Narratives of an outsourced information systems failure in a small enterprise

In this study we investigate a case of an outsourced information systems (IS) failure (OISF) within the collaborative partnership among asymmetric partners. A small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) is dealing with an independent software vendor (ISV) conducting a project of implementing an IS that fails. We used a narrative research methodology for our enquiry. In the construction of our narrative we followed the OISF framework as a theoretical touchstone. As a major conclusion we found that asymmetric collaborations with partners with inadequate managerial and technical IT capabilities are extremely prone to OISF’s. We showed that an outcome-based and fixed price contract is not an adequate instrument to conduct such a partnership and to avoid a failure

Narratives of an outsourced information systems failure in a small enterprise

In this study we investigate a case of an outsourced information systems (IS) failure (OISF) within the collaborative partnership among asymmetric partners. A small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) is dealing with an independent software vendor (ISV) conducting a project of implementing an IS that fails. We used a narrative research methodology for our enquiry. In the construction of our narrative we followed the OISF framework as a theoretical touchstone. As a major conclusion we found that asymmetric collaborations with partners with inadequate managerial and technical IT capabilities are extremely prone to OISF’s. We showed that an outcome-based and fixed price contract is not an adequate instrument to conduct such a partnership and to avoid a failure

Information systems, software engineering, and systems thinking: challenges and opportunities

This article traces past research on the application of the systems approach to information systems development within the disciplines of information systems and software engineering. Their origins historically are related to a number of areas, including general systems theory. While potential improvement of software development practices is linked by some leading experts to the application of more systemic methods, the current state of the practice in software engineering and information systems development shows this is some way from being achieved. The authors propose possible directions for future research and practical work on bringing together both fields with systems thinking

Developing an IT tool for improving workforce motivation and capabilities: An empirical case study with reference to Qatar

Human, Organisation and Technology (HOT) are all important components of IS. However, organisations look to technology as the main tool of change that can help them achieve their goals. This change usually concerns the needs of the organisation, and not the needs of its human resources, despite it being the latter that is the principal actor that any organisation depends upon to achieve its goals. The aim of this research is to develop an IT tool that itself can satisfy the workforce humanistic needs. In order to develop this IT tool, a theoretical investigation and practical experimentations were conducted in a series of case studies involving government organisations in Qatar. Based on the theoretical investigation, an approach was proposed based on Socio-Technical Theory (STT), supported by learning from the ETHICS application of STT concepts and Client-Led Information systems Creation (CLIC) application of Soft System Methodology (SSM) principles. This approach was used to guide the development of the IT tool which was then used in actual organisational work environments to assess its impact on the Qatari workforce's motivation and capabilities. Empirical results from this research show that an IT itself cannot be used to improve workforce motivation and capabilities in the case of Qatar. However, IT can do this by supporting a work environment enabled by necessary managerial practises and work environment requirements. Based on the proposed approach, this requires firstly, an understanding of the needs of the social subsystem of the organisation to improve workforce motivation and capability; then these needs should be developed into functions that are enabled by the work environment and supported by the IT tool. Lastly, the new IT tool needs to be integrated into the existing technical subsystem of the organisation. These findings have both theoretical and practical implications. They contribute to a better understanding of the role of IT in improving the workforce's motivation and capabilities. They extend the application of STT principles in the area of developing human-focused IS by finding an alternative to the participatory approach via learning from SSM principles. They also provide specific understanding of how to develop an IT tool as well as what the work environment needs to provide to enable the application of the IT tool, to improve workforce motivation and capabilities. This PhD research also has social implications for the way IT is utilised in organisations. It can affect areas of IS utilisation and workforce well-being, as well as the role of leadership in maximising the value of IS from a human-focused perspective and the area of utilising IT in a virtual team to consider their humanistic needs