Profiling Supply Chain Integration: Differences in Practices, Relationships and Performance between Integration Stages

Integration is recognized as a critical determinant of supply chain performance. In this study, we empirically examine how organizations that are at different stages of integration differ in their practices, relationships and performance. Analyses of data collected from 375 companies indicate that the use of information technologies and process innovations (practices), the presence of positive relationships, and supply chain performance differ by integration stages

An Experimental Investigation of Complexity in Database Query Formulation Tasks

Information Technology professionals and other knowledge workers rely on their ability to extract data from organizational databases to respond to business questions and support decision making. Structured query language (SQL) is the standard programming language for querying data in relational databases, and SQL skills are in high demand and are taught in most introductory database courses. We examined students’ performance on query formulation tasks, in an experimental setting which varied the complexity of the query and the ambiguity of the information request. Our results confirm the main effects of query complexity and request ambiguity found in prior studies (Borthick et al. 2001). In addition, we found an interaction effect between complexity and ambiguity, namely that low ambiguity is more important as tasks increase in complexity. We also found that students’ confidence with entity-relationship diagrams corresponds to reduced time spent on query formulation, and their ability to evaluate the accuracy of their queries reduces as query complexity increases. We discuss the implications of these findings with some suggestions for future research

Query Structure and Data Model Mapping Errors in Information Retrieval Tasks

SQL query writing is a challenging task for novices, even after considerable training. Query writing is a programming task and a translation task where the writer must translate a user’s request for information into code that conforms to the structure, constraints, and syntax of an SQL SELECT statement and that references specific tables and columns from a database. This paper investigates the impact of two instructional interventions on query errors under conditions of low and high query complexity. Data was collected from an experimental study of 63 undergraduate students nearing completion of a 15-week database course. Our analysis reveals specific areas of query writing where each of the interventions helped, and hindered, task performance. We discuss the implications of these findings for improving SQL training and for future research on SQL training effectiveness

Consequences of interorganizational information systems: An empirical investigation of the effects of EDI use on interorganizational relationships in the retail industry

This dissertation examines the consequences of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) use on interorganizational relations (IR) in the retail industry. EDI is a type of interorganizational information system that facilitates the exchange of business documents in structured, machine processable form. The research model links EDI use and three IR dimensions--structural, behavioral, and outcome. Based on relevant literature from organizational theory and marketing channels, fourteen hypotheses were proposed for the relationships among EDI use and the three IR dimensions. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires from key informants in 97 retail companies (19% response rate). The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis. The analysis supports the following hypothesis: (a) EDI use is positively related to information intensity and formalization, (b) formalization is positively related to cooperation, (c) information intensity is positively related to cooperation, (d) conflict is negatively related to performance and satisfaction, (e) cooperation is positively related to performance, and (f) performance is positively related to satisfaction. The results support the general premise of the model that the relationship between EDI use and satisfaction among channel members has to be viewed within an interorganizational context. Research on EDI is still in a nascent stage. By identifying and testing relevant interorganizational variables, this study offers insights for practitioners managing boundary-spanning activities in organizations using or planning to use EDI. Further, the thesis provides avenues for future research aimed at understanding the consequences of this interorganizational information technology

Supply integration: An investigation of its multi-dimensionality and relational antecedents

Integration in the supply chain has been conceptualized and researched from multiple perspectives. In this study, we empirically examine the multi-dimensionality of supply integration and explore its relational antecedents. Analyses of data collected from 276 manufacturing companies show support for formulating supply integration as a multi-faceted construct that includes investments, practices and structures that support materials/goods flow, information flow, planning and control, and organization. Hypotheses that link trust, commitment and mutual dependence to supply integration are supported; while a projected negative association between dependence asymmetry and supply integration is not. In addition to the relational antecedents, organizational size is also found to have a strong influence on the level of supply integration between manufacturing firms and their suppliers.Supply integration Trust Commitment Mutual dependence Dependence asymmetry

Did 32% Waterfall Surprise You?

This issue's letter discusses the proper use of sampling in software engineering research surveys