Small firms & e-business uptake : Embracing an incremental learning approach
- Braun, Patrice, Harman, Jessie
- Authors: Braun, Patrice , Harman, Jessie
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 17th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, Brisbane : 26 - 27th September, 2004
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: To date, most research into the implications of the Internet for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) has focused on individual business barriers to information and communication technologies (ICT) and e-business adoption. Such research has shown that SMEs tend to be time and resource-poor, with their size being their main disadvantage vis-à-vis ICT adoption. Government intervention designed to overcome such barriers and facilitate adoption of ICT has not markedly increased the uptake of e-business by SMEs. In this discussion paper, the authors posit that the current approach to ICT adoption interventions fail to take into account the incremental nature of the SMEs e-business learning processes. An incremental learning model adapted from Earl (2000) is presented that positions ICT adoption as an evolutionary process and stresses the need for continuous learning and change. To help small business owners articulate, value and meet their evolving e-business needs, the authors suggest that ICT adoption strategies should focus on facilitating not only the acquisition of skills and knowledge, but also the development of e-business networks which underpin the SME ICT adoption process.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000795
- Authors: Braun, Patrice , Harman, Jessie
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 17th Annual Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, Brisbane : 26 - 27th September, 2004
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: To date, most research into the implications of the Internet for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) has focused on individual business barriers to information and communication technologies (ICT) and e-business adoption. Such research has shown that SMEs tend to be time and resource-poor, with their size being their main disadvantage vis-à-vis ICT adoption. Government intervention designed to overcome such barriers and facilitate adoption of ICT has not markedly increased the uptake of e-business by SMEs. In this discussion paper, the authors posit that the current approach to ICT adoption interventions fail to take into account the incremental nature of the SMEs e-business learning processes. An incremental learning model adapted from Earl (2000) is presented that positions ICT adoption as an evolutionary process and stresses the need for continuous learning and change. To help small business owners articulate, value and meet their evolving e-business needs, the authors suggest that ICT adoption strategies should focus on facilitating not only the acquisition of skills and knowledge, but also the development of e-business networks which underpin the SME ICT adoption process.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000795
Stories from the back paddock : Community building in the Pyrenees shire
- Harman, Jessie, Clark, David
- Authors: Harman, Jessie , Clark, David
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 2nd National Conference on the Future of Australia's Country Towns, Bendigo, Victoria : 11th - 13th July, 2005
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In 2001 the Victorian Government launched its Community Building initiative. As part of this initiative the government funded 11 locally based community building demonstration projects. One of these projects is located within the Pyrenees Shire. In this discussion paper the authors examine the Pyrenees Shire’s Community Building Demonstration Project, describing the program and its objectives. They focus on the factors which have had a significant impact on the community building process within the municipality, identifying factors which have both facilitated and impeded the process. In terms of facilitating factors they identify a number: the involvement of community champions, strong local government support and community readiness, the capacity to deliver ‘runs on the board’ early in the life of the project, along with a flexible planning process. Conversely, they identify factors which have impeded the community building process in the Shire. Lack of continuity of personnel, an inability to develop shared understanding on occasions and difficulties associated with engaging disparate groups are described. This paper is significant for a number of reasons. In the first instance, it contributes useful, ‘real time’ insights into the implementation of community building in regional Victoria. Secondly it may, through its contribution to theory building and managerial practice, develop and strengthen community building programs in the future. Finally, at the level of public policy, it may contribute to the growing body of knowledge around the efficiency, effectiveness and appropriateness of these types of regional interventions.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001459
- Authors: Harman, Jessie , Clark, David
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the 2nd National Conference on the Future of Australia's Country Towns, Bendigo, Victoria : 11th - 13th July, 2005
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In 2001 the Victorian Government launched its Community Building initiative. As part of this initiative the government funded 11 locally based community building demonstration projects. One of these projects is located within the Pyrenees Shire. In this discussion paper the authors examine the Pyrenees Shire’s Community Building Demonstration Project, describing the program and its objectives. They focus on the factors which have had a significant impact on the community building process within the municipality, identifying factors which have both facilitated and impeded the process. In terms of facilitating factors they identify a number: the involvement of community champions, strong local government support and community readiness, the capacity to deliver ‘runs on the board’ early in the life of the project, along with a flexible planning process. Conversely, they identify factors which have impeded the community building process in the Shire. Lack of continuity of personnel, an inability to develop shared understanding on occasions and difficulties associated with engaging disparate groups are described. This paper is significant for a number of reasons. In the first instance, it contributes useful, ‘real time’ insights into the implementation of community building in regional Victoria. Secondly it may, through its contribution to theory building and managerial practice, develop and strengthen community building programs in the future. Finally, at the level of public policy, it may contribute to the growing body of knowledge around the efficiency, effectiveness and appropriateness of these types of regional interventions.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003001459
Factors influencing successful collaboration : The case of dKnet
- Authors: Harman, Jessie
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at Partnerships, Proof and Practice - International Nonprofit and Social Marketing Conference, Wollongong : 15th -16th July 2008
- Full Text:
- Description: Nonprofit organisations in Australia are facing increasing pressure to collaborate, yet much remains to be learned about the factors facilitating successful collaboration performance. This research explores a successful collaboration between eight disability services organisations in Victoria, centred on a shared Internet based knowledge management system. The research seeks to answer the key question: What are the factors associated with successful collaboration in this case? The research confirms a number of factors previously identified in the collaboration performance literature, but also identifies other factors (such as decision-making authority, institutional legitimacy and trust) which are understudied at the current time. Managers of nonprofit organisations (NPOs) in Australia face increasing pressure to engage in inter-organisational collaborations. Policy makers, funders and practitioners alike are extolling the benefits of collaboration; as a way of building financial sustainability, increasing innovation, even as a means to a more just and equitable society (Austin, 2000; Emerson and Twersky, 1996). For small NPOs in particular, collaboration with other nonprofits around such core functions such as marketing may hold particular promise. However, engaging in collaboration seems difficult in practice and much remains to be learned about the factors that influence its success. Against this backdrop, this paper explores a successful collaboration between eight nonprofit disability services organisations across Victoria. It seeks to answer the question: what are the factors associated with successful collaboration in this case? The paper is organised as follows. Section one provides a brief overview of the literature of collaboration performance and the method used by the researcher in this particular case. Section two provides some background to the collaboration (dKnet). It goes on to detail its outcomes and the factors that have significantly influenced its success. The paper concludes with a discussion of these findings and their implications for practitioners, policy makers and researchers of collaboration, nonprofit management and marketing.
- Authors: Harman, Jessie
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at Partnerships, Proof and Practice - International Nonprofit and Social Marketing Conference, Wollongong : 15th -16th July 2008
- Full Text:
- Description: Nonprofit organisations in Australia are facing increasing pressure to collaborate, yet much remains to be learned about the factors facilitating successful collaboration performance. This research explores a successful collaboration between eight disability services organisations in Victoria, centred on a shared Internet based knowledge management system. The research seeks to answer the key question: What are the factors associated with successful collaboration in this case? The research confirms a number of factors previously identified in the collaboration performance literature, but also identifies other factors (such as decision-making authority, institutional legitimacy and trust) which are understudied at the current time. Managers of nonprofit organisations (NPOs) in Australia face increasing pressure to engage in inter-organisational collaborations. Policy makers, funders and practitioners alike are extolling the benefits of collaboration; as a way of building financial sustainability, increasing innovation, even as a means to a more just and equitable society (Austin, 2000; Emerson and Twersky, 1996). For small NPOs in particular, collaboration with other nonprofits around such core functions such as marketing may hold particular promise. However, engaging in collaboration seems difficult in practice and much remains to be learned about the factors that influence its success. Against this backdrop, this paper explores a successful collaboration between eight nonprofit disability services organisations across Victoria. It seeks to answer the question: what are the factors associated with successful collaboration in this case? The paper is organised as follows. Section one provides a brief overview of the literature of collaboration performance and the method used by the researcher in this particular case. Section two provides some background to the collaboration (dKnet). It goes on to detail its outcomes and the factors that have significantly influenced its success. The paper concludes with a discussion of these findings and their implications for practitioners, policy makers and researchers of collaboration, nonprofit management and marketing.
101 strategies for recruiting and retaining members
- Harman, Jessie, Smith, Jenny
- Authors: Harman, Jessie , Smith, Jenny
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Developed for Rotary International the book has been distributed in Australia and overseas, and has been recognised by Rotary International in Evanstown, USA, as a first class resource for Rotary Clubs. Rotary Clubs throughout Australia, New Zealand and United States are using the book to inform recruitment and retention strategies for Rotary volunteers
- Description: A1
- Description: 2003002468
- Authors: Harman, Jessie , Smith, Jenny
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Developed for Rotary International the book has been distributed in Australia and overseas, and has been recognised by Rotary International in Evanstown, USA, as a first class resource for Rotary Clubs. Rotary Clubs throughout Australia, New Zealand and United States are using the book to inform recruitment and retention strategies for Rotary volunteers
- Description: A1
- Description: 2003002468
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