Journal of Systems and Information Technology

Mina Serajian; Babak Akhgar

2013 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/JSIT-12-2012-0071

Purpose – There exist large gaps in research about social networking services, for example in their development. Most of these networks lack any scientific or engineered base in their designing and developing processes. In this paper, a holistic model will be described for the development of social network sites and parts of a scientific social network (SSN) will be developed using it. Users of this site are faculties, students and R&D personnel of a university or an enterprise. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper, a SSN site is designed along with a brief description of a social network site development methodology. The structure of methodology is based on conceptual template for the construction of a methodology. Using this methodology, a group of 50 users (from all three types of end‐users) have been chosen to be interviewed about their expectations from the mentioned site. Findings – Based on the interview, it was discovered that their view about social networks is inflexible and they do not have any new visions about functionalities of these networks. Their emphasis was mostly on exchanging and sharing role of this site. Design and development of social network sites based on the proposed methodology is easily understandable because of using state machine notations. Originality/value – The innovation of this study is to propose a soft model for social network sites design based on these site's special specifications and regarding differences of them with other regular ones. This can pave the way for investors of such sites for setting up distinct social sites with new functionalities in an innovative approach.

Maria Christofi; Miguel Nunes; Guo Chao Peng; Angela Lin

2013 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/JSIT-06-2013-0021

Purpose – ERP systems are not the exclusive concern of large companies anymore. More and more small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are now engaging with the implementation and exploitation of this type of system. However, reports of ERP failure are numerous and frequent. Very often, this failure results from technical and implementation problems. But even more frequently, it is due to lack of preparation, by the companies themselves, for the implementation process. The purpose of the study reported in this paper was to identify and explore ways in which SMEs may need to prepare themselves before implementing ERP systems. Design/methodology/approach – The research took a Cypriot SME as a case study and adopted an inductive approach supported by in‐depth interviews as the main method of data collection. The qualitative data collected were analysed by using a thematic analysis approach. Subsequently, a rich picture and concept maps were used to represent the findings generated. Findings – The study identified that business deficiencies and problems, which can impact potential ERP adoption and usage in SMEs, can be localised across business processes boundaries, such as sales order processing, stock control, and bill of materials management, etc. These business problems were found to be attributed to a variety of organisational, technical and human‐related reasons. Therefore, this study established that in order to implement ERPs successfully, organisations may require changes in people's work practices and understanding of technology, ownership and control of business processes, as well as organisational wide policies. Research limitations/implications – This study contributes to the knowledge of ERP preparation and business process improvement in SMEs. Practical implications – The findings of the paper provide useful insights for both academic and practitioners who are thinking of implementing ERP systems. The paper contributes to the body of literature on issues that SMEs may need to reflect upon before embarking in a costly and resource intensive process of ERP implementation. Originality/value – Business process improvement is traditionally considered as the result of an ERP project phase. This is how the large majority of the academic literature and the totality of marketing information by ERP vendors portray it. In fact, the reality of practice shows a different scenario with frequent reports of failure and inadequate ERP implementation. This paper aims at breaking with this myth, by proposing that ERPs cannot resolve the large variety of deficient business processes and internal problems that may exist in SMEs. Therefore, this study argues that SMEs need to prepare in advance by engaging in business process reviews prior to the ERP implementation that is engaging in a pre‐implementation or preparation phase.

Sittimont Kanjanabootra; Brian Corbitt; Miles Nicholls

2013 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/JSIT-08-2013-0041

Purpose – This paper aims to propose a framework for the evaluation of artefacts in Design Science and test it using an exemplar case of a knowledge management system (KMS) developed for an Australian refrigeration manufacturing company. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses Design Science research methodology in a specific case study context. The artefact studied was developed using an ontology based on an engineering design conceptualisation and created using an ontology generator, Protégé. Research data for the evaluation of the framework were collected using a combination of document analysis, interviews, shadowing and observations. Findings – The evaluation framework developed for the research and applied to the KMS specifically built for the company was shown to be useful in determining the efficacy and effectiveness of the research outcomes in terms of usefulness to the company engineers in the technical analysis of their work, and for the CEO and COO as part of their strategic planning for the company. The evaluation framework helped the researcher and the engineers as collaborators to demonstrate the extent of improvement in the design and build processes in the company. Originality/value – Prior research in both Information System and Design Science has not provided a specific, generalizable, evaluation framework for system developers to use as a guide during the systems development process. This research proposes an evaluation framework which covers all broad aspects of evaluation and efficacy, accepting that evaluation frameworks must be flexible in enabling changes to accommodate variations in the types and purposes of artefacts developed.

Maria Edith Burke; Simone O'Callaghan; Michael Quigley

2013 Journal of Systems and Information Technology

doi: 10.1108/JSIT-04-2013-0009

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to present case study findings that explore the implementation and use of a low‐cost digital technology platform to collect, process and disseminate information in business‐to‐consumer practices. Design/methodology/approach – The research is interdisciplinary, drawing from a range of backgrounds, the epistemological approach is that of mixed methods, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. Insights are drawn from what emerges from observations arising from the data, rather than starting with a hypothesis and designing the research to test this. The over arching research approach was “action research”. Action research has at its basis the premise of conducting research “in practice”. The “practice” on this occasion was a business practice, implemented in high street estate agents. Findings – This approach to accessing information aids important decision‐making in the buying and selling of homes. It allows for mobile augmentation technologies to facilitate a person's presence in the imagined spaces of the advertised properties “for sale”. This has the potential to enable faster, more efficient means of searching for the “right” home to purchase. Originality/value – This research makes a contribution to the literature by providing empirical evidence regarding the implementation and impact that quick read code digital technologies have on a high street SME. The research showed that statistically more properties were viewed than would have normally been the case, thus whilst not guaranteeing new business, the codes certainly attracted increased attention.