For the last four decades, the alignment of strategy and digital technology has persisted as one of the most critical and bothersome issues for senior government executives…
Abstract
For the last four decades, the alignment of strategy and digital technology has persisted as one of the most critical and bothersome issues for senior government executives. Against this backdrop and drawing on the fruits of an extended program of collaborative research between 1995 and 2020, this chapter draws attention to how government organizations foster effective alignment and how this is achieved through four distinct cycles of alignment work. Considering that this work is heavily people- and organization-centric, the chapter calls for greater involvement of organization development and change scholars and practitioners in this important area of organizational life and work.
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David Coghlan and Joe McDonagh
Since the 1950s the process of information technology (IT) related change in organizations has been problematic regularly resulting in reports of persistent underperformance and…
Abstract
Since the 1950s the process of information technology (IT) related change in organizations has been problematic regularly resulting in reports of persistent underperformance and failure, a situation well supported by empirical research. On closer inquiry it emerges that this plight is a product of the behavioural patterns of both the executive and IT occupational communities with their respective economic and technical mindsets. This article not only makes explicit the plight with IT related change and its behavioural underpinnings but also establishes the role of clinical inquiry, as an action research form of organization development, in fostering a more systemic approach to change. The article makes explicit the dual roles of organizational scientists in this domain which involves simultaneously attending to effective social action and the development of robust social theory.
Rebecca Hill, Paul Beynon‐Davies and Michael D. Williams
This paper seeks to describe a deep investigation of the phenomenon of internet engagement amongst older people. The likelihood of internet engagement has been shown in previous…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to describe a deep investigation of the phenomenon of internet engagement amongst older people. The likelihood of internet engagement has been shown in previous work to rapidly decrease with age, and patterns of disengagement are most pronounced amongst older people.
Design/methodology/approach
The study comprises a qualitative investigation consisting of observation and interviews conducted within a programme of internet literacy workshops funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Findings
The reflection of previous research with data collected has led to the development of a model of older people's internet engagement. This model helps us better understand the context for patterns of engagement and disengagement with the internet.
Practical implications
The model of internet engagement is used to highlight a number of strategies that should be considered in future policy intervention in the area of digital inclusion.
Originality/value
The model described offers a more sophisticated instrument for understanding the issue of the digital divide amongst this excluded group and potentially may be applied more generally in understanding the complex nature of this issue.
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This paper aims to combine several modes of thought based on systems organization and observing systems in order to construct a model for a “designerly way of thinking”.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to combine several modes of thought based on systems organization and observing systems in order to construct a model for a “designerly way of thinking”.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach is to regard design as a “groundless field of knowledge” that may source methodological insights from cybernetics, systems theory, cognitive studies and complexity theory, among others.
Findings
The focus of this research is to model an adaptive frame‐of‐reference that design students may use in order to construct their own autopoietic identity systems. The semantic question “How does a student obtain information about design?” is changed to a structural question “How could students acquire a structure enabling them to operate innovatively in a modern design environment?” With the backing of cybernetic principles, it is apparent that this process is not only feasible but also preferable.
Practical implications
While the practical use that can be made of any design theory is not within the remit of this paper, it is nonetheless the goal of theory to enhance the individual's analytical and communicative skills.
Originality/value
This paper suggests an autopoietic model‐for‐becoming that can have the virtual potential of bringing one to understand the grey areas of human‐object relationships.
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K.I. Arshak, D. McDonagh, B.P. Mathur and A. Arshak
In this paper, simulation of topography effects in photolithography is examined using the two‐dimensional PC based simulator called SLITS (Simulation of Lithography on Topographic…
Abstract
In this paper, simulation of topography effects in photolithography is examined using the two‐dimensional PC based simulator called SLITS (Simulation of Lithography on Topographic Substrates). This program uses FEA software (in‐house written) to solve wave propagation in a photoresist layer and a modified String Algorithm for photoresist development. The simulated results illustrates the effect of topography on the latent and relief images.
K. Arshak, A. Arshak, E. Jafer, D. Waldern and J. Harris
To develop a wireless sensor micro‐systems containing all the components of data acquisition system, such as sensors, signal‐conditioning circuits, analog‐digital converter…
Abstract
Purpose
To develop a wireless sensor micro‐systems containing all the components of data acquisition system, such as sensors, signal‐conditioning circuits, analog‐digital converter, embedded microcontroller unit (MCU), and RF communication modules. This has now become the focus of attention in many biomedical applications.
Design/methodology/approach
The system prototype consists of miniature FSK transceiver integrated with MCU in one small package, chip antenna, and capacitive interface circuitry based on Delta‐sigma modulator. At the base station side, an FSK receiver/transmitter is connected to another MCU unit, which send the received data or received instructions from a PC through a graphical user interface GUI. Industrial, scientific and medical band RF (433 MHz) was used to achieve half duplex communication between the two sides. A digital filtering has been used in the capacitive interface to reduce noise effects forming capacitance to digital converter. All the modules of the mixed signal system are integrated in a printed circuit board of size 22.46 × 20.168 mm.
Findings
An innovation circuits and system techniques for building advanced smart medical devices have been discussed. Low‐power consumption and high reliability are among the main criteria that must be given priority when designing such wirelessly powered microsystems. Switched capacitors readout circuits have been found to be suitable for pressure sensing low‐power applications.
Research limitations/implications
The presented wireless prototype needs a second phase of development that will lead to a further reduction in both size and power consumption. Currently, the main limitation of the RF system is the number of working hours according to the selected battery.
Practical implications
The developed system was found to be useful in terms of measuring pressure and temperature in a system of either slow or fast physical change. It would be a good idea to explore the system performance in human or animal trials.
Originality/value
This paper fulfils useful information for capacitive interface circuitries and presents a new short‐range wireless system that has different design features.
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Eric J. Arnould and Craig J. Thompson
This paper reflects on the development of Consumer Culture Theory, both as a field of research and as an institutional classification, since the publication of Arnould and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reflects on the development of Consumer Culture Theory, both as a field of research and as an institutional classification, since the publication of Arnould and Thompson (2005).
Methodology/approach
This paper takes a conceptual/historical orientation that is based upon the authors’ experiences over the course of the 10-year CCT initiative (including numerous conversations with fellow CCT colleagues).
Findings
The authors first discuss key benchmarks in the development of the CCT community as an organization. Next, the authors highlight key intellectual trends in CCT research that have arisen since the publication of their 2005 review and discuss their implications for the future trajectories of CCT research.
Originality/value
The paper by Arnould and Thompson (2005) has proven to be influential in terms of systematizing and placing a widely accepted disciplinary brand upon an extensive body of culturally oriented consumer research. The CCT designation has also provided an important impetus for institution building. The 10-year anniversary of this article (and not incidentally the CCT conference from which the papers in this volume hail) provides a unique opportunity for the authors to comment upon the broader ramifications of their original proposals.
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Pang‐Lo Liu and Chih‐Hung Tsai
This study aims to probe into the influence of new product design and new product development process management on development performance. The research finding demonstrates that…
Abstract
This study aims to probe into the influence of new product design and new product development process management on development performance. The research finding demonstrates that product design reveals positive and significant influence on new product development performance. Through statistical analysis, this study finds that companies in Taiwan value new product design. When companies value it more, they tend to have better new product development performance. With regard to the relation between new product development process management and new product development performance, the empirical results demonstrate that companies would pay more attention on new product development process management. With regard to new product idea and assessment, concept design and development, product function test and mass production in the market, through statistical analysis, this study finds that companies that value process management of new product development tend to have better new product development performance. As to the influence of new product design and new product process management on new product development performance, statistical analysis result demonstrates that the integration between new product design valued by companies in Taiwan and development process management would lead to significantly positive influence on new product development performance of the companies.
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The COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns forced us all to spend more time online. This chapter compares in-person and online community building as a business support tool for…
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and global lockdowns forced us all to spend more time online. This chapter compares in-person and online community building as a business support tool for women creative entrepreneurs. Four cycles of action research collected qualitative data and tested different iterations of a peer-coaching training programme, with two cycles held in person pre-pandemic and two held online peri-pandemic. Communities were created during the structured sessions and benefits are considered in the context of social capital generation. The affordability and accessibility of in-person and online support is also assessed. Results show online participants developed close bonds and rapport with their new community as quickly as participants at in-person sessions. These relationships were long-lasting, with several groups continuing to meet months after the study ended. The peer-coaching training approach provided a low-cost option for business support and the move to online increased accessibility. Putnam’s theory of bridging social capital explains why community building between diverse individuals is useful for entrepreneurs, as it introduces new perspectives and expands connections. Participants found underlying commonalities in their personal values and entrepreneurial experiences, which helped them build these connections. This study presents a comparison between the in-person and online sessions and proposes that online structured peer-coaching sessions can provide business support to women creative entrepreneurs by helping them increase their social capital.
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Sumita Mishra and Rabi N. Subudhi
The introductory paper begins with the issue about the relevance of research in management. It emphasizes the need for scholars to adopt methodologies best suited to the research…
Abstract
The introductory paper begins with the issue about the relevance of research in management. It emphasizes the need for scholars to adopt methodologies best suited to the research problem of their choice. This paper contains sections on the nature of management research, dominant research paradigms, the methodological domain, quantitative versus qualitative research, and triangulation in using multiple methodologies. The paper provides a background to the purpose of the book and summarizes in brief the purpose of each the subsequent papers.