An ongoing conversation in the Information Systems literature addresses the concern, "How can we conduct research that makes a difference?" A shortage of high-impact research will, over time, challenge the identity and weaken the viability of IS as an academic discipline. This paper presents the systematic high-impact research model (SHIR), an approach to conducting high-impact research. SHIR embodies the insight gained from three streams of high-impact research programs spanning more than 50 years. The SHIR framework rests on the proposition that IS researchers can produce higher-impact contributions by developing long-term research programs around major real-world issues, as opposed to ad hoc projects addressing a small piece of a large problem. These persistent research programs focus on addressing the entirety of an issue, by leveraging multidisciplinary, multiuniversity research centers that employ a breadth of research methods and large-scale projects. To function effectively, SHIR programs must be sustained by academic and practitioner partnerships, research centers, and outreach activities. We argue that SHIR research programs increase the likelihood of high impact research.

La présente thèse a pour objectif d’étudier la place du tableau de bord dans le pilotage de la performance des PME. Plus précisément, il s’agit de fournir un cadre explicatif aux pratiques de tableaux de bord des PME. La revue de littérature a permis d’une part de préciser et définir les principaux concepts et les principales notions utilisés dans le cadre de ce travail, et d’autre part de présenter et discuter un cadre théorique mixte sur lequel est basée l’élaboration de notre modèle de recherche. Suivant un raisonnement hypothético-déductif, un modèle explicatif des pratiques de tableaux de bord des PME est proposé. Ce modèle intègre une variable à expliquer « Pilotage de la performance », neuf variables explicatives de type organisationnel et comportemental, et une variable intermédiaire « Caractéristiques des TB ».Ce modèle est ensuite testé empiriquement. Les données collectées sont traitées en utilisant une analyse exploratoire et analyse confirmatoire par les méthodes des équations structurelles. Les résultats permettent de mettre en avant les facteurs déterminant les pratiques de tableaux de bord des PME. Ils permettent ainsi sur le plan théorique d’enrichir les travaux antérieurs portant sur le tableau de bord, et sur le plan pratique de fournir aux contrôleurs de gestion et aux dirigeants un cadre explicatif des pratiques de tableaux de bord des PME. / This thesis aims to study the role of balanced scorecard in managing the performance of SMEs. More specifically, it is to provide an explanatory framework to the practice of SMEs’ balanced scorecards. The literature review has allowed, on one hand, to clarify and define key concepts used in this work and, on the other hand, to present and discuss a mixed theoretical framework on which is based the development of our research model. Following a hypothetico-deductive reasoning, an explanatory model to the practice of SMEs’ balanced scorecards is proposed. This model incorporates one dependent variable "Performance management", nine explanatory variables (organizational and behavioral types), and one intermediate variable "Characteristics of balanced scorecards".This model is then tested empirically. The collected data are processed using an exploratory analysis and a confirmatory analysis by the methods of structural equations. The results help to highlight the determinants of the practice of SMEs’ balanced scorecards. Thus, theoretically, they enrich the previous work on the balanced scorecard and, practically, they provide to management controllers and managers an explanatory framework of the practice of SMEs’ balanced scorecards.

SUMMARY Modern dynamic society constantly raises new requiremant towards existing education systems. One of the most important factors determining the implementation of alteration are both the readiness of a teacher to alter and rise of shoolmasters qualification, that is the understanding of a new role, permanent training, the ability to think, interpret and find the most proper decisions solo. In this work is analyzed the problem: What reasons determine the involvement of schoolmasters in qualification improvement events? The purpose of the work is to analyze the training of staff in at different schools of general training. To reach this purpose the following tasks are projected: 1) to fulfill the analysis of literature sources studying the training of staff; 2) to unfold the attitude of school administration towards staff training; 3) to unfold teachers attitude towards staff training. Fulfilling practical research the aim is either to deny or to confirm the hypothesis that teacher take part in qualification improvement event stimulated with their inner motivation of qualification improvement. The objects of the research are gymnasium, secondary, common and primary schools and their teachers and heads. The research has been fulfilled with the help of questionnaires and interviews. The work consist of the following parts: content, preface, 3 chapters, conclusions and offers, the list of literature and annotation. In the first chapter the analysis of literature sources... [to full text]

Abstract The main focus of this study is the identification of factors influencing the use and effectiveness of information system development methodologies (Le., systems development methodologies) in health information systems. In essence, it can be viewed as exploratory research, utilizing a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships among the hypothesised factors. More specifically, classified as behavioural science, it combines two theoretical models, namely the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory. The main aim of behavioural science in information systems is to assist practitioners (Le., social actors) in improving business processes and competitiveness, thus the effective use of information systems. A wider view of behavioural science incorporates other social actors (e.g., end users) and organisational actors (e.g., executives). In health information systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant Health information systems are vital in the area of health care, since only by having access to pertinent health information, can the correct decisions relating to diagnostics and curative procedures be made. The use of systems development methodologies in health information systems development is therefore crucial, since they can make the development process more effective, while improving software quality. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilizing a survey as the main research method and structural equation modelling as the main statistical technique, meaningful results were obtained. Focussing on the factors influencing the individual's behavioural intent, it was found that the compatibility of systems development methodologies to the developer's pre-existing software development style is vital. Furthermore, performance expectancy, self-efficacy, organisational culture, policies, customer influence, voluntariness and facilitating conditions, all directly influenced the use of systems development methodologies, with policies and customer influence playing a significant role, especially in relation to health information systems. No significant direct effects or indirect effects could be established for the factors effort expectancy, personal innovativeness and social influence. It appears that individuals working in the health care software development discipline are more autonomous, less influenced by others. Also, the lack of support for the factor effort expectancy may indicate that systems development methodologies have entered a mature state, with less concern on the effort required for use. Furthermore, with regard to effectiveness and the continued use of information systems methodologies, satisfaction had a significant direct effect, with confirmation having a significant indirect effect. Keywords: behavioural science; conceptual research model; direct effect; exploratory research; Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory; indirect effect; Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; structural equation modelling; survey; systems development methodologies. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Abstract The main focus of this study is the identification of factors influencing the use and effectiveness of information system development methodologies (Le., systems development methodologies) in health information systems. In essence, it can be viewed as exploratory research, utilizing a conceptual research model to investigate the relationships among the hypothesised factors. More specifically, classified as behavioural science, it combines two theoretical models, namely the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and the Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory. The main aim of behavioural science in information systems is to assist practitioners (Le., social actors) in improving business processes and competitiveness, thus the effective use of information systems. A wider view of behavioural science incorporates other social actors (e.g., end users) and organisational actors (e.g., executives). In health information systems, the effective use of information systems is especially relevant Health information systems are vital in the area of health care, since only by having access to pertinent health information, can the correct decisions relating to diagnostics and curative procedures be made. The use of systems development methodologies in health information systems development is therefore crucial, since they can make the development process more effective, while improving software quality. By empirically evaluating the conceptual research model, utilizing a survey as the main research method and structural equation modelling as the main statistical technique, meaningful results were obtained. Focussing on the factors influencing the individual's behavioural intent, it was found that the compatibility of systems development methodologies to the developer's pre-existing software development style is vital. Furthermore, performance expectancy, self-efficacy, organisational culture, policies, customer influence, voluntariness and facilitating conditions, all directly influenced the use of systems development methodologies, with policies and customer influence playing a significant role, especially in relation to health information systems. No significant direct effects or indirect effects could be established for the factors effort expectancy, personal innovativeness and social influence. It appears that individuals working in the health care software development discipline are more autonomous, less influenced by others. Also, the lack of support for the factor effort expectancy may indicate that systems development methodologies have entered a mature state, with less concern on the effort required for use. Furthermore, with regard to effectiveness and the continued use of information systems methodologies, satisfaction had a significant direct effect, with confirmation having a significant indirect effect. Keywords: behavioural science; conceptual research model; direct effect; exploratory research; Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory; indirect effect; Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology; structural equation modelling; survey; systems development methodologies. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

It is generally believed that Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce has a great impact on business performance improvement. Considerable research also shows that another dependent variable, B2B e-commerce success, can be a good overall measure of B2B systems. This paper investigated and examined the impact of several factors, which are either internal or external to the firm on B2B performance improvement and B2B e-commerce success. It is suggested that the various factors affect B2B success through business performance improvement. A research model was developed to test and evaluate these factors. A survey instrument was developed to examine the relationships between these factors and business performance. Survey data was collected online from 143 companies in the U.S.A. and Taiwan where their B2B e-commerce systems were operational for more than 1 year. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to assess the measurement and the structural model. Analyses and results of the pooled survey data suggest that the following factors are significant in the B2B e-commerce environments: (a) alignment of business and e-commerce strategy has a positive impact on business performance, (b) strong relationships between the trading partners have a positive influence on business performance, and (c) B2B e-commerce success is significantly influenced by business performance improvements. Thus, firms that seek to implement successful B2B systems should focus on business performance improvements.

This thesis investigates the turbulent flow in the wake of the wing-body junction of the NASA Common Research Model to further reveal its complex vortical structure and to contribute to the reference database used for Computational Fluid Dynamics validation activities. Compressible flows near two wall-boundary layers occurs not only at the wing-body junction but at every control surface of an airplane, therefore increased knowledge about this complex flow structure could potentially improve the estimates of drag performance and control surface efficiency, primarily for minimizing the environmental impact of commercial flight. The airplane model is modified by adding an inboard flap to investigate the influence from the deflection on the vorticity and velocity field. Future flap designs and settings are discussed from a performance improvement point of view, with the investigated flow influence in mind. The experimental measurements for this thesis were collected using a Cobra Probe, a dynamic multi-hole pressure probe, for Reynolds numbers close to one million based on the wing root chord. A pre-programmed three-dimensional grid was used to cover the most interesting parts of the junction flow. The facility used for the tests is a 120 cm by 80 cm indraft, subsonic wind tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center’s Fluid Mechanics Lab, which provides an on-set flow speed of around Mach 0.15, corresponding to approximately 48 m/s. / Den här avhandlingen undersöker det turbulenta flödet runt övergången mellan flygplanskropp och vinge på en NASA Common Research Model för att vidare utforska den komplexa, tredimensionella strukturen av flödet och bidra till NASA’s officiella databas för jämförelser med simulerade flöden. Kompressibla flöden nära tvåväggsgränsskikt uppkommer inte bara vid övergången mellan flygplanskropp och vinge utan även vid varje kontrollyta på ett flygplan. Ökad kunskap om flödets beteende vid sådana områden kan därför bidra till en bättre uppskattning av prestanda och effektivitet av kontrollytorna och flygplanet i sin helhet, vilket kan bidra till minskad miljöpåverkan från kommersiell flygtrafik. Flygplansmodellen är modifierad genom montering av en vingklaff på den inre delen av vingen, detta för att undersöka hur olika vinklar på klaffarnas nedböjning påverkar flödets struktur och hastighetsfält. Framtida klaffdesigner och inställningar för ökad prestanda diskuteras även utifrån denna påverkan. Mätningarna i vindtunneln gjordes med en Cobra Probe, ett dynamisk tryckmätningsinstrument, speciellt designad för turbulenta och instabila flöden. Reynoldsnumren som generades av den subsoniska, indrags-vindtunneln var ungefär en miljon baserad på vingrotens längd, vilket motsvarar knappt en tiondel av normala flygförhållanden för samma flygplansmodell.

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L’objectif de cette thèse est de déterminer l’influence des facteurs de contingence sur l’utilité des tableaux de bord dans le pilotage de la performance des ETI. Pour atteindre un tel objectif, la revue de littérature a permis d’un côté, d’appréhender les principaux concepts théoriques utilisés dans ce travail, et d’autre côté de présenter un cadre de la recherche qui constitue la pierre angulaire sur laquelle est fondée la conception de notre modèle théorique. Issu d’une méthodologie hypothético-déductive et d’un positionnement positiviste, un modèle explicatif de l’utilité des tableaux de bord dans le pilotage de la performance des ETI est élaboré. Ce dernier incorpore une variable à expliquer « utilité des TB dans le pilotage de la performance », dix variables explicatives, et une variable médiatrice « diversité d’utilisation des indicateurs de TB ».Ensuite, ce modèle est testé auprès de 156 ETI implantées en France. Les données recueillies sont examinées en utilisant l’analyse en composantes principales et la méthode de régression linéaire multiple. Les résultats de cette étude quantitative exposent les facteurs de contingence expliquant l’utilité des TB dans le pilotage de la performance. Ainsi, cette thèse permet d’enrichir les travaux théoriques antérieurs relatifs aux défis de mesure de la performance, et pratiquement de procurer aux directeurs financiers et aux contrôleurs de gestion un cadre explicatif des nouvelles pratiques de mesure de la performance des ETI. / This thesis aims to determine the influence of contingency factors on the utility of balanced scorecards in the performance management of ISEs. To achieve this objective, the literature review has allowed, on the one hand, to understand the main theoretical concepts used in this work and, on the other hand, to present a research framework which is the cornerstone of our theoretical model. From a hypothetical-deductive methodology and a positivist position, an explanatory model of the utility of balanced scorecards in the performance management of ISEs is developed. The latter incorporates one dependent variable which explains the "utility of balanced scorecards in the performance management", ten explanatory variables and one mediating variable "diversity of use of BSC indicators".Then, this model is tested on 156 ISEs established in France. The data collected is examined using the principal components analysis and the multiple linear regression method. The results of this quantitative study expose contingency factors explaining the utility of BSC in the performance management. Thus, this thesis enriches the previous theoretical works on the challenges of measuring performance, and practically, provides CFOs and management controllers with an explanatory framework of the new practices of ISEs’ performance management.