Petter Gottschalk

Critical success factors from IT outsourcing theories: an empirical study

Purpose – This research paper aims to identify and rank critical issues in IT outsourcing relationships.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 11 management theories were applied in this research: theory of core competencies, resource‐based theory, neo‐classical economic theory, transaction cost theory, contractual theory, agency theory, partnership and alliance theory, relational exchange theory, stakeholder theory, social exchange theory and theory of firm boundaries. The main method used is case studies and survey. Case studies were conducted in three IT outsourcing relationships: ABB‐IBM, SAS‐CSC, and RR‐EDS.Findings – Core competence management and stakeholder management were found to be the most critical success factors. Future research should focus on one or two theories, explicitly laying out expectations with respect to the theories, and organizing rich data to test expectations.Originality/value – This paper demonstrates that a holistic approach to IT outsourcing is needed that recognizes and ...

Maturity levels for interoperability in digital government

Abstract Interoperability refers to a property of diverse systems and organizations enabling them to work together. The current exchanges are, however, often inefficient and error-prone. Improved interoperability between public organizations as well as between public and private organizations is of critical importance to make digital government more successful. In this paper, a model of maturity levels for interoperability in digital government is presented. The five-level model might be applied by public organizations to identify current maturity and future direction for improved interoperability.

Maturity model for IT outsourcing relationships

Purpose – The purpose of this research paper is to present a maturity model for IT outsourcing relationships.Design/methodology/approach – Based on organizational theories and outsourcing practices, this research identified cost stage, resource stage and partnership stage as maturity stages in outsourcing relationships.Findings – First, relationships focus on economic benefits, then there are concerns about access to competence, and finally the development of norms and alliance management are the main focus. Benchmark variables for each stage are suggested. Future research might apply this framework to empirically test the evolution of IT outsourcing relationships.Practical implications – Managing successful IT outsourcing relationships requires a consistent understanding of maturity stage between vendor and client in the relationship.Originality/value – This paper suggests that a long‐term IT outsourcing relationship will shift focus as it matures. The original value of the paper is the theory‐based stag...

Factors Affecting Knowledge Transfer in IT Projects

Abstract: This article presents empirical research studying factors affecting knowledge transfer in information technology (IT) projects. The factors evaluated in this research include information technology, systems and procedures, and culture. The various dimensions of IT project success include project performance, project outcome, system implementation, benefits for the client organization, and benefits for the stakeholders. A survey conducted in Norway collected data on knowledge transfer and project success. Research results show that total project success relates to the extent of culture for effective knowledge transfer.

Implementation predictors of strategic information systems plans

Abstract This research complements the existing knowledge on implementation by addressing previous research from three sources: (i) empirical evaluation of the plan implementation link in the theory of strategic information systems planning; (ii) integration of research literature on organisational practices influencing the implementation; and (iii) application of validated instruments to measure potential predictors of the implementation. A survey was conducted in Norway. When exploratory factor analysis was applied to ten potential predictors, two factors were identified. Five predictors had significant loadings on each factor. The resource factor was significant in the testing of hypotheses, including descriptions of responsibility and of user involvement.

Stages of knowledge management systems in police investigations

The amount of information that police officers come into contact with in the course of their work is astounding. By identifying stages of growth in knowledge management systems and by identifying examples of applications from police investigations, this paper makes an important contribution to strategic planning of knowledge management systems in law enforcement. The stages are labeled officer-to-technology systems, officer-to-officer systems, officer-to-information systems, and officer-to-application systems.

A comparison of leadership roles in internal IT projects versus outsourcing projects

Purpose – This study investigates the emphasis placed on different managerial roles by IT project managers. Six managerial roles were applied in this research: personnel leader, resource allocator, spokesman, entrepreneur, liaison and monitor. With changing business environments, the locus of value creation is no longer within the boundaries of a single firm, but occurs instead at the nexus of relationships between parties. With the growing importance of pooling knowledge resources, knowledge management will have to transcend organizational boundaries in exchanges such as IT outsourcing relationships. We would, therefore, expect to find differences in our two surveys.Design/methodology/approach – Two surveys were conducted in Norway to investigate these management roles.Findings – In the first survey, which focused on project management roles in internal IT projects, the respondents emphasized the personnel leader role significantly more than other managerial roles. In the second survey, which focused on ...

Implementation of formal plans: the case of information technology strategy

Abstract The need for improved implementation of information technology strategy has been emphasized in both empirical and prescriptive research studies. In this study, ten content characteristics of formal information technology plans were identified from the research literature as potential implementation predictors. A survey was conducted in Norway to investigate the link between plan and implementation. The analysis of 190 surveyed companies with strategic IT plans revealed a significant relationship between the content characteristics of the plan and the extent of plan implementation. Two implementation predictors proved significant in the testing of hypotheses: description of responsibility for the implementation and description of user involvement during the implementation.

Strategic management of IS/IT functions: the role of the CIO in Norwegian organisations

Chief information officers (CIOs) have the difficult job of running a function that uses a lot of resources but offers little measurable evidence of its value. Line managers are increasingly assuming responsibility for planning, building, and running information systems that affect their operations. To respond to business and technological changes, CIOs now must build relationships with line managers and assume new and more strategic roles. The strategic role of the CIO is becoming ever more complex, requiring an expansion of the organisational and structural possibilities for filling that role. This research examines CIO role in Norwegian organisations. In this paper, results from a survey of Norwegian CIOs are presented. Norwegian CIOs have on average worked in the current organisation for eight years, have worked in information technology (IT) for 12 years, report mostly to the financial director, have 11 people reporting to them. A large percentage has at least a masters degree. Also, formal IS planning tended to be adopted by organisations with higher annual revenue, larger number of total employees, and broader span of control (i.e., the number of people reporting to the CIO). Higher CIO reporting level was also associated with greater extent of information systems plan implementation.

Information Technology Support for Interorganizational Knowledge Transfer: An Empirical Study of Law Firms in Norway and Australia

This paper explores some important and contemporary issues concerning the knowledge-based view of the firm. Law firms represent an industry that seems very well suited to knowledge management investigation. Law firms are knowledge intensive, and the use of advanced technology may well transform these organizations in the future. This paper reports empirical results from Norwegian and Australian law firms on their use of IT to support their knowledge management practice. IT plays a critical role in inter firm knowledge management efforts. This interorganizational study documents that the extent of knowledge cooperation had a significant impact on the use of IT to support interorganizational knowledge management. The extent of interorganizational trust did not have any significant impact.