roles for managers and AI systems, and (3) redesign management processes for sustainable human-AI interaction

The development of a framework on information behaviour of SME managers when adopting emerging ICTs

A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy.Uncertainty and complexity related to emerging ICTs and unpredictable technology changes have put pressure on firms’ knowledge to gather, seek and scan the environment for information during their emerging ICT adoption decision-making process. Furthermore, unstable environment, changing government policy on information technology has contributed to, as well. Also, emerging ICTs have unlocked different and new opportunities and challenges for small businesses as well as open them to uncertainties and risks and their larger counterparts as well. As a result, information becomes significant during adoption decision-making process when adopting emerging ICTs, especially in SMEs because of limited resources. Even with the broad research and literature on adoption decision in SMEs, there is still limited research related to the information behaviours of SME owners when adopting emerging ICTs and factors that influence their information behaviours regarding information sources selection during this process. Therefore, the aim of this research is to explore the information behaviour of SME owners during the adoption decisions when adopting emerging ICTs. To advance our understanding in information behaviour when adopting emerging ICTs and show how SME managers can reduce uncertainty related to emerging ICT. This study is interpretive qualitative research, and semi-structured and unstructured face-toface interviews were conducted with twenty SME owners from UK service sector to achieve the objectives of this study. The interviews were recorded with the permission of the participants and the recordings were transcribed. Myers and Newman’s (2007) guidelines for qualitative interview research were used as a guide for the interview process and triangulation methods for the research rigour and quality. Nvivo 10 is used for data analysis. The results demonstrated the importance of information and seeking information on the emerging ICT during adoption decision-making. This study contributes to the development of knowledge and practice in numerous ways. The study proposed a conceptual framework that shows information behaviours of SME owners during emerging ICTs adoption using TOE model as a theoretical underpinning and the framework was validated using triangulation methods. The research findings also explained the contexts of technology, organisation, and environment as information behaviour trigger and perceived information needs during the adoption decision-making process in SMEs. This research contributes to the improvement of SME managers’ information needs, information seeking behaviours; and their information sources were explored; factors that influence their information behaviours were identified through empirical data using technology organisation environment model as theoretical underpinning. and the framework was validated using triangulation methods. The research findings also explained the contexts of technology, organisation, and environment as information behaviour trigger and perceived information needs during the adoption decision-making process in SMEs. This research contributes to the improvement of knowledge and practical at different stages. Theoretically, the study has taken academic research forward in the research area of information behaviour and ICTs adoption in SME in service industry using TOE model as theoretical underpinning. SMEs could use the practical contribution of the research result in the service industry in the UK, and any SMEs which are based in a related economy and environment, to have better information about emerging ICTs during adoption decision-making process. These findings gave further insight into IT adoption in SMEs through information behaviours and highlighted the significant of sources of information and pre-information gathering, and the factors that influence information sources such as herd event, information usefulness, and perceived information sources credibility during the decision-making for adopting emerging ICT

A quality oriented approach towards information requirement determination in equivocal situations

Analysis of users’ needs is one of the key determinants of any system’s success and the foundation of requirement determination process. Yet because of the complexity of human’s needs, the process of requirement determination for developing systems to meet human’s needs is often ad hoc and poorly understood (Browne & Ramesh, 2002). Poor execution of Information Requirement Determination (IRD) will almost guarantee the failure of the final project, as a result a significant portion of requirement determination activities are dedicated to determining users’ information level requirements (Hickey & Davis, 2004) which in this study is referred to as IRD. There is no commonly accepted IRD method for all situations and therefore IRD methods are leaning toward specialised methods, designed for specific contexts and situations (Siau & Rossi, 2011). However a significant proportion of IRD literature is focused on organisational context while there are other complex contexts which require researchers’ attention. One such situations for which no specialised IRD method could be found in the literature is the context of “Individual Decision Making in Equivocal Situations (IDMES)” which in this study is defined as: Contexts in which an individual should make important decisions in complex and equivocal situations he/she is not an expert in. Examples of IDMES could be identified in healthcare where a patient who is not a trained healthcare professional has to choose between several available treatments for a serious health problem. Complexity of decisions a patient needs to make is comparable to the complex decisions that a manager must make in an organisation. The differentiation is that patients are not healthcare specialists but managers are specialists of the area in which they make decisions. In such situations providing higher amount of information to users may actually increase the uncertainty they face (e.g. overloading a patient with information). Therefore, in developing information systems for supporting decision making in such contexts, extra attention should be paid to determining other characteristics of users’ information needs, namely: quality and source. To establish a theoretical foundation for the IRD method required in this context, a conceptual model labelled as Quality Requirement Determination (QRD) model has been generated in this study. To develop the QRD model, two concepts of Information Quality (IQ) and Information Seeking Behaviour (ISB) have been leveraged. Although both IQ and ISB are mature topics, their applications in IRD methods are not very well studied (Gharib & Giorgini, 2015; Savolainen, 2007, 2008; Sonnenwald, Wildemuth, & Harmon, 2001). To evaluate the QRD model, it has been applied to the case of parenting children with autism. This case has been selected because it meets all the characteristics of IDMES, namely because: 1) autism cause and cure are unknown and therefore selecting from the array of available interventions “is a nightmare for desperate parents” (Crawford, 2013, p. 53). 2) Parents must individually make decisions in a context in which they are not trained experts even though over time they develop a certain level of practical experience. Seventeen parents were interviewed about their information seeking behaviours when they needed to decide on interventions necessary for a specific problem. The results of the data analysis confirm the existence of the relationships between perceived information needs, source preference behaviour and quality requirements proposed in the QRD model. The information requirements which arose from the case of parenting children with autism is embodied in the QRD presentation matrix. It leverages a nine cell matrix with each cell representing a cognitive role played by the information sources in the users’ information horizon1 . The QRD presentation matrix along with the QRD model and associated data collection and analysis techniques are called QRD method. To evaluate the usability of determined information by the QRD method, results of an instrumental case study were presented to a group of IS practitioners. The selected IS practitioners have been chosen from variety of expertise involved in developing information systems to reflect the maximum variety of opinions. The interview results demonstrated the value of the QRD method for a number of key practical activities in the IRD process, namely: context study, problem definition, quality requirement analysis, quality implementation, designing information flow and user interface design

A quality oriented approach towards information requirement determination in equivocal situations

Analysis of users’ needs is one of the key determinants of any system’s success and the foundation of requirement determination process. Yet because of the complexity of human’s needs, the process of requirement determination for developing systems to meet human’s needs is often ad hoc and poorly understood (Browne & Ramesh, 2002). Poor execution of Information Requirement Determination (IRD) will almost guarantee the failure of the final project, as a result a significant portion of requirement determination activities are dedicated to determining users’ information level requirements (Hickey & Davis, 2004) which in this study is referred to as IRD. There is no commonly accepted IRD method for all situations and therefore IRD methods are leaning toward specialised methods, designed for specific contexts and situations (Siau & Rossi, 2011). However a significant proportion of IRD literature is focused on organisational context while there are other complex contexts which require researchers’ attention. One such situations for which no specialised IRD method could be found in the literature is the context of “Individual Decision Making in Equivocal Situations (IDMES)” which in this study is defined as: Contexts in which an individual should make important decisions in complex and equivocal situations he/she is not an expert in. Examples of IDMES could be identified in healthcare where a patient who is not a trained healthcare professional has to choose between several available treatments for a serious health problem. Complexity of decisions a patient needs to make is comparable to the complex decisions that a manager must make in an organisation. The differentiation is that patients are not healthcare specialists but managers are specialists of the area in which they make decisions. In such situations providing higher amount of information to users may actually increase the uncertainty they face (e.g. overloading a patient with information). Therefore, in developing information systems for supporting decision making in such contexts, extra attention should be paid to determining other characteristics of users’ information needs, namely: quality and source. To establish a theoretical foundation for the IRD method required in this context, a conceptual model labelled as Quality Requirement Determination (QRD) model has been generated in this study. To develop the QRD model, two concepts of Information Quality (IQ) and Information Seeking Behaviour (ISB) have been leveraged. Although both IQ and ISB are mature topics, their applications in IRD methods are not very well studied (Gharib & Giorgini, 2015; Savolainen, 2007, 2008; Sonnenwald, Wildemuth, & Harmon, 2001). To evaluate the QRD model, it has been applied to the case of parenting children with autism. This case has been selected because it meets all the characteristics of IDMES, namely because: 1) autism cause and cure are unknown and therefore selecting from the array of available interventions “is a nightmare for desperate parents” (Crawford, 2013, p. 53). 2) Parents must individually make decisions in a context in which they are not trained experts even though over time they develop a certain level of practical experience. Seventeen parents were interviewed about their information seeking behaviours when they needed to decide on interventions necessary for a specific problem. The results of the data analysis confirm the existence of the relationships between perceived information needs, source preference behaviour and quality requirements proposed in the QRD model. The information requirements which arose from the case of parenting children with autism is embodied in the QRD presentation matrix. It leverages a nine cell matrix with each cell representing a cognitive role played by the information sources in the users’ information horizon1 . The QRD presentation matrix along with the QRD model and associated data collection and analysis techniques are called QRD method. To evaluate the usability of determined information by the QRD method, results of an instrumental case study were presented to a group of IS practitioners. The selected IS practitioners have been chosen from variety of expertise involved in developing information systems to reflect the maximum variety of opinions. The interview results demonstrated the value of the QRD method for a number of key practical activities in the IRD process, namely: context study, problem definition, quality requirement analysis, quality implementation, designing information flow and user interface design

The inner and inter construct associations of the quality of data warehouse customer relationship data for problem enactment

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration and awarded by Brunel University on behalf of Henley Management College.The literature identifies perceptions of data quality as a key factor influencing a wide range of attitudes and behaviors related to data in organizational settings (e.g. decision confidence). In particular, there is an overwhelming consensus that effective customer relationship management, CRM, depends on the quality of customer data. Data warehouses, if properly implemented, enable data integration which is a key attribute of data quality. The literature highlights the relevance of formulating problem statements because this will determine the course of action. CRM managers formulate problem statements through a cognitive process known as enactment. The literature on data quality is very fragmented. It posits that this construct is of a high order nature (it is dimensional), it is contextual and situational, and it is closely linked to a utilitarian value. This study addresses all these disperse views of the nature of data quality from a holistic perspective. Social cognitive theory, SCT, is the backbone for studying data quality in terms of information search behavior and enhancements in formulating problem statements. The main objective of this study is to explore the nature of a data warehouse's customer relationship data quality in situations where there is a need for understanding a customer relationship problem. The research question is What are the inner and inter construct associations of the quality of data warehouse customer relationship data for problem enactment? To reach this objective, a positivistic approach was adopted complemented with qualitative interventions along the research process. Observations were gathered with a survey. Scales were adjusted using a construct-based approach. Research findings confirm that data quality is a high order construct with a contextual dimension and a situational dimension. Problem sense making enhancements is a dependent variable of data quality in a confirmed positive association between both constructs. Problem sense making enhancements is also a high order construct with a mastering experience dimension and a self-efficacy dimension. Behavioral patterns for information search mode (scanning mode orientation vs. focus mode orientation) and for information search heuristic (template heuristic orientation vs. trial-and-error heuristic orientation) have been identified. Focus is the predominant information search mode orientation and template is the predominant information search heuristic orientation. Overall, the research findings support the associations advocated by SCT. The self-efficacy dimension in problem sense making enhancements is a discriminant for information search mode orientation (focus mode orientation vs. scanning mode orientation). The contextual dimension in data quality (i.e. data task utility) is a discriminant for information search heuristic (template heuristic orientation vs. trial-and-error heuristic orientation). A data quality cognitive metamodel and a data quality for problem enactment model are suggested for research in the areas of data quality, information search behavior, and cognitive enhancements. iiiTeradata, NC

USE OF VISUALIZATION IN DIGITAL FINANCIAL REPORTING: THE EFFECT OF SPARKLINE

Information visualization (InfoViz) is an essential component of decision support systems (DSS). Sparklines is a visualization tool. This study examines if Sparklines in digital financial reports aids novice investors and if so under what circumstances? Does it enhances decision-making performance and facilitates effective decision-making experience? Additionally, does it lowers decision making effort; reduces dilution effect from non-relevant data in financial reports and mitigates recency bias in using digital financial reports? The hypothesis is guided by the theory of Proximity Compatibility Principle and the Theory of Cognitive Fit. The research methodology for this study is a repeated measure, controlled laboratory based experiment. A pilot test was conducted in with a sample of forty undergraduate students from Gatton College of Business and Economics. The sample size for this study was 275 subjects. The result revealed that there was significant effect of sparklines on decision making performance and it provides an incremental value over a tabular format. Sparklines makes an important contribution towards mitigating recency bias. The results also suggested that the irrelevant information cue in the shareholder’s report were not able to weaken the impact of relevant information in the audited financial data reported using sparklines. Sparklines increased the attention of the readers to the tables. Subjects performed the integrative tasks and spatial better when using Sparklines. For tasks such as symbolic tasks, Sparkline does not necessarily improve decision performance. It was also found out that decision makers experience greater satisfaction when using sparklines. The overall cognitive load experienced by subjects was lower using sparklines when task demands are high (such as in a bankruptcy prediction task). Interestingly, the results indicate that there is no significant effect of sparkline on decision confidence and time. In conclusion, recall of facts and pattern among subjects was found superior with use of sparkline. This study provides an empirical and justifiable basis for policy makers to make explicit recommendations about use of novel graphics such as sparkline in digital financial reports. Limitations of this study are noted

Facilitating Sensemaking in Organizations Through Social Navigation Systems

In the dynamic and uncertain contemporary business environment, sensemaking in organizations is critical to their success and survival. While Internet-based systems are believed to play a key role in providing external information for this process, there is scare knowledge concerning how it can be achieved. This paper provides a theoretical model that examines why and how the application of social navigation systems (SNS) facilitates sensemaking in organizations. It is hypothesized that SNS contributes to sensemaking by facilitating each of its sub processes: it enhances information quality, facilitates the interpretation of the information, and contributes to information and meaning sharing among managers. This paper contributes to existing literature by expanding our understanding of sensemaking process in organizations and how information technology can support it

Towards Information Polycentricity Theory: Investigation of a Hospital Revenue Cycle

This research takes steps towards developing a new theory of organizational information management based on the ideas that, first, information creates ordering effects in transactions and, second, that there are multiple centers of authority in organizations. The rationale for developing this theory is the empirical observation that hospitals have great difficulty in managing information relating to transactions with patients. The research illustrates the detailed workings of an initial conceptual framework based on an action research project into the revenue cycle of a hospital. The framework facilitates a deeper understanding of how information technology can help to transform information management practices in complex organizations, such as hospitals. At the same time, this research adds to the literature on Polycentricity Theory by linking its two core concepts—multiple nested centers of decision making and context-dependent governance—with Transaction Cost Theory and information management theories to establish a new foundation for understanding the role of information technology in organizational contexts