The Rational and Political Roles of Methods in Information Systems Development

Textbooks and considerable normative research implicitly assume that Information Systems Development Methodologies (ISDMs) are used and are useful. Evidence suggests that methodology use is problematic. This work-in-progress paper reports on an in-depth case study seeking to identify rational and political roles leading to why a methodology is used in an IS department within a large Australian bank. Guided by a framework to study the use of methods the analysis demonstrates the plausibility of a portion of the framework thereby contributing to a phase of the theory building process

An Exploratory Study of the Relationship between the Openness and Effectiveness of Strategic Planning

This paper focuses on a new approach for facilitating the participation of stakeholders in a process of strategic planning known as open strategic planning (OSP). OSP is recognised through three characteristics: inclusiveness, transparency, and the use of information technology (IT) tools. Drawing on the theoretical foundations of OSP, the research explores moderating factors impacting the relationship between these characteristics and OSP effectiveness by referring to qualitative data obtained from two open strategic planning projects. A secondary aim was to examine how stakeholders interpret the effectiveness of OSP in an organisational setting. Results indicate various moderating factors (level of trust, IT literacy, and diversity of participants) impacted the relationship between the characteristics of OSP and strategic planning effectiveness. The study formulates eight propositions, each is discussed in relation to the existing literature on strategic planning effectiveness. This paper is significant as it is the first exploratory research linking openness and strategic planning outcomes

Grounded Theorising Applied to IS Research - Developing a Coding Strategy

This paper provides an example of developing a coding strategy to build theory of the roles of methods in IS development. The research seeks to identify and understand how system development methods are used in an IS department within a large Australian bank. The paper details a theoretical framework, particulars of data collection, and documents an early phase of analysis – data reduction and the generation of an initial coding scheme. Guided by a framework to study the use of methods, the analysis demonstrates the framework’s plausibility in order to develop theoretical relationships with which to develop a grounded theory

Grounded Theorising Applied to IS Research - Developing a Coding Strategy

This paper provides an example of developing a coding strategy to build theory of the roles of methods in IS development. The research seeks to identify and understand how system development methods are used in an IS department within a large Australian bank. The paper details a theoretical framework, particulars of data collection, and documents an early phase of analysis – data reduction and the generation of an initial coding scheme. Guided by a framework to study the use of methods, the analysis demonstrates the framework’s plausibility in order to develop theoretical relationships with which to develop a grounded theory