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Michael Williams Associate Professor of Information Systems

Michael Williams, PhD

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Associate Professor of Information Systems Technology Management
Online Programs Chair
Graziadio Business School

Biography

Dr. Williams earned tenure and the rank of associate professor in the Information Systems and Technology Management Department. His research has been published in leading empirical and practitioner journals including European Journal of Operations Research and MIS Quarterly Executive. Dr. Williams serves as the Chair of Online Programs and has served in a number of academic and administrative roles at Pepperdine. His research has been published in leading empirical and practitioner journals in Information Systems including European Journal of Operations Research and MIS Quarterly Executive. He is a proud recipient of Pepperdine's highest teaching award, the Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence.

Prior to entering academia, Dr. Williams was an IT consultant in the Washington, D.C. area. As a consultant he created technology and business process solutions for a wide variety of corporate, nonprofit and government clients. He is a Microsoft-certified professional and has developed business solutions using a variety of database and programming technologies. He has worked with firms such as Dynamac, the U.S. Army, SkillsUSA and Aspen Publishers.

Dr. Williams earned an MS and a PhD in Information Systems from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He received an Mdiv and MS from Abilene Christian University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Oklahoma Christian University and an AA from Northeastern Christian Junior College in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Dr. Williams' research focuses on decision-making and information technology. He has conducted empirical research at International Fortune 500 companies, public universities and health care providers. He has published his research in several IS journals, books and conferences.

Education

  • PhD Indiana University, Major: Information Systems; Supporting Areas of Emphasis: Strategic Management. Dissertation Title: Organizational routines for choosing information technology: a multiple case study examination of NeBIC Theory's choosing capability
  • MS Indiana University, Major: Business; Supporting Areas of Emphasis: Information Systems

  • MDiv Abilene Christian University, Master of Divinity

  • MS Abilene Christian University, Major: Missiology Supporting Areas of Emphasis: Domestic Missions/Spiritual Formation

  • BA Oklahoma Christian University, Major: Biblical Studies

 

Research

Book Chapters

Dennis, Alan R., Randall K. Minas, and Michael L. Williams. 2019. "Creativity in Computer-Mediated Virtual Groups." In The Oxford Handbook of Group Creativity: Innovation Through Collaboration, by P.B. Paulus and B.A. Nijstad. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Hunt, S. E., Mooney, J. G., Williams, M. L. (in press). "Cloud Computing" in Information Systems and Information Technology, Volume 2 (Computing Handbook Set 3rd Edition) (vol. 2). Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis.

Crisp, C. B., Williams, M. L. (2011). Mobile Device Selection in Higher Education: iPhone versus iPod Touch (pp. Ch. 74). Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

Refereed Journal Articles

Williams, M. L., Wheeler, B. C. (2009). The Four Faces of Deploying Global Common Systems: Understanding Global and Local Objectives. MIS Quarterly Executive/Indiana University & SIM International, 8(2), 59-72, http://misqe.org/ojs2/index.php/misqe/article/view/205.

Chun, M. W. S., Williams, M. L., Granados Rugeles, N. F. (2007). Managing Organizational Knowledge: Insights offered from the Southern California aerospace industry for managing knowledge assets. Graziadio Business Report, 7(2),
https://gbr.pepperdine.edu/072/knowledge.html.

Williams, M. L., Aaronson, J., Dennis, A. R., Stam, A. (2007). The Impact of DSS Use and Information Load on Errors and Decision Quality. European Journal of Operations Research, 176(1), 468-481.

Journal Articles

Hall, O., and M.L. Williams, "Enhancing the Blended Learning Experience through Crowdsourcing: Applications to Management Education" in Cheung, S.K.S., Kwok, L., Shang, J., Wang, A., Kwan, R. (Eds.) Blended Learning: Aligning Theory with Practice, 9th International Conference, ICBL 2016, Beijing, China, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2016.

Petrov, A., Perrota, R., Williams, M. L. (2006). Mapping IT Resources for Successful Technology Implementations. GBR/PGBS, 2006(1).

Atwater, D. M., Williams, M. L., Guy, D. (2005). Connecting Enterprise Information and People in a Web World. GBR, Volume 8(Issue 2).

Other

Livingstone, Linda and M.L. Williams, "Faith, Business, and Education" BusinessWeek.com, http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-05-04/faith-business-and-education, May 4, 2012.

Awards

  • 2009 Blended Learning Faculty Fellow, Graziadio School of Business
  • 2007 Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence, Pepperdine University

Presentations

2015-2019 Co-leader and Presenter of AACSB Seminar for New Associate Deans (https://www.aacsb.edu/events/seminars/newassociatedeans).

Herko, R. T. (Presenter & Author), Simon, A. (Author Only), Williams, M. L. (Author Only), Christians on Diversity in the Academy, "Good Shepherds and Good Stewards," Azusa Pacific University, Azusa Pacific University. (March 26, 2014).

Herko, R. T. (Presenter & Author), Williams, M. L. (Author Only), Simon, A. (Author Only), Religious Faith Conference, "Good Shepherds and Good Stewards," Utah Valley University, Orem, Utah. (October 11, 2013).

Williams, M. L., AACSB Aspiring Deans Conference, "5 Essential Social Media Practices for Academic Leaders," AACSB, Orlando, FL. (April 2013).

Hall, O. P. (Author Only), Williams, M. L., 5th International Conference on Hybrid Learning, "•Conditional Release Technologies and Intelligent Tutors in Graduate Management Education," International Hybrid Learning Society, Guangzhou. (August 2012).

Smith, D. M. (Presenter & Author), Seaman, S. L. (Presenter & Author), Williams, M. L. (Presenter & Author), Winds of Change, "Using Narrative to Shape Values," Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. (February 27, 2010).

Williams, M. L. (Presenter & Author), Provost's Faculty Conference, "Developing a Business Case for Sakai," Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. (October 2009).

Williams, M. L., Seaman, S. L. (Presenter & Author), Smith, D. M. (Presenter & Author), Christian Scholars Conference, "Using Narrative to Shape the Values of Business Leaders," Nashville, TN. (June 2009).

Williams, M. L. (Presenter & Author), Seaman, S. L. (Presenter & Author), Smith, D. M. (Presenter & Author), National Faculty Leadership Conference, "Teaching a course in Virtue and Commerce to MBA students: Lessons Learned", Campus Crusade/Faculty Commons, Washington, DC. (July 1, 2008).

Williams, M. L., GSBM Faculty Conference, "What I'm Learning about Teaching," GSBM, Thousand Oaks, CA. (February 1, 2008).

Williams, M. L. (Discussant), FT MBA Open House Faculty Panel. (January 12, 2008).

Williams, M. L., Seaman, S. L., Smith, D. M., Pepperdine Faculty Conference, "Virtuous Commerce: The Case for A Personal Ethic," Pepperdine University Provost's Office, Malibu, CA. (October 5, 2007).

Seaman, S. L. (Presenter & Author), Smith, D. M., Williams, M. L., Bridging Sunday Monday Conference, ""When corporate social responsibility isn't enough: why business leaders need a personal ethic."," Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington. (October 4, 2007).

Williams, M. L., Seaman, S. L., Smith, D. M., Christian Scholar's Conference, "Virtue and Commerce: Seedbed for Conversation," Rochester University, Rochester, MI. (June 22, 2007).

Williams, M. L. (Discussant), Seaver College Convocation. (March 2007).

Williams, M. L., Wheeler, B. (Author Only), Western Decision Sciences Institute, "LEADING OR LAGGING? AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION INTO ORGANIZATIONAL LAG AND IS INNOVATION," DSI, Denver, CO. (March 2007).

Valadez, R. M. (Presenter & Author), Williams, M. L., Morrissey, C. A., Faculty Meeting, "Describe/demonstrate techniques you use with Bb," Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA. (November 10, 2006).

Williams, M. L., GSBM Faculty Retreat, "Technology & Learning Panel," GSBM, West LA. (November 10, 2006).

Williams, M. L. (Discussant), GSBM Faculty Retreat. (November 10, 2006).

Williams, M. L. (Presenter Only), 2006 PU Faculty Conference, "Panel Discussant,"

Pepperdine University, Pasadena, CA. (October 2006).

Williams, M. L. (Discussant), University Faculty Conference. (October 6, 2006).

Williams, M. L. (Presenter Only), American Swiss Foundation Young Leader's Conference, "Untitled," American Swiss Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland. (May 21, 2006).

Williams, M. L., Mooney, J., 6th European Conference on Organizational Knowledge, Learning and Capability, "Exploring Organizational Learning Mechanisms For Dynamic IT Capabilities," Boston, MA. (March 18, 2005).

Grants

Williams, M. L. (Co-Principal), Seaman, S. L. (Co-Principal), "Virtue in Business: Exploring the classic virtues in modern business," Sponsored by PU Center for Faith & Learning, Pepperdine University, $2,000.00. (September 1, 2006 - Present).

Sponsored Research

Seaman, S. L. (Co-Principal), Williams, M. L. (Co-Principal), "Julian Virtue Professorship," Sponsored by GSBM, Pepperdine University, $10,000.00. (October 1, 2009 - Present).

Williams, M. L. (Co-Principal), Smith, D. M. (Co-Principal), "Data Loss and Hard Drive Failure: Understanding the Causes and Costs," Sponsored by DeepSpar Data Recovery Services, Private, $8,000.00. (September 1, 2007 - March 22, 2008).

Chun, M. W. S., Williams, M. L., Sommer, S. M., Egan, T. D., "Executive Education Course Development: Developing and Managing Effective Virtual Teams," Sponsored by Graziadio School of Business, Pepperdine University, $2,000.00. (September 2006 - July 2007).

Chun, M. W. S., Williams, M. L., Granados Rugeles, N. F., "Investigating the Role of IS on the Inter-Organizational Learning Process," Sponsored by Pratt Whitney-Rockedyne, Northrop Grumman, NASA-JPL,, Pepperdine University, $6,000.00. (September 2006 - July 2007).

Areas of Expertise

  • Computer Science
  • Information Systems Technology Management
  • Emerging Technology
  • Organizational Knowledge: Aerospace Industry
  • Mapping IT Resources for Successful Technology Implementations
  • Connecting Enterprise Information and People in a Web World

Topics

  • Emerging Technology
  • Digital Innovation
  • Big Data
  • Database
  • Decision Support
  • Group Creativity
  • Virtual Presence

Courses

Graduate Courses

  • Information and Process Systems (Core IS course for Full-Time and Fully Employed MBA students)
  • Database and Big Data Management
  • Silicon Valley and the Rise of Digital Business Models
  • Virtue and Commerce: Exploring Virtue in Media Narratives

Undergraduate Courses

  • Information Systems for Business and Management (Core IS course for undergraduate students)
  • Net-Enabled Business Innovation