M.G.A. Plomp

Measuring chain digitisation maturity: an assessment of Dutch retail branches

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a validated measurement model and typology for chain digitisation maturity, defined as the degree of interorganisational collaboration through ICT.Design/methodology/approach – Through a literature (meta) study, 22 existing maturity models are found and analysed, on the basis of which an integrated framework is developed. This framework is subsequently applied to interorganisational collaboration within the Dutch retail sector (i.e. retailers and their wholesalers, manufacturers, customers, and trade organisations). The measurement model is tested by determining the chain digitisation level of 24 different retail sub‐sectors (branches) through desk research, interviews, and surveys. Data are collected at the level of the branch, mainly through representatives of trade organisations.Findings – The framework (i.e. measurement model) appears to be applicable to describing the Dutch retail sector and comparing its branches, providing both expected and new insi...

Chain digitisation support by point-of-sale systems: an analysis of the Dutch product software market

Point-of-sale (POS) systems increasingly support more retail processes than just the basic cash functionality. But to what extent do they support chain digitisation, i.e., interorganisational processes as the exchange of order and sales information? We develop a two-dimensional maturity model for categorising POS systems by their level of backward and forward chain digitisation support. Both dimensions have the same maturity scale, cumulating from internal isolated, internal integrated, external linked to external integrated. We operationalise and apply this model to the Dutch POS system market by assessing 86 different POS solutions of 79 POS vendors. It appears that about a third of all POS systems support backward chain digitisation to the external integrated level, and forward chain digitisation to the external linked level. In some branches, chain digitisation enabling initiatives are successfully deployed, e.g., in the fashion and furniture branches where EDI initiatives are established by industry boards.

Evaluating data-centric process approaches: Does the human factor factor in?

The Business Process Management field addresses design, improvement, management, support, and execution of business processes. In doing so, we argue that it focuses more on developing modeling notations and process design approaches than on the needs and preferences of the individual who is modeling (i.e., the user). New data-centric process modeling approaches are taken as a relevant and timely stream of process design approaches to test our argument. First, we provide a review of existing data-centric process approaches, culminating in a theoretical classification framework. Next, we empirically evaluate three specific approaches with regard to the claims they make. We had participants representative of actual users try out these approaches on realistic scenarios via a series of workshops. Participants assessed to what extent quality claims from the literature could be recognized within the workshop sessions. The results of this evaluation substantiate a number of claims behind the approaches, but also identify opportunities to further improve them. Most prominently, we found that the usability aspects of all considered approaches are a source of concern. This leads us to the insight that usability aspects of process design approaches are crucial and, in the perception of groups representative of actual users, leave much to be desired. In that sense, our research can be seen as a wake-up call for process modeling notation designers to consider the usability side—and as such, the interest of the human modeler—more than is currently the case.

ICT Policy to Foster Interorganisational ICT Adoption by SMEs: The Netherlands Goes Digital Case

SMEs are of vital importance for our economy and society. However, they lag behind in their adoption of ICT, particularly interorganisational ICT. Many countries have put policy programmes in place to improve SMEs on this aspect. Previous research provides unclear evidence on the effectiveness of these programs. With this study we aim to provide new insight into the impact of such policy choices on ICT adoption. Through a survey among a relatively large sample of SME participants (n = 516) and a matched control group (n = 124) of non-participating SMEs, we assess a policy programme that ran in the Netherlands from 2002 to 2007. Participants are found to use significantly more interorganisational ICT and also more often find that ICT has enhanced their firm’s performance compared to the control group. However, pre-selection effects cannot be ruled out. Based on our results, we suggest basic, awareness-focused policy programmes, as opposed to complex, government supported implementation processes.