| 1. |
- van Laere, Joeri, et al.
(författare)
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A coordination framework for analysis and improvement of ICT supported distributed work
- 2005
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the IRIS28. - : IRIS association. - 8271175548 ; , s. 1-19
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Information Systems and related disciplines there are numerous ways how coordination in organizations is defined and conceptualized. We argue that these disciplines and theories need to reach out to each other to develop an integrated understanding of coordination. In this paper we present a coordination framework that helps to analyze and improve coordination of distributed work from such an integrative perspective. In the framework we distinguish 4 main coordination choices for employees at the group level (concerning composition, commitment, contact and content) and 4 related coordination choices for managers at the organizational level (concerning competence, cohesiveness, connection and context). These dimensions enable us to explain why ICT both enhance and complicate coordination of distributed work. Our hypothesis is that ICT has a positive impact on the dimensions of composition and contact and a negative impact on the dimensions of commitment and content. We argue that the success or failure of ICT supported coordination largely depends on how employees and managers apply and use ICT. Consequently a neutral but critical attitude towards ICT support is needed. The validity and usefulness of the framework are shown by reflecting on its appliance in an action research study at the Amsterdam Police Force. We conclude that the coordination framework enables better understanding of coordination problems and improvements and supports a critical discussion of ICT opportunities and ICT threats. Further research will focus on the possibilities of integrating existing coordination theories and on the question how to determine when ICT benefits outweigh ICT costs.
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| 2. |
- van Laere, Joeri, et al.
(författare)
-
Designing simulation-games for organizational prototyping
- 2006
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Ingår i: Advances in Information Systems Development. - Boston, MA : Springer. - 0387308342 - 9780387308340 - 9780387364025 ; , s. 373-385
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- ICT provide opportunities to improve organizational performance. However, many organizations still struggle with integrating new organizational structures, new work practices and ICT, because information systems (and other tools) that support organizational work processes are embedded in the existing culture and work practices. The adoption of ICT by an organization is a complex interaction between task-, technology-, group internal system-, and organizational context factors. Organizational prototyping helps to develop ‘embedded’ information systems. It involves managing a dual process of both adapting the tool to the organization and adapting the work practice to conditions of the tool. In an action research study at the Amsterdam Police Force we developed two simulation-games that served as ‘organizational prototypes’ and supported the analysis and improvement of coordination practices and the integration of (new) ICT in these coordination practices. The first game has been played 9 20 times with 8-15 policemen; the second game has been played 2 times with a similar number of policemen. In this paper we reflect on the design of the games. We explain how and why we have dealt with issues like for instance complexity of the game, number of players, degree of realism, amount of time for reflection, time pressure, et cetera. Next we show the impact of these design choices for the game execution and game results. Finding the right balance between realism/validity on one hand and not too much complexity on the other hand proofs to be the major design challenge. Furthermore some surprising results were that distributed work can perfectly be simulated in one location, that computer support does not distract from learning objectives when the technology functions properly, and that time constraints may inhibit learning.
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