Relative importance of evaluation criteria for enterprise systems: a conjoint study

Abstract.  While a large body of research exists on the development and implementation of software, organizations are increasingly acquiring enterprise software packages [e.g. enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems] instead of custom developing their own software applications. To be competitive in the marketplace, software package development firms must manage the three-pronged trade-off between cost, quality and functionality. Surprisingly, prior research has made little attempt to investigate the characteristics of packaged software that influence management information system (MIS) managers' likelihood of recommending purchase. As a result, both the criteria by which MIS managers evaluate prospective packaged systems and the attributes that lead to commercially competitive ERP software products are poorly understood. This paper examines this understudied issue through a conjoint study. We focus on ERP systems, which are among the largest and most complex packaged systems that are purchased by organizations. In a conjoint study, 1008 evaluation decisions based on hypothetical ERP software package profiles were completed by managers in 126 organizations. The study represents the first empirical investigation of the relative importance that managers ascribe to various factors that are believed to be important in evaluating packaged software. The results provide important insights for both organizations that acquire such systems and those that develop them. The results show that functionality, reliability, cost, ease of use and ease of customization are judged to be important criteria, while ease of implementation and vendor reputation were not found to be significant. Functionality and reliability were found to be the most heavily weighted factors. We conclude the paper with a detailed discussion of the results and their implications for software acquisition and development practice.     

Hybrid polymer/silica vertical coupler switch with <-32 dBpolarisation-independent crosstalk

A modified hybrid polymer/silica 1×2 vertical coupler switch (VCS) with a polymer gap layer and a refractive index contrast of 0.008 has been designed, fabricated and characterised. The VCS exhibits low loss, low crosstalk, low switching power, and polarisation insensitivity. Using the 1×2 VCS as a building block, a 1×8 VCS matrix has been implemented     

Zeitabhängigkeit der Festigkeits- und Verformbarkeitswerte von warmfesten Stählen im Temperaturbereich unter 400 °C

Warmzugversuche, Temperaturstufenversuche und Zeitstandversuche bis über 10 000 h im Bereich zwischen Raumtemperatur und 400 °C an den Stählen St 35.8, 17 Mn 4, 21 CrMoV 5 11 und X 6 CrNiMo 17 13. Ermittlung der 0,2%- und 1%-Dehngrenze sowie der Zugfestigkeit und der entsprechenden Kennwerte im Langzeitversuch. Gegenüberstellung der Kurzzeitwerte und der Langzeitwerte. Sicherheit gegen Kriechdehnungen und Zeitstandbruch im Temperaturbereich unterhalb der Berechnungsgrenztemperatur.     

Effective Construction Site Management: A Review

The contribution of site management to the achievement of construction performance objectives is examined. Drawing upon existing empirical data and linking them with research findings in the social sciences, the writers argue that there is often insufficient attention paid towards the range of complex and interdependent variables that can influence construction site activity. As a consequence, the predictive capacity of such research is limited, and the recommendations often derived, particularly concerning appropriate managerial actions, often fail to account for significant variability in circumstances. The applicability of the concept of “leadership” to the construction site situation, and its relationship with key component variables are singled out for attention.     

Zur experimentellen Beanspruchungsanalyse bei elastisch-plastischer Verformung

Begriff der experimentellen Beanspruchungsanalyse. Durchführung der Analyse bei elastischen Verformungen auf der Grundlage der Vergleichsdehnung. Analyse bei elastisch-plastischer Verformung für infinites und finites Stoffgesetz. Nomographische Auswertung. Anwendungsbeispiele für Belastung und Entlastung.     

Determining suitable dimensions for dairy goat feeding places by evaluating body posture and feeding reach

Confined goats spend a substantial part of the day feeding. A poorly designed feeding place increases the risk of feeding in nonphysiological body postures, and even injury. Scientifically validated information on suitable dimensions of feeding places for loose-housed goats is almost absent from the literature. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to determine feeding place dimensions that would allow goats to feed in a species-appropriate, relaxed body posture. A total of 27 goats with a height at the withers of 62 to 80 cm were included in the study. Goats were tested individually in an experimental feeding stall that allowed the height difference between the feed table, the standing area of the forelegs, and a feeding area step (difference in height between forelegs and hind legs) to be varied. The goats accessed the feed table via a palisade feeding barrier. The feed table was equipped with recesses at varying distances to the feeding barrier (5–55 cm in 5-cm steps) at angles of 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, or 150° (feeding angle), which were filled with the goats' preferred food. In 18 trials, balanced for order across animals, each animal underwent all possible combinations of feeding area step (3 levels: 0, 10, and 20 cm) and of difference in height between feed table and standing area of forelegs (6 levels: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 cm). The minimum and maximum reach at which the animals could reach feed on the table with a relaxed body posture was determined for each combination. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed-effects models. The animals were able to feed with a relaxed posture when the feed table was at least 10 cm higher than the standing height of the goats' forelegs. Larger goats achieved smaller minimum reaches and minimum reach increased if the goats' head and neck were angled. Maximum reach increased with increasing height at withers and height of the feed table. The presence of a feeding area step had no influence on minimum and maximum reach. Based on these results, the goats' feeding place can be designed to ensure that the animals are able to reach all of the feed in the manger or on the feed table with a relaxed posture, thus avoiding injuries and nonphysiological stress on joints and hooves. A feeding area step up to a maximum of 20 cm need not be taken into account in terms of feeding reach. However, the feed table must be raised at least 10 cm above the standing area to allow the goats to feed in a species-appropriate, relaxed posture.     

Violations of health information privacy: The role of attributions and anticipated regret in shaping whistle‐blowing intentions

We examine the role of attributions, the seriousness of wrongdoing, and emotion in shaping individuals' whistle‐blowing intentions in the context of health information privacy violations. Based on 3 studies in which the intentionality of wrongdoing and the stability of wrongdoing were manipulated independently, we found consistent evidence that the intentionality of wrongdoing affects anticipated regret about remaining silent. The findings regarding the effect of stability, however, were mixed. In study 1, the stability of wrongdoing was found to affect anticipated regret about remaining silent, and in studies 2 and 3, stability was found to have a direct effect on whistle‐blowing intention but no effect on anticipated regret about remaining silent. In the 3 studies, the seriousness of wrongdoing was found to have an effect on whistle‐blowing intentions, but this effect was mediated by anticipated regret about remaining silent. Implications for research and practice are discussed.