Conceptualizing Workarounds: Meanings and Manifestations in Information Systems Research

We reviewed papers in core IS outlets that defined the term workaround or presented an example of a workaround. In the analysis, we used Ogden and Richard’s triangle of reference as a theoretical framework to analyze the relationship between 1) the term workaround; 2) theories, definitions, and use of the term; and 3) their empirical basis and empirical workaround behavior that the papers describe. First, we summarize the existing theoretical insights regarding workarounds and investigate their validity. Second, we show that studies have defined and used the term workaround differently to the extent that they have not always applied it to the same empirical phenomena, which raises questions about some theoretical insights’ validity. Third, we suggest a definition for workarounds that we inductively derived from empirical accounts of workaround behavior and, therefore, that adequately describes how researchers commonly use the term and makes it possible to distinguish workarounds from other similar phenomena

On Usefulness in Mandatory Healthcare Settings

This paper explores usefulness in mandatory healthcare settings. Building on previous research and interviews with all categories of users of a Patient Data Management System (PDMS) designed to replace all paper documentation in an intensive care unit we suggest that it might be appropriate if questionnaire items concerning usefulness (a) not only measures benefits for the individual person and (b) are contextualized which would make it easier for staff to relate to the items

WORKAROUNDS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS RESEARCH: A FIVE-YEAR UPDATE

This paper complements an earlier (2019) literature review on workarounds in information systems research by including research that has influenced or been published in core IS outlets during the last five years (2018–2022). Our study captures research that strengthened, widened, and challenged theoretical insights from the previous review. It also provides additional insights and develops seven themes of theoretical insight. The 31 new papers and our updated analysis are most evident in the three themes: Workarounds and power, Temporality of workarounds, and Managing workarounds. We also found additional studies using the term ‘workaround’ differently to the extent that they have not applied the term to the same empirical phenomena, which questions the validity of some theoretical claims. We also found significantly more studies that used quantitative data-collection methods than the previous review

Routinizing Workarounds : The Case of a Mandated PDMS in Critical Care

Workarounds are an emerging area within information systems (IS) research where contributions are increasing but there seem to be different views on what constitutes a workaround. While some aspects of workarounds have attracted considerable research attention and show a high degree of consensus, other aspects contain scarce or conflicting findings. This thesis aims to investigate what constitutes a workaround and how routine dynamics can contribute to our understanding of workarounds in mandatory contexts. I first performed a concept-centric literature review based on literature that has influenced or been published in the former Association for Information Systems (AIS) Senior Scholars’ basket of eight journals and official AIS conferences. I also developed a conceptualization of workarounds from described workaround behaviour in the previous research. With that backdrop, I studied workarounds during the implementation of a Patient Data Management System (PDMS) in two critical care units at a Swedish hospital. A PDMS is a health information system designed to automatically retrieve data from bedside equipment at critical care units and present these in a structured format to improve documentation, manipulation, and interpretation. Usage of the PDMS was truly mandatory where the staff were required to use the system to keep and perform their jobs. Using observations and interviews, I collected data which were analysed using reflexive thematic coding. My research contributes to IS literature in several ways. I develop a conceptualization and definition for workarounds inductively derived from empirical accounts of workaround behaviour that make it possible to distinguish workarounds from other similar phenomena. Then I show how routine dynamics helps us to better understand the internal dynamics of workarounds and the role of artefacts, power, and resistance, and provides us with tools to, for instance, remove redundant workarounds. I also provide thick empirical descriptions that make it possible for researchers to engage with, and question, my assumptions and the applied theoretical framework