Evaluating the behaviour of information systems developers: the relevance and utility of paradigms

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to investigate the behaviour of information systems (IS) developers during the IS development (ISD) process using the four-paradigm framework of Hirschheim et al. (1995), who introduced this approach to uncover the relationships between developers' assumptions and concomitant behaviours. The central issue is whether this four-paradigm framework can be operationalised to categorise the behaviours of IS developers. Using case studies of three UK National Health Service organisations in the North of England, we focus on the behavioural rather than the cognitive (assumptions) aspect of the four-paradigm approach. We employ a multi-method research design based on document analysis, structured interviews and participant observation in both formal and informal project settings. Our findings suggest that the four-paradigm approach is capable of classifying developer behaviour. We identify the existence of multiple paradigms in the ISD process and explore the effects of a dominant paradigm on developers' behaviours.