Mike Cushman

Project review and learning in the construction industry: Embedding a problem structuring method within a partnership context

Abstract Problem Structuring Methods have most commonly been employed in one-off interventions to address non-routine problem situations. This paper argues that problem structuring methods are by their nature also appropriate for routine use within multi-organizational partnerships as a means of supporting inter-organizational learning. An experience of the use of a problem structuring methods approach in this mode is reported, within a UK construction industry partnership context. The approach which was developed has been called the Cross Organizational Learning Approach (COLA). COLA uses Strategic Choice-based workshops to identify and review critical incidents and project successes, in order to generate a limited set of key actions to feed back both to project partners and to future joint projects. The paper describes and discusses the process of developing and using this approach, with particular concentration on the apparent success in embedding it as a continuing business practice.

How (Can) Nonusers Engage with Technology: Bringing in the Digitally Excluded

This paper describes findings from the Penceil Project, which aims to explore the experiences of nonusers and minimal users of ICTs, how nonuse affects their inclusion or exclusion from society, and how they can learn to use ICTs to meet their personal goals. The paper considers the applicability of the technology adoption model (TAM) to understanding the experiences of this group of people. By looking at theories of social exclusion and the project research findings, the paper argues that TAM is limited in the range of social conditions it anticipates and, thus, presumes a facility in formulating aspirations for use that people excluded from the use of ICTs cannot have. We argue that we need to consider engagement with technology rather than just adoption. We consider the implications of these findings for designing a revised basic ICT curriculum and describe the piloting of a new curriculum. We argue that, as ICTs in general—and Internet use in particular—are experienced technologies, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use need to be reformulated to recognize limitations on people’s ability to construct plans for future action since an actor’s world is disclosed through action not given in advance.

Complying, transforming or resisting in the new austerity? Realigning social welfare and independent action among English voluntary organisations

This paper considers implications for the English voluntary sector of recent shifts in the terms of engagement with the state following rapid political and policy changes under the UK Coalition government. It explores how ideas of what constitutes the voluntary sector are being reconstructed in policy and practical settings, examining processes contributing to re-shaping the voluntary sectors conception of itself and beliefs about legitimate activities and aspirations. It draws on theories of institutional isomorphism and governmentality to explore these changes which appear to be modifying and restricting the voluntary sectors role in social welfare, limiting its influence and its ability to act simultaneously within and against the state. The paper argues the integral role of the state in recasting the roles of different sectors but also discusses the extent to which voluntary sector compliance is necessary to ensure organisational survival, asking what spaces exist for independent activity and resistance.

Exclusion, inclusion and changing the face of information systems research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the issues of social and digital exclusion and inclusion arising from the development of a digitalised society. It aims to highlight the significance of this for the study of information systems by describing the context for this special issue, outlining a number of previously under‐researched areas, giving an overview of the papers chosen for this special issue and describing future directions for research that recognise non‐users and marginal users as important actors in designing and evaluating systems in use.Design/methodology/approach – The paper sets the scene by discussing the impact of mass involvement in digital culture on the field of information systems and analyses each paper, suggesting ways in which they relate to the chosen themes and drawing conclusions from this discussion.Findings – The papers chosen address thematic issues, theoretical foundations, methodological issues, empirical studies and reflections on inclusion and exclusion fro...

Planning in the face of politics : reshaping children's health services in Inner London

There was a broad measure of convergence among health care professionals in a central London Health Authority that changes in patterns of care delivery and specialist staffing required a reduction in the number of inpatient units, a substitution of ambulatory care units, and an extension of community care provision. Strategic Choice was used in a series of workshops with intervening analysis to convert this ‘in principle’ agreement into a specific proposal that achieved consensus among stakeholders. This process is analysed in terms of the opportunities provided by sequential workshops and the difficulties presented by inter-organizational working and absent stakeholders.

Collaboration Between Academics and Practitioners Using Action Research

There is much discussion among IS academics in general and those who belong to IFIP WG 8.2 in particular of appropriate research methods and their underlying philosophical foundations. Discussion on research methods has tended to focus on the debate between those who advocate empirical methods based on validating models, frameworks, and hypotheses by means of surveys buttressed by an array of statistical tests, and the advocates of interpretive, qualitative research based on observation, interviews, and case studies. The debate has resulted in the publication of a comprehensive literature, part of which questions the validity of one or other of the approaches, but part of which attempts to define under what circumstances each is appropriate. Yet other discussants suggest the virtues of pluralistic approaches.