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An analysis of its origin and a look at its prospective future growth as enhanced by Information Technology Management tools. Master in Science (M.Scs.) At Coventry University Management of Information Technology September 2014 - September 2015 Supervised by: Stella-Maris Ortim Course code: ECT078 / M99EKM Student ID: 6045397 Handed in: 16 August 2015 DECLARATION OF ORIGINALITY Student surname: OLSEN Student first names: ANDERS, HVAL Student ID No: 6045397 Course: ECT078 – M.Scs. Management of Information Technology Supervisor: Stella-Maris Ortim Second marker: Owen Richards Dissertation Title: The Evaluation of eSports: An analysis of its origin and a look at its prospective future growth as enhanced by Information Technology Management tools. Declaration: I certify that this dissertation is my own work. I have read the University regulations concerning plagiarism. Anders Hval Olsen 15/08/2015 i ABSTRACT As the last years have shown a massive growth within the field of electronic sports (eSports), several questions emerge, such as how much is it growing, and will it continue to grow? This research thesis sees this as its statement of problem, and further aims to define and measure the main factors that caused the growth of eSports. To further enhance the growth, the benefits and disbenefits of implementing Information Technology Management tools is appraised, which additionally gives an understanding of the future of eSports. To accomplish this, the thesis research the existing literature within the project domain, where the literature is evaluated and analysed in terms of the key research questions, and further summarised in a renewed project scope. As for methodology, a pragmatism philosophy with an induction approach is further used to understand the field, and work as the outer layer of the methodology. The inner layer is rather based on qualitative data, whereas a thematic analysis serves as the foundation of the later chosen business analytical tools. Through observation of the data collection, the themes ‘games played’, ‘games genre’, and ‘single-player or team-player’ was deemed most important. A statistical analysis was additionally done on the numerical data, which showed significant correlation between the themes ‘prize pool’, ‘participants’ and ‘participating countries’ towards live audience. This indicates that the mentioned themes affect how many people attends live eSport event. The analysis also consists of a trend analysis, which presents that nearly every theme analysed will continue to grow in a five-year period. The trend analysis further expects a 305.51% growth in the live audience from 2014-2019, while the virtual streaming audience is expected to experience a growth of 140.61%. To enhance this growth, the research thesis recommends using the presented trends and patterns found in the short-term, to conduct successful eSport events. However, in the long-term an implementation of a Data-driven Decision Support System can be done, which will periodically gather data to know the best possible way to deliver eSport events to the eSport community. This can further be a part of a knowledge management system, and an Information Strategy, both of which are believed to enhance the growth seen in the field of eSports. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Stella-Maris Ortim, for all the help she has given during the months it has taken to construct this master thesis. Without her guidance, as well as feedback, the final product would not be the same. I additionally express my deepest thanks to Petter E. Kristiansen, whom have been a huge asset to me in regards of ensuring a correct language throughout the thesis. I would also thank my friends and family, whom supported me and made it possible for me to write this master thesis. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...….…….……….. i-xii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Chapter 1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2.1 Statement of Problem............................................................................................... 2 1.2.2 Problem Domain and Project Domain ...................................................................... 2 1.3 Target Audience ............................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Motivation ........................................................................................................................ 3 1.4.1 Self-motivation .......................................................................................................... 3 1.4.2 Broad Motivation ...................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Relevance to the Degree .................................................................................................. 4 1.6 Project Scope ................................................................................................................... 5 1.6.1 Purpose of this study ................................................................................................ 5 1.6.2 Aim ............................................................................................................................ 6 1.6.3 Objectives and deliverables ...................................................................................... 6 1.7 Research Questions ......................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Procedures and Methodology ......................................................................................... 9 1.9 Structure of the study .................................................................................................... 10 1.10 Limitation of the Study ................................................................................................ 11 1.10.1 Information Technology Management Tools ....................................................... 11 1.10.2 Global Aspect ........................................................................................................ 11 1.11 Summary of Chapter 1 ................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................. 13 2.1 Introduction to Chapter 2 .............................................................................................. 13 2.2 Literature Problem Formulation .................................................................................... 13 2.3 Literature Collection ...................................................................................................... 16 2.4 Literature Evaluation and Validity ................................................................................. 31 2.5 Literature Discussion, Analysis and Interpretation ........................................................ 33 2.5.1 Research Question 1: Literature Discussion ........................................................... 33 2.5.2 Research Question 2: Literature Discussion ........................................................... 35 2.5.3 Research Question 3: Literature Discussion ........................................................... 37 2.5.4 Research Question 4: Literature Discussion ........................................................... 38 2.5.5 Research Question 5 and 6: Literature Discussion ................................................. 40 2.5.5.1 Information Technology Management ............................................................ 40 2.5.5.2 Information Technology Management Tools .................................................. 41 iv 2.5.5.2.1 Decision Support Systems ......................................................................... 41 2.5.5.2.1.1 Benefits of Decision Support Systems ............................................... 42 2.5.5.2.2 Knowledge Management .......................................................................... 42 2.5.5.2.2.1 Knowledge Management Benefits .................................................... 43 2.5.5.2.3 Information Strategy (IS) .......................................................................... 44 2.5.5.2.3.1 Information Strategy Benefits ........................................................... 44 2.6 Literature Presentation .................................................................................................. 45 2.6.1 Research Question 1: Presentation ........................................................................ 46 2.6.2 Research Question 2: Presentation ........................................................................ 46 2.6.3 Research Question 3: Presentation ........................................................................ 46 2.6.4 Research Question 4: Presentation ........................................................................ 47 2.6.5 Research Question 5 and 6: Presentation .............................................................. 47 2.7 Summary of Randolph’s Five Steps 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