Jan Pries-Heje

Grounded action research: a method for understanding IT in practice

Abstract This paper shows how the theory development portion of action research can be made more rigorous. The process of theory formulation is an essential part of action research, yet this process is not well understood. A case study demonstrates how units of analysis and techniques from grounded theory can be integrated into the action research cycle in order to add rigor and reliability to the theory formulation process.

A multiple‐theory analysis of a diffusion of information technology case

Abstract. This paper describes a multiple‐theory analysis of a diffusion of information technology case. Three innovation diffusion models, the interactive model, the linked‐chain model and the emergent model, are used to develop an analysis that describes the essential knowledge that each model produces. Rather than develop conflicting stories, each model leads to distinctly different, but complementary, knowledge about the case setting. More generally, the analysis enables us to circumscribe the distinct conceptual domain of each model. These domains define the scope of research questions that can be addressed by each of the innovation diffusion models. In addition to the theoretical implications, the paper also describes the practical indications and actions of the case subjects.

Diffusion and Adoption of Information Technology

Much IS research has focused on the experiences of Western organisations, particularly those in the UK and USA. Unfortunately, little emphasis has been given to the international applicability of the models and frameworks ensuing from this research. There appears to be little necessity for firms in other countries to re-invent the wheel when considering the adoption and implementation of IT if they can earn from the experiences of Western firms. There is some uncertainty, however, as to how applicable Western strategic models would be in non-Western environments. Case study research has been conducted to consider the strategic IT adoption decisionmaking practices of Chinese firms. Chinese organisations were selected for investigation due to their importance in global markets and to their widespread influence in many countries and regions. The research outcomes have been compared with Western models of decisionmaking for IT adoption and implementation. The organisations investigated displayed strong alignment of both factors and processes in their strategic decision-making, Further, there are strong indications of alignment between the strategic IT decision-making practices of Chinese and Western firms. Marked differences to Western firms have also been identified: there appears to be less diversity of practices both within and between the firms than would be expected from Western research. Implications of both alignments and differences are discussed.

How Internet software companies negotiate quality

In Internet speed development, innovation and time-to-market work against software quality. Browser giants like Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are openly dealing with quality issues. The practices of application and smaller niche firms are less clear, but there are important trends.

Racing the E-Bomb: How the Internet Is Redefining Information Systems Development Methodology

A case study in three companies working on Internet time reveals that the present notion of methodology seems to be changing. In fact, the lack of methodology in its traditional form seems to be characteristic. Instead of methodology, time pressure and requirements ambiguity are found to be at the core of 10 properties of a new and redefined methodology for Internet time development. In this paper, each of the properties is briefly described together with causal links between the properties and using examples from the study of three Danish companies. Furthermore, it is discussed why methodology seems to be undergoing a redefinition when working on Internet time: the underlying philosophical foundation for the change seems to be pragmatism.

Knowledge capability and maturity in software management

Knowledge management is used as the underlying theory to develop a set of key process areas for a supplement to the CMM in small or medium-sized enterprises (SME) that develop software. These processes involve a focus on managing knowledge capability rather than traditional project management. A longitudinal case study provides evidence that current practices have already established the feasibility of these key process areas.

Diffusion and Adoption of IT Products and Processes in a Danish Bank

This paper is about a successful diffusion and adoption effort launched in 1998 and continued for more than two years. The effort took place in the IT organization of a major Danish bank. As part of the effort a diffusion framework was developed to be used by IT projects. This framework was used in more than 30 projects to improve the changes of successful diffusion of the products being developed in the projects. And it worked. Interview data from May and June 2000, interviewing projects up to a year after they used the framework, shows a high level of satisfaction and successful product diffusion.

Systems development education and methodology adoption

The adoption of systems development methodologies has been a subject for research and a topic for discussion for a number of years. One factor, which is often emphasized, is education and training. However, very little research has been focused on the role of formal university education and the dissemination of systems development methodologies. This is the background for this study. It investigates the extent to which a methodology, as well as its encompassing component methods and techniques, taught at the Copenhagen Business School, has been adopted by students and the organizations they are working for. The main result is that very few examples of direct adoption of the methodology taught have been found, but that the training has in general positive influence on the students utilization of methodologies. The reasons for adoption and non-adoption are discussed based on a grounded theory analysis.

IT diffusion and innovation models: the conceptual domains

This paper describes a qualitative, empirical analysis of a case setting involving diffusion of information technology innovation within and between several commercial organizations. Each of three innovation models is used to develop an analysis and describe what is learned about the case. These three models include the integrated push-pull model, the linked-chain model and the emergent model. Each model leads to distinctly different, but complementary knowledge about the case setting. The analysis and learning from each model are compared and the distinct conceptual domain of each model is circumscribed.

Grand Successes and Failures in IT. Public and Private Sectors: IFIP WG 8.6 International Working Conference on Transfer and Diffusion of IT, TDIT 2013, Bangalore, India, June 27-29, 2013. Proceedings

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the IFIP WG 8.6 International Working Conference on Transfer and Diffusion of IT, TDIT 2013, held in Bangalore, India, in June 2013. The 35 revised full papers presented together with an invited paper, 12 short papers and 3 poster papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 65 submissions. The full papers are organized in the following topical sections: IS success and failure; studies of IT adoption; software development; IT in the public sector; and theory and methods.