1 Tracing the Foundations.- 1 Graffiti on the Long Wall: A SocioTechnical Conversation.- 2 Tracing the Roots: The Influence of Socio-Technical Principles on Modern Organisational Change Practices.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Socio-Technical Principles and Methodologies.- 2.3 Organisational Design.- 2.4 IS Development and Implementation.- 2.5 Conclusion and Implications.- 2 The Writing on the Wall.- 3 Technology and Freedom: A Socio-Technical Approach.- 3.1 Technical Progress.- 3.2 Ideas on Freedom.- 3.3 Computers, Freedom and Work.- 3.4 Information, Technology and Freedom.- 3.5 Participation and Freedom.- 3.6 Freedom, Participation and the Future.- 4 Searching for New Grounds in STS: Beyond Open Systems Thinking.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Dutch Integral Organisational Renewal.- 4.3 IOR Evaluated.- 4.4 Desirable Futures for Integral Organisational Renewal.- 4.5 Conclusions.- 5 Sociotechnical Perspectives on Emergence Phenomena.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Sociotechnical Ideas and Principles.- 5.3 Sociotechnical Reflections.- 5.4 Design and Matching.- 5.5 Design and Emergence.- 5.6 Emergence in Organisations.- 5.7 Sociotechnical Principles and In-use Design.- 5.8 Summary and Conclusions.- 6 From Socio-Technical to Critical Complementarist: A New Direction for Information Systems Development.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Information Systems Development: The Functionalist View.- 6.3 Information Systems Development: The Interpretivist View.- 6.4 The Socio-Technical Approach.- 6.5 Information Systems Development: The Complementarist View.- 6.6 Lessons Learned and Signposts for the Future.- 7 Socio-Technical Systems: Technique or Philosophy?.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Forms of STS.- 7.3 Type III STS in Use.- 7.4 Summary.- 8 Sociotechnical Design and Economic Objectives.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Sociotechnical Perspectives.- 8.3 Design Implications.- 8.4 Lessons for the Future.- 9 The Role of Socio-Technical Thinking in the Information Systems Curriculum in UK Universities.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 The Early Years.- 9.3 The Process of Reflection.- 9.4 The Continuing Struggle.- 9.5 Our Refusal to Engage.- 9.6 Lessons Learned.- 9.7 Future Prospects.- 10 Balancing at the Edge of Chaos in a Sociotechnical World.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The Learning Environment.- 10.3 Research Method.- 10.4 Sociotechnical Principles.- 10.5 Managing Change at the Edge of Chaos.- 10.6 The Importance of Initial Conditions.- 10.7 Participation.- 10.8 Control versus Self-Organising Systems.- 10.9 Self and Others in Complex Human Activity Systems.- 10.10 Innovation in Education.- 10.11 Lessons Learned.- 10.12 Conclusion.- 3 Re-Design.- 11 Group Dynamics Meet Cognition: Combining Socio-Technical Concepts and Usability Engineering in the Design of Information Systems.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Usability Engineering.- 11.3 The Impact of Socio-Technical Theory on Information Technology Design.- 11.4 Developing Humanly Acceptable Information Systems.- 11.5 Reconciliation?.- 11.6 Lessons for Learning.- 11.7 Practical Hints and Tips.- 12 Enhancing IS Quality through Design-Based Documentation Production.- 12.1 Introduction.- 12.2 A Problem Observed.- 12.3 IS Quality and Documentation.- 12.4 Participation and User Satisfaction: The Need for Integrative Processes.- 12.5 Bridging the Gap.- 12.6 A Solution to the Problem.- 12.7 Summary.- 13 Design: A Better Way for Making Systems.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 The Technical Basis of Computing.- 13.3 The Human Dimension.- 13.4 The Case for Design.- 13.5 History of Design.- 13.6 Systems Development as Design.- 13.7 Agenda for Research and Action.- 13.8 Summary.- 4 Transforming the Long Wall.- 14 Information Systems Implementation and Organisational Change: A Socio-Technical Systems Approach.- 14.1 Introduction.- 14.2 Organisational Change.- 14.3 Some Illustrative Cases.- 14.4 Managerial Implications.- 14.5 Hints and Tips.- 14.6 Conclusion.- 15 Virtual Dynamics and Socio-Technical Systems.- 15.1 Introduction.- 15.2 Networking Technologies and the Individual.- 15.3 Networking Technologies and the Group.- 15.4 Networking Technologies and the System as a Whole: The Paradox of the Primary Task.- 15.5 Conclusion.- 16 Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Organizations: The Effects of Task, Role, Status, and Network Structure.- 16.1 Introduction.- 16.2 Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Groups.- 16.3 Data and Method.- 16.4 Results.- 16.5 Conclusions.- 17 Adaptive Processes for Achieving Socio-Technical Fit in Computer Supported Co-operative Work Groups.- 17.1 Introduction.- 17.2 Organisational Challenges.- 17.3 A Large Multi-National Company.- 17.4 An International Network of Organisations.- 17.5 Linked Educational Teams.- 17.6 Achieving Socio-Technical Fit in CSCW Groups.- 17.7 Summary, Lessons Learnt and Conclusion.- 18 CoLeARN: Collaborative Learning and Action Research Networkommunications.- 18.1 Introduction.- 18.2 The Seedbed for CoLeARN.- 18.3 Electronic Communications and Participation.- 18.4 Co-determination and Intentionality.- 18.5 CoLeARN and SOLARI..- 18.6 Knowledge in Post-positivist Research.- 18.7 The Collaborative Arena Extended: On-site and Off-site Dialogue.- 18.8 Group Purpose: The Abbey Agreement.- 18.9 Facilitating Network Communications.- 18.10 Points for Ongoing Learning.- 19 Stop Information Technology from Undermining Group Autonomy!.- 19.1 Introduction.- 19.2 Socio-Technical Approaches.- 19.3 IT in Socio-Technical Approaches.- 19.4 Case in Point.- 19.5 Autonomy of the Technical System.- 19.6 Boundary in Terms of Resources.- 19.7 Boundary in Terms of Task Performane.- 19.8 Inside the Boundary.- 19.9 Lessons Learned.- 19.10 Conclusions.- 20 A Socio-Technical Approach to Social Learning Analysis in the Australian Defence Force.- 20.1 Introduction.- 20.2 Pilot Study.- 20.3 Social Learning in the Wing HQ: A Discussion of Findings.- 20.4 Conclusion.- 21 Technology, Organisation and Qualifications in Software Development.- 21.1 Introduction.- 21.2 Interdependence of Technology, Organisation and Qualifications.- 21.3 Keeping Up with the Demands for New Qualifications.- 21.4 Difficulties in Introducing an Organisational Change.- 21.5 Perspectives of Fostering Continuous Learning.- 21.6 Generalisation of Results and Summary.- References.
