Digital transformation and European small and medium enterprises (SMEs): A comparative study using digital economy and society index data

2023 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 1

Authors: Skare, Marinko; de las Mercedes de Obesso, María; Ribeiro-Navarrete, Samuel

Abstract: Digital transformation is profoundly transforming SMEs’ business activities, bri ... Expand

Abstract: Digital transformation is profoundly transforming SMEs’ business activities, bringing about comparative ad­ vantages and associated risks. Previous studies on digital transformation and SMEs focus on technology adoption, innovation, new value creation, and dynamic capabilities. However, it is unclear how digital technology affects SMEs’ specific business activities. We study SMEs’ customer access, increasing competition, external funding or access to finance, rising input costs, skilled labor shortages, exogenous shocks, global crises, and regulatory is­ sues. This study aims to fill the literature gap by exploring the impact of digital technology, using digital economy and society index (DESI) as proxies for the SME issues. We use DESI and SME data from a survey on European enterprises’ access to finance. We find that digital transformation strengthens SMEs’ ability and flexibility to address main business issues. Furthermore, findings reveal that digitally transformed SMEs have fewer concerns about access to new and traditional customers, competition changes, access to finance, increasing input costs, external shocks, and regulatory changes. However, digital transformation also brings risks, such as the shortage of skilled labor and experienced managers and loss of inherent competitiveness. The novelty of our work lies in supplying quantitative knowledge on the link between digital transformation and European SMEs’ critical business concerns. These findings substantially increase our understanding of the impact of digital change on European SMEs’ business activities. Collapse

Topics: digital transformation database system pandemic business model supply chain management

Methods: cross sectional research survey Wald test data modeling design science

Investigating the Social Capital Theory in the University-Private Partnership: A Systematic Review

2022 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Hakami, Maram; Pradhan, Sojen; Mastio, Emmanuel

Abstract: Literature has recognised ‘university-private partnerships’ as one of the influe ... Expand

Abstract: Literature has recognised ‘university-private partnerships’ as one of the influential contributors to the economic growth towards building the knowledgebased economy. University-private partnerships is still a progressing phenomenon that has been investigated through the lens of different theories, including the social capital theory that comprises structural, relational, and cognitive dimensions. To date, the influence of social capital theory on transferring knowledge has been investigated; but there has been an inconsistency between studies related to the social capital cognitive dimension compared to other related dimensions. This paper aims to explore how the theoretical lens of social capital theory informs research and learnings about partnerships between universities and private sectors. Overall, 23 studies published within the last two decades are systematically reviewed. Findings from this review lead to a fundamental theoretical framework that addresses the abovementioned inconsistency, a reflection on the current related research themes, and a proposition for future research directions. Collapse

Topics: database system innovation management social capital interorganizational relationship

Methods: literature sample structured literature research literature study theory development theoretical contribution

Theories: social capital theory

FinTech Regulatory Sandboxes: When Regulation Meets Innovation

2021 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Wandili, Sharon; Zachariadis, Markos; Joshi, Mayur

Abstract: Following the [2007][2008][2009] financial crisis, the proliferation of FinTech ... Expand

Abstract: Following the [2007][2008][2009] financial crisis, the proliferation of FinTech innovations has posed several challenges for regulators. To overcome the dual challenge of simultaneously tightening control and facilitating a conducive environment for innovations, regulators have recently started a series of regulatory initiatives. Our study focuses on one such initiative in the form of regulatory sandboxes, where we examine how regulatory sandboxes help regulators in regulating FinTech innovations. We collect and analyze archival records of several regulatory sandboxes across the globe based on an integration of the taxonomy building and case study approach. Preliminary findings demonstrate three broad categories of sandboxes-the ones designed as learning devices, the ones designed as controlling devices and the others designed as hybrid devicesserving very distinct objectives. Our study intends to contribute to the emergent literature on regulatory sandboxes, as well as the broader phenomenon of open regulation in general. Collapse

Topics: electronic finance innovation management website open innovation web page

Methods: archival research theory development case study exploratory data analysis

Early Regulations of Distributed Ledger Technology/Blockchain Providers: A Comparative Case Study

2020 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Scholl, Hans Jochen; Pomeshchikov, Roman; Rodríguez, Manuel Pedro Bolívar

Abstract: Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) such as Blockchain have been heralded for ... Expand

Abstract: Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) such as Blockchain have been heralded for their potential to fundamentally disrupt traditional industries and longstanding practices in private and public businesses. In the financial sectors, for example, quite a number of novel financial technology (FinTech) services based on DLT/Blockchain have been introduced with cryptocurrencies representing prominent cases. While the already highly regulated financial sectors have emerged as early targets for DLT/Blockchain induced disruption, a diverse set of other areas, such as healthcare record keeping, insurance record keeping, industrial and retail supply chain management, property registries, citizen identification systems, and voting systems to name a few, has also come into the focus of DLT/Blockchain innovation. These new types of services might be in need of both complementary and novel regulations for DLT/Blockchainbased services. Interestingly, smaller jurisdictions such as Gibraltar, Malta, and Liechtenstein were among the first to provide advice and regulation for DLT/Blockchain service provisions. The study compares these early regulatory approaches to each other and discusses the prospects of DLT/Blockchain service regulation based on the study’s findings. DLT/Blockchain service regulation appears to incorporate predominantly principle-based rather than rule-based regulations, which makes the regulation enforcement a uniquely individual case-based task. Collapse

Topics: blockchain legal context General Data Protection Regulation video conference privacy

Methods: qualitative interview survey personal interview

The Relative Role of Digital Complementary Assets and Regulation in Discontinuous Telemedicine Innovation in European Hospitals

2020 | Journal of Management Information Systems | Citations: 11

Authors: Steinhauser, Stefanie; Doblinger, Claudia; Hüsig, Stefan

Abstract: Telemedicine innovation is important for accelerating the digital transformation ... Expand

Abstract: Telemedicine innovation is important for accelerating the digital transformation of the health care sector. However, telemedicine is a discontinuous digital innovation, and incumbent health care organizations are lagging in its adoption. We combine research on IT innovation adoption and discontinuous innovation to study the relative role of two drivers of discontinuous innovation adoption: digital complementary assets and the regulatory environment. Our findings from 1,753 acute care hospitals across 30 European countries suggest that digital complementary assets have a stronger effect on telemedicine innovation adoption than the regulatory framework. In addition, we observe application- and business model-specific differences. Overall, our findings add the role of organizational versus regulatory drivers of discontinuous innovation adoption to information systems research, emphasize the importance of digital complementary assets for the adoption of discontinuous innovation by incumbent organizations, and provide new insights into how the diffusion of telemedicine innovation can be accelerated. Collapse

Topics: electronic health innovation management digital innovation digital transformation business-to-business

Methods: regression analysis method descriptive statistic cross sectional research statistical hypothesis test survey

Theories: resource based view of the firm

A cross-national analysis of eHealth in the European Union: Some policy and research directions

2014 | Information & Management | Citations: 0

Authors: Currie, Wendy L.; Seddon, Jonathan J. M.

Abstract: This study analyzes the relationship among eHealth profiles across 27 European U ... Expand

Abstract: This study analyzes the relationship among eHealth profiles across 27 European Union Member States. It builds on prior research that uses multivariate statistical methods to provide a cross-country analysis on two dimensions: ICT penetration and availability compared with eHealth access and usage among health professionals. Based on the quantitative indicators/metrics used in our study, our results reveal that four distinct country groupings emerge as frontrunners, followers, leapfroggers and laggards. Frontrunners combine a strong ICT infrastructure with relatively high adoption of eHealth technologies. Our study suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to health IT is not recommended for EU Member States because policy-makers at the national level need to develop an eHealth roadmap that reflects national, regional and local conditions that go beyond technical imperatives. Collapse

Topics: electronic health information technology infrastructure health information system database system information system use

Methods: cluster analysis data transformation principal component analysis hierarchical clustering k-means clustering

Social Innovation in Public Health: Can Mobile Technology Make a Difference?

2014 | Information Systems Management | Citations: 3

Authors: Currie, Wendy L.; Seddon, Jonathan J. M.

Abstract: An important social innovation is the intersection between healthcare and mobile ... Expand

Abstract: An important social innovation is the intersection between healthcare and mobile technology. Building on prior research, statistical multivariate methods are used to provide cross-country analysis. Our findings suggest that if the European Union’s aim of increasing citizens activity in healthcare is to be achieved, then mobile technology needs to become part of a wider pan-European social innovation. Only through developing a health infrastructure supported by these applications will the culture of public health change. Collapse

Topics: mobile health innovation management mobile system electronic health information system use

Methods: cluster analysis data transformation principal component analysis literature study classification method

DESIGNING NEXT GENERATION SMART CITY INITIATIVES - HARNESSING FINDINGS AND LESSONS FROM A STUDY OF TEN SMART CITY PROGRAMS

2014 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Ojo, Adegboyega; Curry, Edward; Janowski, Tomasz

Abstract: The proliferation of “Smart Cities” initiatives around the world is part of the ... Expand

Abstract: The proliferation of “Smart Cities” initiatives around the world is part of the strategic response by governments to the challenges and opportunities of increasing urbanization and the rise of cities as the nexus of societal development. As a framework for urban transformation, Smart City initiatives aim to harness Information and Communication Technologies and Knowledge Infrastructures for economic regeneration, social cohesion, better city administration and infrastructure management. However, experiences from earlier Smart City initiatives have revealed several technical, management and governance challenges arising from the inherent nature of a Smart City as a complex “Sociotechnical System of Systems”. While these early lessons are informing modest objectives for planned Smart Cities programs, no rigorous developed framework based on careful analysis of existing initiatives is available to guide policymakers, practitioners, and other Smart City stakeholders. In response to this need, this paper presents a “Smart City Initiative Design (SCID) Framework” grounded in the findings from the analysis of ten major Smart Cities programs from Netherlands, Sweden, Malta, United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Singapore, Brazil, South Korea, China and Japan. The findings provide a design space for the objectives, implementation options, strategies, and the enabling institutional and governance mechanisms for Smart City initiatives. Collapse

Topics: smart city user requirement crowdsourcing

Methods: case study conceptual modelling design artifact design process reference modelling

Do the Different IT-Related Activities Require Different Capabilities? The Relationship Between IT Tasks, Educational Skills and Training Provision

2013 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Goutas, Lazaros; Sutanto, Juliana

Abstract: This paper enquires into the relationship between the activities that IT profess ... Expand

Abstract: This paper enquires into the relationship between the activities that IT professionals engage in and the educational skills and training provision that is provided to the IT workforce. To this effect, the paper on the one hand examines the degree of complexity and firm-specificity associated with the different types of tasks performed by IT professionals, whereas on the other hand it examines the educational skills and the amount of training that IT professionals need in order to perform such tasks. We test our hypotheses in the context of IT professionals in the IT Services Sector and the Retail & Wholesale sector. The paper holds implications for the IS literature, as well as IS practice in general, as it will help to better understand the optimal allocation of IT skills and investments in IT training, according the types of activities that IT professionals engage in. Collapse

Topics: IT workforce task characteristic online learning system task complexity human resource management

Methods: survey design theory statistical hypothesis test design science data modeling

Mitigation Efforts Calculator (MEC)

2013 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 1

Authors: Nguyen, Thanh Binh; Hoeglund-Isaksson, Lena; Wagner, Fabian; Schoepp, Wolfgang

Abstract: The Mitigation Efforts Calculator (MEC) has been developed by the International ... Expand

Abstract: The Mitigation Efforts Calculator (MEC) has been developed by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) as an online tool to compare greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation proposals by various countries for the year 2020. In this paper, first we introduce the MEC conceptual model, i.e. the methodology and system architecture. We then discuss the abstract formulation of four different international greenhouse gas trading regimes that are conceivable. Hereafter, the optimization process and its output results, namely cost curves are presented. Finally, we illustrate the MEC as a tool for interactively evaluating complex cost curve information in the context of GHG mitigation targets as currently discussed in international climate policy circles. Collapse

Topics: enterprise architecture extract transform load process data warehouse usability user interface

Methods: optimization model conceptual modelling computational algorithm data modeling mathematical model