Dual Information Systems: Supporting Organizational Working and Learning by Making Organizational Memory Transparent

The conceptual design of most computer-based information systems reflects a dualism of technology. During the development phase, part of the work-domain-related knowledge is formalized and encoded in the software, making it difficult for users to reflect on and use this knowledge. This design--use dualism contributes to the deterioration of the interpretive flexibility of information systems. In this article, we outline an information systems architecture called Dual Information Systems (DIS) that incorporates the concepts of an organizational memory information system (OMIS) in a broader framework. DIS help bridge the design--use dualism by providing organizations with a set of services that enable and reinforce both effective, institutionalized working and the questioning and (re)construction of computer-supported work routines. DIS have a 4-layered conceptual structure: (a) people draw on the business layer to work and learn; (b) people use the breakdown layer to handle unexpected break-downs; (c) self-organizing project teams use the project layer to create innovative work and information system (re)designs; and (d) the knowledge sharing server acts as an OMIS by storing these redesigns and making them organizationally available to facilitate working and learning as well as subsequent redesign efforts. We outline the theoretical background, conceptual structure, and generic services of DIS. We elaborate on the services and the conceptual design of the business and breakdown layers of DIS. The services help people work effectively and develop competence needed to handle breakdowns and participate in the redesign project teams. The conceptual design extends the hyperknowledge framework of Chang et al [1]. Finally, we demonstrate the conceptual design and services in a financial services organization with the help of the ReDIS prototype.     

Providing for Organizational Memory in Computer-Supported Meetings

Meeting memory features are poorly integrated into current group support systems (GSS). In this article, I discuss how to introduce meeting memory functionality into a GSS. The article first introduces the benefits of effective meetings and organizational memory to an organization. Then, the following challenges to design are discussed: How to store semantically rich output, how to build up the meeting memory with a minimum of additional effort, how to integrate meeting memory into organizational memory, and how to protect the privacy of the meeting participants. Finally, using the group-object object-oriented model of a GSS, the article shows how meeting memory functionality can be implemented in a GSS.     

交互式动态地理信息系统设计

给出了一种基于Windows Mobile的PDA群用户系统设计方案,实时地进行地理信息交换、协调任务分配、掌握任务进度等。根据地理信息的特性,介绍了地理信息的处理过程及方式,以提高群用户对复杂地理环境的适应性,从而使得基于PDA的移动作业导航系统满足在一些特殊场合中的应用需要。     

A Values Framework for Measuring the Impact of Workplace Spirituality on Organizational Performance

Growing interest in workplace spirituality has led to the development of a new paradigm in organizational science. Theoretical assumptions abound as to how workplace spirituality might enhance organizational performance, most postulating a significant positive impact. Here, that body of research has been reviewed and analyzed, and a resultant values framework for workplace spirituality is introduced, providing the groundwork for empirical testing. A discussion of the factors and assumptions involved for future research are outlined.     

Relationship Between Organizational Form and Organizational Memory: An Investigation in a Professional Service Organization

The goal of this research is to study the relation between organizational form (OF) and organizational memory (OM). It examines what kind of roles OM plays in different OFs--that is, how OM is used in organizational action--and whether changes in a firm's organizational form relate to changes in the role of OM. These relationships are examined in the context of how information technology (IT) is used to support organizational remembering. The study outlines different manifestations of OM in 1 company as it underwent major organizational transformations during a 3-year period. The manifestations are grouped into "bins," expanding the storage structure concept by Walsh and Ungson to include OM contents and processes of use. The bins are supplemented with an additional bin, the organizational information space, to address the collaborative aspect of OM. Another new construct, the organizational memory profile, is introduced to summarize the combination of OM manifestations in a particular organization at a particular time. The OM profiles are outlined for the case company and they show marked differences between OFs. This upholds the claim that different OFs present different kinds of arenas for OM. IT support for various bins is analyzed and a variety of IT support is recognized. This upholds the view that several OM support systems are needed and that IT can play a significant role in making past events more accessible.     

Organizational Assimilation of Web Services Technology: A Research Framework

Web services is an extremely promising technology that has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of information systems. Web services facilitates vendor-, platform-, and language-independent, loosely coupled, inexpensive integration of both internal and external systems. Although there is a general agreement that Web services will have a significant impact on applications of information technology in organizations, there is a disagreement regarding the speed and spread of assimilation due to a multitude of inhibitors. In this article, we identify 3 areas of assimilation of Web services in organizations: information systems departmental assimilation, intraorganizational assimilation, and interorganizational assimilation. We propose a research framework for investigating various issues related to organizational assimilation of Web services. In addition, we developed a projection of the assimilation patterns for the 3 areas of organizational assimilation of Web services. Based on the proposed framework, we outline a research agenda on the organizational assimilation of Web services.     

Quality of Export Memory Content: A Conceptual Framework

Exporting is still one of the most common ways for organisations to reach foreign markets and its success is often key to sustaining and enhancing overall firm performance. In order to maximise the likelihood of developing sustainable competitive advantage in export markets, exporting organisations now need to learn better and faster than their competitors. This paper examines organisational learning in the context of exporting activities, and more specifically focuses on export memory. A framework of export memory is proposed, with key propositions concerning performance outcomes of export memory. Conclusions are made and future research directions are indicated.     

The Precautionary Principle as a Framework for a Sustainable Information Society

The precautionary principle (PP) aims to anticipate and minimize potentially serious or irreversible risks under conditions of scientific uncertainty. Thus it preserves the potential for future developments. It has been incorporated into many international treaties and pieces of national legislation for environmental protection and sustainable development. In this article, we outline an interpretation of the PP as a framework of orientation for a sustainable information society. Since the risks induced by future information and communication technologies (ICT) are social risks for the most part, we propose to extend the PP from mainly environmental to social subjects of protection. From an ethical point of view, the PP and sustainability share the principle of intergenerational justice, which can be used as an argument to preserve free space for the decisions of future generations. Applied to technical innovation and to ICT issues in particular, the extended PP can serve as a framework of orientation to avoid socio-economically irreversible developments. We conclude that the PP is a useful approach for: (i) policy makers to reconcile information society and sustainability policies and (ii) ICT companies to formulate sustainability strategies.     

Supporting the Evolution of Teams With Transactions: A Design Architecture for Organizational Memory Systems

In this article, we present a general-purpose architecture and design metaphor for supporting the evolution of teams. The architecture is based on the premise that the role of organizational memory involves active support for accessing the relations and content of past, present, and future information-based artifacts of collaborative work. The evolutionary work support role and structure of memory are outlined and contrasted with existing research. A set of design requirements for supporting memory are presented and the concept of a collaborative transaction is introduced. The collaborative transaction concept is the basis for the TeamBox architecture and prototype, which shows that it is possible to generically support the evolutionary needs of collaborative work. The article ends with a discussion of limitations and future research issues.     

城乡双向流通的动力机制:一个新兴古典框架

当前我国商贸流通业处于较明显的二元格局,城乡之间存在着市场分割和流通不畅等问题,针对这些问题有学者提出通过连锁经营建立城乡互动的双向流通系统,但现有研究没有深入探讨双向流通的动力机制。文章通过构建一个以超边际分析为基础的迂回生产模型得出,城乡双向流通体系是交易效率改进和分工深化的产物,并在此命题基础上得出,随着双向流通的形成,工农业产品的交易迂回程度、分工水平、专业化水平和市场化水平均会提高。由于工农业在内部分工上的差异,构建城乡双向流通的关键在于科技兴农,加快传统农业向现代农业的转型,只有当工农业同时实现流通与生产的分离,城乡双向流通体系才得以形成。     

Organizational Diffusion of Information Technology

Information cxchange within U.S. and Japanese firms is explored. Usage of traditional communication forms (verbal, doc- uments, conferences), FAX, and computer based information technol- ogies (computers, electronic ordering systems, local area networks, point-of-sale systems, and value added networks) are examined. While U.S. firms are found to adopt computer based technologies more aggressively, Japanese firms utilize FAX transmission more. To explain pattern differences, two cultural theories are contrasted. E.T. Hall's communication context theory is more consistent with the findings than Geert Hofstede's work-related values dimensions.     

基于Struts2的区域物流信息系统构建

根据中国"入世"承诺,我国物流市场已经全面开放,区域物流将成为我国21世纪的重要产业和新的经济增长点.对区域物流信息系统的规划与构建,是实现这一目标的重要前提.     

基于Struts2的区域物流信息系统构建

根据中国"入世"承诺,我国物流市场已经全面开放,区域物流将成为我国21世纪的重要产业和新的经济增长点。对区域物流信息系统的规划与构建,是实现这一目标的重要前提。     

行动理论与组织行为研究的情境化:一个整合的理论框架

对研究层次和情境的关注是目前组织行为研究的一个重要发展趋势,基于此,对能够囊括众多不同性质、不同层次变量的大理论(General Theory)的需求也越来越迫切。帕森斯(Parsons)的行动理论(Action Theory)通过将单位(个体)行动以及多个行动系统(团体、组织)之间的互动整合在一个大框架里,详细梳理了不同层次变量互动的过程中需要注意的问题;并且纳入了行动者在需要对目标及实现目标的途径、方法做出选择时可能会受到的包括价值观在内的各种不同的直接影响因素。本文基于行动理论的核心概念和整体框架,分析这一理论体系对组织行为领域开展情境化研究可以起到的指导作用和意义。     

盒式录像机中的画中画系统

本文提出了一种使用双端存储器、可同时显示磁带和电视广播图象的新的画中画系统.     

非营利组织信息披露机制:一个理论框架

非营利组织信息披露机制解决的是组织信息透明度的问题,是提高组织的社会公信力、促进组织健康持续发展的制度选择。然而在信息披露方面,非营利组织仍存在着诸多问题,根本原因在于缺乏一个完整的理论体系。因此,构建非营利组织信息披露机制的理论框架,具有十分重要的理论与现实意义。     

Logistics Information System Evaluation: Assessing External Technology Integration and Supporting Organizational Learning

Firms often outsource the development and acquisition of logistics information systems (LIS) needed to improve logistics processes. Managers tasked with such outsourcing decisions often struggle to understand and balance the external technology's impact on existing logistics processes, individual stakeholders, firm strategies, and the financial and operational performance of the firm. Unfortunately, research is limited on (1) methods for evaluating the performance capabilities of systems from external sources prior to full implementation, and (2) the impact of external technology integration (ETI) on organizational behavior and learning related to a firm's logistics processes. Through the lens of organizational learning (OL) theory, this research uses a case study approach to examine the transportation division of a major U.S.‐based fuel retailer to gain insights on the management control of ETI efforts. The study builds theory to fill important literature gaps then develops a conceptual framework and supporting propositions to inform future research on logistics ETI. The findings highlight important OL implications for firms involved in ETI efforts and also provide a practically relevant management control tool that can be used by logistics practitioners.     

Organizational Commitment and Ethical Behavior: An Empirical Study of Information System Professionals

IS professionals have been reported to have one of the highest turnover rates. They have also often been accused of unethical conduct, specifically, pirating software, hacking, giving professional opinion that exceeds their knowledge, and not protecting people's privacy. In a sample of 71 IS professionals and 250 members of other professions we found that IS professionals were more committed to their organizations than the other professionals, and that IS professionals were, indeed, less ethical with respect to software piracy and hacking. However, we found that they were not less ethical regarding professional opinions that exceed one's knowledge and protecting people's privacy.     

一种CDMA-HLR内存数据库的实现方案

针对移动通信系统中归属位置寄存器(HLR)的业务处理过程对系统的实时性和数据的安全可靠性要求,提出了一种以内存数据库作为主数据库、商用大型数据库作为备份数据库的方案,给出了系统结构和实现方式.采用该方案的HLR系统在实际使用过程中取得了很好的效果.