Applying Critical Scandinavian ISD research principles in an African Context: Opportunities and Challenges

Shegaw Anagaw Mengiste, Gitte Tjørnehøj

    Publikation: AndetAndet bidragForskning

    Abstract

    IT-driven organizational changes through information systems development and implementation (ISD&I) is highly challenging because of high complexity and many stakeholders and even more so in developing countries, where the failure rates are higher than elsewhere. Unfortunately, since these countries have a vast need for the technology to develop their economies and living standards. We investigate opportunities of applying Scandinavian principles for ISD&I in the context of Africa, through analyzing and comparing two action research projects that have applied two classic approaches; The Trade Unionist (TU) and the Activity Theory approach. We focus specifically on the principles of participation, empowerment, and evolutionary design and discuss how they can help mitigate the challenges, create opportunities and exploit possibilities of ISD&I in this context. Based on this we argue how and why we think the Scandinavian approaches to ISD&I can be useful for the African context and in developing countries in general.
    OriginalsprogDansk
    Publikationsdatoaug. 2013
    UdgiverDepartment of Informatics, University of Oslo
    Antal sider21
    StatusUdgivet - aug. 2013

    Emneord

    • Information Systems Development
    • Implementation
    • Developing Countries
    • Scandinavian Principles
    • Action Research
    • Trade Unionist Approach
    • Activity Theory
    • Participation
    • Empowerment
    • Evolutionary Design

    Citationsformater