Down-to-earth issues in mandatory information system use

Ahmad, H

Abstract

A literature review of information system (IS) use issues provides evidence that the
current issues appear to be limited when looking at those that are meaningful to system
users. The current issues covered are often not those encountered in everyday IS use
that might affect the quality use of IS. The problems found with the current literature are
wrong perspective, narrow theoretical focus, ignores indirect issues, hidden issues and
plethora of issues.
This thesis suggests that a true understanding of IS use requires attention to many
'everyday' real-life issues; what this study calls Down-To-Earth (DTE) issues. DTE
relates to users' experience. The theoretical literature on a topic like IS use often misses
the DTE issues that are important in real life. The conceptual tools based on Herman
Dooyeweerd's philosophy are used. Dooyeweerd's has opened up a new way of looking
at IS use from a DTE perspective, in terms of aspects that are spheres of meaning.
Dooyeweerd's aspects are used as 'lenses' during the analysis stage.
The primary purpose of this study is to explore the notion of DTE issues and how
Dooyeweerd's aspects can support it theoretically and also provide a DTE method for
practical analysis of situations of IS use.
An empirical study was undertaken in Malaysia, using a standard qualitative research
method augmented with Dooyeweerd's aspects. Open interviews were undertaken with
IS users, whose comments were analysed to identify what they found meaningful. As a
result, the range of issues that emerged was widened; issues were more specific to the
context, hidden issues were revealed and the plethora of issues are categorised.

Citation

Ahmad, H. Down-to-earth issues in mandatory information system use. (Thesis). Salford: University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 8, 2016