Edispuut Meeting Amsterdam - Program Finalized

Description:
Dear Edispuut Member,
Please, find below the detailed programm description and the abstracts of the presentations for our first meeting, which is on the 18th of September. Please, let me know if you participate.
Greetings,
Zsofia Derzsi
Location: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, room 2E-37 (second floor, E corridor, room 37).
12:30 - 13:30 lunch and walk-in
13:30 - 14:30 Presentation by Professor Hans Akkermans
Title: Research methods and validation issues in IS research
Abstract:
The presentation aims to introduce the background of the case study method (as historically rooted in the social sciences) and elaborates on how it compares to other methods (eg RCT statistics experiments, survey, action research). Related philosophical and methodological discussions on scientific method as well as the specifics of it in the Information Systems area are discussed.
14:30 - 14:45 short break
14:45 - 15:45 Presentation by Mark de Reuver
Title:
Governance dynamics in value networks - Towards a co-evolutionary perspective on 4G mobile services value networks
Abstract:
In value networks offering innovative mobile services, governance is an essential but complex issue (Haaker, Bouwman, & Faber, 2004). While deregulation and Internet technology already transformed the traditional telecommunications value chain into more complex value networks (Li & Whalley, 2002), we expect that fourth generation (4G) mobile services will complicate governing activities in value networks even more. In addition, there are strong technology, market and regulatory dynamics in mobile business, forcing governance modes to change over time. We expect that the dynamic and unpredictable nature of complex governance modes may well become a hurdle in developing sustainable business models for 4G mobile services. Therefore, our PhD research project aims to generate insight in governance dynamics in 4G mobile services value networks. As we expect that the causal relations behind governance dynamics may be multilevel, multidirectional, non-linear, lagged and indirect, we use a co-evolutionary perspective in our research (Lewin & Volberda, 1999). More specifically, we will study how 4G mobile services value networks co-evolve with external drivers, the value network's business model, and the business model of individual network participants. The presentation describes the background of the project and its relation to existing research on networks, governance and co-evolutionary theories. We will also present the research objective and questions, and define the key concepts used in the project. Then, the research approach is discussed in detail, and finally the progress so far and an outlook to the future are given.
15:45 - 16:45 Presentation given by Ulad Radkevitch
Title: Portfolios of exchange relationships: An empirical investigation of an online marketplace for IT services
Abstract:
Firms face distinct problems and opportunities when procuring IT resources. Whereas previous work focused at the firm level or the
buyer-supplier dyad, the present study addresses the portfolios of the buyer's exchange relationships with suppliers at an online marketplace for IT services. We draw on social network theory to measure portfolios as buyer's ego network. Using clustering techniques, we empirically derive a taxonomy of portfolios of small firms' buying IT services and analyze cluster antecedents and outcomes.
Our investigation reveals four clusters of buyer's ego networks: transactional buyers, relational buyers, small diversifiers and large diversifiers. Each of these clusters has a distinct and different mix of long-term and short-term relationships with selected suppliers. Although reverse auctions are found to be associated with a short-term relationships and negotiations support long-term relationships, buyers in different clusters use the two mechanisms in combination to a different extent. Buyers in relational cluster enjoy marginally higher satisfaction with supplier performance than buyer in other clusters.
16:45 - 17:15 Open questions, administrative issues
17:15 - ..:.. Have some drinks at Bruin Cafe