The Appreciative System, Learning, and Its Impact on Information Systems Design

Many researchers and practitioners recognize that there is a link between the failures of information system (IS) provision and flawed Information Requirements Definition (IRD). Misinformation arises from defective communication between clients and analysts and lead to situations where the actual requirements of clients are not identified and properly represented in the subsequent information system. Recent research suggests that this could be the result of inquiry methods that do not subscribe to known learning theories and instead focus on contextual factors affecting client learning. In this paper, we explore the underpinning ideas of client-driven requirements definition and attempt to find a way of “navigating” the gap between what the client wants and what the technical expert can provide. The approach described stimulates client learning, which we suggest is a fundamental component of a successful outcome. We propose a method of requirements analysis that has shown its value in helping to overcome the communication gap between client and developer while creating a collaborative learning environment. The lessons learnt from this research may provide an interface for other technology driven development methods

The Subjectivity of the Social Network Analyst

The literature on social media analytics typically focuses on the social processes within the social media group that is being studied. On the other hand, the subjective views of social media analysts have received less attention. Here, we demonstrate that the subjectivity of the analyst can have a bearing on both qualitative and quantitative social network analytics. We provide a methodology to analyze the analysts’ subjective frames of reference and their impact on the way they interpret the social group under study and also the social context within their organization that prompted the inquiry in the first place. We test our methodology with a study of #Blogchat, the largest live chat group on Twitter

End-user driven development of information systems : revisiting Vickers' notion of 'appreciation'

This research is concerned with an investigation into the reported failures in information systems programmes and of the underlying cause of these failures. The research revealed that end user participation is an important part of the information systems design process for it is rarely the technology that fails but a failure of the information system to meet the expectations of the end user. Research into the literature indicates that a major problem encountered when attempting end user driven participation is that there is a gap in communication between the end users who are experts in the business domain and the developers who are experts in technology. The literature reveals that the challenge of managing this gap in a user driven manner is still the subject of much research. Many attempts to manage the gap that have been reported can be criticised since they are driven by the technical developer and not the end user despite recognising that it is the end user who will be using the information system on a daily basis. The research reported in this thesis provides an account of a unique use of Vickers' notion of Appreciation coupled with the mnemonic PEArL applied in order to first, enable end users to define their information system in a rich and enhanced manner and second, to provide a pathway for end users to 'navigate' the gap (between end users and developers) in a coherent and traceable manner. The developed approach is then applied to a field study in a leading public library in the UK from which lessons are learnt about the approach itself and about end-user driven development of information systems.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo