Dear SIGCIS colleagues, from whom I have learned so much,

 

Awkwardly, I have some large queries over a large time span (1970-2020). I am seeking information on decision making about the digital resources used in university administration, admissions, budgeting, and research management since the 1970s. Much that I have found (and witnessed) concerns decisions among a very limited set of products and then deployment strategies about the selected products, rather than what I am seeking: reflections and analysis of why only some kinds of existing products were investigated, rather than developing new resources based on the distinctive features of universities. First, I would welcome counter-examples.

My preliminary inquiries suggest that much in use by universities is

* based upon “customer relationship management” (CRM) platforms developed during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and

* were first designed for industry, then as the management ideas and practices on which they were based became outdated, the older products were then marketed to governments, and finally re-marketed to universities, with limited modifications.

 

I do see national and regional variation in these processes.

I would appreciate information about any engagements with or historical research on either of these decision processes

* among software design groups to redeploy and market older products to new sectors, or

* among universities to adapt older products, rather than develop new products specifically for their administrative processes.

When I began asking these questions I assumed there would be much research already done on these processes; perhaps it is indeed there and I have missed it. I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

Sincerely,