University of Warwick institutional repository: http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of PhD at the University of Warwick http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap/2778 This thesis is made available online and is protected by original copyright. Please scroll down to view the document itself. Please refer to the repository record for this item for information to help you to cite it. Our policy information is available from the repository home page. Information system development in a process management environment: the dynamics of improvisation and bricolage during embedded software design by Wolfgang Alfred Molnar A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Warwick, Warwick Business School November 2009 "All men by nature desire to know." Aristotle (384‐322BC) Greek philosopher II Word cloud of this thesis1 1 The cloud give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the thesis text and was created by a Java application, derived from http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/wordcloud at 1st August 2009. III Table of Contents Word cloud of this thesis.....................................................................................III Table of Contents ............................................................................................... IV Figure Listing ........................................................................................................X Table Listing .......................................................................................................XII Acknowledgements.......................................................................................... XIV Declaration........................................................................................................ XV List of publications ........................................................................................... XVI Abstract .......................................................................................................... XVII 1 Introduction ...................................................................................................1 1.1 Embedded systems in Automobiles .............................................................................................1 1.2 PrActice‐bAsed motivAtions For the study .................................................................................3 1.3 Knowledge‐bAsed motivAtions.......................................................................................................5 1.4 Outline oF thesis....................................................................................................................................8 2 Literature Review .........................................................................................10 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................10 2.2 Process mAnAgement ......................................................................................................................11 2.2.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................11 2.2.2 Development activities and process management .........................................................12 2.2.2.1 Extent oF process mAnAgement.................................................................................................12 2.2.2.2 TAsks oF process mAnAgement ..................................................................................................13 2.2.2.3 CompArison oF importAnt process mAnAgement FrAmeworks And development Activities .................................................................................................................................................................15 IV 2.2.3 Quality management – ISO 9001............................................................................................18 2.2.3.1 Scope oF quAlity mAnAgement – ISO 9001 ............................................................................ 18 2.2.3.2 Content oF ISO 9001 ....................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.3.2.1 Monitoring oF ISO 9001.......................................................................................................22 2.2.3.2.2 ChAnges between ISO 9001:2000 And ISO 9001:2008..........................................23 2.2.3.3 Positive Aspects About ISO 9001............................................................................................... 24 2.2.3.4 DiFFiculties with ISO 9001............................................................................................................ 25 2.2.4 Summary...........................................................................................................................................26 2.3 InFormAtion system development processes........................................................................27 2.3.1 Information system development metHodologies...........................................................27 2.3.1.1 PreliminAry remArks...................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.1.2 SpeciFicAtion‐bAsed methodologies......................................................................................... 29 2.3.1.3 EvolutionAry development methodologies..........................................................................30 2.3.1.4 Agile development methodologies .......................................................................................... 31 2.3.1.5 CompArAtive tAble oF ISD methodologies ............................................................................. 33 2.3.2 Information system development metHodologies in practice....................................35 2.3.2.1 RAtionAles For using A methodology........................................................................................ 35 2.3.2.2 LimitAtions oF using methodologies........................................................................................ 36 2.4 Development oF embedded systems.........................................................................................40 2.4.1 Applications of embedded systems ........................................................................................41 2.4.1.1 Automotive environment ............................................................................................................ 42 2.4.2 Contextual cHallenges of embedded systems development.........................................43 2.5 ReseArch Aim And questions.........................................................................................................44 2.5.1 Identified knowledge gaps in tHe literature ......................................................................45 2.5.2 Focus of tHis tHesis ........................................................................................................................46 2.5.3 Summary...........................................................................................................................................48 3 Research Approach.......................................................................................49 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................49 3.2 EpistemologicAl position ...............................................................................................................49 3.3 Interpretive reseArch ApproAch..................................................................................................53 3.4 DAtA collection ApproAch And process.....................................................................................54 3.5 CAse study site....................................................................................................................................63 3.6 DAtA AnAlysis .......................................................................................................................................66 3.7 TheoreticAl lenses.............................................................................................................................69 3.7.1 Improvisation and bricolage....................................................................................................69 V 3.7.1.1 LAtin word origin............................................................................................................................. 70 3.7.1.2 Comprehension oF improvisAtion ............................................................................................ 71 3.7.1.3 Comprehension oF bricolAge ......................................................................................................75 3.7.1.4 ExAmples oF improvisAtion And bricolAge Activities ........................................................ 78 3.7.2 Structuration THeory...................................................................................................................80 3.7.2.1 ReFlexivity And humAn Agency...................................................................................................82 3.7.3 Summary...........................................................................................................................................84