The Need for Rich Theory to Realize the Vision of Healthcare Network Centric Operations: The Case for Combining ANT and Social Network Analysis

The Conceptual Basis For Network-Centric Operations

The cardinal details of the networkcentric doctrine of healthcare operations have been described in detail by von Lubitz and Wickramasinghe (2006b-e). The doctrine is rooted in the pioneering work of Boyd (1987, see also von Lubitz and Wickramasinghe, 2006b-ed-e) who analyzed the process of decision making and the fundamental principles of interaction with- and control of- a fast paced and dynamic environment. Critical research-based projects (as applicable in the area of information systems and health) have a growing tradition of qualitative inquiry. Despite its relativist ontology, actor network theory places a strong emphasis on empirical inquiry and actor network theory, is ideally suited to the generation of detailed and contextual empirical knowledge (Doolin B and Lowe A, 2002). Following its initial military applications, Boyd’s OODA Loop as it is presently known, found many adherents and practical uses in a wide variety of civilian applications including medicine (von Lubitz et al., 2004von Lubitz and Wickramasinghe, 2006a-e).