JCIS Table of Contents
Volume 47, Issue 4
Complimentary Article - Full Text PDF
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SIX SIGMA IMPLEMENTATION
Chang-Tseh Hsieh Binshan Lin Bill Manduca
Abstract: The Six Sigma methodology for quality improvement is a system of many concepts, tools, and principles. This paper discusses the basic concepts of the Six Sigma Process Improvement Methodology, presents various computer applications to demonstrate the value of information systems and information technology (IS/IT) in this methodology, and finally, presents an actual case where some of these applications were used to help a major corporation save over $2 million. It is hoped that the focus on IS/IT shows how powerful Six Sigma can be when aided by the latest computer hardware and software technology. The strategic use of IS/IT within the Six Sigma methodology will go a long way in making things easy for professionals to incorporate the principles as part of their everyday work routine.
Keywords: Six Sigma methodology, process improvement, strategic use of IS/IT
pp. 1-10
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JCIS TABLE OF COA COMPARATIVE EXAMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND BELIEFS ON TECHNOLOGY USAGE:
Antonis C. Stylianou Pamela J. Jackson
Abstract: This research examines the invariance of individual differences and belief variables across two technologies. Previous research has demonstrated that e-Commerce is more complex than Internet technologies; thus, examining the two technologies simultaneously provides further insight into the influence of the IT itself on usage behavior. Using a framework that is theoretically grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and tested through TAM and the Graphic, Visualization, & Usability (GVU) Center’s 10th WWW User Survey scale items, study results indicate that different factors drive the Internet and e-Commerce usage decision.
Keywords: Technology Acceptance; User Beliefs; Electronic Commerce
pp. 11-18
Complimentary Article - Full Text PDF
A CASE-BASED APPORACHTOTHE EVALUATIONOF NEW AUDIT CLIENTS
Stephen G. Kerr Fritz H. Grupe Simon Jooste Jannet M. Vreeland
Abstract: Evaluating a potential client is an expensive undertaking. Potential clients are evaluated through extensive interviews, evaluation by in-house industry experts, and preliminary audit planning. The audit partner uses prior experience to make judgments about a prospective client. Decisions about a client have long lasting implications for the auditor and the client. Case-based reasoning is an information technology that can be applied to the evaluation process to broaden and deepen the audit partner’s judgments. This paper demonstrates how case-based reasoning can improve the audit acceptance process. The inherent difficulties of new client acceptance are reviewed. An overview of case-based reasoning is provided. We then demonstrate how case-based reasoning can increase the quality of firm specific assessment when evaluating potential audit risk associated with a new client. Finally, we discuss the expected implementation impacts arising from the application of case-based reasoning.
Keywords: Case-Based Reasoning, CBR, Audit Engagement Acceptance, Audit Risk Assessment, Audit Pricing
pp. 19-27
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONAL SIZE, CULTURE, AND STRUCTURE AND SOME IT FACTORS IN THE CONTEXT OF ERP SUCCESS ASSESSMENT: AN EXPLORATORY INVESTIGATION
Princely Ifinedo
Abstract: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are packaged information technology (IT) suites that are increasingly becoming the price of entry for running a business, and such systems are gaining popularity worldwide. Researchers have discussed their adoption and implementation. Few have investigated the impacts of size, culture, and structure of the adopting organization on ERP system success evaluations. There is also a dearth of research on the effects of organizational IT issues or factors such as IT assets and resources (i.e., the IT department’s value, the IT department’s size, and the sophistication of the in-house IT professionals, among others) on ERP systems success. To our knowledge no study has investigated the interactions between these organizational IT issues and other contingency factors. To fill this gap in research, we designed an exploratory study to investigate the impacts of the aforementioned factors in the context of ERP systems success evaluations. Rather than considering the impacts of the three contingency factors on ERP success assessment alone, we incorporated the interacting effects of a few organizational IT issues which were selected for illustration purposes. Surveys were conducted in Finland and Estonia — two small technologically advanced Northern European countries. We obtained empirical data from 62 respondents in 44 diverse, private, and industrial organizations in the two countries. Using the structural equation modeling technique to examine the relationships, our analysis confirmed six of the eight hypotheses formulated. The data revealed positive relationships between organizational size, structure, and culture, on the one hand and ERP systems success, on the other. Also, IT resources (comprising of measures such as the IS budget size and size of the IT department) as a moderator in the relationships between the main contingency factors and ERP success was found be significant. The implications of the findings for both practice and research are discussed, and fruitful areas for future research outlined.
Keywords: ERP Success, Size, Culture, Structure, Firm, IT Assets, IT Resources, Structural Equation Model
pp. 28-44
A PRACTICAL SYSTEM TO MANAGE AND CONTROL DIGITAL MEDIA
Alexander P. Pons
Abstract: Copyright infringement of intellectual properties has become an increasingly significant problem with the advent of the Internet and the utilization of Internet based information systems that allow users to disseminate files quickly and anonymously. Specifically, we are concerned with the ability to retain control of audio, video, and picture files stored within a database and commonly accessed by numerous individuals. This paper presents a novel approach to the manipulation and management of binary large objects within an active relational database management system through the application of digital watermarking algorithms and Java programming modules. We describe the design and implementation decisions and account our experience of realizing the Active Watermarking System using Oracle DBMS 10g, Oracle JDeveloper 10g, Java, and application-dependent digital watermarking algorithms, which serves as a guide for future similar endeavors.
Keywords: None provided
pp. 45-51
IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT: SIZE, PRACTICES AND THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE
Nancy L. Martin J. Michael Pearson Kimberly Furumo
Abstract: This research is an investigation into IS project management practices related to projects of varying size across diverse industries. Survey data on a broad range of project management issues was collected from 129 IS project managers. The relationships between project size with 13 project management practices and 3 project performance measures were analyzed. The influence of a project management office (PMO) on the use of standardized project management practices and project performance was empirically tested. Our findings suggest that IS project size influences budget and project quality and the PMO is empirically linked to project budget.
Keywords: Information Systems Projects, Project Management, Project Management Office, Project Performance
pp. 52-60
IT PROJECT RISK FACTORS: THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS PERSPECTIVE
Debbie Tesch Timothy J. Kloppenborg Mark N. Frolick
Abstract: The failure of systems development projects has plagued the IT industry for years. In fact, the 2004 Standish group report indicates that only 28 percent of software development projects are successful, down from previous estimates of 34%. This paper identifies IT project risk factors that pose threats to successful project implementation and describes project management professionals (PMPs) assessment of these risk factors. It concludes with suggested strategies for avoiding and/or mitigating these risks and associated implications.
Keywords: Project Management Risk, IT Project Risk, Project Success, Project Failure
pp. 61-69
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HELP DESK SURVEY: TO IDENTIFYTHE CLASSIFICATIONOF SIMPLEAND ROUTINE ENQUIRIES
Nelson K. Y. Leung Sim Kim Lau
Abstract: Information technology has changed the way organizations function. This has resulted in reliance of help desks to support users in dealing with a wide range of information technology-related problems such as hardware, software and telecommunication. The help desk generally has to cover a wide range of information technology products and services. However, due to resource constraint, in particular the lack of help desk staff, users often have to wait for a long time before their enquiries and problems are answered and solved. Literature has shown that the majority of incoming enquiries are considered to be “simple and routine”, and do not require specialized knowledge. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a survey that identifies the classification of simple and routine technical enquiries in a help desk environment. This paper also discusses the development of help desks, ranging from support models to support structure.
Keywords: Help Desk, Simple and Routine Enquiries
pp. 70-81
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES IN BANGLADESH AND THE USA
Majharul Talukder Paul H. P. Yeow
Abstract: The objective of this study is to compare the differences between Virtual Communities in Bangladesh and the USA in terms of website usability, marketing, languages and norms. The two countries were compared because the USA is a more advanced country compared to Bangladesh. Studying their differences would identify possible gaps which can be bridged to improve Virtual Communities of Bangladesh and perhaps other developing countries. Thirty-three Virtual Communities sites from both countries were randomly selected and evaluated based on a set of criteria relating to the above aspects. The data were analyzed using statistical tests to determine any significant difference between Virtual Communities of the two countries. The study found significant differences in the website usability aspects i.e. the use of multimedia; in marketing aspects i.e. the use of electronic catalogs and Web advertisements; and in languages and norms; i.e. the inclusion of language options and the use of religious, collectivistic, and structured messages. As a conclusion, useful recommendations were given to Web developers, marketers, and Bangladeshi government to improve Web usability, marketing, and cultural environment of Bangladeshi Virtual Communities. Future studies can be conducted by replicating the study to other developing countries such as China and India.
Keywords: Website Usability, Marketing, Languages And Norms, Cultural Differences, Country-Based Virtual Communities, Developing Countries
pp. 82-90
ASSESSING ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION CAPABILITY AND ITS EFFECTON E-COMMERCE INITIATIVES
Ann L. Fruhling Keng Siau
Abstract: This research uses the qualitative approach to study the innovative capability of two organizations and the effect of innovation on their E-Commerce initiatives, strategies, and outcomes. The Innovation Strategy Model is used in this research to analyze the innovative capability of two organizations. The case study research methodology was selected and two case studies are presented. The research results show that one organization is more innovative than the other in terms of its innovative capability. A post-study follow-up shows that the organization that was high on innovative capability was very successful in their E-Commerce initiative whereas the other organization was not.
Keywords: Case Studies, Qualitative Research, Strategic IT, Electronic Commerce, Innovation Strategy Model
pp. 91-103
EVALUATING EFFECTS OF DATA POPULARITY ON PERFORMANCE OF CACHING STRATEGY IN PULL-BASED DATA BORADCAST SYSTEMS
Dong Cheon Shin
Abstract: A data broadcast in wireless environments is one of efficient methods to disseminate data from a server to a number of clients. In data broadcast systems, a caching can be a useful technique to alleviate performance degradation by reducing contention for narrow bandwidth due to broadcast requests. In this paper, for pull-based data broadcast systems we propose a caching strategy which is expected to have prefetching effects by considering data popularity among clients. Then, we evaluate the proposed strategy through a simulation approach to analyze the prefetching effects. According to the results, in normal case the proposed strategy generally shows better performance than other strategies in terms of average response time.
Keywords: Wireless Computing, Data Broadcast, Caching Strategy
pp. 104-110
A GDSS FOR RANKINGA FIRM’S CORE CAPABILITY STRATEGIES
Cinho Lin Ming-Lung Hsu
Abstract: Strategic management is a key activity for organizations’ ability to sustain competitive advantages in the long-term. It is crucial for enterprises to optimize their strategies in order to build unique competencies. However, the complex and uncertain environment of modern organizations create difficulties in the evaluation of relevant factors while formulating strategies. In addition, most firms lack cognition and consensus in developing their core capabilities which are vital to attaining competitive advantage. Hence, it is necessary to find more efficient ways by leveraging information technology. Specifically, these problems can be solved by implementing IT-based group decision support systems (GDSS), which are rarely explored. Therefore, the study develops a group decision support system in which the cluster analysis, genetic algorithms, and Analytic Hierarchy Process are used to help managers make key decisions. The system provides a flexible and user-friendly environment to help top management and other relevant staff to evaluate all relevant factors in formulating development policies for core capabilities. Furthermore, in the case study of the GDSS, the participating managers view it as a useful and user-friendly approach to facilitate this task.
Keywords: Core Capability, Strategic Business Unit, Strategic Business Area, Value Chain, Analytic Hierarchy Process, Genetic Algorithm
pp. 111-130