Information Systems - Theses

Permanent URI for this collection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Exploring knowledge leakage risk in knowledge-intensive organisations: behavioural aspects and key controls
    Altukruni, Hibah Ahmed ( 2019)
    Knowledge leakage poses a critical risk to the competitiveness advantages of knowledge-intensive organisations. Although knowledge leakage is a human-centric security issue, little is known in relation to the key factors of individual-level leaking behaviour. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to explore security practitioners’ perspectives on the key enablers and inhibitors of behavioural knowledge leakage risk in the context of knowledge-intensive organisations. An exploratory, qualitative design was used to carry out the study. Moreover, seven security practitioners working in Australian organisations were recruited to participate in this research. The data were collected using semi-structured questions via two focus group discussions. The discussion sessions lasted between 90 and 120 minutes, including a 10-minute break. The sessions were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) strategy. Furthermore, two main trends emerged from the analysed data. First, ‘interpersonal enabling factors’ included leaking behaviours and employees’ personality’ traits. Second, contributing ‘organisational practices around knowledge leakage mitigation’ included poor knowledge sensitivity classification systems and poor knowledge security management practices. In conclusion, it is essential that security practitioners address the key identified factors of behavioural leakage risk to mitigate the leaking incidents effectively. Three key security practices that were found to have a superior impact in mitigating leaking enablers included human resource management practices, knowledge security training and awareness practices, and compartmentalisation.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    Understanding how cloud computing enables business model innovation in start-up companies
    Alrokayan, Mohammed ( 2017)
    Start-up companies contribute significantly to the national economies of many countries but their failure rate is notably high. Successful start-ups typically depend on innovative business models to be competitive and maintain profitability. This thesis explores how the new technologies of cloud computing might enable start-ups to create and maintain competitive advantage. A conceptual framework called Cloud-Enabled Business Model Innovation (CEBMI) is presented that identifies three research questions concerning how cloud computing might enable business model innovation, what form this innovation takes, and how the innovation leads to competitive advantage. These questions were then investigated through three empirical studies involving six case studies with start-ups and two qualitative studies involving interviews with 11 business consultants and three cloud service providers. The detailed findings are presented as a set of key propositions that offer answers to the research questions, and together sketch a view of how CEBMI might enable start-ups to achieve competitive advantage.
  • Item
    Thumbnail Image
    A conceptual framework for competitive mobile content provision
    SULLIVAN, JOANNE ( 2012)
    Content provision via mobile technology platforms (such as smart mobile phones and tablet computers) raises interesting practical and research challenges for the field of Information Systems (IS). Much of the IS literature about mobile content provision is concerned with the ‘user experience’, with a particular focus on technology. In contrast, there is limited academic work looking at the ‘content’ component of the mobile experience. Quite often in information system development the content is seen as separate to the system and does not receive as much consideration. This study is specifically interested in how providers (such as newspapers, media companies and universities) can understand and then tailor content for delivery to users of mobile devices in ever-changing life contexts. This study proposes that it is the content that users come to the mobile platform to consume and which gives the experience much of its value and meaning. It is therefore through the development of appealing content offerings that content providers stand their best chance of establishing a competitive advantage on the mobile platform. In the mobile sphere content providers are observed focusing their efforts upon the development of micro information systems (in the form of mobile content offerings) which contain everything required by, and of value to the mobile technology user in the moment of use. These offerings are modular in nature (self-sufficient, but able to be associated with other systems) and geared towards helping users to optimize their quality of life. This study puts forward a theoretical framework for mobile content provision which describes and supports this modular, content-driven approach. This framework is both descriptive (detailing what providers are actually doing in relation to mobile content provision) and prescriptive, because the observations are taken further and a set of concepts, constructs and principles defined, to inform future IS research and to aid strategic decision-making about competitive content offering development and provision on the mobile platform. In particular, current IS theoretical frameworks and models, based on utility and user satisfaction, are no longer adequate ways for providers, researchers or developers to conceive the needs and expectations of mobile information system users. Instead, qualitative evidence shows that providers expect people to value and bond with mobile content offerings that help them to resolve everyday predicaments and contribute to their quality of life. This study therefore proposes the Continuous Quality of Life Optimization Principle as a better way to understand the complex, deeply personal, mobile content experience — and the predicament and bondability constructs as more effective ways to understand and then tailor content for delivery to users of mobile devices in ever-changing life contexts.