Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Theorizing About Socio-Technical Approaches to HCI

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Human Work Interaction Design. Designing Engaging Automation (HWID 2018)

Part of the book series: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology ((IFIPAICT,volume 544))

Included in the following conference series:

Abstract

In this paper, we theorize about Socio-Technical approaches to HCI. The Socio-Technical tradition indicates that looking at design only or mainly from a technical design side is insufficient to design systems for work and workers; instead the social and the technical need to be co-designed and contingent on characteristics of the context, the organisation, and its historical development. However, it also argued that this tradition does not provide enough handles for the design of interactive technologies for users. We present Socio-Technical HCI as a distinct field of knowledge outlining the Socio-Technical traditions where it is rooted, and illustrate these with three different conceptual frameworks that have been used to support the design, development, and evaluation of interactive systems. These frameworks are Cognitive Work Analysis, Human-Work Interaction Design, and Technological Frames. These frameworks are compared and analysed in terms of what are a balanced and comprehensive way to in address socio-technical, contextual, and design issues in HCI. It is argued why Human-Work Interaction Design is best placed to address these issues.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bouzekri, E., Canny, A., Martinie, C., Palanque, P., Gris, C.: Using task descriptions with explicit representation of allocation of functions, authority and responsibility to design and assess automation. In: Barricelli, B.R., et al. (eds.) HWID 2018, IFIP AICT 544, pp. 36–56. Springer, Cham (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Clemmensen, T., Kaptelinin, V., Nardi, B.: Making HCI theory work: an analysis of the use of activity theory in HCI research. Behav. Inf. Technol. 35, 608–627 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Callon, M.: Some elements of a sociology of translation: domestication of the scallops and the Fishermen of St Brieuc Bay. Sociol. Rev. 32(1_suppl), 196–233 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-954X.1984.tb00113.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gal, U., Berente, N.: A social representations perspective on information systems implementation: rethinking the concept of “frames”. Inf. Technol. People. 21, 133–154 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cherns, A.B.: Principles of socio-technical design re-visited. Hum. Relat. 40, 153–162 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Trist, E., Bamforth, K.: Some social and psychological consequences of the Longwall method. Hum. Relat. 4, 3–38 (1951)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Pinch, T., Bijker, W.: The social construction of facts and artifacts. In: Pinch, T., Bijker, W.E. (eds.) The Social Construction of Technological Systems, pp. 17–50. MIT Press, Cambridge (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Woolgar, S.: Configuring the user: the case of usability trials. In: Law, J. (ed.) A Sociology of Monsters: Essays on Power, Technology and Domination, pp. 58–100. Routledge, London (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Mumford, E.: Systems Design: Ethical Tools for Ethical Change. Macmillan, London (1996)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  10. Dillon, A.: Group dynamics meet cognition: combining socio-technical concepts and usability engineering in the design of information systems. In: Coakes, E., Willis, D., Lloyd-Jones, R. (eds.) The New SocioTech. Computer Supported Cooperative Work, pp. 119–125. Springer, London (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-0411-7_11

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  11. Mackay, H., Carne, C., Beynon-Davies, P., Tudhope, D.: Reconfiguring the user: using rapid application development. Soc. Stud. Sci. 30, 737–757 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Suchman, L.: Plans and Situated Actions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bijker, W.E.: Of Bicycles, Bakelites, and Bulbs: Toward a Theory of Sociotechnical Change. MIT Press, Cambridge (1995)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Latour, B.: Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor-Network-Theory. Oxford University Press, New York (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Bjørn-Andersen, N., Clemmensen, T.: The shaping of the Scandinavian socio-technical is research tradition. Scand. J. Inf. Syst. 29, 79–118 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Kimbell, L.: Rethinking design thinking: Part I. Des. Cult. 3, 285–306 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Gardien, P., Djajadiningrat, T., Hummels, C., Brombacher, A.: Changing your hammer: the implications of paradigmatic innovation for design practice. Int. J. Des. 8, 119 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Guba, E.: The alternative paradigm dialog. In: Guba, E. (ed.) The Paradigm Dialog, pp. 17–27. Sage, London (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Vicente, K.J.: Cognitive Work Analysis: Toward Safe, Productive, and Healthy Computer-Based Work. CRC Press, Boca Raton (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hirschheim, R., Klein, H.K.: Four paradigms of information systems development. Commun. ACM 32, 1199–1216 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Abdelnour-Nocera, J., Oussena, S., Burns, C.: Human work interaction design of the smart university. In: Abdelnour Nocera, J., Barricelli, B.R., Lopes, A., Campos, P., Clemmensen, T. (eds.) HWID 2015. IAICT, vol. 468, pp. 127–140. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27048-7_9

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  22. Hajdukiewicz, J., Burns, C.: Strategies for bridging the gap between analysis and design for ecological interface design. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, pp. 479–483. SAGE Publications (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Burns, C.M., Skraaning, G., Jamieson, G.A., Lau, N., Kwok, J., Welch, R., Andresen, G.: Evaluation of ecological interface design for nuclear process control: situation awareness effects. Hum. Factors J. Hum. Factors Ergon. Soc. 50, 663–679 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Hajdukiewicz, J.R., Burns, C.M., Vicente, K.J., Eggleston, R.G.: Work domain analysis for intentional systems. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, pp. 333–337. SAGE Publications (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Burns, C.M., Enomoto, Y., Momtahan, K.: A cognitive work analysis of cardiac care nurses performing teletriage. In: Applications of Cognitive Work Analysis, pp. 149–174 (2008)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  26. Euerby, A., Burns, C.M.: Improving social connection through a communities of practice-inspired cognitive work analysis approach. Hum. Factors J. Hum. Factors Ergon. Soc. 56, 361 (2013). 0018720813494410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Rogers, Y., Sharp, H., Preece, J.: Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction. Wiley, New York (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  28. Vicente, K.J.: A history of cognitive engineering research at Risø (1962–1979). In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, pp. 210–214. SAGE Publications, Los Angeles (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Clemmensen, T., Orngreen, R., Pejtersen, A.M.: Describing Users in Contexts: Perspectives on Human-Work Interaction Design. In: Workshop Proceedings of Interact. Citeseer (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Clemmensen, T.: A human work interaction design (HWID) case study in E-government and public information systems. Int. J. Public Inf. Syst. 7, 105–113 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Annett, J., Duncan, K.D.: Task analysis and training design (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Salmon, P., Jenkins, D., Stanton, N., Walker, G.: Hierarchical task analysis vs. cognitive work analysis: comparison of theory, methodology and contribution to system design. Theor. Issues Ergon. Sci. 11, 504–531 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Button, G., Sharrock, W.: Studies of work and the workplace in HCI: concepts and techniques. Synth. Lect. Hum. Centered Inform. 2, 1–96 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Abdelnour-Nocera, J., Dunckley, L., Sharp, H.: An approach to the evaluation of usefulness as a social construct using technological frames. Int. J. Hum. Comput. Interact. 22, 153–172 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Cooper, A., Reimann, R., Cronin, D.: About Face 3: The Essentials of Interaction Design. Wiley, New York (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Oh, Y., Do, E.Y.-L., Gross, M.D.: Intelligent critiquing of design sketches. In: Davis, J.L.R., Stahovich, T., Miller, R., Saund, E. (eds.) Making Pen-Based Interaction Intelligent and Natural, pp. 127–133. AAAI Press, Arlington (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Barricelli, B.R., Valtolina, S., Gadia, D., Marzullo, M., Piazzi, C., Garzulino, A.: Participatory action design research in archaeological context. In: Abdelnour Nocera, J., Barricelli, B.R., Lopes, A., Campos, P., Clemmensen, T. (eds.) HWID 2015. IAICT, vol. 468, pp. 192–211. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27048-7_14

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  38. Orlikowski, W., Gash, D.C.: Technological frames: making sense of information technology in organisations. ACM Trans. Inf. Syst. 12, 174–207 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Suchman, L.: Practice-based design of information systems: notes from the hyperdeveloped world. Inf. Soc. 18, 139–144 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Hansen, T.R.: Strings of experiments: looking at the design process as a set of socio-technical experiments. In: Proceedings of the Ninth Conference on Participatory Design: Expanding Boundaries in Design, pp. 1–10. ACM Press (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Abdelnour-Nocera, J., Dunckley, L.: Sociotechnical research and knowledge communication in community-centred systems design: a technological frames perspective. Int. J. Web Commun. 4, 476–490 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Abdelnour-Nocera, J., Camara, S.: Addressing sociotechnical gaps in the design and deployment of digital resources in Rural Kenya. In: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual International Conference on the Design of Communication, pp. 45:1–45:5. ACM, New York (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Miller, C.A., Vicente, K.J.: Task “versus” work domain analysis techniques: a comparative analysis. In: Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, pp. 328–332. SAGE Publications, Los Angeles (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Burns, C.: Cognitive work analysis: new dimensions. In: Campos, P., Clemmensen, T., Nocera, J.A., Katre, D., Lopes, A., Ørngreen, R. (eds.) HWID 2012. IAICT, vol. 407, pp. 1–11. Springer, Heidelberg (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-41145-8_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  45. Gonçalves, F., Campos, P., Clemmensen, T.: Human work interaction design: an overview. In: Abdelnour Nocera, J., Barricelli, B.R., Lopes, A., Campos, P., Clemmensen, T. (eds.) HWID 2015. IAICT, vol. 468, pp. 3–19. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27048-7_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  46. Katre, D., Orngreen, R., Yammiyavar, P., Clemmensen, T. (eds.): HWID 2009. IAICT, vol. 316. Springer, Heidelberg (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11762-6

    Book  Google Scholar 

  47. Khoo, M., Kusunoki, D., MacDonald, C.: Finding problems: when digital library users act as usability evaluators. In: 2012 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Science (HICSS), pp. 1615–1624. IEEE (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Cajander, Å., Larusdottir, M., Eriksson, E., Nauwerck, G.: Contextual personas as a method for understanding digital work environments. In: Abdelnour Nocera, J., Barricelli, B.R., Lopes, A., Campos, P., Clemmensen, T. (eds.) HWID 2015. IAICT, vol. 468, pp. 141–152. Springer, Cham (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27048-7_10

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  49. Jamieson, G.A., Vicente, K.J.: Ecological interface design for petrochemical applications: supporting operator adaptation, continuous learning, and distributed, collaborative work. Comput. Chem. Eng. 25, 1055–1074 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Abdelnour-Nocera, J., Clemmensen, T.: Socio-technical HCI for ethical value exchange. In: Clemmensen, T., Rajamanickam, V., Dannenmann, P., Petrie, H., Winckler, M. (eds.) INTERACT 2017. LNCS, vol 10774, pp. 148–159. Springer, Cham (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92081-8_15

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, London, W5 5RF, UK

    José Abdelnour-Nocera

  2. M-ITI, Funchal, Portugal

    José Abdelnour-Nocera

  3. Department of Digitalization, Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Torkil Clemmensen

Authors
  1. José Abdelnour-Nocera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Torkil Clemmensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to José Abdelnour-Nocera .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Barbara Rita Barricelli

  2. Aalto University, Aalto, Finland

    Virpi Roto

  3. Copenhagen Business School, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Torkil Clemmensen

  4. Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal

    Pedro Campos

  5. Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal

    Arminda Lopes

  6. Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal

    Frederica Gonçalves

  7. University of West London, London, UK

    José Abdelnour-Nocera

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 IFIP International Federation for Information Processing

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Abdelnour-Nocera, J., Clemmensen, T. (2019). Theorizing About Socio-Technical Approaches to HCI. In: Barricelli, B., et al. Human Work Interaction Design. Designing Engaging Automation. HWID 2018. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 544. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05297-3_17

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05297-3_17

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-05296-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-05297-3

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation