Friedrich Roithmayr

Identifying decision strategies: a process- and outcome-based classification method.

This article presents a classification method that makes possible the detection of important decision strategies that people use in nonrisky multiattribute decision tasks. The classification method incorporates a multimethod approach that combines elements of both structural modeling and process tracing. We begin with a discussion of nine common characteristics of decision strategies and then classify 13 decision strategies on the basis of these characteristics. Next, we demonstrate that six of the characteristics can be used to develop one outcome-based and three process-based metrics. In addition, we present an algorithm that shows how to use the metrics. We demonstrate that using our metrics in conjunction with a measure for direction of search allows identification of most of the 13 decision strategies. Finally, we outline the potential of our research for the design of decision support systems such as online shops.

Fads and Trends in Business and Information Systems Engineering and Information Systems Research – A Comparative Literature Analysis

The business and information systems engineering (BISE) discipline, dominating in the German-speaking countries, where it is called“Wirtschaftsinformatik”, is currently undergoing a phase of increasing internationalization and the U.S.-based Information Systems (IS) discipline is often considered an ideal. Studies show that BISE has often dealt with fads in the past – for IS there are no findings reporting on the diffusion of fads. The objective of the paper is to close this research gap. The authors conducted a literature analysis to investigate the development of topics and terms in BISE and IS from 1994 to 2007. Titles, abstracts and keywords of 2,564 articles in three BISE journals and 5,647 articles in five IS journals were analyzed. The results show that BISE is topically more diverse and concrete than IS. In addition, the rate of fads is higher in BISE than IS. Being engaged in fads is not necessarily negative – rather, it may considerably contribute to the relevance of research. However, it has to be considered that an overly intense orientation on fads may negatively influence a cumulative research progress. Hence, the authors conclude that for BISE and IS, which both have a theoretical and pragmatic mission, a balanced ratio of short- and long-term topics seems appropriate.

Cultural patterns influencing project team behavior in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case study in Ethiopia

Despite the increasing attention paid to the human element of project success found in the project management literature, empirical studies exploring cultural patterns influencing this particular human element continue to be far from satisfactory. To help further understand the influence of cultural patterns within Sub-Saharan Africa project environments, we draw on a case study conducted in Ethiopias service sector. Apart from the well-perceived cultural values commonly referred to in the existing literature, we specifically investigated the deep-rooted underlying causes, which include Ethiopian cultural habits, as a principal factor in influencing project team behavior. The article concludes with implications and recommendations for future research.

Zur personellen Verankerung der IT-Funktion im Vorstand börsennotierter Unternehmen: Ergebnisse einer inhaltsanalytischen Betrachtung

ZusammenfassungZur personellen Verankerung der IT-Funktion im Vorstand börsennotierter Unternehmen:Ergebnisse einer inhaltsanalytischen Betrachtung: In diesem Artikel wird über eine Inhaltsanalyse berichtet, deren Ziel es ist, Aussagen über den Grad der personellen Verankerung der IT-Funktion (kurz: IT) im Vorstand börsennotierter Unternehmen im deutschen Sprachraum zu machen. Zudem wurde der Zusammenhang von sechs inhaltsanalytisch erfassbaren Faktoren mit der IT-Verankerung bestimmt. Insgesamt wurden 679 Geschäftsberichte von börsennotierten Unternehmen in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz analysiert. In Deutschland und der Schweiz ist die IT jeweils in 26 Prozent der untersuchten Unternehmen auf Vorstandsebene verankert und in Österreich in 23 Prozent der Unternehmen. Ein weiteres zentrales Ergebnis ist, dass Umsatz sowie Mitarbeiteranzahl einen hohen positiven Zusammenhang mit der IT-Verankerung aufweisen. Zudem gibt es zwischen der Branche und der personellen Verankerung der IT auf Vorstandsebene einen Zusammenhang.AbstractOn the Rate of Board Members with IT Responsibilities in Firms Listed on the Stock Exchange: Results of a Content Analysis: This article reports on a content analysis that investigates the rate of board members with IT responsibilities in firms listed on the stock exchange in the German speaking countries. Furthermore, the study ascertains the correlation of six factors – which become evident through content analysis – with the rate of board members with IT responsibilities. A total of 679 annual reports of German, Austrian, and Swiss corporations have been analyzed. The results show that in Germany and Switzerland 26 percent of the firms investigated have a board member with IT responsibilities, in Austria the rate is 23 percent. Additionally, the results show that turnover and number of employees are highly positively correlated with the rate of board members with IT responsibilities. Furthermore, the data show a correlation between industry and the rate of board members with IT responsibilities.

Intelligent virtual agents as language trainers facilitate multilingualism.

In this paper we introduce a new generation of language trainers: intelligent virtual agents (IVAs) with human appearance and the capability to teach foreign language vocabulary. We report results from studies that we have conducted with Billie, an IVA employed as a vocabulary trainer, as well as research findings on the acceptance of the agent as a trainer by adults and children. The results show that Billie can train humans as well as a human teacher can and that both adults and children accept the IVA as a trainer. The advantages of IVAs are multiple. First, their teaching methods can be based on neuropsychological research findings concerning memory and learning practice. Second, virtual teachers can provide individualized training. Third, they coach users during training, are always supportive, and motivate learners to train. Fourth, agents will reside in the users mobile devices and thus be at the users disposal everywhere and anytime. Agents in apps will make foreign language training accessible to anybody at low cost. This will enable people around the world, including physically, financially, and geographically disadvantaged persons, to learn a foreign language and help to facilitate multilingualism.

Using the Structured-case Approach to Build Theory in E-Government

Both from the perspective of practitioners as well as from an academic point of view, e-government has gained considerable momentum in the past years. However, in order to create a sound e-government body of knowledge much research work still has to be done. This paper reports on the findings of the use of the structured-case approach to investigate the success factors for e-government initiatives. A total of fifteen case studies were conducted in seven European countries. The paper outlines the contribution of the structured-case approach to build e-government theories. The paper concludes that the structured-case approach demonstrates the process of knowledge and theory building because it clearly points out the linkage between the data collected and the conclusions drawn. Hence, the application of the structured-case approach assures scientific rigor - an element that is often missed or done poorly in IS case study research

Knowledge Potential Measurement - Theoretical Framework And Case Studies -

AbstractKnowledge management measurement has the key objective to evaluate the value of knowledge workers and their relationship to the company strategy as well as on the knowledge flow between the key knowledge workers. From a theoretical point of view, this article presents the transformation of the Uncertainty Principle of Heisenberg through analogical reasoning into the knowledge potential measurement method. The knowledge potential research focuses on the measurement process of highly uncertain knowledge of the experts who have a high importance to the organization. The knowledge potential view expresses the knowledge of a knowledge worker in a nine-dimensional measurement system. Case studies conducted by the authors show that the interviewer bias has a high impact on the measurement quality. Future research will focus on the design of a multi-functional stakeholder information system for knowledge potential measurement.

Fallstudie: Einführung eines Enterprise-Content-Management-Systems

ZusammenfassungBRP-Rotax, ein Unternehmen von Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), ist ein weltweit führender Entwickler und Hersteller von innovativen Hochleistungsmotoren für Freizeitprodukte mit Fertigungsstätten in Österreich und Mexiko. Der vorliegende Artikel beschreibt in Form einer deskriptiven Fallstudie den Prozess der Einführung des Enterprise-Content-Management-Systems (ECMS) Open Text Livelink in der österreichischen Niederlassung von BRP-Rotax. Der Einsatz des ECMS hat zum Ziel, die Erfassung, Verwaltung, Speicherung, Bewahrung und Bereitstellung der Dokumente im Unternehmen — unter Berücksichtigung der vorhandenen IT-Systeme (z. B. Schnittstellen zu SAP) — über eine ganzheitliche Plattform zu ermöglichen. Im Rahmen einer Organisationsanalyse, in der drei verschiedene Erhebungsmethoden (Gruppendiskussion, schriftliche Befragung und Interview) zum Einsatz gekommen sind, wurden Dokumenten- und Organisationsstrukturen sowie Geschäftsprozesse untersucht. Es folgte eine Softwareanalyse, bei der Funktionalität, Benutzbarkeit und Schnittstellen von Livelink analysiert wurden. Auf Basis der Ergebnisse der Organisationsund Softwareanalyse wurde eine Einführungsstrategie entwickelt, die in Form eines Phasenmodells dargestellt wird.

Erratum zu: Moden und Trends in Wirtschaftsinformatik und Information Systems – Eine vergleichende Literaturanalyse

The business and information systems engineering (BISE) discipline, dominating in the German-speaking countries, where it is called Wirtschaftsinformatik, is currently undergoing a phase of increasing internationalization and the U.S.-based Information Systems (IS) discipline is often considered an ideal. Studies show that BISE has often dealt with fads in the past - for IS there are no findings reporting on the diffusion of fads. The objective of the paper is to close this research gap. We conducted a literature analysis that investigates the development of topics and terms in BISE and IS from 1994 to 2007. Titles, abstracts and keywords of 2,564 articles in three BISE journals and 5,647 articles in five IS journals were analyzed. The results show that BISE is topically more diverse and concrete than IS. In addition, the rate of fads is higher in BISE than IS. We concede that being engaged in fads is not necessarily negative - rather, it may considerably contribute to the relevance of research. However, it has to be considered that an overly intense orientation on fads may negatively influence a cumulative research progress. Hence, we conclude that for BISE and IS, which both have a theoretical and pragmatic mission, a balanced ratio of short- and long-term topics seems appropriate.

Zur Fallstudienforschung in der Disziplin Information Systems: Eine quantitative Inhaltsanalyse

Die wissenschaftliche Disziplin Information Systems (IS) befasst sich mit der Beschreibung von Informations- und Kommunikationssystemen in Organisationen aus Wirtschaft und Verwaltung, der Erklarung solcher Systeme, der Prognose des Systemverhaltens sowie mit der Gestaltung neuartiger Systeme (Keen, 1980; Ives, Hamilton & Davis, 1980; Avgerou, Siemer & Bjorn-Andersen, 1999). Informations- und Kommunikationssysteme sind dabei als sozio-technische Systeme aufzufassen, die aus den Komponenten Mensch/Aufgabe/Technik bestehen (Heinrich, Heinzl & Roithmayr, 2007).