Ole Hanseth, Kristin Braa, Technology as traitor: emergent SAP infrastructure in a global orgnisation
Abstract
This paper discusses IT infrastructure development and use in the European fertilizer division of Norsk Hydro. The main element of the infrastructure discussed is a new SAP-based solution for this division. However, this solution is not an isolated artifact. Its important aspects are emerging as it is becoming an integrated part of a larger infrastructure.This infrastructure is designed and controlled by managers and IT personnel, but also an actor shaping its environment as well as its own future. Like any actor, the technology builds alliances with others. However, the alliances might change over time. In the case reported here, SAP was first allied with top management, playing the role as a powerful change agent. Later on, SAP was allied with local managers and users, helping them bringing the change process under their influence and to the speed they preferred. Currently, SAP is changing its role as it is installed and integrated into a larger corporate infrastructure. As such, it becomes everybodys enemy by resisting all organizational change
Arthur Tatnall, Anthony Gilding, Actor-Network Theory and Information System Research Proceedings of 10th Australian Conference on Information Systems, pp 955-966
A summary is available.
Arthur Tatnall, Bill Davey, Curriculum Development in the Informing Sciences: Ecological Metaphor, Negotiation or Actor-Network?, Proceedigns of Informing Science, InSITE - "Where Parallels Intersect", June 2002
Abstract
Change in higher education information systems, and other information science curricuula, is inevitable. This paper offers a brief consideration of three different models that can be used to describe how this change occurs. Most curriculum texts give prime considerationto approaches to curriculum change based on research, development and diffusionmodels, and the paper outlines some objections to the application of models of this type to describing how university curriculum in the informing sciences is built and rebuilt. It offers instead three alternate models; one based on an ecological metaphor, another on curriculum negotations, and a third on innovation translation from actor network theory, to describe how this process occurs. this is a theoretical paper that does not advocate one model over another, and does not propose the use of any one of these models in devising a new curriculum. It is concerned only with obtaining a better understanding of how this complex process occurs.
Ake Gronlund, European Electronic service infrastructure building - Drifting into the future, Global Perspetive of Information Technology Management, Felix Tan,
ANT applied to understanding goverment type implementation of infrastructure.
Arthur Tatnall, Actor-Network Theory as a socio-technical approach to information systems research, Socio-technical and human cognition elements of information systems, Steve Clark, Elayne Coakes, M. Gordon Hunter and Andrew Wenn, 2003, Idea Group Publishing
Andrew Wenn, Topological Transformations: The Co-Construction of an Open System, Human Centered Methods in Information Systems: Current Research and Practice, Steve Clarke, Brian Lehaney, 2000, Idea Group Inc
Vladis Fomin, Kalle Lyytinen, How to distribute a cake before cutting it into pieces: Alice in Wonderland or Radio Engineers' Gang in the Nordic Countries?, Information Technology Standards and Standardization: A Global Perspective, Kai Jakobs
Michael Arnold, Systems Design Meets Habermas, Foucault and Latour, (eds) Steve Clarke, Elayne Coakes, M. Gordon Hunter, Andrew Wenn, Socio-Technical and Human Cognitition Elements of Information Systems, Idea Group, 2003
Abstract
This chapter begins with a review of the theoretical foundations that are common in the systems design literature, before moving to draw upon the work of three prominent social theorists to analyse and critique a particular case of information systems design. It is argued that in different, but complimentary ways, each theorist offers systems designers compelling insights to guide their work. In particular, it is argued that Habermas' understaindg of "Ideal speech"; Foucault's understanding of "power/knowledge" and "discipline"; and Latour's understanding of systems as "networks"; confirms that social theory is able to offer systems designers concrete recommendations to guide their work.