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.