Reactionary reactions to altering activity theory

Abstract

The proposal of [González , V., 2006. The nature of managing multiple activities in the workplace. Doctoral dissertation in Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine], that an intermediate level of analysis is desirable when applying traditional activity theory in practical human–computer interaction and computer supported cooperative work applications, is examined with respect to its teleological and methodological adequacy. The specification of his new level and its relationship to its adjacent lower level one is analysed. First, it is suggested that if one new level can be added to an activity theory analysis, then there seems no reason not to add more levels if required in a project. Second, it is disputed that teleological entities, goals, can be aggregated to higher level ones, purposes. Third, the utility of activity theory’s traditional emphasis on individual and collective consciousness is questioned. Fourth, some of the example data provided is analysed with respect to the claims concerning its support for the new level of analysis. Fifth, the distinction between analysts’ versus stakeholders’ models of a system of interest is discussed.