BUSM1100 Defining and analysing organisational cultures

To complete this assignment you must analyse and deconstruct four readings (details provided below), reconciling them to the four paradigms discussed in the lectures and in the following paper: Hirschheim, R. & Klein, H. K. (1989). Four paradigms of information systems development. Communications of the ACM, Vol. 32(10): 1199-1216. To do well in this assignment, you must demonstrate a good understanding of how the authors attempt to convince you of the merits of their ideas. That is, you must demonstrate a good understanding of how the authors legitimate their views. To assist you to complete the assignment, follow the steps below. Step 1: Download the Hirschheim & Klein (1989) paper (see above), and the four readings you need to deconstruct (see below). The readings can be accessed via the library databases. There is one reading, by Gert Biesta (2005), Against learning, which is not within the library holdings, but is an "open access" paper. You may find this paper by clicking on the following link - "Against learning" - and then downloading the PDF, which is at the bottom left of the web page. Step 2: Learn the four paradigms Study Hirschheim and Klein's (1989) paper in depth. Listen to the lectures and attend your tutorials, during which the four paradigms of organisational analysis are identified and discussed. Watch the four video overviews provided by Dr Keith Toh, below, on each of the paradigms. Search out additional literature to aid your understanding, which you should then cite in your deconstruction. Build your knowledge of the relevant disciplinary-language. Discuss the four paradigms with your tutor, and seek clarification during your tutorials as required. Video Overview on Functionalism  Video Overview on Social Relativism (20 minutes) Video Overview on Radical Structuralism  Video Overview on Neohumanism Step 3: Use the template, below, as a guide to help you deconstruct the four scholarly readings We have already classified the four readings for you (see below). Your task is to deconstruct these readings, and explain why they embody their respective paradigm. The assignment template provides you with guidelines to help you deconstruct each reading. If you wish, you may fill in the template for each reading, and submit the four completed templates (collapsed into a single document). Using the template, however, is not compulsory. Please refer to the rubric to see the criteria against which you will be marked for this assignment.