The practice of developing information systems with the support of information systems development methods is not new. A vast number of systems development methods have been suggested over the years in an attempt to solve the problems a development organisation might encounter. From early approaches like the Waterfall model to more modern monolithic methods such as the Rational Unified Process and the newest approaches exemplified in the Agile methods, the ambition has often been to find the silver bullet and the most effective ways to produce quality systems. Methods are prescriptive by nature as they suggest action and as such they represent rationale. Thus, one can speak of a method rationale as the dimension within methods that motivate their existence. Method rationale is understood as the goal and value rational relations between a method’s underlying philosophy and its proposed actions. During the methods’ evolution, the practice of systems development and the supporting systems development methods have been subjected to research from many perspectives. One possible way to understand the nature of the existing research is to separate it into two fields. The suggested fields have different strengths and weaknesses. The field of traditional research on information systems development (ISD) emphasise relevance in their studies but often overlook aspects of generalisation. The field of method engineering (ME) is highly formalistic and emphasise rigour but often miss aspects concerning relevance, such as the role methods play in peoples daily systems development efforts. In this dissertation, a polarisation of existing systems development method research is suggested in order to find a synthesis more capable of serving as a common ground for method research and for the understanding of the systems development method phenomenon. This is achieved through a proposed extension of the field of ME into the field of extended method engineering (EME). The foundation of the EME is found in the concept of method rationale and a method component concept design capable of carrying and expressing method rationale. The method component concept design is applied, evaluated, and re-designed in three different empirical settings in order to ascertain its practical potential and the benefits in explicating the dimension of method rationale.

Problem statement: There seem to be perceptual incongruence between systems development managers and developers. Research shows that while managers are more positive towards systems development methodologies, developers on the other hand seem to resist and not to use systems development methodologies in their entirety but instead adapt, tailor, modify and change them depending on the project at hand (contingent use). Systems development managers can exert power through a variety of influence bases. However, these power influences may be perceived differently by developers. While some might feel constrained, others might actually feel liberated by the existence of the same influence base. Main findings: IS managers are using systems development methodologies to gain control over team members. However, there was no clear perception on whether systems development methodologies were enslaving systems developers. This was indicated by the majority of the respondents neither agreeing nor disagreeing to that effect. The research showed that most organisations are adapting the use of systems development methodologies on a project to project basis, which is referred to as the contingent use of systems development methodologies. Research method followed: The positivistic research paradigm was used as it allowed the researcher to find out patterns and regularities between power, systems development methodologies’ use and success. A survey was conducted and a questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. Questionnaire data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21, Release 20.0.0 software package tools. Principal conclusion: Power is interpreted in terms of the type of power that can be exercised by IT professionals specifically IS developers and their respective managers at the workplace. The roles assumed and the different power types that may be exercised in organisations provide a link as to who has the final say when it comes to the use and success rate of systems development methodologies. The contingent use of systems development methodologies provides a form of “freedom” to systems developers. Based on the research findings, the research proposes an answer to the question – are systems development methodologies enslaving systems developers and empowering IS managers? / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

A tecnologia Web foi criada como forma de divulgar o conhecimento científico, mas tem sido utilizada também como mecanismo de acesso a vários tipos de sistemas de informação empresariais assim como de comunicação entre eles, gerando diversas oportunidades de negócios para as organizações. Os sistemas de informação baseados na tecnologia Web (SIW) possuem características que permitem supor que seu desenvolvimento apresenta diferenças com relação ao de sistemas não Web. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi levantar, através de um estudo exploratório de múltiplos casos, as questões relevantes ao desenvolvimento de sistemas de informação baseados na tecnologia Web que apóiam aplicações de negócios nas organizações. Para tanto, procuramos identificar as principais dificuldades e facilidades, as alterações sucedidas nas tarefas e na estrutura do desenvolvimento, assim como analisar a adoção de técnicas e metodologias. Esperamos ter contribuído para que as organizações possam aprimorar o desenvolvimento de SIW de forma a aproveitar ao máximo as oportunidades criadas pela tecnologia Web. / The Web technology was created to divulge the scientific knowledge, although it has been used as a way to access several types of business information systems as well as to facilitate the communication between them, generating many business opportunities for the organizations. Web-based information systems (WIS) have characteristics that allow us to assume their development is different from non-Web information systems. The objective of this research was to identify, through an exploratory multi-case study, the main questions about business Web-based information systems development. We have tried to identify the main difficulties and easiness, the changes occurred in development tasks and structure, and to analyze techniques and methodologies adoption. We hope we had contributed to allow organizations be able to improve the WIS development process in order to take the maximum advantage of the opportunities generated by Web technology.

Problem statement: There seem to be perceptual incongruence between systems development managers and developers. Research shows that while managers are more positive towards systems development methodologies, developers on the other hand seem to resist and not to use systems development methodologies in their entirety but instead adapt, tailor, modify and change them depending on the project at hand (contingent use). Systems development managers can exert power through a variety of influence bases. However, these power influences may be perceived differently by developers. While some might feel constrained, others might actually feel liberated by the existence of the same influence base. Main findings: IS managers are using systems development methodologies to gain control over team members. However, there was no clear perception on whether systems development methodologies were enslaving systems developers. This was indicated by the majority of the respondents neither agreeing nor disagreeing to that effect. The research showed that most organisations are adapting the use of systems development methodologies on a project to project basis, which is referred to as the contingent use of systems development methodologies. Research method followed: The positivistic research paradigm was used as it allowed the researcher to find out patterns and regularities between power, systems development methodologies’ use and success. A survey was conducted and a questionnaire was used for data collection purposes. Questionnaire data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 21, Release 20.0.0 software package tools. Principal conclusion: Power is interpreted in terms of the type of power that can be exercised by IT professionals specifically IS developers and their respective managers at the workplace. The roles assumed and the different power types that may be exercised in organisations provide a link as to who has the final say when it comes to the use and success rate of systems development methodologies. The contingent use of systems development methodologies provides a form of “freedom” to systems developers. Based on the research findings, the research proposes an answer to the question – are systems development methodologies enslaving systems developers and empowering IS managers? / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

A tecnologia Web foi criada como forma de divulgar o conhecimento científico, mas tem sido utilizada também como mecanismo de acesso a vários tipos de sistemas de informação empresariais assim como de comunicação entre eles, gerando diversas oportunidades de negócios para as organizações. Os sistemas de informação baseados na tecnologia Web (SIW) possuem características que permitem supor que seu desenvolvimento apresenta diferenças com relação ao de sistemas não Web. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi levantar, através de um estudo exploratório de múltiplos casos, as questões relevantes ao desenvolvimento de sistemas de informação baseados na tecnologia Web que apóiam aplicações de negócios nas organizações. Para tanto, procuramos identificar as principais dificuldades e facilidades, as alterações sucedidas nas tarefas e na estrutura do desenvolvimento, assim como analisar a adoção de técnicas e metodologias. Esperamos ter contribuído para que as organizações possam aprimorar o desenvolvimento de SIW de forma a aproveitar ao máximo as oportunidades criadas pela tecnologia Web. / The Web technology was created to divulge the scientific knowledge, although it has been used as a way to access several types of business information systems as well as to facilitate the communication between them, generating many business opportunities for the organizations. Web-based information systems (WIS) have characteristics that allow us to assume their development is different from non-Web information systems. The objective of this research was to identify, through an exploratory multi-case study, the main questions about business Web-based information systems development. We have tried to identify the main difficulties and easiness, the changes occurred in development tasks and structure, and to analyze techniques and methodologies adoption. We hope we had contributed to allow organizations be able to improve the WIS development process in order to take the maximum advantage of the opportunities generated by Web technology.

The majority of database system development projects end in failure. Reasons that include, the system not being developed on time, the system was developed over budget, and the system developed did not meet the planned project's criteria. These failures are compounded by the use of virtual teams which includes problems with team formation, the organizational environment in which the team operates, and the technology used for collaboration and communication. As more organizations use virtual teams, these problems have continued to impede the successful completion of database system development. The goal of the study was to determine what leadership type, transformational, transactional, or management-by-exception (passive-avoidant leadership) is most effective in leading a virtual team in developing a database management system. The target population for this study was Generation Y students at the Maine Business School who were assigned to virtual teams tasked with developing a database management system. Specifically this study answered these three research questions: 1) What is the effect of leadership type, as self-reported through the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire on the quality of completed team projects? 2) What is the impact of type of leadership on virtual team effectiveness as measured by the Virtual Teams Survey? 3) What is the joint effect of type of leadership, and virtual team effectiveness on the quality and uniqueness of the completed team project? Virtual team effectiveness was defined as the level of involvement in team formation, job characteristics, technical proficiency of team members, relationship between team members, teams process and attributes about the team leader, organizational environment in which the team operates, and technology the team used for collaboration and communication. The quality of the completed team project was defined as one that meets the team project criteria which included tables, relationships, forms, queries, and reports. Other attributes included the uniqueness of product defined by the addition of extra functions and controls added to the database system that go above and beyond the project criteria. The study found that for research question 1, only transformational and transactional leadership types had a significant and negative impact on the quality of completed team projects. Research question 2 found no significant correlation between leadership type and virtual team effectiveness. Research question 3 showed that none of the variables were significantly associated with the quality of the completed team project. These findings suggest that traditional concepts of leadership types do not work well in virtual environments.

The rapid development of mobile technologies combined with access to content almost everywhere and every time allows people to experience new situations regarding learning in a wide variety of situations. Mobile learning brings the promise of learning "on the move" by allowing learners to take control over time and space, thus making learning "more natural". The field of mobile learning has rapidly evolved in the last ten years and many initiatives have been conducted worldwide. However, research results indicate that few of these efforts have produced any lasting outcomes. It is evident that these initiatives are faced with inherently complex settings and that the outcomes might not live up to their prom- ises; will not be adopted and, hence, will not become sustainable. Many of the complex issues faced by mobile learning initiatives are similar to those faced by the development of information systems. This latest statement suggests that an improved development practice might hold one piece of the key to sustainable mobile learning. The aim of the research presented in this thesis is to investigate the relation between information systems development practice and mobile learning development; and if methods and models originated within information systems development can be used to strengthen mobile learning initiatives. In order to investigate this relation, this thesis studies several mobile learning initiatives with a particular focus on how and why development and research was initiated and conducted. Concepts found in mobile learning practices are strengthened by providing a theoretical perspective with roots in information systems development. The outcomes of the studies presented in this thesis indicate that the development practice of mobile learning initiatives can be redefined in order to achieve more sustainable results. The core of this thesis consists of eight peer-reviewed scientific publications that have been presented at different international conferences. Five of the papers explore the field of mobile learning and its practice while the other three publications present the central ideas that serve as the basis for the proposed framework, how it has been developed, and the motivations behind its creation. The main contribution of this thesis is a novel development framework aimed at researchers and practitioners in the field of mobile learning. The framework defines the life-cycle of a mobile learning initiative and identifies the importance of emphasizing the concepts of scalability and sustainability during the development process. This may be a way to reduce the complexity inherent to mobile learning and its settings, and a means to improve the outcomes of coming mobile learning initiatives in terms of long lasting usable results.

<p>Enligt Standish Group är det endast cirka 35 % av alla systemutvecklingsprojekt som avslutas på ett lyckat sätt när det gäller tid, budget och resurser. Inom systemutveckling är fastprisprojekt, där systemets kostnad är förbestämd, allt mer populärt. Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) är en modell för utveckling som fokuserar på fasta resurser och tid med funktionalitet som den flexibla variabeln. Syftet med den här uppsatsen är att se om man kan driva fastprisprojekt med en modell som DSDM på ett sätt som gör det till en bra lösning för både beställare och leverantör.</p><p>Min slutsats är att det största problemet med DSDM är att få beställaren att godkänna den som projektmodell. Ett annat stort problem är att många projekt med DSDM blir stressiga eftersom tiden är fast. Flexibiliteten med funktionaliteten räcker med andra ord inte till. Önskvärda förbättringar inom DSDM är att ge mer underlag för hur man skall få en ny beställare att godkänna modellen. Dessutom att tillhandahålla guidelines för hur man kan hantera ett projekt med många och detaljerade krav. En annan viktig faktor som måste förbättras är hur man får projekt med DSDM att bli mindre stressiga.</p><p>DSDM är en modell som uppskattas av dem som har erfarenhet av den och som anses resultera i lyckade projekt, för både beställare och leverantör. Mina slutsatser är därför att DSDM kan fungera bra men att det ställer höga krav på projektet. Både beställare och leverantör måste vara engagerade. Beställaren måste kunna prioritera sina krav och räkna med att en del funktionalitet inte kommer med. Dessutom måste det finnas stor användarinvolvering och projektgruppen måste ha beslutsmandat.</p>

The problem motivating this research is that ineffective communication may hamper systems development efforts. Specifically germane to this study are development efforts characterized as task-oriented, and which require information-sharing and problem-solving activities. This research problem motivated an analysis of the communication process and lead to the development of a temporal framework that delineates variables associated with task-oriented, end user/systems analyst communication interactions. Several variables within this framework are depicted in two theoretical models. The first model shows the theoretical relationship between an independent variable, communication mode (represented by asynchronous computer conferencing and face-to-face conferencing), and five dependent variables: (1) the amount of information shared, (2) the significance of the information shared, (3) the comprehensiveness of the information shared, (4) the perception of progress toward the goal, and (5) the perception of freedom to participate. The second model depicts the assumed interaction between communication mode, the five variables cited above (now acting as independent variables), and a dependent variable, communication quality. There are two theoretical components of communication quality: (1) deviation from an optimal set of user requirements, and (2) the degree of convergence (unity based on mutual understanding and mutual agreement) emanating from a communication interaction. Using the theoretical models as a guide, an experiment was designed and performed to test the relationships among the variables. The experimental results led to the rejection of all null hypotheses; the results strongly favored face-to-face conferencing for solving task-oriented, information-sharing problems analagous to the case used in the present study. The findings indicate that asynchronous computer conferencing may have a detrimental effect on the thoroughness of information exchange, on the relevance of the information shared in terms of making the correct decision, and on the completeness of the consideration given to all problem dimensions.

During an emergency, information availability is critical to preserving life and minimizing damages. During the emergency response, however, information may not be available to those who need it. A community response grid (CRG) can help ameliorate this lack of availability by allowing people to document and distribute emergency information to professional emergency responders (PERs). A CRG combines mobile communications services, Internet technologies, e-government applications, and social network concepts with traditional emergency response systems. The problem that this case study investigated was how to construct a CRG for the City of Dublin, Ohio, Division of Police that works in conjunction with an in-place emergency management system (EMS). The goal was to create a process that is replicable by similarly sized cities that wished to implement a CRG. In this investigation, the author examined CRG design and implementation issues such as message origin, training needs, policy design, security issues, and funding. The results of this investigation were organized in terms of Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC) phases. Throughout these phases, the author identified information that can aid PERs in to better implement a CRG. Based on the results, the author developed a paradigm for constructing a CRG that meets the requirements of residents of the City of Dublin, Ohio, Division of Police and of similarly sized municipalities.