Roula Michaelides

Technology acceptance and m‐commerce in an operational environment

Purpose – To provide a case study in the implementation of mobile technologies in an operations management environment, and viewed through a model for technology acceptance.Design/methodology/approach – This is an assessment of the technology acceptance model (TAM) through action research, a practical implementation based upon understandings developed in the TAM.Findings – Provides fresh data to further develop the TAM, shedding light on some of the factors expounded within TAM, and their relationships.Research limitations/implications – This is not the empirical research required to fully validate the TAM, but is useful in terms of investigating its various features within a detailed case study. It is also useful in terms of the project management implications for the implementation of new technologies.Practical implications – Useful for those looking at the practical implementation of mobile technologies in an operations environment, and highlights the role of technology acceptance in the project manage...

Collaboration networks and collaboration tools: a match for SMEs?

Global patterns of industrial production have resulted in relocation of industrial operations groups in an effort to create new markets for mass and customised mass production. The collaborative effort between these dispersed teams increases the likelihood of combining ideas and knowledge in novel ways. Internet technologies enable these virtual collaboration networks to seamlessly engage in discussions that demonstrate a richness of perspectives when it comes to problem-solving and innovative idea-exchange. Indeed, knowledge creation and harnessing collective knowledge are salient features of collaborative networks (CNs) and this is witnessed by a new interest in these entities. However, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) display a difficulty in partnering and collaborating in global networks, especially since their technological infrastructure may be lacking. Given the widespread adoption of collaborative technologies in social contexts, this research seeks to examine how such informal interactions are facilitated in SMEs through Web 2.0 tools. Specifically, this paper seeks to contribute to existing literature by examining how Web 2.0 affects the collaborative effort in two SME CNs; this study demonstrated that the collaboration effort is amplified when Web 2.0 tools are available. Other parameters such as trust in other members’ ability; perception of usefulness; and enhancement of collective knowledge are seen as supporting the CN mutuality. In addition, it brings together the three diverse research areas of collaborative networks, internet collaborative tools and psychological barriers and enablers.

Internet Communities and Open innovation: an Information System Design Methodology

Over the last 10 years in academic literature there has been a growing interest in communities of practice (CoPs) as a method for transferring and generating knowledge. The MySpace phenomenon and increased use of CoPs by large international organisations such as IBM and Procter and Gamble confirm the importance of CoPs in todays global economy. The collaboration between teams within communities increases the likelihood of combining knowledge in novel ways. In teams, the amount and diversity of information available to members is amplified, enabling a richness of perspectives when problems, ideas or products are discussed. However, the real impact of information technology infrastructures in supporting knowledge transfer is not yet fully understood and thus worthy of further investigation. Within these broad research objectives, this paper intends to introduce a specific design methodology and architecture that would leverage on Internet technologies whilst at the same time seek an alignment with new emerging open innovation models. The empirical study presented focuses on the facilitation of knowledge flows within a research community.

The application of a knowledge-based reference framework to support the provision of requisite variety and customisation across collaborative networks

The research described in this paper demonstrates how individual operational capabilities and the collective knowledge and expertise of a collaborative customer–supplier network can be harnessed to manage the challenges associated with the provision of a requisite level of product variety and customisation. It concerns the discussion and application of a previously published approach to the classification of collaborative networks, the justification of the extension to this approach and the use of the approach as a knowledge-based reference framework to demonstrate how product variety and customisation can be supported across different forms of collaborative customer–supplier networks. In addition, explanations are provided on how collaborative networks can be classified, on how their adaptive capabilities can be established, and on the characteristics and attributes that particular types of network require in order to handle their commitment to the provision of variety and customisation.

A framework for evaluating the benefits of collaborative technologies in engineering innovation networks

In times of rapid economic change, the decrease in knowledge value becomes inversely proportional to its speed of obsolescence, with successful organisations seeking to connect more rapidly and more effectively with others in the creation of new knowledge. The past decade has seen a growing interest in communities of practice as a method for transferring and generating knowledge within product development, rooted as they are in the nature of knowledge creation as a socially embedded process. Given the widespread adoption of collaborative technologies as facilitative platforms for innovation in the interactions of contemporary communities of practice, the objective of this research is to develop an evaluation paradigm and employ it to examine how such interaction is facilitated through the medium of Web 2.0 technologies. The contribution of this research to theory and innovation technology practice will be to further the understanding of collaborative technologies by examining the impact of Web 2.0 technologies on engineering innovation networks. Furthermore, it brings together the three diverse research areas of technology innovation, internet collaborative tools and psychological barriers and enablers.

Managing innovation through virtual global communities: Challenges and benefits

Virtual communities facilitate effortless exchange of information between remote users irrespective of time, location and remit. The technologies utilized enable organizations to build strong, cost-effective connections within the organization and externally with customers to further the innovation process. VCs act as bridges between organizations and customer bases by fostering product awareness; providing forums for questions; and serving as conduits for continuous innovation and improvement. This paper reviews challenges of VCs highlighted within extant literature, together with suggestions for problem resolution. It provides a summary of the findings and proposes solutions to additional challenges within the context of human/technology interaction and behaviour related to innovation, with particular reference to the barriers and enablers associated with the implementation and uptake of VCs.

Service supply chain management in e-government operations

This paper describes a case study looking at community care operations, as the first tier of a services supply chain in the government, provided by a private company. The research will focus on the application of internet technologies to enable a more effective use of the operational resources of the private care service provider. This paper also describes the benefits of using a web-enabled prototype in terms of achieving the transparency of information relating to care worker availability thus achieving a fast acceptance of the referred clients. A description of the redesigned business processes of the company to enable inclusive of working with the local authorities is also included here. This is essential to maximise value for money, improve competitiveness as well as client care quality. The core business operations supported by the solution are scheduling of care workers, automatic generation of care worker schedules, payment of care workers and the invoicing of the local authority process.

Online Communities of Practice for innovation and knowledge transfer: A case study in the U.K.

Although the concept of online CoPs using Web 2.0-enabled applications has been very successful within a social context, it is not yet prevalent amongst organisations or universities specialising in knowledge transfer. Indeed, both concepts (i.e. Web 2.0 and knowledge flow) are still emergent in nature. This paper details the successful implementation of an online Community of Practice (CoP) for an innovation and knowledge transfer (KT) application. Using a case study online CoP from the UK, the paper details how the online CoP was developed, the functionality and user types offered by the online CoP, the governance methods used, the technology selected and finally the benefits it brings to its members.

Collaboration networks for innovation and Web 2.0: Perfect match?

Global patterns of industrial production benefited from Internet technologies as they enable relocation and control of distant industrial operations and workgroups and the creation of new markets for mass production. In such teams, the amount and diversity of information available is amplified thus enabling a richness of perspectives to problems, ideas, products. Indeed knowledge creation and harnessing collective knowledge are salient features of collaborative innovation. Given the widespread adoption of collaborative technologies as facilitative platforms for informal interactions of contemporary networks, the objective of this research is to examine how such interaction is facilitated through Web 2.0. This research contributes to existing literature by examining how collaborative tools affect the relationships between user contribution and knowledge flow in collaborative networks.

A systematic meta-analysis on managing innovation projects in uncertain and complex environments

With the prevalence of global project-focused organisations, project management is emerging as a vital conduit of innovation within such companies. This study aims to provide a detailed meta-analytic insight into contemporary project management trends, with a particular focus on complexity of innovative projects. Trends in project management literature were analysed from 1975 to 2015. Findings from the analysis highlight the importance of strategic alignment, agility, competencies development and risk management for successful project implementation. By exploring inherent dynamics enabling/constraining practitioners to deliver projects successfully in complex, uncertain environments helps reveal factors influencing their ability to collaborate and realise innovative potential. The analysis also highlights a lack of standardisation in project management practices, which hinders the effective dealing with innovative complexity. Overall the study contributes to further our understanding of managing complex projects.