Julie E. Kendall

The relationship of organizational subcultures to DSS user satisfaction

First and foremost, decision support systems must be accepted by their users if the systems are to be used. Recently, user satisfaction with DSS has been studied in several different ways. This paper explores the relationship between organizational subcultures and users of DSS, in order to discover how subcultures can be useful in explaining user satisfaction with decision support systems. Active DSS users from three functional areas of a large midwestern financial institution participated in the study. The existence of organizational subcultures was determined through multiple methods and questionnaires were used to determine user satisfaction for the same population of DSS users. The three subcultures were more successful than demographic variables in explaining variation. Implications of this study include utilizing information about subcultures to design decision support systems acceptable to the various subcultures.

Formulating information and communication technology (ICT) policy through discourse: how internet discussions shape policies on ICTs for developing countries

How is policy for information and communication technology (ICT) for developing countries actually formulated? How are the negotiations made, and with whom? What are the dialectical queries and responses, the give and take that compose policy discussions? Some of this is accomplished behind the scenes, and will remain inaccessible to our scrutiny. However, much of the critical interaction among key players such as government officials, academics, consultants, employees of non-government organizations, donors, and development officers is available publicly for analysis and interpretation via the text exchanges produced on open forum Internet discussion groups. Thus, when subjected to systematic analysis, this data becomes a prime source for developing a rich understanding of policy formulation. In this article the authors use a special kind of qualitative rhetorical analysis called dramatism to analyze and thus understand the formulation of policy online through an open discussion forum. Rationales for ICTs for development, appropriate ICT impact assessment, and implementation for economic development in a variety of countries were available via the Internet forum studied. The language of the discussion from actual, unedited texts of Internet discussions using dramatistic analysis is examined. The ensuing discussions reveal a collective vision that helps influence ICT policy formulation, rationales, distribution, implementation, and use in developing countries. Dramatism is construed to be a humanistic method that rests on the assumption that dramas are created through small group interaction and chain through written speeches and documents until they reach the mass media and are picked back up by small groups once again. Through analysis, the emerging main plot, subplot, hero, and villain of the ICT policy drama that took place from 1998–2002 in an Internet discussion forum are identified. The conclusions drawn are intended to be useful to both researchers and policy makers, who will be able to draw on this contribution to create a wide-ranging set of information technology strategies and policies that can be implemented in many developing nation contexts.

An empirical comparison of a hypertext-based systems analysis case with conventional cases and role playing

Systems analysis and design is a practical discipline, difficult to teach realistically with conventional methods. HyperCase is an interactive program that presents an organization called Maple Ridge Engineering in a highly graphical environment for use on a microcomputer. Use of hypertext allows students to navigate through the organization, doing interviews, and examining diagrams in the order they prefer, rather than in the prescribed, linear fashion found in conventional cases.The effectiveness of HyperCase versus conventional cases and role playing in helping students reach six different levels of educational objectives was assessed in an experiment with 22 students. Those using HyperCase performed as well or better on the examination questions than those using standard approaches. In the second part of the study, results from an affective student questionnaire completed by the original 22 students, plus 97 others, revealed that they were overwhelmingly positive in their reaction to this new approach. Little difference in the reactions among experienced and inexperienced computer users was found. Based on our empirical findings, we conclude that students felt their experience with HyperCase was an important departure from the traditional systems analysis and design class.

Observing organizational environments: a systematic approach for information analysts

Information Analysts observe the elements of an organization in order to gain information unavailable through interviewing and the investigation of hard data. In the past the process of observation has been intuitive at best. This article describes and develops a systematic methodology for analyzing the internal organizational environment. The approach is based on a framework used in film criticism called mise-en-scene analysis. Seven major concrete and abstract elements which influence organizational decisions are identified: office lighting and color; office design, space, and location; clothing of decision makers; individual and group decision making; abilities of decision makers; attention to multiple objectives; and cognitive maps of decision makers. The systematic framework for observation developed in this article is an alternative to the common sense approach to observation. The major advantage of the mis-en-scene approach is that it allows the Information Analyst to classify, document, and interpret important factors which usually remain at the subconscious level.

The Impact of Agile Methodologies on the Quality of Information Systems: Factors Shaping Strategic Adoption of Agile Practices

Systems developers and IT project managers who apply agile methods for developing information systems (IS) subscribe to a set of values and principles. This adherence to a set of values and principles, along with a passion or fervor surrounding the agile philosophy, made us question whether the adoption of agile methodologies has an effect on information systems built, and in particular, the quality of the IS developed. In this paper we construct a conceptual model, conduct a survey of software developers, and analyze our results, which support our hypotheses about the importance of the strategic selection of a development methodology. We conclude that practicing project managers should consider the decision to use certain methodologies as part of the strategic process.

STROBE: a structured approach to observation of the decision-making environment.

Abstract Information Analysts must be able to gather information and interpret it reliably to promote good organizational decision making. The Information Analyst has three ways of obtaining this information: (1) interviewing, (2) investigation of hard data, and (3) observation. Until recently, observation has only been accomplished subconsciously. This paper describes how STR uctured OB servation of the E nvironment (STROBE) was used to aid in determining the information requirements of a regional blood service organization. STROBE was developed from a methodology used in film criticism. It is conceptualized by drawing a parallel between the concrete and abstract elements in a film, and similar elements found in an organization. It is then applied to the blood service organization and examples are provided for both concrete and abstract elements. These examples demonstrate that structured observation provides information unobtainable through interviewing and investigation.

A Theory of Responsive Design: A Field Study of Corporate Engagement with Open Source Communities

Although our general knowledge about open source communities is extensive, we are only beginning to understand the increasingly common practices by which corporations design software through engagement with these communities. In response, we combine design theorizing with field-study research (1) to analyze rich qualitative data from over 40 corporations participating in the Linux open source community and (2) to synthesize the observed corporate-open source community engagements into a new type of information systems design theory that we call responsive design. Empirically, we document how corporate participants in these contexts respond to market decisions, interdependent ideologies, and distributed relationships by continuously establishing and maintaining connections with community members; connections that stem from the social and material rules inherent in the open source community. Based on these observations, we create the theory of responsive design as a particular form of corporate software des...

AGILE METHODOLOGIES AND THE LONE SYSTEMS ANALYST: WHEN INDIVIDUAL CREATIVITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS COLLIDE IN THE GLOBAL IT ENVIRONMENT

The global IT environment has contributed to pressures on IT professionals to adopt methods that deliver innovative information systems rapidly. This pressure challenges traditional individual work styles and preferences often found in creative environments. In this article we use critical/historical analysis to address a current dilemma faced by systems analysts and programmers who are adopting new methods of information systems development called “agile methods” that require working closely with users and other analysts on IT projects. Our contribution is to raise awareness of the tension between deep-rooted systems development practices of individuals versus organizational demands to adopt agile methods. In addition, we cover the difficulty faced by organizations in trying to respond competitively to new market demands while respecting the creativity and skills of the individuals upon whom they are relying. We provide recommendations to organizations considering adopting agile methodologies for systems development as well as recommendations for analysts and programmers who are in the midst of changing methodologies. Modern for-profit and nonprofit organizations alike house dozens of information systems (IS) and a plethora of information technology (IT) (consisting of hardware, software, people, databases, and manual procedures) that help them achieve

Examining the relationship between computer cartoons and factors in information systems use, success, and failure: visual evidence of met and unmet expectations

Computer cartoons express the inevitable discrepancies in expectations among systems analysts, users, and managers regarding the systems development processes and information systems products. Computer cartoons also address gaps between ideal and actual information systems, or intended versus actual systems. No one sets out to design a system that fails, or a system that is seldom or incorrectly used. It is hypothesized here that the expectations of users, analysts, and managers are apparent in popular computer cartoons that are widely published, circulated, posted, and shared. Eight broad critical success factors were identified through the CSF literature, and cartoons from the worlds largest computerized cartoon database were examined for their existence. Factors identified concerning the IS process include: 1. management support, 2. capable systems analysts, and 3. proper systems development methods. Critical success factors that concern the IS product include whether the information system: 4. works 5. is technically elegant, 6. is easy to use, 7. is a good fit with natural incentives found in the organization, and 8. is a good fit with motivations of users.Illustrative evidence of the eight factors was found in the computer cartoons reviewed and examples of each are presented in this paper. Since cartoons are emblematic expressions of an idea that can be shared, computer cartoons can help users and analysts express their feelings, attitudes, and opinions about information systems development and implementation. It is hoped that the contribution of this study is to bring together the knowledge of critical success factors with the use of computer cartoons to permit analysts and users access to a particularly revealing source of information which spotlights the gap existing between actual and intended information systems processes and products. Many researchers have commented on the desirability of using humor in the workplace; however, this paper is innovative in specifically recommending that using and interpreting computer cartoons can assist in assessing expectations surrounding critical success factors whose attainment shapes the design, implementation, and use of information systems in organizations.

DSS Systems Analysis and Design: The Role of the Analyst as Change Agent

We explore the critical role played by decision support system (DSS) developers (also called systems analysts or DSS designers) as they enact the role of the change agent. In DSS development, systems analysts actively strive to change the decision maker directly through the DSS application and its presentation. We suggest that the role of change advocate serves DSS development the best, chiefly because decision makers’ enhanced interest in emerging information technologies has made it possible for decision makers to accept new Web-based DSS technologies. We also briefly explore some of the issues in the development of decision support systems over time and the importance they will play in the future. We illustrate what a systems analyst should take into consideration in designing a DSS display today, using a dashboard as an example. We then describe new tools used for DSS development such as widgets, gadgets, and mashups that once again may change the way decision makers solve problems. We see a promising future for changing decision makers as they interact with the analyst as a change agent and can visualize decision makers evolving through their DSS interactions, thereby improving decision quality, and creating a strong, contributory role for analysts to play in DSS development.