Erne Suzila Kassim

Public E-procurement: A Research Synthesis

In recent years, the number of publications dedicated to public e-procurement system, which is an application within the e-government, has been increasing. As public e-procurement systems cover and affect not only the issues of information systems, but also the concern of administration, economics, and social domain, they capture the interests of numerous studies to pursue a wide range of objectives. We therefore decided to survey the public e-procurement studies by using literature reviews and classification of articles from 1998 to 2008 with the main aim to investigate how the research has been developed during this period. Based on the articles, we classify the research into theories used, methodologies applied, and streams and scopes. From the findings, we offer suggestions on improving research in this field.

Investigating government-to-business system success: a conceptual framework

Driven by lack of empirical research findings in evaluating the actual values of government-to-business (G2B) application, this research is undertaken to comprehensively investigate the system success measured as benefits and effective usage, and its determinants. A research framework is proposed to gauge the values at the strategic, tactical and operational levels, and to examine the success determinants via the perspectives of individual, organizational, technological, environmental and dynamic capability. The consequences of the usage on the benefits, as well as the relationships between the determinants and the usage warrant more exploration. A better understanding of the success realization will not only reduce the e-government research gap, but will definitely assist the federal government in evaluating the G2B system effectiveness. In addition, evidences of the critical aspects of the determinants will enable public organizations as system owners to react accordingly to any information system usage and sustainability in the future.

A success model for the malaysian government e-procurement system: The buyer perspective

In Malaysia, there has been a tremendous effort in implementing e-government as a national agenda with the aims to increase public transparency, improve the sector efficiency and effectiveness and reduce public expenditure through lower operational costs. One of the e-government applications is the ePerolehan, a government-to-business (G2B) system that enables online public procurement coordination and transaction between government and businesses. However, there has been a lack of empirical research findings in evaluating the success and actual value of the system, and understanding the usage factors among government users. Hence, this research was undertaken to investigate the level of ePerolehan system success and the factors that contribute to this success, as perceived by the government users. The structural equation modeling results suggest the use of the Malaysian public e-procurement system has significant and positive influence to success, measured as transparency, service performance, efficiency and information quality The results also indicated that the main significant success factors of the ePerolehan system are found to be system compatibility, user attitude, organizational learning, mimetic pressure and supplier expectation. The findings provide several important implications not only for the government-to-business discipline, but also for e-government research and practice.

Green IT adoption towards environmental sustainability: The moderating role of top management enforcement

Many research claim the adoption of green IT will significantly influence the environmental sustainability. However, the adoption rate is not as what has been expected. Thus, the slow acceptance of green IT practices motivate us to examine the role of top management in enforcing green IT for sustaining the environment. In addition, adopting the green IT adoption model (GITAM) and the technology, organizational and environmental (TOE) model, we also seek to examine the effects of attitude, practice, policy, governance, motivation and also technology on environmental sustainability. The study will be designed as a correlational research that requires the survey method as a mean for collecting the data. The study is significance as it would not contribute to a better understanding of what makes for faster green IT adoption, but it would also be useful for organizations to bring greener technologies and be more environmentally responsible in their practices and strategies.

The Role of Cognitive Styles in Investigating E-learning Usability

E-learning has been a de facto solution for almost all higher learning institutions. The adoption has been proven to successfully aid students in their learning activities. However, there has been lack of study in further understanding the usability of e-learning courseware and its significance in the instructional design process. Therefore, we seek to explore user characteristic, users cognitive styles, their current views about e-learning usability and perceived importance of its usability design features. A survey was conducted in one of the universities in Malaysia where e-learning courseware is extensively deployed. Discussion of the findings is provided.

Developing Therapy-Based IT Adoption Model for Microenterprises

In Malaysia, microenterprises contribute to almost 80% of the national business establishment. While studies have consistently reported information technology plays an important role in flourishing business operations, the majority of microenterprises in Malaysia still have not utilized the IT to its full capacity. In this case, two significant factors have been recognized; lack of IT skills and knowledge and the degree of the IT application complexity. Therefore, to encourage consistent IT adoption among this group, a unique approach based on SOPHIE clinical therapy method was proposed as an intervention program. However, since adopting the clinical approach is different from a regular IT training and is not a common IT adoption technique, a situational analysis should be conducted to understand the specific issues of the microenterprises. Hence, personal interviews, observations and document reviews of clinical therapy practice were conducted before the appropriate approach is designed. Components of SOPHIE method were then identified and mapped into the new IT therapy conceptual model. The model can later be used as a business solution to improve the productivity of microenterprises.

An integrative approach to inter-organizational system implementation and evaluation: the case of government to business

Over the years, government-to-business (G2B) as an inter-organizational system has emerged as an essential part of e-government systems. Its development and usage have not only been expected to contribute to efficient and effective operations, but G2B is also anticipated for better transparency, reduced costs and improved process. However, although a rich body of literature exists regarding G2B, there is a lack of empirical research finding in understanding the system from multiple stakeholders’ perspectives. Hence, using a qualitative case study research approach, we seek to understand the inter-organizational system motivations, issues and challenges for its implementation and success evaluation from the context of system sponsor, government agencies and business organizations. Using the Malaysian background, a specific G2B system is being investigated which is the public e-procurement system. Discussion of the case findings is offered and implications of the study are explained.

User attitude, organizational learning and dynamic capability in government-to-business success

A large number of studies has been conducted in an attempt to evaluate the government-to-business (G2B) success and investigate the usage determinants. However, there seems to be lack of research that assess the success criteria and look into the usage factors of user attitude, organizational learning and dynamic capability. Therefore, using a survey, we attempt to investigate the matter. Findings of the study suggest user attitude, organizational learning and dynamic capability have significant relationships with G2B system usage, while the usage have positive impacts towards the G2B success measured as process efficiency, information quality and satisfaction.

Information technology and government-to-business: What are the values derived?

The information and communication technology has not only formed a pressure to business organizations to engage in online trading, but combined with social pressure, these forces have also influenced the public sector to automate their interactions with other government organizations and businesses; the process known as government-to-business (G2B). The decision to automate public sector business processes is seen among others as a mean to improve transparency and service performance. However, despite the anticipated benefits, there still seem to be lack of research findings that have discussed on the values obtained from the use of the G2B system. Therefore, driven by the limited research understanding in the area, this study was undertaken to evaluate the values derived from the G2B system, measured as process efficiency, information quality, transparency and service performance among Malaysian federal government agencies. The findings suggest the G2B system has indeed given significant evidences to the value achievement. Based on the findings, implication for future research is offered.

Malaysian Government Transformation Towards Effective Supply Chain Management: The Case of IT-Based Trade Facilitation

Trade facilitation is an important integral part of the supply chain. Facilitating the trade processes especially in automating the traders’ submission of regulatory documents is therefore very crucial for enhancing the management of the supply chain, especially with increased volumes of international trade. Hence, information and communication technologies are applied and they play a very pivotal role in reducing the complexity of international trade and minimizing the transaction and purchasing costs. Similar to other countries, Malaysia has taken initiatives to transform the trade facilitation processes of the supply chain via a single window system. Although the general approach to implementing the IT-based trade facilitation system may be similar across countries, several unique strategies and transformation plans have been adopted by the Malaysian government to spearhead the use of ICTs in creating paperless, electronic Customs-related services for improving the transparency and predictability in international trade transactions and supply. Based on an interview and selected reports, the study seeks to explore vital motivations behind the Malaysian transformation towards a National Single Window for effective supply chains, identify the core functions and services that simplify the business trading activities across borders and discuss the alignment strategies of government agencies in meeting the business and supply chain strategies within the national and international setting. Via the Malaysian National Single Window, the trade facilitation services have been able to reduce non-tariff trade barriers and deliver many benefits to the trading community, including improving transparency, enhancing predictability and advancing on the management of uncertainties and risks.