Steps Toward an Ecology of Infrastructure: Design and Access for Large Information Spaces
Item
Title
Steps Toward an Ecology of Infrastructure: Design and Access for Large Information Spaces
Abstract/Description
We analyze a large-scale custom software effort, the Worm Community System (WCS), a collaborative system designed for a geographically dispersed community of geneticists. There were complex challenges in creating this infrastructural tool, ranging from simple lack of resources to complex organizational and intellectual communication failures and tradeoffs. Despite high user satisfaction with the system and interface, and extensive user needs assessment, feedback, and analysis, many users experienced difficulties in signing on and use. The study was conducted during a time of unprecedented growth in the Internet and its utilities (1991–1994), and many respondents turned to the World Wide Web for their information exchange. Using Bateson's model of levels of learning, we analyze the levels of infrastructural complexity involved in system access and designer-user communication. We analyze the connection between systems development aimed at supporting specific forms of collaborative knowledge work, local organizational transformation, and large-scale infrastructural change.
Author/creator
Date
In publication
Volume
7
Issue
1
Pages
111-134
Resource type
Background/Context
Medium
Print
Background/context type
Conceptual
Keywords
IRE Approach/Concept
Open access/free-text available
Yes
Peer reviewed
Yes
ISSN
1047-7047
Alternate version
Citation
Star, S. L., & Ruhleder, K. (1996). Steps Toward an Ecology of Infrastructure: Design and Access for Large Information Spaces. Information Systems Research, 7(1), 111–134. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.7.1.111
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
 Steps Towards an Ecology of Infrastructure: Complex Problems in Design and Access for Large-Scale Collaborative Systems |
Conference Paper |
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
 Introducing Improvement Research in Education |
Book Chapter |
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