Research Topics

Industry-wide Information Infrastructures (III)

Increasingly, the linking of intra-organisational information systems across organisational boundaries gives rise to a new phenomenon that is discussed as Industry-wide Information Infrastructures in the IS literature. In contrast to the traditional notion of information systems, information infrastructures are characterized by the heterogeneity of their participants, the evolving and emergent nature and their functionality, and their historical rootedness in the sense that they are never built from scratch but always built over an 'installed base'. We are presently especially interested in the emergence and evolution of information infrastructures in the area of pharmaceutical distribution and dispensing. We study this industry in several countries and are actively involved in industry initiatives in China and in Germany.

- Publications
  • K. Reimers, M.Zh. Li, B. Xie, and X.H. Guo: How Do Industry-wide Information Infrastructures Emerge? A Life Cycle Approach. In: Information Systems Journal, Vol. 24 (2014), No. 5, pp. 375-424.
  • X.H. Guo, K. Reimers, B. Xie, and M.Zh. Li: Network Relations and Boundary Spanning: Understanding the Evolution of e-ordering in the Chinese Drug Distribution Industry. In: Journal of Information Technology, Vol. 29 (2014), pp. 223-236.
  • K. Reimers, R. B. Johnston and S. Klein: An Empirical Evaluation of Existing IS Change Theories for the Case of IOIS Evolution. In: European Journal of Information Systems, Vol. 23 (2014), No. 4, pp. 373-399.
  • K. Reimers, R. B. Johnston, X. Guo, S. Klein, B. Xie and M. Zh. Li: Novice-based Data Collection Methods for the Study of IOIS: Practice Probes and Learning Communities. In: Electronic Markets, Vol. 23 (2013), Nr. 4, pp. 285–293 (Paper of the Year).
  • S. Schellhammer, K. Reimers, and S. Klein: Emergence of Information Infrastructures: A Tale of Two Islands. In: International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Vol. 11, No. 3 (July 2013), pp. 231–251.
  • M. Zh. Li and K. Reimers: Government Driven Model of Institutional Change Through Adoption of New Technology: A Case Study of the Failed Pharmaceutical Bidding and Procurement Platforms in China. In: Chinese Management Studies, Vol. 6 (2012), No. 1, pp. 53-64.
  • K. Reimers, R. B. Johnston and S. Klein: Evolution of Inter-organizational Information Systems on Long Timescales: A Practice Theory Approach. In: K. Vaidya (ed.): Inter-Organizational Information Systems and Business Management: Theories for Researchers. Hershey: IGI Global, 2011, pp. 38-54.
  • K. Reimers, R. B. Johnston and S. Klein: The Difficulty of Studying Inter-organisational IS Phenomena on Large Scales: Critical Reflections on a Research Journey. In: Electronic Markets, Vol. 20, Nos. 3-4 (December 2010), pp. 229-240.
  • K. Reimers, R. B. Johnston and S. Klein: Toward a Theory of IOIS Variance -- A New Framework for Studying Inter-organisational Information Systems. In: International Journal of Information Systems Technologies and Applications, Vol. 1 (2010), No. 3, pp. 36-56.
  • K. Reimers and R. B. Johnston: The Use of an Explicitly Theory-Driven Data Coding Method for High-Level Theory Testing in IOIS. In: Proceedings of the Twenty Ninth International Conference on Information Systems, Paper 184, December 15 - 17 2008, Paris.
  • K. Reimers and R. B. Johnston: Explaining Persistence and Resilience of Inter-organisational Information Systems: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations. In: Proceedings of the 16th European Conference on Information Systems, Galway, Ireland, June 9-11, 2008.
  • K. Reimers and M. Zh. Li: Interaction of Technological and Institutional Change in the Development of an Electronic Commerce System in China's Pharmaceutical Distribution Chain -- A Transaction Cost Perspective. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Health Informatics (HEALTHINF), Funchal, Portugal, 28-31 January, 2008.
  • K. Reimers, R. B. Johnston and S. Klein: The Shaping of Inter-Organisational Information Systems: Main Design Considerations of an International Comparative Research Project. In: Proceedings of the 17th Bled eCommerce Conference "eGlobal", Bled, Slovenia, June 21-23, 2004.

Development of IT Standards

In the research field “Development of IT-Standards” we focus on the emergence and diffusion of IT-Standards. We distinguish between compatibility standards and communication standards. The former are used to create standardized interfaces between different hardware and software components, the latter regard rules for communication between different information systems. The close relationship with the research topic “Industry-wide Information Infrastructures” (III) is apparent: Standardized interfaces provide the basis for III through enabling companies to communicate electronically. Our contributions concern the development of a framework for explaining and evaluating standardization processes as well as the exploration of interesting aspects of standardization processes such as software patents and the Internet of Things (IoT).

- Publications
  • A. Setterstrom, P. Mykytyn, K. Mykytyn and K. Reimers: Strategic Purpose of Software Patents: An Exploratory Study of German Organizations. In: Journal of Global Information Technology Management, Vol. 16, No.2, April 2013.
  • K. Jacobs, Th. Wagner and K. Reimers: Project Report: Standardising the Internet of Things - What the Experts Think. In: International Journal of IT Standards & Standardisation Research, Vol.9 (2011), No. 1, pp. 63-67.
  • K. Jacobs, Th. Wagner and K. Reimers: Developing Standards for the IoT - A Collaborative Exercise!? In: L. Legardeur and K. North (eds): Towards New Challenges for Innovative Management Practices, Vol.3, No. 1, pp. 108-16 (ERIMA 2010 Proceedings).
  • M.Zh. Li and K. Reimers: China's Practice of Implementing a 3G Mobile Telecommunications Standard: A Transaction Costs Perspective. In: K. Jakobs (ed.): Information Communication Technology Standardization for E-Business Sectors: Integrating Supply and Demand Factors. Hershey, New York: IGI Global, 2009, pp. 140-151.
  • K. Reimers and M.Zh. Li: Effectiveness of the International 3G Standardisation Process and Implications for China's 3G Policy. In: International Journal of Public Policy, Vol. 2 (2007), Nos. 1/2, pp. 124-139.
  • K. Reimers and M.Zh. Li: Antecedents of a Transaction Cost Theory of Vertical IS Standardisation Processes. In: Electronic Markets, Vol. 15, No. 4 (2005) (Special Issue on Vertical Industry Information Technology Standards and Standardization), pp. 301-312.
  • K. Reimers and M.Zh. Li: Should Buyers Try to Shape IT-markets through Non-market (Collective) Action? Antecedents of a Transaction Cost Theory of Network Effects. In: Journal of IT Standards & Standardization Research, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Jan.-June 2005), pp. 44-67.

Development and Implementation of Enterprise Systems

There is a notable trend towards ever wider integration of enterprise systems. The currently dominant form of such systems -- called Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems -- poses daunting challenges for companies regarding their implementation. Such processes are often intricately related to organizational change processes. We have studied and actively participated in such ERP implementation processes. Moreover, ERP systems are increasingly transcending company boundaries as such systems are connected between organizations (giving rise to yet another form of Industry-wide Information Infrastructures, see our first research topic). We have studied multiple ERP implementation processes, developed an early warning system for ERP implementation processes, and also contributed to the literature by having developed a scenarios for future enterprise systems which consider the possibility of 'Supply Chain Resource Planning' systems.

- Publications
  • K. Reimers and X.H. Guo: Supply Chain Resource Planning Systems: A Scenario of Future Enterprise Systems. In: Communications of the Aassociation for Information Systems, Vol. 35, Article 9, November 2014, pp. 173–190.
  • K. Kelzenberg, Th. Wagner and K. Reimers: A Conceptual Framework for Developing and Evaluating ERP Implementation Strategies in Multinational Organizations. In: Enterprise Resource Planning for Global Economies: Managerial Issues and Challenges, edited by C. Ferran and R. Salim, Information Science Reference (2008).
  • Sh.-W. Chien, Ch. Hu, K. Reimers, J.-Sh. Lin: The Influence of Centrifugal and Centripetal Forces on ERP Project Success in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in China and Taiwan. In: International Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 107, No. 2 (June 2007), pp. 380-396.
  • K. Reimers: Gearbox China (Ltd.): Will the Company's ERP System Support Its Ambitious Growth Strategy? In: Journal of Information Technology, Vol. 19, No. 2 (June 2004), pp. 140-148.
  • F.W. McFarlan, G.Q. Chen and K. Reimers: Digital China Holdings Limited: RP as a Platform for Building New Capabilities. Harvard Business School Case, No. 9-302-080, Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing, Rev. May 21, 2002.

 

 

 

 


 

 

Publications

A complete list of publications by Kai Reimers is available on his personal website: www.kai-reimers.net

 
 

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