Are business users social? A design experiment exploring information sharing in enterprise social systems

2016 | Journal of Information Technology | Citations: 20

Authors: Mettler, Tobias; Winter, Robert

Abstract: In recent years, social technology has changed the ways people collaborate and c ... Expand

Abstract: In recent years, social technology has changed the ways people collaborate and communicate. With the blurring boundaries between work and personal life, business software vendors have begun to deliberate on the possibilities for enhancing the rather rigid and impersonal structures in enterprise systems (ES) by integrating social features. In doing so, they frequently assume that business users share the same interaction patterns as private users. In this paper, we challenge this belief and explore the factors that stimulate business users to share information in ES environments. By means of a design experiment, we show different use scenarios and explore business users’ attitudes toward open and unconditional information sharing in ES. Our results demonstrate that business users are less ‘social’ and that applying social features in ES is highly context dependent. Based on these findings, we offer recommendations for software vendors and researchers who are interested in the social enhancements of ES. Collapse

Topics: information exchange information privacy concern social media anonymity data quality

Methods: experiment partial least squares regression PLS tool descriptive statistic product review

Theories: theory of affordance

The Disruptive Potential of Software as a Service: Validation and Application of an Ex-Ante Methodology

2013 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kaltenecker, Natalie; Huesig, Stefan; Hess, Thomas; Dowling, Michael

Abstract: We address current discussions on the potential of cloud computing to disrupt th ... Expand

Abstract: We address current discussions on the potential of cloud computing to disrupt the structures of the software industry by selecting, validating and further developing a method for ex-ante identification of disruptive innovations that we imported from innovation management theory into the information systems area. Based on a review of a previous forecast in the area of web applications, we could show that this method was able to predict the likelihood for web applications to pose a minor disruptive threat to incumbents in the industry. Furthermore, we adapted and modified this method and applied it to the cloud computing market through the example of CRM software and the firms Salesforce and SAP. Our results indicate that Salesforce's on-demand software products in the CRM market show a high disruptive potential but at the same time the method also reveals that SAP response strategy limits its possible failure to this disruptive threat. Collapse

Topics: web application disruptive innovation innovation management cloud computing software as a service

Methods: triangulation

Theories: disruptive innovation theory management theory diffusion of innovations theory

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

2011 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 20

Authors: Beimborn, Daniel; Miletzki, Thomas; Wenzel, Stefan

Abstract: ... Expand

Abstract: Collapse

Topics: platform as a service software as a service Google Cloud Platform SAP Business ByDesign infrastructure as a service

Using Real Options in ERP-Systems for Improving Delivery Reliability

2011 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Mettler, Tobias; Raber, David; Hoffmann, Hagen

Abstract: Today’s machinery and equipment industry is a highly volatile market, giving ris ... Expand

Abstract: Today’s machinery and equipment industry is a highly volatile market, giving rise to frequently instable and inapprehensible buyer-supplier-relationships and to turbulences with respect to reliability of deliveries. With this paper we propose a minimal invasive approach how to overcome existing capability limitations in production planning, scheduling and procurement of ERP-systems by using real options as means for coordinating the divergent interest of buyers and suppliers. Following the design research paradigm, we first describe how real options can be integrated in a contemporary ERP-system. In a supplemental evaluation, the attitude toward using this approach is discussed. This final discussion provides insights whether companies in the machinery and equipment industry are willing to adopt our real options approach, or if they prefer the use of other, not necessarily IT-enabled, means for handling the poor delivery reliability. Collapse

Topics: real option enterprise resource planning SAP Business ByDesign procurement management business process management

Methods: survey design science modeling language business process model and notation design artifact testing

Theories: real options theory information systems theory