37 research outputs found
Bridging the Gaps between eTransforming SMEs and SME - ICT Providers
Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to find ICT Providers who could assist them when identifying and implementing adequate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Based on this, we conducted a study with 30 SMEs from various industry sectors within Sydney metropolitan region to identify the type of ICT assistance eTransforming SMEs require. Furthermore, to better understand the struggles SMEs go through, we also studied eight ICT Providers. Our findings indicate that in order for the SMEs to successfully eTransform, select and implement appropriate ICT there is need for the ICT Providers to bridge the gaps and understand needs and requirements of the eTransforming companies taking into consideration a holistic view of what eTransforming SMEs need based on their current technology and future business requirements
Uptake of inter-organizational IT systems in two Australian agricultural cooperatives: a match between business relationships and design features
In this paper we will advance a perspective that links business network analysis to interorganizational IT systems(IOS) uptake, starting with an analytic framework to characterize both different types of electronic business to business interactions (via the web) as well as the network of business relationships in which they are used. In order to see whether inter-organizational IT systems and business networks (mis)match they are compared on two dimensions: 'mode of interaction' (relational versus transactional) and 'nature of coordination' (emergent versus directive). The study analyses two Australian agricultural cooperatives 'Capgrains' and 'Bluegum'. The transactional focus and directive control of Capgrains' online ordering system did not match with the relational interaction and emergent coordination that was common in their network of business relationships, resulting in a mismatch and low level of use of the system. The Bluegum's group communication system much better matched with the business relationships in the cooperative and higher use of the IOS. Indicating a positive relation betweenmatch and uptake of the IOS
Towards an eGovernment: the case of the Emirate of Dubai
This thesis examines and assesses the transformation and implementation of the Dubai Governmentâs operation, governance and delivery of public services through its use of ICT. The research design includes a critical examination of the evolution of ICT and its role in changing public services and government operations worldwide as an early move towards E-Government. Three recognised theories are used to examine the E-Government transformation and its effects of on governments, namely: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) and the Lens of Max Weberâs Theory of Bureaucracy.
Generally, the study seeks to determine what were the important factors for Dubai to achieve its strategic plan. Six questions were addressed by the research, stating the scope of work undertaken. First, to measure the status of eGovernment initiatives in terms of usefulness and ease of use. Second, to assess the extent of eGovernment application in terms of Government-to-Customer, Government-to-Business, Government-to-Government, and Government-to-Employees. Third, to determine the level of acceptance of eGovernment initiatives. Fourth, to explore the factors/challenges in a successful eTransformation of Dubai. Fifth, to assess the impacts/opportunities of eGovernment initiatives in the development of Dubai. Sixth, to formulate the model to achieve a successful implementation of eGovernment.
A purposive sampling method was used for selecting citizens/customers, business employees and government employees, totalling 1500 equally distributed respondents. The researcher has prepared, administered and empirically tested three questionnaires, and also prepared and administered structured interviews with some officials of eGovernment. Data obtained are presented and analysed. Also, the study examines the catalytic role of eGovernment in the development of society, commerce and government, and shows fundamental changes from traditional systems or from bureaucratic paradigms to eGovernment paradigms. Comparisons are made with eGovernment applications in other countries as per rankings made by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The researcher has selected top ranked states to examine best practices in e-Government.
Most importantly, this research presents a unique and original contribution to knowledge of the subject treated in its programme for achieving successful eGovernment through the proposed rocket ship model Al Bakr eGovernment Model of implementation, adoption, conclusions and findings of the study
Determinats of purchase decision of client-server hardware system (C-SHS) in Malaysian SME businesses
Information and communications technologies (ICT) is regarded as an essential tool in enhancing competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in global marketplaces. Consequently, client-server hardware system (C-SHS) has gained its popularity in SM enterprises. However, there is no specific research done about determinants of purchase decision of C-SHS in SMEs particularly in Malaysia. Thus, this research filled this gap and developed a research problem on why and how to establish the determinants of purchase decision of C-SHS in Malaysian SME businesses. A preliminary theoretical framework based on literature and also the integration of Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation theory, and Technology, Organization, and Environment framework was developed. This research employed qualitative methodology using convergent interview and thematic data analysis techniques to explore and confirm the preliminary theoretical framework. Convergent interview is opted since it allows a greater depth of data collection than other types of interviews as it attempts to gain insight into the informantâs understanding of a situation or process. The identification of respondents in this research was based on a snowballing technique. The findings from this research confirmed 16 determinants of purchase decision of C-SHS in SMEs, that are, relative advantage, compatibility system, complexity system, existing IT infrastructure, trialability, cost of purchase, top management support, end user IT skill, owner characteristics, resources availability/constraint, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, competitive pressure, government support, customer pressure, vendors competency & support. In addition, five (5) newly determinants had been discovered, that are, scalability system, security system, new initiative, brand loyalty, and green IT environment. These newly discovered determinants represent new contributions to the body of knowledge. As a consequent, a revised theoretical framework is derived to capture these new discoveries. The finding of this research has implications on policy, practice, and methodological aspects
ICT organisations' minimal compliance with affirmative actions regulations: case of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) ICT sector code in South Africa
Research problem: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is a legal framework established by the South African government to eradicate racial and gender exclusionary elements from the apartheid regime. This refers to the process called economic transformation. The B-BBEE Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Sector Code is the primary regulatory instrument for regulating ICT organisations' economic transformation activities. Organisational minimal compliance with the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code is the primary obstacle to including Black people in ICT business. Minimal compliance is a compliance behaviour that looks good on the letter of the law but does not transform the intended systems. While ICT organisations have good B-BBEE certificates, the points earned in the compliance process have not been translating into transformation. In 2020, 17 years after the introduction of the B-BBEE Act, the ICT Sector Council reported that ICT organisations had not made real progress in racial inclusivity in ownership and management structures. Minimal compliance with the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code reveals a policy enforcement dilemma where compliance with regulation makes no social change. Purpose of the research: The study interrogated how contextual factors affect minimal compliance with affirmative action regulations such as the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code. The study is a response to the call for Information Systems researchers to investigate the role of ICTs in achieving social justice and the socio-technical aspects that affect ICT enterprises. Investigating these kinds of regulations in Information Systems research also reveals how ICT business interacts with aspects of the socio-political context in post-colonial contexts such as South Africa. Methodology: This is a qualitative inquiry guided by a critical research paradigm. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis in various touchpoints of the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code. We employed thematic analysis and content analysis to analyse the research data. We developed a conceptual framework that suggests that minimal compliance stems from the need to protect the achievement of organisational goals. Key findings: Factors that affect minimal compliance with the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code are the organisational perception of the policy implementation context, organisational logic of action, and organisational legitimisation. ICT organisations leverage regulatory loopholes (e.g., pointsystem compliance) in the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code to comply with it in a manner that does not add value for the beneficiaries but allows them to achieve their organisational goals. ICT organisations responded to B-BBEE regulatory requirements through two utilitarian logics (goal prioritisation and maintaining status quo). Businesses are pragmatic institutions! This phrase surfaces every time a question B-BBEE compliance comes up. When they introduced the point-system compliance, B-BBEE policymakers did not consider the granular details concerning the complexity inherent in the South African historical context that would affect Black people's involvement in the digital economy. Quantifying the involvement of Black people in the ICT sector has resulted in the commoditisation of gender and race â making the beneficiaries the means to an end through B-BBEE points. The point-system compliance mechanism is the supreme loophole of the B- BBEE policy implementation context. The point-system enforcement mechanism propels ICT organisations to protect the achievement of their economic goals while neglecting the transformation agenda. Ideological discourses such as âB-BBEE compliance is anti-FDI, BBBEE compliance is costly, and B-BBEE compliance is complexâ continue to thrive as legitimisation mechanisms to justify minimal compliance behaviour and its outcome. Research contribution: The study is rich with new knowledge about ICT organisational response to affirmative action policies in post-colonial contexts. The focus on the B-BBEE ICT Sector Code revealed policy discrepancies that future policymakers may consider ensuring that transformation takes place. International actors may benefit from the study's practical contribution to B-BBEE compliance processes, and the stakeholders involved. The study contributes to theory by proposing a conceptual framework for minimal compliance behaviour. The conceptual framework proposes three factors to be considered while analysing compliance behaviour: policy implementation context, organisational logics of action, and organisational legitimisation. Through this conceptual framework, the study shows that minimal compliance behaviour is mostly viewed as a binary behaviour â compliance or noncompliance. The compliance behaviour that looks good in the letter of the law but does not solve the problems that warrant policy introduction is taken for granted. The methodological contribution of the study rests in the use of multiple data sources that provided a heterogeneous perspective on B-BBEE compliance. Moreover, a critical interrogation of compliance behaviour is instrumental in illuminating mechanisms used by dominant powers to maintain hegemony by going around the regulations
Developing business school/SME collaboration: the role of trust
The purpose of this thesis is to advance the understanding of how University Business Schools initiate, develop and manage their inter-organisational relations with SMEs and what, if any, are the mutual advantages from these collaborative relationships. The findings aim to inform the best practice of how collaboration between these sectors can be encouraged and enhanced.
This study explores the collaborative relationships between a University Business School and SMEs in the South Yorkshire and Humber region of the UK. A qualitative approach was used to gather empirical data through in-depth semi-structured interviews with Managers and academics at the Business School, and Managing Directors, Operational, Marketing and Sales Managers at the SMEs. A purposive sampling data technique and general analytical induction approach were used for data collection and analysis respectively. The analysis of the data produced three main themes: Relationship Management, Collaborative Opportunities and Challenges, and The Role of Trust.
The main outputs from the present research are two practice-based models of 1) initiating collaboration and 2) initiating and building trust in the UBS/SME context. The models include elements which can help Executive Managers at Business Schools and practitioners at SMEs to define their strategy in developing collaboration. Overall, the research reveals the importance of SMEsâ engagement in the early stages of the relationship, in developing a programme to obtain a better understanding of their expectations and of how the promises need to be delivered in developing collaboration between SMEs and University Business Schools.
The collaboration between universities and industry has been encouraged because of the mutual advantages of collaboration, and trust is seen as a primary factor in such collaboration
Designing usable mobile interfaces for spatial data
2010 - 2011This
dissertation
deals
mainly
with
the
discipline
of
Human-ÂâComputer
Interaction
(HCI),
with
particular
attention
on
the
role
that
it
plays
in
the
domain
of
modern
mobile
devices.
Mobile
devices
today
offer
a
crucial
support
to
a
plethora
of
daily
activities
for
nearly
everyone.
Ranging
from
checking
business
mails
while
traveling,
to
accessing
social
networks
while
in
a
mall,
to
carrying
out
business
transactions
while
out
of
office,
to
using
all
kinds
of
online
public
services,
mobile
devices
play
the
important
role
to
connect
people
while
physically
apart.
Modern
mobile
interfaces
are
therefore
expected
to
improve
the
user's
interaction
experience
with
the
surrounding
environment
and
offer
different
adaptive
views
of
the
real
world.
The
goal
of
this
thesis
is
to
enhance
the
usability
of
mobile
interfaces
for
spatial
data.
Spatial
data
are
particular
data
in
which
the
spatial
component
plays
an
important
role
in
clarifying
the
meaning
of
the
data
themselves.
Nowadays,
this
kind
of
data
is
totally
widespread
in
mobile
applications.
Spatial
data
are
present
in
games,
map
applications,
mobile
community
applications
and
office
automations.
In
order
to
enhance
the
usability
of
spatial
data
interfaces,
my
research
investigates
on
two
major
issues:
1. Enhancing
the
visualization
of
spatial
data
on
small
screens
2. Enhancing
the
text-Ââinput
methods
I
selected
the
Design Science Research approach
to
investigate
the
above
research
questions.
The
idea
underling
this
approach
is
âyou
build artifact to learn from itâ, in
other
words
researchers
clarify
what
is
new
in
their
design.
The
new
knowledge
carried
out
from
the
artifact
will
be
presented
in
form
of
interaction
design
patterns
in
order
to
support
developers
in
dealing
with
issues
of
mobile
interfaces.
The
thesis
is
organized
as
follows.
Initially
I
present
the
broader
context,
the
research
questions
and
the
approaches
I
used
to
investigate
them.
Then
the
results
are
split
into
two
main
parts.
In
the
first
part
I
present
the
visualization
technique
called
Framy.
The
technique
is
designed
to
support
users
in
visualizing
geographical
data
on
mobile
map
applications.
I
also
introduce
a
multimodal
extension
of
Framy
obtained
by
adding
sounds
and
vibrations.
After
that
I
present
the
process
that
turned
the
multimodal
interface
into
a
means
to
allow
visually
impaired
users
to
interact
with
Framy.
Some
projects
involving
the
design
principles
of
Framy
are
shown
in
order
to
demonstrate
the
adaptability
of
the
technique
in
different
contexts.
The
second
part
concerns
the
issue
related
to
text-Ââinput
methods.
In
particular
I
focus
on
the
work
done
in
the
area
of
virtual
keyboards
for
mobile
devices.
A
new
kind
of
virtual
keyboard
called
TaS
provides
users
with
an
input
system
more
efficient
and
effective
than
the
traditional
QWERTY
keyboard.
Finally,
in
the
last
chapter,
the
knowledge
acquired
is
formalized
in
form
of
interaction
design
patterns. [edited by author]X n.s
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ROMANIA
The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The survey was defined with the aim to involve the highest possible number of relevant CSR topics and give the issue a more wholesome perspective. It provides a basis for further comprehension and deeper analyses of specific CSR areas. The conditions determining the success of CSR in Romania have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various researches. This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.Corporate social responsibility, Supportive policies, Romania