An IT governance framework for IS portfolio management

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wikus Erasmus ◽  
Carl Marnewick
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Project Success ◽  
It Governance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Framework ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Governance Practices

PurposeSuccess in the information systems (IS) project domain is elusive despite extensive research on the topic. Governance is seen as the greatest contributor to project success. The purpose of this paper is to investigate and report on the current perceptions and implementation of information technology (IT) governance within IS portfolio management to develop a sub-framework to guide practitioners. This sub-framework forms part of a grand IS project, programme and portfolio governance framework of which this study forms a contributing part.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers followed a mixed-methods approach through utilising Q-methodology and inverted factor analysis.FindingsThe results provided a sub-framework recommending specific IT governance practices to be applied to IS portfolios. The recommendations are categorised as activities to be maintained, enhanced and/or implemented.Research limitations/implicationsThe research only had participants from South African organisations and as such cannot be reliably extrapolated to other regions.Originality/valueThe resultant sub-framework provides stakeholders and practitioners involved in IS portfolios an opportunity to examine their own approaches and be confronted with possibilities in their portfolio management activities. Further research to be conducted includes creating a grand framework to address the linkages between portfolio, programme and project management as it relates to IT governance on various strategic levels.

Managing different forms of distances in Dutch healthcare organizations

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1080-1097
Author(s):  
Annemiek Stoopendaal
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Healthcare Organization ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Healthcare Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Healthcare Executives ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose – Dichotomous “gap” thinking about professionals and managers has important limits. The purpose of this paper is to study the specific ontology of “the gap” in which different forms of distances are defined. Design/methodology/approach – In order to deepen the knowledge of the actual day-to-day tasks of Dutch healthcare executives an ethnographic study of the daily work of Dutch healthcare executives and an ontological exploration of the concept “gap” was provided. The study empirically investigates the meaning given to the concept of “distance” in healthcare governance practices. Findings – The study reveals that healthcare executives have to fulfil a dual role of maintaining distance and creating proximity. Coping with different forms of distances seems to be an integral part of their work. They make use of four potential mechanisms to cope with distance in their healthcare organization practices. Originality/value – The relationship between managers and professionals is often defined as a dichotomous gap. The findings in this research suggest a more dynamic picture of the relationship between managers and professionals than is currently present in literature. This study moves “beyond” the gap and investigates processes of distancing in-depth.

Cameroonian perspectives on entrepreneurship: discovering subcultural heterogeneity

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 258-277
Author(s):  
Dave Valliere
Keyword(s):  
National Culture ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regional Effects ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore cultural attitudes and beliefs about entrepreneurship in the southwestern region of Cameroon. This study also identifies the existence of subcultural variations with important implications for the development of entrepreneurial activities in Cameroon. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses the hybrid qualitative/quantitative Q methodology to survey and analyze a purposively diverse sample of individuals and thereby discover subcultural structures and patterns to the attitudes and beliefs that exist in Cameroonian culture. Findings This study discovers three distinct subcultures that differ significantly in their attitudes and beliefs about entrepreneurship. These subcultures can neither be predicted from commonly used national measures of cultures, such as those of Hofstede, nor are they directly attributable to regional effects. Research limitations/implications The author calls into question the continuing use of national culture as a construct in explaining and predicting entrepreneurial activities, through discovery of subcultures at odds with national measures. Further research should be undertaken to assess the prevalence within Cameroonian society of the three widely different subcultures identified here. Practical implications This paper highlights the importance of incorporating subcultural variations in attitudes and beliefs (whether regional, tribal or other) in the development and implementation of public policies to affect national entrepreneurship. Originality/value The paper applies a novel methodology to qualitatively explore the subjective variations in the meaning and value of entrepreneurship in Cameroonian society, and to quantitatively develop a structure or typology to these variations.

scholarly journals Volatility clustering in land markets

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Xiaohui Bao ◽  
Helen Hui Huang ◽  
Yu-Lieh Huang ◽  
Pin-te Lin
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Land Markets ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Volatility Clustering ◽  
Systematic Pattern ◽  
Empirical Approaches

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the volatility clustering in the return of land markets through both theoretical and empirical approaches. Design/methodology/approach – Using extensive monthly panel data at the provincial level from 1986 to 2013, the authors identify the existence of time-correlated and time-varying returns in Canadian land markets. Findings – Consistent with the proposed theory, volatility clustering in land markets tends to be observed in more populated areas. Originality/value – The result has significant implications for portfolio management, economic theory and government policy by revealing the systematic pattern of volatility clustering in land markets.

scholarly journals A comparison of the suitability of FIDIC and NEC conditions of contract in Palestine

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haytham Besaiso ◽  
Peter Fenn ◽  
Margaret Emsley ◽  
David Wright
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
Do So

Purpose The standard forms of construction contract are receiving greater attention in the management of projects scholarship as they probably influence the project success and project disputes. The extant literature suggests that the standard forms of construction contract are one of the top sources of disputes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of the standard forms of construction contract, FIDIC and NEC, in reducing disputes in the Palestinian construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The researchers have used qualitative methods to collect data and more specifically have undertaken 12 semi-structured interviews. Findings The study reveals that the standard forms of construction contract can be a tool to minimise disputes, but certainly not to eradicate them, and NEC appears to be more capable than FIDIC to do so. Originality/value This study contributes to knowledge by bringing an industrial perspective into the role of standard forms of contract in disputes creation and avoidance. The interviewees, recurrent users of FIDIC contract, criticised certain features and expressions and proposed some solutions.

Managing material value creation matters in integrated reporting

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasja Steenkamp ◽  
Roslyn Roberts
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Value Creation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
The Body ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Process Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Body Of Knowledge

Purpose This paper aims to explore how advanced integrated report preparers internalise and operationalise material value creation information to manage the generation of such information for the integrated report. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a qualitative approach using in-depth semi-structured interviews to examine how information about material value creation matters in six South African organisations are managed. Findings The findings will be useful to integrated reporting adopters as to how they might implement appropriate processes and systems to determine, communicate, collect and process information about matters that substantively affect their value creation. Originality/value The paper contributes to the body of knowledge by providing insight on how material value creation matters are determined, communicated internally and information about such matters generated.

An analysis of papers published in the Journal of European Real Estate Research, 2008-2019

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Hoesli
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Investment Portfolio ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Real Estate Research ◽  
Key Dimensions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze papers that have been published in the Journal of European Real Estate Research since its inception in 2008. Design/methodology/approach The author analyzes papers published from 2008 to 2019 in the Journal of European Real Estate Research by authors’ country of affiliation, by country of study and by theme. Findings The Journal of European Real Estate Research publishes papers from scholars from an increasing number of countries, in particular in Central and Eastern Europe. Papers that provide a comparative analysis of countries constitute the largest category of contributions. The three most popular themes remain housing, valuation and investment/portfolio management. However, the dynamics of the three categories differ notably. Originality/value This paper provides for a clearer understanding of key dimensions of real estate research in Europe.

Ferries as travelling landscapes: tourism and watery mobilities

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-334
Author(s):  
Eva McGrath ◽  
Nichola Harmer ◽  
Richard Yarwood
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Material Structure ◽  
Place Making ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
South West ◽  
Original Contribution ◽  
Mode Of Transport ◽  
South West England

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the use of small river ferries as an under-researched but novel mode of travel which enhances and brings new dimensions to tourist experiences of travelling landscapes. Design/methodology/approach The study used a mixed methods approach including participant observation, a survey and interviews with ferry users and staff at one river crossing in South West England. Findings The ferry attracts tourists as a different and practical mode of transport. The river crossing provides an experience of being on water, and the material structure of the ferry significantly shapes on-board interactions whilst providing new perspectives of place. Research limitations/implications This article draws on data collected for a study of ferry crossings conducted at three sites in Devon and Cornwall, England, using multiple methods. The material presented in this article focuses on one site and draws on four interviews, twelve reflection cards and observations. Social implications The research highlighted the extent to which the ferry is dependent on tourist use. At the same time, it reveals the extent to which the crossing enriches the tourist experience and celebrates a ferry’s contribution to local place-making. Originality/value The majority of research on ferry crossings focuses on commuter experiences, marine crossings and larger passenger vessels. This article makes an original contribution to literature on ferries, as it offers a perspective on tourist experiences of river ferry crossings, reveals how the ferry structure influences interrelations on-board and provides distinctive insights into place through a focus on movement across water.

CEO overpayment and underpayment: executives, governance and institutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-46
Author(s):  
Michael Hitt ◽  
Katalin Takacs Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hiring Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Compensation Plans ◽  
Effective Governance ◽  
Inadequate Information ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
The Board Of Directors

Purpose Based on the findings of Aguinis et al. (2018) that only a few executives are properly compensated, the purpose of this paper is to examine potential causes and consequences of CEO overpayment and underpayment. Ineffective compensation of the CEO represents a governance failure by the board of directors. Better understanding the reasons for such failures may help boards to correct their processes and to enact more effective governance. Boards must look beyond the normally constrained focus of agency theory to examine executive characteristics and motivation. Thus, tailoring compensation plans and governance to the executive and organizational context requires attention to a broader set of theoretical notions. Design/methodology/approach Using the Aguinis et al. (2018) work, this paper conceptually identifies and explains the causes and consequences of CEO overpayment and underpayment along with their implications for governance and future research. Findings This paper identifies potential reasons for CEO overpayment and underpayment. For example, in addition to poor hiring decisions and inadequately designed compensation plans, CEO overpayment can occur because of executive hubris and greed. Alternatively, CEO underpayment may occur because of a poorly designed plan, inadequate information about the external labor market and the executive’s interests in non-pecuniary benefits (e.g. socio-emotional wealth, altruism). Without proper monitoring and oversight by the board, firm performance commonly suffers. Originality/value This work extends our understanding of why CEOs may be overpaid (e.g. hubris, greed) and why some executives may accept underpayment (e.g. desire for non-pecuniary benefits from SEW or altruism). This paper explains the consequences of ineffective corporate governance practices that allow inefficient CEO compensation. Finally, this paper explores several contingencies that can affect the governance practices and research needed to enhance our knowledge of this important area.

How well can investors diversify with commodities? Evidence from a flexible copula approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panos Fousekis ◽  
Vasilis Grigoriadis
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Futures Markets ◽  
Investment Strategy ◽  
Sharp Contrast ◽  
Commodity Futures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Commodity Futures Markets ◽  
Copula Approach

Purpose This paper aims to investigate empirically the linkages between stock and commodity futures markets. Design/methodology/approach It involves the application of a flexible copula approach to weekly total returns from the S&P 500 index and from three commodity sub-indices (agriculture, metals and energy) from 1995 to 2017. Findings Co-movement is by no means frequent and symmetric. It was predominantly zero before the last financial crisis, and since then, it is positive and asymmetric. The pattern of asymmetry is consistent with transmission of shocks under extreme negative shocks only. Recently, total returns of commodity futures are very poor. At the same time, commodity futures markets move in step (out of step) with stock markets when the latter plunge (rise), pointing to limited diversification benefits. These appear to justify the concerns of investors and researchers whether including commodities in a portfolio of assets is still a prudent investment strategy. Originality/value It is the only manuscript that combines a flexible copula approach and co-movement measurement along both the positive and negative diagonals. The findings are in sharp contrast with those reported by Delatte and Lopez (2013) and are very important for portfolio management.

Robustness of the Carhart four-factor and the Fama-French three-factor models on the South African stock market

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Addai Boamah
Keyword(s):  
Stock Market ◽  
South African ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The South ◽  
Gross Domestic Product Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Three Factor ◽  
Future Growth ◽  
French Model

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore the applicability of the Fama–French and Carhart models on the South African stock market (SASM). It examines the ability of the models to capture size, book-to-market (BM) and momentum effects on the SASM. The paper, additionally, explores the ability of the Fama–French–Carhart factors to predict the future growth of the South African economy. Design/methodology/approach – The paper relies on data of 848 firms from January 1996 to April 2012 to examine the size, BM and momentum effects on the SASM. The paper constructs the test assets from a 3 × 3 sort on size and BM and a 3 × 3 sort on size and momentum. The paper estimates momentum as the past six-months’ cumulative return. The momentum portfolios are monthly rebalanced. Additionally, the size and BM portfolios are formed annually at the end of each June. Findings – Evidence is provided that size, BM and momentum effects exist on the SASM; also, the small- and high-BM firm portfolios, respectively, appear riskier than the big- and low-BM firm portfolios. The paper provides evidence of past winners outperforming past losers aside from the small-firm group. Additionally, the models only partially capture the size and value effects on the SASM. The Carhart model partly captures the momentum effects, but the Fama–French model is unable to describe the returns to the momentum-sorted portfolios. The evidence shows that the models’ factors predict future gross domestic product growth. Originality/value – The models do not fully describe returns on the SASM; any application of the models on the SASM should be done with caution. The Carhart model better describes returns than the Fama–French model on the SASM. The Fama–French–Carhart factors may relate to the underlying economic risk of the South African economy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document