A Component-based Framework for Distributed Business Simulations in E-Business Environments

Simulations preserve the knowledge of complex dynamic systems and consequently transfer the knowledge of the cohesions of its elements to a specified target group. As the progress in information technology and therefore the dynamic e-business driven economy adapts even faster to the business demands, new ways to preserve this growing amount of knowledge have to be found. This paper presents an extensible business simulation framework which is realized as a component-based distributed Java Version 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) architecture. The framework aspires to offer an extensible and domain independent simulation environment which ensures the return of investment in the sense of implementing this framework once and extending it to the future requirements of diverse domains in e-business. The system architecture follows the requirements in offering distributed deployment of its components on highly standardized level by nevertheless staying vendor independent. The architecture itself was developed by model driven architecture (MDA)-conform software engineering methods using best of breed design patterns composed to a flexible micro-architecture which possess import facilities for simulation entities (business objects) and (business) processes from e-business solutions. Combining the features of the framework, the layered pattern driven micro-architecture, and the distributed J2EE architecture, the postulated knowledge transfer from rapid changes in e-business can be realized

Characteristics of the Multiple Attribute Decision Making Methodology in Enterprise Resource Planning Software Decisions

Realising information technology (IT) decisions and implementations are consistently seen as major challenges of business management faced with increasingly complex IT environments. This article seeks to increase the awareness of the multiple attributive decision making methodology (MADM) in the context of enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects and provides empirical insights based on 209 datasets originating from a primary, national and industry independent survey. The given MADM topics comprise strategic alignment, attributes with associated importance weightings, considered and chosen systems, methodical utilisation, follow-up controlling, andfinally MADM relevance in terms of a possible connection between MADM and ERP success. The results in particular show that while the ERP decision problem seems to be structured based on the MADM principle, the minority of decision makers rely on a formal MADM method. The empirically tested measurement model indicates that success according to expectations was achieved at a greater level of magnitude in firms supported by a formal MADM method, especially in terms offinancial firm level impact and service quality

CULTURAL CONFLICTS AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING: AN EXPLORATORY ANALYSIS OF SINO-AUSTRIAN PROJECTS

This paper provides an exploratory analysis of cultural conflicts that potentially hinder knowledge sharing in the context of cross-national and knowledge-intensive projects including Austrian and Chinese project members. We firstly give an overview of central cultural concepts from a national viewpoint, highlight typical conflicts in projects, and discuss key factors that stimulate knowledge sharing. Next, we provide results gained from a series of interviews with practitioners and academics, and an exploratory workshop on global knowledge sharing held in Hong Kong. From the qualitative analysis, we posit six central cultural conflicts that emerged over task responsibilities, attitudes, work execution, power, communication, and time-orientation. We consequently classify these conflicts, discuss their causal placements within Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and suggest implications for knowledge sharing. Our research findings provide more groundwork for better understanding cultural conflicts and implications for knowledge sharing in the context of Sino-Austrian project

Enterprise Resource Planning and IT Governance in Perspective: Strategic Planning and Alignment, Value Delivery, and Controlling

This article assesses key aspects of IT governance comprising strategic planning especially alignment, value delivery, and control objectives through an empirical study of Austrian medium sized and large enterprises. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are in general seen as key information systems supporting e-business processes. The findings show an underdeveloped IT governance competence in the Austrian market place in particular reflected through low levels of strategic alignment and strategic decision making, as well as missing ERP control procedures. Nevertheless, in term of value delivery a positive impact of ERP in a holistic, multi-dimensional assessment was observed covering ERP benefits, organisational performance effects, and key performance criteria used in an ERP balanced scorecard (BSC)

On The Applicability of Data Envelopment Analysis for Multiple Attriliute Decision Making in the Context of Information Systems Appraisals

This article elaborates on the applicability of basic and extended data envelopment analysis (DEA) models for various information system (IS) decision use-cases including illustrative examples from an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software investment appraisal. The usage of data envelopment analysis models and their extensions for IS decisions remains limited. This omission seems critical in particular for two reasons. First, organizational studies have shown that in practice business management fails to appreciate the portfolio of investment appraisal techniques available. Second, DEA based methodologies, especially new extensions, promise valuable insights to support the complex IS decision problem. The results indicate DEA applicability in a number of use-cases, e.g. for structural analysis of system alternatives or validation of ranking outcomes

Conceptualizing Digital Resilience: An Intellectual Capital Perspective

In the current era of digital transformations, numerous organizations integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into their core operations. However, such transformations can lead to novel risks that have to be governed in the face of disruptions. The emergence of a new risk landscape has given rise to new concepts aimed at safeguarding ICT-based operations. One of these is digital resilience (DR), a complex concept that has recently received attention from academia and regulatory bodies. However, prior work has often studied it inconsistently and offered different suggestions on how to build DR. To foster a comprehensive understanding of DR within information systems (IS), we have conducted a systematic literature review and conceptualized the problem by drawing on intellectual capital (IC) theory. We contribute to research and organizational practice by offering a novel framework with three main sub-capabilities and a comprehensive range of supporting micro-foundation, which unveils areas for future research

European criteria for assessing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: Preliminary Results from Multiple Empirical Studies

This research report provides preliminary results in terms of ERP system selection criteria across five European Union countries based on empirical studies. The paper provides a structured list of decision making criteria considered in ERP decisions and contrasts weights as well as achievement levels across countries. Research was guided by the Delone & McLean Information Systems (D&M IS) success model supported with views on project and vendor related aspects needed to capture the whole scope of the decision problem. The main considered dimensions were: quality; net benefits; project costs and time; and a vendor dimension. Especially the considered dimensions from the D&M IS success model, namely quality and net benefits varied across countries in terms of their initial weighting and satisfaction levels achieved after ERP implementation. However, a common global notion seems to be that quality and project related criteria are more important to the decision maker than potential benefits on the organisational or individual level

End User Information Security Awareness Programs for Improving InformationSecurity in Banking Organizations: Preliminary Results from an Exploratory Study

The purpose of this research is to analyze information security awareness (ISA) programs and the measurement of ISA behavior in banking organizations. The underlying paper summarizes the qualitative and exploratory part of our two-staged mixed methods research on the improvement of employee security behavior concerning IT operational risks. IT operational loss events are often caused by undesirable security behavior of employees concerning information technology. Organizations conduct ISA programs to build employees’ security awareness concerning information technology to prevent IT operational loss events. Ten semi-structured qualitative expert interviews were carried out to explore potentials for improvement of ISA programs. Our findings focus on the character of ISA delivery methods and the implemented controls for these methods. Further research should shed light on the effectivenessof experimental and proactive ISA controlling. The outcome provides input for practice in the area of ISA building in the financial sector

From connective actions in social movements to offline collective actions: an individual level perspective

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of connective action characterised by interconnection and personal communication on social media (SM) for participating in collective action in the physical world of social movements

E-Business Adoption in Marketing and its Relationship with Factors in SWOT Analysis: an Empirical Investigation of Small Software Businesses

This research gives empirically grounded insights into e-business adoption in conjunction with factors usually considered in SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis in Austrian micro and small to medium sized software enterprises. The study evaluates the degree in which the Internet is used in supporting the firm’s primary activities in marketing and sales based on primary data collected from 141 Austrian software firms. The results show that internet usage in this area is dependent on the size of the company. While almost all small to medium sized enterprises apply e-business to some degree, many micro enterprises do not seek to utilise possible potentials. The study reveals that firms perceiving their relative strengths on branding, pricing, product diversity, internationalisation, and access to new technologies have adopted more advanced e-business support. From the external perspective, organisations more intensively relying on e-business tend to experience less competitive pressure, have lower capital resources, and consider international markets more often as business opportunities than their competitors