Suchman1994
| Suchman1994 | |
|---|---|
| BibType | ARTICLE |
| Key | Suchman1994 |
| Author(s) | Lucy Suchman |
| Title | Do categories have politics?: the language/action perspective reconsidered |
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| Tag(s) | EMCA, Coordination technologies, organizational communications, speech act theory, systems design |
| Publisher | |
| Year | 1994 |
| Language | English |
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| Journal | Computer Supported Cooperative Work |
| Volume | 2 |
| Number | 3 |
| Pages | 177–190 |
| URL | Link |
| DOI | 10.1007/BF00749015 |
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Abstract
Drawing on writings within the CSCW community and on recent social theory, this paper proposes that the adoption of speech act theory as a foundation for system design carries with it an agenda of discipline and control over organization members' actions. I begin with a brief review of the language/action perspective introduced by Winograd, Flores and their colleagues, focusing in particular on the categorization of speakers' intent. I then turn to some observations on the politics of categorization and, with that framework as back-ground, consider the attempt, through THE COORDINATOR, to implement a technological system for intention-accounting within organizations. Finally, I suggest the implications of the analysis presented in the paper for the politics of CSCW systems design.
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