Determinants of collaborative interfaces in public-private IT outsourcing relationships

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-83
Author(s):  
Francois Bernard Duhamel ◽  
Isis Gutiérrez-Martínez ◽  
Sergio Picazo-Vela ◽  
Luis Luna-Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
It Outsourcing ◽  
Application Development ◽  
Political Values ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Successful Case ◽  
Interface Characteristics

Purpose Collaborations between public administrations and private sector represent a specific challenge to manage contractual and organizational relationships among partners with different goals, working cultures, norms, rules and processes. Therefore, the main research question of this paper is: What are the antecedents of effective collaboration in public-private IT outsourcing relations? Thus, the purpose of this paper is to identify the determinants of collaborative interface characteristics as scaffolding structures to manage public-private IT outsourcing relations effectively. Design/methodology/approach Two cases of public-private IT outsourcing relationships in Mexico were used to compare and contrast the main antecedents of collaborative interface characteristics. Case selection was based on the success in each case, as perceived by the collaborating members involved. A successful case and a less successful case of application development for the provision of public services from two state administrations in Mexico were chosen. Data gathering took place via face-to-face interviews. Findings The quality of the organizational interface depends on the interactions between exchange of knowledge and mutual trust, along with the commitment between partners. Trust, commitment and knowledge sharing interacted to enhance interface characteristics that have an impact on public and political values. Research limitations/implications This paper used and extended an outsourcing technology enactment model to emphasize the quality of organizational interfaces as a main antecedent for the success of public-private IT outsourcing relations. Practical implications Effectively designing work practices and contracts implies the development of flexible contracts, objects and routines to adjust project requirements to fulfill better public-private goals. Such flexible contracts and practices are only possible in a trusting environment where participants shape their mutual understanding of the project. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature on public-private IT outsourcing relationships by offering a theoretical framework on key antecedents and processes of success of these relationships.

The sourcing for collaborative knowledge translation in distributed R&D processes: a cross-regional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 2027-2048
Author(s):  
Luana Serino ◽  
Armando Papa ◽  
Francesco Campanella ◽  
Leonardo Di Gioia
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Translation ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Knowledge Flows ◽  
Regional Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Collaborative Knowledge

PurposeWe explore the impact of a specific knowledge management framework on the quality of innovation, the geographic distribution of R&D and the cross-regional integration. We use directly observed indicators of cross-regional knowledge application within the firm as well as examine collaborative mechanisms that firms may use to promote such knowledge translation.Design/methodology/approachOur analysis is based upon successful patents in biotechnology sector applied for during 2011–2014. The empirical assessment follows a mixed method approach. The sample used for testing the empirical hypotheses is composed of 130,720 patents from 860 large US firms. The sample of patents was obtained from USPTO and NBER dataset.FindingsThe idea of this paper was to introduce a model specifically developed for the process of knowledge translation. This research contributes to the literature related to the emergent and new issue namely collaborative knowledge translation (CKT), especially emphasizing the key role of the knowledge translation practices and tools for the internationalization of R&D teams and supporting the quality of innovations in different ways.Originality/valueThis research is conceptually based on the broader concepts of spiral of knowledge of Nonaka and Takeuchi. In spite of the increasing research in innovation, few studies have been done about the diverse contexts' role in the knowledge flows supporting the innovation development. In the attempt to cover this gap, the objective of this research is to answer the following main research question: How to support and manage the process of knowledge translation in innovation processes occurring in collaborative teams?

Stakeholders and opportunities of debt settlement as a values-based banking activity in Hungary

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zsuzsanna Győri ◽  
Borbála Benedek
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Lessons Learnt

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the stakeholders of debt settlement programmes in general and some lessons learnt from the most significant debt settlement programmes of recent years in Hungary. The study also presents a planned debt settlement programme in Hungary. The paper explores and details behaviours and motivations of different stakeholders in debt settlement in general and also with reference to a specific case study. As for its main research question, the paper seeks to identify the preconditions of a successful debt settlement programme with specially emphasis on the poor. Design/methodology/approach Data from semi-structured in-depth expert interviews, documents and former research papers were collected for identifying previous Hungarian debt settlement programmes and potential lessons learnt. After a general discussion, based on primary and secondary sources, a case study is presented to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of opportunities and challenges of debt settlement. Findings Six preconditions of successful debt settlement targeting the poor are identified. In the case study, the existence and relevance of these preconditions are tested: the main finding is that they all are important for solving the situations, so a partial solution is not sufficient. In the scope of the case study, more precisely within the planned innovative banking solution, the motivations of the bank and the coordinator NGO are identified. On the part of the bank, motivations for solving social problems (both as far as business and moral issues are concerned) are relevant, while – as for the other party – the situation of the debtor is important to understand so that opportunities of cooperation can be identified. In addition, as other stakeholders also influence the potentials of the programme, their cooperative attitude is also needed. Research limitations/implications Limitations consist in generalisation: the study presents some cases from one single country and finally it focuses only on one specific case in one specific social and economic context in Hungary. Having recognized this risk, the author opted for basing research questions on theory, documented the process in detail, and also used triangulation through applying a multiple data collection (interview, content analysis, literature review) method. Practical implications Besides presenting an academic understanding of the phenomena, the goal of the study is to contextualize and interpret the case, to help the realization of currently frozen initiatives and to promote similar future ones. Social implications Indebtedness is a stressful situation affecting families, smaller communities and broader society as well. The planned cooperation of BAGázs and MagNet tries to help people excluded from the banking system. So that a deeper debt trap can be avoided, the goal of this programme is to purchase, partially discharge and reschedule pre-accumulated debts of carefully selected people who have regular income and are willing to undertake bearable repayment. The idea is very innovative with literally no good practice to follow. The research seeks to clarify the pitfalls and opportunities to help the realization of the project and similar future ones. Originality/value A certain form of values-based banking concerns the financial inclusion of the poor, e.g. debt settlement. Nevertheless, over-indebtedness and the settlement of existing debts as well as the relevance of such issues to the financial inclusion are not emphasized enough in the literature or in practice. Besides presenting an academic understanding of the phenomena, the goal of the study is to contextualize and interpret the case, to help the realization of currently frozen initiatives and to promote similar future ones.

The use of social media by South African organisations

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nomusa Nomhle Dlamini ◽  
Kevin Johnston
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Media ◽  
South African ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Brand Management ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Main Research

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present how organisations in South Africa are using social media. The paper further explores the value of social media to South African organisations and if it is important for an organisation to have a social media presence. Design/methodology/approach The study used quantitative research methods to answer the main research question and sub-questions. Findings The data collected revealed that most organisations in South Africa are using social media for free advertising, CRM and marketing. The popular social media sites used by these organisations are Facebook and Twitter, with LinkedIn increasing in popularity. The data further revealed that social media is important in organisations for relationship building, contact keeping advertising, marketing, attracting customers, brand management and information gathering. Research limitations/implications The role of social media is changing, it was initially a marketing tool, but the findings revealed that majority of organisations are using social media for free advertising, CRM and marketing. Social media is an easy CRM tool that offers effective and efficient capabilities. Practical implications It is important to use integrate social media with the organisations processes to market and advertise new products, it is an instant and cost-saving way of communicating with customers, and helps in reaching and attracting new customers. Social implications Social media is important for keeping contact and building relationships with customers, advertising and marketing, way to attract customers, brand management tool and gathering information. Originality/value The study provides guidance to how organisation can use social media, identifying the value of using social media and highlighting the importance of social media in an organisation in the South African context.

Listening to bank customers: the meaning of trust

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-370
Author(s):  
Aviv Kidron ◽  
Yvonne Kreis
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Relational Exchange ◽  
Exchange Relationship ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Trust Beliefs ◽  
Structural Assurance ◽  
Customer Trust

Purpose In banking services, trust is crucial to any relational exchange situation. Using the example of Israeli banks, the main research question driving this paper is – What are the reasons for trusting or not trusting banks? To date, few studies have examined the reasons of ongoing low trust during so-called “normal times”. Design/methodology/approach This paper is unique in approaching the study of customer trust in banks through qualitative analysis by using the interdisciplinary trust approach. Findings The results offer important insights regarding situational normality, structural assurance and customers’ tendencies to trust the bank. The insights about trust derived from this complicated relationship between customers and banks reveals that customers grow dissatisfied and their level of trust consequently decreases when they perceive an imbalance in the exchange relationship with their bank. Originality/value This study provides novel insights into hidden attitudes and feelings behind each component of trust beliefs in the bank–customer trust relationship through interdisciplinary trust perspective.

Gauging the value of MOOCs

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Rosendale
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Labor Force ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
Employment Decisions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Hiring Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine hiring managers’ perceptions of massive open online courses (MOOCs) as compared to traditional degree-conferred forms of higher education in relation to hiring and employment decisions. Design/methodology/approach A literature review is presented along with a triangulated theoretical framework. Using online survey data, quantitative methods reveal findings related to the main research question: what are hiring managers’ attitudes toward MOOCs as a form of post-secondary education? Findings Analysis of the data reveals that hiring managers have a clear preference for traditionally educated job applicants but employer demographics, apart from organizational procedures, do not significantly impact their overall perceptions of MOOCs’ value. Research limitations/implications Most of the research is based on anecdotal research. Very little has been written on how to fix this problem. Practical implications This paper illustrates implications of MOOCs’ future development and implementation both in higher education and in the labor-force. The main implication is that MOOCs represent neither a panacea to the issues facing higher education and the American labor-force nor an alarming threat to stakeholders appreciative of the status quo. Originality/value This paper fills a current research gap as evidenced in the literature; employers’ perceptions of MOOC-educated job applicants when compared to traditionally educated/degree-conferred job applicants. By determining the value of MOOCs as employers pragmatically view them, stakeholder groups can better determine their future positioning of MOOC-related resources in addition to time and money allocated in MOOCs’ direction.

scholarly journals Quality of Academic Life during COVID-19 Pandemic as Perceived by Taibah University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 120-149
Author(s):  
Areej Yousef Ahmed Hakim
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Academic Support ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Academic Life ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Academic Satisfaction ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Academic Practices

The current study aimed to identify the quality level of academic life during COVID-19 pandemic from students' perception of Taibah University, Yanbu branch. To this end, a descriptive approach was used to answer the following main research question: What is the quality level of academic life during COVID-19 pandemic from students' perception of Taibah University? The study tool consisted of a questionnaire to measure the quality level of the students’ academic life. The tool was ensured for reliability and validity and composed of three sections that contained indicators to measure the quality of academic life; academic practices, academic satisfaction, and academic support. The sample of the study consisted of 187 male and female students. Results showed high perceptions for the respondents in the quality of academic practices section (M=4.15, SD=1.03). The statement No.9 entitles “Rate the precautionary actions provided to you to activate the online education as an alternative to face-to-face education during COVID-19 pandemic” obtained the highest rank (M=4.63). The second section that measured the level of academic satisfaction recorded (M=1.76, SD=1.10), obtaining 58.71%. The statement 6 entitles “I felt my love to home increased during COVID-19 pandemic” obtained the highest rank (M=4.63, SD=.81, 98.93%). The academic support dimension recorded (M=4.33, SD=.93), Indicating that the level of academic support for students during COVID-19 pandemic was excellent (86.65%) as perceived by the study sample. The statement 5 which entitles “Rate the extent to benefit from academic counseling during COVID-19 pandemic” got the highest rank (M=4.67, SD=.72, 93.485). The most challenges encountered the students gradually categorized from the highest to the lowest were the poor Internet network, non-availability of laptop computers, low experience in working with blackboard, and poor technical experience. The study recommended the significance of academic support and suggested doing further studies on and the reality of quality of academic life from faculty members perspectives and the role of precautionary health during COID-19 pandemic to enhance the national loyalty for the university students.

scholarly journals COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRANSLATIONS PREPARED BY STUDENTS WITH AND WITHOUT LEGAL QUALIFICATIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 85-115
Author(s):  
Márta LESZNYÁK ◽  
Dorka BALOGH
Keyword(s):  
Information Transfer ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Legal Professionals ◽  
Political Sciences ◽  
Catholic University ◽  
The University ◽  
Made In

In our paper, we present the results of the second phase of a study conducted in collaboration between two higher education institutions in Hungary with different types of translator training: a postgraduate (MA) course at the University of Szeged (SZTE), Faculty of Arts, and a postgraduate specialist training course at Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Budapest (PPKE JÁK), Faculty of Law and Political Sciences. At SZTE, students do not have any legal qualifications, while at PPKE JÁK, students are all qualified legal professionals. Our main research question was whether there are significant differences in the quality of legal translations carried out by students with and without legal qualifications. We analyzed and evaluated the global (holistic) quality of the translations using a five-point scale as suggested by Kiraly (1995: 83), and compared types of errors made by the two groups of students with the help of a special error typology. Our results show that students with legal qualifications perform better in terms of both global and analytic indicators, with significantly less errors made in information transfer and in legal register. 

Impact of accounting software utilization on students' knowledge acquisition

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilio Boulianne
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Acquisition ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Accounting Software ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This study investigates the impact that software utilization may have on students' knowledge acquisition of the accounting cycle. Differences in knowledge acquisition are examined between three groups of students: those who completed an accounting case manually using the traditional pencil and paper approach, using software, and first manually and then using software. The main research question is: “To what extent does using computers to study the accounting cycle lead to better knowledge acquisition?” This paper aims to inform changes in accounting education. Design/methodology/approach – The survey method was employed to collect information from accounting students in a Canadian business school. A total of 1,053 usable questionnaires were returned. Declarative knowledge and procedural knowledge are the theoretical underpinnings. Findings – The results indicate that students who first completed the case manually and then completed the same case using accounting software experienced the best knowledge acquisition. This suggests that the best manner for students to acquire concrete knowledge of the accounting cycle is by completing cases using both methods. The results also indicate that students who completed the case using only the software experienced better knowledge acquisition than did students who completed the case only manually. This suggests that software can be effectively utilized and integrated in class to improve knowledge acquisition of accounting information systems. Originality/value – Little investigation has been performed on the usefulness and impact accounting software utilization may have on students' level of learning. The findings may benefit students and faculty members by helping in curriculum design changes, course design, and computer implementation decisions. The findings of this study have the potential to make a difference in the way that educators teach and business students learn. Business education may be improved by the judicious use of software in the classroom.

scholarly journals De-commoditizing change management

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Robert Brown ◽  
Dennis Rose ◽  
Ray Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Change Management ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Failure Rates ◽  
Change Initiatives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quality Of Leadership ◽  
Job Advertisements

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to begin the discussion about re-positioning change management in information technology projects and to propose a framework for improving the quality of decision making in change initiatives that may contribute to that re-positioning. Design/methodology/approach The paper analyzed all change management job advertisements in Australia in both the public and private sectors for May 2015, to identify which change management-related skills were being sought. The purpose was to try to identify any patterns that would confirm or negate the original observations, and to help develop a research question for a subsequent, substantive study. Findings Change management may be perceived as predominantly comprising communications, stakeholder management and training. The quality of leadership decision making in change initiatives may also be contributing to the consistently high failure rates. Research limitations/implications The analysis of job advertisements was a sample only, and requires more quantitative research. Practical implications The required alignment of leadership, ethics and change can only be achieved by first improving the quality of leadership decision making, which demands a values-based approach. Originality/value The paper highlights a restriction to the scope of practice of change management, and how that contributes to continuing high failure rates. The value is that it provides deeper insight into the commonly accepted “leadership alignment” issue, as well as demonstrating that this is probably the least practiced aspect of change management. The paper also challenges to build strong ethical foundations for the practice.

IT outsourcing in the public sector: a conceptual model

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois Duhamel ◽  
Isis Gutiérrez-Martínez ◽  
Sergio Picazo-Vela ◽  
Luis Luna-Reyes
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
It Outsourcing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Technology Enactment

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to propose a theoretical model explaining information technology outsourcing performance in the public sector as well as a set of empirically testable propositions to improve the understanding of key determinants of success. Design/methodology/approach – Based on Fountain ' s technology enactment framework, the authors integrated inter-organizational factors, such as trust, knowledge sharing, and quality of outsourcing interfaces, in the model and added organizational culture alignment between service providers and public administration to enhance Fountain ' s original framework. Findings – The authors proposed 17 empirically testable propositions to establish the relationships between key variables in IT outsourcing projects in the public sector. Research limitations/implications – The proposed model provides guidance for future research aimed at advancing knowledge of IT outsourcing. Originality/value – The contribution lies in the development of specific variables, such as trust, knowledge, and organizational culture, which are related to building an outsourcing relationship and are used as determinants of the quality of organizational interfaces between public bureaucracies and IT outsourcing providers.

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