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Transforming Energy Management with an AI-Enabled Digital Twin
MIS Quarterly Executive (2025)

Transforming Energy Management with an AI-Enabled Digital Twin

Hadi Ghanbari, Petter Nissinen
This paper reports on a case study of how one of Europe's largest district heating providers, called EnergyCo, implemented an AI-assisted digital twin to improve energy efficiency and sustainability. The study details the implementation process and its outcomes, providing six key recommendations for executives in other industries who are considering adopting digital twin technology.

Problem Large-scale energy providers face significant challenges in managing complex district heating networks due to fluctuating energy prices, the shift to decentralized renewable energy sources, and operational inefficiencies from siloed departments. Traditional control systems lack the comprehensive, real-time view needed to optimize the entire network, leading to energy loss, higher costs, and difficulties in achieving sustainability goals.

Outcome - The AI-enabled digital twin provided a comprehensive, real-time representation of the entire district heating network, replacing fragmented views from legacy systems.
- It enabled advanced simulation and optimization, allowing the company to improve operational efficiency, manage fluctuating energy prices, and move toward its carbon neutrality goals.
- The system facilitated scenario-based decision-making, helping operators forecast demand, optimize temperatures and pressures, and reduce heat loss.
- The digital twin enhanced cross-departmental collaboration by providing a shared, holistic view of the network's operations.
- It enabled a shift from reactive to proactive maintenance by using predictive insights to identify potential equipment failures before they occur, reducing costs and downtime.
Digital Twin, Energy Management, District Heating, AI, Cyber-Physical Systems, Sustainability, Case Study
How a Utility Company Established a Corporate Data Culture for Data-Driven Decision Making
MIS Quarterly Executive (2024)

How a Utility Company Established a Corporate Data Culture for Data-Driven Decision Making

Philipp Staudt, Rainer Hoffmann
This paper presents a case study of a large German utility company's successful transition to a data-driven organization. It outlines the strategy, which involved three core transformations: enabling the workforce, improving the data lifecycle, and implementing employee-centered data management. The study provides actionable recommendations for industrial organizations facing similar challenges.

Problem Many industrial companies, particularly in the utility sector, struggle to extract value from their data. The ongoing energy transition, with the rise of renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, has made traditional, heuristic-based decision-making obsolete, creating an urgent need for a robust corporate data culture to manage increasing complexity and ensure grid stability.

Outcome - A data culture was successfully established through three intertwined transformations: enabling the workforce, improving the data lifecycle, and transitioning to employee-centered data management.
- Enabling the workforce involved upskilling programs ('Data and AI Multipliers'), creating platforms for knowledge sharing, and clear communication to ensure widespread buy-in and engagement.
- The data lifecycle was improved by establishing new data infrastructure for real-time data, creating a central data lake, and implementing a strong data governance framework with new roles like 'data officers' and 'data stewards'.
- An employee-centric approach, featuring cross-functional teams, showcasing quick wins to demonstrate value, and transparent communication, was crucial for overcoming resistance and building trust.
- The transformation resulted in the deployment of over 50 data-driven solutions that replaced outdated processes and improved decision-making in real-time operations, maintenance, and long-term planning.
data culture, data-driven decision making, utility company, energy transition, change management, data governance, case study
How the Odyssey Project Is Using Old and Cutting-Edge Technologies for Financial Inclusion
MIS Quarterly Executive (2024)

How the Odyssey Project Is Using Old and Cutting-Edge Technologies for Financial Inclusion

Samia Cornelius Bhatti, Dorothy E. Leidner
This paper presents a case study of The Odyssey Project, a fintech startup aiming to increase financial inclusion for the unbanked. It details how the company combines established SMS technology with modern innovations like blockchain and AI to create an accessible and affordable digital financial solution, particularly for users in underdeveloped countries without smartphones or consistent internet access.

Problem Approximately 1.7 billion adults globally remain unbanked, lacking access to formal financial services. This financial exclusion is often due to the high cost of services, geographical distance to banks, and the requirement for expensive smartphones and internet data, creating a significant barrier to economic participation and stability.

Outcome - The Odyssey Project developed a fintech solution that integrates old technology (SMS) with cutting-edge technologies (blockchain, AI, cloud computing) to serve the unbanked.
- The platform, named RoyPay, uses an SMS-based chatbot (RoyChat) as the user interface, making it accessible on basic mobile phones without an internet connection.
- Blockchain technology is used for the core payment mechanism to ensure secure, transparent, and low-cost transactions, eliminating many traditional intermediary fees.
- The system is built on a scalable and cost-effective infrastructure using cloud services, open-source software, and containerization to minimize operational costs.
- The study demonstrates a successful model for creating context-specific technological solutions that address the unique needs and constraints of underserved populations.
financial inclusion, fintech, blockchain, unbanked, SMS technology, mobile payments, developing economies
Leveraging Information Systems for Environmental Sustainability and Business Value
MIS Quarterly Executive (2024)

Leveraging Information Systems for Environmental Sustainability and Business Value

Anne Ixmeier, Franziska Wagner, Johann Kranz
This study analyzes 31 articles from practitioner journals to understand how businesses can use Information Systems (IS) to enhance environmental sustainability. Based on a comprehensive literature review, the research provides five practical recommendations for managers to bridge the gap between sustainability goals and actual implementation, ultimately creating business value.

Problem Many businesses face growing pressure to improve their environmental sustainability but struggle to translate sustainability initiatives into tangible business value. Managers are often unclear on how to effectively leverage information systems to achieve both environmental and financial goals, a challenge referred to as the 'sustainability implementation gap'.

Outcome - Legitimize sustainability by using IS to create awareness and link environmental metrics to business value.
- Optimize processes, products, and services by using IS to reduce environmental impact and improve eco-efficiency.
- Internalize sustainability by integrating it into core business strategies and decision-making, informed by data from environmental management systems.
- Standardize sustainability data by establishing robust data governance to ensure information is accessible, comparable, and transparent across the value chain.
- Collaborate with external partners by using IS to build strategic partnerships and ecosystems that can collectively address complex sustainability challenges.
Information Systems, Environmental Sustainability, Green IS, Business Value, Corporate Strategy, Sustainability Implementation
Combining Low-Code/No-Code with Noncompliant Workarounds to Overcome a Corporate System's Limitations
MIS Quarterly Executive (2024)

Combining Low-Code/No-Code with Noncompliant Workarounds to Overcome a Corporate System's Limitations

Robert M. Davison, Louie H. M. Wong, Steven Alter
This study explores how employees at a warehouse in Hong Kong utilize low-code/no-code principles with everyday tools like Microsoft Excel to create unofficial solutions. It examines these noncompliant but essential workarounds that compensate for the shortcomings of their mandated corporate software system. The research is based on a qualitative case study involving interviews with warehouse staff.

Problem A global company implemented a standardized, non-customizable corporate system (Microsoft Dynamics) that was ill-suited for the unique logistical needs of its Hong Kong operations. This created significant operational gaps, particularly in delivery scheduling, leaving employees unable to perform critical tasks using the official software.

Outcome - Employees effectively use Microsoft Excel as a low-code tool to create essential, noncompliant workarounds that are vital for daily operations, such as delivery management.
- These employee-driven solutions, developed without formal low-code platforms or IT approval, become institutionalized and crucial for business success, highlighting the value of 'shadow IT'.
- The study argues that low-code/no-code development is not limited to formal platforms and that managers should recognize, support, and govern these informal solutions.
- Businesses are advised to adopt a portfolio approach to low-code development, leveraging tools like Excel alongside formal platforms, to empower employees and solve real-world operational problems.
Low-Code/No-Code, Workarounds, Shadow IT, Citizen Development, Enterprise Systems, Case Study, Microsoft Excel
Design Knowledge for Virtual Learning Companions from a Value-centered Perspective
Communications of the Association for Information Systems (2024)

Design Knowledge for Virtual Learning Companions from a Value-centered Perspective

Ricarda Schlimbach, Bijan Khosrawi-Rad, Tim C. Lange, Timo Strohmann, Susanne Robra-Bissantz
This study develops design principles for Virtual Learning Companions (VLCs), which are AI-powered chatbots designed to help students with motivation and time management. Using a design science research approach, the authors conducted interviews, workshops, and built and tested several prototypes with students. The research aims to create a framework for designing VLCs that not only provide functional support but also build a supportive, companion-like relationship with the learner.

Problem Working students in higher education often struggle to balance their studies with their jobs, leading to challenges with motivation and time management. While conversational AI like ChatGPT is becoming common, these tools often lack the element of companionship and a holistic approach to learning support. This research addresses the gap in how to design AI learning tools that effectively integrate motivation, time management, and relationship-building from a user-value-centered perspective.

Outcome - The study produced a comprehensive framework for designing Virtual Learning Companions (VLCs), resulting in 9 design principles, 28 meta-requirements, and 33 design features.
- The findings are structured around a “value-in-interaction” model, which proposes that a VLC's value is created across three interconnected layers: the Relationship Layer, the Matching Layer, and the Service Layer.
- Key design principles include creating a human-like and adaptive companion, enabling proactive and reactive behavior, building a trustworthy relationship, providing supportive content, and fostering a motivational and ethical learning environment.
- Evaluation of a coded prototype revealed that different student groups have different preferences, emphasizing that VLCs must be adaptable to their specific educational context and user needs to be effective.
Conversational Agent, Education, Virtual Learning Companion, Design Knowledge, Value
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