Adapting corporate modelling for community informatics

摘要

Purpose — This paper aims to address the need for responsive methodologies to investigate howinformation and communication technologies (ICTs) are used in non-business and non-corporateenvironments. Design/methodology/approach — The paper presents a case study on developing an IT strategic planin a community organisation using the process modelling and analysis methodology called "Co-MAP".Findings — Co-MAP as a methodology is significant in being a participatory, responsive, andnon-obtrusive tool to work with welfare workers in getting to articulate information, knowledge andtechnical issues for decision making. Research limitations/implications — The research provides a way of obtaining knowledge aboutstructuring of social-technical relationships in a welfare organisation through a sympathetic approachto its business and culture. Practical implications — Co-MAP could be fruitfully used in other organisations, though whetherthis needs an external facilitator to carry out the process and manage the complex data analysisprocess is a moot point. Originality/value — The significance of this case study is that it develops a model for adaptation ofhow to research and represent data, information, and knowledge flows within a social servicesorganisation, for which there are few other detailed case studies.