Configuration in smart service systems: A practice‐based inquiry

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a new perspective on configuration processes inherent to smart service systems that brings human actors to the theoretical foreground, is informed by practice theory, and is grounded in an intervention study of smart locating systems used in home care of persons with dementia. Maintaining control of the location of persons with dementia is a major source of caregiver burden, and assistive technologies such as smart locating systems hold the promise of enhancing quality of life and reducing caregiver burden. Drawing from research on smart service systems, organizational configuration research, and practice theory, we articulate a conceptual model of configuring in practice to explain how practice elements and the capabilities of smart technologies become mutually configured. Our analysis of study participants' experiences with the locating systems identified three distinctive configurations, characterized as enhanced smartness, degraded smartness, and fragile smartness, which developed through configuring processes. The configuring in practice model we develop here helps explain why unexpected and anticipated configurations develop and thus the conditions that facilitate or inhibit value cocreation in smart service systems.

Overcoming barriers to the adoption of locating technologies in dementia care: a multi-stakeholder focus group study

“…However, very few studies have specifically focused on locating technologies. As such, key factors affecting their adoption might be overlooked [ 21 ]. For example, to our knowledge at least one community-based Norwegian study has examined the factors affecting the successful deployment of GPS technologies for public dementia care services, and reports that early adoption in the course of AD is critical [ 22 ].…”

When enough is enough: Investigating the antecedents and consequences of information security fatigue

“…We coded the concepts independently, such as ‘policy length’ and ‘policy clarity’, but as we continued our analysis, we began to recognize a pattern that was being highlighted by interviewees in regard to the overall method their organizations used to communicate security policy requirements, which also included related concepts such as ‘communication medium’ and ‘communication format’. As a result, we followed the technique used by Boldosova (2019), Corley and Gioia (2004), and Wessel et al (2019) by grouping the lower level, first‐order concepts within a broader, second‐order sub‐category, in this case pertaining to the ‘method of communicating security policy requirements’. These sub‐categories were then combined to form aggregate categories.…”

Do‐it‐yourself as a means for making assistive technology accessible to elderly people: Evidence from the ICARE project

“…Although the development of AT by one's own effort is not explicitly stipulated, it nevertheless recognises that AT may possibly require a contextual adaptation or alteration to function properly. Therefore, many solutions have either integrated some sort of customization (Gibson et al, 2019;Wessel et al, 2019) or have tried to anticipate the needs of a specific target group, such as young adults (Newman et al, 2017) or the elderly (Albina & Hernandez, 2018), respectively of specific health conditions like dementia (Bächle et al, 2018), autism (Cassidy et al, 2016), or cerebral palsy (Preston et al, 2016) to mention just a few. Gibson et al (2016) emphasise that AT must not only refer to high-tech equipment, such as digital personal assistants, remote health monitors, miniature hearing aids, or sensor-based fall detectors, but may also include lowtech devices such as walking sticks, special door handles, or fitted furniture or cooking utensils, as long as they help with activities of daily living or promote activity and enjoyment.…”

“…Similarly, the US Technology‐Related Assistance Act of 1988 (often referred to as the ‘Tech Act’) highlights that the main purpose of AT is to “increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with cognitive, physical or communication disabilities” and adds that given an individual's circumstances and housing conditions AT can be “acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified or customized.” Although the development of AT by one's own effort is not explicitly stipulated, it nevertheless recognises that AT may possibly require a contextual adaptation or alteration to function properly. Therefore, many solutions have either integrated some sort of customization (Gibson et al, 2019; Wessel et al, 2019) or have tried to anticipate the needs of a specific target group, such as young adults (Newman et al, 2017) or the elderly (Albina & Hernandez, 2018), respectively of specific health conditions like dementia (Bächle et al, 2018), autism (Cassidy et al, 2016), or cerebral palsy (Preston et al, 2016) to mention just a few.…”