As a researcher of information systems science, you join a rapidly developing field
Information systems science is a magnificent field. With its combination of technology, business and people, it highlights a multidisciplinary approach. Working as a researcher of information systems science is motivating because the field is developing rapidly and provides a chance to influence in different domains of our increasingly digital world at individual, organisational and societal levels.
My name is Jenny Elo, a fourth-year doctoral researcher in the Faculty of Information Technology at the Ģֱ, where I’m studying information systems science. I graduated from the IT faculty with a Master of Science degree in economics and business administration in spring 2020 and started my postgraduate studies in the autumn of the same year.
The information systems science community both within and outside the Ģֱ is very warm-spirited and close-knit. Here it is easy to feel a sense of belonging.
My name is Jenny Elo, a fourth-year doctoral researcher in the Faculty of Information Technology at the Ģֱ, where I’m studying information systems science. I graduated from the IT faculty with a Master of Science degree in economics and business administration in spring 2020 and started my postgraduate studies in the autumn of the same year.
From final master’s studies to graduate school
My way to my current post as a doctoral researcher began as a lucky break when the supervisor of my master’s thesis, Professor of Information Systems Science Tuure Tuunanen, offered me, at the final stage of my master’s studies, an opportunity to join his project as a postgraduate student. I seized the opportunity, and together we prepared my application for postgraduate studies. Professor Tuunanen is also the main supervisor of my doctoral dissertation, while the second supervisor is Markus Salo, another professor from our faculty. Under their guidance, it has been great to grow as a researcher during the past four years.
In my dissertation research, I seek to understand how organisations develop digital service innovations and how the agile and dynamic nature of these processes impacts on the activities and value creation of both individuals and organisations in modern, rapidly changing service environments. My dissertation research is part of the project led by Professor Tuunanen. The project is funded by the Foundation for Economic Education.
Information systems science combines technology, business and people
Information systems science is a magnificent field that combines technology, business and people for a multidisciplinary approach. For example, my own background pertains chiefly to business and marketing. I started my studies in the IT Faculty only at the master’s level. My current research is located in the intersection of information systems science and service research.
Working as a researcher of information systems science provides a chance to be involved in a rapidly evolving field that offers an opportunity to influence nearly all domains of our increasingly digital world at individual, organisational and societal levels.
The high-quality research environment is one of the best sides of information systems science
My dissertation journey has been extremely rewarding. I have a chance to delve into a topic I am interested in, work with great people, and contribute new knowledge for this field.
I also regard the freedom of research work as especially valuable. For example, even though the topic for my dissertation was offered from the project I mentioned earlier, within this framework I have had plenty of freedom to consider various research questions and points of view. In addition, I appreciate the flexibility working hours and practices.
Our university’s high ranking in information systems science research – second in Europe and among the top 30 worldwide according to the AIS Journal Ranking – indicates the quality of our research environment. In my experience, this high regard is reflected not only in the quality of our research, but also in our cooperation opportunities and how our graduates succeed in the labour market.
Another great thing is that the information systems science community both within the Ģֱ and at large is very warm-spirited and close-knit. Here it is easy to feel a sense of belonging.
Lessons and realisations from postgraduate studies
On my way to my current post as a researcher of information systems science, I have learned a few things about dissertation research itself and about my field more generally. Here I want to break down some common prejudices and share my personal experiences, with the goal of encouraging people to consider postgraduate studies:
Claim 1: “Starting a dissertation requires specific expertise and several years of planning”
Before beginning my dissertation, I thought that the transition to postgraduate studies would call for long-term preparation and skills in research. In that sense, the surprising opportunity for postgraduate studies raised a few concerns at first as to whether I was sufficiently prepared and could cope.
Experience has shown me that I shouldn’t have been worried. There are many paths to postgraduate studies and academic skills develop on the way along with guidance and practical experience. The most important starting point is interest in the chosen field and research work as well as the motivation to learn new things. I am grateful that I dared to seize the opportunity, since I can’t imagine myself being anywhere else now.
Planning can be useful, however. If you are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s studies and are interested in going further, working as a research assistant, networking with faculty members, and exploring your own interests at these stages may serve as good preparation. Courses and related project works can serve as good stepping stones first to a master’s thesis and later to postgraduate studies.
Claim 2: “Dissertation research is a lonely, monotonous and arduous job”
Dissertation research is often perceived as a lonely effort, working arduously for long hours on a single topic. However, this view does not match with my experience; on the contrary, my dissertation research has offered plenty of opportunities for cooperation and to build networks while also including diverse responsibilities and tasks.
Within the JYU Faculty of Information Technology and the research field of Information Systems Science, I am a member of the research group Value Creation for Cyber-Physical Systems and Services, which consists of more than forty researchers in different career stages, both from within and outside our university. In addition to my supervisors and my own project team, this group has been an extremely important network during my dissertation research.
Within the research area, it is easy to feel the sense of belonging. For example, regular coffee breaks with other doctoral researchers in information systems science have offered a valuable forum for peer support and community experiences.
Working on a doctoral dissertation is flexible and varied. The studies can be pursued either full-time or on a part-time basis, and working is possible both on site and remotely. Although I, as a local resident, prefer working at the faculty’s premises in Agora, many of my colleagues work elsewhere.
Alongside work on my dissertation, I have participated in other article projects, teaching and instruction tasks and further studies, all of which have enriched my experience. In addition, a half-year research visit to the United States in spring 2023 and active involvement in the activities of our field’s umbrella organisation, Association for Information Systems (AIS), have opened doors to networks and provided excellent opportunities for professional growth.
Claim 3: “Dissertation research is not practically oriented, and it prepares you for an academic career only”
The common view about doctoral degrees as limited to an academic career is incorrect, since the degree holders’ skills – especially problem-solving abilities and research skills – are widely valued.
In information systems science, dissertation work is often practically oriented, aiming at solving real problems in the increasingly digital world. This work does not benefit the academic community only, but also companies and society more generally, promoting the solving of challenges pertaining to digitalisation at the respective levels of individuals, corporations, and society.
Cooperation with companies is pivotal, which opens up various career possibilities for doctoral degree holders also outside the academic world. Research projects can be set up in collaboration with companies or involve cooperation for data collection, for instance – as in in my own research – and aim at developing concrete solutions.
The employment of new doctoral researchers in the public and the private sector alike is also supported by the doctoral education pilot funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture (2024–2027), involving the Ģֱ as well.
Postgraduate studies provide an opportunity for personal and professional growth
Overall, postgraduate studies have been an important journey of personal and professional growth for me. I am glad that I seized this opportunity four years ago.
This year I will concentrate on completing my doctoral dissertation project. I hope that I can continue after that as a postdoctoral researcher in the JYU Faculty of Information Technology or somewhere else, but on the academic path anyway. Postgraduate studies have provided an excellent basis for a research career, and I hope that my experiences would also encourage others to engage in further studies.
