Tony Elliman and Graham Orange
This paper reviews the changing nature of construction design and the potential for e‐procurement to respond to these changes. With the emphasis shifting from supply‐driven to…
Abstract
This paper reviews the changing nature of construction design and the potential for e‐procurement to respond to these changes. With the emphasis shifting from supply‐driven to demand‐driven product design the trading relationships within the industry must become more complex. This paper hypothesizes an electronic market in design and supply capability to exploit distributed design knowledge within the supply chain. In their current form, e‐commerce and brokering systems are too immature to support such relationships, but many elements of a technical solution are available. However, how they will reshape working practices is uncertain and this poses architectural and human organization problems for information systems (IS) developers. They must anticipate and address changes in working practices across a whole group of industries competing within a complex market place. We postulate a development approach that uses simulation models supported by soft systems methods to explore these process re‐engineering options and human issues. The simulation of new business processes, combined with prototype IS designs, offers a powerful mechanism for evaluating the effects of proposed architectures for “design transactions” in e‐procurement. The open learning that occurs in simulation experiments is also a key element in helping the management of the individual organizations in understanding how to shape their particular contribution to the new collaborative process. A major barrier to enhancing construction industry performance in this way is the defensive nature of existing contracts and lack of trust between parties; we therefore propose the use of COLA process in parallel with the simulation work to engender trust and improved working relationships between the collaborating organizations.
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Allegations of excessive force in policing have been cited as one of the most frequent claims filed against the police in arrest situations. The United States Supreme Court in …
Abstract
Allegations of excessive force in policing have been cited as one of the most frequent claims filed against the police in arrest situations. The United States Supreme Court in Graham v. Connor (1989) determined that “objective reasonableness” is the Fourth Amendment standard to be used in evaluating claims of excessive force. This paper analyzes the patterns of lower federal court decisions in 1,200 published Section 1983 cases decided from 1989 to 1999. The assessment examines how these courts have applied and interpreted the standard in four categories involving force. Policy and training issues are discussed and future research concerns are presented.
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The purpose of this paper is to overview key features of grid portals and e‐government portals and assess the potential for using features of the former in the latter. In the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to overview key features of grid portals and e‐government portals and assess the potential for using features of the former in the latter. In the context of this paper, grid portals are defined as graphical user interfaces that a user employs to interact with one or more grid infrastructural resources.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper classifies grid portals in five categories and two development frameworks and based on this classification overviews ten existing grid portals. The overview covers, where possible, the developers, the objective, the implementation, and the features of the considered grid portals. For e‐government, the paper focuses on the overview of a typical e‐government portal and best design practices. Based on the overview of grid portals and the typical e‐government portal, the paper assesses the potential benefit of grid portals in meeting the critical success factors for e‐government identified as: integration, knowledge management, personalization, and customer engagement. The results are tabulated, analysed, and discussed.
Findings
Many of the features of existing grid portals have the potential to be used within an e‐government portal, but the lack of any in‐depth study of the nature of the e‐government application domain (from a technical and social perspective) in‐line with grid development makes this potential far from reachable at this stage. This is disappointing but does highlight opportunities.
Practical implications
This paper motivates a greater in‐depth analysis and study of the potential use of the grid for e‐government. The grid infrastructure promises solutions to various applications domains including e‐government.
Originality/value
This paper explored the potential of a technology infrastructure for e‐government. This exploration is based on a novel dual overview and evaluation of the technology and the application domain. The paper can be a basis and a reference for further research in different areas including, among others: technology infrastructures for e‐government, grid development for various application domains, benchmarking of grid utility and usability for various application domains, grid gateways, and emerging technologies to meet the critical success factors for e‐government.
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Tony Elliman and Graham Orange
Looks at the changing nature of the construction supply industry and the role of electronic commerce in the evolved market. With the emphasis shifting from supply‐ to…
Abstract
Looks at the changing nature of the construction supply industry and the role of electronic commerce in the evolved market. With the emphasis shifting from supply‐ to demand‐driven product design, the trading relationships become more complex. In their current form, electronic commerce and brokering systems are too immature to support such relationships. Proposes an electronic market in design and supply capability that spans the supply chain and discusses some of the research issues raised by such a prospect. Many elements of a technical solution are available. The research must address significant changes in working practices and soft systems methods addressing human issues, which are more important than technological design. Exploration of business process re‐engineering options using simulation models is another important aspect of the work. Although the target area is the construction industry, many of the issues which will need to be explored are relevant for other sectors moving to adopt open networked solutions.
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The purpose of this paper is to clearly identify a problem area in participation and indicate the potential for technology and eParticipation research as a response to the problem.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to clearly identify a problem area in participation and indicate the potential for technology and eParticipation research as a response to the problem.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach taken within the paper is to develop a hypothetical argument illustrating deficiencies in the current UK approach to public participation and the use of expert evidence in consultation processes. The argument is developed using traffic analysis as an exemplar of such expert input to planning enquiries.
Findings
The literature indicates the current confrontation needs to be replaced by a process that supports informative communication and learning; treats citizens fairly and empowers them to have genuine impact on the decisions. Based on the hypothesis that the capability to re‐organise and present the same data in different forms and contexts enables information technology (IT) to bridge gap between different stakeholder groups the paper proposes the development of a collaborative approach to traffic assessment.
Practical implications
Such an enhanced process with appropriate IT support – SIRTASS – will enable planning activities achieve better decisions with greater community and citizen acceptance. If applied as a general approach there is the potential to significantly improve the speed and quality of the current UK system.
Originality/value
This paper is part of the debate about lack of participation and points to a particular area where research could make a significant contribution.
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Graham Orange, Tony Elliman, Ah Lian Kor and Rana Tassabehji
The purpose of this paper is to propose a more realistic view of innovation in local government. A key element in this is the notion of innovation value based on people, processes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a more realistic view of innovation in local government. A key element in this is the notion of innovation value based on people, processes and technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The objectives are achieved by reviewing the background literature, a recent study of eGoverment achievement in the UK – VIEGO, and government assessments of innovation in both the EU and the UK. Some empirical evidence of the inherent complexity is also used.
Findings
Extant models of innovation tend to focus on the private sector values and their transfer to the public sector is questionable. This with combined with a weak approach to evaluation leaves local government vulnerable.
Originality/value
The political rhetoric that accompanied the introduction of eGovernment expected it to produce innovation in the way government agencies conducted themselves. It is assumed that this innovation is both “good” and inevitable. This paper challenges these simplistic assumptions and proposes a more realistic view.
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Dolores Sánchez Bengoa, Hans Rüdiger Kaufmann and Graham Orange
In order to win the global race for innovation as a source for competitive advantage, many companies enter into any kind of business co‐operation. Beyond intending to grow merely…
Abstract
Purpose
In order to win the global race for innovation as a source for competitive advantage, many companies enter into any kind of business co‐operation. Beyond intending to grow merely quantitatively, co‐operation partners should target to commonly create new knowledge and to transfer knowledge as a basis for qualitative growth. This apparent deficiency of practitioners is compounded by a lack of theory and empirical research on intercultural knowledge transfer. This task becomes even more daunting, when co‐operation partners transcend borders, and the knowledge transfer process becomes impacted by national cultures. This paper aims to present empirical research that illuminates the effects which national cultures have on the transfer of knowledge between Central/Eastern Europe (CEE) using Russia as a case study, and Western European partners.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper applies a phenomenological approach applying grounded theory for data generation and analysis. The research method is a case study, and as research techniques 11 interviews with senior Russian managers and academics were conducted and three participant observation events in Russian settings were chosen. The researchers applied a fundamental shift from a mere comparative study of cultural differences to the study of interactions.
Findings
This stage of the research presents a reflection on Eastern perceptions on Western knowledge transfer methodologies related mainly to the content of the knowledge as well as the attitudes when transferring knowledge. In addition, a self‐reflection on the characteristics of the Russian knowledge receivers is provided.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations of this research refer to a lack of differentiation as to ownership, type of co‐operation, company size or industry type. It has to be underlined that the focus of the research was to concentrate on the holistic problems that were not sufficiently addressed in previous research. On this basis more specific and differentiated further research can be conducted.
Originality/value
This research aimed to develop an understanding of why Eastern and Western European partners experience different barriers when transferring and receiving knowledge and provides recommendations to overcome the barriers. It facilitates an understanding of the feelings and obstacles in the learning process between Russian and Western European partners serving as a reflective and eye‐opening starting point for urgently required theory generation and change of attitudes. The paper contributes to the development of a coherent body of knowledge in the field. Contemporary authors criticise the lack of research on a dyadic level and theory on intercultural knowledge transfer. This research addresses these shortcomings by having selected respondents that are currently involved in Eastern/Western co‐operations and by comparing Eastern and Western perspectives at a later research stage.
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Russell Lock, Tim Storer, Natalie Harvey, Conrad Hughes and Ian Sommerville
The purpose of this paper is to provide an observational examination of the recent Scottish elections, within which an e‐counting system was employed to manage the increased…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an observational examination of the recent Scottish elections, within which an e‐counting system was employed to manage the increased complexity of the Scottish electoral system for the first time.
Design/methodology/approach
Observations of an ethnographic nature, supplemented by written documentation used for both training and public consumption during the Scottish election process.
Findings
It was found that the voting system for the Scottish elections had not received sufficient review or testing prior to the election; further that the design choices imposed by the DRS software did not support the actions of its users efficiently enough, or justify confidence in the dependability of the system.
Practical implications
That the deployment of e‐counting systems requires careful consideration; many of the issues raised in this paper are similar to those of the official Scottish Elections Review, to which our team provided input.
Originality/value
The Scottish elections were the first to allow members of the public to register as election observers, accredited by the Electoral Commission. As such, the Scottish elections represented the first large‐scale opportunity to observe such processes for the academic community.
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Yousef Elsheikh, Andrea Cullen and Dave Hobbs
The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges encountered in e‐government implementation, as well as the potential opportunities available in the context of Jordanian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges encountered in e‐government implementation, as well as the potential opportunities available in the context of Jordanian society.
Design/methodology/approach
A detailed examination and analysis of Jordan's published e‐government vision and strategy is presented, together with a review of other relevant literature.
Findings
The findings and implications of this study reveal Jordan is still lagging behind in utilising information and communication technologies for delivering government services online.
Practical implications
An understanding of the current status of e‐government in Jordan can help policy makers in the country pursue development of the public sector organisations on the one hand, and would be of importance for Jordan's economic future success on the other.
Originality/value
This is believed to be the most up‐to‐date and comprehensive analysis of Jordan's plans and assessment of its level of readiness for delivery of e‐government services.