Developing a theoretical framework for joint service provision (JSP)

Joint Service Provision (JSP) offers the potential to improve organisational effectiveness through the provision of services jointly to groups of organisations rather than individually. Drawing upon, and extending, existing research in outsourcing this paper seeks to develop a framework to guide the development of JSP. As an initial empirical test of the framework an exploratory case study of a franchise system, which prima facie would appear to be an ideal context for JSP, is presented

Bridging the gaps: Packaged software implementation projects in Vietnam

Implementations of advanced information systems in developing countries are often perceived as a way to economical prosperity and modernity. However, even in the best of scenarios implementing major information systems is far from a risk-free activity. The reality of developing countries adds extra complexity to an already demanding endeavor. This study explores socio-technical aspects of an unprecedented technological journey in the Vietnamese banking industry, and thus responds to calls for more empirical research in this field. In this paper we present contextual issues affecting the studied software package implementation project and propose a theoretical framework for a basic social process we called “gap bridging.

The Provision of Inter-organisational Infrastructure as An Appropriate Role for Cosourcing

A case study of credit unions in the financial services sector in Australia designed to examine the motivations and constraints to cosourcing – or the sourcing of a common activity jointly by a group of organizations – and assess whether the provision of inter-organisational infrastructure is an appropriate focus for cosourcin

Improving Understanding of the Competencies Required of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Suppliers: The Case of Customer Management Services in Australia

Information Technology enabled Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is a growing phenomenon yet little research has been conducted to understand what competencies are required of suppliers. A case study of outsourced customer management services in Australia seeks to determine whether the set of competencies previously identified by Feeny et al (2003) is relevant and complete. Initial results provide some suggestions for refinement while indicating that the competencies sought from suppliers may be remarkably consistent across sectors – at least for customer management

Inter-Organizational Infastructure in the Australian Travel Sector

Recent advances in technical capabilities have facilitated an increase in the reach and range of the connectivity of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). It is proposed that one resultant opportunity is an enhanced ability to supply a common service to a group of firms that operate at a similar point in the value chain – referred to here as Joint Service Provision (JSP). It is argued that JSP will be most appropriate for the development of inter-organisational infrastructure as a result of organisational, institutional and industry level considerations. One specific issue, for noninfrastructural services, is the potential impact on the relative competitive positions of organisations using such services. A case study of electronic distribution in the Australian travel sector was conducted to determine whether use of JSP was indeed increasing. The study also sought to ascertain whether the implications for the source and location of value within the sector varied depending upon whether the JSP represented the development of inter-organisational infrastructure or not