ABSTRACT. Outsourcing is already a well-established practice that allows enterprises on one hand to reduce their costs and, on the other hand, to focus on their core business. Over the years, inter-organizational relationships with suppliers and customers became an important requirement, not only to protect businesses against the limits that outsourcing has, but also to co-create value and to be increasingly competitive in a market characterized by rapid and continuous change, and by the resulting uncertainty. The aim of this paper is to make an explorative study trying to analyse, in this light, the “games with a purpose”. Nowadays games are increasingly developed and used by an ever-growing number of people. Paper tries to evaluate the potential benefit that they could have also within the business, for example, as a new cheap form of outsourcing.

ABSTRACT. Organizational identity is a dynamic concept, as it changes over time. Recent research has highlighted that globalization and the expansion of social media in the past decade have re-invigorated discussions of organizational change and organizational identity change. Social media are strongly integrated into social and economic life, and have become an emerging topic in many disciplines. However, they have not been studied much in relation to organizational identity change. Thus, it is still unknown whether and how they can be used for measuring organizational identity change. To address this gap this paper aims to explore how social media (specifically, LinkedIn) can be used to understand and measure internal organizational members’ perceptions of organizational identity change and how these internal members reflect this change in their own LinkedIn accounts. The Research Case Company is Italian, with more than 10 international branches. It was chosen as a research setting because it has recently changed its name to give renewed emphasis to who they are and what they do. The research follows an empirical case study approach. Data was manually collected from employees’ public LinkedIn profiles and analyzed using linear regression. This research is part of broader doctoral research focusing on organizational identity change in the Research Case Company, where it also aims to help the Research Case Company to develop and implement organizational values.

ABSTRACT. In a digital disrupting world, decision makers need to understand variables both from inside and outside the organization in an increasingly continuous way. While there is a plethora of tools available, little is known about how managers use such tools, and how they make sense of the data presented, in particular. Hence, taking a socio-technical perspective, this study aims at better understanding how organizations interpret data (i.e. Sense-making), who is using them and to what extent (i.e. Decision-making). First, we have conducted an in-depth literature review identifying and analyzing seminal papers in extant research. Then, we adopted a multiple case study approach carrying out five interviews at four organizations, to investigate how the decision-making process has changed and which benefits and issues have emerged from the usage of BI/DV tools. Data has been analyzed using Nvivo. The paper suggests four types of BI/DV tools adoption in relation to a set of organizational characteristics, namely, needs, customization level, innovation rate of the firm, IT pre-requirements, resistance to change level. Further, the study provides guidelines for future adoption of big data analytics tools.

ABSTRACT. In this paper, a socio-technical perspective on the roles of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Digital Officer (CDO) is introduced, and a model of interpretation of their respective roles, their potential interplay and idiosyncracies is presented and discussed. We start our analysis by proposing a socio-technical model based on typologies of CIOs and IT roles, as well as CIOs and Business Visions, and CIOs and Interpersonal roles taken from the literature, and used as a lens for viewing whether and how CDOs may fit into this model, collaborate with CIOs in pursuing the IT-business alignment vision, or should necessarily clash on the same territory. This model is then used to interpret the results of two empirical analysis about the evolution of CIOs and CDOs roles in Digital Business Transformation scenarios. We carried out interviews directly to CIOs of Italian companies, and use transcripts of online interviews to CDOs of American companies. Both materials deal with the themes of Digital Business Transformation and Strategy, of CIO/CDO’s profiles, and of attitudes toward tech trends such as Big Data, Internet of Things and 3D Printing. Notwithstanding their differences, these voices helped us understand what are the possible futures and configurations of CIO and CDO roles in organizations, in a fast changing innovation scenario like the one emerging from our analysis.

ABSTRACT. Collaboration between professional agencies in the UK public sector is essential to provide seamless, high quality services to citizens. Inter-agency working is often hindered by a prevalent silo culture, reinforced by resource-focused funding mechanisms. Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) aims to facilitate organisational improvement or change through an organisational learning approach. In this study, SSM was used to help facilitate a move towards partnership working in the UK public sector. The problem situation was the need to define an IM&T (Information Management and Technology) strategy to support data exchange between diverse professional agencies which would facilitate the seamless delivery of services to citizens. Interview data was collected from senior members of 16 professional agencies, four months after completing the SSM activity to reflect on the experience. The interviews were then repeated 12 months later in order to facilitate reflection on the use, role and impact of SSM beyond any immediate effect. From the interviews, we identified contributions of change that were attributed to the use of SSM and challenges of using SSM to facilitate cultural change. The challenges are explored in four themes: the process of stakeholder selection; the power of stakeholders; the ensuing power structure within the problem situation; the role of SSM and systemic change. These themes are discussed as contributing factors that practitioners of SSM need to be aware of to ensure the sanctity of SSM during periods of cultural change.

ABSTRACT. The paper presents ongoing research on the development of e-prescription in Italy from the perspective of information infrastructures evolution. Specifically, the aim is to discuss the ‘adaptability challenge’ caused by the encounter of a specific information infrastructure with one or more information infrastructures through the notion of infrastructuring. We take the perspective of the Emilia Romagna region and present a preliminary analysis of how the regional infrastructure for e-prescription has confronted with the directives of the national solution and how the dynamics between regions and central level have evolved and their implications.

ABSTRACT. This paper considers the use of machine learning in medicine by focusing on the main problem that it has been aimed at solving or at least minimizing: uncertainty. However, we point out how uncertainty is so ingrained in medicine that it biases also the representation of clinical phenomena, that is the very input of this class of computational models, thus undermining the clinical significance of their output. Recognizing this can motivate researchers to pursue different ways to assess the value of these decision aids, as well as alternative techniques that do not “sweep uncertainty under the rug” within an objectivist fiction (which doctors can come up by trusting).

ABSTRACT. Today, we assist to a growing request for more information and knowledge. This phenomenon, together with the development of computer networks and of information technologies, has kicked off a debate on Open Data. The dissemination of Internet and web technologies offers huge benefits such as information accessible to multiple users at low cost; constant reporting on-line; organizational responsibility and performance appraisal; more comprehensible information for users; interaction between PA and citizens. On-line disclosure also has some risks such as access or navigability; dispersal or information overload that may affect comprehensibility and usability of data; and an increase in the number of passive rather than active participants. However, communication of data through websites does not guarantee transparency in terms of the ability to generate dialogue and knowledge between data producers and recipients.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the concept of transparency applied to the context of Open Data, in particular in the field of research data regarding astronomy and cosmology. Because of the characteristics of this science, the application of the open data concepts arise many questions about what it means to assure openness of space science data, what it means to guarantee scientific data transparency. Based on the Open Universe initiative, we develop a framework to interpret the concept of open data transparency, and we identify the attributes that a web-based system should have to ensure comprehensibility and usability of space science data.

ABSTRACT. The essence of sharing platforms and their role in the social context is related not only to technology, but especially to the way it is being used today. Ethics, social responsibility and sustainability have become part of this process of development and they stimulate the entrepreneurial mainspring of new market models, that are in evolution. In crowdfunding the "return investment expectancy" plays a key role also in the selection process of innovative ideas, where credibility becomes an essential asset for the business, as well as the need to demonstrate transparency, integrity and responsible governance as priorities. Recently, these platforms are adopting voluntary certification systems, the B Corp certification, to reconcile the need to conduct business under the ethics aspect and raise awareness of stakeholders to adopt guiding values for business, consumption, or the use of services . The aim of our work is to investigate the role of "ethics", conducted by the "B Corp" Standard Certification System, on sharing platforms. In particular we analyze how the Kickstarter Platform manages the ethical values of B Corp certification. The areas we analyze are: the community, governance, workers, the environment and customers. Implication and limits of the analysis complete the research.

ABSTRACT. We present a study on gender analysis of the Italian community of Information Systems (itAIS) based on a three-dimensional framework accounting for the context, the success, and the members’ attitudes. We represent the community as a semantic social network. We analyze the semantics of the information systems (IS) domain, the topology of the social network and the dynamics of interests by means of a suite of tools we developed. The experimental work analyses the scientific papers accepted for presentation at the itAIS conference from 2007 to 2016. While the number of males is larger than that of females, we are not able to provide a clear cut evidence of discrimination in the community. Moreover, despite observed diversity, Italian feminine scientists play a significant role in the community.

ABSTRACT. Public organizations as responsive institutions creating public value in the interest of citizens and communities have to proceed towards sustainability as a principle of governance driving behaviors and choices of public institutions. Information and communica-tion technologies and the Internet are driving public organizations to promote public inter-est and sustain active citizenship enhancing both collaboration and interaction between citizens and public administration. Technology opens up to new opportunities for public institutions and citizens building public trust and rediscovering role and meaning of their relationships based on shared and common values. Technology can help public organizations seeking sustainability by developing a knowledge management approach in order to in-crease openness and engage citizens encouraging participation.

ABSTRACT. Every aspect of modern life is dominated by decision-making and the availability of data. We constantly access, process and evaluate data as we navigate complex and uncertain problem spaces. Communication and Information Technologies (ICTs) have developed to a point where it is possible for very large data sets, measured in exabytes, to be stored across many servers and gathered by many different people and organizations, for multiple purposes. At the same time, research into Artificial Intelligence has progressed to a point where human decision-making can be supported, or even replaced, by intelligent agents and robotics. We recognize that many routine jobs that were once carried out by people can now be done faster and more flexibly using robotics, and software robotics has now moved beyond the factory and into administrative processes. The possibilities for such systems are enormous and can deliver many benefits to business, governments and ordinary citizens. However, there is also a downside to be considered. Is there still a role for human experience and intuition? How can we ensure that the benefits of analytics and AI continue to outweigh threats? How should we approach management of BI and AI on an on-going basis? This paper advocates an open systems approach in which B&AI may be incorporated with tools that support complex methods of inquiry.

ABSTRACT. Securing national electronic identification (e-ID) systems requires an in depth understanding of the associated threats. The trade of identity related artefacts in the darknet facilitates illegal activities such as identity theft in both physical and virtual worlds. This paper reports the findings of an exploratory analysis of identity trading in the darknet. We capture the key features of three major markets of fake IDs in Tor networks, and apply attack-defense trees to show how the security of an e-ID infrastructure is affected by this phenomenon.

ABSTRACT. This paper discusses potential complications for Forensic Investigations due to the spread of Solid State Disc (SSD) technologies and influence of socio-technical factors. The discussion is drawing upon a study based on interviews with an experienced Forensic Investigator from Hampshire Constabularies Hi-Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), located in the United Kingdom. The goal of this study was to identify examples of what experienced forensic investigators believe the biggest drawbacks with examining SSDs are. Background case studies have been made in assistance to identify specific characteristics and features that may impact forensic investigations. Key characteristics include that SSD features may pose a threat as potential evidence can be rendered inaccessible; possibly impacting the case or project negatively. The main themes discussed in this paper are related to: Hardware-based encryption, Garbage Collection (GC), the TRIM command, Controller technology, SSD Interfaces, and SSD User needs. Socio-technical influences were acknowledged during the interviews with the Investigator, showing uncertainty to alternative Forensic methods. These themes have been scrutinized to identify how they impact and limit investigations

ABSTRACT. Advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have determined changes in the Human Resources Management (HRM) practices which in turn impact on work-related outcomes. Taken together, changes in HRM and technologies allow new ways of disaggregating the work for companies, as choosing to employ flexible work practices. In this study we conceptualize flexible work practices as the existence of a formal flexibility practice in companies, and as the extent to which employees work flexibly outside their office. Given the increasing research attention towards the study of flexible work practices, based on the concepts of disaggregation of jobs, on a fit organizational perspective and on a contingent approach, this study analyses the influence that the redesign of organizational processes, supported by technological advances, has on the flexible work-job satisfaction relationship. Specifically, for investigating the redesign of organizational processes, we look at the job characteristics that can be more likely to characterize jobs amenable to disaggregation potentials and to leveraging the “plug-and-play” potential of ICT. The job characteristics considered are the codifiability, standardizability and modularizability. This paper uses data gathered through a survey conducted in 2014 among 987 Italian workers included in the executive/manager, white collars and middle managers’ roles. Results show that the codifiability, the standardizability and the modularizability of an occupation moderate positively the influence of the share of working hours that an employee spends outside the office on the level of job satisfaction, but this does not happen in case a formal flexibility practice in the HRM strategy is chosen by companies.

ABSTRACT. Computer mediation has enabled virtual teams to collaborate across time and geographic boundaries. In addition, virtual or e-internships emerged about a decade ago. The advances in both computer mediation and human computer interaction have facilitated this development. The current paper examines the degree of virtuality found in 138 e-internship reports, focusing specifically, the percentage of interactions that takes place face-to-face compared to virtually in these internships. Half of our sample (n = 79) worked entirely virtual in that their interactions were computer-mediated and not face-to-face for more than 90% of their time. Most e-interns were part of a virtual team as well (n = 109). A third of our participants (n = 40) were exposed to a different culture by either working with people from an-other culture or working for an organization in a different country. Their contribution to the organization in terms of feedback and input was also noteworthy, as more than half of those in largely virtual settings nevertheless indicated they engaged in contextual performance – assisting their organization by volunteering, helping others, sharing information and resources. In addition, more than 90% were willing to commit to another e-internship or virtual career. This suggests that the experience and reliance on computer interactions even in temporary situations can have positive effects, where gains are not only task specific, but generate higher level benefits for e-internship providers in turn.

ABSTRACT. Documentary analysis and in-depth stakeholder interviews were used to explore the expected and realized benefits associated with the implementation of a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) in one Regional Health Organization (RHO) in Italy. Implementation processes and outcomes were analysed qualitatively, to unpick the pathways through which HRIS benefits and unintended outcomes were realized for different stakeholders, drawing on existing HRIS benefit models. Our analysis revealed how the organization as a whole had derived value from the implementation project, demonstrated the interdependence between different benefit categories, and showed how expectations and experiences varied between different classes of employee. We present an extended and empirically-informed model of expected and realized benefits from HRIS in health organizations, which takes account of these interdependencies and differences.

ABSTRACT. This study is a second step of major research concerning on the useful of mobile applications and their performance. We start from results of previous study: “The role of the mobile application in the public transport systems”, to enhance the role of the mobile application for improving the service reliability in public transport systems and the role of digital divide for their most profitable use. In this step, we analyze the elements at the base of different use of mobile application for older people, to rear awareness amongst developers on which problems are to be taken into account during design of mobile application. This study focused on Gira Napoli application that provides real-time information about bus of the city of Napoli. Through interviews at the Gira Napoli users, the analysis shows that the digital divide is supposed to grow of old inequalities of income, education, age and gender.

ABSTRACT. One more time the online channel differs from the offline one. Our study on the product return strategies in the retail industry shows that even if more expensive for online retailers, product return policies are more generous and perceived as lenient by consumers. Our measures were collected in the Italian jeans retail industry, with a comparative study done on firms active on both channels and representing more than 50% of the overall industry sales. The impossibility to serve the customer at a distance and the need to strategically boost online sales are becoming a serious trap for online retailers.

ABSTRACT. This paper aims to contribute to our understanding of the sociomaterial complexi-ties of information systems. By applying Gilles Deleuze’s process ontology, called Assemblage Theory (AT), as interpreted and presented by Manuel DeLan-da, we examine the case of a new high-tech medical procedure called transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Complex innovations like TAVI evolve as so-ciomaterial assemblages whose dynamics are seen as driven by the interaction be-tween various stabilizing and de-stabilizing processes. We argue that AT is a very powerful (process) ontology for researching and theorizing the dynamics of in-creasingly complex information systems.

ABSTRACT. This paper reviews the tensions and challenges facing the human resource management (HRM) function when information and communication technologies (ICT) such as electronic medical records, or imaging, clinical decision systems, are implemented into a patient care team setting in public hospitals. Through case study interviews in six public hospitals in Lebanon, this study explores HRM functions are effective in reducing organizational, communication, and practitioner’s satisfaction issues facing the healthcare team. The fact to have involved six hospitals in this research study, has led to interesting findings as presented in section four.

ABSTRACT. Data generation, collection and analysis by companies is not a new phenomenon, however the speed at which it is being done, the variety and reliability of sources used, and the volumes treated has reached a new level and heralded the advent of Big Data. Companies are increasingly relying on information generated by consumers themselves either with or without their knowledge or consent to improve their value proposition and put themselves ahead of the competition. However, the collection and use of this data poses a variety of ethical considerations and questionings. Will big data become synonymous with privacy incursions and invasive marketing or will it be solely used by companies to propose products and services that are more in line with consumer tastes and preferences? This article aims to answer these questions by deciphering consumers’ attitudes towards the use of Big Data by companies. This includes the extent to which consumers are willing to cooperate with companies to provide correct and meaningful information, the transparency level they expect from companies when handling private information, as well as data storage and security.

ABSTRACT. The paper reports on two different adoption experiences of an inhouse Enterprise Social Media (ESM), at the local and global level in a big company. It compares the deployment strategies and their impact on the users appropriation of the ESM in the two settings. Our observations let emerge how the local level design strategy aimed to link the initiative to concrete aspects of working practices and to their expected evolution. This met the companies goals, improved users work effectiveness, and led to a quite successful appropriation. The same success was not achieved at the global level, where a quite different strategy drove the initiative on a slippery slope towards a drift from success. The paper distills lessons that can shed light on how an ESM should be introduced within large organizations by taking care of different local conditions, consolidated practices and legacy technologies.

ABSTRACT. One of the most interesting and disruptive trends in the current elearning scenario is gamification, that is, the use of game design elements in non-game contexts. This paper provides a definition of gamification in the educational field and an overview of its applications. It then discusses the existing studies on the effectiveness of gamifiction for learning purposes, focusing on their impact on students’ attitude, knowledge and behavior. Finally, it highlights the main gaps in the current literature, pointing to new directions of research.

ABSTRACT. The present study analyses the role of leader individualized consideration in shaping team learning and in turn team ability to change. Moreover, the study outlines the piv-otal role of IT knowledge integration in order to translate team learning into effective change behaviors. By taking into account 84 work team we show the central role of technology in supporting individuals in the process of applying their learning into ability to change.

ABSTRACT. In recent years, there has been a growing debate and rise in publications about learning in its multiple forms. This variety has contributed to the richness of existing research but it has also increased, rather than reduced, the need for more clarity to advance further. Through a content analysis performed on the last twenty years of research, we aim at providing clarity about the complex definitions landscape of the most diffused 16 learning terms in the literature. We discuss their use over the years and we depict some trends. We conclude by providing a comprehensive learning model that clarifies interactions and interdependencies among the terms. The framework classifies the terms into models, modes and methodologies.

ABSTRACT. This article describes a digital service for managers in charge of leveraging digital media to innovate firms in established businesses. Nowadays, companies can collect data from social media as well as sensors connected to Internet to monitor competitors, customer trends and performance of their own services. Therefore, we wish to extend this opportunity to a greater set of firms by developing a solution that can (1) be used by those with limited know-how in data science, (2) be applied to small datasets of structured and unstructured data and (3) include qualitative insights from relevant stakeholders, such as internal/external experts and customers. We combine the notions of (a) conceptual mapping to formalize root-causes of problems to solve and (b) TRIZ methodology to develop new ideas in a semi-automated way. We illustrate our approach with two fictive examples: (1) a manufacturing firm wishing to develop remote maintenance and (2) a company innovating its product by performing patent analysis.

ABSTRACT. In knowledge base and or knowledge intensive organizations – like f.i. IT compa-nies, consultancy firms - knowledge sharing process and collaboration represent key success factors for competing in a dynamic business environment. In small firms this sharing is usually facilitated by the physical proximity of the R&D or business devel-opment specialists. In large organization characterized by distributed settings, man-agers need to develop tools and technique that can allow people and teams located in different geographical area to collaborate and share data, information and knowledge in order to avoid to reinvent the well every time. To date firms can opt among different strategies taking advantage of several available IT tools that sup-port collaboration among employees. The present research in progress paper aims to understand the mechanisms that drive decision making in selecting the technological portfolio. In doing so will adopt Institutional theory as theoretical lens.

ABSTRACT. People plays a fundamental role in making cities smarter and citizens’ participation represents an essential condition for successful smart city initiatives. However, citizens’ participation in public initiatives can take many different forms, from simple consultation to the active involvement in their design, implementation and evaluation. In the latter case, a shift can be determined from initiatives designed and implemented FOR the citizens, to initiatives designed and implemented with a substantial contribution FROM the citizens who act as coproducers. With reference to a sample of papers selected through a survey of the relevant literature, this exploratory study considers how the concept of coproduction is used in the smart city academic literature. The study highlights a relatively scarce use and a poor conceptualization of this concept as referred to the citizens’ involvement in smart city initiatives and identifies some critical elements that still need a conceptual clarification.

ABSTRACT. Employing textual data from seven of the most active anti-vaccine online communities in Italy, we investigate the effect of a specific institutional event, the regulative intervention of the Italian Health Ministry, on the anti-vaccine discursive strategies in terms of shifts in institutional vocabularies. The decision of the Italian Health Ministry followed after a phase that can almost be described as a hype. Where the debate centered around the decrease in vaccination coverage and the fast spread of anti-vaccines ideas; this was verbalized both in social media in general as well as in the public opinion. The choice to introduce a new law to make several vaccines compulsory for all infants could be framed as an institutional action to reinforce the institutionalization of vaccines acceptance. On the other hand, this initiative has lead to a shift in terms of discursive strategies and institutional vocabularies in anti-vaccines online communities. Given the overall institutional setting is influenced by texts production, which shapes the discourse, we want to analyze this dynamic in online anti-vaccines communities in both pre- and post-event phases in order to learn how the institutional action has changed the micro-processes of texts production and the possible consequences of this shift.

ABSTRACT. The study develops a better understanding of the informal caregivers’ (ICGs) interactions within the healthcare ecosystem, and the implications for the de-sign and use in non-traditional healthcare settings of Health Information Technology (HIT). The conceptual exploration draws on the emergent user-centric insights to inform a checklist of guiding principles for the design of HIT solutions that acknowledge the role and needs of the ICGs, widely recognized as key co-producers in the delivery of effective and sustainable healthcare systems. The central argument of this qualitative paper is that the HIT developers need to tap into the knowledge and experiences of the ICGs to better align their products to practice, and thus enhance the quality of care in both non-clinical settings and the health services ecosystem as a whole.