Troubled IS/IT projects: searching for the root causes

Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Rocchi ◽  
Stefano Za
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Professional Preparation ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
It Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Culture ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Project Failures

Purpose For decades, troubled information systems (IS)/information technology (IT) projects have continued to lose billions of dollars all over the world. The purpose of this paper is to look for the root causes of this widespread and important phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach This paper begins with a concise survey of empirical research and shows that a significant proportion of project failures are derived from the behavior of managers rather than from objective or technical obstacles. Although researchers have made significant efforts to improve the professional conduct of managers, the situation ameliorated only slowly. This raises the issue of a possible hidden cause lying behind the perceived determinants of failure; the authors, therefore, look for the root-cause of this broad noteworthy phenomenon and apply the techniques typical of “root-cause analysis”. Findings IS/IT managers handling troubled projects worldwide have nothing in common except for a similar cultural basis. As students, they learned the fundamental concepts of informatics, and it is, therefore, natural to hypothesize a specific cause and effect relationship between these lessons and the ineffective behaviors of managers. A careful analysis shows that computing theories are narrow, self-referential and abstract, and this negatively affects the conduct of managers, who have broad, practical responsibilities. Practical implications The cultural causes of runaway projects require advanced theoretical research on the foundations of computer science to create a comprehensive and consistent construct that can support the manifold duties of IS/IT project leaders. A future theoretical structure will underpin innovative courses in universities and professional organizations, making leaders more aware of their roles and more capable of managing them. Originality/value In general, when a problem is traced to its origin, it can be eradicated. This work offers evidence that the root causes of troubled projects lie in the management culture, and therefore, the professional preparation of managers needs to be improved so to remove the present difficulties in IS/IT projects.

Identifying the Root Cause of Source-Drain Leakage Caused Soft Fail in Advanced Bulk FinFET Devices

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liangshan Chen ◽  
Yuting Wei ◽  
Tanya Schaeffer ◽  
Chongkhiam Oh
Keyword(s):  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Physical Analysis ◽  
Device Structure ◽  
Tem Analysis ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
3D Architecture ◽  
Cause Of Failure ◽  
Electrical Analysis ◽  
Electrical Data

Abstract The paper reports the investigation on the root cause of source-drain leakage in bulk FinFET devices. While the failing device was readily isolated by nanoprobing technique and the electrical analysis pinpointed the potential defect location inside the Fin channel, the identification of physical root cause went through extreme challenges imposed by the tiny-sized device and the unique FinFET 3D architecture. The initial TEM analysis was misled by the projection of a species in the lamella surface and thus could not explain the electrical data. Careful analysis on the device structure was able to identify the origin of the species and led to the discovery of the actual root cause. This paper will provide the analysis details leading to the findings, and highlight the role of electrical understanding in not only providing guidance for physical analysis but also revealing the true root cause of failure in FinFET devices.

Risk assessment of mining projects in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Teye Amoatey ◽  
Samuel Famiyeh ◽  
Peter Andoh
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Commodity Prices ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Culture ◽  
Mining Project ◽  
Mining Projects

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the critical risk factors affecting mining projects in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach A purposive sampling approach was used in selecting the respondents for the study. These were practitioners working on mining projects in Ghana. Findings The study identified 22 risk factors contributing to mining project failure in Ghana. The five most critical mining project risk factors based on both probability of occurrence and impact were unstable commodity prices, inflation/exchange rate, land degradation, high cost of living and government bureaucracy for obtaining licenses. Mitigation measures for addressing the identified risk factors were identified. Research limitations/implications This paper is limited to data collected from practitioners working on mining projects. Due to geographic and logistical constraints, the study did not include the perception of local communities in quantifying the risk factors. Practical implications This paper has documented the critical risk factor affecting the mining industry in Ghana. Though the identified risk types are also prevalent in other sectors of the construction industry, the key findings of this paper emphasize the need for a comprehensive risk management culture in the mining sector. From an academic research perspective, the paper contributes to a conceptual risk assessment framework. Originality/value The information gathered through this research can be utilized in identifying and understanding risks during the early stages of mining project implementation.

Adapting the scrum methodology for establishing the dynamic inter-organizational collaboration

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 852-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Mollahoseini Ardakani ◽  
Seyyed Mohsen Hashemi ◽  
Mohammadreza Razzazi
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Professional Organizations ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Incremental Method ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Project Life Cycle ◽  
Modern Business ◽  
Project Life

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose an applicable method for establishing the dynamic inter-organizational collaborations (DIOCs) based on the scrum methodology. Design/methodology/approach The scrum methodology embedded within the context of the DIOC project life cycle was used and adapted to being usable with specific characteristics of the project. Findings In order to succeed in the highly competitive, dynamic and changing business environments, the organizations need to change their view of business practices. The transition from the traditional status of manufacturing to the inter-organizational collaborations can be one of the fundamental changes in the modern business management. The proposed method has the capability to establish DIOCs effectively and efficiently whilst guaranteeing agility, competitiveness, and risk timely management. Originality/value Establishing collaborative alliances via association of various experienced and professional organizations and producing the value-added market’s need services is an effective and efficient solution for survival of SMEs in the current competitive, dynamic and changing business environment. So far, different frameworks, reference models/architectures, and many theoretical discussions have been presented for DIOCs context, but these representations are conceptual, empirical and generic. This paper aims to propose an applicable iterative and incremental method for establishing the DIOC which guarantees the agility and risk timely management of the establishment process and promotes competitiveness of partners.

The role of academic conferences in the [re]production of gender inequality in business disciplines: not just a STEM problem

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trudie Walters ◽  
Najmeh Hassanli ◽  
Wiebke Finkler
Keyword(s):  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Discipline Area ◽  
Gendered Patterns ◽  
Underlying Processes ◽  
Patterns Of Interaction ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Academic Conferences

PurposeIn this paper the authors seek to understand how academic conferences [re]produce deeply embedded gendered patterns of interaction and informal norms within the business disciplines.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on Acker's (2012) established and updated theory of gendered organisations, the authors focus on the role of academic conferences in the reproduction of gendered practices in the business disciplines. The authors surveyed academics at top universities in Australia and New Zealand who had attended international conferences in their discipline area.FindingsAcademic conferences in the business disciplines communicate organisational logic and act as gendered substructures that [re]produce gendered practices, through the hierarchy of conference participation. Even in disciplinary conferences with a significant proportion of women delegates, the entrenched organisational logic is manifest in the bodies that perform keynote and visible expert roles, perpetuating the notion of the “ideal academic” as male.Practical implicationsThe authors call for disciplinary associations to formulate an equality policy, which covers all facets of conference delivery, to which institutions must then respond in their bid to host the conference and which then forms part of the selection criteria; explicitly communicate why equality is important and what decisions the association and hosts took to address it; and develop databases of women experts to remove the most common excuse for the lack of women keynote speakers. Men, question conference hosts when asked to be a keynote speaker or panelist: Are half of the speakers women and is there diversity in the line-up? If not, provide the names of women to take your place.Originality/valueThe contribution of this study is twofold. First is the focus on revealing the underlying processes that contribute to the [re]production of gender inequality at academic conferences: the “how” rather than the “what”. Second, the authors believe it to be the first study to investigate academic conferences across the spectrum of business disciplines.

Reflective backward analysis to assess the operational performance and eco-efficiency of two industrial districts

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Appolloni ◽  
Idiano D'Adamo ◽  
Massimo Gastaldi ◽  
Morteza Yazdani ◽  
Davide Settembre-Blundo
Keyword(s):  
Economic Trend ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Industrial Districts ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Ceramic Tiles ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sectorial Analysis ◽  
Backward Analysis

PurposeThe best strategy to apply for the future cannot disregard a careful analysis of the past and is the one capable of seizing opportunities from outside. Manufacturing sectors are characterized by sudden changes, and in this work, we analyze the ceramic tiles sector characterized by a mature technology in which innovation has played a key role.Design/methodology/approachThis study aims to provide a sectorial analysis based on a historical data set (2004–2019) to highlight how an industry is performing both operationally and in terms of eco-efficiency. For this purpose, from a methodological point of view, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used.FindingsThe results of the analysis show that the Spanish ceramics industry shows a growing economic trend by taking advantage of lower industrial costs, while the Italian industry is characterized by a modest decline partially mitigated by exports. The industrial districts are an aggregation of companies that in the ceramic sector has allowed to combine innovation, sustainability and digitalization and is a model toward the maximization of sustainable efficiency because it is a place of aggregation of resources and ideas.Originality/valueThis study experiments with an innovative way of addressing traditional industry analysis, namely, integrating the reflective management approach with DEA-based backward analysis. This provides decision makers with the basis for new interpretations of variable trends.

The role of big data analytics capabilities in bolstering supply chain resilience and firm performance: a dynamic capability view

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Bahrami ◽  
Sajjad Shokouhyar
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Big Data ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Data Analytics ◽  
Big Data Analytics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Resilience ◽  
Management Culture

PurposeBig data analytics capability (BDAC) can affect firm performance in several ways. The purpose of this paper is to understand how BDA capabilities affect firm performance through supply chain resilience in the presence of the risk management culture.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a cross-sectional approach to collect survey-based responses to examine the hypotheses. 167 responses were collected and analyzed using partial least squares in SmartPLS3. The respondents were generally senior IT executives with education and experience in data and business analytics.FindingsThe results show that BDA capabilities increase supply chain resilience as a mediator by enhancing innovative capabilities and information quality, ultimately leading to improved firm performance. In addition, the relationship between supply chain resilience and firm performance is influenced by risk management culture as a moderator.Originality/valueThe present study contributes to the relevant literature by demonstrating the mediating role of supply chain resilience between the BDA capabilities relationship and firm performance. In this context, some theoretical and managerial implications are proposed and discussed.

3 D printing technology and experimental study of chitosan gel using atomized solidification liquid-assisted extrusion molding

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yangwei Wang ◽  
Peilun Lv ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Liying Yu ◽  
Guodong Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Printing ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Error Sources ◽  
Printing Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Printing Ink ◽  
Printing Parameters ◽  
Chitosan Gel ◽  
Printing Method

Purpose This paper aims to propose a suitable atomizing solidification chitosan (CS) gel liquid extrusion molding technology for the three dimensional (3D) printing method, and experiments verify the feasibility of this method. Design/methodology/approach This paper mainly uses experimental means, combined with theoretical research. The preparation method, solidification forming method and 3D printing method of CS gel solution were studied. The CS gel printing mechanism and printing error sources are analyzed on the basis of the CS gel ink printing results, printing performance with different ratios of components by constructing a gel print prototype, experiments evaluating the CS gel printing technology and the effects of the process parameters on the scaffold formation. Findings CS printing ink was prepared; the optimal formula was found; the 3 D printing experiment of CS was completed; the optimal printing parameters were obtained; and the reliability of the forming prototype, printing ink and gel printing process was verified, which allowed for the possibility to apply the 3 D printing technology to the manufacturing of a CS gel structure. Originality/value This study can provide theoretical and technical support for the potential application of CS 3 D printed gels in tissue engineering.

A study on next‐generation digital library using context‐awareness technology

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younghee Noh
Keyword(s):  
Digital Library ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Context Awareness ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Context Aware ◽  
Semantic Retrieval ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Climate Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Services

PurposeThis study seeks to examine the concepts of context, context‐awareness, and context‐awareness technology needed for applying context‐awareness technology to the next‐generation of digital libraries, and proposed context‐aware services that can be applied to any situation by illustrating some library contexts.Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigated both theoretical research and case analysis studies before suggesting a service model for context‐awareness‐based libraries by examining the context, context‐awareness, and context‐awareness technology in depth.FindingsThis paper derived possible library services which could be provided if context‐awareness services are implemented by examining and analyzing case studies and systems constructed in other fields. A library‐applied context‐aware system could recognize users entering the library and provide optimal services tailored to each situation for both new and existing users. In addition, the context‐awareness‐based library could provide context‐awareness‐based reference services, context‐awareness‐based loan services, and cater to other user needs in the stacks, research space, and a variety of other information spaces. The context‐awareness‐based library could also recognize users in need of emergency assistance by detecting the user's behavior, movement path, and temperature, etc. Comfort or climate‐control services could provide the user with control of the temperature, humidity, illumination and other environmental elements to fit the circumstances of users, books, and instruments through context‐aware technology.Practical implicationsNext‐generation digital libraries apply new concepts such as semantic retrieval, real‐time web, cloud computing, mobile web, linked data, and context‐awareness. Context‐awareness‐based libraries can provide applied context‐awareness access service, reactive space according to the user's access, applied context‐awareness lobbies, applied context‐awareness reference services, and applied context‐awareness safety services, context‐awareness‐based comfort services and so on.Originality/valueReal instances of libraries applying context‐aware technology are few, according to the investigative results of this study. The study finds that the next‐generation digital library using context‐awareness technology can provide the best possible service for the convenience of its users.

scholarly journals Recapitulation of the relationship between economic thoughts and realities

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-135
Author(s):  
Hua Liang
Keyword(s):  
Economic History ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Economic Thought ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Economic Thinking ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose It is rather common for China’s current academic circles to use western doctrines that originated in situ to explain China’s economic problems, a suspicion of scenario misplacement may thus arise. The root cause lies in the lack of reflection about the current relationship between economic thoughts and realities. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Correctly understanding economic thoughts associated with the brand of “that era” and effectively deducing its characteristics is of great significance to finding new features of this era and constructing new ideas with the characteristics of “this era.” Findings This motif is exactly the keynote on which to base the study of economic history and economic thought. Originality/value In a period of major historical turning points, the economic realities on which the economic thinking about that era (the era of economists) relied was undergoing major changes, and re-emphasizing the ancient topic of the relationship between economic thoughts and economic realities became particularly urgent.

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