Ferdinando Pennarola

Environmental and organizational drivers influencing the adoption of VoIP

Previous research recognized the importance of studying the organizational adoption of a new communication technology because of its potential benefits on the organizational and individual outcome. However, extant studies took into account just a single theoretical perspective lacking a more comprehensive overview of the factors, which may influence the intention to adopt a new communication technology. Since the growing interest of voice over IP (VoIP) we developed our theoretical framework and tested our hypotheses considering this emerging communication technology. Thus, the present research considers simultaneously the institutional, management fashion, and efficient-choice perspectives for understanding the drivers of VoIP adoption process. A theoretical model is developed and tested through structural equation modelling on 620 Italian firms. We hypothesize that both external and internal factors affect the intention to adopt VoIP. Results underscore both the importance of coercive and fashion setters’ pressure (i.e. external factors), and the pivotal role of perceived internal benefits (i.e. internal factors) in shaping intention to adopt.

Shifting Paradigms in Management Education: What Happens When We Take Groups Seriously?

This article describes a European full-immersion capstone MBA course in which andragogical principles were designed in from the start. In the Business Navigator didactic model, roles of teachers and students are reversed, with lecturers transformed into coaches and students transformed into active learners. Groupware technologysupports case teams of 30 to 35 students who spend more than 90% of their time in smaller teams solving complex multidisciplinary problems. Because of a huge investment in multimedia case materials and technology, students face information overload in a safe classroom environment, in which teams are expected to make mistakes, reflect, and learn from their choices. This article describes the program context, the didactic model, the course activities, the centrality of information technology, and the results of a questionnaire asking participants to describe their experience, enriched by other data.

From Information to Smart Society: Environment, Politics and Economics

This book presents a collection of research papers focusing on issues emerging from the interaction of information technologies and organizational systems. In particular, the individual contributions examine digital platforms and artifacts currently adopted in both the business world and society at large (people, communities, firms, governments, etc.). The topics covered include: virtual organizations, virtual communities, smart societies, smart cities, ecological sustainability, e-healthcare, e-government, and interactive policy-making (IPM).The book offers a multidisciplinary perspective on a variety of information systems topics. It is also particularly relevant to information systems practitioners such as IS managers, business managers and policy makers. The content is based on a selection of the best papers (original double-blind peer-reviewed contributions) presented at the annual conference of the Italian chapter of AIS, which was held in Milan, Italy in December 2013.

All that Glitters is not Gold: Alleged Innovations in Human Computer Interaction

Multinationals and hi-tech firms often advertise and claim for their newest innovations, presenting all kinds of improvements as authentic revolution for the industry. Regarding interfaces between users and machines, in particular, software developers announce repetitively their new versions, emphasizing their novelty and disruptiveness in order to attract more customers. Apparently, all competitors seem to play against everyone else. This study instead, demonstrates that when looking at the evolution over time of mobile phone interfaces—as an example of a widely adopted technology by millions of customers –variance and genuine innovation is very limited, and competitors prefer to follow their enemies instead of taking the risk of being disruptive into the marketplace. The study investigates why it is such and it explores the reasons why competitors get stuck with pre-existing user interfaces.

One Game Does not Fit All. Gamification and Learning: Overview and Future Directions

One of the most interesting and disruptive trends in the current elearning scenario is gamification, that is, the use of game design elements in non-game contexts. This paper provides a definition of gamification in the educational field and an overview of its applications. It then discusses the existing studies on the effectiveness of gamifiction for learning purposes, focusing on their impact on students’ attitude, knowledge and behavior. Finally, it highlights the main gaps in the current literature, pointing to new directions of research.

Different Strategies for Different Channels: Influencing Behaviors in Product Return Policies for Consumer Goods

One more time the online channel differs from the offline one. Our study on the product return strategies in the retail industry shows that even if more expensive for online retailers, product return policies are more generous and perceived as lenient by consumers. Our measures were collected in the Italian jeans retail industry, with a comparative study done on firms active on both channels and representing more than 50% of the overall industry sales. The impossibility to serve the customer at a distance and the need to strategically boost online sales are becoming a serious trap for online retailers.

Let’s Learn Together: Team Integration Climate, Individual States and Learning Using Computer-Based Simulations

The present study analyses individual learning in a computer-based simulation setting (business game). In particular, the study points out the importance of the team environment in stimulating individual states that may foster individual learning. By taking into account 402 individuals who participated in a computer-based simulation, we underscore that individual perception of integration climate fosters individual curiosity and decreases individual aggressiveness. Moreover, we outline that individual curiosity does have an impact on individual learning.

Learning and gamification: a possible relationship?

One of the most interesting and disruptive trends in the current elearning scenario is gamification, that is, the use of game design elements in non-game contexts. After providing a brief overview of the main contemporary gamification applications in organizations, this paper especially focuses on gamification in the educational field. It dis-cusses the existing studies on the effectiveness of gamification for learning purposes, ana-lyzing their impact on students’ attitude, knowledge and behavior. Finally, it highlights the main gaps in the current literature, pointing to new directions of research.

When Teachers Support Students in Technology Mediated Learning

This paper focuses on information technology adoption and use within the education sector. We have analyzed the impact on learning effectiveness of technology mediated learning environments, namely characterized by the adoption of tablet based technologies, as a revolutionary complement to traditional teaching/learning techniques. Our research analyzes the effect of “Support Activities” on grades. “Support Activities” are defined in this paper as the set of constructs like “Teachers’ Encouragement”, “Classmates’ Encouragement” and “Technical Support Availability”. Grades are used as a measure of learning effectiveness. A sample of 370 students participated in our study, being attendants of experimental classes using tablets as ordinary working tool to access to digital resources. Our mainstream theory reference was built on the theoretical foundations of Technology Acceptance Model, by comparing the perceived effect of those constructs between grade ranges. Finally, the experimental sample was compared to classes where the same teachers used traditional learning resources. The aim of this work is to give a practical understanding of support factors influencing tablet-mediated learning effectiveness. In particular, our findings show the differences between scientific and humanistic subjects. Our research confirms that technology alone does not revolutionize teaching and learning; nonetheless, it contributes to an improved experience if support initiatives are deployed.

One More Time Trust Matters: A Theoretical Investigation of the Role of Technology Mediated Trust in the UTAUT Model

Investigation about technology acceptance (TA) remains one of the most important research field in information system literature, but the “founding father models” originated the notion of TA in a completely different scenario. We argue that, in a world where IT artifacts disseminate thanks to—and not only because of—unprecedented social media penetration, the TA models must be revisited and upgraded. In this paper, the construct of trust plays a central role, because it allows the acknowledgement of the influencing role played by institutions and organizations that have reached a credible and sustainable presence in the information technology market. We started from the TAM and UTAUT models, as departing platforms of TA models, being the mostly widely cited in the recent literature. This paper defines and explores the theoretical contribution of technology-mediated trust, as a new moderating factor adding value to the UTAUT model. Implications for future empirical research are finally presented.