Human Systems Management - Volume 23, issue 1

Authors: Tuggle, Francis D. | Goldfinger, Wendy E.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Knowledge management is concerned with identifying, capturing, storing, reusing, and distributing the key intellectual assets of an organization. While there are well-established procedures for productively manipulating knowledge in explicit forms (e.g., groupware, expert systems, the Internet), less well developed are procedures for making tacit knowledge explicit. One form of tacit knowledge is that embedded in organizational processes. We present one methodology for mapping organizational processes and then using the resulting maps to extract knowledge about the organization implicit in those maps. From those process maps and the revelation of the embedded knowledge in them, valuable managerial insights can be …mined. We show that an understanding of an organization's central processes reveals a treasurehouse of knowledge with many benefits for the firm. In particular, we exhibit a case study of a marketing research firm, and we model its process for converting a client's often vaguely stated needs into information useful to the client. From the revealed knowledge, managers can mine a rich set of insights providing opportunities that convey many prospective benefits: the firm can learn how to • better serve its clients; • more efficiently and effectively train its employees; • more effectively design its business processes; • fine-tune its strategy for conducting business in its marketplace; and, • derive a set of guidelines on how best to manage its knowledge workers. We conclude by sketching other possible arenas for knowledge exploitation in other phases of the firm's knowledge management chain: identification, storage, and distribution. Show more

Keywords: Process, knowledge management, tacit knowledge, process mapping, knowledge mining of processes

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2004-23101

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2004

Authors: Chen, Jason C.H. | Lin, Binshan | Li, Lingli | Chen, Patty S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Chinese businesses began with a weak foundation in the intense world trade environment, similar to the many other companies that grew from developing countries. How were these Chinese businesses able to compete with foreign competitors armed with strong capital structures and efficient communication networks? Haier is an excellent example of how Chinese companies have successfully adapted to and prospered in the global economy, using information technology as a strategic weapon to improve its competitive advantage and further to create collaborative advantage. Haier's growth is miraculous: in less than two decades, it grew from a state-owned refrigerator factory into an …innovative international giant. The company has become China's first global brand and the fifth largest appliance seller in the world. What are the secrets of Haier's success? Many researchers have conducted extensive studies on Haier's management and found the key is Management Information Systems such as e-Commerce and logistics systems that improve business operations between its suppliers, customers, and business partners. This article recounts the journey of Haier's achievements to excellence through its MIS, and provides analyses of the company's business model, the market chain management model. Show more

Keywords: Logistics, management information systems, information technology, e-Commerce, customer relation management, supply chain management, business-to-business

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2004-23102

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 15-27, 2004

Authors: Lock, Simon

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: In this paper we describe a new approach and support tool for the modelling and analysis of socio-technical system configurations. This novel approach has been developed for use on systems composed of a wide variety of different components including social and organisational elements, in addition to the more traditional software and hardware aspects. Configuration models of such systems are lightweight and quick to construct and can help to promote understanding by the various stakeholders involved in system development, operation and evolution. These models also provide the data required for performing various useful forms of automated analysis. The results of such …analysis can allow managers, administrators, developers and end users to investigate various efficiency, productivity and dependability attributes of the current configuration of a system. This can help support decisions about the evolution of a system by allowing the assessment of proposed changes such as the addition or removal of components, processes and structures. In this paper we utilise a real world case study in order to demonstrate and evaluate the utility of the described approach. Show more

Keywords: Socio-technical systems, component structure, configuration modelling, configuration analysis, system management, dependability investigation

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2004-23103

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 29-47, 2004

Authors: Chen, Kuanchin | Tarn, J. Michael | Han, Bernard T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Delivering the right Internet service to the right person has been a major challenge to E-commerce strategies. Developers of E-commerce and online services have constantly faced the issue of scarce design guidelines to model their customers' online behavioral patterns. This has called for new research on the characteristics of Internet users so that appropriate E-commerce website design strategies can be developed. This study attempts to investigate the possibility of the non-detrimental effects of Internet dependency and proposes an instrument to measure both positive and negative Internet dependency. The authors further assess the effects of these two types of dependency on …several online activities to delineate the characteristics of Internet users. This article is concluded with the managerial implications of the findings and the suggested E-commerce website design guidelines. Show more

Keywords: Internet dependency, Internet addiction, E-commerce, website design, online behavioral differences

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2004-23104

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 49-58, 2004

Authors: Kreindler, Michael L. | Maislish, Roni | Wang, Shouhong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: There have been propositions in the electronic commerce literature that electronic commerce systems stimulate organizational changes. This empirical study evaluated the relationship between the transition to electronic commerce and the organizational change in firms. Forty-four companies are investigated. Six hypotheses were tested. The findings showed that the transition to electronic commerce resulted in organizational redesign and improvement in dealing with customers and suppliers, had positive effects on formal communication and information flows in the organizations, but had inconclusive impact on human performance in the organizations.

Keywords: Electronic commerce, organizational design, organizational change, human performance

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-2004-23105

Citation: Human Systems Management, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 59-68, 2004