Designing electronic performance support system in organizational context: an activity theory approach

EPSSs (electronic performance support systems) have been developed by many organizations during the last decade, because it reduces the cost of staff training while increases productivity and performance. Context studies are essential to the successful design of EPSSs for the following reasons: the principle underlying EPSS is to optimize the users' work environment to foster learning and performance; and since unique contextual factors in organizations may affect the usability and efficiency of EPSS, EPSS should be specifically designed to suit the particular organizational context. Activity theory provides a rich framework for studies of context. This paper discusses the use of activity theory and developmental work research as the framework and development methodology to develop EPSS in an organizational context. Based on the activity-theoretical hypotheses, a cyclic six-step development process is proposed and will be employed in the EPSS design in the context of a manufacturing plant.