Exploring the Use and Adoption of Workplace Automation through Metaphors: A Discourse Dynamics Analysis

Abstract

Organizational metaphors represent an important study area in the information systems (IS) field. In this paper, I review previous work on organizational metaphors in IS research and build on this work by proposing a discourse dynamics approach to metaphors as an alternative lens for conceptualizing and studying IS metaphors. With this approach, one can recast organizational metaphors from something that researchers commonly perceive as detached from the subjects they investigate-a view fixed in much IS thinking-to something that results from both language and the mind, that has a situational nature, and that individuals can deploy in flexible and dynamic ways. Drawing on in-depth focus group studies, I illustrate the discourse dynamics approach via analyzing metaphors that individuals made in describing workplace automation. With this study, I not only raise new questions in relation to theorizing about and analyzing organizational metaphors in IS research but also illustrate metaphors' usefulness as a form of sense making to generate fresh insights into the implications that arise from adopting and using workplace automation that remain unnoticed if one used more conventional methods.

When Harry, the human, met Sally, the software robot: Metaphorical sensemaking and sensegiving around an emergent digital technology

“…In particular, organisational participants, variously invoke the person, robot and tool related metaphors to make sense of a software robot's superior or undesirable performance, its operation, improvement trajectory and roles alongside human employees in an organisation transformed by automation technologies. Our findings point to the use of diverse metaphors to make sense of the seemingly similar experience, which is in line with other studies that investigate IS related phenomena in the context of IS development (Hekkala et al, 2018), general workplace automation (Jackson, 2021) and discourses on knowledge (Schultze and Leidner, 2002), among others. In addition, some participants (e.g.…”

“…In the IS literature, studies have mostly focused on specific metaphors employed by individuals to better understand issues in IS development (Hekkala et al, 2018; Hirschheim and Newman, 1991), IS use (Dudézert et al, 2021; Jackson, 2021; Kendall and Kendall, 1993) and different discourses in the study of IS related phenomena (Schultze and Leidner, 2002; Schultze and Orlikowski, 2001). For example, Hekkala et al (2018) looked at how IS project team members make sense of the system and the IS development project.…”

“…To help practitioners visualise the importance of culture in IS use, Dudézert et al (2021) discussed the use of the well-known French metaphor of Astérix to develop a deeper understanding of cultural aspects of (non) appropriation dynamics in knowledge management systems. In his illustration of the discourse dynamics approach, Jackson (2021) showcased the use of metaphors such as journey, illness and anatomy to offer preliminary insights into general workplace automation experiences and implications.…”

When huskies bite back: A complex systems metaphor perspective on information technology project management

“…With an elicited approach, the goal is to identify and understand how metaphors are derived from the language speakers use rather than imposing metaphors on participants (Hekkala et al, 2018; Hirschheim & Newman, 1991; Smolander et al, 2008). Metaphors allow individuals to express their opinions, beliefs and goals, whether in the past, present and/or future, in creative ways (Hekkala et al, 2018; Jackson, 2021), and often arise spontaneously as individuals engage in talk and sensemaking (Cornelissen et al, 2008). Thus, from an elicited approach, an investigation of metaphor requires going directly to the language of individuals as they reflect on, act out and describe happenings which are part of their everyday experiences.…”

“…Notwithstanding the benefits of metaphor analysis, both theoretical and methodological accounts of the elicited nature of metaphor remain to be explored in greater depth (Jackson, 2016; Jackson, 2021). Moreover, how systems thinking can shed light on the elicited nature of organizational metaphors in the context of information technology (IT) project management practices has evaded much explication.…”