Proposing an Information Value Chain to Improve Information Services to Disabled Library Patrons Using Assistive Technologies

Information services offered by academic libraries increasingly rely on assistive technologies (AT) to facilitate disabled patrons’ retrieval and use of information for learning and teaching. However, disabled patrons’ access to AT might not always lead to their use, resulting in the underutilization of information services offered by academic libraries. We adopt an inward-looking, service innovation perspective to improve information services for disabled patrons using AT. The open coding of qualitative responses collected from administrators and librarians in 186 academic libraries in public universities in the United States, reveals 10 mechanisms (i.e., modified work practices), which involve searching, compiling, mixing, framing, sharing, or reusing information, and learning from it. Based on this information-centric reorganization of work practices, we propose an “information value chain,” like Porter’s value chain, for improving information services to disabled patrons using AT in academic libraries, which is the major theoretical contribution of our study

Efeito da qualidade da informação e da integração eletrônica interna sobre a gestão interna de custos e o desempenho organizacional

A integração eletrônica interna proporciona a integração dos dados para as organizações. É por meio dela que as organizações obtêm informações sobre os custos de produção, que por sua vez permitem à empresa ter um desempenho superior no mercado. Nesse contexto, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar o efeito da qualidade da informação sobre a gestão interna de custos e seus reflexos no desempenho organizacional. Esta pesquisa foi desenvolvida de forma descritiva, por meio do levantamento de dados com 99 respondentes, que compreendem profissionais nos cargos de coordenador, analista sênior, gestores e supervisores de custos de empresas brasileiras. Para a mensuração dos dados foi utilizada a análise quantitativa e equações estruturais por meio do software SmartPLS 4. Os principais achados desta pesquisa demonstram que organizações que possuem integração eletrônica interna entre os departamentos da empresa possuem informações que proporcionam uma melhor gestão interna de custos. Esses resultados se justificam, visto que as informações de qualidade permitem aos profissionais efetuarem uma análise mais detalhada dos gastos na organização, possibilitando a diminuição dos custos organizacionais. Assim, informações corretas e em tempo real permitem aos gestores tomarem decisões que resultam no incremento do desempenho organizacional, assim como uma maior compreensão dos processos internos que envolvem as linhas de produção. Este estudo contribui ao apresentar novos insights sobre a percepção que profissionais da área de custos possuem a respeito das relações investigadas na pesquisa. Também contribui para as decisões e estratégias adotadas pelo gestor para gerenciar seus custos e elevar o desempenho da empresa

Social media and knowledge integration based emergency response performance model

Emergency Response (ER) during the flood is increasingly being characterized as a complex phase in disaster management as it involves multi-organizational settings. This scenario causes miscommunication, lack of coordination and difficulty in making life-saving decisions, which decreases organisational performance. Accordingly, Knowledge Integration (KI) can reduce and resolve problems of coordination and communications which lead to decisions being made at a proper time, thereby increasing the task of Non- Government Organisations (NGOs)’ capabilities to achieve better performance. Moreover, use of Social Media (SM) provides many advantages that may assist in eliminating KI’s challenges and enhancing its dissemination at low cost, particularly for NGOs that work in disparate places. Despite this, current research into the improvement of task performance using KI through SM in the emergency response context is, unfortunately, limited. Most of the studies are not empirical and there is a lack of theoretical foundation for improving task performance using KI, in addition to using SM to facilitate KI in the flood disaster ER. Hence, it is important to address these issues. The main objective of this study is to identify the factors that influence the Emergency Response Task Performance (ERTP). In this research, the factors which affect the performance of ER tasks were elicited through a review of the literature to identify the essential factors influential NGOs’ emergency response. Then, this study developed an ERTP model by combining Knowledge-Based Theory (KBT) of the firm and the Task-Technology Fit (TTF) theory, used to utilise technology. This study applied a quantitative approach to examine these factors. Based on purposive sampling, questionnaires were distributed to over 700 staff and volunteers working for 12 NGOs in Sudan. Smart PLS 2.0 M3 and IBM SPSS Statistics version 24 were used to analyse the data. The results revealed that KI is a significant factor related to ERTP. In addition, it was found that the SM usage factor was significantly related to KI. Furthermore, this study discovered significant differences among the various experiences of volunteers and staff when it comes to utilising SM for knowledge integration in the context of ER response. The results of the study contribute to the body of knowledge by providing a model for ER managers, team members in NGOs and decision-makers to use it as a guideline for successfully assessing and validating ERTP. Additionally, it sets guidelines that may be useful for NGOs in the effective use of social media as a platform for integrating knowledge. Finally, this study provides recommendations to flood decision-makers who are considering enhancing the performance of the tasks within their organisations

The Impact of Technology on the Strategic Management of a Knowledge-Intensive Project Organization: Action Design Research of a Competence Management System

The combination of digitalization and globalization will have a dramatic impact on organizations and the way people work. Demographic upheavals and societal changes, as well as the inevitable focus on environmental issues, will amplify the effect of these trends. As a result, business executives around the world will face new challenges with business models on one hand and organizational practices on the other hand. There is now a great opportunity for information systems and human resources scientists and practitioners to work together in order to improve understanding of how technology can be utilized to make organizations more effective and inspiring. The “future of work” is already affecting strategic management, HR organizations, and technology in practice. As a result, this has created many exciting research opportunities, identified by scholars looking at human resource information systems, human resource management, enterprise systems, competence management systems, knowledge management, information management, agile software development, or design science. In this action design research I build on top of existing design science research on competence management systems and aim at 1) gaining more understanding about the organizational and technological aspects of enterprise systems design, especially regarding competence development, and 2) increasing understanding of the design of competence management as a strategic capability. In this action design research project we participated in the design, development, and evaluation of a particular organizational instantiation and a management system instantiation that both address important, previously unsolved problems. This study contributes to the existing body of scientific knowledge on information systems. The theoretical contribution is the improved design principles for competence management systems. The practical contribution of the study builds upon the guidance provided to system designers and managers through several frameworks, IT artifacts, and management practices for information systems design processes. In conclusion, this research provides new evidence of how action design research can lead to significant business benefits by integrating theory and practice in a real business context

Da Capacidade Absortiva (ACAP) à criação da inovação : um estudo em Novas Empresas de Base Tecnológica (NEBTS) e em startups, considerando-se o papel potencializador do conhecimento absorvido de alianças externas e da diversificação tecnológica

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade e Gestão Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Administração, 2021.A relação entre Capacidade Absortiva (ACAP) e inovação tem sido investigada de forma recorrente nas áreas de administração e negócios. Entretanto, o processo evolutivo de interação entre estes construtos ainda demanda descrições claras no campo teórico, bem como sobre práticas, experiências e influência no desenvolvimento do conhecimento e inovação em novas empresas de base tecnológica (NEBTs) e startups. Este estudo investiga a influência da ACAP na criação de inovação em NEBTs e startups, considerando-se o papel potencializador do conhecimento absorvido de alianças externas e da diversificação tecnológica, propondo e testando um modelo conceitual. Em uma perspectiva ampla e integrativa, o modelo proposto envolve conceitos componentes vinculados a redes, antecedentes e potencial de realização da ACAP, exploração de fatores/recursos internos ou externos, e estratégias de inovação. Os conceitos componentes também se alinham com as dimensões da ACAP para adquirir e assimilar conhecimento vinculadas à Capacidade Absortiva Potencial (PACAP), e com as dimensões de transformar e explorar o conhecimento absorvido vinculadas à Capacidade Absortiva Realizada (RACAP). Como método, o estudo adotou a abordagem quantitativa, exploratória e explicativa, seguindo o mainstream metodológico identificado neste campo. Com base em estudo empírico, a ocorrência e validação do modelo proposto ocorreu por meio de pesquisa conduzida com 261 empresas inovadoras no contexto do ecossistema de inovação brasileiro. Na análise dos resultados, foi descrito o perfil sociodemográfico desses empreendimentos, bem como foi conduzida a análise quantitativa dos resultados prospectados pela survey aplicada, se utilizando de estatística descritiva, índice de confiabilidade de itens e modelos de regressão linear múltipla para a validação das hipóteses levantadas. Os resultados demonstraram a influência positiva e significativa da ACAP na criação de inovação em NEBTs e startups, bem como evidenciaram o papel potencializador do conhecimento absorvido de alianças externas e da diversificação tecnológica no desenvolvimento da inovação nesses empreendimentos. Este estudo contribui para a ampliação do conhecimento sobre a ACAP e a inovação possibilitando avanços teóricos no campo da Administração, principalmente em sete perspectivas: 1) Demonstrou a evolução do construto (ACAP) desde sua concepção por meio de revisão qualificada de literatura envolvendo abordagens teóricas e temas; 2) Possibilitou maior compreensão sobre a ocorrência da ACAP para a criação de inovação nos tipos específicos de empresas investigadas (NEBTs e startups); 3) Identificou conceitos componentes que estimulam o desenvolvimento da ACAP em NEBTs e startups segmentados entre PACAP e RACAP, principalmente, para a concepção do modelo conceitual proposto; 4) Concebeu o modelo conceitual da criação de inovação a partir do desenvolvimento da ACAP em NEBTs e startups que pode ser adotado como suporte para fluxos de conhecimento e desenvolvimento destes empreendimentos em ambientes formais de apoio como aceleradoras, incubadoras, centros ou hubs de empreendedorismo e inovação, parques tecnológicos e outros; 5) Identificou o perfil sociodemográfico de NEBTs e startups do ecossistema brasileiro de inovação que pode ser utilizado como base tanto para estudos futuros quanto para apoio para políticas de inovação ou programas de apoio a estes empreendimentos; 6) Apresentou insights e procedimentos metodológicos que contribuem para pesquisas futuras envolvendo NEBTs, startups e contextos relacionados; 7) Identificou 35 lacunas ou potenciais objetos de pesquisa relacionados ao tema, que convergem para quatro grandes gaps de pesquisa.The relationship between Absorptive Capacity (ACAP) and innovation has been investigated on a recurring basis in the areas of administration and business. However, the evolutionary process of interaction between these constructs still requires clear descriptions in the theoretical field, as well as about practices, experiences and influence on the development of knowledge and innovation in New Technology-Based Firms (NTBFs) and startups. This study investigates the influence of ACAP in creating innovation in NTBFs and startups, considering the potentializing role of knowledge absorbed by external alliances and technological diversification, proposing and testing a conceptual model. In a broad and integrative perspective, the model involves components linked to the networks, antecedents and potential of ACAP, exploration of internal or external factors/resources, and innovation strategies. The components are also associated with the dimensions of ACAP to acquire and assimilate knowledge linked to Potential Absorptive Capacity (PACAP), and the dimensions to transform and explore the absorbed knowledge linked to Realized Absorptive Capacity (RACAP). As a method, the study adopted an exploratory and explanatory quantitative approach, following the methodological mainstream identified in this field. Based on an empirical study, the occurrence and validation of the proposed model occurred through research conducted with 261 innovative companies in the context of the Brazilian innovation ecosystem. Analyzing the results, a socio-demographic profile of these enterprises was described, as well as a quantitative analysis of the results prospected by the applied survey, using descriptive statistics, item reliability and multiple linear regression models to validate the hypotheses raised. The results demonstrated the positive and significant influence of ACAP in the creation of innovation in NTBFs and startups, and showed the potentializing role of knowledge absorbed by external alliances and technological diversification in the development on ACAP and innovation, enabling theoretical advances in the field of Administration, primarily in seven perspectives: 1) Demonstrated the evolution of the construct (ACAP) since its conception through a qualified literature review involving theoretical approaches and themes; 2) It enabled a greater understanding of the occurrence of ACAP for the creation of innovation in the specific types of companies investigated (NTBFs and startups); 3) Identified component concepts that stimulate the development of ACAP in NTBFs and startups segmented between PACAP and RACAP, mainly for the conception of the proposed theoretical model; 4) Conceived a conceptual model of the occurrence of ACAP to create innovation in NTBFs and startups that can be adopted as a support for knowledge flows and development of these ventures in formal support environments such as accelerators, incubators, centers or hubs of entrepreneurship and innovation, technological parks and others; 5) Identified the socio-demographic profile of NTBFs and startups of the Brazilian innovation ecosystem that can be used as a basis for future studies as well as to support innovation policies or support programs for these ventures; 6) Presented insights and methodological procedures that contribute to future research involving NTBFs, startups and related contexts; 7) Identified 35 gaps or potential research objects related to the theme, which converge on four major research gaps.La relación entre Capacidad Absortiva (ACAP) e innovación ha sido investigada de forma recurrente en las áreas de administración y negocios. Sin embargo, el proceso evolutivo de interacción entre estos constructos aún requiere descripciones claras en el campo teórico, así como sobre prácticas, experiencias e influencia en el desarrollo del conocimiento y la innovación en nuevas empresas de base tecnológica (NEBTs) y startups. Este estudio investiga el influencia de la ACAP en la creación de innovación en NEBT y startups, considerando el rol potencializador del conocimiento absorbido por alianzas externas y de la diversificación tecnológica, proponiendo y probando un modelo conceptual. En una perspectiva amplia e integradora, el modelo propuesto involucra conceptos componentes vinculados a las redes, antecedentes y potencial de la ACAP, factores/recursos, y estrategias de innovación. Los conceptos de los componentes también se alinean con las dimensiones de la ACAP para adquirir y asimilar conocimientos vinculados a la Capacidad Absortiva Potencial (PACAP), y con las dimensiones de transformar y explorar el conocimiento absorbido vinculado a la Capacidad Absortiva Realizada (RACAP). Como método, el estudio adoptó un enfoque cuantitativo, exploratorio y explicativo, siguiendo la corriente metodológica identificada en este campo. Con base en un estudio empírico, la ocurrencia y validación del modelo propuesto ocurrió a través de una investigación realizada con 261 empresas innovadoras en el contexto del ecosistema de innovación brasileño. En el análisis de los resultados se describió el perfil sociodemográfico de estas empresas, así como un análisis cuantitativo de los resultados prospectados por la encuesta aplicada, utilizando estadística descriptiva, índice de confiabilidad del ítem y modelos de regresión lineal múltiple para la validación de las hipótesis planteadas. Los resultados demostraron la influencia positiva y significativa de la ACAP en la creación de innovación en NEBTs y startups, además de evidenciar el papel potencializador del conocimiento absorbido por las alianzas externas y la diversificación tecnológica en el desarrollo de la innovación en estos emprendimientos. Este estudio contribuye a la expansión del conocimiento sobre la ACAP y la innovación, posibilitando avances teóricos en el campo de la Administración, principalmente en siete perspectivas: 1) Demostró la evolución del constructo (ACAP) desde su concepción a través de una revisión de literatura calificada que involucra enfoques y temas teóricos; 2) Permitió una mayor comprensión de la ocurrencia del ACAP para la creación de innovación en los tipos específicos de empresas investigadas (NEBT y startups); 3) Conceptos componentes identificados que estimulan el desarrollo del ACAP en NEBTs y startups segmentados entre PACAP y RACAP, principalmente para la concepción del modelo conceptual propuesto; 4) Concebí un modelo conceptual de ocurrencia de ACAP para la creación de innovación en NEBTs y startups que pueda ser adoptado como soporte para los flujos de conocimiento y desarrollo de estas empresas en ambientes formales de apoyo, como aceleradores, incubadoras, centros o hubs de emprendimiento. e innovación, parques tecnológicos y otros; 5) Identificó el perfil sociodemográfico de NEBT y startups del ecosistema de innovación brasileño que puede ser utilizado como base para estudios futuros, así como como apoyo a políticas o programas de innovación para apoyar estos emprendimientos; 6) Presentaron conocimientos y procedimientos metodológicos que contribuyan a la investigación futura que involucre NEBT, startups y contextos relacionados; 7) Se identificaron 35 lagunas o posibles objetos de investigación relacionados con el tema, que convergen en cuatro grandes lagunas de investigación

Knowledge Integration and Entrepreneurial Innovation, a multimethod approach.

This thesis examines the role of knowledge as a precursor to innovation in the context of entrepreneurial post-entry conditions. Particularly this dissertation aims to clarify how entrepreneurial firms organize knowledge to achieve innovation, including the role of founders in the development of firm knowledge. To do so, this research uses a multimethodological approach, including a systematic literature review, a qualitative and a quantitative study. Besides underscoring the importance of adopting a process perspective to understand knowledge in entrepreneurship, this thesis findings include the identification of novel integration strategies and the factors determining such strategies. Moreover, this thesis provides a refined conceptualization of knowledge integration mechanisms, its founder-related antecedents and relationship with innovation. Consequently, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between knowledge, entrepreneurship, and innovation in small firms. It offers insights into the role of founders, the integration of knowledge, and the pathways to innovation. By adopting a process perspective and exploring internal dynamics, this research advances the knowledge-based view of the firm and contributes to the broader applicability of knowledge perspectives in entrepreneurship

Estudio de la capacidad de absorción del conocimiento en la empresa industrial española: propuesta de un modelo de capacidad de absorción desde la gestión del conocimiento

En esta Tesis Doctoral se investiga el núcleo de la capacidad de absorción de conocimiento en la empresa, para explicar la conversión de su dimensión potencial a realizada, identificando los principales elementos que intervienen en este proceso de absorción. Paralelamente, se propone una conceptualización y un modelo propio de la capacidad de absorción, como competencia directiva, que supone la inclusión de un mecanismo estratégico formado por la gestión tecnológica y las estrategias hacia el exterior (colaboraciones tecnológicas), que interactúa, como fase de gestión, con el resto de fases de la capacidad de absorción (exploración, asimilación, transformación y explotación). A partir de un estudio longitudinal representativo de las empresas industriales españolas, procedente de la Encuesta de Estrategias Empresariales de la Fundación SEPI, se contrasta empíricamente la validez del modelo de capacidad de absorción propuesto y se ofrece una guía de buenas prácticas para su aplicación y puesta en práctica.This Doctoral Thesis investigates the core of the knowledge absorptive capacity in the firm, to explain the conversion of the potential dimension to the realized dimension, identifying the main elements of this absorption process. Simultaneously, it proposes a conceptualization and an own model of the absorptive capacity, as a managerial competence, which involves the inclusion of a strategic mechanism formed by the technology management and strategies toward the outside (technological collaborations), which interacts, as management phase, with the rest of the absorptive capacity phases (exploration, assimilation, transformation and exploitation). From a representative longitudinal study of the Spanish industrial companies, from the Survey of Business Strategies of the SEPI Foundation, contrast empirically the validity of the model of the proposed absorptive capacity and provides a guide to good practices for its application and implementation