Samer Al-Shami, Mohammed Hariri Bakri, Hayder Adil and Abdullah Al Mamun
Previous studies equated information technology (IT) with the notion of effective resources. ITs improved firms’ competitive advantage and innovativeness. Yet, far fewer studies…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous studies equated information technology (IT) with the notion of effective resources. ITs improved firms’ competitive advantage and innovativeness. Yet, far fewer studies investigated types of IT competencies that corresponded to innovation capabilities, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this paper is to provide an investigation concerning the types of IT competencies and examine their influence on the innovation capabilities across high-tech firms.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was randomly distributed to 274 respondents across four main sectors of Malaysian high-tech firms. The main sectors were electric and electronic, aerospace, computers and office machinery and pharmaceuticals. A structural equation model, Amos, was used to analyse data.
Findings
Three findings were surmised. First, IT competencies driven by IT infrastructure, alignment, management affected high-tech firms’ innovation capabilities. Second, absorptive capacity (AC) partially determined the relationship between IT infrastructure and IT alignment and innovation capabilities. AC also determined the relationship between IT management and innovation capabilities. The significance of IT competencies in the improvement of innovation capabilities was presented as a key predictor in bolstering high-tech manufacturing firms’ competitive advantage.
Originality/value
Two points on novelty were presented. First, by conceptualising IT competencies from resource-based theory (RBV), a shift in understanding RBV was presented. Second, alternative key predictors concerning how IT competencies could improve aspects of AC and innovation capabilities were presented.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to expose the direct and indirect impacts of changing culture and society principles on the built environment, architectural scene and practice. Studying…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to expose the direct and indirect impacts of changing culture and society principles on the built environment, architectural scene and practice. Studying culture-architecture forceful formula in present-day Iraq, as not previously discussed, reveals how cultural shift affects the public image of architectural form, uses and activity system, thus how latter issues highlight or predict society deterioration or collapse.
Design/methodology/approach
Comparing and analysing past and contemporary works, highlighting strange values emerged later, personal survey and observing house forms, in-depth interviews, photos and architectural drawings are a set of methodological tools used in approaching research main objective.
Findings
Findings include two mutual systematic approaches. The first is to define, acknowledge and understand previous criteria, while the second is to disclose responsible authorities and institutions and their role in addition to necessary procedures to correct or minimize the impact of various changes on the contemporary architectural situation.
Originality/value
Contemporary Iraqi society and culture have been dealt with as distorted and destructive, where various unacceptable values describe its current image compared to the noble form of the inherited. As a true expression and a visible manifestation of culture with which it interacts, degraded architecture and urbanism in contemporary Iraq provide an accurate picture of the current state of society, its values, principles and beliefs.