The aim of this paper is to examine the nature of information systems (IS) design as situated in its organizational context. Much of the IS literature takes a fragmented perspective of the nature of IS design, examining methodological issues, social issues, or political issues in isolation from the context of the design initiative. Recent work in situated action and social cognition provides a basis for a more integrated understanding of situated IS design. Findings from a participant observation study of situated IS design are discussed. These findings form the basis for an integrative, social action model of IS design. Findings from the study demonstrate how innovative IS design activity is situated in its organizational context. It is argued that the form and nature of an organizational design "problem" are inseparable from its context and that design knowledge is distributed among a design team rather than shared intersubjectively. The situated nature of design requir...

This paper evaluates the suitability of a new modelling method called DEMO for the purpose of Business Process Redesign. On the basis of the theoretical evaluation two extensions are proposed; the Transaction Sequence Graph and the Transaction Process Model. DEMO and the two extensions are applied to a case study. From the case study it is concluded that a DEMO analysis together with the extensions are a suitable tool for Business Process Redesign. 1: Introduction The possibilities and promises of Business Process Redesign is attracting a growing interest within the information systems society. The common theme in these discussions is the more effective usage that could be made of information technology if the redesign and reengineering of a company's information management system would be performed together and in harmony with the redesign and reengineering of its business functions [5]. Major publications dealing with this subject are a.o. [2], [10], [11] and [16]. The notion Busi...

Enterprise systems entail complex organizational interventions. Accurately gauging the impact of any complex information system requires understanding its multidimensionality, and the development of a correspondent, standardized, validated, and robust measurement instrument. Despite the popularity and potential of enterprise systems in modern organizations, no acceptably valid and reliable enterprise system success assessment scale has heretofore been developed. The present study tests the reliability and construct validity of the enterprise system success (ESS) measurement model and variants against new empirical data. Results from a confirmatory factor analysis utilizing structural equation modeling techniques confirm the existence of four distinct and individually important dimensions of ESS: individual impact, organizational impact, system quality, and information quality. Based on the analysis of results, the ESS instrument demonstrates strong reliability and validity.

The C4ISR Architecture Framework [C4ISRAF, 1997] is becoming increasingly prominent in Western defence circles. While the C4ISRAF has many positive attributes, it is sometimes used beyond its intended purpose. This paper briefly describes seven other organizational analysis approaches and compares them against C4ISRAF in order to uncover the relative strengths of each. The comparison identifies that the C4ISRAF is a descriptive framework that does not consider acquisition, human issues, system evolution or changing external environments. We conclude that the C4ISRAF is only one of a set of models providing different perspectives, each of which has a place in the analyst's “palette”.

Business Process Reengineering (BPR) advocates the fundamental examination and redesign of business processes, recognising that the legacy of scientific management has been the excessive fragmentation of work practices in organisations today. This is reflected in the hierarchical structuring of organisations around functional departments, with individual and departmental goals displacing overall organisational goals. This paper discusses the development of a specific methodology for BPR. The practical application of this methodology in an actual BPR project in one organisation is discussed and some of the findings and lessons learned from the project are presented.

In order to survive, a great number of small companies are forced to offer a wide product variety and often to respond to the market with customised solutions. At the same time, fast delivery is often a key to win orders. As a result, a vital challenge for these companies is to overcome the trade-off between product variety and delivery time, without compromising cost structure. Recent developments in Information Technology made available also for small companies a class of software tools -- called product configurators -- that promise to reduce this trade-off. This paper reports a case study of the implementation of a product configuration software in a small manufacturing enterprise. The paper highlights that the company enjoyed significant benefits from the implementation of the software, especially in terms of delivery time. Moreover, the case evidences that product configuration software can be proactively used as a tool for improving interfirm coordination.

Information systems researchers and practitioners alike have always felt the need to minimise systemic risks arising out of the use of information technology. Research has identified the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information as vital concepts. However, in developing counter-measures to threats in these three areas the focus has been on questions such as computer viruses, hacking, system failures and access control. Thus the primary concern has been for the technical installations and their functionality. In contrast this research sees information technology usage in terms of the integrity and the wholeness of systems, social as well as technical. It argues that by maintaining the integrity of information systems, the risks associated with IT usage can be minimised. Introduction The benefits of using information technology (IT) in organisations can not be underestimated. No wonder there has been a dramatic increase in its use. In the UK, by 1993 the o...

Little is understood about the process of alignment of information systems (IS). While the MIT90s model presents one view of how various firm elements are involved in alignment, other research presents alternative paths. These paths are based on research in large businesses and none of the models have been applied to small firms (SMEs). Using multiple case data, this paper investigates alignment in SMEs through understanding how different groups of SMEs use IS. Four new paths are identified for SMEs. Three of these offer only partial alignment. This may partially explain why many SMEs fail to gain the benefits that might be expected from their IS investments. The implications of this for management and research are explored.

In this paper we will first analyse what has happened in the organizational decision-making during the last decades. Based on this analysis we form three arguments that should be taken into account when planning and implementing business learning environments realistically illustrating the uncertainty and complexity of real world decision-making environments. Last we will describe experiences from training sessions carried out with a tool which we believe to function according to the three arguments.

As we approach the end of the twentieth century, information is a critical force shaping the world's economic system. Fundamental changes in each sector are expected and they will be the result of technological convergence of the previously distinct telecommunications, information, and mass media industries. Networks will form the basis of evolving national and global information infrastructures, in turn creating a seamless web uniting the world in the emergent Information Age. The result will be a new information marketplace, providing opportunities and challenges for individuals, industry, and governments. The Collaborative and Co-operative Electronic Calendar (CCEC) is an application which allows users to share events and opinions inside a group and a community of users through a web site linked to a database. This notion is interesting because entering in a new way to share information, firstly in the time/space matrix, with the use of modern support as Internet and remote devices, and secondly in the user’s hierarchy. This report presents all the areas studied during the investigation for the honours project, and it also contains techniques and