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

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

Pedagogical leadership: A comparative study from England, Greece and Sweden

Current international research addresses the complexities, challenges and barriers that impact formal accountable leadership in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) as well as its conceptualisations (e.g. Nicholson and Maniates 2016, Caroll-Lind et al 2016, Nicholson et al 2020). For example, a literature review of English ECEC found that there is a distinction between organisational leadership and pedagogical leadership (Pascal et al 2020). Pedagogical leaders are the ones who might not have any organisational responsibilities but lead the direct interactions between children and adults and the educational elements that constitute the pedagogy. They also highlight that in England there is no clear route to a leadership qualification for staff in ECEC

A preliminary study on the effects Cu, Pb and Zn contamination of soils on community structure and certain life-history traits of oribatids from urban areas

ABSTRACT The effect of pollution of urban softs by traffic exhausts on oribatid mites was studied along a traffic gradient of the city of Thessaloniki. Although the population density of the main orbatid species appeared increased in polluted areas, the total oribatid numbers were reduced due to the reduction in species richness. The highest species diversity was recorded in moderately polluted areas. The morphometric characteristics as well as certain life-history traits did no correlate with the level of traffic influence. Nevertheless, these characteristics were considered important for the understanding of the pollution impact on life in soils. Moderate body size, sexual reproduction, increased reproductive effort and wide habitat preferences characterize species in urban sites. Scheloribates latipes and Tectocepheus sarekensis can be used as bioindicators for Pb and Zn pollution of softs, respectively

Leaders, conflict, and team coordination: a relational leadership approach in temporary organisations

Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 8: Decent work and economic growthSupplemental material is available online at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09537287.2024.2313518#supplemental-material-section .This study explores how the level of relational leadership of team leaders influences team members’ conflict-handling style and team coordination in temporary organisations (TOs). Leaning upon Socio-Psychological and relational leadership theories, the research also evaluates how the cultural background of leaders moderates the nature of the association between relational leadership and project team performance. This contribution is unique by engaging with three moderating cultural groups while drawing on data from 126 teams in TOs using PLS path modelling. The results explain that relational leadership influences team members’ cooperative and conflict-avoiding styles, which are, in turn, positively associated with team coordination and team performance. The judicious and considered use of conflict-avoiding should be recognised as a thoughtful style in multicultural team contexts and as a consequence of relational leadership. Team coordination and performance, however, are related more to relational leadership with the sample of leaders from a specific within-nationality cultural background.Universiti Sains Malaysia for providing the RUI Grant [No. 1001/PPBGN/816283]

Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: tips and tricks for ultrasound diagnosis

We describe a systematic approach to the ultrasound (US) examination of the antropyloric region in children. US is the modality of choice for the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS). The imaging features of the normal pylorus and the diagnostic findings in HPS are reviewed and illustrated in this pictorial essay. Common difficulties in performing the examination and tips to help overcome them will also be discussed

Cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix: an incidental imaging finding in a patient with adenocarcinomas of the ascending and the sigmoid colon

BACKGROUND: Primary adenocarcinomas of the appendix are uncommon. Mucoceles that result from mucinous adenocarcinomas of the appendix may be incidentally detected on imaging. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of a mucocele of the appendix, due to cystadenocarcinoma, is presented as an incidental imaging finding in a female, 86-year-old patient. The patient was admitted due to rectal hemorrhage and underwent colonoscopy, x-ray, US and CT. Adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon, adenomatous polyp of the sigmoid colon and a cystic lesion in the right iliac fossa were diagnosed. The cystic lesion was characterized as mucocele. The patient underwent right hemicolectomy, excision of the mucocele and sigmoidectomy. She recovered well and in two-year follow-up is free from cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative diagnosis of an underlying malignancy in a mucocele is important for patient management, but it is difficult on imaging studies. Small lymph nodes or soft tissue stranding in the surrounding fat on computed tomography examination may suggest the possibility of malignancy