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When huskies bite back: A complex systems metaphor perspective on information technology project management

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  • Stephen Jackson

Abstract

Researchers have acknowledged the usefulness of metaphors to understand organizational phenomena. More than fancy linguistic ornaments, metaphors can provide a rich understanding of the situation under investigation; demonstrate how individuals think, feel and behave; and be used as a diagnostic tool to help analyse organizational problems. Notwithstanding the importance of metaphor analysis, how system thinking principles can be applied to understand the elicited nature of metaphor in the context of information technology (IT) project management practices remains to be explored in greater detail. Drawing on the field of applied linguistics, coupled with complexity theory, a complex systems metaphor perspective is put forward as a fresh lens to understand IT project management practices. This perspective is illustrated through a discourse analysis of a large IT project in the National Health Service (NHS) in England.

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  • Stephen Jackson, 2024. "When huskies bite back: A complex systems metaphor perspective on information technology project management," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(2), pages 354-367, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:41:y:2024:i:2:p:354-367
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2972
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rudy Hirschheim & Mike Newman, 1991. "Symbolism and Information Systems Development: Myth, Metaphor and Magic," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 2(1), pages 29-62, March.
    2. Kari Smolander & Matti Rossi & Sandeep Purao, 2008. "Software architectures: Blueprint, Literature, Language or Decision?," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(6), pages 575-588, December.
    3. Catherine A Middleton & Wendy Cukier, 2006. "Is mobile email functional or dysfunctional? Two perspectives on mobile email usage," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(3), pages 252-260, June.
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