Towards an interpretative integrative framework to conceptualise social processes in large information systems implementations

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Alvarez, A.J. Salazar

Affiliations: The Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, Aytoun Street, Manchester, M1 3GH, United Kingdom. Tel.: +44 161 247 3805; Fax: +44 161 2476317; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This paper develops a new interpretative framework to study large information systems implementations. This framework is used to make explicit the various links between the implementation process, the wider organisation and external context. This framework is applied to a substantive case to integrate relevant organisational levels and distinct activity domains, as well as the interconnections between those levels and domains through time. More specifically, the paper extends a previous substantive case analysis with an interpretivist conceptualisation and theory triangulation in order to uncover the deeper structure and meanings embedded in a major information systems (IS) implementation process. The research scope of the IS implementation ranged from initial project formulation, to system development and management training, managing support from key stakeholders, and marginal system use. The substantive case, which has been published elsewhere [33], is based on a national information systems initiative to support the decentralisation and modernisation of management functions in health districts of the Ministry of Public Health in Ecuador. A key objective of this paper is to build a process theory of IS implementation, situated within the context of the substantive case study.

Journal: Information Technology for Development, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 233-247, 2003