How should information be handled to facilitate and benifit from modularity? A case study of Clarkson Inc.
ModuleModularityModule variantProduct platformInformation structureInformation processesRepetitivenessManagement of enterprisesFöretagsledningManagementBusiness and Economics
Problem discussion: How should information be handled to facilitate and benefit from modularity? How should Clarkson Inc. adapt their information handling to modularity and what benefits can be reaped by doing this? Purpose: The purpose of this master thesis is to help Clarkson Inc. adapt their information handling to modularity and to extract theories, methods and tools to guide companies in similar situations. Methodology: This master thesis adopts a systemic approach. Action research has been used on the case study of Clarkson Inc, as the authors have not only observed the case but also participated in the project team on which this study is founded. The study is qualitative, including process mapping in workshop sessions and interviews. Conclusions: Modularity brings standardization on module variant level, which gives increased repetitiveness in the information handling. For information handling to benefit from modularity, the repetitiveness must be used to streamline the information processes and the way information is related to each other. For information handling to facilitate modularity, the repetitiveness must be protected and developed. Instantiating control mechanisms in the organization, which prohibit the product platform and information platform from eroding, will protect the repetitiveness of the information handling. An information structure that corresponds to the modular product platform is central. This structure will facilitate for product information to be configured, giving logical access to product information throughout the entire organization. The analysis of the present state at Clarkson Inc. discovered negative patterns in the information handling. Inconsistency in information handling and lack of trust in information handling reinforced themselves in a vicious circle. Modularity can break this circle as it enables increases repetitiveness in the information handling and since it already has started a change in the organization which can be leveraged. Implementing information handling adapted to modularity at Clarkson Inc. would reap the potential of generally improved information handling and the potential the increased repetitiveness modularity brings.