Using protocol analysis to explore the creative requirements engineering process

Protocol analysis is an empirical method applied by researchers in cognitive psychology and behavioural analysis. Protocol analysis can be used to collect, document and analyse thought processes by an individual problem solver. In general, research subjects are asked to think aloud when performing a given task. Their verbal reports are transcribed and represent a sequence of their thoughts and cognitive activities. These verbal reports are analysed to identify relevant segments of cognitive behaviours by the research subjects. The analysis results may be cross-examined (or validated through retrospective interviews with the research subjects). This paper offers a critical analysis of this research method, its approaches to data collection and analysis, strengths and limitations, and discusses its use in information systems research. The aim is to explore the use of protocol analysis in studying the creative requirements engineering process.<br /

The Impact of Data Quality Tagging on Decision Outcomes

Data quality tags provide information about the quality of data in databases to decision makers. This paper reports an experiment that examines the impact of data quality tagging about data accuracy on decision outcomes. Two decision strategies were explored: additive and elimination by attributes. The inclusion of data quality tagging information was found to impact decision outcomes for the elimination by attributes strategy but not for the additive strategy and had no impact on group consensus. This knowledge will be valuable for designers of data warehouses and decision support systems

Exploring The Balance Between Trust And Formal Controls In Information Systems Outsourcing Relationships

Trust and formal controls are critical in contemporary information systems outsourcing arrangements. Trust has been recognized as the relationship facilitator, while formal controls have been treated as the governance mechanism. Achieving a balance between trust and formal controls has received much attention in the literature as it leads to better management of inter-organisational relationships and performance results. Although existing research on the balance offers interesting insights, it is largely descriptive and does not establish a sound conceptual base. In contrast, the current studies that investigate the interaction of trust and formal controls have been based on contradictory conceptualisations and conflicting research outcomes, leading to controversial and exhausting debate about trust and formal controls being complements and/or substitutes. In this study, we investigate the dynamics of trust-controls nexus in IS outsourcing arrangements and build a conceptual framework that captures various interplays between trust and formal controls. We argue that different types of balance (antithetical, orthogonal and synergistic) and outsourcing outcomes can mutually influence each other. Based on our framework, we explore the synergistic balance in twocase studies and reveal the existence of dynamic patterns of interaction between trust-controls nexus and outcomes, and the changes in the achieved balance. The study provides a new way to explore the balance as the outcome of dynamic interactions between trust and formal controls and its link to the outcomes in IS outsourcing

The impact of strategy on business analytics success

Business analytics systems are an important strategic investment for many organisations and can potentially contribute significantly to firm performance. In this paper we develop a theoretical model, based on the resource-based view, that explains how business analytics capabilities lead to benefits. We argue that the type of strategy, represented as enterprise architecture, moderates the benefits achieved. Two case studies are then presented, each with a different type of strategy, and we explain how and why benefits were achieved from business analytics systems in each. We then identify the similarities and differences between the two case studies and discuss these using five dimensions that emerge from the case studies: strategic alignment, governance, people, organizational culture and data and technology infrastructure.<br /

The Impact of Data Quality Tags on Decision-Making Outcomes and Process

It has been proposed that metadata describing data quality (DQ), termed DQ tags, be made available in situations where decision makers are unfamiliar with the data context, for example, in data warehouses. However, there have been conflicting reports as to the impact of such DQ tags on decision-making outcomes. Early studies did not explicitly consider the usability and semantics of the DQ tag designs used experimentally or the impact of such tags on decision process, except in suggestions for future research. This study addresses these issues, focusing on the design of usable DQ tags whose semantics are explicitly specified and exploring the impact of such DQ tags on decision outcomes and process. We use the information quality framework InfoQual, the interaction design technique of contextual inquiry, and cognitive process tracing to address DQ tag semantics, usability, and impact on decision process, respectively. In distinct contrast to earlier laboratory experiments, there was no evidence that the preferred decision choice changed with DQ tags, but decision time was significantly increased and there were indications of reduced consensus. These results can be explained by understanding the impact of DQ tags on decision process using concurrent protocol analysis, which involves participants verbalizing thoughts while making a decision. The protocol analysis study shows that DQ tags are associated with increased cognitive processing in the earlier phases of decision making, which delays generation of decision alternatives

A Conceptual Approach to Exploring Creativity in Requirements Engineering

Requirements engineering (RE), an early phase in software development, is the process of discovery, analysis, modelling and specification of user and business requirements for information systems. The lack of creativity theories and models within RE has been gaining increasing recognition within the RE community. This paper synthesises concepts from creativity research and RE creativity research to build a theoretical foundation for the study of creativity in RE. We argue that creativity in RE goes beyond technical aspects and involves different levels, loci, and inter-related elements including product, process, domain, people and socio-organisational context. Different facets of creativity need to be integrated within RE approaches and methods to effectively foster and support creativity in this field

A Cultural Analysis of ERP-enabled Business Process Management Strategy and Governance in Indian Organisations

Business process management (BPM) is a key issue for organisations, particularly in a global business environment. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems provide a viable means for managing business processes. In this paper we synthesise a framework for BPM strategy and governance and then report two case studies that explore the influence of national culture on BPM strategy and governance in India. One case study involves the Indian subsidiary of a multinational corporation (MNC) and the other an Indian manufacturing company that has recently established an overseas presence. The two case studies provide a deep understanding of how culture influences BPM strategy and governance differently within each organization and indicate the need for formal BPM strategy and governance practices to mitigate any negative influences of national culture in a global context

Modelling the Requirements Process: where are the people?

This paper reports the outcomes of a three year study into the requirements process, an important but poorly understood part of systems development. Humans play an essential role in determining requirements yet few models of the requirements process include human actors. This paper presents an understanding of the requirements process expressed in a descriptive model that integrates the social and technical aspects of the requirements process. The model comprises five key areas: the problem domain, analysts’ domain, requirements sub-processes, problem space and management of the requirements process. The model may be used to support, manage and improve the requirements process in practice

The Role of Dynamic Capabilities in Creating Business Value from IS Assets

This paper draws on and extends the emerging literature on dynamic capabilities to understand and explain the role ofinformation systems (IS) assets in creating business value. Our analysis identifies the critical roles of managerial actions andthe organizational context in identifying, resourcing and implementing IS-enabled competitive actions in delivering businessvalue. This paper extends earlier treatments of the relationship between IS assets and organizational strategy and performanceby explicitly accounting for the roles of human agency and context, which have not been adequately addressed in priorliterature. A research model for future research is proposed