Doctoral dissertation: Nature of project work hinders the implementation of enterprise systems
15.05.2012
This is shown in a study by Merja Mattila M.Sc. (Econ.) for the Aalto University School of Economics. In her study, Mattila looks at the assimilation and use of a global enterprise system (Enterprise Resource Planning, ERP) in a large project organization.
Differences in projects an
d services the deciding factor in the assimilation and use of ES
Mattila’s study explores the way an organization increases efficiency through restructuring and the implementation of a strategically important project delivery model. The company followed in the study distributes project work across its international organization with the help of new enterprise system functionalities, distributed teams and different collaboration devices.
In her doctoral dissertation, Mattila shows that the typical characteristics of an expert organization – such as knowledge intensity and the high level of the workforce’s professional skills – influence the assimilation of ES and the management of its use.
Mattila uses one aspect of the project delivery model, project staffing, as an example of a process supported by the new enterprise system functionalities. In project staffing, the company utilizes data contained in the enterprise system, such as competence catalogues and employees’ work load data. The nature of this data may also present challenges for the assimilation and use of the enterprise system.
Particularly the variation in the company’s projects and services hinder the assimilation and use of the enterprise system. Because of this complexity, the staffing of projects and services through the enterprise system is only partly successful in the company.
Public examination of the doctoral dissertation
The doctoral dissertation of Merja Mattila, M.Sc.(Econ.), The Interaction between an Enterprise System and a Knowledge-Intensive Project Organization – A Case Study of Project Staffing in the subject area of information systems science will be examined at the Aalto University School of Economics on Thursday 24 May 2012 at 12.00 (Arkadia building, lecture hall E-341, 3rd floor, Lapuankatu 6).
Professor Kalle Lyytinen (Case Western University, USA) will act as opponent and Professor Matti Rossi as custos.
Media representatives may request free copies of the dissertation from the Communications Unit of the Aalto University School of Economics at viestinta-econ(at)aalto.fi or tel. +358 50 566 5673. The dissertation can be ordered by email from: toolo(at)ayy.fi
Further information: Merja Mattila (merja.mattila(at)aalto.fi), tel. +358 40 705 4989
