On the suitability of organisation as general metaphor for the non-technical

Organisation has been a persistent focus of large parts of the fields dealing with use and design of computer artefacts. In recent years the concept of organisational learning has gained persistent interest despite the growing sensitivity to communities of praxis in theses fields. Thus, indicating that organisation is still a strong metaphor for the nontechnical. The concept of organisation as a general metaphor for social praxis is questioned, because of its systemic character and its tendency to assume external ownership. Likewise, the concept of learning is discussed as being problematic because it is emphasising adaptation and socialisation over expansion and breaking away. A focus on mediation, the historical development of artefacts, the crystallisation of activity into artefacts, and the deliberate transformation in design are pointed to as possible solutions to the current problems.