Philosophical foundations for informing the future(S) through IS research. Issue 3 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chiasson, Mike; Davidson, Elizabeth; Winter, Jenifer
• Editors: Hassan, Nik Rushdi; Mingers, John; Stahl, Bernd
• Is Part Of: European journal of information systems. Volume 27:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 367
• Page End: 379
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Ethics -- futures studies -- potentiality -- philosophy of technology; Information technology -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Management information systems -- Europe -- Periodicals; 658.403805
• DOI: 10.1080/0960085X.2018.1435232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-085X

Abstract

Abstract: Information systems (IS) scholars have suggested IS researchers have a responsibility to consider how information and communication technologies could, in the future, influence sociotechnical practices and outcomes. However, research focused specifically on "the future" has yet to gain a strong foothold within the scholarly IS field. In this essay, we suggest a philosophical foundation and epistemological basis for futures-oriented research to advance such scholarship in the IS field. We first highlight epistemic assumptions about futures-oriented research drawn from the discourse of futures studies. We then draw on Feenberg's philosophy of "potentiality and actuality" of technology as a foundation to consider how knowledge generated through IS research about the sociotechnical past and present might inform futures-oriented inquiry. We illustrate these arguments with examples from the emerging arena of "big data" research.