ISSN:1350-1917    

DOI:10.1111/j.1350-1917.1996.00001.x

出版商:Blackwell Science Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract.Systems development issues occupy a position of central importance in the information systems field and much has been prescribed in the quest for successful systems development. However, given the well‐documented ‘software crisis’, success is far from guaranteed for systems development projects. Many researchers see the solution to the software crisis in terms of increased control and the more widespread adoption of rigorous and formalized system development methodologies. This paper presents some arguments and pressures which support the use of methodologies and some evidence of the literature bias which favours methodologies is provided. However the problems associated with the use of methodologies have not perhaps received as much attention in previous research. This paper identifies a number of arguments and pressures which question the value of methodologies, and reports the results of a field study which investigated the role of methodologies in practice. The critical perspective adopted throughout shows that, contrary to the predominant view in literature, the assumption that increased adoption of methodologies addresses the problems inherent in systems development is by no means p

ISSN:1350-1917    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2575.1996.tb00002.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract.Methodology is a central issue in the theory and practise of information systems development. Structured methods, for instance, have been widely championed as providing a way of improving the quality of software systems. In this paper a case study is presented in which a mail order company made an attempt to implement a well‐known methodology, Structured Systems Analysis and Design Methodology (SSADM). Far from facilitating the development process, SSADM encouraged a rigid and mechanical approach in which the methodology was applied in a ritualistic way which inhibited creative thinking. The argument is thus, that methodology, although its influence may be benign, has the potential to operate as a ‘social defence’, i.e. as a set of organizational rituals with the primary function of containing anxiety. The grandiose illusion of an all‐powerful method allows practitioners to deny their feelings of impotence in the face of the daunting technical and political challenges of systems development. By withdrawing into this fantasy world the learning processes that are critical to the success of systems development are jeopardized. Methodology, whilst masquerading as the epitome of rationality, may thus operate as an irrational ritual, the enactment of which provides designers with a feeling of security and efficiency at the expense of real engagement with the task

ISSN:1350-1917    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2575.1996.tb00003.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract.The current generation of CASE (Computer Aided Software Engineering) tools is too inflexible to provide adequate modelling support. One of the proposed solutions to this problem is the development of so‐called CASE shells. A CASE shell is a method independent CASE tool, which may be instantiated with a specific method to become a CASE tool supporting that method. As such, a CASE shell provides complete flexibility. This paper does not address the benefits of CASE shells, as they are completely clear, but focuses on the feasibility of this concept from a theoretical as well as a practical point of vi

ISSN:1350-1917    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2575.1996.tb00004.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Abstract.Ethical issues, with respect to computer‐based information systems, are important to the individual IS practitioner. These same issues also have an important impact on the moral well‐being of organizations and societies. Considerable discussion has taken place in the Information Systems (IS) literature on specific ethical issues, but there is little published work which relates these issues to mainstream ethical theory. This paper describes a range of ethical theories drawn from philosophy literature and uses these theories to critique aspects of the newly revised ACM Code of Ethics. Some in the IS field on problematic ethical issues which are not resolved by the Code are then identified and discussed. The paper draws some implications and conclusions on the value of ethical theory and codes of practice, and on further work to develop existing ethical themes and to promote new initiatives in the ethical do

ISSN:1350-1917    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2575.1996.tb00005.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1996

数据来源: WILEY