IS Architecture Complexity Dynamics in M&A: Does Consolidation Reduce Complexity?

Eric Onderdelinden; Bart van den Hooff; M van Vliet

IS Architecture Complexity Dynamics in M&A: Does Consolidation Reduce Complexity?

Eric Onderdelinden, Bart van den Hooff, M van Vliet

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

42 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this paper we aim to improve our understanding of the dynamics of IS architecture complexity (i.e, the change in this complexity over time) during the execution of a consolidation IS integration strategy (IIS). Based on two case studies, we find that unexpected levels of complexity emerge during IIS execution because of an underestimation of requisite complexity and an overestimation of the potential to reduce complexity. Our analysis shows that increased complexity is due to the fact that the intended consolidation IIS is only partially executed, and to increasingly emergent IIS execution. Additionally, we find that while complexity was reduced at the portfolio level, at more detailed levels of observation complexity was actually increased. Our paper contributes to knowledge in the field by providing a deeper insight into IS architecture complexity dynamics during the execution of a consolidation IIS, and the concept of IS architecture complexity in general.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Thirty-first European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2023), Kristiansand, Norway
Subtitle of host publication	[Proceedings]
Publisher	ECIS
Pages	1-16
Number of pages	16
Publication status	Published - 2023
Event	31st European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) - University of Agder, KRISTIANSAND, Norway Duration: 11 Jun 2023 → 16 Jun 2023

Publication series

Name	ECIS Research Papers
Volume	2023

Conference

Conference	31st European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS)
Country/Territory	Norway
City	KRISTIANSAND
Period	11/06/23 → 16/06/23

Access to Document

ECIS 2023 IS Architecture Complexity Dynamics in MA AISelFinal published version, 772 KBLicence: Article 25fa Dutch Copyright Act

https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2023_rp/377

Persistent URL (handle)

Persistent link

Cite this

@inproceedings{52dc85f978074999b7323d36b84eec2f,

title = "IS Architecture Complexity Dynamics in M&A: Does Consolidation Reduce Complexity?",

abstract = "In this paper we aim to improve our understanding of the dynamics of IS architecture complexity (i.e, the change in this complexity over time) during the execution of a consolidation IS integration strategy (IIS). Based on two case studies, we find that unexpected levels of complexity emerge during IIS execution because of an underestimation of requisite complexity and an overestimation of the potential to reduce complexity. Our analysis shows that increased complexity is due to the fact that the intended consolidation IIS is only partially executed, and to increasingly emergent IIS execution. Additionally, we find that while complexity was reduced at the portfolio level, at more detailed levels of observation complexity was actually increased. Our paper contributes to knowledge in the field by providing a deeper insight into IS architecture complexity dynamics during the execution of a consolidation IIS, and the concept of IS architecture complexity in general.",

author = "Eric Onderdelinden and {van den Hooff}, Bart and {van Vliet}, M",

year = "2023",

language = "English",

series = "ECIS Research Papers",

publisher = "ECIS",

pages = "1--16",

booktitle = "Thirty-first European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2023), Kristiansand, Norway",

note = "31st European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) ; Conference date: 11-06-2023 Through 16-06-2023",

}

Onderdelinden, E, van den Hooff, B & van Vliet, M 2023, IS Architecture Complexity Dynamics in M&A: Does Consolidation Reduce Complexity? in Thirty-first European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2023), Kristiansand, Norway: [Proceedings]. ECIS Research Papers, vol. 2023, ECIS, pp. 1-16, 31st European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS), KRISTIANSAND, Norway, 11/06/23. <https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2023_rp/377 >

IS Architecture Complexity Dynamics in M&A: Does Consolidation Reduce Complexity? / Onderdelinden, Eric; van den Hooff, Bart ; van Vliet, M.
Thirty-first European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2023), Kristiansand, Norway: [Proceedings]. ECIS, 2023. p. 1-16 (ECIS Research Papers; Vol. 2023).

Research output: Chapter in Book / Report / Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review