May 1, 2007

Title: Service quality factors of EC in global context.

Presenter : Mahmud A. Shareef

Abstract: The paper reviewed 14 models which capture service quality dimensions of B2C EC nicely, especially Parasuraman et al., Sebastianelli et al., Collier et al., Janda et al., Wolfinbarger et al. cover quality issues from website interface to recovery phases. Conducted construct, convergent, and discriminant validity. However, more scale items required to develop comprehensive model. EC is global. So consumers' attitudes, behavioral intention, and differences in perception of service quality dimensions are needed to incorporate in the global service quality model to develop theory. As a result empirical study should be conducted in different developed and developing countries. Relative ranking of importance of independent variables are essential to facilitate the managers of B2C EC for proper allocation of resources based on managerial strategy.

April 17, 2007

Title: A framework to evaluate design and development considerations of E-government portals.

Presenter : Vedmani Sharan

Abstract: Today, e-government portals are considered one of the most popular conduits for offering government services and products online. It is essential to design a fully functional e-government portal for maximum effectiveness. The team of Vinod Kumar, Bharat Maheshwari (Graduate student) and Vedmani (Graduate Student) tries to develop a framework of key design and development considerations of e-government portals in order to measure their effectiveness.

April 03, 2007

Title: Knowledge management in new product development.

Presenter : Manjari Maheshwari

Abstract: In this research a sysnthesis of NPD and KM literature focussing on NPD performance is presented. A process view of KM is adopted and we focus on four key KM processes of knowledge creation, transfer, storage, and application. Based on a detailed survey of the literature, we argue that KM processes are an integral part of NPD and drive NPD performance. However, in order to achieve performance improvements in NPD, organizations should focus on the relationships between the key KM processes and various NPD performance determinants. These relationships are complex and fused together as we find that the determinants of NPD performance also determine the effectiveness of KM processes. A preliminary model depicting these relationships is developed and several gaps in both KM and NPD literature are identified.

March 06, 2007

Title: Theory of Registries

Presenter : James P. Supple

Abstract: Registries are used to identify and track Persons, Property, Rights and Knowledge.  This talk outlines progress on a program to better understand current Registries: their purposes, uses, operating characteristics, information structure, process flows, problems.  The program both collects case studies on Registries and studies intellectual property registries in depth.  It develops a taxonomy of Registry terms, and proposes and tests hypotheses about Registries, with the aim of developing a Theory of Registries.

February 22, 2007

Title: An Empirical Study of the Relationships among Strategy, Flexibility and Performance in the Supply Chain Context: A Path Analysis Approach

Presenter : Kamel Fantazy

Abstract: Supply chain flexibility has become a focus of organizations faced with the need to survive in a highly uncertain business environment. Drawing upon the manufacturing flexibility literature, as well as the limited research in supply chain flexibility, this research empirically examines the sequential relationships among the supply chain strategy, supply chain flexibility, and supply chain performance in small- and medium-sized firms. Using the data collected from 175 firms that were manufacturing industries in Canada, the identified constructs have been used to test a theoretical model using the path analysis technique. The study produced three main results. First, innovative strategy firms must invest time and resources in developing new product and delivery flexibility; customer-oriented strategy firms are required to invest heavily in developing sourcing, product, delivery, and information systems flexibility; and follower strategy firms need no investment in any specific type of supply chain flexibility. The second results shows that only when the tradeoff among supply chain flexibility types and alignment with supply chain strategy are considered can supply chain flexibility contribute to the improvement of supply chain performance. The final result demonstrated that manufacturers must reconsider how they use information technology (hardware and software) to enhance information systems flexibility and improve overall supply chain performance. While this study increases our understanding of supply chain flexibility, it is our hope that this study will motivate future research.