Article ID: | iaor20012099 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 51 |
Issue: | 5 |
Start Page Number: | 542 |
End Page Number: | 556 |
Publication Date: | May 2000 |
Journal: | Journal of the Operational Research Society |
Authors: | Lehaney B., Clarke S. |
Keywords: | education, philosophy |
Although informed approaches from an interpretivist perspective have been widely promoted over the last two decades information systems development is largely informed by a functionalist perspective, into which human-centred or interpretivist issues are incorporated as they are seen to be required. By treating such developments as critically informed social systems, this paper offers an alternative viewpoint. Firstly, a theoretical justification for such an approach is offered, drawing on developments in Critical Management Science, themselves based on a strand of Critical Social Theory. Secondly, an action research-based intervention is detailed, demonstrating the practical applicability of such an approach, an applicability that has hitherto been questioned. The outcome is a synthesised approach to operational and strategic information systems development, within a critical framework, which, it is argued, offers a greater potential for success than the currently promoted approaches.