Information and Knowledge Management using ArcGIS ModelBuilder

Hallur Leivsgarð Joensen and Torben Tambo
Throughout this paper, the Information Systems as Work Systems of Alter (2008) is predominant, as
uses Alter’s definition is simplicity, clarity, scope, systematic power, explanatory power, reliability &
validity and fruitfulness. Bengtsson & Ågerfalk (2011) highlight the necessity of information system
thinking in transformation of society’s resource utilisation. Borzachiello et al. (2009) construct an
information systems architecture in understanding transformation towards sustainability. Clemons
(1986) describes information system in a role of creating strategic differentiation in a context of
strategic planning. Haigh & Griffith (2008) take this discussion further on in looking at environmental
sustainability of information systems with the management of technology lens. Halfawy et al. (2008)
take the helicopter perspective in looking at information systems for the observation of cities and
similar social structures as resource transformers with environmental impact. Interest in IS
perspectives on remodelling society’s energy sector and environmental impact has still a broad
orientation with information and communication technology as platform (Scheiber 2010). Other
frameworks for development of information systems to support greener energy systems are presented
in (Huang 2009, Jenkin et al. 2010, Nolin 2010).
Alter’s (2008) suggestions include usefulness and business process support. Consumers’ behaviour
still seems to be a major barrier in the transformation of the energy system, and acceptance and
inclusion of technologies such as smart meters in daily life move on at slow rate (Kranz et al. 2010).
Strong development effort still aims at transforming citizens into relevant actors in increased
sustainability of the utility sector (Hilty et al. 2005). Acceptance is strongly linked to social and cultural
backgrounds, and design and orientation of IS must lean towards this issue (Sage 1999, Sharma &
Ruud 2003, Schmidt et al. 2009). Barrier studies are further purported in Foxon & Pearson (2008).
Formerly, there was a direct relationship between manufacturing, transportation and sale of energy. In
the industrialised world, this has been dissolved largely in these three components due to
deregulation and liberation of the utilities market (Hämäläinen et al. 2000). Free actors and
independent traders are allowed to sell energy using any network, making this the actual point-of-sale
in deciding for more or less green energy; eco-labelling of energy is imposing challenges of credibility
as brought forward by Banerjee & Solomon (2003).
The telecom industry might serve as inspiration for the energy supplying utilities. Particularly the
mobile telecom industry has undergone tremendous growth worldwide, and a plethora of business
models, customer offerings and market player behaviours exist despite the recent divesture from
traditional governmentally run monopolies. The appearance of mobile virtual network operators
(MVNO) has harvested new customer groups among young and web-savvy consumers. Shin (2010)
describes the worldwide diffusion of the concept from the Nordic countries. PRWEB (2010) describes
a growth towards 188 mill subscribers; here it is important to notice that by nature, none of these
operators own their own networks, and as such act unbundled from older, hardwired market actors
(Peppard & Rylander 2006, Posttchi & Hufenbach 2009, Cadre & Bouhtou 2010, Duan et al. 2010).
A contributing factor to the success of MVNO is the heavily reduced supplier switching cost. Maicas et
al. (2009) describe the cost reduction in terms of competitive edge gained by IS-supported
effectiveness of identity portability.
3. Method
The overall approach used is a mixed-method where quantitative data are viewed from a postpositivistic
approach while qualitative data is viewed with an interpretivistic approach. System
theoretic approaches are applied to the understanding of flows in business processes inspired by
Business Process Network Modelling (BPMN) (Wu 2002, Smart et al. 2008, Ko 2009, Hill et al. 2008).
The research area throughout this project is the employees of PowerCo and their working processes,
as they are representative for the same in the future PowerCoSales. Essential factors in regards to
methodology is the project awareness and recognition among PowerCo employees, as these in
principle can result in lay-offs due to the system’s expected efficiency.
Primary data will be acquired in shape of a questionnaire, interviews and observation. The approach
towards the questionnaire is deductive, since known secondary data, in shape of Abdolvan’s (2008)
theory, is used quantitatively as benchmarking. All interviews are unstructured or semi-structured as
they are conducted with the purpose to obtain knowledge. These interviews are conducted with
experts and consist of following an order process from request to invoice to fully comprehend the
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