A systematic approach for enterprise systems upgrade decision-making: Outlining the decision processes

Gerald Feldman is a Postdoctoral Researcher focusing on enterprise information systems at Birmingham City University. His PhD research explored enterprise systems upgrade decision processes and drivers. To date, Gerald has published his research in several academic journals. His research interests include enterprise information systems, organisational decision-making with a strong preference on structured decision analysis and understanding human and technology interaction.

Hanifa Shah is an Associate Dean and a Professor of Information Systems in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment at Birmingham City University. She has been successful in securing significant amounts of funding for projects from industry and research councils. Her research interests and PhD supervisions include information systems and their development, knowledge management, enterprise architectures and enterprise systems, business process change and smart cities, IT professional development and research methods and qualifications through work-based learning.

Craig Chapman is a Professor of Knowledge Based Engineering (KBE) at Birmingham City University. His research has been highlighting the added value of KBE method to achieve design automation. He has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers. His current research includes informal and formal modelling of engineering processes for design automation using KBE and evaluating technologies used within the creation of KBE-driven virtual product development.

Erika A. Pärn graduated with a degree in architectural technology and commenced an international career as a BIM Co-ordinator, working in China, Finland, India and the UK. During this period, she worked for Chetwood Architects and oversaw the implementation of large-scale global warehouse developments, and associated generative BIM models. Erika was employed as an Architectural Technology Lecturer at Birmingham City University in 2014, and teaches building information modelling for both under- and post-graduate students. Erika is currently leading on new research that uses advanced digital technologies (such as computerization and machine learning algorithms) to automate decision support for facilities management teams. Erika has published her research in over 20 leading academic journals (including Automation in Construction and Journal of Construction Engineering and Management) and has been a keynote speaker on “creating the digital built environment” and “smart city development” at several preeminent industrial and international conference events. She has accrued extensive linkages internationally and is currently collaborating on smart city development with colleagues at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Deakin University, Australia, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Pakistan, and Ryerson University, Canada. Erika’s extensive practice-based knowledge of digital design and academic acumen make her ideally suited to supervising the associate.

David J. Edwards is a Professor of Plant and Machinery Management and the Head of Research for the Built Environment at Birmingham City University. His research interests focus upon the management of plant and machinery and digital technology innovations (including optoelectronic devices and BIM). His work has been funded through engineering councils, government bodies (e.g. Health and Safety Executive, UK Home Office and Defence Logistic Organisation, UK Ministry of Defence and US Pentagon) and an extensive network of industrial collaborations. He has published over 250 scientific research papers in leading international journals and numerous conference contributions and textbooks. He is a peer referee for 50 scientific journals and editorial board member of various journals and conference events. In 2011, he was awarded the Commander’s Coin, US Department of Defence (2011) for his work into hand-arm vibration and is a visiting professor at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, Curtin University, Western Australia and University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He is currently working for staff at the Pentagon, USA, on the development of SAE standards for safety management in the defence, automotive and aerospace industries. David’s extensive academic experience and knowledge of research per se and digital technologies in particular make him ideally suited to guide and manage this KTP.