1. ¹School of Computing, Napier University, Edinburgh, U.K.
2. ²School of Informatics University of Manchester, U.K.

Correspondence: Keith S. Horton, School of Computing Napier University, 10 Colinton Road, Edinburgh EH14 5SY, U.K. Tel: +44 131 455 2719; E-mail: k.horton@napier.ac.uk

Received 27 January 2004; Revised 17 October 2005; Accepted 19 January 2006.

Abstract

This paper reports upon I.T. initiatives in the U.K. public sector where choices were made, decisions taken, major investment authorised, and new I.T. introduced. The research investigation followed practice over several years in three Police Forces as new information technologies were introduced. We focus on these I.T. trajectories, and in particular the actions, interactions and events within and across groups of people. We argue that practices surrounding I.T. choice are socially shaped. Indeed, the choices and subsequent acquisition can be viewed as part of a process of ongoing configuration. We argue that Social Worlds Theory has much to offer in understanding what happens as I.T. trajectories evolve in organisations. The empirical part of the paper reports upon the findings from a longitudinal, cross-case analysis within the three Police Forces – institutions that are often characterised as bureaucratic in form, and culture. In each case, the I.T. trajectories were followed utilising a variety of qualitative techniques. Drawing upon social worlds theory, and boundary objects, we consider the influence of certain 'objects' upon I.T. outcomes, and the way in which other boundary objects become a focus for the construction of apparent facades of formality.