A New Direction for Organisational End-User Computing

Organisational end-user computing is a domain which brings together the theory and practice of organisations, computing, and human activity. The research study and consultancy activity on which this paper is based proposes that any approach to the domain which privileges only technology or human activity will be deficient. What is required is a method which combines both activities in an organisational setting. Critical systems approaches, by their ability to address the shortcomings of both technological and human centred methods, provide a way out of this dilemma. Based on these, the paper gives a number of examples of methodologies drawn from critical theory which can be adapted to organisational end-user computing. Further, it proposes a foundation in theories of communicative action which offer a new direction for the domain.