Rethinking Information Systems in Organizations: Integrating Organizational Problem Solving

by Kawalek; John Paul

• ISBN13: 9780415403054
• ISBN10: 0415403057
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2007-11-27
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This important text challenges the current orthodoxy of information systems and juxtaposes it with new alternatives; its primary focus is to lay down the reasons for the need for change, and to outline set of methodological principles for the future. The book argues that the discipline has been too concerned with the development and implementation of IT, and needs to shift to an organizational problem-solving focus, in which IT can play an enabling role. With the majority of books in this field centering upon the software development lifecycle i.e. feasibility studies, systems analysis, systems design, implementation, and post-implementation review, this book, more than challenging the efficacy of the software development lifecycle, re-interprets its use within alternative methodological ideas and principles. A key volume, and an insightful read for students of organizational theory and business information systems, Kawalek?s work provides some core methodological principles onorganizational change and problem solving, and presents an effective rationale for their use.

Author Biography

John Paul Kawalek lectures in systems theory, change management and management consultancy at the University of Sheffield, UK, and is also an associate professor at the Grenoble Graduate School of Business, France

Table of Contents

Illustrations	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgements	p. xvi
The discipline of information systems	p. 1
Emergence	p. 3
Failings	p. 16
Principles of organizational problem solving	p. 37
Ontology	p. 39
Methodology	p. 55
Inquiring activities in organizational problem solving	p. 79
Diagnosis	p. 81
Processes	p. 92
Monitoring and control	p. 140
Strategy	p. 152
Intervention	p. 170
Evaluation	p. 184
Whither inquiring activities?	p. 193
Case study: organizational problem solving in Morrigan Engineering LLC	p. 195
Concluding remarks	p. 234
Notes	p. 239
Bibliography	p. 241
Index	p. 250
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