Vijay V. Raghavan

An Empirical Investigation of Stress Factors in Information Technology Professionals

This study explores whether organizations can employ job design strategies to relieve organizational stress for information technology IT professionals. The effect of flexible work schedule, employee support and training, and telecommuting as potential coping resources to relieve stress were studied. Perceived workload, role ambiguity, work facilitation, and decision latitude were drawn from previous studies as potential stressors of IT professionals. Perceived stress was measured by two commonly used measures: work exhaustion and depressed mood. The results suggest that removing role ambiguity and improving work-facilitation ease work-related stress. Allowing employees to have flexible work schedules was also found to ease their perceptions of workload. Employee support and training strategies were found to influence decision latitude and role ambiguity. Telecommuting did not have any effect on the stressors. Results also indicate that the association between work exhaustion and depressed mood was stronger for males than females.

Lifecycle of Outsourcing Relationships: A Case Study Investigation

Abstract This case study investigates outsourcing relationships between vendors and client. The investigation is focused on issues arising between the vendor and the client after the contract is signed off in general and with the intensity of communication over time and during the outsourcing relationship, in particular. Using a semi-structured interview approach, three cases of multinational fortune-100 firms are studied to shed further light on the aforementioned issues. Our findings suggest that communication intensity decreases whereas the degree of social relationship increases over the lifecycle of a project. We also found that economic project type, whether the project is fixed-cost or time-and-materials, plays a role in project governance. In addition, the role of intermediary managing the outsourcing project appears to be critical to successfully managing the project.

Macro influencers of electronic health records adoption

While adoption rates for electronic health records (EHRs) have improved, the reasons for significant geographical differences in EHR adoption within the USA have remained unclear. To understand the reasons for these variations across states, we have compiled from secondary sources a profile of different states within the USA, based on macroeconomic and macro health-environment factors. Regression analyses were performed using these indicator factors on EHR adoption. The results showed that internet usage and literacy are significantly associated with certain measures of EHR adoption. Income level was not significantly associated with EHR adoption. Per capita patient days (a proxy for healthcare need intensity within a state) is negatively correlated with EHR adoption rate. Health insurance coverage is positively correlated with EHR adoption rate. Older physicians (>60 years) tend to adopt EHR systems less than their younger counterparts. These findings have policy implications on formulating regionally focused incentive programs.

Phenomenological study of decline of personal health records: Empirical evidence from thematic analyses of blogs’ content

Abstract This study examines the current state of personal health records (PHRs) in electronic health care. Surveys report that the PHR usage is generally increasing, and yet, even an influential organization such as the Google decided to end its “Google Health” venture. If the potential for use and future growth is high, why are there so many obstacles to the adoption of PHRs? We analyze comments to articles and blogs related to PHRs in order to identify the current status, barriers to adoption, and future potential of PHRs. This study identifies issues of PHRs clustering mainly around certain key ideas: trust, communication, markets, standards, usability, politics, usefulness, and data ownership. It appears that disparity among the multiple stakeholders as to the expected benefits is the main barrier to its adoption.

Pensource - Evaluating Information Security in a Software Services Company

Abstract This teaching case focuses on the importance of a formal evaluation of information security practices using established frameworks. Such an evaluation is especially essential for organizations dealing with sensitive customer information. This case first presents the prevailing security practices of PenSource, a pension services company. A description of security practices of PenSource is provided using three approaches: a narrative description, a diagram of PenSources network infrastructure, and answers to a questionnaire eliciting information on existing practices on many dimensions such as security organization, policies and standards, and logical access controls. A set of questions to facilitate a reader to analytically reflect on how to improve the current practices of information systems security of the focal organization is included.

An Exploration of Individual Differences in Synthesizing Entity-Relationship Data Models

Entity Relationship (ER) modeling (1976) is a popular approach to formulate a conceptual data model for designing properly structured databases. In spite of some criticisms of the model leading to numerous extensions added to the original ER model, it is generally believed to be a method of choice for designing common databases. Not surprisingly, ER Modeling is inextricably a part of all database-design classes. Teachers of this modeling construct often encounter students experiencing problems in synthesizing ER models from verbal or written descriptions. This study explores whether individual differences contribute to such difficulties. Gender, length of Information Technology (IT) experience, length of database experience, length of business experience, national origin and learning styles are hypothesized as the individual diffe rences that might contribute to a student’s ability to synthesize a conceptual ER model. Ability to synthesize ER models was evaluated using a textbook type ER modeling problem.