JTH hosted international conference on information system development

The School of Engineering (JTH) at Jönköping University (JU) hosted the international conference STPIS -24 (Socio-Technical Perspectives in IS) on 16-17 August. The conference highlighted the importance of a socio-technical perspective in information system development both in terms of research and practice.

STPIS -24 took place in JTH's premises in the Science Park Towers in Jönköping and gathered around 40 people, of which around half participated online. The socio-technical perspective assumes that technology cannot be developed and used in a vacuum, but is dependent on its social and organizational context.

“There are many examples of employers who purchase IT systems without knowing how they will contribute to business operations. Then it doesn't matter how fancy or technical the system is. You must start by understanding the organization's needs and see which parts you can digitize to make it easier for your users and achieve your business goals,” says Joakim Kävrestad, Assistant Professor Computer Science at JTH and chairman of the conference.

"Creates ripples in the water"

Joakim Kävrestad has been involved in organizing the STPIS conference in the past and thinks it is gratifying that JTH gets to showcase its activities on the international arena.

“Researchers from prominent institutes around the world come here and learn about us and what we do. It creates ripples in the water and guarantees future collaborations. There was a good buzz during the conference and many good conversations between the participants,” says Joakim Kävrestad.

Mia Korhonen, Regional Security Operations Manager at Microsoft and Professional Doctorate of Security Risk Management at the University of Portsmouth, was one of the participants who shared her research at the conference, which in her case focuses on the Physical Security Professional (PSP). She thinks that the core issue for the socio-technical area within information system development is about highlighting the human factors together with technology and the development of AI. It was her first time both at the STPIS conference and in Jönköping.

“I had high expectations for the event, and it has been fascinating to hear the main speakers' performances. They have given me several ideas how I can work further with my research,” she says.