How should technology-mediated organizational change be explained? A comparison of the contributions of critical realism and activity theory

In this paper, critical realism and activity theory are compared within the context of theorizing technology-mediated organizational change. An activity theoretic analysis of the implementation of large-scale disruptive information systems in a public sector setting (in particular concerning paramedic treatment of heart attack patients and ambulance dispatch work activity) is used to illustrate how activity theory makes a significant contribution to critical realism, by (1) locating technology within “activity systems” and theorizing change through contradictions and congruencies within those systems; (2) developing recent critical realism-inspired theorization of the “inscription” of cultural and social relations within technology; and (3) developing recent insights of critical realist researchers regarding the way in which the performance management agenda is mediated through IS

Developing activity theory in information studies (DATIS)

Over the last two decades the use of Activity Theory has grown within the field of information studies. However, while there is a budding community, the use and development of Activity Theory in information studies remains underdeveloped and fragmented. This community building workshop provides an opportunity to: (1) introduce information scholars to the basic conceptual premises of Activity Theory focusing on the use, development and contribution of Activity Theory; (2) provide a forum to extend the development of Activity Theory; and (3) It will also provide a networking opportunity for scholars already utilizing activity theory and an opportunity to discuss the contributions iSchool scholars can make to the wider Activity Theory community. The aim of the afternoon session is to both stimulate discourse and advance the use of the theory. A 500-word position paper is due 4th of March

Humanistic vs. instrumental goals — how mindfulness about goal-conflicts impact IT-related change endeavors in healthcare

Health IT is expected to support both humanistic and instrumental goals, by, e.g., improving both quality and efficiency in healthcare. However, health IT is also triggering or reinforcing conflicts between these goals. These conflicts then often result in failure to achieve intended outcomes such as improved healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency. By proposing an activity theoretical perspective on IT-related change, this study assumes that outcomes of such endeavors are dependent on actors being mindful of these conflicts and how the IS and complementary resources. Analyzing data collected in four IT-related change projects, supports this assumption: data shows that outcome relate to the ability of actors to understand the interplay between humanistic and instrumental goals among the diverse stakeholders. Mindfulness regarding these conflicts is necessary to efficiently develop and implement changes to IS that balance conflicting perspectives and realize expected outcomes. The implications encourage research and practice alike to develop interventions that help to increase understanding and mindfulness of the interplay between IS and the other elements of collective activities in healthcare

Theorising blockchain in supply chain activities with activity theory

This paper aims to provide new insights into the integration of blockchain in supply chain activities by examining them through activity theory. Existing blockchain-based supply chain studies are typically atheoretical, meaning they lack theoretical development. Existing studies that are theoretical in their orientation tend to lean towards predictive theories heavily. We suggest that explanatory theory is more beneficial for studying emerging technology. We propose activity theory to theorise and explain blockchain-mediated supply chain activities. Based on case vignettes, we illustrate how activity theory can drive novel insights. This approach highlights how activity theory can privilege extended or new insights in the study of blockchain and supply chains. Future research steps are discussed

RULES GOVERNING THE USE OF PERSONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR SELF-REGULATED LEARNING: AN ACTIVITY THEORY APPROACH

Advances in technology access allow learners to personalize their learning to their individual interests via the creation and use of informal personal learning environments (PLEs). A com-prehensive understanding of how self-regulated learning (SRL) occurs in such PLEs and the im-plicit and explicit rules which govern the learners’ interaction with the learning community is still lacking. Activity Theory (AT) is used to conceptually and methodologically frame this study. The paper draws on 20 in-depth interviews with undergraduates, to present preliminary findings elaborating the norms, conventions, and values which mediate the SRL processes of PLE users. The results indicate that trust, agency and a concern for safety governs the metacognitive, moti-vational and behavioral SRL processes of PLE users. Initial findings contribute to clarifying SRL processes within PLEs while addressing a gap in existing PLE literature. This paper adds further perspective to the ongoing academic discussion on the effective use of personal technologies and how best to utilize such technologies for teaching and learning. The paper concludes with a discussion of the future research opportunities

What Teams Need to Be Clear about - an Activity Theoretical Perspective on Shared Understanding in Health IS Implementation

Shared understanding facilitates the implementation of IS and can help to prevent unintended consequences. However, research is hitherto not precise on the kind of knowledge such understanding needs to capture. Taking an activity theory perspective, this paper theorizes that shared understanding needs to cover knowledge, experiences and perspectives on the contested activity systems the HIS is implemented in. Analyzing the data of an in-depth case study, it is found that issues emerging during the rollout can be traced back to a lack of shared understanding about the affected activity systems, particularly to insufficient shared understanding about the instrument-mediated relationships between contradictory motives, rules and the evolved division of labor. These findings are synthesized in a framework on critical aspects of shared understanding. This framework offers a coherent explanation for the rise of unintended consequences and enhances our learning of shared understanding in IS implementation

How Do Project-related Artefacts Qualify for Bridging Boundaries in IS Implementation Projects – An Activity Theoretical Perspective

Boundary objects were found to significantly impact the outcomes of IS implementation projects. Despite emphasizing their flexibility, however, prior research is no very precise on the attributes that qualifies project-related artefacts to become boundary objects. To identify the internal characteristics of artefacts that enable business and IT to synchronize IS and business needs, this research offers an activity theoretical view on boundary objects. The usefulness of the concept is demonstrated by means of an in-depth case study. The findings of this research emphasize that –in order to become boundary objects– project-related artefacts need to be part of the IS implementation and the business activity system. Moreover, they need to capture relevant knowledge of both activity systems and enable recognition of contradictions within and between. As to that, utilization of emerging project deliverables by means of internalization or externalization processes is found to facilitate the alignment between IS and business needs

The Context of Cloud Computing/Services Adoption in Business: A Systematic Review with Activity Theory perspective

Cloud computing has been established as a prominent research topic with the rise of a ubiquitous provision of computing resources over the last decade. According to literature review, previous studies are found focusing on the technical issue mostly; however, accompanying with the cloud service developing progress, there are a wide range of applications for adopting cloud computing/services and without an overall comprehension. This study aims to proposed a conceptual framework to systematically explore the activities and elements related to cloud computing/services adoption in business. The research framework is found useful for understanding the context of cloud computing and services and the preliminary findings are helpful to further explore the related activities and relationships behind on cloud computing/services adoption in business

Co-evolutionary IS-Alignment: A Complex Adaptive Systems Perspective

Many studies have investigated the effects of information technology (IT) in achieving organizational performance. However, despite substantial IT investments, organizations often fail to improve organi-zational performance using IT. This failure could be the result of a lack of Business-IT alignment. Re-cently, scholars and practitioners have adopted a complexity science approach to better address the many interwoven IT, organizational and environmental turbulence challenges. These efforts resulted in the emergence of the complexity-based concept of co-evolutionary IS/IT-alignment (COISA). COISA involves “the series of coevolutionary moves that makes IT aligned over time.” However, the notion of COISA remains conceptual, and further operationalization in preparation for more empirical evidence seems appropriate. Therefore, this study aims to provide further clarification on the conceptualization of COISA in turbulent environments. We conducted a structured literature review using a theoretical foundation of Complex Adaptive Systems theory. In this effort, we developed a COISA model composed of five continuous alignment processes characterized by co-evolutionary moves toward alignment, situated in two organizational contexts. This model provides a basis for further empirical re-search on COISA

HOW CONTRADICTIONS FACILITATE EVOLUTIONARY TRANSFORMATION: AN EXPLORATION INTO THE DYNAMICS OF BUSINESS-IT ALIGNMENT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ACTIVITY THEORY

This paper aims at contributing to our understanding of business-IT alignment and at offering a novel and theoretically well-grounded view on the phenomenon. Drawing on Activity Theory (AT), we argue that business and IT reflect two distinct, yet related activity systems. We propose that applying AT ena-bles systematic analysis of these systems, their constituents and complex interrelations. Building on AT’s notion of tensions, we further assume that AT enables us to identify and manage misalignment within and between the systems as well as drivers for their mutual development. Subsequently, AT provides a coherent framework for describing and analysing complex interrelations between both domains. To illustrate the applicability of AT and highlight its potentials to contribute to our understanding of business-IT alignment, we conducted a single, in-depth case study. As to that, we analyse six years of co-evolution of business and IT within a complex organizational setting. Our empirical examinations show that continually approaching emerging tensions within and between the two activity systems and implementing changes enables co-evolutionary processes of both systems. Though further research has to approve the practical applicability of the framework, we provide early evidence that activity system analysis can enable practitioners to purposefully detect and approach misalignments