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Highlights • The Covid-19 pandemic is a rare opportunity to examine some fundamental aspects of IM and IS research and practice. • There are at least three areas where the pandemic has impacted practice: information management, work practices and design of technologies. • The IS discipline has appropriate methods and theories to study the design of technologies and social interactions. • Concepts such as “social distancing” that has emerged in the pandemic need to be studied through philosophical premises. • The IM practices that emerge after the pandemic is over, will be shaped by how well we seize the opportunity to learn from the pandemic., In this opinion paper, I argue that the Covid-19 pandemic, as tragic and disastrous as it undoubtedly is, has also given us a rare opportunity to deeply examine the research and practice of information management in particular and information systems in general. To cope with the pandemic, we have retreated to the digital world and drastically changed the way we work. Yet these very practices can well shape the way we work in the post-pandemic world. Moreover, the pandemic is also a sharp lens through which we can study deep-rooted theoretical issues that otherwise would not have surfaced, or at least remained in the background. My call to the research community is to seize this rare opportunity.

Although Affordance Theory has become increasingly influential in the Information Systems (IS) literature, the exact process through which the affordances of IT are actualised is less studied. In t ...

While many theories have guided research Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), we are yet to construct a clear and coherent narrative that would help us answer the question of how ICT fosters development in underdeveloped communities. In this paper, we argue that one of the main reasons for this is that our holistic understanding of ICT4D is seldom grounded in theories to understand the core areas that define the field, namely, ICT, Development, and, ‘4’ which are the transformative processes that link the two. Through a brief literature review, we list theories that have informed ICT4D research in each of these areas. We present examples of theories, namely, Capability Approach, Affordances, and Actor-Network Theory together with Social Capital and illustrate how we have used them in our research. Building on this holistic perspective on theoretical foundation, we propose five agendas for ICT4D research. Validerad;2019;Nivå 2;2019-03-26 (johcin)

We examine the relationship between information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) and local historically embedded institutions. We argue that, to understand the process of implementing IT artifacts, one needs to consider not only technical feasibility and economic viability but also institutional permissibility. We present a novel theoretical framework based on dialectics and institutional theory and apply it to a case study that contributes adialectics-centered framework illustrated with empirical data from the informal sector in Latin America. The analysis demonstrates the institutionalization of IT artifacts as a conflicted and contested process and that historical institutionsmay enable some forms of institutionalization while resisting others contrary to social norms. We examine the emergence of contradictions, active praxis, and the resulting outcomes before concluding that, for IT artifacts to contribute todevelopment, one must emphasize the embedded institutional arrangements and contestation that historically embedded institutions present. We conclude the paper by discussing the theoretical and practical implications.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can play a crucial role in meeting multifaceted developmental challenges such as providing access to quality health care in developing countries. Init ...

There is considerable debate in the information systems literature on how systems development methods (SDMs) are used in practice. On one side are those who take the position that these methods are not used at all. The other side posits that SDMs are used but not in the manner intended by the method developers. In practice, SDMs are adapted and modified to meet project exigencies, which results in unique methods-in-use in each project. We subscribe to the latter view and extend the argument by proposing that SDM modifications happen due to mismatches between the paradigmatic values inherent in the SDM, the method users and the organizational context. Further, planned modifications themselves result in shifts of paradigmatic values inherent in the SDM. To examine our contention, we conduct a case study in which we trace an SDM from its development to its deployment and use in an organization. We show where the mismatches occurred and provide explanations for the mismatches. Our results indicate that paradigm differences explain most of the mismatches, and different factors contribute to the paradigm drifts simultaneously, even towards diverging orientations. We conclude that the true value of an SDM, in addition to its tool and technique use, is a basis for examining and self-reflecting about paradigmatic values. This is an essential part of learning to develop systems.

Commitment to an information system (IS) development project is essential for system success. However, some projects exhibit escalation of commitment, i.e. allocation of additional resources to a failing course of action. This paper describes two simulated longitudinal experiments examining the effects of project, psychological, social, and structural factors during four stages of an IS project. The results support escalation in IS projects. Moreover, project factors and psychological factors, but not structural factors, seem to aid escalation. Project, psychological, and social factors also have different effects during various stages.

Published version of a chapter from the book M. Janssen, H. Scholl, M. Wimmer & F. Bannister (Eds.), Electronic Government : Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 2014. Also available on SpringerLink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44426-9_24 Public procurement of Information Systems is a highly complex process. Not surprisingly, systems often fail to meet the needs for which they were procured. One of the main causes of this is the contradictions between goals of different stakeholders. Identifying and understanding these conflicts and contradictions are essential to develop strategies to improve the procurement process. In this paper, we present a case study where we examined the procurement process of a system carried out by a public entity in Norway. Using dialectic theory and stakeholder theory as interpreting lenses, we identified a number of conflicts and contradictions. Some of the contradictions resulted from conflicting and divergent goals of the various stakeholders across groups but also within groups, while others resulted from differing goals of policies and regulations.

Corruption is arguably one of the main hindrances to development. In their effort to combat corruption, governments in developing countries turn to information technology to enhance transparency in decision making. However, implementation of an information system in this context is not straightforward. Premised upon institutional theory, this interpretive case study traces the role of institutional actors in the institutionalization of an eProcurement system in Indonesian local government. It draws on different streams of research on institutional work to develop an interpretive lens to understand what institutional actors do to steer the institutionalization process. It identifies a set of institutional work carried out by them in disrupting the old institution, and, creating and maintaining the new one. The findings give a better understanding of the institutionalization process. It provides a fine-grained conceptualization of forms of institutional work, and its constituent dimensions. Godkänd; 2014; 20140113 (mausei); Konferensartikel i tidskrift

Teaching cases can be instrumental in developing skills of critical analysis, problem solving and strategic thinking in students, especially in specific contexts such as Information Systems (IS). While cases are widely used in the curricula of graduate and undergraduate programs in developed countries, there is a lack of teaching cases set in developing countries, particularly in the area of information and communication technology for development (ICT4D). In this paper, we address this gap by telling the story of the Nepal Wireless Networking Project (NWNP) and its effort to connect villages in remote areas of Nepal to the outside world. Despite lack of access to proper equipment, lack of technical competence and the difficult terrain in the Himalayan mountains, Mahabir Pun, the initiator of NWNP, succeeded in bringing Internet access to these villages, contributing to improvements in education, health services and income generating activities. The case describes the development of NWNP from inception until today, the stakeholders involved, services provided, current challenges and ideas for future improvements. Furthermore the case illustrates the importance of the champion, the process of committing important stakeholders, the importance of contextual understanding, and the challenges while scaling up from pilot projects to wider implementations in the context of developing countries. Validerad; 2014; 20131231 (devtha)

Users of information technology form mental models that reflect' their understanding and knowledge of an information system. These models affect the proficiency with which they use these systems. In this paper, we draw upon assimilation theory of learning to propose and test a two-stage model of mental model development. We examined the effects of two types of training method, namely conceptual model and procedural, and two levels of nature of interaction, namely novel and simple tasks, on end-users' proficiency in forming accurate mental models of an electronic mail system. Our results indicate that the actual mental models of the system formed by the users predict learning success instead of the type of training provided. Subjects who formed mental models that were conceptual in nature performed significantly better than those who formed mental models that were procedural. Main effects for nature of interaction were not significant. However, we observed a significant interaction effect between the models formed by the users and the nature of their interaction with the system. Our findings suggest that end-user performance is enhanced through training methods that provide good conceptual models but only if users form conceptual mental models and retain them.

IS research has been criticized for having little influence on practice. One approach to achieving more relevance is to conduct research using appropriate research methods that balance the interests of both researchers and practitioners. This chapter examines the similarities between two methods that address this mandate by adopting a proactive stance to investigating information systems in organizations. These two approaches, action research and design research, both directly intervene in “real-world” domains and effect changes in these domains. We investigate these similarities by examining exemplars of each type of research according to the criteria of the other. Our analysis reveals interesting parallels and similarities between the two suggesting that the two approaches have much to learn from each other. Based on our analysis, we propose ways to facilitate integration of the two approaches that we believe will be useful for both and for IS research in general.

The role of information and communication technology (ICT) in national development is argued to depend on how ICT is viewed. Building on Orlikowski and lacono's classification of IT views we proposed in an earlier work that ICT can be conceptualized as: tool (means to achieve something), computational (the machine), ensemble (part of socio-economic context) and enabler (what ICT enables). We presented this as a hierarchy where the higher you go from the tool to the proxy view, the stronger ICT influences national development. In using our framework to evaluate ICT for development (ICT4D) projects, we realize that the notion of a hierarchy is untenable. Here, we argue that the relationship between ensemble and enabler views is complex as they do not share the same ontology. We propose that the enabler view addresses the impact while the ensemble view addresses the implementation of ICT in a development context. An ensemble view is an influencing factor, arguably the most critical, in achieving an enabler view. We use secondary data from published studies to illustrate and provide support for our thesis. Based on our analysis, we propose a revision of our ICT4D framework. How stakeholders conceptualize ICT4D is critical for its success and its sustainability. Our work is an attempt to provide much needed conceptual clarity in the ICT4D field.

Tabletop exercises (TTXs) are used to train managers and other actors to deal with emergencies. These exercises that focus on the organisational coordination are planned and controlled by exercise managers through scenarios with predetermined events that participants discuss and act upon. Such exercises may lead to actors being ill prepared to deal with dynamic and emergent situations and problems. To address this knowledge gap, we apply an action design research approach to develop a TTX structured around non-sequential themes instead of predetermined events, thus allowing the participants to identify their own problems during the exercise. Our research contributes to existing knowledge by developing a set of design principles.

In this paper, we identify the tensions that exist inherently in the public procurement process as it applies to the acquisitions of larger information systems. The tensions are a result of government organizations trying to acquire the best information system possible while at the same time having to adhere to public procurement regulations. Based on case analysis of two information system acquisitions in a Norwegian municipality, we uncover three tensions inherent to the procurement process. Our findings reveal that municipalities employ a variety of strategies to deal with these tensions. However, in doing so, new tensions are created. The findings have implications for development of e-Government as these tensions needs to be taken into account when procuring new systems.

Section 1: Perspectives on Information Systems Development. The Machine is Not the Woman: Cyberfeminism and the Techno-Determinism of Information Systems J. Arnold. To Err is Human: Implications for Information Systems Development G.J. Bakehouse. CRISP: The Campaign for Real Information Systems Production M.F. Chester. Methodological Rigour and Methodology Relevance in IS Development S.K. Probert. Section 2: Information Systems Development Methods. The Impact of Reference Modeling in MRPII/ERP Systems on Business Process Reengineering G. Bartoszewicz. A Maturity Framework for the Enterprise Modeling and Engineering Process K. Borgen, O. Ohren. Development Methods for Knowledge Intensive Applications I.T. Hawryszkiewycz. Framework Oriented Software Development and its Challenges: Commercial Software Solutions Provider Perspective R. Polovina, et al. Are Use Cases Necessarily the Best Start of An OO System Development Process? G. Skagestein. Section 3: Information Systems Development Tools, Techniques and Technologies. Using Hierarchies to Adapt Domain Analysis to Software Development M.J. Forsell. A Mobility Prediction Algorithm for Quality of Service Improvement in Wireless ATM H.-k. Kim, et al. FTI Algorithm for Component Interface Meta Modeling of the TMN Agents S.-H. Park, et al. XML: A Challenge for Databases? J. Pokorny. Process Diagram Technique for Business Processes Modeling V. Repa. Artificial Neural Networks in Predicting a Dichotomous Level of Financial Distress for Uneven Training and Testing Samples J. Zurada, et al. Section 4: Management of Information Systems and Systems Development. Managing Software Development within a Virtual ProjectEnvironment S. Balint. Managerial Enterprise Structural Stakeholders (MESS) Model -- Modelling the Influence of Organisational Politics and Structure Upon Cost of Systems Development L. Carver, E. Lewis. Development Recommendations for Knowledge Management/Organizational Memory Systems M.E. Jennex, L. Olfman. An Integrated Object & Fuzzy Cognitive Maps Approach to Business Process Management D. Kardaras, et al. An Empirical Assessment of IT Disaster Probabilities W. Lewis, et al. Knowledge Management: Trusting Knowledge Workers A. Nottingham. Information Systems Audit for Investment Decision M. Pankowska. Section 5: Information Systems Application Areas. Implementation of an Integrated Software Package T. Ahlin, J. Zupancic. Matchmaking Mechanisms for Agent-Mediated Electronic Markets M. Bichler, A. Scharl. Implementing Enterprise Resource Planning Systems: Implications for Financial Specialists A. Caglio, et al. A Model for Organisational Integration of Meeting Outcomes C.J. Costa, et al. Decision Support Systems Implementation Research: Review of the Current State and Future Directions S.B. Eom. WWW Workflows Based on Petri Nets K. Knorr. Information Technology in the Marketing Mix of a Modern Business J. Unold. Manningham On-Line -- Using Global Technologies for Building Local Electronic Commerce Business K. Vigo, et al. Section 6: Information Systems Education and Learning. Maintaining Software May Help an Organisation Learn D. Edberg, L. Olfman. Object Based Learning Systems (OBL): A Virtual Context for Embedding Artificial Intelligence in Tutorial Software K. Folkman, J. Holmberg. Teaching XML in a Business School: Lessons Learned from the Agder Expe

The importance of effective training in ensuring the success of end-user computing (EUC) has been emphasized by several researchers in information systems. A vast amount of evidence from research in related areas such as educational psychology suggests that individual differences, such as learning style, may affect users learning about a new EUC software package. This article reports the findings of a series of studies that examine the influence of a novice's learning style in learning typical EUC tools such as spreadsheets and electronic mail. A consistent pattern of findings emerges that indicates that learning modes is an important predictor of learning performance, both by itself and in interaction with training methods. The findings suggest that in the design of training, it is essential to match training methods to individual difference variables. Based on these findings, guidelines are recommended for IS professionals involved in EUC training and further research directions are discussed.

When acquiring information systems, public entities face a dilemma. On the one hand, they want to procure the system that best suits their needs, which often requires lengthy dialogues with vendors. At the same time, they are restricted by government regulations that mandate limited dialogue in the interests of transparency and equal opportunities for all vendors. To examine how public entities deal with this, we followed three procurement projects in Norway. We show that this dilemma manifests itself as a dialectic between the thesis of getting the system requirements right and the antithesis of strictly adhering to regulations. Public entities search for a resolution of this dialectic through two syntheses: selecting an appropriate tendering procedure, and learning how to specify requirements through networks of peer public entities. Our findings reveal that the syntheses are possible because the dialectic is actually complimentary, both the thesis and the antithesis are needed to create the joint outcome that satisfies both. The resolution of the dialectic unfolds differently over time. Our study contributes to the relatively neglected stream of IS research on dialectics that explicitly searches for a synthesis while revealing the complementarity of the dialectic. We show how time plays a nuanced role in the resolution of the dialectic situation. Paid Open Access