Sherry D. Ryan

Exploring knowledge sharing in ERP implementation: an organizational culture framework

This is a multi-site case study of firms that have implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. It examines eight dimensions of culture and their impact on how ERP implementation teams are able to effectively share knowledge across diverse functions and perspectives during ERP implementation. Through synthesizing the data, we develop a cultural configuration that shows the dimensions of culture that best facilitate knowledge sharing in ERP implementation. The results also indicate ways that firms may overcome cultural barriers to knowledge sharing. A model is developed that demonstrates the link between the dimensions of culture and knowledge sharing during ERP implementation. Possible research questions on which future research can be based are also identified.

It is not for fun: An examination of social network site usage

Social networking sites (SNS) have become a significant component of peoples daily lives and have revolutionized the ways that business is conducted, from product development and marketing to operation and human resource management. However, there have been few systematic studies that ask why people use such systems. To try to determine why, we proposed a model based on uses and gratifications theory. Hypotheses were tested using PLS on data collected from 148 SNS users. We found that user utilitarian (rational and goal-oriented) gratifications of immediate access and coordination, hedonic (pleasure-oriented) gratifications of affection and leisure, and website social presence were positive predictors of SNS usage. While prior research focused on the hedonic use of SNS, we explored the predictive value of utilitarian factors in SNS. Based on these findings, we suggest a need to focus on the SNS functionalities to provide users with both utilitarian and hedonic gratifications, and suggest incorporating appropriate website features to help users evoke a sense of human contact in the SNS context.

Considering social subsystem costs and benefits in information technology investment decisions: a view from the field on anticipated payoffs

Abstract: Information technology (IT) investment decisions have traditionally focused on financial or technological issues. Responding to what appears to be a lack of payoff in IT investments, researchers as well as practitioners recently have suggested that traditional valuation analyses are incomplete and have called for additional work to identify “hidden” or seldom-considered costs and benefits. The present paper attempts to improve understanding of a chief source of these hidden costs and benefits: those changes in the social subsystem brought about by a new IT. Fifty IT decision-makers in a broad variety of industries were interviewed to gain insight into what, when, and how often social subsystem considerations are included in IT investment-decision processes. Data from the interviews show that in practice some of those issues are often minimized, excluded, or put off until the IT is implemented—thus affecting optimality of investment choices and IT payoff. The paper extends existing theory by describing systematic patterns of inclusion and exclusion of these costs and benefits. In addition, a decision aid is provided to help IT executives begin thinking about which social subsystem costs and benefits they should incorporate in various decisions. Suggestions are also made on how data regarding social subsystem costs and benefits might be gathered. By incorporating social subsystem costs and benefits in the IT investment process, decision-makers gain a greater appreciation for hidden costs and benefits, and thus clarify anticipated IT payoff.

Evaluating leadership, IT quality, and net benefits in an e-government environment

US Government organizations are creating value for their citizens and businesses by improving their public service delivery through good websites. Our study examined leadership and IT quality, and their effect on positive delivery outcomes in an e-government environment. We first developed a theoretically based model using elements of the model developed for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and DeLone and McLeans IS Success model. To test this model, we conducted a field survey at a municipal city government. The results supported our hypothesis that the MBNQA leadership triad (leadership, strategic planning, and customer/market focus) had a positive impact on the IT quality triad (information, system, and service quality). We also found that both leadership and IT quality increased the benefits.

Information-Technology Investment Decisions: When Do Costs and Benefits in the Social Subsystem Matter?

The inclusion of social subsystem costs and benefits in information technology (IT) investment choices has been a difficult problem for IT decision-makers. Past research has shown that although some organizations adequately and consistently consider social subsystem issues when making IT investment decisions, many do not. This demonstrates a discrepancy between prescriptive theory and descriptive evidence. Our study addresses this theory-practice disconnection by investigating which firms, and under what conditions IT investments are likely to follow or violate prescriptions. Data collected from a national sample of 200 firms shed light on the firm and situational factors that affect the consideration of social subsystem issues during the IT investment decision process. The amount of social subsystem disruption associated with the IT in question, the strategic relevance of the IT to the organization, and the firms continuous-learning culture each have direct or interactive influences on the decision process. Specifically, they impact the consideration of social subsystem costs and benefits for IT investments. Organizational size and industry are unrelated to this facet of decision-making. Overall, the empirical results help us better understand (1) what kinds of IT decisions cause stronger evaluation of social subsystem costs and benefits, (2) what types of firms give the greatest consideration to these issues, and (3) which intangible social subsystem costs or benefits are seen as the most important.

Exploring Educational and Cultural Adaptation through Social Networking Sites.

Social networking sites have seen tremendous growth and are widely used around the world. Nevertheless, the use of social networking sites in educational contexts is an under explored area. This paper uses a qualitative methodology, autoethnography, to investigate how social networking sites, specifically Facebook, can help first semester doctoral students adapt to a Ph.D. program and a new national culture. Each week during the semester, a Ph.D. Student Tip and a Cultural Tip was posted. Students would then post related discussions, observations, and/or questions. At the conclusion of the semester the doctoral students shared their thoughts about participating in the FacebookTM group through autobiographical narratives. A technique called open coding was used to analyze the narratives. Our findings suggest three emergent themes. Social networking sites can aid adaptation through: 1) facilitating knowledge exchange, 2) alleviating apprehension, and 3) enabling socialization and building community. The data showed that the FacebookTM discussions aided in various types of knowledge exchange, providing a conceptual map that facilitated greater adaptation. Next, the interactions appeared to help minimize trepidation related to embarking on a new program of study and adjusting to a new national culture. Third, the FacebookTM group was useful fostering socialization and community among the students. We make the following recommendations for professors when implementing SNS (Social Network Site) groups: 1) establish a FacebookTM group with a course-related identity, 2) be sensitive to security and privacy issues, 3) provide tips to “seed” various types of knowledge exchange, 4) encourage participation, and 5) assess and adjust. While our research is exploratory in nature, we believe it provides a foundation for future research in this important and rapidly expanding area of SNS usage.

The importance of strategic readiness in an emerging e‐government environment

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to examine how information technology, strategic planning processes, and people interact in an emerging e‐government environment.Design/methodology/approach – A discriminant model was developed to test the ability to distinguish between the perceptions of high and low importance of six major e‐government functions as a function of a four‐item strategic e‐government readiness scale. An empirical study of a municipal government supported the discriminant model.Findings – Government agencies must evaluate how strategic e‐government plans are developed, communicated, and integrated into the work environment. Without the proper understanding of the importance of e‐government initiatives, employees do not place high value on e‐government initiatives.Research limitations/impli‘cations – This study focuses on one group of stakeholders, employees. Future studies might consider other interested parties, like citizens, business partners, and other government organizations. Futur...

Organizational Practices That Foster Knowledge Sharing: Validation across Distinct National Cultures

There is lack of empirical, broad-based research in the area of comparative, cross-cultural studies that focus on knowledge sharing. Using the knowledge-based view (KBV) as the theoretical foundation, the study investigates how organizational practices in two distinct national cultures support knowledge sharing activities and the associated supporting organizational practices that are widely transferable. We propose and empirically test a model that examines the relationships among strategic, decision and technology practices and organizational knowledge sharing in two distinct national cultures (US and Japan). The results of the study suggest that despite the existing cultural contrasts in these two countries there are some common organizational practices that positively impact an organization’s knowledge-sharing environment. While these results support a model of core organizational practices that foster knowledge sharing and that are transferable across national cultures our findings also support the need for careful consideration of the type of practices applied across different cultures.

Acquiring conceptual data modeling skills: the effect of cooperative learning and self-efficacy on learning outcomes

Conceptual data modeling has been defined as a complex task for designers. This study draws from educational and psychological research in examining the training of novices in conceptual data modeling. Specifically, an experiment was conducted to determine the effects of self-efficacy and cooperative, team-based participation on complex data modeling skills. Subjects in the cooperative learning treatment did not perform significantly better on a conceptual data modeling task than those assigned to an individual-work treatment. This calls into question the value of using the cooperative learning approach for short-duration IS training. However, the data also showed that self-efficacy was significantly and positively related to skill acquisition. Self-efficacy, then, is an important consideration for improving achievement when teaching complex information systems development skills to IS novices.

Inclusion of Social Subsystem Issues in IT Investment Decisions: An Empirical Assessment

Researchers have attempted to augment the traditional cost/benefit analysis model used in the IT decision process. However, frequently social subsystem issues are inadequately considered. Survey data, collected from a U.S. sample of 200 executives, provides an empirical assessment of how these issues compare with other IT decision criteria given differing decision types. The social subsystem issues considered most important by decision makers are also identified and the manner by which they consider these issues is investigated.