Product details

What are challenges of developing Internet-based systems and of managing inter-organisational project teams? The development of Internet-based information systems for the 1996 European Football Championship (Euro 96) provides a unique case of temporary co-operation amongst a task force of technology sponsors - including the systems integrator SEMA Group, the hardware provider Digital Corporation, and the software firm Microsoft - which had been brought together by the hosting English Football Association (FA). It offers insight into a unique organisational setting for the implementation and promotion of, at the time, novel Internet technology. Despite the short lead-time until the immovable deadline, equivocal reporting and task structures, resource constrains and uncertain payoff from the sponsorship, the group of technology sponsors succeed in delivering the commissioned operational and media information systems. These were essential to the satisfactory running of the matches in eight English cities and their media broadcasting. They did so against the initial scepticism of the client and despite uncertainty about user acceptance and reliability of the novel technology. The technology firms pushed for the use of novel Internet technology for both the distributed networks and the development of a high profile public World Wide Web site which enabled spectators from around the world to access constantly updated match statistics. Had the task force failed to deliver functional systems by the opening of the Championship, the sponsors would have been exposed to adverse publicity from the media who was also prime user of the information systems.