[论文解读] Cross-contextual use of integrated information systems

Gasparas Jarulaitis, Eric Monteiro|arXiv (Cornell University)|Jan 1, 2009

Information Systems Theories and Implementation被引用 11

一句话总结

本文研究了集成信息系统如何在大型油气公司中实现跨情境协作，揭示出集成需要在专业领域和地理边界的交叉中实现相互依赖的实施。该研究提出了对工作实践的跨技术与社会理解，即这些实践通过时间性、表演性和本地协商的策略在多个企业系统中形成，挑战了工作本质上是本地化的观点。

ABSTRACT

This thesis investigates collaborative work practices in a large oil and gas company (OGC), with special attention being given to recent integration and standardisation efforts to the collaborative infrastructure for improving knowledge sharing practices across disciplinary and geographical boundaries. Through a longitudinal case study, the thesis investigates how these efforts unfold in different organisational contexts. This dissertation is inspired by social studies of Information Systems (IS) and more recent debates on the mediating role of integrated systems. Drawing on the interdisciplinary field of science studies, the thesis investigates how working integrated systems are established in practice. Through the use of vivid empirical examples, previous research has illustrated how various systems do not account for locally unique practices, resulting in them having to be worked-around. In this research, we make a distinction between stand-alone and integrated information systems since local enactments have different dynamics. In particular, we argue that as opposed to largely local, independent contexts of enacted technology, the use of integrated systems implies the interdependent enactment across contexts now linked as a result of the integration. For that reason, we aim to contribute to a higher visibility of cross-contextual effects regarding the use of integrated information systems. The thesis is not restricted to investigations of a single integrated system, but instead aims to understand work practices which span multiple contexts and are supported by multiple enterprise systems. The primary aim is to investigate the core work practices related to oil and gas production. In contrast to social studies of IS which tend to emphasise that work is a predominantly local affair, our aim is to empirically illustrate and analytically discuss cross-contextual (i.e. non-local) aspects of work. We exemplify the array of strategies needed to sort out local differences and establish cross-contextual work practices, thereby leading us to emphasise the temporal and performative aspects of integration. As a whole, this thesis investigates socio-technical work practices within a large-scale heterogeneous organisation and aims to contribute to the literature on the social construction of information systems and provide practical implications for managing integrated information systems.

研究动机与目标

• 理解集成信息系统如何在大规模组织中支持跨专业和地理边界的协作。
• 调查集成系统在孤立本地实施之外的社会技术动态，重点关注跨情境的相互依赖实施。
• 通过实证证明非本地、跨情境的工作实践，挑战社会学信息系统研究中工作主要为本地化的主流观点。
• 考察现实组织环境中系统集成的时间性和表演性维度。
• 为管理异构、大规模企业中的集成系统提供实用见解。

提出的方法

• 在大型油气公司内开展纵向案例研究，观察集成工作随时间的演变。
• 借鉴信息系统社会学与科学学理论，分析系统在实践中如何被实施。
• 使用生动的实证案例，说明本地工作实践如何在集成系统影响下被协商与调整。
• 区分独立系统与集成系统，以考察其实施动态的差异。
• 分析跨越多个企业系统和组织单元的跨情境工作实践。
• 强调集成的表演性和时间性方面，聚焦于实践如何在不同情境间持续维持。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 集成信息系统如何在大型油气公司中调节跨专业和地理边界的协作？
• RQ2 从业者使用何种策略来调和本地工作实践与集成系统要求之间的差异？
• RQ3 独立系统与集成信息系统在系统实施动态方面有何不同？
• RQ4 在企业系统集成过程中，跨情境依赖以何种方式浮现？
• RQ5 时间性和表演性方面如何塑造集成系统使用成功与可持续性？

主要发现

• 集成系统需要在不同情境间实现相互依赖的实施，而非孤立的本地实施。
• 集成系统中的工作实践通过持续协商与适应来调和本地差异而形成。
• 集成过程揭示了传统本地化系统使用视角无法捕捉的非本地、跨情境效应。
• 从业者发展出表演性策略，以应对系统设计与本地实践之间的不匹配。
• 时间连续性对于维持跨情境协作至关重要，因为集成并非一次性事件，而是一个持续过程。
• 集成系统成功的关键在于对跨情境依赖关系的可见性，以及通过协调实施来管理这些依赖的能力。