No abstract

We explore the tension between standardisation and flexibility in information infrastructure (II). In line with other accounts of large technical systems, we describe how the geographically dispersed, yet highly interconnected nature of an II accumulates resistance against changes. Still, we argue that in II design one has to anticipate and prepare for changes, even substantial ones, if the II shall survive. An II contains huge numbers of components. Most of them alternate between standardisation and change throughout their lifetime. These components are interdependent: one is changed while others have to remain stable and vice versa. We discuss theoretical concepts for framing these aspects of an II. The empirical underpinning of our paper is a study of two existing, embryonic manifestations of II.

O nline communities frequently create significant economic and relational value for community participants and beyond. It is widely accepted that the underlying source of such value is the collective flow of knowledge among community participants. We distinguish the conditions for flows of tacit and explicit knowledge in online communities and advance an unconventional theoretical conjecture: Online communities give rise to tacit knowledge flows between participants. The crucial condition for these flows is not the advent of novel, digital technology as often portrayed in the literature, but instead the technology's domestication by humanity and the sociality it affords. This conjecture holds profound implications for theory and research in the study of management and organization, as well as their relation to information technology.

This paper focuses on the processes producing the standards which make up the technical back-bone of an information infrastructure. These standards are neither ready-made nor neutral. They are currently being developed, and they 'inscribe' behaviour in complex and non-transparent ways. We explore how this takes place, identifying by whom, where and how inscriptions are made. Our principal aim is to uncover the socio-technical complexity of establishing an information infrastructure, a complexity which so far has been severely underestimated by those involved. By studying the process of aligning and linking one inscription to other inscriptions, we also hope to learn more about the strength of inscriptions, that is, the degree to which an inscription actually succeeds in enforcing a desired behaviour. The empirical basis of our analysis is a case-study of standardization processes of health information infrastructure from Norway.

We are in this paper discussing conceptualisations of the relationship between IT and organisational issues. To move beyond an "IT enables/ constrains" position, we argue that it is necessary to take the specifics of an information system (IS) more serious. A theoretical framework called actor-network theory from social studies of science and technology is presented as promising in this regard. With respect to new organisational forms, the class of ISs which need closer scrutiny is information infrastructures (INIs). They have characteristics which distinguish them from other ISs, namely the role and pattern of diffusion of standards. These standards are neither ready-made nor neutral: they inscribe organisational behaviour deeply within their "technical" details. Diffusion and adoption of standards depart from other kinds of ISs by requiring the coordination of the surrounding actors, institutional arrangements and work practices.