This IT project involves using the following 5 categories of theories/ topics:
a. Soft systems methodology (SSM)
b. Notion of standardization in the IT field
c. IT/ IS project evaluation theories
d. Case study research methods
e. HTNG certification and Hotel IS field
Basically, the research formulates a soft systems thinking-based IS evaluation approach to evaluate an HTNG certified IS project in a hotel group, as a case study research. It should deliver high practical values as it is a real case with genuine managerial need to evaluate such an IS project; the project should deliver academic values as it contributes to (a) the study of standardization in the IT field, (b) the field of IT project evaluation and, finally, (c) the development of SSM in IT project evaluation. As this project makes use of case study research, the project should also be useful to academics who are interested in Case Study Research.
Some general grasp of the subject ot IT management, notably on IT infratructure planning and IS software package sourcing, is useful.
A very rough report structure is as follows:
Chapter 1: Introduction: discuss context of the study (stakeholders involved; concerns, motives to study; research objectives and questions and justifications of the value, both practical and academic, of taking up the research investigation; an overview of the dissertation report structure]
Chapter 2: Literature Review [Standardization, IS project evaluation and SSM; try to come up with a theoretical framework that is a Soft systems based IT project evaluation framework with explicit consideration on HTNG certification]
Chapter 3: Research methods [focused on Case Study research and how SSM is emmployed in Case Study Research; need to also evaluate research design in terms of research methods evaluation criteria, e.g. validity, reliability, relevance, feasibility and ethical considerations, etc.]
Chapter 4: Findings and analysis
Chapter 5: Conclusions and recommentations
Chapter 6: Lessons learned
References
Appendix
Before working on the dissertation report and research investigation, one should come up with a concrete dissertation proposal first.
