This paper reports the outcomes of a study on an integrated situational alignment framework for picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) labeled as PISA. Following the design research cycle, complementary validation methods and pilot cases were used to assess the proposed framework and its operationalized survey. In this paper, the authors outline (a) the process of the framework’ development, (b) the validation process with its underlying iterative steps, (c) the outcomes of pilot cases, and (d) improvement opportunities to refine and further validate the PISA framework. Results of this study support empirical application of the framework to hospital enterprises in order to gain insights into their PACS maturity and alignment. We argue that the framework can be applied as a valuable tool for assessments, monitoring and benchmarking purposes and strategic PACS planning.
This article concerns t--e scientific va-le of the theory of autopoietic systems as developed by Maturana and Varela. In a first step, the explanatory power of the theory is investigated. It is argued that, due to the tautological nature of i t s core concept and t h e absence of t h e specification of t h e organization of the autopoietic system, the empirical counterparts of the theory's constructs cannot be determined. This renders the theory inadequate for descriptive and explanatory purposes. Proponents of autopoietic system theory do not agree with this kind of reasoning and its conclusion, since autopoietic systems, in their view, cannot be observed precisely because of its autopoietic nature. I n a subsequent step, therefore, the epistemology advocated by Maturana and Varela on which this counter argument rests is discussed. It is shown that the interpretation of the ultrastable system, which underlies this epistemology, is not correct. Consequently, it is concluded that autopoietic system theory a s developed by Maturana a n d Varela i s unscientific.
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