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Murphy Dissertation 031116.pdf (2.68 MB)

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A THEORY OF STEERING COMMITTEE CAPABILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE-WIDE INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Murphy, Kris
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7192-6765
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1458218732

Abstract Details

2016, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Management.
Organizations often struggle to achieve success when implementing complex enterprise systems despite the use of traditional governance structures such as project management methods and risk assessments. While this challenge is certainly multi-level, our motivation for this study stems from the lack of research that connects executive IT governance to implementation outcomes. Steering committees are in a unique position to influence implementation outcomes, yet the literature offers sparse perspectives with no insight into the internal dynamics of steering committees and their effects on implementation outcomes. We ask: What factors contribute to steering committee performance and influence implementation outcomes? In this dissertation, we develop a theoretical model of steering committee performance based on information processing capabilities. We surmise that the model offers greater explanatory power and depth than previous explanations of steering committee performance. The dissertation covers the motivation, detailed research questions, methods, research design, and key findings. We also review the implications of the findings for academia and practice. The study follows a sequential mixed-method approach that combines qualitative and quantitative inquiry. Using a grounded theory approach, we first conduct semi-structured ethnographic interviews among a theoretical sample of experienced steering committee team members. Based on the findings, we articulate a theoretical model founded on the information processing view that synthesizes the factors that influence steering committee performance. The information processing view offers us a lens to understand why steering committees struggle, and how steering committees contribute to their performance by building information processing capabilities. To validate our model, we conduct a survey among 164 steering committees and analyze the results using structured equation modeling (PLS). We find that implementation uncertainty has a detrimental effect on project success, but steering committees can overcome that effect by stacking core capabilities of committee process quality and absorptive capacity. Contrary to common expectations, we learn that steering committees need to be agile rather than follow procedural or routine approaches. We find that business IS competence has a positive effect on both steering committee process quality and absorptive capacity. Overall, the study makes novel theoretical, methodological, and practical contributions to theories of information technology (IT) governance.
Kalle Lyytinen (Committee Chair)
234 p.
Information Systems; Information Technology; Management
Enterprise Resource Planning; ERP; IT governance; steering committee; enterprise systems development; executive committee; information processing view; absorptive capacity; business IS competence; decision authority; project success

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Murphy, K. (2016). A THEORY OF STEERING COMMITTEE CAPABILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE-WIDE INFORMATION SYSTEMS [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1458218732

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Murphy, Kris. A THEORY OF STEERING COMMITTEE CAPABILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE-WIDE INFORMATION SYSTEMS. 2016. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1458218732.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Murphy, Kris. "A THEORY OF STEERING COMMITTEE CAPABILITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING LARGE SCALE ENTERPRISE-WIDE INFORMATION SYSTEMS." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1458218732

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1458218732
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© 2016, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.