Information Systems Foundations: Theory, Representation and Reality
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Information Systems Foundations
Theory, Representation and Reality
Table of Contents
Preface
The Papers
Theory
Designing for Mutability in Information Systems Artifacts
Introduction
The nature of IS artifacts
IS and IT artifacts
From artifacts to semi-artifacts to semizoa
Towards design theory for semizoic artifacts
Kernel theories
Designing for mutability in semizoic artifacts
Implications for IS design theorising
Concluding remarks
Implications of the paper
Further research: semizoa as actors
References
The Effect of the Application Domain in IS Problem Solving
Introduction
Theoretical foundations
Theoretical framework of dual-task problem solving
The theory of cognitive fit
Theory on problem structure
Dual-task problem solving in well-structured problems
Implications of problem structure
Role of cognitive fit in dual-task problem solving of well-structured problems
Theoretical analysis of conceptual schema understanding
Dual-task problem solving in ill-structured problems
Implications of lack of problem structure
Role of cognitive fit in dual-task problem solving of ill-structured problems
Theoretical analysis of software maintenance
Operationalisation of the study and study findings
Discussion and implications
Discussion of the findings
Implications and future research directions
Conclusion
References
Towards a Unified Theory of Fit: Task, Technology and Individual
Introduction
Fit: theory and definition
The need for a theory of fit
Components of a theory and definition of fit
Fit defined
A fit taxonomy: the ATT-Fit framework
Defining the different types of fit
Performance and the ATT-Fit framework
A dynamic view of fit
Dynamic fit: an ecological psychology theory
Judgments of fit: implications for learning and systems change
Implications and conclusions
Theoretical contributions
Practical implications
References
Are Routine Manual Systems Genuine Information Systems?
Introduction
Definitions of information systems
Descriptions of systems
Causeway Cash Receipts System: a traditional information system
Qualities of traditional systems
Routine, manual systems
Qualities of routine, manual systems
Are all these systems information systems?
Fact: the first universal element
Transformation: the second universal element
Signal: the third universal element
Action: the fourth universal element
The universal features of information systems
Conclusion
References
Representation
Extending the Scope of Representation Theoryl
Introduction
Conceptual modelling and representation theory
Models of representation and representational analyses
A research review: identifying the scope of analysis
A proposed research model
Contributions and outlook
References
Indexing Research
Introduction
Genuine judgements and states of affairs
Schematised aspects
Represented objectivities
Developing a technique
Grounded theory method and its use in information systems
The coding process: foundations of the technique
Substantive theory: the product of the technique
Conclusions
References
Using Protocol Analysis to Explore the Creative Requirements Engineering Process
Creativity in requirements engineering
Understanding the creative RE process
Characteristics of the RE process
Views of the RE process
Protocol analysis
Overview of protocol analysis
Data collection approaches
Data analysis approaches
Discussion
Discussion and conclusion
Applications of protocol analysis in requirements engineering
Can protocol analysis be used to study creative thinking and cognition in the requirements process?
References
Poles Apart or Bedfellows? Re-conceptualising Information Systems Success and Failure
Introduction
Success and failure as independent dimensions
Success, failure and stakeholder expectations
Positive and negative expectations
Defining characteristics
Multiple stakeholders
A case study
End users
Developers
Middle/upper management (some groups)
Corporate senior management
Comments from end users
Comments from developers
Comments from middle/upper management (some groups)
Comments from corporate senior management
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Reality
An Action-Centred Approach to Conceptualising Information Support for Routine Work
Introduction
Understanding actions
The environment in which actions occur
Multi-scale nature of actions
Action dependencies
Efficiency and effectiveness of actions
Efficiency of actions
Effectiveness of actions
Routinising action
A situated approach to enabling routine action with information
Signals: representing the possibility for action
Manipulating the action possibility space
Parsimonious systems
A methodology for situated analysis and design
The domain of the situated analysis and design methodology
Applying the situated analysis and design methodology
Analysing the existing system of actions
Negotiations regarding the new system of actions
Designing a new system of actions
Relation to existing literature
Theories that situate action in the environment
Paradigmatic differences with structured ISAD methodologies
Relationship with other ISAD methodologies
Conclusions
References
Emergent Conversational Technologies That Are Democratising Information Systems in Organisations
Introduction
Conversational technologies
Background
Issues of ownership and democratisation
The wiki phenomenon
Cases of actual or potential wiki adoption
Case One: a failed attempt to set up a wiki in a knowledge institution
Case Two: setting up a wiki for professionals in a state-wide government health department
Case Three: the use of a wiki by a national standards organisation for knowledge collection and dissemination among small businesses
Case Four: an existing wiki in the research division of a large private manufacturing organisation
Discussion
Lessons from the four cases
The challenges and opportunities for IS
References
A Road Less Travelled
Introduction
Theory development motivated by practice
IS project management performance
IS project management theory
A focus on exploratory practice-driven research
A road less travelled
Research approach
Engagement
Looking for the ‘gap in practice’
Finding the ‘theory in the gap’
Developing an account of the phenomenon
Research progress and discussion
Examples of exploratory practice-driven research
Multiple theories
Multi-disciplinary thinking
Challenges
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
A Multi-Paradigm Approach to Grounded Theory
Introduction
The case of the Australian ICT study
The proposed research framework
Phase One: survey instrument development
Phase Two: conducting and analysing the survey
Phase Three: interviews and reporting
Conclusion
References
The Methodological and Theoretical Foundations of Decision Support Systems Research
Introduction
Research method
Research methods and paradigms
Judgement and decision making foundations
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References