Studies on coordination of systems development process

This thesis examines coordination of systems development process in a contemporary software producing organization. The thesis consists of a series of empirical studies in which the actions, conceptions and artifacts of practitioners are analyzed using a theory-building case study research approach. The three phases of the thesis provide empirical observations on different aspects of systemsdevelopment. In the first phase is examined the role of architecture in coordination and cost estimation in multi-site environment. The second phase involves two studies on the evolving requirement understanding process and how to measure this process. The third phase summarizes the first two phases and concentrates on the role of methods and how practitioners work with them. All the phases provide evidence that current systems development method approaches are too naïve in looking at the complexity of the real world. In practice, development is influenced by opportunity and other contingent factors. The systems development processis not coordinated using phases and tasks defined in methods providing universal mechanism for managing this process like most of the method approaches assume.Instead, the studies suggest that managing systems development process happens through coordinating development activities using methods as tools. These studies contribute to the systems development methods by emphasizing the support of communication and collaboration between systems development participants. Methods should not describe the development activities and phases in a detail level, butshould include the higher level guidance for practitioners on how to act in different systems development environments.

The art of building trust via e-communication channels: Post-acquisition integration as a special context

This study discusses the importance of establishing trust in post-acquisition integration context and how the use of e-channels facilitates or inhibits this process. The objective of this study is to analyze how the use of electronic communication channels influences the post-acquisition integration process in terms of trust establishment and overall integration efficiency, developing a framework as a result. Three sub-objectives are introduced: to find out the building blocks of trust in M&A’s, to analyse how the use of e-channels influence the process of trust establishment in post-acquisition integration context, and to define the consequences trust and use of e-channels have for the process. The theoretical background of the study includes literature and theories relating to trust establishment in post-acquisition integration context and how the use of e-channels influences the process of trust development on a general level. The empirical research is conducted as a single case study, based on key informant interviews. The interview data was collected between October 2015 and January 2016. Altogether nine interviews were realised; six with representatives from the acquiring firm and three with target firm members. Thematic analysis was selected as the main method for analysing and processing the qualitative data. This study finds that trust has an essential role in post-acquisition integration context, facilitating the integration process in various different ways. Hence, identifying the different building blocks of trust is important in order for members of the organisations to be better able establish and maintain trust. In today’s international business, the role of electronic communication channels has also increased in importance significantly and it was confirmed that these pose both challenges and possibilities for the development of interpersonal trust. One of the most important underlying factors influencing the trust levels via e-communication channels is the level of user’s comfort in using the different e-channels. Without sufficient and meaningful training, the communication conducted via these channels in inhibited in a number of ways. Hence, understanding the defining characteristics of e-communication together with the risks and opportunities related to the use of these can have far-reaching consequences for the post-acquisition integration process as a whole. The framework based on the findings and existing theory introduces the most central factors influencing the trust establishment together with the positive and negative consequences these have for the integration process. Moreover, organizational level consistency and the existence of shared guidelines on appropriate selection of communication channels according to the nature of the task at hand are seen as important

A case study of the English language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in Finland

This qualitative study was aimed at investigating foreign language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in their instruction. The insight was gained through the reported experience of ICT implementation by teachers, in what way and for which purpose they refer to use of technology, what kind of support and training they are provided with, and what beliefs they express about the influence of ICT implementation. This case study took place in one of the training schools in Finland. Five teachers participated in semi-structured interviews through a face-to-face approach. The findings demonstrated positive attitudes of teachers toward integration of ICT. The teachers shared their opinions about positive influence that ICT implementation has on both teaching and learning processes. However, they also pointed out the negative sides of ICT use: distraction of the students from usage of technology and technical problems causing frustration to the teachers. In addition, the responses revealed that the teachers are provided with adequate training aimed at enhancing their qualification which is provided with well-timed technology support and colleagues’ collaboration facilitating an efficient and smooth pace of the teaching process. According to the teachers’ opinions ICT integration in education appeared to have changed the role of the teacher. Due to different alterations in the field of ICT development teachers are required to upgrade their skills. The paper concludes with the limitations of the study and the recommendations for conducting further research.

A case study of the English language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in Finland

This qualitative study was aimed at investigating foreign language teachers’ attitudes toward use of information and communication technology (ICT) in their instruction. The insight was gained through the reported experience of ICT implementation by teachers, in what way and for which purpose they refer to use of technology, what kind of support and training they are provided with, and what beliefs they express about the influence of ICT implementation. This case study took place in one of the training schools in Finland. Five teachers participated in semi-structured interviews through a face-to-face approach. The findings demonstrated positive attitudes of teachers toward integration of ICT. The teachers shared their opinions about positive influence that ICT implementation has on both teaching and learning processes. However, they also pointed out the negative sides of ICT use: distraction of the students from usage of technology and technical problems causing frustration to the teachers. In addition, the responses revealed that the teachers are provided with adequate training aimed at enhancing their qualification which is provided with well-timed technology support and colleagues’ collaboration facilitating an efficient and smooth pace of the teaching process. According to the teachers’ opinions ICT integration in education appeared to have changed the role of the teacher. Due to different alterations in the field of ICT development teachers are required to upgrade their skills. The paper concludes with the limitations of the study and the recommendations for conducting further research.

Mobile marketing process of an international event – Case: Falun2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships

Any other technology has never affected daily life at this level and witnessed as speedy adaptation as the mobile phone. At the same time, mobile media has developed to be a serious marketing tool for all kinds of businesses, and the industry has grown explosively in recent years. The objective of this thesis is to inspect the mobile marketing process of an international event. This thesis is a qualitative case study. The chosen case for this thesis is the mobile marketing process of Falun2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships due to researcher’s interest on the topic and contacts to the people around the event. The empirical findings were acquired by conducting two interviews with three experts from the case organisation and its partner organisation. The interviews were performed as semi-structured interviews utilising the themes arising from the chosen theoretical framework. The framework distinguished six phases in the process: (i) campaign initiation, (ii) campaign design, (iii) campaign creation, (iv) permission management, (v) delivery, and (vi) evaluation and analysis. Phases one and five were not examined in this thesis because campaign initiation was not purely seen as part of the campaign implementation, and investigating phase five would have required a very technical viewpoint to the study. In addition to the interviews, some pre-established documents were exploited as a supporting data. The empirical findings of this thesis mainly follow the theoretical framework utilised. However, some modifications to the model could be made mainly related to the order of different phases. In the revised model, the actions are categorised depending on the time they should be conducted, i.e. before, during or after the event. Regardless of the categorisation, the phases can be in different order and overlapping. In addition, the business network was highly emphasised by the empirical findings and is thus added to the modified model. Five managerial recommendations can be concluded from the empirical findings of this thesis: (i) the importance of a business network should be highly valued in a mobile marketing process; (ii) clear goals should be defined for mobile marketing actions in order to make sure that everyone involved is aware them; (iii) interactivity should be perceived as part of a mobile marketing communication; (iv) enough time should be allowed for the development of a mobile marketing process in order to exploit all the potential it can offer; and (v) attention should be paid to measuring and analysing matters that are of relevance

Intercultural Communication on China’s We Media–WeChat Public Platform as an Example.

To explore the deep associations between diversified culture communication modes and the new tendencies of China’s social media, this thesis focuses on the development patterns of intercultural communication on China’s we media. Symbolized by WeChat Public Platform, China’s we media has achieved a tremendous development in recent years. In Chapter 1, the background introduction of we media highlights the essential connotation and the basic methodology of this thesis. And by interpreting the rise of China’s we media in Chapter 2, the unique evolution process of social media in China is revealed logically. Besides, as specific case studies, the two cultural WeChat official accounts: EatPrayLove and Shameless in Chapter 3 comprehensively present a macroscopic cognition as well as the detailed descriptions of intercultural communication on China’s we media. In addition, based on a series of analyses and demonstrations on the developments and prospects of China’s we media in Chapter 4, the further exploration and interpretation on how to promote intercultural communication is concluded concisely and precisely in Chapter 5.