VOL. 13, No. 1, January 2010
Editorial Preface: The Impact of the Internet on Politics: The “Net Effect” on
Political Campaigns and Elections
Mahesh S. Raisinghani, Texas Woman’s University
mike_rai@yahoo.com
Randy Weiss, Texas Woman’s University
maccabbee@aol.com
The Internet has been instrumental in fostering political culture and norms that have the potential to increase democratic politics, and diffuse social and civic networks.
ARTICLES:
Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology: U.S. Vs. China
Viswanath Venkatesh, University of Arkansas
vvenkatesh@vvenkatesh.us
Xiaojun Zhang, University of Arkansas
ABSTRACT
This paper seeks to enrich our understanding of research on technology adoption by examining a potential boundary condition, related to culture, of the fairly recently developed model of technology adoption and use—i.e., unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). Based on the cultural differences between the U.S. and China, we outline the similarities and dissimilarities between the hypotheses specified in the original UTAUT, which was validated in the U.S., and how the relationships will play in the context of employees in China. We conducted an empirical study in a single organization that operated both in the U.S. and China and collected longitudinal data from a total of over 300 employees in one business unit in each of the two countries. Our study confirmed our hypotheses that social influence will be more uniformly important across all employees, without contingencies related to gender, age and volunatariness that were found to be the case in the U.S. As we theorized, other UTAUT hypotheses held both in the U.S. and China. This work contributes by examining culture as a boundary condition and identifies the bounds of generalizability of UTAUT.
The Impact of Contextual Factors on ERP Assimilation: Exploratory Findings from a Developed and a Developing Country
Rafa Kouki, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
Rafa.Kouki@cirrelt.ca
Diane Poulin, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
Diane.Poulin@cirrelt.ca
Robert Pellerin, École Polytechnique de Montréal, Canada
ABSTRACT
ERP systems have long been known for their significant impact on the adoptingcompanies, irrespective of size and industry. To better understand and maximize thepositive impacts, ERP research has mostly focused on the selection, evaluation andimplementation stages. Failure rates, however, indicate that post--implementation isanother essential stage for the success of ERP projects. Based on a qualitativeresearch design using case-study methodology, this study investigates thedeterminants of ERP assimilation success during the post-implementation stage. Thispaper compares three Tunisian manufacturing companies with three Canadianmanufacturing companies and presents the lessons learned from this analysis.
The Use of E-Business in Agribusiness: Investigating the Influence of E-Readiness and OTE Factors
Alemayehu Molla, RMIT University, Australia, Alemayehu.molla@rmit.edu.au
Konrad Peszynski, RMIT University, Australia, Konrad.Peszynski@rmit.edu.au
Siddhi Pittayachawan, RMIT University, Australia, Siddhi.pittayachawan@rmit.edu.au
ABSTRACT
This study explores antecedents to sector based e-business use. Sectoral e-business studies are valuable to understand the absorption of e-business in different economic sectors, the specific challenges of using e-business across different sectors and the potential of different sectors to integrate into the global digital value chain. Drawing from the perceived e-readiness model (PERM) and the Organizational, Technological and Environmental (OTE) framework, an integrated e-business use model is proposed. Data were collected from a survey of firms in the horticulture sector in Australia. Empirical analysis of the integrated model show that e-business use within
the horticulture sector is at the initial state of maturity. In terms of the antecedent factors, this research shows that technology competence, financial commitment, perceived environmental e-readiness and organizational size are influential factors that directly affect e-business use. Perceived organizational e-readiness has an indirect influence on e-business use. The implications of these findings to both global IT management and e-business research are discussed. Practitioners such as governments, horticulture associations, growers and growers associations and digital marketplace operators, through understanding these factors affecting e-business use, can make effective decisions to develop their support, capabilities and offerings respectively.
The Expert Opinion: An Interview with Ryan Spencer, Vice President and CIO at TK Holdings Inc., A Division of Takata Corporation
Conducted by
Paul S. Licker, Oakland University, licker@oakland.edu
Book Review: Integrated Management of Systems, Services, Processes and People in IT. Edited by Claudio Bartolini and Luciano Paschoal Gaspary
Springer, New York; 2009, 191 pages. ISBN-13: 978-3-642-04988-0
Reviewed by:
Roberto Vinaja, Texas A&M University Kingsville, kubrv000@tamuk.edu
VOL. 13, No. 2, April 2010
Editorial Preface: Information and Communication Technology Issues in the Greater China Region
Xin “Robert” Luo, University of New Mexico, luo@mgt.unm.edu
Wei Zhang, University of Massachusetts Boston, wei.zhang@umb.edu
The special issue focuses on the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Greater China Region. For the purpose of this special issue, the Greater China Region refers to the geographical areas with a dominating Chinese culture, rather than referring to political entities.
ARTICLES:
Crossing the Chasm – Understanding China’s Rural Digital Divide
Dongyu Chen, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China, chendy_t@swufe.edu.cn
Zhangxi Lin, Texas Tech University, USA, zhangxi.lin@ttu.edu
Fujun Lai, University of Southern Mississippi, USA, fujun.lai@usm.edu
ABSTRACT
The digital divide is a mounting concern for economic growth and social development of developing countries. As the largest developing country, China has a severe digital divide in rural areas. As part of the endeavor to build a harmonious society, China has devoted tremendous resources to bridging the rural digital divide; however, the
results are thus far inconclusive. To better understand and tackle China’s rural digital divide, theoretically grounded empirical research is needed. Drawing upon the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study aims to understand the critical reasons that essentially caused China’s rural digital divide. The model is empirically
tested using the survey data collected from 924 Chinese Internet users. The results reveal distinct behavioral models between rural and urban users. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Communication Openness in the Workplace: the Effects of Medium (F2F and IM) and Culture (U.S. and China)
Shu Z. Schiller, Wright State University, USA, shu.schiller@wright.edu
Jiaying Cui, Capital University of Economics and Business, China, cuijiaying@vip.sohu.net
ABSTRACT
Open communication is critical to the effectiveness, efficiency, and overall success of a business. It is believed that communication openness interplays with media channels and cultural contexts in which the communication takes place. Our study investigated communication openness in downward, peer, and upward directions in face-to-face (F2F) and instant messaging (IM) in the workplace in both the United States and China. An online survey was administrated in both countries, and we received 529 valid responses. Repeated measures of ANOVA and MANOVA were used for data analysis. We found that the degree of openness in communication was higher in F2F conversations than through IM; however, this relationship differed in the two cultures. When communicating F2F, American employees were generally more open than Chinese employees, especially when such communication happened between peer colleagues. When communicating through IM, Chinese workers, however, were far more open than American workers in all downward, peer, and upward directions. The
main findings, the implications for research and practice, and the limitations of this study were discussed accordingly.
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Social Network Services in China: An Integrated Model of Centrality, Trust, and Technology Acceptance
Chengqi Guo, James Madison University, g1zq@yahoo.com
J.P. Shim, Mississippi State University, Jshim@Cobilan.Msstate.edu
Robert Otondo, Mississippi State University, rotondo@cobilan.msstate.edu
ABSTRACT
The rapid development of web-based Social Network Services (SNS) in China has been remarkable over the past several years. SNS allow users to build and nurture social connections over wide geographic areas. A distinct interaction between users’ experience of service and their social networking behavior is at the heart of SNS
business. Previous research in e-commerce and e-government has established that users’ intentions are the result of both user perceptions of the technology (e.g., perceived usefulness and ease of use) and trust in technology providers. However, Social Network Services (SNS) are unique because they contain features that are not found in other electronic services. Our research of Chinese SNS users shows that centrality, technology acceptance, familiarity, and user trust are important to SNS market penetration. Together, these variables explain a significant proportion of variance in users’ intention of using e-socializing services. Our findings suggest that
SNS providers should re-examine their overall strategies using factors such as the number of social ties, channel of service promotion, and web interface design.
The Expert Opinion: An Interview withZhanbei (James) Zhu, Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.
An Interview with
Wei Zhang, University of Massachusetts Boston, wei.zhang@umb.edu
Dr. Zhanbei (James) Zhu provides insights to a broad range of ICT related issues in China. He discusses the increasingly important role played by CIOs in today’s Chinese companies and offers opinions on the current status of IS research and education in China.
VOL. 13, No. 3, July 2010
Editorial Preface: Promises and Perils of Internet based Networking
Shailendra C. Jain Palvia, Long Island University, spalvia@liu.edu
Rudy Pancaro, Long Island University, rpancaro@epcomworld.com
Several issues are highlighted, including online and offline social capital; where the real and virtual
meet; humans turning into hermits; generation gap among users; legal and privacy issues; fraud
and misuse; and cyber bullying.
ARTICLES:
IT Doesn’t Fit! The Influence of Culture on B2B in Thailand
Savanid Vatanasakdakul, Macquarie University, Australia
savanid.vatanasakdakul@mq.edu.au
John D'Ambra, University of New South Wales, Australia
j.dambra@unsw.edu.au
Prem Ramburuth, University of New South Wales, Australia
p.ramburuth@unsw.edu.au
ABSTRACT
This study investigates how Thai culture affects the use of internet-based business-tobusiness (B2B) technology in the Thai tourism industry. Extending Goodhue and Thompson’s Task-Technology-Fit (TTF) model (1995), we develop the Task- Technology-Culture-Fit (TTCF) to consider, through the lens of strategic fit, how cultural fit impacts the adoption of B2B technology in the Thai tourism industry. The study explores, in particular, five dimensions of cultural fit and their implications for how the B2B technology is adopted. These dimensions are personal relationships, long-term relationships, inter-organisational trust, ability to communicate in the English language and western influence. Firms registered in the Thai tourism B2B emarketplace were surveyed and the data was analysed via structural equation modelling with the partial least squares method. Results showed that more the B2B technology was perceived by the users to fit their culture, the more likely they were to use the technology. Nevertheless, task-technology fit still had a greater impact than culture on a firm’s perceived performance.
An Online Banking Security Framework and a Cross-Cultural Comparison
Nena Lim, Curtin University of Technology, Australia
n.lim@curtin.edu.au
Paul H. P. Yeow, Monash University, Sunway Campus, Malaysia
paul.yeow@buseco.monash.edu.my
Yee Yen Yuen, Multimedia University, Malaysia
yyyuen20302000@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The objective of this research is to develop a security framework for online banking based on security information posted on websites of eight major banks in Australia and Malaysia and to investigate whether and why banks in culturally different countries manage security differently. Twenty-five security measures were identified
and classified into three categories – physical, administrative, and technical. Security measures adopted by the major banks in Australia and Malaysia were then compared and analyzed along the cultural perspective. Results show that Australian banks provide general security information more often than Malaysian banks. Moreover,
Australian banks pay attention to all categories of security measures whereas Malaysian banks lack physical security measures. Such differences are attributed to cultural factors such as individualism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance. Results help customers in Australia and Malaysia assess the security of their online
banks and are useful as a benchmark to banks worldwide.
Locus of Control and Location Privacy: An Empirical Study in Singapore
Heng Xu, The Pennsylvania State University, hxu@ist.psu.edu
ABSTRACT
Privacy concerns are particularly salient for Location-Based Services (LBS), because LBS could potentially associate the lifestyle habits, behaviors, and movements with a consumer’s personal identity. Drawing on psychological control literature, we conducted an experiment to test: i) whether the presence of privacy assurance approaches has a considerable influence on alleviating consumers’ privacy concerns, and ii) whether such influence will be moderated by the individual difference variable – locus of control (LOC). Three different privacy assurance approaches were manipulated in the study, and their effects on consumers’ privacy concerns were examined. Results demonstrate the importance of LOC in moderating the effects of privacy assurance approaches on alleviating consumers’ privacy concerns. We believe that the marriage of the privacy and social psychology literature may provide a rich understanding of consumers’ privacy reactions to LBS usage, and therefore benefit the privacy research in Information Systems (IS) discipline.
The Expert Opinion: An Interview with Mike Uwe Dickersbach, Vice President, Information Technology - Thayer Lodging Group
Conducted by
M. Naveed Baqir, University of Delaware, mnbaqir@udel.edu
The interview discusses the role of information technology (IT) in global hospitality IT in general, and Thayer Lodging Group in particular.
Book Review: IS Offshoring: Essays on Project Suitability and Success.
By Markus K. Westner
Reviewed by
Roberto Vinaja, Texas A&M University—San Antonio
This book is an outstanding work that integrates an extensive literature review and two major
empirical studies. It presents a comprehensive literature review encompassing more than 10 years.
VOL. 13, No.4 , October 2010
Editorial Preface: Global Issues in IT Servitization and IT Service Management
Carol Pollard, Appalachian State University, pollardce@appstate.edu
IT service management is philosophically focused on the customer’s perspective of IT’s contribution to business value, and has strong ties to process improvement methodologies. The guest editor introduces the special issues highlighting various areas of IT services.
ARTICLES:
IT Service Value Creation in a Global Environment
Pamela E. Carter, North Carolina A&T State University
pecarter@ncat.edu
ABSTRACT
The design and delivery of IT services is increasingly a global endeavor. Organizations of all types are engaging in global activities enabled by IT services. To meet the needs of global stakeholders and remain competitive in global markets, it is important for the IT services that support global business processes to consistently provide value that meets or exceeds customer expectations. However, little guidance is found in the academic or practitioner literature regarding how to create IT service value in a global context. Drawing from the organization science and service science literature domains, and using an analytical conceptual research methodology, this research develops a Global IT Service Value Creation (GITSVC) Framework and Process Model to address this gap in the literature. The GITSVC Framework and Process Model are tools that can be used to guide practice and future research. Implications and recommendations for theory and practice are discussed.
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An International Analysis of IT Service Management Benefits and Performance Measurement
Francis Gacenga, University of Southern Queensland, Australia
Gacenga@usq.edu.au
Aileen Cater-Steel, University of Southern Queensland, Australia
Aileen Cater-Steel@usq.edu.au
Mark Toleman, University of Southern Queensland, Australia,
Mark.Toleman@usq.edu.au
ABSTRACT
It is widely accepted by Information Technology service managers that frameworks such as the IT Infrastructure Library can deliver real operational efficiencies but there are few empirical studies that investigate the benefits realised and performance metrics gathered. The objective of this paper is to provide an international analysis of
IT service management benefits and performance measurement by comparing the findings from a recent Australian survey with results from a similar survey conducted in the United Kingdom and United States of America. International literature on Information Systems (IS) effectiveness and performance measurement specifically related to ITSM is reviewed and used to guide the development of the Australian survey. Both surveys report rapid uptake of ITIL® Version 3. There are many reported benefits supported by metrics at the process level. However, the comparative analysis of the Australian and UK/USA studies reveals that there is limited awareness of performance measurement frameworks.
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Embedding IT Service Management in the Academic Curriculum: A Cross-national Comparison
Aileen Cater-Steel, University of Southern Queensland, Australia
Aileen.Cater-Steel@usq.edu.au
Michael J. Hine, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University, Canada
mhine@sprott.carleton.ca
Gerald Grant, Sprott School of Business, Carleton University, Canada
mhine@sprott.carleton. ca
ABSTRACT
Universities have a responsibility to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to be productive in their work environment. Recently, the discipline of IT Service Management has become globally recognized as critical to organizations. Academia appears to be lagging industry in providing education in this field. This paper
describes the motivation, implementation, outcomes and challenges experienced by two universities, one in Australia and the other in Canada, in designing and offering an ITSM course. Using a narrative inquiry method, the authors share their experiences and compare these two cases. The outcomes of the analysis highlight the
need for professional development of Faculty, consideration of the breadth and depth of content, and balancing of competing Academic goals. A list of lessons learned is formulated to assist other faculty members undertaking similar endeavors.
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The Expert Opinion: An Interview with David Cannon ITSM Practice Principal, Hewlett-Packard Company (HP)
Conducted by
Carol Pollard, Appalachian State University, pollardce@appstate.edu
The interview discusses key issues and challenges with IT services and IT service management within HP as well as offers advice to companies exploring the use of ITSM in global markets.
