Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD method
<br><b>Introduction.</b> The purpose of information systems is to facilitate work activities: here we consider how Activity Theory can be applied in information systems development. <br><b>Method.</b> The requirements for an analytical model for emancipatory, wo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Borås
2007-01-01
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| Series: | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://informationr.net/ir/12-3/paper311.html |
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| author | Anja Mursu Irmeli Minkkinen Mikko Korpela |
| author_facet | Anja Mursu Irmeli Minkkinen Mikko Korpela |
| author_sort | Anja Mursu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <br><b>Introduction.</b> The purpose of information systems is to facilitate work activities: here we consider how Activity Theory can be applied in information systems development. <br><b>Method.</b> The requirements for an analytical model for emancipatory, work-oriented information systems research and practice are specified. Previous research work in Activity Theory is then elaborated to satisfy these requirements in parallel with practical applications. Elaboration. Activity <br><b>Analysis.</b> and Development (ActAD) which sees work activity as a systemic entity, its constituent elements and networks of activities, is introduced and the information systems viewpoint is applied throughout the elaboration. Information systems development is modelled as an activity, applying the ActAD framework. <br><b>Results.</b> Our contribution is a participatory development model called the Activity Driven ISD Model, aimed at developing work and information systems in parallel, in three phases: understanding the present state of an activity; describing the goal state of the activity; and planning for the transformation to the goal state. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> The ActAD framework and the Activity Driven ISD Model meet six of the seven criteria set. The seventh requirement will be satisfied after the finalisation of the model. The experiences in our pilot studies concerning its applicability to the practitioners have been encouraging. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ca914350a8f64a52888d292e50e94724 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1368-1613 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2007-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Borås |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-ca914350a8f64a52888d292e50e947242025-02-02T18:33:56ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16132007-01-01123311Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD methodAnja MursuIrmeli MinkkinenMikko Korpela<br><b>Introduction.</b> The purpose of information systems is to facilitate work activities: here we consider how Activity Theory can be applied in information systems development. <br><b>Method.</b> The requirements for an analytical model for emancipatory, work-oriented information systems research and practice are specified. Previous research work in Activity Theory is then elaborated to satisfy these requirements in parallel with practical applications. Elaboration. Activity <br><b>Analysis.</b> and Development (ActAD) which sees work activity as a systemic entity, its constituent elements and networks of activities, is introduced and the information systems viewpoint is applied throughout the elaboration. Information systems development is modelled as an activity, applying the ActAD framework. <br><b>Results.</b> Our contribution is a participatory development model called the Activity Driven ISD Model, aimed at developing work and information systems in parallel, in three phases: understanding the present state of an activity; describing the goal state of the activity; and planning for the transformation to the goal state. <br><b>Conclusion.</b> The ActAD framework and the Activity Driven ISD Model meet six of the seven criteria set. The seventh requirement will be satisfied after the finalisation of the model. The experiences in our pilot studies concerning its applicability to the practitioners have been encouraging.http://informationr.net/ir/12-3/paper311.htmlWork oriented information systems design model |
| spellingShingle | Anja Mursu Irmeli Minkkinen Mikko Korpela Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD method Information Research: An International Electronic Journal Work oriented information systems design model |
| title | Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD method |
| title_full | Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD method |
| title_fullStr | Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD method |
| title_full_unstemmed | Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD method |
| title_short | Activity theory in information systems research and practice - theoretical underpinnings for an ISD method |
| title_sort | activity theory in information systems research and practice theoretical underpinnings for an isd method |
| topic | Work oriented information systems design model |
| url | http://informationr.net/ir/12-3/paper311.html |
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