Hanna Kropsu-Vehkapera

Managing one master data – challenges and preconditions

– This paper aims to provide a framework of the multidimensional concept of one master data. Preconditions required for successful one master data implementation and usage in large high‐tech companies are presented and related current challenges companies have today are identified., – This paper is qualitative in nature. First, literature was studied to find out the elements of one master data. Second, an interview study was carried out in eight high‐tech companies and in three expert companies., – One master data management framework is the composition of data, processes and information systems. Accordingly, the key challenges related to the data are that the definitions of master data are unclear and overall data quality is poor. Challenges on processes related to managing master data are inadequately defined data ownership, incoherent data management practices and lack of continuous data quality practices. Integrations between applications are fundamental challenge to tackle when constructing an holistic one master data., – Studied companies are vanguards in the area of master data management (MDM), providing good views on topical issues in large companies. This study offers a general view of the topic but not describes special company situations as companies need to adapt the presented concepts for their specific case. Significant implication for future research is that MDM can no more be classified and discussed as only an IT problem but it is a managerial challenge which requires structural changes on mindset how issues are handled., – This paper provides a better understanding over the issues which are impacting on the implementation of one master data. The preconditions of implementing and executing one master data are: an organization wide and defined data model; clear data ownership definitions; pro‐active data quality surveillance; data friendly company culture; the clear definitions of roles and responsibilities; organizational structure that supports data processes; clear data process definitions; support from the managerial level; and information systems that utilize the unified data model. The list of preconditions is wide and it also describes the incoherence of current understanding about MDM. This list helps business managers to understand the extent of the concept and to see that master data management is not only an IT issue., – The existing practical research on master data management is limited and, for example, the general challenges have not been reported earlier. This paper offers practical research on one master data. The obtained results illustrates the extent of the topic and the fact that business relevant data management is not only an IT (application) issue but requires understanding of the data, its utilization in organization and supporting practices such as data ownership.

Defining Product Data Views for Different Stakeholders

In order to succeed in modern complex business, functional product data managements is a must. The product data needs of different stakeholder groups vary significantly among companies. This study aims to find tangible ways to address these different stakeholder needs. This article analyses three high tech companies through interviews and studying their product data documentations. The article presents a tangible way of building separate views for different stakeholder groups for utilising product data. In addition, content examples for these views are presented. This study presents examples on stakeholder specific view contents, including structural illustrations for product structures, and division of product data into business oriented product master data, and other general data required for more operational purposes. Opposed to traditional approach of highlighting the technical aspects of product data, this study shows that companies can potentially benefit of a more business oriented approach in analysing and managing product data.

The influence of product complexity on order handling process

This case study describes how product complexity is affecting order handling process performance in a high tech company. Main factors of product complexity can be defined as: technological and single product complexity; product proliferation by volume and diversity; and presenting product data in information systems. The study expresses what kind of problems aforementioned complexity and poor product data handling in information systems creates to order handling process. Product decisions should always cover wider order-delivery affect analysis to avoid complexity in operative processes. This study also highlights the importance of valid product data as a source of efficient operations.

Data quality assessment and improvement

Data quality has significance to companies, but is an issue that can be challenging to approach and operationalise. This study focuses on data quality from the perspective of operationalisation by analysing the practices of a company that is a world leader in its business. A model is proposed for managing data quality to enable evaluation and operationalisation. The results indicate that data quality is best ensured when organisation specific aspects are taken into account. The model acknowledges the needs of different data domains, particularly those that have master data characteristics. The proposed model can provide a starting point for operationalising data quality assessment and improvement. The consequent appreciation of data quality improves data maintenance processes, IT solutions, data quality and relevant expertise, all of which form the basis for handling the origins of products.

Business case analysis in rapid productisation

Companies are pushed to satisfy varying customer needs and getting new orders closed quickly, while simultaneously evaluating the business value of the case in hand. The objective of this study is to explore the procedure for business case analysis in rapid productisation. The research is realised by studying relevant literature, designing and conducting semi-structured interviews and analysing the interview data. The explored systematic procedure includes estimating and calculating revenue and costs, and checking fit with the product portfolio. The main tasks include estimating the potential revenue from a specific sales case, analysing the project and engineering cost of productisation, estimating market potential, total revenue, unit cost and the total costs. Finally, all the gathered information is synthesised into a business case document. The study contributes to the research of rapid manufacturing by integrating relevant parts of order delivery process and product development to justify rapid produ...

Technological uncertainty and verification and validation activities

Product development decisions are a great management challenge, especially in a turbulent business environment. Management is forced to make decisions before they have essential information on markets and technologies. This study analyses how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies cope with the uncertainty and challenges caused by the changing environment, focusing particularly on the role of Verification and Validation (V&V) activities. This article highlights that when properly conducted, V&V can aid in providing required information and help obtain a more profound understanding during the early part of product development. The study covers three company types: companies with their own products, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and subcontractors.

Professional/Peer-Learning Community: Impacts on Workplace Training at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Schools.

Purpose The study aims to examine the issues relating to workplace learning at the upper secondary school level. This study is based on the two questions. How should the professional/peer-learning community or PLC be developed and deployed to help strengthen in-service teacher training? The second question is what are the success factors which contribute to the continuity of the PLC within the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) context? Design/methodology/approach This study, considered as a case study, is based on BMA’s in-service teaching training program which took place from August 2014 until September 2016. Observations and interviews represent the key tasks undertaken for this study. Observation focuses on the PLC adaptation for a teacher network and key activities relating to actual teaching and learning. Interviews with teachers and students help evaluate the suitability of the PLC’s use as a component of in-service teacher training for workplace learning. The application proposal to international funding helps outline how the data from the observation and interviews should be grouped and analyzed. Findings The PLC’s implementation involves a network of teachers (those teachers who traveled to Finland for pedagogical training), the selection of a common theme (i.e. a polluted waterway reflecting environmental phenomena) allowing various different subject teachers to work together and actual teaching and learning across schools with students through project work. The results of the interviews demonstrate that a PLC is a potential alternative for BMA’s in-service teacher training. The PLC allows teachers to share their experience and knowledge while simultaneously strengthening students’ life skills through the PLC’s applications. Research limitations/implications The case study demonstrates the process through which the PLC is successfully deployed. The BMA applied the PLC alongside and in collaboration with the actual student teaching and learning, instead of separating them because the PLC was regarded as training. PLC is dependent on: the willingness of the teachers to work together, their ability to come up with a common topic that they can link their knowledge, enable several subject teachers to work together, an effective planning process to gradually involve the students in problem-based learning and public recognition to demonstrate their success. Practical implications The PLC appears to benefit workplace (or school) learning and development for both teachers and students. Additionally, the use of the PLC in this case study points to an alternative for future in-service teacher training at BMA schools. When compared with the existing practice of sitting in a room and listening to an external expert without much interaction, participating teachers feel that the PLC helps them become more motivated, through experience and knowledge sharing. Originality/value The contribution to research is the knowledge on the PLC’s implementation for in-service teaching training (as part of workplace learning). Moreover, the PLC should be applied simultaneously with actual teaching and learning through project work. Three notable lessons learned from comparing the effectiveness of the PLC use between BMA and Finnish schools point to the importance of pre- and in-service teacher training with the focus on continuous dialogue and open communication, familiarity with integrated lesson plan and teacher autonomy.

Review of university classification: implications on educational management

The purpose of this paper is to review higher education classification in the USA, China, Europe and Thailand and to compare the categories and criteria that are used in classifying Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The definition, development and comparison of higher education classification are addressed, focusing on the objectives, data collection method, number of groups and classification criteria. The results will be used to improve the classification model in Thailand by providing data, which can assist the Commission of Higher Education to set a direction for HEI enhancement and development, and to assist university administrators in formulating strategies to develop HEIs.

Enterprise development and global competitiveness through the development of higher education

The purpose of this study was to delineate and identify the common criteria for higher education institution classification and evaluation as a research university, and to analyse the relationship between higher education, innovation and the countrys competitiveness. Criteria to classify research universities derive from classification in the USA, China, Europe and Thailand. Criteria to evaluate research universities based on international rankings: Shanghai Jiao Tong University global ranking and Times Higher Education QS World Universities Ranking. To test the relationship with competitiveness, the global competitive index was used. The results were as follows: firstly, common criteria that have been used to classify research universities consisted of three dimensions: funding, programmes and staff. Secondly, common criteria that have been used to evaluate research universities consisted of three dimensions: publications, citations and research awards. Finally, the relationship between higher education, innovation and global competitiveness appeared to be highly interrelated. The results provide useful information to higher education policy-makers in the context of higher education management and the development of a national research university.