1. Master dissertation Proposals
Prof. dr. Geert Poels
11/27/2018

2. Impact of emerging ICT and data-driven innovation on business models and business processes
Research question 1: What is the impact of X on the service offering, business model and business processes of Y?
X: IoT, computer-assisted/unmanned vehicles, big data analytics, augmented reality, blockchain, social media, artificial intelligence, intelligent automation, cloud technologies, 3D printing, …
Y: industry sector, SME or big company, start-up or established firm, commercial or public, ...
Research question 2: How can Enterprise Modeling techniques z1, z2, ... help in understanding and analysing this impact?
Choose your own topic: X, Y, zi
11/27/2018

3. Generic steps Literature study on the chosen technology X
Study of Enterprise Modeling
Refining problem statement, research questions, and research methodology
X?, Y, Zi?
How to investigate the research questions?
Data collection (secondary – documented cases)
Backup: primary data collection – new cases)
Data analysis
Modelling, Analysing models, Comparing models and analyses
Synthesis
Formulating answers to research questions based on analysis results
Concluding
Knowledge contributed? Lessons learned? Limitations? Suggestions for further research
11/27/2018

4. Examples of topics chosen
The impact of computer-assisted vehicles on SME's competitiveness 
Blockchain as a disruptive or sustaining technology: How can Enterprise Modelling help in analysing the impact of blockchain on business and operating models?
The impact of social media on marketing and sales processes
The impact of blockchain on Business Process Management
11/27/2018

5. Trends and novel applications of enterprise modeling
ICT for managing business change
How can ICT be used to manage business change?
Purpose of thesis: What is the state-of-the-art?
Starting point:
Methodology: Systematic literature study, survey and/or case-study research
11/27/2018

6. Application and evaluation of the Value Management Platform (VDMBee)
How can the VMP be extended as business change management and monitoring tool?
Case-study research:
VDMBee is interested in seeing new applications of VMP in order to explore new domains of decision-making, new kinds of business transformation and further integration of enterprise modelling tools.
The purpose of the thesis is to explore, in collaboration with VDMBee, a new application and evaluate how VMP performs in order to come with recommendations for improvement or extension.
Using analytical generalisation, the insights obtained from this application and evaluation will also contribute to the academic knowledge on enterprise modelling and may generate research questions to be addressed by future research.
11/27/2018

7. Enterprise Architecture
Enterprise = designed system, but changes can be planned or emergent
Enterprise Architecture = what is essential about the enterprise (as a system) in relation to its environment (system stakeholders and their concerns)
Elements that constitute the system
Arrangement of these elements
Principles governing this arrangement and its evolution over time
11/27/2018

8. Enterprise Architecture Description
Basis for EA analysis, design, and management
ArchiMate = EA description language
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12. ArchiMate 3.0 thesis topics
Value Modeling in ArchiMate
Case-study research (in collaboration with VDMBee)
Multi-Level Business Service Design and Analysis using ArchiMate
Follow-up research on master thesis
Design Research project
Design of Business Process Architecture Viewpoints in ArchiMate
Follow-up research on master thesis
Design of ArchiMate Light Viewpoints
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17. Enterprise Architecture Analysis
Implementation of Social Network Analysis in Enterprise Architecture Modeling and Analysis
Follow-up research on master thesis
Design Research project
Enterprise Architecture Analysis: Review of the state-of- the-art
Literature review & survey research (or case-study research)
Capability-based planning in Enterprise Architecture
11/27/2018

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