November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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Balancing the Local and the Global in Infrastructural Information Systems

By: Rolland, K. and Monteiro, E

INF5740: Interpretive research in IS

Theory: role, generation and choice

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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Contents

• Background: Main arguments of the paper

• The theoretical arguments

• The role of theory in the paper

• How was the theory generated

• How and why was the theory chosen

• My remarks, comments and critics

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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Background: Main argument

• The idea that IS need to be situated to the local context of use.

• With infrastructural IS that span numerous contexts spread out globally:

- necessary to strike a balance between sensitiveness to local contexts and need to standardize across contexts.

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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Presented Theoretical arguments

• Rationalization- grounded in fairly general

principles and practices of production.

- Standardized solutions are beneficial - means of rationalization – also for service work.

- Challenge: “Control crises”

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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Presented Theoretical arguments (cont...)

• Situated, contextual design- local variation, contextual design and design for situated action.- explains little or nothing on why infrastructure technology actually works.

• Actor network theory

• The paper’s focus: how standardized solutions and local resources are molded and meshed fluently in the ongoing use of the system.

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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The role of theory in the paper

• As part of the research design and data analysis.

- framing the research questions – also for analysis.

• As a final product of the research

- additional concept on situated, contextual design.

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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How was the theory generated

• By reviewing the arguments and motivations for universal, standardized solutions.

- elaborating infrastructural IS design implications

- elaborating concepts relevant to develop infrastructural IS.

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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How and why was the theory chosen

• Rationalization How: Demonstrations on standadized work practices.

Why: To show the importance of standadized work practices (what others found valuable)

• Situated, contextual designHow: Demonstrations in relation to the diffusion or

transfer of technology from developed to less developed countries

Why: To show its limitations in explaining why infrastractural IS works

November 2004 Presented by Faraja - University of Oslo

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My Remarks, Comments and Critics

• Viewing Infrastructural IS as social-technical systems.

- costs associated with working standards are more reflected in social relations within the company and with customers.

• Lack of the basis on the use of Actor network theory

• Applying Structuration theory

• Limited use of the theory in analyzing Infrastructural IS working in less developing countries.