GOVERNANCE IN IMPLEMENTING WEAKLY STRUCTURED INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Paper in proceeding, 2023

The implementation of information systems (IS) is a complex process that requires appropriate governance to ensure that the technical capabilities of the new IS align with organizational goals. However, existing literature lacks insight into how this alignment occurs when IS are designed as open-ended, weakly structured systems that offer generic functions, rather than for a singular purpose. To address this gap, this study examines the implementation of a low-code AI platform in eight large companies and the governance practices they employed to align the system's capabilities with their organizational goals. The findings highlight the importance of balanced governance practices that support and constrain the generative capacity of weakly structured IS, while enabling continuous interdependent development of organizational and technical capabilities throughout implementation. This study contributes to IS literature by responding to calls to examine challenges of implementing weakly structured IS and offering practical recommendations for implementation teams and system vendors.