Decision execution mechanisms of IT governance: The CRM case

Employing the literature on IT governance and the structuration theory of technology assimilation, this research develops a conceptual model to examine decision execution mechanisms of IT governance in post-adoption stages of CRM diffusion, i.e. CRM use, impacts on business processes, and impacts on firm performance. While the literature mainly addresses the forms and contingencies of IT governance structures for decision making, we focus on IT governance mechanisms for decision execution, that is, the role of top management, business managers and IT managers in post-adoption stages of technology diffusion and how these groups are held accountable for their role. We conceptualize decision execution mechanisms of IT governance as including two dimensions: vertical advocacy from top management and horizontal coordination between business and IT managers. Decision execution mechanisms are assumed to facilitate CRM use and value creation. We analyze a dataset of 82 Chinese firms to examine the model and associated hypotheses. Our results show that: (1) decision execution mechanisms, including both vertical advocacy and horizontal coordination, significantly contribute to the three stages of CRM diffusion; (2) vertical advocacy has a notably greater effect on CRM use and firm performance gains than horizontal coordination, which has a greater effect on process gains. (3) CRM use creates operational and strategic benefits in customer-oriented business processes, which further improves firm performance. These findings have important implications for understanding how IT governance shapes the diffusion of CRM technology.     

IT能力构建及其对企业和谐信息化的影响研究

基于和谐管理理论，对基于资源基础理论和动态能力理论的IT能力进行了重新构建，并进行了维度划分，阐述了其意义所在。基于和谐管理理论与和谐信息化体系理论，和谐信息化有了新内涵，提出了和谐信息化是企业信息化的绩效，也是企业信息化的一个发展方向。通过对华南地区281个中国企业样本的实证研究，验证了IT能力量表构建的信度和效度，实证结果表明，IT人物互动能力是实现企业和谐信息化的最重要因素，由此表明，企业更应注重IT人物互动能力的提升。案例研究也印证了此结论。在今后研究中，可以IT人物互动能力为和谐主题，分析其在企业信息化各阶段的具体表现，并制定科学的提升计划，以促使企业和谐信息化绩效的实现。     

信息技术赋能创业:IT 能力对创业绩效的影响

大数据、人工智能等新一代信息技术正不断渗透和改变着创业行为和结果,为新创企业发展带来机遇与挑战。目前,企业的信息技术能力对创业活动的影响研究仍处于探索阶段。本文基于创业机会理论与资源依赖理论,考察IT能力对创业绩效的影响机制,探讨创业机会识别与开发的中介作用以及数字化业务强度的调节作用。实证分析发现：IT设施运用能力、IT业务跨越能力和IT前瞻性立场等三种IT能力均有助于提升创业绩效;创业机会识别与开发在3种IT能力与创业绩效间扮演中介角色;数字化业务强度在IT能力和创业机会识别与开发间发挥正向调节作用,并进一步调节创业机会识别与开发在3种IT能力与创业绩效间的中介作用,即：数字化业务强度越高,创业机会识别与开发的中介效应越显著。本研究丰富了信息技术赋能创业的研究内容,有助于推进信息技术在创业理论与实践中的运用。     

Business analytics use in CRM: A nomological net from IT competence to CRM performance

Business analytics (BA) becomes increasingly important under rapidly changing business environment. A research challenge is that BA use is not fully understood. We tackle this challenge from the perspective of dynamic capability by using an empirical model with the emphasis on BA use in customer relationship management (CRM). Based on 170 samples from firm-level survey, we analyze the nomological linkage from IT competence to CRM performance. The results show data management capability fully mediates between IT competence and BA use, while customer response capability partially mediates between BA use and CRM performance.     

Business process management and IT management: The missing integration

The importance of business processes and the centrality of IT to contemporary organizations’ performance calls for a specific focus on business process management and IT management. Despite the wide scope of business process management covering both business and IT domains, and the profound impact of IT on process innovations, the association between business process management and IT management is under-explored. Drawing on a literature analysis of the capabilities of business process and IT governance frameworks and findings from a case study, we propose the need for horizontal integration between the two management functions to enable strategic and operational business—IT alignment. We further argue that the role of IT in an organization influences the direction of integration between the two functions and thus the choice of integration mechanisms. Using case study findings, we propose that IT as a business enabler respectively calls for sequential and reciprocal integrations at strategic and operational planning levels. Drawing on logical reasoning, we suggest that IT as a strategic driver necessitates reciprocal integration at both levels.     

互联网环境下IT资源和能力的绩效影响研究

基于IT资源和能力理论,建构互联网环境下IT对企业绩效的影响模型,借助于219家国内企业问卷调研数据,对此模型进行验证。发现IT资源与能力之间有重要的区分,IT安保能力是IT就绪度与IT应用能力的中介变量,IT应用能力间接通过研发创新,影响业务绩效。最后对其理论和实践意义进行探讨。     

基于IT能力的学习导向战略对绩效的作用机理研究

动态能力理论认为环境复杂性导致更多的企业采取学习导向战略改进现有能力获得绩效的持续提升。然而,大多数研究忽视了学习导向战略与绩效间关系的中间路径与作用机制研究。因此,本研究首先对学习导向战略、IT能力和组织绩效间的关系进行探索性研究,接着以IT能力为中介变量,构建并验证了三者之间的关系。运用SPSS软件检验的模型验证显示,IT能力在学习导向战略和组织绩效间扮演了部分中介功能,学习导向战略对IT能力和组织绩效有显著正向影响,IT能力各个构面对组织绩效有不同程度的正效应。最后,建议企业可以通过在组织内部实施学习导向战略构建信息技术能力从而促进知识的传播、吸收与内化,差异化产品以快速响应顾客的需求,最终改进与提升组织绩效。     

The role of organisational interdependencies and asset orchestration in business integration: A case study of M.com

Business integration is an important determinant of business value and firm performance which enables a firm to respond to pressing competitive forces. Given its significant role, business integration in general has been an enduring research topic over the years. However, due to its complex nature, the ways to achieve this important organisational capability in firms are still not clearly understood. Hence, the present study is an attempt to ‘open this black box’ and examine the relevant issues through a case study of M.com, one of the largest e-commerce firms in China. The findings of this case study emphasise that the ability to coordinate organisational interdependencies and asset orchestration according to the needs of business processes is challenging but necessary in order to achieve business integration in e-commerce firms. It is found that asset orchestration in a firm is contingent on the organisational interdependencies such that different interdependence types demand different coordination methods at the very least. It also shows the significant role of IT in asset orchestration and the coordination of organisational interdependencies during business integration. With these capabilities, firms can experience growth and improve the quality of conformance to customer needs.     

企业联盟中IT整合能力对IT关系能力的影响

本文结合我国的企业联盟实践和相关理论,提出了IT能力的概念,并运用实证方法验证了IT整合能力对IT关系能力的影响。结构方程模型的结果表明,在IT整合能力中,IT集成能力正向影响IT管理能力;在IT关系能力中,IT与业务关系正向影响外部IT联系;且IT整合能力对IT关系能力具有正向影响,IT集成能力通过IT管理能力的部分中介作用正向影响IT关系能力;IT管理能力通过IT与业务关系的部分中介作用正向影响外部IT联系。该研究不仅为基于联盟的IT能力提供了理论基础,也对企业经理管理联盟中的IT活动具有一定的参考价值。     

信息技术能力对企业绩效影响机制的实证研究

借鉴IT应用模式及组织能力的分类,将信息技术能力(IT能力)分为开发式IT能力和探索式IT能力.从组织决策的视角,剖析了IT能力对企业绩效的影响机制,提出了相应的概念模型和理论假设.然后,以制造企业为对象,以调查问卷的方式回收数据,共回收有效问卷178份,并对上述模型和假设进行实证检验.研究结果表明,IT能力对企业绩效的作用不是直接的,企业决策在两者之间的关系中起中介作用;开发式IT能力通过影响操作决策进而影响企业绩效;探索式IT能力通过影响管理决策进而影响企业绩效.     

替代或互补：人工智能应用管理对创新的影响

数字经济背景下,人工智能（AI）技术的应用正在深入地影响着企业管理变革、业务边界的扩展和管理模式的改变。结合互补资产的观点和组织学习理论,本文提出了一个基于AI应用能力和AI管理能力的分析框架,强调人工智能与人类智慧结合的必要性,阐述了两种能力的功能和作用及其协同对企业效率和创新成本的影响。本文提出,企业必须具备管理AI的能力才能有效应对大数据、数字技术、AI的不断革新及技术带来的组织内部结构和外部环境变化以及风险;企业AI应用与管理能力的有效结合,有利于控制AI应用带来的成本和风险,增强企业在人工人力、协调沟通、和数据搜寻方面的效率,同时降低AI应用带来的数字基建、道德情感、数据安全、组织结构变革方面的成本,进而促进企业的组织学习、对内外部数字技术使能资源的获取和管理以及互补资产的形成,对企业创新绩效发挥正向作用。最后,本文为企业的数字化创新战略提供了新的发展思路。     

信息技术能力与企业绩效关系实证研究:结构柔性的中介效应——以珠三角制造企业为例

基于组织边界理论的视角,将结构柔性分为内部组织能力、外部关系能力和跨边界组织能力,并深入剖析了信息技术能力(IT能力)、结构柔性与企业绩效的关系,提出了相应的概念模型和理论假设。然后,以珠三角制造企业为研究对象,以调查问卷的方式回收数据,共回收有效问卷381份,并对上述模型和假设进行了实证检验。研究结果表明,IT能力对企业绩效的作用不是直接的,结构柔性在两者之间的关系中起中介作用;IT能力通过影响内部组织能力、外部关系能力以及跨边界组织能力进而影响企业绩效。     

动态管理能力与企业创新绩效的关系研究—商业模式设计的中介作用

以往多侧重于从企业层面出发研究动态能力与企业创新绩效的关系,少于基于个人层面研究两者间的关系,即高层管理团队中管理者个人特性形成的动态管理能力对企业创新绩效的作用,且相关中介要素也尚未明晰。基于动态能力观和商业模式理论,以新创高新技术企业高层管理团队作为调研对象,通过问卷调研深入分析了动态管理能力与企业创新绩效的关系,在此基础上发现了商业模式设计的中介作用。实证研究结果表明：动态管理能力对企业的创新绩效具有显著积极作用；商业模式设计对企业的创新绩效具有显著积极作用；动态管理能力可通过商业模式设计间接影响创新绩效,商业模式设计在动态管理能力与企业创新绩效间存在部分中介作用。     

IT能力对企业绩效影响机理的实证研究

将基于IT能力的企业绩效体系解构为运营绩效、成长性绩效和财务绩效,在此基础上提出业务流程转变模式为中间变量的IT能力对企业绩效影响机理的概念模型,最后利用调查问卷方法进行实证检验。     

Information management for the internationalization of SMEs: An exploratory study based on a strategic alignment perspective

The ability to internationalize has become a competitive necessity for many SMEs, enabling their survival and access to larger markets. From an IS research perspective, one important issue is the strategic role played by the firm's IT capabilities in responding to greater environmental uncertainty and correspondingly greater information requirements, and in enabling the firm's internationalization performance. Given that such a major aspect of the influence of IT on the performance of SMEs has so far been ignored, the following research question is posed: to what extent does the match between the IT capabilities and information requirements of SMEs contribute to their internationalization performance? Our research model and hypotheses are based on Tushman and Nadler's information processing model. In revisiting this model, the aim was to show its continued relevancy and extend its domain of applicability. In order to answer the research question, we conduct a survey-based empirical study of 174 Canadian SMEs that have internationalized their activities. Our results show that a better match between IT capabilities and information requirements does indeed exert a positive influence on internationalization performance. We also find that the SMEs’ IT capabilities are influenced externally by the environmental uncertainty and internally by their internationalization mode.     

基于RBV的企业信息化绩效评估层次模型

以基于资源的企业理论(RBV)为基础,将企业IT资源分为IT基础设施资源、IT人力资源和互补性组织资源三类。指出IT资源对企业绩效影响的过程性,提出基于RBV的信息化绩效评估层次模型,并以实际企业为例,分析每一层次的评估范围和评估指标,帮助企业对信息技术商业价值进行有效的评估。     

Supporting performance management with business process management and business intelligence: A case analysis of integration and orchestration

The case(s) demonstrates the importance of business process management (BPM) and business intelligence systems (BIS) in achieving better firm performance. It has been well documented in the literature that research on the effectively usage and combination of knowledge from BPM and BIS in turbulent service environments is limited. In response, we conduct an exploratory comparative case study of four firms in banking and telecommunication industries that have implemented BPM initiative and BIS solution. Our results firstly highlight that actual results of applying BPM and BIS differ greatly from the results that were originally planned. Secondly, we find that BIS initiatives are usually driven by improving marketing and sales, while BPM initiatives are driven by improving business processes. Thirdly, we identify that there is a lack of strong commitment to using both systems for supporting performance management.     

IT能力与企业绩效影响机制综合述评——基于中介变量视角

近几年,越来越多的学者相信是信息技术(IT)能力而非单纯的IT应用影响着企业绩效。因此,IT能力与企业绩效的关系以及IT能力如何影响企业绩效是国内外学者研究的热点问题。IT能力的研究成果众多,但是在理论研究和实证研究方面都尚未形成统一的体系。本文对IT能力的相关研究做了整理,对IT能力的概念及IT能力通过什么因素影响企业绩效进行了文献综述,并针对目前的研究状况提出了进一步研究方向。     

企业信息技术能力度量与功效 ——本土模型的构建和实证研究

 通过对IT能力相关文献以及实地调研访谈从而总结出其由IT体系惯例、IT基础设施、人力IT资源、IT关系资产四个要素构成并构建了IT能力的测量指标体系,然后通过因子分析等实证检验方法进行了统计意义上的探索与验证,最后检验了IT能力对企业绩效的贡献,结果表明,IT能力对企业绩效有正向作用,不同能力因子的作用存在一定差异性。     

The role of IT in achieving operational agility: A case study of Haier,China

Operational agility has increasingly become essential for survival and prosperity for contemporary organizations. Given its significant role in a turbulent business environment, this concept has garnered considerable research attention over the past ten years. However, due to the complex nature of operational agility, how to achieve this important organizaitonal capability is still not clearly understood. Thus the present study attempts to open this black box through examing a case study of Haier, the largest household appliances producer in China. The findings of this case highlight the significant role played by IT leveraging competence in achieving operational agility. It shows that IT leveraging competence helps enhance firm's ability to process information in a turbulent business environment, which results in information processing efficiency and information processing effectiveness. With the enhancement in the ability to process information, the focal firm is capable to sense and respond to market changes more readily.