%0 Journal Article %1 RefWorks:321 %A Braa, Jørn %A Hedberg, Calle %D 2002 %J Information Society %K ACTION Africa; Decentralization; EMPOWERMENT; Health INFORMATION PUBLIC RESEARCH; SOUTH STANDARDIZATION; administration; development health information management; resources systems systems; %N 2 %P 113-127 %T The Struggle for District-Based Health Information Systems in South Africa %U http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=6705438&site=ehost-live %V 18 %X This article describes the initial period (1994–2001) of an ongoing action research project to develop health information systems to support district management in South Africa. The reconstruction of the health sector in postapartheid South Africa striving for equity in health service delivery and building of a decentralized structure based on health districts. In terms of information systems (IS) development, this reform process translates into standardization of health data in ways that inscribe the goals of the new South Africa by enhancing local control and integration of information handling. We describe our approach to action research and use concepts from actor-network and structuration theories in analyzing the case material. In the detailed description and analysis of the process of IS development provided, we focus on the need to balance standardization and local flexibility (localization); standardization is thus seen as bottom-up alignment of an array of heterogeneous actors. Building on a social system model of information systems, we conceptualize the IS design strategy developed and used as the cultivation of processes whereby these actors are translating and aligning their interests. We develop a modular hierarchy of global and local datasets as a framework within which the tensions between standardization and localization may be understood and addressed. Finally, we discuss the possible relevance of the results of the research in other countries. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR; Copyright of Information Society is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts) %@ 01972243

@article{RefWorks:321, abstract = {This article describes the initial period (1994–2001) of an ongoing action research project to develop health information systems to support district management in South Africa. The reconstruction of the health sector in postapartheid South Africa striving for equity in health service delivery and building of a decentralized structure based on health districts. In terms of information systems (IS) development, this reform process translates into standardization of health data in ways that inscribe the goals of the new South Africa by enhancing local control and integration of information handling. We describe our approach to action research and use concepts from actor-network and structuration theories in analyzing the case material. In the detailed description and analysis of the process of IS development provided, we focus on the need to balance standardization and local flexibility (localization); standardization is thus seen as bottom-up alignment of an array of heterogeneous actors. Building on a social system model of information systems, we conceptualize the IS design strategy developed and used as the cultivation of processes whereby these actors are translating and aligning their interests. We develop a modular hierarchy of global and local datasets as a framework within which the tensions between standardization and localization may be understood and addressed. Finally, we discuss the possible relevance of the results of the research in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Information Society is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts)}, added-at = {2008-12-27T17:34:46.000+0100}, author = {Braa, Jørn and Hedberg, Calle}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/2b1ca29aa644567028d3245808f5a4cf1/critzo}, description = {test export from refworks}, interhash = {be1325a50ac8b90961d4e578dd65f669}, intrahash = {b1ca29aa644567028d3245808f5a4cf1}, isbn = {01972243}, journal = {Information Society}, keywords = {ACTION Africa; Decentralization; EMPOWERMENT; Health INFORMATION PUBLIC RESEARCH; SOUTH STANDARDIZATION; administration; development health information management; resources systems systems;}, month = {03}, note = {M3: Article; Accession Number: 6705438; Braa, Jørn Hedberg, Calle; Source Info: Mar2002, Vol. 18 Issue 2, p113; Subject Term: INFORMATION resources management; Subject Term: PUBLIC health administration; Subject Term: STANDARDIZATION; Subject Term: SOUTH Africa; Author-Supplied Keyword: ACTION RESEARCH; Author-Supplied Keyword: Decentralization; Author-Supplied Keyword: EMPOWERMENT; Author-Supplied Keyword: Health information systems; Author-Supplied Keyword: information systems development; Author-Supplied Keyword: SOUTH AFRICA; Author-Supplied Keyword: STANDARDIZATION; NAICS/Industry Codes: 923120 Administration of Public Health Programs; Number of Pages: 15p; Document Type: Article}, number = 2, pages = {113-127}, timestamp = {2008-12-27T17:34:49.000+0100}, title = {The Struggle for District-Based Health Information Systems in South Africa}, url = {http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=6705438&site=ehost-live}, volume = 18, year = 2002 }