Cloud Based Infrastructure,the New Business Possibilities and Barriers

Realization of the cloud computing infrastructure requires access to data anywhere, anytime at any device at a sufficient perceived quality of service. Many Western European countries, such as Denmark, have a high percentage of individuals (inhabitants and companies) that has access to broadband internet via cable, satellite and mobile. This gives a unique position in roll-out and deploying intelligent cloud based services that can be applied for a number of purposes, but where lack of sufficient capacity/quality and IT readiness will be barriers in realization of the “Global Information Multimedia Communication Village (GIMCV)”. Broadband is here defined as more than 2 Mbps. In this paper, the combination of e-commerce, cloud computing and broadband infrastructure has our focus, and its unique possibilities for the overall IT society. However, it is also about a significant number of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) that today applies manual billing systems or Excel like systems in combination with severe lacks of sufficient IT skills. This means that the most commonly used systems are the ones requiring the most of our time. Therefore, the move for the SME towards e-commerce and electronic processes has a significant economical potential for the SMEs. E-commerce and other internet based services will simplify their business, and hence allow the SMEs to focus on their core business which was their raison d’être. In addition to this can be added other fundamental IT systems that will help their business, but that is outside the scope of this paper. Furthermore, this paper focuses on infrastructural barriers and cloud computing; not only focusing on bandwidth, but also the entire issue of service offering. Services offered via cloud computing solutions will minimize the SMEs investment in own hardware (HW), software (SW) and maintenance. The focus is also the upgrade to a superior infrastructure that provides the platform for efficient cloud computing, for e-commerce, and beyond.     

Antecedents and Consequences of Information Systems Planning Integration

Successful utilization of the firm's information technology (IT) investments continues to be a difficult but important task for senior business and information systems managers. This paper focuses on one potentially important determinant of IT investment outcomes-integration of business and IT planning. Integration is examined using three kinds of participation: business managers' participation in IT planning, IT managers' participation in business planning, and top managers' participation in IT resource allocation. Based on considerations of knowledge sharing and commitment, a theoretical model linking these three aspects to three potential consequences-quality of IT plans, IT project problems, and IT-based organization performance-and two antecedents-top managers' perception of IT importance and environmental heterogeneity-is developed. The model is tested using data collected through a survey of 274 chief information officer (CIO) respondents. Results of structural equation modeling analysis support 12 of the 15 hypotheses. Surprisingly, top managers' participation in resource allocation had a stronger association with IT-based organizational performance than either quality of IT plans or the absence of IT project problems. This implies that the role of IT planning and alignment might be weakened when investments reflect top managements' selection. Implications of the study for practice and future research are examined.     

The strategic use of information resources: an exploratory study

The authors present some extensive preliminary data on the strategic use of information resources. The objectives are to: (1) make a case for the need to distinguish between the two types of information resources, information and information technology (IT), in the context of competitive strategy; (2) provide preliminary empirical validation for the distinction based on a survey of senior information system (IS) executives representing 84 large US corporations; (3) analyze the organizational factors that facilitate or inhibit the use of information resources; and (4) report on the organizational decision-making processes currently being used by business firms for strategic IS applications     

Effects of Institutional Pressures on Information Technology Investments: An Empirical Investigation

Information technology (IT) investments account for a significant proportion of capital budgets of most firms today. While research attention so far has been focused on if and how firms benefit from these investments, limited attention has been paid to understand what determines the IT investment levels of firms. In this study, we examine the effects of institutional pressures and firm characteristics on the IT investment levels of a firm after controlling the financial conditions of the firm. Using available data from secondary sources, we find that the IT investment intensity of a firm is positively associated with that of its competitors, suppliers, and customers. We also find that the degree of institutional shareholding is positively associated with its IT investment intensity. Our results shed light on the motives and drivers of IT investment decisions by highlighting that these decisions are influenced by both economic considerations and legitimacy considerations such as conforming to institutional norms.     

What top management thinks about the benefits of hard and soft manufacturing technologies

Each year, billions of dollars are spent by U.S. manufacturers to acquire hard and soft manufacturing technologies. Hard technologies are bundle of equipment, computer hardware and software such as computer numerical control, computer-aided manufacturing, robots, etc. In contrast, soft technologies are manufacturing techniques and know-how such as just-in-time, total quality management, statistical quality control, etc.- hardware is not essential to their successful use but can enhance their scope and effectiveness. This large empirical study of 1042 U.S. manufacturing plants develops a model to study the impact of manufacturing technology use on various performance measures; this study provides first evidence from the field that soft manufacturing technologies have many times the measurable effects of hard technologies on product, process, and business performance. Further, the effects of technology use are enhanced by the skilled use of technology. Implications for research and public policy are addressed. This paper has found that, in the opinion of top management in manufacturing firms, soft technologies have an impact on 1) shop floor performance; 2) product line breadth; and 3) growth and profitability. These finding should make the investment in soft technologies easier to justify. If top management controls the purse, and if it sees a link between investment in soft technology and tangible benefits in these three areas, getting top management to invest in soft technology should be easier. Before deciding on requests for investments in soft technologies, we hope top managers would seriously consider the findings of this paper.     

Analyzing the Success Drivers of e-Business Companies

Although there is a growing amount of theoretical literature, only limited attention has been allocated to empirically determine the relative influence of a broad set of strategic success factors of e-business companies across several industries. We concentrate on the impact of marketing strategies and chosen business models and differentiate between direct and indirect drivers on revenue and profitability in order to estimate the total effect of a certain strategy or business model. Based on a survey of 147 e-businesses from different industries we empirically test, with the help of seemingly unrelated regression models, the relative importance of the various strategy elements. Our estimation results show that business models where the firm profits from transactions (e.g., via fixed access or usage fees) and is able to sell pricy products and services are well suited to reach profitability. The by far most important element of the marketing strategy is the achieved customer satisfaction, which has a significant and strong effect on revenue, but only a moderate direct effect on profitability. Due to our modeling approach we find that the total elasticity of this element of the marketing strategy is driven by the indirect effect from revenue on profitability     

Analyzing the effects of technological,organizational and competition factors on Web knowledge exchange in SMEs

Internet technologies are increasingly being used within all knowledge management processes, including knowledge acquisition, knowledge exchange and knowledge use. Although technological issues are key drivers for Internet technologies adoption and use, organizational and environmental aspects have been found to be equally important. This paper extends previous studies on the use of Internet technologies and knowledge management by analyzing factors affecting Web knowledge exchange in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More specifically, by drawing on the technology–organization–environment framework, a model to examine how distinct contextual factors influence Web knowledge exchange in SMEs is developed. The hypotheses are tested by using structural equation modelling on a large sample of Spanish SMEs from different industries. Results suggest that IT expertise and commitment-based human resource practices positively affect Web knowledge exchange, with the latter being the strongest factor in our proposed model. In contrast, a negative relationship is found between competition and Web knowledge exchange.     

Manufacturing Strategy and Business Strategy in Medium-Sized Enterprises: Performance Effects of Strategic Alignment

It is generally recognized that a firm's manufacturing strategy is effective to the extent that it is ldquoalignedrdquo with the business strategy and provides the firm with a competitive advantage. Given a conceptualization of business strategy through Miles and Snow's typology (prospectors, analyzers, and defenders), the aim of this research is threefold. First, one seeks to identify the performance outcomes of strategic alignment in terms of the productivity and profitability of medium-sized enterprises (ME). Second, this research aims to verify if these outcomes are valid for all strategic types or only for some. Third, to find out what manufacturing strategy is the most appropriate for each business strategy type. A research model and hypothesis are tested with survey data obtained from 150 Canadian MEs. Significant performance outcomes of alignment are found, thus validating the research model and confirming the main research proposition. Differences between strategic types are also found in terms of performance outcomes. Results indicate that each type of business strategy deploys advanced manufacturing systems (AMS) differently by assimilating and integrating various types of manufacturing technologies. Results suggest that ME owner-managers must assess their firm's level of AMS assimilation in light of their strategic objectives.     

软件信息化风险管理研究

IT系统建设普遍具有投入高、业务影响广、安全要求高等特点,系统建设的不确定因素比较多,具有很强的风险性,加强软件项目的信息化风险管理,对于提高软件系统建设的成功率具有重要意义。本文结合公司软件项目实施,对公司软件项目的信息化风险管理进行了研究与分析,构建了公司软件项目全面风险管理体系,体系由八个相互关联的模块组成,分别是风险管理环境,风险管理目标与政策设定,风险监测与识别,风险评估,风险定价与处置,内部控制,风险信息处理和报告,风险持续改进。     

Use of policy management to achieve flexibility in the delivery of network-centric ICT solutions

Network-centric ICT solutions present significant challenges for telecommunications operators. Enterprise-scale customers want joined-up IT functionality combined with increased flexibility, improved control and predictable performance. However, ICT is much too dynamic and complex to deliver and support efficiently using current service management methods. To fully deliver against the vision, changes need to be made to the models that underpin the use of the technology. This paper explores the role that policy-based management has to play within an integrated IT and communications infrastructure. It argues that profitable ICT deployment and management will be dependent on policy-driven business systems that provide extensive automation and flexibility, providing a unified means of managing services to meet the needs of the user. To assess the practical benefits, details are also presented of a proof-of-concept demonstrator employing policy-based ICT service management within the context of on-demand IP-VPN access.     

The Intensity and Externality Effects of Information Technology Investments on National Productivity Growth

This study investigates the relation between information technology (IT) expenditures and national productivity based on a production estimation approach by using a pooled time-series country-level data set for the period from 1992 to 2000. The results, which confirm the findings of earlier studies on country-level IT investment effect, show IT has significant and positive effects on national productivity growth. We find that IT intensity improves the positive effect of IT investment on national productivity growth and that the existence of IT externalities, through which spillovers of knowledge and innovation occur, may eventually lead to long-run persistent national productivity growth.     

Alignment of a firm's competitive strategy and informationtechnology management sophistication: the missing link

The need for establishing a link between information technology (IT) management strategies and a firm's competitive strategy has been identified and discussed in the literature. In this paper, factors for measuring IT management sophistication are identified first. Then the effects of the competitive strategy on IT management sophistication are tested empirically. According to a survey of 213 managers, this study finds that competitive strategy has a direct impact on IT management sophistication. This paper concludes with implications for both researchers and practitioners     

Mobile Cloud Computing and Applications

In 2010, cloud computing gained momentum.Cloud computing is a model for real-time, on-demand, pay-for-use network access to a shared pool of configurable computing and storage resources.It has matured from a promising business concept to a working reality in both the private and public IT sectors.The U.S.government, for example, has requested all its agencies to evaluate cloud computing alternatives as part of their budget submissions for new IT investment.     

The effect of hard and soft information and communication technologies investment on manufacturing business performance in Greece – A preliminary econometric study

This paper presents the results of the first empirical investigation of the effect of information and communication technologies (ICT) investment on business performance in Greece. It investigates the effect of both ‘hard’ ICT investment (in ICT hardware, software and networks) and ‘soft’ ICT investment (in ICT human resources, skills and organization) on firm output. It is based on data from big Greek industrial firms, which have been collected via a questionnaire-based survey conducted in cooperation with the Federation of Greek Industries (FGI). Using these data, econometric models of output have been constructed based on the microeconomic production theory. Our analysis shows that the Cobb–Douglas production function can adequately describe the output, as compared to the more general transcendental production function. Using this type of production function it has been found that hard ICT investment in Greece makes a positive and statistically significant contribution to firm output; however its output elasticity is lower than the one of the non-computer capital and much lower than the one of the labour. Also, from the dimensions-measures of the soft ICT investment we examined, it has been found that the existence of a separate ICT department has a positive and statistically significant effect on firm output, which is of considerable magnitude of about two thirds of the effect of the hard ICT investment. The possibility of an effect of firm size on the structural stability of the econometric models we employed was also investigated; it was found that for firms with total sales above about €20 million the structure of the models is reasonably stable, and therefore the conclusions drawn from them are valid, at least for the range of firm sizes that our data cover.     

Determinants of Corporate R&D Investment: An Empirical Study Comparing Korea's IT Industry with Its Non‐IT Industry

In our study, we extracted the market, finance, and government factors determining R&D investment of individual firms in the IT industry in Korea. We collected the financial data of 515 individual firms belonging to IT and non‐IT industries between 1980 and 1999 from the Korea Investors Service's database and investigated the empirical relationship between the factors using an ordinary regression model, a fixed effects model, and a random effects model. The main findings of our study are as follows: i) The Herfindahl Index variable representing the degree of market concentration is statistically insignificant in explaining R&D expenditures in the IT manufacturing industry. ii) Assets, which is used as a proxy variable for firm size, have a positive and statistically significant coefficient. These two results suggest that the Schumpeterian Hypothesis may be only partially applied to the IT manufacturing industry in Korea. iii) The dividend variable has a negative value and is statistically significant, indicating that a tendency of high dividends can restrict the internal cash flow for R&D investment. iv) The sales variable representing growth potential shows a positive coefficient. v) The subsidy as a proxy variable for governmental R&D promotion policies is positively correlated with R&D expenditure. This suggests that government policy has played a significant role in promoting R&D activities of IT firms in Korea since 1980. vi) Using a dummy variable, we verified that firms reduced their R&D investments to secure sufficient liquidity under the restructuring pressure during Korea's 1998 and 1999 economic crisis.     

Compliance,network, security and the people related factors in cloud ERP implementation

Cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a buzz in the information technology domain. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) do not have the financial budget to invest in on‐premise ERP solution. The use of cloud‐based services for SMEs has led to widespread diffusion of technology. The two big stakeholders in the cloud ERP are cloud user and cloud vendor. This paper brings out the factors that are under the influence of these two stakeholders. Critical success factors that are influenced by the people in the organization are considered for the study. Compliance, network, and security are the concerns that are under the control of cloud vendor. This study shows the factors that have an impact on the successful implementation of cloud ERP. An online questionnaire was designed and data from 208 respondents belonging to SMEs were collected. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. It was found that people‐related factors and compliance had an impact toward the successful implementation of cloud‐based services. Network and security factors did not show any significant impact on the implementation of cloud ERP. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Standardization and Discretion: Does the Environmental Standard ISO 14001 Lead to Performance Benefits?

This study sought to determine if the environmental management standard ISO 14001 helps organizations reduce the negative impact their business activities may have on the environment, and as a result, also improves their business performance. Forty organizations participated in the study and described how they implement ISO 14001 requirements. They also reported how the standard impacts on their environmental and business performance. The results show that if ISO 14001 requirements become part of the organization's daily practices, then standardization of the organization's handling of environmental issues follows-leading, consequently, to better organizational environmental performance. In addition, standardization augments its effect on organizational environmental performance through its positive impact on employee discretion. Allowing employees discretion further improves environmental performance. We saw that discretion partially mediates the effect of standardization on environmental performance. Analysis of survey and financial data did not reveal any support for the hypothesis that achieving improvement in environmental performance as result of ISO 14001 implementation leads to better business performance; on the other hand, we saw that business performance was not harmed     

大型企业IT运营困境及私有云搭建应用策略的思考

当前的社会经济状况复杂，企业面临着外部市场环境的重大变化。在这种情况下，企业的业务将面临更大的不确定性，从而增加其业务风险，对企业的稳定发展产生重大的影响。各机构需要注重预防业务风险，建立强有力的风险预防系统，并提高业务效率。然而，在当前国际环境、社会环境、互联网环境中，仍然存在着不可忽视的安全风险，对于中大型企业而言，保障企业经营管理、风险管控、产业运营的算力、存储环境显得尤为重要，必须通过有效的政策对其加以保护。文中研究和分析了大型企业的IT运营困境以及私有云建设的应用策略，以供参考。     

Fuzzy cognitive maps in business analysis and performance-driven change

Business process reengineering (BPR) has made a significant impact on managers and academics. Despite the rhetoric surrounding BPR, articulated mechanisms, which support reasoning on the effect of the redesign activities to the performance of the business model, are still emerging. This paper describes an attempt to build and operate such a reasoning mechanism as a novel supplement to performance-driven change (PDC) exercises. This new approach proposes the utilization of the fuzzy causal characteristics of fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) as the underlying methodology in order to generate a hierarchical and dynamic network of interconnected performance indicators. By using FCMs, the proposed mechanism aims at simulating the operational efficiency of complex process models with imprecise relationships to quantify the impact of performance-driven reengineering activities. This research also establishes generic maps that supplement the strategic planning and business analysis phases of typical redesign projects in order to implement the integration of hierarchical FCMs into PDC activities. Finally, this paper discusses experiments with the proposed mechanism and comments on its usability.