Title: Development of an activity theory-based framework for the analysis and design of socio-technical systems

Authors: Carolin Durst; Fabian Wiser; Sebastian Luber; Nilmini Wickramasinghe

Addresses: Ansbach University of Applied Sciences, Campus Rothenburg, Hornburgweg 26, 91541 Rothenburg o.d.T., Germany ' Chair for Information Systems, Department Information Management, TU Braunschweig, Mühlenpfordtstr. 23, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany ' FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Lange Gasse 22, 90403 Nürnberg, Germany ' Epworth HealthCare and Swinburne University, 1 John St., Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia

Abstract: The design of socio-technical systems is a challenging task due to diverse stakeholders and complex processes that have to be mapped into software. Following a socio-technical approach for information system analysis and design results in more user-friendly systems accompanying various benefits for associated stakeholders. However, there is a lack of theories and methods which consider technical, social and organisational factors. Researchers recommended activity theory as a rich framework to study socio-technical systems. While the benefits trigger increased use of activity theory, there seems to be a shared heritage of disadvantages linked to its nature and hence its application. This article introduces a novel conceptual activity theory framework to resolve these problems and evaluates it within a case study in the context of innovation management. For the development of the framework a design science research methodology approach is followed.

Keywords: activity theory; socio-technical systems; system design and analysis; design science.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNVO.2020.109322

International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organisations, 2020 Vol.23 No.3, pp.261 - 293

Accepted: 07 Jul 2019
Published online: 03 Sep 2020 *

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