Analysing four types of IT sourcing decisions in the context of scale, client/supplier interdependency and risk mitigation

The main thrust of the article is to distinguish between four types of IT sourcing decision: total outsourcing; multiple-supplier sourcing; joint venture/strategic alliance sourcing; and insourcing. To illustrate each type, detailed case histories are used that analyse the reasons why specific IT sourcing decisions were adopted. Here, we consider total outsourcing at the London Stock Exchange; multiple-supplier sourcing at ICI plc; joint venture project sourcing at CRESTCo Ltd; and insourcing at the Royal Bank of Scotland. The trend towards outsourcing is increasing in all industrial and commercial sectors. However, client organizations need to become more aware of some of the pitfalls, particularly in respect of large-scale outsourcing deals to single or multiple suppliers. This is because the move to IT outsourcing engenders the need to develop new capabilities and skills to manage complex commercial contracts. We therefore conclude that, while many IT outsourcing contracts followed rationalization, cost-cutting and disappointing results from in-house IT provision, short-termism and current uncertainties over market, business and political conditions pose problems for many organizations in deciding future outsourcing arrangements.     

Applying the dynamic capabilities framework in the case of a large public construction client

Public clients in the construction sector face a number of challenges in designing, procuring and managing major construction projects. The client’s role in bringing about project delivery has more recently been emphasized, particularly with respect to developing capabilities that facilitate the coordinating of projects through its different phases. In line with these developments, this paper sets out to examine the management of capabilities in a client organization through the lens of the dynamic capabilities framework. In particular, what is investigated is how the client organization senses, seizes and transforms opportunities. In pursuit of this objective, an exploratory case study approach is adopted which examines one of Sweden’s largest public client organizations. The study explores the concept of dynamic capabilities and its applicability to the public construction context. Although the usefulness of dynamic capabilities as an interpretive framework is recognized, it is suggested that the concept of dynamic capabilities is inadequate for addressing the specific context in which public client organizations operate. Particularly with respect to the project-based characteristic of these organizations and the difficulty in framing what constitutes “competitive advantage” for public organizations.     

The role of the biceps and triceps brachii during tennis serving

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the biceps and triceps in rapid elbow extension during the ‘slice’ service in tennis. Six serves, performed by a top male county player (21 years) were studied. Simultaneous cine film (200 Hz) and electromyography (EMG) were used to collect the service data. Impact provided a sonic synchronizing trigger, with biceps and triceps data recorded for a 1 s period before and after the trigger point.

Inertia data for the racket were directly determined by a pendulum technique and included in a three segment model of the server's arm. Maximum elbow extension velocities, for the six trials, averaged 44·1, (±3·9) rad7sol;s. Angular velocity values, in the range 24 to 52 rad/s have been reported in tennis and volleyball serving and badminton smashing. Values in excess of 20 rad/s are beyond the contractile velocity range of human skeletal muscle. The contribution of the triceps to rapid forearm extension is therefore questioned. Substantial biceps EMG activity was evident throughout the elbow extension phase, with the peak activity commencing just prior to impact. A powerful stabilizing co-contraction rather than a dominant muscle torque was thus evident at the elbow. Inverse dynamic analysis of the data supported this observation with large resultant internal joint forces, averaging 577 (± 57) N, acting across the elbow joint through impact. The current findings indicate that the triceps activity is more related to elbow stabilization than extension.     

发挥专业课作用培养提高学生的绘图能力

从在专业课上采用多种方法培养与提高学生绘图能力方面,提出了多种建议,并取得了良好的效果。     

水利设计院信息系统数据的防灾能力建设

随着信息化建设的高速发展,水利设计院各类业务应用系统越来越多,信息数据量也越来越大,信息数据的防灾能力建设已迫在眉睫。论文介绍了江西水利规划设计院从自身的实际情况出发,在信息数据防灾能力建设中的一些经验。     

From dynamic capabilities to ERP enabled business improvements: The mediating effect of the implementation project

This study explores whether an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation project mediates the relationship between dynamic pre-adoption capabilities and ERP-enabled business improvements. The results from our field survey of large ERP adopters in Austria suggest that the effects of the two out of three selected dynamic capabilities are dependent on the properties of the underlying organizational transformation project. While external information acquisition and IT governance capabilities are fully mediated by the performance of the ERP implementation project, decision making only directly impacts business capabilities. These results further our understanding about the role of the implementation project for ERP value creation and the different natures of capability relationships. We call for more research on co-presence conditions related to dynamic capabilities and IT transformation project performance.     

高职院校服务战略性新兴产业存在的问题及对策

随着战略性新兴产业进一步发展,产业结构调整、转型升级,高职院校服务战略性新兴产业凸显出诸多问题。面对存在的问题,高职院校必须认清形式,认真分析,加强校企合作和产学研结合,提高教师队伍水平,建设和开发校内外实习、实训基地,提高办学水平和服务能力。     

The Future IS Organization in a Flat World

ABSTRACT

The business world is becoming increasingly “flat” with regard to access to global markets and a global workforce. New operational priorities are emerging that require new IS capabilities. The linkage between these operational shifts and the changes required by an IS organization to develop new IS capabilities for a flattening world are identified and discussed.     

Patterns of Innovation Capabilities in KIBS Firms: Evidence from the 2003 Statistics Canada Innovation Survey on Services

The aim of this paper is to shed light on complementarities and substitutions between various types of innovation capabilities in knowledge-intensive-based service (KIBS) firms. The data used in this study are the responses of 2,625 innovative firms to the 2003 Statistics Canada Innovation Survey on services. The empirical results suggest the presence of three patterns of complementary innovation capabilities, one pattern of substitute activities and finally, four patterns of innovation capabilities that are independent from each other. Hence, the results suggest the presence of complementarities: first, between internal R&D, external R&D, acquisition of equipment and machinery, and marketing activities; second, between external R&D, acquisition of equipment and machinery, acquisition of external knowledge and marketing activities; third, between acquisition of equipment and machinery, acquisition of external knowledge and marketing activities. Such complementarities lead to the conclusion that, in practice, managers of KIBS firms consider the consolidation of these capabilities jointly instead of separately. The paper also discusses issues related to patterns of capabilities that are substitutes and independent from each other. The results of this study also show significant heterogeneity in the determinants of the different patterns of innovation capabilities.