Title:
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The genesis of initiative formation in medium-sized enterprises : a capability-based perspective on QM standards -driven IS development in the Turkish automotive industry
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This thesis contributes to our understanding of how small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) in developing countries cope with data-rich quality management (QM) concepts in
terms of information systems (IS) provision over time, with particular reference to emergent
bottom-up initiatives and semi-dynamic competencies. IS is frequently seen as the enabler
of QM concepts, but rarely as a system whose necessity becomes apparent through the
implementation of externally imposed QM concepts. This is of concern for SMEs in
developing countries at the very early stage when IS competencies and infrastructure have
yet to be developed and aligned. Although QM standards are accepted as data-rich
technologies, there has been no empirical research on the implications of those concepts for
IS development. The contributions made thus far have been based on theoretical and
conceptual thinking only.
This research adapts an intellectual framework from the strategic renewal literature and
makes it applicable to bottom-up initiative formation in SMEs. The methodology chosen
was that of detailed case studies conducted in three automotive SMEs in Turkey. Three
research questions provide the focus and direction to investigate. the complexities of
initiative formation and co-evolutionary systems development through theory and practice.
In terms of results, we find that i) imposed QM concepts drive IS development ii) alignment
quadrants of the strategic IS alignment model are still evolving iii) IS development is a
bottom-up process involving mid-level managers as innovators and mediators and iv) the
process of initiative formation is an adaptive process requiring the emergence of semidynamic
competencies, a concept that is also an outcome of this thesis. These four findings
are consolidated enabling us to make the fifth and ultimate contribution to the domain ofIS
alignment paths in SMEs. One can now understand the underlying process of the 'efficiency
to collaboration route' in Levy and Powell's (2005) strategic grid model for SMEs in
developing countries. Practical insights cover key organisational and contextual concerns
ranging from the role of middle managers and their credibility to strategic coherence and
collective capacity.
The findings are significant not only because they support various theories, but, more
specifically, because they represent the outcome of a multi-disciplinary piece of research
that highlights discrepancies between established theories of IS alignment and actual
practice. This is not the full story as some of the women interviewed reported that they had
to put off marriage for career and likewise, others put on hold or postponed
career for family responsibilities.
To maintain their positions or climb the professional ladder, they therefore, had to
employ a range of strategies such as; working hard, focusing on research and
publication for promotion purposes.
The wider implications of these findings are discussed.
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