Studying RFID adoption by SMES in the Taiwanese IT industry

With the advent of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), organisations have the opportunity to rethink how their organisation will operate and integrate in the supply chain. Especially for Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), that they have limited resources adopting such an innovative technology (i.e. RFID) can be daunting. Literature indicates that SMEs that deal with implementation have so far only a few guidelines regarding specific opportunities and risks. This research is therefore trying to fill the gap by employing Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) techniques and utilising a questionnaire survey with the aim of exploring the factors that affect SMEs’ RFID adoption in the Taiwan Information Technology (IT) manufacturing industry. In doing so, the adoption factors which are classified into 3 different adopters categories named ready adopter (cost and management), initiator adopter (competitiveness and process efficiency) and unprepared adopter (IT management difficulties, IT implementation difficulties and cost of implementation) using EFA technique. A SMEs RFID adoption model is then proposed. It is anticipated that the findings of this research will not only enhance the research in RFID adoption in SMEs, but can also act as a reference for practitioners in the industry and researchers in the academic field

Investigating factors influencing the decision making process for ERP adoption and implementation: An exploratory case study

The rapid developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have resulted into a borderless business environment along with an amplified market competition. Traversing through such a trend globally, organisations have significantly focused on adopting and implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to automate their prime business processes, enhance organisational productivity with lower costs and prompt service delivery to fulfil consumer demands. Thus, ERP systems are considered as a principal source to provide imperative information vital for strategic decision making process. On the contrary, ERP systems adoption and implementation is also highly considered as a challenging and expensive process that not only requires rigorous efforts but also demands to have an exhaustive investigation of influential factors that are critical to the adoption and implementation of ERP systems. A plethora of research studies have been theorised exploring factors influencing the decision making process for ERP adoption and implementation; however, the authors claim that these studies are not filtered comprehensively in terms of the different perspectives. Notwithstanding, the implications of such research have yet to be assessed, leaving scope for timeliness and novel research. This paper thus focuses on the ERP critical success factors from five different perspectives such as: stakeholders; process; technology; organisation; and project based on the literature analysis. These perspectives comprise of 24 factors that are imperative for a successful ERP adoption and implementation, which are validated through a qualitative single case study based research. The empirical findings illustrate that these factor help realise significant benefits such as reducing costs and saving time or extra effort

Technology and restructuring the social field of dairy farming : hybrid capitals, ‘stockmanship’ and automatic milking systems

This paper draws on research exploring robotic and information technologies in livestock agriculture. Using Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) as an example we use the work of Bourdieu to illustrate how technology can be seen as restructuring the practices of dairy farming, the nature of what it is to be a dairy farmer, and the wider field of dairy farming. Approaching technology in this way and by drawing particularly upon the ‘thinking tools’ (Grenfell, 2008) of Pierre Bourdieu, namely field, capital and habitus, the paper critically examines the relevance of Bourdieu’s thought to the study of technology. In the heterogeneous agricultural context of dairy farming, we expand on Bourdieu’s types of capital to define what we have called ‘hybrid’ capital involving human-cow-technology collectives. The concept of hybrid capital expresses how the use of a new technology can shift power relations within the dairy field, affecting human-animal relations and changing the habitus of the stock person. Hybrid capital is produced through a co-investment of stock keepers, cows and technologies, and can become economically and culturally valuable within a rapidly restructuring dairying field when invested in making dairy farming more efficient and changing farmers’ social status and work-life balance. The paper shows how AMS and this emergent hybrid capital is associated with new but contested definitions of what counts as ‘good’ dairy farming practice, and with the emergence of new modes of dairy farmer habitus, within a wider dairy farming field whose contours are being redrawn through the implementation of new robotic and information technologies

Towards a research framework for a human development-based bottom of the pyramid ICT development strategy in South Africa

The uncertainties of information system development (ISD) provide many routes that end in poor project outcomes. These uncertainties produce opportunities for IS researchers who are continually exploring the complexities of information system development. In this paper, which is a work-inprogress, we are focusing on the implementation of enterprise systems in three universities in Malaysia. We adopt a socio-technical process model which provides us with a vehicle to describe an in-depth analysis of the phenomena under examination. By examining the notions of technology and knowledge transfer in ISD, this paper explores the intricate relationships and interactions between its human and non-human actors in the attempts to construct various network alliances. We end with some suggestions for research and practice

Ideas and Enhancements Related to Mobile Applications to Support Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Mobile devices have become increasingly important to young people who now use them to access a wide variety of health-related information. Research and policy related to the integration of health information and support with this technology do not effectively consider the viewpoint of a younger patient. Views of young people with type 1 diabetes are vital in developing quality services and improving their own health-related quality of life (HRQOL), yet research on their lifestyle and use of Web and mobile technology to support their condition and in non–health-related areas is sparse. Objective: To develop insight into young people with type 1 diabetes and their current use of Web and mobile technology and its potential impact on HRQOL. This can be achieved by constructing an in-depth picture of their day-to-day experiences from qualitative interviewing and exploring how they make use of technology in their lives and in relation to their condition and treatment. The goal was then to build something to help them, using the researcher’s technical expertise and seeking users’ opinions during the design and build, utilizing sociotechnical design principles. Methods: Data were collected by semistructured, in-depth qualitative interviews (N=9) of young people with type 1 diabetes aged 18-21. Interviews were transcribed and loaded onto NVivo for theme identification. Data analysis was undertaken during initial interviews (n=4) to locate potential ideas and enhancements for technical development. Latter interviews (n=5) assisted in the iterative sociotechnical design process of the development and provided additional developmental ideas. Results: Six themes were identified providing an understanding of how participants lived with and experienced their condition and how they used technology. Four technological suggestions for improvement were taken forward for prototyping. One prototype was developed as a clinically approved app. A number of ideas for new mobile apps and enhancements to currently existing apps that did not satisfactorily cater to this age group’s requirements for use in terms of design and functionality were suggested by interviewees but were not prototyped. Conclusions: This paper outlines the nonprototyped suggestions from interviewees and argues that young people with type 1 diabetes have a key role to play in the design and implementation of new technology to support them and improve HRQOL. It is vital to include and reflect on their suggestions as they have a radically different view of technology than either their parents or practitioners. We need to consider the relationship to technology that young people with type 1 diabetes have, and then reflect on how this might make a difference to them and when it might not be a suitable mechanism to use

Joint venture healthcare system as common practice in developing countries : game changing on assessing health services

To explore the essence of game changing on applying joint venture (JV) approach for healthcare system improvement in developing countries. This is cross-sectional study exploring the factors influencing the successful implementation of JV for the healthcare services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study included: Qatar Statistical Authority, CIA fact book, Ministry of Health Annual Report, Hamad Medical Corporation Annual Report, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development information, and Qatar's healthcare system history. The research indicated that the LMIC healthcare system would benefit from affiliation with leading technology partner for healthcare reform. The findings support the view of LMIC healthcare systems' needs to incorporate joint venture approach in implementing JV concept for process improvement and knowledge transfer to contribute in country economic growth, development, and stability. Current study explored evidence supporting decision maker and management control of JV trends in different ways in comparison with developed countries. JV can also help the organization to share the risk and cost of large capital investment. The present study supports observations on expending the use of JVs as approach for improvement in LMIC healthcare system. The current study confirmed the advantages of JV which include helping businesses grow faster, increasing productivity, and generating greater profits, both parties sharing the risks and costs, accessing new markets and distribution networks. [Abstract copyright: Copyright: © 2020 International Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The perception of colombians about science and technology according to their education level: professional and non-professional population

This document discusses the results of the implementation of the Third National Survey on Public Perception of Science and Technology applied in Colombia. It analyzes the effect of education over some aspects related to the perception about Science and Technology of the Colombians, considering variables such as age and professionalization of the population. Methodologically, the research type is quantitative and descriptive; it uses statistical tools like frequency tables, histograms and subsampling techniques to avoid a biased comparison of the populations. The major findings presented are that the level of education acquired and the formal training actually have significance regarding the perceptions about science and technology in the studied population; it proved to affect the perception and attitude towards issues as the preference in the choice of a career for daughters and sons, the tendency for reviewing instructions and exploring the use of the information, the perception of whether the country works on science or not, and if people make science and technology. In the future, it will be required an approach based on differential studies, addressing the impact of the dissemination of science and technology

An exploratory study of the role of the human resource information system professional

The increasing implementation of technology applications into the workplace has substantiated the need for adept professionals who can manage HR technology for employees and provide data about the organization. For some companies, these professionals are found within the human resources department. These information systems professionals combine HR knowledge and technology skills to procure applications that improve work processes and HR outcomes. The qualitative study focused on exploring the role delineation of human resource information systems (HRIS) professionals to better understand the advantageous aspects of the role\u27s focus in HR technology and analytics. Specifically, the study aimed to describe how the HRIS professional role supports the functions of HR and transformation of HR activities within organizations. Additionally, the research sought to uncover how HRIS professionals described their responsibilities and competencies in response to the significance of data analytics, as well as how the HRIS professionals described the outlook of their professional role. Ten, semi-structured interviews were conducted with HRIS professionals who reported having progressive HRIS experience within U.S. based organizations. The results included HRIS professionals\u27 beliefs about their tasks, competencies, and job outlook and thematic analysis resulted in six categories: data management, HR/IT intersection, HRIS emergence, business intelligence, professional identity, and job satisfaction. The conclusions drawn from the research findings indicated that: HRIS professionals encourage HR technology integration to improve workplace processes; HRIS professionals manage data integrity and support the safeguarding of employee information; HRIS professionals manage data integrity and support the safeguarding of employee information; HRIS professionals run data inquiries and provide reports that influence decision making related to workforce and business outcomes; and HRIS professionals are enthusiastic about emergent job responsibilities in the design and coding of systems. Recommendations for practice include executive consideration toward improving the visibility of HRIS contributions as a way of strengthening relationships between HRIS professionals and the stakeholders they support. Recommendations also include further investigation into utilization of analytics in the workplace. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insight into the opinions of HRIS professionals about their role and interactions within their organizations and recognizes that HRIS professionals consider both people and data when it comes to HR technology implementation

The Potential of Blockchain Technology for Health Information Exchange: Experimental Study From Patients’ Perspectives

Background: Nowadays, a number of mechanisms and tools are being used by health care organizations and physicians to electronically exchange the personal health information of patients. The main objectives of different methods of health information exchange (HIE) are to reduce health care costs, minimize medical errors, and improve the coordination of interorganizational information exchange across health care entities. The main challenges associated with the common HIE systems are privacy concerns, security risks, low visibility of system transparency, and lack of patient control. Blockchain technology is likely to disrupt the current information exchange models utilized in the health care industry. Objective: Little is known about patients’ perceptions and attitudes toward the implementation of blockchain-enabled HIE networks, and it is still not clear if patients (as one of the main HIE stakeholders) are likely to opt in to the applications of this technology in HIE initiatives. Thus, this study aimed at exploring the core value of blockchain technology in the health care industry from health care consumers’ views. Methods: To recognize the potential applications of blockchain technology in health care practices, we designed 16 information exchange scenarios for controlled Web-based experiments. Overall, 2013 respondents participated in 16 Web-based experiments. Each experiment described an information exchange condition characterized by 4 exchange mechanisms (ie, direct, lookup, patient-centered, and blockchain), 2 types of health information (ie, sensitive vs nonsensitive), and 2 types of privacy policy (weak vs strong). Results: The findings show that there are significant differences in patients’ perceptions of various exchange mechanisms with regard to patient privacy concern, trust in competency and integrity, opt-in intention, and willingness to share information. Interestingly, participants hold a favorable attitude toward the implementation of blockchain-based exchange mechanisms for privacy protection, coordination, and information exchange purposes. This study proposed the potentials and limitations of a blockchain-based attempt in the HIE context. Conclusions: The results of this research should be of interest to both academics and practitioners. The findings propose potential limitations of a blockchain-based HIE that should be addressed by health care organizations to exchange personal health information in a secure and private manner. This study can contribute to the research in the blockchain area and enrich the literature on the use of blockchain in HIE efforts. Practitioners can also identify how to leverage the benefit of blockchain to promote HIE initiatives nationwide

Empowering remittance management in the digitised landscape: A real-time Data-Driven Decision Support with predictive abilities for financial transactions

Blockchain technology (BT) revolutionised remittance transactions recording, banks and remittance institutes have shown growing interest in exploring blockchain\u27s potential advantages over traditional practices. This paper presents a data-driven predictive decision support approach as an innovative artefact designed for blockchain-oriented remittance industry. Employing theory-generating Design Science Research (DSR) approach, the transaction Big Data (BD) driven predictive emerged. The artefact integrates Predictive Analytics (PA) and Machine Learning (ML) to enable real-time transactions monitoring, empowering management decision-makers to address challenges in the uncertain digitized landscape of blockchain-oriented remittance companies. Bridging the gap between theory and the practice, this research safeguards the remittance ecosystem while fostering future predictive decision support solution with its PA advancement in other domains. Additionally, the generation of theory from the artifact\u27s implementation enriches the DSR approach and fosters grounded and stakeholder theory development in the Information Systems (IS) domain