Importance of Legitimation Systems Development

摘要

This research investigated social issues that influence information systems development in organisations through applying Structuration Theory (ST) (Giddens, 1984). This involved using interpretive case study approach to three information systems projects at three National Health Service organisations. An appropriate 'fit' between the research methodology and use of ST has been achieved due to: (ⅰ) the interpretivist and subjectivist orientation of both, (ⅱ) Interpretivist research methodology helps to pay a detailed attention to stakeholder behaviour and ST serves as a sensitising device to investigate the assumptions and behaviour of stakeholders involved; and, (ⅲ) interpretivist methodology offering more flexible means of applying social behaviour approaches, such as ST.The use of ST revealed different types of legitimation structures and different degrees of time and effort required in achieving legitimation. It revealed many different types of activities performed and the norms conformed to in order to achieve legitimation. This allowed us to create Legitimation Process Model(LPM) that could be used to achieve more successful legitimation when developing information systems. Due to word limitation LPM will only be applied to one research organisation in this paper.