The low e-Business implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an important is... more The low e-Business implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an important issue in most countries. This chapter examines the relationship between training, competence and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and discusses the implications for practice and further research. The study combined data about e-business competences and performance in 339 SMEs with data about training supply from 116 providers of e-business related training in three European countries. The authors find a positive relationship between training, competence and performance and show that training explains variances in e-business competences and performance in terms of efficiency, complementarities, lock-in and novelty. The research contributes to theoretical development by lending support to the idea that methodological issues are an important reason behind the lack of empirical support frequently reported in the literature. The study has practical implications for public policy makers, training suppliers and SME managers.
This paper explores an almost axiomatic claim in the literature that robotic process automation (... more This paper explores an almost axiomatic claim in the literature that robotic process automation (RPA) represents no threat to knowledge workers who will get fewer routine tasks and more interesting and cognitively challenging work. We explore this claim with data from a sequential quantitative-qualitative, mixed-method study in Norway. 88 RPA users from different sectors and industries where first surveyed to identify differences in their perceived effects from RPA. Then, differences were followed up in 14 in-depth interviews from public sector, financial industry and manufacturing, and oil and gas. Findings revealed that RPA indeed is used to lay-off or not reemploy knowledge workers. Further, we found different effects in public and private sector, and that private, financial companies have experienced the strongest reduction in the need for employment. We find that RPA often lead to lay-offs indirectly, and to reduced need for consultants, especially in financial companies. Public companies focus more on using RPA for innovations in their service production by increasing quality in data registration, handling invoices, and migrating data between systems. We conclude that RPA is maturing as a management tool where cost reductions through reduced employment is an important motivator, and we present propositions for further research.
PurposeThis study investigates which factors are conducive to individual job performance in large... more PurposeThis study investigates which factors are conducive to individual job performance in large-scale work from home (WFH) arrangements that rely on the current generation of technology, such as information and communications platforms.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers proposed a research model based on research on WFH arrangements. The model was tested based on a survey of 1,183 respondents who engaged in large-scale WFH arrangements during an extensive national COVID-19 lockdown.FindingsThe proposed research model explains 41% of the variance in individual job performance in WFH arrangements. The findings show that the strongest positive predictors for job performance are home office quality and the reach and communication quality of information and communications platforms. A sense of professional isolation was found to have a negative impact.Originality/valueThis study is based on a unique situation of large-scale mandatory WFH arrangements that are comparable to a na...
This article presents an empirical study of key IS issues among Norwegian IS managers. We look at... more This article presents an empirical study of key IS issues among Norwegian IS managers. We look at which issues the IS managers perceive as most important. In addition we test how the perception of key issue importance is moderated by industry type and position. We find that four issues are significantly correlated with industry type or IS manager position.
Abstract Digital transformation has become an increasingly important topic among enterprises and ... more Abstract Digital transformation has become an increasingly important topic among enterprises and in research. The adoption of enterprise systems is such an investment, and it usually requires significant change management activities to realize the potential benefits. One important issue is how firms should go about to make investments in appropriate digital technology – and the appropriate changes to organizational processes and business models. This is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They generally have very limited resources, and they usually depend on external input and cooperation with other companies. Therefore, a successful strategy for many SMEs has been to cooperate with other companies to co-create digital assets. There is limited research on co-creation among SMEs, and we know little about how they should go about to initiate a co-creation network. We have therefore developed a conceptual model of a co-creation canvas based on a review of the literature and co-creation cases. This canvas can be a useful tool for SMEs to better grasp how they should approach the formation of a co-creation network in their industry.
This article argues that employee co-creation, enabled by web 2.0 technologies, can contribute to... more This article argues that employee co-creation, enabled by web 2.0 technologies, can contribute to successful digital transformation of healthcare services. The question of how to enable effective employee co-creation is under-researched (Lenka et al. 2017; Galvagno and Dalli 2014). Employee participation in co-creation is stated as an important enabler of digitalization and service improvements (Gronroos and Voima 2012). The Nordic Model for employee participation has proven successful for enhancing working life effectiveness and innovation (Nielsen et al. 2012). This article propose that these principles of employee participation can be further enhanced by using web 2.0 technologies for Enterprise Social Networks. The article concludes with a discussion of consequences for the digital transformation of healthcare services as well as implications for research and practice.
There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. Research... more There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. Research has documented that digital transformation is a very challenging endeavour, especially for small and medium- sized enterprises. There is a general lack of research on the digital transformation phenomenon, and in particular on how such transformation takes place in a network of small and medium-sized firms. This paper reports from a study of a cluster of performing arts organizations, Blender Collective. They realized that audience data is a key issue, and that they lack the tools to work strategically with audiences. Blender Collective members therefore engaged in a project to develop a collaborative approach towards strategic audience development. We found that the most important perceived benefits were better ability to target customers, better ability to share data and knowledge, and the development of the cultural industry. The most important challenges were lack of ownership, lack...
The purpose of this paper is to use the information systems- and management literature and cross-... more The purpose of this paper is to use the information systems- and management literature and cross-sectional case studies to construct a model of the concepts and factors impacting of e-health technology enabled service innovation. The model and the findings of this study should be of general interest to both researchers and practitioners internationally and in Norway. The Dynamic Capabilities View (DCV) models goal of more cost efficient processes has reference to the familiar challenges of health care in an aging population; lack of hands and rising costs. These perspectives are summarized in a testable model based on the DCV and this explorative study. Through this research, the authors have focused on finding the transmission mechanism between alliance orientation and process orientation. It is identified as organizational learning. This research has also shown that a lack of a central goal mission and planning structures hampers this desired transmission
The purpose of this article is to close a gap in the literature on the role of process management... more The purpose of this article is to close a gap in the literature on the role of process management for service innovations in the eHealth setting. We conducted an explorative case study of the nature and impact of process orientation for service innovations in the context of eHealth. Interviews and surveys over two subsequent years were combined and revealed that the relevance and importance of process orientation grew as the project progressed. Process documentation, support from management, knowledge on process improvement and use of IT tools, and a culture supporting process work appeared as challenges to service innovations. Surveys to informants from the organizations participating in the project, over two successive years, allowed a further test of how the dimensions of process orientation could explain the level of service innovations experienced by the participants. We found significant correlations between process culture and service innovations, and other project related ou...
34th Bled eConference Digital Support from Crisis to Progressive Change: Conference Proceedings, 2021
The main aim of this study is to review the literature relating to the factors that contribute to... more The main aim of this study is to review the literature relating to the factors that contribute to the business digital divide. A systematic literature review was conducted using two databases (Scopus and Web of Science). A total of 28 articles were selected and analyzed. The selected studies are conducted in various developing and developed countries, including all firm sizes and different sectors, and cover several different digital technologies. Identified factors determining the business digital divide are categorized as technological, organizational, and environmental factors. The discussion and the potentials for further research are also presented.
Dette arbeidet tar utgangspunkt i de vansker organisasjoner ofte har med å oppnå lønnsomhet fra i... more Dette arbeidet tar utgangspunkt i de vansker organisasjoner ofte har med å oppnå lønnsomhet fra investeringer i moderne kommunikasjonsteknologier. En vanlig årsak er at brukeren foretrekker å kommunisere med tradisjonelle kommunikasjonsteknologier som møter, telefon og brev. I litteraturen er det ingen klar forståelse av årsakene til dette. I denne studien sammenliknes evalueringer og bruk aven rekke alternative kommunikasjonsteknologier. Slike sammenlikninger kan påvise årsaker til at visse teknologier vurderes mer egnet og velges framfor andre under bestemte forhold. Variasjoner i evalueringer av ulike teknologier ble videre forklart av egenskaper ved oppgaver, teknologier, brukere og sosiale omgivelser. Inkluderingen av disse variablene representerer en utvidelse i forhold til tradisjonelle forklaringsmodeller som antar at kun egenskaper ved teknologier vil påvirke evalueringer. Resultatene viser at teknologievalueringer både kan gis en teknologi- og en individforklaring. Resulta...
Studier av tidligere forskning viser at det er et gap i litteraturen om pilotprosjekters betydnin... more Studier av tidligere forskning viser at det er et gap i litteraturen om pilotprosjekters betydning for tjenesteinnovasjon/-utvikling, og dette gapet soker vi a utforske i vart arbeid. Vi har valgt et multicase design, hvor vi har fulgt et sett kommuner som har samarbeidet i et felles pilotprosjekt om innforing av teknologi for tilsyn med pleietrengende. Vare funn viser en utbredt frustrasjon fra IT-avdelingene, der stotte i ledelse og mangel pa mulighet til involvering, samt mangel pa ressurser og fravaer av standarder er viktige faktorer. Videre ser vi at det gjerne blir tatt lett pa pilotprosjekter, gjerne pa bakgrunn av pilotprosjektenes natur, der det ikke blir investert store belop. Til tross for at det er en rekke utfordringer med slike prosjekter, argumenterer vi for at det likevel kan vaere rasjonelt a gjennomfore pilotprosjekter for a teste ut ny teknologi i helsesektoren, men vare funn kan bidra til a styre disse prosjektene bedre. Videre forskning bor undersoke norske kom...
This is a conceptual article where we seek to combine the concepts of information systems framewo... more This is a conceptual article where we seek to combine the concepts of information systems frameworks and newer co-creation literature as a means to devise a model for servitization and digitalization. Servitization and digitalization are two megatrends that affect healthcare and public services along with other sectors in general. A new model is needed to prescribe how governance in an increasingly changing world of modern healthcare could be undertaken in a successful manner. The concept of good worklife ergonomics is studied, both as a prerequisite and as a success factor. This article proposes that the moderating, risk mitigating, factor of broadly based employee involvement in all phases from planning and design to implementation will greatly improve quality in both innovation-process, and outcomes. A case-study from a public homecare living lab eHealth-project in Norway is visited to highlight some of the challenges ahead. Our discussion and conclusion end up devising the propo...
There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. The crea... more There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. The creation of value from IS investments is a critical factor in digital transformation. It usually requires significant organizational transformation activities to realize the potential business value. Research has documented that the ability to realize IS value is a very challenging endeavor, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who because of resource poverty are dependent on external input and cooperation with other companies. There is a general lack of research on how IS business value is co-created, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises. This paper builds on the findings on value co-creation in a cluster of performing arts enterprises, to theorize about how co-creation among enterprises contribute to IS business value. The enterprises in the cluster engaged in a project to develop a collaborative approach towards strategic audience development utilizing C...
The low e-Business implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an important is... more The low e-Business implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an important issue in most countries. This chapter examines the relationship between training, competence and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and discusses the implications for practice and further research. The study combined data about e-business competences and performance in 339 SMEs with data about training supply from 116 providers of e-business related training in three European countries. The authors find a positive relationship between training, competence and performance and show that training explains variances in e-business competences and performance in terms of efficiency, complementarities, lock-in and novelty. The research contributes to theoretical development by lending support to the idea that methodological issues are an important reason behind the lack of empirical support frequently reported in the literature. The study has practical implications for public policy makers, training suppliers and SME managers.
This paper explores an almost axiomatic claim in the literature that robotic process automation (... more This paper explores an almost axiomatic claim in the literature that robotic process automation (RPA) represents no threat to knowledge workers who will get fewer routine tasks and more interesting and cognitively challenging work. We explore this claim with data from a sequential quantitative-qualitative, mixed-method study in Norway. 88 RPA users from different sectors and industries where first surveyed to identify differences in their perceived effects from RPA. Then, differences were followed up in 14 in-depth interviews from public sector, financial industry and manufacturing, and oil and gas. Findings revealed that RPA indeed is used to lay-off or not reemploy knowledge workers. Further, we found different effects in public and private sector, and that private, financial companies have experienced the strongest reduction in the need for employment. We find that RPA often lead to lay-offs indirectly, and to reduced need for consultants, especially in financial companies. Public companies focus more on using RPA for innovations in their service production by increasing quality in data registration, handling invoices, and migrating data between systems. We conclude that RPA is maturing as a management tool where cost reductions through reduced employment is an important motivator, and we present propositions for further research.
PurposeThis study investigates which factors are conducive to individual job performance in large... more PurposeThis study investigates which factors are conducive to individual job performance in large-scale work from home (WFH) arrangements that rely on the current generation of technology, such as information and communications platforms.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers proposed a research model based on research on WFH arrangements. The model was tested based on a survey of 1,183 respondents who engaged in large-scale WFH arrangements during an extensive national COVID-19 lockdown.FindingsThe proposed research model explains 41% of the variance in individual job performance in WFH arrangements. The findings show that the strongest positive predictors for job performance are home office quality and the reach and communication quality of information and communications platforms. A sense of professional isolation was found to have a negative impact.Originality/valueThis study is based on a unique situation of large-scale mandatory WFH arrangements that are comparable to a na...
This article presents an empirical study of key IS issues among Norwegian IS managers. We look at... more This article presents an empirical study of key IS issues among Norwegian IS managers. We look at which issues the IS managers perceive as most important. In addition we test how the perception of key issue importance is moderated by industry type and position. We find that four issues are significantly correlated with industry type or IS manager position.
Abstract Digital transformation has become an increasingly important topic among enterprises and ... more Abstract Digital transformation has become an increasingly important topic among enterprises and in research. The adoption of enterprise systems is such an investment, and it usually requires significant change management activities to realize the potential benefits. One important issue is how firms should go about to make investments in appropriate digital technology – and the appropriate changes to organizational processes and business models. This is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They generally have very limited resources, and they usually depend on external input and cooperation with other companies. Therefore, a successful strategy for many SMEs has been to cooperate with other companies to co-create digital assets. There is limited research on co-creation among SMEs, and we know little about how they should go about to initiate a co-creation network. We have therefore developed a conceptual model of a co-creation canvas based on a review of the literature and co-creation cases. This canvas can be a useful tool for SMEs to better grasp how they should approach the formation of a co-creation network in their industry.
This article argues that employee co-creation, enabled by web 2.0 technologies, can contribute to... more This article argues that employee co-creation, enabled by web 2.0 technologies, can contribute to successful digital transformation of healthcare services. The question of how to enable effective employee co-creation is under-researched (Lenka et al. 2017; Galvagno and Dalli 2014). Employee participation in co-creation is stated as an important enabler of digitalization and service improvements (Gronroos and Voima 2012). The Nordic Model for employee participation has proven successful for enhancing working life effectiveness and innovation (Nielsen et al. 2012). This article propose that these principles of employee participation can be further enhanced by using web 2.0 technologies for Enterprise Social Networks. The article concludes with a discussion of consequences for the digital transformation of healthcare services as well as implications for research and practice.
There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. Research... more There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. Research has documented that digital transformation is a very challenging endeavour, especially for small and medium- sized enterprises. There is a general lack of research on the digital transformation phenomenon, and in particular on how such transformation takes place in a network of small and medium-sized firms. This paper reports from a study of a cluster of performing arts organizations, Blender Collective. They realized that audience data is a key issue, and that they lack the tools to work strategically with audiences. Blender Collective members therefore engaged in a project to develop a collaborative approach towards strategic audience development. We found that the most important perceived benefits were better ability to target customers, better ability to share data and knowledge, and the development of the cultural industry. The most important challenges were lack of ownership, lack...
The purpose of this paper is to use the information systems- and management literature and cross-... more The purpose of this paper is to use the information systems- and management literature and cross-sectional case studies to construct a model of the concepts and factors impacting of e-health technology enabled service innovation. The model and the findings of this study should be of general interest to both researchers and practitioners internationally and in Norway. The Dynamic Capabilities View (DCV) models goal of more cost efficient processes has reference to the familiar challenges of health care in an aging population; lack of hands and rising costs. These perspectives are summarized in a testable model based on the DCV and this explorative study. Through this research, the authors have focused on finding the transmission mechanism between alliance orientation and process orientation. It is identified as organizational learning. This research has also shown that a lack of a central goal mission and planning structures hampers this desired transmission
The purpose of this article is to close a gap in the literature on the role of process management... more The purpose of this article is to close a gap in the literature on the role of process management for service innovations in the eHealth setting. We conducted an explorative case study of the nature and impact of process orientation for service innovations in the context of eHealth. Interviews and surveys over two subsequent years were combined and revealed that the relevance and importance of process orientation grew as the project progressed. Process documentation, support from management, knowledge on process improvement and use of IT tools, and a culture supporting process work appeared as challenges to service innovations. Surveys to informants from the organizations participating in the project, over two successive years, allowed a further test of how the dimensions of process orientation could explain the level of service innovations experienced by the participants. We found significant correlations between process culture and service innovations, and other project related ou...
34th Bled eConference Digital Support from Crisis to Progressive Change: Conference Proceedings, 2021
The main aim of this study is to review the literature relating to the factors that contribute to... more The main aim of this study is to review the literature relating to the factors that contribute to the business digital divide. A systematic literature review was conducted using two databases (Scopus and Web of Science). A total of 28 articles were selected and analyzed. The selected studies are conducted in various developing and developed countries, including all firm sizes and different sectors, and cover several different digital technologies. Identified factors determining the business digital divide are categorized as technological, organizational, and environmental factors. The discussion and the potentials for further research are also presented.
Dette arbeidet tar utgangspunkt i de vansker organisasjoner ofte har med å oppnå lønnsomhet fra i... more Dette arbeidet tar utgangspunkt i de vansker organisasjoner ofte har med å oppnå lønnsomhet fra investeringer i moderne kommunikasjonsteknologier. En vanlig årsak er at brukeren foretrekker å kommunisere med tradisjonelle kommunikasjonsteknologier som møter, telefon og brev. I litteraturen er det ingen klar forståelse av årsakene til dette. I denne studien sammenliknes evalueringer og bruk aven rekke alternative kommunikasjonsteknologier. Slike sammenlikninger kan påvise årsaker til at visse teknologier vurderes mer egnet og velges framfor andre under bestemte forhold. Variasjoner i evalueringer av ulike teknologier ble videre forklart av egenskaper ved oppgaver, teknologier, brukere og sosiale omgivelser. Inkluderingen av disse variablene representerer en utvidelse i forhold til tradisjonelle forklaringsmodeller som antar at kun egenskaper ved teknologier vil påvirke evalueringer. Resultatene viser at teknologievalueringer både kan gis en teknologi- og en individforklaring. Resulta...
Studier av tidligere forskning viser at det er et gap i litteraturen om pilotprosjekters betydnin... more Studier av tidligere forskning viser at det er et gap i litteraturen om pilotprosjekters betydning for tjenesteinnovasjon/-utvikling, og dette gapet soker vi a utforske i vart arbeid. Vi har valgt et multicase design, hvor vi har fulgt et sett kommuner som har samarbeidet i et felles pilotprosjekt om innforing av teknologi for tilsyn med pleietrengende. Vare funn viser en utbredt frustrasjon fra IT-avdelingene, der stotte i ledelse og mangel pa mulighet til involvering, samt mangel pa ressurser og fravaer av standarder er viktige faktorer. Videre ser vi at det gjerne blir tatt lett pa pilotprosjekter, gjerne pa bakgrunn av pilotprosjektenes natur, der det ikke blir investert store belop. Til tross for at det er en rekke utfordringer med slike prosjekter, argumenterer vi for at det likevel kan vaere rasjonelt a gjennomfore pilotprosjekter for a teste ut ny teknologi i helsesektoren, men vare funn kan bidra til a styre disse prosjektene bedre. Videre forskning bor undersoke norske kom...
This is a conceptual article where we seek to combine the concepts of information systems framewo... more This is a conceptual article where we seek to combine the concepts of information systems frameworks and newer co-creation literature as a means to devise a model for servitization and digitalization. Servitization and digitalization are two megatrends that affect healthcare and public services along with other sectors in general. A new model is needed to prescribe how governance in an increasingly changing world of modern healthcare could be undertaken in a successful manner. The concept of good worklife ergonomics is studied, both as a prerequisite and as a success factor. This article proposes that the moderating, risk mitigating, factor of broadly based employee involvement in all phases from planning and design to implementation will greatly improve quality in both innovation-process, and outcomes. A case-study from a public homecare living lab eHealth-project in Norway is visited to highlight some of the challenges ahead. Our discussion and conclusion end up devising the propo...
There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. The crea... more There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. The creation of value from IS investments is a critical factor in digital transformation. It usually requires significant organizational transformation activities to realize the potential business value. Research has documented that the ability to realize IS value is a very challenging endeavor, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who because of resource poverty are dependent on external input and cooperation with other companies. There is a general lack of research on how IS business value is co-created, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises. This paper builds on the findings on value co-creation in a cluster of performing arts enterprises, to theorize about how co-creation among enterprises contribute to IS business value. The enterprises in the cluster engaged in a project to develop a collaborative approach towards strategic audience development utilizing C...
Uploads
Papers by Tom Roar Eikebrokk