4 Worlds: Coping With Technology Complexity

Contemporary being is characterized by complexity -increasing differentiation, multiplying relationships between parts, and decline from deterministic behavior (Gill, 2013; Kirshbaum, 2002; Lucas, 2007; Raymond et al., 1997; Weick, 1990). Technology is part of complexity. Complexity is manifest in the problem to be solved by technology, in the intellectual solution to the problem, in technology design and its workings, and in the technology user’s cognition (Fig. 1). This study introduces the MIPS model for studying technology complexity. It draws on Karl Popper's (1978) Three World ontology extended with the fourth aspect Social World. Technology is conceived in a multifaceted manner and from perspectives of different actors. The MIPS model was applied to the case of social media. It is found that MIPS contributed to broadening horizons of theorizing technology. Bob Travica Hickson Research Day, Asper School of Business, April, 2015 METHODOLOGY • Research problem: How can we comprehend complexity in technology? • Philosophical, epistemological study • Popper’s (1978) Three World-ontology extended with Social World • McLuhan’s (1960, 1962, 1964) ideas: global electronic brain, medium is a message, global tribalism, role of visual imagery in community creation • Case of social media • Research questions (MIPS model, Fig. 2): • Material: What functionality and physical shape does technology present to the actor? • Intellectual: What intellectual content embedded in technology does stand out for the actor? • Personal: How does an actor personally experience technology? • Social: What is/should technology be with regard to the social parties affecting the actor? SOCIAL WORLD Group Firm Community INTELLECTUAL WORLD Knowledge Arts PERSONAL WORLD Experience Cognition MATERIAL WORLD Artifacts Nature Fig. 2. MIPS Model Fig. 1. Domains of Complexity FINDINGS Ontologies of Info. Systems and MIPS Model Information System Ontology MIPS Aspect Material Intellectu al Person al Social Socio-technical P P Structuration P P P Action/Strategic Choice P Cognitive P Symbolic Action P Technology imperative P Actor-Network theory Sociomaterial P P Case of Social Media