Sociotechnical Systems Theory Research Articles

Framework of Goal-driven Risk Management in Software Development Projects Using the Socio-technical Systems Approach

Previous studies have identified the influence of goal agreement on requirement elicitation in software projects, but they have not addressed how it influences risks in projects. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of goal identification and agreement on software project risks. With socio-technical systems theory as the backdrop, we used a goal-oriented perspective to understand how the social subsystem influences the technical subsystem of a software development project. In an empirical study with 411 responses from software project developers and managers in India and using structural equation modelling, the causal linkages between goal orientation and project risk variables have been examined. The results indicated that the early adoption of goal-driven risk management reduces the social context risks which, in turn, reduces the project management risk. The study also revealed that the product artefact is independent of whether the system was completed within budget and schedule. To design the risk management strategy, project managers should consider the relationship between social context risk and project management risk and the implications of these relationships on project performance.

Promoting inter-organisational knowledge sharing: A qualitative evaluation of England's Global Digital Exemplar and Fast Follower Programme.

The Global Digital Exemplar (GDE) Programme was designed to promote the digitisation of hospital services in England. Selected provider organisations that were reasonably digitally-mature were funded with the expectation that they would achieve internationally recognised levels of excellence and act as exemplars ('GDE sites') and share their learning with somewhat less digitally-mature Fast Follower (FF) sites. This paper explores how partnerships between GDE and FF sites have promoted knowledge sharing and learning between organisations. We conducted an independent qualitative longitudinal evaluation of the GDE Programme, collecting data across 36 provider organisations (including acute, mental health and speciality), 12 of which we studied as in-depth ethnographic case studies. We used a combination of semi-structured interviews with programme leads, vendors and national policy leads, non-participant observations of meetings and workshops, and analysed national and local documents. This allowed us to explore both how inter-organisational learning and knowledge sharing was planned, and how it played out in practice. Thematic qualitative analysis, combining findings from diverse data sources, was facilitated by NVivo 11 and drew on sociotechnical systems theory. Formally established GDE and FF partnerships were perceived to enhance learning and accelerate adoption of technologies in most pairings. They were seen to be most successful where they had encouraged, and were supported by, informal knowledge networking, driven by the mutual benefits of information sharing. Informal networking was enhanced where the benefits were maximised (for example where paired sites had implemented the same technological system) and networking costs minimised (for example by geographical proximity, prior links and institutional alignment). Although the intervention anticipated uni-directional learning between exemplar sites and 'followers', in most cases we observed a two-way flow of information, with GDEs also learning from FFs, through informal networking which also extended to other health service providers outside the Programme. The efforts of the GDE Programme to establish a learning ecosystem has enhanced the profile of shared learning within the NHS. Inter-organisational partnerships have produced significant gains for both follower (FF) and exemplar (GDE) sites. Formal linkages were most effective where they had facilitated, and were supported by, informal networking. Informal networking was driven by the mutual benefits of information sharing and was optimised where sites were well aligned in terms of technology, geography and culture. Misalignments that created barriers to networking between organisations in a few cases were attributed to inappropriate choice of partners. Policy makers seeking to promote learning through centrally directed mechanisms need to create a framework that enables networking and informal knowledge transfer, allowing local organisations to develop bottom-up collaboration and exchanges, where they are productive, in an organic manner.

Socio-Technical Perspective for Electronic Tax Information System in Tanzania

Socio-technical systems theory has rarely been used by system architects in setting up computing systems. However, the role of socio-technical concepts in computing, which is becoming social in nature, has made the concepts more relevant and commercial. Tax information systems are examples of such systems because they are influenced by external variables such as the political environment, technological trends, and social environment, introducing complexity in their deployment and determining the type of e-services and their delivery to a diverse group of people. It was observed that in Tanzania there is resistance, reluctance and minimal use of electronic tax system because of insufficient end-user support and their involvement in constructing the system. Therefore, there is need to develop an electronic tax information system using socio-technical systems perspectives to ensure design of an efficient user-friendly tax administration system. The research used the qualitative approach, featuring case studies in Korea, Chile, Tanzania, and Denmark. The study used best practices from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to benchmark Tanzania Revenue Authority current practices. It was found that tax models implemented are techno-centric push models, which don’t attract its use by tax payers and requiring human intervention in its operation, hence not cost-effective. As the first and relevant phase in socio-technical system development, this paper presents the problem definition and analysis of e-Tax collection system in Tanzania.

Process quality management and operational performance: exploring the role of learning and development orientation

PurposeThe paper aims to assess the influence of process quality management (PQM) practices on a firm's operational performance (OP) and investigate the mediating role of a firm's learning and development orientation (LDO) in the PQM–OP relationship. The paper also assesses the extent to which the proposed mediation is moderated by senior management support (SMS).Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on the sociotechnical system theory to carry out a survey study of 278 functional managers from various manufacturing firms in India through a postal mail survey approach. The response rate has been improved by frequent telephone follow-ups. The collected data was analyzed for mediation of LDO and moderated mediation of SMS in the proposed framework using Hayes's PROCESS Macro in statistical package for social sciences.FindingsThe research findings show that both PQM and LDO lead to better performance and should be encouraged. LDO was found to partially mediate the effect of PQM on the firm's OP. The results also show that an enhanced learning capability of an organization can significantly influence improvement in OP through a stronger support of senior management.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study explored the mediating role of LDO in the relationship between PQM and OP, while providing a future research opportunity for an empirical review of the mediating effect of LDO between the effects of just-in-time, maintenance and process benchmarking activities on OP.Practical implicationsTo transform PQM activities into a competitive advantage, firms need to develop learning capabilities. Senior managers in the manufacturing industry should strongly focus upon creating a learning-centered work culture to improve performance and productivity.Originality/valueThe study provides insights into the type of people-related activities that manufacturing firms should undertake to enhance their OP. Few studies in the extant literature have used SMS as a moderator to improve LDO's impact on business operations. The study aims at bridging this gap.

Product Development by SMEs as a Response to COVID-19: An Elaboration of Socio-Technical Systems Theory

The purpose of this research is to understand how social capabilities and infrastructural enablers support technical capabilities for product development by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a response to COVDI19, and to examine the above relationships between those using conventional versus additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Using socio-technical systems as the theoretical lens, in-depth interviews with key informants from six COVID19 emergency response projects by SMEs were carried out. The findings show that social capabilities of human ingenuity, resourcefulness of network and on- the-feet problem solving, along with logistical support as infrastructural enabler supported the technical capabilities in all the cases irrespective of manufacturing technology being used. But, the relationship between social capabilities, infrastructural enablers and technical capabilities varied with use of AM versus conventional manufacturing. Socio-Technical Systems (STS) theory is elaborated by embedding dynamic capabilities into the socio-technical core of STS for pandemic response.

Digital Transformation of Industrial Organizations: Toward an Integrated Framework

ABSTRACT Industrial organizations are responding to new risks and opportunities originating from exponentially growing and disruptive digital technologies, by taking company-wide digital transformation initiatives. However, the key enablers of such digital transformation initiatives that facilitate operational performance outcomes in industrial organizations demand further investigation. Therefore, drawing on the sociotechnical system theory (STS), the objective of this study is to explore the digital transformation enablers and their impact on performance outcomes. Research data was collected from four leading industrial organizations that engaged in digital transformation programmes. Our results indicate that leadership, structures, and culture are the key enablers of digital transformation that help industrial organizations to achieve performance outcomes (i.e. collaboration, customer-centricity, and agility). By providing an empirically grounded integrated framework with future research propositions, this study contributes to the existing literature on digital transformation and sociotechnical system theory. MAD statement This article aims to make a difference by exploring industrial digital transformation in order to identify the key enablers and performance outcomes. We highlight the need for alignment and joint optimization of social and technical systems to effectively capitalize on the digital transformation initiatives. Moreover, we call for urgent attention to the development of leaders, as well as the further identification of supportive digital transformation leadership competencies. Competent leaders assume a central role in correcting outdated and invalid assumptions, conceptualizing new ideas, and reinforcing cultural values. Furthermore, we elaborate the necessity of cultural transformation in industrial organizations for impactful digital transformation. Lastly, our findings confirm the significance of organizational structure in digital transformation and simultaneously warn that too little is happening.

Algorithms as work designers: How algorithmic management influences the design of jobs

We review the literature on algorithmic management (AM) to bridge the gap between this emerging research area and the well-established theory and research on work design. First, we identify six management functions that algorithms are currently able to perform: monitoring, goal setting, performance management, scheduling, compensation, and job termination. Second, we show how each AM function affects key job resources (e.g., job autonomy, job complexity) and key job demands (e.g., workload, physical demands); with each of these resources and demands being important drivers of worker motivation and their well-being. Third, rejecting a deterministic perspective and drawing on sociotechnical systems theory, we outline key categories of variables that moderate the link between AM on work design, namely transparency, fairness and human influence (e.g., whether workers can control the system). We summarize our review in the form of a model to help guide research on AM, and to support practitioners and designers in the creation and maintenance of meaningful jobs in the era of algorithms.

An integrated socio-technical enterprise modelling: A scenario of healthcare system analysis and design

One of the crucial issues facing enterprise modelling (EM) practices is that EM is considered technical, and rarely or never has a social focus. Social aspects referred to here are the soft aspects of the organisation that lead to organic organisation development (communication, collaboration, culture, skills and personal goals). There are many EM approaches and enterprise architecture frameworks were proposed recently. These cover different enterprise aspects, perspectives, artefacts and models with different qualities and levels of details. Yet, the imperative determination has overlaid the declarative exploration in EM as a necessity of the design effort. Rethinking the assumptions underlying EM should bring a new and different understanding on how EM can be tackled within the enterprise, in particular the joint development and optimisation of socio-technical systems. This paper discusses EM from a socio-technical systems (STS) perspective, and towards forming a new model of EM that is driven from STS theory and combined with STS practices. Then proposes a conceptual integrated model that incorporates the new concepts of STS toward building an EM framework for balanced socio-technical joint development and optimisation. The approach is illustrated in a scenario from healthcare industry. A combination between modelling and STS practices proved powerful for holistic IT modernisation, future work discussed toward the end of the paper.

Occupational injury rates among Norwegian farmers: A sociotechnical perspective

Introduction: This study addressed relative injury risk among Norwegian farmers, who are mostly self-employed and run small farm enterprises. The aim was to explore the relative importance of individual, enterprise, and work environment risks for occupational injury and to discuss the latent conditions for injuries using sociotechnical system theory. Method: Injury report and risk factors were collected through a survey among Norwegian farm owners in November 2012. The response rate was 40% (n = 2,967). Annual work hours were used to calculate injury rates within groups. Poisson regression using the log of hours worked as the offset variable allowed for the modeling of adjusted rate ratios for variables predictive of injury risk. Finally, safety climate measures were introduced to assess potential moderating effects on risk. Results: Results showed that the most important risk factors for injuries were the design of the workplace, type of production, and off-farm work hours. The main results remained unchanged when adding safety climate measures, but the measures moderated the injury risk for categories of predominant production and increased the risk for farmers working with family members and/or employees. An overall finding is how the risk factors were interrelated. Conclusions: The study identified large structural diversities within and between groups of farmers. The study drew attention to operating conditions rather than individual characteristics. The farmer’s role (managerial responsibility) versus regulation and safety climate is important for discussions of injury risk. Practical Applications: We need to study sub-groups to understand how regulation and structural changes affect work conditions and management within different work systems, conditioned by production. It is important to encourage actors in the political-economic system to become involved in issues that were found to affect the safety of farmers.

Workplace Flexibility in the Post Covid-19 Era: Teleworking, the New Normal

The evolving nature of work, workforce and environment is the driving force behind the need for more innovative and effective work arrangements in all facets of the economy. Making the work environment more flexible provides workers with what they need to manage both their lives and their jobs which leads to higher productivity. Before the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, workplace flexibility had garnered much attention, fundamentally as a workplace incentive for attracting and retaining talent. Presently, the Covid-19 pandemic has altered flexibility from a mere desirable perquisite to a very influential corporate practice that is expected to endure well after the pandemic. As the number of coronavirus cases increase and more employers commit to the physical-distancing practices that health officials say will help slow the rapid spread of Covid-19, by closure of schools, offices etc. workplace flexibility has become a real-time global innovation. Firms have been made to introduce telework (also known as telecommuting or working from “home”), a form of workplace flexibility on a large scale. Teleworking is the process of working from home with the use of internet, e-mail and telephone or any workable electronic gadget. It is the belief of many scholars and authors that with the aid of digitalization and technological innovation, teleworking has laid to rest some concerns such as there being so few jobs that can be done from home and the fear of lack of control over people. This paper sought to find out the extent the above assertions are true. It equally sought to appraise the effects of teleworking on organizational performance, challenges organizations face as a result of imbibing teleworking. A multi-level teleworking framework, rooted on Socio-technical systems (STS) theory, which looks into the part played by personnel, technical as well as organizational factors and their interplay in telework execution and outcome was used as the theoretical framework of this paper. In-depth library research anchored on analytical discussion was adopted as the methodology for this investigation. The review were analysed in line with the objectives of the study. Finally the investigation made recommendations on the efficacy of teleworking as a trend that can be taken as a new normal without exemption.

The effects of lean implementation on hospital financial performance

AbstractThis study examines lean implementation's effects on hospital financial performance using survey and secondary data for a large sample of US hospitals. Using sociotechnical systems theory, a social context is identified that should motivate the use of lean process improvement tools (LPT) in a hospital setting and accentuate its performance benefits. Shah and Ward's employee involvement (EI) construct is adapted to a hospital setting to define a supportive social context for LPT, which is further shaped by organizational psychological safety (PS). The research model depicts PS as amplifying the effect of EI on LPT, which, in turn, influences a hospital's return on assets (ROA) via three potential pathways: (a) through enhanced revenues; and/or (b) through reduced hospital discharge costs; and/or (c) directly. The results show that EI engenders LPT and that this effect is heightened as PS improves. LPT is shown to positively impact ROA indirectly through higher revenues, but not through lower discharge costs. The findings reveal positive, indirect effects of EI on revenue and profitability at moderate/high levels of PS. Robustness is investigated using an alternate performance metric—hospital excess margin—with consistent results. Post hoc analyses explore potential mechanisms through which lean implementation may increase hospital revenues, including hospital throughput (discharges), readmission rate, experiential quality, length of stay, and overall patient recommendation. The analyses reveal that the impact of LPT on hospital revenue is potentially realized through higher hospital discharges. Overall, the study demonstrates that lean implementation as a sociotechnical system contributes to superior performance.

With Crisis Comes Opportunity: Redesigning Performance Departments of Elite Sports Clubs for Life After a Global Pandemic.

The suspension of major sporting competitions due to the global COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial negative impact on the sporting industry. As such, a successful and sustainable return to sport will require extensive modifications to the current operations of sporting organizations. In this article we argue that methods from the realm of sociotechnical systems (STS) theory are highly suited for this purpose. The aim of the study was to use such methods to develop a model of an Australian Football League (AFL) club’s football department. The intention was to identify potential modifications to the club’s operations to support a return to competition following the COVID-19 crisis. Subject Matter Experts from an AFL club participated in three online workshops to develop Work Domain Analysis and Social Organization and Cooperation Analysis models. The results demonstrated the inherent complexity of an AFL football department via numerous interacting values, functions and processes influencing the goals of the system. Conflicts within the system were captured via the modeling and included pursing goals that may not fully reflect the state of the system, a lack of formal assessment of core values, overlapping functions and objects, and an overemphasis on specialized roles. The current analysis has highlighted potential areas for modification in the football department, and sports performance departments in general.

Applying Sociotechnical Systems Theory to Examine the Values of Lean Practices in the Context of Container Shipping

Research at the nexus of maritime management and operational performance suggests that lean management may benefit from sociotechnical systems theory (STS) in terms of long-term business performance. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which lean management practices can improve operational performance. This study aims to assess the relationships between lean policy, lean practices, operational performance, and business performance in the context of container shipping. The examined data are acquired from 212 respondents in Taiwan, and a structural equation model is employed to evaluate the hypotheses. The results show that lean policy and practice positively impact both lean social practices and lean technical practices. Lean social practices and lean technical practices are positively related to operational performance. Operational performance is associated with business performance. In particular, lean policy has a direct relationship with operational performance. Based on lean policy is easily able to directly improve its lean social practices and lean technical practices, proving lean policy can strongly push organizations towards further enhanced performance. Although it will be ups and downs along the way in terms of business performance, improving long-term business value and cost advantage is very importance. Thus, this article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the effect of lean practices and discusses practical implications for container shipping companies.

Tantangan TV lokal di era disrupsi media

<p><em>Television broadcasting media during the Disruption Era was the biggest challenge for Television, especially local television to innovate and be creative in the era of technological development. Competition between the media is very tight coupled with the current Covid 19 pandemic, requiring media companies to survive in the competition of competitors. Cakra Semarang TV as Local TV in Central Java in an effort to compete in the Age of Media Disruption. The method used in this research is interpretive qualitative, using the theory of Sociocultural Evolution and Socio-technical System Theory that is used to see Cakra Semarang TV survive the media disturbances. the findings of the research show that creativity, promotional content and news as well as the application of media are the benefits that are utilized by Cakra Semarang TV to stay afloat. The application of Media Divergence by Cakra Semarang TV is a solution to the change in the way viewers watch the previously conventional Cakra Semarang TV program, but now viewers can enjoy Cakra Television Semarang TV broadcasts boldly or online. Efforts to save Cakra Semarang TV in a program broadcasting broadcast programs with the concept of divergence using YouTube streaming, social media to the site portal to get closer to the audience. This effort was carried out by Cakra Semarang TV as a way to maintain existence in the Local Television Media industry in Central Java in the Era of Disruption Current media</em>.</p>

Learning together, learning apart: integrated action learning through a socio-technical systems lens

ABSTRACT To contribute to current debate concerning approaches to teaching and learning for researching complex work-based problems, we focus on the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) programme. We examine the development of an integrated action learning approach as part of a part-time DBA offered by a university in the UK. In adopting the lens of socio-technical systems (STS) theory we address two important questions; how can action learning be adapted on a DBA programme to enhance students’ learning together and learning apart? And, what insights can be drawn from conceptualising DBA learning as a socio-technical system? Through the collection of natural data from student feedback, meeting notes, action logs and the facilitators reflections, we develop a framework of integrated action learning as a socio-technical system. Through this framework we propose a model of action learning that enhances the ability of students to learn together and learn whilst apart. We also reflect on how technology has enabled distance learners to interrogate their complex work-based problems through collaborative questioning, focused on research-based inquiry, both together, and apart on their own learning journey.

Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Data From Wearable Sensor Devices in Health Care: Qualitative Interview Study.

BackgroundWearable sensors connected via networked devices have the potential to generate data that may help to automate processes of care, engage patients, and increase health care efficiency. The evidence of effectiveness of such technologies is, however, nascent and little is known about unintended consequences.ObjectiveOur objective was to explore the opportunities and challenges surrounding the use of data from wearable sensor devices in health care.MethodsWe conducted a qualitative, theoretically informed, interview-based study to purposefully sample international experts in health care, technology, business, innovation, and social sciences, drawing on sociotechnical systems theory. We used in-depth interviews to capture perspectives on development, design, and use of data from wearable sensor devices in health care, and employed thematic analysis of interview transcripts with NVivo to facilitate coding.ResultsWe interviewed 16 experts. Although the use of data from wearable sensor devices in health and care has significant potential in improving patient engagement, there are a number of issues that stakeholders need to negotiate to realize these benefits. These issues include the current gap between data created and meaningful interpretation in health and care contexts, integration of data into health care professional decision making, negotiation of blurring lines between consumer and medical care, and pervasive monitoring of health across previously disconnected contexts.ConclusionsStakeholders need to actively negotiate existing challenges to realize the integration of data from wearable sensor devices into electronic health records. Viewing wearables as active parts of a connected digital health and care infrastructure, in which various business, personal, professional, and health system interests align, may help to achieve this.

Measuring the effect of Healthcare 4.0 implementation on hospitals’ performance

In this study, we identify bundles of technologies and associated implementation barriers that could be viewed as part of Healthcare 4.0 (H4.0) and test their impact on performance improvement in a sample of hospitals. For that, we carried out a cross-sectional study with 181 leaders from hospitals in different countries that have already started H4.0 implementation. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques. Results indicate that H4.0 technologies could be organized into two different bundles according to their role within the hospital. Common barriers to H4.0 implementation were also empirically organized in two groups, following the sociotechnical systems theory. Bundles of H4.0 technologies presented a positive and significant effect on hospitals’ performance. As their interaction with H4.0 barriers displayed a significant effect on performance improvement, it is important to concurrently consider H4.0 technologies and barriers. Our results allow hospital managers to anticipate potential issues in H4.0 implementation, enabling more assertive efforts to improve performance and deliver high-quality and low-cost care in the fourth industrial revolution era.

Ownership and governance, scope, and empowerment: how does context affect enterprise systems implementation in organisations in the Arab World?

ABSTRACT Research on enterprise systems (ES) implementation has focused on different aspects of implementation challenges, employee reactions, and system success. Much of this research has been conducted in developed countries and a few developing countries. This raises an obvious question about the applicability of findings to other contexts with different social and organisational cultures. We examine ES implementations in 12 organisations in Saudi Arabia, an important economic and political frontier and a unique sociocultural context in the Arab World. Using sociotechnical systems theory and institutional theory and the literature on contextualisation, we studied contextual aspects of three important factors related to ES implementations – i.e., ownership and governance, scope management, and employee empowerment. We found that the nature of ownership and governance plays a significant hindering role during implementation. Further, Saudi organisations implementing ES faced major challenges in managing the scope of implementation due to interferences from the top management and/or owners, and lack of justification by the consultants. Finally, we found that owners and top management were deeply concerned about losing their control over employees following ES implementations. We extend prior research and theories by offering contextual explanations unearthed from a context that is different from developed and many developing countries.

Rising with the machines: A sociotechnical framework for bringing artificial intelligence into the organization

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being adopted by organizations, yet implementation is often carried out without careful consideration of the employees who will be working along with it. If employees do not understand or work with AI, it is unlikely to bring value to an organization. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ways in which employees and AI can collaborate to build different levels of sociotechnical capital. Accordingly, we develop a model of AI integration based on Socio-Technical Systems (STS) theory that combines AI novelty and scope dimensions. We take an organizational socialization approach to build an understanding of the process of integrating AI into the organization. Our framework underscores the importance of AI socialization as a core process in successfully integrating AI systems and employees. We conclude with a future research agenda that highlights the cognitive, relational, and structural implications of integrating AI and employees.

A Framework for Using Robotic Process Automation for Audit Tasks

The ability to automate tasks and processes using robotic process automation (RPA)—or the development of bots—is receiving significant attention in accounting. Auditors often struggle to know what tasks to automate and how to prioritize bot development. Drawing upon socio-technical systems theory and using a design science methodology, we develop and validate a three-step evaluation framework to assist auditors as they decide what activities to automate. We validate this framework using interviews, surveys of experienced internal and external auditors, and two case studies. By developing and validating our framework through the lens of socio-technical systems theory, we also provide several insights that help explain the mixed findings in prior research regarding the effectiveness and adoption of emerging technologies in audit. The implications of our study yield many opportunities for future research in the areas of RPA and emerging technologies in audit.