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1 – 3 of 3Jenine Beekhuyzen, Liisa von Hellens and Sue Nielsen
This paper aims to investigate the rules and rituals for joining and operating within underground music file sharing communities as well as the members' motivations for joining.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the rules and rituals for joining and operating within underground music file sharing communities as well as the members' motivations for joining.
Design/methodology/approach
Actor‐network theory is combined with an ethnographic methodology to explore the structure, technology and rules of these communities from an actor‐oriented, member perspective. Empirical data include in‐depth interviews with three file sharers, and participant‐observations for 120 days within an online community.
Findings
The paper provides an increased understanding of the structured and orderly nature of underground music file sharing communities and the perceived importance of strong rules and rituals for membership. Many communities use the same open‐source software.
Research limitations/implications
Only a small number of file sharers (three) were interviewed. However they provide rich insights into this under‐researched topic.
Practical implications
An understanding of these sophisticated underground file sharing communities assists the further development of legitimate online music systems to appeal to the large number of individuals involved in music file sharing communities.
Social implications
This paper provides an understanding of the practices within a subculture that is currently regarded as deviant and illegal, and contributes to the discussion and policy formulation on file sharing.
Originality/value
This study is the only known ethnography investigating underground music file sharing communities. These communities have not been systematically studied previously and the paper addresses this lack of research literature. This study is also novel as it applies actor‐network theory to a context to which it has not previously been applied.
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Shah J. Miah, Don Kerr and Liisa von Hellens
The knowledge of artefact design in design science research can have an important application in the improvement of decision support systems (DSS) development research. Recent DSS…
Abstract
Purpose
The knowledge of artefact design in design science research can have an important application in the improvement of decision support systems (DSS) development research. Recent DSS literature has identified a significant need to develop user-centric DSS method for greater relevance with respect to context of use. The purpose of this paper is to develop a collective DSS design artefact as method in a practical industry context.
Design/methodology/approach
Under the influence of goal-directed interaction design principles the study outlines the innovative DSS artefact based on design science methodology to deliver a cutting-edge decision support solution, which provides user-centric provisions through the use of design environment and ontology techniques.
Findings
The DSS artefact as collective information technology applications through the application of design science knowledge can effectively be designed to meet decision makers’ contextual needs in an agricultural industry context.
Research limitations/implications
The study has limitations in that it was developed in a case study context and remains to be fully tested in a real business context. It is also assumed that the domain decisions can be parameterised and represented using a constraint programming language.
Practical implications
The paper concludes that the DSS artefact design and this development successfully overcomes some of the limitations of traditional DSS such as low-user uptake, system obsolescence, low returns on investment and a requirement for continual re-engineering effort.
Social implications
The design artefact has the potential of increasing user uptake in an industry that has had relevancy problems with past DSS implementation and has experienced associated poor uptake.
Originality/value
The design science paradigm provides structural guidance throughout the defined process, helping ensure fidelity both to best industry knowledge and to changing user contexts.
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