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Much of information technology (IT) implementation research has focused on individuals' acceptance of IT by examining their behaviour when faced with new IT and the antecedents of these behaviours. As they are frequently undertaken within a project framework, IT implementations also entail the application of project management practices in order to be successful. Based on the premise that antecedents of lower level theories are frequently determined by the outcomes of a higher level theory, the present paper illustrates how organizational-level decisions, examined from the perspective of economics theories, can help explain the antecedents of project risk management at the project and individual levels. To do so, the paper describes an IT implementation effort which went through three phases; the first two of which were abandoned versions of the same project. An organizational-level analysis of the case from an economics perspective and its project-level analysis from a risk management perspective show how organizational-level decisions influenced the antecedents at the project and individual levels, providing a more complete understanding of the IT implementation in question, an understanding which neither a theory approach nor a level perspective could provide on its own. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of the implementation of a large information system in a New Zealand hospital. The system was intended to monitor and scrutinize clinical activity, and management hoped to influence clinical behaviour through the increased visibility afforded by the system. However, doctors were not the passive subjects of a computerized control system, and some were able to resist the application of the information produced by challenging its validity or using it to argue for more resources. Nevertheless, the interrelatedness of the information system with the organizational forms and practices within which it was used and which it helped shape reinforced the concepts, norms and values associated with the new management and economic discourse prevalent in the hospital, and helped to produce more defined accountabilities for doctors. With time, the role of the information system was reinterpreted, and in the face of continued resistance by doctors, it was relegated to a less significant role. The potential for engendering self-disciplining behaviour in organizational participants through the pervasive, everyday use of the information the system produced likewise diminished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on research organized as a number of workshops, case studies and interviews with experienced practitioners as well as academics, we present in this report the most important findings on how to create and sustain successful knowledge management in a community environment. The cases, workshops and interviews deal specifically with the Microsoft Solutions Sharing Network (SSN) program, but the findings, conclusions and preliminary recommendations can be applied more generally to the development of any knowledge management community. A key conclusion is that the bulk of efforts toward creating successful knowledge management communities focus on less technical, or softer aspects like leadership, culture, social settings and value of participation. However, these are essential, but not sufficient, ingredients for success. Technical issues, issues regarding development and customization of the tools used to facilitate knowledge management (for example, the SSN web portal), and emerging legal issues surrounding the sharing of intellectual property (IP) may be perceived as somewhat less important to the participants, but are nevertheless key factors in the long term success of these communities. It is also concluded that the foundation for successful collaboration is primarily laid in the initial phases of community development. A community must make a positive impression on its participants from the very beginning because most people will not give it a second chance. In this report we have highlighted three important areas to consider when establishing portals for knowledge management: Leadership, Purpose and Process/Infrastructure. A leadership with high credibility in the subject is needed to lead the participants in the right direction, manage the cultural processes and to make sure that relevant content can be found. Initially it is the content that brings people to a specific community. Thus, there has to be some common purpose that not only needs to be in congruence with the professional role of the participants but also be inspiring for them as well. Additionally, the community should have some sort of process that the participants can understand and suits the way they would like to interact. Face-to-face meetings and networking activities create trust which is important to get the process started. Language, IT platform, support and rules governing the contribution, creation and sharing of ‘knowledge’ for the community are other concerns that need to be considered within the process. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) bulletin special section. It is noted that this international section is dedicated to Susan O'Neil Johnson who has enormous contribution to ASIS&T's efforts in reaching out librarians and information professionals. She helped institutionalize the InfoShare Program of Special Interest Group/International Information Issues (SIG/III). She is the co-founder of the SIG/III International Paper Contest and worked to initiate its travel grant program. This section also includes visions from a globalized society, ASIS&T International Relations Committee Report, Survey of European Information Scientists and Global Information Resources.

The article describes the type of paper submissions that will be accepted by the program committee of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. There are four types of paper submissions: 1) contributed papers; 2) contributed posters and short papers; 3) symposia and panels; and, 4) pre-conference sessions. For instance, contributed papers present original, recent research and design projects, and theoretical developments or innovative practical applications providing more general insight into an area of practice.

The article presents the perspectives of some information professionals and the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) colleagues throughout the world. The awareness of how the information science research and practice affect, engage and benefit from information activities and environments on every continent is significant since the world becomes more globally interconnected. The ASIS&T Board of Directors approved the strategies to expand and integrate its global sensitivities and engagement. Recipients of the Society's awards hoped that readers will gain insight into the ways in which information problems are similar and unique.

The article focuses on the challenges faced to information professionals in the South Asian Region. Many Indian and South Asian library professionals recognize the current realities as well as the necessity to adopt many of the strategies for their western colleagues to provide information services enabling their fellow citizens and countries, and be globally competitive. Survey shows that the libraries across the world are shifting their emphasis due to the advances in digital content and Web-based services, improving the tools for the development of digital libraries and repositories. However, the trends of global information management come more slowly to South Asia

Individuals' knowledge networks are widely considered to contribute substantially to the effectiveness and efficiency of organizations. While the positive effects of knowledge networks as a primary driver of social capital have recently received considerable research attention, potential determinants of individuals' network building have not yet been adequately addressed. In this study, we investigate how certain team-level properties affect team members' development of knowledge networks through the course of a team project. Using data from 430 team leaders and team members pertaining to 145 software development projects, we test cross-level hypotheses using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). The results indicate that the team's perception of the organizational knowledge-sharing climate, the team's networking preference, and the team's perceived importance of networking for project success positively affect individuals' network building. Furthermore, a team's perception of the adequacy of its technical competency and a team's perception of the adequacy of its material resources inhibit team members' individual network development. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many organizations are trying to improve the generation and utilization of knowledge. The activities associated with these efforts are identified as organizational knowledge management (KM). While much has been written about knowledge management from the organizational level, the success of such efforts over the long run will depend upon on how KM activities impact important outcomes as perceived by those at the employee level who actually implement the activities. This study used the input-process-output framework of team effectiveness to investigate the relationship between selected KM-related activities on integrated product and process development team members' satisfaction with their project's success and the impact they expected it to have on the organization. The results indicate that team-level leadership and support (i.e., inputs), along with knowledge generation and dissemination (i.e., processes), are key drivers of member performance-related ratings (i.e., outputs). Finally, and possibly most importantly, a number of interactions were evident suggesting that the KM processes moderate the effects of the KM inputs. These findings and their implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the links among four firm context variables, knowledge, and financial performance. Adopting a knowledge-based, contingency view of the firm and assuming that strategy's locus is knowledge creation and application, we hypothesize that knowledge completely mediates the effects of context on performance. The results from analyzing 208 manufacturers found a positive relationship between applied knowledge and financial performance, but none between knowledge creation and performance. As for context, production technology routineness and low demand unpredictability were positively related only to greater applied knowledge; high technological turbulence was positively related to both knowledge creation and knowledge application; and firm size had no effect on either knowledge construct. No direct context-performance relationships were found (i.e., all effects were indirect): knowledge, in particular applied knowledge, completely mediated the impact of context on performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contingency models of information systems planning predict that no single planning approach will suit all organizations' needs. Little empirical research has been under- taken, however, to evaluate this prediction. Accordingly, we used McFarlan, McKenney, and Pyburn's (1983) strategic-grid model to study the information systems planning problems encountered by 49 governmental agencies. Twenty-seven agencies were required to follow a planning approach best suited to organizations that had a high level of dependence on both their existing and proposed systems. We predicted that agencies not having these characteristics would encounter the most problems with the approach. The remaining 22 agencies could choose their own planning approach. We studied this latter group to determine whether the problems encountered by the first group could be attributed to the mandated approach. Overall, the empirical results obtained were equivocal. Some results indicated that more planning problems were encountered by agencies in which the mandated approach was not appropriate to their position in the strategic grid. Other results were not supportive of this proposition. More work needs to be undertaken, therefore, to evaluate the predictive and explanatory power of contingency models of information systems planning. In addition, our research indicates a need to develop more rigorous theories of information systems planning behaviors, to improve the instruments needed to measure these behaviors, to explore the relationship between information systems planning behaviours and organizational effectiveness, to investigate how organizational learning impacts planning behaviors, and to determine the types of information systems planning problems that diffuse through organizations and those that remain localized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, information systems (IS) planning has come to represent a key IS management tool to practitioners and researchers. Concurrently, there has been increasing recognition by organizations that their IS can be viewed as a strategic resource. This research is an attempt to explore the relationship between these two aspects of IS. It analyzes, in an empirical setting, the contingent nature of some IS planning-related variables in the context of the strategic relevance of an organization's IS. The basis for the empirical test is the IS strategic grid framework developed by Cash, McFarlan, McKenney, and Vitale. A questionnaire survey method is employed to elicit information on the strategic orientation of IS and IS planning issues within respondent organizations. The difference in emphasis on various planning aspects in organizations with different IS environments is analyzed. Results of the analysis indicate that there is empirical support for the strategic grid framework and that there are differences in planning aspects among organizations, depending on their location in the grid. The implications of these findings for IS and IS planning are then discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the optimism of the information professionals towards the challenges in information science in Nigeria. Among these problems are the towering infrastructural inadequacy, insurmountable problems of human and financial resources, lack of access to necessary information and resources for learning, and poor communication. Survey shows that the culture of reading and writing is at low point in the country. It is noted that the revolution in computers, communications and content in the past two or three decades has had an impact on the information profession and information professionals.

The article presents a survey about the information professionals identification on the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) benefits and services valuable to its European members. Survey shows that the professionals found many of the benefits are encouraging them to become members. It is recommended that the Society should conduct annual meeting in Europe, provide mentoring opportunities and include more coverage of European issues in publications. A list of regional professional associations that may partner the Society in the future are also developed to provide and strengthen these benefits.