Itm524 Mod1 Case
ITM524 - Fundamentals of Information Technology Management
Richard Patrone
Module 1 – Case
Introduction and Organizations as Socio-technical Systems
Trident University International (TUI)
Dr. Mary Lind
Spring 2013
Assignment:
The Case for this module centers on an organization implementing a new computer-based information processing system. Thousands of organizations go through the same kind of process every day—you yourself may have been involved in one or more such "technology transformations." Despite this body of experience; the advice of thousands of consultants, researchers, and computer gurus; and the leverage of multibillion-dollar corporations such as Microsoft, Google, and Oracle; a large proportion of these transformations fail to achieve their goals or result in more complications than they seem to be worth. Why is this, and can applying a socio-technical perspective improve the odds of success?
Start by familiarizing yourself with the socio-technical idea and vocabulary; good sources include those listed below. Although some references are more than five years old, they include a classical approach to the STS theory.
Association of Information Systems. (n.d.). Socio-technical theory. Retrieved from http://www.fsc.yorku.ca/york/istheory/wiki/index.php/Socio-technical_theory
ComputingCases.org. (2011). Why a Socio-Technical system? Retrieved from http://computingcases.org/general_tools/sia/socio_tech_system.html
Scacchi, W. (2003). Socio-Technical-Design.pdf. Institute for Software Research, Univ. of Wisconsin.
Once you are familiar with socio-technical terms, read the following case study:
Painter, B. (2004). Socio-Technical Design of Knowledge Work: A Case Study
After reading and thinking about the case in relation to the other readings, write a short paper on the following topic:
Which was more important in shaping the final outcome in Painter's case study—the organization's technical system or its social system?
Richard Patrone
Module 1 – Case
Introduction and Organizations as Socio-technical Systems
Trident University International (TUI)
Dr. Mary Lind
Spring 2013
Assignment:
The Case for this module centers on an organization implementing a new computer-based information processing system. Thousands of organizations go through the same kind of process every day—you yourself may have been involved in one or more such "technology transformations." Despite this body of experience; the advice of thousands of consultants, researchers, and computer gurus; and the leverage of multibillion-dollar corporations such as Microsoft, Google, and Oracle; a large proportion of these transformations fail to achieve their goals or result in more complications than they seem to be worth. Why is this, and can applying a socio-technical perspective improve the odds of success?
Start by familiarizing yourself with the socio-technical idea and vocabulary; good sources include those listed below. Although some references are more than five years old, they include a classical approach to the STS theory.
Association of Information Systems. (n.d.). Socio-technical theory. Retrieved from http://www.fsc.yorku.ca/york/istheory/wiki/index.php/Socio-technical_theory
ComputingCases.org. (2011). Why a Socio-Technical system? Retrieved from http://computingcases.org/general_tools/sia/socio_tech_system.html
Scacchi, W. (2003). Socio-Technical-Design.pdf. Institute for Software Research, Univ. of Wisconsin.
Once you are familiar with socio-technical terms, read the following case study:
Painter, B. (2004). Socio-Technical Design of Knowledge Work: A Case Study
After reading and thinking about the case in relation to the other readings, write a short paper on the following topic:
Which was more important in shaping the final outcome in Painter's case study—the organization's technical system or its social system?
References: Painter, B., (2004). Socio-Technical Design of Knowledge Work: A Case Study. Retrieved April 6, 2013 from http://www.moderntimesworkplace.com/STS_KnowledgeWork.pdf McDonald, M.P., (February 8, 2009). Social Systems > Technical Systems. Retrieved April 6, 2013 from http://blogs.gartner.com/mark_mcdonald/2009/02/08/social-systems-technical-systems/ Whitworth, B., (2008). The Social Requirements of Technical Systems. Retrieved April 6, 2013 from http://www.moderntimesworkplace.com/good_reading/GRNewTech/Social.Requirements.of.TechSystems.Whitworth.pdf The Free Dictionary, (n/d). Social System. Retrieved April 6, 2013 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/social+system Association of Information Systems, (n.d.). Socio-technical theory. Retrieved April 6, 2013 from http://www.fsc.yorku.ca/york/istheory/wiki/index.php/Socio-technical_theory ComputingCases.org., (2011). Why a Socio-Technical system? Retrieved April 6, 2013 from http://computingcases.org/general_tools/sia/socio_tech_system.html