Robert Cerveny

Global software piracy: can economic factors alone explain the trend?

Searching for explanations to increasing global software piracy rates.

The Use of Temporary Staff and Managers in a Local Government Environment

This article employs a case study to assess the relative efficacy of two theoretical perspectives in understanding temporary labor use to restructure a county information systems department. Specifically, a departments experience is reviewed in light of transaction cost and social network theories—two perspectives that have explanatory potential for temporary employment systems. The juxtaposition of a temporary, private employment system with a permanent, government labor regime produced significant strains and contrasts and important benefits. Particularly interesting was the use of temporary management in addition to temporary direct labor in the restructuring. Managements effort to cope with the challenges of restructuring, present interview findings, and quantitative data based on questionnaire responses of 99 temporary and permanent employees concerning their satisfaction, job and work involvement, and interdependence are reviewed. Transaction cost and social network theories complement one another in interpreting questionnaire and interview findings to understand temporary employment systems.

The application of prototyping to systems development: A rationale and model

Abstract:While prototyping has become an important topic in systems analysis and design, several questions remain unanswered. This paper addresses issues related to the implementation and function of prototyping in the traditional systems development life cycle. A definition of prototyping and a theoretical justification of the approach are developed. Finally, a model is presented which assists analysts and users in determining when, and to what extent, to use prototyping either along with or as a replacement for traditional systems development techniques.

The impact of national level indicators on PC adoption

The role of national level indicators on PC adoption is investigated. National level indicators are postulated to play a significant role in IT/IS adoption and diffusion. However, research that examines the role of these indicators is rare. The article introduces national cultural factors as important indicators of the PC adoption. Empirical models are designed that incorporate these national level indicators. Empirical analysis indicates that national indicators such as national culture, economy etc. do play a significant role in PC adoption.

Exploring the influence of flow and psychological ownership on security education, training and awareness effectiveness and security compliance

Abstract The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of flow and psychological ownership on security education, training, and awareness (SETA) effectiveness, self-efficacy, and security compliance intention. The important role of experiencing flow in SETA is presented as focal antecedents of psychological ownership, self-efficacy, SETA effectiveness, and security compliance intention. To achieve these goals, we propose a theoretical framework and analyze survey data to test the hypotheses. Flow components in SETA are extended to include challenge, feedback, autonomy, immersion, and social interaction. The results illustrate that experiencing flow in SETA shows significant relationships with SETA effectiveness and psychological ownership, which in turn positively influence security compliance intention. Appropriate theoretical contributions and managerial implications are also discussed.

Managing technology of America's infrastructure

Command and control computer systems, usually interconnected, provide the flow of critical information required for the proper operation of the nations infrastructure. The major critical infrastructures are: (1) energy including electric power generation and distribution, nuclear energy, oil, coal and gas production and distribution; (2) telecommunications which involves the transmission and exchange of electronic communications; including global commerce via satellites and fiber optics; (3) transportation including air control systems, rail, bridges and traffic control; (4) global finance, banking and stock markets; (5) water supply, both residential and commercial; (6) emergency services protecting personal and public health and safety; (7) government services of all types including law enforcement, social security, Medicare and welfare; and (8) military and defense forces and systems. The management of these areas in relation to computer systems are briefly discussed.

An empirical study on e-government readiness: the roles of institutional efficiency and interpersonal trust

The use of information technology and communications to advance the interaction between a government and its citizens is expanding at an increasing rate. Governments around the world are looking for avenues to exploit interactive tools to enhance public awareness and reduce operating costs. A primary obstacle to successful implementation of e-government is trust. In this preliminary study, we investigated the dimensions of institutional efficiency and trust and their effect on the deployment of e-government and found preliminary evidence that these indicators play a significant role in e-government readiness.

The use of temporary managers and employees in a local government information systems services department

1. ABSTRACT This case examines the use of temporary employees during the transformation period when a local government information systems services department moved from mainframe to client/server. The effects of using temporary managers (TMs) to manage permanent employees (PEs) and the value of direct and specific senior management support of temporary employees (TEs) is examined. Employee satisfaction levels are recorded by the use of a questionnaire and personal interviews with the employees involved in the restructuring. 1.1