This research study seeks to understand the nature of organisational change with respect to offshore outsourcing of information technology services in a multinational pharmaceutical company, and to examine the effectiveness of approaches used to manage this change so that lessons may be drawn from these experiences. Despite the abundant literature on effective organisational change management, the key factors that need to be managed properly at different stages of the offshore outsourcing process are not well understood. The research adopts a processual view to paint a broad picture of the issues involved in these different stages. A generic process model of change, based on the review of the change literature, was first developed to represent how change was intended to occur. This model focuses on the following four stages in the change process: context, diagnosis and planning, implementation, and institutionalisation. The research employs an interpretive case study approach and draws on fieldwork from three independent information systems departments (cases) of the company, where offshore outsourcing programmes were implemented. Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, direct observation and document analysis are analysed by applying the generic process model to produce a detailed account of the way in which change was managed in the case organisations. The findings reveal that a combination of contextual factors, both external and internal to the company, influenced the adoption and use of offshore outsourcing in the case organisations. Externally, the economic forces were found to be the main catalyst for the change, while internally the role of the executive leadership and the lack of internal resources further explain the motivations behind the adoption of offshore outsourcing. The study illustrates that achieving successful outcomes from offshore outsourcing activities critically depends on the organisation adequately addressing a number of factors, such as conveying a sense of urgency, developing and communicating the vision, identifying the benefits of change and how they will be delivered, generating short-term wins, providing education and training, developing a fit between the change and organisational culture, etc., throughout the change process. The findings also highlight the effects of offshore outsourcing on the case organisations, including change in job roles and responsibilities and organisational learning activities that enable corrective actions to improve change management efforts. An important contribution of this research is the development of a model providing a more comprehensive understanding of the change process associated with the implementation of offshore IT outsourcing. Recommendations for policy makers and change managers to improve change management practice based on the research findings, as well as recommendations for further research, form a significant part of the conclusions.

Ever since 1989, the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, has been the host of SymOrg, an event that promotes scientific disciplines of organizing and managing a business. Traditionally, the Symposium has been an opportunity for its participants to share and exchange both academic and practical knowledge and experience in a pleasant and creative atmosphere. This time, however, due the challenging situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided that all the essential activities planned for the International Symposium SymOrg 2020 should be carried out online between the 7th and the 9th of September 2020. We are very pleased that the topic of SymOrg 2020, “Business and Artificial Intelligence”, attracted researchers from different institutions, both in Serbia and abroad. Why is artificial intelligence a disruptive technology? Simply because “it significantly alters the way consumers, industries, or businesses operate.” According to the European Commission document titled Artificial Intelligence for Europe 2018, AI is a key disruptive technology that has just begun to reshape the world. The Government of the Republic of Serbia has also recognized the importance of AI for the further development of its economy and society and has prepared an AI Development Strategy for the period between 2020 and 2025. The first step has already been made: the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, after a public call, has selected and financed twelve AI projects. This year, more than 200 scholars and practitioners authored and co-authored the 94 scientific and research papers that had been accepted for publication in the Proceedings. All the contributions to the Proceedings are classified into the following 11 sections: Information Systems and Technologies in the Era of Digital Transformation Smart Business Models and Processes Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development Smart Environment for Marketing and Communications Digital Human Resource Management Smart E-Business Quality 4.0 and International Standards Application of Artificial Intelligence in Project Management Digital and Lean Operations Management Transformation of Financial Services Methods and Applications of Data Science in Business and Society We are very grateful to our distinguished keynote speakers: Prof. Moshe Vardi, Rice University, USA, Prof. Blaž Zupan, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Prof. Vladan Devedžić, University of Belgrade, Serbia, Milica Đurić-Jovičić, PhD, Director, Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, and Harri Ketamo, PhD, Founder & Chairman of HeadAI ltd., Finland. Also, special thanks to Prof. Dragan Vukmirović, University of Belgrade, Serbia and Prof. Zoran Ševarac, University of Belgrade, Serbia for organizing workshops in fields of Data Science and Machine Learning and to Prof. Rade Matić, Belgrade Business and Arts Academy of Applied Studies and Milan Dobrota, PhD, CEO at Agremo, Serbia, for their valuable contribution in presenting Serbian experiences in the field of AI. The Faculty of Organizational Sciences would to express its gratitude to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and all the individuals who have supported and contributed to the organization of the Symposium. We are particularly grateful to the contributors and reviewers who made this issue possible. But above all, we are especially thankful to the authors and presenters for making the SymOrg 2020 a success!

Individually, the fields of organizational politics and strategic information technology have soared in popularity. Studies suggest that the interaction between the two would prove beneficial to both the academic and corporate domains. This integration would serve to enable, support, and manage modern businesses. Strategic Information Technology Governance and Organizational Politics in Modern Business gives voice to fresh perspectives on the development, implementation, and practice of information systems and technology in organizations. This book is beneficial for business people, undergraduate students, postgraduate candidates, and researchers looking to gain a more in-depth understanding of the influence of socio-technical factors on ICT operations.

This book contains 11 carefully revised and selected papers from the 5th Workshop on Global Sourcing, held in Courchevel, France, March 14-17, 2011. They have been gleaned from a vast empirical base brought together by leading researchers in information systems, strategic management, and operations. This volume is intended for use by students, academics, and practitioners interested in the outsourcing and offshoring of information technology and business processes. It offers a review of the key topics in outsourcing and offshoring, populated with practical frameworks that serve as a tool kit for students and managers. The topics discussed combine theoretical and practical insights, and they are extensively illustrated by case studies from client and vendor organizations. Last but not least, the book examines current and future trends in outsourcing and offshoring, paying particular attention to how innovation can be realized in global or outsourced software development environments.

"This book covers a wide range of topics involved in the outsourcing of information technology through state-of-the-art collaborations of international field experts"--Provided by publisher.

Although IT outsourcing is nothing new, it remains surprisingly challenging for professionals. This book assists the IT professional in several areas of the outsourcing process: establishing outsourcing relationships, maintaining and managing the relationship, and finally governing outsourcing projects successfully.

This book is a collection of essays on service and advanced technology written by the author and are based on peer-reviewed papers presented at technical conferences. Service and advanced technology is the cornerstone of modern business and management, and future developments in the various disciplines will be based on concepts presented herein. The essays can be easily be read by persons in all areas of business and management. Some of the papers have been modified to better suit a general audience, and others have been simply improved. Titles and formatting have been adjusted in some cases. Some of the reasons for studying service and advanced technology are that the subjects serve as the bases of our everyday existence. We use service and technology on a daily basis, yet we know very little about the underlying concepts. We have no introduction, no principles of best behavior, and no theories. It is time for a change. The reader is expected to read the essays individually and in any appropriate order. Accordingly, some of the introductory material is repeated. This fact is just part of the notion of presenting topics on a needed basis. The table of contents has been designed to better serve the reader. An entry gives an abstract to the respective essay, and serves an aid to the reader in selecting an essay of interest. The abstract entries serve to give a quick outline of the subject matter. The essays give a view of several areas of interest to the modern reader and cover the following subjects: Service concepts, Service management, Service technology, Hospitality, Cybersecurity, Service economics, Ransomware, Applied cybersecurity, Cybersecurity policy, Watchlist concepts, Identity, The ontology of identity, Service systems ontology, and Terrorism. Harry Katzan is a professor, author, and consultant, and enjoys outdoor activities.