25 research outputs found

    IDENTIFYING BUSINESS VALUE LINKAGES FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: AN EXPLORATORY APPLICATION TO TREASURY WORKSTATIONS

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    Pervasive and costly automation of information handling activities continues to put pressure on senior managers to quantify the contributions of information technology IT to the strategic goals of the firm. This paper proposes the use of "business value linkage BVL" correlation tests to provide evidence that investments in IT create the desired higher order, economic impacts. We argue that managers should carry out econometric tests which are specialized to capturing primal, revenue-enhancing impacts, as opposed to dual, cost-reducing impacts. As an illustration, a sample BVL correlation test is constructed to quantify the impact of a "treasury workstation" system on a large commercial bank's ability to increase demand balances from corporate customers. We conclude with some thoughts about where BVL correlation will provide the bt results for managers.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

    Development of a semantic knowledge modelling approach for evaluating offsite manufacturing production processes

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    The housing sector in the UK and across the globe is constantly under pressure to deliver enough affordable houses to meet the increasing demand. Offsite Manufacturing (OSM), a modern method of construction, is considered to be a key aspect in meeting these demands given its potential to increase efficiency and boost productivity. Although the use of OSM to increase the supply of affordable and efficient homes is getting popular, the focus has been on ‘what’ methods of construction are used (i.e. whether implementing OSM or traditional approach) rather than ‘how’ the alternative construction approach shall be done (i.e. choice of OSM method to meet set objectives). There have been criticisms of the approaches used by professionals implementing OSM methods as some of these approaches are non-structured and these methods have been criticised for being similar to the conventional onsite methods with little process gains. There are previous studies that have compared the performance of OSM and other modern methods of construction with conventional methods of construction. However, there is hardly any attempt nor quantitative evidence comparing the performance of various competing OSM approaches (i.e. methods with standardised and non-standardised processes) in order to support stakeholders in making an informed decision on choices of methods. In pursuit of the research gap identified, this research aims to develop a proof-of-concept knowledge-based process analysis tool that would enable OSM practitioners to efficiently evaluate the performances of their choice of OSM methods to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement. To achieve this aim, an ontology knowledge modelling approach was adopted for leveraging data and information sources with semantics, and an offsite production workflow (OPW) ontology was developed to enable a detailed analysis of OSM production methods. The research firstly undertook an extensive critical review of the OSM domain to identify the existing OSM knowledge and how this knowledge can be formalised to aid communication in the OSM domain. In addition, a separate review of process analysis methods and knowledge-based modelling methods was done concurrently to identify the suitable approach for analysing and systemising OSM knowledge respectively. The lean manufacturing value system analysis (VSA) approach was used for the analysis in this study using two units of analysis consisting of an example of atypical non-standardised (i.e. static method of production) and standardised (i.e. semi-automated method of production) OSM methods. The knowledge systematisation was done using an ontology knowledge modelling approach to develop the process analysis tool – OPW ontology. The OPW ontology was further evaluated by mapping a case of lightweight steel frame modular house production to model a real-life context. A two-staged validation approach was then implemented to test the ontology which consists of firstly an internal validation of logic and consistency of the results and then an expert validation process using an industry-approved set of criteria. The result from the study revealed that the non-standardised ad-hoc OSM production method, involving a significant amount of manual tasks, contributes little process improvement from the conventional onsite method when using the metrics of process time and cost. In comparison with the structured method e.g. semi-automated OSM production method, it is discovered that the process cost and time are 82% and 77% more in the static method respectively based on a like-to-like production schedule. The study also evaluates the root causes of process wastes, accounting for non-value-added time and cost consumed. The results contribute to supporting informed decision-making on the choices of OSM production methods for continuous improvement. The main contributions to knowledge and practice are as follows: i. The output of this research contributes to the body of literature on offsite concepts, definition and classification, through the generic classification framework developed for the OSM domain. This provides a means of supporting clear communication and knowledge sharing in the domain and supports knowledge systematisation. ii. The approach used in this research, integrating the value system analysis (VSA) and activity-based costing (ABC) methods for process analysis is a novel approach that bridges that gaps with the use of the ABC method for generating detailed process-related data to support cost/time-based analysis of OSM processes. iii. The developed generic process map which represents the OSM production process captures activity sequences, resources and information flow within the process will help in disseminating knowledge on OSM and improve best practices in the industry. iv. The developed process analysis tool (the OPW ontology) has been tested with a real-life OSM project and validated by domain experts to be a competent tool. The knowledge structure and rules integrated into the OPW ontology have been published on the web for knowledge sharing and re-use. This tool can be adapted by OSM practitioners to develop a company-specific tool that captures their specific business processes, which can then support the evaluation of their processes to enable continuous improvement

    Fashioning sustainability: Understanding the dynamic practices of sustainable fashion

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    In today’s environmental climate, sustainability initiatives target multiple aspects of everyday life, including fashion. Yet despite the increasing number of anti-consumerism campaigns and the increase in sustainable fashion labels entering the market, mainstream fashion practices remain environmentally unsustainable. In addition, fashion supply chains remain notoriously opaque and lengthy, often hiding exploitative and dangerous production practices. As an active member of the sustainable fashion movement, I occupy the position of activist-researcher to examine fashion and sustainability in Australia. This position provides access to the industry and movement but also allows the critical distance necessary to identify interconnections and insights regarding fashion’s complex sustainability considerations. Specifically I challenge the reliance on consumer behaviour change tactics that dominate sustainable fashion activism and argue for a more holistic approach to fashion and sustainability. Drawing on Elizabeth Shove’s (and colleagues’) social practice theory, which positions the dynamics of social practices – not people – at the heart of sustainability solutions and social transformation, this thesis considers fashion not simply as a “lifestyle choice” but as a socially and culturally dynamic practice. In order to effectively address the “unmaking of unsustainability” of fashion, the co-existing practices of fashion – consisting of design, production, retailing, media and consumption – must be interrogated as a fashion practice complex, including the interactions between and amongst the practices to understand how they have co-evolved to their current unsustainable state. The imbrication of these fashion practices is understood by drawing upon empirical data gathered via a number of qualitative research methods including in-depth interviews and participant observation with Australia’s sustainable fashion movement; in-depth interviews with leading sustainable fashion labels and mainstream fashion companies engaged in sustainability initiatives; and an ethnography of fashion shopping conducted with “fashion lovers” consisting of participant observation, in-depth interviews and wardrobe examinations. My data and analysis highlight how existing campaigns addressing fashion and sustainability neglect the complexity of fashion practices, particularly in terms of placing excessive responsibility with consumers to change unsustainable industry practices that are out of their control. I argue that industry must overcome a number of obstacles to transition to a sustainable mode of production and the practice of sustainable fashion entrepreneurs may provide a roadmap toward more creative solutions to sustainability if issues of scale and emotional labour can be addressed. I also argue that consumers are more aware of fashion’s sustainability issues than is often assumed, although they can be confused by contradictory or unsubstantiated messages used in sustainable fashion campaigns. Instead, unsustainable fashion consumption practices have evolved through a range of factors, including everyday life considerations, concerns around identity and social codes, the navigation of emotional needs and states, the lack of access to sustainable fashion, and the ease and ubiquity of fast fashion choices. In other words, the practice of fashion consumption is already layered before issues of sustainability are considered. This thesis therefore asks how the fashion industry and the sustainable fashion movement might more effectively co-evolve fashion practices toward sustainable outcomes and highlights the potential for the fashion industry to channel its creativity toward sustainability measures

    Globalising a design heritage strategy : from Finland's Artek to Turkey's Grand Bazaar

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    This doctoral study argues that the historical assets of design, engraved in living forms of collective memory, can be effectively engaged in the service of the appropriation and promotion of slower modes of consumption as opposed to the dominant and systematic novelty mechanism of fast fashion. The hypothesis is that a sustainability strategy employing design heritage and encouraging durable consumption can be helpful to avoid conflicts of interest between the transforming business community and its customers. Therefore, a heritage management strategy is proposed that emphasises feasibility and taps into existing socio- and politico-economic networks while suggesting positive changes in consumer behaviour. Due to the commercial and cultural popularity of permanent valorisation in design, this special design phenomenon is chosen as a specific field of design heritage. The potentials of enduring artefacts are recognised, and the study proposes further that these artefacts may become vehicles to achieve the strategy identified. To this end, the study employs an interdisciplinary review of several relevant literatures, transferring concepts and categories into the context of design heritage management. The findings of this review are further engaged in the analysis of a real-world case: the 2nd Cycle project by the iconic Finnish housewares company Artek. The analysis illustrates how the long-established company’s cultural and historical products are reproduced and capitalised in conformity with emerging consumer aspirations and needs. Drawing links between permanent valorisation, product longevity, and ultimately sustainable consumption, Artek’s project provides inspiring results how design heritage may lead to enhanced social good while taking advantage of new economic opportunities, know-how, and human capacities. Subsequently, special attention is given to the potential cross-cultural transferability of the heritage management strategy represented by this Finnish case. For this purpose, Artek’s case is taken as a cultivation of new sensibilities capable of translating a diversity of historical capital possessed by different cultures into heritage. Considering the constant growth of economic capacities and alarming levels of consumer spending, developing countries, known as emerging markets, are chosen as adaptation areas. Turkey, for example, whose historical, social, and cultural structure is distinct from that of Finland, provides a favourably challenging test environment for the thesis’ applicability. Discussing the feasibility and necessity of the growing heritage-oriented ethos in Turkey, the country is presented as representative of large emerging market segments with a theoretical application case, that of Istanbul’s monumental Grand Bazaar. Inspired by the Finnish case and developed further with additional insight from cultural heritage management studies in tourism environments, a specific design heritage management strategy is outlined for the bazaar. Following in-depth interviews with a range of professionals who make their living in the bazaar, and responding to their insights, the hypothetical strategy is aimed to synthesise the various interests of the bazaar’s large network of stakeholders while promoting durable consumption. Finally, a list of guiding principles of cross-cultural adaptation are drawn for future adopters attempting to apply this study’s findings to different heritage contexts on a global scale

    Technologies on the stand:Legal and ethical questions in neuroscience and robotics

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    Bridging distances in technology and regulation

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