Databases and Information Systems Commons^™

Adoption Of Information Technology By Micro-Enterprises: Insights From A Rural Community, Sajda Qureshi, Mehruz Kamal, Travis Good

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

It appears that the growth of micro-enterprises is a key driver of economic development in underserved communities. However their growth is limited to only 20% of the economy even though they comprise 87% of businesses in Nebraska. Research has shown that IT adoption can increase their growth by 3.5% but the challenges to IT adoption by microenterprises are many. Current theoretical models on IT adoption focus on the intent to adopt IT in large organizations where employees’ attitudes and perceptions are measured in terms of their objectives within the structures of accountability. Microenterprises are unique in that the intention to …

Synergistic Ideation Through Pairing Participants In Facilitated Group Support Systems Sessions, John D. Murphy, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Group Support Systems (GSS) have been used and studied in the support of facilitated ideation sessions for years. The norm for these sessions has been for participants to work individually at GSS workstations. A review of applicable literature suggests that pairing participants at GSS workstations could result in higher quality ideas and participant satisfaction. This paper reports the results of a lab experiment that tested for differences between paired and unpaired facilitated GSS sessions. These results suggest that pairing participants can yield higher quality ideas from facilitated ideation without negative consequences.

Does Mutual Knowledge Affect Virtual Team Performance? Theoretical Analysis And Anecdotal Evidence, Alanah Davis, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

This paper describes the concept of mutual knowledge and its potential impact on virtual team performance. Based on an analysis of extant literature, we argue that there is a gap in our understanding of what is known about mutual knowledge as it impacts team dynamics and virtual team performance. Supporting literature, anecdotes, and case studies are used to discuss the importance of mutual knowledge for virtual team performance and the research issues that need to be addressed in the future.

The Influence Of Online Word Of Mouth On Product Sales In Retail E-Commerce: An Empirical Investigation, Alanah Davis, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

The ability to exchange opinions and experiences online is known as online word of mouth (WOM). Due to the high acceptance of consumers and their apparent reliance on online WOM it is important for organizations to understand how it works and what kind of impact it has on product sales. Using the well-established notions of volume and valence to describe online WOM, we empirically evaluate the hypothesized relationship between online WOM in a retail e-commerce site and actual product sales. Our analysis of the data shows that there is a significant change in the number of products sold following the …

An Information Technology Therapy Approach To Micro-Enterprise Adoption Of Icts, Peter Wolcott, Sajda Qureshi, Mehruz Kamal

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

The advent of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has opened up new opportunities for micro-enterprises to improve their businesses. However the challenges to using ICTs are impeding these businesses from growing into the drivers for development that they can be. This suggests that a potentially important driver of development needs to be supported. This paper investigates the adoption of ICTs in eight micro-enterprises in an underserved community of Omaha, Nebraska. Following an action research study, this research provides insight into the key challenges and opportunities facing micro-enterprises in their use of ICTs to create value for their businesses. Its contribution …

The Influence Of Transactive Memory On Mutual Knowledge In Virtual Teams: A Theoretical Proposal, Alanah Davis, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Advancements in information technologies (IT) have enabled the ability to exchange knowledge within and across organizations through virtual teams. However, the ability to effectively communicate and share knowledge in virtual settings can become a difficult task due to the complex nature of both the virtual context and the technology used to support them. This paper argues that transactive memory theory can explain how mutual knowledge enhances virtual team performance. We present a conceptual model and theoretical propositions for the study of the relationship between transactive memory and mutual knowledge in virtual teams.

The Effects Of Pairing Participants In Facilitated Group Support Systems Sessions, John D. Murphy, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Group Support Systems (GSS) have been used to support facilitated ideation sessions for years and have been studied from a number of different perspectives. Throughout this time the norm for running electronic brainstorming sessions has been for participants to work on their own workstations. A review of applicable literature suggests that pairing participants at GSS workstations could result in higher quality inputs and participant satisfaction. This proposition is examined with a lab experiment to test for differences between paired and unpaired facilitated GSS sessions. The results of the experiment suggest that pairing participants does yield higher quality ideas from facilitated …

Employing Social Capital By Small & Medium Enterprises To Bear Fruit From Wireless Communications, Abdelnasser Abdelaal, Mehruz Kamal, Peter Wolcott

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Wireless and mobile communications can save Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) significant time, money, and effort due to the mobility, flexibility, and ease of use mobile devices provide. SMEs that use such innovations can improve productivity, decrease costs, and enhance the quality of the business process. Lacking technical skills and financial resources, SMEs need special support from local communities and governments in order to survive the severe competition of big chain stores. This paper proposes a model for SMEs to adopt new innovations—those of wireless communications—by employing social capital. We have used a case study approach to show that social …

Sustainability Of Information Technology Therapy On Micro-Enterprise Development., Sajda Qureshi, Mehruz Kamal, Peter Wolcott

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

The use of information technology in microenterprises has been shown to bring about improvements in accessing new markets, in achieving administrative efficiencies, increased productivity and competitiveness. To benefit from IT, micro-enterprises require specialized intervention and support. At the same time these micro-enterprises require skill sets that can translate their unique needs to IT solutions. This paper provides an IT Therapy approach to addressing micro-enterprise needs through IT. Following an action research approach to investigating micro-enterprises, this paper provides insights into how IT can bring about sustained improvements in micro-enterprises. The contribution of this paper is in guidelines of how IT …

Best Practices For Implementing Agile Methods: A Guide For Department Of Defense Software Developers, Ann L. Fruhling, Alvin E. Tarrell

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Traditional plan-driven software development has been widely used in the government because it's considered to be less risky, more consistent, and structured. But there has been a shift from this approach to Agile methods which are more flexible, resulting in fast releases by working in an incremental fashion to adapt to the reality of the changing or unclear requirements.

This report describes the Agile software development philosophy, methods, and best practices in launching software design projects using the Agile approach. It is targeted to Defense Department software developers because they face broad challenges in creating enterprise-wide information systems, where Agile …

Information Availability And Security Policy, Andrew P. Martin, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Information availability is a key element of information security. However, information availability has not been addressed with the same enthusiasm as confidentiality and integrity because availability is impacted by many variables which cannot easily be controlled. The principal goal of this research is to characterize information availability in detail and investigate how effective enterprise security policy can ensure availability.

Mutual Knowledge And Its Impact On Virtual Team Performance, Alanah Davis, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

This paper describes the notion of mutual knowledge and its potential impact on virtual team performance. Based on a review of the literature, including proponents and opponents for the concept of mutual knowledge in group interaction, we suggest that there is a gap in our understanding of what is known about mutual knowledge as it impacts team dynamics and ultimately virtual team performance. We conclude the paper by discussing the importance of mutual knowledge for virtual team performance and the research issues that need to be addressed in this domain.

Electronic Medical Records: Barriers To Adoption And Diffusion, Halbana Tarmizi, Deepak Khazanchi, Cherie Noteboom

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

The primary goal of this paper is to explore why information technology (IT) solutions such as electronic medical records (EMR) have failed to gain a foothold in the healthcare sector. Based on a review of extant research, we propose a framework for classifying the barriers to the adoption and diffusion of EMR in the healthcare sector. We map all barriers reported in the literature onto the classification scheme to demonstrate its efficacy. We conclude by suggesting potential opportunities for applying the classification framework to research and practice.

Organizational Transformation Through Business Models: A Framework For Business Model Design, Peter Keen, Sajda Qureshi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Organizations are increasingly inter-connected as they source talent, goods and services from other organizations located in disparate parts of the world. They seek new ways of creating value for themselves, customers and partners. They operate outside and across traditional industry boundaries and definitions. These innovations have lead to a focus on business models as a fundamental statement of direction and identity. This paper highlights what is known about the business model concept and where and why it differs from more established concepts of business strategy. It illustrates how the application of business models has transformed organizations. The contribution of this …

Information Systems And Health Care Xiii: Examining The Critical Requirements, Design Approaches And Evaluation Methods For A Public Health Emergency Response System, Ann L. Fruhling

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Research pertaining to emergency response systems has accelerated over the past few years, particularly since 9/11 events, and more recently due to Hurricane Katrina and concern over a potential of an avian flu pandemic. This study examines the requirements that are the most demanding with respect to software and hardware, and the associated design strategies for a public health emergency response system (ERS) for electronic laboratory diagnostics consultation. In addition, this study illustrates ways to evaluate the design decisions.

An important goal of a public health ERS is to improve the communication and notification of life-threatening diseases and harmful agents. …

How Does Information Technology Effect Development? Integrating Theory And Practice Into A Process Model, Sajda Qureshi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

The concept of development suggests that countries and regions grow to become self-sustaining partners in what is being called the global economy. In more recent years this concept has been synonymous with the emergence of an “information society” whose wheels are oiled by information sharing and the application of knowledge. Some international agencies even propose that information and communications technologies enable development to be achieved more effectively and efficiently. While success stories abound, there is a recognition that not all investments in information technology bring about growth or economic development. So the question remains: how does information technology effect development? …

Information Technology (It) Appropriateness: The Contingency Theory Of “Fit” And It Implementation In Small And Medium Enterprises, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

There is little doubt that advanced information and communication technologies (IT) arc changing the way businesses operate and conduct commerce. As the advent of a more secure Internet and new transmission standards makes it easier and cheaper for businesses to conduct inter-organizational commerce, it is incumbent upon SME managers to assess whether implementing new technologies such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) over the Internet, XML or web-based e-commerce is the "right thing to do" for their organizations. The key question implicit in this decision is addressed in this paper: "Under what conditions should businesses consider themselves likely candidates for (new) …

How To Overcome The Knowledge Paradox: Activate Knowledge Identity, Not Just Organize Information, Sajda Qureshi, Peter Keen

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

A paradox appears to thwart traditional knowledge sharing efforts in organizations: the greater the benefit of a piece of knowledge to an organization the less likely that it will be shared. This paper suggests that in order to mobilize knowledge where there is demand for it, it has to be activated. This paper considers the knowledge identity of the person whose knowledge is to be activated and uses these identities to analyze a case study in which highly distributed knowledge is activated. The analysis reveals activation effects needed to mobilize each of the knowledge identities.

Adaptive Decision Support For Academic Course Scheduling Using Intelligent Software Agents, Prithviraj Dasgupta, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Academic course scheduling is a complex operation that requires the interaction between different users including instructors and course schedulers to satisfy conflicting constraints in an optimal manner. Traditionally, this problem has been addressed as a constraint satisfaction problem where the constraints are stationary over time. In this paper, we address academic course scheduling as a dynamic decision support problem using an agent-enabled adaptive decision support system. In this paper, we describe the Intelligent Agent Enabled Decision Support (IAEDS) system, which employs software agents to assist humans in making strategic decisions under dynamic and uncertain conditions. The IAEDS system has a …

An Empirical Analysis Of Electronic Data Interchange (Edi) Implementation Benefits In Kentucky Small- And Medium-Sized Enterprises: Some Implications For New It Implementation, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

This paper reports that the benefits accrued from implementing and integrating Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be conceptualized into two factors. First, firms derive operational/tactical benefits by predominantly focusing on increasing internal utility of this technology. Second, firms derive strategic benefits from EDI in the form of better external relationships and alliances with trading partners and an enhanced ability to compete in their market. Among other significant findings, there are clear indications from the correlation statistics reported here that experience with EDI, industrial category of a firm and the level of ED! integral ton …

Electronic Commerce Application Development: A Comparison Of User And It Professional Perspectives, Douglas Havelka, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Based on the theory of reasoned action and previous research identifying differences in beliefs between IS specialists and IS users, this paper outlines a proposed study to investigate differences/similarities in beliefs of users and developers in the context of electronic commerce application development projects. The authors are currently in the process of collecting data to address research question posed in this proposal.

Expanding The Notion Of Relevance In Is Research: A Proposal And Some Recommendations, Deepak Khazanchi, Bjørn Erik Munkvold

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Based on an analysis of a priori discussion on the notion of relevance, this paper proposes a holistic view of relevance in IS research. This expanded notion of relevance incorporates a broader definition of audience/stakeholder, and includes additional dimensions such as scope/value of relevant research, time frame, and "situatedness" of relevance. In view of this definition, it is argued that "practical relevance" is not the sole goal of academic research. Hence, the authors recommend, for example, that knowledge claims in IS need to be better communicated and targeted for the future development and recognition of the IS discipline.

Is Information Systems A Science? An Inquiry Into The Nature Of The Information Systems Discipline, Deepak Khazanchi, Bjørn Erik Munkvold

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

The Information Systems (IS) discipline is apparently undergoing an identity crisis. Academicians question the need for IS departments in colleges stating the absence of a core for the field and its integration within other business functions as a basis for its elimination. At the same time, many practitioners, as reflected in the US government's recent IT labor shortage report, continue to ignore IS as a distinct field of study. This article briefly outlines these and other challenges and argues that notwithstanding underlying philosophical differences, it can be concluded that IS is an emerging scientific discipline. This conclusion is reached through …

Assurance Services For Business-To- Business Electronic Commerce: A Framework And Implications, Deepak Khazanchi, Steve G. Sutton

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

The electronic commerce assurance market has been estimated to be potentially worth $11 billion. To date the focus of assurance services has largely been on web commerce (and therefore business to consumer) related services, leaving the business-to-business (B2B or B-to-B) electronic commerce market relatively untapped. Yet, with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) being mandated by large companies and government agencies, small- to medium-sized firms have struggled to acquire and implement this technology with little understanding of this new age of electronic commerce. As the ubiquitous Internet allows more firms to become EDI-capable, there is an imminent need for having some independent …

The Nature And Structure Of Impediments To Edi Adoption And Integration: A Survey Of Small- And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Electronic data interchange (EDI) is a key enabling component of business-to-business electronic commerce. As firms adopt and integrate advanced information technologies such as EDI, it is important to understand the nature of challenges faced by them. This becomes especially important given the fact that nearly 99.7% of all businesses in the US can be classified as small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As costs and risks associated with implementing new information technologies decrease, these firms will surely need to focus their attention on managing impediments associated with new technology implementation and learn from the failures or successes of their peer. Consequently, …

Does Pedagogy Make A Difference?: An Experimental Study Of Unethical Behavior In Information Systems, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Jn the past few years ethics education has received increasing attention from the business and academic communities. Many have instituted pedagogical programs for increasing awareness of ethical issues, ethical norms and codes of conduct in different professions. It appears that both researchers and practitioners are in agreement about the need for providing adequate ethics education to managers (13, 20, 9). This has become especially important in the context of the information systems (IS) discipline. Proliferation of information and communication technologies has raised many questions on what constitutes ethical managerial behavior. Researchers have reported that the existence of a computer-based information …

Relationship Between Information System Project Characteristics And Project Management Activities: An Empirical Investigation, Vijay V. Raghavan, Deepak Khazanchi, Joyce L. Webster

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

The activities of a project manager in overseeing the development of a software system are many and varied. Not all such activities are performed in managing every project. If so, a natural ensuing question is whether project managers adapt their managerial functions to the projects being managed. Prior research suggests that they do adapt, and that project characteristics may be the factors determining this adaptation. This assertion is investigated by considering three characteristics of a project (size, type, and environment) and investigating their association with four traditionally recognized management functions (planning, organizing, controlling, and motivating). Results indicate that project managers …

An ‘Events’ Model For Information Aggregation, Douglas Havelka, Deepak Khazanchi

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Publications

Aggregation is one of the key characteristics of information delivered by "information systems." It is important because the ability to design effective support systems depends to a great extent upon the degree of flexibility with regards to information aggregation that can be incorporated in the system. This paper sets forth a conceptual model of information aggregation based on the events theory of accounting. The model suggests that aggregation should be considered as a two-dimensional concept, comprising a temporal and sectional dimension. The two axes are further delineated in the form of "levels of summation" based on specified "events" of aggregation. …

Ada In The Soviet Union, Peter Wolcott

Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis Faculty Proceedings & Presentations

Over the last decade and a half, the Ada programming language has aroused more financial, technical, political, and emotional forces than any other programming language. Because the language is a product of more than just technical factors, its progress is heavily influenced by the surrounding social, economic, and political environment. Judging by the technical characteristics of the language and the goals for its use, one would expect that Ada would be the subject of intense development by the USSR, as well as by the USA. In practice, the Ada experiences in these countries differ considerably. We examine the state of …