Inter-organizational Information Technology Research Articles

Environmental performance of servitized manufacturing firms: the (mis)alignment between servitization strategies and inter-organizational information technology capabilities

PurposeThis study investigates the different effects of the (mis)alignment between servitization strategies (i.e. product-oriented and customer-oriented services) and inter-organizational information technology (IT) capabilities (i.e. IT reconfiguration and integration) concerning the environmental performance of servitized manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachUsing hierarchical regression analysis, this study examines the theoretical model based on multi-respondent survey data from 1,149 senior managers of 383 manufacturers in China.FindingsProduct-oriented services have a non-significant effect on environmental performance, whereas customer-oriented services exert a significantly positive effect. The alignment between product-oriented services and IT reconfiguration, and that between customer-oriented services and IT integration, improve environmental performance. In contrast, the misalignment between product-oriented services and IT integration, and that between customer-oriented services and IT reconfiguration, hurt environmental performance.Originality/valueThis study elucidates the different effects of the (mis)alignment between servitization strategies and inter-organizational IT capabilities on environmental performance. It also resolves the inconsistency regarding the implications of servitization on environmental performance.

Mobile Consumer Scanning Technology: A Replacement for Interorganizational Information Systems for Demand Information Learning in Supply Chains?

Recently, firms in supply chains have begun to deploy popular mobile apps (e.g., WeChat) into their supply chain practices to improve demand visibility. These efforts rely on consumers to scan the products they purchase using these apps, which we refer to as consumer scanning technology (CST). CST can be an alternative to the conventional interorganizational information technology (IOIT) that relies on collaboration between supply chain firms. This paper develops a theoretical model to examine the value of CST to learn supply chain (demand) information and the impact of CST on IOIT. Using an extensive simulation analysis based on real-world data from a manufacturer that has implemented a CST program, we show that the value of CST to a manufacturer can be substantial and provide insights into how market conditions affect the value.

Effects of interorganisational information technology networks on patient safety: a realist synthesis

ObjectiveHealth services in many countries are investing in interorganisational networks, linking patients’ records held in different organisations across a city or region. The aim of the systematic review was to...

A multi-theory perspective on enablers of inter-organizational information and communication technology: A comparison of China and the Netherlands

Prior research on implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has predominantly been viewed from an intra- organizational perspective. This paper aims to extend this view by taking an inter-organizational perspective. By combining insights gained from two theoretical perspectives: transaction cost economics and relational exchange theory, we seek to understand enablers of inter-organizational ICT. Also, we investigate the effect of the socio-economic climate by comparing the country contexts of China and the Netherlands. We use survey data from 112 Dutch and 320 Chinese firms to test our hypotheses regarding potential differences between these countries. The paper helps in understanding the idea that enablers of Inter-organizational ICT implementation could depend on country context. In the Dutch context, the transaction cost based perspective provides a valuable explanation for the use of Inter-organizational ICT, while in the Chinese context, both transaction cost economics, and relational exchange theory based perspectives help understand enablers for Inter-organizational ICT. Managers of global companies can use insights from this study to help guide their implementation of ICT strategy. Particularly, it may be noted that, despite a desire for uniformity and standardization, there might be different ways of implementing ICT that are attributed to country contexts.

Better the devil you know: Inter-organizational information technology and network social capital in coopetition networks

By enabling more efficient information and knowledge sharing and reinforcing the shared goals for participating members, inter-organizational information technology (IT) becomes instrumental to both accomplishing coopetitive outcomes and avoiding the pitfalls of partner opportunism. We posit that as network social capital is accumulated in technology-enabled coopetition networks, collaboration will enhance the strategic value of outcomes and positively affect goal convergence among network users. Our findings illustrate that the role of technology in coopetition extends beyond facilitating knowledge exchange and may play a vital role in the strategic development of firms pursuing coopetitive options.

HICSS Panel Report on Cognitive Foreshadowing: Next Steps in Applying Neuroscience and Cognitive Science to Information Systems Research

Knowledge management capability (KMC) represents an important link between IT and individual firm performance. We investigate this link in an interorganizational (IO) context—an increasingly important and yet substantially underresearched area. Based on reviewing and integrating the literature, we develop and test a comprehensive empirical conceptualization of KMC that includes knowledge creation, transfer, retention, and application. We collected survey data from supply management professionals at one partner firm (either customer or supplier) in an IO relationship. We tested our research hypotheses using structural equation modeling. We found that partner firms’ KMC was positively associated with IO performance. We also found that IO information technology (IOIT) infrastructure capabilities facilitated KMC through the strength of IO relational capability. Partner interdependence was positively associated with IO relational capability and with KMC. Taking a knowledge management (KM) perspective, our research shows that IT requires relational capability and KMC to bring performance gains to IO partnerships. These insights have theoretical importance for understanding IT-enabled knowledge management in IO settings and practical significance for firms to effectively use their IOIT infrastructure.

Leveraging Consumer Technology to Learn Demand Information in Lieu of Supply Chain Collaboration

Recently, Chinese firms have begun to deploy popular mobile apps (e.g., WeChat) into their supply chain practices to improve demand visibility. These efforts rely on consumers to scan the products they purchase using these apps, which we refer to as consumer scanning technology (CST). CST can be an alternative to conventional inter-organizational information technology (IOIT) that relies on collaboration between supply chain firms. We develop a theoretical model to examine the value of CST to learn supply chain (demand) information. In this model, an upstream supplier bypasses the downstream retailer and employs CST to directly collect end scan information from consumers who are incentivized with a reward for participating. The theoretical analysis of the model demonstrates both operational and strategic values of CST. On the operational level, noticing that the scan information gathered by CST is a censored version of the true information, we develop a simple and effective approach for the supplier to learn the true information from the censored one, and then investigate the learning efficiency of our approach and the optimal reward decisions. On the strategic level, we examine the equilibrium choice of IOIT and CST within supply chains and investigate their interplay. Contrary to conventional view, we find that the availability of CST may expand (instead of suppressing) the use of IOIT within supply chains. Using real-life data from a manufacturer that has implemented a CST program for learning demand information, we show that the value of CST can be substantial.

Determinants of Inter-organizational Information Technology Adoption for Global Supply Chain Management: Evidence from SMEs in Korea

This study identifies and discusses about the determinants of inter-organizational information technology (IIT) adoption for global supply chain management (SCM), particularly by providing evidence from about 2,200 Korean small and medium-sized enterprises. Over the past decades, business environment is significantly changing the way both internally and externally as global SCM has been expanded to reach overseas markets over all industries. To analyze and extract the related factors influencing adaptation of IIT, firstly, this study empirically tests the model using the related data from consumer packaged goods companies with the case of IIT adoption and diffusion in U.S. retail industry. Using findings from the empirical results and comparing these findings with survey results from Korean SMEs collected in 2014, this paper provides effective technology support polices to achieve global SCM for Korean SMEs with valuable insights.

Exploring reduced global standards-based inter-organisational information technology adoption

Purpose – The information technology (IT) literature is mixed regarding the benefits of inter-organisational IT, but shifts towards less adoption of IT remain largely an unexplored area of research. The purpose of this paper is to address this gap by shedding light on the question of whether or not such shifts exist, and if so, why they occur. Design/methodology/approach – A mixed method, sequential research design was adopted. A quantitative study based on two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2001 and 2011 yielded responses from 62 matching firms that had implemented IT based on global GS1 standards. Survey results led to the identification of a group of organisations that provided evidence of reduced standards-based inter-organisation IT over time. Subsequently, four theory-building in-depth case studies explored why changes towards less IT occurred. Findings – Results from the quantitative study show that measurable changes take place in IT implementation over time (both increasing and decreasing)....

SERVICE INNOVATION PERFORMANCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FROM THE DYNAMIC CAPABILITY PERSPECTIVE

Service firms need to continuously innovate their service offerings in order to remain competitive in constantly changing market conditions. Successful innovators utilise current information technology (IT) to access service innovation capacity and knowledge which can be located internal or external to their organisation. In this paper, we develop and test a theoretical framework that explains how IT can contribute to service innovation performance, and finally, to service provision performance. Drawing on dynamic capability theory, we differentiate between sensing (SN), seizing (SZ), and transformation (TF) as the key abilities in service innovation. With our theoretical model, we can explain almost 40% of the variance in service innovation performance (SIP) (R2 = 0.3955) and provide evidence for the multi-faceted and significant effects of IT. In particular, we are able to show a significant influence of inter-organisational IT support on SN and SZ abilities while organisational IT support has a significant impact on TF abilities.

Inter-Organizational IT Capability in China

Prior studies of information technology (IT) capability mostly focused on dimensions and effects of IT capability at intra-organizational level in western context. This paper extends intra-organizational IT capability to inter-organizational IT capability, specifically examining process-oriented inter-organizational IT capability from a process-oriented perspective in an emerging market context. The authors use survey data from Chinese firms to identify dimensions of inter-organizational IT capability and validate its scale, compare the differences of inter-organizational IT capability in firms with three types of ownership structure, and test the relationship between these inter-organizational IT capability dimensions and firm performance. A comparative analysis reveals that seven inter-organizational IT capability measures identified in Chinese context are extended or more important than in the Western context. Empirical results show that inter-organizational IT capability varies between state-owned enterprises and non-state-owned enterprises. It is also found that four dimensions of inter-organizational IT capability have different impacts on firm performance.

Inter‐organizational IT use, cooperative attitude, and inter‐organizational collaboration as antecedents to contingency planning effectiveness

PurposeToday's supply chains face increasing vulnerabilities; effective management of disruptions is critical to an organization's ability to weather disruptive events and remain competitive. Contingency planning is a method of risk management that promotes effective crisis management. This research tests proposed antecedents of contingency planning effectiveness in a supply chain setting.Design/methodology/approachA survey method was used to gather data from 103 participants who are involved in their respective organization's contingency planning and implementation processes. The data were analyzed using partial least squares to examine relationships between contingency planning effectiveness, inter‐organizational information technology (IT) use, cooperative attitude, and inter‐organizational collaboration.FindingsThe proposed model explains 87 percent of the variance in contingency planning effectiveness. The findings suggest that inter‐organizational collaboration, inter‐organizational IT use, and cooperative attitude directly impact contingency planning effectiveness. Inter‐organizational collaboration mediates the relationships between the other antecedents and contingency planning effectiveness.Originality/valueAlthough effective contingency planning has been shown to influence positive outcomes, the relationship between contingency planning effectiveness and its antecedents is not well understood in extant literature. This study identifies and investigates key antecedents to contingency planning effectiveness and provides a foundation for continued investigation.

The determinants of inter-organizational and internal in-house adoption of XBRL: A structural equation model

Prior research has investigated organizational adoption of inter-organizational Information Technology (IT) using the Technological–Organizational–Environmental (TOE) framework. While that research has yielded important insights into the adoption of inter-organizational IT, new technologies, such as XBRL, can be used inter-organizationally or internally. As such, testing the TOE framework in both an internal and inter-organizational context is vital because the independent variables explaining internal adoption may be different from those explaining inter-organizational adoption. Using XBRL as a representative example, the TOE framework is used in this study to investigate XBRL adoption for both internal and inter-organizational purposes. The results suggest that the drivers of internal adoption differ from those of inter-organizational adoption. Based on these results, we encourage future research to consider whether the significance of technological, organizational, and environmental variables change based on whether a technology is adopted internally or inter-organizationally. From a practical perspective, the findings can help professional associations encourage adoption of XBRL.

Impact of use of information technology on lean production adoption: evidence from the automotive industry

In this paper we analyse the existing interrelationships between information technology (IT) and the adoption of lean production. More specifically, the level of adoption of lean production is studied in accordance with the degree of use and the kind of IT used (internal and external IT). The results of the study show how companies need to augment the degree of use of internal or intra-organisational IT in order to increase the level of implementation of lean production and therefore improve efficiency. Results also show that external or inter-organisational IT only has a significant negative influence on the level of adoption of lean production when internal IT is controlled. These findings provide managers with empirical evidence and a theoretical framework on the balance between internal and external IT in order to increase lean production adoption, thus offering practical guidance on how to manage IT and lean production adoption.

Enhancing international knowledge transfer through information technology: the intervention of communication culture

Nowadays, outsourcing and offshore-partnering activities have become popular business models for leading multinational enterprises. Usually, outsourcing not only helps leading multinational enterprises increase their competitive advantage, but also offers suppliers a great opportunity to learn from their international customers. Hence, it raises the issue of what factors are important for suppliers to successfully manage knowledge transfer in the international context. In the previous studies, little attention has been paid to how information technology (IT) influences cross-border knowledge transfer. In this present study, taken from the supplier’s perspective, we propose that IT can improve the quality and quantity of information exchange, and have a positive influence on cross-border knowledge transfer. Based on a sample site of 206 Taiwanese suppliers and tested by the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) statistical approach, the empirical results reveal that a knowledge management integrated database has a positive impact on technical knowledge transfer. Additionally, when in a low-context communication culture, video conferencing has a positive impact on technical knowledge transfer and instant messaging also has a positive impact on marketing knowledge transfer. Importantly, inter-organisational IT does not have a significant impact on knowledge transfer when in a high-context communication culture.

Inter-Organizational Coordination, IT Support, and Environment

Manufacturing organizations must know how to deal with uncertainty, manage environmental impact, effectively coordinate with suppliers, and use information technology (IT) to support coordination. Applying cybernetics and information processing theories, this study explores the relationship between organizational environment, inter-organizational coordination, IT support, and the effectiveness of inter-organizational coordination. Using the case study method, data was collected from six manufacturing firms in China. The results show that inter-organizational system adoption is affected by organizational environment and is related to the management of inter-organizational coordination. Coordination and IT application affect the performance of inter-organizational coordination.

Competitive and Cooperative Positioning in Supply Chain Logistics Relationships*

ABSTRACTCooperative logistics relationships require the sharing of information, which must be enabled by the integration of disparate information systems across partners. In this article, we theorize business‐to‐business logistics relationships should be managed using cooperative and competitive postures. Based on data from 91 dyadic relationships using interorganizational information technology (IT), we find that performance gains accrue when parties share strategic information and customize IT; mutual trust enables IT customization and strategic‐information flows and equitable relationship‐specific investments positively impact IT customization, mutual trust, and performance. Among other scholarly and practical implications discussed, partners should compete on resources for IT customization and cooperate to share strategic information. Managers tend to think of relationships with firms as polar opposites and view them as entirely cooperative or entirely competitive. Our results support active balancing and understanding of both competitive and cooperative stances. Such an approach enables conditions for participation symmetry that yields greater performance gains.

IT Alignment in Supply Chain Relationships: A Study of Supplier Benefits

SummaryDeployment of interorganizational information technology (IT) throughout supply chain networks has usually been championed by supply chain network leaders — large firms that typically dominate a supply chain network. In order to participate in a particular network, supplier firms must acquire the requisite IT enabling them to be technologically aligned with the network leader. This is an important decision for supplier firms that are typically smaller in size and must allocate larger portions of their budgets to acquire the necessary IT. This study evaluates the benefits gained by suppliers when investing in interorganizational IT that is aligned with their primary buyer or network leader. The findings show that IT alignment between supplier and buyer has a direct positive impact on both strategic and operational performance measures of the supplier. In addition, IT alignment impacts these performance measures indirectly as it encourages integration between firms.

Investigating the intangible: lessons learnt from research into automotive inter-organisational IT systems

The role of Information Technology (IT) as a source of competitive advantage and enabler of advanced supply chain management in inter-organisational systems is hardly in question. E-commerce, trade-exchanges and online transactions are just a few of these enabling features. The thrust and volume of studies reflect this critical role, yet recent research reflects more qualitative and case-based research designs. This is in part due to the intangible nature of IT systems, and the resulting difficulties of visualisation and quantification. This paper reviews the main research methods in IT, based on the lessons learnt from a three-year research programme in the automotive industry, and concludes with a generic framework on how both qualitative and quantitative methods can be integrated to provide a more holistic understanding of IT in inter-organisational systems.

THE EFFECT OF INVESTMENT IN INTERORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN A RETAIL SUPPLY CHAIN

The primary purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of investment in information technology in a supply chain. The results of that investigation are presented by focusing on an empirically tested supply chain relationship model containing both behavioral and operational constructs. The four behavioral constructs represented in the model are relationship trust, relationship commitment, relationship dependence, and long‐term relationship orientation. The four operational constructs represented in the model are retailer investment in interorganizational information technology, perceived supplier investment in interorganizational information technology, logistics efficiency, and logistics effectiveness. Among other findings, the results of the investigation found that perceived supplier investment in interorganizational information technology has a significant and positive effect on logistics efficiency.