Voices in Design: The dynamics of participatory information system design

Abstract

Knowledge is missing of how participation in informnation system design is built in practice and, particularily, of the interaction taking place within multi-disciplinary design groups. The aim of this study is to explore the dynamics of small-group design meetings where rules for a democratic dialogue are used. Using the grounded theory method, a descriptive model is inductively composed in which actions and events during the meetings are related to frames of sociocultural reference. This model can be employed as a theoretical background in the planning, performance, and evaluation of participatory design projects.