Designing a case study protocol for application in IS research

A review of the literature has shown that there is a growing call for the use of the case research method in IS research. However, it has been noted that there are few guidelines on how to conduct case research in the field of IS, particularly with respect to the development of Case Study Protocols. This article therefore endeavours to overcome this shortcoming by presenting a set of guidelines that may be used by in the development of such protocols. In essence, a Case Study Protocol (CSP) is a set of comprehensive guidelines that is an integral part of the case research design and contains the procedures for conducting the research, the research instrument itself, and the guidelines for data analysis. By developing a CSP, researchers are forced to consider all issues relevant to their research and this in turn contributes to more rigorous (case) research that has greater internal and external validity

Empirical Insights in the Current Development of Smart Contracts

Blockchain technology enables a lot of knowledge possibilities in an even more digital business environment. Besides the well-known bitcoin application, another implementation so called smart contracts recently arised. Smart contracts profit from the blockchain mechanism benefits (e.g., transaction security). A huge advantage of smart contracts is, that they provide trust between transaction partners without integrating a third party. Practice has already noticed their advantages and implementing smart contracts more and more into their business. However, research is still under development and a common scientifical foundation is still missing. Particularly, research lacks in empirical and practical findings. This paper responds to that gap. Conducting an expert study relevant data was collected and analyzed regarding empirical standards. The results we found and present in this on-going research paper give insights about basic aspects, challenges in the implementation as well as the use cases of smart contracts

Refining the Learning Analytics Capability Model: A Single Case Study

Learning analytics can help higher educational institutions improve learning. Its adoption, however, is a complex undertaking. The Learning Analytics Capability Model describes what 34 organizational capabilities must be developed to support the successful adoption of learning analytics. This paper described the first iteration to evaluate and refine the current, theoretical model. During a case study, we conducted four semi-structured interviews and collected (internal) documentation at a Dutch university that is mature in the use of student data to improve learning. Based on the empirical data, we merged seven capabilities, renamed three capabilities, and improved the definitions of all others. Six capabilities absent in extant learning analytics models are present at the case organization, implying that they are important to learning analytics adoption. As a result, the new, refined Learning Analytics Capability Model comprises 31 capabilities. Finally, some challenges were identified, showing that even mature organizations still have issues to overcome

Responsible AI and Power: Investigating the System Level Bureaucrat in the Legal Planning Process

Numerous statements and pamphlets indicate that governments should increase the transparency of ICT-implementations and algorithms in eGovernment services and should encourage democratic control. This paper presents research among civil servants, suppliers and experts who play a role in the automation of spatial policymaking and planning (e.g. environment, building, sound and CO2 regulation, mobility). The case is a major digitalisation programme of that spatial planning in the Netherlands. In this digital transition, the research assumption is that public and political values such as transparency, legitimacy and (perceived) fairness are difficult to validate in the practice of the design process; policy makers tend to lose sight of the algorithms and decision trees designed during the ICT -implementation of eGovernment services. This situation would implicate a power shift towards the system level bureaucrat. i.e., the digitized execution of laws and regulations, thereby threatening democratic control. This also sets the stage for anxiety towards ICT projects and digital bureaucracies. We have investigated perceptions about ‘validation dark spots’ in the design process of the national planning platform that create unintended shifts in decision power in the context of the legal planning process. To identify these validation dark spots, 22 stakeholders were interviewed. The results partially confirm the assumption. Based on the collected data, nine validation dark spots are identified that require more attention and research

On the validation of the initial step of an upfront system implementation evaluation framework::The firebrigade case

This technical report describes "validation of the 'Target system definition

Determining the Target System for Mobile Systems as Part of an Integrative Approach for the Economic Impact of ICS: Validation at an SME

Mobile technologies are reshaping the global economic landscape, enhancing speed and comfort of communication and information exchange. Existing studies on the economic impact of mobile technologies taking a socio-technical system perspective are scarce. Our study shortly describes an integrative approach for such systems, which is in detail described in Högler et al. (2015), and specifically constructs the first activity in the integrative approach, i.e. defining the target objectives of the mobile system; it provides a case study at an SME to show this step\u27s applicability and validity. In defining the target system the Analytical Hierarchy Processing technique is extended. It encompasses a) the identification of objectives, and b) the determination of the hierarchy of objectives, c) the determination of the dependencies between objectives, d) the identification of strengths of the dependencies, and e) their likeliness of appearance, a f) prioritisation and g) a consolidation of all previous sub-steps. The case study confirms the validity and applicability and provides reasons for generalisation

Integrating Process Inquiry And The Case Method In The Study Of IS Failure

This paper examines the integration of process inquiry and the case method in the study of IS failure. Having acknowledged the prevalence of IS failure and the need for continued inquiry in this domain the two predominant methods of enquiry, failure factor studies and IS failure case studies, are described along with the utility of both methods. The paper then examines the nature of case study research and notes its utility for the study of IS failure in real life settings. The nature of process inquiry is then examined and its applicability for the study of IS failure as a process is noted. The paper then describes how process inquiry is integrated with the case method as a six stage approach for conducting a case inquiry incorporating narrative, mechanisms, and other process-based data analysis methods

Competencies outside Agile Teams’ Borders: The Extended Scrum Team

According to the Scrum process framework a Scrum team should have all necessary competencies to accomplish its work. Fragmented and anecdotal evidence hints at Scrum teams still needing additional, external competencies. To contribute to theories on Scrum team composition and practitioner's concerns in staffing a Scrum team we investigated Scrum teams' cross-functionality: To whom do Scrum teams turn for additional competencies, which competencies are involved and how are Scrum teams aware of additional competencies they need? To this extent we analysed the communication in three Scrum teams during one of their Sprints. Our results show that additional competencies are called for, not only on an ad hoc basis, but also on a structural basis. To include those structural competencies the notion of an extended Scrum team is introduced