Bentley College, Waltham, MA

U.S.A.

I am interested broadly in the impact of information technology on organizations, groups, and individuals. More specifically, my research interests include the use of technology in interorganizational collaboration, IT governance, and the diffusion of innovations (both technical and organizational). My advisor is Dr. Lynne Markus.

North America, Britain, Scandinavia

I graduated from Utah State University with a dual degree in History and Finance and worked for a year in sales and marketing for a small Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Utah before moving to Boston to work for the United States Air Force. I worked in acquisitions for three years for the Air Force and it was fascinating to learn that despite the millions of dollars spent on weapons and weapons systems, a major focus continues to be on the ‘basic’ concepts of communication and collaboration. While continuing to work I completed my MBA at Bentley College. In the fall of 2006, I became a full-time PhD student at Bentley College in the Information and Process Management Department with Dr. Lynne Markus as my advisor.

I am married and have two little girls (one of which was just born in June). I spent two years in Denmark and speak Danish. I am originally from Idaho and miss the mountains but enjoy all that Boston has to offer. I love spending time with my wife and girls and if I ever have spare time, enjoy playing sports, especially basketball. And whenever possible you can find me reading a good book, listening to music or watching a movie.

I am a PhD student at Bentley College and a research associate for a National Science Foundation-funded research project on public safety networks with Dr. Lynne Markus, Dr. Jane Fedorowicz and Dr. Christine Williams at Bentley College as well as Dr. Steve Sawyer at Penn State University. Public safety networks are essentially collaborations by public safety agencies designed to develop and operate information technologies for enhancing communication and coordination. We are trying to find out why public safety collaborations occur in some places and not others as well as what makes public safety collaboration successful.

The connection this research has to this year’s program theme of “the city” as a unit operating in the context of a larger world is clear and exciting. Many of these public safety networks have “the city” as a key agency in the network and I look forward to the insights that can be gained, and that I can add, as a diverse group of researchers looks at “the city” from different angles. In addition, the international aspect of this program is very appealing. I do not think that public safety collaboration is a concern for only academics and practitioners in the U.S. This is an important concept that many countries are struggling to understand. I look forward to the chance to share ideas and learn from research being done in other countries.