Discourse analysis: making complex methodology simple

Discursive-based analysis of organizations is not new in the field of interpretive social studies. Since not long ago have information systems (IS) studies also shown a keen interest in discourse (Wynn et al, 2002). The IS field has grown significantly in its multiplicity that is echoed in the discourse, which policy makers and end-users use when they talk or write about IS. Understanding their discourse might shed light on understanding their behavior with information technologies. However, so far discourse-based IS studies lag both a conceptual grounding and the `route descriptions' of the method. The paper illustrates the multidisciplinary genesis of what actually constitutes "discourse" and elaborates on the main principles of doing discourse analysis in IS studies. By examining the theoretical foundations of discourse analysis, we show that its goal is to interpret the hidden meaning about information technologies, covered by a text. A researcher achieves that by a...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: ECIS
• Authors: Tatyana V. Bondarouk, Huub J. M. Ruël
• Keywords: Discourse, Discourse Analysis, Discourse-based Is Studies, ECIS 2004, Information Technology