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The Struggle with the
Language in the IT – Why is LAP not in the Mainstream?
Principles of language action
perspective were formulated largely in the early 80's as a critical
response to highly functional, naive empiricist view of the language
which was dominant at that time in data base, systems design and MIS
research communities. The original idea of LAP was to formulate a social,
rule /norm based and interpretive alternative of how language is
constituted in social life, and analyze the implications of this view on
the design and investigation of information systems as linguistic
phenomena. Though not a monolithic program, the LAP addresses in a richer
way how symbols and world interact, how language is actually used
in social interactions, or why and how language has significant
psychological and social effects. It is based on heterogeneous
theoretical foundations that range from logic, theories of language and
social behaviors to overarching philosophies of social action. In
particular, the impact of Habermas, Searle and
Heidegger has been significant in rooting the LAP perspective.
Since its inception LAP has made
significant progress in developing ontological and epistemological
theories of information systems, new modelling
approaches and tools, or new computer based coordination tools and
environments. In some sense LAP has come of age and can be regarded a
specific computing movement, or a unique discourse and voice in the
information technology revolution with rich theoretical heritage and
strong research tradition. Despite this academic success LAP has not
become a significant part of understanding mainstream computing problems
and/or how to address them. Very few textbooks draw upon the LAP concepts
and the widespread use of the LAP has not taken place in computing world.
This talk addresses some of the reasons from economic, diffusion of
innovation theory, and sociology of knowledge view points. Some specific
actions to overcome this challenge are proposed and discussed.
Kalle
Lyytinen is the Iris S. Wolstein Professor
of Information Systems at the Weatherhead
School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and an adjunct professor at the University of Jyvaskyla. Professor Lyytinen was one of the first to
develop a language action perspective on information systems. He is well
known for his research in computer-supported system design and modeling,
system failures and risk assessment, computer-supported cooperative work
and the diffusion of complex technologies. He is currently researching
the development and management of digital services and the evolution of
virtual communities.
Professor Lyytinen has
published eight books, over fifty journal articles and over eighty
conference presentations and book chapters. He currently serves on the
editorial boards of ten information system and organization theory
journals and has served in leadership positions for several academic
organizations, conferences and journals. He also reviews research grants
for the National Science Foundation, the Norwegian, Swedish, Dutch,
Finnish and British Research Councils, and the European Union.
Professor Lyytinen consults to
organizations on issues of systems development, new media and mobile
commerce. His clients have included large retail chains, global
manufacturers, software houses, telecommunications companies,
governmental departments and major libraries,
Prior to joining Weatherhead, Professor Lyytinen was the Dean of the
Faculty of Technology at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. He has held visiting positions at the Royal
Technical Institute of Sweden, the London School of Economics, the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Georgia State University, Aalborg University, The University of Pretoria, South Africa and Erasmus University in the Netherlands.
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