The ethical nature of critical research in information systems

Abstract.  Critical research in information systems is based on and inspired by ethics and morality. In order to support this proposition, this paper will suggest a way of classifying critical research that differs from definitions common IS research. According to the current definition, research is critical when it is motivated by the intention to change social realities and promote emancipation. Based on this critical intention, critical research is furthermore characterized by critical topics, critical theories, and critical methodologies. Using these criteria of critical research, the paper argues that critical research is ethical in nature. To support this view, the paper introduces the concepts of ethics and morality by analysing two traditions of moral philosophy, here called the 'German tradition' and the 'French tradition'. Using three examples of current critical research in information systems, the paper will show that ethics and morality strongly influence critical intention, topics and theories. Having thus established the ethical nature of critical research, the paper concludes by discussing the weaknesses of critical research from the point of view of ethics and morality.     

Error models for stable hybrid adaptive systems

This paper presents several stable adaptive algorithms for the control of hybrid and discrete systems in which the control parameters are adjusted at rates slower than those at which the systems operate. Continuous algorithms of an integral type, recently suggested in the literature [5] are also shown to belong to this class. From a practical standpoint, the infrequent adjustment of the control parameters makes for more robust adaptive control while from a theoretical point of view, the algorithms are attractive since they provide a unified framework for the design of continuous, hybrid, and discrete adaptive systems. Simulation results are included to indicate the type of responses that can be expected using the different algorithms.     

Legal ethical and risk issues in telemedicine

This paper summarizes the main topics of discussion at a workshop hosted by the Centre for Law Ethics and Risk in Telemedicine at the 2nd International Conference on Advances in the Delivery of Care, held at the Institute of Health Sciences, City University, London from Wednesday 24 to Friday 26 March 1999. The workshop offered a unique opportunity for practitioners in the fields of telemedicine and shared care to discuss the legal, ethical and risk issues arising from the practice of medicine and healthcare from a distance using information and communication technologies ('ICTs') with a panel of experts from the fields of medicine, law, insurance and risk management. There was a broad consensus that many of the legal and ethical issues raised by those who dislike the idea of treating distant patients were not specific to telemedicine but to medicine and healthcare in general. It was agreed, however, that in those areas where telemedicine does create new clinical risks and responsibilities a much more proactive role should be taken by the professional associations and Royal Colleges in providing better education and guidance to their members about the practical and professional issues that will inevitably arise from the evolution of 'Hospitals Without Walls'.     

Expert systems and audit planning: Evolving research issues

This paper investigates some of the key research issues which arise when expert system methodology is used as an approach to developing models of domains as complex as auditing. It also discusses the types of research which can be conducted using expert systems methodology in auditing and argues that, although useful, the distinction between research and development may have been overworked. Central areas of concern and inquiry which are addressed in this paper are knowledge acquisition, knowledge representation, and of particular concern to the author and his co-researchers at the present time, validation and verification.     

Recommender systems in the healthcare domain: state-of-the-art and research issues

Journal of Intelligent Information Systems - Nowadays, a vast amount of clinical data scattered across different sites on the Internet hinders users from finding helpful information for their...     

A set of ethical principles for design science research in information systems

Over the past decade, design science research (DSR) has re-emerged as an important research paradigm in the field of information systems. However, the approaches currently recommended for conducting design science research do not include an ethical component. Thus, the objective of this paper is to initiate a debate about the need for ethical principles for DSR in Information Systems (IS). To launch this debate, we suggest that a set of ethical principles for DSR in IS must be created. Although the interpretation and application of these principles might not always be straightforward, our argument is that all DSR practitioners in IS should devote at least some time to consider ethical principles.     

Towards psychology-aware preference construction in recommender systems: Overview and research issues

Journal of Intelligent Information Systems - User preferences are a crucial input needed by recommender systems to determine relevant items. In single-shot recommendation scenarios such as...     

Design of service systems under variability: research issues

In service systems, variability is encountered in many components, interfaces, and entities interacting with the system. There could be variations in service system performance across different usage situations and conditions. There could be operator-introduced variations in operating the system, and there could be customer-introduced variability in service operations. Since the specific usage of the service system and the usage conditions can vary, the resultant variations in service performance can impact consumer preferences for and satisfaction with the service system. While some variability has a negative impact on customers, other kinds of variations may be preferred by customers. In designing service systems, one has to understand the sources and types of variability. Any service system that is designed should be robust to these variations––both in system performances and consumer preferences and satisfaction. Achieving the robustness criteria, however, implies consideration of a large number of design criteria across multiple functions––both system design and customer-facing functions. In this paper, we present the factors that need to be considered in service system design which encounter variations not only in usage, but also in operator and customer skill levels, perception of system complexity, preference and satisfaction. We identify the research issues involved and present a general framework to tackle such service system design problems.     

Machine learning in information systems - a bibliographic review and open research issues

Electronic Markets - Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are currently hot topics in industry and business practice, while management-oriented research disciplines seem reluctant...     

Innovation research in information systems: A commentary on contemporary trends and issues

There is a need to unify the different strands of innovation research in information systems (IS) literature. We analyze 113 articles published over the past 15 years in top 10 IS journals. We classify the literature by (a) using the overall process spectrum of conceptualization from its innovation to its diffusion and (b) using the various theories of innovation referred to and validated in the articles. We identify that innovation diffusion theory is the most popular theory used by researchers. We conclude that future research must focus on the conceptualization and the generation phase of innovation through exploratory or empirical studies.     

Stability and switching control design issues for a class of discrete time hybrid systems

For the class of systems considered, necessary and sufficient stabilizability conditions are unknown. However, by considering the same systems with unknown but bounded exogenous disturbances, we give finitely computable conditions, sufficient for stabilizability without disturbances, yet necessary for stabilizability with disturbances.     

Operations management issues in design and control of hybrid human-robot collaborative manufacturing systems: a survey

A manufacturing system able to perform a high variety of tasks requires different types of resources. Fully automated systems using robots possess high speed, accuracy, tirelessness, and force, but they are expensive. On the other hand, human workers are intelligent, creative, flexible, and able to work with different tools in different situations. A combination of these resources forms a human-machine/robot (hybrid) system, where humans and robots perform a variety of tasks (manual, automated, and hybrid tasks) in a shared workspace. Contrarily to the existing surveys, this study is dedicated to operations management problems (focusing on the applications and features) for human and machine/robot collaborative systems in manufacturing. This research is divided into two types of interactions between human and automated components in manufacturing and assembly systems: dual resource constrained (DRC) and human-robot collaboration (HRC) optimization problems. Moreover, different characteristics of the workforce and machines/robots such as heterogeneity, homogeneity, ergonomics, and flexibility are introduced. Finally, this paper identifies the optimization challenges and problems for hybrid systems. The existing literature on HRC focuses mainly on the robotic point of view and not on the operations management and optimization aspects. Therefore, the future research directions include the design of models and methods to optimize HRC systems in terms of ergonomics, safety, and throughput. In addition, studying flexibility and reconfigurability in hybrid systems is one of the main research avenues for future research.     

Stability of a class of hybrid computer models of dynamical systems

Hybrid computer programming automation research is giving rise to a renewed interest in standard hybrid programming configurations. The stability of implementations whereby only time integrations and first-order prediction compensation are performed in the analog section is examined as a function of: (1) the damping ratio ζ of any one of the conceptual model's second-order eigenvalues, and (2) the normalized sampling rate R, expressed in samples per cycle of its natural undamped frequency. Stability boundaries in the (ζc,R) plane indicate a great dependence of stability on C and the existence of an optimum value of compensation factor, also a function of ζ.Suboptimal values of compensation and corresponding lower bounds of R are tabulated for specific ranges of ζ.     

Expert systems in organizations: Legal and ethical considerations

Information technology is not only driving productivity worldwide, but also is creating many structural and processing changes within organizations. Alterations in people's work habits and in their relationships in the workplace create many questions, which may become critical organizational problems in the future if they are not identified early. These questions are ethical or legal in nature, and their understanding is vitally important Within the realm of artificial intelligence systems, a significant amount of attention is received by the domain of expert systems, which enhance or replace existing organizational decision‐making processes. This article highlights some of the basic considerations arising within the organizational setting as a result of expert systems utilization.     

Ergonomics issues in future systems

The paper starts by discussing some of the historical background to the design of systems and the development of systems thinking, from the perspective of Ergonomics. This is followed by an attempt to describe the likely future for systems design and operation; critical points being that these systems will interoperate with other systems; they will be long-lived; and we cannot afford for them to fail. This leads on to a discussion of complexity and its effects. The paper then goes on to discuss how and why Ergonomics practitioners should be interested in these effects. This includes dealing with intrinsic complexity (inherent in the purposes of the system) and induced complexity (introduced by the the organization, process design and operation of the system), the significance of trust, shared situation awareness and sense-making, the need for excellent communications, the importance of knowledge, experience and governance. Finally, a brief section, pointing to other sources, outlines possible approaches for designing these future systems.     

Ergonomics issues in future systems

The paper starts by discussing some of the historical background to the design of systems and the development of systems thinking, from the perspective of Ergonomics. This is followed by an attempt to describe the likely future for systems design and operation; critical points being that these systems will interoperate with other systems; they will be long-lived; and we cannot afford for them to fail. This leads on to a discussion of complexity and its effects. The paper then goes on to discuss how and why Ergonomics practitioners should be interested in these effects. This includes dealing with intrinsic complexity (inherent in the purposes of the system) and induced complexity (introduced by the the organization, process design and operation of the system), the significance of trust, shared situation awareness and sense-making, the need for excellent communications, the importance of knowledge, experience and governance. Finally, a brief section, pointing to other sources, outlines possible approaches for designing these future systems.