Single-Sourcing vs. Multisourcing: An Empirical Analysis of Large Information Technology Outsourcing Arrangements

2023 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 0

Authors: Bapna, Ravi; Gupta, Alok; Ray, Gautam; Singh, Shweta

Abstract: As the information technology (IT) services landscape matures, clients are incre ... Expand

Abstract: As the information technology (IT) services landscape matures, clients are increasingly adopting multisourcing arrangements that involve multiple vendors. Although a large body of information systems (IS) literature addresses issues of whether to outsource (to a single vendor), what types of contracts to use, and how to achieve optimal relational governance, little is known about the antecedents and consequents of the single versus multisourcing decision. Moreover, while conceptual and analytical models of single-sourcing versus multisourcing have been developed, there is no empirical IS research using a large-scale data set with rigorous econometric analysis that examines the antecedents and consequents of multisourcing in the IT context. This paper fills this void, using the transaction cost economic lens and a data set of 49,057 large IT outsourcing arrangements that spans multiple industries and dates back 25 years. We find that there is a curvilinear relationship between number of IT services in an IT outsourcing arrangement and the likelihood of multisourcing. This relationship increases as the number of IT services increases to up to five services and then decreases. For managers who plan to multisource IT outsourcing arrangements, this research provides guidance to minimize exchange hazards through a better understanding of the relationship between sourcing choice, client IT outsourcing capabilities, the competitiveness of the vendor landscape, and the number of IT services in an IT outsourcing arrangement. We provide empirical evidence that the choice between single-sourcing and multisourcing is material to the performance of outsourcing contracts as an incorrect sourcing choice is likely to result in negative contract outcomes. History: Paul A. Pavlou, Senior Editor; Ning Su, Associate Editor. Collapse

Topics: outsourcing system integration IS management service desk data center

Methods: XGBoost robustness check machine learning k-nearest neighbor statistical hypothesis test

Theories: transaction cost economics game theory

Blockchain technology perception regarding supporting the digital transformation of Supply Chain Management

2023 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kuciapski, Michał; Nazet, Franz

Abstract: The globalization of the world economy increases the role of value chains, wher ... Expand

Abstract: The globalization of the world economy increases the role of value chains, where disruptions in the realization of the logistics processes occur repeatedly. Climate changes, pandemics, and military conflicts further increase the difficulties in matching supply and demand in a vast majority of networks. As a result, the digital transformation of Supply Chain Management (SCM) often referred to as Digital Supply Chain (DSC) is considered an important solution for several SCM concerns. Extensive subject matter literature research pointed out that several technologies have been studied and implemented as DSC solutions contrary to blockchain technology. Therefore, the research aims of this article is to examine the challenges of DSC with particular emphasis on blockchain technology perception in this context. Research has been conducted via structured in-depth interviews with SCM experts. Study results highlighted that blockchain is perceived by SCM experts as a technology with significant capability to support the creation of DSC, but unfortunately used at all. They also pointed out that blockchain should not be the technology of the first choice when initiating the digitization of SCM processes, but potentially beneficial for mature DSC. Collapse

Topics: blockchain digital transformation supply chain management internet of things mobile system

Methods: survey qualitative interview personal interview survey design theoretical contribution

Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Integration in Business: Trends from a Bibliometric-Content Analysis

2023 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Kumar, Satish; Lim, Weng Marc; Sivarajah, Uthayasankar; Kaur, Jaspreet

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are the two disruptive technologies ... Expand

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are the two disruptive technologies emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) that have introduced radical shifts in the industry. The amalgamation of AI and blockchain holds tremendous potential to create new business models enabled through digitalization. Although research on the application and convergence of AI and blockchain exists, our understanding of the utility of its integration for business remains fragmented. To address this gap, this study aims to characterize the applications and benefits of integrated AI and blockchain platforms across different verticals of business. Using bibliometric analysis, this study reveals the most influential articles on the subject based on their publications, citations, and importance in the intellectual network. Using content analysis, this study sheds light on the subject’s intellectual structure, which is underpinned by four major thematic clusters focusing on supply chains, healthcare, secure transactions, and finance and accounting. The study concludes with 10 application areas in business that can benefit from these technologies. Collapse

Topics: blockchain artificial intelligence productivity smart contract healthcare data

Methods: bibliometric analysis qualitative content analysis literature sample co-citation analysis machine learning

Using AI to Improve Sustainable Agricultural Practices: A Literature Review and Research Agenda

2023 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Lakshmi, Vijaya; Corbett, Jacqueline

Abstract: The world is confronted with the grand challenge of food insecurity amidst grow ... Expand

Abstract: The world is confronted with the grand challenge of food insecurity amidst growing populations and the climate crisis. Artificial intelligence (AI) deployed in agricultural decision support systems (AgriDSS) raises both hopes and concerns for increasing agricultural productivity in sustainable ways. We conduct a scoping review to uncover the roadblocks to the use of AI-supported AgriDSS in sustainable agriculture. Based on the corpus of 121 articles, we find that the effective use of AI-supported AgriDSS is hindered at technical, social, ethical, and ecological levels. Then, drawing on the experiential learning perspective, we propose how conjoint experiential learning (CEL) can enhance sustainable agricultural practices by enhancing both AI and human learning and overcoming roadblocks in using AgriDSS. Based on this conceptual framework, we build a research agenda that suggests blind spots and possible directions for future research. Collapse

Topics: artificial intelligence decision support system human computer interaction human in the loop decision making

Methods: literature sample literature study computational algorithm qualitative coding artificial neural network

Software in the Manufacturing Industry: A Review of Security Challenges and Implications

2023 | International Conference on Business Informatics | Citations: 0

Authors: Landeck, Yannick; Balta, Dian; Wimmer, Martin; Knierim, Christian

Abstract: Software defines digital infrastructures in the manufacturing industry, connect ... Expand

Abstract: Software defines digital infrastructures in the manufacturing industry, connecting services and computation resources to machines and devices. These infrastructures aim at increased flexibility, scalability, and a wider application portfolio for automated manufacturing processes. At the same time, the complexity of securing software increases dramatically. Threats to confidentiality, integrity, and availability of software can result in critical losses for automated industrial production and impact manufacturing companies. In order to map existing and emerging security challenges, we present the results of a hermeneutic literature review structured along abstraction levels and vertical integration of software. Based on this structure, we derive implications for academia and practice focused on system integrators, developers, and security auditors of digital infrastructures. Thereby, we discuss courses of action mapped to software security black boxes, infrastructure heterogeneity, and the adaptation of security for operational usage. Collapse

Topics: IT security enterprise application integration system integration cloud computing supply chain management

Methods: literature study interpretative method structured literature research

Introduction to the minitrack on Digital and Hyperconnected Supply Chain Systems

2023 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Lauras, M.; Faugère, L.; Fosso Wamba, S.

Abstract: ... Expand

Abstract: Collapse

Topics: mobile system internet of things blockchain supply chain management

Methods: simulation

How to monetize data: An economic analysis of data monetization strategies under competition

2023 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Zhang, Xin; Yue, Wei Thoo; Yu, Yugang; Zhang, Xiong

Abstract: With data being generated at an unprecedented rate, monetizing data has become a ... Expand

Abstract: With data being generated at an unprecedented rate, monetizing data has become a paramount issue in this era of the digital economy. Firms have traditionally leveraged consumer data to improve their product or service of­ ferings and increase their sales revenue, which is indirect data monetization. The recent emergence of online data markets and the data brokerage industry have facilitated direct data monetization, enabling firms to obtain additional revenue by selling their anonymized data directly to data brokers. This study develops a gametheoretic model to investigate the impact of direct data monetization on competition between firms. Our re­ sults show that in equilibrium, high-value firms with competitive advantages in product or service value often sell less data than low-value firms, implying that high-value firms rely less on direct data monetization than lowvalue firms. Surprisingly, as direct data monetization prevails, high-value firms further dominate the market for selling products or services, especially when the data broker’s analytics capability is high. This result reveals that data brokers with high analytics capabilities can hinder, rather than facilitate, market competition. Finally, direct data monetization may benefit both consumer surplus and social welfare because it facilitates data-sharing be­ tween firms, allowing firms to obtain additional insights to improve their product or service offerings. These findings are explored in-depth, along with different model extensions and their relevant managerial implications. Collapse

Topics: data monetization IS economics analytical information system consumer surplus economic surplus

Theories: game theory

Supply Chain Analytics Capability: Conceptualization, Instrument Development

2023 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Zhu, Suning; Song, Jiahe

Abstract: Grounded in the capability-building mechanism, business analytics literature, a ... Expand

Abstract: Grounded in the capability-building mechanism, business analytics literature, and the Supply Chain Operations Reference model, this study proposes a framework for developing a context-specific and comprehensive instrument for supply chain analytics capability (SCAC). The proposed framework lays the foundation for and is the first step of a large-scale in-progress research project that aims to develop and validate a context-specific and comprehensive measurement for SCAC. Collapse

Topics: supply chain management information technology capability business process management analytical information system

Methods: literature study qualitative content analysis reference modelling

Editorial Introduction

2023 | Journal of Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Zwass, Vladimir

Abstract: Two sets of papers investigating the top-of-the-mind problems of today open thi ... Expand

Abstract: Two sets of papers investigating the top-of-the-mind problems of today open this Journal of Management Information Systems (JMIS) issue that completes the 40 th -anniversary volume of the Journal. The first set presents the results of the impactful research on the interaction between humans and artificial intelligence (AI). The current and coming generative AI generates optimism regarding the new levels of human accomplishment when assisted across their working and private lives. Its promise contains a quantum productivity growth, which can lift billions out of poverty and toward expanded horizons. More specific to the information-systems' (IS) concerns, the ability of the generative AI to generate software code leads directly to what we may call implicit development by the end users who are able to specify their needs in a natural language. As a general-purpose technology, the new AI also produces high levels of anxiety regarding the availability of employment and, beyond that, the very survival of the humans when facing AI. The work on the guardrails is clearly to be praised, if its effectiveness in the present geopolitical environment is to be questioned. The two papers opening the issue address, respectively, the role of AI in the competition and in the collaboration with people.The second set of papers deals with cybersecurity, which has become a C-suite level corporate concern and to which the research published in the JMIS over the recent decades has contributed weightily. With the security of infrastructures and corporate systems increasingly endangered by the ever more sophisticated attacks by hostile actors, the progressing and deepening reliance on IS heralds the ever-greater exposure to the attacks of various levels of persistence. It is to be noted that the promise of generative AI also contains the promise of greater vulnerability to cyberattacks. This is blindingly obvious if you consider only the availability of the large language model systems in the open-source software space. Therefore, the two problems-that of salutary deployment of AI and that of cybersecurity are-interrelated. Our research needs to surface a broader understanding of cybersecurity, confronting the AI-generated threats. Equally, we need to learn how to use powerful AI-based systems to confront these threats. A new and expanded cybersecurity research agenda is needed.A great variety of tasks are becoming a contested ground when performed by AI rather than humans. We have to keep in mind while saying this that all these tasks are to be performed ultimately for the human benefit. We also need to remember and research intensively (bracketing out of the present narrative), the employment effects of the AI deployment. The managerial task of employee performance evaluation would rank among the more controversial assignments given to AI, with its acceptance raising doubts. The comparative fairness of human managers versus AI is studied in a field experiment by the authors of the opening paper. Shaojun (Marco) Qin, Nan Jia, Xueming Luo, Chengcheng Liao, and Ziyao Huang conducted comparative data-intensive performance evaluations in a fintech company to obtain causal results. The work shows that the evaluated employees considered AI to be both fairer and more accurate than managers. Moreover, the perceived deficiency in the fairness of the evaluation by managers was the lens through which the Collapse

Topics: artificial intelligence mobile application electronic market electronic commerce cryptocurrency

Methods: theoretical contribution

Configurations of digital platforms for manufacturing: An analysis of seven cases according to platform functions and types

2023 | Electronic Markets | Citations: 0

Authors: den Hartigh, Erik; Stolwijk, Claire C.M.; Ortt, J. Roland; Punter, L. Matthijs

Abstract: We analyze organizational configurations of digital platforms for manufacturing ... Expand

Abstract: We analyze organizational configurations of digital platforms for manufacturing according to two dimensions: platform functions and platform types. Platform functions refer to the organizational functions of platforms: manufacturing, data sharing, market making, and innovation. Platform types refer to a typology of how platforms are organized: as internal, supply chain, or industry type. We combine those dimensions into a framework and use that to analyze seven cases of digital platforms from the manufacturing sector. Our research answers calls for conceptual clarity and scoping of the digital platform concept and mends relative lack of attention toward digital platforms for the manufacturing sector. We find that digital platforms for manufacturing come in different, partly unexpected, configurations: (1) not all functions are necessarily organizationally part of the platform, (2) not all functions are necessarily organized according to the same platform type, but (3) also not all random configurations of platform types and functions seem to be possible. This complexity highlights the importance of the innovation function for exploring effective configurations of digital platforms for manufacturing. Collapse

Topics: digital platform innovation management supply chain management anonymity manufacturing information system

Methods: case study literature study experiment