Anita Mirijamdotter

Basic Principles of SSM Modeling: An Examination of CATWOE from a Soft Perspective

This paper examines the SSM technique CATWOE, which focuses on defining necessary elements that together constitute a human activity system from a certain perspective. Despite its recognition within the literature and its numerous uses, there are few studies on how the technique can be improved. This research reflects on each of the elements both from a theoretical and a practical perspective. Findings point to the fact that some of the terms have a meaning in everyday language that differs from its definition within CATWOE. Other concepts are not well-defined. This is unfortunate and may both lead to misunderstandings and limit analysis. The paper points to a number of ways in which the use of CATWOE can be developed in order to further support the process of eliciting novel ideas for future actions. Hence, the overall conclusion is that the elements need to be rethought and some of them renamed.

Systems Thinking and Information Literacy: Elements of a Knowledge Enabling Workplace Environment

Dynamic technology-driven circumstances fortify academic librarians’ reconsideration of their professional purposes, processes and relationships. In response, California Polytechnic State University librarians in San Luis Obispo, California use Soft Systems Methodology tools and information literacy principles and practices. These processes advance data - driven dialogue on design and development of enhanced information and knowledge management tools. This action research approach produces new conversations that heighten information exchange and knowledge flow among librarians and with faculty and student constituencies. Reflective physical and virtual knowledge flow now supports work-in-progress that focuses on co-creation of a technology-enabled ‘learning commons’ involving an expanded set of campus stakeholders. Library practitioners’ increased confidence and capability predict productivity enhancement and continuous learning as they assume new roles as architects of digital information and knowledge learning spaces.

Collaborative Design : An SSM-Enabled Organizational Learning Approach

Within the context of a three year applied research project conducted from 2003-2006 in a North American university library, staff were encouraged to reconsider organizational assumptions and design processes. The project involved an organizational leader and an external consultant who introduced and collaboratively applied Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) practice. Project results suggest the efficacy of using ‘soft’ systems thinking to guide interaction (re)design of technology-enabled environments, systems, and tools. In addition, participants attained insights into their new roles and responsibilities within a dynamically changing higher education environment. Project participants also applied SSM to redesign ‘in house’ information systems. The process of employing systems thinking practices to activate and advance organizational (re)learning, and initiating and elaborating user-centered interaction (re)design practices, culminated in a collaborative design (co-design) approach that readied participants for nimble responsiveness to continuous changes in the dynamic external environment.

A Review of Information Logistics Research Publications

‘Information Logistics’ has presented itself as an intellectual and professional domain addressing the question of timely providence of the right information. A question that emerges then is: What is Information Logistics? To answer this question, a comprehensive review of research publications was conducted, where ‘Information Logistics’ was featured in the publication title. A detailed analysis of the content of these publications identified eleven different research directions, where five are currently active, all in Europe. Among various findings, the results show that these research directions have been pursued independently of each other, addressing different kinds of research questions and contexts, utilising different research approaches, and therefore generating a variety of unrelated research results. All the reviewed research here shows that there are numerous unmet empirical needs in our human and social affairs, as well as a need for intra-disciplinary developments, which calls for a joint mobilisation of the research efforts.

Information and Communication Technologies, Society and Human Beings: Theory and Framework

In Search for Unity within the Diversity of Information Societies : Linnaeus University Celebrates a Pioneer: Professor Gunilla BradleyThere is a real need for an enlightening new volume to explore the recent developments and topical analyses of the psychological and social effects of ICT.Information and Communication Technologies, Society and Human Beings: Theory and Framework addresses the extensive area of effects of ICT on human beings and the interaction between ICT, individuals, organizations, and society. This premier reference source features contributions from over 45 distinguished researchers from around the world, each presenting high quality research on social informatics, human computer interaction, organizational behavior, and macro-ergonomics. This unique publication is perfect for students, teachers, researchers, engineers, practitioners, managers, policy-makers, and media alike.

Information experiences in the workplace : Foundations for an Informed Systems Approach

Informed learning can be enlivened through explicit and persistent attention to using information to learn during collaborative design activities. The resulting information experiences and accompan ...

Participation in e-home healthcare @ North Calotte

Participation and the contribution of participatory design methods and techniques are explored in the context of a Scandinavian Home Healthcare project. The project was undertaken during 2004--2005. Its aim was to introduce mobile ICT equipment to health care workers in order to improve planning, including quality and precision of information exchange. The study was designed according to Participatory Action Research and Participatory Design principles. Methods employed in the project were observations, interviews, future workshops, and story boards to actively involve different stakeholders. The experience of the project indicates that, although the rhetoric was that of a participatory design and research project, participants are not equally regarded in terms of experiences and knowledge of the actual practice. Assumptions about technology influence development and implementation at the expense of the actual care activity. Further, participation and participatory design techniques used in the project demonstrate the complexity of home healthcare and the necessity to involve all the different occupational groups involved in the care of the client. However, organisational boundaries reinforced shortcomings in crossfunctional and cross organisational cooperation. A final conclusion is that time for collaborative and collegial reflections is a necessity to support the learning process.

An Appreciative Critique and Refinement of Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology

Contemporary organisations experience continuous and fast paced change due to, amongst other things, developments in information and communication technology (ICT). The technology enables interconnectedness, global communication and information exchange. This, in turn, leads to new artificially created environments, accelerated access to information, and exposure to cultural diversity. It also leads to increased competition among businesses which stimulates development but limits the planning horizon. Due to the interconnectedness and the increased uncertainties that such situations create, organizations need to act dynamically, developing their abilities to adapt flexibly, responsively, and innovatively (Holst et al. 2004). This has profound consequences for ideal organizational redesign (Mirijamdotter and Somerville 2004; Somerville and Vazquez 2004; Somerville et al. 2005). One way to design more dynamic organisations is to organize work in project teams (e.g. Senge 1990; Dahlbom 2000), including cross functional groups (Holst 2003, 2004; Holst and Mirijamdotter 2004a, 2004b). If properly planned/designed, in these situations, synergistic interactions occur across multiple, distributed work groups, oftentimes on a global scale.

In Search for Unity within the Diversity of Information Societies

In Search for Unity within the Diversity of Information Societies : Linnaeus University Celebrates a Pioneer: Professor Gunilla BradleyThere is a real need for an enlightening new volume to explore the recent developments and topical analyses of the psychological and social effects of ICT.Information and Communication Technologies, Society and Human Beings: Theory and Framework addresses the extensive area of effects of ICT on human beings and the interaction between ICT, individuals, organizations, and society. This premier reference source features contributions from over 45 distinguished researchers from around the world, each presenting high quality research on social informatics, human computer interaction, organizational behavior, and macro-ergonomics. This unique publication is perfect for students, teachers, researchers, engineers, practitioners, managers, policy-makers, and media alike.

ILOG 2010 Workshop Chairs’ Message

For many enterprises, it is of decisive strategic importance to optimize the internal information flow and to implement an efficient reuse of existing knowledge. Especially in knowledge-intensive industry and service sectors, information is a major factor in production processes, and knowledge reflects an important asset of the enterprise. Similarly, public organizations and governmental bodies are dependent on accurate and timely information supply for efficient and high quality processes and services. Intelligent information supply has become an important issue that is characterized by just-in-time, demand-oriented and context-sensitive information.