The Social Shaping of Internet Based Information Systems in Global Organizations: An Interpretive Study

This paper examines multiple interpretations organizational members have of Internet-based information systems (IS) by carrying out an interpretive investigation into the evolution of such systems in a large organization. The findings indicate that exploring interpretive schemes relating to the nature and application of Internet-based IS offers a better understanding of the choices made regarding the design and use of Internet-based IS. This paper illustrates that differences in the interpretive schemes of social groups may lead to differences in actions around Internet-based technologies and were also seen as a source of innovation. The implications of the findings for theory and practice are discussed

Organizational work with enterprise systems: a double agency perspective

Enterprise Systems are used by most large, and also by some small-medium enterprises, as tools to streamline internal and external activities. Installation of an Enterprise System usually entails changes in the organization, in terms of updating or rewriting business processes to match the ones inscribed in the Enterprise System. Consequently, the work of managers and employees in the organization changes accordingly. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nature of work that is afforded by an Enterprise System, according to the intentions of managers and users. In particular, the way that managers and employees interact with the Enterprise System and the issues that arise from this interaction are explored. The paper proposes a theoretical conceptualisation for the dynamic interaction between users, management, and the Enterprise System

Dealing With Ambiguous and Fluctuating Requirements of Embedded System Development: A Case-Study

This paper presents the findings of a case study that investigates how developers and managers deal with ambiguous and fluctuating requirements during an embedded system development in a structured process management environment. In particular, this paper focuses on improvisation and bricolage actions as a coping strategy by software developers and managers. This research adopts an interpretive approach that involves the collection and analysis of qualitative data. In this study, we observed a turbulent environment with situated improvisational and bricolage responses from developers and managers. The organizational structured process management framework was not sophisticated enough to deal with the existing challenges. Moreover, some improvisational and bricolage activities became institutionalized and, hence, became organizational routines of developers and managers. This paper indicates the value of reflexive practices as vital issues for strategic conduct in the event that improvisational and bricolage activities were deployed as a coping strategy

Enterprise Systems as Embedding and Disembedding Technologies - Power Implications for Work Relationships

This paper examines Enterprise Systems as a form of disembedding (and conversely reembedding) technology that alters the work relationships in an organization, by altering the power and control bases in such an organization. Enterprise Systems are used to facilitate the seamless integration and data exchange between the various departments within an organization. Their purpose is to automate the exchange of information and streamline the business processes within the organization. Use of an Enterprise System accords to its users responsibilities different from before, and allows for various control mechanisms to take place. Enterprise Systems as (re)embedding and disembedding technologies, lead to different levels of employee empowerment and corresponding managerial control. The results presented here are preliminary and come from an investigation in a single company. These results tend to suggest that Enterprise Systems change the work patterns in a company by disembedding the power bases and reembedding the control mechanisms used. This is accomplished with the empowerment of individuals with increased responsibilities, but also with the better managerial control of employee actions

A Paradox of Progressive Saturation: The Changing Nature of Improvisation over Time in a Systems Development Project

In this paper, we investigate improvisation in a systems development project in the context of safety-critical, rigid quality-management standards. This study took place in a technology company in the automotive industry over a 31-month period and focused on the development of an innovative information system for automobiles. Our analysis traced different forms of improvised practice over the course of a systems development project at the company along with various triggers of improvisation. We found that, as the project progressed, the latitude to improvise became saturated by the increasing structural influences on improvisation. Yet, paradoxically, these structural influences provoked developers to improvise in ways that were progressively more innovative by drawing on accumulated knowledge; we call this phenomenon a “paradox of progressive saturation”. We identify ten forms of improvisation that unfold across different stages of a systems development project. We offer a conceptualization of the paradox of progressive saturation to represent the changing nature of improvisation over time, which contributes to the literature on improvisation in information systems development

Trust and Technologies: Implications for Information Technology Supported Work Practices

In this paper we empirically investigate the concept of trust using organizational work practices in three groups: within the team, between teams and when interacting with technology. This study adopts Repertory Grid methodology as an interview based technique to elicit important constructs of trust to team members working in two organizations within the energy distribution industry. Thirteen key constructs of trust were identified using content analysis. Drawing on the understanding gained, this paper discusses the implications for theories on trust within teams working with information technology and provides a grounded perspective that could be used as a basis for further research

Understanding virtual world usage: A multipurpose model and empirical testing

This paper investigates the role of boundary objects in the interdisciplinary collaborative processes found in computer games development. It draws on data from an in-depth case study in a computer games studio that explores boundary objects in relation to the compelling, sensory and entertainmentcentred game-playing practices that inform computer games design and development. Sensory user experience and aesthetic considerations – of primary importance in computer games development – are becoming increasingly significant in the design and development of many other kinds of software and information systems. For this reason developments in the design and production of computer games have wider implications for other software and information systems settings and provide valuable insights into processes of collaboration that bridge cultural and aesthetic as well as technical forms of expertise. The paper seeks to provide insights into how objects contribute to such collaboration, with attention focusing especially on how game developers devise objects that span boundaries and draw on these in their collaboration. Through its focus on the material production and practices of computer games development, the research presented also seeks to contribute to the theoretical treatment of interdisciplinary collaborative working in software design and development via a critical assessment of the concept of boundary objects in the setting being studied

Challenging Dominant Frames in Policies for IS Innovation in Healthcare through Rhetorical Strategies

Information Systems (IS) innovation in healthcare is a contested area often characterized by complex and conflicted relationships among different stakeholders. This paper aims to provide a systematic understanding of the mechanisms through which competing visions about health sector reforms are translated into policy and action generating contradictions in IS innovation. The paper argues that we can learn more about the source of such contradictions by examining how competing frames can affect IS innovation in healthcare. We adopt frame theory and rhetorical strategies analysis in the case of health sector reforms in Kenya, with a specific focus on the deployment of health information systems. We make the following contributions. First, we demonstrate that policy actors’ adherence to the interests and values represented in a frame is important in determining the choice of a rhetorical strategy and its influence on policy transformation and IS innovation. Second, we develop an understanding of how technology mediates the rhetorical strategies of different actors. In particular, we demonstrate the role of technology in giving continuity to frames, thus affecting policy change and IS innovation