Creating a sustainable digital infrastructure: The role of service-oriented architecture

Abstract The United Nations’ goal of generating sustainable industry, innovation, and infrastructure is the point of departure for our reflective paper. The paper elaborates on the concepts of digital infrastructure, service-oriented architecture, and microservices. It emphasizes the benefits and challenges of creating a sustainable infrastructure based on a service-oriented environment, in which cloud services constitute an important part. We outline the prerequisites for obtaining a sustainable digital infrastructure based on services. Service-oriented architecture (SOA) and recently, microservice architecture, and cloud services, can provide organizations with the improved agility and fl…

The Co-creation Canvas

Abstract Digital transformation has become an increasingly important topic among enterprises and in research. The adoption of enterprise systems is such an investment, and it usually requires significant change management activities to realize the potential benefits. One important issue is how firms should go about to make investments in appropriate digital technology – and the appropriate changes to organizational processes and business models. This is particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They generally have very limited resources, and they usually depend on external input and cooperation with other companies. Therefore, a successful strategy for many SME…

Enterprise Architecture Adoption Challenges: An exploratory Case Study of the Norwegian Higher Education Sector

Abstract IT is a challenge to implement Enterprise Architecture (EA) in an organisation. This is also the case in the public sector, like public universities and colleges. There is a very limited research on such issues. It is therefore important to investigate how AE is implemented in various sectors, which benefits are realised and which challenges are most prominent. This interpretive case study investigates the efforts taken towards a common EA in the Norwegian higher education sector. We find that the progress was severely impeded by the lack of top level directions from the ministry, the lack of an overarching architecture council, and the lack of EA competence at the top management l…

Local E-Government in Norway

Training, Competence, and Business Performance: Evidence from E-business in European Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

This article examines the relationship between training, competence and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the context of e-business. Literature review combined with a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to investigate these relationships. Data about e-business competences and performance in 339 SMEs in three European countries was combined with data about training supply from 116 providers of e-business related training. The empirical findings document a positive relationship between training, competence and performance and show that training explains variances in e-business competences and performance in terms of efficiency, complementa…

Co-creation of IT-value in a cluster of small enterprises

Abstract There is a growing emphasis on digital transformation in research and business practice. The creation of value from IT-investments is a critical factor in digital transformation. Research has documented that the ability to realize IT-value is a very challenging endeavor, especially for small enterprises who because of resource poverty are dependent on external input and cooperation with other companies. There is a general lack of research on the phenomenon of how IT-value is co-created, particularly in small firms. This paper reports from a study of a cluster of performing arts organizations, Blender Collective. They realized that audience data is a key issue, and that they lack th…

ERP system implementation in SMEs: exploring the influences of the SME context

Small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs are increasingly implementing enterprise resource planning ERP systems. Compared to large enterprises, SMEs differ in a number of inherent characteristics, which are likely to impact the ERP system implementations. The purpose of this study is to explore these influences of the SME context on the ERP system implementation process. SME characteristics are synthesised from relevant literature and the influences of the contextual factors on various activities across the ERP life cycle are investigated. The study presents findings from a multiple case study of four SMEs. The ownership type of the companies and limited resources were identified as the most…

AI-enabled adaptive learning systems: A systematic mapping of the literature

Abstract Mobile internet, cloud computing, big data technologies, and significant breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have all transformed education. In recent years, there has been an emergence of more advanced AI-enabled learning systems, which are gaining traction due to their ability to deliver learning content and adapt to the individual needs of students. Yet, even though these contemporary learning systems are useful educational platforms that meet students’ needs, there is still a low number of implemented systems designed to address the concerns and problems faced by many students. Based on this perspective, a systematic mapping of the literature on AI-enabled adaptive le…

Understanding cloud computing adoption issues: A Delphi study approach

An exploratory ranking-type Delphi study and follow-up interviews were conducted.Important cloud computing adoption issues are identified, categorized and ranked.Three subpanels top-ranked issues from security, strategy and legal categories.A framework of inhibitors and drivers for cloud computing adoption is proposed.Recommendations to assist decision-makers in cloud computing adoption are proposed. This research paper reports on a Delphi study focusing on the most important issues enterprises are confronted with when making cloud computing (CC) adoption decisions. We had 34 experts from different domain backgrounds participated in a Delphi panel. The panelists were IT and CC specialists r…

Exploring Process-Modelling Practice: Towards a Conceptual Model

Despite the importance of process modelling for business process management and related tasks, there are few theories and empirical studies of process-modelling practice available that can serve as the basis for understanding and improving this important practice. To contribute to the development of better theory, this paper proposes a model of process modelling practice, focussing on the relations between process modelling purpose, process modelling process, model artefact, process modelling outcome as well as initial and eventual modelling and process maturity. The proposed model is based on the existing literature and validated in a study of 34 Norwegian process-modelling projects. Resul…

Enterprise Architecture management challenges in the Norwegian health sector

Abstract Enterprise Architecture (EA) is instrumental to align ICT and business strategy, and many organizations carry out substantial efforts to implement EA. It is therefore seen as imperative to drive the digital strategy, identifying innovative new business models and technologies, and realizing more business value of technology investments. However, recent work suggest that it is a challenging task to implement enterprise architecture in an organization. This study explores the implementation of enterprise architecture (EA) in the Norwegian health sector. We found a number of challenges that impeded the process toward a common EA: unclear enterprise architecture roles, ineffective comm…

Co-creation for Digitalization: A Study of Co-creation in Norwegian Business Clusters

Part 2: Fourth Industrial Revolution; International audience; There is a growing emphasis on digitalization in research and business practice. The rapid progress in digital technologies compel firms to innovate and transform their businesses. One way to improve the capacity to innovate and transform is to cooperate with others. However, there is a general lack of research on how co-creation among businesses can facilitate digitalization. This qualitative study explores how co-creation among businesses can stimulate and facilitate digitalization.We have investigated co-creation activities involving companies in business clusters. This paper reports from a study of three business clusters in …

ERP Implementation in an SME: A Failure Case

This study examines a failed enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation in a small-and-medium-sized enterprise (SME). The improper handling of critical success factors (CSFs), particularly those relating to support from top management, project management, and the use of consultants, led to severe problems. This placed stress on the organization, caused employees to leave the company, workarounds, and led to serious errors in the systems and a significant cost overrun. This case study contributes to the literature on ERP implementation in SMEs. In particular, it contributes to our understanding of the socio-technical dynamics of ERP implementation projects. Failed ERP cases are little…

Educating reflective Enterprise Systems practitioners: a design research study of the iterative building of a teaching framework

This research paper reports on the iterative design of a teaching framework developed for teaching Enterprise Systems ES classes for Information Systems IS graduates. These systems embed technical complexity and create organizational challenges when implemented in organizations. Therefore, teaching good ES classes is pedagogically challenging for faculty, and ES curricula are difficult for students. We have gradually designed and rebuilt curricula and teaching frameworks over 8years. This has also resulted in a set of eight design principles. We report from our design and evaluation process and present our final artefact, the teaching framework. The aim is to educate reflective practitioner…

Understanding the determinants of business process modelling in organisations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to address a theoretical gap in the business process management (BPM) literature on factors that influence the acceptance and use of business process modelling (PM) in organisations. The paper seeks to contribute to theory building and practice in BPM through better understanding of important determinants of PM adoption and use.Design/methodology/approachA combination of literature review and 34 interviews in context was used to develop a PM acceptance model that was subsequently empirically tested using survey data from 74 companies.FindingsThe paper provides empirical insights about how business PM can be influenced by many factors in the organisational…

ERP Post-implementation Issues in Small-and- Medium-Sized Enterprises

This paper focuses on ERP post-implementation issues in Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs).We conducted a case study in a small Norwegian retail company. We studied the enterprise in the period after going live with their new ERP system. Certain challenges were observed such as security risks because of inaccurate configuration of the system, difficulties with operational issues such as sending invoices and getting sales reports, inaccurate inventory, insufficient training arrangement, workarounds, conflicting incentives among customer, reseller and consultant. There were human consequences for end users since the implementation of the system caused stress among some of the employees…

Supporting SMEs Towards E-Business Success

The low e-Business implementation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an important issue in most countries. This chapter examines the relationship between training, competence and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and discusses the implications for practice and further research. The study combined data about e-business competences and performance in 339 SMEs with data about training supply from 116 providers of e-business related training in three European countries. The authors find a positive relationship between training, competence and performance and show that training explains variances in e-business competences and performance in terms of efficiency…

Factors Contributing to the Business Digital Divide: A Systematic Literature Review

The main aim of this study is to review the literature relating to the factors that contribute to the business digital divide. A systematic literature review was conducted using two databases (Scopus and Web of Science). A total of 28 articles were selected and analyzed. The selected studies are conducted in various developing and developed countries, including all firm sizes and different sectors, and cover several different digital technologies. Identified factors determining the business digital divide are categorized as technological, organizational, and environmental factors. The discussion and the potentials for further research are also presented.

ERP System Implementation in Make-to-Order SMEs: An Exploratory Case Study

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the issue of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation in the context of Make-To-Order (MTO) Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs). No prior study has investigated the whole ERP implementation process in MTO SMEs. Because of the special requirements of both the SME and the MTO context, ERP implementations under these conditions are challenging. We investigate how these organizational characteristics influence the implementation of an ERP system. This study is part of a larger research project to investigate ERP implementation issue in SMEs. We present the empirical findings from an exploratory case study of an ERP implementation …

Robotic Process Automation and Consequences for Knowledge Workers; a Mixed-Method Study

Part 2: Fourth Industrial Revolution; International audience; This paper explores an overly optimistic and tenacious claim in the literature that robotic process automation (RPA) will only free knowledge workers from mundane tasks and introduce more interesting work. We explore this claim and other consequences for knowledge workers using data from a sequential quantitative-qualitative, mixed-method study in Norway. 88 RPA users from different sectors and industries where first surveyed to identify differences in utilization and effects from RPA. Then, differences were explored in 24 in-depth interviews in the public and private sectors, including financial industry, manufacturing, and oil …

Creating Business Value from Cloud-Based ERP Systems in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Part 11: Modelling and Managing the Digital Enterprise; International audience; This qualitative study focuses on how small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can realize benefits and create information technology (IT) value by investing in cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. We interviewed 19 respondents from cloud providers and cloud clients and found that their SMEs experienced both benefits and challenges when implementing cloud ERP systems. The digital value was obtained through work process automatization, fast updates of system functionalities, enhanced security of data storage, and increased access to critical business data from multiple digital units. Challenges in …

Determinants to the Use of Business Process Modeling

This article addresses a theoretical gap in the BPM literature on factors that influence the acceptance of process modeling (PM) in organizations. Literature review on PM and 34 qualitative interviews were combined into a PM acceptance model and empirically tested with data from 74 companies showing that PM is to a large extent a mandated activity, explaining the missing link between PM attitudes on PM intention. The study extends the TAM and the TPB to the context of process modeling and demonstrates that less studied socio-political factors in addition to awareness of PM are important to understand PM acceptance. The findings show that social influence from different stakeholder reference…

Co-creation in networks of SMEs: a conceptual model of the co-creation process

Abstract The ability to adopt new digital technology is a very challenging endeavour, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), who because of resource poverty are dependent on external input and cooperation with other companies. Recent research has indicated that co-creation among SMEs is a promising way to overcome such limitations. However, there has been very limited research on the co-creation process, and we have little understanding about how SMEs would go about to establish and run a co-creation network. We propose a conceptual model based on our review of the literature and our empirical findings from investigating co-creation in four networks. The results expand ou…

ERP Post-Implementation

This exploratory study focuses on ERP post-implementation issues in Small-and-Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). The authors conducted a case study in a small Norwegian retail company, which experienced a performance dip that lasted longer than expected. The case demonstrates how overwhelming the ERP competence requirements can be for an SME. Errors in the configuration of the ERP system and improper training led to frequent workarounds. The workarounds, in turn, led to significant problems and many errors in the database. This led to a general level of frustration with the system and a high stress level in the company. This study has implications for SMEs planning to implement ERP systems.

An Empirical Research on the Impacts of organisational decisions’ locus, tasks structure rules, knowledge, and IT function’s value on ERP system success

This research examined the impacts of organisational decisions’ locus, tasks structure, rules and procedures, organisational actors’ information technology (IT) skills/knowledge and IT department’s or function’s value perceptions on enterprise resource planning (ERP) system success. While such antecedent factors matter in the discourse, research on their impacts on ERP success is rare. To increase understanding in the area, we proposed a research model and developed pertinent hypotheses that included the above-mentioned factors. Using a cross-sectional field survey, we collected data from 165 firms in three European countries. Data analysis was performed using the partial least squares (PLS…