Practice-based IS Research

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    What Makes Fractional CIO Engagements in SMEs Successful? – A Research Framework
    ( 2022-01-04) Kratzer, Simon
    As information technology (IT) becomes more important for organizations, the necessity for strategic IT management and alignment grows. However, most small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) do not have the resources or appeal to employ a full-time Chief Information Officer (CIO). Refraining from assigning such responsibilities can have severe consequences on an organization’s performance. To address this gap, several individuals already follow the role of holding CIO positions at multiple SMEs, each with a fraction of their time. While the so-called “Fractional CIO” role is already creating value in practice, there is no research on Fractional CIO engagements. This paper develops a research framework for Fractional CIO engagement success based on interviews with 40 Fractional CIOs from 10 countries and existing literature. The components influencing success are the Fractional CIO, the client, their relationship, and the engagement setup. The paper contains implications for theory and practice and outlines detailed next steps.
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    Towards a Governance of Low-Code Development Platforms Using the Example of Microsoft PowerPlatform in a Multinational Company
    ( 2022-01-04) Heuer, Marvin ; Kurtz, Christian ; Böhmann, Tilo
    The advantages of low-code platforms include the ability to better manage corporate processes. These processes can quickly become customized and business critical. Consequently, governance of low-code development platforms gains increasing importance in the IT sector. This paper contributes to the design of a governance for low-code platforms using the example of Microsoft PowerPlatform through the action-design- research-paradigm within a consumer goods corporation. The paper shows both the relationship between IT governance and low-code platforms and what challenges this poses, as well as the importance of governance of low-code platforms in relation to the field of end-user computing. This work aims at developing governance for low-code platforms, and evaluates it using several methods. Based on the results of the naturalistic evaluation, design principles for the development of a governance for low-code platforms are derived. The principles summarize suggestions for designing such governance, providing evidence-based design knowledge for developing governance of low-code platforms.
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    Stuck in Pilot Purgatory: Understanding and Addressing the Current Challenges of Industrial IoT in Manufacturing
    ( 2022-01-04) Abbatemarco, Nico ; Gaur, Aakanksha ; Meregalli, Severino
    The Industrial Internet-of-Things (IIoT) is one of the most hyped concepts embedded in the Industry 4.0 paradigm. IIoT can provide a multitude of benefits to firms, such as enhanced productivity and better insight into company operations. Despite these benefits, manufacturing companies are considerably struggling to realize the potential of IIoT. Several consulting companies, such as McKinsey and Deloitte, coined the term “pilot purgatory” to define the state of being in which most IIoT projects get stuck. Based on a series of interviews with 12 experts in the field, this study identifies and addresses IIoT-specific challenges in manufacturing. Our study provides two main contributions. First, our analysis provides a broad, practice-based overview of IIoT challenges by considering both the technological, organizational and environmental contexts of manufacturing firms, following the TOE framework as a theoretical lens to structure the results. Second, we derive specific management guidelines for each of the identified challenges.
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    From transactional to a devoted relationship – toward performance-based service system governance
    ( 2022-01-04) Veijola, Ilmari ; Hakanen, Esko ; Rajala, Risto
    This field study explores a unique collaborative arrangement between two industrial firms, Siemens and Nestlé, presenting performance-based governance of the cooperation as means to mitigate the information asymmetry problem of the parties involved. In so doing, our field study depicts the essential activities in the formation of the IT-enabled and performance-based service system. Moreover, the findings delineate how technology-related changes affect manufacturing operations. The study contributes to the practice-based research on the emerging inter-organizational IS management issues by highlighting the role of parties’ collaborative arrangements and interaction in the digital transformation of manufacturing operations.
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    Becoming Certain About the Uncertain: How AI Changes Proof-of-Concept Activities in Manufacturing – Insights from a Global Automotive Leader
    ( 2022-01-04) Sagodi, André ; Engel, Christian ; Schniertshauer, Johannes ; Van Giffen, Benjamin
    In this paper, we examine Proof-of-Concept activities in the presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). To this end, we conducted an exploratory, revelatory case study at a leading automotive OEM that constantly explores new technologies to improve its manufacturing processes. We highlight how AI properties affect specifics in project execution and how they are addressed within the focal company. We carved out four key areas affecting underlying activities, i.e., data assessment, process alignment, value orientation, and AI empowerment. With our findings, we provide practical insights into AI-related challenges and corresponding pathways for action. Drawn upon, we develop novel, timely, and actionable recommendations for AI project leaders planning to implement this novel technology in manufacturing. This shall provide empirically grounded and conceptually sound guidance for researchers and practitioners alike, and ultimately foster the success of AI in manufacturing.
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    Adoption of Immersive Technologies in Manufacturing SMEs – A Strategy-as-Practice Perspective on their Affordances, Constraints and Responses
    ( 2022-01-04) Wendt, Charlotte ; Kalgovas, Bradley ; Benlian, Alexander
    Immersive technologies (ImT) provide affordances for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing industry, such as the enhancement and recreation of aspects of the physical world. These affordances are critical due to changes in the SMEs’ environment including increasingly virtualized collaboration and digitization of work practices. However, the adoption of ImT by manufacturing SMEs is still low. Drawing on the Technology Affordances and Constraints theory, and applying a Strategy-as-Practice approach, this study researches the adoption of ImT as a strategic response to environmental changes in German-based manufacturing SMEs. The findings reveal the critical role of constraints of ImT, which act as hindrances to implementation. Specifically, realizing the affordances of ImT requires consideration of, and responses to, the constraints manufacturing SMEs experience, including the constraints associated with the providers of ImT. Thus, this paper expands the understanding of the factors which influence implementation and strategizing of ImT in SMEs.
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    Introduction to the Minitrack on Practice-based IS Research
    ( 2022-01-04) Gonzalez, Ester ; Piccoli, Gabriele ; Milovich, Michael ; Kettinger, Bill