Valter Moreno

Transformational leaders and work performance: the mediating roles of identification and self-efficacy

In this study we investigate the connections between transformational leadership and subordinate formal and contextual performance among Brazilian employees. We also proposed and tested two mediating processes through which transformational leaders would enhance the performance of their staff: stronger follower identification with the leader and efficacy beliefs. These relations were tested with a sample of 107 managers from a multinational company that operates in the financial sector. The proposed structural equation model was assessed with Partial Least Squares (PLS) techniques. The results suggest that perceived transformational leadership is associated with higher levels of task performance and helping behaviors. Moreover, the proposed mediating processes were empirically supported. We discuss implications for theory and practice.

Strategic Alignment and Its Antecedents: A Critical Analysis of Constructs and Relations in the International and Brazilian Literature

Abstract In this study, we conduct a review of the international and the Brazilian literature on business-IT strategic alignment and present a critical analysis of fundamental problems observed in the field. We argue that conceptual shortcomings, such as the lack of clarity in constitutive definitions of the alignment construct and the plethora of often overlapping antecedents discussed in the literature, restrain systematic knowledge development in the field. We propose a conceptual definition of business-IT strategic alignment, striving for clarity and parsimony, and highlight its distinction from the definition of operational alignment. The antecedents in the literature are further analyzed so as to formulate a synthetic conceptual model for the nomological network that links these constructs. We conclude the article stressing that additional theoretical and empirical endeavors regarding business-IT alignment are needed, emphasizing that such efforts should be conducted with greater attention to the issues discussed in this review.

Resource-Based View, Knowledge-Based View and the Performance of Software Development Companies: A Study of Brazilian SMEs

Software development companies face a globalized, highly competitive and turbulent environment, where efficiency, efficacy and innovation capacity are critical for survival. In this context, small and medium enterprises SMEs tend to suffer the most due to the scarcity of resources to which they are usually subjected and their dependence on a few more powerful customers. This paper describes the elaboration and test of a model that draws on the resource-based view and knowledge-based view to explain the differences in performance of software SMEs. The analysis of data collected from 265 Brazilian companies suggests that: absorptive capacity contributes significantly to the development of a companys stock of technological knowledge; the flexibility of the IT infrastructure, managerial capacity, and IT technological knowledge are strong predictors of software development performance; and organizational performance is positively influenced by software development performance and managerial capacity. The implications of these findings are then discussed.

Using Information Systems to Leverage Knowledge Management Processes: The Role of Work Context, Job Characteristics and Task-Technology Fit

Abstract This study focus on how an individuals particular work context, job characteristics and knowledge-related job requirements affect the relationship between task-technology fit (TTF) and the use of information systems (IS) in knowledge management activities. The literature on Knowledge Management (KM) and Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) is reviewed to identify relevant constructs and their dimensions. Based on this analysis, a model is proposed and tested. Our findings suggest that providing appropriate IT tools that fit tasks alone is no guarantee that they will be employed to leverage the acquisition, transfer and reuse of knowledge. Certain characteristics of jobs, driven by particular work contexts, generate greater need and opportunity for knowledge use. These latter factors moderate the relationship between TTF and actual use of IS for KM purposes: the greater the need and opportunity to conduct knowledge-related activities, the stronger the relationship between TTF and actual IS use.

Implementation Analysis of Lean Sigma in IT Applications. A Multinational Oil Company Experience in Brazil

Abstract Several process improvement methodologies have emerged in recent decades, but a lack of studies continues on their applicability and effective results in organizations. This article analyzes the Lean Sigma methodology implementation results in the cost and time allocation process for a multinational oil company IT application in Brazil. The analytical criteria were based on the literature review: a) cost, b) time, c) quality, d) effectiveness, e) efficiency and f) internal customer satisfaction. The action research methodology was used and the findings showed Lean Sigma improved the IT application, however it revealed the methodology has low adherence to processes where the intangibles and people participation has greater influence.

UMA ABORDAGEM MULTICRITÉRIO PARA A SELEÇÃO DE FERRAMENTAS DE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

This article describes the application of Multi-attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) to select a Business Intelligence (BI) tool. To accomplish this goal, we developed a case study of a BI project in the Brazilian branch of an insurance and financial products multinational company. The weights of the MAUT utility function were defined using the Swing Weighting technique. The analysis of collected data revealed the benefits and limitations of adopting a formal decision support procedure, such as the MAUT method. Overall, it was observed that the application of MAUT contributed greatly to increase the objectivity and transparency in decision making. In addition, the method was fairly intuitive and easy to master by the decision agents. It also helped to focus the interactions of these agents, reducing conflicts and guiding the analysis. The main limitations observed were the restrictions on gathering information about the problem, the composition of the team responsible for selecting the tool, the a priori exclusion of some alternatives, and rationality and quantification assumptions that are inherent to MAUT.

Carreira e relações de trabalho na prestação de serviços de tecnologia da informação: a visão dos profissionais de TI e seus gerentes

O estudo investiga as relacoes de trabalho e perspectivas de carreira de profissionais de TI que atuam em empresas prestadoras de servico de Tecnologia da Informacao. A pesquisa se baseia no caso de executivos, gerentes e funcionarios do corpo tecnico de uma grande empresa brasileira de consultoria e servicos de desenvolvimento e implantacao de sistemas, e evidencia uma grande fragilidade no vinculo da empresa com esses profissionais. O modelo de gestao de pessoas adotado parece impor restricoes para o desenvolvimento dos profissionais, consequentemente limitando seu desempenho futuro e concorrendo para a gradativa desvalorizacao da area de TI enquanto profissao. A sustentabilidade desse modelo e discutida, tendo em vista seus riscos em longo prazo para a qualidade e competitividade dos servicos prestados pelas empresas, bem como suas implicacoes para a atratividade da carreira na area de Tecnologia da Informacao.

Enabling customer satisfaction in call center teams: the role of transformational leadership in the service-profit chain

ABSTRACT The importance of the effect of work climate and employee attitude on customer satisfaction has attracted the attention of practitioners and researchers, and, hence, lead to the development of the service-profit chain framework. However, companies whose services involve tasks that are not intrinsically motivating and whose performance rewards are scarce face significant challenges motivating customer service teams and, thus, promoting customer satisfaction and organizational performance. We argue that, in such contexts, transformational leadership is an important factor for service management and that it is essential to foster engagement, satisfaction, and performance among service teams. To assess this proposition, we develop and statistically test a causal model with data from 224 teams (3938 employees) from a large call center company in Brazil. Employee performance and customer satisfaction were assessed with objective metrics supplied by the company. The results from structural equation analyses support all hypotheses in the study. Implications for service companies are addressed.

Cultura de aprendizagem contínua, atitudes e desempenho no trabalho: uma comparação entre empresas do setor público e privado

This article investigates the relationship among continuous learning culture, perception of growth opportunities and individual performance, comparing companies in the public and private sectors. The paper is based on theories that propose that shared beliefs about support for learning in the organizational context are an important situational factor that can influence the attitudes of employees and their job performance. A quantitative research was conducted with survey questionnaires answered by employees of the sales force of three distinct organizations, all major competitors in the same market, being two private and one public. The results suggest that continuous learning is more present in the culture of private companies, and it is significantly related to the perception of growth opportunities and performance.

Continuous learning culture, attitudes and job performance: comparing companies in public and private sectors

This article investigates the relationship among continuous learning culture, perception of growth opportunities and individual performance, comparing companies in the public and private sectors. The paper is based on theories that propose that shared beliefs about support for learning in the organizational context are an important situational factor that can influence the attitudes of employees and their job performance. A quantitative research was conducted with survey questionnaires answered by employees of the sales force of three distinct organizations, all major competitors in the same market, being two private and one public. The results suggest that continuous learning is more present in the culture of private companies, and it is significantly related to the perception of growth opportunities and performance.