Vendors’ team performance in software outsourcing projects

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Qu ◽  
Lishan Shen ◽  
Xiaona Bao

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study how the software outsourcing teams, namely, vendors, transfer effective knowledge to enhance team performance; it reports on a study of transactive memory system (TMS) theory and makes deep analyses and discussions about the influence of the cooperative behaviors of TMS on software outsourcing team’s performance under the framework of three behavioral characteristics dimensions – specialization, credibility and coordination. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is an empirical study based on investigation interviews to 28 software outsourcing teams and data of questionnaire surveys on 124 software outsourcing teams; structural equation model is used to test the data we collected. Findings – This paper finds that both credibility and coordination have a significantly positive impact on knowledge transfer and project success, whereas specialization has a significant negative impact on project success. The results of data analysis show that TMS is an effective coordination mechanism. Originality/value – The conclusion of the study can help us understand the coordination mechanism of knowledge transfer in software outsourcing team and provide theoretical support and paradigm reference for vendors in China to accumulate knowledge and improve the success rate of projects in the context of software project development.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-427
Author(s):  
Babatunji Samuel Adedeji ◽  
Tze San Ong ◽  
Md Uzir Hossain Uzir ◽  
Abu Bakar Abdul Hamid

Purpose The non-existence of the corporate governance (CG) concept for practices by non-financial medium-sized firms (MSFs) in Nigeria informed. This study aims to determine whether CG practices influence firms’ performance and whether sustainability initiative (SI) mediates the relationship between CG and MSFs’ performance in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach A total of 300 firms were selected on convenience sampling basis from South Western Nigeria using a structured questionnaire. The authors used Statistical Package for Social Sciences for exploratory data analysis and hypotheses were tested using covariance-based structural equation modelling. Findings The results show that CG has a significant positive effect on performance [financial performance (FNP) and non-financial performance (NFP)] and SI. SI has a mixed impact on performance, e.g. a significant positive impact on NFP but insignificant negative impact on FNP. Similarly, SI has a combined mediating effect in the relationship between CG and performance, e.g. fully mediates CG → NFP and does not mediate CG → FNP. Firms are to invest in social and environmental initiatives substantially. CG codes will complement the International Financial Reporting Standards for MSFs. Research limitations/implications This study supports the assumptions of theories (institutional, stakeholder and agency) as the basis for the usage of multiple approaches to determine the outcome of hypotheses, especially in developing climes. Practical implications The study contributes to CG and performance literature by examining the mediating effects of SI. The paper also shows the necessity to emphasise NFP aspect. Policymakers should evolve CG codes to encourage stakeholders to believe more in the corporate existence of MSFs for strengthening capital-base and quality personnel engagement. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first empirical attempts showing the evidence on the relationship between CG and NFP in Nigeria.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Trequattrini ◽  
Maurizio Massaro ◽  
Alessandra Lardo ◽  
Benedetta Cuozzo

PurposeThe paper aims to investigate the emerging issue of knowledge transfer and organisational performance. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of knowledge transfer in obtaining high and positive results in organisations, in particular, studying the role of managers’ skills transfer and which conditions help to achieve positive performance.Design/methodology/approachThe research analyses 41 cases of coaches that managed clubs competing in the major international leagues in the 2014–2015 season and that moved to a new club over the past five seasons. The authors employ a qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) methodology. According to the research question, the outcome variable used is the team sport performance improvement. As explanatory variables, the authors focus on five main variables: the history of coach transfers; the staff transferred; the players transferred; investments in new players and the competitiveness.FindingsThe overall results show that when specific conditions are realised simultaneously, they allow team performance improvement, even if the literature states that the coach transfers show a negative impact on outcomes. Interestingly, this work reaches contrasting results because it shows the need for the coexistence of combinations of variables to achieve the transferability of managers’ capabilities and performance.Originality/valueThe paper is novel because it presents a QCA that tries to understand which conditions, factors and contexts help knowledge to be transferred and to contribute to the successful run of organisations.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meliha Handzic ◽  
Nermina Durmic ◽  
Adnan Kraljic ◽  
Tarik Kraljic

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the relationship between project-specific intellectual capital (IC) and project success in the context of information technology (IT) projects. Design/methodology/approach – Using data collected from surveys of 603 IT professionals across a variety of projects, the authors constructed a structural (structural equation model) model in AMOS to examine the relationships between three dimensions of project-specific IC (project team, project customer and project process) and project success. Findings – The empirical results support the proposition that IC has a positive impact on project success, and thus may be a good indicator of future projects’ performance. More importantly, the authors found out an important mediating role of a project’s structural capital (process) in exploiting its human (team) and relational (customer) capital for realising project success. Research limitations/implications – Interpretation of current results should be considered in light of the following methodological limitations: convenient rather than systematic sampling, use of previously untested measures and prevailing European subjects. Practical implications – These results suggest that project-based organisations need to invest heavily in their project workforce talent and then translate it into superior project practices in order to produce successful IT projects. They also need to maintain close relationships with their project customers and involve them during the entire project process. Originality/value – The current empirical evidence extends the understanding of the role of IC in improving project success and thus helps project-based organisations create and maintain competitive advantage in emerging economies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1082-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xu Ren ◽  
Xiaofang Deng ◽  
Lihua Liang

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how project nature affects the effectiveness of knowledge transfer between projects in project-based organizations (PBOs) and to analyze the roles of inter-project communication, transfer intention and information technology (IT) in the influencing process. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted a questionnaire survey method to collect data from construction enterprises in China and subsequently proceeded to structural equation modeling analysis with a total of 261 samples. Findings The results indicate that the similarity of projects could promote the inter-project communication and improve transfer intention, which further influences knowledge transfer effectiveness positively within PBOs. The urgency of projects has a negative impact on inter-project communication and transfer intention. The temporality of projects also negatively affects inter-project communication. They consequently hinder the knowledge transfer behaviors between projects. Additionally, the application of IT improves the frequency of communication and makes up for the negative impact of geographical distance between projects on knowledge transfer. Practical implications Based on the results, a series of strategies is recommended to improve knowledge transfer effectiveness between projects, including standardizing project management, promoting information construction, establishing a post-project evaluation system and creating a shared culture, so that the competitive advantages of PBOs could be improved. Originality/value The study explores the factors influencing knowledge transfer between projects from the perspective of project nature and provides guidance for enhancing knowledge management and project management practices.


2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (8) ◽  
pp. 1715-1729
Author(s):  
Srdjan Sapic ◽  
Jovana Filipovic ◽  
Jasmina Dlacic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the antecedents of product evaluations and behavioural intentions regarding fast-food restaurants. Research tests the moderating effects of tradition on selected relationships in Croatia and Serbia. Further, it tests consumer willingness to use services in domestic and foreign fast-food restaurants. Design/methodology/approach Samples were collected from 332 and 362 respondents from Croatia and Serbia, respectively. The validity of the model was tested with confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling was used to determine main and interaction effects. Findings For both foreign and domestic fast-food restaurants, variety seeking and cosmopolitanism had a positive impact on consumer evaluations and behavioural intentions, while the desire for unique products had a negative impact. Personal innovativeness had a positive impact on evaluations and intentions regarding foreign restaurants but a negative impact for domestic restaurants. A moderating effect of tradition was more present in the Serbian sample. Originality/value This study is the first to use the theory of planned behaviour and theory of social identity to investigate the impact of variety seeking, desire for unique products, cosmopolitanism and personal innovativeness on consumption in fast-food restaurants in two emerging countries in the country of origin context. Furthermore, it also provides information for researchers and marketers on fast-food consumption antecedents in different countries. New insights are provided for the moderating role of tradition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedat Çelik ◽  
Bekir Bora Dedeoğlu

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reveal the relationship between personality traits, travel motivations, perceived destination quality, overall destination satisfaction and behavioral intentions of domestic tourists. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative research method was used in the study. A survey technique was used to collect data. Data were applied to incoming domestic tourist to Gaziantep and Sanliurfa cities in Southeast Anatolia of Turkey. The data obtained were analyzed by structural equation modeling. Findings The study showed that personal traits “agreeableness” and “conscientiousness” positively affect relaxation motivation. Cultural and relaxation motivations had a positive impact on satisfaction, whereas pleasure-seeking motivation has a negative impact on satisfaction. In addition, overall destination satisfaction is positively affected by destination quality perceptions and affects loyalty in a positive way. Research limitations/implications During the literature review phase, no scale was found according to different destination characteristics (cultural, nature and sea destinations). In this regard, developing new scales to measure destination quality in accordance with different destination types would allow comprehending the subject in a more clear and detailed way. Practical implications The establishment of relationship between variable examined by this study ensures that product and services provided by the destination reach the correct target audience, which brings along the success to destination. For instance, destination management organizations could get information from travel agencies they work with about the characteristics, and motivations of tourists, and could develop their strategies, and plans, accordingly. Originality/value This study has three important contributions. First, revealing the role of personality in tourist behavior; second, their behaviors and attitude before (motivation and personality) during (destination quality and satisfaction) and after visiting (behavioral intentions) were examined; and third, personality, travel motivation, destination quality and satisfaction are discussed together as a model in this study.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 2788-2807
Author(s):  
Mustafa Daskin

Purpose This paper aims to explore the role of ethical climate as an antecedent of polychronicity, then in turn the effect of polychronicity on frontline employees’ service innovative behaviours (SIBE) and error strain and the moderating role of organization mission fulfilment in these relationships in a hotel job context in Penang, Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach In the current study, the data were collected from 312 frontline employees in the survey premises. A partial least square approach of the structural equation modelling technique (PLS-SEM) was used to test the associations among study variables. Findings The study findings reveal that ethical climate had positive impact on polychronicity. Significantly, polychronicity made positive influence on SIBEs and negative influence on error strain. Organization mission fulfilment was found to boost the influence of ethical climate on polychronicity. Finally, while organization mission fulfilment was found to boost the positive influence of polychronicity on SIBEs, on the other hand, buffers the negative impact of polychronicity on error strain. Practical implications The present study procures implications for practitioners in terms of establishing ethical climate in work environment and maximizing the frontline employees’ SIBEs while minimizing error strain. In addition, this research procures valuable implications to apply efficient managerial tools and improve job results in the lodging industry context of Peninsular Malaysia. Originality/value This study by investigating the untested associations such as the influence of polychronicity on frontline employees’ SIBEs and error strain contributes to the related literature.


2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 289-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradford Eichhorn ◽  
Oya Tukel

Purpose There are differing views and results in the literature regarding whether the user’s participation has a positive or negative impact, if any, on the success of an information system (IS) project. The purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive model with four main hypotheses to test the relationships between seven constructs using survey data conducted in the USA. Design/methodology/approach The authors develop a structural equation model (SEM) with four constructs defining the activities the user participates in and three constructs defining user satisfaction as a measure of project success. As such, the proposed SEM is the most comprehensive among the models offered in the literature to date, and includes, for the first time, a presentation requirement construct as a specific system requirement for possible user participation. Findings The authors find that a business user’s participation in functional requirements benefits project outcome, whereas business users should not participate in gathering presentation requirements unless they are experienced middle managers. Research limitations/implications This study surveyed many industries across the USA and provided a solid statistical base for analysis. Future research should consider exploring IS projects in other countries since various cultures can differ in how they approach to such projects. Additionally, industries are known to have dissimilar needs; therefore, a study exploring specific industries would add to the available research. Practical implications The authors find that when the general business user participates in certain activities that relate to presentation of the system, his/her involvement negatively impacts the project success. However, if that business user is a middle manager, he/she has a positive impact on the project success. Similarly, when the business user participates in managing the projects, that involvement negatively impacts the project outcome (although the amount of negative impact is relatively small). These results should have an influence on the way the IS project managers allocate business resources to activities, and their decisions regarding whether and where the business users participate. Social implications The authors expect higher levels of business user satisfaction on IS projects if they are allocated to a limited subset of project activities that has a positive impact on project outcomes. Originality/value The authors believe these findings contribute to this research domain considerably since they are based on a large sample size on a new comprehensive model of business users that can be generalized across industries. The separation of business requirements into functional and presentation requirements has suggested that there are differing impacts to the project depending on the type of business user involved.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madhupa Bakshi ◽  
Prashant Mishra

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to map the variables that affect the customer-based brand equity (CBBE) of media channels (television news) in an emerging market context. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted structural equation modelling (SEM) to investigate the causal relationships between CBBE and the variables that affect brand equity for television news channels. Findings The analysis revealed that localization, ideology, credibility and entertainment are the variables that influence CBBE of television news channels (media brands). Subsequent analysis using SEM indicated that apart from the sole negative impact of entertainment, all the variables had positive impact on brand equity. Research limitations/implications This study is confined to one of the metros of emerging market hence it cannot be generalized. Also the variables that indicate brand equity have been tested only for television news channels hence they may not hold true for other form of television stations. Practical implications For marketers of news channels this study identifies the factors that they need to focus on if they want to garner the equity of the brand in an emerging market scenario. Social implications The content factors identified that influence television news brand equity are reflections of the social requirements of an emerging market. It indicates what the audiences in such markets expect from their television news channels and is part of the social discussion. Originality/value The study contributes to brand equity literature by finding the antecedents that can influence any media brand in the emerging market scenario.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Kajalo ◽  
Arto Lindblom

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse how retailers view the links between security problems, investments in formal and informal surveillance, the sense of security felt among customers and employees, and the competitiveness of the store. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilizes elements of the theory of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in its theoretical approach. Thus, surveillance investments are divided into formal and informal surveillance investments. The theoretical model is tested using structural equation modelling (SEM) with data collected among grocery store retailers. Findings – The study shows that security problems have a positive impact on investments in formal surveillance but no impact on investments in informal surveillance. Furthermore, retailers perceive that formal surveillance investments have a negative impact on the sense of security felt among customers and employees, whereas informal surveillance investments have a positive impact. In addition, retail entrepreneurs perceive that the sense of security felt among customers and employees has a positive impact on the competitiveness of the store. Research limitations/implications – The impact of investments in security should also be studied from other viewpoints than just retailers. In addition, conceptual and qualitative empirical studies are needed to obtain a clearer understanding of the effectiveness of surveillance in the store environment. Practical implications – The paper shows retailers the linkages between different types of surveillance investments and the sense of security felt among consumers and retail employees. Originality/value – The present research provides empirical evidence on how investments in security are linked to the competitiveness of retail stores.


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