Peter J. Carew

Towards a Privacy Framework for Information Systems Development

Privacy issues are an increasing concern in our society (Pedersen, 1999). As information and communications technology (ICT) becomes increasingly pervasive, these concerns are being intensified. Privacy is a fundamental human right (UN, 1948) that continues to be violated by intrusive and unethical applications of technology in society and the workplace (cf. Baase, 2003). However, in spite of the ethical concerns and the pivotal role ICT plays in gathering and processing information on people, privacy remains a misunderstood and undervalued concept in ISD. Although literature addresses many ethical issues associated with intrusive technologies, privacy has received very little attention from ISD researchers, with mainstream literature treating privacy as analogous to data security. Palen and Dourish (2003) note that social and design studies of technology often unknowingly conflate the many functions of privacy and consequently fail to provide sufficient analytical treatment. Current ISD approaches are failing to recognise the significance of privacy ...

Implications of an ethic of privacy for human-centred systems engineering

Privacy remains an intractable ethical issue for the information society, and one that is exacerbated by modern applications of artificial intelligence. Given its complicity, there is a moral obligation to redress privacy issues in systems engineering practice itself. This paper investigates the role the concept of privacy plays in contemporary systems engineering practice. Ontologically a nominalist human concept, privacy is considered from an appropriate engineering perspective: human-centred design. Two human-centred design standards are selected as exemplars of best practice, and are analysed using an existing multi-dimensional privacy model. The findings indicate that the human-centred standards are currently inadequate in dealing with privacy issues. Some implications for future practice are subsequently highlighted.

Towards empathy: a human-centred analysis of rationality, ethics and praxis in systems development

Functionalism has long been the dominant paradigm in systems development practice. However, functionalism promotes an innate and immutable instrumental rationality that is indifferent to human values, rights, society, culture and international stability. It, in essence, lacks empathy. Although alternative paradigms have been promoted for decades in the systems development literature to help address this deficit, functionalism remains dominant. This paper reiterates the call for a fundamental paradigm shift away from myopic functionalism and towards a more empathic and human-centred philosophy. It argues that the human-centred tradition offers a philosophically compatible and mature approach that can be practically harnessed for promoting empathy in systems development. The paper investigates the potential of systems development to become truly human-centred using data originally collected as part of a multi-method critical-interpretive study of privacy in information systems development. Multiple methods are used for the data analysis presented, including principal components analysis, hierarchical clustering, Q methodology and descriptive statistics. The multi-method analysis demonstrates that a marked discreteness exists between human-centred sentiments and instrumentally rational ones in systems development praxis. The paper concludes by presenting recommendations on how human-centred values can be practically fostered and engaged to enable greater empathy in contemporary system development and strengthen international stability.

A Human-Centred Analysis of Systems Development Goals, Rationality and Focus Using Principal Components Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering

Abstract The human-centred approach is a paradigm of systems development that is well suited to improving international stability. This paper consequently investigates whether or not contemporary systems development is, or has the potential to become, truly human-centred. Data originally collected as part of a multi-method critical-interpretive study of privacy in information systems development is used for the analysis. The analysis presented considers the issue of human-centredness from three complementary perspectives: (1) the goals of systems development, (2) the rationality of systems development, and (3) the focus of systems development. Principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering are used to examine the original data in terms of systems development goals, rationality and focus in order to identify the underlying latent variables, factors or clusters therein. The analysis shows clear dyadic polarisations between human-centred goals and rationalities, and more functionalistic goals and rationalities. It also shows a triadic polarisation in systems development focus regarding individual personal issues, organisational issues, and technical issues, and also how the human-centred ideal is not currently being realised in systems development practice. Finally, the paper considers the implications of the findings for human-centred systems development and its pivotal role in fostering international stability.

Ethical Behaviour and Rationality in Automation Systems Development: Promoting the Humanist/Existentialist Axis for International Stability

Abstract This paper presents a four-factor model of ethical behaviour and explores rationalities underlying automation systems development. These four factors – Existentialist, Humanist, Technocentrist and Industriofatalist – were identified using Q methodology as part of a study into privacy and its role, meaning and value for information systems engineering. The four-factor model is presented as a holistic model of ethical behaviour and rationality for automation systems development and contemporary society more generally. This paper considers the applicability of the four-factor model for advancing international stability, and argues that the Humanist/Existentialist axis should be promoted to encourage personally empowered and responsible praxis (Existentialist) that is directed towards the protection and advancement of core human values and rights (Humanist). However, the dominance of the diametric Technocentrist/Industriofatalist axis in promoting amoral, instrumentally rational and industrial/economic values to the detriment of substantive human values remains a challenge in this regard.

Symbiosis or assimilation: critical reflections on the ontological self at the precipice of Total Data

Contemporary data practices are inducing a convergent saturation point (conceptually referred to as Total Data) wherein every human action, reaction, interaction, transaction, thought or desire is quantified, reified, recorded and used. Physical or virtual, all is recorded, known or unknown, seen or unseen, until data permeates every facet of our shared human existence. The implications of this eventuality are potentially so far reaching that the very notion or concept of who we are might be fundamentally altered, resulting in new ontologies of the self in a world of Total Data. This polemic paper reflects on the implications that Total Data has for the ontological self in a range of individual and shared contexts, and considers the potential it has to ultimately be symbiotic or assimilatory. It suggests that the current trajectory for Total Data is more assimilatory than symbiotic, demonstrating more potential to collectively monitor and control people than to emancipate and empower them. In response, it calls for an authentic debate and reassessment of current data practices, and for an urgent reprioritisation of core and enduring human-centred values and symbiosis in technological systems development to emancipate and empower people living in a Total Data world.

A Limited Engagement: A Case Study in Using Contextualised Online Learning Environments to Engage With Marginalised Communities

Online support systems offer opportunities to support the cultivation of international stability by engaging with and enabling marginalised communities at local, national and international levels. In order to unlock this potential, it is imperative to understand the barriers and socio-emotional factors which impact on the engagement of these communities with the aforementioned systems. This paper presents preliminary findings on the barriers and difficulties in the case of one such marginalised community: students with specific learning difficulties. During research work performed with a section of this population, a low level of cohort participation generated the need to reassess the structure of the research and the motivations of the target population. Subsequently, an additional line of inquiry is necessary to address the motivational factors of the cohort to evaluate if the low participation is due to relatively benign issues such as a lack of interest in or low awareness of the project, or of a more serious nature, such as negative affectivity or learned helplessness.