Purpose -The information system (IS) literature has previously emphasized the positive contribution of IT-enabled quality information on decision making and firm performance, particularly when firms operate in highly competitive and uncertain settings. Yet, our understanding of how such information potentially transforms transport operations and generates improvements in organizational performance is limited. In response, the authors conduct an exploratory comparative case study of three transport firms that have introduced the global positioning system (GPS) in their operations. The purpose of this paper is to focus on assessing changes in transport operations due to the use of the quality information GPS provides and the link between these changes and organizational benefits. Design/methodology/approach -Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, direct observations and archival documentation in the three transport firms. Applying methods of a comparative case study, the data were analyzed by employing iterative and inductive analyses. Findings -The results identify transport operations as the missing element in a more comprehensive explanation of previously hypothesized relationships between information quality improvements and organizational benefits in road transportation. Notably, it was found that different information quality affects transport operations in various ways. In addition, improved transport operations, namely transport service planning, vehicle routing and transport control, result in improved customer service, enhanced transport asset utilization, reduced transport costs and time, and in increased satisfaction of employees working within the transport process.Research limitations/implications -The paper offers a series of propositions that aims to stimulate empirical research and theoretical thinking on this topical subject. Practical implications -The findings offer valuable insights to transport firms, while providing and improving information quality for transport service planning, vehicle routing and transport control that results in organizational benefits linked to customer service, transport asset utilization, costs, and employee satisfaction. For information to have practical value, firms must use it in those transport operations identified as adding value to the firms' performance. Originality/value -To the best of the authors' knowledge this is an early attempt to inform firms in the transport industry about the information quality change following from GPS use and its implications for transport operations.
Although the impact of ICT-enabled information on firm performance has been well documented in the business value of IT literature, our understanding of how GPS adoption can transform operational decision-making and foster differential firm performance is limited.In response, we conduct an exploratory comparative case study of three transport firms that have implemented the same GPS during the same year in their operations. Our results highlight that increased use of GPS-enabled information can enhance information quality and make operational decision-making more fact-based and collaborative. We also find that such transformations in operational decision-making, driven by increased use of GPS-enabled information, can foster differential performance impacts. However, we warn scholars and practitioners that a firm's information management capability (in terms of availability of quality information in decision-making, software tools for connectivity and access to information, IT systems integration post-GPS adoption and adaptability of the infrastructure to emerging business needs) and organizational factors (such as such as top management support, project management of GPS implementation, financial support, end-user involvement, rewarding, training and employee resistance) can facilitate (or inhibit) effective use of GPS-enabled information in operational decision-making and, thus, moderate differential performance benefits of GPS adoption.
Information quality available to knowledge workers at various organizational levels within companies is of high priority in today's highly uncertain business environment. However, quality information is of little value to companies if it has not been used in decision making process. Previous works suggest a positive relationship between information quality and use, although there is limited empirical support to it. Moreover, the influence of additional organizational factors, such as decision making culture, has not been empirically tested in conjunction with information quality -information use relationship. The quantitative analysis carried out on data from two industries from Slovenian medium and large organizations shows a positive relationship of information quality on use of information. Yet, decision making culture has a suppressing effect on this relationship, thus bringing important implications for management and future research.
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