Job Tilburg University - PhD Student

Project Title
“Large-scale ICT Implementation in Military organisations: THE SPEER CASE”

Project
Armed forces increasingly integrate their services to meet the demands of expeditionary, network centric, flexible and global operations. Advanced (packaged) Information Systems such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software and battle management systems enable situation awareness and capabilities necessary to project military operations on a pace and range expected by today’s commanders and government. SPEER (Strategic Programme for ERP Enabled Change) is the ERP implementation programme of the Dutch Ministry of Defense.

Implementing packaged Information Systems requires standardization and integration of existing information systems and, more important, organizational procedures. This PhD proposal resonates challenges facing the Dutch Ministry of Defence organization while implementing packaged software (ERP) with major implications for operational processes. Among key challenges repeatedly communicated by military leaders, implementation project personnel, and operational staff are a lack of project control, difficulty to manage the interface between the implementation project group and the operational organization. Similar challenges are likely to surface in the future when implementing (integrated) battle and operational management systems.

Understanding the major organizational challenges of implementing and operating large-scale ICT such as ERP systems is crucial for future success of Defence organizations. Current research on ERP implementations remains virtually silent on military organizations even though anecdotal evidence abounds on challenges faced when implementing ERP systems. This study focuses on project control and effectiveness in relation to the management of organizational impact of packaged software. The project is defined at the intersection of three domains: Information Technology (IT), ERP program management, and the main organization. It is positioned at the programme (i.e., multi-project) level since SPEER encompasses a variety of projects throughout the defence organization. In short: the project focuses on how to stay in control while managing the operational impact of packaged software. The main research question is: how can Defence organizations manage large-scale ICT implementation projects such that they remain in control, minimize disruptions and achieve effective organizational and performance effects?

Research Design
Conceptually, the study will build on theory on (military) logistics management, project/ programme management and control, packaged Information Systems implementation, interorganizational collaboration, and military organizations. Empirically, depending on the PhD candidate and the research team, a combination of case study research, comparative case studies, and surveys is proposed. Given the joint nature of expeditionary operations, research on similar projects in other Defence organizations will be likely (e.g. comparative case study).

The ideal candidate

• holds a M.Sc. or equivalent degree in a relevant field (e.g. InformationManagement, Technology Management, and Organization Science);
• is ambitious, self-motivated;
• has a demonstrated interest in and qualifications for scientific research;
• has proven interdisciplinary interest;
• has excellent writing and data-analysis skills;
• is fluent in English and Dutch, and is communicatively skilled to collaborate within an interdisciplinary research team;
• has the ability and interest to participate in various professional communities (military organization, military sciences, and information management/ organization sciences);
• is able to write scientific papers and related outputs.

An interest in military organizations is a prerequisite. The ideal candidate .

Tilburg University is among the top of the Dutch employers and has an excellent policy concerning terms of employment. The university (collaborating with NLDA on this project and hiring the candidate) offers a PhD position (1,0 fte) with an initial 12 month contract. After a positive evaluation this contract will be extended to a maximum of 36 more months (a total of four years maximum) and with the specific intent that it will result in a doctorate within this period.The salary for a full time appointment starts at € 2,042 and increases to € 2,612 gross per month in the fourth year of the appointment.
The salary will be supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition we offer a pension scheme and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities.
The candidate will work at Netherlands Defence Academy (www.nlda.nl), Faculty of Military Sciences, location Breda. Because of Ministry of Defence regulations, s/he will need a security and integrity clearance. Equal opportunity policies apply.

Tilburg University

Tilburg University is an inspiring university offering a stimulating and challenging environment for students, staff, and alumni. The university highly values authenticity, academic freedom, and continuous development. In its top-quality education and research programmes in the disciplines of the social sciences and the humanities, the university is committed to addressing quality issues in society at national and international levels. It does so by training people for positions of responsibility in society and by contributing to socially sustainable solutions.

Tilburg University draws on a rich tradition which nourishes reflection and which also encourages the academic community's awareness of its philosophy of life in relation to academic disciplin.

Tilburg School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Tilburg University is a modern, specialized university. The teaching and research of the Faculty of the Social Sciences are organized around the themes of Health, Organization, and Relations between State, Citizen, and Society. The faculty's inspiring working environment challenges its workers to realize their ambitions; involvement and cooperation are essential to achieve this.

FSW: Research group on Cross-cult psych.

Cross-Cultural Psychology has a tradition of almost 40 years in Tilburg. The research group (with a strong international composition and focus) examines basic psychological processes in personality and cognition and has a strong tradition in methodological aspects of these studies. A second research topic involves acculturation and psychological consequences of cultural diversity.

For more information on the content and context of this research project, please contact Dr. Paul C. van Fenema, email: pc.v.fenema@nlda.nl, phone +31 (0)76–5273878, or +31 (0)76–5273242 (secretary).

For more information on the PhD contract at Tilburg University, please contact dr.ir. S.A.M. (Shirley) Baert, email: S.A.M.baert@uvt.nl, phone: +31 (0)13-4663758, or +31 (0)13-466 2952.

For more information about the vacancy:  http://www.tilburguniversity.nl/vacancies/4001007/