A Contingency Model of Knowledge Creation

Knowledge management (KM) has been recognized as one of the most important issues for sustaining competitive advantage. In order to achieve KM effectively, past research argued that it is important to facilitate and leverage knowledge assets. However, few studies examine knowledge processes and enablers that may influence the accumulation of knowledge assets. To fill this gap, drawing on dynamic capabilities perspective and absorptive capacity theory (ACAP), this paper develops a contingency model that interconnects the aforementioned KM factors. In order to test the feasibility of the research model, we conducted an empirical study. This study employed a survey instrument, which collected data from 1000 respondents from organizations in computer industry, finance, transportation and service, manufacturing, construction, electronics, trade, and academic institution. A total of 303 usable responses were analyzed. The major contributions of this research are: (1) develop a KM framework that identifies the impact of knowledge-creating processes on knowledge assets; (2) specify the moderating effect of task characteristics on the relationship mentioned in item (1). The implications of the study are provided, and further research directions are proposed. Keywords: knowledge management, knowledge assets, knowledge

An Empirical Study of Collective Continuance Intention on Virtual Community Page of Social Network Site

Web 2.0 sociable technologies (such as social network sites, SNS) create new online interpersonal collaboration and communication. Particularly, given the proliferation of virtual community page (VCP, ex. Facebook fan page and group) participation, the sustainability of VCP has been recognized as a critical issue. While existing studies have started to address this issue through classical individual-based models to investigate the use of SNS, some argued that individual approach may not be appropriate view point to explain “social” action. To fill this void, drawing on collective intention perspective, this study develops a model that investigates the relationship between organizational citizenship behaviours (OCBs), social loafing, group cohesion, and collective continuance intention on VCP of SNS. Based on 139 Facebook VCP users, we confirm our hypotheses that group cohesion positively affects OCBs which in turn influences collective continuance intention on VCP. Our research model broadens our knowledge about collective continuance intention on VCP of SNS

Examining The Factors That Affect ERP Assimilation

The aim of this study is to identify the factors that influence the assimilation of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in the post-implementation stage. Building on organizational information processing theory (OIPT) and absorptive capacity (AC), we propose an integrated model, which examines the relationship among organizational fit, absorptive capacity, environmental uncertainty, and ERP assimilation. Based on the survey data from 98 firms that have implemented ERP, most of the proposed hypotheses were supported, showing that initial fit, potential AC, realized AC, and heterogeneity jointly affect ERP assimilation. Task uncertainty (hostility and heterogeneity) negatively moderates the relationship between initial fit and ERP assimilation. The implications for both theory and practice are discussed

Proactive measures of governmental debt guarantees to facilitate Public-Private Partnerships project

Governmental Debt Guarantees (GDGs) are often used to encourage involvement by promoters and financial institutions in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) projects. However, even after demonstrating the bankability of a project and reducing debt cost, the success of the project may be prevented by the lack of long-term commitment from shareholders. Equity contributions by promoters in the project company may be recovered from earnings on short-term construction activities. Based on lesson learned from early PPP projects with GDG, the hold-up problem for government in the view of transaction cost economic (TCE) theory may worsen if the designed contractual structure does not adequately manage opportunistic behaviours from promoters. This study empirically examined the effects of a structured GDG mechanism with particular complementary measures applied in joint projects to develop the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations. A GDG game model was then applied to bridge the theoretical gap based on the Taipei MRT experience. The analysis shows that requiring the promoter to provide sufficient equity and ensuring the commitment of the lender to provide the loan are the appropriate proactive measures. This study demonstrates its practical value for policy makers by combining case study, TCE and game theory in contractual issues

UNDERSTANDING COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOFTWARE-AS-A-SERVICE (SAAS)—THE COMPETITIVE DYNAMICS PERSPECTIVE

Understanding the antecedents and consequences of a firm’s agility in cloud software applications is important. This papers draws on the competitive dynamics perspective to develop a model that explains the relationships between collaboration with vendors, agility, and competitive performance in software-as-a-service (SaaS) context. Collaboration reflects a firm’s ability to leverage interfirm resources, characterized as knowledge sharing and process alignment. Agility is measured by a firm’s strategy-oriented agility and service-oriented agility. This study also investigates the moderating effect of environmental turbulence. The proposed hypotheses are supported by the empirical data. The results show that competitive performance is affected by ability, which, in turn, is impacted by collaboration. Environmental turbulence positively moderates the relationship between agility and performance. Finally, we discuss the implications of our results

Survival rate in nasopharyngeal carcinoma improved by high caseload volume: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Positive correlation between caseload and outcome has previously been validated for several procedures and cancer treatments. However, there is no information linking caseload and outcome of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment. We used nationwide population-based data to examine the association between physician case volume and survival rates of patients with NPC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 1998 and 2000, a total of 1225 patients were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Survival analysis, the Cox proportional hazards model, and propensity score were used to assess the relationship between 10-year survival rates and physician caseloads.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>As the caseload of individual physicians increased, unadjusted 10-year survival rates increased (<it>p </it>< 0.001). Using a Cox proportional hazard model, patients with NPC treated by high-volume physicians (caseload ≥ 35) had better survival rates (<it>p </it>= 0.001) after adjusting for comorbidities, hospital, and treatment modality. When analyzed by propensity score, the adjusted 10-year survival rate differed significantly between patients treated by high-volume physicians and patients treated by low/medium-volume physicians (75% <it>vs</it>. 61%; <it>p </it>< 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data confirm a positive volume-outcome relationship for NPC. After adjusting for differences in the case mix, our analysis found treatment of NPC by high-volume physicians improved 10-year survival rate.</p