No abstract

In this paper we propose a model for decision making under risk that is capable of predicting empirically observed preference patterns that have been found to be incompatible with the expected utility model. The model departs from the classical expected utility model by allowing utilities to depend on the lottery. The dependence of utilities on the lottery being evaluated is achieved by restricting the utility measure to a convenient parametric family of functions. The idea then is to use each lottery to determine a specific parameter value thus characterizing the utility function for each particular lottery. The expected value of this lottery dependent utility function provides the overall measure of preference. The model retains the properties of transitivity, stochastic dominance, and continuity. It also permits types of analyses, such as exploitation of basic attitudes toward risk through risk aversion properties, that have been found useful in decision theory. The primary use of our model is in descriptive or predictive research and applications. For some decision makers who wish to retain the preference patterns that are incompatible with the substitution principle, even after the implications of their choices are made transparent, our model could be of prescriptive use as well.utility theory, preference theory

Although some authors have stated that effective IT governance is crucial for any organization to achieve its corporate goals, little empirical research is available supporting the assumptions regarding the factors that determine the effectiveness of IT governance. This paper analyzes the main IT governance domains (i.e., IT strategic alignment, IT risk management, IT value delivery, IT resource management, and IT performance management) and the presence of several IT governance mechanisms that constitute antecedents of IT governance effectiveness. We used partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modeling to test our hypotheses based on survey data from 87 large Brazilian companies. Our results show IT strategic alignment, IT value delivery, IT risk management, and IT performance management have a positive and significant impact on the effectiveness of IT governance. Further, we found associations of structural, procedural, and relational mechanisms with the main IT governance domains suggesting their adoption can improve IT governance within organizations.

Recentemente, tem sido foco de interesse entre os executivos o tema governança de TI, de modo a justificar os investimentos realizados em Tecnologia da Informação (TI). Algumas pesquisas têm levantado indícios de que empresas que possuem bons modelos de governança de TI apresentam resultados superiores aos de seus concorrentes. Entretanto, as pesquisas científicas realizadas até agora não permitiram concluir se um desempenho superior da governança de TI se reflete no resultado financeiro. Dessa forma, buscou-se verificar se as empresas que adotaram mecanismos de Governança de TI melhoraram seu desempenho financeiro, comparando indicadores de performance pré e pós-adoção. O estudo permitiu concluir que as empresas que adotaram tais mecanismos melhoraram significativamente seu desempenho quando comparadas ao grupo de empresas que não possuía tais mecanismos, especialmente em relação às medidas de rentabilidade. Identificou-se, ainda, que a diferença entre o desempenho das empresas com governança de TI e as demais foi mais intensa no ano seguinte à adoção do que no ano em que os mecanismos foram adotados.

Many studies have highlighted the capacity Information Technology (IT) has for generating value for organizations. Investments in IT made by organizations have increased each year. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to analyze the IT Business Value for Information Intensive Organizations (IIO-e.g. banks, insurance companies and securities brokers). The research method consisted of a survey that used and combined the models from Weill and Broadbent (1998) and Gregor, Martin, Fernandez, Stern and Vitale (2006). Data was gathered using an adapted instrument containing 5 dimensions (Strategic, Informational, Transactional, Transformational and Infrastructure) with 27 items. The instrument was refined by employing statistical techniques such as Exploratory and Confirmatory Factorial Analysis through Structural Equations (first and second order Model Measurement). The final model is composed of four factors related to IT Business Value: Strategic, Informational, Transactional and Transformational, arranged in 15 items. The dimension Infrastructure was excluded during the model refinement process because it was discovered during interviews that managers were unable to perceive it as a distinct dimension of IT Business Value.

No abstract

Research on software measurement can be organized around five key conceptual and methodological issues: how to apply measurement theory to software, how to frame software metrics, how to develop metrics, how to collect core measures, and how to analyze measures. The subject is of special concern for the industry, which is interested in improving practices — mainly in developing countries, where the software industry represents an opportunity for growth and usually receives institutional support for matching international quality standards. Academics are also in need of understanding and developing more effective methods for managing the software process and assessing the success of products and services, as a result of an enhanced awareness about the emergency of aligning business processes and information systems. This paper unveils the fundamentals of measurement in software engineering and discusses current issues and foreseeable trends for the subject. A literature review was performed within major academic publications in the last decade, and findings suggest a sensible shift of measurement interests towards managing the software process as a whole — without losing from sight the customary focus on hard issues like algorithm efficiency and worker productivity.

O setor bancário tem investido bilhões de dólares em Tecnologia de Informação (TI), sendo a concorrência e a rivalidade os principais fatores que têm justificado esta prática. Entretanto, ainda é tema de discussão no meio acadêmico se estes investimentos trazem benefícios reais às organizações.Neste estudo, avalia-se a eficiência de 74 bancos brasileiros, destacando-se os investimentos realizados em TI. O modelo proposto é baseado na técnica não-paramétrica Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), que analisa a conversão dos investimentos realizados em TI (inputs) em valores que possam trazer retornos (outputs) para as organizações analisadas - apontando indicadores de sucesso e insucesso. Os resultados indicam que: (a) os bancos que mais investem em TI apresentam melhores índices de eficiência; (b) os bancos "Estrangeiros" e com capital "Privado Nacional e Participação Estrangeira" apresentam os melhores índices médios de eficiência global; e (c) nenhum banco "Público Estadual" é classificado como eficiente.