Transfer Learning in Dynamic Business Environments: An Application in Earnings Forecast for Public Firms

In dynamic business environments, the underlying true data pattern changes rapidly. Machine learning models built upon historical data may not be responsive to the changes. A simple solution is to re-train a machine learning model using the re-collected current data. However, current data are often scarce. Therefore, it would be optimal to adapt the machine learning model built on historical data to the current period. In this study, we propose a two-step transfer learning method for enhancing machine learning in dynamic data environments. Our insight is that, by comparing current data and historical data, we gain information on the change of data environments, which guides the training of machine learning using historical and current data sets simultaneously. In this research-in-progress, we evaluate our method and an existing state-of-art algorithm in the earnings prediction tasks. Preliminary results show the effectiveness of transfer learning in dynamic business environments

The Dilemma of Integration Versus Autonomy: Knowledge Sharing in Post-Merger IS Development

Although research acknowledges the role of IS in a merger, it has not addressed the issue of boundary management during the development of ISs aimed at supporting merged organizations. Yet, it has been shown, albeit not in a merger context, that knowledge sharing during IS development involving agents from different communities is critical and difficult. Hence, our study addresses the questions of how agents from merging organizations, engaged in an IS development during post-merger integration (PMI) share knowledge of the work practices required by a specific PMI approach, and of how the resulting IS functionalities are affected by, or do affect the implementation of a PMI approach? Adopting a practice perspective, we aim at developing a theory on knowledge sharing in this context. To do so, we conduct a case study of three IS developments within a merger in the healthcare milieu

Viability of Numerical Full-Wave Techniques in Telecommunication Channel Modelling

In telecommunication channel modelling the wavelength is small compared to the physical features of interest, therefore deterministic ray tracing techniques provide solutions that are more efficient, faster and still within time constraints than current numerical full-wave techniques. Solving fundamental Maxwell's equations is at the core of computational electrodynamics and best suited for modelling electrical field interactions with physical objects where characteristic dimensions of a computing domain is on the order of a few wavelengths in size. However, extreme communication speeds, wireless access points closer to the user and smaller pico and femto cells will require increased accuracy in predicting and planning wireless signals, testing the accuracy limits of the ray tracing methods. The increased computing capabilities and the demand for better characterization of communication channels that span smaller geographical areas make numerical full-wave techniques attractive alternative even for larger problems. The paper surveys ways of overcoming excessive time requirements of numerical full-wave techniques while providing acceptable channel modelling accuracy for the smallest radio cells and possibly wider. We identify several research paths that could lead to improved channel modelling, including numerical algorithm adaptations for large-scale problems, alternative finite-difference approaches, such as meshless methods, and dedicated parallel hardware, possibly as a realization of a dataflow machine

A Conceptual Model for Measuring the Effectiveness of Employee Portals

Employee portals are utilized by many companies to improve information exchange and communication between their employees as well as to better support business processes. Assessing the benefits of employee portals has become important, owing to limited IT budgets and the need to justify investments in portals. In this paper, we propose a conceptual model for measuring the effectiveness of employee portals on the basis of the DeLone and McLean IS Success Model as well as an extensive review of employee portal success measurement literature. The resulting model is presented as the basis for future empirical work in this area. The development of the survey instrument is described and further validation steps are proposed

Industry-Specificity of Employee Portal Success: A Multi-Group Comparison

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of employee portal success and to investigate the industry differences with regard to the success factors. We introduce a theoretical model for this that is based on the DeLone and McLean IS Success Model, which considers the specific requirements of employee portals. We tested the associations between our model’s different success dimensions by using more than 6,000 employees’ responses that were collected in a survey of 22 companies across different industries participating in an international benchmarking study. Furthermore, we analyzed potential industry differences by means of a multi-group comparison. We applied structural equation modeling to carry out the data analysis. The study’s results indicate that, besides the factors contributing to the success of IS in general, other success dimensions – like the quality of the collaboration and process support – have to be considered when aiming for a successful employee portal. The results of the multi-group comparison further indicate that the impacts of the success factors differ in intensity and significance between the industries in our sample. The study’s findings make it possible for practitioners to understand the industry-specific levers with which to improve their employee portals and to prioritize their investments accordingly. By empirically validating a comprehensive success model for employee portals, the study\u27s results advance the theoretical development in this area and present a basis for further research in this field

Improving the Success of Employee Portals: A Causal and Performance-Based Analysis

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of employee portal success and to identify the levers for its improvement. We introduce a theoretical model for this that is based on the DeLone and McLean IS Success Model, which considers the specific requirements of employee portals. We tested the associations between our model’s different success dimensions by using more than 4,400 employees’ responses. These responses were collected in a survey of twelve companies across different industries participating in an international benchmarking study. We applied structural equation modeling to carry out the causal analysis. Furthermore, within a performance-based analysis, we investigated the success dimensions’ improvement potentials from both a strategic and action-oriented perspective. The results of our causal analysis indicate that besides the factors contributing to the success of IS in general, other success dimensions – like the quality of the collaboration and process support – have to be considered when aiming for a successful employee portal. The performance-based analysis emphasizes the significance of collaboration quality to improve an employee portal and indentifies the respective fields of action. The study’s findings make it possible for practitioners to understand the levers with which to improve their employee portals and to prioritize their investments accordingly. By empirically validating a comprehensive success model for employee portals, the study\u27s results advance the theoretical development in this area and present a basis for further research in this field

EMPLOYING WIKI AS A COLLABORATIVE INFORMATION REPOSITORY IN A MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY: THE NBC UNIVERSAL CASE

Wiki has been widely accepted by educational institutions, homes, and corporations, and is expected to grow continuously. Business enterprises quickly recognize the value of shared content: Some of the largest corporations, such as Google and IBM use wikis to manage daily operations and to share information among employees. This case study presents how NBC Universal developed a wiki, and used it to enhance knowledge-sharing, thereby achieving significant costsavings, performance improvement and employee satisfactions. This case shows Wiki can bring greater value to an organization with a dynamically changing structure in which capturing and sharing of tacit knowledge is critical for its success. By clearly demonstrating benefits of collaborative information repositories in the widely-recognized media and entertainment firm, this case will provide valuable learning opportunities to both professional and academic audience