Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

2686

Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation (Access Restricted)

Degree Name

Doctor of Business Admin

Major

Business Administration

Concentration

Management Information Systems

Committee Chair

Mark L Gillenson

Committee Member

Robin S Poston

Committee Member

James M Lukawitz

Abstract

For businesses to function properly and interact with each other in modern supply networks, it is critically important that they have high quality communication processes based on commonly accepted bodies of professional terminology.A taxonomy designed from a set of terms derived empirically by way of textual analysis could serve as a linguistic foundation for the communication process mentioned above.In any organization the professional language based on such terminology exists as a continuous social process of negotiating the meaning for and upholding the accepted use of the old terms as well as the new ones.But, in today's business world, new disciplines and changes to existing disciplines occur so rapidly that it is difficult for practitioners to develop and agree on common sets of terminology quickly enough.This research deals with an issue deemed central to any business, which is the issue of removing the barriers in professional communication and understanding. Specifically we study the means of resolving the problems with the new and confusing terminology aggressively promoted by highly innovative members of industries, both new firms as well as the established industry leaders whose influence cannot be ignored by their customers.The problem is modeled and researched first, after which the research findings are used as guiding principles for a designed solution, which concludes the current research effort.Shannon’s (1948) Communication Model serves as a master model, which ties together all theories, referenced in this research.Following the Design Science paradigm the solution comes in the form of a planned language process, the main feature of which is the evolving taxonomy, which is a designed outcome of computer-assisted textual analysis.While many highly dynamic industries face these challenges, for this study we chose the database industry as highly indicative of the problem, and especially its Big Data products.We pay special attention to clarity in presenting the researcher’s view on research design for this inquiry. This view is based on Crotty (1998) research design elements, which permits both qualitative and quantitative methods to be utilized in our study.Systematics is emphasized throughout the research process.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

Download

Share

COinS