Enrique Claver

An analysis of research in information systems (1981-1997)

The study of Information Systems (IS) is a relatively new research area, thus an analysis of the latest literature could be useful to show what the researchers are doing and what can be done to improve our approach. With that purpose in mind, this article analyzes the articles published in the Management Information Systems Quarterly and Information & Management journals between 1981 and 1997, paying attention to the usual topics as well as strategies, both in research and by the authors.

Critical factors and results of quality management: An empirical study

Quality management theory has been influenced by the contributions from quality leaders, standardized quality models and empirical research. This has helped identifiy a set of critical factors for successful quality management implementation, as a way to improve customer satisfaction and performance. This study reviews the literature in order to identify the critical factors and results of quality management, using a factor analysis and, starting from this analysis, we also create a scale that can be empirically tested from the answers provided by those responsible for quality in 106 certified firms.

Organizational culture for innovation and new technological behavior

Abstract Technological innovation requires a technical preparation in material, financial and human resources. However, without a clear corporate culture, the technical side of technological innovation will hardly develop in a satisfactory manner. In this light, we analyze the origin of a culture based in innovation technology. We also describe, with the support of a large number of empirical and theoretical studies, the most important conditions for the generation of a corporate culture based on technological innovation.

Family Firms' International Commitment The Influence of Family-Related Factors

Few studies have dealt with family businesses and internationalization theories. The aim of this article is to bridge this gap by examining the family-related factors that have an impact on the international commitment level of these companies. From a sample of Spanish family firms, findings show that long-term vision and the presence of nonfamily managers are positively related to entry modes involving stronger international commitment, although self-financing limits this commitment.

Public administration: From bureaucratic culture to citizen‐oriented culture

This paper analyzes how public administration may improve the service it offers to citizens through a suitable organizational culture; for this purpose, it starts by studying the specific features of the culture of public administration. In this respect, it analyzes the existing taxonomies in public administration, the role of culture in these agencies and how a diagnosis of such culture is made. Then, it describes the problems of bureaucratic culture, typical of many public agencies, and briefly describes the features of a public service, citizen‐oriented culture. Finally, it proposes a specific methodology for the modification of a bureaucratic culture into a culture based on the notion of serving the citizen, together with an analysis of when modification is necessary.

The impact of country risk and cultural distance on entry mode choice

Purpose – Different theoretical approaches can be used to justify a positive or negative influence of country risk and cultural distance on the resources commitment level assumed in each decision to entering a new country. Before the disparity of results obtained in prior research, this study seeks to provide new empirical evidence about the influence that those two dimensions linked with the target country may exert on entry mode choice.Design/methodology/approach – Based on contingency approach, transaction cost economics, resource dependency perspective, bargaining power theory and organisational capabilities perspective, various alternative hypotheses are developed and tested using a sample of 471 entries performed by Spanish enterprises between 1999 and 2004.Findings – The findings indicate that both dimensions go in the same direction, as both greater target country risk and greater cultural distance reduce the likelihood of using higher‐commitment entry strategies.Originality/value – The conflictin...

Family firms' risk perception: empirical evidence on the internationalization process

Purpose – This paper has as its aim to research the factors affecting the risk perceived by family firm executives in relation to international activity.Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines the factors which can modify risk perception, placing special emphasis on those arising from the coincidence of ownership and management in family businesses.Findings – Focus on the international commitment assumed by family firms and using a sample of 92 Spanish family companies, this paper shows that risk perception decreases with the presence of the first generation and the size of these organisations. Additionally, it has been found that the risk perceived is higher when the firm advances in its international commitment level.Practical implications – If family firms know the factors which can affect the risk perceived about international activity, they will stand a better chance to handle them properly with a view to move forward in their internationalisation process.Originality/value – An effort is mad...

The performance of information systems through organizational culture

Analyzes the improvements in organizational behaviour needed to maximize the efficiency of information systems (IS). For this purpose, studies the mutual relationships among information technologies (IT), IS and organizational culture. Then, focuses on how the organizational culture influences this specific process distinguishing between informatic culture and informational culture, the latter being the one allowing an adequate implementation and development of the IS. Finally, underlines the cultural consistency which the implementation of an IS requires. In order to do this, measures the degree of technical and financial feasibility of the IS regarding the quantitative and measurable effort an organization must make to implement it, together with the consistency of this system with the pre‐existing culture. When considering the need for a cultural change, argues that the best choice is a “bubble‐like” cultural implementation.

Information systems outsourcing: reasons, reservations and success factors

The aim of this paper is to determine the main reasons that lead to information systems outsourcing, the reservations that are initially present in front of this kind of contract and the factors considered necessary for the success of outsourcing in the case of Spanish public universities. With this aim, a survey has been made among information systems managers in those universities. The results show the possibility of establishing a typology of universities depending on the position they have adopted with respect to outsourcing.

Does quality impact on hotel performance

Purpose – The aim of the paper is to study the reasons for the adoption and certification of quality systems and the subsequent impacts on performance.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology selected is a study based on the perceptions of two hotel managers in Spain.Findings – On the one hand, the results show that the most important reasons to adopt and certify quality systems are internal and, on the other hand, that although positive effects on performance can be identified, the impact on financial performance is low.Originality/value – The value of this paper lies in that it provides the perceptions of hotel managers for others who wish to know the reasons leading to the implementation and certification of a quality system and the subsequent impacts on performance.