Model management systems (MMS) empower decision makers throughout the problem‐solving phases by providing operations research and management science (OR/MS) models as well as the…
Abstract
Model management systems (MMS) empower decision makers throughout the problem‐solving phases by providing operations research and management science (OR/MS) models as well as the knowledge to build or use such models. Managerial problem solving typically involves a wide range of modeling activities, i.e., definition, retrieval, modification, execution, modification, and integration of decision models. This research stems from the basic premise that, given the problem, decision aiding software such as MMS can reach its highest level of performance when the necessary modeling activities are adequately supported, subsequently enhancing the quality of the decisions made by the users. Reported in this paper are the results from an experiment involving two versions of MMS used by naïve modelers in two decision‐making settings. Through this study, we learn that the decision‐making behavior of software users, especially the way they develop their decision strategies, is considerably influenced by the capability of the software.
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Q.B. Chung, Wenhong Luo and William P. Wagner
To propose a framework with which to study the efficacy of strategic alliances of small firms in knowledge industries, with an emphasis on research design to examine the issues…
Abstract
Purpose
To propose a framework with which to study the efficacy of strategic alliances of small firms in knowledge industries, with an emphasis on research design to examine the issues surrounding the phenomena.
Design/methodology/approach
A framework is developed that consists of four constructs, namely conditions, roles and contributions, learning, and efficacy. Details of the constructs are explained.
Findings
Management consulting industry proves to be a fertile research ground to study strategic alliances with regard to firm size. Through an illustration, it is shown that the proposed framework can be put into practice to investigate relevant research questions.
Research limitations/implications
The framework has limited generalizability to situations where the clients of the knowledge‐intensive service are not clearly defined up front.
Practical implications
Knowledge industries will benefit from developing taxonomy of expertise. Client firms may benefit from encouraging small firm to form strategic alliances.
Originality/value
The contribution is threefold; identification of the interplay of firm size and the practice of alliance formation in knowledge industries as a viable research topic; a framework with which to examine the efficacy of strategic alliances of small firms in knowledge industries; and proposing to expand the knowledge management research beyond intra‐firm learning.
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Tuotuo Qi, Tianmei Wang, Yanlin Ma and Xinxue Zhou
Knowledge sharing has entered the stage of knowledge payment with the typical models of paid Q&A, live session, paid subscription, course column and community service. Numerous…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge sharing has entered the stage of knowledge payment with the typical models of paid Q&A, live session, paid subscription, course column and community service. Numerous knowledge suppliers have begun to pour into the knowledge payment market, and users' willingness to pay for premium content has increased. However, the academic research on knowledge payment has just begun.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors searched several bibliographic databases using keywords such as “knowledge payment”, “paid Q&A”, “pay for answer”, “social Q&A”, “paywall” and “online health consultation” and selected papers from aspects of research scenes, research topics, etc. Finally, a total of 116 articles were identified for combing studies.
Findings
This study found that in the early research, scholars paid attention to the definition of knowledge payment concept and the discrimination of typical models. With the continuous enrichment of research literature, the research direction has gradually been refined into three main branches from the perspective of research objects, i.e. knowledge provider, knowledge demander and knowledge payment platform.
Originality/value
This paper focuses on discussing and sorting out the key research issues from these three research genres. Finally, the authors found out conflicting and contradictory research results and research gaps in the existing research and then put forward the urgent research topics.
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James R. Otto, James H. Cook and Q.B. Chung
Explores the use of extensible markup language (XML) to both store and enforce organizational data definitions, thus providing a synergetic framework for leveraging the potential…
Abstract
Explores the use of extensible markup language (XML) to both store and enforce organizational data definitions, thus providing a synergetic framework for leveraging the potential of knowledge management (KM) tools. XML provides a flexible markup standard for representing data models. KM provides IT processes for capturing, maintaining, and using information. While the processes that comprise KM and the mechanisms that form XML differ greatly in concept, they both deal in a fundamental way with information. XML maintains the context of data (i.e. data model) which enables data to represent information. KM provides the framework for managing this information. Explores the vital role that XML can play to support an efficient corporate KM strategy.
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William P. Wagner, Q.B. Chung and Todd Baratz
Intranets are perhaps the hottest applications in the field of telecommunications today. The rapid growth of this application belies the fact that it has received little…
Abstract
Intranets are perhaps the hottest applications in the field of telecommunications today. The rapid growth of this application belies the fact that it has received little systematic study present in the academic literature. Presents two separate cases of corporate intranets that have been recently implemented. The focus of this report is to characterize the intranet implementations vis‐à‐vis the traditional systems development process. In so doing, an attempt is made to highlight the potential pitfalls through the lessons learned. As a starting‐point in the systematic study of intranets, a better definition is also introduced and a framework that captures and more accurately describes the wide variety of potential intranets.
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Margaret E. Bausch, Melinda Jones Ault and Ted S. Hasselbring
In this chapter, we present the findings of the National Assistive Technology Research Institute (NATRI). The institute was funded in October 2000 as a cooperative agreement with…
Abstract
In this chapter, we present the findings of the National Assistive Technology Research Institute (NATRI). The institute was funded in October 2000 as a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs to take a comprehensive look at the factors related to the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of assistive technology (AT) services in schools. We present the data from seven research areas: (1) the status of AT use in schools, (2) policies and procedures in the development and delivery of AT services, (3) AT decision-making by IEP teams, (4) integration of AT use in learning environments (facilitate instruction, access to curriculum), (5) effects of AT use on academic, social, functional performance of students, (6) training and technical support needed by persons implementing AT, and (7) the extent to which institutions of higher education (IHEs) were developing AT knowledge and skills. In each area we summarize the lessons learned as a result of the research to assist policy-makers, researchers, and practitioners in improving AT services and delivery systems.
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Loukas K. Tsironis, Katerina D. Gotzamani and Theofilos D. Mastos
e-Business (e-B) organization is an integrated synergy of internet and supply chain. It is an organizational environment which consists of associations among suppliers, customers…
Abstract
Purpose
e-Business (e-B) organization is an integrated synergy of internet and supply chain. It is an organizational environment which consists of associations among suppliers, customers, work force and information technology. An important issue for an e-B organization is the comprehension of the critical factors that affect its success, in order to realize its full advantages and how it results in efficiency improvements of the organizations. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) that determine the successful implementation of e-B and second to develop an integrated e-B model based on the CSFs.
Design/methodology/approach
By following a quantitative approach, primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 174 Greek e-B firms. An initial exploratory factor analysis was conducted, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
Findings have shown that there was a direct association of the Resource Based View (RBV) on the supply chain view (SCV) of a firm, which in turn influenced the performance/results of an e-B organization. It is concluded that e-B performance results and value creation are linked to customers’ and partners’ orientation (SCV) and human resources and information technology (RBV).
Originality/value
The proposed framework contributes to the understanding of the successful implementation of e-B, by proposing a fifthfold framework. The proposed framework portrayed a very fundamental result, that the resourced based view and the SCV of the organization are the critical priorities and have a direct and positive affect on the performance and efficiency of the successful implementation of e-B.
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Muhammad Sabbir Rahman, Md Afnan Hossain, Fadi Abdel Muniem Abdel Fattah and Shahriar Akter
The marketing information system (MkIS) in the data-rich business environment receives all the attention these days, but as essential and perhaps even more essential is the…
Abstract
Purpose
The marketing information system (MkIS) in the data-rich business environment receives all the attention these days, but as essential and perhaps even more essential is the marketing information system management capability (MkISMC). Although many service firms apprehend the return from MkIS, others clearly struggle. It seems that MkIS management capability dynamics and their direct/indirect holistic influence on service firm's competitive performance (SFCP) are unsolved in the current data-driven service economy. This study aims to conceptualize a model and test the antecedents on service firms' competitive performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilizes a survey of a sizeable sample of service firms’ managers at the firm level. A total of 250 useable responses were obtained and analyzed through structural equation modeling.
Findings
Results reveal that variables under their respective direct influences are positively and significantly related. Interestingly, MkISMC has a relatively large magnitude of positive and direct effects on service firms' competitive performance. The other variables, such as the use of marketing analytics (UMAN), service innovation and management (SINM), partially mediate the effect of MkISMC on the competitive performance of service firms.
Practical implications
The findings inform practitioners that MkISMC, UMAN and SINM play a vital role in attaining service firms' competitive performance in the data-rich environment. Overall, it deepens the understanding of the mediation effect of UMAN and SINM of service firms on competitive performance.
Originality/value
The study advances theoretical understanding of resource-based view (RBV), market orientation and dynamic capability that formulate the relationship of MkISMC, UMAN and SINM in attaining SFCP in the ever-changing data-driven business economy.
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For most airlines, the last 12 months have proved to be some of the hardest their balance sheets are ever likely to suffer. Big names have gone, even bigger ones are balancing on…
Abstract
For most airlines, the last 12 months have proved to be some of the hardest their balance sheets are ever likely to suffer. Big names have gone, even bigger ones are balancing on the brink, and thousands of jobs have been lost. The far‐reaching impact of shattered passenger confidence, escalating security costs and increasing competition from low‐cost rivals has left many of the larger carriers reeling. But while US Airways appears to be raising the white flag as it flies its planes into the Mojave Desert for storage, others are attempting to fight back. At British Airways (BA) the restructuring has gone far beyond job and route cuts – over 18 months have been spent on a radical overhaul of its corporate intranet which is expected to save the troubled company in excess of £75m ($117m) a year.
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Yao Meng, Man Yin Chu and Dickson K.W. Chiu
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, museums, as public gathering places for citizens, have encountered unprecedented difficulties due to limitations to…
Abstract
Purpose
During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, museums, as public gathering places for citizens, have encountered unprecedented difficulties due to limitations to operate as usual for their traditional exhibitions and curations. Thus, museums made corresponding emergency attempts to accelerate digital resource and service platform constructions. Such difficulties aroused many potential problems with the applicability of electronic resources and the mismatch between user expectations and museum services. This study investigates the challenges faced by Hong Kong museums under COVID-19, emergency responses and deliberate practices of Hong Kong museums from the perspective of both museum staff and visitors, and COVID-19's influence on the roles and functions of Hong Kong museums.
Design/methodology/approach
Qualitative interviews with museum staff and visitors were conducted to collect opinions and experiences in the construction and maintenance of museums during the pandemic. Further thematic analyses of museum websites, evaluations, and suggestions were formulated guided by the PEST (Political, Economic, Social, Technological) and AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) models.
Findings
Findings revealed many online interactions and offline renovations, but the perceptions of visitors and staff differed considerably. While online resources and virtual museums were expanded and well received, long-term prohibitions and repressions drove physical visit desire. Participants emphasized finding a balance between user expectations and realistic practices.
Originality/value
Scant studies focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the cultural industry, especially in East Asia. This study also highlights new practices of digitalization and the challenges of functional transformation. The authors' findings and suggestions provide hints to optimize the curation of information resources and improve museum service quality in the new digital era. This study also serves as a reliable and meaningful record of COVID-19 impacts on Hong Kong museums.