Kraemer, Kenneth L.

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AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)

Association for Information SystemsAIS Electronic Library (AISeL)ICIS 1989 Proceedings International Conference on Information Systems(ICIS)1989PANEL 9 THE NEW SOCIAL PHYSICS: CANINFORMATION TECHNOLOGYTRANSFORM ORGANIZATIONS?Kenneth L. KraemerUniversity of California, IrvineFollow this and additional works at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/icis1989This material is brought to you by the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS) at AIS Electronic Library (AISeL). It has been acceptedfor inclusion in ICIS 1989 Proceedings by an authorized administrator of AIS Electronic Library (AISeL). For more information, please contactelibrary@aisnet.org.Recommended CitationKraemer, Kenneth L., "PANEL 9 THE NEW SOCIAL PHYSICS: CAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMORGANIZATIONS?" (1989). ICIS 1989 Proceedings. 20.http://aisel.aisnet.org/icis1989/20PANEL 9THE NEW SOCIAL PHYSICS: CAN INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGY TRANSFORM ORGANIZATIONS?Panel Chair: Kenneth L Kraemer, University of California, IrvinePanelists: Kenneth C. Laudon, New York UniversityPaul Attewell, State University of New York, Stony BrookJohn L King, University of California, IrvineMore than most fields which claim to be sciences, the MIS field originates a steady stream of both utopian fantasies anddystopian nightmares. Currently, the media is filled with hopeful messages: "computers flatten hierarchies," "automationlets lower level workers make decisions," "information technology is doing away with rigid organizations and replacingthem with networks of task forces," and, of course, "information technology is now being used for strategic competitiveadvantage."These utopian pronouncements, coupled with the occasional dystopian view, e.g., computers deskill workers, haveentertained the public for nearly twenty years now. But what is the truth of these statements? What kind of solidempirical evidence is there to support either utopian or dystopian views? Aside from technology, what role does thenormal business cycle, tax policy, management fashions, and changing products have on organizational behavior?This panel discusses these issues with three leading researchers who have recently completed large scale empiricalresearch efforts funded by the National Science Foundation and other sources.Kenneth C. Laudon, New York University, recently completed an NSF study of the evolution of information systems andorganization at the IRS, SSA, and FBI (1935-1990) (with Alan F. Westin of Columbia University).Paul Attewell, SUNY Stony Brook, recently completed a broadly based survey of the impacts of information technologyon work and organization (with James B. Rule of SUNY Stony Brook).John L. King, UC Irvine, recently completed a study with Kenneth L. Kracmer, also of UC Irvine, which determined thehistory of computing in six local governments over several decades.The Panel Chair, Kenneth L. Kracmer, has completed several NSF based on these topics.397

PANEL 9 THE NEW SOCIAL PHYSICS: CAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORM ORGANIZATIONS?

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PANEL 9 THE NEW SOCIAL PHYSICS: CAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORM ORGANIZATIONS?

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