19 August, 2011

An Initial Look at the Human Side of Information Systems in Organizations and in Society




Information systems do not benefit an organization or the society at large by simply being developed and installed. A system appropriate for the firm and its users has to be carefully identified and implemented from the sociotechnical perspective, seeking the technology that would best support the people in the organization. The sociotechnical perspective says that the purely technological approach to achieving higher productivity has to be balanced with the consideration of the social and human aspects of technology. Organizations should create workplaces that:
1. Provide job satisfaction
2. Give employees an opportunity to contribute to the development of an information system they will work with
3. Be motivated and trained to use the system.
The information system itself must be:
1. Designed to fit the needs of its users and the organization at large.
2. Evolve as needs change in the organization.
The principal ethical issues involved in the development and use of information systems are:
a. Privacy does the information system or the way the system is used abridge the right of individuals to control information about themselves?
b. Accuracy does the information system contain the necessary safeguards in order to provide accurate information?
c. Property is it right to copy a program without permission under certain circumstances?
d. Access how can we use information systems to break down rather than erect barriers to the enjoyment of benefits that society has to offer?

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