HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REVIEW
REVIEWER COMMENTS
Title of Paper:“Internet Recruiting: Scope, Nature, and Legal Issues”
Paper No:HRMR – 103-98
Reviewer No:#003
R E V I E W
Purpose of the paper:
The paper analyzes the prospects and potential legal, as well as economic and managerial, problems involved in hiring employees through online recruiting.
GENERAL REVIEW
In general, I agree with the authors about the importance of the topic. It is clear that the use of information technology, in general, and the Internet, in particular, are fundamentally changing how recruitment is carried out in organizations. Information technology is enabling new forms of recruitment, providing new channels to locate and attract potential employees, and, at the same time, shaping and supporting human resources managerial initiatives in today’s global competitive landscape. In this dynamic environment, the authors rightly point out the need for research to better understand the economic, managerial, and legal issues of electronic recruiting. The paper in its present form, however, lacks the sufficient motivation to understand what new knowledge we can gain by reading it, and there is no clear theoretical foundation or analytical theme to carry us along.
The introduction provides a systematic description of challenges faced today by human resource managers in recruiting and selecting employees. Then, each of the next main sections develops a different topic with very little integration among them. The first section describes technological advances in the area of electronic recruiting and selection. The second section uses an economic conceptual framework aimed at explaining the importance of electronic human resource recruiting. The third section introduces the disparate impact theory to discuss legal challenges in electronic recruiting. The final section proposes managerial strategies for coping with possible legal entanglements and protecting the firm’s interest in maintaining a diverse workforce.
My concern with the first section is that the scope of the technology analyzed is not clearly stated. From the paper’s title and introduction, it appears that the realm of the paper is Internet recruiting. This section, however, is about information technologies for human resource management. In addition to Internet technologies, it also introduces other information technologies (such as searchable databases, specialized recruiting software applications, skill test software programs, and electronic screening software applications) as well as information services (such as the scanning service provided by Rexumix and Advanced Personnel Systems, Inc.). This might be very misleading to the reader, especially because these technologies are not mentioned again in the later sections of the paper.
Sections two and three are interesting by themselves. It is not clear, however, how transaction cost theory, presented in section two, and the disparate impact theory, introduced in section three, are useful in directing readers’ attention to understand the problems raised in the introduction of the paper, and worse yet, the integration of both sections.
Finally, the fourth section suggests three strategies to avoid Internet recruiting problems: 1) limit the scope of Internet recruiting to only the range of position in which information technology skills are required, 2) combine the Internet with traditional recruiting methods, and 3) use the Internet mainly as an advertising tool. Although these strategies appear very logical, how they were derived is not clear to me. They also stop short of offering suggestions for future Internet recruiting. The “so what” question needs to be answered carefully.
The bottom line is that the paper contains very interesting descriptions of modern human resources recruiting practices, which HRMR readers should find interesting. However, four sections raising potential legal, economic, and managerial problems by themselves would not make a contribution to theory or practice unless the authors also perform the task of integrating these issues across the paper to offer specific suggestions for Internet recruitment.
Having made these comments, I do believe that the topic is fascinating and timely, but the work is still in early stages. That’s OK—everyone’s work starts there. I encourage the authors to pursue the required modifications of the paper because the topic is VERY IMPORTANT.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH
REVIEWER COMMENTS
Title of Paper:“Transfer of Information Technology to Developing Countries: A Test of Cultural Influence Modeling in the Arab World”
Paper No:#97-023-1
Reviewer No:#003
R E V I E W
Purpose of the paper:
The paper offers a model to conceptualize the influence that (1) cultural beliefs and values and (2) technologically advanced cultures have on information technology transfer. Then, the model is used to analyze technology transfer to the Arab cultures of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and the Sudan.
Main sections addressed in the paper:
Section 1. States the motivation for exploring cultural influence on the transfer of information technology to developing countries. In particular, it highlights why the Arab society, “one of the most complex cultural and social systems in the world,” is an appropriate setting for this investigation.
Section 2.Presents prior research on transfer of information technology, highlighting the need to better understand the links between culture and technology. This section also presents the two research questions: (1) Do cultural beliefs influence the transference of information technology to less developed cultures? and (2) Does contact with technologically advanced cultures impact information technology transfer and systems outcomes?
Section 3.Develops a cultural influence model of information technology transfer.
Section 4. Presents prior research on the relationship between culture and technology in cultural anthropology.
Section 5.Provides background on the existing research on the transfer of information technology to Arab countries.
Section 6.Details the approach taken by the authors to examine the transfer of information technology from industrialized countries to Arab countries. Furthermore, it clarifies the specific aspects of the Arab culture that were hypothesized to affect the transfer of technology.
Section 7.Describes the research strategy that was followed and the study’s descriptive statistics.
Section 8.Presents the analysis and results of the study.
Section 9.Discusses the findings of the study as stimulus for future theory testing and for technology policy setting by responsible Arab leaders. This section also presents the study limitations.
GENERAL REVIEW
In general, I agree with the authors about the importance of the topic and the opportune setting to test their cultural influence model. The purpose of the paper is clearly stated from the outset, and the paper is very clearly written. The paper’s introduction persuades the reader to look at the influence of culture on information technology transfer. The end of the paper presents interesting implications for expanding theory as well as practice. Although I did not review this manuscript in the previous iteration, after reading the current version and the point-by-point responses by the authors, I feel that the key major problems noted earlier have been solved. In particular, I feel that the authors have made the research background and the research methodology and context sections stronger.
It is important to recognize, however, that in answering the reviewers concerns the authors have added sections to the paper without a clear integrative theme to carry the readers along these new sections. In particular, I would suggest integrating sections 2-6 under one section (potentially renamed “Research Background and Theoretical Framework”. The background information—prior research on information technology transfer in developed countries, the relationship between culture and technology in cultural anthropology, and the transfer of information technology to Arab countries—should be tied more clearly (explicitly) to the research model. For example, the reader should understand the rationale for using a page and a half to explain the relationship between culture and technology in cultural anthropology studies (other than the reviewers suggested it). In addition, it would be useful to understand how prior research on information technology transfer to Arab countries (now section 5) informed the critical approach taken in this study (now section 6). Then, I would suggest putting the research question at the end of this background section.
I found the section entitled “Research Methods and Descriptive Statistics” to be one of the strongest sections of the paper. However, the explanation of the interdisciplinary research team is only vaguely mentioned at the beginning of this section. Since the paper does not provide the data and the details of this interdisciplinary team research approach (number of researchers involved at each phase, their specific backgrounds, the role played by each researcher, and the coordination strategies), the reader cannot tell how the data were really collected and analyzed. More importantly, how could a reader (who does not doubt the quality of the research in this paper) who would like to join the same school of thought as the authors' proceed to form a research team either to replicate the current study or extend the current study to, for instance, different cultures in Africa or Asia?
Some minor suggestions to improve the paper are:
The component of the cultural influence model entitled “National IT Policies and Technological Infrastructure” is only briefly mentioned in the Abstract and Introduction, and it is included in Figure 1. However, given that it is not further developed or included in this study, I would suggest taking it out. It can mislead the reader into believing that it is part of this research.
Page 5, “Research Question 1. Do cultural beliefs influence the transference of information technology to less developed cultures?”
Comment: I am not convinced that the Arab culture is a less developed culture, but a culture that exists in less developed countries. (This question also appears in the Abstract, page ii.)
Page 9: Figure 1 and page 27: Figure 3. The “Technological Acculturation” component of model should be label “Technological Culturation” (TC) to be consistent with the text, tables, and Figure 2.
Page 14, paragraph 1: “… a people chooses its own history.”
Should be “… a person chooses her/his own history” or “people choose their own history.”
Page 31, paragraph 2: “… we propose that using specific cultural components of culture in the ITT process…”
Should be “… we propose that using specific components of culture in the ITT process…”
My overall reaction is that the authors seek comprehensiveness in presenting the topic. The problems and questions raised here call for a minor revision of the paper’s format. Overall, the paper sheds light on the management and transfer information technology in cultures of developing countries. Hence, it has potential significance for moving our research community away from its current ethnocentric/North American-centric/European-centric perspective. The topic, therefore, is good and much needed.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Ramiro Montealegre Campus Box 419
Assistant Professor Boulder, Colorado 80309-0419
(303) 492-0416
(303) 492-5962 Facsimile
Boulder, March 30th, 1998
Omar El Sawy
Graduate School of Business Administration
University of Southern California
Los Angeles CA 90089-1421
Dear Omar,
Enclosed you will find the review of manuscript #97-023-1 submitted for publication in Information Systems Research (ISR). Although I did not review this manuscript in the previous iteration, after reading the current version and the point-by-point responses by the authors, I feel that the key major problems noted earlier have been solved. Therefore, my overall reaction is that the paper should be accepted for publication. The problems and questions raised in my review call for a minor revision of the paper’s format. I hope that the authors will find my comments useful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely yours,
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Ramiro Montealegre Campus Box 419
Assistant Professor Boulder, Colorado 80309-0419
(303) 492-0416
(303) 492-5962 Facsimile
Boulder, March 30th, 1998
Chris Perry
Editorial Assistant
MCB UP Limited
60/62 Toller Lane, Bradford,
West Yorkshire
England BD8 9BY
Dear Chris,
I would like to thank you for your invitation to become the Internet Editor for Management Decision. It is a very interesting and exciting opportunity. Unfortunately, my present workload precludes me from accepting this position. I am sorry.
Sincerely yours,
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PRESS
CASE STUDY: THE GUAYAQUIL STOCK MARKET
Hi Lynda,
It was VERY NICE seeing you last week in Boston.
Thank you for sharing with me the case study on the Guayaquil Stock Market. I enjoyed reading it. My overall reaction is that the topic is fascinating and timely.
The case sheds light on the use of internet for business in a less-developed country context. Hence, it has potential significance for helping our students community away from its current ethnocentric/North American-centric/European-centric perspective. The topic, therefore, is good and much needed.
I believe that my longitudinal research can lead to improve the transfer of technology between firms in Latin America, particularly Guatemala, and the U.S. I also believe that research and education in this area are very important in fostering the new generation of business scholars and practitioners. This new generation has to be well aware and prepared to deal with the new features of the dynamic economy which are reshaping the marketplace of the Americas.
Having said that, presently
Having made these comments, I do believe that the case as written now only provide a rich description of events, emphasing a very clear and rational logic and information the decisions that have until know drive BVG. However, the challenges, conflicsts, resistence, choices.
I also understand your concern to avoid casting the paper with a negative tone by explaining that the system has been temporarily halted due to lack of funding.
However, the data that should make the story EVEN MORE interesting. Such as conflicts and resistance encountered as well as the approach followed in gaining access to resources, skills and appropriape IT infrastructure is missing. In addition, as you mentioned, further information about the business economic model, emphasizing the community, content and commerce efforts should enrich the case.
Let me also tell you that in my own research on the adoption of the Internet in Latin America, Ecuador is one of the four cases that I documented in great detail. Therefore, I have the complete history of the development of EcuaNet.
Lynda, I would be very interested in following this research if the people in BVG are willing to provide the “missing information,” and they are willing to let us publish the data. Please advice me on what steps should we take from here.
Best wishes, and please give my regards to your husband and Christopher. 9
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL PRESS
CASE STUDY: THE GUAYAQUIL STOCK MARKET
Hi Lynda,
It was VERY NICE seeing you last week in Boston.
Thank you for sharing with me the case study on BVG (Guayaquil Stock Market). I enjoyed reading it. My overall reaction is that the topic is fascinating and timely. The case sheds light on the challenges faced by a less-developed country firm in trying to do business on the Internet. Hence, it has potential significance for moving our understanding on the business implications of the Internet away from its current ethnocentric/North American-centric/European-centric perspective. The topic, therefore, is good and much needed. I do believe that research and education materials in this area are critical in fostering the new generation of business scholars and practitioners. This new generation has to be well aware and prepared to deal with the new features of the dynamic economy which are reshaping the world marketplace.
Having made these comments, I have to admit that the way in which the case is written gives the reader the impression that this is a very rational story. My concern is that the data that should make the story EVEN MORE interesting (such as conflicts and resistance encountered as well as the approach followed in gaining access to resources, skills, and appropriate IT infrastructure) are missing. The powerful external pressures, which usually “make or break” the implementation of new technologies in less-developed countries, are not presented or discussed. In addition, as you mentioned in your written comments, further information about the business economic model, emphasizing the community, content and commerce efforts should enrich the case.
Finally, let me share with you that in my own research on the adoption of the Internet in Latin America, Ecuador was one of the four cases that I documented in great detail. Therefore, I have the complete history of the development of EcuaNet.
Lynda, I am very interested in following this research if the people in BVG are willing to provide the “missing information,” and they are willing to let us publish the data as a case study and as a research paper. Please advice me on what steps should we take from here.