JGITM - Q1, 2001 Contents (Volume 4, No. 1)
EDITORIAL PREFACE
AUTHOR : Steven John Simon
Global electronic commerce holds the promise of exponential growth and opportunities for businesses to expand their markets. eMarketer expects B2C to grow approximately 1200% between 1998 and 2003, while B2B is expected to grow 12000% during the same period. The greatest expansion in electronic business is expected in the developing regions of Asia and Latin America which is projected to garner 35% of electronic commerce by 2003 (www.emarketer.com). Electronic commerce holds the greatest promise when applied to specific industry groups. The group that has the greatest potential impact for growth via EC is the service sector. This editorial reviews the impact of global electronic business on the trade in services.
ARTICLES
CRITICAL ISSUES OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT IN KUWAIT
AUTHOR: Abdulridha Alshawaf, College of Administrative Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait, alshawaf@cas.kuniv.edu.kw
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate IS managers' perceptions of the IS management issues in Kuwait, in particular, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The opinions of the highest ranked executives or managers for the IS functions are solicited for a sample of Kuwaiti organizations. The results indicate that IS managers are equally concerned with managerial and technology related issues. The overriding priorities are strongly related to the general category of information infrastructure issues. The responding organizations tended to perceive most of the issues more as opportunities rather than problems. A comparative analysis reveals some similarities and differences in the type and ranking of the key issues between Kuwait and the U.S. Moreover, substantial differences exist in this study's key issue framework compared to that of the GCC study that was conducted a decade ago. Thus, the challenge facing these countries is not so much a lack of IT resources, but how to manage, deploy, and leverage these resources to get optimal utilization.
AN EMPIRICAL EVALUATION OF ORGANIZATIONAL MEDIA USE IN SINGAPORE.
AUTHORS: Laku Chidambaram, University of Oklahoma, Michael F. Price College of Business, John Lim, National University of Singapore, Hock Chuan Chan, National University of Singapore, Kyung-Il Han, Indiana University.
ABSTRACT: This paper reports on the organizational and individual determinants of media use in Singaporean organizations. While past research on media use has focused on matching a particular medium with a particular type of task, the current study proposes a media coexistence approach. This approach suggests that different media have, at the same time, both unique attributes and similarities. Data was collected using a survey from 151 respondents working in a variety of organizations located in Singapore. The results suggest that media use is multidimensional and not nearly as dichotomous as media richness theory suggests. The media coexistence approach provides a contingency view of media use wherein different media can, depending on individual and organizational factors, serve as substitutes for and complements of each other. The results also highlight the predominance of traditional media in some organizational contexts, even in a high-tech city-state such as Singapore. The implications of these results for practice and research are discussed.
USING GROUNDED THEORY WITH TECHNOLOGY CASES: DISTILLING CRITICAL THEORY FROM A MULTINATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
AUTHOR: Hans Lehmann, University of Auckland, Department of Management Science and Information Systems.
ABSTRACT: Research into international information systems (IIS) is still a minority area in IS research and there is very little of use as a theoretical framework for researching them. Qualitative, theory building research is needed and grounded theory methods would be the most appropriate. However, grounded theory is a homocentric research method and IIS cases are a hybrid of human, social/organisational and technological case elements. To overcome this discrepancy, an amalgamation of Case study and Grounded Theory methods (CGT) is suggested and demonstrated on the case of a multinational IIS development project.
THE EXPERT OPINION
An Interview with Ms. Ellen M. Knapp Vice Chairman and Global Chief Information Officer (CIO), PricewaterhouseCoopers. The interview was conducted by Jaak Jurison, Fordham University, New York, NY, USA. The interview discussed PricewaterhouseCoopers' business and its global operations.
THE BOOK REVIEW
Written by Mahesh S. Raisinghani, University of Dallas.
He reviews The Invisible Continent: Four Strategic Imperatives of the New Economy. Kenichi Ohmae. Publisher of the book: HarperBusiness, USA, July 2000. In this book Ohmae charts a course for the coming economic revolution Looking at today's hottest industries--from e-commerce and telecommunications to technology and financial markets, he points out that this new economic order will offer both opportunities and pitfalls comparable to the discovery of a new "invisible" continent. He emphasizes that this new global economy is increasingly driven by the complex interplay of four "dimensions" which companies must master in order to make a stake or effectively regulate the "invisible" continent.
JGITM - Q2, 2001 Contents (Volum 4, Number 2)
EDITORIAL PREFACE
REALITY CHECK. by Editor-in-Chief Prashant C. Palvia
The editor examines the mission, scope and objectives of the journal and conducts a meta analysis of articles published in JGITM to date. Based on this assessment, the journal is meeting its objectives of international content, international authors, international readership and international editorial board. The journal also encourages a variety of methodological approaches for research.
ARTICLES
BUSINESS PRACTICES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB: A COMPARISON OF JAPANESE AND U.S. WEB SITES
AUTHORS : Toru Sakaguchi, Northern Kentucky University, Prashant C. Palvia, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Brian D. Janz, The University of Memphis.
ABSTRACT: Rapid developments in the area of telecommunications and information technologies have brought about dramatic changes in the way organizations conduct business. Among the most prominent of these developments is the World Wide Web (WWW or "web") and its impact on how business - in this case, electronic commerce (EC) - is conducted. One question that arises is: Is the web's impact on electronic commerce uniform around the world? This paper reports on a research study that sought insight into this question by comparing the web-based business practices of both Japanese and the U.S. The results of content analysis and statistical data analysis provide support for country differences between Japan and the U.S. on several web site characteristics.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE DIFFUSION OF IT WITHIN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED FIRMS IN INDONESIA
AUTHORS : Hargo Utomo, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia, and Mark Dodgson, The Australian National University
ABSTRACT: This paper investigates factors contributing to the diffusion and adoption of IT within small and medium-sized firms in Indonesia. Multiple case studies were used to answer the research questions. Based on the exploratory study, it is believed that internal innovative capabilities of firms have a prominent role in facilitating IT diffusion. This factor is made up of three proxy variables: level of IT knowledge, level of IT investment and coherent IT strategy reflecting the circumstances by which small and medium-sized firms are able to respond to possible technological changes. The existence of government support and industry-academia linkages is also a contributing factor to the diffusion and adoption of IT in firms.
THE INFLUENCE OF ENTERPRISE STRUCTURE AND STRATEGY ON THE LEVEL OF E-COMMERCE DEPLOYMENT IN SINGAPORE ENTERPRISES
AUTHORS:Uchenna Cyril Eze, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and Kam Tin Seong, Nanyang Technological University
ABSTRACT: We develop a theoretical framework to explain the level of e-commerce deployment in enterprises. Factors considered include enterprise structure factors (size, functional differentiation, centralization), and enterprise strategic factors (aggressiveness, proactiveness, risk seeking). We used three dependent variables to assess the level of e-commerce deployment (volume, diversity, and sophistication). We analyzed 90 responses from a survey of 250 e-commerce users. The results indicate that enterprise size explained much of the level of e-commerce deployment in enterprises, suggesting that the level of e-commerce deployment is partly a matter of resource availability and transaction volume. The results also indicate that aggressiveness, proactiveness and risk seeking orientation influence the level of e-commerce deployment in Singapore. Functional differentiation affects e-commerce diversity and e-commerce sophistication.
THE EXPERT OPINION
An Interview with Daniel E. Klingler, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Information & Knowledge Management, Bristol-Myers Squibb Worldwide Medicines Group. The interview was conducted by Christine V. Bullen, Fordham University, New York, USA. The interview discusses Bristol-Myers Squibb's strategies and challenges in the application of information technology in its global operations.
THE BOOK REVIEW
He reviews "Information Technology in Multinational Enterprises" edited by Edward Mozley Roche and Michael James Blaine, Edward Elgar Publishing, UK & USA. The book provides the current state of international business and information systems research, and the strategic role of information technology (IT) in the conduct of international business.
JGITM - Q3, 2001 Contents (Volume 4, Number 3)
EDITORIAL PREFACE
DIGITAL DIVIDE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. by Ming-te Lu, Global Associate Editor, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
The Associate Editor examines the Digital Divide between developed and developing countries in terms of disparities in opportunity to access the Internet and the information and educational/business opportunities tied to this access.
ARTICLES
GLOBAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: A FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS:
AUTHORS : Mary Helen Fagan, University of Texas at Tyler, USA.
ABSTRACT: Effective application of information technology (IT) is considered a requirement for organizations that wish to compete in the global marketplace of the future. However, a review of IT transfer research finds that few models incorporate the factors which research indicates are critical to global IT transfer success. This article develops a framework that categorizes global IT transfers based on their scope (intra-organizational vs. inter-organizational) and connectivity (standalone vs. networked). Then this global IT transfer framework is used to compare and contrast global IT applications, to classify global IT research literature, and to identify some factors that could be incorporated into existing IT theories and models to ensure that their conclusions are valid for global applications. Finally, specific suggestions are given for future research in global IT transfer.
INFORMATION SHARING IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN SYSTEMS
AUTHORS : Barry Shore, University of New Hampshire, USA
ABSTRACT : With increasing frequency the effective management and coordination of supply chains requires the sharing of a wide range of data. But the challenge, both technically and socially, to share information increases when customers and suppliers are spread throughout the geographic regions of the world. It is this challenge that is addressed here. First a conceptual framework is built. This framework classifies the stages of information sharing within a supply chain and proposes seven variables that affect the flow of information between customers and their suppliers. These variables include industry, market and competitive environment, national culture, corporate IT culture, size, IT infrastructure, and country IT support. The results are generalized and summarized in a Supply Chain IT Linkage Capability Model. Case studies of four organizations are presented and analyzed to validate the role of these variables in data sharing strategies. The paper concludes with several implications for global information technology supply chain management systems.
IT PLANNING EFFECTIVENESS IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY
AUTHORS: Adel M. Aladwani, Kuwait University, Kuwait
ABSTRACT: This paper sheds light on information technology planning in a developing country. Specifically, it examines the influence of some contextual factors on information technology planning effectiveness in Kuwait. Our analysis reveals some expected results and a few unexpected findings. Consistent with past information technology planning research, we found that management involvement, informed information technology management, and liberal government policies are related positively to information technology planning effectiveness. Inconsistent with previous research and with our postulation, we found no support for a positive relationship between information technology penetration, user involvement, and adequacy of financial resources and information technology planning effectiveness. A discussion of these results in light of the cultural differences between developed and developing countries and suggestions for practice and future research are advanced.
THE EXPERT OPINION
An Interview with Abha Kumar, Business Technology Director and VP Technology, Dow Jones & Company. Interview was conducted by Aditya Haharia, Fordham University, New York, USA. The interview discusses the strategies and problems in the application of Information Technology in the global operations of Dow Jones & Company.
THE BOOK REVIEW
Written by Edward M. Roche. He reviews Place to Space: Migrating to eBusiness Models, by Peter Weill and Michael R. Vitale. The book provides several atomic eBusiness models and creates more comprehensive eBusiness models, and provides strategies for companies in this new environment.
JGITM - Q4, 2001 Contents
EDITORIAL PREFACE:
E-EDUCATION – IS IT TRULY A GLOBAL PHENOMENON? SHOULD IT BE? (By Celia Romm, Global Associate Editor)
The Global Associate Editor explores the issues in the use of e-education for improving the quality of education in developing countries. She addresses the question: Is e-learning truly the “silver bullet” that can enable universities in the West to spread their knowledge and expertise globally.
THE INTERNET AND EMERGING E-COMMERCE: CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA (By: William K. Darley, University of Toledo, Ohio)
ABSTRACT: As businesses move to establish closer links in the global marketplace with their stakeholders via the Internet, a new set of requirements and demands are being placed on managers everywhere, especially in the sub-Saharan African region. This paper examines the Internet environment in sub-Saharan Africa and presents challenges and implications of the Internet and emerging e-commerce for sub-Saharan Africa’s managers. It explores how the emerging global information infrastructure should be levered to shape managerial initiatives. Among the suggestions for management are: lobbying governments to adopt favorable policies, promoting an understanding of the Internet and its potential uses and/or benefits, formulating and articulating an Internet strategy, forming strategic alliances for Internet cost savings and access, and using the Internet as a catalyst in marketing and commercial efforts.
TRANSFORMING MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE IN GLOBAL CONTEXT : A CASE STUDY OF THE DIALECTICS OF SOCIAL CHANGE (By: Daniel Robey, Georgia State University and Jonny Holmström, The Viktoria Institute, Göteborg)
ABSTRACT: This paper presents a social analysis of the development and use of IT to support governance in the municipal organization of Umeå, Sweden. The technology was intended to monitor and scrutinize organizational activities by paying closer attention to resources required for public programs. Through its use, municipal managers hoped to increase the visibility of the economic consequences of decisions to fund particular social programs. We analyze the implementation of the system at the organizational and institutional levels of social analyses. Employing a dialectic approach, we explain how the tool was easily implemented in the organization but opposed by the community’s citizens. Although the information system reinforced a new economic discourse and helped to make organizational members more accountable for their actions, the citizens protested the effects of the new economic discourse.
TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS : AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION (By: Myun Joong Cheon, University of Ulsan, Korea, Antonis C. Stylianou, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA)
ABSTRACT: In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in improving the quality of information systems (IS). Past literature includes several conceptual frameworks and models applying TQM and other quality methodologies. In addition, case studies describing the experiences of individual companies have been published. Empirical evidence, however, on the effectiveness of TQM programs in the IS area is sparse. This paper attempts to provide a benchmark of current TQM practices for IS. A detailed analysis of survey responses from 142 Korean companies indicates the awareness, usage, length of experience, and the extent of top management support for IS TQM programs. The study also provides information on the realized benefits from TQM and tests their relationship to the implemented TQM principles. The relationship between the extent of top management support and the realized benefits from TQM in IS is also tested. Global applicability and implications are discussed.
THE EXPERT OPINION
An Interview with Brian M. Aubin, IBM mid-Atlantic Services leader The interview gives an inside look at electronic business in today’s market. The e-business environment, challenges, and strategies are discussed. Also included are issues related to supply chain management and customer relationship management
THE BOOK REVIEW
Written by Mahesh S. Raisinghani. He reviews the 2002 book “Global Information Technology and Electronic Commerce: Isssues for the New Millenium”, by Prashant C. Palvia, Shailendra C. Palvia, and Edward M. Roche. The book discuses the state of the art in global IT/e-commerce in different countries and regions, and provides strategies and principles for global IT management.
