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Critical Issues in Information Systems

BUSS 951

Seminar 3Organisations

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Agenda

Assignment 1ontology and epistemologyhypotheses and theoriesgeneral questions

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Other Assignment 1 Terms

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Ontology & Epistemology

Epistemology: the theory of knowledge especially the critical study of its validity, methods and scope

Ontology: the set of entities presupposed by a theory

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Hypotheses and Theories

Hypotheses are conjectures, speculations, or hunches, framed in such a way that it can tested

Result of a test often leads to a more refined hypotheses in a sense there is no formal difference between a

hypothesis and a theory theories are hypotheses that experiments have not yet

managed to refute and which seem to explain many facts about the world in one inclusive framework

theories like hypotheses are always provisional and the best ones can be surplanted eg. Newton’s theory of gravity contrasted with Einstein’s theory of relativity

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Social Analysis of Computinga taxonomy by Kling (1980)

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (1)

identifies two major perspectives in the social analysis of IS literature:systems rationalismsegmented institutionalism

tries to classify the “array of assumptions” informing the claims made about new computing technologies

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (2)

classification based on:recent empirical research of the use

and consequences of computing in organisations

classified according to conceptions of ‘social life’ in organisations

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Systems RationalismSocial Analysis of Computing

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (3)Systems Rationalism

emphasis on positive roles that computer based systems play in organisations (‘social life’)

examine new capabilities of computing technologies, or new areas of application

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (4)Systems Rationalism

assume: a consensus on major social goals relevant to computing use

develop synoptic accounts of social behaviour (brief summaries emphasising general points of agreement)

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (5)Systems Rationalism

efficiency foregrounded (economic or organisational)

computer use limited to individual computer users- individualism

What are the consequences of individualism?

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (6)Systems Rationalism

large variety of different types of ‘schools’:“the systems approach”managerial rationalismstructural analysis (within managerial rationalism)

What disciplines would ‘recognise’ or comply with a systems rationalist argument about technology?

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (7)Systems Rationalism

privaledge the interests of managers as more legitimate than subordinates

Managerial Rationalists try to ‘optimise’ organisations by using computing technology

What happens when organisations restructure?

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (8)Systems Rationalism

others (including IS developers) simply concentrate on what is done independent of the reasons for why it is done the way it is (apart from costs?)

Structural Analysts look at contextual reasons which might help select the right technology (slack resources, channels...)

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (9)Systems Rationalism

Human Relations analysts emphasise the role of technology in altering the quality of working life- assumes common goals exist

historically arose as a consequence of a reaction to Scientific Mgmt

but, HR still assumes you can get a best fit between technology & organisations-Liberal-Humanist Discourse

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (10)Systems Rationalism

Considerable differences between the schools in relation to agency

managerial rationalists assume conflicts can be solved by appeals to an administrative authority (managerial)

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (11)Systems Rationalism

Considerable differences between the schools in relation to goals

some assume common consensus understood equally by all (others don’t)

<Remember that goals are central to the application of systems thinking to organisations>

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (12)Systems Rationalism

Considerable differences between the schools in relation to decisions and by implications problems

some view decisions from a single rationality

others view managers (Simon) as having only a partial understanding at any point in time

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Segmented InstitutionalistSocial Analysis of Computing

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (13) Segmented Institutionalists

assume: broad scope for the use of computers

includes as many different members of organisations as possible (including clients, suppliers etc.)

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (14)Segmented Institutionalists

examine the consequences of computerized technology

don’t assume a consensus on goals and values in an organisation (intergroup conflict is just as likely as consensus)

privilege individual and group control over efficiency

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (15)Segmented Institutionalists

most reject ideas of ‘optimums’ or ‘equilibria’ applying to organisations at all

segmented institutionalists differ about how to understand ‘social life’ and the role of computing in organisations

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Klings (1980) Taxonomy (16)Segmented Institutionalists

symbolic interactionists view social life as constructed from the interaction of people and groups as they create and respond to socially defined meanings