Cross-cultural IS adoption in multinational corporations: A study of rationality

A common claim in the literature on Information Systems' implementation in the context of less developed economies or so-called “developing countries” is that the “Western” technology is at odds with the local cultural context, in particular it is believed to mismatch local rationality in the sense of the accepted ways of doing things. In this paper we investigate IS implementation in a company based in a “non-Western” context compared with IS adoption in another company in a “Western” country context. Seen as a particular form of decision-making, the adoption and implementation processes are analysed drawing on the literature on decision-making, rationality in “Western” and “non-Western” contexts. Presenting evidence from these two contexts we argue that multiple forms of rationality exist in any context and that national culture is only one aspect of actors' as well as researchers' sense-making of activities in any given context. Linking the cases back the literature we reflect on the implications of our findings for cross-cultural research of IT implementation.     

Lost in translation? An actor-network approach to HRIS implementation

Available evidence suggests that the adoption of IT-enabled Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) has not produced the widely predicted transformation of Human Resources (HR) to a strategic business partner. We examine the relationship between HRIS and the HR function by applying actor-network theory (ANT) to an HRIS implementation project. The focus on how actor networks are formed and reformed during implementation may be particularly well suited to explaining why the original aims of the HRIS can be displaced or lost in translation. We suggest that the approach afforded by ANT enables us to better understand the ongoing and contingent process of HRIS implementations.     

Designing and Rightsizing the Information System Architecture

Information system design and sizing constitute a complex, top-down process that tailors the technology architecture to application requirements. Practitioners usually tackle this top-down process by focusing on individual design aspects, such as data or specific applications, and by relying on their previous experiences to compare alternative architectural solutions. Acquisition costs are usually accounted for, but related operating and maintenance costs are often neglected or underestimated. The complexity of optimizing individual design problems leads researchers to avoid a global optimization perspective and, thus, the IS architecture is usually a result of the juxtaposition of multiple local optima.This paper takes an overall perspective on the cost minimization problem of information system design to achieve a better trade-off between cost and performance over the whole expected life of the technology architecture. A comprehensive design methodology is discussed as an integrating framework that accounts for all categories of costs, including design, implementation, maintenance, and operation, to achieve a globally cost-minimizing solution.     

Extending the two‐stage information systems continuance model: incorporating UTAUT predictors and the role of context

This study presents two extensions to the two‐stage expectation‐confirmation theory of information systems (IS) continuance. First, we expand the belief set from perceived usefulness in the original IS continuance model to include three additional predictors identified in the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology, namely effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions. Second, we ground the IS continuance model in the context of transactional systems that involve transmission of personal and sensitive information and include trust as a key contextual belief in the model. To test the expanded IS continuance model, we conducted a longitudinal field study of 3159 Hong Kong citizens across two electronic government (e‐government) technologies that enable citizens' access to government services. In general, the results support the expanded model that provides a rich understanding of the changes in the pre‐usage beliefs and attitudes through the emergent constructs of disconfirmation and satisfaction, ultimately influencing IS continuance intention. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the expanded model.     

基于IS~±树模型的频繁模式挖掘

IS-树是一种新型的全文存储索引模型.提出一种基于扩展I-S树模型的频繁模式挖掘算法.和FPgrowth方法一样,算法直接构造频繁项集,不进行Apriori算法所采用的代价很高的候选集产生与测试操作.然而它比FP-树模型具有更多的优点:只需扫描一遍事务库;挖掘任务只局部关联于一棵根树;动态更新性好,仅做增量变化.实验表明,其具有与FP-growth算法相当甚至更高的效率.更重要的是,IS 树模型同时是一种事务库的良好索引形式,具有高效支持事务查询的能力.     

Comparing e-Learning tools’ success: The case of instructor–student interactive vs. self-paced tools

e-Learning tools have profoundly transformed modern pedagogical approaches. Vendors provide different types of systems, such as self-paced (SP) and instructor–student interactive (ISI) e-Learning tools. Although both types of tools represent promising solutions to facilitate the learning process, it is important to theoretically identify a framework to evaluate the success of these tools and assess whether one type of tool is more effective than another. Toward this end, we (1) propose a model to evaluate e-Learning tools’ success by extending and contextualizing Seddon’s information systems (IS) success model for the e-Learning environment and (2) formulate four hypotheses to predict the differences in the success factors between SP and ISI tools. We test the model and hypotheses using data from 783 students across seven higher education institutions in Hong Kong. The results support the proposed e-Learning tool success model and three of the four hypotheses. ISI tools outperform SP tools in terms of system quality, perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and learning outcome.     

Understanding the consequences of information systems service quality on IS service reuse

IS researchers have normally assumed that satisfaction is the key factor influencing IS customers’ reuse of services; however, a focus on customer satisfaction does not always guarantee customer retention. We synthesized customer satisfaction and dissatisfaction models from prior service quality research to provide a comprehensive model predicting the behavioral intentions of customers to reuse IS services. Five research hypotheses were empirically tested by using a field study of 263 users of an IS service department. Our findings placed IS service quality in a causal network leading to IS service reuse and highlighted the relative importance that service quality value played in predicting behavioral intention to reuse the service.     

基于SuperMap IS的电子地图信息服务系统的设计与实现

随着地理信息技术本身的发展和应用领域的不断拓展，地理信息技术在互连网上的应用也越来越广泛。文章探讨了如何以SuperMap IS来设计一个WebGIS服务，并结合．net和xml技术实现了空间数据和属性数据的存取操作。文章所做的工作已在岳阳电子地图信息服务系统中得到了应用。     

省级电力调度数据网设计中若干问题的探讨

对电力调度数据网设计组网中的网络技术体制、网络拓扑结构、路由协议和分区、网络设计指标等问题进行探讨。