Computer information systems and organization structure
TL;DR: Findings suggest that CIS is a flexible tool that is compatible with a variety of organizational design options and not a cause of design per se.
Abstract: A study of Computer Information Systems and Management (CISM) is described and selected results relating to changes in organizational structure in eight organizations are presented. In five of the organizations no changes in formal structure accompanied the introduction of CIS. Where organizational changes did occur, the existing structure of the organization was usually reinforced. These findings suggest that CIS is a flexible tool that is compatible with a variety of organizational design options and not a cause of design per se.
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TL;DR: Criteria for the evaluation of case research are established and several characteristics useful for categorizing the studies are identified and examples of research areas that are particularly well-suited to investigation using the case research approach are concluded.
Abstract: This article defines and discusses one of these qualitative methods - the case research strategy Suggestions are provided for researchers who wish to undertake research employing this approach Criteria for the evaluation of case research are established and several characteristics useful for categorizing the studies are identified A sample of papers drawn from information systems journals is reviewed The paper concludes with examples of research areas that are particularly well-suited to investigation using the case research approach
5,310 citations
Cites background from "Computer information systems and or..."
...Examples of case study topics are: the impact of organizational strategy on the IS organization's structure [45], the impact of IS on organizational change [41, 42], the impact of technology on personnel [28], the influence of technology on organizational communications [15], the factors affecting the success of end-user developed applications [40], and the role of users in DSS development [31]....
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...Another case study was part of a large-scale effort to study various aspects of IS and their organizational impact, but the linkage to the larger study was not described in the paper [41]....
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Book•
25 Aug 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, a new theoretical model with which to examine the interaction between technology and organizations is developed. But the model is based on the assumption that technology is an objective, external force that would have deterministic impacts on organizational properties such as structure.
Abstract: This paper develops a new theoretical model with which to examine the interaction between technology and organizations. Early research studies assumed technology to be an objective, external force that would have deterministic impacts on organizational properties such as structure. Later researchers focused on the human aspect of technology, seeing it as the outcome of strategic choice and social action. This paper suggests that either view is incomplete, and proposes a reconceptualization of technology that takes both perspectives into account. A theoretical model—the structurational model of technology—is built on the basis of this new conceptualization, and its workings explored through discussion of a field study of information technology. The paper suggests that the reformulation of the technology concept and the structurational model of technology allow a deeper and more dialectical understanding of the interaction between technology and organizations. This understanding provides insight into the li...
4,158 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, three dimensions of causal structure are considered-causal agency, logical structure, and level of analysis-theorists' assumptions about the nature and direction of causal influence.
Abstract: This article concerns theories about why and how information technology affects organizational life. Good theory guides research, which, when applied, increases the likelihood that information technology will be employed with desirable consequences for users, organizations, and other interested parties.
But what is a good theory? Theories are often evaluated in terms of their content-the specific concepts used and the human values served. This article examines theories in terms of their structures-theorists' assumptions about the nature and direction of causal influence. Three dimensions of causal structure are considered-causal agency, logical structure, and level of analysis. Causal agency refers to beliefs about the nature of causality: whether external forces cause change, whether people act purposefully to accomplish intended objectives, or whether changes emerge unpredictably from the interaction of people and events. Logical structure refers to the temporal aspect of theory-static versus dynamic-and to the logical relationships between the "causes" and the outcomes. Level of analysis refers to the entities about which the theory poses concepts and relationships-individuals, groups, organizations, and society.
While there are many possible structures for good theory about the role of information technology in organizational change, only a few of these structures can be seen in current theorizing. Increased awareness of the options, open discussion of their advantages and disadvantages, and explicit characterization of future theoretical statements in terms of the dimensions and categories discussed here should, we believe, promote the development of better theory.
2,277 citations
Journal Article•
2,080 citations
Book•
11 Sep 2011TL;DR: The task of evaluating the theories of resistance to management information systems on the bases of the differences is begun and data from a case study is used to illustrate the theories and to demonstrate the superiority, for implementors, of the interaction theory.
Abstract: Theories of resistance to management information systems (MIS) are important because they guide the implementation strategies and tactics chosen by implementors. Three basic theories of the causes of resistance underlie many prescriptions and rules for MIS implementation. Simply stated, people resist MIS because of their own internal factors, because of poor system design, and because of the interaction of specific system design features with aspects of the organizational context of system use. These theories differ in their basic assumptions about systems, organizations, and resistance; they also differ in predictions that can be derived from them and in their implications for the implementation process. These differences are described and the task of evaluating the theories on the bases of the differences is begun. Data from a case study are used to illustrate the theories and to demonstrate the superiority, for implementors, of the interaction theory.
1,963 citations
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TL;DR: The roles of computer technologies in the workplace, in decision making, in altering power relationships, and in influencing personal privacy are examined and two broad perspectives are contrasted.
Abstract: Recent empirical studies of computing use in organizations and in public life are examined. The roles of computer technologies in the workplace, in decision making, in altering power relationships, and in influencing personal privacy are examined. In addition, studies that examine the social accountability of computing arrangements to broad publics are reviewed. All studies of computing in social life make important assumptions about the social world in which computing is embedded. Two broad perspectives are contrasted. Systems rationalism, a collection of approaches including management science, managerial rationalism, and the systems approach, is found to be most helpful in stable settings, when there is considerable consensus over important social values. Segmented-institutionalist analyses, which assume social conflict rather than consensus, are particularly powerful as the social world of computing use becomes more dynamic and as a wider variety of groups is involved.
814 citations
"Computer information systems and or..." refers background in this paper
...Kling [ 14 ] provides a comprehensive review of the literature of the social impacts of computing, including its impact on organizations....
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...These scholars find that CIS serve some particular interests within an organization better than others [13, 14 , 15, 16, 18]....
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662 citations