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A Philosophy of Information Technology and Systems (IT & S) as Tools: Tool Development Context, Associated Skills and the Global Technology Transfer (GTT) Process

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  • Deborah Bunker

    (University of New South Wales)

Abstract

It is the intent of this paper to discuss a philosophy of Information Technology and Systems (IT & S) as tools and the impact of this philosophy on the Global Technical Transfer (GTT) process of IT & S. It is argued that IT & S by definition, are artefacts, tools that have been made, used, inherited and studied within a cultural context which encompasses economic, historical, technical and social values and assumptions which are focussed in particular skill sets. It is assumed that these skill sets are mostly in evidence in any culture that receives the IT & S tool for use in a technical transfer process. It is argued, therefore, if we understand the cultural context in which a tool is made then we will understand the skills to transfer and use such tools in an effective manner. The issue we must face as makers, users, inheritors and scholars of IT & S tools, however, is that the tool context and inherent in-built values and skill sets, may not be in evidence across all cultures. This would make the effective use of IT & S, in a global sense, a difficult and complex (if not impossible) undertaking. From this position it is argued that IT & S tools reflect the IT & S discipline, as it is these tools which embody the assumptions of the discipline and hence, its paradigm. The Bunker and Dean (Bunker DJ, Dean RG. Philosophical Traditions in Information Systems: Challenger of an Interdisciplinary View, Faculty of Commerce Workshop, University of Wollongong, July 10--11, 1997) disciplinary model is highlighted as a means of understanding how tools are made within a cultural context and how they reflect the discipline in which they are created. This paper then goes on to explain the ramifications of IT & S as a discipline on the GTT process and proposes a skill-focussed approach, within a culture, to determining what IT & S may be appropriate for that particular cultural context.

Suggested Citation

  • Deborah Bunker, 2001. "A Philosophy of Information Technology and Systems (IT & S) as Tools: Tool Development Context, Associated Skills and the Global Technology Transfer (GTT) Process," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 185-197, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:3:y:2001:i:2:d:10.1023_a:1011443406476
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1011443406476
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jaana Porra, 1999. "Colonial Systems," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 10(1), pages 38-69, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter A. Kwaku Kyem, 2012. "Is ICT the panacea to sub-Saharan Africa’s development problems? Rethinking Africa’s contentious engagement with the global information society," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 12(2-3), pages 231-244, July.
    2. Amany Elbanna & Yogesh Dwivedi & Deborah Bunker & David Wastell, 0. "The Search for Smartness in Working, Living and Organising: Beyond the ‘Technomagic’," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-6.
    3. Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Banita Lal & Navonil Mustafee & Michael D. Williams, 2009. "Profiling a decade of Information Systems Frontiers’ research," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 87-102, March.
    4. Amany Elbanna & Yogesh Dwivedi & Deborah Bunker & David Wastell, 2020. "The Search for Smartness in Working, Living and Organising: Beyond the ‘Technomagic’," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 275-280, April.

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