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Browsing Information and Communication Technology by Subject "Activity theory"

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    Challenges in implementing patient‐centred information systems in Tanzania: An activity theory perspective
    (Wiley, 2014) Shidende, Nima Herman
    Defaulter tracing systems are patient centred information systems which are used to enhance monitoring of patients who have dropped out of health programs. The aim of this study is to explore the operation of defaulter tracing systems in practice. The study has been undertaken in Tanzanian health facilities by using qualitative data collection methods. Activity theory is employed as a conceptual framework to analyze the findings. Findings show that the implementation of defaulter tracing system is challenged by issues of the existing information systems, such as absence of clear guidelines and tools, and information recording incompleteness, as well as contextual issues. The paper contributes to Healthcare Information System literature (HIS) which has elaborated how patient centred information systems are utilized in practice at the level of primary health care. This study concludes by providing implications for policy, practice, design and implementation.
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    Human Factors Analysis for Interactive Communication Systems Design in Higher Learning Institutions
    (Elsevier BV, 2022) Anthony Mwombeki; Nima Shidende; Leonard Mselle
    Over recent years, designers have encountered several challenges on how to capture and analyze human factors needed for effective design of interactive systems. In most cases, much effort is kept on functional requirements fulfilment with human factors aspects being given limited consideration. This study noticed persisting communication challenges in Tanzania's higher learning institutions. Lack of suited human factors frameworks was found to complicate the effective design of interactive communication systems. Authors qualitatively analyzed human factors needed in interactive communication systems design process. Based on that analysis, and following a thorough user centred design process, a four phase design science research methodology was employed to develop a human factors framework for interactive communication systems’ design in higher learning institutions. Building on the developed framework, the paper discusses its capabilities in guiding the design of interactive communication systems by focusing on both organizational as well as human aspects of the design. This paper provides a human factors analytical framework under design science research with activity theory complementing design science techniques. This approach is suited to conduct research on human factors analysis for interactive systems and pave the way for future human-centric research on human factors investigation in information systems design.
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    The role of context in the co-evolution of work and tools: A case from the primary health sector in Tanzania
    (Emerald, 2016) Shidende, Nima Herman; Aanestad, Margunn; Igira, Faraja
    Purpose This paper presents a work-centred study of how information systems practices and tools become shaped by their context. The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how practices and tools co-evolve, with a specific focus on the role of context, and based on this to offer relevant design implications. The empirical motivation comes from attempts to utilize information and communication technologies (ICT) in resource-constrained settings. Design/methodology/approach Empirical work was conducted in primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania that offer Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission services. Four health facilities with different organizational and socio-economic characteristics were studied using ethnographic methods (participant observation, interviews and document analysis). The authors have employed activity theory as the theoretical framework, since it explicitly places human activity within a cultural, social and temporal (developmental) context. Specifically, the concept of mediation breakdown was used for data analysis at activity, action and operation levels. Findings By focusing analytically on situations of mediation breakdown in the situation of use, at both an activity, action and operation level, the authors have achieved an understanding of how information tools are being adapted to both their contextual conditions and the information needs of the community of users. Research limitations/implications The study illustrates the decisive role that context may play in shaping the actual usage of information technology. While the detailed findings were specific to the concrete domain, time and place, in general, an increased awareness of the role of context may lead to more robust approaches to the introduction of ICT solutions. Originality/value While activity theory literature offers insight on how to analyse context, the discussion is limited to the understanding of how context can be modelled into artefacts. The paper suggests that the contradiction concept is useful for studying the role of context and its impact in co-evolution of work and information tools. The study also contributes to the discourse in health information systems in developing countries by emphasizing the crucial role of the front line health workers’ own problem solving, invention and adaptation of information tools.