Varieties of Political Process During Systems Development

Abstract

This study uses a longitudinal research design with multiple data collection methods on a systems development project. Five theoretical perspectives about power have been used to evaluate the case: zero sum, processual, organizational, structurally constrained, and social shaping/social construction. Our working assumption is that power is multidimensional and therefore that any attempt to understand systems development must simultaneously use several complementary perspectives. Studies of information systems development have in the past often been based on a view of power as zero sum (with winners and losers from systems development) and of power as based on information. We will attempt to show that expansion from this narrow definition of power has much to offer information systems research. The paper will attempt to identify what unique and essential insights about the relationship between power and systems development are surfaced by each perspective.

A taxonomy of political processes in systems development

“…Not only the system's proponents, but also its non‐proponents, consider it as an opportunity. The system thus seems to be the prize for which participants compete (Sillince & Mouakket, 1997). The balance of power between proponents and non‐proponents does not seem to affect the likelihood of Tug of War being used, although it might affect how it is resolved.…”

“…Empire Building resembles the kind of organizational change processes Pichault (1995) labels ‘change as stake’. IS is an instrument here, having ‘value only to the extent that it furthers some organizational goals, rather than having meaning or value outside that focus’ (Sillince & Mouakket, 1997, p. 385). ProjEB highlights Empire Building efforts by both OR and IS.…”

“…In Tug of War , the IS is the prize for which the parties compete; in Obstacle Race , the ISD project is a threat (at least to the non‐proponents); and in Empire Building , the IS is the instrument (at least for the proponents). Finally, unlike Tug of War , which takes a zero‐sum view of power, Obstacle Race and Empire Building both imply a positive sum view; all parties may benefit from the political process (Fincham, 1992; Sillince & Mouakket, 1997; Doolin, 2004). Despite these distinctions among the three processes, further research is needed to better understand and validate the taxonomy using additional samples and alternative methodologies.…”

The strategic knowledge-based dependency diagrams: a tool for analyzing strategic knowledge dependencies for the purposes of understanding and communicating

“…Organization or group action is therefore a consequence of reconciling individual interests through ongoing political processes of negotiation and coordination [4,7]. In accordance with this view, researchers have advocated looking beyond the rational assumptions underlying existing system methodologies and the grammars that support them [3,8]. The large body of research investigating the role of power in IS development and implementation has generally looked at: (1) how political action is used to influence the way technology is developed and used, and (2) how information systems are used to reinforce or alter power structures in organizations.…”

Peer-to-peer valuation as a mechanism for reinforcing active learning in virtual communities: actualizing social exchange theory

“…Technologies, such as those used to enable distributed teamwork, are socially constructed and these technical systems embody social knowledge, processes, and outcomes [25]. Using a social constructivist lens, Sillince and Mouakket [26] use 'emancipatory effects' to describe the locus of knowledge in groups connected through information technology. Therefore, social aspects of virtual communities need to be taken into account while designing technology networks such as discussion forums for collaborative communities.…”