JGITM - Q1, 2003 Contents (Volume 6, Number 1)
EDITORIAL PREFACE: TOWARDS AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO IT PLANNING IN NON-WESTERN ENVIRONMENTS by Sofiane Sahraoui, Americam University of Sharjah, UAE
IT planning literature is permeated with a functional paradigm wherein planning is the sole responsibility of thinkers and doers are limited to implementation issues. This is deemed unsuitable in the current knowledge intensive environment. Moreover planning models are based on western management theories and do not reflect accurately the reality of non-western management contexts. Based on the above two shortcomings, we lay the ground for an alternative approach to IT planning.
ARTICLES:
AHP, FUZZY MEASURE AND FUZZY INTEGRAL APPROACHES FOR THE APPRAISAL OF INFORMATION SERVICE PROVIDERS IN TAIWAN
AUTHORS: Daniel Y. Shee, National Chi Nan University, Taiwan, Gwo-Hshiung Tzeng, National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan, Tzung-I Tang, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
The effective appraisal of ISPs is a critical issue since it affects enterprises’ decisions on the eventual selection of an appropriate ISP. This study begins by proposing a hierarchy structure for the problems involved in appraising the ISPs. Both additive (analytic hierarchy process, AHP) and non-additive (fuzzy measure and fuzzy integral) multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods are applied. The results of AHP show that the three most important dimensions are: performance of information systems, awareness of and response to customer requirements, and performance of networking. Detailed investigations are then conducted. Ten real cases are employed as illustrative alternatives to demonstrate the synthesis decision under the application of both MCDM methods.
ANALYZING THE ADOPTION OF ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING SYSTEMS IN INDIAN ORGANIZATIONS: A PROCESS FRAMEWORK
AUTHORS: Monideepa Tarafdar, University of St. Thomas, Rahul K. Roy, University of Northern Iowa
This paper is based on an empirical study of ERP implementation exercises in Indian organizations. The results show that the ERP implementation process is composed of successive phases, in each of which a specific number of modules of the software are implemented. Each phase has distinct stages, which address specific activities within the phase and describe different aspects of the implementation process. Differences of the model with existing models have been identified, and opportunities for generalizing it to other similar societies have been analyzed.
THE ADOPTION OF INTERNET COMMERCE BY SMES IN THE SOUTH OF ITALY: AN ENVIRONMENTAL, TECHNOLOGICAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERSPECTIVE
AUTHORS: Ada Scupola, Roskilde University, Denmark
This study is an investigation of the environmental, organizational and technological drivers of Internet commerce adoption and implementation in small businesses. The Tornatsky and Fleischer model was adopted and tested in seven small businesses located in Southern Italy. The study shows that the environmental context has a key role in the adoption and implementation of e-commerce in SMEs. This is over and above factors related to technology characteristics and organizational characteristics that have been extensively investigated elsewhere. Environmental factors of special importance are government intervention, public administration and external pressure from competitors, suppliers and buyers.
THE EXPERT OPINION
An interview with Ed Cannon, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer, The Grey Global Group. Grey Global Group is a holding company providing strategic direction and leadership to marketing communications companies with revenues of $12 billion. Ed Cannon discusses the IS structure, major applications and challenges faced by the Grey Global Group.
BOOK REVIEW: TECHNOLOGY, GLOBALISATION AND POVERTY, by Jeffrey James.
Review written by Robert Vinaja.
This new book provides a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical and empirical interactions between globalization, technology and poverty. Jeffrey James studies the effect of information technology on patterns of globalization and investigates how such patterns can be changed to reduce the growing global divide between developed and developing nations.
JGITM - Q2, 2003 Contents (Volume 6, Number 2)
EDITORIAL PREFACE: KEY PERSPECTIVES ON THE GLOBAL E-READINESS OF WEBSITES: A REALITY CHECK
AUTHOR: Mahesh S. Raisinghani, University of Dallas, USA
This essay explores the critical elements that organizations need to address in developing a global e-business strategy. Companies seeking to become global players must pay close attention to and find a delicate balance between globalization, localization, customization, translation and the growing trend towards internationalization.
ARTICLES:
A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF E-COMMERCE ADOPTION IN SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN BRUNEI
AUTHORS: Afzaal H. Seyal, Institut Tecnologi Brunei, Brunei Darussalam, Mohd. Noah Abd Rahman, Institut Technologi Brunei, Brunei Darussalam
This research investigates 95 small and medium business organizations of various types in Brunei Darussalam. The study has assessed EC adoption and found that 65% of the organizations have claimed to adopt EC. Several of the adoption attributes such as relative advantages, compatibility, trialability, observability, and organizational attributes such as nature, size, and type of business were studied along with managerial attributes: management support and top management attitudes towards EC adoption. The study has concluded that adoption parameters such as, compatibility with others, trialability and observability along with management support and top managers' attitudes were found to be the major determinants of EC adoption.
PERCEPTIONS OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS OBJECTIVES: A COMPARISON OF IS PROFESSIONALS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND KOREA
AUTHORS: Dane K. Peterson, Southwest Missouri State University, USA, Chung Kim, Southwest Missouri State University, USA, Joong H. Kim, Kyonggi University, South Korea
Information Systems (IS) professionals from the United States and Korea were surveyed to explore potential similarities and differences in their views on the importance of various IS objectives. The IS objectives were classified by the level of impact on organizations: system, user, strategic, and organizational. Overall the results indicated that the IS professionals viewed the system level objective as the most important and the organizational level objective the least important. IS professionals from the U.S. rated the system level objective less important but rated the user and strategic level objectives more important than did the IS professionals from Korea. The results were discussed in terms of the effects of cultural influences on global IS development and potential inaccurate perceptions of IS success.
E-SERVICE ADOPTION AND USE IN SMALL FARMS IN AUSTRALIA: LESSONS LEARNED FROM A GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED PROGRAM
AUTHOR: Carol Pollard, University of Tasmania, Australia
One aspect of e-commerce that offers great benefits to sparsely populated, geographically remote countries is E-services. This entry level communication technology offers great potential to small firms without the risks of total e-commerce commitment through online banking, EFT, EFTPOS, EDI, Fax, email and Internet access. This study explores the impact of a government-sponsored e-services program to improve communication activities of farmers in rural Australia. A survey was used to collect data from a group of 75 growers in Northwest Tasmania. Although the program had a relative degree of success, there are lessons to be learned from the benefits and drawbacks reported by the growers. The results provide mixed support for previously reported research on e-commerce and e-services in small firms.
THE EXPERT OPINION
An Interview with Boyd Rogers, Vice President for Process and Technology, VF Corporation. Conducted by Hamid R. Nemati, University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
VFC is a holding company whose subsidiaries design, manufacture and market branded jeanswear, intimate apparel, knitwear, children's playwear and other apparel. Boyd Rogers talks about IT strategy, challenges, role of SAP and IT globalization issues.
BOOK REVIEW: INNOVATION IN MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS IN THE INFORMATION AGE: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE EUROPEAN ICT INDUSTRY, by Grazia D. Santangelo.
Review written by Robert Vinaja, University of Texas-Pan American.
The book provides an empirical analysis of the impact of the ICT revolution on multinational corporations, considering the emerging techno-socio-economic environment. Dr. Santangelo examines multinational corporations' operations in terms of corporate production and localization of research and development.
JGITM – Q3, 2003 Contents (Volume 6, Number 3)
SPECIAL ISSUE on “Social and Economic Influences of E-Commerce Adoption in
Developing Countries”. Guest edited by Jatinder N. D. Gupta, University of Alabama
in Huntsville and Sushil K. Sharma, Ball State University
EDITORIAL PREFACE
AUTHORS: Jatinder N. D. Gupta, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Sushil K. Sharma, Ball State University
Many nations have started leveraging e-commerce technologies for economic and social
development, yet there are many barriers. The guest editors introduce the special issue
and provide an overview of the four articles included in this issue.
ARTICLES:
SOCIO-ECONOMIC INFLUENCES OF E-COMMERCE ADOPTION
AUTHORS: Sushil K Sharma, Ball State University, Indiana, USA
Jatinder N.D. Gupta, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
The adoption of Internet and e-commerce has rapidly spread across the world. Most
countries, especially in the developing nations category, are making substantial
investments in raising IT infrastructure, building a strong telecommunications
infrastructure, promoting Internet and e-commerce adoption in businesses, government,
and various communities. As electronic commerce grows and its benefits realized,
important socio-economic affects are likely to emerge. This paper proposes a framework
for investigating the socio-economic influences of e-commerce adoption. The framework
is illustrated by considering the adoption of Internet and e-commerce in India.
STRATEGIC VALUE AND ADOPTION OF ELECTRONIC COMMERCE: AN
EMPIRICAL STUDY OF CHILEAN SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES
AUTHORS: Elizabeth Grandon, Southern Illinois University, USA
John M. Pearson, Southern Illinois University, USA
By combining two independent research streams, we attempt to identify specific
relationships between a manager’s perceptions of the strategic value of e-commerce and
the variables that may influence its adoption. Eighty-three top managers/owners of small
and medium size companies in Chile participated in the study. The results corroborate
previous theory that posits several factors as determinants of the strategic value of ecommerce
in other information technologies as well as factors that may influence ecommerce
adoption. In addition, we found a significant relationship between the strategic
value of e-commerce and e-commerce adoption. Factor analysis was conducted in order
to test the measurement model while canonical analysis was employed to test the
structured model.
A FRAMEWORK FOR ASSESSING E-COMMERCE IN SUB-SAHARAN
AFRICA
AUTHORS: Chitu Okoli, Concordia University, Canada
Victor A. W. Mbarika, Louisiana State University, USA
Sub-Saharan countries are experiencing tremendous growth in Internet connectivity, the
use of computers, and in the diffusion of wireless communications. Electronic commerce
is one of the growth areas for information and communication technologies (ICTs) in
Africa. This paper presents a research framework for assessing electronic commerce in
Sub-Saharan Africa. It describes the nature of the digital divide, and explains the need for
the commercial applications of the Internet in developing countries in general. Further, it
presents literature on e-commerce frameworks, ICT diffusion, and ICTs in developing
countries that shed light on different aspects of e-commerce in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Finally, it proposes a consolidating framework that synthesizes these various literature
streams and lays groundwork for a focused body of research in this area.
E-COMMERCE ADOPTION IN THAILAND: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF
SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES)
AUTHORS: Chalermsak Lertwongsatien, Ministry of Finance, Thailand
Nitaya Wongpinunwatana, Thammasat University, Thailand
Thailand has initiated and implemented a series of national plans and activities to
promote e-commerce adoption in both public and private sectors. Despite such efforts, ecommerce
adoption rate is still slow. It is important to understand factors affecting a
firm’s decision on e-commerce adoption in Thailand. This study examines the factors
influencing e-commerce adoption decisions in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in
Thailand. We classify firms into three main groups based on the earliness of e-commerce
adoption, namely adopters, prospectors, and laggards. Three groups of factors
influencing adoption decisions are identified, including organizational, technology, and
environmental factors. Data was collected through a national survey. The statistical
analysis results strongly support the hypotheses.
JGITM – Q4, 2003 Contents (Volume 6, Number 4)
EDITORIAL PREFACE: UBIQUITOUS COMPUTING IN THE MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISE
AUTHOR: Edward M. Roche, Long Island University, New York
New developments in ICT and MNCs are discussed. Based on these developments, the
author provides a few implications and provokes a few arguments. Arguments include:
infrastructure is irrelevant, information ecology not ‘atomism', traditional organizational
views worthless, old measures of value irrelevant, and collaborative performance metrics
replace individual.
ARTICLES:
EXPLORING DIFFERENCES IN INTERNET ADOPTION AND USAGE
BETWEEN HISTORICALLY ADVANTAGED AND DISADVANTAGED
GROUPS IN SOUTH AFRICA
AUTHORS: Irwin Brown and Paul Licker
Theories of technology adoption and usage behaviour have generally been crafted and
tested in developed countries. This study therefore aimed to extend knowledge by
examining Internet adoption and usage behaviour in a developing country (South Africa).
Differences in Internet adoption between those from a group previously advantaged by
apartheid and those from a group previously disadvantaged were specifically examined.
For the previously advantaged, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Enjoyment, and Longterm
Consequences of Use were found to influence Internet adoption. For the previously
disadvantaged, the main influence was Perceived Usefulness, with Perceived Ease of Use
having an indirect effect through Perceived Usefulness. The implications of these
findings in respect of the digital divide are discussed.
KEY ISSUES IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT: A
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ACADEMICS AND PRACTITIONERS IN
THAILAND
AUTHORS: Daranee Pimchangthong, Michel Plaisent, and Prosper Bernard
This study was designed to examine the information systems (IS) key issues in Thailand
by comparing IS academics and practitioners within the country, and by comparing
Thailand as a whole with other developed and developing countries. The Q-Sort method,
a ranking technique, was used to rank the IS key issues. The findings show that the issue
of building information technology (IT) infrastructure was projected to be the top issue
over the next three to five years in Thailand. The importance ranking of IS key issues in
Thailand was similar to the studies from developed countries but different than the
studies from developing countries. There was a significant difference in the importance
rankings of IS key issues between academics and practitioners in Thailand.
PUBLIC IT POLICIES IN LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: A CRITICAL
ASSESSMENT OF THE LITERATURE AND A REFERENCE FRAMWORK
AUTHORS: Ricardo M. Checchi, J.J. Po-An Hsieh, and Detmar W. Straub
How well do extant diffusion models originating in developed countries explain adoption
of IT in less developed countries? What is the literature with respect to public IT
policies? The authors explore the literature on public IT policies to answer these
questions. Findings indicate that, due to differences in environmental factors, existing
models may not be applicable to less developed countries without consideration of
structural differences between developed countries and less developed countries. Within
extant studies of public IT policies, this article identifies typical research characteristics –
e.g., case study methodologies, single country selection, single project scope, and little
theory development. Finally, an integrative framework for the rationalization of existing
models is proposed.
THE EXPERT OPINION
An Interview with Leonard Brody, CEO and Chairman
of Ipreo, conducted by Mahesh S. Raisinghani, University of Dallas.
Leonard Brody is recognized as one of Canada's young entrepreneurial leaders. He is
currently CEO and Chairman of Ipreo, a new private equity research company which
assists the financial community in pricing and valuing private companies. Trends in ebusiness
and strategies at Ipreo are discussed.
BOOK REVIEW: COMPETITION AND COOPERATION IN TAIWAN’S
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY: INTER-FIRM NETWORKS
AND INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING, by Teresa Shuk-ching Poon.
Review written by Roberto Vinaja, Texas A&M-Commerce University.
This book studies the role of inter-organizational networks in the development and
upgrading of the IT industry in Taiwan, by applying the global commodity chains
theoretical framework. The author also examines the topic within the context of the
emerging global IT trends.
