Systems Thinking for Design and Implementation of Infrastructure Systems - Essay Example

DISCUSS THE RELEVANCE OF ACTOR NETWORK THEORY AND SYSTEMS THINKING FOR DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS. State Discuss the Relevance of Actor Network Theory and Systems Thinking For Design and Implementation of Infrastructure Systems The design, development, introduction and use of any information infrastructure are usually socio-technical processes that involve intensive negotiations. The processes have open-ended characters such as the stumbling, compromises and non-technical agendas that require an analytic approach to outline the relevant issues related to the management of the processes. Actor network theory and system thinking are important approaches in the management of an information system. The actor network theory aids in approaching the landscape of society and technology. Actor network theory outlines the underlying attributes of an information system that are sensitive. It offers a language to describe an information infrastructure. This language describes where, how and the extent to which technology influences the society and human behavior. The process is important during the identification of the technical components that are installed in the system’s modules. Actor network theory is a strategic approach to system thinking because it questions categories of an information system (Onsrud 2007 p. 17). This theory targets the performing order by establishing effects, facts, technological solutions and beliefs. The relationship between society and technology can be conceptualized in different ways. Information technology is a critical factor in the development of a society because it simultaneously enables the amplification of dominating trends that are important for the restructuring of societies. Information technology figures and constrains changes in a society. Members of a society develop the technologies that they want, and they use these technologies for the sustainability of the society (Calderón & Servén, 2004, p. 3). Information technology aids societies to promote the interests of different members, particularly in the control of labor. Information systems comprise large numbers of inter connections and modules. Actor network theory presents a framework that is relevant concerning the design and implementation of information infrastructures. Actor network theory is relevant in the design and implementation of an infrastructure system because it is grounded on simple observations. This theory is concerned with the ways in which design and implementation are done, rather than the ways in which these processes are normatively supposed to be approached. Actor network theory explains how technological artifacts are designed. In addition, the theory explains the processes that are performed during the design of a system and the influences of these processes to the outcome. During planning for an infrastructure system, actor network theory states that the actions of the design are connected or related. This means that the designer does not work in a vacuum, but under the influence of different surrounding factors. The actions of the designer and the influencing factors need to be considered together. In an actor network, actions are lined together in order to produce a network. It is vital to note that an action network links both the non-technical and technical elements of a system (Gharajedaghi 2009, p. 7). Therefore, action network theory focuses on the heterogeneous nature of the action networks. This approach in design and implementation has the potential to increase the levels of precision and detail in the final product. This allows a designer the opportunities to look beyond technical and social elements. It also supports a detailed description of concrete mechanisms that glue the network together. During the implementation of an infrastructure system, action network prevents the implementer from distraction by the non-technical or technical elements or means of completing the implementation. In the design and implementation of an infrastructure system, action networks are situated and contextual. It occurs as the input from networks of heterogeneous materials, which create the context. During design and implementation, the action network includes efforts from contracts, incentives, habits of employees, hierarchical power structure and existing modules and systems. Employees and managers of the system pledge their commitment towards the completion of the system (Fenwick & Edwards 2012 p. 82). In addition, they provide their judgment of the existing systems. The actor networks in these elements shape the actions and context of the society. The objective of actor network is to instruct people to create maps of sets of elements. These maps influence, determine and shape actions. Each of the elements is part of an action network, which leads to the creation of a society. Two concepts of action network are relevant in the design and implementation of an infrastructure system. The two ideologies are translation and inscription. Inscription is the ways in which technical artifacts embody patterns of usage. Technical elements are simultaneously embodied and measured against relations between heterogeneous elements (Hanseth & Monteiro, 2006, p. 184). In order to ensure the sustainability of the society in which action networks exists, it is essential to establish an objectivistic stance that supports the usage of artifacts and a subjectivist stance that has the flexibility to interpret artifacts appropriately. Sustainability is enhanced through inscriptions that describe the ways in which concrete restrictions and anticipations will be involved in the development and use of technologies. Social order and stability are continually negotiated by aligning interests in a social process. This occurs through processes of translation, which generate ordering effects. These ordering effects include institutions, agents, devices and organizations. Actors in a network have varied interests. The constancy of the network depends on ability of actors to translate, re-present, re-interpret or appropriate the interests of others. With the support of translation, these interests are presented in different ways in order to mobilize broader support for the system during implementation. Translations presume the medium on which it has been inscribed. It means that translations are embodied in machines, bodily skills and texts. Providing support for translation ensures that the mediums are fully executed. According to the actor network theory, design is translated (Jonsson 2005, p. 5). This means that users and the interests of others are translated into specific needs, which may be translated to general and unified needs. The needs are translated with an aim of generating solutions. When the solution is operational and running, it is adopted by users through the translation of the infrastructure into the context of their specific situations and tasks. In this case, the designer’s responsibility is to create a scenario of how the system is used. The scenario is usually inscribed into the system. These inscriptions include the programs of actions performed by users. The inscriptions also classify the roles of the system and its users. During design, the designer makes assumptions about the competencies required by users to use the system effectively. The actor network theory enables the designer delegate competencies and roles to the elements of the socio-technical network. An important feature of an infrastructure is irreversibility. It is vital to note that an infrastructure system is an aligned action network. Constitutive features of the infrastructure include protocols, standards, user experiences expectations and bureaucratic procedures, which inscribe patterns of usage. An aligned action network is irreversible because the actions of the actors are durable and resistant to change from competing translations. The degree of irreversibility is dependent on the degree to which it is impossible to go back and the degree to which it determines and shapes subsequent translations. An actor network is irreversible because of the notion of momentum (Kain 2003, p. 9). The dynamics of momentum unfold as the system grows. Momentum is a self-reinforcing process that gains force with the growth of the technical system. Major changes that may interfere with momentum are conceivable during in extraordinary instances. The extent of irreversibility of a system is dependent on the process of institutionalization. This functions in both ways because an increased degree of irreversibility may be signaled by firm institutionalization. The establishment of institutions functions as ways of aligning a network in order to make it increasingly irreversible. Infrastructure systems are important to the social, fiscal and ecological development of a country. These systems influence the quality of life and availability of opportunities to the society. The design of infrastructure systems requires the use of systems thinking approaches. Systems thinking approach is based on the formation of complex or functionally related groups, which are interrelated, interdependent and interacting. Systems thinking strategy is used in the design and implementation of infrastructure systems as an approach of analysis, which is based on the notion that component elements of a system act differently when they are isolated from their environment. Systems thinking approach views systems holistically rather than using reductionist techniques (Hanseth, Monteiro & Hatling 2007, p. 408). The approach is concerned with the collection of insights by understanding the interactions and linkages between elements, which make up the system. Systems thinking strategy is based on the recognition that human activities are open systems, which are influenced by the systems, in which they exist. During the design of an infrastructure system, systems thinking see through the chaos of the design process. It aids the management of interdependencies, delegation of tasks and understanding of choices. The objective of systems thinking is to focus on a holistic approach, system or object. According to systems thinking approaches, problems or difficulties to a system are caused by internal problems. These problems arise from the actions taken by people. In most of the cases, people believe that their actions are solutions to existing problems. Systems thinking can design improved infrastructural systems and model desires, goals, expectations and perceptions. Systems thinking produce imprecise and conditional projections of dynamic behavioral modes. Systems thinking strategy is a sustainability tool that confers specific advantages to approaches used in infrastructure design and implementation. Systems thinking provide competitive advantages through its focus on the concept of holistic thinking (Callon 2011, p. 133). This enables between contextual and situational understanding of issues. Systems thinking also provide a model or framework for comprehending complexities and changes. The process achieved through the application of feedback control mechanisms. Designers employ systems thinking to model the basic structure of systems. The process enables them to capture behaviors in a system. Conclusion Actor network theory and system thinking are important approaches that guide management of the processes in an information system. Systems thinking approach is based on the formation of complex or functionally related groups, which are interrelated, interdependent and interacting. The design, development, introduction and use of any information infrastructure are socio-technical processes that involve intensive negotiations. Actor network theory and system thinking are important approaches for the management of the processes in an information system. The theory is significant during the recognition of the technical components that are installed in the system’s modules. It questions categories of an information system. This theory targets the performing order by establishing effects, facts, technological solutions and beliefs. The strategy is employed in the design and implementation of infrastructure systems as an approach of analysis based on the notion that component elements of a system act differently when they are isolated from their environment. List of References Calderón, C. & Servén, L 2004, The Effects of Infrastructure Development on Growth and Income Distribution. Callon, M 2011, Techno-economic network and irreversibility, In J. Law, editor, A sociology of monsters. Essays on power, technology and domination, Routledge, 132- 164. Gharajedaghi, J 2009, Systems Thinking: Managing Chaos and Complexity, Elsevier. ISBN 10: 0-7506-7973-5. Top of Form Onsrud, H 2007, Research and theory in advancing spatial data infrastructure concepts, Redlands, Calif, ESRI Press. Bottom of Form Top of Form Fenwick, T & Edwards, R 2012, Researching education through actor-network theory. Chichester, West Sussex, Wiley-Blackwell. Bottom of Form Hanseth, O & Monteiro, E 2006, Inscribing behavior in information infrastructure standards. Accounting, Management & Information Technologies, 7(4):183-211. Hanseth, O., Monteiro, E. & Hatling, M 2007, Developing information infrastructure standards: the tension between standardization and flexibility, Science, Technology & Human Values, 21(4):407-426. Jonsson, D 2005, The Nature of Infrasystem Services. Journal of Infrasystems, March 2005, 1-8.  Kain, H 2003, Socio-technical Knowledge, Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden. Read More