Håkan Enquist

Understanding misunderstandings [in complex information systems development]

When organisations develop complex information systems, a multitude of actors representing different areas of competence cooperate. These actors refine a set of fuzzy requirements into a concrete artefact through a series of activities producing increasingly detailed systems descriptions. Some of the problems we experience in complex systems development stem from the simple fact that the actors misunderstand each other. This paper investigates the frequency and possible impact of misunderstandings between actors in the development of complex information systems. The results are based on the analysis of data collected during a two-day workshop session and a quantitative survey. Our findings show that misunderstandings are considered frequent between all types of actors and are a source of disturbances in the systems development process of complex informations system products.

Implications of ERP as Service

In this paper we present implications for using and delivering Enterprise Resource Planning as services (ERP-as-a-service). The objective is to construct a framework of opportunities and challenges for users and suppliers of ERP-as-a-service. The framework is based on a combination of literature study and field study and includes approximately 80 implications. New implications, not found in literature, were identified in the field study. Examples of new implications include: more focus on IT-value; simplified phasing of implementation and improved supplier brand. For future research it is suggested that the framework is tested in a larger setting and that implications are prioritized for certain industries and types of business models.

Value Propositions in Service Oriented Business Models for ERP: Case Studies

Service systems challenge traditional on-premise installations and create opportunities for new business models in the ERP market. In this paper, six case studies are analyzed to identify attributes and patterns of service oriented business models for Enterprise Resource Planning. The business models are analyzed with a focus on value proposition. Two patterns of service oriented business models for ERP are identified: holistic and niche. In addition to analyze business model patterns, we identified and applied categorizations of elementary offering types, ERPII layers and generic value proposition types. Hereby, the applied business model framework is enriched to broaden understanding of service oriented business models for ERP.

Enterprise wide development: a survey of critical factors for coordinated development in complex organizations; what development managers consider

This paper describes critical factors for coordinated enterprise and IS/IT development and change in complex organizations in Sweden. These factors represent an answer on the crucial question: Why is coordinated development of enterprise and IS/IT difficult today? The survey is based upon in-depth interviews and concentrated workshops which present a current and qualitative view upon this area. Twenty persons representing different development management roles from six large organizations with complex operations have participated. Responses relate to two main questions, which concern the problem generating factors and to what degree these are critical. The factors have been categorised into nine subject areas and certain factor groups within each area. A vast number of statements are included in the material. In workshops, with invited experienced development managers, the responses were prioritised individually with regard to critical factors for coordinated enterprise and IS/IT development. The result is a set of critical factors reflecting priorities of development managers in Sweden today, which can guide us in further research in management of coordinated enterprise and IS/IT development.

Change management implications for network organizations

The purpose of this paper is to investigate possible change management implications for networks organizations. This is achieved through applying six critical management issues (CMIs) from the change management framework DELTA on a taxonomy consisting of three generic types of network organizations. The paper is built on an empirical base comprised of over 150 expert interviews and 121 questionnaire respondents. Questionnaire respondents and interviewed experts represent middle to top management of companies of all sizes involved in networks. The results show that the framework applied to the change management in the different networks highlights and addresses different management activities per CMI. Given this, we discuss the differences in managerial implications that the framework identifies for the different types of networks.

Applied Business Intelligence in the making : An inter-university case from Swedish higher education

There has long been a debate regarding the inclusion of IT into the curriculum for business students. With IT being a natural part of their coming working environment, the under-developed use of for instance Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Business Intelligence (BI) solutions has suffered much critique. As a response to this, the Centre for Business Solutions and the Scandinavian Academic Network for Teaching Enterprise Systems (SANTE) have created a joint initiative together with the industry. Through making the full accounts from a medium-sized manufacturing company available to the students through a specially designed BI solution, the students are given the task to identify potential problems with the accounts. The assignment is intended to be run in the form of a competition, where the students from different Swedish universities compete in analyzing the company in a given time-frame. The purpose of this case is to present the outline and outset for the competition, together with some initial reflections on the setup-phase.

Phenomenological Ontology Guided Conceptual Modeling for Enterprise Information Systems

In model driven Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) conceptual ER models are fundamental. We demonstrate how a phenomenological modeling ontology for conceptual models assists in creating meaningful, auto generated EIS. Application of the phenomenological ontology on conceptual modeling is shown in a graphical, easy-to-use CASE tool, CoreWEB, which support both editing of models and generating user interfaces for consistent manipulation of instance data. A visual and easy-to-grasp demonstration of conceptual modeling with live generation of EIS should be a welcome holistic complement to specialized, focused, in-depth presentations. Audience at all levels find food for thought and inspiration to continue to explore conceptual modeling in general and phenomena oriented approaches with systems generation in particular.