Markku I. Nurminen

A METHOD FOR SUPPORTING USERS'COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING

In this paper, an educational experiment is reported. The experiment was valuable in, at least, two senses. First, from the perspective of the users, qualifications related to the performance of computer-supported tasks were improved. In connection with this, the visibility of organizational collaboration, also when mediated by the computer, was facilitated. Second, the education also provided the users with qualifications which partly compensated the defects in the technical information system. The five phases of the experimental educational method are described: interviews, group discussions, lectures, simulation, and personal guidance. The educational programme is evaluated by presenting the results and discussing the effects of the experiment.

Doing by learning: Embedded application systems

We argue that the computerized information system should not look like a system on its own. Rather, it should be conceived as an inherent part of the work of its users. We therefore introduce the concept of an embedded system, which describes work tasks and organization. Computer‐supported information tasks are embedded in this environment: They are not parts of a system separated from other activities. This concept is based on the experiences gained during the development of a user‐interface prototype, derived from a theoretical frame of reference, called act orientation, to information systems, in which all computerized tasks are interpreted as acts performed by the actual user. Our suggestion continues the tradition of on‐line help and support, reaching radically deeper than usual in related approaches. We expect that our suggestion will, when applied, improve the control, productivity, quality of the outcome of work, and quality of working life, assessed from the users point of view.

Sensemaking in the personal health space

Purpose – Service alignment between health service provider and patient is changing. Instead of placing responsibilities into the hands of a provider, new forms of co-operation are emerging in which patients are regarded as a resource and a partner. In order to see this vision come to life, mechanisms that: first, support patient’s health decision making; and second, integrate matters of health into a wider ensemble that is health space; the overarching state of health-related affairs, are needed. In the following, these kinds of mechanisms are investigated and their applicability is discussed in relation to a national project. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The work is exploratory and conceptual, focussing more on people than on technology. In the work, findings related to a concept of a health navigator; an artefact of personal health decision support, are assembled into a framework that bases on key sociological theories. The empirical elements focus on observatio...

Work Informatics — An Operationalisation of Social Informatics

A new approach to informatics and Social Informatics is introduced called Work Informatics. It is compared with Social Informatics, and it turns out that there is a high resemblance between their scopes and objectives. Work Informatics is more operational and therefore, we can use it more easily for practical purposes. Social, technical, and socio-technical aspects of both are analysed. The focus, unit of analysis and contents of Work Informatics are briefly outlined.

Information systems research: the 'infurgic' perspective

The information systems laboratory (LABORIS) is the focus of information systems research in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. LABORIS itself has 12 researchers, three of whom have doctorates. The LABORIS activities are financed 40% by University, 40% by research funding and the rest by industrial contracts. LABORIS is part of the Turku Centre for Computer Science which co-ordinates work of IT related activities of the two Finnish and Swedish universities and Turku School of Economics and Business Administration. The Centres prime focus is the running of the Graduate School where 50 doctoral students are at work. The LABORIS was founded and managed by Professor Nurminen. The core of its competence lies in the relationships between information systems (IS) and work (in Latin labor). There is a significant overlap among people working in LABORIS and the IS group of the department. However, LABORIS is a useful organisational unit that works on various research contracts with industry and less on undergraduate teaching.

PHR Revisioned – Navigating in the Personal Health Space

The field of health care and well-being services is changing due to economic and societal reasons. One consequence of this ongoing change is that individuals are encouraged to take an active role in their health and well-being related endeavours. The objective of our conceptual work is to support this change and identify mechanisms that can help individuals in their endeavours. Our work is based on the findings of a project that are reassembled under the metaphor of health navigator. The envisioned functions of the navigator are analysed using activity theory as the underlying framework, and as a consequence, human activity as the unit of analysis. The purpose of this integrative work is to create a concept that draws together the complex aspects that define one’s position in the health space; the overarching state of health related efforts.

Agentization in Computing: How to Ameliorate the Consequences of the History Today?

In this article, we proceed by pointing out some significant events in the history of information systems that have contributed to the phenomenon which causes users to experience computerized systems as agents. Some issues discussed in relation to the phenomenon are the creation of master files (all data of one object class was collected together) and the use of integrated databases (multiple master files were integrated to an integrated conceptual schema). The increasingly intertwined functions of storing, processing, and transmission confused the picture further. Finally, we try to trace the reason to this tendency to animate or anthropomorphize information systems. A review of textbooks through historic periods is used to get support or counter-arguments to this hypothesis. We will also look into agentization and unintended subjectification of computer artifacts, and consider whether they have an impact on today’s concept of the computer as an agent.

e-Man and his e-Mancipation

In this paper, we address two issues of Critical Computing (CC). The first concern is in the conceptualization of the extended client group of CC when people are faced with information technology in other roles than traditional work roles. The conceptualization suggested in this paper is based on the interpretation of information technology as services and in particular as self-services. The new user is tentatively called as e-Man. The second concern is about emancipation and empowerment of the users that has been one of the ideals of many researchers in CC. The analysis of emancipation is based on the concept of control that defines the organizational actors both as objects and subjects of control. This combination turns out to be one key factor in the analysis of emancipation and related phenomena: dominance, oppression, power, etc.

Some problems in automatic process grouping and file consolidation

The purpose of this paper is to define the operations for process grouping and file consolidation, and also the circumstances under which these operations can be applied, with sufficient accuracy so that they could be performed by a computer program used for system design. The usual consolidation of standing files is made in three steps, using precise matrix operations. Concerning the problem of losing many possibilities for later process grouping when consolidating standing files, two solutions are given. The first uses a matrix, which gives information about the relations between the different update versions of the same file. In the second a matrix is used, which gives information about the precedence relations caused by the original relations of the system, to indicate when the change of the execution order of two processes is possible.