Information technology and public administration modernization in a developing country: Pursuing paperless clearance at Ghana customs

2022 | Information Systems Journal | Citations: 1

Authors: Addo, Atta

Abstract: Despite significant information technology (IT) implementations in public admini ... Expand

Abstract: Despite significant information technology (IT) implementations in public administrations of developing countries to change their dysfunctional traditional practices towards modern forms, the outcomes are typically disappointing relative to the potential of IT for organizational change. With a case study of the customs clearance process when importing goods through Ghana's main port, the Tema Harbour, we explore why IT struggles to modernize traditional practices of public administration in a developing country context. We focus on explaining the persistence of paper use at Ghana customs despite more than a decade of digitalization and automation to establish paperless processes that eliminate malpractices of traditional clearance. We view modernization as a process of long-term institutional change and therefore draw from the literature on IT and institutional change to focus our investigation on the dynamics of incongruent institutional logics of IT and public administration. We show that in the administration context of a developing country like Ghana, the endurance of patrimonial logics in the state and broader society, coupled with high levels of administrative discretion and ambivalent or weak compliance pressure limit the realization of IT for modernization and allows hybrid practices to emerge. Collapse

Topics: electronic data interchange data protection national culture information system use organizational context

Methods: qualitative interview case study literature study field study theory development

A Deeper Look at Cloud Adoption Trajectory and Dilemma

2022 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 1

Authors: Hsu, Pei-Fang

Abstract: Different from previous cloud adoption studies that focus on the benefits and co ... Expand

Abstract: Different from previous cloud adoption studies that focus on the benefits and concerns of cloud computing from a technology point of view, this study takes a deeper look at two additional firm-specific forces that could better explain firms’ cloud adoption trajectory and dilemma: Path dependency and Institutional forces. Path dependency theory argues that if a firm has invested intensively in traditional IT, it may be more capable of adopting and utilizing new IT since it has accumulated knowledge. However, the firm could also be trapped in its previous path and reluctant to migrate to cloud to avoid sunk costs and switching costs. On the other hand, institutional theory provides an external view and posit that a firm facing more institutional forces from its trading community will have more incentives, as well as pressure, to adopt cloud. We developed a cloud adoption model that features benefits, concerns, path dependency, and institutional forces as prominent antecedents to understand their competing and complementary effects, and empirically tested the proposed model using 177 firms. The results show that, path dependence is indeed an important factor affecting firms’ cloud adoption behaviors; a firm with a better IT position and more satisfying IT outsourcing experiences will have greater cloud adoption intention. Institutional forces do not directly affect cloud adoption intention. Instead, institutional forces increase perceived benefits, through which, indirectly influence cloud adoption intention. The findings delineate the trajectory and dilemma that firms face when migrating to cloud and provide insights to cloud vendors in choosing their target market. Collapse

Topics: cloud computing outsourcing IT job platform as a service software as a service

Methods: survey partial least squares regression PLS tool factor analysis case study

Theories: institutional theory

Building knowledge ambidexterity using cloud computing: Longitudinal case studies of SMEs experiences

2022 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 0

Authors: Saratchandra, Minu; Shrestha, Anup; Murray, Peter A.

Abstract: Using a longitudinal multisite case study research design, this study demonstrat ... Expand

Abstract: Using a longitudinal multisite case study research design, this study demonstrates how cloud computing helps to build knowledge ambidexterity (K-AMB) capabilities in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A crosstheory approach is used to highlight the connections between ambidexterity and knowledge management the­ ories as a basis to explore the benefits of K-AMB capabilities for SMEs. The study investigates how the focus on knowledge exploitation by SMEs limits innovation which can be reconciled using cloud computing by creating multiple ambidextrous knowledge opportunities. In relation to cloud computing and knowledge ambidexterity, the study is the first to measure the effects of a temporal lag in the K-AMB processes resulting in enhanced employee-driven innovation. The results showed that over a 12-month period, employee-driven innovation was significantly amplified from the application of cloud computing that supported more sophisticated ambidextrous processes of knowledge management. The results significantly shift mindsets about the revelatory value of cloud computing to promote K-AMB in SMEs. We draw novel insights to the theory of ambidexterity by proposing that digital technologies and employee innovation contexts lie side-by-side and play an important role in building KAMB capabilities in SMEs. Collapse

Topics: cloud computing innovation management knowledge management electronic data interchange knowledge work

Methods: case study qualitative interview qualitative coding theoretical contribution personal interview

Theories: ambidexterity theory knowledge management theory theory of economic growth

A multilevel, multi-mode framework for standardization in digital B2B platform eco-systems in international cargo transportation—A multiple case study

2022 | Electronic Markets | Citations: 0

Authors: Tessmann, Ruben; Elbert, Ralf

Abstract: Standardization is gaining importance for digital platform eco-systems as they t ... Expand

Abstract: Standardization is gaining importance for digital platform eco-systems as they try to balance both stability and flexibility of their core as well as their boundary resources. Our knowledge on which factors influence standardization processes in business-to-business (B2B) focused digital platform eco-systems remains limited. Using three B2B platform eco-systems from the cargo transportation and seaport eco-system context, we apply a multiple case study to investigate which factors affect the standardization mode and the standard adoption. Based on 19 interviews and a systematic coding procedure, we identified 24 factors and cluster them into four overarching themes. We show the relatedness between standardization and innovation research, identify standard characteristics as the most important theme of factors and show that standardization has to be seen as a dynamic and interconnected process, as some factors are interdependent but the controllability varies between factors. Lastly, implications of these results and future research directions are discussed. Collapse

Topics: innovation management business-to-business digital platform digital ecosystem mobile application market

Methods: qualitative interview multiple case study case study qualitative coding personal interview

Theories: diffusion of innovations theory stakeholder theory

Sociotechnical Envelopment of Artificial Intelligence: An Approach to Organizational Deployment of Inscrutable Artificial Intelligence Systems

2021 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 90

Authors: Asatiani, Aleksandre; Malo, Pekka; Nagbøl, Per; Penttinen, Esko; Rinta-Kahila, Tapani; Salovaara, Antti

Abstract: The paper presents an approach for implementing inscrutable (i.e., nonexplainab ... Expand

Abstract: The paper presents an approach for implementing inscrutable (i.e., nonexplainable) artificial intelligence (AI) such as neural networks in an accountable and safe manner in organizational settings. Drawing on an exploratory case study and the recently proposed concept of envelopment, it describes a case of an organization successfully "enveloping" its AI solutions to balance the performance benefits of flexible AI models with the risks that inscrutable models can entail. The authors present several envelopment methods-establishing clear boundaries within which the AI is to interact with its surroundings, choosing and curating the training data well, and appropriately managing input and output sources-alongside their influence on the choice of AI models within the organization. This work makes two key contributions: It introduces the concept of sociotechnical envelopment by demonstrating the ways in which an organization's successful AI envelopment depends on the interaction of social and technical factors, thus extending the literature's focus beyond mere technical issues. Secondly, the empirical examples illustrate how operationalizing a sociotechnical envelopment enables an organization to manage the trade-off between low explainability and high performance presented by inscrutable models. These contributions pave the way for more responsible, accountable AI implementations in organizations, whereby humans can gain better control of even inscrutable machine-learning models.Hind Benbya was the accepting senior editor. This research article was submitted on February 29, 2020 and underwent three revisions. About the AuthorsAleksandre Asatiani is an assistant professor in information systems at the Department of Applied Information Technology, at the University of Gothenburg. He is also an affiliated researcher with the Swedish Center for Digital Innovation (SCDI). His research focuses on artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, virtual organizations, and IS sourcing. His work has previously appeared in leading IS journals such as Information Systems Journal, Journal of Information Technology, and MIS Quarterly Executive.Pekka Malo is a tenured associate professor of statistics at Aalto University School of Business. His research has been published in leading journals in operations research, information science, and artificial intelligence. Pekka is considered as one of the pioneers in the development of evolutionary optimization algorithms for solving challenging bilevel programming problems. His research interests include business analytics, computational statistics, machine learning, optimization and evolutionary computation, and their applications to marketing, finance, and healthcare.Per Rådberg Nagbøl is a PhD fellow at the IT University of Copenhagen doing a collaborative PhD with the Danish Business Authority within the field of information systems. He uses action design research to design systems and procedures for quality assurance and evaluation of machine learning, focusing on accurate, transparent, and responsible use in the public sector from a risk management perspective.Esko Penttinen is a professor of practice in information systems at Aalto University School of Business in Helsinki.He holds a PhD in information systems science and an MSc in Economics from Helsinki School of Economics. Esko leads the Real-Time Economy Competence Center and is the co-founder and chairman of XBRL Finland. He studies the interplay between humans and machines, organizational implementation of artificial intelligence, and governance issues related to outsourcing and virtual organizing. His main practical expertise lies in the assimilation and economic implications of interorganizational information systems, focusing on application areas such as electronic financial systems, government reporting, and electronic invoicing. Esko's research has appeared in leading IS outlets such as Collapse

Topics: artificial intelligence organization structure electronic data interchange project management organizational context

Methods: qualitative interview qualitative coding case study grounded theory survey

Orchestration of employees' creativity: A phased approach

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 4

Authors: Wehking, Charlotte; Kaiser, Lena Franziska; Schenk, Bernd; Vom Brocke, Jan

Abstract: Digital innovation is a promising but challenging way for established organizati ... Expand

Abstract: Digital innovation is a promising but challenging way for established organizations to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. A young research stream focuses on the development of innovations by means of employee involvement, which uses the knowledge and creativity of employees. Although it is clear that employees have been innovation drivers, studies on the roles of knowledge and creativity as foundations of employee-driven innovation are all but absent from the literature. Since not all individuals are equally creative, we investigate, through the analytical lens of the model of creativity and innovation, whether domain knowledge matters or if teams lacking domain knowledge can deliver satisfying results, too. The data collection is based on two design-thinking workshops including interviews, observations, and a survey with domain experts who evaluate the prototypes. Opposing to common assumptions of creativity techniques, domain knowledge is fundamental for developing digital innovations. Collapse

Topics: innovation management digital innovation electronic data interchange business process management virtual reality

Methods: qualitative interview design artifact survey personal interview triangulation

The dual effects of the Internet of Things (IoT): A systematic review of the benefits and risks of IoT adoption by organizations

2020 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 2

Authors: Brous, Paul; Janssen, Marijn; Herder, Paulien

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) might yield many benefits for organizations, but li ... Expand

Abstract: The Internet of Things (IoT) might yield many benefits for organizations, but like other technology adoptions may also introduce unforeseen risks and requiring substantial organizational transformations. This paper analyzes IoT adoption by organizations, and identifies IoT benefits and risks. A Big, Open, Linked Data (BOLD) categorization of the expected benefits and risks of IoT is made by conducting a comprehensive literature study. In-depth case studies in the field of asset management were then executed to examine the actual experienced, real world benefits and risks. The duality of technology is used as our theoretical lens to understand the interactions between organization and technology. The results confirm the duality that gaining the benefits of IoT in asset management produces unexpected social changes that lead to structural transformation of the organization. IoT can provide organizations with many benefits, after having dealt with unexpected risks and making the necessary organizational changes. There is a need to introduce changes to the organization, processes and systems, to develop capabilities and ensure that IoT fits the organization’s purposes. Collapse

Topics: internet of things mobile system big data organizational change electronic data interchange

Methods: case study qualitative interview literature study mixed method group interview

Theories: organizational behavior theory

Development Dynamics of Digital Infrastructure and Organization: The Case of Global Payments Innovation

2019 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Giraldo-Mora, Juan; Avital, Michel; Hedman, Jonas

Abstract: This paper examines how the development of digital infrastructure shapes organiz ... Expand

Abstract: This paper examines how the development of digital infrastructure shapes organizations. Drawing on four case studies across the global payment infrastructure, we explain the development of digital infrastructure and organization as taking place through three causal development mechanisms—namely, architectural, institutional, and functional. Each mechanism reveals a distinct development path of digital infrastructure based on the shaping of structure, the shaping of behavior, and the shaping of services. Furthermore, we outline how each development path is mediated by the other two mechanisms and propose six consequent propositions. The contribution of the study lies in presenting a conceivable explanation for the nested evolutionary paths in the development of digital infrastructure and organization. Collapse

Topics: information technology infrastructure electronic data interchange innovation management system integration accounting

Methods: qualitative interview case study design artifact triangulation theory development

Theories: general systems theory

The Impact of Multilevel Contextual Factors on IS Adoption at the Inter-organizational Level

2019 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kurnia, Sherah; Parker, Craig; Ali, Mazen; Karnali, Reyner

Abstract: Inter-organizational information systems (IOIS) offer many potential benefits t ... Expand

Abstract: Inter-organizational information systems (IOIS) offer many potential benefits to organizations, and IOIS adoption has increased in the last few decades. However, IOIS adoption varies significantly across different contexts, and little research has investigated how contextual factors affect IOIS-adoption variances at the inter-organizational (IO) level in depth-particularly from a multilevel perspective. This paper proposes a novel multilevel framework to analyze what combinations of contextual factors at the national, industry, inter-organizational, and organizational levels influence IOIS-adoption variances at the inter-organizational level. We present an in-depth, exploratory case study of the Indonesian grocery industry that identified three inter-organizational configurations between manufacturers, distributors, and retailers with IOIS-adoption variances. We found that the combinations of multilevel contextual factors varied for each configuration and, thus, explain the IOIS-adoption variances we observed at the IO level in a nuanced and holistic way. We argue that our multilevel framework may help scholars avoid contextual fallacy by encouraging them to examine the influence of higher-level factors on IOIS-adoption variances at the IO level and to avoid the atomistic fallacy that results when they make the wrong assumption that IOIS adoption at the organizational level implies adoption at a higher level. Volume 4410.17705/1CAIS.04424 Paper 24Third, we believe our interpretivist case study and multilevel framework provide scholars with a starting point for future multilevel research, such as studies that explore IOIS-adoption variances at a different level (e.g., industry) or studies that examine how contextual factors from the four levels influence IOIS-adoption variances.This paper proceeds as follows: in Section 2, we review the literature on IOIS adoption to highlight current knowledge gaps. In Section 3, we summarize our multilevel theoretical framework. In Section 4, we justify our interpretivist case study method and describe the participants involved in the case study. In Section 5, we analyze the combination of contextual factors from the national, industry, inter-organizational (IO), and organizational levels and how they explain IOIS-adoption variances at the IO level among the organizations. In Section 6, we reflect on our findings, discuss the study's implications, and conclude the paper. Collapse

Topics: internet technology electronic data interchange logistics management organizational culture website

Methods: case study qualitative interview literature study multiple case study company material

Theories: theory of everything resource based view of the firm

Representing Variability in Enterprise Architecture: A Case Study

2019 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 0

Authors: Rurua, Nino; Eshuis, Rik; Razavian, Maryam

Abstract: Organizations that operate on an international scale have a high variation of bu ... Expand

Abstract: Organizations that operate on an international scale have a high variation of business operations, caused by country-specific regulations and compliance requirements. The differences in requirements lead to variability in the designed business processes and their supporting applications and infrastructure technology. Such variability should be represented in enterprise architectures, which are structures that align business operations to IT. However, current approaches to enterprise architecture are agnostic to variability. The paper presents an explorative case study, performed at an international high-tech company in the area of electronic invoicing, in which a solution for representing variability in enterprise architecture is designed. The developed solution has been validated by company experts. Collapse

Topics: electronic data interchange enterprise architecture business process management systems development knowledge base

Methods: case study design science metamodel qualitative interview design process