Ideology and information systems

• Main Author: Straub, Bernhard Heinrich
• Published: London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) 1991
• Subjects: 004.2
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.645287

Ideology is a political and a sociological term. Thinking about 'system' makes the results of sociological thought appear relevant. The understanding of information systems (IS) as social systems or as phenomena in a social context justifies, therefore, the use of the concept of ideology in the context of IS. As a consequence of this application a series of hypotheses can be formulated about IS and the study of IS. Some of these are taken up in a thought experiment. This experiment is presented in a dialectical mould, consisting of thesis, antithesis and synthesis. In the thesis, the application of the concept of ideology is advocated because it is seen as contributing relevant knowledge to the study of IS. In the antithesis, the above hypothesis is opposed, and consequently the application of the concept of ideology is not advocated. In the synthesis, the application of the concept of ideology is put into a different perspective, where the importance of knowledge is substituted by an emphasis on thinking. Thinking is introduced as the touchstone of relevant knowledge. Its elusive nature is responsible for the elusiveness of claims in systems-thinking and -practice.