Business Commons^™

Dynamic Service Analytics Capabilities For Service Systems In The Global Big Data Economy - A Systematic Review And Agenda For Future Research, Shahriar Akter, Saradhi Motamarri, Mujahid M. Babu, Mario Fernando, Samuel Fosso Wamba, Kathy Ning Shen

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Extended abstract presented at the Data, Organisations and Society Conference, 21 November 2018, Coventry, United Kingdom

Big Data Analytics In E-Commerce: A Systematic Review And Agenda For Future Research, Shahriar Akter, Samuel Fosso Wamba

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

There has been an increasing emphasis on big data analytics (BDA) in e-commerce in recent years. However, it remains poorly-explored as a concept, which obstructs its theoretical and practical development. This position paper explores BDA in e-commerce by drawing on a systematic review of the literature. The paper presents an interpretive framework that explores the definitional aspects, distinctive characteristics, types, business value and challenges of BDA in the e-commerce landscape. The paper also triggers broader discussions regarding future research challenges and opportunities in theory and practice. Overall, the findings of the study synthesize diverse BDA concepts (e.g., definition of big …

A Comparison Of Group-Based Research Methods, Melanie Randle, Hugh Mackay, Dorothy Dudley

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

In the modern era, group-based methods have come to largely dominate qualitative research, particularly in the commercial arena of market research. The most commonly used method is the "focus group" technique, which involves a group of strangers being directed to discuss a pre-determined set of topics. In reality, in many parts of the world, including Australia where this study was conducted, focus groups are often employed as the default technique without systematically questioning the appropriateness of methodological characteristics or the impact they have on the resultant data. This empirical study compares two different group-based methods - the "focus group" approach …

The Use Of Grounded Theory In Research: Knowledge Sharing In The Australian Film Industry, Michael Jones, Irit Alony

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Selecting the most appropriate research method is one of the most difficult problems facing a researcher. Grounded Theory is presented here as a method of choice as it is. This paper tracks a Grounded Theory research project undertaken to study the phenomena of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the Australian Film Industry. The detailed, rigorous, and systematic approach of the theory Grounded Theory also permits flexibility and freedom rendering Grounded Theory suitable for the investigation of complex multifaceted phenomena. Grounded Theory is also well equipped to explore socially related issues. This cha pter describes the techniques, utility, and ease of …

Ethics-In-Practice In Collaborative Management Research, Richard Badham, Michael Zanko

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Reflections on ethics-in-practice and the informal, implicit, situational and political nature of ethical action as a social process stand in marked contrast to the restrictive focus of ethical formalism in the process of applying explicit and formal rules to adjudicate on matters of moral concern (Bauman 2003). Such reflections incorporate and address the inevitable 'practice gap' between what rules prescribe and situations demand (Taylor 1993). The call for greater transparency and reflexivity on this social process advocates cultivating increased sensitivity towards and honesty about such ethical activities (Bell & Bryman; Bell & Wray-Bliss 2009). One way of enhancing such an …

Applying Attribution Theory To Is Research As A Practical Method For Assessing Post-Adoption Behaviour, Irit Alony, Helen M. Hasan, Cecile Paris

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Researchers and practitioners alike see great value in understanding the implementation, adoption, and use of technology, and acknowledge the need to better understand post-adoption behaviour. Among theories that explain and predict human behaviour, attribution theory is recognised for its extensive investigation of behaviour's antecedents and consequences. This paper provides an overview of the theory, suggests a practical method for using it in IS contexts, and shows evidence that this method provides meaningful results. In order to address the complexities encountered in field-work, this paper argues that system-usage can be treated as an interpersonal relationship between the user and the system. …

Research Methodologies For Complex Ecosystems: Enhancing The Societal Value Of Is, Helen M. Hasan, Henry Linger

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Societal ecosystems are struggling to solve complex problems that could benefit from research by information systems (IS) scholars. However, existing IS research methodologies seek to reduce complexity and so are unsuited to the holistic investigation of complex phenomena. This paper presents a research methodology based on principles of complexity theory consisting of three non-linear phases, namely sensemaking, action and reflection. This complexity-aware methodology requires innovative methods of data collection, analysis and presentation. In order to demonstrate the application of the methodology, an action research project, which investigates the complex challenge of enabling elderly citizens to use IS for social wellbeing, …

Mixed Methods To The Rescue: Addressing The Problem Of Employee Turnover Using Marital Research, Irit Alony, Helen M. Hasan, Andrew J. Sense

Sydney Business School - Papers

Decades of turnover research have identified sets of factors that lead to voluntary employee separation. However, the predictive power of existing turnover models is extremely limited, and does not go far beyond 30%. In contrast, marital research has developed a MMR tool for predicting dissolution which has an accuracy of over 90%, based on a couple's reflections on their past. This paper presents this complex prediction method in current MMR terms, and details the process of adjusting it into employment setting. The paper presents the main issues to consider when adjusting this tool, and provides a detailed description of the …

'Ngulluck Katitj Wah Koorl Koorliny / Us Mob Going Along Learning To Research Together': Drawing On Action Research To Develop A Literature Review On Indigenous Gendered Health And Wellbeing, Bronwyn Fredericks, Kathleen Clapham, Roxanne Bainbridge, Len Collard, Mick Adams, Dawn Bessarab, Clair Andersen, Deb Duthie, Rowena Ball, Marlene Thompson (Longbottom), Carolyn Daniels

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

This paper describes the collaborative work practices of the Health and Wellbeing Node within the National Indigenous Research and Knowledges Network (NIRAKN). The authors reflect on the processes they used to research and develop a literature review. As a newly established research team, the Health and Wellbeing Node members developed a collaborative approach that was informed by action research practices and underpinned by Indigenous ways of working. The authors identify strong links between action research and Indigenous processes. They suggest that, through ongoing cycles of research and review, the NIRAKN Health and Wellbeing Node developed a culturally safe, respectful and …

Communication Accommodation To Achieve Research Student Autonomy, Grace Mccarthy, Rodney Clarke, Ann M. Rogerson

Sydney Business School - Papers

Universities throughout the world are grappling with ways to improve the quality of research supervision and thereby improve successful completion rates. Much effort has been spent on defining the research skills students are expected to develop and how to assist students improve them, e.g. Willison (2012). The concept of developing researcher autonomy has also been the focus of research, e.g. Gurr (2011). As supervisors, we help our students become skilled autonomous researchers through discussions and feedback, in other words, through our communication skills. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) can be applied in …

Careers And Organisational Objectives: Managing Competing Interests In Cooperative Research Centres, Sam Garrett-Jones, Tim Turpin, Kieren Diment

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Research of potential socio-economic value is often conducted within cross-sector (government, university, business) centres. There has been growing interest among science policy researchers in seeking to understand the organizational dilemmas confronted in cross-sector research collaboration. While there is clearly a coalition of interests among partners engaged with collaborative research their broader organizational objectives and strategies may converge, diverge, or even compete. Yet little empirical evidence exists on (a) how individual researchers perceive the benefits of their participation, (b) how far the structures and functions of particular collaborative R&D centres coalesce around of researchers’ expectations and, (c) what problems arise for …

Development Of A Market Orientation Research Agenda For The Nonprofit Sector, Paul Chad, Elias Kyriazis, Judy M. Motion

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Market orientation is the overarching framework by which practitioners and academics make sense of the interplay between customers, competition, stakeholders, and the organization within the commercial for-profit arena and is the way the marketing concept is put into practice. Many academics have argued that market orientation would also benefit nonprofit organizations by generating more funds in an increasingly competitive environment. The purpose of this article is to conduct a systematic review of market orientation, identify gaps, and develop a research agenda for market orientation research within the underresearched nonprofit sector. This research agenda highlights the structural, human resource, and cultural …

Novel Aspects Of A Training Program For Research Supervision, Rodney J. Clarke, Grace Mccarthy

Faculty of Business - Papers (Archive)

Introduction

- much of the cutting edge research developed in universities is conducted by Higher Degree Research (HDR) students

- but institutional responses have been dominated by compliance-based metrics like timely completions that are used as imperfect measures of quality of the research supervision practice (Cullen et al 1994)

- it is in the interests of both universities and government to increase the quantity and quality of research supervision (Latona and Browne 2001)- therefore careful training of supervisors and attention to supervisory practices is paramount

How To Use Qualitative Research To Design A Managerially Useful E-Service Questionnaire, John R. Rossiter

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

E-service questionnaires must be content-aligned with the company or organization’s customer relationship management system (CRM). Four phases of qualitative research will ensure this alignment. The first phase is a qualitatively evaluative search of the practitioner literature on e-retailing, both B2B and B2C, and on CRM so as to capture evolving knowledge in both fields. The second phase is individual depth interviews (IDIs) with potential, current, and lapsed customers to map their e-interactive behavior and experiences. The third phase is dyadic depth interviews (DDIs) with the marketing manager and the website designer to fully understand the company’s current and potential e-service …

Informing Destination Recommender Systems Design And Evaluation Through Quantitative Research, Ulrike Gretzel, Yeong-Hyeon Hwang, Daniel Fesenmaier

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Purpose - Destination recommender systems need to become truly human-centric in their design and functionality. This requires a profound understanding of human interactions with technology as well as human behavior related to information search and decision-making in the context of travel and tourism. This paper seeks to review relevant theories that can support the development and evaluation of destination recommender systems and to discuss how quantitative research can inform such theory building and testing. Design/methodology/approach - Based on a review of information search and decision-making literatures, a framework for the development of destination recommender systems is proposed and the implications …

Sharing The Research Journey - Developing Research Skills In A Coaching Masters Program, Grace Mccarthy

Sydney Business School - Papers

Powerpoint presentation presented at the Western Business Management Conference, France

Cross-Sector Research Collaboration In Australia: The Cooperative Research Centres Program At The Crossroads, Tim Turpin, Samuel Garrett-Jones, Richard Woolley

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

In this article we trace changes in the institutional and social dynamics that have steered cross-sector R&D collaboration in Australia. Public policy provided the initial push toward cross-sector collaboration. The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program is Australia's most longstanding national arrangement for industry-university-government research collaboration. Over the past two decades the program has grown to become the dominant model for cross-sector R&D cooperation in the country. Because of the size of the program in the Australian innovation system it has also become a major focus for debate about science policy. Universities have now institutionalised this imperative in all sorts of …

Implementing Safe System Research In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Communities, T Senserrick, P Yip, R Grzebieta, Kathleen F. Clapham, M Lyford, R Ivers

Sydney Business School - Papers

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are at increased risk of death and serious injury due to road crashes than other Australians. The safe system road safety approach aligns well with Aboriginal holistic knowledge and worldviews, yet little information is available on applications to Aboriginal settings. This paper reports on a safe system demonstration project in an Aboriginal community, commissioned by the Indigenous Road Safety Working Group, funded by Austroads, who formed the Reference Group for the study. Ethical approval was obtained and the project was advertised nationally calling for expressions of interest. Several applications were received and a community …

Looking Anew At Women's Entrepreneurship: How The Family Firm Context And A Radical Subjectivist View Of Economics Helps Reshape Women's Entrepreneurship Research (Women Entrepreneurs In Family Business: A Radical Subjectivist View), Mary Barrett, Ken Moores

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

As noted in a current call for papers (Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice 2010), there has recently been a dramatic expansion of scholarly interest and activity in the field of women's entrepreneurship. The U.S. based Diana Project, to name just one research group in the field, has grown rapidly into a global network of researchers, generating numerous conferences, symposia, and publications. Journals such as Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice and more specialised publications including Family Business Review have sponsored special issues on women's entrepreneurship, allowing scholars to synthesize insights in the field from empirical and conceptual work worldwide.

The Caqda Paradox: A Divergence Between Research Method And Analytical Tool, Michael Jones, Kieren Diment

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

A wide range of software tools are available to assist researchers with the process of qualitative data analysis. These include tools that emphasise manual handling of data, (e.g. NVivo, Atlas.ti) and tools that provide some automated analysis based on statistical properties of texts (e.g. Leximancer). These tools are enhancing research, making research activities less complex and tedious, and rendering the process more transparent and portable (Dohan et al. 1998; Welsh 2002; Andrew et al. 2007; Jones 2007). The use of these tools in published works over the last five to ten years has become increasingly more evident. However, in many …

Was The Copenhagen Summit Doomed From The Start? Some Insights From Green Is Research, Helen M. Hasan, C Dwyer

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

At the 2009 Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, COP15, so many contradictory demands were apparent that it is doubtful whether it produced many useful outcomes. In this paper we question whether it, and summits like it, may be inherently doomed to fall short of expectations. With its experience of the intrinsic contradictions within socio-technical systems, the Information System’s profession may provide some insights into complex issues such as climate change. IS research has often demonstrated that imposed top-down solutions rarely provide the most promising way to approach highly complex problems. On the other hand, bottom-up emergent processes, though less politically …

Mapping The Archive: An Examination Of Research Reported In Ajll 2000-2005, Pauline J. Harris, Janice B. Turbill, Lisa K. Kervin, Kathryn Harden-Thew

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Amidst commissioned research reports and policy reforms in literacy education, this paper examines research reported in the 2000–2005 archive of the Australian Journal of Language and Literacy (AJLL). This focus arises from the selective inclusion of literacy research in recent literacy education policy reform documents in Australia and overseas and the exclusion of other research, including research from this AJLL 2000/5 archive. Given the high national and international standing of AJLL, we felt it was timely and important to engage in a retrospective mapping exercise with this collection of research and critically examine its relationship to literacy education policy. So …

Embedding Notions Of Community In The Teaching-Research Nexus: A Case Study, Mario Fernando, Peter D. Mclean

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Becoming aware of the variety of ways academics and students experience and apply research in higher education empowers higher education providers, policy makers and academics to become more reflective and critical of the environment in which learning is taking place. Significant shifts in commerce higher education pedagogy that value community engagement as a bridge to holistic education and sustainable social change are taking place. With the increasing need to integrate the community into the teaching-research nexus, social responsibility is moving to the forefront of commerce higher education. The paper is based on the findings of a teaching and learning scholar …

A Jack Of All Trades? - Aligning Policy, Mission And Structure In Cooperative Research Centres, Samuel E. Garrett-Jones, Tim Turpin

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

The Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) program has become the dominant model for "triple helix" cross-sector R&D cooperation in Australia. By comparison with more specialised programs in other countries the CRC program covers a very broad range of fields and objectives and might be described as a "jack of all trades". We argue that this "one size fits all" approach has become a limiting factor in the further development of cross-sector collaboration. Based on a range of prior empirical studies of CRCs we explore the environmental factors which shape the organizational structure of CRCs and identify the points of flexibility required …

Understanding Behaviour To Inform Water Supply Management In Developed Nations - A Review Of Literature, Conceptual Model And Research Agenda, Anna Hurlimann, Sara Dolnicar, Petra Meyer

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Water is a scarce resource in many parts of the developed world. Two solutions are possible to address water scarcity: conservation of existing resources, or the further production of water from new sources e.g. through recycling of wastewater or desalination of seawater. However, the main hurdle to implementation of many of these solutions is often viewed as a lack of public willingness to adopt these alternative water behaviours. Research in this area is therefore crucial. Yet, and possibly due to the interdisciplinary nature of such research, there is currently no comprehensive overview of what has been done before. This study …

Ranking And Clustering Of The Faculties Of Commerce Research Performance In Australia, Simon Ville, Abbas Valadkhani

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

There is a growing policy focus in Australian higher education on quantitative research performance assessment. However, most of the analysis has addressed aggregate performance at the institutional level, an approach inconsistent with recent policy emphasis on diversity among universities and one that ignores performance variations across disciplines. Using averaged and all available data for 2000-2004, cluster analysis is used to classify Australian Commerce Faculties into groups that exhibit similar research performance, measured by publication, PhD completion and secured competitive research grant funding. We also use factor analysis to generate full-multidimensional rankings within the resulting two or three clusters. It is …

Discipline-Specific Forecasting Of Research Output In Australian Universities, Abbas Valadkhani, Simon Ville

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

This article presents a cross-sectional model for forecasting research output across the Australian university system. It builds upon an existing literature that focuses either on institutional comparisons or studies of specific subjects, by providing discipline-specific results across all of the 10 major disciplinary areas as defined by Australia's Department of Education, Science and Training. The model draws upon four (highly significant) discipline-specific explanatory variables; staff size, research expenditure, PhD completions and student-staff ratios to predict the output of refereed articles.

The Potential Pitfalls Of Transferring Constructs Across Cultural Settings: Experience From Npd Research In Australia, Janette K. Rowland, Elias Kyriazis

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the research design and methodology choices in the field of Marketing Management in order to choose the best “fit” for the authors’ research on developing a climate of trust within the new product development process. Many researchers often use constructs developed and empirically tested in other cultural contexts. This often allows for interesting cross-cultural comparisons. While useful, this paper cautions on the blind application of constructs and survey instruments. Reporting on experience from exploratory research carried out in the context of the NPD process in Australian manufacturing firms, we show the potential …

Customer Orientation In An Australian Public Service Agency And Its Effect On Public Service Motives: Developing A Research Study, Christa Wood

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

The Australian public service has experienced dramatic changes during the last few decades. One of the changes is the push for public servants to behave in accordance with private sector principles, such as customer service orientation. This paper is developing a research study that aims to analyse the motivational forces that enable (or disable) the behavioural changes of public servants and what impact (if any) those changes have on traditional public service motives. The study intends to use an extended expectancy-valence model together with a public service motive measurement scale to identify if there are relationships between motivational forces, customer …

The Case Study Methodology In Place Management Research And Practice, Gregory M. Kerr, Gary I. Noble, John Glynn

Faculty of Commerce - Papers (Archive)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assist those in the relatively new field of place management to undertake sound and appropriate research for which there is a current need. Approach: This paper identifies and provides an interpretation of key terms associated with research in the social and behavioural sciences and then recommends the case study methodology as being appropriate for research in place management. Findings: Based on a review of the literature this paper offers a viewpoint about the meaning and application of the terms ‘methodology’, ‘methods,’ ‘ways’, ‘strategies’ and ‘approaches’ when they are applied to research. Research …