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British
Computer Society Sociotechnical Group
- London Lectures University
of Westminster 2000/01
Human Problems:
The Continuing Obstacle to success in information systems design?
Brian Hopkins
Anglia Polytechnic University
Overview of contents
The roots of IS/Computing
thinking
The dominant technical
paradigm
The "image/practice"
paradox
The social/human
"problem"
The potential for
a socio-technical blend
Interim conclusions
The Roots of IS/Computing thinking
The Enlightenment "legacy"
The influence of the scientific and engineering traditions
The links to the positivist and functionalist positions
The translation of these stances into current practice
and training
The Dominant technical paradigm
The perception of problem-solving as an "ends/means"
function
The perception of the organisation as a goal-oriented
entity
The perception of the organisation as a unitary body
The search for the "holy grail" of perfect
sets of tools and technique
The "image/practice" paradox
The image: grounded in a technocratic view of IS
The practice: derives from an experiential view of the
"messy" nature of organisations
The outcome: disappointment with IS
A way forward: recognition of the existence of the paradox
(initially)
The social/human "problem"
Why have people been characterised as "problems"
in IS development?
Why does the messiness of organisational dynamics get
sidelined in IS thinking?
How can a major element be ignored in this way?
Can we ever develop successful IS without peoples active
participation?
The potential for a socio-technical blend
The socio-technical tradition beyond IS
That tradition within IS
The participatory design tradition in IS and elsewhere
The benefits recorded in practice in these traditions
The way forward?
Interim conclusions
The arguments for such an approach are strong and persuasive
Other thinking and methods to date have not been universally
successful
Democratic participation has potentially both pragmatic
and social benefits
There is a sound foundation in practice and experience
on which to build
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