Janusch Patas

Resource-Based View in Empirical IT Business Value Research--An Evidence-Based Literature Review

Recently, the Resource-based View (RBV) attracts more attention in IT business value research, as it serves as a theoretical framework for the identification of IT resources impacting firm performance. Although numerous empirical studies applying the RBV can be found, systematic research structuring the obtained knowledge is hardly available. Therefore, we conduct an evidence-based literature review to structure and consolidate empirical evidence from studies using the RBV as a theoretical foundation. We illustrate how different IT resources can be distinguished and classified by considering their operationalization. With the means of our research map we illustrate our findings and their evidence pointing out contradictory results of how different classes of IT resources affect the IT business value in terms of the competitive advantage. We discuss some direct effects of IT resources on the competitive advantage as well as research gaps. Finally, we present implications regarding the RBV in IT business value research.

Enhancing design science through empirical knowledge: framework and application

The discourse about differences between behavioral and design science still attains wide interest in the information systems research community. While design-oriented research is repeatedly subject to criticism on account of lacking transparency and rigor, behavioral research is fighting against the accusation of little relevance. It would be highly desirable to overcome the shortcomings of design science by using existing theories, empirical knowledge, etc. within the design of an artifact. For that purpose, we present a framework that shows how different ways of applying empirical knowledge can put the research of design scientists on a better grounding and thus improve the rigor of design science. Specifically we point out, how design science can be performed more rigorously on the basis of our framework by empirically motivating, guiding, evaluating, and analyzing design science research. To illustrate the application of our framework, we will provide an example from the domain of information security.

Wertbeitrag der IT als Gegenstand der IT-Governance und des IT-Controllings

Stichworter IT-Controlling IT-Governance IT-Wertbeitrag Referenzmodelle Werkzeugunterstutzung Kostendruck und technologische Anderungen, die einen zum Teil erheblichen Investitionsbedarf notig machen, fordern das IT-Management verstarkt auf, den Wertbeitrag der IT zu belegen. In diesem Zusammenhang ist es eines der zentralen Anliegen der IT-Governance, die Effizienz und Effektivitat der IT zu verbessern und damit ihren Wertbeitrag zu steuern bzw. zu erhohen. Hier ergibt sich eine direkte Schnittstelle zum IT-Controlling, das u. a. die Messung von Kosten, Leistungen und der Wirtschaftlichkeit der IT zum Gegenstand hat. Gleichwohl stosen an dieser Stelle beide Disziplinen aufgrund mangelnder methodischer Unterstutzung an ihre Grenzen. Der Beitrag betrachtet Techniken, Methoden und Modelle der ITGovernance und des IT-Controllings mit Blick auf den Wertbeitrag der IT. Es wird SemGoRiCo vorgestellt, dass eine Integration der IT-Governance mit dem IT-Controlling unterstutzt.

Cherry picking with meta-models: a systematic approach for the organization-specific configuration of maturity models

Information systems (IS) managers apply maturity models (MMs) to evaluate and enhance their organizations capabilities. Since the MM concept has become increasingly popular in research and practice over the past years, the number of similar or competing MMs has literally exploded. Despite their popularity, MMs are often criticized for being either too generic or too comprehensive. Therefore, prior to their application, organizations tend to adjust them according to their specific requirements. Unfortunately, IS management lacks methods to support this task systematically. In this article we intend to close this methodical gap as we develop a meta-model that supports a systematic configuration of MMs according to organization-specific requirements. We conduct a thorough literature analysis to construct this artifact, i.e., a maturity model meta-model (MMMM). Thereafter, we apply a tool-supported qualitative content analysis to extend, ground, and evaluate those components using a representative subset of 13 publicly available MMs. Finally, we identify four use cases and adapt configuration mechanisms from related research areas to illustrate and demonstrate our artifacts utility. Both IS practice and research benefit from our findings as we contribute a systematic meta-model-based approach that helps to analyze MMs and configure them to organization-specific requirements.

The Impact of IT Resources on the IT Business Value: Evidence From a Systematic Literature Review

Recently, the Resource-based View (RBV) attracts more attention in IT business value research, as it serves as a theoretical framework for the identification of IT resources impacting firm performance. Although numerous empirical studies applying the RBV can be found, systematic research structuring the obtained knowledge is hardly available. Therefore, the authors conduct an evidence-based literature review to structure and consolidate empirical evidence from studies using the RBV as a theoretical foundation. The authors illustrate how different IT resources can be distinguished and classified by considering their operationalization. With the means of a research map, they illustrate the findings and evidence, pointing out contradictory results of how different classes of IT resources affect the IT business value in terms of the competitive advantage. The authors then discuss direct effects of IT resources on the competitive advantage as well as research gaps. Finally, they present implications regarding the RBV in IT business value research.

Developing Individual IT-Enabled Capabilities for Management Control Systems

Management control systems (MCS) facilitate managers’ decision making. At their core, MCS consist of corporate planning and reporting capabilities that rely on IT and non-IT assets. Recently, both researchers and practitioners have paid increasing attention to use maturity models (MM) for designing and using such capabilities effectively and efficiently. Although MMs are well-established and easy to apply, they lack a theoretical foundation and IS research focuses rather on their development process than on using them to create individual IT-enabled capabilities for MCS. We address this research gap by developing a method to systematically adjust MMs from the knowledge base to firm-specific business needs. Findings from the resource-based view (RBV) guide our development process. With an interpretative case study in the chemical sector we demonstrate the applicability of our method. We present a list of IT and non-IT assets that are necessary for our case company to develop individual IT-enabled planning and reporting capabilities. Information systems research benefits from our findings as we translate the RBV into action. Practice benefits from an individual view on their IT-enabled capabilities and we force managers to jointly consider their IT and non-IT assets when they are designing IT-enabled capabilities for their company.