Editorial

6 pages, 444 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era

by Martin Wynn

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10918; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141710918 - 01 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1867

This Special Issue includes a range of articles that collectively examine some of the key change processes evident in the current “digital era” in organisations [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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Research

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14 pages, 589 KiB

Open AccessArticle

IT Strategy in the Hotel Industry in the Digital Era

by Martin Wynn and Peter Jones

Sustainability 2022, 14(17), 10705; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141710705 - 28 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 9073

Abstract

The hotel industry has historically suffered from a misalignment of IT and business strategies, and yet has embraced digital technologies in many aspects of its operations in recent years. This article explores and assesses the options and dilemmas facing the hotel industry in [...] Read more.

The hotel industry has historically suffered from a misalignment of IT and business strategies, and yet has embraced digital technologies in many aspects of its operations in recent years. This article explores and assesses the options and dilemmas facing the hotel industry in selecting and implementing information systems and digital technologies as part of an evolving IT strategy. The methodology centres on a narrative synthesis of pertinent academic literature and industry source material available on the internet. Earl’s model of IT strategy development is also used as a frame of reference to assess the options facing the industry in the digital era. The article finds that some of the digital technologies have been widely deployed in the hotel sector, and an increasing number of software packages are also now available, some of which provide the requisite functionality to allow a one-stop purchase ensuring systems integration. Other packages rely more on the use of third-party software products to provide integration of different packages and digital technology applications. Findings suggest that three perspectives need to be pursued together in a balanced fashion to develop an effective overall IT strategy—top-down technology integration, bottom-up evaluation of required functionality and digital technology options—along with the inside-out matching of these needs with what is available in the marketplace. The article provides new perspectives on developing and applying IT strategy in the hotel sector in the digital era and suggests that proven approaches to IT strategy development are still of value in the planning and management of digital transformation initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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27 pages, 559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Systematic Review of Smart City Infrastructure Threat Modelling Methodologies: A Bayesian Focused Review

by Marc Wright, Hassan Chizari and Thiago Viana

Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10368; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su141610368 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1863

Abstract

Smart city infrastructure and the related theme of critical national infrastructure have attracted growing interest in recent years in academic literature, notably how cyber-security can be effectively applied within the environment, which involves using cyber-physical systems. These operate cross-domain and have massively improved [...] Read more.

Smart city infrastructure and the related theme of critical national infrastructure have attracted growing interest in recent years in academic literature, notably how cyber-security can be effectively applied within the environment, which involves using cyber-physical systems. These operate cross-domain and have massively improved functionality and complexity, especially in threat modelling cyber-security analysis—the disparity between current cyber-security proficiency and the requirements for an effective cyber-security systems implementation. Analysing risk across the entire analysed system can be associated with many different cyber security methods for overall cyber risk analysis or identifying vulnerability for individually modelled objects. One method for performing risk analysis proposed in the literature is by applying Bayesian-based threat modelling methodologies. This paper performs a systematic literature review of Bayesian networks and unique alternative methodologies for smart city infrastructure analysis and related critical national infrastructures. A comparative analysis of the different methodological approaches, considering the many intricacies, metrics, and methods behind them, with suggestions made for future research in the field of cyber-physical threat modelling for smart city infrastructure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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13 pages, 260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evolution of Enterprise Gamification in the Digital Era and the Role of Value-Based Models

by Ibelema Sam-Epelle, Olakunle Olayinka and Peter Jones

Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9251; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14159251 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3006

Abstract

Gamification’s adoption in the enterprise today is on the rise and provides benefits such as customer loyalty and increased employee engagement. In this article, the use of gamification in the enterprise is assessed in seeking to understand how fully gamified systems differ from [...] Read more.

Gamification’s adoption in the enterprise today is on the rise and provides benefits such as customer loyalty and increased employee engagement. In this article, the use of gamification in the enterprise is assessed in seeking to understand how fully gamified systems differ from related concepts such as toys, playful designs, and serious games. Given the increasing interest in enterprise gamification, it is useful to evaluate how it has evolved and its acceptance via a multidisciplinary lens. It is also critical to assess frameworks and approaches applied in understanding the trend. The current article concludes that a value-oriented approach is needed for a more comprehensive understanding of enterprise gamification acceptance and users’ experience, particularly in today’s workforce that is largely dominated by millennials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

14 pages, 599 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Change Management and Innovation Practices during Pandemic in the Middle East E-Commerce Industry

by Ahmed Saleh Mohamed Alichleh AL-Ali, Gyanendra Singh Sisodia, Bhumika Gupta and Murale Venugopalan

Sustainability 2022, 14(8), 4566; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su14084566 - 11 Apr 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4082

Abstract

This study highlights the appropriateness of innovation management principles to successfully manage radical change in the e-commerce industry during the COVID-19 period. The study focuses on transforming delivery platforms in the context of popular e-commerce organizations in the U.A.E. We conducted the study [...] Read more.

This study highlights the appropriateness of innovation management principles to successfully manage radical change in the e-commerce industry during the COVID-19 period. The study focuses on transforming delivery platforms in the context of popular e-commerce organizations in the U.A.E. We conducted the study through interviews, and the results reflect the development of three major themes (shifting consumer behavior, implementation of innovation, and innovation for effective change management) since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the transition stage, critical aspects concerning product delivery have emerged to stabilize logistics performance with sustainability. The study suggests that firms need to be faster and more flexible to address the market uncertainty through innovative practices. Similar organizations can use this study to develop mechanisms to improve their delivery systems. Additionally, the study also argues that collaborative innovation significantly contributes to the enhancement of consumers’ well-being and boosts economic growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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20 pages, 1317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Impact of Critical Factors on Continuous Usage Intention towards Enterprise Social Networks: An Integrated Model of IS Success and TTF

by Run-Ze Wu and Xiu-Fu Tian

Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7619; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13147619 - 07 Jul 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3186

Abstract

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, many people have to accept remote working. However, as COVID-19 has been effectively controlled in China, remote office services provided by enterprise social networks (ESNs) is no longer a necessary choice of users. There has not yet [...] Read more.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, many people have to accept remote working. However, as COVID-19 has been effectively controlled in China, remote office services provided by enterprise social networks (ESNs) is no longer a necessary choice of users. There has not yet been any referential research for ESN enterprises concerning how to encourage users willing to use ESNs continuously. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to identify the critical factors of ESN continuous usage intention to make up the research gap of ESN continuous usage intention and to help enterprises address the issue of sustained growth. This research combines elements of the task technology fit (TTF) model and D&M information systems success (ISS) model, explaining the continuous usage intention of ESN users. The empirical analysis results are based on the sample data of 668 Chinese respondents with experience in ESNs use and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results show that task technology fit, performance expectancy and the satisfaction degree have a significant influence on continuous usage intention of ESNs. The research findings can provide the theoretical basis for sustained development and follow-up research of the ESN industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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23 pages, 2788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

E-Business Strategy in Developing Countries: A Framework and Checklist for the Small Business Sector

by Martin Wynn and Olakunle Olayinka

Sustainability 2021, 13(13), 7356; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13137356 - 30 Jun 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 9530

Abstract

Since the turn of the century, there has been a growth in the use of e-business by both large and small companies worldwide, a trend that has been given further impetus by the move to online trading in the COVID-19 pandemic era. For [...] Read more.

Since the turn of the century, there has been a growth in the use of e-business by both large and small companies worldwide, a trend that has been given further impetus by the move to online trading in the COVID-19 pandemic era. For small companies, there are the potential benefits of increased efficiencies and market share gain, associated with the re-engineering of selling and marketing processes; but in developing countries, such as Nigeria, research into how small businesses are using e-business systems and technologies is limited. This article builds upon earlier case study research in the Nigerian small business sector to develop a framework for e-business strategy development, implementation and review. Using an inductive approach, data was collected from six small businesses, using interviews and questionnaires, to profile the e-business operations of these companies. This study found that e-business strategy was generally lacking in these companies, but interview material was used to support the development and validation of the strategy framework, which provides a process and a checklist for small businesses pursuing e-business initiatives in developing world environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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12 pages, 1953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Leading Digital Technology Companies and Their Approach to Sustainable Development

by Peter Jones and Martin Wynn

Sustainability 2021, 13(12), 6612; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13126612 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 5764

Abstract

The increasingly stellar attraction of the digital technologies and the growing, though not universal, consensus of the need to build a sustainable future, are two powerful trends within society. The aim of this article is to offer an exploratory review of how the [...] Read more.

The increasingly stellar attraction of the digital technologies and the growing, though not universal, consensus of the need to build a sustainable future, are two powerful trends within society. The aim of this article is to offer an exploratory review of how the leading companies within the digital transformation market have addressed sustainable development. As such, the article’s originality and value lie in offering a review of current corporate thinking within that market. The study adopts an inductive, qualitative approach based on an examination of published company reports, and identifies six major sustainability themes being actively promoted and supported. The article concludes that the current sustainability objectives of the technology companies are driven as much by commercial reality as any altruistic motives, and that support and promotion of the circular economy may offer the best opportunity for digital technologies to meaningfully impact sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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26 pages, 1171 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mobile Augmented Reality in Electronic Commerce: Investigating User Perception and Purchase Intent Amongst Educated Young Adults

by Tegegne Tesfaye Haile and Mincheol Kang

Sustainability 2020, 12(21), 9185; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12219185 - 04 Nov 2020

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 6547

Abstract

Even though the presence and use of mobile augmented reality (MAR) technology has become increasingly popular in the field of marketing and advertising in recent years, it has largely been neglected in the study of consumer behavior research. This paper utilizes a single-group [...] Read more.

Even though the presence and use of mobile augmented reality (MAR) technology has become increasingly popular in the field of marketing and advertising in recent years, it has largely been neglected in the study of consumer behavior research. This paper utilizes a single-group posttest-only quasi-experimental design to investigate how the feature of mobile augmented reality application influences consumers’ attitude and purchasing intention as explained by the dimensions of persuasion (i.e., consumers’ cognitive, affective, and conative dimensions). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SPSS and AMOS is used to analyze the psychometric survey data collected from 179 participants. The results supported the prediction that MAR application’s real-time interactivity and entertainment increase cognition and affection, respectively; while irritation with MAR application decreases affection. The unsupported hypothesis, which predicted a positive relationship between informativeness and cognition, came as a surprise. The overall result of the study demonstrates the positive influence of MAR application in enhancing consumers’ purchasing intention. Finally, implications and future research directions are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue E-business, Information Systems Management and Sustainable Strategy Development in the Digital Era)

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