احد زارع رواسان

In recent years, the topics related to electronic learning have attracted the attention of many scholars. Despite the increasing attention of researchers to the study of electronic learning systems, the focus on outcomes and the results from the use of these systems has been less considered. The present study is designed to investigate the effects of the use of electronic learning systems on its outcomes. To this end, 3 major outcomes from the use of an e-learning system, including learning support, communication with others (social structure), and educational performance, have been investigated, taking into account the mediating role of perceived adaptability. The statistical population of this study is the students of Mehr Alborz University who currently use the electronic learning system. The results of this research indicate a positive and direct relationship between the use of the e-learning system and its outcomes. Also, the mediating role of perceived compatibility factor has been confirmed in this research.

This research aims at associating two groups of demographic and transaction related factors and furthermore, proposes customer churn factor as another influential factor in customer value analysis. To this end, at first, customers' transaction data in a real local ISP in a four year period are utilized for segmentation purpose using k-means method. Regarding service nature of the case, customers' behavior has been considered in terms of customer satisfaction factors. The results of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) indicate that three factors of service quality, expectation confirmation and post-purchasing satisfaction are influential factors. Then, association rules using GRI algorithm are exploited in order to investigate among customers' behaviors and propose appropriate strategies and action plans for each customer segment. Finally, segmentation results are associated with physiographic variables and existence of a significant difference among identified segments is more investigated using one way ANOVA test. The results clarified that expectation confirmation and post- purchasing satisfaction as hygienic factors and service quality as an incentive factor influence customer loyalty.

Implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects needs relatively high amount of investment costs. Due to the high failure rates, these projects face real challenges and risks. Studies reveal that rapid implementation aids of these projects has not been evaluated, consequently lots of expenses have been imposed to organizations due to the failures. On the other hand the failures have been caused to increasing in market risk and also managers and investors pessimism about the projects. This study has evaluated the effects of business process reengineering (BPR) process on ERP systems implementation goals and their anticipated benefits. The statistical review in this study based on information extracted from organizations that had been implemented the ERP systems, reveals that there is a positive relationship between implementing BPR process and gaining more benefits from ERP systems.

Information technology tools with its attractions play an important role in the lives of people and makes people to interact closely with these tools, which can lead to a social isolation. This study was designed to determine the possible association between the use of these tools and the youth depression level. To this end, after designing research model, considering the available 390 IT tools such as mobile, social networking sites and computer games, youth users were selected randomly to complete the designed questionnaire and for the purpose of data analysis Partial Least Square (PLS) method was used. The results showed that there is a positive relationship between the use of computer games and depression. However, no significant association was found between the use of mobile phone and depression and also the relationship between the use of social networks and depression level was found to be negative.

Nowadays, with the development of organizations and complexity of business processes, the management and control of such organizations are much more important than before. Therefore, having a determined prospect toward Business Processes Management (BPM) is significant. Since the BPM systems are electronic systems and they are used for supporting, monitoring and managing the processes and other activities in the organization, therefore for preventing misemployment of valuable resources in applying BPM systems and the protection of organization against possible risk of system application, it is necessary to be aware of the critical factors before taking any action. Accordingly, this research paper is conducted to present critical success factors for the implementation of BPM systems in Iran. In this regard, 34 critical factors were identified and presented to the experts through a questionnaire and the answers were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis method. The statistical population consists of managers, experts, suppliers, and developers of information systems having at least 3 years of experience in BPM systems. The designed questionnaires were distributed among the statistical sample and 128 completed questionnaires were returned and analyzed. Finally, 27 key factors categorized into 5 main groups as the following priorities: managerial, organizational, procedural, human-related, and technical. The result of this research can assist the suppliers and the users of BPM systems either in successful application process or confrontation with possible troubles.

Implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) is a complex and costly process which usually results in serious risks. The majority of previous research projects have been conducted in identifying ERP Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in order to identify the main factors enhance success achievement. Project manager's skills of ERP system implementation projects as one of such facilitating factors, are not well studied and its different aspects are discussed in the extant literature. With this in mind, this research aims at studying and identifying the most related project manager's skills of ERP system implementation projects which proposes a classification scheme along with a ranking model. The paper, based on the results of the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) categorizes 18 identified skills into four distinct groups of managerial, project management, human resource and technical. The results of this study have provided a very useful reference for scholars and managers to identify the relevant issues of ERP implementation projects manager's skills.

Nowadays, many organizations take Business Intelligence (BI) systems to improve their decision making processes. Although many organizations adopted BI systems, not all implementations are successful. This paper seeks to identify critical success factors (CSFs) that impact on successful implementation of BI systems in organizations. Thus, at first, through literature reviews, 26 success factors were identified. After that a questionnaire has been developed and then filled by domain experts who had at least three years of experience in ITIL implementation and consultation in Iran. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) has been used for data analysis, which finally classified critical success factors into four groups named as “organizational”, “human”, “project management”, and “technical”. The results of this study provide a very useful reference for scholars and managers to identify the relevant issues of BI projects in Iran.

The concept of organizational citizenship behavior is one of the most important organizational behavior theories which is also being considered as one of the important soft factors of ERP implementation projects. However, this concept is somehow overlooked in Information Systems’ academic works. Hence, the paper tries to articulate the relationship between the two concepts. This research is conducted in an applied manner with descriptive and explanatory goal in nature. The research sample includes Iranian companies which has implemented a reputable international ERP and had at least 9 months of system life. The questionnaire tool has also been applied for data gathering in eight cases. Structural Equation Modeling (Partial Least Squares) using SmartPLS has been exploited for data analysis. The results indicate that employee's organizational citizenship behavior has a conspicuous impact on ERP projects success. This research investigated the effects of Altruism, Conscientiousness, Courtesy, and Civic Virtue, which regarding data analysis results; all of the factors have a significant positive effect on ERP success surrogates. Regarding research results, it seems that it is crucial for managers to improve their ERP system success level through improving their organizational citizenship behavior and plan and prioritize some actins for this done.

Nowadays a growing number of implementing information technology service management (ITSM) frameworks proves the trends to improve the IT services and processes in organizations. In order to implement an ITSM projects successfully in an organization, it is essential to select a suitable ITSM solution. Evaluation and selection of the ITSM software packages is complicated and time consuming decision making process. Selection of inappropriate ITSM solution can turn out to be costly and adversely affects IT processes and services of the organization. This paper presents a model for dealing with such a problem, which is based on fuzzy TOPSIS approach. The presented ITIL based model breaks down ITSM solutions selection criteria into two broad categories namely functional (service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, continual service improvement) and non-functional requirements (quality, technical, vendor, implementation) including totally 46 selection criteria. Finally, a numerical example is given in an IT service provider company to demonstrate the application of the proposed model.

Nowadays, many organizations took Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) best practices in the field of IT service management to improve their service management related processes. Although, many organizations adopted ITIL, not all ITIL implementations are successful. With this in mind, this paper seeks to identify critical success factors (CSFs) that impact on successful implementation of ITIL V3 in organizations based on a mixed approach. So, at first, with the semi structured interviews and literature reviews, 22 success factors were identified. After that a questionnaire developed and sent to domain experts. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) have been used for data analysis, which finally classified critical success factors in five groups named as “organizational”, “human”, “project management”, “managerial” and “process centric”. The results of this study have provided a very useful reference for scholars and managers to identify the relevant issues of ITIL projects in Iran.

The concept of organizational culture is one of the most important organizational behavior theories which is also being considered as one of the key critical success factors of ERP implementation projects. However, this concept is somehow overlooked in academic research. Hence, the paper tries to articulate the relationship between the two concepts. The study has been implemented in a field study manner within Iranian companies which have implemented a reputable international ERP and had at least nine months of system life. The questionnaire tool has also been applied for data gathering in eight real cases. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using Lisrel and multiple regression method using SPSS have been exploited for data analysis which as a result, all of the five research hypotheses are statistically supported. In addition, it is implied that the cooperation culture in organizations has the most significant relationship with ERP implementation success followed by risk tolerance culture in the second rank. Regarding research results, it seems necessary that it is crucial for managers to improve their ERP system success level through improving their organizational culture and plan some actins for this done.

Information and communication technology have greatly improved the efficiency of this industry among customers and tourism enterprises and organizations (Dimitrios Buhalis & Law, 2008; Michopoulou, Buhalis, Michailidis, & Ambrose, 2007). Therefore, tourism enterprises can introduce themselves to potential customers without geographical and time limit and tourists can acquire what they need with appropriate speed and accuracy and pay for such services (Büyüközkan & Ergün, 2011). These countries do not have enough capabilities for enforcing their e-tourism infrastructures, and lack of these facilities and communication services in the world today means not being aware of commercial and tourism destinations of such countries (Dimitrios Buhalis & Law, 2008). Therefore in this study, regarding the priorities of e-tourism to traditional channels, and examining the research in this context, we need to detect significant distinctions based on those differences, we identify and prioritize the factors affecting the development of e-tourism in country. After studying the literature and background for the issue, we can categorize these factors based on conception and content listed below. · IT Infrastructures (Hardware-Software): E-tourism service delivery with appropriate quality, needs preparation of proper software, hardware and network infrastructure, and the related interfaces for supporting processes that are related to e-tourism services (Berger et al., 2006; D. Buhalis & OConnor, 2005; Kim, 2004). Such development can be facilitated to some extent by governments. · Information Systems (IS): With the development of new technologies, information systems are trying to make their way on this industry. These systems, with complex structures and databases have access to tourists. · Governmental and managerial policies: Governments and governmental managements play a significant role in tourism development, especially official and public tourism. Today, on average, 7 to 10 percent of careers in the world are based on tourism industry. But in Iran, absence of governmental management policies focusing on provisions and practical infrastructure of tourism prevents the proper effect of tourism industry on national income. · Cultural and social elements: In this section, we consider the main elements of this research. Surely, elements such as religion and culture are among critical and substantial factors in all practical fields, but these elements are not fully controllable. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach was used to validate the research model. Here, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using LISREL 8.54 is employed to perform the analysis. Prior to factor analysis, a test was conducted to verify the adequacy of the 174 questionnaire data for CFA. The research sample consists of CEOs or technical managers of tour and travel agencies (private/public) working in Tehran. Discussion and Although it was said that there is a shortage of studies regarding detection of factors affecting e-tourism in the world, conclusions drawn from this study support previous studies, especially in developing countries (e.g. Alghafri, 2009; Kamel & El Sherif, 2001)) or in Iran (e.g. Farzamnia, Nasserzadeh, & Nalchigar, 2009)). A) Governmental and managerial field: In this field, elements such as "national encouraging tools" and "security of Tourism business atmosphere" are among the most important issues affecting tourism improvement. Also, the support senior of management in private and public sectors is an influential variable on e-tourism. So, it is suggested that practitioners in e-tourism policy making provide provisions in order to create encouraging packages and security in tourism business atmosphere. B) Software and applications field: the second priority in the evolution of tourism is the development of software and applications in virtual tourism environment. Elements such as 3D pictures and games based on virtual trips in this regard are considered important. So, it is suggested that tourism organizations go through the development of digital and virtual content and use virtualization technologies and digital games for making this field attractive for tourists. C) Hardware and infrastructures: Regarding infrastructures and hardware as a prerequisite in every technology, we can see how important it is. In this field, according to weight factors, variables such as network infrastructures, interfaces and med wares are suggested. D) Cultural and social factors: According to priorities reached in data analysis, Internet and computer permeability rate, alongside with economic power, can lead to e-tourism and virtual tourism, so it is suggested that in order to cultivate culture, using electronic services and virtual tourism, appropriate programs in national and regional levels must be planned and implemented. E) Supporting information systems: According to statistical information systems and priorities of parameters such as application of semantic web in virtual and electronic tourism and the importance of supporting systems such as inventory and planning of destinations and reservations, it is suggested that public and private departments should be improved before entering e-tourism, they must invest on supporting systems such as reservation, inventory planning and trip planning. In this study, with the aim of factors affecting e-tourism evolution, and with literature review, while identification of parameters and variables of tourism evolution; we draw a conceptual model on factors affecting tourism evolution. Theoretical studies show that new trends in tourism in developed countries, based on integration of software and hardware through network, using diverse information systems, support of public sectors for e-tourism and cultural and social infrastructures are greatly enhancing the importance of tourism as a new industry in the world. The results show that Iran needs planning, development and more investments on these factors in order to improve this industry.

Most organizations still experience a lack of Business Intelligence (BI) in their decision making processes when implementing enterprise systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Supply Chain Management (SCM). Consequently, a model and techniques to evaluate and assess the intelligence-level of enterprise systems can improve decision support. This paper proposes an expert tool to evaluate the BI competencies of enterprise systems, and combines a comprehensive review of recent literature with statistical methods for factor analysis. A statistical analysis has identified six factors for the evaluation model: ‘‘Analytical and Intelligent Decision-support’’, ‘‘Providing RelatedExperimentation and Integration with Environmental Information’’, ‘‘Optimization and Recommended Model’’, ‘‘Reasoning’’, ‘‘Enhanced Decision-making Tools’’, and finally, ‘‘Stakeholder Satisfaction’’. Enterprises can use this approach to evaluate, select, and buy software and systems that provide better decision support for their organizational environment, enabling them to achieve competitive advantage.

The Subject of Knowledge, as one of the most valuable sources of every organization, has recently gained more importance in businesses and industries, especially in governmental organizations. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and prioritize the most important subjects in the field of hospital management to be documented in knowledge management system of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In 2010 and in an applied study, university professors in the field of health management who had passed mini master of business administration (MBA) courses in the Ministry of Science were included. The number of the subjects was estimated as 45 people. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire and interviews were used to collect data. For assuring the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, content validity, face validity, and test-retest reliability methods were applied. Data from 30 questionnaires was analyzed using binomial and Friedman tests in SPSS. Having in depth studies on the literature and the conducted interviews, 70 preliminary hospital management subjects were identified. A total of 29 subjects were finalized and embedded in the questionnaire. The results of binomial test indicated high importance of 26 subjects which implied their importance in documentation in the hospital knowledge management system. This study not only identified important subjects in hospital management, but also prioritized the importance of each factor in a ranked order. Strategic management in hospitals, total quality management, and participative management and leadership were identified as the 3 most important hospital management issues. Identifying and prioritizing hospital management subjects will help managers to allocate their limited financial, human, and time resources to the most important subjects that should be documented in knowledge management systems. Such a method would prevent losing knowledge after the highly experienced hospital managers leave the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.

Implementing enterprise resource planning (ERP) projects needs relatively high amount of investment costs. Due to the high failure rates, these projects face real challenges and risks which in case of failure, lots of expenses are imposed to organizations. Business process reengineering (BPR) is one of the most important ERP critical success factors which is not appropriately investigated and discussed in academic literature. With this in mind, this study has evaluated the effects of BPR projects on ERP systems implementation benefit's realization. The statistical analysis in this study is based on questionnaire data gathered through Iranian organizations that implemented the ERP systems. The results reveal that there is a positive relationship between implementing BPR projects and gaining more benefits from ERP systems.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used in numerous applications and offers a plethora of interesting potential new applications. However, this potential raises issues that require addressing to achieve its widespread acceptance by consumers. This paper investigated the factors that affect consumer acceptance of RFID technology using the technology acceptance model (TAM). To this end, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed among Iran University of Science and Technology (IUST) students and gathered data were analyzed using multivariable linear regression method. The results proposed that convenience, culture, and regulation were the principal factors influencing the consumers’ acceptance of RFID. The results of the paper can provide insight to organizations in providing RFID enabled products to their customers and also facilitated its development in the society.