When Environment Matters: Inter-Organizational Effects on Sociomaterial Imbrications and Change

Previous research on sociomateriality, a recently developed perspective arguing that social and material aspects acquire their properties in the process of their mutual imbrications, has mainly focused on an intra-organizational level of analysis. In this paper we investigate how the inter-organizational relations influence within-organizational processes of sociomaterial imbrications. We conducted case-study of communities of social computing developing their routines and technologies over a 16-year period in the market of Internet access providers. Our findings indicate that inter-organizational influence is an important factor shaping the processes of change in organizational routines and technologies and only partly supports the recent findings of Paul Leonardi about the perception-based nature of these changes as we evidence that this is not applicable in certain types of environments. Based on our findings we develop a process model of inter-organizational influence on sociomaterial imbrications and change and discuss its implications for theory and practice

Introducing a Sociomaterial Perspective to Investigate E-learning for Higher Educational Institutions in Developing Countries

E-learning projects in developing countries suffer enormous challenges because of various factors. Particularly, technologies that are designed and developed outside of a developing country context are causing significant problems when implemented in developing countries. So far e-learning studies in developing countries have examined utilization, acceptance, adoption, success and failure using the following factors: culture, human behaviour towards technology, and organizational influences. This paper reviews different theoretical perspectives used so far and determines that they are not capturing the complexity of the environment of e-learning implementations in developing countries. In particular, the inextricable entanglement of people, technology and the environment is under-appreciated. Furthermore, the complex design implications of that entanglement are not well managed. This paper explores the potentiality of ‘sociomateriality’ as a new lens to examine the uptake and design of the virtual learning environment in a developing country context. The framework proposed uses the concept of entanglement for examining technology uptake and the concept of sociomaterial imbrication to investigate the design considerations of the virtual learning environment. The proposed framework will be trialled in a forthcoming research project investigating virtual learning environment implementations in state-owned higher education institutions in a developing country

Policymaking in time of Covid-19: how the rise of techno-institutional inertia impacts the design and delivery of ICT-mediated policies

The paper theorizes the emergence of techno-institutional inertia within public organizations. Specifically, it analyses the impact of techno-institutional inertia on policymaking in emergency time. The paper extends the literature on inertia in organizations to shed light on the inertia triggered by both human actors and technology. Techno-institutional inertia provides useful instruments to better understand how imbrications between technology, policies, and institutions shape the design and the delivery of public policies. The paper builds on the findings from a case study of the Peruvian public sector, analyzing the techno-institutional inertia which shaped the provision of public services to contrast the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The paper offers valuable insights for policymakers who aim to adopt ICT-based policies in contexts characterized by scarcity of time and resources

Conditions for Autonomy in the Information Society: Disentangling as a public service

An ambition for a democratic information society is providing services that maintain and even enhance citizens’ mastery and control of their life situation. Analyzing public services from a citizen autonomy perspective can indicate where the service and its IT-systems do not support user autonomy. We analyze a public service and discuss it as a sociomaterial entanglement. Based on our data on citizens’ use of a public service we identify a need to distinguish between entanglements and imbrications and suggest the notion of disentangling in order to characterize the way in which the public service advisors help the citizens. From at a design perspective we look for openings for change and improvement. Different types of entanglements need different types of competencies to address them. We make a distinction between entanglement and imbrication to open up a space for change. Finally, we discuss how the notion of disentangling tax issues can support citizen autonomy

Understanding the adoption process of ICT in practice: small enterprises and the ICT "Lego-era". An exploratory study

The aim of this exploratory work is develop a deeper understanding of the adoption process of information and communication technology (ICT) in small enterprises. SMEs are the majority of businesses in Europe and ICTs are often seen as potential enablers for their long-term organizational sustainability. However, statistics report small enterprises as being traditionally slow in keeping pace with technological advancements. Are they only lagging behind? The lack of research on this theme suggests the following question concerning SMEs: How does the adoption process of ICT take place in practice? The RQ is sharpened through an incremental research design in that the SMEs, ICT and Organization literature are examined and combined with confrontation with experts. This study, informed by interpretive research assumptions adopts an exploratory and qualitative research design with the aim of obtaining thick descriptions on the phenomenon under study. Two case studies are developed in the Italian context: a pilot case on the adoption of a non-core ICT (e-Invoicing) in a small manufacturing firm and an in-depth one on the adoption of a core ICT (website) in a small publishing firm. These are then analysed through the lens of a double theoretical framework: Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory (as overarching theory) and Leonardi’s Theory of Imbrication (for in-depth insights into the dynamics of organizing). The analysis focuses specifically on the process of adoption in time and sheds light on the concepts of re-invention, previous practice and technology clusters. In doing so it provides an account of the organizational implications of organizing in the era of “lego-like” ICTs. Although limited by its exploratory nature, this study contributes to the literature in the field of Information Systems by directly addressing with the theoretical dimension of technology. It also contributes to the literature on SMEs and ICT adoption in that it engages with the specificities of SMEs rather than with critical adoption factors only.The aim of this exploratory work is develop a deeper understanding of the adoption process of information and communication technology (ICT) in small enterprises. SMEs are the majority of businesses in Europe and ICTs are often seen as potential enablers for their long-term organizational sustainability. However, statistics report small enterprises as being traditionally slow in keeping pace with technological advancements. Are they only lagging behind? The lack of research on this theme suggests the following question concerning SMEs: How does the adoption process of ICT take place in practice? The RQ is sharpened through an incremental research design in that the SMEs, ICT and Organization literature are examined and combined with confrontation with experts. This study, informed by interpretive research assumptions adopts an exploratory and qualitative research design with the aim of obtaining thick descriptions on the phenomenon under study. Two case studies are developed in the Italian context: a pilot case on the adoption of a non-core ICT (e-Invoicing) in a small manufacturing firm and an in-depth one on the adoption of a core ICT (website) in a small publishing firm. These are then analysed through the lens of a double theoretical framework: Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory (as overarching theory) and Leonardi’s Theory of Imbrication (for in-depth insights into the dynamics of organizing). The analysis focuses specifically on the process of adoption in time and sheds light on the concepts of re-invention, previous practice and technology clusters. In doing so it provides an account of the organizational implications of organizing in the era of “lego-like” ICTs. Although limited by its exploratory nature, this study contributes to the literature in the field of Information Systems by directly addressing with the theoretical dimension of technology. It also contributes to the literature on SMEs and ICT adoption in that it engages with the specificities of SMEs rather than with critical adoption factors only.LUISS PhD Thesi

MEDIATED CONTROL: ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF INNOVATIVE ICT-DRIVEN INTERACTIONS

Interactions driven by Information Communications Technologies (ICT) have gained significant acceptance and momentum in contemporary organisational settings, this is illustrated by their massive adoption and varied deployment across the various levels of an organisation’s hierarchy. The study looks into the dynamics of ICT-driven interactions and, distinctively, focuses on the manifestations and implications of mediated control in a collaborative environment. Findings indicate that networks set up through the instrumentality of technology mediated interaction induce unanticipated social and psychological implications in spite of their promise of organisational efficiency. The study draws on the notions of behavior and outcome control to reveal that the nature of mediated control is not static, but evolutionarily dynamic that springs from highly unpredictable contexts of work. The analysis reflects the observation that mediated control is not only about the predetermination of targets that are attained at the subordinate level but the wider implications of ICT-led interactions that have a somewhat direct bearing on subordinates’ psychological make-up

Sociomateriality as Radical Ontology: Insights for ICTs from the Phenomenology of Sport

The concept of “sociomateriality” challenges assumed distinctions between the human and social, on the one hand, and the material and technological, on the other. Arguments have been made for adopting a radical relational ontology that sees the social and material as dynamically emergent within the context of practice. However, it remains unclear what is truly superior about the sociomaterial approach, in contrast to rich analyses of complex interactions between human actors and artifacts, conventionally conceived. This essay suggests a modest step forward that brings cognition more clearly into the picture. Although those championing the sociomaterial position have good reason to tread carefully around cognition, a conceptualization that embraces the materiality of cognition, itself, can actually provide a more complete grounding for the desired ontological shift, and help point the way toward an improved understanding of such central concerns as competence and resistance

The Sociomateriality of Literacy - a Study of the Relationship Between Institutions, Identity and the Internet in a Primary Classroom

This paper is about the relationship between schooled literacy practices, identity and digital technology. It is a case study carried out by a teacher to examine the impact of using an online technology platform (wikispaces) in a year 4 classroom. In line with recent thinking in investigating literacy in the digital age, it looks for new ways to theorize literacy which go beyond the notion of a literacy event to allow for the study of literacy practices across time and space. It posits a theory of the sociomateriality of literacy, drawing on recent developments in the field of IS (Information Systems). Researchers in this field have used theories such as structuration and agential realism to underpin investigations. However these theories, which see structure and agency as inseparable, have made the analysis of empirical data difficult. More recent thinking uses the concept of sociomateriality underpinned by social or critical realism, following the sociologist, Margaret Archer, in seeing the ‘people’ and the ‘parts’ as separate. Such a theory allows for empirical research which can explain how the social and material imbricate or overlap over time and space. Using the concept of sociomateriality, this study finds that, given the right social environment and using the affordances which the technological intervention offers, new literacy practices which are more collaborative, decentred and linked to children’s identity can develop. Because of the constraints of the school environment, the majority of these practices take place outside school. This paper argues that there is a possibility to harness and reconceptualise the Third Space through the use of digital technology, making a link between schooled norms and home. However not all children will thrive in this space. Part of the work of the thesis is to analyse the mechanisms which account for this

Sociomaterial design of coordination in knowledge sharing : a heritage KMS reference architecture

Designing knowledge management systems (KMS) from sociomaterial (SM) tenets has the potential to improve coordination in knowledge sharing activities. However, current information systems knowledge lacks enough guidance on how to go about sociomaterial design. In this Design Science Research (DSR) study we present a set of sociomaterial design guidelines for KMS that enable knowledge sharing (KS) in the historical and cultural heritage domain. We carried out three DSR iterations to define design requirements, formulate sociomaterial design guidelines, and instantiate and evaluate these through a prototypical instantiation of a KMS. This research contributes to the IS literature by presenting an actionable set of guidelines for applying SM principles in designing new KMS. The capability of this design approach has been demonstrated through a KMS validation in an international and interorganizational KS network. We demonstrate how technology designers can use sociomateriality as a design lens enabling them to further create IT-based coordination mechanisms and we show the value of considering SM design to advance in overcoming coordination issues for sharing knowledge.Doctor en IngenieríaDoctorad