How could systems analysis use the idea of “Responsible information system”?

Abstract

“Responsible Information Systems,” the theme of CAISE 2019, is an intriguing idea that has not been explored in the readily available literature. After defining the term information system (IS), this paper applies an initial five-part framework to many examples of problematic IS to explore what the idea of responsible information system (RIS) might mean and how it might be useful. That initial exploration leads to focusing on how the concept of responsibility applies to IS in a way that is useful for systems analysis and design (SA&D). This paper addresses that question by using a new set of ideas related to facets of work system capabilities. Its application of those ideas to an EMR case study imply that they could be applied in identifying ways in which an IS might be more responsible. Overall, this paper illustrates that focusing on responsibilities related to facets of capabilities is more valuable than trying to characterize information systems as responsible or not.