A Social Action Model of Situated Information Systems Design

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the nature of information systems (IS) design as situated in its organizational context. Much of the IS literature takes a fragmented perspective of the nature of IS design, examining methodological issues, social issues, or political issues in isolation from the context of the design initiative. Recent work in situated action and social cognition provides a basis for a more integrated understanding of situated IS design. Findings from a participant observation study of situated IS design are discussed, to form the basis for an integrative, social action model of IS design. Findings from the study demonstrate how innovative IS design activity is situated in its organizational context. It is argued that the form and nature of an organizational design “problem” is inseparable from its context and that design knowledge is distributed among a design team rather than shared intersubjectively. The situated nature of design requires design skills to be learned through simulated design contexts, rather than the communication of abstract models (as in many formal education programs). The situated model rejects the predefined goal-structures assumed by decompositional models of design, such as the “waterfall” model. It is suggested that design goal-definition must proceed recursively through the processes of design, which requires new approaches to the design and development of organizational information systems. © 1999, Author. All rights reserved.