Adjusting Skillset Cohesion in Online Labor Markets: Reputation Gains and Opportunity Losses

2023 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 0

Authors: Kokkodis, Marios

Abstract: In online labor markets, contractors’ ability to charge for their services large ... Expand

Abstract: In online labor markets, contractors’ ability to charge for their services largely depends on their skills. To keep up with shifting labor market needs, contractors often expand their skills with new skills. When the new skills are similar to the contractors’ current skills, they often increase skillset cohesion (i.e., the average similarity of skills in a skillset). However, when the new skills have little similarity with contractors’ current skills, skillset cohesion decreases. Despite the recent surge in research that studies remote contractor behavior, little is known on how such adjustments of skillset cohesion affect contractor value in digital workplaces for short-term work. To investigate, I argue that skillset adjustments affect market value through changes in the contractor’s perceived reputation on the new skills and the additional job opportunities that new skills create. Building on prior work on individual-level exploration-exploitation, I hypothesize that compared with skills that decrease cohesion, skills that increase cohesion result in reputation gains and opportunity losses. If reputation gains are greater than opportunity losses, increasing skillset cohesion will result in higher market value than decreasing skillset cohesion. However, if the opposite is true, increasing skillset cohesion will result in lower market value than decreasing skillset cohesion. Empirically, I measure a contractor’s market value through hourly wages and hiring rates and skillset cohesion through word embeddings. Analysis of a panel data set of 47,638 tasks illustrates these tradeoffs of increasing skillset cohesion: for hourly wages, reputation gains are smaller than opportunity losses; hence, all else being equal, increasing skillset cohesion has a relatively negative effect on wages. However, for hiring rates, the opposite is true: increasing skillset cohesion increases contractor hireability. As the first study to explain the effects of adjusting skillset cohesion in digital workplaces, the work allows contractors to make better-informed decisions and guides managerial interventions. History: Ravi Bapna, Senior Editor; Yuliang Yao, Associate Editor. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2022.1177. Collapse

Topics: online labor market IT career skill acquisition IT supported collaboration remote work

Methods: word embedding mediation analysis longitudinal research quantitative observational study instrumental variables estimation

Computational Thinking for Design Science Researchers – A Modular Training Approach

2023 | DESRIST | Citations: 0

Authors: Zahn, Eva-Maria; Dickhaut, Ernestine; Vonhof, Mark; Söllner, Matthias

Abstract: Addressing and solving challenges by designing innovative artifacts is one of th ... Expand

Abstract: Addressing and solving challenges by designing innovative artifacts is one of the main objectives of design science research (DSR). However, to achieve this goal, learning the theory of DSR and its methodology alone is not enough. We argue that computational thinking (CT) is an important skill set for design science researchers, since it helps to understand and structure problems from a computational point of view, which is an important basis for developing effective and innovative information system artifacts. CT consists of four core components: (1) dividing the problem, (2) abstraction, (3) pattern recognition, and (4) algorithmic thinking. Therefore, it is a skill set that can support DSR researchers in a broad way. However, so far, CT is rarely taught and trained and mainly not part of DSR courses. To close this gap and to train CT comprehensively, we develop a course based on low code programming, in other words, programming with little to no code. Our training can be embedded in DSR courses in a modular way. Thus, during a DSR course, students and researchers can develop and improve various prototypes with little effort and transfer the acquired competence to new design projects. As a central contribution of our study, we show how the training of CT can be applied in a modular way in DSR courses. Collapse

Topics: low code development platform mobile application video conference online learning system skill acquisition

Methods: survey design science design process theory development computational algorithm

Explore to Learn: How to Promote Explorative IT Learning in a Team Context

2022 | ACM SIGMIS Database | Citations: 0

Authors: Darban, Mehdi

Abstract: Explorative information systems behaviors are the ways in which individuals acti ... Expand

Abstract: Explorative information systems behaviors are the ways in which individuals actively revise their usage and discover creative means of applying the system, extending the potentials of the system, and enhancing task performance. This study has developed a specific concept of explorative system behavior-explorative information technology (IT) learning-to describe users' post-training learning behavior-novel use. Adapting a herding lens, we study the individual and team-level triggers of explorative learning cognitions. The study tests the proposed cross-level model and collects data from 225 individuals who are divided into 51 teams. The results indicate that individuals tend to innovatively use a system through developed exploration cognitions in team settings as a response to examined herd behavior triggers. The study uncovered that members of cohesive teams and learners with high uncertainty perceptions are more likely to imitate the observed explorative learning behaviors of their peers and reproduce such behaviors in the long term. Collapse

Topics: online learning system information system use enterprise resource planning self efficacy skill acquisition

Methods: survey survey design descriptive statistic SEM tool psychometrics

A Hybrid Introductory Analytics Course: Lessons Learned During The COVID-19 Pandemic

2022 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Darcy, David P.; Satpathy, Asish

Abstract: We report on the design & development of an introductory analytics course deliv ... Expand

Abstract: We report on the design & development of an introductory analytics course delivered to over 6,000 students undergraduate business students thus far. The course is delivered in a hybrid mode, arguably the best combination of online and face to face delivery modes. The Pandemic reinforced that lesson, among others. We explore those lessons and suggest directions for further research. Collapse

Topics: pandemic video conference online learning system laptop computer analytical information system

Methods: Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining exploratory data analysis machine learning

Is College Education Less Necessary with AI? Evidence from Firm-Level Labor Structure Changes

2022 | Journal of Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Xue, Mei; Cao, Xing; Feng, Xu; Gu, Bin; Zhang, Yongjie

Abstract: As a general-purpose technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to tra ... Expand

Abstract: As a general-purpose technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to transform almost all industries and aspects of our society. Thus, it is important to understand the potential changes within the firms related to how AI applications change their labor force. Using a panel dataset with over 1,300 publicly-traded companies in China from 2007 to 2018, we examine the relationship between AI applications and firm labor structure with workers with or without formal college education. The study indicates that AI applications were positively associated with the overall employment as well as the employment of nonacademically- trained workers with no college degrees at the firm level. These associations were more significant in the service sector than in the manufacturing sector. Further causal analysis shows increasing AI applications have a positive effect on a firm's employment of nonacademically-trained workers and its overall employment but a negative effect on academically-trained workers. We attribute the findings to the technology deskilling effect of AI. The findings suggest that, in response to the potential labor force transformation with increasing AI applications, information-systems research needs to focus on structural changes of labor forces and the implications for preparing human employees to work with AI side by side. Collapse

Topics: artificial intelligence database system missing data accounting skill acquisition

Methods: longitudinal research robustness check regression analysis method statistical hypothesis test chi squared test

Theories: theory of economic growth

Same but Different – How Users Benefit in Online Peer Groups Depending on their User Role

2021 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Förster, Maximilian

Abstract: The enormous potential of online peer groups in addressing social problems has ... Expand

Abstract: The enormous potential of online peer groups in addressing social problems has attracted researchers' attention to investigate how users support each other and benefit from participation. The extent, how users benefit in online peer groups depending on their role of contributing social support is still unexplored. To close this gap, we analyse a unique online peer group dataset in the context of unemployment from a field experiment at the German Federal Employment Agency. We build on content analysis and cluster analysis to detect user roles based on users' contribution in the form of exchanging social support. We quantitatively compare how different users benefit from participation. Results show that users generally benefit by means of peer group effects regardless of their role. However, low-contributors get disproportionately activated and thereby benefit in dimensions where they initially lag behind other users. High-contributors disproportionately benefit in terms of acquiring pertinent skills. Collapse

Topics: IT skill online community digital media skill acquisition information system use

Methods: field experiment survey qualitative interview cluster analysis experimental group

Theories: social exchange theory

Evolution of Serious Games to Support Lifelong Learning and Decision Making: Design and Implementation of a Financial Literacy Game

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Rasco, Aldrich; Chan, Johnny; Peko, Gabrielle; Sundaram, David

Abstract: Considering the economic changes of recent times, financial literacy arises as a ... Expand

Abstract: Considering the economic changes of recent times, financial literacy arises as a focal point of interest. COVID-19, coupled with the culmination of other societal issues, underlines the importance of understanding sensible personal finance. Nationwide lockdown and other economic constraints put us in immobilised positions to confide in safe and accessible entertainment havens such as games. Herein lies an interesting research opportunity to progress personal wellbeing and capability despite the extant issues of recent times. The paper demonstrates the design and implementation of an evolving serious game that supports lifelong learning and decision making relating to personal finance. The example is a useful account of serious games’ evolutionary potential to incrementally support users through lifelong learning. The game’s holistic design incorporates autonomy, motivation, and support structures to ensure that lifelong learning and decision making is effectively managed through an evolving system. The corresponding implementation evidences the sheer potential of serious games. Collapse

Topics: decision making decision support system personalization skill acquisition usability

Methods: design artifact design science design science evaluation meta analysis

A quantitative and qualitative study of the link between business process management and digital innovation

2021 | Information & Management | Citations: 6

Authors: Van Looy, Amy

Abstract: The information revolution leaves its mark on businesses, resulting in organizat ... Expand

Abstract: The information revolution leaves its mark on businesses, resulting in organizations looking for digital inno­ vation (DI) to apply to their business processes and anticipate competitors. Since the interplay between business process management (BPM) and DI has been underdeveloped, this mixed-methods article investigates the strength and nature of the relationship. We supplement the findings of an international survey (stage 1) with explanations from an expert panel (stage 2) to generalize a positive yet moderate link because of manifold contextual factors affecting strategic decision-making. We extend the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework and profile organizations along their digital process innovation (DPI) mastery in a readiness matrix. Collapse

Topics: innovation management business process management decision making business model information systems strategy

Methods: survey qualitative interview expert panel maturity model parametric test

Theories: theory of everything management theory

Combining Individual and Organizational Capabilities: An Integrated Maturity Model for Ambidexterity

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 1

Authors: Huber, Rocco Xaver Richard; Renner, Julia; Stahl, Bastian

Abstract: Ambidexterity, the ability to simultaneously explore and exploit, has become a s ... Expand

Abstract: Ambidexterity, the ability to simultaneously explore and exploit, has become a success factor to benefit from digitalization. Yet, especially for market incumbents, it is still challenging to develop needed capabilities for mastering ambidexterity. Existing work on ambidexterity lacks approaches for a holistic and combined perspective on the organization and the individual. Therefore, we develop an Individual and Organizational Ambidexterity Maturity Model (IOAMM) that provides holistic guidance for practitioners in approaching ambidexterity. Based on a literature review, our model consists of two dimensions for individual and organizational capabilities and is structured along five maturity stages. A preliminary evaluation with industry experts provides first feedback regarding comprehensiveness, consistency, and problem adequacy. Our IOAMM contributes to research by integrating two previously separate perspectives and extending both perspectives by a digital capability. For practitioners, it provides practical guidance for assessing and developing needed capabilities. Collapse

Topics: information technology capability skill acquisition evaluation criteria innovation management digital transformation

Methods: qualitative interview literature study personal interview theoretical contribution maturity model

Theories: ambidexterity theory

An Agile IT-Enabled Social Startup

2020 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Gogan, Janis; Goode, Howard E.

Abstract: In an IT-enabled hybrid social startup, how and why does the social entrepreneu ... Expand

Abstract: In an IT-enabled hybrid social startup, how and why does the social entrepreneur respond to conflicting commercial versus social norms and practices, as well as IT innovation challenges? We conducted an exploratory single-case study of an IT-enabled hybrid social startup consisting of a charitable pharmacy, two non-profit consortia, and two for-profit IT businesses, all co-founded by a pharmacist/social entrepreneur (with partners) who aimed to distribute donated "wasted" medications to needy patients. The two for-profit organizations were designing a blockchain and complementary web and mobile applications for secure, cost-effective donated-drug distribution, for use by this entrepreneur's charitable pharmacy and other organizations committed to matching donors with needy patients. Study findings suggests that multiple forms of IT agility, multiple forms of business agility, and a unique form of socialcommercial agility help an IT-enabled hybrid social startup persist, despite financial and other challenges. Collapse

Topics: entrepreneurship blockchain open source organization structure business model

Methods: case study qualitative interview triangulation single case study