Skip to main content
Log in

Investigating Information Culture: A Comparative Case Study Research Design and Methods

  • Published:
Archival Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reports on the research design and methods used to investigate the interactions of organisational culture, defined as encompassing layers of national, occupational and corporate culture, with information and its management. A central focus of the study was recordkeeping in organisations. Consideration is given to the key concepts involved, and the two theoretical frameworks which were used as analytical tools in the study are outlined – the information continuum model and Hofstede’s dimensions of national culture. Use of a case study methodology, analysis of the data collected and comparative analysis of findings are all discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • D.K. Allen (2003) ArticleTitle“Organisational Climate and Strategic Change in Higher Education: Organisational Insecurity” Higher Education 46 IssueID1 61–92 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1024445024385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D.K. Allen N. Fifeld (1999) ArticleTitle“Re-engineering Change in Higher Education” Information Research 4 IssueID3 1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • D.K. Allen T. Kern D. Mattison (2002) ArticleTitle“Culture, Power and Politics in ICT Outsourcing in Higher Education Institutions” European Journal of Information Systems 11 159–173 Occurrence Handle10.1057/palgrave.ejis.3000425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D.K. Allen T.D. Wilson (1996) ArticleTitle“Information Strategies in UK Higher Education Institutions” International Journal of Information Management 16 IssueID4 239–251 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0268-4012(96)00011-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R.F. Baskerville (2003) ArticleTitle“Hofstede Never Studied Culture” Accounting Organizations and Society 28 IssueID1 1–14 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0361-3682(01)00048-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. Bearman (1992) ArticleTitle“Diplomatics, Weberian Bureaucracy, and The Management of Electronic Records in Europe and America” American Archivist 55 IssueID1 168–181

    Google Scholar 

  • P.J. Calvert (2001) ArticleTitle“International Variations in Measuring Customer Expectations” Library Trends 49 IssueID4 732–753

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Clayton (1995) ArticleTitle“No Easy Option: Case Study Research in Libraries” AARL 26 69–75

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Corbitt (2004) ArticleTitle“Cultural Differences, Information and Code Systems” Journal of Global Information Management 12 IssueID3 65–85

    Google Scholar 

  • R.J. Cox W.M. Duff (1997) ArticleTitle“Warrant and the Definition of Electronic Records: Questions Arising from the Pittsburgh Project” Archives and Museum Informatics 11 IssueID3/4 223–231 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1009008706990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. Curry C. Moore (2003) ArticleTitle“Assessing Information Culture – An Exploratory Model” International Journal of Information Management 23 91–110 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0268-4012(02)00102-0 Occurrence Handle2003cdsf.conf.....C

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P. Darke G. Shanks M. Broadbent (1998) ArticleTitle“Successfully Completing Case Study Research: Combining Rigour, Relevance and Pragmatism” Information Systems Journal 8 273–289 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2575.1998.00040.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T.H. Davenport R.G. Eccles L. Prusak (1992) ArticleTitle“Information politics” Sloan Management Review 34 53–65

    Google Scholar 

  • T.H. Davenport L. Prusak (1997) Information Ecology: Mastering the Information and Knowledge Environment Oxford University Press New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Davison, R. and Jordan, E. Cultural Factors in the Adoption and Use of GSS, City University of Hong Kong Working Paper, 1996.

  • W.M. Duff (1998) ArticleTitle“Harnessing the Power of Warrant” American Archivist 61 IssueID1 88–105

    Google Scholar 

  • R.B. Gallupe F. Tan (1999) ArticleTitle“A Research Manifesto for Global Information Management” Journal of global information management 7 IssueID3 5

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Giddens (1984) The Constitution of Society: Outline of the Theory of Structuration University of California Press Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Ginman (1987) ArticleTitle“Information Culture and Business Performance” IATUL Quarterly 2 IssueID2 93–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorman G.E. and Corbitt B. Core competencies in information management education. Paper presented at the ICLISE 2001 International Conference of Library and Information Science Educators in the Asia Pacific Region, Kuala Lumpur, 2001.

  • A. Grimshaw (1995) Information Culture and Business Performance University of Herfordshire Press Hatfield

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Groeschl L. Doherty (2000) ArticleTitle“Conceptualising Culture” Cross Cultural Management 7 IssueID4 12–17

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Grover R.C. Greer (1991) “The Cross-disciplinary Imperative of LIS Research” C.R. McClure P. Hernon (Eds) Library and Information Science Research: Perspectives and Strategies for Improvement Ablex Norwood, NJ 101–113

    Google Scholar 

  • D.E. Hanna (2003) “Organizational Models in Higher Education, Past and Future” M.G. Moore W.G. Anderson (Eds) Handbook of Distance Education Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Mahwah, NJ 67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Hofstede (1997) Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind (Rev. ed.) McGraw Hill New York

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Hofstede (2001) Culture’s Consequences: Comparing Values, Behaviors, Institutions, and Organizations Across Nations EditionNumber2 Sage Publications Thousand Oaks, CA

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Hofstede (2002) ArticleTitle“Dimensions do not Exist: A Reply to Brendan McSweeney” Human Relations 55 IssueID11 1355–1361 Occurrence Handle10.1177/0018726702055011921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Hofstede B. Neuijen D.D. Ohayv G. Sanders (1990) ArticleTitle“Measuring Organizational Cultures: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study Across Twenty Cases” Administrative Science Quarterly 35 IssueID2 286–316

    Google Scholar 

  • ISO 15489.1-2002. Records Management Part 1: General. Sydney: Standards Australia International Ltd. 2002.

  • S.L. Jarvenpaa D.S. Staples (2000) ArticleTitle“The Use of Collabortive Electronic Media for Information Sharing: An Exploratory Study of Determinants” Journal of Strategic Information Systems 9 129–154 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0963-8687(00)00042-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S.L. Jarvenpaa D.S. Staples (2001) ArticleTitle“Exploring Perceptions of Organizational Ownership of Information and Expertise” Journal of Management Information Systems 18 IssueID1 151–183

    Google Scholar 

  • M.R. Jones (1999) “Structuration Theory” W.L. Currie R.D. Galliers (Eds) Rethinking Management Information Systems: An Interdisciplinary Perspective Oxford University Press Oxford 103–135

    Google Scholar 

  • D.S. Kaufer K.M. Carley (1993) Communication at a Distance: The Influence of Print on Sociocultural Organization and Change Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Hillsdale, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Ketelaar (1997) ArticleTitle“The Difference Best Postponed?” Archivaria 44 142–148

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Ketelaar (2001) ArticleTitle“Ethnologie Archivistique” Gazette des Archives 192 7–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, J. Information in Organisations: Directions for Information Management. Information Research, 4(3)(1999).

  • S. Kvale (1996) InterViews: An introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing Sage Thousand Oaks

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Lamb J.L. King R. Kling (2003) ArticleTitle“Informational Environments: Organizational Contexts of Online Information Use” Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology 54 IssueID2 97–114 Occurrence Handle10.1002/asi.10182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D.A. Lewis W.J. Martin (1989) ArticleTitle“Information Management: State of the Art in the United Kingdom” ASLIB Proceedings 41 IssueID7/8 225–250

    Google Scholar 

  • Marcella, R. and Knox, K., Systems for the Management of Information in a University Context: An Investigation of User Need, Information Research 9, pp. np.

  • M.L. Markus C. Soh (2002) ArticleTitle“Structural Influences on Global E-Commerce Activity” Journal of Global Information Management 10 IssueIDJan–March 5–12

    Google Scholar 

  • B. McSweeney (2002a) ArticleTitle“The Essentials of Scholarship: A Reply to Geert Hofstede” Human Relations 55 IssueID11 1363–1372 Occurrence Handle10.1177/0018726702055011922

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. McSweeney (2002b) ArticleTitle“Hofstede’s Model of National Cultural Differences” Human Relations 55 89–117

    Google Scholar 

  • C. McSwiney (2003) ArticleTitle“Cultural Implications of a Global Context: The Need for the Reference Librarian to Ask Again ‘Who is My Client?’” Australian Library Journal 52 IssueID4 379–388

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Mead (1990) Cross-cultural Management Communication Wiley New York

    Google Scholar 

  • C.A. Mellon (1990) Naturalistic Inquiry for Library Science: Methods and Applications for Research, Evaluation, and Teaching Greenwood Press Westport, CT

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, M.B. and Huberman, A.M. Qualitative Data Analysis: An Expanded Sourcebook (2nd edition), (Thousand Oaks, 1994).

  • H. Mintzberg (1983) Structure in Fives: Designing Effective Organizations Prentice Hall Englewood Cliffs, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Oliver (2003) ArticleTitle“Cultural Dimensions of Information Management” Journal of Information and Knowledge Management 2 IssueID1 53–62

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Rowley (1998) ArticleTitle“Towards A Framework for Information Management” International Journal of Information Management 18 IssueID5 359–369 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0268-4012(98)00025-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Rowley J. Farrow (2000) Organizing Knowledge: An Introduction to Managing Access to Information EditionNumber3 Gower Aldershot

    Google Scholar 

  • Schauder, D., Stillman, L. and Johanson, G. Sustaining and Transforming a Community Network: The Information Continuum Model and the Case of VICNET. Journal of Community Informatics, in press (2005).

  • E.H. Schein (1966) ArticleTitle“Three Cultures of Management: The Key to Organizational Learning” Sloan Management Review 38 9–20

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Shanks (1997) ArticleTitle“The Challenges of Strategic Data Planning in Practice: An Interpretive Case Study” Journal of Strategic Information Systems 6 69–90 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0963-8687(96)01053-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P.B. Smith (2002) ArticleTitle“Culture’s Consequences: Something Old and Something New” Human Relations 55 IssueID1 119–135 Occurrence Handle10.1177/0018726702055001603

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P.B. Smith S. Dugan F. Trompenaars (1996) ArticleTitle“National Culture and the Values of Organizational Employees: A Dimensional Analysis Across 43 Nations” Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 27 IssueID2 231–264

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Sondergaard (1994) ArticleTitle“Hofstede’s Consequences: A Study of Reviews, Citations and Replications” Organization Studies 15 IssueID3 447–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Steemson, M. (2001). World Taken by Surprise: Nations Agree the Best “How To’s”. Retrieved 7 Jan, 2003, from www.caldeson.com/techr011.html.

  • H.C. Triandis (1972) The Analysis of Subjective Culture Wiley New York

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Upward (1996) ArticleTitle“Structuring the Records Continuum – Part One: Postcustodial Principles and Properties” Archives and Manuscripts 24 IssueID2 268–285

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Upward (1997) ArticleTitle“Structuring the Records Continuum, Part Two: Structuration Theory and Recordkeeping” Archives and Manuscripts 25 IssueID1 10–35

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Upward (2000) ArticleTitle“Modelling the Continuum as Paradigm Shift in Recordkeeping and Archiving Process, and Beyond – A Personal Reflection” Records Management Journal 10 IssueID3 115–139 Occurrence Handle10.1108/EUM0000000007259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Walsham (1995) ArticleTitle“Interpretive Case Studies in IS Research: Nature and Method” European Journal of Information Systems 4 74–81

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Walsham (2002) ArticleTitle“Cross-cultural Software Production and Use: A Structurational Analysis” MIS Quarterly 26 IssueID4 359–380

    Google Scholar 

  • J.Y. Weisinger E.M. Trauth (2002) ArticleTitle“Situating Culture in the Global Information Sector” Information Technology & People 15 IssueID4 306–320 Occurrence Handle10.1108/09593840210453106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. Williamson (2002) ArticleTitle“Forward from a Critique of Hofstede’s Model of National Culture” Human Relations 55 IssueID11 1373–1395 Occurrence Handle10.1177/0018726702055011923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K. Williamson F. Burstein S. McKemmish (2000) “The Two Major Traditions of Research” K. Williamson (Eds) Research Methods for Students and Professionals: Information Management and Systems Centre for Information Studies Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga, New South Wales 25–47

    Google Scholar 

  • R.K. Yin (2003) Case Study Research: Design and Methods EditionNumber3 Sage Thousand Oaks, CA

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gillian Oliver.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Oliver, G. Investigating Information Culture: A Comparative Case Study Research Design and Methods. Arch Sci 4, 287–314 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10502-005-2596-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10502-005-2596-6

Keywords

Navigation