Introduction to Information Systems Models and Methodologies - High Level Models and Methodologies for Information Systems - page 3

Fig. 1.1 Four paradigms of IS development (adapted from Hirschheim and Klein 1989 )

neohumanist paradigm emphasizes the role of different social and organizational
forces in exercising change. IS development is shaped by the rationality of human
action (Hirschheim and Klein 1989 ).
Iivari and Hirschheim ( 1996 ) build on this concept to de

ne three major aspects
that shape the modeling of IS and can be used to determine different underlying
paradigms: the organizational context and user base (host organization), the topic of
interest to the users (universe of discourse), and computers (technology). They are
common across the board of IS methodologies; however, there is great variety in
how each information system is conceived at each level (Iivari and Hirschheim
1996 ). An approach that focuses on the technical level, for example, will have its
emphasis placed on methodic planning and design, and prototyping.
Iivari et al. ( 1998 ) eventually expanded the four paradigms into a set of new ve

approaches. The interactionist approach focuses on the social use of IS and de nes

IS as institutions, with complex and overlapping interactions and negotiations
between actors. The speech act-based approach focuses on communications and
communicative action and perceives the IS as a communication system that
mediates speech acts or a formalization of professional language. The soft systems
methodology approach focuses on the learning methodology and the IS as a support
system for human activity. The trade unionist approach focuses on the worker and
perceives computers as tools, and IS as support systems for working relationships,
built with collective participation. The professional work practice approach aims at
combining performance and management principles and perceives that IS devel-
opment requires a balance between methodological and practical approaches (Iivari
et al. 1998 ).