‘iDEAL is a good example of a large IT implementation in a network setting’, the German scientist introduces her research. ‘All banks benefit from the system, but it took very complex mechanisms to objectively allocate costs and benefits amongst the partners.’
Silja was not involved in iDEAL herself, but used 4 case studies to create an instrument to support group decisions. ‘One of the main findings was that a bidding system in which partners can anonymously suggest how much they want to invest in the project works best. After that, distribution of benefits based on some previously determined factor, such as profit, is a very useful starting point.’
Structure for people
The added value of Silja’s research can be summarised as offering structure. ‘It sounds extremely straightforward but simplification really helps. People tend to wander off into details and don’t focus on the most important issues. My method gives the needed structure for evaluating IT investments.’
Silja vividly recalls the moment when she realised her research could really make a difference: ‘Once, a large company invited me to give a workshop to project managers from all over the world. I received very encouraging feedback from them. The managers and consulting agencies shared with me that the workshop had really helped them to progress their work.’
Thesis as a home
Now that her PhD is completed, the doctor looks back on the four years that lie behind her and is a bit nostalgic about it. ‘My thesis has become my home! It’s like I am living in a house where only I know where I put things and where to find them again’.
Having said this, Silja acknowledges that she also faced some darker moments. ‘The first year was particularly challenging. As I was working for two faculties, I sometimes felt isolated from both of them. There were moments when I wondered where it was all going, and how I could find a balance in my dissertation.’
It was only from the second year onwards that she started to feel thrilled about what she was doing. ‘I started to see that because I worked from both an IT and a management perspective, I was able to realise a synergetic effect.’ Silja is convinced that true innovation is born at the intersection of disciplines.
‘Choose your own path’
Being a veteran now, what advice can the researcher give to other PhDs? ‘Choose your own path’, Silja answers decisively. ‘Be the captain of your own ship, since you will be the one having to do the work.’ On top of that, Silja strongly recommends doing research abroad if there are opportunities. ‘I spent two weeks on a research visit to Aalborg, Denmark. If I could do it again, I would stay for longer. During my studies I lived in Sweden for 6 months and I have never forgotten its beauty. I also like the way Scandinavian countries are frontrunners in things like emancipation.’ Not to say that the German native doesn’t like The Netherlands, though:. ‘In Germany, there is often more hierarchy in organisations. I really enjoy the ability to have lively discussions here where organisational structures are quite flat.’
