Impact of a Non-Traditional Research Approach

abstract: Construction Management research has not been successful in changing the practices of the construction industry. The method of receiving grants and the peer review paper system that academics rely on to achieve promotion, does not align to academic researchers becoming experts who can bring change to industry practices. Poor construction industry performance has been documented for the past 25 years in the international construction management field. However, after 25 years of billions of dollars of research investment, the solution remains elusive. Research has shown that very few researchers have a hypothesis, run cycles of research tests in the industry, and result in changing industry practices. The most impactful research identified in this thesis, has led to conclusions that pre-planning is critical, hiring contractors who have expertise will result in better performance, and risk is mitigated when the supply chain partners work together and expertise is utilized at the beginning of projects. The problems with construction non-performance have persisted. Legal contract issues have become more important. Traditional research approaches have not identified the severity and the source of construction non-performance. The problem seems to be as complex as ever. The construction industry practices and the academic research community remain in silos. This research proposes that the problem may be in the traditional construction management research structure and methodology. The research has identified a unique non-traditional research program that has documented over 1700 industry tests, which has resulted in a decrease in client management by up to 79%, contractors adding value by up to 38%, increased customer satisfaction by up to 140%, reduced change order rates as low as -0.6%, and decreased cost of services by up to 31%. The purpose of this thesis is to document the performance of the non-traditional research program around the above identified results. The documentation of such an effort will shed more light on what is required for a sustainable, industry impacting, and academic expert based research program.Dissertation/ThesisMasters Thesis Construction 201

Financial performance and capacity analysis for the MICE industry in Las Vegas and the United States

The meetings, incentive travel, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) industry is comparatively young and diverse. As a result, there has been limited research conducted in this field, especially from the financial performance and capacity management perspective. The purpose of this study is to fill the gap by analyzing the MICE capacity optimization issue in Las Vegas, a leading MICE destination, and in the U.S., a leading MICE country in the world. The findings and results of this study should help industry practitioners better understand the current status of the U.S. MICE industry in terms of assets efficiency, operational costs, and profitability. The findings of the financial performance analysis indicate that the MICE industry in Las Vegas and the United States has high operating expenses and intensive capital investment which affect its profitability. Moreover, the results of the capacity optimization analysis show that the MICE industry will continuously experience severe over-capacity over the next five years. This study recommends solutions to the capacity problems. Academically, this study should make a good contribution to capacity optimization literature by applying the theoretical model to the MICE industry

Should We Stay or Should We Go? Analyzing Continuance of Cloud Enterprise Systems

As cloud computing has become a mature technology that companies across all industries have adopted, cloud service providers have increasingly begun to turn their attention to retaining their customers. However, little research has investigated the antecedents of service continuance in an organizational context. To address this gap in research, we carried out a quantitative empirical study. We developed a conceptual model that builds on previous research on organizational level continuance. We tested this model using survey data gathered from decision makers of companies that have adopted cloud enterprise systems. We analyzed the data using PLS. The results show that socio-organizational and technology-related factors can be used to predict continuance intention of cloud computing use. Besides cloud-specific findings, the study also enhances knowledge in organizational-level system continuance and its connection to IS success

IT OFFSHORING: History, Prospects and Challenges

Offshore provision of IS/IT related services has been growing rapidly in recent years and seems firmly set to continue. This trend is fueled by the many advantages of offshore service procurement; however, there are dangers in this practice. Furthermore, offshoring requires adaptation of the IS function and IS management. This, in turn suggests the need for modifications of IS curricula in order to prepare graduates for the new environment. The advantages of offshoring are those of outsourcing in general – cost saving and allowing the organization to focus on its core activities. The main dangers include loss of possibly-important business skills and reliance on remote suppliers who face risks that are unfamiliar to the client firm. The loss of jobs due to offshoring also introduces political considerations. Offshore IS activities are generally the responsibility of an organization’s CIO. This management responsibility requires awareness of cultural and legal differences and of risks associated with offshoring and outsourcing in general. Offshoring has an effect on job opportunities for graduates of information systems programs. The number of some jobs will shrink, but new positions with new responsibilities are likely to emerge. Training of students in the U.S. and other countries in the developed world to function in an environment of offshored operations will introduce new IS roles and skills and require the adaptations of IS curricula

An extended information system success model for mobile learning usage in Saudi Arabia universities

The emergence of 4G networks allows m-learning to be attractive for educational systems. Mobile devices have the potential to enhance accessibility and efficiency distribution of educational materials and information. Developing countries, especially in the Middle East, lag behind as they face difficulties in the adoption and use of m-learning. Previous researches stated that the studies in the success of m-learning are still insufficient in developing countries, particularly in Saudi Arabia where the number of students involved in m-learning also constitutes low percentages. Nine factors that influence the success of m-learning are incorporated and evaluated into a research model. A quantitative approach was used, where questionnaires were sent to three universities in KSA. The contributing factors and the relationships between them were evaluated using a Structural Equation Modelling technique. The research revealed that information quality, user satisfaction (US), trust in technology, attitude, organisation support, trust in organisation, and the net benefits of m-learning positively influence m-learning usage. In addition, the results confirmed that user satisfaction is positively affected by system quality (SEQ), service quality (SQ), and net benefits (NB) of using (U) the system. The results also showed that there is a significant relationship between NB and US for m-learning technology. This study extends the previous research by providing a conceptual model for the successful execution of m-learning services in universities. This mediating effect of US explains the impact of independent variables (IQ, SEQ, SQ) on U. It also examined the mediating effect of U in explaining the influence of US on the NB using m-learning services. The findings of this study are valuable as input for the Ministry of Higher Education and practitioners concerned with successful m-learning services. This study constructed a new model to enhance the mobile learning usage among students in universities

Interim research assessment 2003-2005 - Computer Science

This report primarily serves as a source of information for the 2007 Interim Research Assessment Committee for Computer Science at the three technical universities in the Netherlands. The report also provides information for others interested in our research activities

Examining Competencies for the Human Resources Professional Within Idaho State Government

This study examines the vital competencies of the Human Resource (HR) professional within Idaho state government. Through the lens of comparability and factor analysis, the competencies examined in this study utilize the Human Resource Competency Survey (HRCS) study framework as a basis for study. Since the HRCS model was primarily designed for the private sector, this study examines these study findings in light of public services on a state government level. This study establishes a competency model that the human resource professional in state level government can use in various facets related to their individual performance, training and development, recruitment, evaluation, professional development, and succession planning. Research suggests that public services often look to the private sector to bridge the gap between the inflexibility of civil systems and the flexibility of HR best practices delivery of private business (Selden, Ingraham, & Jacobsen, 2001; Borins, 2000; OPM 1999-2000; Ulrich, 1997; Gore 1993). Nine original constructs were re-categorized and reduced to five viable competency factors that groups together competencies based on participant agreement as to what competencies were important for the successful HR professional in state level government. These five factors include professional credibility, quality management, global best practices management, workforce management, and performance management. Three taxonomies also surfaced as a result of this study: technical skills, interpersonal skills, and workforce learning and development. Future research implications for studies span possibilities on a more national level across different states in public services, local government systems, and quite possibly into other nations