Vol. 10, No. 1, January 2007
SPECIAL ISSUE ON IT/IS ISSUES IN ASIA-PACIFIC
Guest Editors: Weiling Ke, Clarkson University; Kwok Kee Wei, City University of Hong Kong; & Wei Wayne Huang, Ohio University
EDITORIAL PREFACE: IT/IS ISSUES IN ASIA-PACIFIC
Weiling Ke, Kwok Kee Wei, and Wei Wayne Huang
Over the recent two decades, the Asia-Pacific region has experienced the fastest economic growth in the world and this high growth rate is expected to sustain for years to come. The growth of IT market in the Asia-Pacific region poses tremendous challenges to IT/IS researchers and practitioners. The special issue editors discuss the challenges in Asia-Pacific due to the unique social, cultural, political, and economic characteristics of the region.
ARTICLES:
ADMINISTRATIVE PLACEMENT OF THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE: A COMPARATIVE SWOT ANALYSIS OF QUEENSLANDUNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND KOREA
UNIVERSITY
Guy G. Gable, Robert W. Smyth, Jae-Nam Lee, and Jaemin Han
This study uses SWOT analysis to explore perceptions of differential administrative placement of the Information Systems academic discipline within two Universities in Australia and Korea. The analysis provides a useful basis for decision makers to exploit opportunities and minimise external threats. It offers insights for IS academics contemplating administrative relocation of their group. The paper serves the dual-purpose of (1) informing the positioning of IS in the two case Institutions, while (2) evolving an approach and related tools for usefully extending the SWOT analysis to other institutions and States, and across time.
E-GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONALITY AND WEBSITE FEATURES: A CASE STUDY OF INDONESIA
Edhy Rahardjo, Dinesh Mirchandani, and Kailash Joshi
Indonesia is still in the early stages of e-government implementation. An understanding of stakeholder perspectives can help the government plan its services and provide useful information to other governments at similar stages of implementation. This study assesses the importance of e-government functions and website features from the perspective of Indonesian citizens (regular users and government officials). It find that transactions functions are related to website appeal and efficiency; services functions are related to website appeal; local information functions are related to website appeal and personalization; constituent functions are related to website quality, efficiency, and personalization; and government resources functions are related to website efficiency. Improving the quality, appeal, efficiency, and personalization of e-government sites is necessary in order to achieve stakeholder buy-in to the services.
AN EXTENDED TAM MODEL FOR CHINESE B2C WEBSITES DESIGN
ZhangPei, Zeng Zhenxiang, and Huang Chunping
Firms are devoting resources to the development of electronic commerce (EC) to enhance their competitiveness. In addition to strategic planning and financial support, an effective B2C web site is important to reap the potential benefits of EC. This study examines the key factors influencing the effctiveness of B2C sites and how these factors affect customer’s behavioral intention to purchase through these sites. The authors draw on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and derive an extended TAM framework to relate web site design factors with major constructs in TAM. Assessed are three famous B2C sites to identify and classify the main web-design lements of B2C sites in China. The study concludes with a consideration of the managerial and research implications.
THE EXPERT OPINION: AN INTERVIEW WITH ALAN M. PRESTON, PRESIDENT AND CEO,
SYNERGYST, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Conducted by Jeffrey E. Johnson.
Synergyst is a broad-based health care and medical practice management consulting firm offering comprehensive services which include data analytics, predictive modeling, population health management, clinical research, and employee wellness. Mr. Preston discusses he services his company outsources to India, the IT concerns of its clients, and the strategic challenges their consultancy faces.
BOOK REVIEW: OFFSHORING IT SERVICES, BY MOHAN BABU K
Reviewed by Hindupur V. Ramakrishna
The body of knowledge on successful offshoring is far from mature. This book adds to that body of knowledge. Any organization that is considering offshoring IT services or struggling with offshored projects should find this book useful. The author draws on relevant literature wherever necessary and presents an offshoring management framework.
Vol. 10, No. 2, April 2007
EDITORIAL PREFACE: GLOBAL MARKET FOR OUTSOURCING - IT AND IT ENABLED
SERVICES
Shailendra C. Jain Palvia, Long IslandUniversity
The associate editor provides an overview of the global market for outsourcing IT and IT enabled services, and the functions that are increasingly being outsourced overseas. There is huge diversity in the types of services being offshored. The notion that global outsourcing reduces employment and hurts economies of countries such as the U.S. and U.K. may be a myth. Outsourcing activities directly benefit the US economy. McKinsey & Co. in 2003 report cost savings of approximately $ 0.58 for every dollar spent on outsourcing jobs to India.
ARTICLES:
APPLYING THE MULTIVIEW ANALYSIS AND DESIGN METHODOLOGY IN A NON
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION IN BANGLADESH
Simon Bell, The Open University, U.K., and A.T. Wood-Harper, University of Manchester, U.K.
The central research question being addressed is: can the initial stage of Multiview be presented to and, if found to be of value, be adopted by NGO staff in the Bangladesh context? The article describes how the Multiview methodology as originally devised by Avison and Wood-Harper was applied and partially adapted to meet the needs of the Impact Monitoring Agency (IMA) of the NGO in order to assist with Impact Assessment. Arising issues of the relevance of the methodology, the role of researchers and the sustainability of IS projects are discussed.
E-COMMERCE IN SERBIA: WHERE ROADS CROSS ELECTRONS WILL FLOW
Bob Travica, University of Manitoba, Canada,
Borislav Jo?anov, Higher Technical College of Vranje,
Serbia, Ejub Kajan, Novi Sad Business School, Serbia,
Marijana Vidas?Bubanja, Belgrade Business School, Serbia, and
Emilija Vuksanović, University of Kragujevac, Serbia
A qualitative exploration into conditions for diffusing e-commerce in Serbia was conducted by using a multidimensional model. Serbia is a country located at an important geographical location in southeast Europe, which descended on a path of political and economic changes after a decade of stagnation. Our main finding is that the process of diffusing e-commerce in Serbia resembles a car hesitating at a traffic light because all lights are flashing at the same time. Dynamics within the areas of software industry, epayment/e-banking, and legislation support e-commerce. In contrast, the telecommunications infrastructure and ownership as well as customer beliefs and behaviors halt it. The ambivalent yellow light is triggered by the state of traffic/delivery and education.
IS THE “TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL” UNIVERSALLY APPLICABLE?: THE CASE OF THE KUWAITI MINISTRIES
Helaiel Almutairi, Kuwait University, Kuwait
This study tests the applicability of the “Technology Acceptance Model” (TAM) in Kuwaiti ministries. The aim of the study was to understand the usage of Information Systems (IS) in Kuwait in governmental organizations. The study did not find significant statistical evidence for the relationships between the TAM?s core concepts, except in the case of the relationship between ?Perceived Ease of Use? (PEOU) and ?Perceived Usefulness? (PU). National cultural differences, the context of public organizations, and the nature/type of IS usage have been examined as possible explanations.
THE EXPERT OPINION: AN INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT MCDOWELL, VICE PRESIDENT FOR INFORMATION WORKER BUSINESS VALUE, MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Conducted by the Bryan Forum of the BryanSchool of Business and Economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The Bryan Forum talks to Mr. McDowell about the nexus of business and higher education in the U.S. economy. Several issues are discussed including whether we are in crisis, the required skills, the role of the IT industry, business-university partnerships, curriculum design, public policy and ethical and leadership issues.
Vol. 10, No. 3, July 2007
EDITORIAL PREFACE: FINDING OPPORTUNITIES AND OPTIMISM: A NUANCED LOOK AT THE GROWTH OF THE IS FIELD IN A GLOBAL OUTSOURCING CONTEXT
Varun Grover, Clemson University, USA
The advisory editor talks about recent debates in the IS fiels on issues of stemming the tide of dwindling enrollments, and redesigning curriculum in light of the growing export of IS jobs. The problem is that media-hype coupled with poor student advisement creates a vicious cycle, attributing strong causality between the two that oversimplifies the phenomena and constrains positive pursuit of growth opportunities. The editor offers reflections, challenges, and possible solutions.
ARTICLES:
IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES ELECTRONICALLY: AN ACTION RESEARCH STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND AND THE US
Ned Kock, Texas A&M International University, USA
Dorrie DeLuca, University of Delaware, USA
The authors investigate the impact of the use of an asynchronous and distributed electronic communication tool on 8 business process improvement groups, 4 in New Zealand and 4 in the USA. The study suggests that even though the use of electronic communication media seems to increase the cognitive effort required from group members, it has a positive impact on knowledge sharing among group members and group outcome quality. These results are consistent across countries, and generally support predictions based on the compensatory adaptation model.
Charla Griffy-Brown, Pepperdine University, USA
Mark Chun, Pepperdine University, USA
Through the lens of the Resource-Based View of the Firm (RBV), the authors explored the role of information systems in Japanese SMEs and found that the adoption of information systems in Japanese SMEs consisted of extensive subcontracting networks which formed the basis of the Japanese production system and was an essential resource for contributing to successful implementation of global business strategies. Further, Japanese SMEs formulated and enacted strategies which leveraged information systems resources to enhance operations and strategic relationships and to establish dynamic capabilities.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION IN TRANSORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT: THE CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL INSOURCING
Madhu T. Rao, Seattle University, USA
Terrence W. Earls, Seattle University, USA
Gloria Sanchez, Seattle University, USA
This article examines a special case of global transorganizational insourcing in which two dispersed, semi-autonomous organizations within the same parent entity collaborate on a software development project. The project involves an American and Indian team working together to develop an enterprise-wide SAP application for Transangara Corporation, a large software publishing house headquartered in the United States. Using a transorganizational development (TOD) model, the study analyzes the reasons behind the failure of the collaborating teams to meet the scheduled release deadline for the project and presents the steps taken to address the challenges.
THE EXPERT OPINION: AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID W. ESSIG, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, GENERAL MOTORS POWERTRAIN
Conducted by Paul S. Licker, Oakland University, USA
The GM Powertrain CIO discusses several IT issues in their company’s context. He talks about the role of IT in the automobile industry, technical and management challenges, implementation problems and issues, culture issues, and the use of IT in expanding global markets.
BOOK REVIEW: MANAGING GLOBAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES.
Editors: Prashant Palvia, Shailendra Palvia, and Al Harris
Reviewed by Roberto Vinaja, TexasA&MUniversity—Commerce, USA
Current trends have motivated the editors to produce their fourth book in Global IT. This new book not only captures the contemporary global IT issues, but also updates the classical issues. The book has twenty five chapters divided into five sections. The five sections are: IT in a Global Context, Global Strategies and Policies, Integration of Global Systems, Global IS Development and Outsourcing, and E-Commerce and E-Government.
Vol. 10, No. 4, October 2007
EDITORIAL PREFACE: IDENTIFY AND MITIGATE THE RISKS OF GLOBAL IT OUTSOURCING
S. E. Goodman, Georgia Institute of Technology
Rob Ramer, Aeritae Consulting Group
While information security risks certainly exist in a single organization or domestic outsourcing, offshoring introduces new forms of risk by opening more opportunities for incursion, accident, or exposure. JGITM advisory editor Sy Goodman and Rob Ramer call for increased awareness, careful assessment and effective mitigation of these risks. They point out that there are risks specific to offshoring and ignoring or exaggerating these to fit a particular agenda does not help anyone. They advocate an intelligent approach to managing these risks.
ARTICLES:
SOCIAL TIES IN GLOBALLY DISTRIBUTED SOFTWARE TEAMS: BEYOND FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS
Julia Kotlarsky, The University of Warwick, United Kingdom
Ilan Oshri, RotterdamSchool of Management Erasmus, The Netherlands
Leslie Willcocks, LondonSchool of Economics, United Kingdom
This article explores the process through which social ties in globally dispersed software development teams are created and renewed. It argues that because face-to-face (F2F) meetings and ICT are limited in providing support for the build-up and renewal of social ties in long, complex globally distributed projects, other activities should be introduced before and after F2F meetings. Based on case studies carried out at SAP and LeCroy, the paper concludes that globally distributed teams (GDTs) should be “re-socialized” to ensure that interpersonal ties do not fade away and collaborative work is not hampered.
A METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF ERP IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
Capaldo Guido, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Raffa Lelio, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
Rippa Pierluigi, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
This article sets out to assess the feasibility of implementation strategies in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The methodological approach takes into consideration both technical and organizational aspects involved in ERP implementation. The methodology aims at supporting IS management to reduce risks and handle the implementation process in a holistic and integrated way, highlighting the critical interaction between technical and organizational issues. It provides useful information for companies, and can be considered as an assessment instrument capable of predicting and managing the risk in implementing ERP systems in firms all over the world.
NORWEGIAN INTERNET SHOPPING SITES: AN APPLICATION & EXTENSION OF THE TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL
Katrina Savitskie, University of Memphis, USA
Marla B. Royne, University of Memphis, USA
Elif S. Persinger, Eastern Michigan University, USA
Marko Grűnhagen, EasternIllinois University, USA
Carl L. Witte, Roosevelt University, USA
The purpose of this research was as follows: 1) To apply, examine, and test the technology acceptance model (TAM) in the context of Internet shopping sites; 2) To understand the relationship between the TAM, involvement, and affinity with the computer in the context of Internet shopping sites; and 3) to examine these constructs and relationships in an international environment. For this study, 292 Norwegians responded to a survey regarding Internet shopping. While most of our hypotheses were supported, two conflicting results indicate additional research is needed regarding the validation and usefulness of TAM in an international setting.
THE EXPERT OPINION: MARIO LEONE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION
Conducted by Paul S. Licker, Oakland University, USA
The senior executive Mario Leone discusses the role of IT in their business, its internationalization, challenges in global IT appications, and issues with transborder data flows. His advice to senior IT leader is to build a compelling argument for business transformation at the executive level. IT or IS can only become a strategic asset for the company if a “burning platform” is established to facilitate company efforts to achieve global profitable growth.
BOOK REVIEW: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SMALL BUSINESSES: ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION.
Author: By Andrea Ordanini
Reviewed by Roberto Vinaja, TexasA&MUniversity—Commerce, USA
This book fills a gap in research for IT adoption in small and medium enterprises (SME). Ordanini focuses on the factors affecting the adoption and the impact of IT among SMEs. The book has three distinctive parts, the first part focuses on the antecedents or pre-adoption, the second part focuses on the consequences or post-adoption and the last part discusses implications and suggestions.
