Disputas: José Leopoldo Nhampossa

Prøveforelesning

Bedømmelseskomité

Academic Director Dr. Susan Scott, London School of Economics
Associate Professor Dr. scient. Finn Kensing, The IT University of Copenhagen
Associate Professor Dr. Christina Mörtberg, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo

Sammendrag

Technology transfer from the North to the South has historically been problematic, including the domain of ICTs more broadly and Health Information Systems in particular. Here it is argued that the diffusion perspective, the dominant approach employed to technology transfer, is inherently problematic, and there is the urgent need to identify alternative conceptualizations. Against this backdrop, this thesis aims to: (i) develop a theoretical conceptualization of technology transfer based on the "translation perspective"; and, (ii) understand and address challenges shaping translation.

The concept of translation advocates a process of incremental change which leads to the development of sustainable socio-technical heterogeneous network. The theoretical framework developed identifies four influences on translation, (1) history: legacy systems and installed base; (2) role of adaptation: how software is adapted to the local context; (3) role of participation: how users exercise control over HIS; and, (4) process of customization: the balance between localization and internationalization.

The empirical basis of the thesis is the adaptation of a computer-based HIS in Mozambique, the development of which was initiated in 1994 in South Africa. Since 1998 this application is in the process of being transferred to Mozambique. This case study is part of a broader South-North-South collaborative network. Specific focus of this research is on challenges and opportunities involved in the process of transfer and adaptation, based on empirical work carried out during 2000 to 2003 in selected districts, provinces, and also at the national level. The research design is constituted of (1) action research; (2) longitudinal case study; (3) multiple level analysis; and, (4) interpretative approach. The research approach is primarily based on the principles of prototyping, which was applied as four iterative action research cycles. The research findings are articulated in research papers presented as appendix of the thesis, which address the four themes identified above. Each of these themes has been elaborated with emphasis on their impact on the translation process. The research makes theoretical and practical contributions to the domain of IS research In general, and to HIS in developing countries particularly.

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