Investigating factors influencing local government decision makers while adopting integration technologies (IntTech)

The emergence of innovative and revolutionary Integration Technologies (IntTech) has highly influenced the local government authorities (LGAs) in their decision-making process. LGAs that plan to adopt such IntTech may consider this as a serious investment. Advocates, however, claim that such IntTech have emerged to overcome the integration problems at all levels (e.g. data, object and process). With the emergence of electronic government (e-Government), LGAs have turned to IntTech to fully automate and offer their services on-line and integrate their IT infrastructures. While earlier research on the adoption of IntTech has considered several factors (e.g. pressure, technological, support, and financial), inadequate attention and resources have been applied in systematically investigating the individual, decision and organisational context factors, influencing top management's decisions for adopting IntTech in LGAs. It is a highly considered phenomenon that the success of an organisation's operations relies heavily on understanding an individual's attitudes and behaviours, the surrounding context and the type of decisions taken. Based on empirical evidence gathered through two intensive case studies, this paper attempts to investigate the factors that influence decision makers while adopting IntTech. The findings illustrate two different doctrines - one inclined and receptive towards taking risky decisions, the other disinclined. Several underlying rationales can be attributed to such mind-sets in LGAs. The authors aim to contribute to the body of knowledge by exploring the factors influencing top management's decision-making process while adopting IntTech vital for facilitating LGAs' operational reforms

JoinSTNassistant Framework: An Agile Holistic Framework for Assisting Decision in Healthcare Facilities to Join Saudi Telemedicine Network

In 2011, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) launched the Saudi Telemedicine Network (STN) as the first national project for telemedicine in the KSA, which is planned to be completed by 2020. The benefits associated with the STN will only be realised through its successful implementation within the Healthcare Facilities (HCFs) across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). There is a high failure rate of implementation projects of telemedicine within other countries (approximately 75% globally, and 90% in developing countries). Furthermore, there is high failure rate of implementation projects of complex Health Information Technology (HIT) systems within HCFs of the KSA (roughly 80%). These dramatic statistics demonstrate the great need for a suitable framework to assist the STN implementation and increase the likelihood of its successful implementation. Prior studies have asserted that there could not be a one-size-fits-all framework that could be applicable and used by all countries for assisting the implementation of telemedicine. To the best of our knowledge, there is not any existing framework that has been specifically developed for assisting the STN implementation. Thus, this research is aimed at developing a novel, agile, holistic framework, referred to as “JoinSTNassistant Framework”, aimed to assist HCFs across the KSA regarding their organisational decision to join the STN. It must be ensured that this JoinSTNassistant Framework is theoretically rigorous, as well as relevant specifically to the context and the needs of the KSA, its HCFs, and the STN roadmap. Therefore, the JoinSTNassistant Framework has been developed through three-sequential phases. The First Phase of development defines and applies the theoretical and philosophical foundations of the JoinSTNassistant Framework. In this First Phase, 56-selected studies from an extensive literature review were analysed. The Second and Third phases of development reflect the practical and pragmatic requirements of the JoinSTNassistant Framework. These two phases must be considered as two stages of validation of the findings of the First Phase, involving as many potential users as possible in the development of the Framework, so as to ensure that it reflects their expectations and meets their needs. The Second Phase of development involved interviews with 81 strategic-level decision makers of HCFs within the KSA. The Third Phase implemented an even higher level of validation, involving as many as 905 potential users, forming a representative sample size of the decision makers of all HCFs across the KSA. In addition, a web-based application (i.e., Portal) for the JoinSTNassistant Framework, referred to as “JoinSTNassistant Portal” was developed for modifying and adjusting the JoinSTNassistant Framework in order to be applicable for each one of HCFs across the KSA, for assisting and guiding them in reaching a decision to join the STN. This research is part of the STN project and is collaborating with the National eHealth Strategy and Change Management Office in the MOH of KSA, and with the STN agency, who is the sponsor and the owner of the STN project

In search of innovation capability and its sources in local government organizations: a critical interpretative synthesis of the literature

Empirical research has identified a long list of antecedents that promote innovation in local government organizations. However, less is known about how and why diverse antecedents—as well as their interplay—stimulate local government organizations to innovate and create public value. We address this gap through a systematic and critical interpretive synthesis of the empirical literature on innovation and entrepreneurship in local government organizations. Our review advances theory development about public sector innovation processes by (1) showing how antecedents relate to each other across levels of analysis in a process model and (2) explicating why local government organizations generate/adopt innovation through innovation capability. Our emerging theory offers several contributions to the public sector innovation literature and a forward-looking research agenda.In search of innovation capability and its sources in local government organizations: a critical interpretative synthesis of the literaturepublishedVersio

In search of innovation capability and its sources in local government organizations: a critical interpretative synthesis of the literature

Empirical research has identified a long list of antecedents that promote innovation in local government organizations. However, less is known about how and why diverse antecedents—as well as their interplay—stimulate local government organizations to innovate and create public value. We address this gap through a systematic and critical interpretive synthesis of the empirical literature on innovation and entrepreneurship in local government organizations. Our review advances theory development about public sector innovation processes by (1) showing how antecedents relate to each other across levels of analysis in a process model and (2) explicating why local government organizations generate/adopt innovation through innovation capability. Our emerging theory offers several contributions to the public sector innovation literature and a forward-looking research agenda

Process mapping for road works planning and coordination

Purpose Diminishing local government budgets and the need to reduce highway works activities necessitate cost effective and efficient processes. This paper investigates streamlining road works administrative processes to enhance coordinated working at Derby City Council. Design/methodology/approach Case study research of a local authority was undertaken using Business Process Mapping. Specifically, Swimlane analysis enabled re-engineering of business processes from design stage, to works permit issuance. Process improvement recommendations were validated by nine industry experts through a focus group and semi-structured interviews. A logic map was developed for transferability to other Councils, identifying key attributes for a successful administrative road works management process. Findings Research revealed inherent silo working and processes built around fragmented IT systems creating process inefficiency. Validation found numerous practices and management styles were culturally embedded and common across Councils. Peer reviewed recommendations are made to improve working practices, including improving IT systems, removing process bottlenecks, and training staff. Research implications Whilst road works management policy is generally under-researched, it’s strategic and negative impacts are widely acknowledged. This study highlights the day-to-day operational problems which are interconnected to the strategic impact, bridging an important gap in knowledge, as well as adding to Business Process Re-engineering literature. Originality/novelty The research adds to a limited of body of road works management policy research, and also presents a high-level logic map for Councils to adopt as appropriate

Technological Antecedents of Entrepreneurship and its Consequences for Organizational Performance

Under conditions of rapid change, companies compete intensely to achieve competitive advantages. Through technology, they differentiate themselves from other companies to obtain a better market position. Decisions concerning technological variables are thus essential to a firm’s overall competitive strategy, positioning and emplacement. Our research analyses how top management support for technology and technology skills enables technology acquisition, integration and infrastructure in firms, influencing organizational performance through corporate entrepreneurship. The analysis is performed using Structural Equation Model with a sample of 201 Spanish technological firms. The results show that awareness of technological issues enables entrepreneurship in the firm.This research was supported by the Regional Government of Andalusia’s Project (Ref.: P11-SEJ-7988)

A model for citizens' self-knowledge that influences intention to participate in e-government public decision making

The success of an e-government information system could be determined by the citizens' intention to participate in public decision-making to use the technology for future benefits. There is lack of participation of citizens in e-governments implementation in most developing countries where their opinions are not taken into considerations. This study has been conducted to identify the citizens' intentions to participate in the public decision-making of the e-government. The first objective of this research is to identify the factors that influence the citizens' intention to participate in the public decision-making of the e-government. The second objective examines the citizens‘ self-knowledge characteristics that will moderate the relationship between the influencing factors and the citizens‘ intentions to participate in the public decision-making of the e-government. The third objective is the development of a research model of the citizens' intentions to participate in the public decision-making of the e-government. The research utilised the quantitative approach by distributing 501 questionnaires to four groups of respondents. Only 474 questionnaires were usable, representing a 94.6 % rate. The data was analysed utilising SPSS v21 to examine the relationships between the study‘s contributing factors with the moderators. The following factors, the attitude towards act or behaviour (ATB), subjective norms (SN), social influence (SI), facilitating condition (FC), compatibility (CO), and culture (CU), were identified to influence citizen intention to participate. Their different requirements have a potential impact on the public decision-making in the e-government. The research also took into consideration other factors which would contribute as moderator factors like gender, age, level of education, social group, working sector, and Internet experiences. The research has contributed to the body of knowledge by merging the concepts of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), two concepts from the UTAUT2 theory, and one concept from the DOI theory in this research. A model for citizens‘ self-knowledge that influences intention to participate in e-government public decision making is presented

Investigating the business process implications of managing road works and street works

Around 2.5 million utility works (street works) occurred in England in 2016 with a construction cost of approximately £2 billion. Comparative figures for highway works (road works) are not readily available, but are expected to be similarly significant. Unsurprisingly, the volume of road works and street works (RWSW) activity in urban areas is considered to have a negative impact on the road network causing disruption and premature deterioration, blighting the street scene, damaging local business trade, and significantly increasing social, economic and environmental costs. Indeed the social costs of street works alone are estimated to be around £5.1 billion annually. Despite the economic significance of highway infrastructure, the subject of road works and street works management is under-researched, with greater research emphasis on technology-based, as opposed to policy-based management approaches. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency and effectiveness of managing the business process of RWSW. Due to limited academic literature in the subject domain, earlier research focused on identifying the industry actors, their motivations, as well as drivers and barriers to RWSW management. Semi-structured interviews with industry stakeholders highlighted the industry s complexity and revealed that several issues contributed to ineffective RWSW management. Principal problems included Street Authorities (SA) failing to take enough ownership of the RWSW coordination process, highway legislation not encouraging joint working due to inherent challenges arising from reinstatement guarantees, and entrenched attitudes and adversarial practices in the construction industry encouraging silo working. The Derby Permit Scheme (legislative tool) was intended to improve RWSW management through giving SAs greater control of highway works. Accordingly, RWSW activity was tested through a statistical time series intervention analysis to separately examine the impacts of the Highway Authority (HA) led works and utility industry led works over 6.5 years. The Permit Scheme was found to reduce utility works durations by around 5.4%; equivalent to 727 days, saving between £2.1 - £7.4 million in construction and societal costs annually. Conversely, the Permit Scheme did not noticeable reduce the HA led works. Instead, the introduction of a works order management system (WOMS) to automate some of the back office road works process was found to reduce works durations by 34%; equivalent to 6519 days and saving between £8.3 - £48.3m per annum. This case study highlighted that more considered practices were required by the HA to reduce RWSW. The stakeholder study and the automated WOMS technology found that well-managed business processes tended to lead to better executed highway works on-site. Informed by these experiences, the sponsor was keen to re-engineer its internal business processes. Business process mapping was adopted to identify inefficient practices and improved coordinated working opportunities on three key internal teams involved in the road works process. Findings revealed that silo working was inherent and that processes were built around fragmented and outdated Information Technology (IT) systems, creating inefficiencies. A subsequent validation exercise found that certain practices, such as restricted data access and hierarchal management styles were culturally embedded and also common across other local authorities. Peer reviewed recommendations to improve working practices were made, such as adopting an integrated Highways Management IT system, vertical integration between the customer relationship management IT system and the Highways IT systems, and the provision of regulatory training. In conclusion, based on the finding of this study, a generic logic map was created with potential to transfer the learning to other local authorities and for their use when evaluating road works administrative processes

Barriers to Technology Adoption Among Construction Project Managers in Nigeria

Innovative technologies for construction project management are constantly emerging in the construction industry\u27s global landscape, yet the rate of failed projects within the Nigerian construction sector due to poor coordination of construction tasks is on the rise. An unanswered question in the literature remains as to why construction project managers in Nigeria remain slow to adopt new technologies for improving decision-making processes and project success rates. The purpose of this qualitative single case study with embedded units was to understand the perceptions of construction project managers in Nigeria regarding their barriers to technology adoption. This study was framed by 2 conceptual models: Usman and Said\u27s model of factors contributing to information and communication technology adoption in Nigerian construction firms and Waziri, Mustapha, and Idris\u27 model of factors influencing IT adoption in Nigerian construction organizations. Semistructured interviews involving 10 participants, reflective field notes, and archival data provided information regarding the barriers to technology adoption experience of construction project managers in Nigeria. Thematic analysis of the textual data and synthesis produced 5 conceptual categories for 14 identifiable themes from the study. The conceptual categories were (a) adoption of technology, (b) culture, (c) organizational performance, (d) innovative technology, and (e) interorganizational collaborations. The findings from this study may serve as a catalyst for positive social change by challenging existing technology-avoidance behavior in the Nigerian construction industry, and opening new opportunities for improved project delivery in the Nigerian national economy