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We conceptualize the new phenomenon of the Fractional Chief Information Officer (CIO) as a part-time executive who usually works for more than one primarily small- to medium-sized enterprise (SME) and develop promising avenues for future research on Fractional CIOs. We conduct an empirical study by drawing on semi-structured interviews with 40 individuals from 10 different countries who occupy a Fractional CIO role. We derive a definition for the Fractional CIO, distinguish it from other forms of employment, and compare it with existing research on CIO roles. Further, we find four salient engagement types of Fractional CIOs offering value for SMEs in various situations: Strategic IT management, Restructuring, Rapid scaling, and Hands-on support. The results reveal similarities with existing CIO roles as well as novel insights concerning the different engagement types. Lastly, we propose a research agenda for the Fractional CIO field, based on four research themes derived from existing CIO research and insights from the interviews.

Yes / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, July 2019.

No / The purpose of this paper is to present a knowledge management (KM) tool which has been designed to support the creation of virtual knowledge sharing networks (KSNs). It is a software-based application that enables the sharing of knowledge related to the implementation of manufacturing excellence (ME) best practices and improvement tools. A survey of SMEs was carried out to investigate the implementation of ME best practices. The results indicated that that the main barrier to the implementation of best practices, quality models and improvement tools is a lack of knowledge about these initiatives due to the resource constraints experienced by SMEs. This led to the development of a KM tool to support the creation of virtual networks to enable SMEs to manage improvement projects and share effectively the generated knowledge. The KM tool is currently at the stage of validation and its future implementation is also under consideration. The KM tool supports the creation of KSNs through an explicit KM approach to share ideas, experiences and knowledge about implementation of best practices and improvement tools; helping SMEs to become more competitive. This research has demonstrated that is possible to provide a KM tool that is suitable for use by a KSN of SMEs. This approach allows transferring some of the tacit and explicit knowledge generated during the implementation of improvement initiatives into electronic documents for future consultation by KSN members.

No / Family entrepreneurial teams are groups of related individuals who engage in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurial teams studies emphasize the resources that members bring to the team. Family business studies suggest that relationships and social theories are important. Social capital explains the formation and composition of family entrepreneurial teams (FETs). Analysis is of case studies of FETs based in Honduras. A shared commitment to entrepreneurial stewardship of the family's assets underpins formation of FETs. Trust and shared values were important for membership. This study highlights that families are not internally consistent, and family ties are not equally strong.

Background  In the realm of contemporary marketing the implementation of AI Chatbots has emerged as a pivotal subject shaping brand perception and satisfaction in micro-businesses. As businesses increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into their customer service operations, understanding the implications of AI chatbot implementation on brand perception and satisfaction in micro-businesses becomes paramount. Purpose  The purpose of this paper is to gain a further understanding of how AI Chatbots affects brand perception and satisfaction in micro-businesses. The answer to this research question will not only contribute to resolving the identified gap but also offer actionable insights and recommendations for micro-business owners and managers. Method  A qualitative research approach has been selected. The approach entails employing AI Chatbots in three different micro-businesses and conducting interviews with three potential clients of each micro-business. Conclusion  The study demonstrates that AI Chatbots significantly influence brand perception and brand satisfaction in micro-businesses, enhancing the brand image by presenting a modern and friendly persona. However, their impact on brand satisfaction varies across different types of businesses; low-effort businesses see noticeable improvements while high-effort ones, like plastic surgery services, do not experience substantial gains due to already high expectations.

Avsikten med denna studie är att bidra med fördjupad förståelse av traineeprogram inom konsultbranschen utifrån traineernas upplevelser. Studien grundas i en kvalitativ metod, med empirin bestående av nio semistrukturerade intervjuer. Urvalet för denna studie är traineer på ett specifikt företag. Resultaten visar på att traineerna gynnas av en stark gemenskap på programmet, där deltagarna både påverkar och påverkas av traineeprogrammets struktur, samt utmaningen för traineerna i att få sina första yrkeserfarenheter. Slutsatsen är att det inom konsultbranschen finns en förståelse för att yrkesbefattningens kompetens även bygger på specifika konsultkunskaper och att traineeprogram bidrar med ett meningsskapande kring vad det innebär att vara en bra konsult. Utmaningarna uppstår när traineerna applicerar sina teoretiska kunskaper i praktiskt arbete, och övergången från teori till praktik underlättas av möjligheten att arbeta på projekt hos kunder. Studien visar även på hur traineers lärande möjliggörs av starka gruppgemenskaper. / This study aims to contribute to a deep understanding of trainee programmes within the consulting vocation from the experiences of trainees. The study is based on a qualitative methodology and nine semi structured interviews. The sample for this study is trainees from a specific company. The results indicate that trainees gain a strong community of practice within the programme, where the participants both shape and are shaped by the trainee programme. The trainees also face challenges in acquiring their first professional experiences. Our conclusion is that within the consulting industry, there is an understanding that the competencies required within professional roles also include specific consulting skills and that trainee programs contribute to the creation of meaning regarding what it means to be a good consultant. Challenges for the trainees learning appear in the transformation of theoretical knowledge to practical work, where the transition from theory to practice is facilitated by working on client projects. This study also shows that trainees learning is enabled by strong communities of practice.

The purpose of this study is three-fold. First, based on the synthesis of literature on quality concepts, critical factors that must be practiced to achieve effective quality management in an organization were identified. A framework to be used by organizations to evaluate their quality assurance practices were developed. Second, a field survey was conducted to identify the degree to which quality assurance is being practiced in Indian Manufacturing organizations and to locate the organizational areas where better management control can make the quality assurance system more effective. Finally, an attempt was made to develop models that could be used to forecast the level of quality achieved.

by Chou Hsin Yi, Samtani Lavina Santu. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-90). / ABSTRACT --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.v / Chapter CHAPTER I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / The Concept of Telecommuting --- p.1 / """Telecommuting"" and ""Teleworking""" --- p.1 / "Definition of "" Telecommuting “" --- p.3 / Driving Forces --- p.4 / Who is a Telecommuter? --- p.6 / Telecommuting in the Context of Hong Kong --- p.8 / Methodology --- p.10 / Chapter CHAPTER II --- TELECOMMUTING AS A PRACTICE --- p.13 / Pervasive in Traditional and IT-Related Industries --- p.13 / Successful Examples --- p.13 / Nationwide Figures --- p.14 / Actors and Driving Forces --- p.16 / Individual Perspective --- p.16 / Organizational Perspective --- p.19 / Societal Perspective --- p.21 / Not as Pervasive --- p.21 / Chapter CHAPTER III --- MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS & LOCAL TELECOMS --- p.23 / Background --- p.23 / The Two Voices: Managers and Employees --- p.23 / The Managers' Perspective --- p.24 / The Employees' Perspective --- p.30 / The Other Two Voices： Men and Women --- p.35 / Synopsis --- p.38 / Chapter CHAPTER IV --- INTERNET STARTUPS --- p.40 / Background --- p.40 / The Two Voices: Managers and Employees --- p.41 / The Managers' Perspective --- p.41 / The Employees' Perspective --- p.41 / The Other Two Voices: Men and Women --- p.47 / Synposis --- p.52 / Chapter CHAPTER V --- SELF-EMPLOYED ENTREPRENEURS --- p.54 / A Commercial Software Consultant --- p.55 / Technical Director at InstruX.com.hk --- p.55 / Synopsis --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER VI --- DISCUSSION --- p.60 / Type of Organisation --- p.62 / The Notion of Teamwork --- p.62 / Relationship Between Managers and Employees --- p.63 / Job-Related Perceptions --- p.66 / Gender-Related Perceptions --- p.65 / The Connection Between Work and Non-Work Domains --- p.67 / The Role of Technology --- p.69 / The Role of Relationships --- p.70 / Concluding Remarks --- p.71 / Food For Thought --- p.75 / APPENDIX --- p.76 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.81