Ernest A. Capozzoli, John C. Malley and Phillip W. Balsmeier
The literature is replete with normative models of system development methodologies. While these methodologies may be sound and workable in the United States, they may not be…
Abstract
The literature is replete with normative models of system development methodologies. While these methodologies may be sound and workable in the United States, they may not be appropriate for other cultures. This paper proposes that system development methodologies must account for cultural considerations in the development and transfer of Information Systems (IS) outside the United States (US). Planning for overseas system development requires careful assessment and incorporation of cultural implications into the development methodology. How should IS be developed for use in other cultures? What should a system developer consider to be successful in an overseas environment?
Marios I. Katsioloudes and Phillip W. Balsmeier
The three Central European countries (CE‐3), Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland, are gradually opening for direct investment. The opportunities are there for the U.S. investors…
Abstract
The three Central European countries (CE‐3), Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland, are gradually opening for direct investment. The opportunities are there for the U.S. investors, who need to be well aware and informed about the economies of the CE‐3, the business characteristics, the mentality of the people, and the successful companies already established there.
Marios I. Katsioloudes, Steinunn Thordardottir and Phillip W. Balsmeier
This paper discusses the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA), and the European Union (EU) in relation to Iceland. The fisheries sector is being treated extensively, since it is…
Abstract
This paper discusses the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA), and the European Union (EU) in relation to Iceland. The fisheries sector is being treated extensively, since it is crucial for Iceland's economic survival. Finally, the paper presents various facts as to whether Iceland should join the EU or not.
Phillip W. Balsmeier and Anita K. Heck
Discusses cross‐cultural communication as a process of becoming aware of another culture's habits, actions and reasons behind behaviours; and explores low‐context, high‐context…
Abstract
Discusses cross‐cultural communication as a process of becoming aware of another culture's habits, actions and reasons behind behaviours; and explores low‐context, high‐context, frontstage and backstage cultures, along with the differences between them. Basic principles (conversational, presentation and written) are used to illustrate how cultures vary in communication style. Examples of attitude, priorities and behaviours which are influenced by culture are explained using factors of age, family, money and material possessions, space, time, priorities and gifts.
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Phillip W. Balsmeier and James S. Broussard
The current and ongoing controversy that has come to be known as the “Mutual Fund Scandal of 2003” was based in large part on abusive market timing activities that were allowed to…
Abstract
The current and ongoing controversy that has come to be known as the “Mutual Fund Scandal of 2003” was based in large part on abusive market timing activities that were allowed to occur in select mutual funds. There are many ways in which amarket timer can steal profits through short‐term trading activities but the primary opportunity arises in those mutual funds that invest in foreign shares of stock. This 2004 article looks at a sampling of those mutual funds that invest in companies based in the United Kingdom and evaluates the potential for abusive market‐timing activities.
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Blaise J. Bergiel, Erich B. Bergiel and Phillip W. Balsmeier
This paper aims to extend knowledge about virtual teams and their advantages and disadvantages in a global business environment.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to extend knowledge about virtual teams and their advantages and disadvantages in a global business environment.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on a literature review and reported findings from interviews with experts and practitioners in the field, the paper has identified and discussed the advantages and problems associated with creating and managing virtual teams.
Findings
In today's competitive global economy, organizations capable of rapidly creating virtual teams of talented people can respond quickly to changing business environments. Capabilities of this type offer organizations a form of competitive advantage.
Originality/value
By identifying the advantages and problems associated with virtual teams, organizations will be better able to successfully establish and manage such teams.
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R. Charles Viosca, Blaise J. Bergiel and Phillip Balsmeier
Using the Internet to carry out their schemes, fraudsters now have access to the consumers of the world as well as the potential to destroy the image of an entire country. One…
Abstract
Using the Internet to carry out their schemes, fraudsters now have access to the consumers of the world as well as the potential to destroy the image of an entire country. One particular type of Internet fraud, known as the Nigerian money fraud, has become associated with that nation, damaging the brand equity of the country and its region, Africa. The purpose of this article is to discuss the impact that the electronic version of the Nigerian money fraud may have had on the brand equity of Nigeria and Africa and what steps can be taken to diminish these negative effects.
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Digital technologies have fundamentally changed organizations, industries, and even the society. Although institutional theory provides rich array of perspectives to both the…
Abstract
Digital technologies have fundamentally changed organizations, industries, and even the society. Although institutional theory provides rich array of perspectives to both the content and dynamics of such changes, research at the intersection of institutional scholarship and digitalization has remained scarce. In this essay, I draw on the institutional logics perspective to elaborate digitalization as involving a new set of interconnected managerial beliefs and norms, organizational practices, and diverse material and social structures that together complement and challenge the established logics in organizations and institutional fields. I draw attention to two central organizing principles in the logic of digitalization: the pursuit of digital omniscience – the efforts to represent and conceive the world through digital data – and digital omnipotence – the efforts to bring activities inside and outside organizations under the control of information systems. I conclude the essay by elaborating how the institutional logics perspective can help understand organization-level efforts to leverage digitalization by incumbent corporations and new digital-native companies.
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Madhavi Latha Nandi and Jacob Vakkayil
The purpose of this paper is to adopt two different perspectives of an organization’s absorptive capacity, namely, the asset perspective and the capability perspective, to examine…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to adopt two different perspectives of an organization’s absorptive capacity, namely, the asset perspective and the capability perspective, to examine its impact on enterprise resource planning (ERP) assimilation. While prior IT knowledge represents the asset perspective, organization’s combinative capabilities – formalization, cross-functional interfaces and connectedness – represent the capability perspective of absorptive capacity.
Design/methodology/approach
The study develops a hypotheses-based theory of absorptive capacity. Data for hypotheses testing are collected from Indian organizations using a cross-sectional survey method. Partial least-squares technique is used to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results reaffirm earlier work showing the importance of connectedness and cross-functional interfaces in ERP assimilation; other two factors (prior IT knowledge and formalization) were not found to be positively related to ERP assimilation. To obtain more insights regarding the latter unexpected results, the study checked the interaction effect of the nature of company ownership (private or state-owned). The results pointed to the existence of a negative relationship between prior IT knowledge and ERP assimilation particularly in the case of private organizations compared to state-owned organizations.
Originality/value
Previous studies on ERP have predominantly examined the influence of absorptive capacity on ERP implementation outcomes at the user level. The present study focuses on absorptive capacity at the organizational level using two perspectives. By utilizing two perspectives on absorptive capacity, namely, the asset perspective and the capabilities perspective, it illustrates how different aspects of absorptive capacity can be brought to light while studying its impacts.
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Jiapeng Wu, Dayu Gao, Cheng Xu and Yanqi Sun
This paper aims to investigate the influence of the regional business environment on local firm innovation, considering various dimensions such as administrative, financial and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the influence of the regional business environment on local firm innovation, considering various dimensions such as administrative, financial and legal environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Multiple regression analysis is employed to analyze archival data for firms listed on Chinese stock markets.
Findings
We find that the optimizations of the administrative and financial environments positively affect firm innovation, whereas the legal environment does not exert a similar impact. Our analysis also reveals that the business environment’s optimization significantly influences innovation in firms that are small, non-state-owned and operating in high-tech industries. Furthermore, the business environment acts as a moderating variable in the relationship between firm innovation and firm value.
Research limitations/implications
This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of institutional-level determinants of firm innovation, highlighting the nuances of the legal environment and the importance of context-specific analysis, especially in emerging markets like China.
Practical implications
Developing countries can significantly enhance firm innovation by improving the business environment, including the optimization of administrative and financial systems, reducing transaction costs and ensuring capital supply. Tailored legal frameworks and alternative institutional strategies may also be explored.
Social implications
This study explicitly emphasizes the governmental role in promoting firm innovation, shedding light on policy formulation and strategic alignment with local administrative policies.
Originality/value
To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to explore the relationship between the business environment and firm innovation using World Bank indicators in an emerging market context, providing novel insights into the unique dynamics of legal, financial and administrative sub-environments.