Professor Mykytyn’s research focuses on using information systems to achieve and sustain a competitive advantage; the relationship between information systems and the law, with special emphasis on intellectual property (patents, copyrights, and trademarks) as they relate to information systems and electronic commerce; use of group support systems to improve and support decision making with special interests involving virtual teams.

Last year, Mykytyn along with Lecturer Nancy L. Martin presented a paper entitled "Business Method Patents: Do Owners Gain or Sustain Competitive Advantage?" at the International Conference on Information Systems in Milwaukee, the most prestigious gathering of information systems academics and research-oriented practitioners in the world.

For more than 20 years, computer software has been patentable. More recently, software that automates and pertains to business methods can be patented as well.

"A business method patent, for example, would be amazon.com's one-click ordering system and priceline.com's reverse auction system. Businesses that invest the time and money to patent software, including business method software, must do so for a reason. Is it to obtain licensing revenue? Make a name for themselves? Protection against competitors? Some sort of competitive advantage? These are questions I am examining," Mykytyn said.

The increase in electronic commerce prompted businesses to acquire copyrights and trademarks. "Domain names are trademarked, for example. Linking to another company's Web site without permission or placing another company's link on your company's Web site cannot be done without permission for fear of violating someone's trademarks. Placing copyrighted material on your Web site without permission is wrong or illegal as well," Mykytyn said.

Business method patents are now much more valuable and enforceable in providing protection for the patent owner. In her study, Martin matched 40 patenting firms with 40 nonpatenting competitors and then compared their performance.

The ownership of business method patents did not provide a significant competitive advantage. However, patent-owning firms that were able to gain an initial performance improvement were more likely to maintain that advantage over time.

“I have never regretted the decision to become a University professor as it affords me the opportunity to work with students and conduct important research involving management information systems and related technologies,” Mykytyn said.

Mykytyn feels fortunate to work at SIU where “it’s a friendly environment and I love to see my students succeed, and I hope that I help them reach their goals.  I take this part of my profession very seriously,” he said.

Mykytyn born and raised in Rochester, N.Y. He holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from John Carroll University and master's and doctoral degrees in computer information systems from Arizona State University.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Information systems to achieve and sustain a competitive advantage
• Relationship between information systems and law
• Intellectual property (patents, copyrights, and trademarks) as they relate to information systems and electronic commerce
• Use of group support systems to improve and support decision making with special interests involving teams

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

“Incorporating Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in MIS Education,” with Kathleen Mykytyn, Ann Pearson, and Souren Paul. Forthcoming in Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education.

“Predicting Electronic Commerce Adoption in Chilean SMEs Using the Theory of Planned Behavior,” with Elizabeth Grandon and Suzanne Nasco. Forthcoming in Journal of Business Research.

“Decision Factors for the Adoption of an Online Payment System by Customers,” with Fang He. Forthcoming in International Journal of E-Business Research.

“E-Business Process Management and Intellectual Property: Issues and Implications,” with Kathleen Mykytyn. E-Business Process Management: Technologies and Solutions, Tapen Sinha and Jay Sounderpandian (Eds.), 2007, Idea Group Publishing, Hershey, PA, pp. 45-57.

“Educating Our Students in Computer Application Concepts: A Case for Problem-Based Learning,” Journal of Organizational and End User Computing, Vol. 19, No. 1, January-March 2007, pp. 51-59.

“The Performance Comparison Between First Movers and Early Followers in Online Banking Adoptions: A Theoretical Framework,” with Fang He. Review of Business Research, Vol. VI, No 3, 2006, pp. 62-70.

AWARDS

2006 – Excellence Through Commitment Award – Outstanding Researcher, College of Business and Administration, Southern Illinois University.

2005 – Co-Recipient, 2005 Best Paper, Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education.

2005 – Co-Researcher of the Year, College of Business and Administration, Southern Illinois University

2003 – 2004 COBA Scholars Program, College of Business and Administration, Southern Illinois University.

2002 – 2003 COBA Scholars Program, College of Business and Administration, Southern Illinois University.

2000 - Selected to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.