Software Development Life Cycles and Methodologies:Fixing the old and adopting the new

Information Systems as a discipline has generated thousands of research papers yet practice still suffers from poor-quality applications. This research evaluates the current state of application development, finding practice wanting in a number of areas. Changes recommended to fix historical shortcomings include improved management attention to risk management, testing, and detailed work practices. In addition, for industry\u27s move to services orientation, recommended changes include development of usable interfaces and a view of applications as embedded in the larger business services in which they function. These business services relate to both services provided to parent-organization customers as well as services provided by the information technology organization to its constituents. Because of this shift toward service orientation, more emphasis on usability, applications, testing, and improvement of underlying process quality are needed. The shift to services can be facilitated by adopting tenets of IT service management and user-centered design and by attending to service delivery during application development

USE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR INTER-UNIT COORDINATION: A CASE STUDY

Organintion, MIS, and media choice theories all try to describe how information flows through a business organization. Organization theory concentrates on the use of interpersonal methods of communications. MIS theory focusses on computer-based technologies for communications. Media choice theory concentrates on factors that contribute to selection of communication medium. Each research area tends to ignore the others. The result is conflicting and often irreconcilable conclusions. One important subset of business communication is the flow of information to coordinate the activities of various units of a company. In this study, the selection of coordination methods for one type of job is analyzed. Based on a case study of equity traders, a theory of information coordination is hypothesized for future empirical evaluation. The hypotheses synthesize and reconcile the organization, MIS, and media choice literature. The case results presented in this work exemplify the hypothesized relationships

Bio-Nanotechology: A Human Attack Vector

At present, humans could be direct targets of hacked bio- or nanotechnologies. This paper describes the future of biotechnology and nanotechnology, focusing on smart motes and bio-engineered products based on genome mapping. Then threats from these emerging technologies are developed to show different attack potentials. Finally, alternative development activities are proposed that mitigate the risks posed to humans

Three Theories and One Case Study of Tpo-down, Middle-out and Bottom-up Process Innovation

A case study of an outsourcer adoption of 16 processes relating to servitizing their IT Operations was evaluated from three theoretical lenses: Governance, Innovation and Institutions. Governance Theory implies a top-down approach would be most appropriate to IT process change; Innovation Theory implies that a combined bottom-up and top-down approach would be best; Institutional Theory implies that all three take place over time in most organizations but does not specifically make any recommendations. The case organization, an IT Outsourcer, without knowingly drawing on any theory, applied change efforts at all three levels to effect change for 16 processes across 14 organizations in eight countries to achieve ISO/IEC 20000 certification, all within two years. Institutional Theory which posits regulative, normative and cognitive methods for developing compliance to an organizational change appears to fit the situation of complex, multi-national, multi-cultural change in an IT organization better than the competing theories

EXPLORING MEANINGFULNES IN WORK: WHY SENSITIVITY MATTERS

Research purpose: The proposed qualitative research study seeks to answer the research question, “How best to define meaningfulness sensitivity in work?” Job design adaptation, which forms a foundation for finding meaningfulness in work, is a motivator that results in happier and more productive employees. Yet, not all employees find meaningfulness in work.Originality/value: This research is important and original because, in defining a new construct, companies can help meaningfulness-sensitive staff to design their jobs for maximum satisfaction and productivity while helping less sensitive staff to develop a more personal value in their work. In addition, this proposed research might provide insight into ways to address negative employee outcomes such as cynicism and high attrition. Methodology/approach: Researchers plan to use focus groups and interviews to collect data. Using an approach guided by the principles of grounded theory, data analysis will use several rounds of coding to define and develop the meaningfulness sensitivity construct, hopefully, identifying antecedents and personal characteristics of sensitive people as well.Implications/limitations: This research seeks to extend positive-management research and meaningfulness in work research to identify those most likely to benefit from these approaches to management and job design. The convenience sample from only white-collar workers and managers, one industry, and one country limits its generalizability.Further research: Compare and contrast different cultures to determine similarities and differences in individuals’ meaningfulness sensitivity in work. To address study limitations, the research will be transparent enough to support replication across any number of environments and levels of staff. Research purpose: The proposed qualitative research study seeks to answer the research question, “How best to define meaningfulness sensitivity in work?” Job design adaptation, which forms a foundation for finding meaningfulness in work, is a motivator that results in happier and more productive employees. Yet, not all employees find meaningfulness in work.Originality/value: This research is important and original because, in defining a new construct, companies can help meaningfulness-sensitive staff to design their jobs for maximum satisfaction and productivity while helping less sensitive staff to develop a more personal value in their work. In addition, this proposed research might provide insight into ways to address negative employee outcomes such as cynicism and high attrition. Methodology/approach: Researchers plan to use focus groups and interviews to collect data. Using an approach guided by the principles of grounded theory, data analysis will use several rounds of coding to define and develop the meaningfulness sensitivity construct, hopefully, identifying antecedents and personal characteristics of sensitive people as well.Implications/limitations: This research seeks to extend positive-management research and meaningfulness in work research to identify those most likely to benefit from these approaches to management and job design. The convenience sample from only white-collar workers and managers, one industry, and one country limits its generalizability.Further research: Compare and contrast different cultures to determine similarities and differences in individuals’ meaningfulness sensitivity in work. To address study limitations, the research will be transparent enough to support replication across any number of environments and levels of staff.

Problem Analysis: When Established Techniques Don\u27t Work

An action research project was conducted to develop a 360-degree evaluation of an information technology organization for which existing process improvement techniques did not fit. A three-by-three matrix was developed that suited the complexity of the context yet provided a means for discussion the issues with the organization\u27s Executive Committee

Problem-Based Learning for a Lean Six Sigma Course

A Lean Six Sigma and Supply Chain Management, MBA-level course, averaged 15 students per semester. A persistent issue was that, even with in-class exercises to develop theoretical understanding, students were often unable to analogize to real-world situations. By introducing problem-based learning (PBL) the instructor broadened the teaching methods by introducing a consulting project for a local food bank. The food bank’s warehouse had been open for six months but had already become unwieldy to manage. Course readings, lectures, and in-class Lego assembly exercises provided the scaffolding for building students’ mental frameworks. Then their frameworks were tested and reinforced through the consulting engagement enabling them to learn more than each alone could provide. In the course of the consulting commitment, students engaged in Gemba walks, performed several types of analyses (e.g., state, process, root cause, value chain, etc.), and, via PBL, identified problems and developed solutions to meet organizational goals, while applying theories and skills taught in the course

ITSM Best Practices: Global Themes, Local Solutions

Implementing the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) IT service management (ITSM) best practices is an expensive and time consuming endeavour. In spite of guidance, many organisations experience failed attempts before experiencing success. A detailed analysis of 12 organisations\u27 ITIL ITSM improvement projects shows that tangible business value is obtainable but that necessary conditions must be met. The analysis reveals that, while the organisations used a variety of strategies, approaches and practices in implementing ITIL and also experienced differing challenges in their journeys, there is a ‘sweet spot’ of organizational structuring and practices for necessary conditions which appear to be required for success. Change management themes found across the cases that appear to encompass the necessary set of conditions include strategy, scope, management approach, workforce planning and development, tools, vendors, outcomes, culture, customer influence, motivation and communication. Key aspects of these themes with case examples are presented

ICT education practices in marginalized rural schools in South Africa: considerations for adequate sensemaking and practical immersion

In this paper we put forward a basis for a debate on adequate and self-reflexive sensemaking in ICT4D social situations. To portray the idea (our value judgement) that everyone (researchers and research participants) needs development, self-reflexivity and practical immersion are discussed as concepts that should form part of ICT4D social inquiry. We build on Bourdieu’s critical views on ‘adequate sensemaking’ and ‘practical immersion’ in social situations, but also draw from work on hermeneutics, Phronetic social research, ethnography, critical reflexivity, and a view on social linguistics to firstly construct our argument for alternate methodological considerations that prioritizes virtuoso expertise that is aligned with the critical paradigm, above analytical scientific knowledge and technical knowledge or know-how. Secondly, we test these emerging ideas with self-reflexive and self-conscious conversations presented in the form of narratives (demonstrations of virtuoso expertise) about our involvement in a rural marginalized high school in a remote district in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. We focus specifically on the sensemaking context created by our presence in the community and we argue that for ICT4D social inquiry to truly matter (i.e., to be adequate), it should stop valuing attempts to try and mimic natural sciences and appeal for methodological accountability only. We further argue that adequate sensemaking and social inquiry cannot be divorced from seeking some form of experientially-based immersion on the part of the researcher. Based on the research, we recommend increased attention to local context, particularly community tensions; researcher use of conscious sensemaking through reflexivity; people-orientation along with experiential learning; all of which should be considered for future ICT4D work in developing environments