Human Systems Management

This paper reports an empirical study that evaluated the usability of two interaction approaches used by Web-based application software. Data was collected using 107 subjects. Each participant performed the same tasks on both systems: a user-driven, form-based system and a system-driven interview-based system. The data were analyzed using factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. The results showed that most users regarded the interview-based approach as a more desirable feature for a complex system. In addition, the derived usability model was useful in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of business-system Web sites such as tax-preparation sites. Additionally, the resulting usability model indicated that the reputation of the software application and its producer, the ease of use of the software, and software support were important determinants in the selection of Web-based software. By contrast, visual presentation styles and graphics were unimportant factors.

As humanity immerses deeper into the knowledge-intensive era, the mindset for leading, managing and structuring human organizations has to be transformed. Attention has been shifting from tangible to intangible assets. Human thinking systems, the sources where the world's most intense intrinsic intelligence originates become the key focal center. Intelligence and its dynamic are nonlinear. Arising from human consciousness are the two vital mental functions of awareness and mindfulness. These functions determine the quality of the mental state of the interacting agents. In addition, a high level of intelligence facilitates faster learning. All competitive human beings learn continuously to enhance the quality of their knowledge structures. Consequently, the bio-logic and human decision-making process improve. These activities constitute a critical component of the evolution dynamic.

Similar to any intelligent biological organisms, all human organizations as composite complex adaptive systems must also nurture their own orgmind and collective intelligence to ensure their relevance and survival in the new context. Concurrently, activities such as continuous organizational learning, facilitating effective knowledge management processes, and building quality corporate knowledge structures must be cultivated. A mindful culture manifesting collaborative and sharing characteristic is crucial for sustaining the integrated dynamic. Recognizing the interdependency of the attributes involved is a key requirement. The 3C-OK framework to be conceptualized in this analysis is an attempt to enhance the new mindset.

This paper analyses a successful cultural change experience within a large organization, Telefonica Group, a firm with a staff of over 148 000 people and whose volume of customers worldwide overcomes one hundred million, which allows it to maintain a clear leadership position in the Spanish-speaking telecommunications sector. Telefonica has passed from an informatic culture to an informational culture and is currently consolidating an E-culture that will enable it to become a true E-company.

With the aim of keeping its leadership position, Telefonica designed Programa Lider.es (Leader Program.es), the main objective of which was the evolution of its business model towards E-business, a transformation that would make it possible to take advantage of the possibilities offered by new technologies and the Internet and create value by participating in businesses related to the digital era. The implementation of this program was not easy. This paper analyses the pillars that underpinned the whole process, the organizational support structure that was created with this purpose and the different stages the process went through. Finally, a summary of the positive points detected, the mistakes made and the lessons learnt is provided at the end of the paper.

This paper develops a framework of performance appraisal across organizational life cycles. In building the framework, the theoretical foundations, including competitive status and organizational strategies in organizational life cycles are discussed first. Furthermore, the key processes regarding performance appraisal, including the needed employee behaviors, performance criteria, performance ambiguity, and appraisal methods, are reviewed. In each stage of organizational life cycles, these elements will be gone through so that the appropriate strategy of performance appraisal may be decided.

Adaptive structuration theory (AST) provides a conceptual change model that helps capture the longitudinal change process. This paper proposes a modified AST model which provides a theoretical framework that explains the appropriation process of medical electronic billing systems (MEBS). In recent years, MEBS has become a critical tool for supporting health care services. The appropriation of MEBS in a medical center involves a great deal of change, which, if not carefully considered, could result in failure. Using a case study approach, this research identifies appropriation issues when planning and evaluating MEBS usage in medical centers.

Quality function deployment (QFD) is an essential tool in implementing total quality management (TQM). This study applies a Web-QFD approach using group decision-making analysis in the Web environment to reduce the complicated data collection, aggregation and analysis processes. A Web-based questionnaire is designed by using an active service pages (ASP) involving the Internet relay chat (IRC) technique and the Delphi method with Internet (E-Delphi) to determine the importance degree of the customers' requirements. However, the traditional Delphi method is time-consuming mission. This study applies the proposed Web-QFD approach to efficiently gather the individual opinions of each team member, the requirements that are critical for customers, and then enables decision makers to accurately assess the priorities of these requirements. An empirical example of an education system in Taiwan is employed to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed Web-QFD model. This real world example involves team members communicating easily and quickly with other experts in the team through the Internet to accelerate the reaching of a consensus among multiple decision makers regardless of where their location. Customers' requirements can be rapidly prioritized based on the assessment results.

In this research, the vital factors responsible for the demise of many dotcoms are identified and investigated. A mediator model is presented to explore possible relationships among the exogenous and endogenous variables in accordance with business and technology strategies. Two major analyses are conducted to examine the primary causes for dotcom failure. The first analysis examines the relationships between exogenous and endogenous variables based on the quasi-empirical findings from 50 failed dotcoms. The second analysis conducts a non-parametric correlation analysis of the variables. The results indicate that exogenous variables, fund and competition, influence the endogenous variables, staff, front-end operation, back-end operation, and business strategy. The practical implication of this study is to provide current and future dotcoms with another angle of view for assessing and adjusting their strategic position by evaluating those critical determinants and their inter-relationships so that a robust business model can be implemented.

Since the beginning of the Internet, electronic commerce (E-commerce) has grown rapidly. The rapid development of information technology has brought many business opportunities for companies doing business in a global market. This paper discusses the issues that affect a company's business operations in a global market.