|
Archive@NYU >
Stern School of Business >
IOMS: Information Systems Working Papers >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2451/14460
|
| Title: | THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROFESSION: MYTH OR REALITY? |
| Authors: | Orlikowski, Wanda J.
Baroudi, Jack J. |
| Issue Date: | Apr-1988 |
| Publisher: | Stern School of Business, New York University |
| Series/Report no.: | IS-88-32 |
| Abstract: | Much of the prior research into information systems (IS) workers has
assumed that they are professionals. In this paper we examine the
characteristics of IS workers, IS work and the IS workplace, and suggest
that this perspective is mistaken. Drawing on the sociological theory of
professions as a reference discipline we contend that IS professionalism
is an inappropriate categorization, and that such a portrayal limits our
understanding of IS workers and their work. We argue in this paper that
a more faithful and potentially useful characterization is to view IS
workers as members of an occupational group. Within this perspective, an
understanding of the occupational culture, context and history of IS
workers is essential to an understanding of the IS occupation. We
examine and challenge some common myths regarding IS work, technology
and the IS workplace. We conclude by making some recommendations for
future research are provided, which should enhance our understanding of
IS workers as members of an occupation. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2451/14460 |
| Appears in Collections: | IOMS: Information Systems Working Papers
|
All items in Faculty Digital Archive are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved.
|
