Robert Galliers | Bentley University (original) (raw)
Papers by Robert Galliers
Springer eBooks, Aug 7, 2007
Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks, Aug 16, 2006
Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy, a major principle... more Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy, a major principle that has been taken as axiomatic in the mainstream literature relates to the concept of alignment. This often means that information and communication technology (ICT) systems should somehow align with an organization's business strategy. This is a self evident truth, surely? But when we come to examine this truth, we begin to uncover a number of problems and issues that need to be addressed. One such relates to the dynamic nature of an organization's business environment and the consequent need for flexible-or agile-IS. A second issue relates to our inability to foresee the future and the attendant-changing-^business information requirements that will come with it. A third relates to the role that information can play in informing agile responses to changing circumstances and imperatives-a proactive, rather than reactive, role for IS, in other words. Professor Galliers' keynote address aims to make a contribution to the conference by addressing these three issues, and by identifying what this means for agile IS strategy-or more appropriately, IS strategizing. His presentation will take an alternative perspective to the norm in that it will focus more on the process of IS strategizing rather than on the outcome of the process-the IS strategy itself. He will argue that benefit is to be gained from a more critical, inclusive, exploratory, postmodernist approach to the IS strategy process. This perspective can be contrasted with the common view, which is concerned more with exploiting the potential of ICT systems for business gain. An attempt at synthesizing the arguments arising from a consideration of the problems associated with the somewhat mechanistic treatment of alignment found in the mainstream literature will be attempted by utilizing concepts of architecture and infrastructure, of knowledge creation and sharing, and of ambidextrous organizations, with a view to refining an earlier sensemaking device of his: IS strategizing framework. Professor Galliers joined Bentley College in the United States in July 2002 as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. At Bentley, he has overseen new developments that include the introduction of Ph.D. programs in business and in Please use the following format when citing this chapter:
Technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and competitive strategy, Aug 5, 2014
Abstract Low labor costs and market access are no longer competitive differentiators; increasingl... more Abstract Low labor costs and market access are no longer competitive differentiators; increasingly companies are looking to design and develop new products and services as a crucial source of competitive advantage. As the pressure to innovate increases, so does the tension between shorter-term exploitative development and longer-term exploratory innovation activities. We explore this tension using interview data from software SMEs and venture capitalist firms who invest in technology-driven companies. Findings indicate that, despite firm’s having established solid innovation plans, short-term exploitative demands crowd out their longer-term exploration innovation during the development phase. Agency and resource dependence theories are used to start to explore some of the reasons for this shift. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy 2 , a number of ge... more Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy 2 , a number of general principles have arisen that are often taken as being axiomatic. Three such principles that have appeared in the mainstream literature include: • alignment: ICT systems should align with the business strategy; 1 This paper builds on and extends arguments first presented in Galliers & Newell (2003) and Galliers (2004); a revised version will appear as Galliers (2006). 2 Early academic literature on these topics dates back to the work, e.g.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2011
Drawing on the fields of organisational theory, information systems and human-computer interactio... more Drawing on the fields of organisational theory, information systems and human-computer interaction, this paper proposes a novel perspective for studying information systems usage by individuals in organisations-in this case, in the back office of a major US-based accounting firm. By conceptualising usage as a holistic user experience-a situated and temporally emergent inseparable mesh of behaviour, bodily movements, perception, cognition and affect-the researcher can avoid misleading reductionism and the overly simplistic reasoning of technological or social determinism. To demonstrate empirically the value of this perspective, the paper focuses on the intertwining of two aspects commonly ignored in prior information systems literature-the affective and the material.
Routledge eBooks, Apr 8, 2020
... Warwick Business School Research Bureau ; Copyright : 1994 Language : English ; Pagination/Si... more ... Warwick Business School Research Bureau ; Copyright : 1994 Language : English ; Pagination/Size : 24 p. ; SIGLE classification : 05A - Management, administration, business studies ; 05B - Information science, librarianship ; Document type : R - Report ; ISSN : ISSN 0265 ...
IGI Global eBooks, 2002
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and knowledge management (KM) systems promise organizations th... more Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and knowledge management (KM) systems promise organizations the benefits of enhancing competitiveness and continuous revitalization. This chapter compares the characteristic differences and similarities between the two initiatives and examines how they influence organizational efficiency and flexibility when implemented within a global engineering firm. We suggest that the two initiatives are conceptually complementary but can only create a synergy when the design of organizational routines and practices fits into the meta-routines imposed by ERP and KM, and the social processes are nurtured within functions and cross-functionally.
This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explo... more This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explore the usefulness of Triple Loop Learning in light of the IOS development experiences of three inter-organisational networks. They conclude that the principles of Triple Loop Learning explain the evolutionary planning process studied, and that further analysis must be undertaken to determine the suitability of the underlying techniques.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2002
It is appropriate for the IS field to examine the suitability of its practices in light of the co... more It is appropriate for the IS field to examine the suitability of its practices in light of the complexity of developing electronic business systems. Research shows that planning and developing business-tobusiness electronic trading systems (ETS) is fraught with difficulties concerning the priorities and power of individual organisations. This paper evaluates the usefulness of Triple Loop Learning in managing the diversity associated with planning such systems. The study concludes that approaches associated with Triple Loop Learning can offer insight for managing inter-organisational complexities. The authors propose that such approaches could enhance planning methods for electronic trading systems.
European Journal of Information Systems, 2016
While the Information Systems (IS) community is increasingly international, it is reasonable to e... more While the Information Systems (IS) community is increasingly international, it is reasonable to expect that different regions might display different research approaches, interests and publication orientations. This paper contributes to the growing number of historical accounts in the IS field by further developing the profile of European IS research that was reported on in EJIS following the first ten years of the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS). Based on an analysis of all papers published in ECIS proceedings during the ten year period 2003-2012, the paper highlights three key characteristics of the developing European IS research profile: 1) continuation of the traditional European IS research profile as developed in the first decade; 2) convergence with aspects of the North American tradition, and 3) development of a distinct approach to design science. We place these observed characteristics within broader historical and contextual features such as the changing European academic landscape, with increasing pressures to "publish or perish" in order to be internationally competitive. Our contribution lies in providing a contemporaneous account of the dominant contextual factors influencing the European IS academy in recent years as well as our interpretation of the developing research profile, thus informing future understanding of European IS research and the choices facing individual IS researchers.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2002
This paper reflects on European research on information systems as presented during the first ten... more This paper reflects on European research on information systems as presented during the first ten years of the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS). Based on an analysis of all papers published in the ECIS proceedings during the period 1993-2002, the paper presents initial findings regarding key aspects of European IS research activity.
한국지능정보시스템학회 학술대회논문집, Nov 1, 2003
Although the research on electronic commerce is plentiful, there is little empirical research rel... more Although the research on electronic commerce is plentiful, there is little empirical research related to Web-Based Shopping Systems (WBSS). This is especially so in global electronic commerce circumstances. WBSS are the fastest growing segment of digital economies and are perceived as driving forces of electronic commerce in terms of global markets and digital business. Using WBSS, organizations have a new chance of their business evolving successfully as global marketers. This paper develops a unified model to assess the diffusion of WBSS, Factors that impact WBSS diffusion are identified and analyzed as the basis for empirical testing. A set of propositions is developed that allows operationalization of the model. The ultimate goal is to provide the new research insights for the academic circles and the practical guidelines for organizations wishing to undertake WBSS.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2001
This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explo... more This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explore the usefulness of Triple Loop Learning in light of the IOS development experiences of three inter-organisational networks. They conclude that the principles of Triple Loop Learning explain the evolutionary planning process studied, and that further analysis must be undertaken to determine the suitability of the underlying techniques.
IGI Global eBooks, 2009
The world is witnessing a continuous expansion of electronic commerce into the global digital eco... more The world is witnessing a continuous expansion of electronic commerce into the global digital economy. As an enabler of new businesses, Web-based shopping systems (WBSS) are at the heart of the major issues surrounding electronic commerce growth. Their wide use has profoundly altered the ways in which businesses and customers, and businesses and businesses interact on the basis of digital transactions. Despite the importance of WBSS, the theoretical study of their strategies has been sparse. This article offers a theoretical analysis of evolutionary processes in WBSS strategies. For that purpose, we propose a classification model of WBSS. Based upon the model, WBSS are classified into four types: (1) general-direct-sales (GDS); (2) general-intermediary-sales (GIS); (3) specialized-direct-sales (SDS); and (4) specialized-intermediary-sales (SIS). On the basis of these four categories of WBSS, we analyze the characteristics of WBSS and suggest five evolution strategies for WBSS, which have implications for both theory and practice. Amazon.com's strategic movements, such as product line expansion through alliance and acquisition, provide an exemplary case of the evolution of WBSS strategy. We expect that this article will serve as a guide for Internet businesses and as a catalyst for new research agendas relevant to web-based shopping and electronic commerce.
Proceedings - Academy of Management, 2016
always created by strategists-for instance, this is not the case of appropriated tools (the Maste... more always created by strategists-for instance, this is not the case of appropriated tools (the Master's student's dissertation and the university research report). Second, the literature on power discourses related to "stories" that can support change (Mantere & Vaara 2008; Spee & Jarzabkowski 2011; Vaara 2010) does not fully consider how far emotions might affect the responsiveness of the audience to these stories. Third, in networked contexts, material actors should be seen not "just" as a boundary object (as much of the literature emphasizes), but we should also focus on the emerging properties related to its creation and use as part of a strategy of change. The properties of material actors act as constraints and affordances that are constantly negotiated among human agents, but also between human and material actors, thus reflecting an imbrication of the two (Leonardi 2011). Thus, we call for more theory building on the strategic role of power and materiality in network settings, and more theorizing around the agentic role of material artifacts that emerge through strategizing practices.
Journal of Information Technology, 2008
Springer eBooks, Aug 7, 2007
Kluwer Academic Publishers eBooks, Aug 16, 2006
Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy, a major principle... more Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy, a major principle that has been taken as axiomatic in the mainstream literature relates to the concept of alignment. This often means that information and communication technology (ICT) systems should somehow align with an organization's business strategy. This is a self evident truth, surely? But when we come to examine this truth, we begin to uncover a number of problems and issues that need to be addressed. One such relates to the dynamic nature of an organization's business environment and the consequent need for flexible-or agile-IS. A second issue relates to our inability to foresee the future and the attendant-changing-^business information requirements that will come with it. A third relates to the role that information can play in informing agile responses to changing circumstances and imperatives-a proactive, rather than reactive, role for IS, in other words. Professor Galliers' keynote address aims to make a contribution to the conference by addressing these three issues, and by identifying what this means for agile IS strategy-or more appropriately, IS strategizing. His presentation will take an alternative perspective to the norm in that it will focus more on the process of IS strategizing rather than on the outcome of the process-the IS strategy itself. He will argue that benefit is to be gained from a more critical, inclusive, exploratory, postmodernist approach to the IS strategy process. This perspective can be contrasted with the common view, which is concerned more with exploiting the potential of ICT systems for business gain. An attempt at synthesizing the arguments arising from a consideration of the problems associated with the somewhat mechanistic treatment of alignment found in the mainstream literature will be attempted by utilizing concepts of architecture and infrastructure, of knowledge creation and sharing, and of ambidextrous organizations, with a view to refining an earlier sensemaking device of his: IS strategizing framework. Professor Galliers joined Bentley College in the United States in July 2002 as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. At Bentley, he has overseen new developments that include the introduction of Ph.D. programs in business and in Please use the following format when citing this chapter:
Technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and competitive strategy, Aug 5, 2014
Abstract Low labor costs and market access are no longer competitive differentiators; increasingl... more Abstract Low labor costs and market access are no longer competitive differentiators; increasingly companies are looking to design and develop new products and services as a crucial source of competitive advantage. As the pressure to innovate increases, so does the tension between shorter-term exploitative development and longer-term exploratory innovation activities. We explore this tension using interview data from software SMEs and venture capitalist firms who invest in technology-driven companies. Findings indicate that, despite firm’s having established solid innovation plans, short-term exploitative demands crowd out their longer-term exploration innovation during the development phase. Agency and resource dependence theories are used to start to explore some of the reasons for this shift. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy 2 , a number of ge... more Over the relatively short history of Information Systems planning and strategy 2 , a number of general principles have arisen that are often taken as being axiomatic. Three such principles that have appeared in the mainstream literature include: • alignment: ICT systems should align with the business strategy; 1 This paper builds on and extends arguments first presented in Galliers & Newell (2003) and Galliers (2004); a revised version will appear as Galliers (2006). 2 Early academic literature on these topics dates back to the work, e.g.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2011
Drawing on the fields of organisational theory, information systems and human-computer interactio... more Drawing on the fields of organisational theory, information systems and human-computer interaction, this paper proposes a novel perspective for studying information systems usage by individuals in organisations-in this case, in the back office of a major US-based accounting firm. By conceptualising usage as a holistic user experience-a situated and temporally emergent inseparable mesh of behaviour, bodily movements, perception, cognition and affect-the researcher can avoid misleading reductionism and the overly simplistic reasoning of technological or social determinism. To demonstrate empirically the value of this perspective, the paper focuses on the intertwining of two aspects commonly ignored in prior information systems literature-the affective and the material.
Routledge eBooks, Apr 8, 2020
... Warwick Business School Research Bureau ; Copyright : 1994 Language : English ; Pagination/Si... more ... Warwick Business School Research Bureau ; Copyright : 1994 Language : English ; Pagination/Size : 24 p. ; SIGLE classification : 05A - Management, administration, business studies ; 05B - Information science, librarianship ; Document type : R - Report ; ISSN : ISSN 0265 ...
IGI Global eBooks, 2002
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and knowledge management (KM) systems promise organizations th... more Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and knowledge management (KM) systems promise organizations the benefits of enhancing competitiveness and continuous revitalization. This chapter compares the characteristic differences and similarities between the two initiatives and examines how they influence organizational efficiency and flexibility when implemented within a global engineering firm. We suggest that the two initiatives are conceptually complementary but can only create a synergy when the design of organizational routines and practices fits into the meta-routines imposed by ERP and KM, and the social processes are nurtured within functions and cross-functionally.
This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explo... more This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explore the usefulness of Triple Loop Learning in light of the IOS development experiences of three inter-organisational networks. They conclude that the principles of Triple Loop Learning explain the evolutionary planning process studied, and that further analysis must be undertaken to determine the suitability of the underlying techniques.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2002
It is appropriate for the IS field to examine the suitability of its practices in light of the co... more It is appropriate for the IS field to examine the suitability of its practices in light of the complexity of developing electronic business systems. Research shows that planning and developing business-tobusiness electronic trading systems (ETS) is fraught with difficulties concerning the priorities and power of individual organisations. This paper evaluates the usefulness of Triple Loop Learning in managing the diversity associated with planning such systems. The study concludes that approaches associated with Triple Loop Learning can offer insight for managing inter-organisational complexities. The authors propose that such approaches could enhance planning methods for electronic trading systems.
European Journal of Information Systems, 2016
While the Information Systems (IS) community is increasingly international, it is reasonable to e... more While the Information Systems (IS) community is increasingly international, it is reasonable to expect that different regions might display different research approaches, interests and publication orientations. This paper contributes to the growing number of historical accounts in the IS field by further developing the profile of European IS research that was reported on in EJIS following the first ten years of the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS). Based on an analysis of all papers published in ECIS proceedings during the ten year period 2003-2012, the paper highlights three key characteristics of the developing European IS research profile: 1) continuation of the traditional European IS research profile as developed in the first decade; 2) convergence with aspects of the North American tradition, and 3) development of a distinct approach to design science. We place these observed characteristics within broader historical and contextual features such as the changing European academic landscape, with increasing pressures to "publish or perish" in order to be internationally competitive. Our contribution lies in providing a contemporaneous account of the dominant contextual factors influencing the European IS academy in recent years as well as our interpretation of the developing research profile, thus informing future understanding of European IS research and the choices facing individual IS researchers.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2002
This paper reflects on European research on information systems as presented during the first ten... more This paper reflects on European research on information systems as presented during the first ten years of the European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS). Based on an analysis of all papers published in the ECIS proceedings during the period 1993-2002, the paper presents initial findings regarding key aspects of European IS research activity.
한국지능정보시스템학회 학술대회논문집, Nov 1, 2003
Although the research on electronic commerce is plentiful, there is little empirical research rel... more Although the research on electronic commerce is plentiful, there is little empirical research related to Web-Based Shopping Systems (WBSS). This is especially so in global electronic commerce circumstances. WBSS are the fastest growing segment of digital economies and are perceived as driving forces of electronic commerce in terms of global markets and digital business. Using WBSS, organizations have a new chance of their business evolving successfully as global marketers. This paper develops a unified model to assess the diffusion of WBSS, Factors that impact WBSS diffusion are identified and analyzed as the basis for empirical testing. A set of propositions is developed that allows operationalization of the model. The ultimate goal is to provide the new research insights for the academic circles and the practical guidelines for organizations wishing to undertake WBSS.
European Conference on Information Systems, 2001
This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explo... more This paper addresses the issue of operationalising guidelines for IOS planning. The authors explore the usefulness of Triple Loop Learning in light of the IOS development experiences of three inter-organisational networks. They conclude that the principles of Triple Loop Learning explain the evolutionary planning process studied, and that further analysis must be undertaken to determine the suitability of the underlying techniques.
IGI Global eBooks, 2009
The world is witnessing a continuous expansion of electronic commerce into the global digital eco... more The world is witnessing a continuous expansion of electronic commerce into the global digital economy. As an enabler of new businesses, Web-based shopping systems (WBSS) are at the heart of the major issues surrounding electronic commerce growth. Their wide use has profoundly altered the ways in which businesses and customers, and businesses and businesses interact on the basis of digital transactions. Despite the importance of WBSS, the theoretical study of their strategies has been sparse. This article offers a theoretical analysis of evolutionary processes in WBSS strategies. For that purpose, we propose a classification model of WBSS. Based upon the model, WBSS are classified into four types: (1) general-direct-sales (GDS); (2) general-intermediary-sales (GIS); (3) specialized-direct-sales (SDS); and (4) specialized-intermediary-sales (SIS). On the basis of these four categories of WBSS, we analyze the characteristics of WBSS and suggest five evolution strategies for WBSS, which have implications for both theory and practice. Amazon.com's strategic movements, such as product line expansion through alliance and acquisition, provide an exemplary case of the evolution of WBSS strategy. We expect that this article will serve as a guide for Internet businesses and as a catalyst for new research agendas relevant to web-based shopping and electronic commerce.
Proceedings - Academy of Management, 2016
always created by strategists-for instance, this is not the case of appropriated tools (the Maste... more always created by strategists-for instance, this is not the case of appropriated tools (the Master's student's dissertation and the university research report). Second, the literature on power discourses related to "stories" that can support change (Mantere & Vaara 2008; Spee & Jarzabkowski 2011; Vaara 2010) does not fully consider how far emotions might affect the responsiveness of the audience to these stories. Third, in networked contexts, material actors should be seen not "just" as a boundary object (as much of the literature emphasizes), but we should also focus on the emerging properties related to its creation and use as part of a strategy of change. The properties of material actors act as constraints and affordances that are constantly negotiated among human agents, but also between human and material actors, thus reflecting an imbrication of the two (Leonardi 2011). Thus, we call for more theory building on the strategic role of power and materiality in network settings, and more theorizing around the agentic role of material artifacts that emerge through strategizing practices.
Journal of Information Technology, 2008