Set-Theoretic Approach to Maturity Models
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Despite being widely accepted and applied, maturity models in Information Systems\n(IS) have been criticized for the lack of theoretical grounding, methodological rigor,\nempirical validations, and ignorance of multiple and non-linear paths to maturity. This\nPhD thesis focuses on addressing these criticisms by incorporating recent\ndevelopments in configuration theory, in particular application of set-theoretic\napproaches. The aim is to show the potential of employing a set-theoretic approach for\nmaturity model research and empirically demonstrating equifinal paths to maturity.\nSpecifically, this thesis employs Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to identify\nmaturity stage boundaries as necessary conditions and Qualitative Comparative\nAnalysis (QCA) to arrive at multiple configurations that can be equally effective in\nprogressing to higher maturity. Furthermore, this thesis prescribes methodological\nguidelines consisting of detailed procedures to systematically apply set theoretic\napproaches for maturity model research and provides demonstrations of it application\non three datasets.\nThe thesis is a collection of six research papers that are written in a sequential manner.\nThe first paper reviews literature on maturity models in IS, identifies research gaps and\nproposes use of configurational theory to address these challenges. The second paper\nconceptualizes stage boundaries as necessary conditions and demonstrates the\napplication of Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) on a social media maturity\ndataset. Building on the second paper, the third paper conceptualises maturity stage\ncharacteristics in terms of configurations using Qualitative Comparative Analysis\n(QCA). Overall, the third demonstrates empirically the existence of multiple paths to\nmaturity and provides IS researchers with a six-step procedure and detailed guidelines\nto systematically apply set theroretic approaches to maturity models (STAMM). The\nfourth paper then uses the social media maturity dataset, computes maturity scores\nusing different quantitative methods prescribed in maturity models literature and\nproposes recommendations for maturity model designers. The fifth and sixth papers are\ndemonstrations of applicability of STAMM on different datasets. The fifth replicates\nand extends a prior research study on ITIL maturity and compares the findings with the\nresults using STAMM. Finally, the sixth paper argues for a multi-method approach by\ncombining STAMM and PLS-SEM in understanding the conditions associated with IT\nservice management (ITSM) maturity.\nThis PhD thesis contributes to the academic discussion on how maturity occurs\nthrough configurations. The key contribution is STAMM, a set-theoretic procedure model and method, which employs FsQCA and NCA to empirically demonstrate\nmultiple paths to maturity (or equifinality). It also contributes to set-theoretic\napproaches, in particular QCA and NCA. Finally, this thesis contributes to multimethod\napproach by harmoniously integrating PLS-SEM, QCA and NCA, thus adding\nto the limited body of multi-method literature.
Source: Econstor (Econstor)
Author: Lester Allan Lasrado
Institution: Copenhagen Business School
Language: English
Subfield: Management Information Systems
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2916593464