The Contradictory Structure of Systems Development Methodologies: Deconstructing the IS-User Relationship in Information Engineering.

Author List: Beath, Cynthia Mathis; Orlikowski, Wanda J.;
Information Systems Research, 1994, Volume 5, Issue 4, Page 350-377.
In this paper we show that systems development methodologies may contain incompatible assumptions about the role of users and information systems (IS) personnel during systems development. Using deconstruction, we analyze and interpret a systems development methodology currently receiving considerable attention—Information Engineering. We find that this methodology's characterization of IS-user relations and, in particular, its recommended partitioning of responsibility between IS and users is inconsistent and contradictory. Despite a heavy emphasis on user involvement, users are given a relatively passive role to play during development. At the same time, users are expected to sign off on projects and take responsibility for project outcomes. We suggest that such prescriptions, when put into action during systems development, make the relationship between users and IS personnel problematic. Further, we argue that the contradictions we surface in the methodology reflect contradictions and ideologies in the context within which systems development occurs. Our analysis raises important questions about the relationship between the production and consumption of information technology in organizations.
Keywords: Deconstruction; Information engineering; Information systems implementation; IS-User relationship; Systems development methodologies; User involvement
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#253 0.264 user involvement development users satisfaction systems relationship specific results successful process attitude participative implementation effective application authors suggested user's contingency
#111 0.160 e-government collective sociomaterial material institutions actors practice particular organizational routines practices relations mindfulness different analysis ways draw agencies drawing ideas
#294 0.158 development systems methodology methodologies information framework approach approaches paper analysis use presented applied assumptions based proposed described examines basis proposes
#159 0.129 systems information objectives organization organizational development variety needs need efforts technical organizations developing suggest given effective designing lack help recent
#100 0.120 affective concepts role questions game gaming production games logic play shaping frames future network natural processes evidence addresses reference theorizing