Papers by Masoud Afshari-Mofrad
ACIS2022, 2022
The volatile and dynamic nature of cyberspace has raised concerns over security and organisations... more The volatile and dynamic nature of cyberspace has raised concerns over security and organisations are trying to make policies to protect their digital assets. However, policymaking in this field is still using traditional methods, which are slow and incompatible with the pace of change in the environment. Thus, it is vital to increase the speed of policy development in an agile and flexible manner. The question is, what does agility mean here and why is it important for organisations? To answer these questions, this study uses a systematic literature review approach and investigates 42 selected papers. By analysing the selected papers, a definition of cybersecurity policymaking agility is provided, and its importance in combating new cyberthreats is discussed. Building on and extending the organisational agility, policymaking and cybersecurity management research streams, the findings of this study propose new research opportunities for future studies.
E-government (EG) has become a necessity for governments in the information age and governors try... more E-government (EG) has become a necessity for governments in the information age and governors try to implement EG and assess its status to improve their services. Although many researchers studied EG implementation mostly in developed countries, there is still need for a comprehensive framework for EG implementation in developing countries. This study tried to review the literature and experiences of EG experts in a developing country in order to propose a framework which is fit with the needs of these countries. 92 questionnaires were completed by Iranian EG experts and analysing their responses using LMS technique and MPLUS 3.0 software validated the framework. Also, the framework was applied in Iran to investigate the status of EG readiness and the findings revealed that the country is experiencing an unbalanced trend in EG development. The findings showed that Iran's status in E-G is good in terms of human resources while policy making and soft infrastructures (soft) are the main weaknesses of the country.
Journal of Business Research, 2021
Researchers tend to rely on metaphors to gain initial comprehension of complex systems. However, ... more Researchers tend to rely on metaphors to gain initial comprehension of complex systems. However, literature offers little guidance for this strategy. This paper presents criteria for using metaphors responsibly in this arena by applying them to evaluate ecological metaphors related to innovation systems. We develop the idea of innovation ecotone as the boundary between the knowledge ecosystem and the business ecosystem. We demonstrate why this ecotone better meets the criteria for a valuable metaphor for understanding innovation systems than the "innovation ecosystem" metaphor. This novel approach resolves many ambiguities and provides new implications for policymakers, particularly regarding the nature of innovation policy agencies.
Journal of Science and Technology Policy Management, 2019
Purpose-Motivated by the huge potential of biosimilars in the near future and rapid growth of Ira... more Purpose-Motivated by the huge potential of biosimilars in the near future and rapid growth of Iranian biosimilar producing firms in recent two decades, this paper aims to explore the positioning of these firms in biopharmaceutical value chain and their path of technological capability building to extract policy-relevant advice.
Design/methodology/approach-As part of a two-year research project, an online questionnaire was designed and sent to biopharmaceutical experts in Iran between May and October 2016. Respondents came from biopharmaceutical firms. Also, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted to analyze the path of capability building in Iranian biosimilar-producing firms.
Findings-The findings show that Iranian biopharmaceutical firms (BPFs) are mostly concentrated on "pharmaceutical development,", "drug manufacturing" and " after-sales services' activities." The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the "assimilative" level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the "adaptive" level.
Originality/value-The findings show that Iranian BPFs are mostly concentrated on "pharmaceutical development," "drug manufacturing" and "after-sales services" activities. The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the "assimilative" level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the "adaptive" level.
Neural Computing and Applications
According to obtained reports, most of customer relationship management (CRM) projects fail. Thus... more According to obtained reports, most of customer relationship management (CRM) projects fail. Thus, a structured approach is needed to identify, prioritize and evaluate risks in CRM projects. This helps project managers of CRM implementation to find out how to treat such risks. The nature of CRM is multi-dimensional, and it is one of the most complicated innovations in organizations. In this paper, because of multi-dimensional nature of CRM projects, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is used to evaluate CRM risk factors based on active project managers’ judgments as experts in organizations which sale CRM software or provide service and consult in Iran. The analyses are performed by the judgments of CRM experts using a questionnaire including 49 pair-wise comparisons. In Iranian organizations, based on experts’ judgments, in the first life cycle phases of CRM, “changes in the stakeholders and top management” has the highest importance among risk factors in CRM projects. According to o...
ABSTRACT It is important for practitioners and researchers to evaluate advantages and disadvantag... more ABSTRACT It is important for practitioners and researchers to evaluate advantages and disadvantages of E-Learning and determine different factors which affect its outcomes. The first aim of this research is to compare smart schools with traditional schools in terms of school connectedness, academic motivation and academic achievement. Secondly, this research tries to assess the role of seven factors (including content, technical supports, ease of use, reliability, computer self-efficacy, expert and culture) in E-Learning outcomes and establish the degree of importance for each factor. The results revealed that there is a statistically significant difference between students in smart schools and traditional schools. Also the results of ranking by MPLUS 3.00 software and PCA method demonstrated that technical support is the most important factor which affects E-Learning outcomes.
Attar Neyshaburi is one of the major Persian poets and mystics who lived about 800 years ago. The... more Attar Neyshaburi is one of the major Persian poets and mystics who lived about 800 years ago. The main characteristic of his works is the simplicity and impressiveness of the language that he used. He tried to express his eminent mystical concepts by utilization of simple symbolic stories, meant to be comprehensible for everyone. He has left behind many poetic works, such as Massnavis, Asrarnameh and Elahiname. But many scholars believe that his masterwork is 'The Conference of the Birds' in which Attar narrates a journey of thousands of birds towards invincible Simurgh; a journey in which the birds experience seven valleys of love and most of them cannot survive. According to his point of view, the symbolic language of this work makes it possible for every single reader to comprehend one aspect of Attar's thoughts. In this study, we have used the seven valleys of love as a metaphor to seven waves of human society in order to present a new perspective of the future. A Hermeneutical method has been used to extract the meaning of Attar's texts. The findings show that the aforementioned metaphor could provide a fruitful source of vision for better understanding of the evolution of human society. The findings also imply that we can use the experiences and notions concealed in our rich literature to learn and build a better life for everyone.
Engineering Economics, 2014
Technology strategy extraction models have been regarded as one of the most important tools for m... more Technology strategy extraction models have been regarded as one of the most important tools for managers who are investigating new factors about firm performance and survival. This study looked into TSs of high-nanotech companies, or new technology-based firms. The environmental conditions imposed to these entrepreneurial firms separate the technology strategy development process into two parts, selection stage of a TS model and adjusting stage of this model regarding to moderators, thus in this research, one of the TS models has been chosen as its fundamental model for Iranian nanotechnology-based enterprises' TS. In addition, four key environmental moderators (sustainable technology development, developing country, high nanotechnology industry, and information availability) adjusting this model, have been determined. To make the understanding of a TS extraction model easier for engineers and other technical people, this study presents a filtration metaphor including four main stages along with four key environmental moderators. This metaphor, which compares selective filtration process with a technology strategy extraction under environmental moderating conditions, helps to bridge the gap between managers and engineers.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a significant role in global business by providing new mark... more Foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a significant role in global business by providing new markets and marketing channels, cheaper resources, access to new technologies, products, skills and financing. One of the most important aspects of FDI for a host country is technology spillover trough which domestic firms gain access to new technologies from international enterprises. Iran, as a developing country, has had some form of engagement with foreign capital for more than 150 years. Nevertheless, there are limited studies on the role of FDI in technology spillover in Iran. This study investigates the effect of technological capabilities of foreign subsidiaries on the relationship between FDI and technology spillover channels including Demonstration effect, Training effect, Collaboration effect, Linkage effect and Worker turnover. A questionnaire was completed by 100 subsidiary units based in Iran. The sample consists of all foreign subsidiaries active in different industry or service sections all over the country. The results of running logistic regression model on data from questionnaires showed that FDI could not affect spillover channels directly. Yet, the results proved that technological capabilities of subsidiary units, as mediating players, have a positive influence on two spillover channels namely Demonstration effect and Training effect.
Int. J. Business Information Systems, 2012
Organizations face considerable challenges in implementing and using ERP systems. Several researc... more Organizations face considerable challenges in implementing and using ERP systems. Several researchers have tried to study different aspects of this system. In this paper, based on literature review and experts’ interviews, a conceptual model is proposed which poses that technical and organizational infrastructures have an intervening role in the relationship between critical success factors and ERP performance. A 40-item questionnaire is used for data collection and analysis. Hierarchical regression results proved that at 95% confidence level, infrastructure variable plays a moderating role in the relationship between critical success factors and ERP performance. Also, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Latent Moderated Structural Equations (LMS) technique are used to validate the results of hierarchical regression. Results show that organizational infrastructure has the most important effect on ERP performance and “strategic goals” is the most important critical success factor. To our knowledge this is the first study which is concerned with the moderating role of organizational infrastructures on the relationship between ERP critical success factors and performance.
The impact of IT usage on performance and other organization’s outputs is an
important issue fo... more The impact of IT usage on performance and other organization’s outputs is an
important issue for both practitioners and academics. Evidence shows that despite a vast percentage of firm’s budget which has spent on IT is continuing increasingly, there are some failures of firms in obtaining the benefits of these expenditures within expected period. To solve this problem, managers have to consider complementary investments. In this paper a decision support system is developed for prioritizing investments on the Information Technology (IT) and its complementary using data of 102 car part suppliers in Iran. This software is developed using an artificial neural network and results are validated finally. One of the main specifications of this DSS is investigating on IT aspects at the firm level, which can help top management during decision making process to allocate budget properly in the most significant aspects of IT investment inside their own company.
International Journal of Business Information Syestems
The first purpose of this paper is to improve business processes in an industrial firm with Busin... more The first purpose of this paper is to improve business processes in an industrial firm with Business process modelling Notation (BPMN) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL). The second purpose is to provide a scientific approach for bringing business analysts and IT professionals together in a framework of an Action Research. The research is conducted in one of the biggest distribution companies in Iran. Business process modelling Notation is applied to model As-Is and to-be situations of sale and distribution process. Both As-Is and ToBe models were simulated to compare their performance indexes. Moreover, models were implemented using Business Process Execution Language, so that the model can be used for automating and improving the process. In this study, Action Research methodology was used to find a resolution of an organizational issue with those who experience this issue directly and to improve scientific knowledge and real-life contexts simultaneously.
Nowadays, governments realise that they must deliver services to citizens efficiently and effecti... more Nowadays, governments realise that they must deliver services to citizens efficiently and effectively in a customised way to citizen's needs. These changes lead governments to Citizen Relationship Management (CzRM). The same as many new technologies; CzRM has faced many implementation failures. This paper presents a model for assessing critical success factors (CSFs) of CzRM strategies and their effects on successful CzRM implementation. Municipality of Tehran was chosen as a case and quantitative methods were selected with explanatory research approach by means of a survey strategy. The findings show that all of the CSFs are highly correlated with CzRM success.
Improving banks performance is important for investors, creditors and other stakeholders. IT
as... more Improving banks performance is important for investors, creditors and other stakeholders. IT
as a strategic resource can help bank managers to gain competitive advantage by improving
banks’ capabilities. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of IT and two other
variables on firm performance considering the moderating role of environmental dynamism
and strategy. IT costs, number of employees and fixed assets are considered as independent
variables which affect banks’ profit and deposit as two main variables of bank performance.
The study sample consists of 102 branches of the largest Iranian private bank. Results show
that IT costs appear to have a stronger positive impact on bank performance when there are
greater environmental changes and more proactive branch strategy. To our knowledge this is
the first study considering the moderating role of strategy and environmental dynamism in
the bank industry environment.
E-Learning as a new platform of training has attracted a lot of attention from researchers and pr... more E-Learning as a new platform of training has attracted a lot of attention from researchers and practitioners in recent years. Many researchers tried to assess different factors which influence E-Learning outcomes. This study aims to examine seven most important factors which exist in the literature (including content, support, ease of use, reliability, computer self-efficacy, expert and culture) using an empirical approach. Participants are 247 students who are using technology-based education in Iran. Regression results showed that five variable including supports, ease of use, reliability, computer self-efficacy and culture, have a significant influence on E-Learning outcomes but two other variables including content and expert don't show a significant effect. Also results of principle component analysis and latent moderated structuring (LMS) method reveal that "technical support" is the most important variable which affects web-based education.
Fuel and Energy Abstracts, 2011
Although many researchers have studied different factors which affect E-Learning outcomes, there ... more Although many researchers have studied different factors which affect E-Learning outcomes, there is little research on assessment of the intervening role of readiness factors in E-Learning outcomes. This study proposes a conceptual model to determine the role of readiness factors in the relationship between E-Learning factors and E-Learning outcomes. Readiness factors are divided into three main groups including: technical, organizational and social. A questionnaire was completed by 96 respondents. This sample consists of teachers at Tehran high schools who are utilizing a technology-based educating. Hierarchical regression analysis is done and its results strongly support the appropriateness of the proposed model and prove that readiness factors variable plays a moderating role in the relationship between E-Learning factors and outcomes. Also latent moderated structuring (LMS) technique and MPLUS3 software are used to determine each variable’s ranking. Results show that organizational readiness factors have the most important effect on E-Learning outcomes. Also teachers’ motivation and training is the most important factor in E-Learning. Findings of this research will be helpful for both academics and practitioners of E-Learning systems.►A framework of the effects of readiness factors on E-Learning outcomes is proposed. ►Readiness factors include three categories: technical, organizational and social. ►A questionnaire was completed by 96 respondents. ►Organizational readiness factors have the most important effect on E-Learning. ►Also teachers’ motivation and training is the most important factor in E-Learning.
Books by Masoud Afshari-Mofrad
This is a translation of the 5th season (Industrial policy in the era of vertically specialized I... more This is a translation of the 5th season (Industrial policy in the era of vertically specialized Industrialization) of the book entitled "Transforming Economies: Making industrial policy work for growth, jobs and development" by Milberg, jiang & Gereffi
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Papers by Masoud Afshari-Mofrad
Design/methodology/approach-As part of a two-year research project, an online questionnaire was designed and sent to biopharmaceutical experts in Iran between May and October 2016. Respondents came from biopharmaceutical firms. Also, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted to analyze the path of capability building in Iranian biosimilar-producing firms.
Findings-The findings show that Iranian biopharmaceutical firms (BPFs) are mostly concentrated on "pharmaceutical development,", "drug manufacturing" and " after-sales services' activities." The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the "assimilative" level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the "adaptive" level.
Originality/value-The findings show that Iranian BPFs are mostly concentrated on "pharmaceutical development," "drug manufacturing" and "after-sales services" activities. The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the "assimilative" level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the "adaptive" level.
important issue for both practitioners and academics. Evidence shows that despite a vast percentage of firm’s budget which has spent on IT is continuing increasingly, there are some failures of firms in obtaining the benefits of these expenditures within expected period. To solve this problem, managers have to consider complementary investments. In this paper a decision support system is developed for prioritizing investments on the Information Technology (IT) and its complementary using data of 102 car part suppliers in Iran. This software is developed using an artificial neural network and results are validated finally. One of the main specifications of this DSS is investigating on IT aspects at the firm level, which can help top management during decision making process to allocate budget properly in the most significant aspects of IT investment inside their own company.
as a strategic resource can help bank managers to gain competitive advantage by improving
banks’ capabilities. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of IT and two other
variables on firm performance considering the moderating role of environmental dynamism
and strategy. IT costs, number of employees and fixed assets are considered as independent
variables which affect banks’ profit and deposit as two main variables of bank performance.
The study sample consists of 102 branches of the largest Iranian private bank. Results show
that IT costs appear to have a stronger positive impact on bank performance when there are
greater environmental changes and more proactive branch strategy. To our knowledge this is
the first study considering the moderating role of strategy and environmental dynamism in
the bank industry environment.
Books by Masoud Afshari-Mofrad
Design/methodology/approach-As part of a two-year research project, an online questionnaire was designed and sent to biopharmaceutical experts in Iran between May and October 2016. Respondents came from biopharmaceutical firms. Also, 12 semi-structured interviews were conducted to analyze the path of capability building in Iranian biosimilar-producing firms.
Findings-The findings show that Iranian biopharmaceutical firms (BPFs) are mostly concentrated on "pharmaceutical development,", "drug manufacturing" and " after-sales services' activities." The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the "assimilative" level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the "adaptive" level.
Originality/value-The findings show that Iranian BPFs are mostly concentrated on "pharmaceutical development," "drug manufacturing" and "after-sales services" activities. The study also demonstrates that most BPFs in Iran are at the "assimilative" level of capability and a few of them have recently moved toward the "adaptive" level.
important issue for both practitioners and academics. Evidence shows that despite a vast percentage of firm’s budget which has spent on IT is continuing increasingly, there are some failures of firms in obtaining the benefits of these expenditures within expected period. To solve this problem, managers have to consider complementary investments. In this paper a decision support system is developed for prioritizing investments on the Information Technology (IT) and its complementary using data of 102 car part suppliers in Iran. This software is developed using an artificial neural network and results are validated finally. One of the main specifications of this DSS is investigating on IT aspects at the firm level, which can help top management during decision making process to allocate budget properly in the most significant aspects of IT investment inside their own company.
as a strategic resource can help bank managers to gain competitive advantage by improving
banks’ capabilities. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of IT and two other
variables on firm performance considering the moderating role of environmental dynamism
and strategy. IT costs, number of employees and fixed assets are considered as independent
variables which affect banks’ profit and deposit as two main variables of bank performance.
The study sample consists of 102 branches of the largest Iranian private bank. Results show
that IT costs appear to have a stronger positive impact on bank performance when there are
greater environmental changes and more proactive branch strategy. To our knowledge this is
the first study considering the moderating role of strategy and environmental dynamism in
the bank industry environment.