Knowledge Acquisition Through Case Study Development: A Student Researcher Perspective

Educators are increasingly incorporating the development of research case studies as a course assignment in graduate and executive degree courses. Each student (or student group) develops a research case study that provides theory-based explanation and discussion of how a real organization managed a business issue related to the course. In the process, the student gains a deeper understanding of business theories and their applications as well as current business issues and their interactions with internal and external organizational forces. While a significant amount of literature is written on developing case studies for full-time academic researchers, little is done to provide guidelines to student researchers, who face unique issues and constraints in this research-based learning process. This paper introduces case study research method and offers a roadmap to student researchers

Inter-Organizational Knowledge Development in IT Outsourcing

To examine the effects of inter-organizational activities on knowledge development in IT outsourcing projects, we develop a research framework based on a knowledge-based view of organizations. Using this framework, we model the process of knowledge development and utilize simulation to generate various scenarios with different levels of inter-organizational activities. We evaluate the development of overall knowledge capabilities in those scenarios. The results indicate that knowledge development is a highly dynamic process, specifically in the inter-organizational settings. Even a marginal change in the level of inter-organizational activities can have significant effects on the abilities of the client and the outsourcing vendor to develop knowledge capabilities required for the project

Exploring the Supply-Side of Web Services: The Need for Market Positioning

Web services are emerging as a new paradigm for integrating business processes across heterogeneous computing environments. They are expected to alleviate the perennial problem of interoperability of software applications, which results in data and information silos. Many application service providers have repositioned themselves as Web services providers to compete in this highly volatile industry. This paper focuses upon the supply-side of Web services, utilizing four constructs: market positioning, partnerships and alliances, products and services, and integration. It presents the findings from survey research into 190 technology sector firms, which indicate that Web service firms will need to strengthen their market positioning if they are to develop strong partnerships and alliances with leading technology firms

Conflicts in IS Outsourcing: Developing a Research Model

Conflicts among client and vendor in IS outsourcing can negatively affect their relationship and outsourcing project success. However, there is little research done on the antecedents of conflicts and conflict resolution. In this research study, we utilize concepts from marketing, operations management, and management fields to develop a comprehensive research model for studying conflict.

ActiveBook: A Niche Browser as an Education Support Tool

The Internet has been an engine for innovations in many fields. This paper describes an innovative way to utilize the technologies and capabilities of the Internet to support activities of educational environment. The paper proposes a niche browser which employs a hybrid model of traditional web-based “pull” technology and emerging “push” technology. The browser as a framework goes beyond a simple software at client level. It is a complete solution with student client, instructor client and server level software

A Hybrid Push-Pull Model to Support Learning: An Empirical Evaluation

This paper utilizes two Internet technologies— traditional web-based “pull” technology and emerging “push” technology—to support learning beyond classroom environment through time and space. It describes a generic model that can be adapted to the specific requirements of different courses. We developed two systems based on the model for two courses. One hundred and forty students in six classes evaluated the systems. The evaluation suggests that the systems facilitated learning by providing critical course information in timely manner and in usable formats. The systems were user friendly and increased productivity and convenience of the students. Overall, the students found the systems useful and satisfactory

Re-inventing Music Distribution

The music industry is in the throes of a revolution, due to the proliferation of new compression technologies and the widespread availability of both original and pirated content on the Internet. This article describes the current developments affecting this industry and posits that major players in this domain need to re- invent their business models in order to embrace and extend this revolution. By moving toward a commonly available audio file formats such as MP3, and supporting technological solutions for copy protection and digital watermarking, record labels need to capture the distribution efficiencies and customer value that can be realized by moving to the online model