Abstract
It is frequently suggested that inconsistencies in applying different views, modelling approaches or paradigms for information systems are unmotivated or not well justified. By drawing on approaches to information systems development as an example, this paper suggests that there are good reasons for a lack of harmony. There are many different approaches to developing information systems. These may be oriented towards technological, people or organisational aspects amongst others. But organisations themselves are different: there is no standard organisation where a standard information systems development methodology will always be appropriate. Even within any one organisation, a standard methodology may not be appropriate, because people are different and teams of people and departments are different. In this particular context, as a contribution towards consolidation, a contingency approach to information systems development is proposed. However, this is a holistic approach, not one that simplifies a complex problem through reductionism. The pattern of pluralism is repeated on considering research methods appropriate to the discipline and the range of relevant source disciplines. Information systems is a pluralistic discipline, and attempts at consolidation and harmonisation must not lead to simplification, where the discipline will no longer be appropriate to the complex, messy world of organisations and their needs it should be addressing.
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Avison, D.E., Nandhakumar, J. (1995). The discipline of information systems: Let many flowers bloom!. In: Falkenberg, E.D., Hesse, W., Olivé, A. (eds) Information System Concepts. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34870-4_1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-34870-4_1
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