Creating Competitive Advantage

This chapter addresses collaborative business networks at the level of industry/cluster networks, which is important and relevant from the strategic management perspective in several industries. This chapter examines two current “hot topics”: the emergence of a new Internet driven business group, and its construction through a series of intentionally developed collaborative networks. Networks are seen to offer firms collective benefits beyond those of a single firm or market transaction. The author of this chapter aims to contribute to the development of the emerging theory of network management by inte-grating notions from the Industrial Network Approach and the Resource-Based View of the firm, in particular its extensions into dynamic capabilities and learning. The starting premise is that the charac-teristics of the task that organizations try to accomplish through forming a specific collaborative net-work influence, the management of that network, and thus, the capabilities developed and required. This chapter is based on a longitudinal case study in the ICT-sector.

Policy Initiatives in Jamaica and their Impact on the Development of ICT

The chapter explores the diffusion of information and communications technology (ICT) in the country of Jamaica, and within the context of the national strategic plan for information technology. Further it utilizes the concept of institutional intervention to discuss some policies and initiatives undertaken in support of the plan. Within this framework, the impacts of managed interventions via collaborative projects between government and international agencies on the adoption of Internet technologies by small and medium-sized enterprises are also examined. The aim of the authors is to indicate that as far as developing countries are concerned, governments can affect the diffusion and adoption of ICT through policymaking but more positive outcomes can be realized through managed interventions.

Towards an ICT4D Geometry of Empowerment

This chapter introduces actor-network theory (ANT) as an approach to the analysis and improvement of the use of ICT for development (ICT4D). It argues that ANT helps to conceptualize ICT beyond the technological systems of the conventional “digital divide.” ANT supports thinking about the sociotechnical networks that incorporate humans, hardware, institutions, texts, and policies, etc. into ICT networks. It also supports the inclusion of marginal actors, helps to address development problems from the perspective of those populations, and traces the networks of power that supports their participation or exclusion. The author hopes that the ideas in this chapter will promote further discussion on the topic and the refinement of an analytical framework for ICT4D.

Strategy Development

Trade globalization and advancement in ICT may be considered as the two major forces that will be directing economic growth of a country in the coming years. Policy makers have realized the importance of ICT in achieving national goals in the digital era. The developing and underdeveloped countries generally lack research capacity and standard policy development processes that are critical for developing a successful ICT policy. Cause of policy failure in these countries can most of the time, be traced to flaws in policy development process rather than environmental complexity. The chapter provides an insight on policy development process from strategic management perspective to highlight critical issues, which are sometimes overlooked by policy makers. The purpose is to assist the policy makers in developing successful ICT Policy for their countries.

Implementation of E-Governance

This chapter deals with some technical issues and challenges in implementing e governance at national level. It also discusses different stages of implementations of e governance system and recommends on developing successful ICT strategies incorporating comprehensive e governance action plans.

Computer-Based Assessment for Academic Evaluation

As student numbers and lecturer workloads increase, traditional methods of assessment make it rather difficult to undertake effective assessment and provide students with in-depth, relevant, specific and speedy feedback. It is thus incumbent on tertiary academic institutions, more especially distance education providers, to consider alternative ways, means and strategies towards the incorporation of computer-based assessment (CBA) methods. This automation can be easily realised by the ever-growing field of computer aided assessment (CAA) software that is currently permeating the educational landscape of the world. While some individuals may argue that CBA software has been proven in only limited situations and that it is very costly to develop, it nevertheless remains a viable alternative technology that is beginning to challenge many traditional and out-dated modes of assessment. In this chapter the rationale for developing CBA has been discussed and thereafter pertinent issues around the types of CBA, advantages of CBA, proprietary and non proprietary software have been analysed. The chapter concludes by firstly, highlighting strategic planning issues for consideration in engaging computer based assessment and secondly it provides modalities for future research directions within the arena of computer based assessment. These two components are key in designing ICT strategies for continuous academic evaluation

Delivering More Effective Community Consultation and Support for Regional ICT Programs

This chapter looks at the role of language and the community consultation process in overcoming the digital divide by facilitating the uptake of information and communications technologies (ICT) in small regional communities in Australia. It focuses on one of the ‘telecentre’ programs funded by State and Federal governments in Australia – the Community Technology Centre at New South Wales (CTC@NSW) program. The authors look at some of the key issues that emerged in communities that applied for CTC@NSW grants when a more culturally relevant consultation process, based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, was developed and implemented. This consultation process was successfully used in targeted regional communities to build social capital, facilitate regional economic development and empower communities through the use of ICT. The chapter also includes projects that demonstrate the diversity of ICT usage in the communities that received funding to establish a CTC.

Integration Strategies and Tactics for Information Technology Governance

Amidst the challenges and changes of the 21st century, involving hyper competitive market spaces, electronically-enabled global network businesses, and corporate governance reform, IT governance has become a fundamental business imperative. IT governance is a top management priority, and rightfully so, because it is the single most important determinant of IT value realization. IT governance is the system by which an organization’s IT portfolio is directed and controlled. IT governance describes (a) the distribution of IT decision-making rights and responsibilities among different stakeholders in the organization, and (b) the rules and procedures for making and monitoring decisions on strategic IT concerns. The objective of this chapter is threefold. First of all, to describe past developments and current challenges complex organizations are facing in governing the IT portfolio of IT applications, IT development, IT operations and IT platforms. Based upon the lessons we’ve learned from the past, one of the key objectives is to move beyond ‘descriptives’, and discuss how organizations can diagnose and design IT governance architectures for future performance improvement and sustained business growth. The final objective of this chapter is to provide a thorough understanding and holistic picture of effective IT governance practices, and present a new organizing logic for IT governance

Civil Liability of ISPs, the Internet, and Law

This chapter examines the Internet and law relationship. Using rules and decisions on ISP liability for civil defamation to illustrate, the chapter attempts to identify and proffer solutions to the challenges posed by the Internet to law. It suggests legal recognition of the distinctive nature of the Internet by policy makers and administrators as the key to addressing the legal issues continually raised by the Internet with the result that appropriate legal strategies would be applied to the Internet. The chapter also advocates international legislative action on the Internet issues. Law, including its substantive and procedural contents, interpretation and administration, is an important factor for encouraging or hindering continued Internet development.

Developing Strategies for Competitive Advantage

As in any game, the success of competitive strategies depends on knowing the rules as well as the other players. Nevertheless, in the real competitive environment, the rules are not always clear and can change very quickly, demanding quick responses and making it increasingly difficult to map the moves of the main players. Strong monitoring channels must be maintained to follow changes in the competitive environment and to discern new trends. Changes in the environment can result from emerging technologies or changes in society’s behavior, and thus in clients´ demands. They can also be the result of competitors´ moves in the market. Thus developing a good competitive strategy depends on mapping the environment and constantly monitoring it to be able to capitalize quickly on opportunities or neutralize threats. The focus of this chapter is on mapping the environment. It will show the main aspects of the model for industry analysis and explain the process of forming strategic groups and pressure maps.