Exploring the Potential of the Ethical Grid for Informing Decision-Taking Practices in the Soft Information Systems and Technologies, Methodology

In line with the overall conference theme of ‘Ethics, Design and Consequences of IT’, this paper seeks to show how ethics, in the form of Seedhouse’s Ethical Grid, can inform the use of a particular methodology, the Soft Information Systems & Technologies Methodology (SISTeM). This paper shows how the ethical elements are often missing from IS development, and how although SISTeM approaches IS development from a sociotechnical perspective, the ethical defense of the decisions made is lacking. The paper further shows how the Ethical Grid can be incorporated into the SISTeM process, to support the consideration of and more explicit voicing of the ethical view. Examples, drawn from the UK healthcare setting, provide practical illustrations of how this integration of the Ethical Grid into the IS development process might be achieved

Activity Based Generation of Requirements for Web-Based Information Systems: The SSM/ICDT Approach

Web site development method is at an early stage in its evolution. Most existing methods are concerned with technical software issues and are poorly adapted to help developers think about fundamental changes to existing business models that Web-based environments make possible. In addition, traditional methods of requirements elicitation dependent on users are often impractical. The approach described in this paper combines the well-tested ability of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to deliver useful models of business process (human activity systems), with recent thinking about mature Internet business strategies from INSEAD. Mapping the four virtual spaces of the ICDT model (information, communication, distribution and transaction) onto business activity models via a simple matrix ensures a reasonably sophisticated view of Web site potential, and ties it firmly to fundamental business processes. The approach, which is simple to learn and a small overhead in terms of development effort, is illustrated with a case study

Systematic Literature Review of Soft System Method Use in Information Systems Field

Information system (IS) papers are published in different Journals and conferences using various methods focusing on different problems. IS is an interdisciplinary field and contains information related to technology, human and organizational issues. Problems related to this are most of the time messy and confused ones and these needs soft system methodology (SSM) uses because this methodology basically emphases on activities inside the organization and allows a participation of heterogeneous groups like IS discipline do. Therefore, the study focuses on how SSM uses in IS field. SSM help to construct complex structural and governmental conditions and delivers a possible change. It uses extensive interviews to recognize the problem situations using “rich picture” and creating a “root definition” by ‘CATWOE’ (Customers, Actors, Transformation process, World view, Owner, Environmental constraint) principles. These are inputs to create a conceptual model and leads to desirable change and for implementing actions on the ground. The general objective of the study is to analyze SSM use in IS field using a systematic literature review method. The specific objectives are: To identify soft system method use in IS field To identify the use of systematic literature review method in IS To review literatures concerning SSM use To understand conceptual model constructions The search process in this study includes publications from international IS journals and also specific SSM related journals and conference papers. For the searching process, the inclusion words are soft system method or (its use) and information or (IS) or (organization). The systematic literature review method finally produced four main SSM uses in IS field. These are organizational systems, education, e-service and security functionalities. Generally, one should use SSM for innovative purpose since it mostly related with new technology and product development and to change the working habit of the organization. SSM helps to define the unstructured difficult conditions and focuses on complicated managerial activities, investigating unorganized problems extensively. The benefits of applying SSM allows to make it easy for organizational set up and structure of problem conditions of complex institutions and can be used in a very difficult security problems. So combining other methodologies with SSM will create a meaningful result for solving complicated problems and the diverse view of customers’ complaints in a more innovative and systematic way used to restructure organizations

A SOFT SYSTEMS APPROACH TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS QUALITY

Traditional approaches to Information System (IS) development have concentrated upon a production view of quality associated with a controlled development process and metrics that monitor attributes such as software usability, the number of software errors, and developer productivity. IS quality is also concerned with a use view of quality-how those software artefacts are used within an organisational context, recognising the need for a never-ending learning cycle based on experience of the product in use. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is proposed as a framework for considering a relevant notion of IS use quality, enabling discussion to take place about the quality requirements of a technical artefact within the context of an organizational setting. Using the rigour of systemic thinking as a basis, criteria for the assessment of IS quality, labelled the 5Es (efficacy, efficiency, elegance, effectiveness and ethicality), are introduced as a way of identifying the aspects of IS quality that are of concern. A modified form of SSM that incorporates stakeholder analysis and an emphasis on the cultural aspects of quality is proposed for the definition of a relevant (in-context) notion of IS quality

Business Domain Modelling using an Integrated Framework

This paper presents an application of a “Systematic Soft Domain Driven Design Framework” as a soft systems approach to domain-driven design of information systems development. The framework combining techniques from Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), the Unified Modelling Language (UML), and an implementation pattern known as “Naked Objects”. This framework have been used in action research projects that have involved the investigation and modelling of business processes using object-oriented domain models and the implementation of software systems based on those domain models. Within this framework, Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is used as a guiding methodology to explore the problem situation and to develop the domain model using UML for the given business domain. The framework is proposed and evaluated in our previous works, and a real case study “Information Retrieval System for academic research” is used, in this paper, to show further practice and evaluation of the framework in different business domain. We argue that there are advantages from combining and using techniques from different methodologies in this way for business domain modelling. The framework is overviewed and justified as multimethodology using Mingers multimethodology ideas

IT and the NHS: Investigating different perspectives of IT using soft systems methodology

The UK NHS National Programme for IT has been criticized for a lack of clinical engagement. This paper uses a soft systems methodology (SSM) analysis of a case study from the use of electronic systems within a National Health Service (NHS) Mental Health Trust in the United Kingdom (UK) to explore the legal and ethical implications of the failure to develop clinical systems which are fit for purpose. Soft systems methodology (SSM) was used as a theoretical model both to derive deeper insights into the survey data and suggest how communication between those producing information and those using it, could be improved. Multiple methods were employed which included a postal survey and participant interviews to triangulate the data The use of SSM reinforced the concept that the national IT programme is based on a 'hard' systems view and does not take local factors (which are related to 'soft systems' thinking) into account. The study found administrative staff to be a crucial link between clinicians and information departments and highlighted the need for a joint-up information strategy and integrated systems. The article concludes with a discussion of the legal and ethical implications of the findings and the lessons for the broader UK national programme. It argues that the failure to deliver systems that are fit for purpose is not value neutral but an ethical issue

Multi-stakeholder partnerships in affordable rental housing: An investigation using soft systems framework

Queensland Department of Housing has proposed the use of partnerships as one possible option to deliver affordable housing outcomes. Although this initiative is supported by other stakeholders, many constraints have impeded its implementation for the delivery of real projects. Whilst it might find application for mixed housing projects with some relaxation on tax and/ or planning requirements, in general, affordable housing has not been seen as a valuable investment. Moreover, the partnerships require stakeholders to work across boundaries and outside their comfort zones.\ud \ud This initial study examines the use of soft systems framework to explore stakeholders’ views of multi-stakeholder partnerships in affordable rental housing. A series of in-depth interviews with major stakeholders representing housing providers, regulators and users in Queensland has been conducted. \ud \ud Soft systems methodology has been used to express the unstructured problem by using systematic thinking to develop a conceptual model to solve the problem. A complex problem is broken down into role, social system and political system analyses. This study provides an example of using systematic thinking in solving conflicting problems. The gap between the conceptual model and implementation in the real world situation was also investigated. Major changes in the socio-cultural aspects of the broader community as well as between stakeholders were required to implement the further development of multi-stakeholder partnerships for affordable rental housing

Data-driven Soft Sensors in the Process Industry

In the last two decades Soft Sensors established themselves as a valuable alternative to the traditional means for the acquisition of critical process variables, process monitoring and other tasks which are related to process control. This paper discusses characteristics of the process industry data which are critical for the development of data-driven Soft Sensors. These characteristics are common to a large number of process industry fields, like the chemical industry, bioprocess industry, steel industry, etc. The focus of this work is put on the data-driven Soft Sensors because of their growing popularity, already demonstrated usefulness and huge, though yet not completely realised, potential. A comprehensive selection of case studies covering the three most important Soft Sensor application fields, a general introduction to the most popular Soft Sensor modelling techniques as well as a discussion of some open issues in the Soft Sensor development and maintenance and their possible solutions are the main contributions of this work

A holistic multi-methodology for sustainable renovation

A review of the barriers for building renovation has revealed a lack of methodologies, which can promote sustainability objectives and assist various stakeholders during the design stage of building renovation/retrofitting projects. The purpose of this paper is to develop a Holistic Multi-methodology for Sustainable Renovation, which aims to deal with complexity of renovation projects. It provides a framework through which to involve the different stakeholders in the design process to improve group learning and group decision-making, and hence make the building renovation design process more robust and efficient. Therefore, the paper discusses the essence of multifaceted barriers in building renovation regarding cultural changes and technological/physical changes. The outcome is a proposal for a multi-methodology framework, which is developed by introducing, evaluating and mixing methods from Soft Systems Methodologies (SSM) with Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). The potential of applying the proposed methodology in renovation projects is demonstrated through a case study