Abstract
A company encounters many negative social consequences and persistent problems when it adopts a specific technical structure for an information system (IS). But, why do they continue using it, not wishing to abandon it? This paper uses the functionalist explanation to interpret the contradictory phenomenon through a real case which expects to enhance work efficiency and improve business processes by developing a new IS. During IS development and implementation, the rivalry between IT personnel and users occurs while they closely cooperate. Nevertheless, a shared belief that “IT/IS as the Secret Scroll of Kung Fu”, which implies IT/IS with a magic power, has been unexpectedly developed between them. In other words, both divisions believe that IT/IS would be able to solve all unintended problems to be encountered. Therefore, they still kept cooperating to develop IS, and did not admit the failure of IS.
Recommended Citation
Wu, Hsiao-Chi; Chen, Yu-Fen; and Hsieh, Ching-Cha, "IT/IS as the Secret Scroll of Kung Fu: A Functionalist Explanation of A Technical Structure for Information Systems Design" (2010). PACIS 2010 Proceedings. 156.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2010/156