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182663

Representing human and non-human stakeholders

on speaking with authority

Athanasia Pouloudi Edgar A. Whitley

pp. 339-354

Abstract

Information systems research is concerned with complex imbroglios of human and non-human components. As researchers, we need ways to represent the intricacies of the different stakeholders in such situations. Traditionally, it is assumed that representing the views of human stakeholders is relatively unproblematic, but that doing this for non-humans is far more complex. This paper addresses this assumption, drawing on the philosophy of science of Isabelle Stengers. It considers the case of the UK NHSnet project and focuses on two stakeholders in the project, one human (the patients) and one nonhuman (the encryption algorithm used to encode confidential patient data). As the case study shows, representing either stakeholder is equally problematic and the paper reflects on the implications of this for information systems research.

Publication details

Published in:

Baskerville Richard, Stage Jan, DeGross Janice (2000) Organizational and social perspectives on information technology: ifip tc8 wg8.2 international working conference on the social and organizational perspective on research and practice in information technology june 9–11, 2000, aalborg, denmark. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 339-354

DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-35505-4_20

Full citation:

Pouloudi Athanasia, Whitley Edgar A. (2000) „Representing human and non-human stakeholders: on speaking with authority“, In: R. Baskerville, J. Stage & J. Degross (eds.), Organizational and social perspectives on information technology, Dordrecht, Springer, 339–354.