The emergence of information systems: a communication-based theory

An information system is more than just the information technology; it is the system that emerges from the complex interactions and relationships between the information technology and the organization. However, what impact information technology has on an organization and how organizational structures and organizational change influence information technology remains an open question. We propose a theory to explain how communication structures emerge and adapt to environmental changes. We operationalize the interplay of information technology and organization as language communities whose members use and develop domain-specific languages for communication. Our theory is anchored in the philosophy of language. In developing it as an emergent perspective, we argue that information systems are self-organizing and that control of this ability is disseminated throughout the system itself, to the members of the language community. Information technology influences the dynamics of this adaptation process as a fundamental constraint leading to perturbations for the information system. We demonstrate how this view is separated from the entanglement in practice perspective and show that this understanding has far-reaching consequences for developing, managing, and examining information systems

Socio-technical Systems Theory and Environmental Sustainability

This paper argues for the relevance and utility of socio-technical systems theory for designing solutions to the challenges we face from climate change and managing the impact of human activity on the environment. Socio-technical systems theory defines systems as a collection of messy, complex, problem-solving components. This paper identifies two elements of socio-technical systems theory most relevant to encouraging environmental sustainability. The first is the concept of a system goal and its impact on the activities of the system. The current goal of our global economy is ever increasing consumption. Therefore we need to redirect the goal towards environmentally sustainable development. The second element identified is the role of the feedback loop, which provides information that compares the actual outcome of the system to the desired system goal. This paper presents an example of effective feedback mechanisms, illustrated by the work of OPOWER, which offers energy efficiency and smart grid technology services. This paper argues that a socio-technical approach to the problem of environmental sustainability will lead to better outcomes. IS professionals therefore have a critical skill set, a fluency with socio-technical concepts as well as systems design, that can be applied to the creation of information systems in support of environmental sustainability

Evaluating Blockchain-Based Supply Chain Challenges (A Survey)

Blockchain technology is an emerging technology that will have a significant impact on the business of organizations. One of the influential areas of blockchain technology is the supply chain sector. Supply chain is a network of people and companies that focuses on the production and distribution of a specific product or service from the stage of primary producers to customers and consumers. Most supply and distribution networks face problems with managing all these components together. Many problems of current supply chains can be solved through blockchain technology; Because blockchain offers us very good and pristine ways to record, transfer and share information. The literature in this field is more focused on the technological sector and pays less attention to other sectors. In this research, it is emphasized the need to pay attention to the relationships between supply chain partners and change management when adopting this technology. Also, the current research identifies some of the challenges of adopting blockchain technology with a comprehensive view for the first time and places these challenges in a new classification. These challenges are classified in the groups of organizational challenges, inter-organizational challenges, external/environmental challenges, and technological challenges

Plant Pathology and Information Technology: Opportunity for Management of Disease Outbreak and Applications in Regulation Frameworks

In many European rural areas, agriculture is not only an economic activity, but it is strictly linked to environmental and social characteristics of the area. Thus, sometimes, a pathogen can become a social threat, as in the case of Xylella fastidiosa and olive trees ( Olea europaea L.) in Salento. Fast and systemic response to threats represents the key to success in stopping pest invasions, and proves a great help in managing lots of data in a short time or coordinating large-scale monitoring coming from applying Information Technology tools. Regarding the field of applications, the advantages provided by new technologies are countless. However, is it the same in agriculture? Electronic identification tools can be applied for plant health management and certification. Treatments, agrochemical management or impact assessment may also be supported by dematerialization of data. Information Technology solution for urban forestry management or traceability of commodities belonging to "Food from Somewhere" regimes were analyzed and compared to protection from pests of a unique tree heritage such as olive trees in Salento

Green IT: Sustainability by aligning business requirements with IT resource utilization

The term “green IT” is defined as “Optimal use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for managing the environment sustainability of enterprise operations throughout their life cycles.” Its objective is to create a positive impact on environment through net lowered emissions. The heart of green IT (Information Technology) is the concept of “Environmental Sustainability,” its initiatives are multifaceted to support enterprises “business as usual model,” in low-carbon economy. Many green IT initiatives have provided short–term financial benefits, based on which organizations are now focusing on increased energy efficiency. Since many of these approaches provide less financials benefits’ which are harder to implement but provides improved environmental performance. So the financial benefits and environmental performance should be the multiple objectives in the green IT study.Master of Computing (by Research

Maintaining the quality and relevance of industrial resource materials for technology education: the technology in context national support programme

A large number of companies are involved in the development and publication of resources for technology education. Whilst carrying information to teachers and pupils about technology in business and industrial context it is essential that the resources are of sound educational value and relate to the relevant attainment targets and programmes of study. This paper outlines a collaborative process for the development of a series of national curriculum technology resources with a number of different industrial sponsors. The clarification of process, content and the evolution of suitable pupil activities which can be resourced from the pack is discussed in terms of the industrial context and the programmes of study for Technology and EIU. From a number of potential start points the exemplar activities chosen offer strategies for progression and coherence in a number of different aspects of technology activity. The work of professional designers, architects and research and development engineers is seen in the context of investigating the needs of client and customer groups. Factors such as managing engineering and architectural projects to maximise energy efficiency and minimise environmental impact are discussed and illustrated. For example, interactive and managed technological systems are used in the context of travel and leisure to introduce pupils to data handling and a variety of automated and controlled systems for information display and baggage handling

Implications of Information Technology in Developing Countries and Its impact in organizational Change

The survival and growth of organizations in an increasingly turbulent environment would depend upon effective utilization of information technology for aligning the organizational structure with environmental preferences and for creating symbiotic interorganizational structures. How can IT help the organizations in responding to the challenges of an increasingly complex and uncertain environment? How can IT help the organizations achieve the ìflexibleî organization structure? These are the topics that remains to be a matter of question for many developing countries. Although Information technology is still a ìblack box î technology for developing countries, it is largely applied in industrialised countries to the disadvantage of the majority of developing countries. This paper will try to illuminate the aspects and the impact of Information Technology in managing organizational change and its implications for developing countries

A Holistic and Interoperable Approach towards the Implementation of Services for the Digital Transformation of Smart Cities: The Case of Vitoria-Gasteiz

Cities in the 21st century play a major role in the sustainability and climate impact reduction challenges set by the European agenda. As the population of cities grows and their environmental impact becomes more evident, the European strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions—the main cause of climate change. Measures to reduce the impact of climate change include reducing energy consumption, improving mobility, harnessing resources and renewable energies, integrating nature-based solutions and efficiently managing infrastructure. The monitoring and control of all this activity is essential for its proper functioning. In this context, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a key role in the digitisation, monitoring, and managing of these different verticals. Urban data platforms support cities on extracting Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in their efforts to make better decisions. Cities must be transformed by applying efficient urban planning measures and taking into account not only technological aspects, but also by applying a holistic vision in building solutions where citizens are at the centre. In addition, standardisation of platforms where applications are integrated as one is necessary. This requires interoperability between different verticals. This article presents the information platform developed for the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain. The platform is based on the UNE 178104 standard to provide a holistic architecture that integrates information from the different urban planning measures implemented in the city. The platform was constructed in the context of the SmartEnCity project following the urban transformation strategy established by the city. The article presents the value-added solutions implemented in the platform. These solutions have been developed by applying co-creation techniques in which stakeholders have been involved throughout the process. The platform proposes a step forward towards standardization, harmonises the integration of data from multiple vertical, provides interoperability between services, and simplifies scalability and replicability due to its microservice architecture

Strategic advantages of information technology in construction

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 64-66).Over the past decades, the dramatic progress of information technology has contributed distribution of innovative systems to most of industries in the world. Such technologies offer strategic advantages to gain competitive advantage, improving productivity and performance, developing new ways of managing and organizing. In this thesis, I explore and evaluate the impact of information technology in construction industry. I exhibit what strategic advantages can be gained from implementing innovative technologies within an organization and industry as a whole. In addition, I examine the knowledge management strategy as a part of advantages of technology. Some challenges to adopting innovations are addressed as well as the potential solutions. The purpose of this research is to provide a strategic vision for information technology in construction during the next decade.by Youman Kim.S.M

Survey of Impact of Technology on Effective Implementation of Precision Farming in India

The advancements in technology have made its impact on almost every field. India being an agricultural country, proper use of technology can greatly help in improving the standard of living of the farmers. With varying weather conditions, illiteracy of farmers and non-availability of timely assistance, the farmers of this country could not get the best out of their efforts. Precision farming focuses mainly on the aspects that can improve the efficiency based on the data collected from various sources viz. meteorology, sensors, GIS, GPS, etc. The information pertaining to farmland (e.g., soil moisture, soil pH, soil nitrogen) and agro-meteorology (e.g., temperature & humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, atmospheric CO2 concentration, rainfall, climate change and global warming) are used as input parameters to decide the varying requirements of the crop cultivation. Historical farm land data are used as a means to decide on the kind of actions to be taken under a specific scenario. This paper surveys the existing methods of precision farming and highlights the impact of technology in farming. An overview of different technologies used in precision farming around the world and their implications on the yield are discussed. The methods adopted towards managing different types of crops, the varying environmental conditions and the use of realtime data being collected through sensors are also analyzed. Also, the need for dynamic approaches to assist the farmers in taking context specific decisions has been highlighted