Introduction: Advances in E-Business Engineering

(First Paragraph) E-business is one of the most exciting and challenging research areas. Today, not only large companies, but also medium or small-sized companies are learning that e-business is a required component of doing business. E-business has rapidly evolved in the last decade and this trend will continue. In this rapid process, a variety of e-business engineering methods and techniques have been developed. There are many research issues needed to be addressed. As a result, there is a growing demand for insights into challenges, issues, and solutions related to the design, implementation, and management of e-business systems

Identifying Crisis-Critical Intellectual Property Challenges during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A scenario analysis and conceptual extrapolation of innovation ecosystem dynamics using a visual mapping approach

The Covid-19 pandemic exposed firms, organisations and their respective supply chains which are directly involved in the manufacturing of products that are critical to alleviating the effects of the health crisis, collectively referred to as the Crisis-Critical Sector,to unprecedented challenges. Firms from other sectors, such as automotive, luxury and home appliances, have rushed into the Crisis-Critical Sector in order to support the effort to upscale incumbent manufacturing capacities, thereby introducing Intellectual Property (IP)related dynamics and challenges. We apply an innovation ecosystem perspective on the Crisis-Critical Sector and adopt a novel visual mapping approach to identify IP associated challenges and IP specific dynamic developments during and potentially beyond the crisis.In this paper, we add methodologically by devising and testing a visual approach to capturing IP related dynamics in evolving innovation ecosystems and contribute to literature on IP management in the open innovation context by proposing paraground IP as a novel IP type.Finally, we also deduce managerial implications for IP management practitioners at both incumbent firms and new entrants for navigating innovation ecosystems subject to crisis-induced dynamic shifts

Financial Services Innovation: Opportunities for Transformation Through Facial Recognition and Digital Wallet Patents

Bringing innovation to the marketplace for new products and services involves creativity, a culture in which change flourishes, and leadership that thrives on transformation and complexity. This study explored the potential for market disruption or change based on innovations involving patents granted to nonfinancial services organizations that could affect financial services, specifically consumer or retail bank products. It involved analyzing documents related to recently granted patents and completing a mixed methods survey integrating the Delphi research technique. This method required multiple iterations of a survey presented to expert panelists or industry thought leaders to attempt to gain consensus ( Consensus , 2011) or general agreement by the group (Tersine & Riggs, 1976). With this research method, the goal is to gain an understanding of initial individual perspectives. Through an iterative process, then determine if, as a group, they can move toward a common vision of what is likely to happen after viewing other\u27s perspectives. This research was specific to two innovations for which patents have been granted: facial recognition and digital wallets. Patents can provide insights into potential new developments planned by organizations. In some cases, patents can provide insights into innovation, potential threats, opportunities, or disruptions that could change the way a market operates. The goal of this research was to select two recent patents from many that have been granted, develop theoretical insights, and, through a mixed methods survey integrating the Delphi methodology, identify when or if these patents could have an impact on financial services. This research brought together thought leaders in an anonymous, collaborative approach to assess considerations and provide their perspective on these changes. This study served to help leaders drive innovation in financial services organizations and to understand how others perceive these innovations. The electronic version of this Dissertation is at OhioLink ETD Center, www.etd.ohiolink.ed

Financial Services Innovation: Opportunities for Transformation Through Facial Recognition and Digital Wallet Patents

Bringing innovation to the marketplace for new products and services involves creativity, a culture in which change flourishes, and leadership that thrives on transformation and complexity. This study explored the potential for market disruption or change based on innovations involving patents granted to nonfinancial services organizations that could affect financial services, specifically consumer or retail bank products. It involved analyzing documents related to recently granted patents and completing a mixed methods survey integrating the Delphi research technique. This method required multiple iterations of a survey presented to expert panelists or industry thought leaders to attempt to gain consensus ( Consensus , 2011) or general agreement by the group (Tersine & Riggs, 1976). With this research method, the goal is to gain an understanding of initial individual perspectives. Through an iterative process, then determine if, as a group, they can move toward a common vision of what is likely to happen after viewing other\u27s perspectives. This research was specific to two innovations for which patents have been granted: facial recognition and digital wallets. Patents can provide insights into potential new developments planned by organizations. In some cases, patents can provide insights into innovation, potential threats, opportunities, or disruptions that could change the way a market operates. The goal of this research was to select two recent patents from many that have been granted, develop theoretical insights, and, through a mixed methods survey integrating the Delphi methodology, identify when or if these patents could have an impact on financial services. This research brought together thought leaders in an anonymous, collaborative approach to assess considerations and provide their perspective on these changes. This study served to help leaders drive innovation in financial services organizations and to understand how others perceive these innovations. The electronic version of this Dissertation is at OhioLink ETD Center, www.etd.ohiolink.ed

Improving intelligence in a counterinsurgency or counterterrorism environment through the application of a critical thinking-based framework

The intelligence community is responsible for providing competent analysis and assessments pertaining to the many significant geo-political situations that may potentially or do effect the nation’s interests. The intelligence community has always experienced challenges living up to that charge, and while it may merely be a case of the nature of the profession, there are always lessons that can be learned and processes that may improve the analytical processes. Critical thinking is a cognitive process that may be able to provide that improvement to the analytical processes, and when an analytical framework is built by applying these cognitive skills, the analytical effort may become more focused and meaningful. This study examined an intelligence analysis framework that was built using specific cognitive critical thinking skills. It was demonstrated that intelligence analysis did improve, specifically with the novice analysts that participated, and there was demonstrated specificity in the respondents’ analyses. A panel of experts provided insight and content assurance that demonstrated the intelligence analysis and products produced were valuable for operational usage. Finally, successful historical counterinsurgencies were examined in relationship to the analytical framework that was utilized in order to understand how this analysis can lead to operational success

Aligning Social Media, Mobile, Analytics, and Cloud Computing Technologies and Disaster Response

After nearly 2 decades of advances in information and communications technologies (ICT) including social media, mobile, analytics, and cloud computing, disaster response agencies in the United States have not been able to improve alignment between ICT-based information and disaster response actions. This grounded theory study explored emergency response ICT managers\u27 understanding of how social media, mobile, analytics, and cloud computing technologies (SMAC) are related to and can inform disaster response strategies. Sociotechnical theory served as the conceptual framework to ground the study. Data were collected from document reviews and semistructured interviews with 9 ICT managers from emergency management agencies in the state of Hawaii who had experience in responding to major disasters. The data were analyzed using open, axial coding, and selective coding. Three elements of a theory emerged from the findings: (a) the ICT managers were hesitant about SMAC technologies replacing first responder\u27s radios to interoperate between emergency response agencies during major disasters, (b) the ICT managers were receptive to converging conventional ICT with SMAC technologies, and (c) the ICT managers were receptive to joining legacy information sharing strategies with new information sharing strategies based on SMAC technologies. The emergent theory offers a framework for aligning SMAC technologies and disaster response strategies. The implications for positive social change include reduced interoperability failures between disaster agencies during major catastrophes, which may lower the risk of casualties and deaths to emergency responders and disaster victims, thus benefiting them and their communities

Surviving to thrive in complexity: a mixed method evaluation of military rehabilitation post lower limb amputation

This cohort of combat casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan should not have survived; but they did. Their survival should now be defined by their disability; yet it is not. Using a mixed method research approach underpinned by complexity science and social theory, this study critically examines military rehabilitation post lower limb amputation and key components required to manage their complex needs. Structured around an adapted MRC evaluation framework for complex interventions, perspectives of clinicians, clinical managers and veterans have been captured and verified using the Nominal Group Technique, interviews, and veteran outcome data (ADVANCE). Clinicians and clinical managers cite the importance of a highly collaborative interdisciplinary team approach where a culture of innovation, creativity, trust, and interdependence is nurtured by leaders. Conversely, the multidisciplinary team structure led to feelings of distrust, inadequacy, isolation, and disempowerment to adapt their circumstance. Veterans highlight the prosthetic limb as a powerful symbol of autonomy and group membership; social bonds with peers, family and trusted clinicians, and the intensive goal centred, functionally based, rehabilitation process are also prized. These components support veterans to acquire the skills needed to feel connected with others and act autonomously – verified in the literature as extrinsic enablers of human thriving. The ADVANCE cohort presented with a high severity of injury, yet remarkably no psychological or social decline when compared to uninjured controls. However, psychosocial outcomes did not depend on prosthetic mobility as previous research has shown. Therefore, both qualitative and quantitative data, point to a social dynamic supporting clinicians and patients to achieve their intrinsic motivational needs – to feel connected, competent, autonomous, and thereby, to thrive. Rehabilitation programmes planned around the proposed model of human thriving should promote high levels of social, psychological, and physical recovery. Future research is suggested on factors impeding thriving, mental health, socket comfort and medication.Open Acces

Optimal Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) revamp project management : the execution phase model development

In a bid to realise production targets and operational efficiency from ultra-deep offshore areas where the world’s oil and gas reserves are situated, the Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) asset is deployed in many parts the world, being the most efficient production means. Judging, especially, from health safety environment performance indicators, the major multinational oil and gas producing organizations is perceived to pursue operational excellence, yet there are indications of unsatisfactory revamp project management performance in the literature. Revamp projects are sanctioned to assure asset lifecycle and improve production performance. Some major multinational oil and gas producing companies have customised the stage-gate project management approach from theory for revamp projects realisation. However, the stage-gate framework, which is generic, tends essentially towards major, capital, or new built projects from the contractor perspective. Since the theoretical approach is not tailored specifically to revamp project development, the application of the stage-gate approach by the oil and gas producing organizations (client or sponsor) perspective therefore does produce optimal results.The aim of this study is to develop an optimal FPSO revamp project management model from the oil and gas operating company perspective at the execution phase. To address the problem of underperformance in this research, pragmatism research philosophy and the mixed research method, comprising five case studies, four from major multinational oil and gas corporations operating in Nigeria, and a group of oil and gas revamp project experts from across the world was utilised. A panel of experts with over 15 years of experience in revamp projects were purposively selected from each case study. Questionnaire and interview feedback from the respondents were screened for optimality with the use of the Delphi technique to avoid bias in predicting the future revamp project management performance.The research findings identified four critical criteria for revamp projects - engineering, pre-fabrication and construction, site installation and pre-commissioning and commissioning; nine sub criteria comprising project scope, procurement, cost and schedule, risk, human resources, Health Safety Environment Quality (HSEQ), integration, knowledge, and stakeholder management as well as two compensatory project management options - Lean and Agile project management approaches that can be infused into identified critical knowledge areas within the stage-gate project management model for attaining optimal FPSO revamp project development. A four level, three steps Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis of the research data obtained from the respondents in this research was used to make group decisions concerning FPSO revamp project management for the execution project phase. The study confirms that project management within FPSO asset revamp projects often fail due to uninformed decision making, rather than the hitherto suggested non-compliance with project management theory. It is also revealed that Lean is preferred to Agile Project Management which, seemingly, is the most appropriate from contemporary perspective but with little acceptance in actual practice for revamp project performance improvements.The research has developed, validated, and tested the proposed optimal project management model from AHP – multi criteria decisions by expert professionals working for major multinational oil and gas companies operating within and outside Nigeria. The research also demonstrated that most of these operating companies and revamp project experts from all over the world are guided by the same ethics, procedures, and theoretical project management frameworks. The findings from this research are reflections of global rather than regional perspective of the industry and therefore, the case studies selected from major multinational oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria does not invalidate the outcomes of the research