Theo N. Andrew

Mixing Multiple Criteria Decision Making with soft systems thinking techniques for decision support in complex situations

This paper shares experiences of the authors with combining Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and techniques from soft systems approaches for decision support at particular stages of complex problem solving. These are based on their involvement in three projects within the Information and Communications Technology sector. The justification for the combined use of MCDM and separate techniques from systems thinking is discussed. The contribution of this paper is in the demonstration of how combinations of methods that are parts of soft systems methodologies and MCDM may support multiple perspective representations of complex managerial problems, and in the lessons learned from the three cases.

On the process of combining soft systems methodologies and other approaches in systemic interventions

Abstract The article explores some issues related to the process of a systemic intervention using our experience in three projects in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector carried out in South Africa between 1997 and 2002. The projects served as a testing ground for exploring some theoretical and practical aspects associated with the process of facilitating the intervention. The paper presents reflections on some of the lessons learned regarding the process in each of the three cases associated with complex developmental decision-making issues.

Participatory approaches for the development and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) for rural farmers

One of the prime ingredients for rural development in developing countries is information access. Although the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution in these countries has gained momentum, most of the farming communities still have no access to value added information. The agricultural researcher and the farming community need to enhance their knowledge by increased dasiafarmer participationpsila in research. This paper makes a strong case for the use of participatory approaches involving farming community for development and adoption of ICT in the agricultural sector. It acknowledges that farmers are knowledgeable and encourages researchers to work with farmers and development workers for agricultural improvements. This paper discusses how digital ICT developed by means of participatory learning and action research can spur development and eradicate poverty by providing services to farmers in rural areas. It also highlights how participatory approaches can empower collective groups of farmers and help to put decision-making in the hands of the farmers. Although no single ICT will be satisfactory for farmers, the use of a wide range of ICTs in agriculture can improve the livelihood of the farmers in rural areas and help in their socio-economic growth. The paper focuses on various participatory approaches such as participatory communication and participatory learning for effective use of ICTs in agricultural domain. It highlights how participatory approaches can assist in dasiaparticipatory information and communication technology developmentpsila for rural farming community.

Convergence opportunities and factors influencing the use of internet and telephony by rural women in South Africa and India towards empowerment

Access to Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can have dramatic impact on poverty alleviation for rural women and for achieving socio economic development goals. Rural women need to treat ICTs as an empowerment tool and a means to a living. The use of mobile communication devices and internet are changing the way agricultural activities are managed by farmers nowadays. Rural women’s lack of mobility and less hands-on computer experience might hinder women’s welfare and empowerment. This paper analyses how use of the telephony (both cellular and land line), internet and other ICTs can benefit rural women in educational, business and economic sector. Women in rural India and rural South Africa were marginalized partly due to their lack of ability in being vocal when it comes to empowering themselves using ICTs due to cultural norms in India, and apartheid in South Africa. Over the years, unlike other developing countries, the above-mentioned countries have its unique ICT projects meant for empowering rural women. This paper is driven from the authors’ commitment for rural development and rural women empowerment. It highlights different low-cost ICT initiatives and strategies taken by women’s organizations, various companies and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for rural women empowerment. The paper also highlights various factors influencing use of internet and mobile phone adoption by rural women. Various bottlenecks for the community projects, factors de-motivating the use of mobile phones and internet by rural women and possible solutions for these are also mentioned.

On the Suitability of Soft Systems Methodology and the Work System Method in Some Software Project Contexts

This paper proposes the use of the System of Systems Methodologies SOSM framework by Jackson and Keys for mapping of diverse software project contexts analyzed previously in the software development literature. In addition it presents an evaluation of the suitability of Soft Systems Methodology by Checkland and the Work System Method by Alter for those specific situations within SOSM. Thus we extend the work by Bustard and Keenan and by Alter and Browne on software project contexts that may lead to better tailoring of software development processes by mixing methods within a particular project.

Information and Communication Technology policy imperatives for rural women empowerment: focus on South Africa

It has been established that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are key drivers for rural development. However, while many countries such as India and South Africa have made significant investments in rural ICT infrastructure and its developmental spin-offs, rural women are still neglected when it comes to access to ICTs. This neglect is evident in the ICT policy initiatives in South Africa as an example, where the relevant policies lack any significant or direct attention to rural womens development. If ICT policies do not address the gendered digital divide in rural areas gender inequality will be encouraged. This paper gives insights on how information exchange by means of ICTs such as Internet, mobile phones and radio could foster economic growth and empowerment of rural women in South Africa. In addition, the paper discusses the role of relevant stakeholders in ICT policy formulation for more effective and appropriate communication, and innovative ways of using ICTs for women empowerment in rural areas. The authors make recommendations for ICT policy development that would better serve the needs of rural women leading to their empowerment.

On Some Lessons from Modeling Contexts in Complex Problem Solving in Information Technology

This paper reviews current research on context in problem solving and existing two-dimensional frameworks for expressing project contexts in Systems Thinking and Software Engineering. It makes the case for modeling of context with Problem Structuring Methods. The authors present lessons learnt from applying such methods in the context of their experience with several complex management interventions in Information and Telecommunications Technologies. The paper aims to contribute to the understanding of project contexts in complex problem solving in Information Technology.

The changing nature of user involvement in information system development projects

This paper presents an investigation into the changing nature of user involvement in Information System Development (ISD) projects. This analysis shows the representative papers that have been published on user involvement in ISD projects and identifies areas requiring further investigation and research. Considering different project contexts the need for a new approach where an ISD project is steeped within social complexity is proposed. The specific phase of requirements elicitation and the need to consider more than the technical requirements for an ISD project are clearly presented. The systems approach is proposed for considering the “whole” rather than the separate social and technical systems as well as considering the business processes that are associated with the ISD project. It is proposed that creating a shared understanding between users and developers at the very beginning stages of an ISD project will influence a projects success.

Choosing Action Design Research for the process of development, application and evaluation of a framework

This paper explores Design Science and Action Research as applied to the field of Information Systems research. The application of Action Design Research to a real-world problem is discussed. Motivated by the literature regarding the need for further research on client participation in software development, a systemic framework for the understanding of client requirements in Information System development projects has been developed. The principles of design science are applied, where the framework is the design artifact that is developed. Action Design Research is motivated to guide the application and evaluation of the framework.