1. Cross –cultural software production
and use: a structurational analysis
By: Geoff Walsham
History, philosophy and science of Information Systems– 5IK014
Students: Erdelina Kurti
Tarik Mehmedovic
2. What is the key question that the author
addresses in the text?
• To examine cross-cultural software production and use,
by developing a theoretical basis for analysis.
• This is done by using concepts drawn from structuration
theory.
• One of the key questions is to compare effectiveness of
this analysis to Hofstede-type studies.
3. How do they motivate the importance of
the question(s)?
• Hofstede-type studies dominant in IS research in
examining culture, are considered to be lacking when
describing key concepts in cross-cultural interaction such
as conflict, heterogeneity and the dynamic nature of
culture.
• ICTs are inherently problematic in cross-cultural
environments, due to different perceptions of the
relevance, applicability and value of working modes and
use of ICTs.
4. Structuration theory
• Treats human actions and social structure as a duality
rather than a dualism
• Social phenomena is not a product of either structure or
human actions, but of both.
• Social structure is not independent of agency, nor is
agency independent of structures.
• Human agents draw on social structures in their actions,
and at the same time these actions serve to produce and
reproduce social structure.
5. Structuration theory concepts
• Agency is the ‘capacity to make a difference” (transformative
capacity)
• System consists of relations between actors or collectiveness
reproduced across time and space.
• Structure is regarded as rules (routines, norms) and resources
that are recursively implicated in social reproduction and exist
only as memory traces, the basis of human knowledgeability and
as instantiated in action.
• Structuration refers to conditions governing the continuity or
transformation of structures, and therefore the reproduction of
social systems. The emphasis is on the interplay between
individuals and society.
6. Structuration theory concepts
• Agent - human being with transformative capacity, power
to intervene or to refrain from intervention.
• Power involves the exploitation of resources. Power is
not a resource, but resources are media through which
power is exercised
• Resources are structured properties of social systems,
drawn on and reproduced by knowledgeable agents in the
course of interaction.
– authoritative, transformative capacity generating
commands over persons or actors
– allocative, transformative capacity generating
commands over objects, goods, material phenomena
7. The duality of structure
The dimensions of the duality of structures adopted from Giddens
(1984), (Jones, M.R., 2008)
8. How do they produce their argument(s) to
the question(s) addressed?
• The author develops key concepts to help find a
new way of examining cross-cultural factors in
ICT.
9.
10. Case study 1:
• Jamaican general insurance company
• Capital base of general insurers is insufficient, thus they
rely on world wide reinsurers.
• There was a decision to develop a new general insurance
information system.
• Indian software developers were recruited.
• Conflict arise between Indians and Jamaicans at senior
level
• Different management styles
• Project that was supposed to be finished within 1 year, it
remained a promise rather a reality after 5 years.
12. Case study : Technology Transfer of GIS Software
• Development and usage of GIS systems in district
administration in India (1991-1996).
• The National Wastelands Identification Project
required mapping of wasteland distribution with
the purpose of development of wasteland areas.
• Project conducted in cooperation of US and
Indian scientists, passed on to district
administrator for further utilization.
• Two phases; project eventually failed due to non-
usage.
13. Case study : Technology Transfer of GIS Software
14. Different Theories in Cross-Cultural Working and IS
• According to Myers and Tan ( ), most of the
literature on cultural and cross-cultural aspects in IS
has so far relied on the work of Hofstede
( , ); out of studies.
• His work shows cultural differences as scored across
five dimensions: power-
distance, individualism, masculinity, uncertainty
avoidance, long-term orientation.
• The author criticizes this approach due to its
insufficient ability to deal with dynamic aspects of
culture.
15. Different Theories in Cross-Cultural Working and IS
• Advantages of structurational analysis are shown
against disadvantages of Hofstede-type analysis.
• These are grouped under four headings relevant
to the dynamic factors of cross-cultural
interaction displayed in the cases.
• Hofstede theory is criticized on grounds of
disregard for heterogenity, specific work patterns,
conflict and the dynamic aspects of culture.
16.
17. What is the key message of the paper that the
author(s) try to send to the readers?
• Structuration analysis offers deeper insights than
Hofstede-type studies.
• Dynamic aspects of culture is a crucial factor in success
of software production and use endeavors in multi-
cultural environments.
• Attempt to provide a theoretical basis for future analysis
of cross-cultural software production and use
18. What are the potential positive benefits, that the
authors state themselves, of the key message of
the text?
• Attempt to provide a theoretical basis from structuration
theory for future analysis of cross-cultural software
production and use.
• Contribution to understanding of issues involved in the
cross-cultural aspect of software production and use.
19. Strengths
• Recognizes the limited ability of Hofstede-type studies in
analyzing dynamic aspects of culture.
• Well defined limitations of the paper.
20. Limitations
• Empirical data is drawn from only two case studies.
• Case studies are presented very briefly and are lacking
details
• Some of they key concepts in his framework are not
represented well in the cases such as reflexivity and
change.
• Weak reference to the original Gidden’s Duality of
structures
