eThesis - Kauppakorkeakoulun sähköiset gradut

Objectives of the study:

The objective of the study is to create a measurement tool, a maturity model, which enables companies to assess the implementation process of knowledge work tools and identify how to improve the implementation. The output of the study will be a knowledge work tools implementation maturity model. The model has been constructed, tested and validated by means of literature study, interviews and application of the model in business context.

Academic background and methodology:

This master's thesis research project falls under the category of design research and is heavily influenced by the research done by van Steenbergen et al. (2010) on the creation of a focus area maturity matrix. The model is constructed using vast amounts of literature, found by means of structured literature approach, iterating the literature based model by means of expert consultation and interviews conducted with six large Finnish law firms' Knowledge Work Managers.

Findings and conclusions:

The findings of this master's thesis research suggest that it is possible to create a maturity model in the field of knowledge work tools implementation. The created model provides an overview of the possibilities of knowledge work tools implementation. The model is constructed around four focus areas strategy, culture, methods and tools which are then divided into sub focus areas. The capabilities for each focus area are described and positioned in a matrix with maturity levels. Using this model, companies can determine the level of maturity they need to achieve the business results on which they have staked their resources, clarify the current state of maturity of their existing knowledge work tools implementation and identify and envision with clarity the requisite knowledge work tools capabilities needed to get from where they are to where they need to be. The companies can use the maturity model individually to benchmark the knowledge work tools practices and evaluate the company's performance at the given operational levels. The model identifies the steps towards more mature processes at every given process area and aid the companies to take these steps in order to proceed to more mature processes and therefore to better financial performance.