Jasbir Singh Dhaliwal

Assimilation and Diffusion of Web Technologies in Supply-Chain Management: An Examination of Key Drivers and Performance Impacts

A key reason for the popularity of integrated supply-chain management (SCM) is that Web technologies have made supply-chain coordination a viable managerial and strategic option. Building on research in the areas of management information science, supply chains, and organizational innovation, this study explores the use of Web technologies for organizational SCM. Based on an extensive survey of North American organizations, it investigates the assimilation of Web technology systems into internal supply-chain functions and their external diffusion into interorganizational supply-chain networks, and also explores the relevant environmental determinants. The findings suggest that internal assimilation and external diffusion of Web technologies both significantly affect the benefits realized by SCM. Supplier interdependence and information technology (IT) intensity are important environmental factors affecting external diffusion. Organizational factors, such as centralization and formalization of the IT unit structure and high levels of managerial IT knowledge, are significant drivers of Web technology assimilation in the SCM function.

The Use and Effects of Knowledge-Based System Explanations: Theoretical Foundations and a Framework for Empirical Evaluation

Ever since MYCIN introduced the idea of computer-based explanations to the artificial intelligence community, it has come to be taken for granted that all knowledge-based systems KBS need to provide explanations. While this widely-held belief has led to much research on the generation and implementation of various kinds of explanations, there has been no theoretical basis to justify the use of explanations by KBS users. This paper discusses the role of KBS explanations to provide an understanding of both the specific factors that influence explanation use and the consequences of such use. The first part of the paper proposes a model based on cognitive learning theories to identify the reasons for the provision of KBS explanations from the perspective of facilitating user learning. Using the feedforward and feedback operators of cognitive learning the paper develops strategies for providing KBS explanations and classifies the various types of explanations found in current KBS applications. This second part of the paper presents a two-part framework to investigate empirically the use of KBS explanations. The first part of the framework focuses on the potential factors that influence the explanation seeking behavior of KBS users, including user expertise, the types of explanations provided and the level of user agreement with the KBS. The second part of the framework explores the potential effects of the use of KBS explanations and specifically considers four distinct categories of potential effects: explanation use behavior, learning, perceptions, and judgmental decision making.

Key Dimensions of Inhibitors for the Deployment of Web-Based Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce

There has been a rapid increase in the number of firms undertaking business-to-business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce) initiatives. Although there are various benefits to B2B e-commerce, there are also inhibitors to its deployment. This study empirically investigates the inhibitors for deploying Web-based B2B e-commerce applications in organizations. A field survey of senior IT executives was conducted to examine the key problems that inhibit the deployment of Web-based B2B e-commerce. A comprehensive list of inhibitors was derived from an extensive review of the literature and pretested with senior IT executives. Data from 249 firms were factor analyzed to yield the underlying structural dimensions of inhibitors impacting the deployment of Web-based B2B e-commerce. Univariate t-test and multivariate discriminant analysis were carried out on the resulting ten dimensions to compare B2B (i.e., firms who have deployed B2B) and non-B2B firms (i.e., firms who have not deployed B2B). The results suggest that key inhibitors in B2B deployment are the lack of top management support, unresolved technical issues, the lack of e-commerce strategy, and the difficulties in cost-benefit assessment of e-commerce investments. Implications of the results for researchers and IT/engineering management executives are discussed

A survey of business process reengineering practices in Singapore

The changing economic environment has led to an increasing interest in improving organizational processes to enhance business performance. This paper presents the results of a survey of the business process reengineering (BPR) practices followed by firms in Singapore. The paper highlights the status of BPR projects, motives behind their efforts, the functional areas targeted for reengineering, roles of various organizational members in BPR programs, use of IT in BPR, and the main problems faced in the efforts of Singapore firms. The results show that about 50% of firms surveyed were engaged in BPR projects, with as many as 37% of the firms indicating their intention to take up BPR projects in the next few years. Main problems faced by the Singapore firms are the lack of human and financial resources, lack of internal IT expertise and capabilities, and lack of a champion for BPR efforts. These findings are compared to prior studies in the US and elsewhere. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications based on the findings of the survey.

A framework for the validation of knowledge acquisition

Current knowledge acquisition literature provides few guidelines as to the appropriate set of validation criteria and techniques to be applied at various stages of the knowledge-based systems (KBS) development process. Utilizing a representational homomorphism definition of validation, this paper proposes a framework where validation evolves as a sequence of stages paralleling the different stages of the KBS development life cycle. This framework incorporates an inventory of validation methods and identifies the entities to be measured, the types of evidence to be collected, the criteria to be applied and the type of comparisons to be made to assess validity.

Web-enabled supply chain management: Key antecedents and performance impacts

Abstract Despite increased interest and growing investments in web-based supply chain management (SCM) applications, firms face numerous challenges in successfully web-enabling their SCM activities. In this research, we focus on two main objectives – (i) to understand the key antecedents that affect the web-enablement of SCM activities; (ii) to document the performance impacts of web-enabled SCM efforts. Based on a large-scale, questionnaire survey of North American organizations, we assessed the influence of six factors namely – supplier synergy, information intensity, managerial IT knowledge, interoperable IT infrastructure, perceived IT returns on investments (ROI) and formal governance mechanisms – on the extent of web-enabled SCM. Our results revealed a strong positive influence of supplier synergy, information intensity, managerial IT knowledge, inter-operability and formal governance mechanisms on the extent of web-enabled SCM. We also found a negative association between relative cost–benefit perceptions and the extent of web-enabled SCM. Further, we also found strong positive association between extent of web-enabled SCM and the benefits realized from SCM efforts. We discuss the implications of our results for research and practice.

A reversed context analysis of software piracy issues in Singapore

The level of software piracy and reasons underlying the behavior among students in Singapore was investigated using the reversed context analysis previously used by Moores and Dhillon in a study of Hong Kong. This technique presented the respondents with a set of context statements that describe the buying and using of pirated software in terms of high availability, high cost, and low censure. The contexts were reversed (low availability, low cost, high censure) in order to determine whether targeting one or more of these reasons would lead the respondents to stop the behavior. The same instrument was used here with a sample of 462 students. The results showed general agreement with those of the Hong Kong study, although the level of pirating behavior was lower, with a weaker switch from agreement to disagreement when the context involved cost. A closer examination of the respondents revealed a set of respondents that frequently bought and used pirated software and seemed resistant to any of the reversed scenarios. This suggests that even in culturally similar markets different approaches may be required to combat software piracy.

A framework for the comparative evaluation of knowledge acquisition tools and techniques

The evaluation of knowledge acquisition (KA) tools, techniques and products is a key concern for researchers in KA. This paper presents and demonstrates the use of a framework for generating testable propositions to guide empirical research evaluating KA tools and for integrating the findings of past, ongoing and future studies. By considering the tools and techniques used in KA as independent variables, it isolates two major categories of dependent variables and discusses empirical measures for them. Additionally, it examines four sets of moderating variables that bear upon the success of any KA activity: (1) human factors; (2) problem space characteristics; (3) system development approach; and (4) the organizational environment. The research methods suitable for the comparison of KA tools and techniques are also discussed.

An experimental investigation of the use of explanations provided by knowledge-based systems

Ever since MYCIN introduced the idea of computer-based explanations to the artificial intelligence community, it has come to be taken for granted that all knowledge-based systems (KBS) need to provide explanations. The first part of this dissertation proposes a cognitive learning theory based model that both clarifies the reasons as to why KBS need to provide explanations and serves as the basis for conceptualizing the provision of KBS explanations. Using the concepts of the feedforward and feedback operators of cognitive learning it develops strategies for providing KBS explanations and uses them to classify the various types of explanations found in current KBS applications. The roles of feedforward and feedback explanations within the context of the theory of cognitive skill acquisition and a model of expert judgment are also analyzed. These, together with past studies of KBS explanations, suggest that user expertise, the types of explanations provided, and the level of user agreement are significant factors that influence the explanation seeking behavior of users. The dissertation also explores the effects of the use of KBS explanations in judgmental decision making situations supported by a KBS. It identifies and considers four distinct categories of potential effects of the use of explanations--learning effects, perceived effects, behavioral effects, and effects on judgmental decision making. The second part of the dissertation empirically evaluates the explanation provision strategies in a laboratory experiment in which 80 novice and expert subjects used a KBS for financial analysis to make judgments under conditions of uncertainty. The experiment was designed specifically to investigate the following fundamental research questions: (1) To what extent are the various kinds of explanations used? (2) How does user expertise, the feedforward and feedback provision of explanations, and the level of user agreement influence the amount and the types of explanations that are used? and (3) Does the use of explanations affect the accuracy of judgmental decision-making and user perceptions of usefulness? Some of the major results relating to the determinants of the use of KBS explanations include: (1) user expertise is not a determinant of the proportion of explanations used but influences the types of explanations that are used, (2) explanation provision strategy is a critical determinant of the use of KBS explanations with feedback explanations being used significantly more than feedforward explanations, and (3) the three types of explanations are used in different proportions with the Why and How explanations being used significantly more that the Strategic explanations. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Government support for the e-readiness of small and medium sized enterprises

Government initiatives are continuously being designed to create stable and supportive environments for developing new industries, enhancing the global competitiveness of companies, promoting innovation and fostering fair competition. Because of its significant potential, electronic business (e-business) is now the focus of efforts in many countries, and governments are beginning to play a critical role in nurturing the e-readiness of various industry sectors. This paper presents a conceptual model for creating and sustaining an appropriate e-readiness climate that facilitates the national adoption of e-business. It focuses specifically on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and showcases various government e-readiness initiatives aimed at them. The paper also suggests six categories of e-readiness metrics/measures to be used for assessing how a country is performing in terms of providing a positive e-readiness climate for businesses/citizens.