An E-Support Firm’s Response to Local E-Readiness and the Global E-Business Environment

2011 ◽  
pp. 185-199
Author(s):  
John Effah ◽  
Ben Light
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Internet Applications ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Readiness Level ◽  
Adoption And Diffusion ◽  
And Diffusion

The purpose of this study is to understand a small e-support firm’s response to the local e-readiness and the global e-business environment in a developing context. E-Support firms provide Web development and consultancy services to user organizations, assisting them in their uptake and maintenance of their Internet applications. Within the e-readiness research area, little is known about e-support firms, particularly in connection with their interaction with their local and the global e-business environment. As yet the emphasis on e-readiness studies has been at the national level. Nevertheless, the e-support sector is very significant in the successful adoption and diffusion of the Internet and related applications in any economy. It is thus important to understand how such firms relate to their e-business environments. That said, this study draws on the interpretive case study of a small e-support firm in Ghana, a developing context, to investigate the firm’s response to the e-readiness level of the local and the global e-business environment. Findings show that the firm could employ resources from the global environment to address most of the infrastructural challenges posed by a relatively poor local e-readiness context. However, its attempt to transfer advanced e-business technologies from the global e-business environment to the local e-business context did not succeed. This chapter offers implications for practice and research concerning the notion of reconciling local and global e-business environments in the small e-support sector.

Social, Political and Ethical Responsibility in Broadband Adoption and Diffusion

2011 ◽  
pp. 227-239
Author(s):  
Axel Schulz ◽  
Bernd Carsten Stahl ◽  
Simon Rogerson
Keyword(s):  
Ethical Responsibility ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Remote Areas ◽  
Adoption And Diffusion ◽  
And Diffusion ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

There is considerable interest worldwide in broadband diffusion, with research focusing on aspects such as the provision of broadband in remote areas and the socio-economic factors that determine the likelihood of adoption. This chapter identifies the policies and initiatives used to encourage broadband awareness, availability, and adoption. Using the case study of a local broadband initiative in remote and rural Germany, the chapter asks the question of who can and should be responsible for broadband provision, and how such responsibility ascriptions are realized.

STIMULATING SUPPLIER INNOVATION IN A COMPLEX AND REGULATED BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT — A DYADIC CASE STUDY

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (03) ◽  
pp. 1850027 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIKA MAKKONEN ◽  
ANNA AMINOFF ◽  
KATRI VALKOKARI
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
External Resources ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Embedded Case Study ◽  
Willingness To Contribute

Suppliers have been recognised as critical sources for innovation in the literature. However, less consideration has been given to the suppliers’ viewpoint on what motivates them to share their best knowledge with the buying company. Here, we empirically identified ways to increase suppliers’ willingness to contribute to the buyer’s innovation process, in complex and regulated business environments, where the buyer is highly innovation oriented, but simultaneously reliant on external resources in R&D. The paper is based on an in depth embedded case study, with dyadic data collection. The data was collected during 18 semi-structured interviews at the case company, in the nuclear power industry, and its three key suppliers of mechanical engineering and manufacturing. The results show that mutual understanding of each counterparts’ interests and business, systematic project and knowledge management practices, a proper balance between project control and freedom to innovate and buyer’s sufficient technical know-how are decisive for successful supplier innovation. Furthermore, suppliers can be highly committed to collaboration event though they are not fully satisfied with the buyer. Six propositions are presented based on the empirical findings and the enfolding theory.

Managing renewal in fragmented business networks

IMP Journal ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malena Ingemansson Havenvid ◽  
Håkan Håkansson ◽  
Åse Linné
Keyword(s):  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Business Relationships ◽  
Core Network ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Construction Company ◽  
Construction Companies

Purpose – The authors argue that the construction industry is characterised by a fragmented business context with three main features: the project-based character, the strong focus on price in all parts of the supply chain along with the great importance of suppliers. This fragmentation has been identified as problematic for the industry’s ability to innovate and engage in renewal. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this further by focusing on how construction companies manage renewal in a fragmented business context. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use an in-depth case study of a housing project in Sweden to discuss how firms manage renewal in a fragmented type of business environment. The authors identify the challenge of achieving renewal in an individual construction company as an issue of handling intra- and inter-organisational issues in both intra- and inter-project environments. Findings – The case study indicates that renewal can be partly handled and managed through long-term business relationships and partly through opening up to new business relationships. Moreover, innovations and learning developed in other projects can be used in the focal project, and due to a repetitive task it is possible for the construction company to use a core network of individuals and organisations to enhance overall renewal among actors. Research limitations/implications – The study needs to be supported by further empirical observations. The paper encourages IMP scholars to further investigate projects from an industrial network approach. Practical implications – The study shows that the internal resources of firms can be used systematically to create continuity in a multi-project organisation, and that relationships can be used to bridge learning and innovation among actors across projects. Originality/value – The paper addresses why firms in fragmented (project-based) businesses might struggle with achieving renewal in a novel way by outlining and investigating four organisational challenges they must handle.

Globalism, Culture and Business Environment

2012 ◽  
pp. 206-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ayub Khan ◽  
Diana Bank
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Winning Strategy ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Business Decisions ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Latin American Culture

In contemporary globalization, companies need to be entrepreneurial, innovative, creative, and dynamic since the life cycle of products is shortening and competition is stiffening; hence companies need to increase investment in research and development (R&D) to remain competitive or even just to survive. Global sourcing and evolving markets demand that companies become proactive in their business approaches. Considering all these changes and challenges facing business organizations, this chapter focuses on how Latin American companies cope with globalization, cultural differences and diverse business environments. The authors start with a discussion on culture, globalization, and business performance of Latin American companies, followed by solutions to their shortcomings, and conclusions. A case study of business performance in Brazil and Mexico will be presented at the end of the chapter. The authors believe there is enough reason why foreign businessmen and women should seriously consider the Latin American option when making their business decisions. The authors hope this chapter will convince them that, without a shadow of doubt, cultural differences can be understood and overcome for the benefit of everyone. Undertanding Latin American culture could be a winning strategy for foreign investors in Latin American markets.

scholarly journals A difusão da inovação no contexto da adoção do processo judicial eletrônico – PJE

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 376-393
Author(s):  
Jomar Nascimento Neves ◽  
Emílio José Montero Arruda Filho
Keyword(s):  
Technological Innovation ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Working Time ◽  
Judicial Process ◽  
Innovative Process ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Regional Labor ◽  
Adoption And Diffusion ◽  
And Diffusion

This article analyzes a case study of technological innovation with the use of the Electronic Judicial Process - EJP, occurred in the 8th Regional Labor Court, in the 8th Brazilian Judicial District, in Belém, capital of the state of Pará (PA). The research adopted a qualitative and exploratory approach, carrying out interviews with users and actors who maintain the innovation process. The conclusions reflect, evaluate and describe the path of acceptance, adoption, and diffusion of the Electronic Judicial Process, following the stages developed by Roger’s theory regarding the process of innovation’s diffusion and adoption. The study identified that users are loyal to the EJP and they do not show any intention of replacing it, for example, with the tool that was in place before the EJP use. In addition, the study reveals the perception of the importance and superiority of the platform, adding more value to the innovative process, even observing that there were difficulties at the beginning of the adoption. The research showed that users perceived a reduction in the working time, which contributed for each individual become a potential actor in the process of adoption and diffusion of the innovation proposed within the Labor Court of Belém.

scholarly journals Predicting the Growth of e-Commerce using Trendline Analysis: A Case Study of Ogun State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer N. Igwe ◽  
Olumuyiwa B. Alaba ◽  
Olalere A. Abass
Keyword(s):  
University Education ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
Ogun State ◽  
Money Transfer ◽  
Adoption And Diffusion ◽  
E Mail ◽  
And Diffusion ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

There is a growing interest from e-commerce planners and other planning agencies in the Information Technology world to measure and forecast the growth of e-commerce in developing countries like Nigeria. The difficulties lie in finding the best forecasting model that can incorporate both the internal and external barriers that influence the full adoption and diffusion of e-commerce. This study attempts to identify the relevant e-commerce tools and its spread in Ogun East Senatorial District as well as formulating a mathematical model for e-commerce adoption and diffusion. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 126 respondents and analyzed using Trendline, a built-in analysis tool in Microsoft® Office Excel version 2013. The study identified PCs/laptops, ATM cards, e-mail services, mobile money transfer, e-commerce Websites, and point-of-sales (POS) terminals as e-commerce tools used by the respondents. The results of the study show that majority of the e-commerce users/adopters were single female students between the ages of 21 and 30 years, with university education owing to a proportion of 63% of the respondents while the earliest adopted e-commerce tools in descending order were tablets/smartphones, PCs/laptops, ATM cards, and email services. The results further show that the most popularly-used tools were e-commerce websites (98% responses), email services (94% responses), mobile money transfer (94% responses), POS terminals (94% responses), tablets/smartphones (93% responses), PCs/laptops (87% responses) and ATM cards (80% responses). Based on the findings of this study, it is therefore recommended that government should promote the use and development of e-commerce, notably by reducing the costs of access to technology, through the liberation of trade in software and hardware.  

Towards a Better Understanding of Organizational Adoption and Diffusion of RFID Technology

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faouzi Kamoun ◽  
Sami Miniaoui
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Diffusion Pathway ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Exogenous Factors ◽  
Study Methodology ◽  
Adoption And Diffusion ◽  
And Diffusion

This paper aims to acquire underlying knowledge about the dynamics of RFID adoption and diffusion and explore the drivers that shape the RFID diffusion pathway. The paper uses a case study methodology to conduct and present the research and its findings. The paper presents an RFID adoption/diffusion model that can guide enterprises to transition from standalone RFID deployments towards new RFID systems that are deeply integrated with business processes. The diffusion process follows a three-stage model with isomorphic feedback mechanisms. The first stage is an isolated/sensing phase, the second stage is an absorptive phase, while the last stage is an integrative phase. The proposed model suggests that a combination of endogenous and exogenous factors constitute the driving forces behind each phase of the diffusion pathway. Our research reveals that some congruence between organizational and individual aims is plausible during the adoption phase and that RFID adoption can be initiated through organizational free-will as opposed to coercive pressures from influencing organizations.

Building Trust in E-Government Adoption through an Intermediary Channel

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faris Al-Sobhi ◽  
Vishanth Weerakkody ◽  
Ramzi El-Haddadeh
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Building Trust ◽  
Adoption And Diffusion ◽  
And Diffusion ◽  
Intermediary Organisations

E-government has become an essential strategy for many governments in their efforts to increase accessibility and facilitate improved diffusion of public sector services. However, citizens’ adoption of online public services has been obstructed by factors such as, digital divide, accessibility, and trust. This study examines the influencing role that intermediaries can play in helping to facilitate the adoption of electronic government services. A case study is undertaken in Medinah City to explore how third party intermediary organisations can help in building trust, reduce digital divide and improve accessibility of public services to citizens. While the literature highlights extensively the challenges of e-government adoption and diffusion, the results of this exploratory study demonstrate that intermediaries can play a significant role in overcoming these potential challenges.

scholarly journals Operations strategy optimization based on developed sense and respond methodology

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Liu ◽  
Josu Takala
Keyword(s):  
Critical Factor ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Analytical Models ◽  
Operations Strategy ◽  
Business Environments ◽  
Factor Index ◽  
Strategic Adjustment ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sense And Respond

How to make adaptive adjustments on operations strategy in dynamic business environments becomes the very important competitiveness to all kinds of companies. This paper aims to develop sense and respond (S&R) models in agile and dynamic strategic adjustment by introducing scaled critical factor index (SCFI) compared with previous S&R models such as critical factor index (CFI) and balanced critical factor index (BCFI). In addition, the case study in this paper shows the difference among the three S&R models and the advantages of SCFI model. The analysis results show that the SCFI models have contribution to the adaptive operations strategy adjustment based on clear objectives in dynamic and turbulent business environment. Managers can make quick decisions by the analytical models.

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