Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Learning for Professional Competence in an IS Context

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Nordic Contributions in IS Research (SCIS 2016)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing ((LNBIP,volume 259))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

This paper considers the nature of professionalism as an expression of more than technical competence. This is related to the incidence of failure in IS change projects. We discuss how professionalism may be displayed, relating this to learning processes. The essential qualities of desire, exercise of will and their role in professional judgment are considered in relation to transcendent values espoused by professionals. We note that organizational consumers of information are also professionals, and not simply passive ‘users’ of systems. We relate this to the environment of Information Systems research and practice, including recognition of the importance of contextual dependencies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bednar, P.M., Welch, C.: Critical systemic thinking or the standard engineer in Paris. In: Proceedings of 4th European Conference on Research Methods in Business & Management Conference. University of Paris-Dauphine, Academic-Publishing International (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Checkland, P., Poulter, J.: Learning for Action. Wiley, Chichester (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Mumford, E.: The story of socio-technical design: reflections in its successes, failures and potential. Inf. Syst. J. 16(4), 317–342 (2006)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  4. Bednar, P.: Individual emergence in contextual analysis. Systemica 14(1–6), 23–38 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lee, Y., Kozar, K.A., Larsen, K.R.T.: The technology acceptance model: past, present, and future. Commun. AIS 50(12), 752–780 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ulrich, W.: Reflective practice in the civil society: the contribution of critically systemic thinking. Ref. Pract. 1(2), 247–268 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ulrich, W.: Critical Systems Discourse: Rethinking Critical Systems Thinking. Open University, Milton Keynes (2005). Seminar 9 May 2005

    Google Scholar 

  8. Langefors, B.: Essays on Infology. Studentlitteratur, Lund (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Lindblom, C.E.: The science of muddling through. Public Adm. Rev. 19(2), 79–88 (1959)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Whitaker, R.: Applying phenomenology and hermeneutics in IS design. In: Nissen, H.-E., Bednar, P.M., Welch, C. (eds.) Use and Design in IS: Double Helix Relationships? Informing Science Press, Santa Rosa (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Nissen, H.-E.: Challenging traditions of inquiry in software practice. In: Dittrich, Y., Floyd, C., Klischewski, R. (eds.) Social Thinking-Software Practice, pp. 71–89. MIT Press, Cambridge (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Churchman, C.W.: The Design of Inquiring Systems. Basic Books, New York (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Langefors, B.: Analysis of user needs. In: Bracchi, G., Lockemann, P.C. (eds.) Information Systems Methodology. LNCS, vol. 65, pp. 1–38. Springer, Heidelberg (1978)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  14. Alvesson, M.: The Triumph of Emptiness. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bednar, P.M., Welch, C.: Incentive and desire: covering a missing category. In: Proceedings of MCIS, Venice, October 2006

    Google Scholar 

  16. Lave, J., Wenger, E.: Situated Learning: Legitimate Peripheral Participation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1991)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  17. Brown, J.S., Duguid, P.: Organizational learning and communities of practice. Organ. Sci. 2(1), 40–57 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Brown, J.S., Duguid, P.: Knowledge and organization: a social-practice perspective. Organ. Sci. 12(2), 198–213 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Bruner, J.: The Culture of Education. Harvard University Press, Cambridge (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Giddens, A.: The Constitution of Society: Outline of the Theory of Structuration. Polity Press, Cambridge (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wenger-Trayner, E. (ed.): Learning in Landscapes of Practice. Routledge, Abingdon (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Nissen, H.-E., Bednar, P., Welch, C.: Double helix relationships in use and design of informing systems: lessons to learn from phenomenology and hermeneutics. Informing Sci. 10, 1–19 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Gherardi, S.: To start practice theorizing anew: the contribution of the concepts of agencement and formativeness. Organization (2015). Pre-publication on-line, 21 September 2015, doi:1350508415605174

  24. Etzioni, A.: The Active Society. The Free Press, New York (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Gilovich, T.: How We Know What Isn’t So. The Free Press, New York (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Foucault, M.: Discipline and Punish. Vintage Books, New York (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Walsham, G.: Interpreting Information Systems in Organizations. Wiley, Chichester (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Weick, K.E.: Sensemaking in Organizations. Sage, Thousand Oaks (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Vaast, E., Walsham, G.: Representations and actions: the transformation of work practices with IT use. Inf. Organ. 15(1), 65–89 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. De Vaujany, F.-X.: Capturing reflexivity modes in IS: a critical realist approach. Inf. Organ. 8(1), 51–72 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Thorp, J.: IT project cancellations: pay now or pay later. ISACA J. 1, 18–19 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Williams, P.: Make sure you get a positive return. Comput. Wkly 13, 18–20 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bednar, P., Welch, C.: A double helix metaphor for use and usefulness in informing systems. Informing Sci. 10, 273–295 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  34. McGrath, K.: Affection not affliction: the role of emotions in information systems and organizational change. Inf. Organ. 16(4), 277–303 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Friis, S.: Information system design: a user involved perspective. In: Gill, Karamjit S. (ed.) Human Machine Symbiosis: The Foundations of Human-Centred Systems Design, pp. 255–312. Springer, London (1996)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  36. Nemeth, C.J., Staw, B.M.: The trade-offs of social control and innovation in groups and organizations. In: Berkowitz, L. (ed.) Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, vol. 22, pp. 175–210. Academic Press, New York (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Organ, D.W.: Organizational Citizenship Behaviour: The Good Soldier Syndrome. Lexington Books, Lanham (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Rogers, E.M.: Diffusion of Innovations. The Free Press, New York (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Argyris, C.: Overcoming Organizational Defenses. Prentice Hall, New Jersey (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Bednar, P.M.: A contextual integration of individual and organizational learning perspectives as part of IS analysis. Informing Sci. 3(3), 145–156 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Bednar, P.M., Welch, C.: Bias, misinformation and the paradox of neutrality. Informing Sci. 11, 85–106 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Mumford, M.D., Scott, G.M., Gaddis, B., Strange, J.M.: Leading creative people: orchestrating expertise and relationships. Leadersh. Quart. 13(6), 705–750 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Friis, S.: User Controlled Information Systems Development. Lund University Publ., Lund (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Checkland, P., Holwell, S.: Information, Systems and Information Systems. Wiley, Chichester (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Mumford, E.: Redesigning Human Systems. IRM Press, London (2003)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  46. Ulrich, W.: Critically systemic discourse: a discursive approach to reflective practice in ISD. J. Inf. Technol. Theory Appl. 3(3), 55–106 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Churchman, C.W.: The Systems Approach. Dell Publishing, New York (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Churchman, C.W.: The Systems Approach and Its Enemies. Basic Books, New York (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Weick, K.E.: Improvisation as a mindset for organisational analysis. Organ. Sci. 9(5), 543–555 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Ciborra, C.U.: The Labyrinths of Information. Oxford University Press, Oxford (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Van Dyne, L., LePine, A.J.: Helping and voice extra-role behaviour: evidence of construct and predictive validity. Acad. Manag. J. 41(1), 108–119 (1998)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Davenport, T., Prusak, L.: Working Knowledge. Harvard Business School Press, Cambridge (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Mullins, L.: Management and Organizational Behaviour, 8th edn. Financial Times/Prentice Hall, Harlow (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Krackhardt, D., Hanson, J.R.: Informal Networks: The Company Behind the Chart. Harvard Bus. Rev. 71(4), 104–111 (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Myers, M.D., Klein, H.K.: A set of principles for conducting critical research in information systems. MIS Q. 35(1), 17–36 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computing, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK

    Peter M. Bednar

  2. Portsmouth Business School, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, UK

    Christine Welch

Authors
  1. Peter M. Bednar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christine Welch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter M. Bednar .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics and IT, Hogskolan Vast, Uddevalla, Sweden

    Ulrika Lundh Snis

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing

About this paper

Cite this paper

Bednar, P.M., Welch, C. (2016). Learning for Professional Competence in an IS Context. In: Lundh Snis, U. (eds) Nordic Contributions in IS Research. SCIS 2016. Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing, vol 259. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43597-8_12

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation