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Based on recent reviews regarding its use in information systems (IS) studies, this paper argues that action research is still not well recognized by IS researchers and mainstream IS journals especially in North America. To make the situation worse, existing criteria used to assess the quality of action research studies are found to be inadequate when applied to IS. In order to advance its understanding and use by IS researchers and practitioners, the IS action research framework proposed recently by Lau is refined and presented as a set of guidelines in this paper. The implications of this refined framework on IS research and practice are discussed.

This paper describes our experiences from a two‐year research study to introduce evidence‐based practice (EBP) through a set of electronic information tools into two Canadian health regions. The improvisational model of technological change by Orlikowski and Hofman (1997) is used to provide the conceptual foundations for understanding the pattern of evolution associated with the tools observed in these two settings over time. Key areas to consider when changing practice identified from this study are time availability, intended use, adequate training, clinical champions, work practice fit, system refinement, around‐the‐clock support and environment influence. Health organizations should also distinguish anticipated, emergent and opportunistic changes and improvise accordingly when introducing EBP information tools in a setting that is characteristically complex, dynamic and unpredictable.

The purpose of this paper is to envision the benefits of applying the Instant Messaging (IM) paradigm in pervasive computing environments. With IM in such an environment, all smart entities, human or not, can interact using IM as the unified interface. To realize this vision, the design of a Smart Instant Messaging (SIM) system is proposed, which features context‐aware presence management, user‐centric resource configuration, and adaptive grouping.

Three prototype versions of a client have been implemented and their performance in terms of memory usage and response time evaluated.

The SIM system was found to transcend current IM products by having new features including context‐aware presence management, user‐centric resource configuration, and adaptive grouping support.

The system described here extends the Jabber‐based IM framework and relies on an ontology‐based supporting middleware to handle the chore of retrieving and interpreting contextual information.

One of the major impediments to urban renewal in Hong Kong is the acquisition of land from different owners in order to form adequate parcels for development. Compulsory purchase powers are not available to the private sector as only public authorities can properly exercise powers over individuals in the public interest. In the case of urban renewal, when the Land Development Corporation (LDC) exercises compulsory purchase powers, it has to go through long and rigorous procedures to demonstrate that there is no undue detriment to the interests of landowners. In this paper the practice of the LDC in this respect is examined in detail and the problems and issues of land assembly in the urban renewal process highlighted. Finally, new policies for land assembly are suggested as means of dealing with the difficulties identified.

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the case of a manufacturing firm situated in an industrial city of India, focusing on supply chain management issues of the concerned organization from two operational perspectives: supply side (or the procurement side) and the distribution side of the system.

The authors first considered the outsourcing decision‐making problem in a static environment using analytical expression by means of a variable fraction of demand. Next, the authors extended the scope of this problem by considering outsourcing decisions in a dynamic environment, using the sequential decision‐making approach with various operational and inventory factors. Finally, the authors carried out the study of the distribution side of the supply chain of industry using discrete event simulation.

It was observed that, in the case study organization, because of the rather unstructured approach in dealing with the outsourcing perspective, the authors suggested the adoption of a more scientific approach in computation of fraction of demand to be outsourced. Further, since the distribution network typically experienced high inventory levels throughout the supply chain, it was decided upfront to optimize this performance measure.

The primary objectives of this exercise are to: address the operational concerns of a real‐life manufacturing environment; apply the theoretical models in a realistic environment, and compare the results of theory with practice; and provide actionable managerial recommendations.

This study examines the relationship between fashion leadership, clothing deprivation and satisfaction of Hong Kong young consumers. A survey was carried out with 309 university students and 228 working young people in Hong Kong. Factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to group various attributes into different factors related to clothing deprivation and satisfaction. Hirschman and Adcock's (1978) measure was adopted to classify subjects into various fashion groups. ANOVA followed by Scheffe's procedure was applied to detect differences in clothing deprivation and satisfaction between different fashion groups. The implications of the findings to fashion retailers are discussed.

This study examined the effectiveness of the Triple P‐Positive Parenting Program in a government child health service delivery context with Chinese parents in Hong Kong. Specifically, the study sought to identify pre‐intervention variables that might predict programme outcomes such as level of clinical improvement and programme completion. Participants were 661 parents of pre‐school and primary aged children participating in a group version of the Triple P‐Positive Parenting Program. There were significant decreases in disruptive child behaviours, levels of parenting stress, general stress and anxiety and an increase in parenting sense of competence. Greater change in reports of child behaviour problems was related to lower levels of family income, new immigrant family status, and higher pre‐intervention levels of parenting stress. The present study provides a profile of parents who are most likely to benefit from parent training programmes.

Tackling discrimination, stigma and inequalities in mental health is a major UK government objective. Surveys have suggested that mental health services are institutionally racist. Most research has focused on stigma associated with schizophrenia despite well‐documented prejudice against people with other psychiatric disorders.The aim of this study was to assess stigmatised attitudes towards people from two ethnic groups with substance use disorder and learning disability. The 20‐point Attitude to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ) was used to assess stigmatised attitudes. A representative panel of members of the general public were randomised to receive a questionnaire with a picture of a European or African‐Caribbean man and a fictitious description of alcoholism (first round) or Down's syndrome (second round) six months later. Results were received for over 198 subjects (response rate 79‐84%). There was no difference between the score for the African‐Caribbean vignette or the European vignette for either alcoholism (mean AMIQ score 0.43 standard error = 0.39; n = 100 Vs 0.98 standard error = 0.53; n = 110; effect size r = 0.11; p = 0.2059;) or learning disability (mean 1.71 standard error = 0.22; n = 100 Vs 1.98; standard error = 0.30; n = 98; effect size r = 0.07; p = 0.2559).The study showed that ethnic origin had no significant difference on stigmatised attitudes towards someone with alcoholism or learning disability. Although a larger study would have increased power to detect a statistically significant difference it seems unlikely that a difference of the observed magnitude would be of any practical relevance.

The purpose of this study is to explore the use of the performance measurement system as an organizational learning mechanism to support continuous improvement.

The paper reports the results of a survey of Australian organizations certified to quality standard ISO 9000.

For those respondents who consider their organization's quality program to be successful, the findings indicate that such organizations have embedded quality into the culture of the organization, and have developed performance measurement systems as an organizational learning mechanism to support the continuous improvement initiatives.

The paper highlights the need for management to ensure that the organization's management control systems are structured to support continuous improvement initiatives.

The paper explores the links between continuous improvement and organizational learning.