S. Wilford

Responsible innovation across borders: tensions, paradoxes and possibilities

In March 2014 a group of early career researchers and academics from Sao Paulo state and from the UK met at the University of Campinas to participate in a workshop on ‘Responsible Innovation and the Governance of Socially Controversial Technologies’. In this Perspective we describe key reflections and observations from the workshop discussions, paying particular attention to the discourse of responsible innovation from a cross-cultural perspective. We describe a number of important tensions, paradoxes and opportunities that emerged over the three days of the workshop.

The Limits of Award Incentives: The (Non-)Relationship between Awards for Quality and Organisational Performance

Abstract This paper examines whether there is a relationship between gaining an award for quality (e.g. Beacon Council Scheme, Baldrige, EFQM) and high organisational performance. It considers whether gaining an award is encouraging excellence or if the self-assessment process is a more important driver towards organisational high performance. Further, it examines the proposition that awards may be limited to those organisations that are already high performers or those organisations that operate according to the criteria set by award-giving bodies (Taylor & Parkinson 1998; Train & Williams, 2000; Eskildsen et al., 2001). This paper argues that gaining an award for quality indicates the ability of some organisations to fulfil the criteria set by the awards studied. As such, awards should not be seen as a panacea for organisational excellence.

A dependencies mapping method for personal health monitoring.

This chapter discusses the research undertaken in developing a comprehensive dependencies map for Personal Health Monitoring (PHM). Included is a discussion of the underlying research approach adopted and how this was operationalized. A new dependencies mapping method has been developed and this is described in detail. Illustrations of the derived tools are given using the PHM analysis undertaken. A summary of the analysis outcomes and the resulting recommendations are discussed. The chapter concludes with some suggestions of ways in which this type of data set can be used in practice to deliver fit-for-purpose PHM systems.

Perceptions of ethics in IS: how age can affect awareness

Purpose – This aim of this paper was to highlight the awareness of ethical issues across the group of information systems (IS) professionals from a range of geographical regions. Design/methodology/approach – An initial survey was conducted that informed in-depth interviews with 26 IS professionals from across the globe. The study identified that around 70 per cent of the sample were over 50 years old. This provided an opportunity to consider age-related differences in perception regarding ethical awareness of both current and emerging technologies. Findings – The project revealed that the more mature IS professionals had a significantly higher level of awareness and perceived understanding regarding the importance of ethical issues than the younger IS professionals. Research limitations/implications – The research was limited to IS professionals and so the findings do not generalise further. Future research would be beneficial to find out if the higher level of ethical awareness is also evident across ol...