Managing readiness in enterprise systems-driven organizational change

The introduction of enterprise systems (ES) frequently leads to organizational change, as it involves multiple stakeholders and is associated with fundamental organizational improvements cutting across functional and organizational boundaries. Recognizing that ES implementations are overshadowed by a high failure rate because of resistance to change, this study focuses on the development of readiness for change as a way to ease an IT-driven organizational change, including ES implementations. We find that readiness for change can be enhanced by boosting the relevant individuals' attachment to the organization and their perceived personal competence regardless of the focal ES package and its technological characteristics. We also find that readiness for change positively impacts ES usage intention together with the technological characteristics of the focal ES package. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed along with its limitations.     

The role of readiness for change in ERP implementation: Theoretical bases and empirical validation

Implementation of ERP systems continues to drive change in organizations. However, the effort is often considered a failure, partially because potential users resist the change. Readiness plays an active role in reducing resistance to such efforts. Therefore, we examined the formation of readiness for change and its effect on the perceived technological value of an ERP system leading to its use. We developed a model of readiness for change incorporating TAM and TPB. The model was then empirically tested using data collected from users of ERP systems in Korea. Structural equation analysis using LISREL provided significant support for all proposed relationships. Specifically, we found that readiness for change had an indirect effect on behavioral intention to use an ERP system. At the same time, readiness for change was found to be enhanced by two factors: organizational commitment and perceived personal competence.     

A roadmap for enterprise system implementation

Enterprise systems are complex and expensive and create dramatic organizational change. Implementing an enterprise system can be the "corporate equivalent of a root canal," a meaningful analogy given that an ES with its single database replaces myriad special-purpose legacy systems that once operated in isolation. An ES, or enterprise resource planning system, has the Herculean task of seamlessly supporting and integrating a full range of business processes, uniting functional islands and making their data visible across the organization in real time. The authors offer guidelines based on five years of observing ES implementations that can help managers circumvent obstacles and control the tensions during and after the project.     

Innovating with enterprise systems and digital platforms: A contingent resource-based theory view

In an era of new technological advances and hyper-competition, it is no surprise that organizational innovation enabled through information systems in order to achieve competitive parity will remain a core topic of interest for both scholars and practitioners. Understanding the process of innovation through enterprise systems (ES) is especially critical, given the contradictory beliefs surrounding the role of ES in organizational innovation. Conversely, recent anecdotal commentary suggests a substantial growth in digital platforms, purportedly energizing innovation. This study seeks to address our limited understanding of how digital and ES platforms attain innovation, through a study involving 189 organizations.     

Adoption of software as a service in Indonesia: Examining the influence of organizational factors

In this study, we investigated the organizational factors that influenced Indonesian companies in their decision to adopt software as a service (SaaS). Based on a multiple-case study of 18 Indonesian companies, we identified three patterns: Top management support is an enabler for SaaS adoption; small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are more likely to adopt SaaS than large companies; and organizational readiness is not an enabler for SaaS adoption. The last two patterns contradict existing information technology (IT) innovation adoption research. We explain this by examining the nature of SaaS as an IT innovation and the characteristics of Indonesia as a developing country.     

Educating reflective Enterprise Systems practitioners: a design research study of the iterative building of a teaching framework

This research paper reports on the iterative design of a teaching framework developed for teaching Enterprise Systems (ES) classes for Information Systems (IS) graduates. These systems embed technical complexity and create organizational challenges when implemented in organizations. Therefore, teaching good ES classes is pedagogically challenging for faculty, and ES curricula are difficult for students. We have gradually designed and rebuilt curricula and teaching frameworks over 8 years. This has also resulted in a set of eight design principles. We report from our design and evaluation process and present our final artefact, the teaching framework. The aim is to educate reflective practitioners with multiple ES skills, enabling them to tackle the complexities of ES implementation contexts. The framework has implications for IS educational research and practice and has some generic values that are transferable to other academic institutions and adaptable to other IS learning environments. Further, the study contributes to IS design research by extending its application area. The ES teaching framework is a specific contribution to IS teaching frameworks as a class of problems.     

The role of context in IT assimilation: A multi-method study of a SaaS platform in the US nonprofit sector

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) operate in environments characterized by growing competition for resources and greater stakeholder demands for accountability, which makes deploying and maintaining information systems a struggle. In this competitive, resource-constrained environment, enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms offer NPOs a cost-effective way access reliable, low-maintenance information technology services. Thus, the extent to which NPOs assimilate SaaS is an important area of inquiry. Yet despite the wealth of research on organizational IT assimilation, we know little regarding whether, when, and how NPOs assimilate IT innovations. We further our understanding of NPO assimilation of SaaS by conducting a context-based study. To do so, we employ multiple methods with data collected from US-based NPOs executives. Our first study showed that organizational factors (e.g., readiness, top management participation) and environmental factors (e.g., social gains, industry) affect the degree to which NPOs assimilate SaaS. However, we also found that technological factors do not appear to play a significant role in NPO SaaS assimilation. We conducted a phenomenological analysis to shed further light on this unexpected finding. Our analysis found that readiness to adopt SaaS, perceptions about SaaS complexity, and the use of outside consultants all played a key role in NPOs’ assimilation process.     

A Knowledge-Based Framework for Measuring Organizational Readiness for the Adoption of B2B Integration Systems

Organizational readiness has long been identified as a critical success factor for the adoption of inter-organizational systems. This article presents a knowledge-based methodology for constructing readiness assessment instruments for B2B integration solutions and examines its validation by conducting structural equation modeling analysis with input data from wholesale trading firms in Greece. Strong emphasis is given to the usability and appropriateness of the produced indicators and the relevant gap in literature is addressed. The B2Bi success factors that are presented and the final set of their underlying indicators can provide a starting point for conducting organizational readiness evaluations for the successful adoption of multi-enterprise integration solutions. Our methodology and findings can assist enterprises and public bodies to utilize, share, and enrich a knowledge base about B2Bi organizational readiness, throughout their evolution as part of the Knowledge Society.     

Secrecy, Computational Loads and Rates in Practical Quantum Cryptography

Abstract. A number of questions associated with practical implementations of quantum cryptography systems having to do with unconditional secrecy, computational loads and effective secrecy rates in the presence of perfect and imperfect sources are discussed. The different types of unconditional secrecy, and their relationship to general communications security, are discussed in the context of quantum cryptography. In order to carry out a quantum cryptography protocol it is necessary that sufficient computational resources be available to perform the various processing steps, such as sifting, error correction, privacy amplification and authentication. We display the full computer machine instruction requirements needed to support a practical quantum cryptography implementation. We carry out a numerical comparison of system performance characteristics for implementations that make use of either weak coherent sources of light or perfect single photon sources, for eavesdroppers making individual attacks on the quantum channel characterized by different levels of technological capability. We find that, while in some circumstances it is best to employ perfect single photon sources, in other situations it is preferable to utilize weak coherent sources. In either case the secrecy level of the final shared cipher is identical, with the relevant distinguishing figure-of-merit being the effective throughput rate.     

Implementing expert systems technology: a corporate-wide approach

At present, expert systems (ES) technology is used opportunistically by organizations mainly on an individual application basis. As a result, assimilation of this technology can be slow as there is no proper co-ordination. With increasing awareness of its value and benefits, more organizations are venturing into this technology, but to maximize its potential, a systematic approach must be adopted. This study examines an organized corporate-wide approach designed by a major corporation in Singapore to exploit ES technology. Besides technical issues, the analysis revealed numerous human behavioural variables pertinent to the construction of the master plan. The corporate culture and its present level of computerization, which are related to the psychological readiness of its staff members to tap into ES technology on a more massive scale, arc significant factors. The entire study is put into perspective by using technology assimilation models such as those of McFarlan. McKenny. and Pyburn.     

Implementing expert systems technology: a corporate-wide approach

Abstract

At present, expert systems (ES) technology is used opportunistically by organizations mainly on an individual application basis. As a result, assimilation of this technology can be slow as there is no proper co-ordination. With increasing awareness of its value and benefits, more organizations are venturing into this technology, but to maximize its potential, a systematic approach must be adopted. This study examines an organized corporate-wide approach designed by a major corporation in Singapore to exploit ES technology. Besides technical issues, the analysis revealed numerous human behavioural variables pertinent to the construction of the master plan. The corporate culture and its present level of computerization, which are related to the psychological readiness of its staff members to tap into ES technology on a more massive scale, arc significant factors. The entire study is put into perspective by using technology assimilation models such as those of McFarlan. McKenny. and Pyburn.     

Double ambidexterity: How a Telco incumbent used business‐model and technology innovations to successfully respond to three major disruptions

We leverage the business model innovation and ambidexterity literature to investigate a contradictory case, the Swedish‐Finnish Telecom operator TeliaSonera. Despite being challenged by three major disruptions, the company not only still exists but also enjoys remarkably good financial performance. Building on extant archival data and interviews, we carefully identify and map 26 organizational responses during 1992–2016. We find that the firm has overcome three critical phases by experimenting and pioneering with portfolios of business models and/or technological innovations. We describe this behaviour as double ambidexterity. We use an in‐depth case study to conceptualize double ambidexterity and discuss its impact on the business's survival and enduring success.     

The role of readiness factors in E-learning outcomes: An empirical study

Although many researchers have studied different factors which affect E-Learning outcomes, there is little research on assessment of the intervening role of readiness factors in E-Learning outcomes. This study proposes a conceptual model to determine the role of readiness factors in the relationship between E-Learning factors and E-Learning outcomes. Readiness factors are divided into three main groups including: technical, organizational and social. A questionnaire was completed by 96 respondents. This sample consists of teachers at Tehran high schools who are utilizing a technology-based educating. Hierarchical regression analysis is done and its results strongly support the appropriateness of the proposed model and prove that readiness factors variable plays a moderating role in the relationship between E-Learning factors and outcomes. Also latent moderated structuring (LMS) technique and MPLUS3 software are used to determine each variable’s ranking. Results show that organizational readiness factors have the most important effect on E-Learning outcomes. Also teachers’ motivation and training is the most important factor in E-Learning. Findings of this research will be helpful for both academics and practitioners of E-Learning systems.     

Optimizing INTBIS on the CRAY Y-MP

INTBIS is a well-tested software package which uses an interval Newton/generalized bisection method to find all numerical solutions to nonlinear systems of equations. Since INTBIS uses interval computations, its results are guaranteed to contain all solutions. To efficiently solve very large nonlinear systems on a parallel vector computer, it is necessary to effectively utilize the architectural features of the machine In this paper, we report our implementations of INTBIS for large nonlinear systems on the Cray Y-MP supercomputer. We first present the direct implementation of INTBIS on a Cray. Then, we report our work on optimizing INTBIS on the Cray Y-MP     

A study of the institutional forces influencing the adoption intention of RFID by suppliers

We extended the application of Roger's model for evaluating the institutional forces influencing the adoption intention of RFID by retailer's suppliers. Drawing on institutional theory, we examined how different institutional forces experienced by retailer's suppliers were related to their relational investment on inter-organizational information sharing. Data collected from 130 major Taiwanese suppliers was used in our empirical analyses. We found that relational investment was the most critical adoption factor, which also indirectly enhanced organizational readiness for technological adoption intention. From a Taiwanese perspective, our findings should be helpful in understanding what factors significantly impact the adoption of RFID technology.     

Understanding process change management in electronic health record implementations

Electronic health record (EHR) implementations involve changes to core organizational processes, and management of these changes is critical to the success of such implementation efforts. This research describes how process change issues relate to implementation of large IT projects in healthcare settings. Specifically, we draw on extant literature and conduct directed content analysis on project reports by past HIMSS Davies Award recipients to present process change related best practices occurring in EHR implementations. The results from this study can influence implementation strategies for future health information technology implementation efforts in the healthcare sector.     

The effects of network characteristics on performance of innovation clusters

Industry clusters provide not only economic benefits but also technological innovation through networking within a cluster. In this study, we analyze network-specific structural and behavioral characteristics of innovation clusters with the intention of delving into differences in learning performance in clusters. Based on three representative networks of real world, scale-free, broad-scale, and single-scale networks, the learning performance of entire organizations in a cluster is examined by the simulation method. We find out that the network structure of clusters is important for the learning performance of clusters. Among the three networks, the scale-free network having the most hub organizations shows the best learning performance. In addition, the appropriate level of openness that maintains long-lasting diversity leads to the highest organizational learning performance. This study confirms the roles of innovation clusters and implies how each organization as a member of a cluster should run their organization.     

The role of perceived organizational support,distributive justice and motivation in reactions to new information technology

Despite tremendous investments in information technology (IT), many technological interventions in organizations fail because employees do not fully accept and use IT. The present study explored how perceived organizational support and distributive justice affect employee reactions to new IT from a motivational point of view. Self-determination theory was used to understand how different motivational styles, varying in degree of self-determination, mediate the relationship of perceived organizational support and distributive justice with reactions to new IT. Results showed that perceived organizational support and distributive justice were associated with intrinsic and identified motivation to use the IT, but only POS was related to enjoyment and acceptance of the IT. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation were both associated with IT usage, but IT usage was associated with enjoyment and acceptance only when people were intrinsically motivated. Intrinsic motivation also mediated the effects of POS on enjoyment and acceptance. Moreover, intrinsically motivated users were less likely to use a paper-based appointment booking alternative than those who were not. Implications for managing IT implementations are discussed.     

Understanding enterprise systems-enabled integration

A key touted benefit of enterprise systems (ES) is organizational integration of both business processes and data, which is expected to reduce processing time and increase control over operations. In our 3-year longitudinal case study of a phased ES implementation, we employed a grounded theory methodology to discover organizational effects of ES. As we coded and analyzed our field data, we observed many integration effects. Further analysis revealed underlying dimensions of ES-enabled integration. ES-enabled integration varied depending on the relationship between the integrated business units (similar plants, stages in a business process, or dissimilar functional areas) and on whether processes or data were integrated. Turning to the literature, we realized that Thompson's three types of interdependence, pooled, sequential, and reciprocal, captured the business relationships revealed in our data. Thus, we describe the salient characteristics of ES-enabled integration using Thompson's interdependence types applied to process and data integratio n. We also identify dimensions of differentiation between business units that contribute to integration problems. Viewing our field data through the lens of these salient characteristics and dimensions of differentiation provided theoretical explanations for observed integration problems. These findings also help managers understand and anticipate ES-enabled integration opportunities and problems.     

Intentionality and power interplay in IS implementation: The case of an asset management firm

This paper evaluates the interplay between intentionality of stakeholders, organizational power and information systems (IS) implementation in the context of an European firm implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning system. We found that the implementation coincided with significant restructuring of power relations within the firm. We also found that the intentions of various stakeholders came to bear in terms of how organizational power got manifested. Our findings suggest a complex interplay between individual intentions and organizational power. Specifically, our study contributes to the literature by providing insights into the systemic nature of organizational power regarding IS implementations and how it relates to individual intentions.