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This paper aims at improving the service‐oriented IT management by adopting relevant business continuity planning processes for service impact analysis in handling resource event. The paper also proposes a framework for implementation.

A framework was developed from the study of literatures in IT service management and business continuity management. It was implemented to a real IT operations environment to evaluate its effects and benefits.

Many organisations in the IT service industry drive the service‐oriented IT management rapidly in the region. For fault management and service continuity management, one relies heavily on the experience of experts in handling the event for realising the relationships between service and resource. Knowledge retention and information base for service management are the new challenges in the area of service management.

Further optimisation and ongoing maintenance works are required to refine the correlation processes.

The framework was implemented using existing IT service management portal and network system monitoring tools with minimal modification effort.

This paper highlighted the value of adopting business continuity planning processes in service management. It also presented a way to implement a service management information base in practice.

The purpose of this paper is to develop and implement an efficient capacity and availability management tracker for information technology (IT) service delivery management that can be applied by analyzing base‐lined data, using quantitative project management and knowledge discovery techniques, for taking decisions on a monthly basis in resource allocation, optimum resource utilization and efficient service level management.

A ticket forecasting model has been developed. Also data were collected from fixed price running IT service delivery programs with about 200 or more full‐time employees working in each program, limited to four large service lines. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the data were base lined and applied to a capacity and availability management tracker. The results were then analyzed and conclusions drawn.

The findings suggest that the service provider was able to share the resources across the organization as needed based on demand, and overall the bench strength of the organization was drastically reduced. Also they were able to achieve better service level management. This has contributed to profit margin improvement in the organization.

The relatively small sample size (three programs and four service lines in one IT service organization) has impact on research implications.

The results have implications for practice in promoting IT tools and technique for capacity and availability management in an IT service provider. It is suggested that senior management may need to concentrate on adapting a positive approach promoting the usage of new IT tools and techniques in order to achieve IT service improvement, better performance and margin improvement.

This study has addressed the consequences of initiating an organization‐wide knowledge‐based process performance model for a popular strategic IT initiative. The study has answered the questions on better resource utilization and efficient service level management.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the practical issues regarding standards and the management of IT services delivered by external or outsourced service providers called managed service providers (MSPs).

Extensive review of published materials from academic and industry sources is carried out to discuss the managed services practice as well as IT standards applicable for managed services.

Implementation of international IT standards such as the ITIL framework for IT service management benefits both internal IT organizations and MSPs. Availability of a common standard for managing IT services makes the transition of IT service management from the client organization to an MSP or from an MSP to another MSP less painful and helps to reduce or eliminate service disruptions.

The ultimate objective of this paper is to offer MSPs as well as internal IT organizations a comprehensive discussion on the IT standards that are applicable for managed IT services.

It is believed that this paper will help both MSPs as well as the internal IT organizations to understand the importance of having a common standard for managing IT services.

The purpose of this paper is to first evaluate the effect of IT service management (ITSM) tools in a practical environment followed by sharing experience in developing management process modules in a service outsourcing model. In order to improve the fault correlation from business and user perspectives, the aim is to propose a framework to automate network and system alerts with respect to its business service impact and user impact for proactive notification to IT operations management.

Three years of quantitative analysis using real operational data were used to present the effect on ITSM tools adoption. For the proposed framework, it consists of a hybrid case‐ and rule‐based reasoning module and a new approach for fault mapping with business criticality and user activities.

Over the past decade there has been significant focus in the context of ITSM in the IT services operations industry. In the market of ITSM software tools, customer and operational processes are not sufficiently developed nor integrated with other management applications following IT services daily processes which make it difficult to correlate faults to business service impacts and user impacts. For any fault of the same severity level, traditional fault discovery and notification tools provide equal weighting from business and user points of view.

Most of the related works were done individually in the entire ITSM processes. Moreover, some works present the enabling technology for outsourced facilities management rather than IT operations management. Lack of research activity was noted in the areas of user and business impact correlation with service management.

This paper outlines the implications of implementing ITSM tools in outsourced IT operation. The business continuity planning also forms one of the critical factors to improve responsiveness in service management.

This paper illustrates the effect of ITSM tools adoption by analyzing real operation data. Central to the service‐oriented philosophy in ITSM, we introduce a framework to correlate with user and business elements. Inclusion of the dimensions of business and user impact in the fault correlation process could further improve service efficiency and user satisfaction.

The purpose of this paper is to explore and identify the contextual quality management practices (QMP) and to empirically examine their underlying dimensions and its direct influence or association with performance in context to Indian IT enabled service small- and mid-size enterprises (SMEs).

The methodology adopted in this study is sequential exploratory mixed method approach. This study adopts two stage processes of capturing data, first identifying critical QMP/indicators as obtained from review of literature, followed by in-depth interview based on semi-structured questionnaire from sample of 20 select service SMEs. Based on comprehensive compilation of literature as well as through in-depth interview 21 QMP have been identified. Structured instrument has been developed taking measures as identified. The QMP relevant to SMEs have been derived from Kaynak (2003), Samat et al. (2006), Salaheldin (2009), Kim et al. (2012) and Talib et al. (2013b). The research instrument developed was customised and adapted to the background of Indian IT enabled service SMEs. Similarly for measuring quality performance five items have been identified from previous literature. Five-point Likert scale ranging from “5=strongly agree” to “1=strongly disagree” is used to show the agreement of the respondents. Exploratory factor analysis has been deployed to identify underlying dimensions of QMP. Thereafter, linear regression modelling has been done to better understand the relationships between QMP and quality performance.

A three-factor solution has been obtained and the individual practices could be reconfigured into three dimensions, namely, organisational management, capacity management and quality documentation and security management (QDSM). The findings reflect that strength of Indian IT enabled service SMEs pertaining to quality implementation lie with customer focus, training and service-level management (SLM). Regression analysis shows that all three factor dimensions are positively influencing quality performance. The predictor score of three factor dimensions clearly reflects that Indian SMEs in service sectors have been focusing more on organisational culture and QDSM. The overall findings resemble very interesting insights which gives indication of unstructured pattern of approach. Keeping in view the pattern of practices it can be predicted that Indian digital SMEs are not practicing continuous improvement. It could be inferred that Indian IT enabled service SMEs approach is non-continuous in nature.

Further analysis may be needed to measure the construct using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The research paper is limited by including only six service sub-sectors which may not be adequate to generalise the results for the entire IT enabled/digital service SMEs within India. The same study can be extended by incorporating more quality management (QM) variables and other contextual factors within the organisation and by involving other service sector SMEs. Future research could be done by incorporating multi-contingency framework and moreover researchers may deploy other sophisticated tools and techniques to investigate how individual QMP are interrelated and its influence on performance by means of linkage research. The conceptual model developed can be validated by incorporating other service sector SMEs by deploying CFA and structural modelling.

This study could be beneficial to entrepreneurs and managers of start-ups and other service industries towards understanding improvement and changing their implementation approach. The theoretically grounded conceptual framework developed could provide entrepreneurial insights to new service managers and entrepreneurs who can better allocate their scarce resources to build quality and scalability effectively.

This study adds to the literature in identifying and showing importance of QMP in Indian IT enabled service SMEs. This choice is appropriate for this study as no prior research has been found to be conducted on this particular sector from Indian context, especially from service SMEs point of view. This research contributes in identifying new QMP (i.e. service reporting; content management; SLM and information and security management). Overall, the results of this study contribute towards advancing the understanding of the dimensionality of QM. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study being undertaken in context to Indian IT enabled service SMEs and is believed that the study provides valuable knowledge from the perspective of QM issues pertaining to Indian service firms.

This paper aims at presenting the benefits from implementing IT service management (ITSM) in an organization for managing campus‐wide IT operations. In order to improve the fault correlation from business perspectives, we proposed a framework to automate network and system alerts with respect to its business service impact for proactive notification to IT operations management.

The authors first evaluate the effect of IT service management (ITSM) tools in practical adoption followed by experience sharing in developing management process modules in service outsourcing model. Three years of quantitative analysis using real operational data were used to present the effect on ITSM tools adoption. A framework was developed from the study of literatures in service management, incident prioritization, and business continuity planning. For the proposed framework, it consists of a hybrid case‐based and rule‐based reasoning module and a new approach which utilizing business continuity planning for service‐resource mapping with business criticality and user activities.

For the past decade in the IT industry, a paradigm shift in managing IT could be observed. People are concerned more in managing IT services instead of traditional device‐oriented IT system or network components. With the term “business‐driven IT services,” it has raised new challenges in the area of IT service management, especially with respect to the management of service level agreement with service provider and the management of system and network faults.

Further work should be carried out on the aspect of using real data for the framework as motivated by the limitations of the present study. Practical real data could help the reader to experience its quantitative benefits.

This paper highlights the value of effective IT service management, placing particular emphasis on service outsourcing consideration and the mechanism in service‐event correlation.

This paper illustrates the effect of ITSM tools adoption by analyzing real operation data. The proposed framework explicitly utilizes business continuity planning (BCP) processes to identify the relationships between business services and IT resources that helps to improve the IT service management.

Deals with the future of service management in specific service management terms but also in broader, societal terms, from both a practitioner and a scholarly perspective. Claims that service management concerns not only what is traditionally known as service organizations, but also constitutes a future paradigm for organizations in general. The goods‐services division in its traditional sense is outdated; it represents a myopic production view, while the service economy is an expression for customer‐oriented and citizen‐oriented, value‐enhancing offering. Although service management has taken a giant step since the late 1970s, we are just beginning to see a new era of management that will fight the battle for economic survival in the future service society.

For western companies pursuing, or considering pursuing competitive strategy through Keiretsus recent indications from Japan of problems between Keiretsu partners will provide food for thought.

Accountability in personnel records management is to a large extent, dependent on the availability of personnel records, there has been very little recognition of the need to address the management of personnel records as evidence for accountability either in relation to Freedom of Information (FOI) or Open Data. It is in this regard, therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the legal frameworks for personnel records management in support of accountability. The study used a descriptive design which combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches where both qualitative and quantitative information was involved in the study. Founded on the records life cycle and the records continuum, the study aimed to fulfil its main objective: establishing legal frameworks for personnel records management at Garissa County Government (GCG). Purposive sampling was used to select 11 Human Resource Management Officers (HRMO), 11 Personnel Record Management Officers (PRMO) and 11 Personnel Records Management Clerks (PRMC) and 55 staff members who made the total sample of 88 respondents. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics with the help of a Statistical Package for Social Scientists (version 17) was used to perform the analysis of quantitative data and presented through frequency tables, percentages, means and standard deviations. Results indicated that the County Government does not have legal frameworks in personnel records management. Several challenges were identified including lack of personal records management policy, lack of integrity, lose of documents/file and poor communication system. Generally, the study shows that legal frameworks in personnel records management is very important in accountability, therefore, GCG management needs to take measure to improve legal frameworks in personnel records management infrastructure and develop personnel records management policy.

The study was conducted using a descriptive design. This design ensures that data collected are analysed and findings are reported to establish a better understanding of a physical or social phenomenon. The descriptive design combined both qualitative and quantitative approaches where both qualitative and quantitative information was involved in the study. The study was conducted at the County Government of Garissa’s Head Quarters; it targeted staff involved in personnel records management. Garissa town was selected because it is a centre of various activities in County Government of Garissa. The target population comprising HRMO, PRMO, PRMC and staff from different ministries who depended on the personnel records management activities. Purposive sampling was used to select 11 HRMO, 11 PRMO, 11 PRMC and 55 staff members who made the total sample of 88 respondents from the population. Questionnaire method was used to collect data from HRMO, PRMO, PRMC and staff members quickly and give more freedom (in terms of time and flexibility) to the respondents. Interviews were used to obtain more in-depth information from the PRMO, HRMO and PRMC being the individuals’ in-charge of personnel records were to provide information on legal frameworks for personnel records management at GCG.

Lack of a policy signifies a lack of accountability and awareness of the personnel records management standards, meaning that the staffs are not aware of their responsibilities towards the management of the County’s records. This is therefore likely to contribute significantly to poor performance (Mampe and Kalusopa, 2012). This then puts the County in a precarious position regarding personnel records due to lack of guidelines on classing and handling of personnel records. Lack of a policy also shows a lack of commitment in the area, purporting neglect, where responsibilities are not clearly assigned and remain unclear. Weak institutional capacity and the absence of, for example, comprehensive personnel records management policies have been cited as one of the main causes of archival (as well as records management) underdevelopment in Africa (Ngulube and Tafor 2006). From the reactions of the existence of a draft policy, the staff indicated that it covered among other things: a policy statement, scope, definition of terms, applicable legislation and procedures, mail management encompassing both incoming and outgoing mail, filing classification, retention and disposal, as well as a statement of responsibilities. The study revealed that: personnel records management in Kenya operates under the framework and guidance of the Kenya National Archives and Documentation Services – KNADS which is supported by the Public Archives and Documentation Services Act, Cap 19. Besides the Cap 19, of 1965 of the Laws of Kenya, there are also various legislations that support the management of records in Kenya including the Ministry of State for Public Service (MSPS) (DPM) Circular on personnel records reference number DPM. 12/6A Vol. I (71) of 12th March 2008, the Records Management Procedure Manual for the Public Service, May 2010, prepared by the MSPS in consultation with the KNADS to provide guidelines and procedures to be followed in the day to day management of records in the public service. It is meant to be used alongside existing laws and legislation governing records management in the service. The effective utilization of the manual as stated by the Ministry is to contribute towards the government’s quest to achieve good governance and accountability in the Public Service. Adherence to the Manual is also meant to streamline personnel records management practice leading to effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery and the Government Financial Regulations and Procedures, chapter 23, section 4:2–5 give guidelines on the retention period for financial records. The management of personnel records is guided by various legislations and circulars such as Public Archives and Documentation Service Act, (Cap.19, Laws of Kenya) revised 1991, The Employment Act Chapter 226, revised in 1977 and 2007, The Regulation of Wages and Conditions of Employment Act Chapter 229, Income Tax Act Chapter 470 revised 1989, The National Social Security Fund Act Chapter 258 revised 1989, The Service Commission Act Chapter 185 of 1967 and DPM.12/6A VOL. I (71) dated 12th March 2008 on the destruction of personnel records. Compliance to all the above legal frameworks will ensure that personnel records management in support of accountability at GCG is achieved.

The lack of effective personnel records management programme in a county agency was in itself non-conformity to the requirements and guidelines issued by the public services, thus leading to a lot of caution on how much could be revealed regarding the same. The focus of the study was on the assessment of paper-based and electronic personnel records management within the County Government. The assessment excluded other electronic records, such as online databases, with only personnel records being considered.

Nonexistence of personnel records management legal frameworks implies that the responsibilities for cooperate record management to GCG plans and guidelines of managing personnel records were inefficient. As a result of the absence of written personnel records management policy, there was also a lack of guidelines for appraisal, disposition and schedules of records. On legal frameworks for personnel records management at GCG, the findings revealed that there were many policies in GCG but personnel records management policy was missing which is very crucial. Record management policy will also enhance human resource management policy. The missing of the personnel records management policy reduces the accountability to people who deal with records management in general, increases lack of integrity and indicate that there is a presence of irrational decision.

The missing of the personnel records management policy reduce the accountability to people who deal with records management, in general, increases lack of integrity and indicate that there is a presence of irrational decision.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the management of personnel records in support of accountability in devolved governments: A case of GCG.

The purpose of this paper is to explore and construct a model for the mechanisms for authorization of actors in contemporary society performing in the role of the expert.

The study used qualitative analyses of about 70 interviews with management consultants in small/middle‐sized nationally based (in Sweden) consultancies, and with buyers in public organizations of their services. The data are, however, expected to represent more general tendencies of the mechanisms for authorization of experts such as management consultants. The interviews were seen as narratives from the field and interpreted qualitatively in order to search for patterns and categories.

Systems for professionalism in practice among experts such as management consultants do not follow the routes suggested by traditional theories of professions. It is another system for professionalism where success in commercialisation means authorization in the role of the expert on the market. The mechanism for authorization is trust and the way to construct this is that the single expert and the organizations he or she represents emphasize versatility, availability, relevance and differentiation in their practice as experts.

There is a growth in numbers, competence areas and importance of these forms of expert work in contemporary society. Understanding this is necessary and this study offers a model that explains this.

Markets for vague forms of experts, such as management consultants, are emerging. These are challenges faced by many individuals and organizations today.

More individuals work under consulting conditions, more organizations tend to hire more external experts of various kinds on temporary bases instead of employing them, and the number of expert organizations is emerging and their size is increasing.

Little attention has been devoted to explanations of how authorization in practice is constructed and achieved among the new experts. This study offers a model for how this can be understood.