Netzwerk Phänomenologische Metaphysik

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Not another methodology what ant tells us about systems development

Jim Underwood

pp. 258-268

This paper proposes an interpretive technique for understanding IS development which uses complementary features of actornetwork (ANT) theory and Foucault's theory of discourse. The technique is being applied to a loosely structured project which is working towards the construction of a flexible teaching and learning environment based on the internet. The paper traces the fortunes of two of the non-human actors in this setting. The combination of ANT/discourse theory is found to be an effective descriptive tool for IS development but it is not clear how it could contribute to a methodology. Some possible directions are suggested and balanced against possible organisational and psychological barriers to using such a methodology.

Publication details

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4471-3629-3_22

Full citation:

Underwood, J. (1999)., Not another methodology what ant tells us about systems development, in T. Wood Harper, N. Jayaratna & B. Wood (eds.), Methodologies for developing and managing emerging technology based information systems, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 258-268.

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