Research
Information Systems / eBusiness
Information and communication technologies have transformed the way business is conducted with far-reaching consequences for the broader business environment. Our research investigates the way businesses and other organisations (including governments, industry groups, supply chains and clusters) have used these technologies and how they can derive value from these developments. Our research also focuses on the strategic IT choices available to organisations, and how best to manage IT delivery.
We have conducted research on:
- Business to business (B2B) eCommerce use, especially involving small and medium enterprises
- The impact of eBusiness on a range of management practices
eBusiness strategy
- The use of eBusiness by governments, business networks and community groups
- Outsourcing of IT services
- Business Process Outsourcing
- Information Systems service quality
- IT and Information Systems Strategy
- IT Governance.
Key Research Projects
- Facilitating Victorian Business Use of eCommerce for Export
This study was conducted for the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD) to determine the information and support needs of SMEs considering or using eCommerce for Export (EC4X). The research recommended ways that the Department could assist SMEs to use EC4X, especially via the VicExport website.
- Best Practices in IT Outsourcing and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
This research program has been in operation since 1997 and has been conducted in collaboration with Simsion Bowles & Associates, and more recently the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO). It includes the largest survey of IT outsourcing practices conducted in the last decade worldwide (with the University of Melbourne; Deloitte, Touche, Tohmatsu; and the Oxford Institute of Information Management). The research program underpins the development (with the Boston Consulting Group and Consulting Insights) of the Federal Government's "ICT Sourcing Guide" and intranet site - released by AGIMO in mid 2004. In 2005, the researchers will be collaborating with colleagues in Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia to investigate international aspects of IT outsourcing success.
- Development of an outsourcing success measure
This study involves the development of an outsourcing success instrument that allows researchers to statistically test a range of propositions (commonly, and sometimes incorrectly described as "proven practices") related to strategies that might improve outsourcing success. It is supported by extensive qualitative studies into how outsourcing arrangements are judged by the various stakeholders. In 2005 the initial study (conducted in 2000) will be expanded and repeated in four countries.
PhD Projects
| Yvette Blount |
The Impact of Electronic Commerce on employee management in Australian banking organisations |
| Jeff Chamberlain |
A framework for strategic success in the management of electronically administered business processes in government |
| Cecily Mason |
Virtual Communities of Practice and the creation of value in Regional Clusters of SMEs |
| Dilal Saundage |
A Social Constructivist Analysis of the Development of Inter-Organisational Systems |
| David Wilde |
Alignment of Government Policy with Community Goals regarding Rural and Regional Telecommunications |
