Kenneth E. Kendall

The relationship of organizational subcultures to DSS user satisfaction

First and foremost, decision support systems must be accepted by their users if the systems are to be used. Recently, user satisfaction with DSS has been studied in several different ways. This paper explores the relationship between organizational subcultures and users of DSS, in order to discover how subcultures can be useful in explaining user satisfaction with decision support systems. Active DSS users from three functional areas of a large midwestern financial institution participated in the study. The existence of organizational subcultures was determined through multiple methods and questionnaires were used to determine user satisfaction for the same population of DSS users. The three subcultures were more successful than demographic variables in explaining variation. Implications of this study include utilizing information about subcultures to design decision support systems acceptable to the various subcultures.

Formulating information and communication technology (ICT) policy through discourse: how internet discussions shape policies on ICTs for developing countries

How is policy for information and communication technology (ICT) for developing countries actually formulated? How are the negotiations made, and with whom? What are the dialectical queries and responses, the give and take that compose policy discussions? Some of this is accomplished behind the scenes, and will remain inaccessible to our scrutiny. However, much of the critical interaction among key players such as government officials, academics, consultants, employees of non-government organizations, donors, and development officers is available publicly for analysis and interpretation via the text exchanges produced on open forum Internet discussion groups. Thus, when subjected to systematic analysis, this data becomes a prime source for developing a rich understanding of policy formulation. In this article the authors use a special kind of qualitative rhetorical analysis called dramatism to analyze and thus understand the formulation of policy online through an open discussion forum. Rationales for ICTs for development, appropriate ICT impact assessment, and implementation for economic development in a variety of countries were available via the Internet forum studied. The language of the discussion from actual, unedited texts of Internet discussions using dramatistic analysis is examined. The ensuing discussions reveal a collective vision that helps influence ICT policy formulation, rationales, distribution, implementation, and use in developing countries. Dramatism is construed to be a humanistic method that rests on the assumption that dramas are created through small group interaction and chain through written speeches and documents until they reach the mass media and are picked back up by small groups once again. Through analysis, the emerging main plot, subplot, hero, and villain of the ICT policy drama that took place from 1998–2002 in an Internet discussion forum are identified. The conclusions drawn are intended to be useful to both researchers and policy makers, who will be able to draw on this contribution to create a wide-ranging set of information technology strategies and policies that can be implemented in many developing nation contexts.

An empirical comparison of a hypertext-based systems analysis case with conventional cases and role playing

Systems analysis and design is a practical discipline, difficult to teach realistically with conventional methods. HyperCase is an interactive program that presents an organization called Maple Ridge Engineering in a highly graphical environment for use on a microcomputer. Use of hypertext allows students to navigate through the organization, doing interviews, and examining diagrams in the order they prefer, rather than in the prescribed, linear fashion found in conventional cases.The effectiveness of HyperCase versus conventional cases and role playing in helping students reach six different levels of educational objectives was assessed in an experiment with 22 students. Those using HyperCase performed as well or better on the examination questions than those using standard approaches. In the second part of the study, results from an affective student questionnaire completed by the original 22 students, plus 97 others, revealed that they were overwhelmingly positive in their reaction to this new approach. Little difference in the reactions among experienced and inexperienced computer users was found. Based on our empirical findings, we conclude that students felt their experience with HyperCase was an important departure from the traditional systems analysis and design class.

Emerging Information Technologies: Improving Decisions, Cooperation, and Infrastructure

From the Publisher: The chapters in this volume explore cutting-edge research being conducted on emerging information technologies. All of the technologies are well known; this books unique contribution is its explanation of the application and relevance for managers, consultants, and decision makers. The ultimate purpose of Emerging Information Technologies is to enable its readers - managers, consultants, scholars, and researchers - to build bridges from technological emergence to the technological sublime.

Multiple objective planning for regional blood centers

There is no substitute for human blood and the demand for blood to use in modern surgical procedures in increasing significantly faster than the population. Numerous management science reseachers have recognized the need to improve the management of the blood resource. This paper is the first effort directed towards annual planning of the operation of a regional blood system. One main point of the paper is that no matter how well inventory is controlled on a day to day basis, the blood administrator must have an annual plan to attain the goals of a blood service organization. The model formulated in this study can help a regional blood administrator determine the magnitude of the blood collection effort and the size of the regional blood inventory. The decision method developed is based on multiple objective techniques and is especially relevant to health car delivery problems. An example of the procedure is then applied to a large urban-rural blood region located in the eastern United States.

Observing organizational environments: a systematic approach for information analysts

Information Analysts observe the elements of an organization in order to gain information unavailable through interviewing and the investigation of hard data. In the past the process of observation has been intuitive at best. This article describes and develops a systematic methodology for analyzing the internal organizational environment. The approach is based on a framework used in film criticism called mise-en-scene analysis. Seven major concrete and abstract elements which influence organizational decisions are identified: office lighting and color; office design, space, and location; clothing of decision makers; individual and group decision making; abilities of decision makers; attention to multiple objectives; and cognitive maps of decision makers. The systematic framework for observation developed in this article is an alternative to the common sense approach to observation. The major advantage of the mis-en-scene approach is that it allows the Information Analyst to classify, document, and interpret important factors which usually remain at the subconscious level.

The Impact of Agile Methodologies on the Quality of Information Systems: Factors Shaping Strategic Adoption of Agile Practices

Systems developers and IT project managers who apply agile methods for developing information systems (IS) subscribe to a set of values and principles. This adherence to a set of values and principles, along with a passion or fervor surrounding the agile philosophy, made us question whether the adoption of agile methodologies has an effect on information systems built, and in particular, the quality of the IS developed. In this paper we construct a conceptual model, conduct a survey of software developers, and analyze our results, which support our hypotheses about the importance of the strategic selection of a development methodology. We conclude that practicing project managers should consider the decision to use certain methodologies as part of the strategic process.

Improving perishable product inventory management using goal programming

Abstract The multiple objectives of perishable product inventory management are examined in this paper. These objectives include: (1) satisfying demand by carrying sufficient inventories, (2) holding down inventory carrying costs, (3) keeping the amount of product spoilage (outdating) at an acceptable level, and (4) maintaining quality by using the product while it is still fresh, and (5) keeping the cost of rotation low. Some of the above objectives are in conflict. Thus, certain redistribution policies may help attain one or more of these objectives to a greater extent. Redistribution involves the transfer of the product from outlets where demand is low to outlets where demand is high. A goal programming model for solving redistribution problems is presented. An example is provided and sensitivity analysis is performed in order to determine when redistribution is advantageous. Applicability of the model is discussed.

Information system FOLKLORE: a new technique for system documentation

Abstract Effective system documentation is an essential part of a management information system. Yet it is common to witness users struggling with a system that has incomplete or missing documentation. This is a consequence of systems analysts feeling that there is no time to even start documenting; preferring to do more desirable or rewarding tasks; or simply being concerned that their documentation of an inherited system might be wrong. To overcome these barriers to good documentation, FOLKLORE was created and is now implemented at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The framework for FOLKLORE, its costs and benefits, and examples from FOLKLORE documents are presented.

STROBE: a structured approach to observation of the decision-making environment.

Abstract Information Analysts must be able to gather information and interpret it reliably to promote good organizational decision making. The Information Analyst has three ways of obtaining this information: (1) interviewing, (2) investigation of hard data, and (3) observation. Until recently, observation has only been accomplished subconsciously. This paper describes how STR uctured OB servation of the E nvironment (STROBE) was used to aid in determining the information requirements of a regional blood service organization. STROBE was developed from a methodology used in film criticism. It is conceptualized by drawing a parallel between the concrete and abstract elements in a film, and similar elements found in an organization. It is then applied to the blood service organization and examples are provided for both concrete and abstract elements. These examples demonstrate that structured observation provides information unobtainable through interviewing and investigation.