[AISWorld] JAIS 2013 Volume 14, Issue 6 (June) Contents

[Gregor, Shirley]

Contents of Volume 14, Issue 6 (June) Journal of the Association for Information Systems (JAIS) Official Publication of the Association for Information Systems

Published: Monthly Electronically

ISSN: 1536-9323

Published by the Association for Information Systems, Atlanta, USA http://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/
Editor-in-Chief: Professor Shirley Gregor, The Australian National University, Australia

PAPER ONE
The Dynamics of Sustainable IS Alignment: The Case for IS Adaptivity By Iris Vessey and Kerry Ward

Abstract
Our research addresses one of the most vexing issues in IS, that of how IS alignment occurs. Even more vexing, and largely unaddressed, is the issue of sustainable IS alignment. We address sustainable IS alignment as a dynamic, multi-faceted, and non-deterministic process based on the complexity theory worldview. The complexity theory worldview conceives of organizations and IS as complex adaptive systems (CAS) that co-evolve over time. Sustainable IS alignment results when an organization’s complex adaptive IS adapt to remain in alignment with the constantly-changing (that is, evolving) organization’s goals. Our co-evolutionary theory of IS alignment links bottom-up, emergent processes that foster adaptivity with top-down, formal organizational processes essential to established organizations. We illustrate the theory by applying it to the co-evolution and therefore adaptation of enterprise architectures and IS development projects. Our research on the role of co-evolution in sustainable IS alignment contributes to IS research in general and to prior research on IS alignment in particular, and has implications for achieving sustainable IS alignment. We believe that portraying organizations and their IS as complex adaptive systems that co-evolve provides both research and practice with a way to move forward in their endeavors to realize the potential benefits from using IS to enable businesses.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below:
http://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/vol14/iss6/2/


PAPER TWO
The Influence of Notational Deficiencies on Process Model Comprehension By Kathrin Figl, Jan Mendling, and Mark Strembeck

Abstract
Visual process models are helpful when analyzing and improving complex organizational processes. However, the symbol sets used in different modeling notations vary in perceptual discriminability, visual expressiveness, and semantic transparency; such factors are likely to influence a notation’s perception and cognitive effectiveness. In this paper, we investigate whether the basic symbol sets in visual process modeling languages influence comprehension and cognitive load of process models. For this purpose, we analyze four different symbol sets in an experiment with model comprehension tasks carried out by 136 participants. Our results indicate that notational deficiencies concerning perceptual discriminability and semiotic clarity have measurable effects on comprehension, cognitive load, and the time needed to understand the models.

To obtain a copy of the entire article, click on the link below:
http://aisel.aisnet.org/jais/vol14/iss6/1/