Evidently, based on studies which have been conducted over the years, there exist lots more complexity than technical in the development and implementation of information systems in organisations. The complex issues are socio-technical in nature, which require a refresh examination, from social context, if different results are to be achieved. Some of the complexities which are encountered include operational issues, environmental trends, processes flow, communicative scheme, and actors' relationship. The unpredictable nature of business and rapidly changing user requirements makes it even more difficult to develop and implement systems within budget and timeframe. Other challenges are within the social context, such as politics and culture affiliations. Through the lens of Actor-Network Theory (ANT) understanding of the social context of how information systems are developed and implemented is gained. Although ANT has been employed in many studies, it is of significant important to establishes and clarifies the factors, from the social perspective, which influences the development and implementation of information systems in organisations.
Abstract. The main components of information systems include people, process and technology infrastructure. In many studies, these components are often viewed and examined from socio-technical perspectives. This is primarily because of the criticality of human actions. The complexities and the difference which humans bring in the development and implementation of information systems are not getting easier. Hence the increase studies in the field of information systems.Many approaches such as using the lens of Actor Network Theory (ANT) has been explored to understand the socio-technical factors in the information systems. Although ANT has been employed in many studies, it is of significant important to establishes and clarifies the factors, from the social perspective, which influences the development and implementation of information systems in organisations.
Currently in the advancement of big data, the challenges for many organisations are not technologically related. The biggest barrier relates to cultural challenges which include organizational alignment, resistance or lack of understanding as well as change management. As a result, many organizations are purely not ready to take advantage of this new strategic resource called big data. Therefore, big data acceptance compels addressing the above mentioned challenges that falls within the domains of technology, people as well as organization. Thus, this study employed diffusion of innovation theory to assess the cultural challenges in an organization. The interpretivist approach was applied in the analysis of the data.
Purpose Organisations make use of different tools and methods in testing software to ensure quality and appropriateness for business needs. Despite the efforts, many organisations continue to have challenges with the quality of their software. This has impacted the service that the organisation provides to their customers and business partners. Software quality challenges persist because of two main reasons: some organisations do not conduct testing and evaluation of their software, and many organisations pay less attention to the non-technical activities in the testing and evaluation of software in their organisations. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to understand the factors that influence software testing through empirical study. Design/methodology/approach This study used actor–network theory (ANT) to assess the factors that influence the testing and evaluation of software, using a South African organisation as case in the study. Qualitative data was collected from 14 participants using semi-structured interview techniques. The interpretivist approach was applied in the analysis of the data. Findings From the analysis, six factors, software evaluation, process oriented, implementation policy, change management, power relationship and organisational structure, were found to be of influence on software testing. Based on the factors, a framework was developed to help software testers and managers understand how to customise their testing tools. Originality/value The originality of this study comes from its empirical nature, through which it contributes to practice by proposing a model for practical actions towards improving software testing in organisations. Also, this study contributes to ANT usefulness from the point of investigative effectiveness.
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