Drs. Nichols and Janz published in MIS Quarterly Executive

For release:  October 20, 2016

Dr. Ernest Nichols, associate professor in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management, and Dr. Brian Janz, professor of Business Information and Technology, recently had an article published in MIS Quarterly Executive. The article was co-authored with Tim Meek and John Oglesby of Buckman Laboratories International, Inc. This paper is an excellent example of FCBE researchers collaborating with local business leaders.

The article describes how Buckman, a U.S.-based chemical manufacturer, redefined itself and its IT organization using "value" as the focal point for analysis. Buckman's Value Stream Initiative (VSI) used a micro-level, individual view of value as assessed by customers. VSI enabled Buckman's IT management team to discover the value being derived from IT activities and make necessary changes. Lessons learned from Buckman are provided in the article for IT leaders interested in driving benefits in service delivery, IT efficiency and effectiveness, and overall value to the organization.

"The difficult problems in industry involve the intersections of research fields. Drs. Janz's and Nichols's partnership with corporate industry leaders is an excellent illustration of the mutual benefits of academic and professional collaboration," said Dr. Robin Poston, chair of the Department of Business Information and Technology.