Authentic Intervention in Information Systems Practice

In this paper the philosophical concept of authenticity is used as a framing device for providing an interpretation of aspects of both ethical and practical action on the part of information systems (IS) professionals. It is argued that ethical codes and IS methods may be of limited value in IS work. Both ethical codes and IS methods are complicated by the need to adopt positions on, and give recommendations about, IS practice. One key problem here is that IS analysts and designers have to intervene in organisations (and thereby intervene in the lives of the members of those organisations). It is argued that an important issue for IS research is whether they to do so in (what will be characterised as) an authentic manner, or in sincere adherence with either a code of professional ethics or with a series of methodological precepts.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: ECIS
• Authors: Robert A. Stephens, Stephen K. Probert
• Keywords: ECIS 2000, ECIS 2004, Ethical Codes, Framing Device, Philosophical Concept