TUI University

Ronald Donaldson

ITM-491

Module #1 Case

Socio-technical Systems

Dr. Howard

Coursenet & Socio-technical Design

The following analysis of TUI University’s academic content delivery system

(coursenet) will have as its primary objective, to surmise clean and orderly specifications

describing the foremost 'socio-technical systems' (STS) issues underlying the coursenet

educational collaboration system. In so doing, I will be offering an outline of commonly

accepted best practices regarding the analysis of socio-technical networks in general,

drawing from multiple sources so as to construct a logical framework upon which to

drape the characteristically pertinent concepts and ideas that are found peculiar to TUI's

coursenet.

Among the ideas borrowed from external sources regarding the accepted

consensus on socio-technical design, I will be reflecting extensively upon the 'six pitfalls',

(Computingcases.com) which have been found by their authors to potentially obscure the

effective resolution of STS issues. Additionally, lending to the platform of my position, I

will be implementing widely from the article, "OR42", and in particular, from the

principles found therein, that are derived from "Cherns" regarding STS theory, to include

his ten commonly accepted postulates on the subject. Also serving as a tremendous aid in

my work, and repeatedly referred to throughout my analysis is the five-component, visual

STS model of consideration drawn from "Nurminem", and also found on "OR42". These

widely accepted models and principles of STS, combined with further research, including

organizational case examples and any other sources found to be valid, contribute toward

my endeavor to elaborate upon critical STS issues involving coursenet, and ultimately

lead to an overall evaluative analysis of the socio-technical system as a whole.

Elements of a STS

To begin with, it’s important to first identify those elements within the STS that

stand out the most as being critical components of the overall network. In this manor, it is

then possible to create a point of reference from which to consider the more perplexing

issues arising from the many interactions and relationships between elements occurring

within the system. According to the authors of, "Computingcases.com", there are seven

primary elements, which comprise a socio-technical system. Put differently, it might be

said that a socio-technical system may be broken down into seven categories of

contributing elements. Those categories are: hardware, software, physical surroundings,

people, procedures, laws & regulations, and data & data structures.

Once these elements are identified, further assertions as to interrelationships

between them, impacts upon the STS, overall system strengths and weaknesses, and in

general, all further details concerning issues within the system that serve either to help or

hinder overall efficiency, can be made. Periodic assessment will also provide for a

snapshot of system-wide status at any given point in time. Below, I have included a table

of the aforementioned STS elemental categories along with their corresponding coursenet

related specifications. I’ve also provided space for user specifications so as to add further

perspective and organization to the model. Descriptions have been purposefully left short

and simple, serving primarily to illustrate the point. It should perhaps be noted that in

some places specifications are estimates and are not presumed true. Categories of STS

elements are derived from, (computingcases.com and ezinearticles.com.).

The 7 Categorical STS Elements of Coursenet

Category Specifications of Corresponding STS ElementsCoursenet Student Body

HardwareWorkstations, servers, dedicated databases, routers, hubs, wiring, peripherals, etc.

PCs, peripherals, routers, modems, wiring, etc.

SoftwareOSs, network OSs,, server OSs, coursenet program code, utility applications etc.

OSs, browsers, utilities, applications, etc.

Physical Surroundings

Departmentalized office cubicles, California, Academic organizational structure, multiple story building, relatively low stress environment.

Minimal stress environment, maximum location and/or time of day flexibility.

PeoplePosition/department specific responsibility and authority structure. Overseeing organizational role/position hierarchy.

Family, friends, preference of the student.

Procedures

TUI’s internal regulatory and structural procedures, work ethic, hierarchically defined standards, as well as regional accreditation standards and student body regulations and procedures to uphold.

Adherences to procedure in accordance with TUI University regulatory guidelines are to be observed by the student body at all times.

Laws & RegulationsEqual opportunity, discrimination, grading policies in adherence to minimum requirements and fairness to students, etc.

Copyright observances and citation inclusion. Minimum required knowledge base in subject area required by area, etc.

Data & Data Structures

Database requirements and specifications, server and network maintenance, related parties and organizations communications/collaboration i.e. prior colleges, loan agencies, etc.

Access to TUI/coursenet servers and database, course materials, CD/books, search engines, required reading and research recommendations, etc.