Lexis F. Higgins

Un)Structured creativity in information systems organizations

The subject of creativity is a neglected area in the literature of the information systems field. Yet, according to a Delphi survey of chief information officers, the field needs to be developing more creative and innovative solutions to its problems. Organizations must first be sure that certain preconditions and organizational components be in place to help individuals and teams become more creative. They can then use numerous creativity improvements techniques that have proved successful in other disciplines. In this article, six case studies show how analytical techniques (progressive abstraction, interrogations, and force field analysis) and intuitive techniques (associations/images, wishful thinking, and analogy/metaphor) have been used in several industries to solve a variety of IS-related problems and/or opportunities. Al told, some 20 creativity techniques provide especially appropriate for the IS field. Once managers understand when and where to use creativity techniques, they can move forward with implementing formal creativity improvement programs in their organizations.

Differentiating creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, copyright and patenting of IS products/processes

The terms creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and intrapreneurship, copyright, and patent are defined and compared. Then, the aspects of systems that warrant their being patented or copyrighted are discussed. In some cases the hardware components of a system can be patented and the software components copyrighted. In some cases the system can be both patented and copyrighted. It is suggested that the six concepts need to be integrated to elicit a new inventiveness among system designers.<<ETX>>

Object-oriented systems analysis and design: methodology and application

Abstract:This paper presents the results of research into applying an object-oriented approach to systems analysis and design. Characteristics of object-oriented model building are briefly reviewed. A methodology is described which aids development of system modeling and simulation as the analysis and design process proceeds. The paper also describes the advantages of modeling analysis tools as objects which are integrated into the environment being analyzed. These principles are demonstrated by an object-oriented systems analysis and design recently conducted by the authors.

Applying Principles of Creativity Management to Marketing Research Efforts in High-Technology Markets

Abstract The 1990s have seen an increased emphasis on marketing research and marketing information systems. Several trends have caused this renewed interest including increased customer focus, more demands for resource productivity, and heightened domestic and international competition. We examine whether creativity can enhance marketing research and help the organization respond to these challenges. We discuss the measurement and meaning of creativity and describe how creativity techniques can be used in marketing research. Strategic business units of two Fortune 500 companies wanted to determine if using creativity techniques could improve their marketing research efforts and agreed to participate in a case study. We conducted exploratory studies on site at the two companies, applying creativity techniques to questions surrounding the design and development of a marketing information system.

Comparing innovation styles profile of IS personnel to other occupations

W.C. Millers Innovation Style Profile instrument was used to collect data from IS (information systems) personnel to compare the innovation styles of IS personnel to those in other occupations. Analysis of the results revealed significant differences. Knowledge of these differences should enable teams composed of IS personnel and user personnel not only to better tolerate their differences but also to better appreciate the value of multiple approaches to innovation.<<ETX>>

Design of Global Marketing Information Systems

Discusses the transition between multinational and global business orientation and the implications for the industrial corporation′s marketing information systems. Presents a framework for analyzing a corporation′s pretransition status and designing strategies for the transition. Concludes that effective globally oriented marketing information systems represent various opportunities for creating or enhancing competitive advantage.

Comparison of KAI and ISP instruments for determining style of creativity of IS professionals

The literature on assessing and encouraging creativity in IS organizations has grown substantially in the last few years. However, large empirical analyses of behavioral creativity data are still quite limited. This study applied the two major scales used for measuring the cognitive styles associated with creative behavior in social science, Kirtons KAI (1976) and Millers ISP (1986). Data is assessed from a sample of IS professionals who completed both of these self-report pencil and paper survey instruments. Data analysis reveals that while there are some significant differences detected between IS professionals and other business professionals, the findings are consistent with the underlying theory of both scales and previous studies in the field.<<ETX>>

Creative approaches to development of marketing information systems

The measurement and meaning of creativity are discussed and creativity techniques that can be used in marketing information management are described. Two exploratory studies are reported that applied creativity techniques to questions surrounding the design and development of a marketing information system. The results of the experiments indicate that certain creativity techniques may be quite useful in eliciting more enlightened views of what marketing information should be gathered by an organization.<<ETX>>

A comparison of scales for assessing personal creativity in IS

Assessment of the individual creativity of IS personnel is a critical component in enhancing creativity and innovation in IS organizations. There are over two hundred scales designed to assess an individuals creativity but only three have seen substantial use in IS. A review of these three scales (KAI, ISP, CPSP) is provided and a list of the characteristics of an ideal individual creativity assessment scale to be used in IS is offered.

How to evaluate and up-grade technical service

Abstract The factory technical support function is known to be critical to a successful field selling effort, particularly in high-technology environments. However, the relationship between technical support and the personal selling function is often characterized by poor communication between the two organizational systems. The literature of internal marketing and service quality provides a rich knowledge base that can be used to improve coordination between factory technical support and field sales. This article reports a study performed in a high-technology industry that applied internal marketing and service quality concepts to improve coordination between factory technical support and field sales. The study is described including managerial actions that were taken in response to study results.