Thesis (M.S. in Systems Technology)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): William G. Kemple, John S. Osmundson. Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-105). Also available online.

The factors that influence the ultimate level of success or failure of systems development projects have received considerable attention in the academic literature. Two particularly significant areas of interest have been the importance of applying best practice during systems development and the need to explicitly consider organisational issues to ensure a positive organisational impact. However, despite the existence of a well developed best practice literature and an emergent organisational issues literature, many projects still fail. The record of the NHS has been particularly poor in terms of the successful development and implementation of information systems and it was thought that this area would provide a fertile domain for information system research. Whilst the use of information systems in community healthcare has increased greatly over the last ten years the majority of existing research has been conducted in acute hospital environments with little attention devoted to the community sector. Consequently, this research project has two main aims: To identify the key best practice variables and areas of organisational impact associated with the development, implementation and use of a Community Information System (CIS) in National Health Service Trusts; and to examine the relationships between these two sets of variables and the system's resultant level of effectiveness. This research project has a number of positive methodological attributes in that it studies a homogenous organisational sector using a common type of information system and so minimises the potentially confounding influences of sector and system. In addition, the research design involves a three stage approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The research project has produced several key findings. A positive relationship was identified between the adoption of best practice and system effectiveness and similarly, there was a positive relationship between the level of organisational impact and system effectiveness. In order to ensure a positive organisational impact it was found that the successful treatment of key organisational issues is required. In addition, two new variables have been identified, user ownership and positive user attitudes, that play an important mediating role in ensuring system effectiveness. Finally, it was also recognised that the adoption of best practice variables had a dual role, directly influencing the level of perceived system effectiveness but also as a method of effectively managing organisational issues, user ownership and user attitudes. In summary, this study has emphasised the importance of adopting best practice and assessing and managing organisational impact during a community information system development project to ensure system success. These results will be of particular interest to practising IM&T Managers in the NHS and to the wider academic community. A series of practical recommendations are presented at the end of the thesis.

This case study of the information flows within a British biotechnology company involved a population of 156 and took place over five years. It included information provision and information management as embedded studies. The main investigation into information flows was done in three parts, using questionnaires. The parts were: Use of Information Centre information resources, company-wide information flows and assessment of the perceived effectiveness of existing information flows. Combined, these three parts represent a 'snapshot' of the flows over a timespan of about three months. The methodology used to present the individual information flows is novel. The results showed that inter-personal communication or information flows were good, with e-mail being extensively used; that most inter-Group flows were functional, but that flows through the company were poor. Information flow out of the company was restricted. The main barriers to effective flows were excessive secrecy which prevented open exchange of information, lack of finance and the split sites. Although these were only a few miles from the main building, the staff felt isolated. The results further show that the most used information resources were colleagues, and that the most used non-human information resources were not held in the IC. The main users of the IC were the R&D staff, while more than 50% of the company rarely or never used the facility. The investigation represents an early example of Knowledge Management and further documents a stage in the evolution of biotechnology companies.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are major strategic initiatives undertaken by many organisations. Within the construction context, these have been used, amongst others, to accelerate growth, reduce the effects of the construction cycle, enter into new markets, and spread risk. During the last decade, M&A were recognised as the preferred vehicle for expansion into the global construction market. Major European and international construction organisations use mergers or acquisitions to increase their geographical coverage and business portfolio. Mergers and Acquisitions impact on a number of organisational dimensions ranging from `soft' issues such as organisational culture to `hard' issues such as IT integration. Four specific aspects of mergers and acquisitions are investigated within this thesis. These are as follows: Strategy, Business Portfolio and Performance Measurement of construction organisations and the impact of M&A on subsequent performance; the Acquisition Strategy adopted for entering emerging markets such as Central and Eastern Europe; the Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on construction companies' Information Systems and Information Technology (IS/IT); and an Investigation of Knowledge Management Strategies for organisations that have undergone mergers and acquisitions. The thesis adopts a qualitative research methodology. An extensive literature review was conducted on mergers and acquisitions with particular emphasis on its use within the construction sector. The literature review provided a sound basis for theory development and identified areas in which further understanding was requiired. A multiple case study approach was selected for each of the four aspects studied and the data was obtained using semi-structured interviews. Based on the case study data, analysis and discussion were conducted resulting in conclusions for each of the four aspects investigated. The research concluded that Mergers and Acquisitions were an important vehicle for construction organisations to achieve growth, and expand geographically into new markets and new sectors. However,. the implications of mergers and acquisitions need to be understood and the processes . before, during and after the merger or acquisition is finalised need to be carefully planned and communicated to the relevant parties. Mergers and Acquisitions'- can offer' tremendous advantage to an organisation and several recommendations are made regarditig how the process may be improved within the construction context.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Computer Science. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2003. / Title from title screen (viewed Oct. 31, 2005). "June 2003." Electronic book. Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-105). Also issued in paper format.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2006. / Document formatted into pages; contains xi, 160 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-117).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2005. / Typescript. Includes appendices. Bibliographical references: leaf 175-181.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Wollongong, 2007. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: page 175-183.