Transfer of Information Systems Development Knowledge and Expertise: a Case Study from University Administration

The paper presents an overview of about forty information system projects in the administration of two Finnish universities, Helsinki and Oulu. A more detailed analysis is given of the respective histories of management reporting and data warehouse development. The histories are put in context by describing the state of information technology strategy development in these universities. It appears that in both universities the management reporting development has been risky and projects have failed. However, Helsinki University could recover from the failure in the early 1990’s and develop a successful reporting data warehouse in the early 2000’s. Currently Oulu University is contemplating how to proceed with its management reporting project. The development history in Helsinki University may serve as an example of an eventually successful development trajectory, but contextual factors and advances in technology dictate that it is not reasonable to directly copy the Helsinki actions to Oulu.