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Symbolism and Information Systems Development: Myth, Metaphor and Magic

Author

Listed:
  • Rudy Hirschheim

    (College of Business Administration, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204)

  • Mike Newman

    (Department of Accounting and Finance, University of Manchester, Manchester, U.K.)

Abstract

It is our intention to challenge the commonly held assumption that information systems development (ISD) can be conceived of as a normative process reflecting conventional economic rationality. We ask: is systems development the rational process so eloquently described in the “classic” works of DeMarco (1978), Gane and Sarson (1979), Weinberg (1980), Yourdon (1982), Jackson (1983), and Martin (1985)? Or does this orthodox view fail to explain the actual practice of systems development? It is our view that even the basic assumptions about the rationality of the actors and the social processes they engage in need to be critically appraised. We suggest that if the assumptions about economic rationality are closely analyzed, it can be seen that they do not reflect the reality of systems development. ISD tends to defy rational explanations. As an alternative to basing our understanding of systems development on economic rationality, we contend that symbolism holds more promise. Instead of focusing on data flow diagrams, structured walkthroughs, requirements specifications, and the like, we concentrate on the role of myth, metaphor, and magic. These concepts offer considerable scope in interpreting the social actions that are embodied within ISD. We feel they facilitate a much richer understanding of systems development.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:2:y:1991:i:1:p:29-62
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.2.1.29
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    Cited by:

    1. Goles, Tim & Hirschheim, Rudy, 2000. "The paradigm is dead, the paradigm is dead...long live the paradigm: the legacy of Burrell and Morgan," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 249-268, June.
    2. Elbanna, Amany & Newman, Mike, 2022. "The bright side and the dark side of top management support in Digital Transformaion –A hermeneutical reading," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    3. Blonk, H. van der, 1996. "Rethinking the concept of information systems," Serie Research Memoranda 0020, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
    4. Bauer, Kevin & Nofer, Michael & Abdel-Karim, Benjamin M. & Hinz, Oliver, 2022. "The effects of discontinuing machine learning decision support," SAFE Working Paper Series 370, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE.

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