Thoughts on research process

Sprawling through google scholar I found it hard to find a journal site with unlimited access. this brought back some flashbacks of undergraduate study with hazes of proquest and emerald. So I went to these websites but found them hard to use as I wasnt registered (I think Otago had an account we could use, Is hould check if NMIT has similar).

In short, finding resources isn't as easy as it should be!!

Assignment 1 write up

E-Commerce Technology Adoption Framework by New Zealand

Small to Medium Size Enterprises. M. A. Rashid

R.I.I.M.S., Massey University

What the paper is about?

Increasing role of ICT in SME’s

95% of businesses are SME’s.

NZ EC rates are low in comparison with other APEC countries.

Adoption rate is high but limited in commercial transactions.

Lack of knowledge by SME’s on EC potential.

Lack of guidance in implementation and perceived costs.

Most companies would use Internet/email and have a website but that’s the extent.

Strategies to adopt EC in SME’s, govt influence?

What did the author(s) do?

Based his observations on findings from a PWC extensive survey on SME’s. Also used Ministry of Commerce publications for commentary purposes. Major themes of paper:

EC and its role in SME.

EC rates in NZ.

Limitis to adoption.

Adoption traits.

Why did you choose this paper?

It is a NZ written article by a kiwi academic, shows direct relevance and interest. When searching the area focuses on large-scale businesses, this article appealed as it was on smaller business (like the majority of NZ businesses).

Was the paper was worth reading? Why (or why not)?

I found this paper quite interesting and some of the adoption traits where interesting. The factors that can influence EC adoption are very relevant. The paper was published in 2001, so it may be of some irrelevance now as im sure EC adoption is higher but none the less a good article.

Do you believe the results/findings or the paper? Why?

Yes I believe findings of the paper. They were based on surveys conducted by outside organisations, including NZ govt.

What form of research approach did the researchers follow?

Descriptive Research

Descriptive research tells "what is."

Do you feel that this was an appropriate approach? Why?

Yes as the resources used were reputable and up to date at the time of publish. Conducting empirical research could be a large task and difficult to administer in terms of finding the right industry focus group.

Title on the board.

Intro

What is a SME? What %? What is EC?

Example, restaurant.

What factors would hinder EC – mention the authors on board.

EC in NZ

A govt backed framework.

Why I choose, papers merits

Research approaches:
http://edweb.sdsu.edu/Courses/ED690DR/Class01/ResearchTypes.html

SOme interesting articles:

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/10006933/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
The future for direct retailing of travel and tourism products: the influence of information technology

http://jtr.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/39/2/192

Adoption of Information Technology in U.S. Hotels: Strategically Driven Objectives

http://cqx.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/41/1/30

Experience-based Travel

More research ideas

After last week's class Clare put some emphasis on us to isolate a project area. I will aim to look at the increasing role of IT in Tourism in Nelson. This may be to broad so I will focus it down to Motel Mangement as I have first hand access to MANZ motels in Nelson through association. This topic also flows on from my project in INF755 which is a hands on development of the IT infrastructure in a motel in Nelson.

Clare suggested I look at some IT developments that include virtualisations of motel website, i.e. 3d renderments of motel environments, this could be sometihng to look at ehich would be quite enjoyable. But I think my background and abilitis lies more with academic analysis rather than hands on IT development with new technology.

Research ideas floating around in my head

I have been thinking about some possible areas that may interest me for the research project. A project which leads on from Project Management class, as one based on IT systems and infrastructure at a motel in Nelson. I have always shown interest in aspects of Tourism Management, and I would like to investigate the increasing role that e commerce plays in the tourism industry. Furthermore I could isolate this with examples from the Nelson region. I believe this is on the right track for a research area, as the access to empirical research is attainable.

After finally receiving my laptop from NMIT (thanks), I got the help desk to configure my access under my AD account. When I worked at Landcorp, I was the AD specialist i.e. I created the users, groups and maintained the AD on the server. AD has intrigued me, as business rely on this systems heavily for business infrastructure these days. It seems very incorporable in IT systems today, maybe I could analyse AD's role in IT systems of businesses?

Some good IT ideas in my head but I think the first topic will be more hands on but also the second one is a notable and practical area also.

What would a cricket team need IT for?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4414017a28.html

Interesting story relating data mining software to NZ cricket team.

New Blog for Research notes!

Through out the year I will be posting research notes and ideas. This is for a course at NMIT.