Four Paradigms of Information Systems Development

1
Four Paradigms of Information Systems Development

• A proposed empirical study

2

• Hirscheim Klein(1989) suggest that fundamental
  assumptions about reality are the basis for
  systems development. They posit four paradigms
  to exist on which information systems are
  developed
• Functionalism - based on the premise that
  information systems are developed to contribute
  to a specific end. Management determines what
  specific ends are to be accomplished and analysts
  are responsible for developing an IS with the
  means for achieving such results. Much of the
  success of such systems are based on objective
  economic reality.

3

• Social Relativism - system development paradigm
  portrays the system analyst as a facilitator
  helping to make the transition to a new system
  while gaining the consensus of affected parties.
• Radical Structuralism - paradigm that suggests
  the system developer as an agent acting on behalf
  of labor.
• Neohumanism - system development should serve as
  a means to improve those within the organization.

4
Data collection

• Define organizations with newly developed
  systems.
• Survey systems developer(s) to ascertain their
  epistemological and ontological views.
• Survey the users and management of the
  organization in which these systems have been
  implemented.

5
Data collection

• Survey instrument should be such as to reflect
  management and users role in the system
  development process and perceived success of
  system.
• From the survey, differentiate between objective
  vs. subjective and order vs. conflict (realizing
  that this will be somewhat of a subjective
  process).

6
Methodology

• Using a form of regression analysis such as
  LOGIT, let success be a dichotomous varible and
  each of the four paradigms be donoted by a dummy
  variable.
• Success f(paradigm)
• Test the validity of each of the paradigms for
  significance

7
Problems with study

• Matrices may not be able to be inverted due to
  all of the variables be dichotomous
• Classification as to whether a system is a
  success is a subjective response and may be
  biased by respondent
• May be limited data available for paradigms other
  than the functionalist.