NETWORKS OF ACTION: SUSTAINABLE HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACROSS DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

Author List: Braa, JËrn; Monteiro, Eric; Sahay, Sundeep;
MIS Quarterly, 2004, Volume 28, Issue 3, Page 337-362.
Our paper is motivated by one simple question: Why do so many action research efforts fail to persist over time? We approach this question, the problem of sustainability, building on a perspective on action research identifying the pivotal importance of networks. More precisely, local action research interventions need to be conceptualized and approached as but one element in a larger network of action in order to ensure sustainability. A vital aspect of our perspective is that local interventions depend heavily on the support of similar action research efforts in other locations. This is essential for the necessary processes of learning and experience sharing. We suggest that the scaling (i.e., spreading) of intervention is a prerequisite, not a luxury, for sustainable action research. Empirically, we base our analysis on an ongoing, large-scale action research project within the health care sector (called HISP) in a number of developing countries. HISP provides a fruitful occasion to investigate key criteria for our approach to action research, namely sustainability, scalability, and capacity to be politically relevant to the participants. We contribute to three discourses: (1) models of action research, (2) lessons for health information systems in developing countries, and (3) more generally, IS implementations that are dispersed, large-scale, and have scarce resources.
Keywords: Action research; health information systems; networks; politics; sustainability
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List of Topics

#104 0.245 action research engagement principles model literature actions focus provides developed process emerging establish field build guidance known project elements insights
#291 0.150 local global link complex view links particularly need thought number supports efforts difficult previously linked achieving simple poor individual rise
#249 0.104 network networks social analysis ties structure p2p exchange externalities individual impact peer-to-peer structural growth centrality participants sharing economic ownership embeddedness
#36 0.101 competitive advantage strategic systems information sustainable sustainability dynamic opportunities capabilities environments environmental turbulence turbulent dynamics key quest create sustained ability
#180 0.083 multiple elements process environments complex integrated interdependencies design different developing integration order approach dialogue framework capabilities settings building focus distinct
#196 0.080 health healthcare medical care patient patients hospital hospitals hit health-care telemedicine systems records clinical practices physician electronic physicians longitudinal outcomes
#166 0.052 negative positive effect findings results effects blog suggest role blogs posts examined period relationship employees research employee bloggers reveal companies