Towards an integrating programme for information systems design: an Oriental case

The field of information systems design (ISD) is in a state of fragmentatio n; further, it has proved not easy to integrate embracing ontology and plur alist epistemology into user-friendly methodologies able to facilitate disc iplinary and creative ISD actions. These difficulties are addressed via an Oriental approach, WSR (relations with the world, the mind and others), whi ch draws upon ancient Chinese thought and contemporary management practice in China. WSR has been used to help IS developers and users in viewing ISD as a technical-cognitive-social whole, shaping ISD as an issue-task matrix, guiding ISD as a spiral learning and bubble-management process, enhancing participation by transforming management-ISD methodologies, and identifying further research areas. It is suggested that ISD will benefit from conscio us mutual learning between the Western spirit of critical rigour and the Ea stern flexible pragmatic mindset. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.