Ronald B. Wilkes

Draining the swamp: defining strategic use of the information systems resource

Abstract There has been a great deal of discussion in information systems (IS) journals and elsewhere on strategic use of the IS resource. These discussions describe very diferent views of what is meant by strategic IS use. This paper clarifies the concept of strategic use of the IS resource and identifies the issues to address in using the IS resource as a strategic business factor. A model is presented to help distinguish among the differing uses of the term “strategic use of the IS resource” and to guide executives and IS managers in choosing among the many alternatives in using IS strategically.

Telecommuting as a workplace alternative: an identification of significant factors in American firms' determination of work-at-home policies

Abstract Due to the changing demographics of the American workforce, telecommuting programmes for mid-level corporate workers are receiving a great deal of attention. This research presents factors that firms have found to be most significant when considering telecommuting policies. Results show that telecommuting programmes increased productivity, decreased absenteeism and turnover, and decreased in non-salary related expenses to the firms. Attachment of telecommuters to the corporate culture of the organization was an initial issue of concern and was explicitly addressed through a set of similar policies by all the organizations. The research was conducted using semi-structured interviews to investigate questions of interest to firms considering telecommuting programmes. This approach provided candid, inside views into some of the most successful telecommuting programmes in the USA.

Toward a holistic model of task design for IS professionals

IS Task design issues and employee motivation can impact information system effectiveness. A questionnaire was developed to integrate important job design factors from equity, expectancy, job characteristics, and goal setting theories. Data was collected from 30 organizations using questionnaires. Job design factors identified were feedback, justice, employee voice, task identity, individual differences, physical dressings, autonomy, and goal difficulty. Limitations of the research and practical implications for both IS practitioners and academics are discussed.

POLITICS OF IMPLEMENTING EISs

The potential of an executive information system (EIS) to provide executives with easy access to strategic information often threatens influential organizational members, who may resist the systems implementation by engaging in political games. Seven guidelines that minimize the impact of organizational politics on the EIS implementation process can maximize the projects chances for long–term success.

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SYSTEM AT PROMUS Using IT to Ensure Customer Satisfaction

Abstract Information-based organizations are structured to function with as small and efficient a staff as possible. To this end, executives at The Promus Companies are using IT to spread decision-making authority and responsibility for customer satisfaction and customer service throughout the organization.

Internet transactions: perceptions of personal risk

User perception of the risk associated with giving information to online companies is examined, as well as user concerns with personal privacy and beliefs that using the internet can result in personal privacy problems. A research model was proposed by integrating constructs from previous research, and a survey was conducted to examine one construct: user perception of the internet or the degree to which individuals discriminate between online versus traditional companies. Overwhelmingly, respondents reported feeling more at risk and less safe when giving information to firms that conduct business only online than when giving information to firms that conduct business only in the traditional face-to-face manner in an office or store. Additionally, 65% of those surveyed believe that using the internet can result in personal privacy problems. This paper suggests that positive merchant/web attributes are necessary but insufficient to provide the assurance of transaction safety that web users require.