The social construction of management information systems in a hospital

Munson, P., 1990. The social construction of management information systems in a hospital. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

This thesis is an exploratory case study of Management Information System (MIS) design and implementation in one large teaching hospital of the National Health Service. Two phases of MIS innovation are investigated. Firstly, the thesis reports on a failed attempt to introduce ward budgeting throughout the hospital. Secondly, the study follows a series of events leading to the creation and subsequent development of a Clinical Information Project (CIP). In particular, proposals aimed at establishing resource management are considered.

Throughout the study, MIS innovation is viewed as an 'organisational' issue rather than a 'technical' matter. In keeping with this organisational approach, a framework is proposed for portraying and analysing social processes in the case setting. This framework is composed of concepts drawn from the dramatic metaphor but extended to a more modern context by using the analogy of the 'soap opera' or continuous serial. The ongoing action at the hospital is divided into four dramatic episodes which forms the main body of the case study.

In addition to analysing the processes surrounding and contributing towards MIS development, the thesis depicts the entire research act. The research uses a qualitative method to investigate how health care professionals interpret and influence the MIS initiatives. A total of 35 unstructured and semi-structured interviews were undertaken with managers, nurses and doctors. These discussions were supplemented by more 'in-depth' fieldwork involving observation and participation during meetings and the analysis of documents.

Having collected a variety of case materials, these were analysed using grounded theory (Glaser and Strauss, 1967: Strauss, 1987) to develop explanations and understandings of why both MIS initiatives were 'rebutted'. A number of the themes emerged including the use of comedy, the politics of language and the manipulation of management structures. These factors all combined to ensure that MIS innovations were socially constructed to maintain rather than transform organisational realities.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Munson, P.
Date:	1990
ISBN:	9781369324099
Identifiers:	Number Type PQ10290160 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	10 Nov 2020 15:56
Last Modified:	05 Oct 2023 09:59
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/41595

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