Includes bibliography. / Large computer-based information systems seldom achieve unqualified success. The major problem is organisational rather than technical, hence to achieve greater success in system implementation greater emphasis must be given to organisational issues than to technology. Current practise, however, tends to focus on technical issues. The aim of this research was to investigate whether a systems-based approach would lead to better understanding of the system development process, and hence form the basis of a methodology which would lead to greater success in computer-based information system implementation. The thesis comprises four parts. In the first part (Chapters 1 - 5) the literature on systems theory in sociology with particular reference to business organisations is reviewed. This review focuses on the historical development of systems thinking, particularly in business management. Beer's Viable System Model, Checkland' s Soft Systems Methodology, and Hoebeke' s ideas on the adoption of new technology provided the main ideas for developing a conceptual model for the information system development process. In the second part (Chapters 6-9) this model is applied to the information system development process to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current methods. Each stage of system development from planning to implementation is considered from a systems perspective. This involves identifying the key stakeholders, and understanding their role in the development process. In the next part three case studies are examined in the light of the theoretical material. The impact of inter-cultural communication is highlighted in these studies as the developers and customers were from· several different cultures. The author was personally involved as project manager and chief consultant in the development of two of the systems described. He was also fully aware of the progress of the other case because that development was being undertaken in the same office. Regular exchanges of views on the progress of each project took place. In the final chapter the conclusions are presented. The main conclusion is that information system implementation must be undertaken within the overall context of the organisation, must be closely aligned with the organisational business processes, and must address the conflicting needs of the different stakeholders. Effective Communication between system developers and system users is crucial to success. A focussed effort is required to achieve effective communication in a multi-cultural environment.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uct/oai:localhost:11427/17124 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Price, Stephen |
| Contributors | Rüther, Heinz, Ryan, Tom |
| Publisher | University of Cape Town, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Doctoral Thesis, Doctoral, PhD |
| Format | application/pdf |
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