Conditions for Autonomy in the Information Society: Disentangling as a public service

Authors

Tone Bratteteig, University of OsloFollow
Guri B. VerneFollow

Abstract

An ambition for a democratic information society is providing services that maintain and even enhance citizens’ mastery and control of their life situation. Analyzing public services from a citizen autonomy perspective can indicate where the service and its IT-systems do not support user autonomy. We analyze a public service and discuss it as a sociomaterial entanglement. Based on our data on citizens’ use of a public service we identify a need to distinguish between entanglements and imbrications and suggest the notion of disentangling in order to characterize the way in which the public service advisors help the citizens. From at a design perspective we look for openings for change and improvement. Different types of entanglements need different types of competencies to address them. We make a distinction between entanglement and imbrication to open up a space for change. Finally, we discuss how the notion of disentangling tax issues can support citizen autonomy.

Recommended Citation

Bratteteig, Tone and Verne, Guri B. (2012) "Conditions for Autonomy in the Information Society: Disentangling as a public service," Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems: Vol. 24: Iss. 2, Article 3.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/sjis/vol24/iss2/3