An Enterprise 2.0 project management approach to facilitate participation, transparency, and communication

The use of current interactive and collaborative Web 2.0 concepts and technologies has great potential for flexible, loosely-coupled integration and ad-hoc information exchange within and between organizations. However, stakeholders’ readiness, willingness and ability to participate need to be continuously factored in. The successful implementation of common strategies, systems and processes in the course of Enterprise 2.0 projects is crucial. To increase the probability of success and to enhance the intensity of cooperation and trust in such projects, the constructs of transparency, communication and participation need to be addressed through an integrated project methodology. To bridge the gap between existing scientific models and requirements for Enterprise 2.0 projects, this paper proposes and describes a project methodology to support the main objectives for Enterprise 2.0 implementations. Selected results from two pilot projects within Austrian companies are presented and matched with critical success factors, which are derived from the literature. These provide elaborative insights into key characteristics of certain Enterprise 2.0 tools and project management for Enterprise 2.0 projects

Knowledge Management Reloaded: A Framework for the Systemic Handling of Knowledge within the Enterprise 2.0

In this paper, I examine the convergence of knowledge management and Enterprise 2.0, and subsequently describe the possibilities for an overarching exchange and transfer of knowledge in Enterprise 2.0. This is typified by the decentralized development of common ideas, collaboration and the assistance available to performing responsibilities as provided by Enterprise 2.0 tools. Therefore a framework will be developed for knowledge management to serve as a template for the systematization and definition of specific Enterprise 2.0 activities. The paper will conclude by stating factors of success and supporting Enterprise 2.0 activities, which will facilitate the establishment of a practical knowledge management system for the optimization of knowledge transfer

Using collaborative web 2.0 tools in enterprise system implementation to assist with change management as a critical success factor

The aim of this paper is to provide enterprise system and BPMS implementers an alternative approach to address those critical success factors that can be supported by new web based collaborative technology and to propose a typical model or configuration to deploy this approach as a methodology. In order to achieve this aim the following objectives are identified: Gain an understanding of enterprise and BPMS systems and the history of failed enterprise system implementations; Identify and analyse the critical success factors of enterprise system implementation with a specific view on those that require communication and collaboration that can be supported by a Web 2.0 technology; Gain an understanding of change management as a critical success factor for enterprise system implementation and the role of communication and collaboration as components of change management; Research the current state of Web 2.0 collaborative technology and determine the components that may be useful to support the specific requirements identified for change management as a critical success factor in enterprise system implementation; Propose a model using Web 2.0 tools in the BPMS deployment; Identify areas to be investigated in future research such as a case study. The application of the principles identified and researched for the model is demonstrated through the application of the principles to a specific case, in this instance the FlowCentric Business Process Management Suite.Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Informaticsunrestricte

Guiding principles for adopting and promoting the use of Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies within the enterprise environment

Although Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolsets present enterprises with a significant amount of business benefits, such as improved enterprise communication, collaboration, creativity and innovation; nevertheless, enterprises are still facing tremendous challenges in promoting and sustaining end-user adoption. The challenges associated with the adoption and promotion of Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies can often be linked to a resistance to change, a closed culture environment, and concerns pertaining to information security, technology complexity, as well as an unclear enterprise collaboration technology strategic roadmap. The primary objective of this study was to determine how generic guiding principles could facilitate the adoption and promotion of Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies within an enterprise environment. In support of the primary objective, our sub-objectives were to identify the challenges that enterprises, as well as enterprise end-users experience when adopting and promoting Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies, as well as to explore and describe the critical success factors for adopting and promoting Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technologies. A case study technique was used to gather the data from a large South African information and communications technology (ICT) enterprise operating within the retail sector based in Johannesburg. Enterprise end-users that formed part of the case study were selected by using purposive sampling. The end-users were selected, based on their experience, project sponsorship, as well as the project-participation roles performed in the adoption of their Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolset. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on three (3) end-users, comprising a business analyst, a technology specialists and a senior executive. Furthermore, administered questionnaires were completed by five (5) end-users, who actively use their Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolset on a daily basis, performing operational, as well as business administrative tasks. This study used a qualitative research approach. Since validity forms a vital role in any qualitative study, this research study incorporated three validity approaches, including: the theoretical, internal and external approaches. The theoretical and external validity approaches were used to validate the identified guiding principles through a systematic review of the existing literature, as well as reviews and comments obtained from two subject-matter experts representing independent enterprises. Furthermore, internal validity was employed to complement and substantiate the research findings, consisting of project documents and reports made available by the enterprise. The main contribution in this research study is a set of ten (10) guiding principles that could be applied by enterprises either planning to, or in the process of adopting an Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology toolset. Furthermore, the guiding principles could assist enterprises in formulating a Enterprise 2.0 collaboration technology adoption strategy, incorporating key adoption elements, including commitment, promotion and sustainability.Computin

Which entrepreneurs expect to expand their businesses? Evidence from survey data in Lithuania

This paper presents an empirical study based on a survey of 399 small and medium size companies in Lithuania. Applying bivariate and ordered probit estimators, we investigate why some business owners intend to expand their firms, while others do not. Our main findings provide evidence that the characteristics of the owners matter. Those with higher education and ‘learning by doing’ attributes either through previous job experience or additional entrepreneurial experience are more likely to expand their businesses. In addition, the model implications include that the intentions to expand are correlated with exporting and with size of the enterprise: medium and small size companies are more likely to grow than micro enterprises and self-employed entrepreneurs. We also analyse the link between the main perceptions of constraints to business activities and growth expectations and find that the factors, which are perceived as main business barriers, are not necessary those, which are associated with low growth expectations. In particular, perceptions of both corruption and of inadequate tax systems are main barriers to growth.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40109/3/wp723.pd

Evaluation of 'Business Enterprise' Module

This report outlines a process of evaluation for a business enterprise module. This exploratory research investigates the impact of 'contextual' based evaluation of enterprise education curricul

A theoretical model for the application of Web 2.0 in e-Government

Government organisations in many countries have started embracing modern technologies such as second generation web (Web 2.0) in an attempt to maximize on the benefits of these technologies as well as keeping up with the current trend. Nevertheless, the advancement and the adoption of these of technologies is in its initial stages in the public sector. Therefore, the research problem is that the literature surrounding the application of Web 2.0 is still highly tentative and exploratory. In particular, there is a lack of research exploring the application of Web 2.0 technologies in the context of local e-Government. This study aims to address this research problem by presenting a comprehensive decision-making tool to aid the effective application of Web 2.0 technologies amongst local government authorities (LGAs). In doing so, resulting in the development of a theoretical model that is underpinned by information systems evaluation criteria and impact factors of Web 2.0 from an internal organizational perspective. By addressing the research problem, this study will make a significant contribution to the normative literature by providing new insights of Web 2.0 technologies within the public sector. This will be of specific relevance to scholars, policy makers, LGAs and practitioners who are interested in the adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in an e-Government context. This paper presents the proposed theoretical model and is largely devoted to an explanation on the development of the model

Situational Enterprise Services

The ability to rapidly find potential business partners as well as rapidly set up a collaborative business process is desirable in the face of market turbulence. Collaborative business processes are increasingly dependent on the integration of business information systems. Traditional linking of business processes has a large ad hoc character. Implementing situational enterprise services in an appropriate way will deliver the business more flexibility, adaptability and agility. Service-oriented architectures (SOA) are rapidly becoming the dominant computing paradigm. It is now being embraced by organizations everywhere as the key to business agility. Web 2.0 technologies such as AJAX on the other hand provide good user interactions for successful service discovery, selection, adaptation, invocation and service construction. They also balance automatic integration of services and human interactions, disconnecting content from presentation in the delivery of the service. Another Web technology, such as semantic Web, makes automatic service discovery, mediation and composition possible. Integrating SOA, Web 2.0 Technologies and Semantic Web into a service-oriented virtual enterprise connects business processes in a much more horizontal fashion. To be able run these services consistently across the enterprise, an enterprise infrastructure that provides enterprise architecture and security foundation is necessary. The world is constantly changing. So does the business environment. An agile enterprise needs to be able to quickly and cost-effectively change how it does business and who it does business with. Knowing, adapting to diffident situations is an important aspect of today’s business environment. The changes in an operating environment can happen implicitly and explicitly. The changes can be caused by different factors in the application domain. Changes can also happen for the purpose of organizing information in a better way. Changes can be further made according to the users' needs such as incorporating additional functionalities. Handling and managing diffident situations of service-oriented enterprises are important aspects of business environment. In the chapter, we will investigate how to apply new Web technologies to develop, deploy and executing enterprise services