arXiv:2606.09839v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: How might implicit aesthetic perspectives shape what Information Systems (IS) scholarship recognises as worthy of study (or not)? In this hermeneutic literature analysis, we surface foundational aesthetic assumptions underpinning IS research. We identify four perspectives (aesthetics as imitation, sensory experience, world-making, and political doing) that guide how IS scholars perceive and appreciate sociotechnical phenomena. These perspectives influence what becomes recognisable as legitimate research and what remains unseen. By making aesthe
The increasing complexity and societal integration of information systems necessitate a deeper reflection on the foundational biases in their study and development.
Understanding the aesthetic perspectives shaping IS research helps identify overlooked areas, potential biases in system design, and ultimately influences the societal impact of technology.
The explicit recognition of implicit aesthetic assumptions will lead to more critical and potentially diverse approaches in Information Systems research, potentially broadening what is considered 'legitimate' study.
- · Critical theorists
- · Interdisciplinary researchers
- · Users of IS
- · Traditional IS methodologies
- · Researchers unaware of their biases
IS scholarship might begin to explicitly incorporate aesthetic considerations into system design and evaluation methodologies.
This critical lens could lead to the development of information systems that are more conscious of their cultural and social implications, moving beyond purely functional metrics.
A broader aesthetic discourse in IS might influence educational curricula, fostering a new generation of technologists with a more holistic understanding of technology's role.
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Read at arXiv cs.AI