Varieties of Political Process During Systems Development.

Author List: Sillince, John A.A.; Mouakket, Samar;

Information Systems Research, 1997, Volume 8, Issue 4, Page 368.

This study uses a longitudinal research design with multiple data collection methods on a systems development project. Five theoretical perspectives about power have been used to evaluate the case: zero sum, processual, organizational, structurally constrained, and social shaping/social construction. Our working assumption is that power is multidimensional and therefore that any attempt to understand systems development must simultaneously use several complementary perspectives. Studies of information systems development have in the past often been based on a view of power as zero sum (with winners and losers from systems development) and of power as based on information. We will attempt to show that expansion from this narrow definition of power has much to offer information systems research. The paper will attempt to identify what unique and essential insights about the relationship between power and systems development are surfaced by each perspective.

Keywords: Organisational Factors; Organizational Design; Organizational Power; Politic; Political Roles of Systems Analysts; Power; Processual Power; Project Trajectory; Requirements Determinationy; Socially Shaped Power; Software Development Lifecycle; Structurally Constrained Power; Zero Sum Power

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List of Topics

#282	0.456	power perspective process study rational political perspectives politics theoretical longitudinal case social rationality formation construction shows multiple instead understanding fact
#86	0.183	methods information systems approach using method requirements used use developed effective develop determining research determine assessment useful series critical existing
#294	0.154	development systems methodology methodologies information framework approach approaches paper analysis use presented applied assumptions based proposed described examines basis proposes
#1	0.067	organizational organizations effectiveness factors managers model associated context characteristics variables paper relationships level attention environmental technological based maturity organization's relationship