Sharrock-Button1997a
| Sharrock-Button1997a | |
|---|---|
| BibType | ARTICLE |
| Key | Sharrock-Button1997a |
| Author(s) | Wes Sharrock, Graham Button |
| Title | On the Relevance of Habermas’ Theory of Communicative Action for CSCW |
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| Tag(s) | EMCA, Habermas, Groupware, Social action, Communicative action |
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| Year | 1997 |
| Language | English |
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| Journal | Computer-Supported Cooperative Work |
| Volume | 6 |
| Number | 4 |
| Pages | 369-89 |
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Abstract
Abstract. We examine the argument put forward by Ojelanki Nygwenyama and Kalle Lyytinen that Juergen Habermas’ theory of communicative action is relevant for the analysis and design of groupware systems. We suggest that CSCW champions of Habermas often overlook the fact that his theory can be criticised in its own right, and go on to outline its contestable character in an appraisal of his understanding of the ‘ideal speech situation’. We then move to Nygwenyama and Lyytinen’s implementation of Habermas’ schema and argue that their categories of analysis are both arbitrarily constructed and applied. In conclusion, we question the extent to which grand, holistic, synthesising sociological theories offer a way forward for designers and point to the difficulties of practically applying Nygwenyama and Lyytinen’s categories of analysis.
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