Perspectives on Integrating Librarians and

Technologists in Information Service Units

Cameron Tuai: Doctoral Qualifying Paper Presentation. August 26th 2009

Integrating Librarians and Technologists

2
Overview
 Scope of the Problem Area


 Structural Contingency Theory – Integration

 Methodology


 Information Technology Governance Theory



 Methodology




3
Scope of the Problem Area
 Contingency Perspective of Integration


 Academic Information Service Units



 Partnership
Between Librarians and
Technologists


4
Structural Contingency Theory
 Research Area
 Intra-Organizational Contexts that Affect
Structures


 Integration
 The process of achieving unity of effort
among the various subsystems in the
accomplishment of the organization’s
task *

 Product of Interdependence and
Coordination †

 5
*(Lawrence & Lorsch , 1967), †(Donaldson ,
 Structural Contingency Theory
Work Entering
Prescriptiv Policies
e &
c

Coo
nden

Procedure
Work Leaving s

rdin
e

Work Entering
rdep

Descripti Goal

ati
ve s
&
Inte

on
Work Leaving Plan
s
e

Work Entering
Personal Exchange of Meeting
Information s
&
Work Leaving Teams
Service
Integration 6
Structural Contingency Theory
Level of Analysis

S e rvice Le ve l o f U n it Le ve lo f
A n a lysis A n a lysis

7
Structural Contingency Theory
Lib ra ria Te ch n o lo g is
ns ts

U n it In te g ra tio n

H o rizo n ta lC o o rd in a tio n
8
Structural Contingency Theory
 Service Level of Analyses
 Varying Levels of Interdependence and
Coordination


 Unit Level of Analyses

 High Degrees of Interdependence and
Horizontal Coordination

9
IT Governance Theory
 Research Area
 IT decision-making rights and
responsibilities
 Procedures for making and monitoring
strategic decisions


 Integration
 Coordinate and integrate formal and
informal IT decision-making authority

10
(Peterson , 2004)
IT Governance Theory

Operational Process
c
Decisions Capabilities

Coo
nden

rdin
e
rdep

Goals

ati
& Structural
Objectives Capabiliti
Inte

es

on
e

Problem
Solving Relational
& Capabilitie
Creativity Unit Level s
Integration
11
IT Governance Theory
Cross -
Operational Discipline
c
Decisions Expertise &

Coo
nden

Representati
on

r din
e
rdep

Goals Memos

ati
& Agreements
Objectives 5 - Year
Inte

on
Plans
e

Problem Job - Rotation

Solving Co - Location
& Cross - Train
Creativity Unit Level
Integration
12
Methodology
 Integration – Rational Systems Perspective
 Rational sum of interdependence and
coordination


 Integration – Natural Systems Perspective

 Informal behavior moderating coordination
of interdependence


1.




13

Methodology
 Integration – Rational Systems Perspective
 Rational sum of interdependence and
coordination


 Integration – Natural Systems Perspective

 Culture  Behavioral Differentiation *
 Politics  Strategic Choice†



1.

 14
*(Lawrence & Lorsch , 1967), †(Child ,1972
Methodology
Behavioral


Differentiation Examples


 Goal Orientation  Different Service Models

 Time Orientation  Different Traditional
 Interpersonal Roles
Orientation 



15
Methodology
Behavioral


Differentiation Examples


 Goal Orientation  Long-Term vs. Short-

 Time Orientation Term
 Interpersonal  Gradual vs. Rapid
Orientation Change
  Predictability vs. Risk



16
Methodology
Behavioral


Differentiation Examples


 Goal Orientation  Fe m a le s M a le s
 Time Orientation  vs
S h.u sh in g
 Interpersonal B o o kw o rm s vs.
Te ch n o -
Orientation  P aNssi
e rdves -
 A g g re ssive vs.
A g g re ssive -
  A b ra sive


17
Methodology
Horizontal


Strategic Choice
 Coordination
 Evaluation of the  Relational Coordination
Situation  Structural Coordination
 Choice of Goals  Process Coordination
 Design of Structure



18
Summary
 Clearly Define Unit of Analysis


 Separate Integration of Service from Integration

of Unit


 Use Specific Horizontal Structures for Specific

Interdependencies


 Focus on the Rational Coordination of

Interdependencies
 Be Aware of the Natural Forces of Politics and
Culture
 19
Questions

20
Natural and Rational Forces

Natural Rationa Rationa

l Technica l Natural
Forces Forces
l
Force Core Force
s s

“when we shift from technology to technical systems, the

opportunity for social and political forces to operate is greatly
enlarged” *
21
* (Scott, 1992 p.