Using exploratory factor analysis in information system (IS) research

This paper is part of a field study that explored the impact of Information System implementation on Organisational Performance by examining the concept of IS effectiveness and by exploring how businesses arrive at the conclusion that the undertaking is successful or unsuccessful. Many statistical techniques have been used for the inference of conclusions. This paper will explain in brief the methodology followed and the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) conducted for the measurement of the construct if IS effectiveness. Following all tests on correlations and a number of extraction methods the final solution comprised 13 factors representing the independent variables and 4 factors representing the dependent variables. The results from our analysis provide insight into the IS evaluation field of research and provide new scales for the measurement of IS effectiveness

The Relationship of Information Systems, Supply Chain Management With Organisational Performance

Purpose In today’s world, Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a key strategic factor for increasing organisational effectiveness and for better realisation of organisational goals such as competitiveness, better customer care and increased profitability (Ganesh Kumar and Nambirajan, 2013). As such, research interest has focused on supply chain practices with SMEs and large organisations in terms of supply chain information systems (SCIS) and organisational performance. Research Approach This study aims at the exploration of the statistical relationship between (SCIS) Effectiveness and Organisational Performance. The findings from a survey involving 168 IT managers show a strong correlation between SCIS and non-financial Organisational Performance across a cohort of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and large organisations. Findings and Originality These findings are further confirmed by a recent publication from Ganesh Kumar and Nambirajan, (2013). This study identified the items used by researchers for the measurement of both constructs. Exploratory Factor Analysis was employed as there was no theoretical basis to specify a priori the number and patterns of common factors (Hurley et al., 1997) especially for the extraction of factors measuring the non-financial performance of a firm. Research Impact The analyses also revealed that companies with a high implementation degree show a better supply chain performance. Furthermore, the results show that this paper contributes to the SCM field by providing scales for financial and non-financial performance constructs, and by exploring how those are improved by the adoption of specific Supply Chain Information Systems. Practical Impact The purpose of this study aims at the exploration of the statistical relationship between Supply Chain Information Systems’ (SCIS) Effectiveness and Organisational Performance, when this is measured by financial and non-financial variables and the impacts on SMEs performance

Exploring How the Covid-19 Pandemic has Changed Greek Consumers' Habits

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various aspects of consumer behavior and affected spending levels. In addition, businesses have had to adapt to everchanging environmental conditions to survive this global health, economic, and social crisis. The online market has taken an important place in people’s daily lives, while e-commerce sales and social media usage increased during this period. The main objective of this article was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic affected and changed consumer behavior. Using a web survey of 117 consumers in Greece, this study sheds light on the seminal topic of changes in purchasing behavior during the COVID -19 pandemic, while the research findings may contribute to the development of more appropriate marketing strategies. Keywords: Covid-19 pandemic, consumer behavior, online shoppin

Information systems' effectiveness and organisational performance

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.For many years researchers have been troubled with the evaluation of Information Systems (IS) concluding to a lack of understanding as to the time, methods and tools for measuring the impact of IS on organisational performance. Motivated by this lacuna in the literature, this thesis explored the relationship between Information Systems’ Effectiveness and Organisational Performance. The theoretical framework is based on the Delone and McLean’s (D&M) IS success model which is widely adopted in the IS research. Based on a comprehensive literature review on the older and more recent studies the research framework incorporated several new items used by researchers for the measurement of the D&M dimensions. Following a web survey on 168 Greek firms this study sheds some light into the IS field by focusing on how IS effectiveness measures affect Organisational Performance. Data for this study was collected by means of a web-link questionnaire and a sample of 700 companies of different sizes operating in various industries. Many descriptive statistics of academic and managerial importance were produced. Following a correlation analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis, 15 factors were used for Multiple Regression analysis conducted to test a number of hypotheses around the relationship between the dependent construct (organisational performance) and the independent construct (IS effectiveness). This thesis contributes to existing research in the following ways. First, this study extends our knowledge on IS effectiveness as we adapted and modified DeLone and McLean's model of IS success to incorporate new variables from recent research. The results indicate a significant statistical link between IS effectiveness and performance measures. Second, it provides a holistic framework for measuring Organisational Performance with financial and non-financial variables. Finally, the study presents findings from Greek companies that have adopted IS providing practioners with advice for the practices that can lead to possible and realistic benefits

The Role of the State in the Latin Countries: Similarities and Differences. Why and How Educational Systems’ Organization Can Be Affected

In terms of organizational structure, educational systems are closely related to the administrative systems of their respective countries. Looking at Southern European countries (and namely Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece and, to a lesser degree, France) from a comparativist stance, one can see a number of common elements characterizing their administrative systems. Their main common feature is the lack of decentralization in educational decisionmaking, a fact that makes them rank very low in OECD assessments. This paper attempts to identify the reasons and factors that led Southern European countries to this position by examining their laws and their administrative and educational system peculiarities. The type of legal system and type of state in Southern Europe offer an alternative analysis platform when researching the similarities and differences of educational systems. This comparativist view opens up a broad research field: it can support networking and help exchange ideas on policy and practices with a view to improving education and the future of our children

Supply Chain Information Systems and Organisational Performance in Economic Turbulent Times

Supply Chain Information Systems and their impact on organisational performance has been studied by a number of studies. This study seeks to extend this body of knowledge by adopting a fresh lens to explore empirically the relationship between organizational performance and SCIS in circumstances of economic downturn and financial turbulence. The statistical relationship between Supply Chain Information Systems (SCIS) ˜Effectiveness and ˜Organisational Performance is tested and measured by multidimensional financial and non-financial variables. So even though complexities associated with measuring SCIS efficiency and Organisational Performance continue to dominate research discussions these are somewhat limited to just explaining the phenomenon without addressing the misalignment of the information provided by SCIS, business expectations and Organisational Performance. In consequence this papers reports findings from a large survey of 168 SCIS managers in Greek SMEs where even through economic downturn a strong correlation between SCIS and non-financial Organisational Performance is evidenced. In considering the findings this study proposes guidance to enhance SCIS Effectiveness and Organisational Performance

The challenge of ethical leadership university courses: preparing leaders for an uncertain, turbulent and divert future

This paper discusses the necessity of introducing Ethical Leadership in university leadership preparation courses and provides an example of designing and implementing such a course. Emphasis is given on the teaching methodology of the course which is based on experiential learning, a combination of action and case study research approaches and an intermingling of open and traditional teaching practices. The structure of the proposed course draws upon extensive relevant literature review and attempts to incorporate the main strands of adult education. A students’ self-evaluating tool is also included as a means to evidence the course participants’ satisfaction as well as to help feedback and further enquiry. The rationale behind this course proposal is that, instead of trying to change or eradicate misappropriate leadership concepts and values at a later age, it is much better to care for their good formation and foundation as earlier as possible, during [head]teacher initial formation [at university level]. Keywords: ethical Leadership; university course; experiential learning; school leaders

Acts of Financial Distress in the EU: Is the EU to Blame?

This Article seeks to determine if there is a legal basis for European Union (“EU”) Institutions to be held accountable for measures taken by an EU Member State in cases of financial distress. The Article begins by exploring the concept of sovereignty and then evaluates the limitations placed on state sovereignty by participation in the EU. Next, it explores the definitions of economic coercion and countermeasures and considers whether the actions taken by EU institutions in the context of the Cyprus banking haircut would satisfy either of these definitions. Lastly, this Article studies whether EU law can provide a basis for liability of EU institutions in case of acts adopted by such institutions to address a financial crisis in a manner that targets the rights of investors and, in particular, in the Cyprus Banking Haircut