Bonus and commission schemes are common practice among firms as an incentive for the salesforce. Despite the growing body of literature on value co-creation and the practical relevance, it remains unknown how these management tools relate to each other. There is a gap in research on conflict theory but it is argued that they derive from a paradox. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of bonus and commission schemes and the potential tensions and conflicts that are caused by different paradoxes. It shows an exploration of how these paradoxes connect to value co-creation in car dealerships from a salesforce perspective. A theoretical framework is established to review the available literature. We have conducted six in-depth interviews to pursue rich qualitative data to fully grasp the dynamics of the dealership. We have found results that indicate a number of paradoxes that exist in the dealerships. We discuss that the variety of paradoxes bring tensions and conflicts forward, but also that some of the paradoxes are harmless. We also find that our respondents implicitly support value co-creation and that long-term relationships are essential. In our discussion a model is presented to present an overview.

O valor da Tecnologia da Informação (TI) continua sendo um dos temas de interesse na área de Sistemas de Informação (SI) e TI, apesar dos longos anos já dedicados a pesquisas na área. Uma oportunidade de estudo neste tema tem recebido destaque na literatura de SI/TI e práticos, que é o valor da TI no contexto de relacionamentos interorganizacionais, mais especificamente quando ocorre a co-criação de valor. Co-criação de valor tem suas origens no marketing e estratégia e discute o potencial da participação do consumidor final para agregar valor em produtos e serviços, com destaque para a criação de espaços e momentos de interação entre a empresa e seus clientes. Ampliando este conceito para o contexto de relacionamento entre empresas, ou seja, considerando a co-criação de valor interorganizacional, esta tese tem o objetivo de identificar o valor da TI nos processos e projetos de co-criação de valor em relacionamentos interorganizacionais. Para tal, apresenta as abordagens teóricas que dão suporte aos três principais temas que procura relacionar: valor da TI, co-criação de valor e relacionamentos interorganizacionais, quais sejam: abordagem econômica, abordagem da organização industrial (especificamente a teoria dos custos de transação e a teoria da agência), as perspectivas sociológicas e sócio-políticas e a abordagem da estratégia. Com base nos estudos já realizados sobre o valor da TI, co-criação de valor e relacionamentos interorganizacionais, elaborou-se uma estrutura conceitual preliminar para entender a dinâmica do valor da TI neste contexto. O método de pesquisa adotado foi o estudo de casos múltiplos, tendo como técnicas de coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada, pesquisa documental, observação e questionário. Foram realizadas três rodadas de avaliação da estrutura conceitual e do roteiro de coleta de dados, uma vez que o estudo dos temas em conjunto é novo e necessitava-se conhecer a sistemática de funcionamento, bem como os elementos presentes na estrutura conceitual. Foram estudados quatro casos, sendo que cada caso é um relacionamento interorganizacional: Marelli, Lojas Exclusivas e TOTVS; BRDE e Stefanini; Dell e Centro de Inovação Microsoft-PUCRS; e GKN e Usimold. No total foram entrevistadas 24 pessoas, analisados documentos disponibilizados pelas empresas e realizada observação dos casos. Os resultados indicaram um envolvimento intenso entre as empresas participantes de cada caso estudado, uma vez que os projetos e processos de co-criação em que estavam envolvidas são de grande interesse de ambos os lados. Os aspectos de co-criação de valor estudados (diálogo, acesso, compartilhamento de risco e transparência) estão presentes nos casos e permanecem na estrutura conceitual. Por fim, o valor da TI se manifestou nos outputs sugeridos no roteiro de coleta de dados, com destaque para o controle, a produtividade, qualidade dos produtos e/ou serviços, satisfação dos usuários/consumidores, custo e melhores decisões, o que indica o caráter operacional e intangível do valor da TI em relacionamentos interorganizacionais de co-criação de valor. Os outputs vantagem competitiva, lucro, valor de mercado e participação de mercado tiveram uma contribuição menor nos casos analisados. Novos outputs de valor da TI surgiram, com destaque para documentação, formalização das respostas, rastreabilidade e histórico, rapidez, informacional, comunicação, gestão e transparência. Os resultados validaram a estrutura conceitual do valor da TI na co-criação de valor em relacionamentos interorganizacionais com algumas inserções de elementos de outputs de valor da TI, atingindo-se então o objetivo geral da tese. / The value of information technology (IT) remains a topic of interest in the field of Information Systems (IS) and IT studies, despite the many years that have been dedicated to research in the area. An issue of particular interest in the IS/IT literature and practices is that of the IT value in the context of interorganizational relationships, specifically when there is value co-creation. The latter originates in the fields of marketing and strategy and is concerned with the potential participation of the end user to add value to products and services, with emphasis on the creation of spaces and moments of interaction between the company and its customers. By extending this concept to the context of relationships between companies and considering interorganizational value co-creation, this thesis aims to identify the IT value in the value co-creation in interorganizational relationships. To achieve this, it presents the theoretical approaches that support the three main themes that it attempts to relate: IT value, value co-creation and interorganizational relationships, which are: the economic approach, the industrial organization approach (specifically transaction costs theory and agency theory), the socio-political and sociological perspectives and the strategic approach. Based on previous studies on IT value, value co-creation and interorganizational relationships, a preliminary conceptual framework for understanding the dynamics of IT value in this context was drawn up. The research method used was a multiple case study in which data were collected from interviews, documents, observation and a questionnaire. Since the topics under investigation had not previously been studied together, the conceptual framework and data collection script were subjected to three rounds of assessment in order to determine how they would function and which elements they should include. Four cases were studied, each one being an interorganizational relationship: Marelli, Lojas Exclusivas and TOTVS; BRDE and Stefanini, Dell and Microsoft Innovation Center–PUCRS and Usimold and GKN. In total 24 people were interviewed, documents provided by the companies were examined and the cases were observed. The results indicated intense involvement on the part of the participating companies in each case studied, since the projects and co-creation processes involved are of great interest to both parties. The studied aspects of value co-creation (dialogue, access, risk sharing and transparency) are present in the cases and are contained in the conceptual framework. Finally, the IT value was manifested in the output suggested in data collection script, with emphasis on control, productivity, product and/or service quality, user/consumer satisfaction, cost, and better decisions, which indicates the operational and intangible character of IT value in interorganizational relationships involving values cocreation. The outputs, such as competitive advantage, profit, market value and market share had a minor contribution in the analyzed cases. New IT value outputs emerged, especially documentation, formalization of responses, traceability and history, informational and communication speed, management and transparency. The results validate the conceptual framework of IT value in co-creating value in interorganizational relationships with the insertion of some elements from the IT value outputs, thus the overall objective of the thesis was achieved.

O valor da Tecnologia da Informação (TI) continua sendo um dos temas de interesse na área de Sistemas de Informação (SI) e TI, apesar dos longos anos já dedicados a pesquisas na área. Uma oportunidade de estudo neste tema tem recebido destaque na literatura de SI/TI e práticos, que é o valor da TI no contexto de relacionamentos interorganizacionais, mais especificamente quando ocorre a co-criação de valor. Co-criação de valor tem suas origens no marketing e estratégia e discute o potencial da participação do consumidor final para agregar valor em produtos e serviços, com destaque para a criação de espaços e momentos de interação entre a empresa e seus clientes. Ampliando este conceito para o contexto de relacionamento entre empresas, ou seja, considerando a co-criação de valor interorganizacional, esta tese tem o objetivo de identificar o valor da TI nos processos e projetos de co-criação de valor em relacionamentos interorganizacionais. Para tal, apresenta as abordagens teóricas que dão suporte aos três principais temas que procura relacionar: valor da TI, co-criação de valor e relacionamentos interorganizacionais, quais sejam: abordagem econômica, abordagem da organização industrial (especificamente a teoria dos custos de transação e a teoria da agência), as perspectivas sociológicas e sócio-políticas e a abordagem da estratégia. Com base nos estudos já realizados sobre o valor da TI, co-criação de valor e relacionamentos interorganizacionais, elaborou-se uma estrutura conceitual preliminar para entender a dinâmica do valor da TI neste contexto. O método de pesquisa adotado foi o estudo de casos múltiplos, tendo como técnicas de coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada, pesquisa documental, observação e questionário. Foram realizadas três rodadas de avaliação da estrutura conceitual e do roteiro de coleta de dados, uma vez que o estudo dos temas em conjunto é novo e necessitava-se conhecer a sistemática de funcionamento, bem como os elementos presentes na estrutura conceitual. Foram estudados quatro casos, sendo que cada caso é um relacionamento interorganizacional: Marelli, Lojas Exclusivas e TOTVS; BRDE e Stefanini; Dell e Centro de Inovação Microsoft-PUCRS; e GKN e Usimold. No total foram entrevistadas 24 pessoas, analisados documentos disponibilizados pelas empresas e realizada observação dos casos. Os resultados indicaram um envolvimento intenso entre as empresas participantes de cada caso estudado, uma vez que os projetos e processos de co-criação em que estavam envolvidas são de grande interesse de ambos os lados. Os aspectos de co-criação de valor estudados (diálogo, acesso, compartilhamento de risco e transparência) estão presentes nos casos e permanecem na estrutura conceitual. Por fim, o valor da TI se manifestou nos outputs sugeridos no roteiro de coleta de dados, com destaque para o controle, a produtividade, qualidade dos produtos e/ou serviços, satisfação dos usuários/consumidores, custo e melhores decisões, o que indica o caráter operacional e intangível do valor da TI em relacionamentos interorganizacionais de co-criação de valor. Os outputs vantagem competitiva, lucro, valor de mercado e participação de mercado tiveram uma contribuição menor nos casos analisados. Novos outputs de valor da TI surgiram, com destaque para documentação, formalização das respostas, rastreabilidade e histórico, rapidez, informacional, comunicação, gestão e transparência. Os resultados validaram a estrutura conceitual do valor da TI na co-criação de valor em relacionamentos interorganizacionais com algumas inserções de elementos de outputs de valor da TI, atingindo-se então o objetivo geral da tese. / The value of information technology (IT) remains a topic of interest in the field of Information Systems (IS) and IT studies, despite the many years that have been dedicated to research in the area. An issue of particular interest in the IS/IT literature and practices is that of the IT value in the context of interorganizational relationships, specifically when there is value co-creation. The latter originates in the fields of marketing and strategy and is concerned with the potential participation of the end user to add value to products and services, with emphasis on the creation of spaces and moments of interaction between the company and its customers. By extending this concept to the context of relationships between companies and considering interorganizational value co-creation, this thesis aims to identify the IT value in the value co-creation in interorganizational relationships. To achieve this, it presents the theoretical approaches that support the three main themes that it attempts to relate: IT value, value co-creation and interorganizational relationships, which are: the economic approach, the industrial organization approach (specifically transaction costs theory and agency theory), the socio-political and sociological perspectives and the strategic approach. Based on previous studies on IT value, value co-creation and interorganizational relationships, a preliminary conceptual framework for understanding the dynamics of IT value in this context was drawn up. The research method used was a multiple case study in which data were collected from interviews, documents, observation and a questionnaire. Since the topics under investigation had not previously been studied together, the conceptual framework and data collection script were subjected to three rounds of assessment in order to determine how they would function and which elements they should include. Four cases were studied, each one being an interorganizational relationship: Marelli, Lojas Exclusivas and TOTVS; BRDE and Stefanini, Dell and Microsoft Innovation Center–PUCRS and Usimold and GKN. In total 24 people were interviewed, documents provided by the companies were examined and the cases were observed. The results indicated intense involvement on the part of the participating companies in each case studied, since the projects and co-creation processes involved are of great interest to both parties. The studied aspects of value co-creation (dialogue, access, risk sharing and transparency) are present in the cases and are contained in the conceptual framework. Finally, the IT value was manifested in the output suggested in data collection script, with emphasis on control, productivity, product and/or service quality, user/consumer satisfaction, cost, and better decisions, which indicates the operational and intangible character of IT value in interorganizational relationships involving values cocreation. The outputs, such as competitive advantage, profit, market value and market share had a minor contribution in the analyzed cases. New IT value outputs emerged, especially documentation, formalization of responses, traceability and history, informational and communication speed, management and transparency. The results validate the conceptual framework of IT value in co-creating value in interorganizational relationships with the insertion of some elements from the IT value outputs, thus the overall objective of the thesis was achieved.

A Cocriação de Valor é uma terminologia que surgiu no início do século XXI e tem despertado o interesse de acadêmicos e profissionais de marketing. No processo de cocriação, surgem novas competências e práticas de negócios, fazendo da cocriação fonte de vantagem competitiva e de rentabilidade para empresa, tornando-a, segundo alguns estudiosos, um novo modelo de negócio. Na prática de cocriação, as empresas convidam os stakeholders para explorarem as oportunidades e resolverem problemas coletivamente. Para muitas empresas, o aprendizado a partir dessas interações com os clientes/stakeholders, com o envolvimento do usuário no processo, promove agregação de valor aos produtos/serviços. Nesse sentido, a partilha e as interações com o cliente fazem irromper experiências, que vão desde ideias sobre melhora ou personalização de produtos, até o compartilhamento de seus sentimentos no uso desses produtos. As interações da cocriação fortalecem a capacidade da empresa na prática de utilização de recursos globais de rede, criando um esforço contínuo para o desenvolvimento do relacionamento com os clientes. A literatura de marketing contempla poucos trabalhos relacionados ao tema, sendo sua maioria publicada nos Estados Unidos. Nesse contexto, este trabalho de pesquisa tem por objetivo estudar o processo de cocriação por empresas brasileiras nas suas atividades de negócio, enfatizando os benefícios gerados. A pesquisa que compreende esta dissertação de mestrado foi realizada em duas partes. A primeira parte consistiu de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o assunto e sobre temas correlatos. A segunda parte contemplou a realização de uma pesquisa de campo com abordagem qualitativa e com recurso do método de estudo de caso. Os resultados da pesquisa de campo destacam três pontos cruciais relacionados ao perfil das empresas entrevistadas: primeiro, as empresas adotam estratégias de relacionamento com seus clientes e são orientadas para o mercado; segundo, são empresas com abordagem holística e gestão voltada para os stakeholders; terceiro, são empresas que vizualisam na cocriação uma excelente estratégia empresarial. Os resultados da pesquisa revelam ainda o uso da cocriação para estabelecer relacionamento interativo com o cliente e como uma forma de aumentar o poder de inovação nas empresas. / The term \'Value Co-Creation\' was conceptualised in the beginning of the 21st century and has aroused the interest of scholars and marketing professionals. In the process of co-creation, there are new business competences and practices, which make co-creation a source of competitive advantage and profitability for companies, making them, according to some researchers, a new business model. When companies adopt co-creation practices, they invite stakeholders to explore opportunities and solve problems conjointly. For many companies, learning from these interactions with clients/stakeholders, by engaging the user in the process, promotes added value to products/services. In this respect, sharing the process and interacting with the client result in the creation of experiences, from insights on improving or customising products to having the client sharing their feelings regarding the use of these products. The co-creation interactions strengthen the company\'s capability of using global network resources, creating an ongoing effort towards the building of relationship with clients. Marketing literature reveals only few research related to this topic, which are mostly published in the United States. With this in mind, this research aimed at studying the co-creation process adopted by Brazilian companies in their business activities, highlighting the resulting benefits. The research part of this Master\'s programme had two phases. The first covered a literature review on the subject matter and related topics. The second phase comprised a qualitative field research and the use of case study as a methodology. The results of the field research highlight three key aspects related to the profile of the interviewed companies: firstly, the companies adopt strategies of relationship with their clients and are market-oriented; secondly, they are companies following a holistic approach and a stakeholder-oriented management; and finally, they are companies that see in co-creation an excellent business strategy. The results also reveal the adoption of co-creation to establish an interactive relationship with the client and as a way to increase the power of innovation in the companies

O valor da Tecnologia da Informação (TI) continua sendo um dos temas de interesse na área de Sistemas de Informação (SI) e TI, apesar dos longos anos já dedicados a pesquisas na área. Uma oportunidade de estudo neste tema tem recebido destaque na literatura de SI/TI e práticos, que é o valor da TI no contexto de relacionamentos interorganizacionais, mais especificamente quando ocorre a co-criação de valor. Co-criação de valor tem suas origens no marketing e estratégia e discute o potencial da participação do consumidor final para agregar valor em produtos e serviços, com destaque para a criação de espaços e momentos de interação entre a empresa e seus clientes. Ampliando este conceito para o contexto de relacionamento entre empresas, ou seja, considerando a co-criação de valor interorganizacional, esta tese tem o objetivo de identificar o valor da TI nos processos e projetos de co-criação de valor em relacionamentos interorganizacionais. Para tal, apresenta as abordagens teóricas que dão suporte aos três principais temas que procura relacionar: valor da TI, co-criação de valor e relacionamentos interorganizacionais, quais sejam: abordagem econômica, abordagem da organização industrial (especificamente a teoria dos custos de transação e a teoria da agência), as perspectivas sociológicas e sócio-políticas e a abordagem da estratégia. Com base nos estudos já realizados sobre o valor da TI, co-criação de valor e relacionamentos interorganizacionais, elaborou-se uma estrutura conceitual preliminar para entender a dinâmica do valor da TI neste contexto. O método de pesquisa adotado foi o estudo de casos múltiplos, tendo como técnicas de coleta de dados a entrevista semiestruturada, pesquisa documental, observação e questionário. Foram realizadas três rodadas de avaliação da estrutura conceitual e do roteiro de coleta de dados, uma vez que o estudo dos temas em conjunto é novo e necessitava-se conhecer a sistemática de funcionamento, bem como os elementos presentes na estrutura conceitual. Foram estudados quatro casos, sendo que cada caso é um relacionamento interorganizacional: Marelli, Lojas Exclusivas e TOTVS; BRDE e Stefanini; Dell e Centro de Inovação Microsoft-PUCRS; e GKN e Usimold. No total foram entrevistadas 24 pessoas, analisados documentos disponibilizados pelas empresas e realizada observação dos casos. Os resultados indicaram um envolvimento intenso entre as empresas participantes de cada caso estudado, uma vez que os projetos e processos de co-criação em que estavam envolvidas são de grande interesse de ambos os lados. Os aspectos de co-criação de valor estudados (diálogo, acesso, compartilhamento de risco e transparência) estão presentes nos casos e permanecem na estrutura conceitual. Por fim, o valor da TI se manifestou nos outputs sugeridos no roteiro de coleta de dados, com destaque para o controle, a produtividade, qualidade dos produtos e/ou serviços, satisfação dos usuários/consumidores, custo e melhores decisões, o que indica o caráter operacional e intangível do valor da TI em relacionamentos interorganizacionais de co-criação de valor. Os outputs vantagem competitiva, lucro, valor de mercado e participação de mercado tiveram uma contribuição menor nos casos analisados. Novos outputs de valor da TI surgiram, com destaque para documentação, formalização das respostas, rastreabilidade e histórico, rapidez, informacional, comunicação, gestão e transparência. Os resultados validaram a estrutura conceitual do valor da TI na co-criação de valor em relacionamentos interorganizacionais com algumas inserções de elementos de outputs de valor da TI, atingindo-se então o objetivo geral da tese. / The value of information technology (IT) remains a topic of interest in the field of Information Systems (IS) and IT studies, despite the many years that have been dedicated to research in the area. An issue of particular interest in the IS/IT literature and practices is that of the IT value in the context of interorganizational relationships, specifically when there is value co-creation. The latter originates in the fields of marketing and strategy and is concerned with the potential participation of the end user to add value to products and services, with emphasis on the creation of spaces and moments of interaction between the company and its customers. By extending this concept to the context of relationships between companies and considering interorganizational value co-creation, this thesis aims to identify the IT value in the value co-creation in interorganizational relationships. To achieve this, it presents the theoretical approaches that support the three main themes that it attempts to relate: IT value, value co-creation and interorganizational relationships, which are: the economic approach, the industrial organization approach (specifically transaction costs theory and agency theory), the socio-political and sociological perspectives and the strategic approach. Based on previous studies on IT value, value co-creation and interorganizational relationships, a preliminary conceptual framework for understanding the dynamics of IT value in this context was drawn up. The research method used was a multiple case study in which data were collected from interviews, documents, observation and a questionnaire. Since the topics under investigation had not previously been studied together, the conceptual framework and data collection script were subjected to three rounds of assessment in order to determine how they would function and which elements they should include. Four cases were studied, each one being an interorganizational relationship: Marelli, Lojas Exclusivas and TOTVS; BRDE and Stefanini, Dell and Microsoft Innovation Center–PUCRS and Usimold and GKN. In total 24 people were interviewed, documents provided by the companies were examined and the cases were observed. The results indicated intense involvement on the part of the participating companies in each case studied, since the projects and co-creation processes involved are of great interest to both parties. The studied aspects of value co-creation (dialogue, access, risk sharing and transparency) are present in the cases and are contained in the conceptual framework. Finally, the IT value was manifested in the output suggested in data collection script, with emphasis on control, productivity, product and/or service quality, user/consumer satisfaction, cost, and better decisions, which indicates the operational and intangible character of IT value in interorganizational relationships involving values cocreation. The outputs, such as competitive advantage, profit, market value and market share had a minor contribution in the analyzed cases. New IT value outputs emerged, especially documentation, formalization of responses, traceability and history, informational and communication speed, management and transparency. The results validate the conceptual framework of IT value in co-creating value in interorganizational relationships with the insertion of some elements from the IT value outputs, thus the overall objective of the thesis was achieved.

This thesis investigates the production and consumption of the independent music sector in South Korea in the digital age. It examines the value of music and how it is created in the digital age. Thus, it suggests the impacts of the Internet for consumers and producers. The investigation is based on the view that there has been a transition to value co-creation by consumers and producers, away from the traditional view of value being produced by firms alone, and that this value can be symbolic, emotional and experiential. The thesis shows that this transition has indeed occurred in the music industry. To investigate value and value creation in popular music in the digital age, an in-depth single case study of the independent music industry in South Korea is conducted. Qualitative data was collected, using semi-structured interviews, from independent music consumers and independent record labels. This research reveals that consumers’ music consumption is made up of both information-processing and experiential behaviours. Their desire to minimize the inappropriateness and maximize the appropriateness of independent music and its culture contributes to its sustainment and expansion. This research also reveals the online practices of consumers, categorized into three themes: acquisition, relationship and engagement. In addition, the examination of music communities in South Korea shows that consumers are resource integrators. It reveals that the consumption communities are organized and maintained through various operant resources of the participants. The data from the independent record labels reveals that they are trying hard to interact with consumers and benefit from the new media. They are found to conduct four value (co)creation strategies: contacting, bonding, spreading and managing. Finally, this research shows that difficulties in utilizing social media can be categorized into the following: adaptability, uncontrollability, representability and applicability. The key contributions of this research are as follows: Firstly, it extends our understanding of the symbolic consumption of music. Secondly, it identifies a form of consumption community, which can be termed a ‘co-creative consumption community’. Lastly, it demonstrates the value (co)creation practices used by consumers and the strategies used by producers. These findings extend the existing knowledge and suggest new evidence that contributes to an increased understanding of the concept of value co-creation, and to consumer research in general. In addition, the findings will benefit marketers and producers, especially in cultural industries such as the music industry.

E-government services in the form of information systems (IS) artifacts create a new arena for co-creation that governments aim to leverage. Design of and knowledge about IS artifacts in value co-creation in e-government can thereby be considered valuable for the future development of e-government. How IS artifacts are used in value co-creation and co-destruction and how the artifacts are developed is however not well understood. This thesis addresses the problem of how to design for and understand value co-creation in e-government. To address the problem stated, three research questions are posed. (i) How can IS artifacts be designed to enable value co-creation in e-government and what aspects can inhibit value being co-created through the designed artifacts? (ii) How can boundary object theory facilitate the understanding of IS artifacts used in value co-creation and co-destruction in e-government? (iii) How can retrospectives in design science contribute to research on value co-creation in e-government? Two artifacts in the form of instantiations are designed and evaluated. Design science research methodology is used in two different projects at Swedish municipalities. Secondary analysis is used to identify aspects that inhibit value being co-created through the designed IS artifacts. From these inhibitors, core aspects for public value co-creation are derived. Thereafter, this thesis delves further into how IS artifacts are used in collaborations between citizens, private businesses, and government agencies in order to co-create value. Two case studies are carried out at Swedish government agencies and sociomaterial boundary object theory is used to enhance understanding. The thesis research process ends with a retrospective evaluation of the performed research, using critical realism as its philosophical foundation and guidance. The result includes one configurable process model that enables value co-creation by facilitating shared understanding between collaborating parties; one mobile service that enables value co-creation through citizen sourcing; aspects that inhibit the realization of co-created value; and four core aspects that need to be considered when designing artifacts for value co-creation. That IS artifacts can be regarded as boundary objects when you aim to study and understand value co-creation and co-destruction between communities in e-government. Descriptions of how IS artifacts, viewed as sociomaterial boundary objects, are used in value co-creation processes between governments, citizens, and businesses and outcomes in terms of value co-creation and co-destruction. The benefit of performing critical realism-guided retrospectives in design science in order to complement prescriptive knowledge with explanatory and critical knowledge is motivated. It is showed that the design of artifacts generates knowledge through the design efforts, regardless of whether they also yield utility. This thesis contributes to e-government research and practice with knowledge on how to design artifacts that enable value co-creation. Establishes sociomaterial boundary object theory as a theoretical lens that offers a tool to evaluate and design IS artifacts that enable value co-creation and with knowledge on how IS artifacts are used in value co-creation. The thesis also motivates the usefulness of retrospective evaluation in design science. Suggestions for future research include further developing design science retrospectives. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 6: Manuscript.</p>

This study intended to advance the understanding of brand and value co-creation in sport management. A single exploratory case study of the Ottawa REDBLACKS, the CFL expansion franchise launching in 2014, was conducted. The purpose of the research was to unveil the practices that could lead to brand and value co-creation in the relationships between the Ottawa REDBLACKS and their stakeholders. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 20 participants from the focal organization’s network of stakeholders. The sample was built through a purposeful and snowball sampling method that added to stakeholders identified from the literature. Archival data of media publications, organizational online content, and radio podcasts were also gathered in order to complement the data from the interviews. The deductive and inductive data analysis highlighted five main practices that could lead to brand or value co-creation in the stakeholder-firm relationship performance in a unique sport context: establishing relationships, supporting public relations, sharing resources, enhancing the experience, and driving brand image. The findings explained that joint actions between stakeholders and the REDBLACKS can lead to increases in brand equity and value creation. In the end, the study suggested that future research should investigate the threat of co-destruction.

Collaborative value creation (otherwise known as value co-creation) is a concept that has been explored over the years in the context of knowledge - intensive business services (KIBS) such as management consulting, engineering services, etc. A body of studies has investigated how to foster value co-creation among KIBS providers, clients, and partners during KIBS engagements. Knowledge processes have been identified as an important enabler of value co-creation. In organizations more generally, knowledge management systems and related ICT tools (referred to as KM tools in this research) have been identified to support knowledge processes. However, the support provided to knowledge processes in the specific context of KIBS engagements is yet to be explored. Through the development of a conceptual framework that examines the linkages between KM tools, knowledge processes, and value co-creation in the context of KIBS engagements, this research investigates how knowledge management systems provide support to value co-creation in KIBS engagements. We adopt a multiple case study research design. Using eight semi-structured interviews, we obtained data on knowledge processes and KM tools in KIBS engagements. The result is a refined framework that illustrates the type of KM tools currently used in KIBS engagements, the knowledge processes they support, and their relationship to value co-creation. We also present a discussion of how this framework can be applied practically. At a conceptual level, this study contributes to the field of KIBS by identifying how exactly knowledge processes provide support to value co-creation processes in KIBS engagements, and how KM tools provide support to knowledge processes. At a practical level, this study contribute s to the field of knowledge management systems design by providing guidance on the KM tools that can meet the specific needs of service providers, clients, and partners in the domain of knowledge-intensive services.

Customers play an essential role in the growth and success of any business. Wineries and other agricultural-based enterprises that actively engage and/or involve customers in production and other central processes do so for reasons that transcend simple marketing strategies. This qualitative study explores the strategic potential of customer inclusion in the operations of locally and/or regionally-based agricultural enterprises vis-à-vis on-site tourist models. This exploration relies on the theoretical principles of value co-creation to identify and illustrate how agritourism enterprises can more purposefully and strategically engage and embed consumers within their business operations. Atmosphere, compromise, and investment of consumers within the value creation process leads to the transition of such consumers; taking them passive recipients to active participants.