In Search of an Integrative Vision for Technology: Interdisciplinary Studies in Information Systems

ISBN-13: 9780387321509 / Angielski / Twarda / 2006 / 310 str.

Sytse Strijbos; Andrew Basden

Opis

In Search Of An Integrative Vision For Technology will stimulate its readers to consider the 'whole story that is information systems' within the context of an integrative vision of technology. It integrates what are currently disparate areas of debate and research, and to appreciate the contribution that philosophy can make to such integrative thinking. It is deliberately broad in coverage, and it is designed to also provide useful pointers, within such a view, so that researchers, students, practitioners, developers and users can easily apply each point as needed. "Human issues of technology and their normative aspects" is a theme that runs throughout the entire book. The integrative vision is centered on an understanding of human practice the twin notions of structure and direction, and the leading and the founding functions of such practice. While this understanding applies to all technologies, it is worked out in more detail for information technology. Information technology demonstrates issues that are found in many other technologies. From this philosophical understanding, a number of interdisciplinary areas of interest are identified, enabling 'the whole story that is information systems' to be examined. The areas identified are: 1. The Development of Information Systems and of the Basic Technologies from which they are fashioned. 2. Human Practices involving Information Systems. 3. Socio-Technical Systems 4. Directional Perspectives In each area, the issues of norms, research, development, and the relationship between technology and human beings are all present. It is shown how each area, though distinct from the others, is nevertheless closely interwoven with the others by several types of relationships. Systems thinking is augmented with other frameworks to ensure that all types of inter-area relationships are recognized and discussed."

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"The philosophy of technology can be an important resource for technology educators. ... Some commentators have argued that technology is nothing else than the 'glue' that binds various disciplines together. ... This book offers a more balanced view: there is both technology with a body of knowledge of its own, and there is a systems studies approach that integrates technology with other disciplines. ... technology educators ... would do well to read the book and reflect on its implications for their teaching." (Marc J. de Vries, International Journal of Technology and Design Education, Vol. 17 (1), 2007)

Spis treści

Introduction: In Search of an Integrative Vision for Technology.- Introduction: In Search of an Integrative Vision for Technology.- Artifacts and their Development.- Aspects of Knowledge Representation.- Reflecting on the Use of the Concept of Qualifying Function in System Design.- Elicitation of Highly Interdisciplinary Knowledge.- An Appreciative Critique and Refinement of Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology.- Socio-Technical Systems.- The Systems Character of Modern Technology.- Communication Without Bounds?.- Norms of Communication and the Rise of the Network Society.- Human Practices.- Evaluation of Systems in Human Practice.- Multimodal Investigation of Technology-Aided Human Practice in Business Operations.- An Aspectual Understanding of the Human Use of Information Technology.- Directional Perspectives.- The Idea of a Systems Ethics.- Normative Sources of Systems Thinking: An Inquiry into Religious Ground-Motives of Systems Thinking Paradigms.- Towards a ‘Disclosive Systems Thinking’.- Critical Reflections.- Reflections on the CPTS Model of Interdisciplinarity.- Technology and Systems — but What about the Humanities?.

Blurb

"This book provides a fascinating reading experience for anyone interested in an inquiring relationship between technical progress and the quality of the human condition. It manages to keep a healthier balance between these two complex topics than is found in most publications of the genre, too often they consist either of much technology and little philosophy or the converse.... The book also manages to build accessible bridges over the gulf that tends to separate the philosophical language from the 'real' concerns of technologists."

Dr. h.c. Heinz K. Klein is Associate Professor Emeritus at SUNY Binghamton, USA and Leverhulme Chaired Professor, Salford University, UK

"The last few years I have become increasingly concerned about the way interdisciplinarity is being used to create more specialized subdisciplines rather than broadening our perspectives. And the ways that interdisciplinarity often marginalizes if it does not leave out completely the humanities. I think this is a major mistake, and one this book clearly aims to address."

Carl Mitcham is Professor of Liberal Arts and International Studies at the Colorado School of Mines and faculty affiliate of the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research at the University of Colorado, USA

"This book provides a well-structured and thought-provoking collection of papers about how systems thinking can be employed to provide an integrated perspective on the development and use of technology."

Dr. Mike C. Jackson is Professor of Management Systems and Dean of Hull University Business School

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The Editors

Sytse Strijbos lectures philosophy of technology at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam and North West University (Potchefstroom Campus).

Andrew Basden is Professor of Human Factors and Philosophy in Information Systems at the University of Salford, U.K.