Systems Design Meets Habermas, Foucault and Latour

Abstract

This chapter begins with a review of the theoretical foundations that are common in the systems design literature, before moving to draw upon the work of three prominent social theorists to analyse and critique a particular case of information systems design. It is argued that in different, but complimentary ways, each theorist offers systems designers compelling insights to guide their work. In particular, it is argued that Habermas’ understanding of “Ideal speech”; Foucault’s understanding of “power/knowledge” and “discipline”; and Latour’s understanding of systems as “networks”; confirms that social theory is able to offer systems designers concrete recommendations to guide their work.