Innovating authentically: Cultural differentiation in the animation sector

This paper examines the concept of authentic innovation and the development of the animation industry in Malaysia. Authenticity is a concept that has been investigated from philosophical and institutional perspectives in the quest to explain the role of self-fulfillment and decision-making. It links with systems thinking because authenticity as a strategy requires a holistic approach since it is based upon values that influence action. The desire for authenticity can create expression outside the norms and produce innovation. We present interpretations of authenticity, explain the concept of authentic innovation and relate this to three case studies of Malaysian animation studios. We found that cultural authenticity contributed to the uniqueness of the product and was a significant factor in the success of the animations in South East Asia. Challenges for maintaining authentic innovation arise primarily from economic pressure

The Relevance of Attribution Theory to IT Project Management

Internet related projects are often complex because of the need to work with a range of stakeholders and satisfy a range of expectations. These projects are consequently difficult to manage as projects. Attribution theory enables us to examine how individuals and groups attribute success and failure in relation to projects so that we can better prepare workers for their roles in teams. This paper explores how attribution theory impacts on projects management and makes recommendations on how to develop effective project teams and team members

Sharing and Caring: The Giving and Receiving of Information in Online Chronic Disease Communities

Online chronic disease communities are part of a healthcare phenomenon that empowers people to self-manage their condition. This paper discusses the growth and structure of such communities to identify the ways in which the sharing of information contributes to improved health outcomes. We draw together findings to offer a research agenda that will inform further studies in this complex area

The Value of User Participation in E-Commerce Systems Development

The importance attached to user participation in contributing to the success of an information system has been a long held theoretical belief. Systems development techniques have been promoted that involve user participation such as prototyping, rapid application development and joint application design. Interestingly, the research literature on the topic has not been conclusive about the real value of user partic ipation, although the perception of value has still existed. The importance of user participation could be seen as a myth in information systems

Values and M-Services Adoption

The use of mobile services has increased rapidly in recent. Although research has been conducted on which services people use and the benefits they attach to those services, the values associated with the adoption and use of m-services at the individual level is still unclear. This formation systems field various technology adoption models have been proposed and validated in relation to technology adoption within an organisational setting but personal adoption and use of technology is less researched. To help uncover the values behind adoption of m-services we use means-end chains and laddering techniques. The analysis of the interviews shows that mobile services often fulfil such basic needs as self-esteem, achievement, individuality, belonging and well-being. Exploring the realization of values as a theoretical framework offers researchers a way forward in environments characterised by individual technology decisions

Understanding the Reasons for Mobile Commerce Adoption and Use

The popularization of wireless and portable information communication technologies has generated many studies towards adoption and use by academics and practitioners. Most studies have used as the theoretical framework theory of planned behaviour, technology acceptance model or an extended or combined version of those models like Venkatesh et al.’s UTAUT. This paper proposes the use of Sheth, Newman and Gross’ (1991) theory of consumption values combined with the means-end chain model to contribute to the development of a predictive model of mobile commerce adoption and use

Recognition and Use of Key Success Factors in Electronic Marketplaces

This study examines the critical success factors previously identified as contributing to the development and success of e-marketplaces. An analysis of twelve e-marketplaces found that they were sensitive to the needs of their target market and offered services appropriate to that market. However, although each of the critical success factors were addressed by the e-marketplaces there remained areas of concern, particularly in the areas of security, technological infrastructure and neutrality. One success factor, that of meeting participants’ needs through value-add, was identified as being key in establishing competitive advantage

The Value of Life Histories in Researching the Adoption and Use of M-Services

Mobile services are a very important part of the e-commerce landscape. Although research has been conducted on what services people use and what value they attach to those services we know little about why people attach those perceived values. The theory of consumer value provides a theoretical framework to examine the adoption of mobile services. We use a life history research methodology to demonstrate that a biographical account can help in uncovering the “why” of perceived value. The life histories used in the paper highlight that the approach can be used to explain adoption and use of a product in relation to a person’s lifestyle, needs, and experiences. From the examples, we can see that mobile services often have a functional value attached to them at the outset but social and epistemic value can follow when people are keen to experiment and feel part of a social community of use

Bridging the digital divide with community portal regional e-marketplaces for SMEs: The need for an integrated approach

In the late 19908 it was perceived that a digital divide existed in Australia between regional/rural and metropolitan areas and between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and their larger counterparts. In response, a number of regional community portals and e-marketplaces for SMEs were funded at the federal, state and local government levels. These initiatives were driven by the hope that they would lead to increased online activity and eventually promote regional economic development. A number of these portals and regional e-marketplaces (REMs) are no longer in existence. Of those that remain, some continue to battle with inadequate funding while trying to recover from the \u27build it and they will come\u27 philosophy behind them. This paper reports on two cases of government-funded community portal regional e-marketplaces in Western Australia. They illustrate that such initiatives should be viewed as only one piece of an integrated puzzle of policies designed to narrow the digital divide. They need to be accompanied by simultaneous efforts to build the e-competencies of targeted participants and ensure the adequacy of technological infrastructure. These portals and REMs also need to be grounded on sound theoretical assumptions about the social, technological and economic issues relating to their development and management