Investigating knowledge management factors affecting Chinese ICT firms performance: An integrated KM framework

This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of an article published in the Journal of Information Systems Management, 28(1), 19 - 29, 2011, copyright Taylor & Francis, available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10580530.2011.536107.This article sets out to investigate the critical factors of Knowledge Management (KM) which are considered to have an impact on the performance of Chinese information and communication technology (ICT) firms. This study confirms that the cultural environment of an enterprise is central to its success in the context of China. It shows that a collaborated, trusted, and learning environment within ICT firms will have a positive impact on their KM performance

The Reform of Employee Compensation in China’s Industrial Enterprises

Although employee compensation reform in Chinese industrial sector has been discussed in the literature, the real changes in compensation system and pay practices have received insufficient attention and warrant further examination. This paper briefly reviews the pre- and post-reform compensation system, and reports the results of a survey of pay practices in the four major types of industrial enterprises in China. The research findings indicate that the type of enterprise ownership has little influence on general compensation practices, adoption of profit-sharing plans, and subsidy and allowance packages. In general, pay is linked more to individual performance and has become an important incentive to Chinese employees. However, differences are found across the enterprise types with regard to performance-related pay. Current pay practices are positively correlated to overall effectiveness of the enterprise

Progressive Focusing and Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research: The Enabling Role of Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS)

* The business and management community increasingly recognises that qualitative research is a ‘messy’, non-linear and often unpredictable undertaking. Yet, a considerable proportion of the qualitative research published in top journals is still presented as the result of a linear, predictable research process, thus wrongly suggesting deductive reasoning. * In this paper, we focus on a particular type of ‘messiness’ where during fieldwork, the research context is revealed to be more complex than anticipated, forcing the researcher to gradually refine/shift their focus to reflect ‘what really matters’. We adopt Stake’s notion of progressive focusing for this gradual approach. * Progressive focusing is well-suited to qualitative research in international business requiring complex iteration between theory and data, and the truthful yet coherent presentation of the research process. We propose that this dual challenge of complexity and trustworthiness may be addressed by using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS). * We present conceptual considerations and guidelines and offer a view on a ‘messy’, non-linear doctoral research project conducted using a progressive focusing approach, to demonstrate how CAQDAS can help to develop and re-negotiate insights from theory and interview data, as well as enhance trustworthiness, transparency and publication potential

Work Life Balance up in the Air – Does Gender Make a Difference between Female and Male International Business Travelers?

Managing work-life balance (WLB) has become an issue for both employees and HR departments since WLB tensions may reduce performance, overall job satisfaction and finally, increase the fluctuation rate. Having a balance between job and non-work is a particular challenge for international business travelers, but research on this topic is still in its very infancy. The aim of this article and its underlying qualitative study was to discover factors that influence WLB of those employees, and to explore potential differences among male and female. The results clearly show a big difference in the perception of factors influencing WLB depending on the family situation. This highlights the need of HR departments to offer individually tailored support for the different groups of international business travelers.Das Managen der Work-Life Balance (WLB) ist für immer mehr Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer als auch Personalabteilungen ein Thema geworden, da ein Ungleichgewicht zwischen Arbeit und 'Nicht-Arbeit' nicht nur Leistung sowie die allgemeine Jobzufriedenheit reduzieren, sondern letztendlich auch zu höheren Fluktuationsraten führen kann. Diese Balance zu halten, ist besonders für internationale Geschäftsreisende eine Herausforderung. Dennoch befindet sich die Forschung zu diesem Thema noch stark in den Kinderschuhen. Ziel dieses Artikels und der zugrundeliegenden qualitativen Studie ist es, die WLB dieser Gruppe von Arbeitnehmern sowie potenzielle Unterschiede zwischen weiblichen und männlichen Vielfliegern zu erörtern. Die Resultate zeigen, dass die Einflussfaktoren auf die WLB in Abhängigkeit von der Familiensituation unterschiedlich wahrgenommen werden. Diese Ergebnisse betonen den Bedarf nach Unterstützungsmaßnahmen seitens der Personalabteilungen, welche für die einzelnen Gruppen von internationalen Geschäftsreisenden maßgeschneidert sind