Review and comparison of conceptual frameworks on digital business transformation

This paper applies an academic approach in assessing various conceptual and theoretical frameworks considered relevant to the subject of digital business transformation and that contribute to increasing the general understanding of the subject. A review and comparison of several conceptual and theoretical frameworks that were identified to be relevant to the subject of digital business transformation was conducted with the aim of assessing their suitability and robustness in addressing the subject, which is gaining prominence as a pathway for achieving and maintaining competitiveness for businesses as digital technologies continue to shape and transform the business landscape. The background information required for the comparison of the frameworks was obtained after a comprehensive review of each of the frameworks, and based on the insights obtained following the review, their relevance and applicability to the subject of digital business transformation was determined. A qualitative approach was adopted in conducting desk research using reputable business and scientific data sources. The output of the literature search was narrowed down by applying elimination parameters that ensured only relevant articles and journals were included in the final comparison of literatures that contained relevant conceptual and theoretical frameworks. The research established that there is a lack of alignment between industry-based research and academic-based research on the subject of digital business transformation. The research findings and agenda of the study have important implications for organisational transformation as it relates to digital technologies and their transformative effects on industry segments and organisational structures through digitalisation.[IGA/FaME/2018/005

Digital transformation or information management: What direction are companies going in?

The research assessed Digital Transformation and Information Management with a view to determine between both, what preferences the contemporary company is exploring in the era of the digital economy. Information Management is a traditional discipline that is responsible for the preparation and distribution of information; it is connected with a company's information strategy (InS) and information systems (IS), while Digital Transformation is an emerging subject area that explores organisational transformation through the incorporation of digital technologies into organisational processes and reinvention of business models to improve a company's market competitiveness. A mixed method approach is adopted for the research, it involved quantitative and qualitative methods was adopted for the research. Data for the quantitative research was gathered through an online questionnaire; it covered respondents from 60 companies spread across 17 different countries. About 70% of companies implemented some form of InS, while about 80% of organizations had more than one type of information systems implemented within their business processes. From the ICT point of view, more than 50% of companies implemented the following: document management systems, business intelligence, cloud computing, and social media. The qualitative research involved in depth interviews with top management staff from the five companies covered in the survey. The respondents were of the opinion that the relationship between IM and DT within their organization was a priority for strategic planning and future growth. The survey results also showed that some respondents considered DT a sub-function of InS. Three maturity levels of the company and organization in relations to DT and InS were also suggested as follows from the analysis: the basic (37%), middle (26%), and high (37%) level. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the working hypothesis

Assessing the dissimilarities of game mechanics on Albanian working-class consumers

The increase in popularity of games and their attendant impact on player behaviour has led to the transformation of game elements in line with non-game contexts. The process of adding game elements in non-game context has been defined as gamification. Due to digitization, consumers are exposed to a wider range of information through their use of technological devices and social media. Therefore, gamification is seen as innovative engaging and motivating set of activities that influence purchasing dispositions of consumers. Due to the successful usage of gamification in numerous areas, this study was aimed at exploring the game mechanics differences for employed consumers who purchase via social media (s-commerce). Using a survey as part of the research design, a questionnaire was employed for data collection, 183 respondents participated completed the questionnaire, and the data collected was used to perform the non-parametric test, Chi-Square test for independence has been employed to describe and explore the differences. The results revealed that points, rewards and badges offered by the s-commerce retailer as factors that influence the purchase frequency of consumers are significantly differ based on the working sector for employed consumers. The study provides substantial evidences for retail businesses regarding game mechanics elements as purchasing motivator.Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FaME/2018/005

Ebola scare discrimination : my experience in the Netherlands

Abstract: Across the world, people continue to be profiled and ill-treated on the basis of certain criteria deliberately drawn up by some to differentiate themselves from those whom they consider lesser than themselves or unfit to be part of ‘their’ society

Industry 4.0 concepts within the Czech SME manufacturing sector: An empirical assessment of critical success factors

The paper analysed factors that has the most impact in influencing the achievement of a sustainable process management model in the implementation of Industry 4.0 concepts within the Czech SME manufacturing sector. Several factors were identified and their interactions with digital technologies within the production environments was analysed. These factors, from an organisational perspective were identified as critical to success in the quest to achieve Industry 4.0 compliance and digital transformation of the manufacturing operations of companies. They include: strategy, organisational fit, competitiveness, operations and human resources. A mixed methods approach was adopted for the research. It involved both the qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches. The qualitative aspect involved an extensive systematic review of relevant literature which was useful in developing the conceptual framework and identifying the relevant factors that enable the implementation of an efficient Industry 4.0 process management model in SMEs; the quantitative aspect involved the use of a survey questionnaire to collect data which was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis statistical approach to test the measures of the constructs in the proposed conceptual framework. The result from the statistical analysis shows the factors that in the conceptual model that were supported as being relevant in achieving an efficient process management model for successful implementation of Industry 4.0 concepts in Czech manufacturing SMEs. The research limitation is based on the fact that the SMEs covered in the quantitative aspect of the research are restricted to a particular geographical location – Czech Republic. It would be interesting to have similar studies conducted in other geographies for a comparative perspective. It contributes to the scientific and practical discourse on Industry 4.0 process management model implementation in SMEs by investigating the phenomenon through the production of credible scientific evidence. © 2020 The Author(s)

The prospects of Internet-Based Channel Orientation for the competitiveness of service companies on the domestic market

Drawing upon theories governing micro-institutions and strategic actions on resources, this study proposes a model suitable for assessing the antecedents and consequences of “Internet-Based Channel Orientation” (IBCO) on the operations of domestic companies of moderate or lesser size. Investigation focused primarily on the entrepreneurial capability (ENCAP) of such firms and industrial competition (INDCOM) as predictors of the IBCO of a business. Analysis was conducted as to whether IBCO contributed to heightened market sensing capability (MKTSENSE) and indirectly reinforced competitiveness. To this end, data was sourced from 198 firms based in Nigeria, typically micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses. Statistical analysis indicated that IBCO had a stronger and direct effect on encouraging the fluency of operations at small- and medium-sized enterprises. However, IBCO in combination with a competitive advantage was insufficient to attain competitiveness, the magnitude of such an effect being indirectly anchored to the MKTSENSE of the firm. This study highlights that businesses need to invest in Internet marketing tools and employ them effectively to stay competitive over the long term. © 2020 Elsevier Ltdresearch project NPU I [MSMT-7778/2019]; Internal Grant Agency of FaME through TBU in Zlin, [IGA/FaME/2019/008, IGA/FaME/2020/002]; Faculty of Management and Economic