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Ehn, Pelle
(author)
Work-oriented design of computer artifacts
1988
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic) abstract
This thesis is an inquiry into the human activity of designing computer artifacts that are useful to people in their daily activity at work. The emphasis is on opportunities and constraints for industrial democracy and quality of work.First, the philosophical foundation of design of computer artifacts is considered. The need for a more fundamental understanding of design than the one offered by rationalistic systems thinking is argued. The alternative design philosophy suggested is based on pragmatic interpretations of the philosophies of existential phenomenology, emancipatory practice, and ordinary language. Design is seen as a concerned social and creative activity founded in our traditions, but aiming at transcending them by anticipation and construction of alternative futures.Second, it is argued that the existing disciplinary boundaries between natural sciences, social sciences and humanities are dysfunctional for the subject matter of designing computer artifacts. An alternative understanding of the subject matter and a curriculum for its study is discussed. The alternative emphasizes social systems design methods, a new theoretical foundation of design, and the new potential for design in the use of prototyping software and hardware. The alternative also emphasizes the need to learn from other more mature design disciplines such as architectural design.Towards this background, and based on the practical research in two projects (DEMOS and UTOPIA), a view on work-oriented design of computer artifacts is presented.This concerns, thirdly, the collective resource approach to design of computer artifacts - an attempt to widen the design process to also include trade union activities, and the explicit goal of industrial democracy in design and use. It is argued that a participative approach to the design process is not sufficient in the context of democratization. However, it is suggested that it is technically possible to design computer artifacts based on criteria such as skill and democracy at work, and a trade union investigation and negotiation strategy is argued for as a democratic and workable complement to traditional design activities.Finally, a tŒil perspective - the ideal of skilled workers and designers in coopération designing computer artifacts as tools for skilled work is considered. It is concluded that computer artifacts can be designed with the ideal of c rail tools for a specific profession, utilizing interactive hardware devices and the computer's capacity for symbol manipulation to create this resemblance, and that a tool perspective, used with care, can be a useful design ideal. However, the ideological use of a tool metaphor is also taken into account, as is the instrumental blindness a tool perspective may create towards the importance of social interaction competence at work.
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Olerup, Agneta
(author)
A Contextual Framework for Computerized Information Systems. An exploratory study of computerized information systems in nine manufacturing organizations with regard to technological and environmental factors
1982
Book (other academic/artistic) abstract
Research within contingency theory recognizes and postulates the relevance of contextual factors to the design of organizations. Thus organizations are dependent on the environments in which they operate and on the technologies they utilize. Organizations therefore need to process information about their environments and technologies. Information systems, including computerized information sytems, play an important part in organizations and the reltionships between computerzed information systems and organizational context need to be considered. In this study it is hypothesized that differences in the charactristics of computerizedinformation systems in different organizations can to some extent be explained by differences in these organizational contexts. A major distinction is made between content-oriented and generic classification models of computerized information systems. A model for describing generic characteristics of computerized information systems is suggested. This model proposes that the characteristics of a computerized information systems can be classified on the one hand in terms of time-orientation and complexity, and on the other hand in terms of data-base, reports or processing. In the empirical part of the study the model porposed i illustrated. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews on technology, environment and computerized information systems for production control in nine large manufacturing organizations. The results are formulated as detailed hypotheses, which are consistent with the original, general hypothesis.
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Olerup, Agneta, et al.
(author)
Discussant note on A Multivalent Approach to Information System Assessment
1988
In: [Host publication title missing]. - 0 444 70335 7 ; , s. 121-124
Conference paper (peer-reviewed) abstract
The note addresses two issues. First assessing the qualities of information systems and semi-autonomous groups requires a theory or model of how to assess. Second, three levels of assessment - a theoretical, a methodological and a practical level - can be distinguished.
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Olerup, Agneta, et al.
(author)
Office Automation, Work and Skill
1985
In: [Host publication title missing]. - 0 444 87864 5 ; , s. 15-21
Conference paper (peer-reviewed) abstract
The paper briefly explores the issues of what does office automation mean. Furthermore, it discusses whether office workers are information or knowledge workers. Three stages of office automation - data processing, facilitate existing office procedures, elimination of some intermediary functions and introduction of office technology into managerial, professional and technical jobs - are identified. Finally changes to skills in office work are emphasized.
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Olerup, Agneta, et al.
(author)
On a Contingency Framework of Computerized Information Systems
1980
In: [Host publication title missing]. - 0 444 86036 3 ; , s. 83-92
Conference paper (peer-reviewed) abstract
In this paper a conceptual model of the environment of computerized information systems is developed. The purpose of the model is to describe computerized information systems in relation to contextual factors of the organization. It is proposed that the characteristics of a computerized information system can be classified first in terms of data base, reports or processing, and second in terms of time orientation or complexity.
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Olerup, Agneta
(author)
Socio-technical Design of Computer-Assisted Work: A discussion of the ETHICS and Tavistock approaches
1989
In: Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems. - 0905-0167. ; 1, s. 43-71
Journal article (peer-reviewed) abstract
In the paper the major sources of influence on the socio-technical perspective are identified and two socio-technical approaches are compared, namely the Tavistock approach and the ETHICS method developed by Mumford. The Tavistock approach has provided crucial contributions at the work system level, particularly principles for socio-technical design and models for job design (how to design jobs as well as criteria for jobs design). The ETHICS method aims to apply socio-technical thinking to the design of computer assisted work. ETHICS draws heavily on the Tavistock approach. In addition, the framework for job satisfaction is influecned by the Parsonian pattern variables. A series of detailed models of ETHICS has been put forward. In the early detailed versions of ETHICS participation was not considered. The method has, however, become increasingly participative. Finally, there are important differences in how the Tavistock approach and the ETHICS method conceptualizes the social and the technical parts of a socio-technical system. Also they differ in terms of integrating the social and technical parts into a socio-technical system.
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Olerup, Agneta, et al.
(author)
Women, Work and Computerization - A conference report
1987
In: Computers and International Socio-Economic Problems. - 0 444 70229 6 ; , s. 289-298
Book chapter (peer-reviewed) abstract
The reasons for organizing the conference are presented. An overview of the participants is provided. The outcomes of the conference are identified.
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Olerup, Agneta, et al.
(author)
Women, Work and Computerization - A conference report
1985
In: [Host publication title missing]. - 0 444 87864 5 ; , s. 3-12
Conference paper (peer-reviewed) abstract
The reasons for organizing the conference are presented. An overview of the participants is provided. The outcomes of the conference are identified.
15.
Olerup, Agneta, et al.
(author)
Women, Work and Computerization. Opportunities and disadvantages
1985
In: [Host publication title missing]. - 0444878645
Conference paper (peer-reviewed) abstract
This book deals with the introduction of new technology into women's work - the impact it is making the problems it generates. The emphasis is placedon the exploraiton of women's perspectives on computerization in the office and in manufacturing. Other topics dealt with include: -an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses in women's participation in systems design and in educaton: - an examination of the concept of skills; - a comprehensive introduction to the current status of remote work. Of particular interest in this volume is. therefore, the focussing of attention on women in the area of computers and new technology, covering aspects which are only rarely addressed in Computer Science literature.
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