Bill Bonner - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Bill Bonner

Research paper thumbnail of History and IS — Broadening Our View and Understanding: Actor-Network Theory as a Methodology

Springer eBooks, 2016

The call for historical research In IS, mirrored in other fields of business studies, is an expii... more The call for historical research In IS, mirrored in other fields of business studies, is an expiicit recognition of the predominance of presentism in business research; the use of the past oniy to justify and validate current beliefs or inserting modern beliefs onto the past, rather than using the past to understand and reveal current assumptions and biases. There Is freedom in severing time and centering ourselves and our artifacts (computer technology), looking to Improve the future unburdened by the past. Yet, if that assumption is wrong, and the present is instead fluid and unstable because the past embedded in the present is tension filled and unresolved, this raises fundamental challenges to the work that we do, the value of that work to others, and is cause for reflection on our impact as educators. This paper demonstrates the merits of using Actor-Network Theory as a methodology for historical IS research, through its use in a Canadian case study. The study was prompted by the apparent resolution of a privacy controversy, involving personal motor vehicle registration information in the province of Alberta, through an appeal to something called 'historical purposes and practices.' Strangely, the purposes and practices were never identified. This begged the question, 'what was the substance of this argument and how come it was successful?' Tracing actual 'purposes and practices,' from the early 1900s to the present, reveals how historical, contextual understanding offers not only insights into, but can alter our very understanding of, the present.

Research paper thumbnail of If fair information principles are the answer, what was the question? An actor-network theory investigation of the modern constitution of privacy

Information and Organization, Oct 1, 2005

Privacy concerns are increasing, despite considerable government legislation and organizational r... more Privacy concerns are increasing, despite considerable government legislation and organizational resources expended in addressing them. In this paper, we explore the historical and contemporary influences on privacy legislation that redirect privacy efforts towards data, and data sharing. Particularly, we use actor-network theory (ANT) to discover and trace the development, translation and subsequent spread of the influence of international privacy principles (fair information principles, FIP) into de facto standards for addressing privacy concerns. Despite the acceptance of the ''black box'' of FIP, by official actants across 30 years, its enlistment has enhanced rather than prevented, the sharing of data. Our investigation offers insight into the complex interaction among various social, political and technical elements that have influenced the framing and discourse on privacy: from the early conflict among potential possibilities envisioned in emerging information and communication technologies and diverse concerns about those same potentials, to the development of FIP and how through enlistment,

Research paper thumbnail of SIPP Public Policy Papers 43

Research paper thumbnail of The Sieve of Overspecialization

Using Ulrich Beck‟s focus on experts as the source of unintended risks in society, this paper spe... more Using Ulrich Beck‟s focus on experts as the source of unintended risks in society, this paper speculates on the consequences of linking the concepts of privacy and security too closely. The argument is made that this constructed linkage attracts separate and fairly narrow fields of technical expertise that focus on a very limited definition of the problem and hence the potential solutions derived. It is argued that this expertise focuses on small “p” privacy (data and rules about data) and that a failure to address privacy substantively understates the potential costs of security failures and that, paradoxically, a serious engagement with concept of the privacy may lead to more effective attention on data and its security.

Research paper thumbnail of History and IS – Broadening Our View and Understanding: Actor–Network Theory as a Methodology

Journal of Information Technology, 2013

The call for historical research In IS, mirrored In other fields of business studies, Is an expli... more The call for historical research In IS, mirrored In other fields of business studies, Is an explicit recognition of the predominance of presentism in business research; the use of the past only to justify and validate current beliefs or inserting modern beliefs onto the past, rather than using the past to understand and reveal current assumptions and biases. There is freedom in severing time and centering ourselves and our artifacts (computer technology), looking to improve the future unburdened by the past. Yet, if that assumption is wrong, and the present is instead fluid and unstable because the past embedded in the present is tension filled and unresolved, this raises fundamental challenges to the work that we do, the value of that work to others, and is cause for reflection on our impact as educators. This paper demonstrates the merits of using Actor-Network Theory as a methodology for historical IS research, through its use in a Canadian case study. The study was prompted by t...

Research paper thumbnail of Locating a Space for Ethics to Appear in Decision-making: Privacy as an Exemplar

Journal of Business Ethics, 2006

... This explanation will be deferred to the next section. Despite public concern and legislative... more ... This explanation will be deferred to the next section. Despite public concern and legislative efforts to protect privacy, privacy as an issue is not diminishing (Equifax/Harris, 1994; Equifax/Harris, 1996; Fed-eral Trade Commission, 1998; Roy Morgan Re-search, 2001). ...

Research paper thumbnail of Restoring balance: How history tilts the scales against privacy. An Actor-Network Theory investigation

Information and Organization, 2009

In this paper we problematize the metaphor of balance employed in the area of information privacy... more In this paper we problematize the metaphor of balance employed in the area of information privacy. Using Actor-Network Theory we conduct an historical investigation into the continuous release of the same personal data over the course of eight decades. Through the examination of actual enactments of balance over time we find that, in practice, balancing acts are conducted at local levels by local actor-networks within organizations, with limited overall organizational knowledge, raising challenges around interpreting statements made by organizational spokespersons. We also find a surprising lack of knowledge possessed by these local actornetworks about what is subsequently done with personal data and the extent to which networks that extend beyond the organization gravitate towards and form around available data. Through tracing and revealing this historical Actor-Network Theory investigation provides a means of probing and examining actual acts of balance in the area of information privacy and, through revelation, aid in the creation of the possibility of bringing the act of balance more in line with the concept.

Research paper thumbnail of History and IS — Broadening Our View and Understanding: Actor-Network Theory as a Methodology

Springer eBooks, 2016

The call for historical research In IS, mirrored in other fields of business studies, is an expii... more The call for historical research In IS, mirrored in other fields of business studies, is an expiicit recognition of the predominance of presentism in business research; the use of the past oniy to justify and validate current beliefs or inserting modern beliefs onto the past, rather than using the past to understand and reveal current assumptions and biases. There Is freedom in severing time and centering ourselves and our artifacts (computer technology), looking to Improve the future unburdened by the past. Yet, if that assumption is wrong, and the present is instead fluid and unstable because the past embedded in the present is tension filled and unresolved, this raises fundamental challenges to the work that we do, the value of that work to others, and is cause for reflection on our impact as educators. This paper demonstrates the merits of using Actor-Network Theory as a methodology for historical IS research, through its use in a Canadian case study. The study was prompted by the apparent resolution of a privacy controversy, involving personal motor vehicle registration information in the province of Alberta, through an appeal to something called 'historical purposes and practices.' Strangely, the purposes and practices were never identified. This begged the question, 'what was the substance of this argument and how come it was successful?' Tracing actual 'purposes and practices,' from the early 1900s to the present, reveals how historical, contextual understanding offers not only insights into, but can alter our very understanding of, the present.

Research paper thumbnail of If fair information principles are the answer, what was the question? An actor-network theory investigation of the modern constitution of privacy

Information and Organization, Oct 1, 2005

Privacy concerns are increasing, despite considerable government legislation and organizational r... more Privacy concerns are increasing, despite considerable government legislation and organizational resources expended in addressing them. In this paper, we explore the historical and contemporary influences on privacy legislation that redirect privacy efforts towards data, and data sharing. Particularly, we use actor-network theory (ANT) to discover and trace the development, translation and subsequent spread of the influence of international privacy principles (fair information principles, FIP) into de facto standards for addressing privacy concerns. Despite the acceptance of the ''black box'' of FIP, by official actants across 30 years, its enlistment has enhanced rather than prevented, the sharing of data. Our investigation offers insight into the complex interaction among various social, political and technical elements that have influenced the framing and discourse on privacy: from the early conflict among potential possibilities envisioned in emerging information and communication technologies and diverse concerns about those same potentials, to the development of FIP and how through enlistment,

Research paper thumbnail of SIPP Public Policy Papers 43

Research paper thumbnail of The Sieve of Overspecialization

Using Ulrich Beck‟s focus on experts as the source of unintended risks in society, this paper spe... more Using Ulrich Beck‟s focus on experts as the source of unintended risks in society, this paper speculates on the consequences of linking the concepts of privacy and security too closely. The argument is made that this constructed linkage attracts separate and fairly narrow fields of technical expertise that focus on a very limited definition of the problem and hence the potential solutions derived. It is argued that this expertise focuses on small “p” privacy (data and rules about data) and that a failure to address privacy substantively understates the potential costs of security failures and that, paradoxically, a serious engagement with concept of the privacy may lead to more effective attention on data and its security.

Research paper thumbnail of History and IS – Broadening Our View and Understanding: Actor–Network Theory as a Methodology

Journal of Information Technology, 2013

The call for historical research In IS, mirrored In other fields of business studies, Is an expli... more The call for historical research In IS, mirrored In other fields of business studies, Is an explicit recognition of the predominance of presentism in business research; the use of the past only to justify and validate current beliefs or inserting modern beliefs onto the past, rather than using the past to understand and reveal current assumptions and biases. There is freedom in severing time and centering ourselves and our artifacts (computer technology), looking to improve the future unburdened by the past. Yet, if that assumption is wrong, and the present is instead fluid and unstable because the past embedded in the present is tension filled and unresolved, this raises fundamental challenges to the work that we do, the value of that work to others, and is cause for reflection on our impact as educators. This paper demonstrates the merits of using Actor-Network Theory as a methodology for historical IS research, through its use in a Canadian case study. The study was prompted by t...

Research paper thumbnail of Locating a Space for Ethics to Appear in Decision-making: Privacy as an Exemplar

Journal of Business Ethics, 2006

... This explanation will be deferred to the next section. Despite public concern and legislative... more ... This explanation will be deferred to the next section. Despite public concern and legislative efforts to protect privacy, privacy as an issue is not diminishing (Equifax/Harris, 1994; Equifax/Harris, 1996; Fed-eral Trade Commission, 1998; Roy Morgan Re-search, 2001). ...

Research paper thumbnail of Restoring balance: How history tilts the scales against privacy. An Actor-Network Theory investigation

Information and Organization, 2009

In this paper we problematize the metaphor of balance employed in the area of information privacy... more In this paper we problematize the metaphor of balance employed in the area of information privacy. Using Actor-Network Theory we conduct an historical investigation into the continuous release of the same personal data over the course of eight decades. Through the examination of actual enactments of balance over time we find that, in practice, balancing acts are conducted at local levels by local actor-networks within organizations, with limited overall organizational knowledge, raising challenges around interpreting statements made by organizational spokespersons. We also find a surprising lack of knowledge possessed by these local actornetworks about what is subsequently done with personal data and the extent to which networks that extend beyond the organization gravitate towards and form around available data. Through tracing and revealing this historical Actor-Network Theory investigation provides a means of probing and examining actual acts of balance in the area of information privacy and, through revelation, aid in the creation of the possibility of bringing the act of balance more in line with the concept.