Health information systems implementation: Weaving alliances in East African Community

Abstract This paper addresses the problem of fragmentation and lack of coordination in the context of health information systems. Drawing on a longitudinal action research study of implementing a regional database in East African Community; a process model is developed illustrating forms of institutional work in weaving alliance through three non‐linear phases: standardisation, evolving and stabilisation. The study first contributes by conceptualising weaving alliance as a process whereby novel Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) capabilities such as the implementation and use of dashboards emerge and co‐evolve with intentional actions by actors aligning stakeholders with diverse interests. The second contribution concerns how dashboards emerge and co‐evolve with existing work practises facilitating a common understanding among multi‐stakeholders. Collectively, the study broadens our understanding of introducing and sustaining ICT4D solutions in settings characterised by fragmented information systems.