business informatics case studies: doing a case study
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Business Informatics Case Studies: Doing a Case Study. What is Informatics ?. Informatics is a broad field of study that considers the nature information (in its various forms including and data and articulated knowledge). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Business Informatics Case Studies:
Doing a Case Study
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Informatics is a broad field of study that considers the nature information (in its various forms including and data
and articulated knowledge).
Informatics examines the use of information by humans to achieve various ends; the technologies of its
management (how it is created, stored, processed, communicated and mobilised), the issues it raises
(validity, privacy, IP) and the repercussions of information for people, organisations and society.
What is Informatics ?
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
As an area of study, Informatics has both applied and basic aspects.
Applied Informatics examines the topics in relation to a particular knowledge domain. Health Informatics is the most advanced of the applied informatics disciplines.
Health informatics examines topics from the GP looking after patient records to expert systems for diagnosis,
remote medicine, to medical research.
Business Informatics examines the use of ICT in organisations.
What is Business Informatics ?
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
What is a Case Study ?
A ‘Case’ is a single, specific situation to be examined:
a legal case “the case of the Crown verses McDonald”
an occurrence of something"but there is always the famous case of the Smiths"
a special set of circumstances"it may rain in which case the picnic will be cancelled"
a problem requiring investigation"Perry Mason solved the case of the missing heir"
A ‘study’ is the disciplined gathering and assessment of evidence to produce reliable, usable pattern or theory.
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
What is a ‘Pattern or Theory’?
A Theory is a structure of concepts and relationships that can be applied to a case.
“theory that gravitation (agent concept) causes (relationship) objects (concept) to fall”
It can be used to:Explain an event,Predict the outcome of a proposed action.
It can be built, tested, discarded, …. based on evidence
It can be tested in a case study, or built by it.
Unlike experiments or surveys, case studies are situated
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http://cis.gsu.edu/~rbaskerv/csar/sld004.html
Case Study or Consultancy?
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“Action research aims to contribute both to the practical concerns of people in an immediate problematic situation and to the goals of social science by joint collaboration within a mutually acceptable ethical framework (Rapoport, 1970, p. 499). “
(http://www.qual.auckland.ac.nz/)
Investigators try to: 1. fulfill the needs of their study subjects and, 2. generate new knowledge.
As such, IS action researchers have to serve two masters: their immediate research clients, who directly benefit from the research while it is being conducted, and the IS academic community in general.
http://ww2.cis.temple.edu/kock/ICIS99/ISARpanel/PanelDescription/Default.htm
Case Study as Research
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
http://cis.gsu.edu/~rbaskerv/CAIS_2_19/CAIS_2_19.html
“Generalize Accordingly… General statements cannot be made on the basis of the number of observations (a statistical notion), but rather on a representative sample of one. Generalities must be tempered with an interpretation of the extent of similar settings to which the theory can be expected to apply.”
Generalisation
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
If the researcher does not have close ties with at least one organization, it is often hard to gain access to a site where the researcher can act as an agent of change.
The amount of time that has to be committed by the researcher is very large compared with other research approaches. And how do you manage open-ended methods ?
If the research is funded by an organization, conflicts of interest may detract from the credibility of reported findings.
The high involvement of the researcher with the study subjects can influence their perceptions and actions and therefore bias research findings.
Research projects may take too long to be completed, which may hinder the adoption of the research approach by doctoral students, particularly in programs that follow the American model.
Danger of Cancellation
In spite of their likely relevance to practitioners, it is hard to publish research results in top IS journals.
http://ww2.cis.temple.edu/kock/ICIS99/ISARpanel/PanelDescription/Default.htm
Case Study : Cons & Pros
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
The high involvement of the researcher with the research subjects allows for access to rich and in-depth research data.
Since the topic of the research is partly selected by the client (e.g. a company in a specific industry), its findings are likely to be of high relevance to at least a section of the practitioner community (e.g. the immediate research client and other companies in the same industry).
The real world orientation of the approach offers a singular opportunity to recruit part-time doctoral students who hold positions in organizations facing a problem whose solution can lead to relevant research findings.
The problem-solving orientation of the research increases chances of obtaining research funding.
http://ww2.cis.temple.edu/kock/ICIS99/ISARpanel/PanelDescription/Default.htm
Case Study : Cons & Pros
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
How do I conduct a Case Study?
Approach 1. “Grounded”
Go with little idea of what will result – let the ideas arise from the experience.
Approach 2. “theory-driven”
Go with a theory to test.
Approach 3. “Thematic” (blend of 1 & 2)
Go with a theme in mind, and some concepts, but not a theory.
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Preparation for a Case Study
Strategy :why do you want to engage?is a case study appropriate ?is the organisation suitable ?what will you do with the results ?
Planning:negotiate with the boss (what are her interests?)confidentiality & accessculture
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Evidence Collection
Review of documents recordsartefacts
Interviews structured, unstructuredqualitative, quantitativefocus groups
Observation
Participation
Iterate, test the evidence, keep a log of developing ideasbe alert to your own interference with the evidence (CSI)
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Analysis & Presentation
What is the ‘structure of concepts and relationships’ that emerge from the case study ?
Test it against the evidence for:
Construct ValidityCategorical Analysis
Internal Validitycross-referenced evidence, triangulation
External Validityauditable, repeatable?
Write up & Present: to whom ? for what purpose ?
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
A Case : AusVit
AusVit Objective :
To achieve the transfer of scientific knowledge and industry best practice
in a way that meets the management needs of the grower toimprove efficiency, yield and quality
while
reducing environmental impact and the risk of crop loss.
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Technology (knowledge) Transfer
Applied Research
user
Education
Extension
scientificpublication
courses,graduates
fact sheets,seminars
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Technology (knowledge) Transfer
Applied Research
user
Education
Extension
scientificpublication
courses,graduates
fact sheets,seminars
year 2 year 3 year 5 time
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Technology (knowledge) Transfer
Applied Research
user
Education
Extension
scientificpublication
courses,graduates
fact sheets,seminars
year 2 year 3 year 5 time
50% 10% 2% ?quantity
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Technology (knowledge) Transfer
Applied Research
user
Education
Extension
ExpertSystem
scientificpublication
courses,graduates
fact sheets,seminars
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit and the Grower
The Grower
planning and review
vineyard monitoring:weather, soil, pests and disease, vine development
decision making on:water use, chemical
application
information and explanation
AusVit supports :
AusVit
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The Science
AusVit and the Science
AusVit
CRCV program 3
CRCV program 4
Published Literature
The Grower
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Wineries
GrowerGroups
ExtensionOfficers
ChemicalCompanies
The Science The Industry
AusVit: Grower, Science & Industry
AusVit
CRCV program 3
CRCV program 4
Published Literature
The Grower
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit Architecture
weather monitor
field observations: (eg. pestcounts)
field actions: (eg. sprays)
water monitor databases:
vineyard profile action chemicals
AusVit
expert rule bases:
pest management cultivar susceptibility
simulations:
pest & disease models
vineyard profile: variety, aspect, soil,
grape use
User
irrigation
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit Architecture
weather monitor
field observations: (eg. pestcounts)
field actions: (eg. sprays)
water monitor databases:
vineyard profile action chemicals
AusVit
expert rule bases:
pest management cultivar susceptibility
simulations:
pest & disease models
vineyard profile: variety, aspect, soil,
grape use
User
irrigation
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit Components
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit Components
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit Components
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit Components
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit Components
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVitDevelopment and Status
1990 AusVit defined as part of the CRC for Viticulture1991/3 Knowledge Engineering starts - Level 5 Object1993 Specification and programing starts1994/5 First prototype trialed 1995/6 Second prototype trialed1996/7 Chemical Database and spray components released.
1997 Full commercial release for the 1997/8 growing season
1998/9 Maintenance & enhancement
Developed with professional level Quality Assurance measures
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVitPreliminary Evaluation
Sales : Currently ~450 in all grape growing areas.
Many evaluation and educational copies.Used in Integrated pest management workshopsPresented in grower group seminars & workshops Featured in Bug Match & Grapes CDROMArticles in Industry and Academic journalsUsed in University & TAFE courses
AusVit has helped in : Refinement of domain experts knowledge Transfer of expertise to growers Coordination between local and international researchers
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Current Enhancements
Additional Decision Support Modules : Canopy and vineyard floor management Financial Management
WWW Information Service
Transparent Simulations for Scientific ModelsFuzzy logic
Grower Community / Enterprise Architecture
GIS integration
Knowledge Management
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit
The Literature The Users
From Decision Support to
Knowledge Management
The KMS
KnowledgeBases
MetaKnowledge
Base
Paper 1
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit
The Literature The Users
From Decision Support to
Knowledge Management
The KMS
KnowledgeBases
MetaKnowledge
Base
EducationInterface
Paper 1
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit
The Literature The Users
From Decision Support to
Knowledge Management
The KMS
KnowledgeBases
MetaKnowledge
Base
ResearchSupport
EducationInterface
Paper 1
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
AusVit
The Literature The Users
From Decision Support to
Knowledge Management
The KMS
KnowledgeBases
MetaKnowledge
Base
ResearchManagement
ResearchSupport
EducationInterface
Paper 1
Craig McDonald © UC 2005
Case Study Exercise
What Case Study might you do on AusVit ?
How might you organise it ?