Forms of government and systemic sustainability: A positive design approach to the design of information systems

Abstract

In order for an information system (IS) to be sustainable, it must create value for its shareholders and for the society at large. We believe it is both possible and recommended that systems designers approach the design of systems thoughtfully, using a positive lens, to develop systems that not only increase profit but also add to the well-being of all. We have also observed that a systems designer can approach an organization with an open mind, accept the organization's set of values, adopt a positive design attitude, and still develop a system that is not sustainable. In this study, we looked to see whether there was an additional factor, one based in the environment created by governments that influenced the sustainability of systems. Since previous research shows that observing the predominant metaphors found in organizations can help explain the success or failure of different types of ISs, we attempted to do the same for societal metaphors. We identify the orientation, attitudes, and limits of various forms of government and demonstrate their similarities to the primary organizational metaphors. We then propose that the type of government may influence the sustainability of ISs and further argue that systems designers need to be aware of how forms of government affect the design of ISs and their sustainability.

Citation

Kendall, K.E. and Kendall, J.E. (2010), "Forms of government and systemic sustainability: A positive design approach to the design of information systems", Thatchenkery, T., Cooperrider, D.L. and Avital, M. (Ed.) Positive Design and Appreciative Construction: From Sustainable Development to Sustainable Value (Advances in Appreciative Inquiry, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 137-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1475-9152(2010)0000003012