Information Outlook, May 1997

Volume 1, Issue 5https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/sla_io_1997/1004/thumbnail.jp

Inscriptions on Intranets as Information Infastructures - Exposing the Cultivation Chasm

This study explores intranets as information infrastructure and considers critically the stakeholders, who are responsible for updating the intranet, and the associated organisational impact of their activity, in three interpretive case studies. Previous research indicates that web-based information resources are in fact an information infrastructure, which do not occur ‘denouvo’. They ‘wrestle’ with and extend the existing non-technical organisational communication structures, taking on their strengths and weaknesses. As information infrastructures, numerous social arrangements are embedded or inscribed, giving visibility to the Information Infrastructure. This paper explores the nature of these inscriptions and considers either the influence of the IS function (topdown) versus the end-user (bottom-up) contributions. A number of authors propose cultivation as the desirable middleground between top down and bottom-up lead implementations. The findings are discussed from a critical theory perspective by considering the emancipation of the end-user versus domination via the top-down paradigm

From Intranets to Wrestling Information Infastructures

This study explores intranets as information infrastructure and this conceptualization is supported by evidence from three interpretive case studies. If an intranet is considered as an infrastructure then it does not occur ‘de-nouvo’, it must wrestle with an ‘installed-base’ and over time extends as a new infrastructure. If this is the case what are the social arrangements that are embedded and give visibility to the Information Infrastructure? What are these existing ‘installed bases’ that an Intranet wrestles with? A qualitative analysis strategy exploiting qualitative analysis software enhances this research. This study concludes that web-based information resources are in fact an information infrastructure, which do not occur ‘de-nouvo’. They ‘wrestle’ with and extend the existing non-technical organisational communication structures, taking on their strengths and weaknesses. They also ‘plug’ into other technical infrastructures in a seamless way. Business processes are also inscribed on to the information infrastructure, but in a partial manner rather than full-automation. A model of this nature can help the IS professional to more purposively extend an Intranet to a business critical information infrastructure

Utilisation of intranets for knowledge sharing : a socio-technical study

Although intranets appear to be ideal environments for employees to share knowledge quickly and efficiently, usage in practice appears limited. We report findings from two case studies that highlight three key issues limiting intranet utilisation for knowledge sharing: organisational structures and strategies, the impact of the receiver on sharer choices, and the availability of alternative channels for knowledge sharing. This study suggests that for companies to obtain more effective intranets, they need to better align organisational structures and strategies with intranet objectives, develop a comprehensive corporate communication plan, and find new ways to better link sharers with receivers&rsquo; knowledge needs.<br /

How Intranets Differ From The Web: Organizational Culture\u27s Effect on Technology

An intranet is what you get when applying web technology inside an organisation and therefore – seen from a strictly technical perspective – intranets are almost identical to the public Web on the Internet. Reviewing available intranet research, it appears most academics seem to assume that intranets and Internet are identical also in other aspects. In this argumentative paper it is suggested that this assumption is erroneous and instead I argue that usage of and attitudes towards intranet differ significantly from that of Internet. Since these differences seem to have evaded academic interest, intranet research has been too single-dimensional, and in this article the organisational culture perspective is suggested as a theoretical lens for understanding intranets. The effects of organisational culture on web technology use and management are highlighted and discussed and the paper presents implications for both research and practice

Measuring Corporate Intranet Effectiveness: A Conceptual Framework

While research on Intranet effectiveness has been greatly reported in the literature, gaps still exist particularly in the development of a theoretical framework from a user-based perspective. This paper attempts to discuss at a conceptual level on the concept of Intranet effectiveness and further analyze the effectiveness framework with several contributing factors grouped as organizational, technological and individual. Through in-depth review of relevant literature in the information systems and the knowledge management fields the paper proposes a conceptual framework for a study to be conducted on the corporate Intranet effectiveness

Shifting new media: from content to consultancy, from heterarchy to hierarchy

This is a detailed case history of one of London’s iconic new media companies, AMX Studios. Some of the changes in this firm, we assume, are not untypical for other firms in this sector. Particularly we want to draw attention to two transformations. The first change in AMX and in London’s new media industry more generally refers to the field of industrial relations. What can be observed is a shift from a rather heterarchical towards a more hierarchical organized new media industry, a shift from short-term project networks to long-term client dependency. The second change refers to new media products and services. We want to argue for a shift from cool content production towards consultancy and interactive communications solutions