| 1. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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A Double Helix Metaphor for Use and Usefulness in Informing Systems
- 2007
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Ingår i: Use and Redesign in IS: Double Helix Relationships?. - 9781932886054 ; 10, s. 273-295
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Following the theme of this monograph, this paper discusses a dialectic we perceive to subsist between meaningful use and reflection upon use. This dialectic between experiencing use and reflecting upon experiencing use (or thinking, and thinking about thinking) may be considered in the following way. Each of these elements is subject to change. As reflection triggers change in use, and such change triggers further reflection, a spiral comes about. Lived human experience, and reflection upon that experience, seems to shape a double helix. In this paper, the authors suggest a need for a hermeneutically-informed, phenomenological approach when considering the complexities of informing systems, viewed as human activity systems. It is suggested that human actors, as users of informing systems, must own and control any inquiry into use in relation to design for themselves, and that individual sensemaking processes are the key to successful interaction within the double helix metaphor.
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| 2. |
- Nissen, Hans-Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Double Helix Relationships in Use and Design of Informing Systems: Lessons to Learn from Phenomenology and Hermeneutics
- 2007
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Ingår i: Use and Redesign in IS: Double Helix Relationships?. - 9781932886054 ; 10, s. 001-019
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The theme of this monograph of Informing Science is a dialectic we perceive to exist between meaningful use and reflection upon use. This dialectic between use and reflection on use (or thinking, and thinking about thinking) may be considered in the following way. Each of these elements is subject to change. As reflection triggers change in use, and such change triggers further reflection, a spiral comes about. Lived human experience, and reflection upon that experience, seems to shape a double helix. The monograph contains contributions exploring particular ways in which studies of use could benefit from a relationship to philosophical frameworks such as hermeneutics and phenomenology.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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A Case for Holistic, Multicriteria Benefit Analysis
- 2013
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Ingår i: Organizational Change and Information Systems: Working and Living Together in New Ways. - 9783642372278 ; 2, s. 337-344
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper discusses the ways in which a critical systemic approach to systems analysis can provide support for a holistic, multicriteria benefits analysis. It highlights the importance of inquiry into the nature and boundaries of a perceived organizational problem space, taking into account unique perspectives of the living, engaged actors who desire beneficial change in their working systems. The role of the IS professional within a collaborative inquiry is explored, taking into account creation of relevant methodological frameworks (in contrast to uncritical, rigorous application of standardized methods). The paper discusses the ways in which collaborative teams can approach identification of desirable benefits.
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| 5. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Beyond the Usual Suspects: Critically Informed Research.
- 2008
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Ingår i: [Host publication title missing]. - 9781906638030 ; , s. 73-80
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A number of researchers have attempted to define and encapsulate the essence of ‘critical research’. It has been suggested to encompass interpretation of social phenomena, and seeks for understandings that could support efforts to bring about beneficial change. It has been further suggested that such work is characterised by: concern with substantive social issues (e.g. power, values); foundation in a cohesive socio-theoretical core; and a distinctive role in informing the work of others. Within this definition, critical researchers tend to fall into a number of distinct traditions of thought/practice. For instance, some concern themselves with issues relating to emancipation of (other) people within society (e.g. those influenced by the work of Habermas). Some focus upon issues of self-emancipation (e.g. those deriving from Foucault’s discussion of external power relations). Others highlight issues relating to social stratification and discriminatory practices in society (e.g. those taking inspiration from work by Bourdieu). This paper introduces discussion of a further category of critical systemic thinking, exemplified by Gregory Bateson and Claudio Ciborra. Critically-informed research from a systemic perspective involves a desire to explore the unique and to question assumptions. Through engagement with reflection and exploration, perceptions of individual emergence form an important aspect of this strand.
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| 6. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Bias, Misinformation and the Paradox of Neutrality.
- 2008
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Ingår i: [Host publication title missing]. ; 11, s. 85-106
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- What is normally described as bias? A possible definition comprises attempts to distort or mislead to achieve a certain perspective, i.e. subjective descriptions intended to mislead. If designers were able to exclude bias from informing systems, then this would maximize their effectiveness. This implicit conjecture appears to underpin much of the research in our field. However, in our efforts to support the evolution and design of informing systems, the way we think, communicate and conceptualize our efforts clearly influences our comprehension and consequently our agenda for design. Objectivity (an attempt to be neutral or transparent) is usually regarded as non-biased. However, claims for objectivity do not, by definition, include efforts to inquire into and reflect over subjective values. Attempts to externalize the mindset of the subject do not arise as part of the description. When claims to objectivity are made, this rarely includes any effort to make subjective bias transparent. Instead, objectivity claims may be regarded as a denial of bias. We suggest that bias can be introduced into overt attempts to admit subjectivity. For example, where people are asked to give subjective opinion according to an artificially enforced scale of truth-falsity (bi-valued logic), they may find themselves coerced into statements of opinion which do not truly reflect the views they might have wished to express. People do not naturally respond to their environment with opinions limited to restricted scales; rather, they tend to use multivalued logic. This paper examines the impact of bias within attempts to establish communicative practice in human activity systems (informing systems).
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| 7. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Business Systems Analysis as Research
- 2011
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Ingår i: Proceedings of 10th European Conference onResearch Methodology for Business and Management Studies. - 9781908272027 ; , s. 51-59
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A business analyst who commences an investigation into design requirements for a new work system probably does not ‘label’ her inquiry process as research. However, a research perspective is needed if a productive learning spiral is to be established in which ‘useful’ systems can be created. Systematic, collaborative inquiry adopting an complex, open systems perspective is required in order to establish bases for greater understanding of contextually dependent and individual conceptions of business situations. A professional analyst will recognize that she is attempting to facilitate and engage support for an organizational change process. Similarly, a researcher must recognize that her presence is not ‘neutral’ and take responsibility for the intervention that her actions constitute. This paper discusses the nature of business systems analysis and its relationship(s) to critically informed research processes. It examines research within complex open systems such as business organisations, taking into account the kinds of logic required when researching messy, uncertain problem spaces.
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| 8. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Conquering Complex and Changing Systems through Recognition of Individual Uniqueness
- 2007
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies. - 9781905305513 ; , s. 51-56
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- From the point of view of each individual’s sense-making, an organization is an emergent property of inter-individual sense-making processes and activities. The organization is a result of emergence from individual sense-making perspectives. A critically informed approach to research involves recognition / understanding of this emergence. Without the recognition of the uniqueness of each particular individual’s experience of organizational life this critical approach may be undermined. Within a logical empiricist tradition (LE), the focus of a researcher’s attention rests on increasing the precision and clarity with which a problem situation may be expressed. This can lead to an artificial separation of theory from praxis, of observation from observer and observed. ‘Knowing’ about organizational context may be deeply embedded and inaccessible to individuals concerned. Knowing is formed by on-going construction of meanings through synthesis of new data with past experience. A hermeneutic-dialectics (HD) perspective emphasises self-awareness of human individuals. It goes towards emancipation and transparency rather than clarity and precision. A researcher adopting an HD perspective will recognize that there are ambiguities inherent in socially-constructed world views. Critical Systemic Thinking assumes a critical position with regard to informed academic practices. However, a problem for critically-informed research is also a pedagogical one. The research audience needs not only to be engaged in a dialogue regarding a transformation of modern research practices, but also needs to be informed about which foundations these practices supposedly draw upon. So there is a two-fold challenge: the subject-matter of research, and unfamiliarity with critical perspectives by the audience for that research. It may be difficult to establish a dialogue with regard to critical of ways of thinking, if those ways are unknown to the audience.
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| 9. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Contextual analysis as support for successful innovation in complex environments
- 2007
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Ingår i: Organizational Dynamics of Technology-Based Innovation: Diversifying the Research Agenda. - 9780387728032 ; , s. 149-162
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In order to survive and thrive, organizations need to adapt, re-invent themselves and therefore innovate. However many intentional efforts to bring about innovation do not succeed. In order to be successful, innovation requires the support of individuals throughout the environment in which it is emerging. However, in many cases such support is not forthcoming for a variety of reasons. In this paper, the authors discuss a number of barriers which may inhibit the success of innovative practice. They then discuss a role for Contextual Analysis as means to target individual engagement, and present an example of a method which could be used to conduct such analysis.
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| 10. |
- Bednar, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Contextual Inquiry: A systemic support for student engagement through reflection
- 2007
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Ingår i: Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects. - 1552-2210. ; 3, s. 45-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Much research has been published which attests to desire felt by educators to improve the quality of student reflection, and engagement with learning, through processes of assessment. This paper describes how research in Systems Analysis is being transformed and applied to educational practice. Staff considered that methods were needed to stimulate students to reflect and engage in higher orders of learning in order to help them to experience ‘success’ in their assessments. The paper describes the background to a Systems Analysis approach and its specific adaptation for support in student learning in the field of creative technologies.
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