Prototyping: A metaphor for cross-cultural transfer and implementation of IS applications

While there has been considerable research addressing issues of national culture, and information systems analysis and design, little effort has been directed at how information systems developed in one culture can be transferred to another. This paper introduces the concept of a cultural prototype, a framework to be used in the gradual introduction of IS applications. It considers the culture within which the application was developed and the culture into which the application will be introduced. Prototype stages are defined to provide this gradual and culturally sensitive transfer.