Identifying Theories of Agency In Information Systems (original) (raw)
Related papers
The Foundation Role for Theories of Agency in Understanding Information Systems Design
Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 2002
In this paper we argue that theories of agency form a foundation upon which we can build a deeper understanding of information systems design. We do so by firstly recognising that information systems are part of purposeful socio-technical systems and that consequently theories of agency may help in understanding them. We then present two alternative theories of agency (deliberative and situational), mainly drawn from the robotics and artificial intelligence disciplines, and in doing so we note that existing information system design methods and ontological studies of those methods implicitly adhere to the deliberative theory of agency. We also note that while there are advantages in specific circumstances from utilising the situated theory of agency in designing complex systems, because of their differing ontological commitments such systems would be difficult to analyse and evaluate using ontologies currently used in information system. We then provide evidence that such situational information systems can indeed exist by giving a specific example (the Kanban system) which has emerged from manufacturing practice. We conclude that information systems are likely to benefit from creating design approaches supporting the production of situational systems.
2005
Information systems are part of purposeful socio-technical systems and consequently theories of agency may help in understanding them. Current systems analysis and design methodologies seem to have been influenced only by one particular theory of agency, which asserts that action results from deliberation upon an abstract representation of the world. Many disciplines have, however, discussed an alternative 'situational' theory of agency. There is currently no methodology that fully supports designing systems reflecting the situational theory of agency. The aim of this paper is to develop a firstcut of such a methodology based on concepts from the situational theory of agency, and is supplemented by our exploration of evolved manual situational systems. We intend to iteratively refine this methodology since we believe the situational theory of agency provides a better description of purposeful activity than the deliberative theory and is, therefore, a firmer foundation on which to build successful information systems, especially in pressured routine environments.
The formulation of design theories for information systems
2004
Our aim in this paper is to explore in some detail how design theories for information systems can be understood and explicated. Information Systems (IS) as a discipline is concerned with action-the design, construction and use of software and systems involving people, technology, organizations and societies. In acting in building information systems it is preferable not to approach every new development problem afresh.
2005
Information systems are part of purposeful socio-technical systems and consequently theories of action may help in understanding them. Current systems analysis and design methodologies seem to have been influenced only by one particular theory of action, which asserts that action results from deliberation upon an abstract representation of the world. Many disciplines have discussed an alternative 'situational' theory of action. There is no design methodology that fully supports designing systems reflecting the situational theory of action. The aim of this paper is to describe the motivation for, and progress to date of research-in-progress developing a design methodology based on concepts from the situational theory of action. This methodology for designing situational information systems is being iteratively refined using a combination of case studies and action research. This project is significant because many information systems fail in pressured routine environments where we would argue that the situational theory of action provides a better description of purposeful activity.
A Social Action Model of Information Systems Design
The aim of this paper is to examine the nature of information systems (IS) design as situated in its organizational context. Much of the IS literature takes a fragmented perspective of the nature of IS design, examining methodological issues, social issues, or political issues in isolation from the context of the design initiative. Recent work in situated action and social cognition provides a basis for a more integrated understanding of situated IS design.Findings from a participant observation study of situated IS design are discussed, to form the basis for an integrative, social action model of IS design. Findings from the study demonstrate how innovative IS design activity is situated in its organizational context. It is argued that the form and nature of an organizational design "problem" is inseparable from its context and that design knowledge is distributed among a design team rather than shared intersubjectively. The situated nature of design requires design skills to be learned through simulated design contexts, rather than the communication of abstract models (as in many formal education programs). The situated model rejects the predefined goal-structures assumed by decompositional models of design, such as the "waterfall" model. It is suggested that design goal-definition must proceed recursively through the processes of design, which requires new approaches to the design and development of organizational information systems.
Design Theory in Information Systems
2002
The aim of this paper is to explore an important category of information systems knowledge that is termed "design theory". This knowledge is distinguished as the fifth of five types of theory: (i) theory for analysing and describing, (ii) theory for understanding, (iii) theory for predicting, (iv) theory for explaining and predicting, and (v) theory for design and action. Examples of design theory in information systems are provided, with associated research methods. The limited understanding and recognition of this type of theory in information systems indicates that further debate concerning its nature and role in our discipline is needed.
Action Research and Design in Information Systems: Two Faces of a Single Coin
As the production of knowledge moves from a linear innovation model in an explanations-oriented world to a networked innovation model in a solutions- oriented world, the practice of design in engineering and industry and the practice of research in academia are getting closer and closer. This proximity is calling for a renewal of the debates on the nature of academic research, on the epistemology of design, and on the relationship between research and design. This is particularly challenging as we concentrate on the specific field of information systems. It is, also, mostly enlightening as we look into the philosophical groundings of both the design disciplines and action research. This chapter attempts to escort the reader in the examination of these issues. It starts with a brief characterization of the two main modes of knowledge production, followed by a debate on the relationships between research and design. It then puts forward a simple philosophical framework that will be used to put in perspective the designerly ways of knowing, their relationship with action research, and the resulting implications on information systems research. The chapter closes with the re-examination, under this new perspective, of some recent debates on topics such as the rigor vs relevance dilemma and the ethical dimension of action research in information systems.
The range and role of theory in information systems design research: From concepts to construction
2010
This paper reports results from a field study of cross-disciplinary design researchers in information systems, software engineering, human-computer interaction, and computer-supported cooperative work. The purpose of the study was to explore how these different disciplines conceptualize and conduct design-as-research. The focus in this paper is on how theories are used in a design research project to motivate and inform the particulars of designed artifacts and design methods. Our objective was to better understand how elements of a theory are translated into design action, and how theoretical propositions are translated and then realized in designed artifacts. The results reveal a broad diversity in the processes through which theories are translated into working artifacts. The paper contributes to our understanding of design research in information systems by providing empirical support for existing constructs and frameworks, identifying some new approaches to translating theoretical concepts into research designs, and suggesting ways in which action and artifact-oriented research can more effectively contribute to a cumulative and progressive science of design.
The Significance Of Routines For The Analysis And Design Of Information Systems: A Preliminary Study
2003
In this paper we argue that traditional information systems design and development is implicitly informed by a certain deliberative theory about the nature of purposeful activity. However, we examine other theories of activity that lead us to challenge this dominant model. This work-in-progress report reinterprets a number of existing case studies from the literature and provides a preliminary account of a new case study in order to demonstrate that successful operational systems in time-constrained environments often do not exhibit those characteristics that are the hallmarks of the deliberative approach. These systems are better discussed in terms of routines and situated action. Finally, we make some preliminary observations about the significance of this for Information Systems.
The Design Construct in Information Systems Design Science
Journal of Information Technology, 2012
This paper arose from concerns regarding the current conceptualizations of ‘design’ in the emerging literature on design science (DS) in information systems (IS). In this paper, we argue that current conceptualizations of design in IS are overly narrow, which necessarily limits what is viewed as acceptable DS research. In response we advance a more encompassing view of design. The revised view extends the current perspectives of design in the IS literature to embrace broader conceptualizations of design, which are evident in many intellectual communities outside IS where design is viewed as a critical component of both research and practice - such as management, engineering, architecture and others. In addition to the fairly common conceptualizations of design as product and design as process or action, design is also conceived as: intention; planning - including modeling and representation; communication; user experience; value; professional practice; and as service. Further, where...