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Purpose Organisations make use of different tools and methods in testing software to ensure quality and appropriateness for business needs. Despite the efforts, many organisations continue to have challenges with the quality of their software. This has impacted the service that the organisation provides to their customers and business partners. Software quality challenges persist because of two main reasons: some organisations do not conduct testing and evaluation of their software, and many organisations pay less attention to the non-technical activities in the testing and evaluation of software in their organisations. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to understand the factors that influence software testing through empirical study. Design/methodology/approach This study used actor–network theory (ANT) to assess the factors that influence the testing and evaluation of software, using a South African organisation as case in the study. Qualitative data was collected from 14 participants using semi-structured interview techniques. The interpretivist approach was applied in the analysis of the data. Findings From the analysis, six factors, software evaluation, process oriented, implementation policy, change management, power relationship and organisational structure, were found to be of influence on software testing. Based on the factors, a framework was developed to help software testers and managers understand how to customise their testing tools. Originality/value The originality of this study comes from its empirical nature, through which it contributes to practice by proposing a model for practical actions towards improving software testing in organisations. Also, this study contributes to ANT usefulness from the point of investigative effectiveness.

This study explores Global Virtual Software Teams’ development practices and try to demystify some of the misconceptions about global software development practices based on findings from the global virtual software teams’ experiment that was carried out at DePaul University from 2011 – 2018. The moments of translation from the perspective of actor-network theory (ANT) was employed in the data analysis, to examine how development approach was selected by the global virtual teams. One of the key findings from our research is that the success of a global software development project does not have a strong dependency on the development approach. While we agree that it is one of the key influencing factors, there are other equally strong factors for global virtual software team’s success.

Increasingly, universities across the globe are involved in collaborations at both national and international levels. In a nutshell, the collaborations are intended to expose students and academia to different environments, to facilitate enhanced teaching and learning, and research activities. However, many of the collaborative initiatives have not been successful, particularly at international level. This can be attributed to many factors, which are either unknown or too complex to address by the drivers of collaborations in many universities and countries. As a result, various approaches such as physical exchange of materials and humans (students, professors, and other university staff) have been adopted over the years, yet the success rate has not improved. The objective of this research was to develop a model, which can be used to guide an understanding of how to employ global virtual teams for university’s collaborations. The qualitative methods from the perspectives of the interpretive stance and inductive approach were employed. Data were gathered from literature, and an existing collaboration, which involves universities from three different continents, Africa, Europe and North America. The data were analysed following the hermeneutics technique, from the interpretivist perspective. From the analysis, we found three sets of factors: human sphere, collaborative activity and technology artefacts as the main facilitators and influence on universities collaborations. Based on the findings, a global virtual team model was developed, which can be useful in guiding and advancing the way in which team members interact and enable activities of collaborations between universities, and company as well.

In South Africa, there has been for many years challenges in how healthcare big data are accessed, used, and managed by facilities, particularly the small health facilities. The challenges arise from inaccuracy and inconsistency of patients' data and have impact on diagnoses, medications, and treatments, which consequently contributes to fatalities in South Africa, particularly in the rural areas of the country. The problem of inaccuracy and inconsistency of patients' data is often caused by lack of or poor analysis (or analytics) of data. Thus, the objective of this research was to understand the factors that influence the use and management of patients' big data for healthcare service delivery. The qualitative methods were applied, and a South African healthcare facility was used as a case in the study. Actor network theory (ANT) was employed as a lens to guide the analysis of the qualitative data. Based on the findings from the analysis, a model was developed, which is intended to guide analytics of big data for healthcare purposes, towards improving service delivery in the country.

In recent years, healthcare service providers have increasingly employed mobile systems in delivering services. However, the nature of the diversities in tribes and languages within many developing countries enhance the difficulty of delivering or receiving the services which are provided by many healthcare organisations. This is so because the English language is the primary medium of communication, although many healthcare recipients are not conversant in English as they cannot speak English fluently or understand it coherently. The objective of the study was to understand the impact which language barrier have on healthcare services. The interpretivist approach was employed. The case study approach was applied. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured technique. The analysis of the data was guided by two theories, actor network theory and diffusion of innovation. From the findings, a framework was developed, which is intended to guide a solution that can be provided to address the barrier in the South African healthcare environment.

Enterprise architecture (EA) is more of an applied discipline than a theoretical framework. This is mainly because it is expected to guide an organization’s practices, such as technology infrastruc...

PurposeThis study aims to examine how both activity theory (AT) and actor network theory (ANT) can be complementarily applied in information system (IS) studies.Design/methodology/approachThe interpretivist approach was followed, within which the qualitative methods were used. Existing literature was gathered as data. The analysis was done by following the interpretive approach.FindingsBased on the analysis and discussion, a guide for complementary use of both AT and ANT in IS studies was developed. The guide is divided into two parts, which helps to achieve the objectives of the study: complimentary use of AT and ANT in an IS study and order-of-use of both theories in a study, as depicted in the framework.Originality/valueThis study is original in that it has not previously been published in part or full. The results of the study is intended to be of value to both IS postgraduate students and researchers.

Even though the interest in enterprise architecture (EA) has in recent years tremendously increased across industries, many organizations continue to encounter challenges, which affects the develop...

Government in both developed and developing countries strive to deliver effective and efficient services to its citizens. Hence the rapid increasing use of information technology to enhance service delivery. However, IT carries its own challenges, such as incompatibilities, lack of integration and lack of scalability. Many approaches, from both academic and professional domains have been employed to assess the challenges, for improvement purposes. Government of some countries have therefore introduced enterprise architecture (EA) to addressing IT challenges. Similarly, EA is influenced by many factors, making it not as easy as we are made to understand. Thus activity theory was applied to examine and understand how the challenges manifest into complexities, and in turn, have negative impacts on services delivery.

Purpose – In many organisations, the alignment between information technology (IT) and business is viewed as an important catalyst for the organisation's effectiveness and efficiency towards achieving a competitive advantage. Yet, a shared understanding between business and IT (the EA included) remains an issue in many organisations. The organisational structure affects the alignment between business and IT units. Conversely, a lack of alignment of both components (IT and business units) impedes organisations' capacity to increase and improve their productivity. Many studies have been conducted in the area of IT, EA and the organisational structure. There is, however, little evidence of work conducted in exploring the interface between organisational structure and EA prior to this study. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A case-study research approach was employed to investigate the impact of organisational structure in the deployment of EA in organisations. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structure technique. The analysis was carried out, using structuration theory. Findings – The magnified data revealed some of unforeseen factors impeding the success of the EA deployment in the organisation. Originality/value – The work is original, and it has not been submitted or published anywhere else.

In organisations, human actions and structures are inseparable from processes and activities including in the development and implementation of the IT strategy. IT strategy is often intended to be driven by the organisational vision and strategy to achieve its goals periodically. IT has significant impact on an organisation's success or failure. It therefore does not operate in a vacuum. The issue is not just about information technology, rather, it is the strategic application of technology, including management, which is about people and the processes. The research applied Structuration Theory to examine the types of structures that exist during the development and implementation of IT strategy, and the structures that actually emerge as a result of human action in the computing environment of the organisation and through that, identify its impact. The primary aim of the research was to examine how cultural, policy and personal issues enable at the same time constrain activities in the computing environment during the development and implementation of IT strategy.

PurposeThe paper was intended to demonstrate the use and order of a combined lenses of two theories in IS research. It helps to understand how theories could be adopted in the order of methodological value. The way data are collected, organised and analysed is influenced and shaped by the order of use of the underpinning theories. The importance of the order is to create consistency, predictability, and uniformity of analysis, which have impact on the findings.Design/methodology/approachReview of literature, and teaching and supervision experiences were used in the approach.FindingsThe result of a combined use of both ST and ANT in the same study has been less than expected. The application of theories helps exhume findings. This makes the order‐of‐use of application of the theories significant. Some studies applied ST before ANT, and vice versa. There has never been a model or framework which defines the order‐of‐use of the theories. It could be argued that it depend on the nature and objectives of the study. This paper focuses on order‐of‐use of combined theories in information systems studies. No organisation has total power to determine what the choice(s) of an actor will be in a particular situation. Actor and structure by virtue of their interaction recursively produces and reproduces, on the one hand and on another, the actor and structure enable and at the same time there are constraints.Originality/valueBoth theories can be used as a way of thinking and speaking about the phenomena being studied and also, as a “lens” through which the data is viewed and interpreted.

Part 6: Theory and Methods; International audience; Empirically or experimental, in every research, methodology (method, approach and technique) are employed. The methodology guides the study from the beginning to the end. What is even more important is how the researcher views and deduces the outcome through his or her analytical lens. Information systems studies are increasingly challenging, primarily because of human interactions with computing. This is mainly due to the fact that human beings are unpredictable, which has impact and influence on how systems are developed, implemented and used.In the last two decades, researchers of information systems (IS) have begun to employ socio-technical theories (lenses) in their studies. This includes younger and aspiring researchers who strive to understand the importance, as well as the application of the lenses in information systems studies. Selecting appropriate theory to underpin a study is therefore critical, primarily because it shapes and defines the results.In this article, the factors which influence and determine the selection of theories in IS studies are examined. The aim was not to compare theories that are used to underpin IS studies, rather to understand how the socio-technical theories could provide a systematic method for data analysis in the field. The article also highlights some underpinning theories used in IS studies and their usefulness to researchers seeking to identify a theoretical basis for their arguments.

Part 7: Shorter Papers; International audience; The main components of information systems include people, process and technology infrastructure. In many studies, these components are often viewed and examined from socio-technical perspectives. This is primarily because of the criticality of human actions. The complexities and the difference which humans bring in the development and implementation of information systems are not getting easier. Hence the increase studies in the field of information systems.Many approaches such as using the lens of Actor Network Theory (ANT) has been explored to understand the socio-technical factors in the information systems. Although ANT has been employed in many studies, it is of significant important to establishes and clarifies the factors, from the social perspective, which influences the development and implementation of information systems in organisations.