Radha K. Mahapatra

Business data mining — a machine learning perspective

The objective of this paper is to inform the information systems (IS) manager and business analyst about the role of machine learning techniques in business data mining. Data mining is a fast growing application area in business. Machine learning techniques are used for data analysis and pattern discovery and thus can play a key role in the development of data mining applications. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques in the context of business is useful in selecting an appropriate method for a specific application. The paper, therefore, provides an overview of machine learning techniques and discusses their strengths and weaknesses in the context of mining business data. A survey of data mining applications in business is provided to investigate the use of learning techniques. Rule induction (RI) was found to be most popular, followed by neural networks (NNs) and case-based reasoning (CBR). Most applications were found in financial areas, where prediction of the future was a dominant task category.

Exploring the research in information technology implementation

Abstract Information Technology (IT) plays a critical role in the survival and growth of business organizations. Increasing investment in IT and the strategic role played by information systems make IT implementation an important research issue within the MIS discipline. Even though much research has been done to understand IT implementation, there is a lack of effort to integrate the findings and to evaluate the status of research in this area. The objective of this study is to explore the intellectual development and evolution of IT implementation research through a meta-analysis of published MIS research. The findings are based on an analysis of 71 articles on IT implementation published during 1976–1995 in top MIS research journals. The results indicate that IT implementation research is sensitive to the evolving role of IT in organizations. There is a shift in emphasis from studying individual IT to organizational and inter-organizational IT. A preference for theory building research away from exploratory research in recent times indicates a level of maturity in IT implementation research.

Evaluation of intranets in a distributed environment

Abstract Cash management has attracted the increasing attention of both academicians and practitioners in recent time. The expanding role and responsibilities of cash managers and corporate treasurers is likely to increase the focus on cash management as a vital organizational function. Academic research, however, has primarily focused on providing analytical tools to solve well structured problems that are relatively isolated in nature. Conspicuously, no attempt has been made to integrate the various sub-problems of cash management explicitly recognizing interrelationships among the sub-problems as well as between the sub-problems and other financial decisions. More importantly, there is an even greater need to provide a framework that in addition to recognizing the above interrelationships will enable the cash manager to recognize a more inclusive set of dependencies that exist in practice. Decision support systems have the potential to overcome the above deficiencies to a significant extent. This paper is aimed at providing a conceptual framework for designing an effective model-based decision support system (DSS) for integrated cash management. The framework should form a useful basis for any attempts at designing computer-based support systems for cash management.

Correlating business process re-engineering with the information systems department

Despite the widespread use of re-engineering to enhance organizational competitiveness, the role of an information systems department in business process re-engineering is not clearly understood. The role of an information systems department in the success of business process re-engineering projects was empirically investigated. Structured interviews with 27 executives were initially conducted to identify critical information systems department roles in business process re-engineering. These roles were then empirically validated using survey research method to determine their extent of impact on business process re-engineering success. The results of hierarchical regression analysis show that support of top information system management, the existence of technology champion, the management of resistance to change, the quality of information system planning, the integration of an information system–business strategy, the sophistication of users computer skill and the extent of integration of the information architecture are the most critical information systems department roles in business process re-engineering success. Other roles of an information systems department that facilitate business process re-engineering success include the management of transition, the provision of information technology training, the competency of information system staff and the extent of computer use by users. The implications of these findings for information system researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Research issues in hypertext and hypermedia for business applications

Hypertext and hypermedia provide a mechanism to store and retrieve unstructured, related information in a meaningful way. This new technology has the potential to extend the use of computers into areas, until recently considered to be outside the realm of computerization. This article identifies a number of application areas in the business domain that can benefit from the use of hypertext. It also identifies a number of research issues that must be addressed before business organizations can reap the benefit of this novel technology.

Influence of Technology Affordance on the Adoption of Mobile Technologies for Diabetes Self-management

Diabetes is a costly chronic disease, and a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.