IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems

Published by IADIS (International Association for Development of the Information Society) • ISSN (Online): 1646-3692 • ISSN (Print): 1646-3692
100% Open Access
Double-Blind Peer Review
Crossref DOI Persistent IDs
Open Access Peer-Reviewed Original Research

Establishing Spaces of Interplay: the Role of Discourse in the Growth of Information Infrastructures

Egil Øvrelid *
Bendik Bygstad *
Ole Hanseth. University of Oslo *
Department of Informatics *
GaustadallĂŠen B *
Oslo *
Norway Researcher *
* IADIS - International Association for Development of the Information Society (Portugal)
* IADIS - International Association for Development of the Information Society (Portugal)
* IADIS - International Association for Development of the Information Society (Portugal)
* IADIS - International Association for Development of the Information Society (Portugal)
* IADIS - International Association for Development of the Information Society (Portugal)
* IADIS - International Association for Development of the Information Society (Portugal)
* IADIS - International Association for Development of the Information Society (Portugal)

Abstract

Research has shown that large IT programmes in e-government and e-health are challenging not only in terms of project failures and high costs, but also that the public and sectorial discourses greatly influences the trajectori es and outcomes of me ga-programmes. However, few IS studies have investigated this phenomenon in much depth, and the aim of this contribution is to shed more light on the relationship of discourse and mega-programmes. We build loosely on Foucault’s discourse concept and on Swanson’ term of organising vision, but frame our investigation in information infrastructure theory. Our empirical evidence is a 15 -year study of the growth of the national e -health infrastructure in Norway, which we investigate at three levels, where we analyse the interplay of t he eHealth discourse and the various programme initiatives. First we identify the system formations that bring about change as well as analysing their content. Then w e identify and discuss a pattern where windows of opportunity open and narrow in waves of discourse and action. We also contribute to the information infrastructure research by highlighting the role of discourse in infrastructure evolution.

Keywords

Discourse discursive formations eHealth infrastructure
Full-Text PDF Available

Read Complete Peer-Reviewed Manuscript

Includes full econometric models, data tables, policy recommendations, declarations, and citations.

Declarations & Ethics

Funding: This research received academic dissemination support through ESCAP / JournalsHub publishing programs.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no competing financial or institutional interests.
Peer Review: Double-blind peer reviewed by international subject specialists.
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
How to Cite This Article
APA / MLA / BibTeX
Øvrelid, et al. (2016). Establishing Spaces of Interplay: the Role of Discourse in the Growth of Information Infrastructures. IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.33965/ijcsis_2016_v11i2_04
Øvrelid, et al. "Establishing Spaces of Interplay: the Role of Discourse in the Growth of Information Infrastructures." IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems, vol. 11, no. 2, 2016. https://doi.org/10.33965/ijcsis_2016_v11i2_04
Øvrelid, et al. "Establishing Spaces of Interplay: the Role of Discourse in the Growth of Information Infrastructures." IADIS International Journal on Computer Science and Information Systems 11, no. 2 (2016). https://doi.org/10.33965/ijcsis_2016_v11i2_04