Using Deep Structure Theory to Visualize Inherent Limitations of Systems Analysis Tools in Relation to Habermassian Communicative Action

Duane Truex Georgia State University, USA

Steven Alter University of San Francisco, USA

Michael Cuellar North Carolina Central University, USA

Sumantra Sarkar Georgia State University, USA

Abstract
Problems related to dysfunctional communication and collaboration between business and IT professionals have been discussed for decades. This distortion in communication can partially be explained by the Critical Social Theory and Jurgen Habermas' notions of communicative action and Univeral Pragmatics, which differentiate between ideal communication and types of "distorted communication." The present research sees that success in this performative linguistic process of ISD calls for shared understanding and communication between participants to the process, leading to agreement on the meaning of the requirement and its concomitant elements and desired outcomes. This paper shows how the Work Systems method (Alter) can be used to reduce communicative distortion from the requirement gathering process by creating something more akin to Habermassian communicative action.

Full Text Document:	Preview PDF (OASIS 2010 Work Systems) 358Kb
Reference:	Truex, D., Alter, S., Cuellar, M., Sarkar, S. (2010). "Using Deep Structure Theory to Visualize Inherent Limitations of Systems Analysis Tools in Relation to Habermassian Communicative Action," Proceedings > Proceedings of IFIP 8.2/Organizations and Society in Information Systems (OASIS) . Sprouts: Working Papers on Information Systems, 10(89). http://sprouts.aisnet.org/10-89
Keywords:	Work Systems Method, Critical Social Theory, Communicative Action, Universal Pragmatics
Item Type:	Article - Volume 10 Article 89 (2010)
Language:	English
Email:	Duane Truex (dtruex@gsu.edu) Steven Alter (alter@usfca.edu) Michael Cuellar (mcuellar@nccu.edu) Sumantra Sarkar (ssarkar3@student.gsu.edu)

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