The politics of performative ontology in information systems

Dirk Postma

doi:10.4102/td.v9i2.204

Abstract

This article argues that information systems (ISs) and information system ontologies (ISOs) are powerful devices that perform reality in profound ways. The development and use of ISOs are forms of ontological politics through which interests are promoted, identities established and resources distributed. ISOs are ideological in so far as their political nature is not recognised while serving partial interests. This happens when ISOs are seen as merely technical, inevitable and natural. A democratic politics of ISs and ISOs is needed in order to make public these political actions. This article aims to create a critical awareness of the ways in which technologies perform reality an d argues that the political agenda must be activated through the opening up of terrains of dissensus and contestation within the technical performances of reality. It provides examples of such ontological politics of technology.Keywords: Information system ontologies, performativity, technology, politics, contestation

Highlights

Technology in general and information technology in particular shape reality profoundly
The Anthropocene2 (Crutzen & Stoermer, 2000) does not refer, as the name suggests, to the dominant role of only humans, but rather to the powerful effects of assemblages of which humans are a part and within which they do not necessarily have the first or last say. This is illustrated by and understanding that the unprecedented impact humans have on and beyond planet earth would not be possible without technologies
The ontologies embedded in databases and information systems (ISs) are not neutral devices that represent an objective, pre-existing world or ensure efficient processes and procedures

Summary

Introduction

Technology in general and information technology in particular shape reality profoundly From this perspective, The Anthropocene (Crutzen & Stoermer, 2000) does not refer, as the name suggests, to the dominant role of only humans, but rather to the powerful effects of assemblages of which humans are a part and within which they do not necessarily have the first or last say. Human abilities to penetrate to the invisible nano-terrain and to explore expanding horizons of outer space and to leave an indelible trace everywhere are mediated and made possible by technologies In these processes technologies are not instruments (intermediaries) through which predefined purposes are achieved but they play an active role as mediators to co-define these purposes (Latour, 2002). Technologies are not something that we act on or with, but they have become co-actors that change ends and conceptions of what is good

Objectives

Conclusion