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

Towards Understanding Enablers of Digital Transformation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Even though, digital transformation has attracted much attention of both academics and practitioners, a very limited number of studies have investigated digital transformation process in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the findings remain fragmented. Given the accessibility and availability of digital technologies to launch digital transformation initiatives and the importance of SMEs in the economy, a profound understanding of enablers of the digital transformation process in SMEs is a much-needed discussion. As such, to address this, in this paper we conducted a comprehensive review of related literature in information systems, management, and business disciplines, to identify key enablers for facilitating the digital transformation process in SMEs

Knowledge Management Maturity in Universities and its Impact on Performance Excellence "Comparative study"

The paper assesses Knowledge Management Maturity(KMM) in the universities to determine the impact of knowledge management on performance excellence. This study was applied on Al-Azhar University and Al-Quds Open University in Gaza strip, Palestine. This paper depends on Asian productivity organization model that used to assess KMM. Second dimension which assess performance excellence was developed by the authors. The controlled sample was (610). Several statistical tools were used for data analysis and hypotheses testing, including reliability Correlation using Cronbach’s alpha, “ANOVA”, Simple Linear Regression and Step Wise Regression. The overall findings of the current study suggest that KMM is suitable for measuring performance excellence. KMM assessment shows that both universities maturity level is in level three. Findings also support the main hypothesis and it is sub- hypotheses. The most important factors effecting performance excellence are: Processes, KM leadership, People, KM Outcomes. Furthermore the current study is unique by the virtue of its nature, scope and way of implied investigation, as it is the first comparative study in the universities of Palestine explores the status of KMM using the Asian productivity Model

Knowledge management enabler factors and firm performance : an empirical research of the Greek medium and large firms

Knowledge has become one of the most important driving forces for business success. Knowledge management helps organizations to find, select, organise, distribute, and transfer vital information. Through a successful knowledge management (KM) organizations improve their effectiveness and gain competitive advantage. The development of KM has led to the need of identifying its critical success factors. This study identifies and discusses the critical success factors or enablers that determine the KM effectiveness within organizations, which in turn influence the total performance of the firm. Based on existing frameworks and models, this study outlines the five most important factors that are believed to be critical for an effective KM implementation. This paper also investigates the effect of knowledge management effectiveness on firm performance. The proposed research model is tested via an online survey sent to 280 medium and large sized enterprises, randomly selected, all over Greece; from those only 109 answered the questionnaire correctly. The results of the study will help organizations to understand the impact that different enablers have on the KM successful implementation and how the effectiveness of KM affect firm performance.peer-reviewe

What Motivate End-Users To Transfer Gained Knowledge From Enterprise Systems Training?

Organisational motivations for adopting Enterprise Systems (ES) include the achievement of a competitive advantage in production and provision of better control on operations. In spite of its contributions to business successes, an estimated 50- 75% of ES projects failed to justify the enormous financial investment into the projects. Research has attributed ES failure to training-related factors. Suggesting the criticalness of training and education in Enterprise System success; nonetheless enterprise systems researchers have constantly ignored training potential on post adoption behaviours. Regardless of the importance of ES training, it is noted that users resist and hesitate to apply gained skills on the systems. The disproportionate use of learned skills results in low utilisation of the systems and partly ES failures. Post training behaviours are critical in the ES success; however knowledge on the determinants of transfer of skills and knowledge gained from enterprise systems training environment is scarce. This study proposes a model of motivational mechanism of effective use of skills and knowledge in Enterprise Systems

The role of digitalization as enabler of Intellectual Capital Disclosure towards a sustainable and resilient ecosystem

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the link between Intellectual Capital (IC), digitalization, sustainable development and resilience to develop the governance and the management of the Social-Ecological Systems (SESs). The digital reporting era has changed the ways in which companies relate to their stakeholders and disclose about IC. Recent studies show how it is relevant to continue to investigate how the digital era affects the IC Disclosure (ICD), as well as its contribution to reveal new approaches and opportunities for sustainable development in a resilient ecosystem. The lack of an established academic background on this specific subject represents our main research motivation and highlights opportunities for theoretical and practical contributions. This is an exploratory paper; it is intended to contribute to the existing lacking literature about the support provided by Smart Technologies and Digitalization to ICD development, in the light of the development of resilient and sustainable ecosystems. Our study clarified the relationship between Smart Technologies, Digitalization and ICD, on one side, and explored the potential of technology to improve ICD through a preliminary systematization based on literature. These led to the development of a preliminary framework on pros and cons of digitalization on ICD, from the perspective of internal and external stakeholders. Our framework reinforces the theory that digitalization and smart technologies can blur the borders between organizations and ecosystems and, then, act as catalysts of the fourth stage of IC management

BENEFITS REALIZATION FROM ERP SYSTEMS: THE ROLE OF CUSTOMIZATION

Organizations are making large investments in package based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. While some organizations have achieved business improvement from their ERP systems, many still fail to realize the benefits identified at the project outset. One recommended approach to improve the likelihood of ERP system success and thereby delivery of benefits, is to avoid package customization. However, it appears that implementing a truly \u27vanilla\u27 system, although desirable, is rarely achieved. The degree of customization may also be important in influencing the level of benefits realized from ERP systems. A more tailored system may provide a better fit with organizational processes and hence the increased chances of benefits realization. Research that explores the relationship between ERP system customization and benefits realization is lacking. This study helps to fill this gap using an existing benefits management framework and explicitly examining the role of customization in ERP projects. The research method will be exploratory research followed by two in-depth case studies. It is anticipated that investigating the role of customization will significantly advance our understanding of the benefits realization process from ERP system projects

COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING THE INHIBITORS AND ENABLERS OF KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER IN ERP ASSIMILATIONS: A MULTI-CASE STUDY

In the enterprise resource planning (ERP) assimilation process, organizations are increasingly concerned about how to ensure employees to have sufficient ERP knowledge effectively. However, limited attention has been directed toward examining knowledge transfer in the assimilation stage systematically. In particular, a significant omission is to understand the key enablers and inhibitors of employees’ learning intention who may receiver knowledge passively in the mandatory setting. We employed a multi-case study method in this exploratory research by interviewing 33 ERP users at all levels in nine big-size firms in China. Results of this analysis suggested that causal ambiguity in new systems, incumbent system habit, and technostress significantly undermined recipients’ learning intentions. Meanwhile, perceived management support, relation embeddedness, and symbolic adoption were key determinants of increased their learning intentions. This study is arguably the first that attempts to look into passive knowledge transfer phenomenon in some depth, and extends prior researches in ERP lifecycle by shedding light on the joint influences of enablers and inhibitors in ERP assimilation context