Conceptualizing organizational innovation: The case of the Brazilian software industry

This paper presents and tests a conceptual model that explains the innovation practices and innovation outcomes in Brazilian software firms. In terms of internal and external innovation capabilities, the ability to manage the relationship between people and their organizational contexts plays an important role in organizational innovation. Based on these results, we propose that the disparities between software firms in building organizational innovation can be attributed, in part, to differences in their internal capabilities. The paper aims at encouraging and supporting managers to develop internal capabilities as a means of effectively leveraging the internally and externally distributed knowledge essential to innovation development.     

Touchscreen usage in plant computer systems: A case study

This paper describes one electric utility's implementation of touch technology on the operator interface of selected plant computer systems. Specifically described is the implementation of scanning infrared touch CRT's on the man/machine interface for the Plant Information Computer System (PICS) and the Performance Monitoring System (PMS). These systems utilize modular software packages developed by Southern Company Services, Inc. (SCSI),¹ Birmingham, Alabama. In addition, SCSI performs hardware integration, system installation, and startup. The systems described herein have been installed at various electric- generating units at Alabama Power Company.¹ The PICS system is a minicomputer-based system performing real-time data acquisition, graphic display, alarming, logging, performance calculations, and data base maintenance in an electric-generating plant environment. The PMS system is a microcomputer-based system performing similar functions as above, but emphasizing plant performance calculations and associated displays. This paper presents an overview of current touch technologies, describes the reasons why scanning infrared beam technology was chosen for use on the PICS and PMS systems, outlines the software methodology used in conjuction with touch input, and lists operator feedback and conclusions draw since system installation.     

Planning computer memory allocation: A simulation case study

A simulation of the main memory of the computer system of a large manufacturing organization is described. The impact of adding a new software package (namely CICS) on average memory usage is analyzed. The effect of adding memory capacity on memory utilization is also described.     

Fuzzy product line design model while considering preference uncertainty: A case study of notebook computer industry in Taiwan

Enterprises evaluate customers’ preferences of high-tech products to appropriately adjust product lines when the technologies are ready for commercialization. Conjoint analysis (CA) is usually applied to measure customers’ preferences while the product line design model (PLDM) is used to simulate customers’ purchase decisions based on these preferences. The optimal product line extension scheme (PLES) can then be found. For customers unfamiliar with a new technology, it is difficult to precisely appraise preferences for new products. This paper proposes fuzzy PLDM that combines fuzzy theory with CA to take preference uncertainty into consideration. To precisely apply fuzzy preferences, fuzzy rating is used to simulate customers’ purchase decisions. This paper focuses on the notebook industry in Taiwan. Optimal PLES are obtained under Fuzzy and Crisp scenarios. The results show that customers with high preference uncertainty have different purchase decisions under above scenarios, which leads to a great inconsistency between the optimal PLES obtained from Fuzzy and Crisp scenarios. The Fuzzy scenario takes preference uncertainty into consideration and uses stricter standards to judge whether customers buy products with new technology.     

Gordon's computer: A hardware verification case study in OBJ3

The use of the algebraic specification language OBJ3 [26] in hardware verification has been demonstrated on a number of small examples [62, 20, 63] and some large but regular structures [12, 11]. In this paper, we show that the approach can also be used for specifying and verifying large, irregular structures. We specify and partially verify Gordon's computer, a simple microprocessor. We believe that this is the largest hardware verification case study undertaken with OBJ3 so far.     

Information technology and structural change in the paper and pulp industry : Some technological, organizational and managerial implications

The paper and pulp industry has experienced a structural change during the last 15 years. The products have differentiated and completely new paper types have been introduced. The standard and classical products, like news print paper, are often specialized and customized versions from the standard product in order to fulfill the specific needs of different printing processes better. These changes have impacted on the production organization and structures of enterprises. The key companies have acquired more production capacity in different countries and have become really international companies. These trends are likely to continue. One of the technological driving forces has been the applying of information technology. The digital process automation systems as well as the mill wide information systems have been strategic tools and technological corner stones in the structural change. However, it is only technology which matters. Also new organisational forms as well as new implementation methods of systems are needed.     

Identifying routes and organizational practices for resilient performance: a study in the construction industry

Cognition, Technology & Work - Modern organizations live in a context of political, economic, technological, social and environmental changes for which they need to be prepared to adapt and...     

Application of quality function deployment in the semiconductor industry: A case study

In quality function deployment (QFD), the voice of the customer (VOC) is the critical factor in developing and producing a product that will meet or exceed customer requirements. This study integrates quality function deployment (QFD), management techniques to optimise product-design investment, process improvement, and phase-into meet customer requirements and company goals. QFD uses systematic multi-level development and evaluation to translate customer requirements into the design of product characteristics and manufacturing processes that will satisfy the customer and minimise potential failure costs. ‘Process management’, which is one of the pivotal Six Sigma implementation criteria, is used to construct an ‘integrated product and process development’ (IPPD) model by product type to enhance the effectiveness of QFD. This model, combined with a company’s customer satisfaction strategy and QFD techniques, provides process management through built-in IPPD and appropriate changes in organisational culture. This paper presents a case study from the semiconductor industry to demonstrate the model’s applicability and suitability.     

A multiple case study on risk-based testing in industry

In many development projects, testing has to be conducted under severe pressure due to limited resources and a challenging time schedule. Risk-based testing, which utilizes identified risks of the system for testing purposes, has a high potential to improve testing as it helps to optimize the allocation of resources and provides decision support for management. But for many organizations, the integration of a risk-based approach into established testing activities is a challenging task, and there are several options to do so. In this article, we analyze how risk is defined, assessed, and applied to support and improve testing activities in projects, products, and processes. We investigate these questions empirically by a multiple case study of currently applied risk-based testing activities in industry. The case study is based on three cases from different backgrounds, i.e., a test project in context of the extension of a large Web-based information system, product testing of a measurement and diagnostic equipment for the electrical power industry, as well as a test process of a system integrator of telecommunication solutions. By analyzing and comparing these different industrial cases, we draw conclusions on the state of risk-based testing and discuss possible improvements.     

Technological innovation and the formation of Japanese technology: the case of the machine tool industry

This paper focuses on how “Japanese technology” was formed in the Japanese machine tool industry, and presents how Japanese machine tool builders competed in R&D and the innovation process in the domestic and international markets. During the competition for the innovation of computerised numerically-controlled (CNC) tools, drastic changes occurred in the ranking of individual firms. Prior to the transformation, the traditional “Big 5” companies occupied the largest market share. After the innovation, however, the “Big 3” firms which had not been big in size at their origins increased their market share. This paper explains how this change stemmed from different attitudes towards R&D and innovation.     

Sideloaders-a case study in the port industry

This report is an evaluation of a vehicle used in the port industry for handling containers. The vehicle is a self-loading lorry which both transports and stacks the containers within the port. Three aspects of the evaluation are discussed in the operating context: internal and external visibility, and the cab layouts. It is concluded that the vehicle has a restricted view to the rear, although with care this can be catered for. The design and position of the cab, however, can demand extreme and uncomfortable postures on the part of the driver. Certain anomalies in the cab control and display layouts are also briefly discussed, with a view to standardisation and a reduction of the driver's work-load. The main problem is seen as one of the integration of the driver/operator with a machine with two discrete functions. The visibility and posture problem areas are considered to stem from the compromises dictated by the nature of this dual-function vehicle. Imperial units are retained since containers are specified by the ISO on the basis of American measures.     

The application of Web ATMs in e-payment industry: A case study

Today’s highly competitive marketplace is forcing the retail banking industry to optimize every possible revenue-generating opportunity. New electronic channels are replacing the more traditional ones. Web ATMs system represents one of the recent developments in financial service distribution.Through a real-life case study, this article explains how much more advantage can be achieved by enhancing Web ATMs with the latest Web-enablement technology, and examines the key benefits that can accrue from the deployment of integrated circuit (IC) card and smart card reader on Web ATMs. Last but not the least, it is expected that this article could provide strategic thinking with some apocalypses of Web 2.0 to steer the banking system for achievable changes in a direction that is consistent with the needs and expectations of a population, especially in C2C business model.     

Layoffs in the computer industry

The worldwide recession in the computer industry has resulted in substantial layoffs among computer professionals. Even more critical than the current slump is the permanent restructuring underway in the industry. Many jobs lost during this global downturn are likely to be gone from corporate organization charts forever. The changes in industry employment in the US are outlined, and the long-term employment outlook in the US is discussed     

Decision-making using computer conferencing: a case study

In January 1991, the members of the Centre for the Study of Management Learning at Lancaster University replaced their monthly departmental meetings with an online conference for a six-month trial. The paper describes the procedures followed and reviews the experience of department members and the effect of using the conference on discussions of departmental business, planning and decision-making. Advantages and disadvantages of using conferencing for this purpose are discussed in relation to a democratic approach to work and working relationships. Of particular interest was the way the change interacted with the ethos of the department.     

Strategic information systems planning: A case study from the financial services industry

Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) is an important topic for managers and researchers alike. However, there is evidence of a gap between SISP research and practice. Taking this situation as a motivation, we conducted an in depth case study on SISP to investigate this gap. The study was carried out in a German financial services company (FSC) over a period of five months in summer 2003. During this time, the enterprise situation and the information system (IS) practices situation of FSC were studied with respect to the SISP approach in place. Our findings confirm the hypothesis that practitioners largely ignore academic literature and do not use it in support of their SISP endeavours. This is all the more striking since FSC extensively used guidance from IS research in other fields such as systems analysis and software development. Our case study examines in detail two possible explanations for the gap: firstly a lacking transfer of academic knowledge to practice, and secondly deficiencies in the academic knowledge base itself. In fact, our observations highlight a disconnect between academic discussion and practical conduct. However, we found that the ignorance of academic literature on SISP is not primarily caused by a constrained knowledge transfer. In order to exclude communication barriers, we filtered the academic discussion according to the specific situation and the needs of FSC and translated it into practical recommendations. Nevertheless, the academic arguments we put forward hardly had any impact, either on IT managers’ thinking or on SISP practice at FSC. Though academic literature was partly perceived as inspiring, it was not regarded as a touchstone for SISP practice. Academia, in the eyes of FSC’s practitioners, ignores the “real problems” and thus is not accredited as a relevant source of advice. Moreover, in a final discussion with FSC’s senior IT executives we got the impression that the professional identity of FSC’s IT management – and more specifically the CIO’s role – was different from interpretations prevalent in academia. The academic discussion assumes the CIO to be an initiator of organisational innovations and driver of business strategy on the board. In contrast, we found that FSC’s CIO basically perceives her role as that of a service provider to business. While the different perceptions might be due to idiosyncrasies of FSC, related research provided additional empirical support for the conjecture of misleading academic assumptions about the role of IT management in practice.     

The use of a computer simulation to promote conceptual change: A quasi-experimental study

This mixed-methods investigation compared the effectiveness of three instructional approaches in achieving desired conceptual change among early childhood preservice teachers (n = 157). Each of the three treatments employed inquiry-based instruction on moon phases using data collected from: (1) the planetarium software program, Starry Night™, (2) nature observations and Starry Night™, or (3) nature observations alone. Data sources included drawings, intensive interviews, and a lunar shapes card sort. The data sets were analyzed via a constant comparative method in order to produce profiles of each participant’s pre- and post-instruction conceptual understandings of moon phases. Non-parametric tests of significance revealed that pre- to post-instruction gains were significant for all three treatments across all targeted concepts. The Starry Night™-Only treatment demonstrated statistically greater gains for sequencing moon phases than the other two treatments. However, there were no significant differences among the three treatments in regard to participants’ abilities to draw scientific moon shapes or in their conceptions of the causes of moon phases. Thus, the three treatments were equally effective in facilitating desired conceptual change.     

A case study in the application of microcomputer technology in the construction industry

McSha Properties was in dire trouble. The firm won a competitive award to build 184 two-bedroom apartments units in nine months. Unless completed on time, the project could cost McSha severe monetary penalties. To satisfactorily complete the contract. McSha overcame significant financial problems and construction delays. The firm's officers creatively used microcomputers and several software packages to solve these financial and project management challenges.     

Enter the dragon: China's computer industry

China transformed its economy by shifting from technological nationalism to a more pragmatic strategy of developing national capabilities in conjunction with multinational corporations. Consistent with this transformation, China has revamped its industrial and technology policies to become a major producer of computer hardware and a major market for computing products. In 2000, mainland Chinese purchased more than seven million PCs, while computer hardware production grew to $23 billion. China's policies clearly drew on the developmental approach of other Asia-Pacific countries that became leaders in the global computer industry through the strong support of government industrial and technology policies. China has likewise become a major force in the global PC industry, as both the most attractive growth market and as a large producer. New challenges loom as China joins the World Trade Organization and faces more pressure to open its market to foreign competition. The paper considers the regional and national environment     

Simultaneous engineering for self-directed work teams implementation: A case study in the electronics industry

Simultaneous engineering is based on the interaction between different disciplines and parallel consideration of design with production. This is usually taken as embracing product design and the manufacturing process (for instance in design for manufacturability), or product, manufacturing process and maintenance strategies (in design for maintainability) etc. A simultaneous engineering approach can also be of great value, however, for work organisation change, and vice versa. This paper describes a case study where problems with the product design and manufacturing process meant that these were redesigned in parallel with the implementation of self-directed work teams. In fact, the involvement of the first pilot team in this redesign enabled them to gain much of the confidence, skills and knowledge they required to operate successfully, and early decisions on the form and management of the team structure were supported.

Relevance to industry

Team work is an increasingly common choice of manufacturing and other companies to organise their production and assembly activities. The case study in this paper illustrates lessons in implementation of self-directed work teams. Moreover, it is emphasised that such implementation can be a fundamental part of simultaneous engineering, and also that teams themselves can contribute to concurrent product and process development.