Case Studies On The Implementation And Use Of Database Management Systems (Panel Discussion): Experience with resistance
Pages 428 - 431
Abstract
The most dramatic advance of the past decade in software technology has been the development of database management systems (DBMS). There is little question about the potential of these systems for enhancing system support to managers and users while reducing design, structuring, and maintenance problems. Database systems also provide a way of improving information system flexibility by decoupling user-oriented data structures from physical storage methods.
In spite of the vast potential of database management systems, the information systems community has not reacted with the total enthusiasm that might have been expected. Significant resistance has been encountered in some organizations, both from users, systems managers, and programming staff members. Although the literature on the features of database systems is substantial, there is little discussion of resistance problems encountered during the actual implementation and use of these systems in organizations.
The purpose of this panel is to examine issues related to resistance toward DBMS in organizations. The panel members, each of whom is experienced in this area, will examine a number of organizational, technical, and application issues pertinent to the problem of resistance. The discussion will focus on why this resistance has occurred and how, if at all possible, it could have been avoided. Both behavioral and technical issues will be examined. This session should be of interest to both the practitioner and theorist alike.
Database management systems are collectively the most significant software product advance in the last decade. There is little question about the potential of these systems for improving data management in organizations. Yet not all persons show a level of enthusiasm for these systems that their capabilities would merit. Users and systems persons alike have been known to resist acquisition and/or introduction of database management systems, sometimes strongly. In the discussion that follows, the problem of resistance as it applies to database management systems is introduced. The intent is to raise issues for research and investigation rather than to provide concrete answers to problems.
References
[1]
Dickson, G.W. and J.K. Simmons, "The Behavioral Side of MIS," Business Horizons, 13 (August 1970), pp. 59-71.
[2]
Everest, G.E. "Objectives of Database Management," Information Systems, Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Computer and Information Sciences (COINS-72), 14-16 December 1972, New York: Plenum Press, 1974.
[3]
Powers, R.F. and G.W. Dickson, "MIS Project Management: Myths, Opinions, and Reality," California Management Review, 15 (Spring 1973), pp. 147-156.
[4]
Senn, K.A., Information Systems In Management, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 1978.
[5]
Sternberg, S., "Position Paper On The Implementation And Use of Database Management Systems," Proceedings 1977 Annual Conference, New York: Association For Computing Machinery, 1977, pp. 60-61.
[6]
Williams, L.K., "The Human Side of Systems Change," Systems And Procedures Journal, 15, No. 4 (July 1964), pp. 40-43
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- Case Studies On The Implementation And Use Of Database Management Systems (Panel Discussion): Experience with resistance
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December 1978
526 pages
Copyright © 1978 ACM.
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Publication History
Published: 04 December 1978
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