Empirical macromicro levels Theoretical generalspecific levels

1
Empirical macro-micro levels Theoretical
general-specific levels
2
Reductionism impossible in natural science

• The idea that explanations on one empirical level
  of aggregation (macro) with concepts that fits
  macro level can be reduced to explanations on a
  more detailed level (micro) with concepts that
  fits micro level
• Macro concepts can be translated to micro
  concepts
• Thermodynamics of a gas
• Both macro and micro levels can be explained with
  reference to simple formulas
• Macro
• pressure ktemperature/volume
• Micro
• Change of speed and direction of movement in
  collisions
• When changing the volume, the pressure of a gas
  cannot be predicted by means of micro level
  knowledge
• Knowledge on the micro level is never complete

3
Imagined information systems theories

• Micro level
• Individuals
• Improved understanding of work
• ? increased ability to change work practices
• Macro level
• Organisation
• Increased spending on personell development
• ? increased ability to change information systems
• We can hardly establish the regularities on each
  level
• Can we find translateable concepts?
• Complete knowlege at micro level is impossible

4
Specific theories

• Concepts
• Created for characterising empirical data
• Ways to determine whether they apply
• An information system is sustainable when the
  organisation is able to maintain and develop it
  further according to changing requirements
• Not when someone says that it is sustainable
• Enable relating empirical data with previous
  studies

5
General theories

• Concepts of general theories
• Structure, actor
• Need to be further specified
• Helps creation of specific concepts
• Which structures?
• Enable relating concepts with those of previous
  studies

6
Empirical and theoretical levels