Critical theory makes a substantial contribution to understanding communication by conceptualizing the nature of information as relational, i.e. a property that is not solely of a message. 'Knowing' is an active, constructive process (Hosking and Morley, 1991). More (1999) highlighted the general absence of a clear conception of communication in studies of knowledge management. Choo's (1998) sophisticated model of knowledge management is a stark example of thisthat author did not nd it appropriate (necessary?) to index the term 'communicate'. Indeed, a communication concept is implicit in most work in this eld and it is this conception that is a root problem.The adoption of critical theory provides a means of viewing again the notion of knowledge management in terms of the ethics of human communication and allows the questioning of the centrality of rational decision making as the basis of managing. The provision of information systems/information technology (IS/IT) as a neutral support mechanism is premised on a positivistic 'scienti c' rationality, thereby reducing communication to no more than the distribution of information. The epistemological and ontological commitments of those who claim to know (the needs of management) are characterized as alternative ways of knowing. A post-positivist way of knowing in IS research and practice is outlined as a way of producing richer accounts and understandings. The adoption of a critical communications theory brings forth recognition of the inherently political nature of communication and highlights that what is at stake in IS/IT research and practice is the production of information and knowledge and not merely pro cient information distribution.This conceptual and methodological review produces the conclusion that a multi-method approach is more capable of producing a rich picture of 'knowledge management' as a facet of a responsive and responsible management system. The implications of the proposed critical-interpretive-positive way of knowing for addressing managerial concerns of cost, complexity and con ict are highlighted. Managing knowledgeWhen is the social role of an IS debated among the various stakeholders who will have their particular relationships privileged or punished? If the IS is taken to be a representative (of an 'of cial' reality) or tool This paper re ects on the managerialistic orthodoxy of knowledge management in order to show that a critical communications theory is required for addressing real political and ethical shortcomings. This produces an alternative methodological perspective through an intentional synthesis of established methodological views. The paper's allies in this critical quest include Jürgen Habermas, Werner Ulrich, Stanley Deetz, Geoffrey Vickers, Peter Checkland and their mentors. Information systems and knowledge systems architects and engineers and their manager clients conveniently ignore fundamental issues, including politics, power, knowledge and communication. Yet, today the more substantive issues are not technical bu...

This paper presents the British Council's knowledge management strategy. It outlines how, as part of this strategy, the organization attempted to engender communities of practice among a strategically significant group spread across the 110 countries in which the organization operates. Using a case study of this group, the paper explores 'degenerative structures' that impact on the ability to engender communities of practice and, through consideration of issues of individualization and risk, highlights a series of paradoxes that inhibited this organization's attempt to move from a 'hub-and-spoke' structure to become a networked organization in which communities of practice flourish.

In this edited article, we look at the many contributions of Enid Mumford: as a worker, teacher, colleague, researcher, but most of all as a human being, written by those who have been influenced by her, many of whom knowing her personally.Andrew Pettigrew first encountered Enid as an undergraduate, later becoming her first Research Fellow and then Enid supervised his PhD. His tribute introduces us to both her work and humanity. Frank Land is often associated with the work of Enid and in his tribute he discusses the roots of Enid's views in socio-technical design, her influence on the National Computing Centre and through her many roles in practice where she acted as facilitator for humanistic as well as successful change using technology. Michael Earl first met Enid as a lecturer at Manchester Business School in 1974. His contribution recognizes her special personal qualities as a teacher as well as her impact on practice. Like many authors of this paper, Gordon Davis will be well known to readers and it says much for Enid's standing in the field that he writes of her impact on himself and his understanding of information systems (IS) and IS research. In his article, Niels Bjørn-Andersen refers to Enid as the 'Florence Nightingale' of IT and he suggests that 'no other researcher has contributed so much towards influencing the practice of systems design in the direction of giving higher priority to humanistic values and democratization'. This very worthy achievement of Enid is also highlighted by other writers in this article. Trevor Wood-Harper and Bob Wood suggest that Enid, like Frank Sinatra, did it 'my way', but perhaps unlike Frank Sinatra, Enid's way is also a humanistic way to the future. They provide a useful overview of Enid's contribution to the literature. Bob Galliers refers to Enid's vision as well as her humanity, suggesting that her vision was much broader than most, much more heroic. For her, IS had to speak of societal problems as well as organizational and technical ones. David Avison describes how Enid changed his life and reflects on how her friendliness, openness and kindness that she showed in personal relationships are evidenced in her work that remains with us. Heinz K. Klein suggests that Enid was a leader in the 'informal college' of paradigm change and advocates her as a role model for junior faculty. Indeed he shows us how as a junior member of faculty at the time he learnt 'three lessons' from Enid. Rudy Hirschheim reflects on Enid as both a mentor and a colleague, telling us the story of the 'Amazing D Avison et al. 344Mumford'. Guy Fitzgerald tells us how Enid charmed even the most hard-nosed practitioners and opened their minds, and suggests that she will not only be greatly missed but also prove irreplaceable. Marco de Marco looks especially at development post Mumford and suggests that the design ideas emerging from actor-network theory, such as cultivation, are unlikely to have been developed, were it not for Mumford's fundamental work. Jaana Porra makes a call inspired by Enid...

Purpose -This paper is intended to pay tribute to the inspiration provided by Rob Kling by showing how his ideas about social informatics in general and the use of web models in particular, have helped us to formulate and develop our own work in the field of information systems development methods. Design/methodology/approach -A conceptual discussion and approach are taken. Findings -Illustrates how Kling's advocacy of the need for a more holistic form of explanation of the behaviour of what he (and Walt Scacchi) termed "computer resources" gave shape to ideas emerging from others' action research studies at that time, and how his attempts to set the agenda for the emerging field of Social Informatics have informed subsequent developments in work in the area of methodological inquiry. Originality/value -Provides an evaluation of Kling's pioneering and inspirational work on information and communication technologies.

Our concern is how to work with a tradition that we also critique. Therefore, concepts such as theory and practice are considered under erasure insofar as they are necessary yet inadequate. We argue that the gap between theory and practice is a special case of a more extensive gap between description and experience. As such, a methodology's meaning is both a constitutive property of methodology and a practitioner's experience. This suggests that applying a methodology is a hermeneutic process involving interpretation. By focusing on self-reflection, a methodology can help us to address more critically the gap between description and experience. An implication of this analysis is that methodology in use works as metaphor. We relate this to two traditions of metaphor, and we consider implications in terms of critical theory and creative practice. We conclude by proposing three areas for further research: action research and deconstmction, metaphors and ethics, and computerised tools to help critical self-reflection.