Divisive and integrative political strategies in the information systems adaptation process: The MAC Initiative

The MAC Initiative project is described as seen through the eyes of users at one university. These subjective interpretations are described in terms of five different assumptions about politics and power. We show that information system users and developers hold multiple perspectives of events and switch between them in order to empathise with others, and that it is this perspective switching which enables them to behave coherently. One advantage of this ability to switch perspectives is shown by the software developer's ability to switch from a ‘zero sum’ perspective (a divisive political strategy) to a ‘socially shaped’ perspective (an integrative political strategy) as a means of managing the adaptation process.